Ohio State Football: 5 Positions Not to Worry About Heading into Spring 2011

In the midst of a large-scale controversy involving Jim Tressel, Terrelle Pryor and four other players, there are some things at Ohio State that can help fans sleep at night.

Even with Pryor most likely unable to practice due to the foot injury suffered in the Sugar Bowl win against Arkansas, this team's questions are limited to a certain set of positions.

Meanwhile, there are five positions that should not be a concern for Buckeyes Nation, even if some of them have big shoes to fill with departures.

With spring practice beginning shortly, here is a deeper look at the five positions going into 2011 that are in safe hands, even if we don't know who will start there come September.

5. Defensive Tackle

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CHAMPAIGN, IL - OCTOBER 02: Johnathan Hankins #52 of the Ohio State Buckeyes hops in celebration after a defensive play against the Illinois Fighting Illini at Memorial Stadium on October 2, 2010 in Champaign, Illinois. Ohio State defeated Illinois 24-13.

Great defenses are built from the inside out, even in the trenches.

With the departure of superstar DE Cameron Heyward, the Buckeyes will need this element to come into fruition very quickly.

But they do have athletic star John Simon as well as a solid freshman contributor in Johnathan Hankins, who boasts surprising quickness for his size.

And behind those two, who are most likely going to start this season, are solid backups in Garrett Goebel, Adam Bellamy and freshman Joel Hale, who has impressed the coaches early on in winter workouts.

This group is young, with plenty of potential and experience, and can be a big part of another strong defense this year.

4. Tight End

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Jake Stoneburner #11 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs after a catch against the Arkansas Razorbacks in the first quarter in the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Ph

Historically, Tressel's teams have never used the tight end in the offense as anything more than a frequent blocker and occasional pass catcher.

With the emergence of Jake Stoneburner and Reid Fragel last season as pass-catching threats, especially in the red zone, this position has suddenly become one of strength.

Stoneburner has great speed for his size and position, and Fragel has a great combination of pure size at 6'8" and soft hands.

Both can also block well, which makes the pair very versatile offensively.

Freshmen Nick Vannett and Jeff Heuerman will most likely redshirt, but should both be able to be solid or good TEs in the future.

3. Safety

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COLUMBUS, OH - SEPTEMBER 25: Tyler Moeller #26 of the Ohio State Buckeyes stands on the sideline during a game against the Eastern Michigan Eagles at Ohio Stadium on September 25, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State won 73-20. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty

This position may come up as a surprise to some fans who watched the Buckeyes secondary look bad in the middle at times.

Don't forget the laundry list of players who were injured at the S position: starters C.J. Barnett and Tyler Moeller, and backup Corey Brown all missed at least half of the 2010 season due to various injuries.

This season, all three will be back along with incumbent starter Orhian Johnson, who started to grow more and more as the season progressed.

With backups like Jamie Wood and freshman Jeremy Cash waiting in the wings, the safety position will be fine for a few years at Ohio State.

2. Linebacker

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COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 23: Running back Keith Carlos #1 of the Purdue Boilermakers is tackled by Andrew Sweat #42 of the Ohio State Buckeyes at Ohio Stadium on October 23, 2010 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

It may be considered crazy to consider a position where a pair of All-Big Ten players have graduated as a position of strength.

But for the LB position at Ohio State, it's tough not to be excited at the potential waiting patiently in the wings.

Andrew Sweat will most likely slide into Ross Homan's starting spot, while athletic demons Etienne Sabino and Dorian Bell are the favorites for the other two starting spots.

But don't discount the backups including Jonathan Newsome and the aptly-named Storm Klein, who have been great on special teams and in spot duty.

Look out for freshmen LBs Ryan Shazier, who has phenomenal pass-rushing ability, and Curtis Grant, who was rated as the top LB in the country by most scouting services.

If those two perform well in fall practices, it may be tough for Tressel to not find some time for them this season. And that's a good problem to have.

1. Running Back

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NEW ORLEANS, LA - JANUARY 04: Dan Herron #1 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs the ball against the Arkansas Razorbacks during the Allstate Sugar Bowl at the Louisiana Superdome on January 4, 2011 in New Orleans, Louisiana. (Photo by Matthew Stockman/Getty

The Buckeyes will have to do without Dan Herron for the first five games of the 2011 season, which seems tough considering the fact that he scored 16 TDs last season.

But if nothing else, that means the competition to be No. 1 will ultimately turn into a four-horse race.

The obvious two front-runners are Jordan Hall and Jaamal Berry, both three-year players who have had experience out of the backfield and made quite a dynamic kick return group.

Carlos Hyde, a powerful runner, is a sleeper in this race.

But all eyes are also on redshirt freshman Rod Smith, a strong back with speed, who reportedly tore up bowl practices and has drawn high praise from coaches and teammates.

This group is easily four deep even without Herron. Having the senior back should make this group the least of any Buckeyes fan's concerns.

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