Highlighting 5 Key Buckeyes Who Could Be Making Their Last Collegiate Start in the Rose Bowl

By David Regimbal on December 27, 2018 at 1:30 pm
Dwayne Haskins
Eleven Warriors
34 Comments

When Ohio State takes the field in Pasadena, California for its Rose Bowl matchup against Washington, it'll likely be the last time Buckeye fans see Dwayne Haskins donning the Scarlet and Gray.

The same is true for a number of key seniors and a pair of players who have already announced their intention to enter next spring's NFL draft.

With the Rose Bowl nearing, and in turn, Urban Meyer's final game as Ohio State's head coach, there are a number of Buckeyes looking to go out with a bang.

Here are five players to watch.

Dwayne Haskins

Ohio State might get just one season from the most prolific passer in its long history.

Haskins didn't even get through the full schedule before rewriting just about all of Ohio State's (and the Big Ten's) single-season passing records. In 13 games, the redshirt sophomore threw for 4,580 yards and 47 touchdowns with just eight interceptions while completing a blistering 70.2 percent of his passes. He eclipsed 300 passing yards in all but four games (!) and 400 passing yards in five contests (!!!).

Haskins will go against a stiff Washington secondary that allowed just 185.4 passing yards per game this season.

Mike Weber

Running back Mike Weber spurned home-state Michigan to play for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes, and he'll finish his collegiate career with over 2,500 rushing yards, 25 total touchdowns and three victories over the Wolverines.

The 5'10", 214-pound back has a year of eligibility remaining but already announced he's leaving Ohio State to chase his NFL dream. In his final game, he'll be facing a defense that ranks 15th nationally against the run.

Parris Campbell

Parris Campbell will be gunning for history in the Rose Bowl.

The speedy receiver out of Akron, Ohio needs just eight yards to become the fifth player in school history to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in a single season. That would put him among the Ohio State greats: David Boston, Terry Glenn, Cris Carter and Michael Jenkins.

It's quite the redemption story for a player who struggled with drops early in his career after playing running back primarily in high school.

Dre'Mont Jones

Ohio State had a rough recruiting stretch at defensive tackle, but Dre'Mont Jones bridged the gap by becoming one of the most formidable interior pass-rushers in the country.

The junior out of Cleveland, Ohio stepped up for a line that lost its best player three games into the season, ranking second on the team in sacks (8.5) and tackles for loss (13.5). He has an opportunity to boost both numbers going against a Washington team that surrenders nearly two sacks a game.

Jones, like Weber, has another year of eligibility, but has already announced his intentions to enter the draft after playing in the Rose Bowl.

Michael Jordan

Michael Jordan had some big shoes to fill this season. The Buckeyes had lost 2017 Rimington Award winner Billy Price at center last year, a senior who was replacing 2016 Rimington Award winner Pat Elflein the year before.

All he managed to do was put together a first-team All-American season while anchoring the Buckeyes overhauled offensive line. And while he has a year of eligibility remaining, Eleven Warriors' own Chris Lauderback wrote about the tough decision he'll face after the Rose Bowl.

Keep an eye on the center of Ohio State's offensive line as he tries to insert his will against a defensive front that ranks just 107th nationally in sacks.

34 Comments
View 34 Comments