2016 Browns Preview: Offensive Line
August 24, 2016Let’s talk about Cleveland Indians attendance: While We’re Waiting
August 25, 2016The young Bucks will be getting plenty of support from some old mainstays. On Monday, ESPN revealed their preseason 2016 All-American team, a list that includes two Buckeyes: center Pat Elflein and linebacker Raekwon McMillan.
Elflein and McMillan were named captains of the 2016 Buckeyes squad last week, along with quarterback J.T. Barrett. Barrett didn’t beat out Heisman and No. 1 overall pick favorite Clemson gunslinger Deshaun Watson for the preseason All-American honor, but he has time to do so for the actual honors that come later.
The first of two Bucks to make the list, Elflein will lead a new-look offensive line that will be blocking for a completely new offense, outside of Barrett. The fifth-year senior will be counted on to be a leader for the young Bucks. The upcoming season will be his third consecutive starting on the offensive line. The 6-foot-3, 300-pounder has played 42 career games (29 starts) and has been one of the key reasons why former Buckeyes like running back Ezekiel Elliott had so much success; along with creating plenty of time in the pocket for whoever is behind center.
The senior thought about joining the flood of Buckeyes who left early for the NFL, but his decision to return could prove invaluable both personally and for his team’s chances of returning to the College Football Playoff. Elflein gets a chance to showcase his skills at center after previously starring as a guard, and Ohio State gets a veteran back to anchor the offensive line.
One of the best linebackers in all of college football, McMillan will be the quarterback of the defense this fall. With so many new faces, he will be a player not only Meyer can count on, but the defense can count on in order to make plays. The junior racked up a team-high 119 tackles while also being named a Butkus Award finalist and first-team all-Big Ten in 2015. In just two seasons in Columbus, the 6-foot-2, 240-pounder has 173 tackles (87 solo), 11 tackles for loss, four sacks, one interception, five passes defended, and one fumble recovery in 26 games.
Counting the variety of ways the prototypical middle linebacker contributes is a challenge, but McMillan simplifies it with his own evaluation: tallying the number of tackles he misses. That number was in single digits a year ago, and the junior is likely to be even better after another offseason of development.
If the scarlet and gray want to have a successful season, guys like Elflein and McMillan will not only have to play well, but be good leaders both on and off the field that the team can count on, especially the young Buckeyes.
The entire 2016 preseason All-American team:
(B1G players in bold)
Offense
- QB Deshaun Watson, Clemson
- RB Leonard Fournette, LSU
- RB Christian McCaffery, Stanford
- WR JuJu Smith-Schuster, USC
- WR Mike Williams, Clemson
- TE Jake Butt, Michigan
- OT Cam Robinson, Alabama
- OG Dan Feeney, Indiana
- C Pat Elflein, Ohio State
- OG Dorian Johnson, Pitt
- OT Conor McDermott, UCLA
Defense
- DE Jonathan Allen, Alabama
- DT Carlos Watkins, Clemson
- DT Malik McDowell, Michigan State
- DE Myles Garrett, Texas A&M
- LB Reuben Foster, Alabama
- LB Devonte Fields, Louisville
- LB Raekwon McMillan, Ohio State
- SS Derwin James, Florida State
- FS Budda Baker, Washington
- CB Desmond King, Iowa
- CB Jalen Tabor, Florida
Special teams
- K Andy Philips, Utah
- P JK Scott, Alabama
- AP Adoree’ Jackson, USC