Optimistic View - Now-true sophomore Jacquizz Rodgers has fully healed from his late season shoulder injury and is ready to go come fall-ball. His brother James is in the same boat after undergoing surgery to repair a broken collar bone.
The two combined to rush for over 1,600 yards and hit pay-dirt 16 times. With a year under his belt, Jacquizz is poised to improve on his 1,253 yard mark, put up in only 9 full games in '08.
Jovan Stevenson has tremendous hands out of the backfield and his quicks in open space makes him a nightmare to bring down with one body. The balance of Jacquizz up the middle, James on the fly sweep, and Stevenson out of the backfield on swing routes and screens could make OSU a three headed monster, oozing with athleticism.
Realistic View - Jacquizz and James both return from shoulder injuries, the main point of impact for ball carriers. Remaining healthy is a concern due to back-up Ryan McCants just having had surgery to repair an injured ACL.
Jovan Stevenson looks to be the back up until McCants can prove he is healthy and ready to go. Stevenson, the 5'11" 184 pound true freshman has no game time experience either.
If Jacquizz goes down, the Beavers can not rely solely on James Rodgers and the fly sweep. Ryan McCants has yet to play up to his potential with his 6'2" 230 pound frame, and now with a serious knee injury, it's an awful lot of pressure for Stevenson to carry this team if McCants can't go and Jacquizz gets bit by the injury bug again.
Concern No. 3: Lack of O-Line Depth/Experience.
Realistic View - Front runner for the second starting tackle spot, Timi Oshinowo, went down in the spring game with a torn ACL. After undergoing surgery it is believed he will not be game ready until the second week into Conference play.
Depth is scarce for Coach Cavanaugh, and it's not just the depth that raises red flags, it's the youth of the group. The group in it's entirety has six upperclassmen and only one Senior (starting guard Gregg Peat). The remainder of the group consists of four sophomores, three redshirt freshmen, and seven true freshmen.
While Mike Remmers, Gregg Peat, Alex Linnenkohl, and Ryan Pohl are quality starters, there is still a starting tackle spot to be filled and if one goes down, the run game could struggle.
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