Conventional wisdom says that the defensive line is not a position the Buckeyes need to worry about very much for 2017. Essentially the entire defensive line returns, including defensive ends Sam Hubbard, Jalyn Holmes, and Tyquan Lewis. But for as good as the defensive line looked last season, the numbers suggest that there might be a few issues nevertheless. Primarily, that has to do with how effective the defensive line was at pressuring the quarterback. The Buckeyes ranked 54th in total sacks last year, but were 78th in adjusted sack rate. Was there actually a problem with the defensive line last season? And because the same personnel return, will there be a problem with defensive pressure again this season? Potential reasons for the low sack rate Talent. Talent is usually cited as a strength for the defensive line, particularly at defensive end. Lewis, Hubbard, and Holmes, the top three at…
Continue Reading: Why didn’t Ohio State pressure the QB more last season?
