Since the B10 season is expected to be a OSU-Iowa battle I thought I would do an in depth breakdown of OSU so far, strengths/weaknesses, etc.
QB-Terrelle Pryor is said to have improved his mechanics and footwork since last year an the Rose Bowl performance is expected to be the norm, not a fluke. His understanding of the offense is now at the point where he is allowed to audible more. Tressel has stated that they plan on calling 25-35 passing plays a game, if Pryor hasn't improved that could be a disaster. The other 3 QB's are all unproven. Joe Bauserman, Kenny Guiton, and Taylor Graham all have shown flashes but not much in the way of consistency. If Pryor goes down so do OSU's chances of a B10/National title.
RB-The 2 headed monster of "Boom" Herron and Brandon Saine return. Herron is steady but not explosive. His vision is lackluster and he doesn't have elite speed. Saine is finally fully healthy and is the speed element at RB. He also is a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield where he is a mismatch for LB's in coverage. Soph Jordan Hall and RS Fr Jaamal Berry are battling for the #3 spot. Berry is a true home run threat and potentially OSU's most explosive player. Fr. Jermil Martin who played sparingly transferred this season and Fr. Carlos Hyde may get the ball in short yardage situations this year as he is the big back OSU was lacking. 4* RB from Indiana Rod Smith still hasn't reported to camp and his admission is in question. We keep hearing that its a paperwork snafu but its dragged on for weeks now. FB Zach Boren is a bruiser and one of the best FB's Tressel has had, he's only a Soph but will end up being a 4 year starter.
TE-Jake Stoneburner is the best athlete OSU has had at TE since Rickey Dudley. Stoneburner is fast, tall and has great hands. The only question is whether they will actually throw him the ball. According to reports of practice and the spring game Pryor is looking to get him the ball. A lot of question marks after Stoneburner but Reid Fragel would be counted on to back him up.
WR-Devier Posey is the star of this group and is the total package at WR. Due for a breakout season assuming Pryor has improved. Dane Sanzenbacher will be the #2 and is consistent and catches everything. Not a speed guy but seems to always be open. The #3 spot is up for grabs with Duron Carters departure. Sr. Taurian Washington has been a star in practice and spring games but never has put it together. He is the leader for the 3 spot as of now. Sr. Grant Schwartz has had a great camp and is probably going to see the field finally this season. After those 4 you have a lot of inexperience. Ty Williams, James Jackson, James Louis, etc. All young players who may see spot action but shouldn't be counted on for big production. This group isn't real deep and the #3 spot is a real concern. An injury to Posey or Sanzy would be a huge hit.
OL-left to right should be Mike Adams-Justin Boren-Mike Brewster-Bryant Browning-JB Shurgarts. All but Adams at LT are returning starters. Adams is the only real question mark, he was a 5* recruit out of h.s. But just starting to show his ability. The interior OL is great, the tackle play will need to be stronger than last year. Depth has taken a little hit with the rumor of Marcus Hall having to take a red shirt because of a potential plagarism issue. Hall would have been the first OL off the bench. Without him Andy Miller would be the back-up left tackle and Tr Fr Andrew Norwell would also see action at the tackle positions. Red shirt frosh, Jack Mewhort Sam Longo and Corey Linsley will also provide depth. The red shirt year helped all 3 bulk up but they haven't had a chance to prove themselves....
Defense and special teams later....
QB-Terrelle Pryor is said to have improved his mechanics and footwork since last year an the Rose Bowl performance is expected to be the norm, not a fluke. His understanding of the offense is now at the point where he is allowed to audible more. Tressel has stated that they plan on calling 25-35 passing plays a game, if Pryor hasn't improved that could be a disaster. The other 3 QB's are all unproven. Joe Bauserman, Kenny Guiton, and Taylor Graham all have shown flashes but not much in the way of consistency. If Pryor goes down so do OSU's chances of a B10/National title.
RB-The 2 headed monster of "Boom" Herron and Brandon Saine return. Herron is steady but not explosive. His vision is lackluster and he doesn't have elite speed. Saine is finally fully healthy and is the speed element at RB. He also is a threat to catch the ball out of the backfield where he is a mismatch for LB's in coverage. Soph Jordan Hall and RS Fr Jaamal Berry are battling for the #3 spot. Berry is a true home run threat and potentially OSU's most explosive player. Fr. Jermil Martin who played sparingly transferred this season and Fr. Carlos Hyde may get the ball in short yardage situations this year as he is the big back OSU was lacking. 4* RB from Indiana Rod Smith still hasn't reported to camp and his admission is in question. We keep hearing that its a paperwork snafu but its dragged on for weeks now. FB Zach Boren is a bruiser and one of the best FB's Tressel has had, he's only a Soph but will end up being a 4 year starter.
TE-Jake Stoneburner is the best athlete OSU has had at TE since Rickey Dudley. Stoneburner is fast, tall and has great hands. The only question is whether they will actually throw him the ball. According to reports of practice and the spring game Pryor is looking to get him the ball. A lot of question marks after Stoneburner but Reid Fragel would be counted on to back him up.
WR-Devier Posey is the star of this group and is the total package at WR. Due for a breakout season assuming Pryor has improved. Dane Sanzenbacher will be the #2 and is consistent and catches everything. Not a speed guy but seems to always be open. The #3 spot is up for grabs with Duron Carters departure. Sr. Taurian Washington has been a star in practice and spring games but never has put it together. He is the leader for the 3 spot as of now. Sr. Grant Schwartz has had a great camp and is probably going to see the field finally this season. After those 4 you have a lot of inexperience. Ty Williams, James Jackson, James Louis, etc. All young players who may see spot action but shouldn't be counted on for big production. This group isn't real deep and the #3 spot is a real concern. An injury to Posey or Sanzy would be a huge hit.
OL-left to right should be Mike Adams-Justin Boren-Mike Brewster-Bryant Browning-JB Shurgarts. All but Adams at LT are returning starters. Adams is the only real question mark, he was a 5* recruit out of h.s. But just starting to show his ability. The interior OL is great, the tackle play will need to be stronger than last year. Depth has taken a little hit with the rumor of Marcus Hall having to take a red shirt because of a potential plagarism issue. Hall would have been the first OL off the bench. Without him Andy Miller would be the back-up left tackle and Tr Fr Andrew Norwell would also see action at the tackle positions. Red shirt frosh, Jack Mewhort Sam Longo and Corey Linsley will also provide depth. The red shirt year helped all 3 bulk up but they haven't had a chance to prove themselves....
Defense and special teams later....
