Ohio State spring predictions: No. 3

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Preparations to end a two-game losing streak have already started for Ohio State, but the chance to make them with the pads on again after a two-month wait isn’t over yet. There’s less than a week left on that wait for spring practice, and given the disappointing end to the 2013 season and the rigorous offseason conditioning program the Buckeyes have been going through, that time surely can’t fly by quickly enough for the players. We’ve already looked at players facing critical springs and key position battles, and to count down these final few days before camp opens, we’ll make a handful of predictions for what should happen in March and April as Ohio State reloads for another run at a title in the fall.

+ EnlargeDavid Dermer/Diamond Images/Getty ImagesAdolphus Washington made a splash in 2012 as a freshman, but injuries slowed him a bit as a sophomore.No. 3: Adolphus Washington gets back in the mix There wasn’t anything wrong with the supplemental role Washington carved out as a sophomore, unless it was judged against the outsized expectations for him.

Physically gifted with natural strength at 6-foot-4 and 295 pounds and quickness seldom seen at that size, Washington was supposed to be ready for his star turn last fall, the other half of a deadly defensive bookend on the line with Noah Spence. Instead, slowed at times by injury and then replaced in the starting lineup, freshman Joey Bosa became the breakout star and Washington was forced to chip in on the fringes of the spotlight.

He did just that, and there is certainly no shame in producing 36 tackles, four tackles for a loss and a pair of sacks. But clearly there was more expected of Washington heading into the season after running roughshod through spring camp last year against Ohio State’s respected veteran blockers, which made those contributions seem underwhelming thanks solely to the high bar he helped set for himself.

That was obviously offset by the emergence of Bosa, and the rising sophomore only figures to get better with another season under his belt. Aside from a two-game suspension to start the season, Spence isn’t likely to be leaving his spot in the lineup, either, but that doesn’t mean Washington can’t expand on his role from 2013 and boost his entry in the box score next fall.

For one thing, Washington has the versatility to play inside or outside, and with his big frame, he has the ability to play at tackle and not give up anything against the run. With his pass-rushing skills, he is undoubtedly an asset in third-down situations while playing alongside both Bosa, Spence and Michael Bennett, a group that combined for 24.5 sacks last season and could cause a few nightmares for offensive coordinators next fall.

Even if Washington isn’t able to lock down one spot in the starting lineup to call his own consistently, he’s still a safe bet to make a more significant impact as a junior. And that effort starts in March.

Continue reading this article at ESPN: Ohio State spring predictions: No. 3