Ed. note: Chat Sports has conducted interviews with four prominent Buckeye bloggers and writers from several different websites to help preview the upcoming season, which will be published in a series on our Ohio State Buckeyes news page. Next question question: the depth chart; what are the key battles to look out for?
UPDATE: Senior running back Carlos Hyde was dismissed from the team Monday morning following an altercation over the weekend. We will update this post with a new look at the running back position on the depth chart.
What do you see as a few of the hottest position battles to look out for heading into camp? Who do you expect to win those jobs?
As an overview, three of the four writers we interviewed mention middle linebacker, Curtis Grant is tabbed as the starter there for now, but there are doubts that he can hold it. Other battles included right tackle, the defensive line and the nickle back position. Here are the answers:
Kevin Noon, BuckeyeGrove.com (Rivals)
The Buckeyes return most of the offense, so you will have to turn to defense to find the actual position battles. If you talk to most Ohio State fans the concerns will be over the interior defensive line (with both end positions apparently locked up by Adolphus Washington and Noah Spence) and who will join Ryan Shazier at linebacker.
On the line it appears that it will be a battle between Tommy Schutt, Joel Hale, and Michael Bennett to see who will get the nod for the first team. Bennett played both ways in high school and has developed nicely as a full-time defensive lineman and has the physical tools to be successful, although some would like to see him play a little meaner. Schutt saw time as a true freshman and is continuing to get better with more experience. Hale is the elder statesman of the group looking to replace NFL-bound Johnathan Hankins. I expect to see Bennett and Schutt get the first shots with an infusion of youth coming out of the prep ranks with the likes of Michael Hill, Donovan Munger and Billy Price (who could move to OL as well).
[caption id="attachment_527" align="alignright" width="279" caption="Linebacker Curtis Grant"]
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At linebacker, Ryan Shazier's spot is written down in pen, blood, stone, whatever. He’s locked in. Joshua Perry played very well last year and will be locked into his spot as well, so that leaves one last linebacker on the field. Or does it? Ohio State will still say its base is a 4-3 defense, but truthfully will play much more nickel than base through the season and the third linebacker spot will be the one to come off for the foreseeable future. Curtis Grant still has not been able to put it all together but should be the opening day starter. Keep an eye on true freshman Mike Mitchell as he reports over the summer. He could get into the mix at the MLB spot, and if Grant is not able to hold, a true freshman could wrestle it away by the start of Big Ten play.
Update re. Carlos Hyde's suspension:
The status of Hyde is going to remain up in the air as they figure out what really happened at the Sugar Bar between Hyde and his alleged victim. If Ohio State is forced to go without Hyde in 2013 then look for Rod Smith to be the next man up. Smith has always been high on potential but has been short on actual carries and a lot of that has been self-inflicted with a little bit of a fumbling problem. He reminds a lot of people of an Eddie George-style of runner, as a vey upright and powerful runner.
Steve Helwagen, Bucknuts.com (24/7 sports)
I think the offense is pretty much set. There will be some jockeying at wide receiver and I’d look for the younger guys there to play more as the season goes on and they prove themselves. There are a ton of battles to watch on defense. I think the most important is probably at middle linebacker. Curtis Grant must continue to lock down that spot in preseason camp. He had it last year and then lost it after 2-3 games. Maybe Mike Mitchell or Cam Williams can push him.
Update re. Carlos Hyde's suspension:
Hyde’s departure hurts this team, even if the Buckeyes have a ton of talented running backs ready to take his place. Rod Smith has had fumbling issues and the others are all inexperienced. One or more of them will need to step up and fill that void. That position outlook definitely changes because you knew Hyde was a proven commodity. That may not be the case now if the backups don’t come through.
Marcus Hartman, BuckeyeSports.com (Scout)
The hottest battle figures to be at the nickel back position. Tyvis Powell came out of spring ball as the No. 1 choice there, but the redshirt freshman will be pushed by senior Corey Brown when camp starts in August. Sophomores Devan Bogard and Najee Murray are expected to join the fray after sitting out most of spring drills while rehabilitating from injuries, and five-star freshman Vonn Bell enters with high expectations to become an early contributor. Freshmen Christopher Worley and Darron Lee have been told to show up this summer knowing how to play the nickel position as well, but they are viewed as versatile prospects who could end up any number of places in the lineup eventually.
[caption id="attachment_528" align="alignright" width="252" caption="Sophomore OT Taylor Decker"]
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There is also right tackle, although it remains to be seen if that is a "real" battle or just one the coaches are keeping open for motivational purposes. All signs point to sophomore Taylor Decker winning that job over Chase Farris, who would become a sub able to play tackle or guard. Offensive line coach Ed Warinner has called Farris the most athletic offensive lineman he has coached, but Decker is the prototypical tackle in the spread offense the Buckeyes run because of his size and athleticism.
Jeff Svoboda, BuckeyeSports.com (Scout)
I'd say the one spot most Ohio State fans will be interested in is middle linebacker. Curtis Grant came in as a five-star prospect but has struggled to see the field the past two years. He had a good enough spring for Urban Meyer to say he's ready to be a starter, but until you see it happen, that position is still a question mark. Sophomores Joshua Perry and Camren Williams, not to mention freakishly athletic freshman Mike Mitchell, won't let Grant have the spot without a fight, and that's a key position in the OSU defense.
Right tackle is also a concern, as the Buckeyes must see either Taylor Decker or Chase Farris step up; Decker has all the tools, it's just experience he lacks, being a sophomore. Defensive tackle will be worth watching as well, as Michael Bennett needs to stay healthy and Joel Hale and Tommy Schutt will expected to step up.
Other roundtable questions:
Will the Buckeyes win the National Championship?
What can stop the Buckeyes this season?
Could Ohio State have beaten Alabama last season?
Top freshman to look out for on the 2013 Buckeyes
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