JeffHCross
02-15-2015, 11:28 AM
http://i912.photobucket.com/albums/ac330/jeffhc/11W_header_zps643e55dc.png
Two seasons removed from their national championship run, Ohio State has been unable to even win the Big Ten the last two years. With a steady influx of talent into Columbus, the Buckeyes have reloaded once again and should challenge for the conference crown. Can they break through the ceiling again?
Quarterbacks
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Comp
Att
Yards
TD
INT
Comp
Rate
Sacks
Sack Rate
Yards/
Att.
Jason Roberson
QB
6'1”, 243
SR
97
7
18
52
0
3
38.9%
1
5.3%
2.9
Torrance Gibson
QB
5'11”, 178
SO
88
146
215
1691
7
16
67.9%
6
2.7%
7.9
David Cox
QB
6'3”, 221
SO
79
Freshman Torrance Gibson enrolled last January, pushed heir apparently Jason Roberson for playing time in the spring, and then had an eye-opening performance in the spring game. Gibson ended up becoming the first freshman to start a season opener for the Buckeyes since Art Schlichter did so in 1978. Gibson's play improved throughout the season, and all expectations were that he would follow it up with an impressive sophomore campaign. However, a minor injury slowed Gibson's offseason development, and instead Jason Roberson took all of the first team snaps this spring. Reports out of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center are that Roberson is expected to at least start the first game of his senior campaign. Coach Jeff HCross is rumored to have said that the team "simply can't afford" to leave Roberson on the bench with as much as he's developed over the spring
Gibson is expected to, at the very least, play in select packages this season, including the Buckeyes version of the Wildcat.
Running Backs
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Rushes
Yards
TD
Yards/
Carry
% of Team
Yards
Nathan Jackson
HB
5'11”, 210
Grad
4
21
0
5.3
0.6%
Kris Davis
HB
6'0”, 217
SR
89
300
2056
31
6.9
55.0%
Drew Thornton
HB
5'11”, 205
SO
84
107
648
2
6.1
17.3%
Ray Hines
HB
5'11”, 215
FR
81
Redshirt
Paul Robinson
HB
5'10”, 212
SR
90
14
64
0
4.6
1.7%
Cory Rivera
FB
6'2”, 239
JR
69
3
15
0
5.0
0.4%
Two seasons ago, Kris Davis had merely the fourth best season in history for an Ohio State running back. Last season, Davis topped that by becoming Ohio State's all-time leading rusher for a single season. Detractors point out that Eddie George's 1995 Heisman campaign counted one less game, but there is still no overlooking what Davis accomplished, especially with every opponent being fully aware that Davis was the top offensive threat last season. Another 1600 yards season, certainly within the realm of possibility, would give Davis the all-time NCAA record for career rushing yards, surpassing Ron Dayne's mark.
Drew Thornton was expected to play a change-of-pace role last season, and for the most part he did well in spelling Davis from time to time. Thornton's best accomplishment was keeping Davis fresh throughout the game, allowing the star to continue to eat up yards, even in the fourth quarter. This year Ray Hines will take off his redshirt and join the fold, and he may actually be the fastest of the three running backs. Expect Thornton and Hines to both enter the game situationally. Both are also expected to return kicks as well.
Paul Robinson enters his senior year as the likely fourth back in rotation.
Receivers
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Catches
Yards
TD
Yds/
Catch
% of Team
Catches
% of Team
Yards
David Little
WR
6'2”, 212
Grad
40
384
2
9.6
26.1%
22.0%
Jake Overstreet
WR
5'11”, 183
Grad
4
43
1
10.8
2.6%
2.5%
Garrett Baker
WR
6'3”, 201
SR
91
34
400
0
11.8
22.2%
22.9%
Brad Parker
WR
6'4”, 252
SO
87
11
148
1
13.5
7.2%
8.5%
John Matthews
WR
6'4”, 232
SR
83
3
53
0
17.7
2.0%
3.0%
Louis Rhodes
WR
6'4”, 198
JR
80
0
0
0
0.0
0.0%
0.0%
Simeon Whitaker
WR
6'2”, 201
FR
79
Redshirt
Jonathan Coleman
WR
6'5”, 210
FR
77
:4star:
Lance Marshall
TE
6'3”, 259
JR
83
28
319
2
11.4
18.3%
18.3%
Drew Mitchell
TE
6'4”, 230
SO
84
16
143
0
8.9
10.5%
8.2%
Lonnie Tidwell
TE
6'7”, 253
SR
74
1
2
0
2.0
0.7%
0.1%
Garrett Baker emerged at the end of last season as a reliable receiving threat for the Buckeyes, though he only tallied 400 yards for the year. Baker will be the #1 target this year, and with Roberson's improvement in the offseason, Baker may be the beneficiary of an improved passing attack. Lance Marshall, a WR/TE tweener last year, made the full time move to tight end in the spring, and will be the starter in the fall. Last year's starter, Drew Mitchell, returns after an impressive true freshman campaign. Expect a variety of personnel at the receiver positions this season from Ohio State, including the range from two TE sets to 4-wide WRs.
Offensive Line
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Car. Starts
Car. P'cakes
Car. Sacks
Lewis Ortiz
LT
6'3”, 315
JR
80
:3star: JR
Nate Newberry
LG
6'4”, 277
SR
82
39
8
2
Nate Moore
C
6'1”, 294
JR
92
26
3
3
Robert Busch
LG
6'3”, 345
FR
83
Redshirt
William Parrish
RT
6'4”, 303
SO
78
5
0
1
Dwayne Rice
C
6'5”, 321
JR
83
0
1
0
Casey Herring
LT
6'5”, 304
SR
81
8
1
1
Joshua Newman
LG
6'6”, 297
SR
80
34
12
4
Bryan McKinney
LT
6'4”, 300
SO
80
0
0
0
Bryan Lacey
RT
6'5”, 303
SR
81
39
7
13
Danny Outlaw
RT
6'4”, 322
JR
77
0
1
0
Carlos Bobo
RG
6'3”, 322
SO
82
5
4
0
Ohio State's offensive line returns completely intact, though in a state of massive disarray. Nate Moore, the All-Conference center, returns for his third consecutive year as the starting center, and is one of the best players on the team. However, Moore is also the only certainty entering the year. With as many as 10 linemen demonstrating nearly the same level of talent, Moore is the only player that has distinguished himself enough to be the clear starter. Three returning linemen have started more than 30 games for the Buckeyes, but all three may find themselves on the bench, as they are being pressured by younger competition with a higher upside. At the very least, the Buckeyes may employ some situational substitutions to keep the slobs fresh as the game goes on. JUCO transfer Lewis Ortiz may be one such rotational player, forgoing a redshirt year because his talent is too high to be kept off the field. Redshirt freshman Robert Busch can play multiple positions and may be the sixth man on a five-man line.
Defensive Line
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Kenneth Holmes
RE
6'1”, 244
Grad
2
0.3%
1
1
0
0
1
0
Brent McCoy
DT
6'1”, 317
JR
85
23
4.0%
9
5
0
0
0
0
Aaron Shaw
LE
6'2”, 242
JR
85
26
4.5%
16
7
0
0
0
0
Brandon Walker
RE
6'1”, 242
SR
87
25
4.4%
13
6
0
0
1
0
Jamie Rogers
DT
6'2”, 304
JR
81
5
0.9%
1
1
0
0
0
0
Charles May
DT
6'4”, 261
SO
70
1
0.2%
1
0
0
0
0
0
Marcus Brooks
LE
6'4”, 264
SO
83
3
0.5%
2
0
0
0
0
0
Ryan McCray
LE
6'4”, 234
FR
:4star:
For the second straight year, the Ohio State defensive line returns completely in tact, minus one graduating backup that saw little playing time. Aaron Shaw and Brandon Walker will continue to bring pressure from the DE positions, with space-eater Brent McCoy returning at the nose. Marcus Brooks showed flashes of talent in little work last season, and Ryan McCray is an impressive 4-star recruit; both will provide depth and allow the starters to catch a breather from time to time. Former JUCO Jamie Rogers returns to back up the DT position.
Linebackers
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Randy Williams
MLB
6'1”, 208
Grad
77
13.4%
7
1
2
2
0
0
Desmond Hamby
MLB
6'1”, 218
Grad
5
0.9%
1
1
0
0
0
0
Brandon Frederick
OLB
6'3”, 224
Grad
1
0.2%
1
0
0
0
0
0
BJ Peoples
MLB
6'4”, 226
JR
84
Redshirt
Jerome Thomas
MLB
6'2”, 219
JR
85
9
1.6%
2
0
0
0
0
0
Daniel Miller
OLB
6'1”, 228
JR
79
49
8.6%
14
3
0
0
0
0
Robin Hodges
OLB
6'4”, 254
JR
85
34
5.9%
7
3
0
2
0
0
Todd Dingle
MLB
5'11”, 215
SO
78
19
3.3%
3
0
0
0
0
0
Jeremiah Scruggs
MLB
6'1”, 249
SO
77
11
1.9%
2
0
0
0
0
0
Justin Timberlake
MLB
6'4”, 252
FR
76
Redshirt
0
0
0
0
Robert Rogers
OLB
6'2”, 243
FR
79
Redshirt
0
0
0
0
Allen Mason
OLB
6'6”, 236
FR
80
Redshirt
0
0
0
0
Leading tackler Randy Williams has finally graduated, leaving behind a 234-tackle legacy, and a position battle between five different players. Last year we noted that four linebackers were expected to redshirt. All four came into spring camp with a chance to challenge for the starting job, and sources in Columbus indicate that all four will see their share of playing time, and likely make contributions on special teams. Daniel Miller and Robin Hodges will both return to starting positions on the outside. Miller in particular was extremely impressive last season, finding ways to pursue running backs from sideline to sideline, using his speed as an asset and conjuring memories of Ryan Shazier. The more interesting position battle was in the middle, where JUCO transfer BJ Peoples assumed his expected position as taking over for Randy Williams, but last year's starter, Todd Dingle, was supplanted at the other Mike position. Former strong safety Jerome Thomas has moved down to the middle and may end up being the best linebacker of the bunch. He was found to be too slow to play safety last season, but may be just fast enough to pursue the middle of the field. Much like the defensive line, expect to see a rotation of players in the linebacking corps, with both Todd Dingle and redshirt freshman Justin Thomas expected to play a greater role in running situtations.
Secondary
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Nate Cox
CB
6'0”, 162
Grad
39
6.8%
0
0
0
2
0
0
DeAndre Chance
CB
6'0”, 175
Grad
35
6.1%
1
0
3
8
0
0
Eric Henry
CB
6'1”, 177
Grad
23
4.0%
3
0
1
0
0
0
Michael Busch
CB
6'1”, 199
Grad
0
0.0%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Eric Foreman
FS
6'1”, 200
Grad
22
3.8%
1
0
0
0
0
0
Derrick Thomas
CB
5'11”, 203
SR
91
39
6.8%
2
0
1
6
0
0
Kris Jackson
CB
5'11”, 175
JR
81
Redshirt
Craig Smith
FS
6'2”, 183
SR
90
60
10.5%
4
0
0
2
0
0
Lee Gore
SS
5'9”, 169
SR
90
60
10.5%
2
1
4
6
0
0
Andre Massey
STAR
5'11”, 168
FR
76
:4star:
Ryan Greene
CB
5'11”, 204
SO
80
2
0.3%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Zach Martin
CB
6'1”, 185
SO
79
0
0.0%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Brian Duckett
CB
6'3”, 187
FR
78
Redshirt
Derrick Hall
FS
6'1”, 191
SR
85
5
0.9%
0
0
2
0
0
0
Justin Broussard
SS
5'11”, 185
FR
Redshirt
Five graduating seniors have depleted the Buckeye secondary of experience, but what is left is raw talent. Derrick Thomas returns as a shutdown corner, and is the fastest player on the team. More importantly, Lee Gore returns in the middle at strong safety, and his clone may have been found in 4-star recruit Andre Massey. Gore has been a four-year starter, so finding his replacement/clone was a huge get for the Buckeyes defense. Massey is talented enough that Buckeye coaches expect him to see the field starting week 1. His presence will also allow the Buckeyes to return to the three-safety alignment they used in 2014 and 2015. The unexpected transfer of two safeties has messed with the defensive backfield depth, forcing Justin Broussard to switch from cornerback to safety. But adversity is also an opportunity, with several defensive backfield players expected to play in rotation with the starters, gaining experience and also letting their teammates catch a breath when needed.
Specialists
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
PAT
FG
FG Pct
Punts
Net Avg
TB
P I20
Carl Bentley
P
6'2”, 188
JR
88
53
20
100%
14
43.0
73 K/O, 3 P
10
Robert Jolly
K
5'9”, 201
FR
83
:3star:
Spencer Cox
K
6'0”, 180
SR
82
0
0
0%
0
0.0
0
0
For the second consecutive season, Carl Bentley was perfect on field goals; he is now a career 32 for 32 for placekicking. But the recruitment of 3-star freshman Robert Jolly will probably limit Bentley to just punting, where he averaged 43 yards per kick last season. As mentioned, freshman Robert Jolly will play from Week 1, taking over the placekicking duties. In spring pratice he kept up with Bentley kick-for-kick, so there is not expected to be any skills drop-off.
Two seasons removed from their national championship run, Ohio State has been unable to even win the Big Ten the last two years. With a steady influx of talent into Columbus, the Buckeyes have reloaded once again and should challenge for the conference crown. Can they break through the ceiling again?
Quarterbacks
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Comp
Att
Yards
TD
INT
Comp
Rate
Sacks
Sack Rate
Yards/
Att.
Jason Roberson
QB
6'1”, 243
SR
97
7
18
52
0
3
38.9%
1
5.3%
2.9
Torrance Gibson
QB
5'11”, 178
SO
88
146
215
1691
7
16
67.9%
6
2.7%
7.9
David Cox
QB
6'3”, 221
SO
79
Freshman Torrance Gibson enrolled last January, pushed heir apparently Jason Roberson for playing time in the spring, and then had an eye-opening performance in the spring game. Gibson ended up becoming the first freshman to start a season opener for the Buckeyes since Art Schlichter did so in 1978. Gibson's play improved throughout the season, and all expectations were that he would follow it up with an impressive sophomore campaign. However, a minor injury slowed Gibson's offseason development, and instead Jason Roberson took all of the first team snaps this spring. Reports out of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center are that Roberson is expected to at least start the first game of his senior campaign. Coach Jeff HCross is rumored to have said that the team "simply can't afford" to leave Roberson on the bench with as much as he's developed over the spring
Gibson is expected to, at the very least, play in select packages this season, including the Buckeyes version of the Wildcat.
Running Backs
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Rushes
Yards
TD
Yards/
Carry
% of Team
Yards
Nathan Jackson
HB
5'11”, 210
Grad
4
21
0
5.3
0.6%
Kris Davis
HB
6'0”, 217
SR
89
300
2056
31
6.9
55.0%
Drew Thornton
HB
5'11”, 205
SO
84
107
648
2
6.1
17.3%
Ray Hines
HB
5'11”, 215
FR
81
Redshirt
Paul Robinson
HB
5'10”, 212
SR
90
14
64
0
4.6
1.7%
Cory Rivera
FB
6'2”, 239
JR
69
3
15
0
5.0
0.4%
Two seasons ago, Kris Davis had merely the fourth best season in history for an Ohio State running back. Last season, Davis topped that by becoming Ohio State's all-time leading rusher for a single season. Detractors point out that Eddie George's 1995 Heisman campaign counted one less game, but there is still no overlooking what Davis accomplished, especially with every opponent being fully aware that Davis was the top offensive threat last season. Another 1600 yards season, certainly within the realm of possibility, would give Davis the all-time NCAA record for career rushing yards, surpassing Ron Dayne's mark.
Drew Thornton was expected to play a change-of-pace role last season, and for the most part he did well in spelling Davis from time to time. Thornton's best accomplishment was keeping Davis fresh throughout the game, allowing the star to continue to eat up yards, even in the fourth quarter. This year Ray Hines will take off his redshirt and join the fold, and he may actually be the fastest of the three running backs. Expect Thornton and Hines to both enter the game situationally. Both are also expected to return kicks as well.
Paul Robinson enters his senior year as the likely fourth back in rotation.
Receivers
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Catches
Yards
TD
Yds/
Catch
% of Team
Catches
% of Team
Yards
David Little
WR
6'2”, 212
Grad
40
384
2
9.6
26.1%
22.0%
Jake Overstreet
WR
5'11”, 183
Grad
4
43
1
10.8
2.6%
2.5%
Garrett Baker
WR
6'3”, 201
SR
91
34
400
0
11.8
22.2%
22.9%
Brad Parker
WR
6'4”, 252
SO
87
11
148
1
13.5
7.2%
8.5%
John Matthews
WR
6'4”, 232
SR
83
3
53
0
17.7
2.0%
3.0%
Louis Rhodes
WR
6'4”, 198
JR
80
0
0
0
0.0
0.0%
0.0%
Simeon Whitaker
WR
6'2”, 201
FR
79
Redshirt
Jonathan Coleman
WR
6'5”, 210
FR
77
:4star:
Lance Marshall
TE
6'3”, 259
JR
83
28
319
2
11.4
18.3%
18.3%
Drew Mitchell
TE
6'4”, 230
SO
84
16
143
0
8.9
10.5%
8.2%
Lonnie Tidwell
TE
6'7”, 253
SR
74
1
2
0
2.0
0.7%
0.1%
Garrett Baker emerged at the end of last season as a reliable receiving threat for the Buckeyes, though he only tallied 400 yards for the year. Baker will be the #1 target this year, and with Roberson's improvement in the offseason, Baker may be the beneficiary of an improved passing attack. Lance Marshall, a WR/TE tweener last year, made the full time move to tight end in the spring, and will be the starter in the fall. Last year's starter, Drew Mitchell, returns after an impressive true freshman campaign. Expect a variety of personnel at the receiver positions this season from Ohio State, including the range from two TE sets to 4-wide WRs.
Offensive Line
Player
Pos.
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Car. Starts
Car. P'cakes
Car. Sacks
Lewis Ortiz
LT
6'3”, 315
JR
80
:3star: JR
Nate Newberry
LG
6'4”, 277
SR
82
39
8
2
Nate Moore
C
6'1”, 294
JR
92
26
3
3
Robert Busch
LG
6'3”, 345
FR
83
Redshirt
William Parrish
RT
6'4”, 303
SO
78
5
0
1
Dwayne Rice
C
6'5”, 321
JR
83
0
1
0
Casey Herring
LT
6'5”, 304
SR
81
8
1
1
Joshua Newman
LG
6'6”, 297
SR
80
34
12
4
Bryan McKinney
LT
6'4”, 300
SO
80
0
0
0
Bryan Lacey
RT
6'5”, 303
SR
81
39
7
13
Danny Outlaw
RT
6'4”, 322
JR
77
0
1
0
Carlos Bobo
RG
6'3”, 322
SO
82
5
4
0
Ohio State's offensive line returns completely intact, though in a state of massive disarray. Nate Moore, the All-Conference center, returns for his third consecutive year as the starting center, and is one of the best players on the team. However, Moore is also the only certainty entering the year. With as many as 10 linemen demonstrating nearly the same level of talent, Moore is the only player that has distinguished himself enough to be the clear starter. Three returning linemen have started more than 30 games for the Buckeyes, but all three may find themselves on the bench, as they are being pressured by younger competition with a higher upside. At the very least, the Buckeyes may employ some situational substitutions to keep the slobs fresh as the game goes on. JUCO transfer Lewis Ortiz may be one such rotational player, forgoing a redshirt year because his talent is too high to be kept off the field. Redshirt freshman Robert Busch can play multiple positions and may be the sixth man on a five-man line.
Defensive Line
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Kenneth Holmes
RE
6'1”, 244
Grad
2
0.3%
1
1
0
0
1
0
Brent McCoy
DT
6'1”, 317
JR
85
23
4.0%
9
5
0
0
0
0
Aaron Shaw
LE
6'2”, 242
JR
85
26
4.5%
16
7
0
0
0
0
Brandon Walker
RE
6'1”, 242
SR
87
25
4.4%
13
6
0
0
1
0
Jamie Rogers
DT
6'2”, 304
JR
81
5
0.9%
1
1
0
0
0
0
Charles May
DT
6'4”, 261
SO
70
1
0.2%
1
0
0
0
0
0
Marcus Brooks
LE
6'4”, 264
SO
83
3
0.5%
2
0
0
0
0
0
Ryan McCray
LE
6'4”, 234
FR
:4star:
For the second straight year, the Ohio State defensive line returns completely in tact, minus one graduating backup that saw little playing time. Aaron Shaw and Brandon Walker will continue to bring pressure from the DE positions, with space-eater Brent McCoy returning at the nose. Marcus Brooks showed flashes of talent in little work last season, and Ryan McCray is an impressive 4-star recruit; both will provide depth and allow the starters to catch a breather from time to time. Former JUCO Jamie Rogers returns to back up the DT position.
Linebackers
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Randy Williams
MLB
6'1”, 208
Grad
77
13.4%
7
1
2
2
0
0
Desmond Hamby
MLB
6'1”, 218
Grad
5
0.9%
1
1
0
0
0
0
Brandon Frederick
OLB
6'3”, 224
Grad
1
0.2%
1
0
0
0
0
0
BJ Peoples
MLB
6'4”, 226
JR
84
Redshirt
Jerome Thomas
MLB
6'2”, 219
JR
85
9
1.6%
2
0
0
0
0
0
Daniel Miller
OLB
6'1”, 228
JR
79
49
8.6%
14
3
0
0
0
0
Robin Hodges
OLB
6'4”, 254
JR
85
34
5.9%
7
3
0
2
0
0
Todd Dingle
MLB
5'11”, 215
SO
78
19
3.3%
3
0
0
0
0
0
Jeremiah Scruggs
MLB
6'1”, 249
SO
77
11
1.9%
2
0
0
0
0
0
Justin Timberlake
MLB
6'4”, 252
FR
76
Redshirt
0
0
0
0
Robert Rogers
OLB
6'2”, 243
FR
79
Redshirt
0
0
0
0
Allen Mason
OLB
6'6”, 236
FR
80
Redshirt
0
0
0
0
Leading tackler Randy Williams has finally graduated, leaving behind a 234-tackle legacy, and a position battle between five different players. Last year we noted that four linebackers were expected to redshirt. All four came into spring camp with a chance to challenge for the starting job, and sources in Columbus indicate that all four will see their share of playing time, and likely make contributions on special teams. Daniel Miller and Robin Hodges will both return to starting positions on the outside. Miller in particular was extremely impressive last season, finding ways to pursue running backs from sideline to sideline, using his speed as an asset and conjuring memories of Ryan Shazier. The more interesting position battle was in the middle, where JUCO transfer BJ Peoples assumed his expected position as taking over for Randy Williams, but last year's starter, Todd Dingle, was supplanted at the other Mike position. Former strong safety Jerome Thomas has moved down to the middle and may end up being the best linebacker of the bunch. He was found to be too slow to play safety last season, but may be just fast enough to pursue the middle of the field. Much like the defensive line, expect to see a rotation of players in the linebacking corps, with both Todd Dingle and redshirt freshman Justin Thomas expected to play a greater role in running situtations.
Secondary
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
Tackles
% of Team
TFL
Sacks
Int
PBU
FF
FR
Nate Cox
CB
6'0”, 162
Grad
39
6.8%
0
0
0
2
0
0
DeAndre Chance
CB
6'0”, 175
Grad
35
6.1%
1
0
3
8
0
0
Eric Henry
CB
6'1”, 177
Grad
23
4.0%
3
0
1
0
0
0
Michael Busch
CB
6'1”, 199
Grad
0
0.0%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Eric Foreman
FS
6'1”, 200
Grad
22
3.8%
1
0
0
0
0
0
Derrick Thomas
CB
5'11”, 203
SR
91
39
6.8%
2
0
1
6
0
0
Kris Jackson
CB
5'11”, 175
JR
81
Redshirt
Craig Smith
FS
6'2”, 183
SR
90
60
10.5%
4
0
0
2
0
0
Lee Gore
SS
5'9”, 169
SR
90
60
10.5%
2
1
4
6
0
0
Andre Massey
STAR
5'11”, 168
FR
76
:4star:
Ryan Greene
CB
5'11”, 204
SO
80
2
0.3%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Zach Martin
CB
6'1”, 185
SO
79
0
0.0%
0
0
0
0
0
0
Brian Duckett
CB
6'3”, 187
FR
78
Redshirt
Derrick Hall
FS
6'1”, 191
SR
85
5
0.9%
0
0
2
0
0
0
Justin Broussard
SS
5'11”, 185
FR
Redshirt
Five graduating seniors have depleted the Buckeye secondary of experience, but what is left is raw talent. Derrick Thomas returns as a shutdown corner, and is the fastest player on the team. More importantly, Lee Gore returns in the middle at strong safety, and his clone may have been found in 4-star recruit Andre Massey. Gore has been a four-year starter, so finding his replacement/clone was a huge get for the Buckeyes defense. Massey is talented enough that Buckeye coaches expect him to see the field starting week 1. His presence will also allow the Buckeyes to return to the three-safety alignment they used in 2014 and 2015. The unexpected transfer of two safeties has messed with the defensive backfield depth, forcing Justin Broussard to switch from cornerback to safety. But adversity is also an opportunity, with several defensive backfield players expected to play in rotation with the starters, gaining experience and also letting their teammates catch a breath when needed.
Specialists
Player
Pos
Ht, Wt
Year
Rating
PAT
FG
FG Pct
Punts
Net Avg
TB
P I20
Carl Bentley
P
6'2”, 188
JR
88
53
20
100%
14
43.0
73 K/O, 3 P
10
Robert Jolly
K
5'9”, 201
FR
83
:3star:
Spencer Cox
K
6'0”, 180
SR
82
0
0
0%
0
0.0
0
0
For the second consecutive season, Carl Bentley was perfect on field goals; he is now a career 32 for 32 for placekicking. But the recruitment of 3-star freshman Robert Jolly will probably limit Bentley to just punting, where he averaged 43 yards per kick last season. As mentioned, freshman Robert Jolly will play from Week 1, taking over the placekicking duties. In spring pratice he kept up with Bentley kick-for-kick, so there is not expected to be any skills drop-off.