Return of Fall Camp Provides Welcome Distraction For OSU

It’s only been the most tumultuous offseason in Columbus since the disgraceful and untimely fall of Woody Hayes. So it should be of precious little surprise that the opening of fall camp today brings about so much relief. There is certainly more than a pinch of excitement in the air as talk in central Ohio turns from scandal to football once more.

Changes at the top aren’t the only thing bound to change for the Scarlet and Gray this year, though. Indeed, Jim Tressel’s departure may be the most immediate change noted, but between graduation and suspension, there is turnover galore among the starting lineup, leading to plenty of positional battles to keep an eye on.

Just from graduation alone the Buckeyes lost 10 starters from the offense and defense, and then suspension/dismissal has taken away another 4 starters. Those graduating were WR Dane Sanzenbacher, Offensive Linemen Justin Boren and Bryant Browning, DE Cam Heyward, DT Dexter Larimore, LBs Ross Homan and Brian Rolle, CBs Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence, and S Jermale Hines.

The Buckeyes’ suspended starters for the first 5 games, of course, are OL Mike Adams, WR DeVier Posey, and RB Boom Herron. Then there was the dismissal of QB Terrelle Pryor, leading to arguably the biggest hole on the team to be filled.

All in all, this means that for the season opener against Akron there are 2 WR spots up for grabs, 3 spots on the O-Line, tailback, 2 D-Line spots, 2 LB spots, both CBs, one safety, and the all important QB position yet to be decided on. New head coach Luke Fickell has said he is implementing a “Next Man Up” mentality with this team, and clearly that approach is going to have to work immediately.

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Some of the positional battles are less up for grabs than others. The offensive line, from left to right, will almost certainly be Andrew Norwell, Jack Mewhort, Mike Brewster, Marcus Hall, and JB Shugarts. Once Big Mike Adams returns from suspension he will surely get some playing time and may (probably will) eventually reclaim his starting LT spot, but for now, the job is Norwell’s. Also look for Corey Linsley to step in at guard should either Mewhort or Hall falter in their promotions.

I would expect the defensive line to be Nathan Williams, Garrett Goebel, John Simon, and Johnathan Hankins, with Solomon Thomas fighting for playing time once he returns from suspension.

The battle for starting tailback isn’t really all that important. The Buckeyes are blessed with an incredible stable of backs, and whether it’s Rod Smith, Jordan Hall, Jaamal Berry, or Carlos Hyde who steps up as the feature back probably isn’t all that important. You have to assume at least one of them will, whether that be Jordan Hall, who showed flashes of what he’s capable of last season, or mega-prospect Jaamal Berry, or the practice superstar Rod Smith.

Tyler Moeller will move back into the starting safety spot, although he’s technically playing the hybrid “Star” position that OSU first implemented for Hines. In nickel and standard formations, CJ Barnett will probably be the strong safety playing beside returning free safety Orhian Johnson.

Travis Howard is a lock to claim one of the open CB spots.

The main positional battles to watch, then, are for WR, LB, CB, and QB.

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At WR, Posey will be the #1 WR once he returns from suspension. In his absence, Philly Brown will likely hold that spot, and will keep his starting WR spot when Posey returns. Until then, the other WR spot looks to be a competition between Verlon Reed and Tyrone (T.Y.) Williams. Another wrinkle to look out for here is the rumored move of Jordan Hall to split out wide. With the abundance of RBs, this may be Fickell’s best way to keep Hall involved while still using some of the other exciting RB prospects. WR-turned-TE Jake Stoneburner remains an option to split out wide when needed as well.

At linebacker, the Buckeyes were dealt some depth blows from the transfers of Jonathan Newsome and Dorian Bell (who is suspended for the year and rumored to be transferring). Both Newsome and Bell were listed as #2s on last year’s depth chart and were expected to contend for the starting jobs. Andrew Sweat is the lone returning starter, but Storm Klein saw significant playing time last season and will probably be one of the new starters, but don’t discount freshman Curtis Grant who has about as much raw talent at LB as OSU has seen in a freshman in a long time.

Etienne Sabino took a redshirt last year so he could be groomed to eventually take over for Brian Rolle. Sabino was a big time recruit who many followers thought would be on the field by now. Will this finally be the year Sabino gets his chance to make his mark on the great Ohio State linebacker legacy?

The CB spot opposite of Howard is one of the biggest question marks facing this team. Will a freshman like Doran Grant seize the job? Will Dionte Allen, Dominic Clarke, or Christian Bryant be the man? This position is such an unknown and right now it would be pure guesswork to predict who will land the job.

Finally, the QB spot. Most fans want it to be Braxton Miller’s job, and maybe it will be his. But for now, the reps are going by seniority, meaning Joe Basuerman, Kenny Guiton, and Taylor Graham are all getting reps before Miller. This is the position everyone will be watching this year, as Terrelle Pryor left behind not only large shoes to fill, but also a wake of controversy and scandal. How will the new QB deal with not only the pressure to succeed, but also the pressure from OSU fans to rectify the image of the OSU QB position?

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No matter who wins these positional battles, the one thing everyone can agree upon is that it’s just fun to finally be focusing on football again. The stuff that happens in between the lines, as opposed to ESPN’s Outside The Lines. The Ohio State alma matter says the “time and change will surely show, how firm thy friendship O-HI-O”, and perhaps never has that been more true than this season. Jim Tressel is gone. Terrelle Pryor is gone. Many new faces are looking to make their mark while senior leaders are looking to leave behind a positive legacy despite all the distractions.

There may be a lot of change, but this is still Ohio State football, and the traditions and legacy continues on. In the past, OSU football has been appreciated for their success. Perhaps this year more than any, they are appreciated just for being Ohio State football. This is going to be a different season, but it could be a memorable one.