Ohio State Football: Identifying Leaders Is the Key to Buckeyes Repeat

Talent wins games, but leadership wins championships.

That sentiment, at its core, is the foundation of head coach Urban Meyer's culture at Ohio State. The Buckeyes have assembled one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the country, but without the right leaders, those blue-chip prospects are just spare parts in an inefficient engine. 

That's why Meyer placed a premium on that quality, and as a result, the Buckeyes have gone an incredible 38-3 during his three-year tenure in Columbus—highlighted by an undefeated regular season in 2012 and a national title in '14.

But with the '15 season nearing and expectations higher than ever, Meyer's quest to identify the right leaders is a pivotal step in the Buckeyes' chances of defending their title.

Last year's team was led by a group of well-rounded seniors who came up big for the Buckeyes on and off the stat sheet. 

There was Michael Bennett, the run-stuffing defensive tackle who was the vocal leader of the defense. In Ohio State's Week 12 matchup against Minnesota, he was the one who spoke up after a sloppy first half and inspired the team to close out the feisty Gophers, per the Lantern's Tim Moody.

Hannah Foslien/Getty Images

Then there was Jeff Heuerman, the talented tight end who battled through injury to provide leadership for the offense. He honored Braxton Miller by wearing the No. 5 jersey in 2014, and his work ethic and attitude set the tone for the entire team. Those qualities were the main reason the Denver Broncos selected him in the third round of the NFL draft last May.

But the unquestioned leader and MVP of last year's team? It wasn't running back Ezekiel Elliott, who piled up 2,098 yards of total offense and 18 touchdowns. It wasn't Devin Smith, who was the best deep-threat receiver in college football last season. It wasn't J.T. Barrett, Cardale Jones or Braxton Miller.

According to Urban Meyer, Ohio State's most valuable player was wideout Evan Spencer, who ranked ninth on the team in receptions and receiving yards. 

It wasn't Spencer's statistical output that made him so valuable. It was his leadership that made him Meyer's go-to guy.

“[Spencer]’s the MVP of our team,” Meyer said after the Buckeyes dismantled Alabama, 42-35, in the College Football Playoff semifinal. “He’s the leader of our team."

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That was on display against the Crimson Tide when Spencer triggered two of the most important plays of the game. The first came at the tail end of the first half when he took a reverse pitch and threw a perfectly placed touchdown pass to Michael Thomas. The other came in the waning moments of the fourth quarter, when he blocked two Tide defenders on Elliott's game-clinching 85-yard touchdown run.

Spencer, Heuerman and Bennett provided those kinds of plays and that leadership for the Buckeyes all season long. But all three will be suiting up for NFL teams this fall, so Meyer has a big void to fill.

Who will he turn to?

An early preview of that decision may have already come with Ohio State's announcement to send left tackle Taylor Decker, linebacker Joshua Perry and defensive tackle Adolphus Washington to Chicago for Big Ten media days. 

But the Buckeyes will be fueled by a number of key juniors this season, highlighted by defensive end Joey Bosa, Elliott, wide receiver Michael Thomas and safeties Tyvis Powell and Vonn Bell. And of course, they'll have a natural field general when the unprecedented quarterback battle is settled.

There is certainly no shortage of options for Meyer as he works to identify his on-field leaders.

And with the bull's-eye on Ohio State's back after winning the College Football Playoff last year, that leadership will need to be stronger than ever in 2015.

David Regimbal is the Ohio State football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.