Ohio State Football: Predicting Big-Time Buckeyes Player Stats for 2011

It goes without saying that Ohio State possesses plenty of high-profile players—27 Buckeyes have been drafted into the NFL since 2007.

There are quite a few important players on OSU's roster this year that will need to step up to fill the void of Terrelle Pryor, Jim Tressel and all the chaos amongst the football program.

With suspensions, departures and new competition, there will be new faces playing for the Buckeyes come fall. Here is a list of upcoming stars in 2011 and a prediction for how they will fare throughout the season.

Orhian Johnson, SS

Orhian Johnson returns for his junior season as an Ohio State Buckeye.

The 6'2", 205-pound safety brings a ton of athleticism to the field. A former high school quarterback, Johnson provides plenty of versatility and talent to a secondary that is losing a lot of experience.

His quick closing speed and ability to read the opposing quarterback are huge assets to the Ohio State defense. Johnson will be a big key in the success of the Buckeyes.



2010 Stats:

50 tackles, 1 INT



2011 Prediction:

64 tackles, 3 INT

Storm Klein, OLB

Outside linebacker Storm Klein is expected to debut in his first season as a starter for the Buckeyes defense.

The Buckeyes lost two starters at this position, including leading tackler Brian Rolle. But Ohio State is rarely scarce in this area and usually reload at linebacker. The combination of Andrew Sweat, Klein and possibly freshman Curtis Grant will be a scary threat on this side of the ball.



2010 Stats:

17 tackles, 1 INT



2011 Prediction:

81 tackles (6.5 TFL), 2.5 sacks, 2 INT

John Simon, DT

John "The Sandman" Simon is prepared to lead an inexperienced, yet very talented defensive line.

He is an extremely explosive player and can bulldoze his way through a double-team with ease—the massive 6'2", 270-pound lineman can put up more than 450 on the bench.

Simon and fellow teammate Nathan Williams will be testing Newton's laws of physics in 2011.








2010 Stats:

41 tackles (8.5 TFL), 3.0 sacks, 1 fumble return (TD)



2011 Prediction:

58 tackles (10.0 TFL), 6.5 sacks

Devin Smith, WR

Devin Smith is an incoming freshman receiver with a remarkable amount of talent. He's expected to take over suspended DeVier Posey's role during the first five games of the season.

The 6'3", 190-pound Ohio native is a dangerous wide receiver on every spectrum; he can catch the ball in traffic, take a slant to the house and is always a deep threat.

Smith already has shown great playmaking abilities and his athleticism allows him to do great things after the catch. He caught 60 balls for 1,130 yards and nine touchdowns during his senior year in high school.

Luke Fickell is hoping this translates onto the college level.

2010 Stats:

None



2011 Prediction:

41 rec, 542 yds, 4 TD

DeVier Posey, WR

He may be ineligible for the first five games of 2011, but you can count on DeVier Posey to make a huge impact when returning to the field.

The NFL prospect has five career games with more than 100 yards receiving and averages 14.4 yards per catch. He is projected to be taken by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 2012 draft's second round, according to the NFL Draft Site.

If the Buckeyes want to make another Big Ten title run, Posey's presence will be required once conference play begins. He returns to action Oct. 8 versus Nebraska.

2010 Stats:

50 rec, 778 yds, 7 TD



2011 Prediction:

43 rec, 570 yds, 6 TD

Jaamal Berry, RB

Jaamal Berry saw a significant amount of playing time as a freshman. This valuable experience will propel him to a successful sophomore campaign and can help lead the Buckeyes' ground attack while starting tailback Dan Herron is sidelined due to suspension.

Not only did Berry get a nice amount of carries in 2010, but he was the primary kick returner, fielding 21 kickoffs for 534 yards (25.4 avg). He will continue to do so this season.

Berry will get the bulk of the carries during Herron's absence but will split time with junior Jordan Hall.

2010 Stats:

32 att, 266 yds (8.3 ypc) 1 TD

21 kick returns, 534 yds (25.4 ypr)

2011 Prediction:

109 att, 501 yds (4.6 ypc) 6 TD

24 kick returns, 690 yds (28.8 ypr) 1 TD

Dan Herron, RB

According to www.nfldraftscout.com, Daniel "Boom" Herron is the fourth best running back headed into the 2012 NFL draft.

Last season he finished fourth in the Big Ten when it came to rushing yards (1,155) and third in touchdowns (16). He also caught 19 balls for 180 yards, showing his great versatility.

With questions at the quarterback position, Ohio State will be a run-first football team. When Herron returns from his suspension, this offensive scheme will improve drastically.



2010 Stats:

216 att, 1,155 yds (5.3 ypc) 15 TD

19 rec, 180 yds



2011 Prediction:

153 att, 780 yds (5.1 ypc) 8 TD

14 rec, 102 yds, TD

Joe Bauserman, QB

Realistically, we'll probably see a quarterback carousel between senior Joe Bauserman and true freshman Braxton Miller in 2011, just as we did with Todd Boeckman and Terrelle Pryor in '08.

But it'll be Bauserman who will see the lesser amount of playing time.

He provides experience, leadership and knowledge of the system, but just doesn't have the raw talent and abilities of Miller.

Bauserman is a career 25-of-47 (53.2 percent) for 320 yards, two touchdowns and an interception. Unlike Miller, he is unable to move the ball on his feet and is one dimensional when it comes to decision making.

Nevertheless, the senior quarterback from Virgina is pivotal to the Buckeyes and his counterpart. He knows the game and has been involved with the football program long enough to be a leader on offense.

2010 Stats:

16-22 (72.3%) 174 yds, 2 TD, 1 INT (160.1 passer rating)



2011 Prediction:

51-80 (63.8%) 481 yds, 7 TD, 4 INT (133.1 passer rating)

Braxton Miller, QB

Terrelle Pryor's successor will most likely fall to the hands of a true freshman.

Braxton Miller is an exceptionally versatile athlete, as he can thrash through opposing defenses by passing or running the ball. His gifted dual-threat ability gives him a lot of similarity to former Buckeyes Heisman Trophy-winner Troy Smith (with much better size—6'3", 210 pounds).

He was timed at a 4.45 40-yard dash and has superior arm strength, both leading to a very successful senior high school season. Miller passed for 2,167 yards and 17 touchdowns, while scrambling for 658 yards and 17 scores. He won 31 games to just seven losses throughout his career.

Miller proved he can play with the big boys, showing signs of excellence during the Buckeyes spring game. He finished 7-of-12 from the air for 73 yards, including a dazzling touchdown pass to Corey Brown (look for this to recur more than once). Miller escaped a collapsing pocket with ease plenty of times and added 19 yards rushing on four carries. His Scarlet squad defeated Gray 59-27.

When it's all said and done, Miller will be yet another distinguished quarterback coming out of the Ohio State University.

2010 Stats:

None



2011 Prediction:

125-209 (59.8%), 1,452 yds, 14 TD, 7 INT (133.6 passer rating)

73 att, 503 yds (6.9 ypc), 5 TD