JeffHCross
09-06-2014, 10:30 AM
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Ohio State enters the 2014 season with much more hope than they did in 2013. Here's a look at who will don the scarlet-and-gray this season.
(Note: Starters in bold)
Quarterbacks
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
Comp
Att
Yards
TD
INT
Comp
Rate
Sacks
Sack Rate
Yards/
Att.
Marcus Avery
QB
6'5”, 220
JR
78
Leroy Harris
QB
6'3”, 210
JR
75
103
141
1094
9
5
73.0%
9
6.0%
7.8
Brad Morris
QB
6'2”, 202
JR
78
124
203
1308
10
16
61.1%
13
6.0%
6.4
Marcus Crosby
QB
6'2”, 212
SO
56
1
1
8
0
0
100.0%
0
0.0%
8.0
Brad Morris entered the 2013 season as the presumed starter at quarterback for the renewed Ohio State football program, especially with the Buckeyes' expected focus on the passing game. But after four losses in their first four games, and Morris not looking particularly impressive, even in defeat, a change was made. Leroy Harris started the next five games, winning the first four, with a offensive gameplan centered around a Read Option running game. Unfortunately, Harris went down with an injury against Wisconsin. If nothing else, Harris' loss spurred the Ohio State coaching staff to chase after other rushing quarterbacks in recruiting, to add depth.
As a result, Harris will again be the backup this season; this time, he will be backing up JUCO transfer Marcus Avery, who starred last year at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. With Avery behind center, Ohio State is expected to maintain their run-centric offensive gameplan. Harris and Morris remain with the program to provide depth if Avery goes down during the year.
Running Backs
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
Rushes
Yards
TD
Yards/
Carry
David Edwards
HB
5'11”, 211
JR
72
144
728
7
5.1
Nathan Jackson
HB
5'11”, 210
SO
70
16
96
0
6.0
Kris Davis
HB
6'0”, 211
FR
70
Paul Robinson
HB
5'10”, 210
SO
71
66
285
5
4.3
Ohio State returns all of their rushing yards from 2013, though the Buckeyes' leading rusher was Quarterback Leroy Harris, who will now be a backup. Among the running backs, David Edwards led the team with 728 yards, and will return as the odds-on-favorite to start. 3-star Freshman Kris Davis enters fall camp with a chance to become the first freshman to start at halfback for Ohio State since Maurice Clarett in 2002. In other notes, Nathan Jackson is expected to be the second-string halfback, supplanting Paul Robinson.
Receivers
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
Catches
Yards
Yds/
Catch
% of Team
Catches
% of Team
Yards
Tim Herron
WR
6'4”, 196
JR
79
Mike Luke
WR
6'0”, 188
SR
77
65
610
9.4
28.5%
25.3%
Josh White
WR
6'2”, 209
SR
75
38
442
11.6
16.7%
18.3%
Larry Williams
TE
6'4”, 237
JR
74
27
290
10.7
11.8%
12.0%
David Little
WR
6'2”, 212
SO
75
15
107
7.1
6.6%
4.4%
Jake Overstreet
WR
5'11”, 183
SO
70
22
217
9.9
9.6%
9.0%
Lonnie Tidwell
TE
6'7”, 244
FR
64
As with the running game, Ohio State returns all their receiving yards in 2013, and adds JUCO transfer in WR Tim Herron, who will join the team as the #1 receiving threat. Herron's addition adds a deep threat to the Buckeyes air attack, and his size should contribute in the red zone. Mike Luke returns as the leading receiver from a season ago, and should continue to be looked to as the reliable possession receiver.
Offensive Line
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
Career Starts
Matt Taylor
LT
6'4”, 297
SR
66
12
Bryan Lacey
RT
6'5”, 295
FR
69
0
Tyler Gordon
LG
6'2”, 293
SR
72
12
Nate Newberry
RG
6'4”, 266
FR
66
0
Joshua Newman
C
6'6”, 288
FR
70
0
Casey Herring
LT
6'5”, 300
FR
68
0
Will Fellows
LG
5'11”, 287
JR
63
0
In the trenches, Ohio State will bring three new starters into the fold in 2014, with the only holdovers being guard Tyler Gordon (the best lineman on the line) and left tackle Matt Taylor (who played right tackle last season). The three new starters are all true freshmen, giving the Buckeyes an unusual combination of two seniors (Gordon and Taylor) and three freshmen (RT Bryan Lacey, RG Nate Newberry and C Joshua Newman) along the same offensive line. Freshman Casey Herring and JUCO transfer Will Fellows will attempt to provide depth at all five positions.
Defensive Line
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Mike Walters
DT
6'2”, 321
SR
60
2
0.6%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Todd Pace
RE
6'5”, 265
JR
72
18
5.0%
5
1
0
0
0
0
Brandon Walker
LE
6'1”, 232
FR
72
Thomas Mason
DT
6'4”, 276
SR
58
0
0.0%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Hayford
DT
6'3”, 271
JR
50
2
0.6%
1
0
0
0
0
0
Andrew Fitzpatrick
DT
6'4”, 293
JR
40
Marcus Harrell
LE
6'4”, 271
JR
58
1
0.3%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Kenneth Holmes
RE
6'1”, 244
SO
64
1
0.3%
1
1
0
0
0
0
Dave Bishop
LE
6'3”, 255
SO
45
On the other side of the trenches, it's a much stranger story. Mike Walters and Thomas Mason both went through spring practice on the offensive line, and now both are expected to start at Defensive Tackle at the last minute. Marcus Harrell is expected to make the same move, except to defensive end, where he won't be called upon to start. Junior Todd Pace returns to one defensive end spot, with freshman Brandon Walker expected to start at the other end.
Linebackers
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Robin Hodges
OLB
6'4”, 246
FR
72
Brandon Frederick
OLB
6'3”, 224
SO
70
25
7.0%
4
0
0
0
0
0
Matt Charles
MLB
6'1”, 232
SR
80
75
20.9%
15
5
3
0
1
1
Randy Williams
MLB
6'1”, 208
SO
79
32
8.9%
11
0
0
0
0
1
Ryan Perkins
OLB
6'1”, 240
JR
70
5
1.4%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Barry Lloyd
OLB
6'3”, 234
JR
74
24
6.7%
9
4
0
1
0
0
Paul Hawthorne
MLB
6'0”, 238
SO
65
14
3.9%
3
1
0
0
0
0
Maurice Walker
MLB
5'9”, 223
FR
62
Brandon Walker is expected to take the starting job at left end, in part because last year's starter, Barry Lloyd, has moved back to Outside Linebacker, which he last played in high school. Within Ohio State's 3-4 scheme, Lloyd is much more of an outside pass rush threat, and Buckeye coaches have placed his value most at the OLB spot. Lloyd will probably split time with freshman Robin Hodges at the LOLB spot. Last year's top OLB, Randy Williams, moves inside this year in the 3-4, moving alongside Matt Charles, Ohio State's only All-Conference selection. Buckeye coaches can only hope that Charles' ability to be in the right place at the right time rubs off on the other defenders this season.
Secondary
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Robert Ellis
CB
6'1”, 180
JR
72
DeAndre Chance
CB
6'0”, 175
JR
72
Craig Smith
FS
6'2”, 180
FR
74
Rashad Alston
SS
6'1”, 194
JR
77
Lee Gore
STAR
5'9”, 166
FR
76
Nathan Cox
CB
6'0”, 161
JR
69
29
8.1%
3
0
3
3
0
0
Edward Wood
CB
6'1”, 196
JR
68
12
3.3%
2
0
0
0
0
0
Michael Busch
CB
6'1”, 199
SO
66
36
10.0%
0
0
3
1
0
0
Austin Davis
FS
6'3”, 209
JR
68
59
16.4%
1
0
2
1
0
0
Eric Foreman
SS
6'1”, 200
JR
72
24
6.7%
3
0
1
0
0
0
Another position group, another overhaul for Ohio State. Two JUCO transfers, DeAndre Chance and Robert Ellis, join the team and instantly slide into the starting lineup. Last year's starters at cornerback return and will provide skilled depth at the nickel and dime spots. There are also three new starters at safety, including freshman FS Craig Smith, JUCO transfer SS Rashad Alston, and freshman STAR Lee Gore. Gore's STAR position is new to the Buckeye defense this season, as Coach Jeff HCross returns to his roots with a 5-DB defense as a base. Expect to see Alston and Gore flying all over the field this season.
Specialists
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
PAT
FG
FG Pct
Punts
Net
Avg
TB
I20
Dan Pierce
P
5'10”, 227
SR
87
38
15
83.3%
28
39.7
2
8
Dan Pierce returns as the sole kicking specialist for Ohio State. Pierce will handle both punting and kicking duties for 2014. Pierce was responsible for three game-winning field goals last season.
http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac330/jeffhc/904x150x2014-fb-season-preview-bannerpngpagespeedicZKR7qKgX0h_zps0e350294.png
Ohio State enters the 2014 season with much more hope than they did in 2013. Here's a look at who will don the scarlet-and-gray this season.
(Note: Starters in bold)
Quarterbacks
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
Comp
Att
Yards
TD
INT
Comp
Rate
Sacks
Sack Rate
Yards/
Att.
Marcus Avery
QB
6'5”, 220
JR
78
Leroy Harris
QB
6'3”, 210
JR
75
103
141
1094
9
5
73.0%
9
6.0%
7.8
Brad Morris
QB
6'2”, 202
JR
78
124
203
1308
10
16
61.1%
13
6.0%
6.4
Marcus Crosby
QB
6'2”, 212
SO
56
1
1
8
0
0
100.0%
0
0.0%
8.0
Brad Morris entered the 2013 season as the presumed starter at quarterback for the renewed Ohio State football program, especially with the Buckeyes' expected focus on the passing game. But after four losses in their first four games, and Morris not looking particularly impressive, even in defeat, a change was made. Leroy Harris started the next five games, winning the first four, with a offensive gameplan centered around a Read Option running game. Unfortunately, Harris went down with an injury against Wisconsin. If nothing else, Harris' loss spurred the Ohio State coaching staff to chase after other rushing quarterbacks in recruiting, to add depth.
As a result, Harris will again be the backup this season; this time, he will be backing up JUCO transfer Marcus Avery, who starred last year at Hutchinson (Kan.) Community College. With Avery behind center, Ohio State is expected to maintain their run-centric offensive gameplan. Harris and Morris remain with the program to provide depth if Avery goes down during the year.
Running Backs
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
Rushes
Yards
TD
Yards/
Carry
David Edwards
HB
5'11”, 211
JR
72
144
728
7
5.1
Nathan Jackson
HB
5'11”, 210
SO
70
16
96
0
6.0
Kris Davis
HB
6'0”, 211
FR
70
Paul Robinson
HB
5'10”, 210
SO
71
66
285
5
4.3
Ohio State returns all of their rushing yards from 2013, though the Buckeyes' leading rusher was Quarterback Leroy Harris, who will now be a backup. Among the running backs, David Edwards led the team with 728 yards, and will return as the odds-on-favorite to start. 3-star Freshman Kris Davis enters fall camp with a chance to become the first freshman to start at halfback for Ohio State since Maurice Clarett in 2002. In other notes, Nathan Jackson is expected to be the second-string halfback, supplanting Paul Robinson.
Receivers
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
Catches
Yards
Yds/
Catch
% of Team
Catches
% of Team
Yards
Tim Herron
WR
6'4”, 196
JR
79
Mike Luke
WR
6'0”, 188
SR
77
65
610
9.4
28.5%
25.3%
Josh White
WR
6'2”, 209
SR
75
38
442
11.6
16.7%
18.3%
Larry Williams
TE
6'4”, 237
JR
74
27
290
10.7
11.8%
12.0%
David Little
WR
6'2”, 212
SO
75
15
107
7.1
6.6%
4.4%
Jake Overstreet
WR
5'11”, 183
SO
70
22
217
9.9
9.6%
9.0%
Lonnie Tidwell
TE
6'7”, 244
FR
64
As with the running game, Ohio State returns all their receiving yards in 2013, and adds JUCO transfer in WR Tim Herron, who will join the team as the #1 receiving threat. Herron's addition adds a deep threat to the Buckeyes air attack, and his size should contribute in the red zone. Mike Luke returns as the leading receiver from a season ago, and should continue to be looked to as the reliable possession receiver.
Offensive Line
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
Career Starts
Matt Taylor
LT
6'4”, 297
SR
66
12
Bryan Lacey
RT
6'5”, 295
FR
69
0
Tyler Gordon
LG
6'2”, 293
SR
72
12
Nate Newberry
RG
6'4”, 266
FR
66
0
Joshua Newman
C
6'6”, 288
FR
70
0
Casey Herring
LT
6'5”, 300
FR
68
0
Will Fellows
LG
5'11”, 287
JR
63
0
In the trenches, Ohio State will bring three new starters into the fold in 2014, with the only holdovers being guard Tyler Gordon (the best lineman on the line) and left tackle Matt Taylor (who played right tackle last season). The three new starters are all true freshmen, giving the Buckeyes an unusual combination of two seniors (Gordon and Taylor) and three freshmen (RT Bryan Lacey, RG Nate Newberry and C Joshua Newman) along the same offensive line. Freshman Casey Herring and JUCO transfer Will Fellows will attempt to provide depth at all five positions.
Defensive Line
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Mike Walters
DT
6'2”, 321
SR
60
2
0.6%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Todd Pace
RE
6'5”, 265
JR
72
18
5.0%
5
1
0
0
0
0
Brandon Walker
LE
6'1”, 232
FR
72
Thomas Mason
DT
6'4”, 276
SR
58
0
0.0%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Chris Hayford
DT
6'3”, 271
JR
50
2
0.6%
1
0
0
0
0
0
Andrew Fitzpatrick
DT
6'4”, 293
JR
40
Marcus Harrell
LE
6'4”, 271
JR
58
1
0.3%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Kenneth Holmes
RE
6'1”, 244
SO
64
1
0.3%
1
1
0
0
0
0
Dave Bishop
LE
6'3”, 255
SO
45
On the other side of the trenches, it's a much stranger story. Mike Walters and Thomas Mason both went through spring practice on the offensive line, and now both are expected to start at Defensive Tackle at the last minute. Marcus Harrell is expected to make the same move, except to defensive end, where he won't be called upon to start. Junior Todd Pace returns to one defensive end spot, with freshman Brandon Walker expected to start at the other end.
Linebackers
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Robin Hodges
OLB
6'4”, 246
FR
72
Brandon Frederick
OLB
6'3”, 224
SO
70
25
7.0%
4
0
0
0
0
0
Matt Charles
MLB
6'1”, 232
SR
80
75
20.9%
15
5
3
0
1
1
Randy Williams
MLB
6'1”, 208
SO
79
32
8.9%
11
0
0
0
0
1
Ryan Perkins
OLB
6'1”, 240
JR
70
5
1.4%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Barry Lloyd
OLB
6'3”, 234
JR
74
24
6.7%
9
4
0
1
0
0
Paul Hawthorne
MLB
6'0”, 238
SO
65
14
3.9%
3
1
0
0
0
0
Maurice Walker
MLB
5'9”, 223
FR
62
Brandon Walker is expected to take the starting job at left end, in part because last year's starter, Barry Lloyd, has moved back to Outside Linebacker, which he last played in high school. Within Ohio State's 3-4 scheme, Lloyd is much more of an outside pass rush threat, and Buckeye coaches have placed his value most at the OLB spot. Lloyd will probably split time with freshman Robin Hodges at the LOLB spot. Last year's top OLB, Randy Williams, moves inside this year in the 3-4, moving alongside Matt Charles, Ohio State's only All-Conference selection. Buckeye coaches can only hope that Charles' ability to be in the right place at the right time rubs off on the other defenders this season.
Secondary
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Robert Ellis
CB
6'1”, 180
JR
72
DeAndre Chance
CB
6'0”, 175
JR
72
Craig Smith
FS
6'2”, 180
FR
74
Rashad Alston
SS
6'1”, 194
JR
77
Lee Gore
STAR
5'9”, 166
FR
76
Nathan Cox
CB
6'0”, 161
JR
69
29
8.1%
3
0
3
3
0
0
Edward Wood
CB
6'1”, 196
JR
68
12
3.3%
2
0
0
0
0
0
Michael Busch
CB
6'1”, 199
SO
66
36
10.0%
0
0
3
1
0
0
Austin Davis
FS
6'3”, 209
JR
68
59
16.4%
1
0
2
1
0
0
Eric Foreman
SS
6'1”, 200
JR
72
24
6.7%
3
0
1
0
0
0
Another position group, another overhaul for Ohio State. Two JUCO transfers, DeAndre Chance and Robert Ellis, join the team and instantly slide into the starting lineup. Last year's starters at cornerback return and will provide skilled depth at the nickel and dime spots. There are also three new starters at safety, including freshman FS Craig Smith, JUCO transfer SS Rashad Alston, and freshman STAR Lee Gore. Gore's STAR position is new to the Buckeye defense this season, as Coach Jeff HCross returns to his roots with a 5-DB defense as a base. Expect to see Alston and Gore flying all over the field this season.
Specialists
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
247sports.com
Rating
PAT
FG
FG Pct
Punts
Net
Avg
TB
I20
Dan Pierce
P
5'10”, 227
SR
87
38
15
83.3%
28
39.7
2
8
Dan Pierce returns as the sole kicking specialist for Ohio State. Pierce will handle both punting and kicking duties for 2014. Pierce was responsible for three game-winning field goals last season.