2008 Ohio State Buckeyes Scouting Report

2008 Ohio State Scouting Report

PROBABLE STARTING LINE-UP HAS 18 OF LAST YEAR’S 22 STARTERS:

SE # 80 Brian Robiskie (6’3”, 199, SR, 13 starts, 2.5-star recruit)
LT # 75 Alex Boone (6’8”, 312, SR, 13 starts, 5.0-star recruit)
LG # 71 Steve Rehring (6’7”, 345, SR, 13 starts, 3.0-star recruit)
C # 64 Jim Cordle (6’4”, 297, JR, 13 starts, 4.0-star recruit)
RG # 63 Ben Person (6’3”, 323, SR, 13 starts, 4.0-star recruit)
RT # 70 Bryant Browning (6’4”, 312, SO, 0 starts, 3.0-star recruit)
TE # 88 Rory Nicol (6’5”, 252, SR, 12 starts, 4.0-star recruit)
FL # 9 Brian Hartline (6’2”, 186, JR, 12 starts, 3.5-star recruit)
QB # 17 Todd Boeckman (6’4”, 244, SR, 13 starts, 3.0-star recruit)
FB # 49 Ryan Lukens (6’0”, 238, SR, 0 starts, 1.0-star recruit)
TB # 28 Chris Wells (6’1”, 237, JR, 13 starts, 5.0-star recruit)

DE # 87 Lawrence Wilson (6’4”, 274, JR, 1 start, 4.0-star recruit)
DT # 84 Doug Worthington (6’6”, 276, JR, 12 starts, 4.5-star recruit)
DT # 92 Todd Denlinger (6’2”, 292, JR, 5 starts, 4.0-star recruit)
DE # 97 Cameron Heyward (6’6”, 287, SO, 8 starts, 4.0-star recruit)
SLB # 55 Curtis Terry (6’1”, 229, SR, 0 starts, 2.0-star recruit)
MLB # 33 James Laurinaitis (6’3”, 240, SR, 13 starts, 3.0-star recruit)
WLB # 1 Marcus Freeman (6’1”, 239, SR, 13 starts, 4.0-star recruit)
CB # 20 Donald Washington (6’0”, 194, JR, 13 starts, 2.5-star recruit)
SS # 4 Kurt Coleman (5’11”, 188, JR, 13 starts, 4.0-star recruit)
FS # 21 Anderson Russell (6’0”, 205, JR, 13 starts, 2.5-star recruit)
CB # 2 Malcolm Jenkins (6’1”, 201, SR, 13 starts, 3.0-star recruit)

Ohio State average stars per projected 2008 starter = 3.43 stars
USC average stars per projected 2008 starter = 4.34 stars

Ohio State average 2007 starts per projected 2008 starter = 9.95 starts
USC average 2007 starts per projected 2008 starter = 6.50 starts

IMPACT RECRUITS: This was a national top five class for the Buckeyes. If you look at average rating per recruit, the only teams that even came close to recruiting with the Buckeyes in 2008 were Notre Dame and USC. The nation’s top prospect, 5.0-star QB Terrelle Pryor, could see playing time much like Florida’s Tim Tebow did during his freshman year. Pryor will undoubtedly play in the Buckeyes two warm-up games prior to coming out to the L.A. Coliseum but will he get on the field against the Trojans? This class also features 5.0-star recruits OL Mike Adams, OL Michael Brewster, WR DeVier Posey and 4.5-star recruits OL J.B. Shugarts, LB Etienne Sabino. All these standout players have a shot at seeing early playing time. There are five more 4.0-star recruits. The Buckeyes loaded up with talent in 2008!

SPRING ANSWERS (from ESPN.com): 1. Line locked up: The Buckeyes filled the only hole on their offensive line this spring with sophomore right tackle Bryant Browning. The 6-4, 312-pound Browning seamlessly transitioned to the first team as he replaces All-Big Ten selection Kirk Barton. Acclaimed freshman Mike Adams could push Browning this summer, but the front five looks fairly set heading into the season. "He's very dependable," coach Jim Tressel said of Browning. "He's got power. He does some things that we think are going to be very, very special, and he works like crazy." 2. Welcome return: Defensive end Lawrence Wilson returned to the field this spring determined to make up for lost time. Sidelined last season after breaking his leg in the opener, Wilson moves into a primary pass-rushing role as Ohio State replaces superstar Vernon Gholston (14 sacks last fall). Wilson readjusted well from the injury, recording a sack in the spring game and reaffirming his spot with the first-team defense. 3. Not so average Joe: The competition to back up quarterback Todd Boeckman will undoubtedly be impacted by a certain incoming freshman from Jeannette, Pa., but Joe Bauserman made a strong case in the spring game. Bauserman, a former minor league pitcher in the Pittsburgh Pirates organization, threw a 51-yard touchdown pass and had a 63-yard scoring strike called back on a holding penalty. Antonio Henton entered the spring as Ohio State's primary backup, but the 22-year-old Bauserman will remain in the mix this summer along with that Pryor guy.

FALL QUESTIONS (from ESPN.com): 1. The Pryor Effect: Ohio State's integration of acclaimed quarterback Terrelle Pryor will be one of the nation's top preseason story lines. Boeckman's starting job is safe, but the Buckeyes likely won't keep a player of Pryor's caliber on the sidelines for long. Will they follow Florida's lead and use Pryor like Tim Tebow, with Boeckman playing the role of Chris Leak? Pryor has the athleticism to play right away, but his ability to grasp the offense and improve as a passer will determine how quickly he sees the field. 2. On the mend: Nine starters return on each side of the ball, but a rash of injuries during spring practice places a greater emphasis on training-camp performance. The offensive line was banged up throughout the spring and must re-establish chemistry before the season. Running back Chris Wells was held out of contact drills this spring as he recovered from wrist surgery. The health of both Wells and top wide receiver Brian Robiskie (knee surgery) is a minor concern entering training camp. 3. Trio in trouble: The status of defensive backs Donald Washington, Jamario O'Neal and Eugene Clifford remains in doubt heading into the summer. Tressel never revealed why the three players were held out of some spring workouts or whether suspensions would be forthcoming. All three will be under close surveillance until the season. Washington is projected to start opposite standout Malcolm Jenkins, and both O'Neal and Clifford are expected to see time behind starters Anderson Russell and Kurt Coleman.