Talent wins games, but leadership wins championships. That sentiment, at its core, is the foundation of Urban Meyer’s culture at Ohio State. The Buckeyes have assembled one of the deepest and most talented rosters in the country, but without the right leaders, those blue-chip prospects are just spare parts in an inefficient engine. That’s why Meyer has placed a premium on that quality, and as a result, the Buckeyes have gone an incredible 38-3 during his three-year tenure in Columbus—highlighted by an undefeated regular season in 2012 and a national title in ’14. But with the ’15 season nearing and expectations higher than ever, Meyer’s quest to identify the right leaders is a pivotal step in the Buckeyes’ chances of defending their title. Last year’s team was led by a group of well-rounded seniors who came up big for the Buckeyes on and off the stat sheet. There was Michael Bennett, the run-stuffing defensive tackle who was the vocal leader of the defense. In Ohio State’s Week 12 matchup against Minnesota, he was the one who spoke up after a sloppy first half and inspired the team to close out the feisty Gophers. Hannah Foslien/Getty Images Then there was Jeff Heuerman, the talented tight end who battled through injury to provide leadership for the offense. He honored Braxton Miller by wearing the No. 5 jersey in 2014, and his work ethic and attitude set the tone for the entire team. Those qualities were the main reason the Denver Broncos selected him in the third round of the NFL Draft last May. But the unquestioned leader and MVP of last year’s team? …
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