Football 2012 Early Look: Defense

Dave Thurman (3:14 pm)

Previously we looked at what to expect from the Ohio State offense in 2012.  Now we move to the prospects for the 2012 defense. 

After a very disappointing 2011 when the Silver Bullets seemed to stay in the revolver most of the year, Ohio State hopes to rebound in a big way.  Opponents managed 323.5 yards and 21.0 points per game against the Buckeyes, and while those numbers are acceptable at a lot of schools, they don't cut it in Columbus.  With a new head coach in place, and a lot of returning talent, hopes run high for major improvement. 

Below is an early look at what I expect will be the pecking order, although it is bound to change as more high school seniors commit to Ohio State, and as some of the present players transfer or are given the boot by Urban Meyer and his staff. It is fun to guess, though, and try and get a grasp of who will be on the field in scarlet and gray this September.

Defensive Line:

Returning: Nathan Williams (Sr.), John Simon (Sr.), Garrett Goebel (Sr.), Johnathan Hankins (Jr.), Adam Bellamy (Jr.), J.T. Moore (Soph.), Michael Bennett (Soph.), Joel Hale (Soph.), Steve Miller (Soph.), Chase Farris (R-Fr.) & Ken Hayes (R-Fr.)
Departing: Melvin Fellows (Medical redshirt), Solomon Thomas & Evan Blankenship
Moving: Darryl Baldwin (Likely moving to OL)
Arriving: Noah Spence, Adolphus Washington, Se'Von Pittman & Tommy Schutt

You want reason to be excited about 2012?  Take a look at the guys who will be playing in the trenches for the Buckeye D. The starters will likely include Nathan Williams at weakside end (Leo) and John Simon at strongside end, with big Johnathan Hankins and Garrett Goebel inside.  That is a very experienced and talented group that should dominate most games.  It will be a fight for playing time behind them, with Adam Bellamy, Michael Bennett and Joel Hale getting the rest of the minutes at the defensive tackle positions.  Any of them could potentially move outside and play a little end (especially strongside), but with Ohio State looking to establish an increased pass rush, look for Hayes, Miller, Spence and Washington to all battle for playing time.  Of that group I like Washington to make the most noise in 2012.  Getting Nathan Williams back should help immediately, and if one or two of the youngsters can also get consistent pressure on opposing quarterbacks it will cause headaches for offensive coordinators.  Guys like Farris, Pittman, and Schutt all bring a ton of talent to the table as well, but may have to wait a year to play.  I can't ever remember seeing this kind of depth on the defensive line in my years of following the Buckeyes.

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Linebacker:

Returning: Etienne Sabino (Sr.), Storm Klein (Sr.), Ryan Shazier (Soph.), Jordan Whiting (Jr.), Curtis Grant (Soph.), Connor Crowell (R-Fr.)
Departing: Andrew Sweat, Tony Jackson, Scott McVey (Medical redshirt) & Chad Hagan (Likely medical redshirt)
Arriving: Joshua Perry & Luke Roberts

Unfortunately, the linebacking corps is as thin as the defensive line is deep.  It is amazing what has happened in a couple of years, as a position of consistent strength has become a glaring weakness.  The good news is that Ryan Shazier showed signs of becoming a star in the second half of 2011, and is slated to begin the new year as the Will linebacker.  He should be the next great one in scarlet and gray.  Sabino, on the other hand, struggled in his first year as a starter despite possessing impressive size and speed.  He did play his best game of the year against Florida in the Gator Bowl, and should remain at the Sam, although there is a chance he moves inside.  Speaking of middle linebacker, it could be senior Storm Klein, who never has lived him to the lofty expectations, or it might be Curtis Grant, who was all everything in high school.  OSU fans are waiting for the light to come on for Grant, who could also play at the Sam, and might start there if Sabino moves inside.  Behind those four are a couple of question marks - either special teamer Jordan Whiting or Connor Crowell, who arrived with an injury and redshirted in 2011. 

Help from the freshman class may also be limited.  Josh Perry is a nice prospect, but many feel he will wind up on the line playing the Leo position, and Luke Roberts is a player who many think was a bit of a reach by the old coaching staff.  However, Meyer and the new staff are going hard after a number of seniors, with Camren Williams and David Perkins at the top of their list.  Hopefully they will sign one of them, because numbers are certainly a problem at this position. 

Defensive Backs:

Returning: Travis Howard (Sr.), Zach Domicone (Sr.), Orhian Johnson (Sr.), C.J. Barnett (Jr.), Dominic Clarke (Jr.), Corey Brown (Jr.), Christian Bryant (Jr.), Bradley Roby (Soph.), Jamie Wood (Soph.), Doran Grant (Soph.), Adam Griffin (Soph.), Jeremy Cash (Soph.), Ron Tanner (R-Fr.) & DerJuan Gambrell (R-Fr.)
Departing: Tyler Moeller, Nate Oliver, Dionte Allen, Donnie Evege & Nate Ebner
Arriving: De'Van Bogard, Tyvis Powell & Najee Murray

In a year when not too much went well, Ohio State suffered far too often from breakdowns in the secondary. The corner play was a mixed bag, sometimes good and other times not so hot.  However, the safeties, in general, played very poorly, and must improve in 2012 if the Silver Bullets are going to be firing again. At corner the starters should be set with Travis Howard and Bradley Roby.  Howard talks a big game, but didn't always back it up last year.  He does have ability, though, and could put together a good senior season.  Roby, on the other hand, had a stellar first year in scarlet and gray, and should be the next OSU superstar at a position that has had many through the years.  Behind those two is Dominic Clarke who has some solid experience and has shown moments when he has played quite well.  Ohio State fans are waiting for Doran Grant to emerge, as he was one of the most decorated members of the class of 2011.  This could be the year that he jumps into the fray and gets meaningful playing time. 

The starting safeties are likely to be C.J. Barnett, who led the team with 75 tackles in '11, and Christian Bryant, who seems so intent on big hits that he often fails to wrap up ball carriers.  When Ohio State employs the nickel, Bryant will move to the "Star", and Orhian Johnson will likely enter the game.  I am still not sold on Johnson, though, and wonder if someone else will overtake him.  Candidates include Jamie Wood, Jeremy Cash, and Ron Tanner.  Since both Bryant and Johnson were often fooled or confused and thus out of position this past year, there is a lot of work to be done at safety.

None of the incoming freshman would appear to be much of a threat to make the two-deep, although one or two of them might show up on special teams if they don't redshirt.  Urban Meyer, Luke Fickell, and company are still recruiting some potential defensive backs, and it is possible another name gets added to the mix come signing day.