Urban Meyer has built a machine in Columbus. Unlike almost every other program in the country, Ohio State can withstand the losses of key players, either to graduation or the NFL draft, without suffering a major dip in its performance. The Buckeyes may not have honed the recruit-develop-replace process quite as well as Alabama under Nick Saban, but they are close. Even for a program as consistent in its year-to-year progression as Ohio State, though, the loss of three starters in one position group in consecutive years is a daunting proposition, especially considering that all of those starters had remaining eligibility. That leaves less time for the Buckeyes to groom reserves to fill their spots. After watching cornerback Eli Apple and safeties Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell leave last off-season as part of a record 12 players selected in the first four rounds of the 2016 draft, this off-season the…
Continue Reading: With stellar DB recruiting haul, Ohio State equipped to overcome personnel losses
