Neither Teradja Mitchell nor Dallas Gant were ready to play immediately last year in their first season at Ohio State, and both rising sophomores would admit it.
Mitchell said he "struggled" early in his freshman season, feeling overweight and out of shape before developing improved work habits that led to him getting bigger and faster. He has cut about seven pounds and decreased his body fat percentage.
Gant entered the program at just 202 pounds and a year later is 230 pounds.
Mitchell and Gant combined for just 10 snaps on defense last year, but both have flashed in spring practices.