12 scholarship players

7 returning from last year

3 starting positions

2 future NFL players to replace

That is the situation the Ohio State University faces at the linebacker position for next season.  Not often does a team rebound at a position as important as linebacker after graduating players with talent like James Laurinaitis and Marcus Freeman.  Both former Buckeyes are expected to be taken in the first two rounds of the NFL Draft.  (Freeman had an excellent combine that elevated his draft stock.)

Though we will surely miss the tenacity and leadership James and Marcus brought to our defense, there is much hope for the future.  If you remember a few years back (in the aftermath of the 2006 Fiesta Bowl trouncing of Notre Dame), Buckeye fans were skeptical of our defense that would be graduating linebackers A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, and Anthony Schlegel.  The 2006 Buckeye team rebounded quite well, en route to a disappointing loss in the national championship (but a chance at a championship, nonetheless). 

I expect a similar situation in 2009.  So Buckeye fans, I’ll say it now:  The level of play of our linebackers next year will highlight our talented defense.

At Outside Linebacker:

Ø  Ross Homan, JR-RS – Ross has been in the system for four years, and he has always played well in his time on the field.  It’s hard enough to see playing time for Ohio State when you battle injuries as a sophomore, let alone when you are competing against a player like Marcus Freeman.  Ross saw quite a bit of action in 2008 at his “unnatural” strong-side linebacker position and is a candidate to start again in 2009.

Ø  Brian Rolle, JR – Rolle has been a special teams monster for the Buckeyes in his first two years with the team.  With the graduation of Marcus Freeman, Rolle will be competing with Homan for time at the weak-side linebacker position.  He is rumored to be the hardest hitting Buckeye on the team, and he is one of those guys who never lets his motor stop.

Ø  Jermale Hines, JR – Hines is a talented Glenville product who is more likely to see playing time at the “Star” position rather than outside linebacker.  The “Star” position is a hybrid safety-linebacker role on the team.  Hines saw significant time at strong safety in 2008 because of injuries, so your guess is as good as mine as to where he will play the most minutes in 2009: OLB, Star, or Safety.

Ø  Tyler Moeller, JR – Moeller also saw time in the “Star” role, but is one of the leading candidates at the strong-side linebacker position on the team.  He is very fast and he likes to hit: two traits common in our great linebackers of the past.

Ø  Dorian Belle, FR – For the second year in a row, the Buckeyes nabbed the most talented prospect out of Pennsylvania (Terrelle Pryor last season).  Dorian is going to be a special player at linebacker.  He is so talented that he might find himself starting midway through the season once he learns the system and gets acclimated to the college game.  His great speed and athleticism make him a perfect fit for the weak-side linebacker position.

Ø  Storm Klein, FR – With a name like Storm, how can you not be excited to see this guy suit up for the Buckeyes?  Storm is a hulking strong-side linebacker that also happens to be an exceptional talent at the running back position.  He started at linebacker and tailback for his high school for all four years, and led his team to the state championship game twice.  He may not contribute a great deal as a true freshman, but he will not redshirt.

Ø  Adam Homan, FR – As I mentioned in my post on the running back situation, Homan may see time at either fullback for linebacker.  Adam is bigger than his brother Ross, so if he does wind up on the defensive side of the ball, he may be transformed into a defensive end rather than a linebacker.

Position Grade: A-

We lose Marcus Freeman and Curtis Terry at the outside linebacker position, but the play will not drop off at all.  My grade may seem rather high, but that is because I am completely sold on the talent of Dorian Bell.  He is going to be a special player and his impact will be immediate.  Ross Homan will lead this group, and with the likes of Bell, Moeller, and Hines all fighting for playing time, the best will come out of each player.  I feel confident that these linebackers can help solidify our defense in 2009.

At Middle Linebacker:

Ø  Austin Spitler, SR-RS – Spitler rarely gets the credit that he deserves.  He played behind Laurinaitis for three seasons, so he hasn’t seen a great deal of playing time, but he is a hard-nosed defender with great instincts.  He wears #38, and I wouldn’t be surprised if fans next year mistake him on the field for #33.

Ø  Etienne Sabino, SO – Fans only got a small taste of what Sabino brings to the table in 2008.  The battle at middle linebacker between Sabino and Spitler is a tough one to call.  He is an aggressive, hard-hitting defender that has a knack for making big plays.  With the talent here at the middle linebacker position, I wouldn’t mind seeing the Buckeyes working in a 3-4 defensive scheme more often next year.

Ø  Andrew Sweat, FR-RS – Sweat was a highly rated prospect last year.  He is one of those football players that always seems to be around the ball (ala A.J. Hawk).  I’m not trying to compare him to one of the all-time greatest Buckeye linebackers, but Sweat has enough talent to hoist himself into that elite group.  His playing time next year will be a reflection of his work ethic during the current offseason.

Ø  Jordan Whiting, FR – Whiting plays great against the run, but needs to work on his pass coverage skills at the linebacker position.  Because of his ability to stuff the run, he will likely see time at the middle linebacker position (if he is able to find his way onto the field, that is).  It seems likely that Whiting will either redshirt in 2009 or see some playing time on special teams.

Ø  Zach Boren, FR – Zach (younger brother of former-scUM Buckeye lineman, Justin Boren) is in a similar situation to Adam Homan.  He may see time at fullback, or he may see time at linebacker.  His role on the team next year will not likely be much more than the scout and special teams.

Position Grade: B+

It’s hard to replace a player like James Laurinaitis.  Spitler and Sabino will do a fine job replacing his on-field abilities, but the leadership JL offered to the Buckeyes cannot be replaced by 2009.  It will be a fierce battle between Spitler and Sabino for the starting spot, but I feel confident that the better player will find himself starting against Navy in Week 1.

As a linebacking core, we have loads of talent waiting to get a chance to prove themselves on the field.  I am a firm believer that the best three linebackers will find themselves starting, regardless of their technical “position.”  With that said, I can’t end without giving my prediction for the starters in 2009.  As it stands now, I think we will see Austin Spitler, Ross Homan, and Tyler Moeller starting against Navy.  By the time we host Wisconsin in Week 6, however, I think we will see Etienne Sabino, Ross Homan, and Dorian Bell as the starters.

My next post will take a look at the 2009 Buckeye secondary.

Go Buckeyes!

-Chris

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