Jerome Baker was going to play a lot this season regardless of the circumstances.
But when starting outside linebacker Dante Booker suffered a sprained knee in the season opener, Baker was thrust into the Ohio State lineup full time. Since then, he has flourished.
“We always knew he had exceptional talent,” coach Urban Meyer said. “We burned his redshirt midway through the season last year because we saw the same things we see now.”
What they see from the sophomore is someone running to the ball, getting himself in the mix repeatedly for a defense that, despite taking some lumps a week ago in an overtime win at Wisconsin, is still ranked among the elite in the nation.