Crystal Ballin': Predicting Ohio State's 2011 Defensive Starters

As promised, here is Part Two of projecting Ohio State’s 2011 starting lineup. On today’s agenda is predicting the defensive starters for the year after next.

It’s a well-known notion both locally in Columbus and nationally that the Ohio State defense, a.k.a. the Silver Bullets, reloads year after year. 2011 should be no different.

Defensive End: Melvin Fellows and Nathan Williams

Fellows redshirted last season and enters 2010 as the backup to senior defensive end and preseason All-American Cameron Heyward. Fellows, who was highly recruited as a power rusher, has apparently refined his pass rushing techniques and will see significant playing time in 2010.

After pleading not guilty to shoplifting charges in December 2008, Williams has turned his career around at OSU. He’s been a backup the last two years, seeing time exclusively as a pass rusher on passing downs. Last year Williams racked up 3.5 sacks and eight tackles for loss and will be counted on for increased production in his remaining two years.

Defensive Tackle: John Simon and Garret Goebel

As a true freshman last season and during spring practice, Simon displayed a relentless motor and impressive strength, wreaking havoc on both opponents and his teammates. He looks like a sure-fire star on the defensive line.

Goebel played in all 13 games last season and will be a part of the defensive line rotation in 2010.

Outside Linebacker: Dorian Bell and Andrew Sweat

The backup to incoming senior Ross Homan, Bell will see action in 2010 after redshirting last season. Similar in build to senior Brian Rolle, Bell was recruited out of Gateway High School in Pennsylvania as a well-rounded linebacker equally talented in pass rushing and pass defense.

I went with Sweat over Storm Klein to start opposite Bell. Sweat did miss a portion of last season with a knee injury and Klein is actually listed as the backup to Homan. However, I have an inkling that Klein could be moved to middle linebacker, thus I believe that Jim Heacock will go with Sweat in 2011.

Middle Linebacker: Etienne Sabino

Sabino, the highly recruited 6'3", 240-pound behemoth with all the talent and physical tools to be a star, will finally get his chance to start in 2010 after playing mostly on special teams thus far in his career.

Cornerback: Travis Howard and Donnie Evenge

2011 will be a major transition year for OSU at corner. Three-year players Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence will be gone. As of now, Howard and Evenge have the inside tracks to the starting corner spots. Both saw time last year in spot duty and on special teams. Both players still need to match coverage skills with their God-given speed.

Safeties: Orhian Johnson and Zach Domicone

Again, both Johnson and Domicone saw pieces of action last season. Johnson will be taking over for Anderson Russell in 2010, while Domicone is currently stuck behind Jermale Hines. Johnson earned rave reviews during spring practice, as the Florida native may have finally honed his ball skills to pair with his tremendous speed.