Ohio State Football: Can Ryan Shazier Fill John Simon’s Leadership Void?

Tebowish in work ethic and leadership.
“If we have another child I want to name him Urban John Simon Meyer or something like that.”

Those are two ways Urban Meyer described John Simon, the heart and soul of the 2012 Ohio State Buckeyes. A team that went from 6-7 to 12-0 even without a chance to play for a conference or national championship.
But now Simon, a fourth-round pick of the Ravens, will no longer don the scarlet and gray. His departure leaves a void bigger than just and empty defensive end spot. The Buckeyes will have to find some way to replace his leadership.
Much of that responsibility will fall to rising junior Ryan Shazier. A player with all the physical tools to be Ohio State’s next legendary linebacker. But one that is still learning how to harness his immense talent.
Shazier has the talent and will be “the man” for Ohio State’s defense, but I don’t expect him to be the leader Simon was. But Shazier shouldn’t have to be. There will be plenty of help…

Continue reading at Bleacher Report – Big Ten Football