Ohio State Wide Receiver Depth Decent Even With Loses

 

Ohio State Wide Receiver Depth Decent Even With Loses

Losing two veteran players like Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline would set many college football programs back, but Ohio State is loaded with young talent that will step up this spring and take the field this fall to create explosive offensive plays for the Buckeyes. Ray Small, Dane Sanzenbacher, DeVier Posey and Taurian Washington are some of the names competing for the starting sports this spring.

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Coach Jim Tressel Reloading the Buckeyes Football Team

Coach Jim Tressel Reloading the Buckeyes Football Team

There’s no shooting blanks for the Ohio State Football team as Jim Tressel and his staff get ready to make another run for a Big Ten title with a cast of new players. Gone are Chris Wells, Brian Robiskie, Alex Boone, Malcolm Jenkins, and James Laurinaitis. In steps two of the best recruiting classes in Coach Tressel’s history in Columbus.

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Ohio State Spring Football: Breakdown of Quarterbacks

The 2009 version of the Ohio State Buckeyes will have to replace much of the star power which produced one of the most successful four-year runs in the program’s illustrious history. 
Led by All-American-caliber players such as James Laurinaitis, Marcus Freeman, and Malcolm Jenkins on defense, and Chris Wells, Brian Robiskie, Alex Boone, and Todd Boeckman on offense, the culminating…
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Big Ten pre-spring power rankings

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The recruiting classes are in, several underclassmen are out (preparing for the NFL draft) and coaching changes have been made. It's time to re-examine the Big Ten power rankings, which project forward to the 2009 season but take into consideration the way a team finished up 2008. 

1. Ohio State — The Buckeyes lost juniors Chris "Beanie" Wells, Brian Robiskie and Donald Washington to the NFL draft and said goodbye to a large senior class, but they performed well in the Fiesta Bowl and brought in the league's best recruiting class. The youth movement has begun in Columbus, and Ohio State likely will surround Terrelle Pryor with more dynamic skill players on offense. There are some holes in the defensive two-deep, but Ohio State rarely misses a beat on that side of the ball. 

2. Penn State — The somewhat surprising early departures of defensive ends Aaron Maybin and Maurice Evans create questions in an area where Penn State dominated last season. Linebacker should be a major strength, but Penn State must replenish the secondary and find a stud pass rusher or two. Wide receiver should be the most interesting position to watch during the spring and summer, and if Penn State avoids a drop-off on the offensive line, it should be in good shape for another league title push. A large recruiting class will play a key role in the Lions' quest to repeat. 

3. Iowa — Shonn Greene surprised absolutely no one by declaring for the NFL draft, and the Doak Walker Award winner leaves a major void in production. But backup running back Jewel Hampton showed promise last year, and Iowa has fewer question marks on offense than most Big Ten teams. Arguably the bigger questions come at defensive tackle, where four-year starters Mitch King and Matt Kroul depart. Avoiding a major drop-off in the interior line is crucial, but Iowa returns most of its key players from a 9-4 team. 

4. Michigan State — Several key seniors depart, including running back Javon Ringer and safety Otis Wiley, but Michigan State brings back most of its key contributors and adds its best recruiting class in recent memory.  The competition at both running back and quarterback will set the course for the 2009 season, but the Spartans should be deeper and better on defense.

5. Northwestern — Much like Michigan State, Northwestern must replace its starting offensive backfield for the 2009 campaign. Mike Kafka steps in at quarterback after a solid junior season, but there will be plenty of competition at both running back and wide receiver. The offensive line should be much improved, and as long as star defensive end Corey Wootton recovers from knee surgery, the Wildcats will boast one of the Big Ten's best defenses. 

6. Illinois — As expected, cornerback Vontae Davis entered the NFL draft, leaving some questions in an Illini secondary that struggled at the safety spot in 2008. Improving the defense will be Illinois' top priority entering the fall, especially with so much talent back on the offensive side. Ron Zook's recruiting class drew mixed reviews after several committed prospects went elsewhere, but Illinois held onto wide receiver Terry Hawthorne and addressed several of its needs. 

7. Minnesota — The Gophers welcome two new coordinators (Jedd Fisch and Kevin Cosgrove) and a different offensive approach heading into spring practice, but they bring back most of the pieces from a 7-6 team. Tim Brewster continued to improve the defensive secondary with his recent recruiting haul, and both lines return virtually intact. If Minnesota can adjust to the changes in coaching and scheme, it should take another step forward in 2009.

8. Wisconsin — Underappreciated running back P.J. Hill surprised some by declaring for the NFL draft, and Wisconsin also said goodbye to a large senior class. John Clay looks more than capable of becoming a featured back for the Badgers in 2009, but unless some significant progress is made at the quarterback position, it's hard to see improvement. A very solid recruiting class featuring quarterback Jon Budmayr and wide receiver Kraig Appleton could bolster the passing attack and move Wisconsin up the rankings. 

9. Michigan — Despite a 3-9 season, Michigan landed a Top 10 recruiting class that features several players likely to contribute right away. Brandon Graham stayed for his senior year, giving the Wolverines a dominant pass rusher. The Wolverines very well could make a major move up this list, but they first must find a solution at the quarterback spot and fill holes on the defensive line and in the secondary. The recruiting class provides a major boost, but the program remains in a transition phase.

10. Purdue — The Boilermakers are the Big Ten's mystery team, as they welcome a new head coach (Danny Hope) and most likely a different type of player. Hope landed 14 recruits from Florida in hopes of upgrading Purdue's speed and athleticism, and he also must replace starters at all the offensive skill positions (quarterback, running back, wide receiver). If the defense avoids a drop-off and Hope's recruits contribute immediately like he thinks they will, the Boilers will be a much improved team. 

11. Indiana — Wide receiver Andrew Means declared for the NFL draft, but Indiana doesn't lose a whole lot from last year's team, which could be good or bad. Head coach Bill Lynch didn't make any staff changes, hoping that continuity and improved health will lead to better results in 2009. Indiana boasts two experienced quarterbacks (Kellen Lewis and Ben Chappell), two proven pass rushers (Greg Middleton and Jammie Kirlew) and some promising young players, but if the defense doesn't improve, it could be another long season.

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Big Ten players at the NFL combine

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The official list of players invited to the 2009 NFL scouting combine later in Indianapolis has been finalized. The Big Ten will be sending 46 players to Indianapolis from Feb. 18-24.

Not surprisingly, Penn State and Ohio State led the way with eight participants each, followed by Wisconsin (7), Illinois (5) and Iowa (5). Minnesota is the lone Big Ten team not sending a player to Indy.

Here's the team-by-team rundown.

ILLINOIS (5)

• Cornerback Vontae Davis^
• Defensive end Will Davis
• Tackle Xavier Fulton
• Defensive end Derek Walker

INDIANA (1)

• Wide receiver Andrew Means^

IOWA (5)

• Center Rob Bruggeman
• Cornerback Bradley Fletcher
• Running back Shonn Greene^
• Defensive tackle Mitch King
• Guard Seth Olsen

MICHIGAN (4)

• Long snapper Sean Griffin
• Defensive end Tim Jamison
• Defensive tackle Terrance Taylor
• Cornerback Morgan Trent

MICHIGAN STATE (3)

• Quarterback Brian Hoyer
• Running back Javon Ringer
• Safety Otis Wiley

NORTHWESTERN (1)

• Running back Tyrell Sutton

OHIO STATE (8)

• Tackle Alex Boone
• Linebacker Marcus Freeman
• Wide receiver Brian Hartline^
• Cornerback Malcolm Jenkins
• Linebacker James Laurinaitis
• Wide receiver Brian Robiskie
• Cornerback Donald Washington
• Running back Chris Wells^

PENN STATE (8)

• Wide receiver Deon Butler
• Tackle Gerald Cadogan
• Defensive end Maurice Evans^
• Defensive end Aaron Maybin^
• Wide receiver Jordan Norwood
• Cornerback Lydell Sargeant
• Center A.Q. Shipley
• Wide receiver Derrick Williams

PURDUE (4)

• Defensive end Alex Magee
• Wide receiver Greg Orton
• Quarterback Curtis Painter
• Running back Kory Sheets

WISCONSIN (7)

• Tight end Travis Beckum
• Linebacker Jonathan Casillas
• Running back P.J. Hill^
• Guard Andy Kemp
• Linebacker DeAndre Levy
• Defensive end Matt Shaughnessy
• Guard Kraig Urbik

^–Underclassman

Who got snubbed from the combine? Here are a few names surprisingly left off the list: Illinois center Ryan McDonald, Iowa defensive tackle Matt Kroul, Minnesota punter Justin Kucek, Northwestern defensive tackle John Gill, Penn State guard Rich Ohrnberger, Purdue linebacker Anthony Heygood and Wisconsin cornerback Allen Langford.

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Freeman, Williams lead Big Ten in Senior Bowl

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

As was the case throughout the 2008 season, the Big Ten took a backseat to other conferences in the Under Armour Senior Bowl.

The South team beat the North, 35-18, and no Big Ten players were involved in the scoring for the North squad. But there were some bright spots for the Big Ten in the nation's premier postseason all-star showcase.

• Ohio State linebacker Marcus Freeman recorded a game-high eight tackles for the North team. As teammate James Laurinaitis sat out the game, Freeman likely improved his pro stock with a solid effort.
• Penn State wide receiver/return man Derrick Williams racked up a game-high 124 all-purpose yards. Williams had 89 yards on three kickoff returns, including a 44-yard burst. He also had an 11-yard punt return, caught two passes for 19 yards and had a five-yard carry. Williams' speed and versatility certainly will help his cause on draft day.
• Purdue running back Kory Sheets had a team-high seven carries for 31 rushing yards. He also notched the game's longest kickoff return, a 61-yarder in the fourth quarter, and caught four passes out of the backfield. Filling in for injured Michigan State star Javon Ringer, Sheets finally got some national exposure after being overlooked on a poor Purdue team this fall.
• Ohio State wide receiver Brian Robiskie finished as the game's No. 2 receiver with 47 yards on three receptions.
• Iowa defensive tackle Mitch King had four tackles and a quarterback hurry in the game, while Michigan defensive end Tim Jamison had three stops and Purdue defensive end Alex Magee recorded an assisted tackle.

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Football Buckeyes To Shine In Senior Bowl

Ohio State seniors Marcus Freeman and Brian Robiskie will showcase their talent for nearly 500 NFL coaches and staff members at the 2009 Senior Bowl.
Story By College Sports for NBC4i.com

Buckeye Seniors Impress

While it’s clear that a few Buckeyes entering the draft are going to be first-rounders, a few of the seniors need to work to increase their draft status. Recent reports out of the Senior bowl are coming out and some Senior Buckeyes are starting to impress. Both Marcus Freeman and Brian Robiskie are looking good [...]
Story By Men of the Scarlet and Gray

Recruiting needs: Ohio State Buckeyes

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

The youth movement is under way in Columbus, and Ohio State likely will need the services of several incoming freshmen for the 2009 season.

The Buckeyes lose 28 seniors and three juniors who will enter the NFL draft a year early, freeing up playing time for talented young players on both sides of the ball. No one will beat out Terrelle Pryor at quarterback, but this will be Pryor's team in the fall, and the coaches will look to build around the uniquely talented rising sophomore.

Most of the immediate needs are located on the defensive side, where Ohio State loses four starters and several other contributors. All-American Malcolm Jenkins and one-time starter Donald Washington both depart, leaving the team a bit thin at cornerback. And while both Kurt Coleman and Anderson Russell return at safety, Ohio State will need replacements for them in 2010.

The Buckeyes lose two mainstays at linebacker in James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman, who combined for 630 tackles the last three seasons. Though several players look ready to step in, Ohio State must build depth in the defensive midsection through its 2009 class.

Dan "Boom" Herron will enter spring practice as the favorite to take over at running back, but there could be some carries for incoming recruits like Jaamal Berry and Carlos Hyde. The offensive line gets a lot younger in 2009, and while J.B. Shugarts and Mike Adams could join classmate Mike Brewster in the starting five, Ohio State will try to add pieces up front.

Ohio State also loses its top two wide receivers in Brian Robiskie and Brian Hartline. While DeVier Posey, Ray Small, Dane Sanzenbacher and Lamaar Thomas look ready to step in, the Buckeyes would be well served to beef up their receiving corps.

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Ohio State’s Hartline decides to turn pro

Posted by ESPN.com's Adam Rittenberg

Ohio State junior wide receiver Brian Hartline announced today that he will forgo his senior season and enter the NFL draft.

Hartline is the second Ohio State player to turn pro early, joining running back Chris "Beanie" Wells. He ranked second on the team in touchdown catches (4) and tied for second in receptions (21) this fall.

"I am thrilled to declare my eligibility for the National Football League draft," Hartline said in a statement. "Everyone involved within The Ohio State University football program has done a tremendous job for me. I want to thank all of them, particularly coach [Jim] Tressel, for helping me to succeed as both a student and an athlete during my time here. I would especially like to thank the media and the fans of Ohio for being great to me and to my family throughout my career.

"I have had an outstanding experience at OSU and am thankful for the support I continue to receive. I now look forward to testing myself against the top competitors in the National Football League. "

Hartline didn't improve his draft stock this season, as Ohio State ranked 105th nationally in pass offense (150.2 ypg) and his receptions total dropped significantly. But his decision to turn pro isn't a huge surprise, namely because Hartline seemed to feel part of the Buckeyes' outgoing senior class.

He redshirted in 2005 but went through school with players like fellow wideout Brian Robiskie and quarterback Todd Boeckman. It's not to say Hartline wouldn't have had a big 2009 season alongside Terrelle Pryor, but many of his peers would no longer be on the roster.

Hartline's departure accelerates Ohio State's youth movement on the depth chart.

This will definitely be Pryor's team in 2009, and you can expect Pryor's peers like running back Dan Herron and wide receivers DeVier Posey and Lamaar Thomas to take on enhanced roles.

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