BTN video clip from 03/25/2013 ~ Mark Pantoni of Ohio State

Saw this last night on "Big Ten Football Report", and thought it provided some insight on Ohio State's recruiting strategies.  Enjoy.

2013 Ohio State Spring Football: Questions To Answer (Part 2)

Coming off an undefeated 12-0 season in 2012, one could perceive Ohio State to have little to worry about or work on during the 2013 spring practice period. Peer in a little closer, and one can speculate as to the areas that Coach Urban Meyer and his assistants will focus upon during the fifteen practices that will culminate with the spring game in Cincinnati on April 13th, 2013.

Below are some of the perceived areas of concentration, ranked from lowest priority to highest, as I am speculating rank in terms of importance for spring football.  Part 1 dealt with issues 9 through 6.  Here are the top five issues, as I see them, for Ohio State's spring football practices.  

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5. Starting right offensive tackle: Reid Fragel moved over from the tight end position last spring, and emerged as a dependable, solid starter at right tackle. Fragel is presently working on preparing for the 2013 NFL Draft.

Rising sophomore Taylor Decker pushed Fragel for the starting position, up until the 2012 opener versus Miami University. While Decker is probably the front-runner for the spot, it would not be improbable to see rising senior Andrew Norwell move over the left guard spot to the right tackle position. Converted defensive lineman Chase Farris is also in the discussion as a possible right tackle candidate.  As line chemistry is of critical importance, this will be an area that could be resolved by the conclusion of spring football.

4. Starting punter: Ben Buchanan has exhausted his eligibility, opening up an opportunity for someone to claim the starting punter job. With recruit Johnny Townsend signing with Florida, Ohio State was left without a targeted successor to Buchanan.

Placekicker Drew Basil could be a possible choice, currently listed on the roster as "K/P". Another possibility could be redshirt freshman Frank Epitropoulos. Epitropoulos played wide receiver in high school, but also punted. If Epitropoulos has recovered from an injury that wiped out his 2012 season, he could emerge as the punter in 2013, but Basil is probably in the driver's seat on this battle.

3. Starting cornerback opposite Bradley Roby: Travis Howard has exhausted his eligibility, leaving the cornerback position opposite stalwart Bradley Roby vacant. Who will emerge from a crowded group including Doran Grant, Adam Griffin, Armani Reeves, Najee Murray, Eli Apple, and Cameron Burrows?  Grant is listed as the starter heading into spring football, but this is a competition to keep an eye on throughout the spring and into the fall.

2. Two linebacker spots: The good news is Ryan Shazier returns for his junior season. The bad news is Etienne Sabino and Zach Boren are leaving.

It is now or never for Curtis Grant to seize the middle linebacker spot. If Grant is unable to win the job, look for Camren Williams or Luke Roberts to attempt to win the job. On the outside, the likely starter is Joshua Perry, but David Perkins will also fight to win the spot.  Joshua Perry could also be a factor at the middle linebacker spot.  With incoming freshmen Trey Johnson and Mike Mitchell arriving in the fall, it will be important for the linebackers to step up their respective games before Johnson and Mitchell arrive for fall camp.

1. Four new starters along the defensive line: Fortunately for Ohio State, Coach Meyer has stressed recruiting talented defensive linemen. This spring will allow Ohio State fans to see if the high school recruiting accolades were accurate.

Adolphus Washington and Noah Spence both earned considerable playing time in 2012, and look to emerge as starters on the defensive line. Michael Bennett battled through injuries in 2012, and could be pencilled in at the strongside defensive end spot. The nose tackle position should be one to watch between Joel Hale and Tommy Schutt.

The depth along the defensive line is considerable. Se'Von Pittman recently declared a transfer, but even so - Ohio State has depth and talent along the defensive line.  For example, Jamal Marcus was moved from linebacker to defensive end, and there are other freshmen defensive linemen enrolling this season.  Will four new starters emerge by the conclusion of spring football?

Answers to all of these questions may not be found by the end of the Ohio State spring game on April 13th.  Coach Urban Meyer, his coaching staff, and the Ohio State faithful, will certainly hope that many will be before the season begins against Buffalo on August 31st.

2013 Ohio State Spring Football: Questions To Answer (Part 1)

Coming off an undefeated 12-0 season in 2012, one could perceive Ohio State to have little to worry about or work on during the 2013 spring practice period. Peer in a little closer, and one can speculate as to the areas that Coach Urban Meyer and his assistants will focus upon during the fifteen practices that will culminate with the spring game in Cincinnati on April 13th, 2013.

Below are some of the perceived areas of concentration, ranked from lowest priority to highest, as I am speculating rank in terms of importance for spring football ~

9. Special Teams: A sore spot for the past few seasons, Ohio State's special teams units had another mediocre to poor season in 2012.  Three punts were blocked, and Purdue returned a kickoff for a touchdown in 2012. Ohio State has recently designated Kerry Coombs as special teams coach, and one can expect a spirited and fiery approach from Coombs as he tries to improve this unit.

The reason I rank this low is because I expect many of the highly-touted freshmen recruits to be a part of this unit. Although Ohio State has a few early enrollees, I would predict many more freshmen to be included on the kickoff and punt return units, as well as protection units, once fall camp begins.

8. Keeping The Running Backs Happy: This is another area that will bear watching, not just through the spring, but throughout the 2013 season. Carlos Hyde returns for his senior season, and emerged as the primary ball-carrier during the stretch run of the 2012 season. Rod Smith, once considered a likely transfer, had some solid moments as a backup. Bri'onte Dunn, a highly-touted freshman, had few carries during the 2012 campaign. Warren Ball was redshirted in 2012, and should be fully recovered from his 2012 preseason surgery.

Compounding this issue is the return of Jordan Hall as a hybrid slot player. Hall will also earn carries, as well as quarterback Braxton Miller. Throw in true freshmen Jalin Marshall, Dontre Wilson, and Ezekiel Elliott, and you will see why I believe this could become an issue as it will become difficult to keep every player happy and involved in the offense.

7. Backup Quarterback Improvement: Braxton Miller is firmly entrenched as the starter, with rising senior Kenny Guiton, Jr. slated for the backup spot. Cardale Jones was redshirted last season, while early enrollee J.T. Barrett will participate in spring drills in a limited capacity as Barrett rehabilitates from a knee injury that he sustained during his senior season.

With Guiton established as the top backup, can Cardale Jones show enough this spring to warrant playing time during the 2013 season?

6. Wide Receiver Improvement: Corey "Philly" Brown, Devin Smith, and Evan Spencer all return with experience at the receiver spots. While Coach Meyer was pleased with the improvement of the group throughout the 2012 season, Coach Meyer made finding more speed at the receiver position a critical priority within the 2013 recruiting class.

With players such as Jalin Marshall, Corey Smith, and James Clark arriving in the fall, the returning players will need to use the spring to show the coaching staff that the veterans should still be heavily involved in the offense. This is an area that will rise in importance as the season approaches.

Part 2 will focus upon the top five questions and concerns for Ohio State as spring football begins.

2013 Ohio State spring football video

If you were not pumped for Ohio State's spring football practices, maybe this will change your mind.  Go Bucks!

"Don't You Forget About Me" - OSU's 2012 Redshirts

"As you walk on byWill you call my name?" ~ Don't You Forget About Me, Simple Minds

These song lyrics  from a classic 1980s song "Don't You Forget About Me" represent to me what it must be like to football players redshirted at major college football programs.  While there is always considerable fanfare when players sign their respective letters of intent, players who redshirt seem to fall by the wayside of fans.

Below are players who signed with Ohio State in 2012, but redshirted during the 2012 season.  Will any or all of these players be able to make a dent in the depth chart to be factors in the 2013 season?

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RB Warren Ball:  Ball faces a crowded backfield, with the return of Carlos Hyde, Rod Smith, and Bri'onte Dunn.  Compounding the issue is the return of Jordan Hall at the slot/hybrid position, as well as the signings of Ezekiel Elliott and Dontre Wilson.  Will Ball be able to move up in the running back rotation this spring and summer?

OT Kyle Dodson:  Dodson was the last player to commit to Ohio State in 2012, choosing the Buckeyes over Wisconsin.  Dodson redshirted in 2012 due to a lingering shoulder injury, but could possibly work his way into the two-deep this spring. 

OL Pat Elflein:  Elflein received a scholarship offer from Luke Fickell in the summer of 2011, after Jim Tressel had resigned.  Will Elflein be able to show enough in the spring and summer to move into the two-deep along the offensive line?


WR Frank Epitropoulos:  Epitropoulos committed to Ohio State as the Ohio State "Tatoogate" scandal was raging.  The son and nephew of former Buckeye lettermen, Epitropoulos redshirted due to a lingering injury in 2012.  With the departure of punter Ben Buchanan, and the backlog of players at the wide receiver position, will Epitropoulos seize the opportunity to win the starting punting position this spring?

QB Cardale Jones:  Jones has taken a long and winding path to Columbus.  Delaying enrollment until 2012, Jones is actually in the same high school graduating class as starter Braxton Miller.  With Miller firmly entrenched as the starter, and senior quarterback Kenny Guiton, Jr. back as the top backup quarterback, will Jones be able to show enough in the spring and summer to warrant playing time in the fall?

DL Se'Von Pittman:  Pittman flipped to Ohio State from a Michigan State commitment, after the hiring of Coach Urban Meyer.   An early enrollee in 2012, Pittman sustained an injury during the spring that resulted in Pittman being redshirted for the 2012 season.  Will Pittman be able to emerge along the defensive line this spring and summer?

TE Blake Thomas:  The last verbal commitment before Jim Tressel's resignation, Thomas redshirted the 2012 season with tight ends Jeff Heuerman and Nick Vannett securing the top two spots on the depth chart.  Will Thomas be able to make a move in the spring and summer to warrant playing time for the 2013 season?

"As you walk on byWill you call my name?" are the lyrics I began this post with about the 2012 redshirted players.  This question will be on the minds of these respective players as spring football begins for Ohio State.