The long and the short of the Browns’ win over the Buccaneers
August 31, 2015Next Up for the Indians: The funny game of baseball in the month of September
August 31, 2015With the season opener against Virginia Tech in Blacksburg fast approaching, Ohio State Buckeyes head football coach Urban Meyer announced the six Buckeyes who will be captains via Twitter Friday night: center Jacoby Boren, quarterback J.T. Barrett, right tackle Taylor Decker, linebacker Josh Perry, H-back Braxton Miller, and safety Tyvis Powell.
Among the six captains, four are guaranteed starters (Boren, Decker, Perry, Powell), while two are fighting for a starting job (Barrett and Miller).
In the much talked about quarterback competition that is taking place during the preseason, Barrett is competing with Cardale Jones for the starting job behind center. The starting quarterback during the regular season in 2014 before breaking his ankle against the Michigan Wolverines, Barrett was considered one of the leaders on the 2015 team, even before being named a captain on Friday.
Miller, who switched from quarterback to H-back during the off-season, is fighting for a starting job on Ohio State’s offense this season. Deciding to switch positions rather than transfer to another school to start at quarterback for his fourth and final season, Miller has been a mainstay as a leader for the Buckeyes. One of the most electrifying players in college football, the new H-back will not only bring another dimension to Ohio State’s offense in 2015, but will be one of the players leaned on to lead the team as well. With four Buckeyes suspended for the season opener, including three wide receivers, it is expected that Miller could start for the Buckeyes in the first game of the season.
Boren, who was named a starter for the first time at the start of 2014, he has played in 31 games as a Buckeye, including 15 starts (all in 2014). Considered to be a man of high character, he has also been talked about as one of the most accountable, toughest, and competitive leaders on the 2015 team as well. He will lead an offensive line that returns four of five starters from the College Football Playoff champions in 2014.
Decker, who decided to stay in Columbus for his senior year rather than go to the NFL Draft, will lead an offensive line (along with Boren) that returns plenty of talent and experience from 2014. The right tackle has played in every game since becoming a Buckeye, including 29 starts.
A force for a linebacker group that returns plenty of talent and experience in 2015, Perry led the team in tackles in 2014 and is the top player on the team in career tackles and solo tackles. The senior has been one of the most consistent players on Ohio State’s defense. He has played in every game since coming to Columbus, including 24 starts.
Leading one of the best safety duos in the country, Powell has as good of a personality off the field, highlighted by jokes between he and roommate Cardale Jones, as he has talent on the field. A fourth-year junior, he has played in every game his first two seasons with the Buckeyes (20 starts), after redshirting his freshman year. Named the defensive MVP of the College Football Playoff Championship game against the Oregon Ducks, Powell also had the game-clinching interception against the Alabama Crimson Tide in the semifinals.
With plenty of talent and leadership on the Buckeyes in 2015, these six players have a chance to lead something special in Columbus this fall.