Last line of defense April 15, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Notes and quotes from a Tuesday evening of interviews with defensive backs and their coaches, as well as a "bonus" tidbit from an offensive lineman:--- While it's true that four of OSU's five "starters" return (counting nickel back Jermale Hines), there's no doubt that the team is inexperienced at cornerback. It's also clear that the Buckeyes enjoyed a rare luxury last year, when it had three legitimate cover corners in Chimdi Chekwa, Malcolm Jenkins and Donald Washington (Jenkins and Washington are gone). I found it interesting to hear CBs coach Taver Johnson on that subject. First, he said he's never coached a team that had three cover corners able to play at once, which gives you some perspective on its rarity (this is Johnson's 16th season in the business). He also noted how the complexion of the defense might change without those proven cover guys. Might it make OSU more hesitant to blitz and leave DBs exposed?..."
Senior Cornerback Kurt Coleman sat down with the media after practice on Tuesday Source: OSU Official Site
Spring Profile: Coleman Ready to Lead April 15, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site - "Senior leadership is often times the biggest force driving a football team. The Ohio State defense has been blessed with savvy leaders throughout the years and this coming fall is no different...Kurt Coleman will help anchor a unit that strives to be one of the best in the nation and help lead the Buckeyes to new heights. 'It’s not just me,' Coleman said. 'All the seniors help lead the team because it’s our team. I think all of us have really taken the leadership role upon our shoulders and we are doing a great job.' The three-year starter has made an impact since he arrived on the OSU campus his freshman year..."
Buckeyes' Chimdi Chekwa needs help at the other cornerback position April 15, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Three starters return in Ohio State's secondary, but the search for a second starting cornerback is as crucial as any competition the Buckeyes have going this spring. And truly, finding a third corner matters almost as much...the only sure thing the Buckeyes have is Chekwa, a redshirt junior they believe is ready to become the next elite OSU corner...So far this spring, fifth-year senior Andre Amos has most often run with the first-team defense, but redshirt freshman Travis Howard and junior Devon Torrence have lined up with the first team as well. Freshman C.J. Barnett, already at spring practice, and Corey Brown, a freshman who will report for preseason camp, could be factors by the fall, too..."
Buckeyes looking at four players to fill open spot April 15, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Andre Amos and Devon Torrence are atop the depth chart at cornerback opposite returning starter Chimdi Chekwa, assistant coach Taver Johnson said last night. Amos, a fifth-year senior, and Torrence, a junior, are the most experienced players competing to replace departed standout Malcolm Jenkins...The third player mentioned most prominently is redshirt freshman Travis Howard. He has made two interceptions in the five practices that have been open to the media. 'He's long and very smart,' Johnson said. '(He) definitely has athletic ability.' Fourth on the list is Donnie Evege, a third-year sophomore who was injured most of last season and has not played a down...At safety, injuries to starter Kurt Coleman (ankle) and second-teamer Aaron Gant (knee) have allowed younger players to get experience. Safeties coach Paul Haynes said he has been impressed with redshirt freshman Orhian Johnson. Coleman practiced yesterday for the first time. Haynes said Gant was going to have arthroscopic surgery soon, ending his spring."
2009 Ohio State Spring Football Media Guide Source: OSU Official Site - The 2009 Ohio State football Spring Game is currently scheduled for Saturday, April 25, 2009 in Ohio Stadium and will follow the Ohio State men's lacrosse game vs. Notre Dame, which will also be held in Ohio Stadium. Gates Open: 10 a.m. Football Scrimmage: 1:30 p.m. Ticket Price: $5 Purchase Tickets: Ohio State Ticket Office
Russell puts Texas TD in past April 15, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Anderson Russell has a new look. He took the initiative in the fight with his receding hairline and attacked it with a razor...It's not as if he is trying to go incognito because of his last play of last season, when he went for an interception instead of a tackle while defending Texas receiver Quan Cosby...Some Ohio State fans were mad because the coaching staff put Russell in man-to-man coverage in the first place; others were mad because Russell didn't just make the tackle. Russell said the trick was to turn it into a teaching moment..."
The Real Big Ten Coach Rankings April 14, 2009 Source: Eleven Warriors - "After reading an article by Rivals.com’s Tom Dienhart that ranked the Big Ten’s football coaches, I could not be more apalled by what I have seen, even as Buckeye Grove (story below) has tried to rectify Dienhart’s analysis. In case you’re too lazy to click the link in the last sentence, Dienhart has listed Kirk Ferentz and Rich Rodriguez above The Vest in his list of the top coaches in the conference. While I understand, but don’t agree, with the decision to put a guy like Ferentz first on his list, how can Dienhart possibly justify putting Joe Tiller’s good buddy before JT?..."
How do the Big Ten coaches really rank? April 13, 2009 Source: BuckeyeGrove.com - "There was a firestorm only a couple of weeks ago when an initial ranking list of the Big Ten coaches were released that baffled many and upset others. Everyone is entitled to their opinion and how they see things but here at BuckeyeGrove.com we did not see them the way that they came out and decided to do our own. Even with that there is still some disagreement between the experts as to how the rankings should fall but we have compiled a list as how we see it and break it down even further with how each of the experts voted on their own ballot..."
Pryor ends practice with wrap on throwing arm April 10, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "...The rising sophomore starter sat out some final drills this afternoon with what appeared to be ice wrapped just above his right elbow, on his triceps. Pryor didn't appear to be in any major pain but was clearly experiencing some discomfort...Pryor had been having that part of his throwing arm worked on in previous practices as well. No chance to speak with Jim Tressel or anyone else to ask what the situation might be...At this point, no big deal. But when the most important player on the team is missing reps for any reason, it's worth noting. We'll certainly ask Tressel the first chance we get, which probably won't be until next week..." (Update: "Jim Tressel said this afternoon on a conference call that quarterback Terrelle Pryor's throwing arm is fine and he is expected to practice today. Pryor sat out the end of practice on Saturday with ice wrapped on his right triceps, but Tressel said that was caused only by a gung-ho Pryor throwing too much this spring and causing his arm to suffer from overuse." "I think he had been doing so much throwing -- he's one of those guys that he's in there throwing the ball in the indoor (facility before or after practices), an extremely hard worker, and I think he overdid it a bit," Tressel said. April 14/15, 2009 Sources: Cleveland Plain Dealer/Columbus Dispatch)
Aaron Pettrey Reacts to Kick Scrimmage Performance Source: OSU Official Site
Spring Profile: Accuracy a Focal Point for Pettrey this Spring April 10, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site - "Aaron Pettrey is not unfamiliar with handling all the placekicking duties for Ohio State. The thing is, the last time he was the main man was three seasons ago, as a redshirt freshman. Now a senior, Pettrey will once again be the Buckeyes’ full-time kicker, covering both kickoffs and field goals. 'I loved doing both field goals and kickoffs my freshman year,' Pettrey said. 'I liked just being out there all the time and I can’t wait to try it again this year.' But after a hip flexor injury slowed him during the start of the 2007 fall camp, Pettrey lost control of the job to then-junior Ryan Pretorius...The next two seasons were marked by a good-natured battle, one that saw each kicker pushed by the other to get better...So now with Pretorius gone, Pettrey will look to both himself and to the next generation of Buckeye kickers, most notably Devin Barclay and Ben Buchanan, to keep him from getting too comfortable at the top..."
Buchanan pursues three kicking jobs April 12, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Ben Buchanan right now is a jack of three trades and hoping to be a master of at least one. Buchanan, a redshirt freshman from Westerville, is competing to handle field goals, kickoffs and punts for Ohio State. It's what he wants, even though it might be best for him to specialize. 'I love it -- I do love kicking and punting, it keeps you busy,' Buchanan said Friday after Ohio State had a kick scrimmage in Ohio Stadium. 'I don't know if they're going to let me do all three -- that's what I want to do -- but if they're going to steer me in a direction, I'm going to do what's best for the team.' Buchanan is on the second team at both spots. There is little chance he will unseat fifth-year senior Aaron Pettrey at kicker, but with a solid 4-of-4 showing on field goals, he has proven capable..."
Special Teams Look Solid in Kick Scrimmage April 11, 2009 Source: The Ozone - "The Buckeye special teams were surprisingly solid in the spring kick scrimmage despite the loss of A. J. Trapasso and Ryan Pretorious to graduation. Check out the-Ozone report now..."
Kick Scrimmage Notebook April 10, 2009 Source: Bucknuts - "How does Jon Thoma look as OSU's No. 1 punter? What about Aaron Pettrey at kicker? Do the Buckeyes really have a former professional soccer player on their team? Will Ben Buchanan be a kicker, punter or both? Is long snapper Jake McQuaide's major the most interesting on the team? And what does graduate assistant coach Chad Rogosheske have to say about all of this? We have those answers and more..."
Dan Herron Interview Source: OSU Official Site
Spring Profile: Herron, Saine Have Team-First Mentality April 10, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site - "...For Ohio State running back Daniel Herron, a native of Warren, Ohio, a larger work load will be expected as he continues to improve and progress. 'Beanie, you know, those are big shoes to fill,' said Herron, who averaged 4.9 yards a carry for the Buckeyes last season. 'I feel like if we continue to work hard and work together, we can do what we have to do this year.' Along with 6-1, Herron, junior running back Brandon Saine, a native of Piqua, Ohio, will look to battle for the top spot in the Buckeye back field. Saine was slowed by an injury last season, but is back and ready to share time with Herron in the backfield. 'I look forward to competing with him,'Saine said. 'Since we’ve been here “Boom” and I have become good friends and we would do anything for each other. We are competing against each other on the field, but at the same time we are helping one another.'...As of now Tressel said they will do what is necessary to have a good running game this year, whether each carries 15 a game or one with 20 and the other 10. 'Whatever it takes with these two, they will be ready to go,' Tressel said..."
Brandon Saine Interview Source: OSU Official Site
What can a healthy Brandon Saine do? April 10, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "...During spring practice a year ago, the Buckeyes' pony backfield was an intriguing topic, a way to get Beanie Wells and Saine on the field together. Then Saine pulled his hamstring during practice in August, missed more than 20 practices and basically lived through a lost year...Now he's back, behind first-teamer Dan Herron but with more of a chance to gain tailback time with Wells gone. And that's what he is right now, a tailback. And he knows everyone is waiting to see what he can do. 'Especially when I go back home, I hear them talking,' Saine said, knowing fans are waiting for a breakout. 'But I just need to focus on getting better in spring practice so I can do the things next season I want to be able to do. If I'm healthy and stay healthy and just play football and have fun, everything will fall into place.' If the former 100 meter state champion runs into the tailback picture, (Dick) Tressel won't be surprised. 'I don't see it as a jump, I see it as a rebound'..."
Youngsters on the way April 12, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Running backs coach Dick Tressel said last week that freshmen Jamaal Berry and Carlos Hyde will have a chance to make an immediate impact when they arrive in the summer. Both are from Florida and could add different dimensions to the mix that includes veteran tailbacks Dan Herron and Brandon Saine. Berry is smaller (5 feet 11, 195 pounds) but explosive; Hyde (6-1, 230) is a tailback in a fullback body. Tressel was asked whether Herron and Saine were aware that competition is on the way. 'I think our guys are aware of that,' he said. 'If you've been here a couple years, you're very aware of that. The world today in recruiting is everybody is looking around (asking), 'How many guys you got? I want to play right away.' They're looking for that, and I feel like telling them, 'Hey, don't worry about the guys in front of (you), because they'll move on. It's the guy behind you that you better be worried about, because we're going to go get another great one, too, if we can.' And I think they understand that.'..."
With Wells gone, Buckeyes assess remaining 2 TBs April 10, 2009 Source: Associated Press - "...They're hoping Dan "Boom" Herron and Brandon Saine can offset the loss of Wells' massive production. 'The thought I've had is that this may be the most comfortable situation -- to really use two backs, like the pros are,' Buckeyes running backs coach Dick Tressel said Thursday...Herron had some success when filling in for Wells while he was out early last season, gaining 439 yards. Saine was a budding star two years ago before he tore a knee ligament and later twisted an ankle, then petered out last year because of two more injuries. Now they are the only two scholarship tailbacks in Ohio State's spring camp. They play the same position, but they are decidedly different players..."
Running backs coach Dick Tressel, as well as running backs Boom Herron and Brandon Saine sat down for interviews following practice on Tuesday. "Doc" Tressel had some interesting things to say about the I-formation. Source: The Ozone
Fullbacks could play bigger role this year April 10, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...The backfield appears to be crawling with fullback candidates, though all are inexperienced. James Georgiades has been here a year...He's a walk-on...Jermil Martin, a freshman a year ago, will be in the mix, too, though he had to miss the first few days of spring drills after a tonsillectomy. 'Jermil Martin is an explosively physical kid,' Tressel said...early enrollee Adam Homan, part of the 2009 recruiting class. The younger brother of linebacker Ross Homan of Coldwater, Adam has caught Tressel's eye repeatedly. 'Adam Homan, who, along with being a tough guy like those other two, is a big guy; he's all of 6-3,' Tressel said. "That gives you a lot of flexibility, because some of those things maybe we had to bring a second tight end in for (in 2008), maybe the fullback does." So the I formation isn't dead? 'I don't think that the I formation will ever die, or Woody (Hayes) will rise up and get after us,' Tressel said..."
Practice Notebook
April 10, 2009 Source: The Ozone - "Spring practice continued for the Buckeyes yesterday (Thursday) though the day's practice was not in full pads but rather in helmets, shoulder pads and shorts...The "mix and match" theme continued at practice with a lot of shuffling of players from unit to unit and a lot of mixing of units i.e. third team DBs on the field with second team linebackers, etc. It's almost impossible to determine any kind of depth chart. That being said, the offensive line groups were interesting...OSU running backs coach Dick Tressel commented on why there is so much mixing and matching going on this and for that matter every spring. 'I don't think in the spring you try to expand people's roles. You try to expand the number of people who can accomplish a role,' said Tressel. 'You're not always trying to get the best guys out there, you're trying to get the guys out there that have to be good and see who's going to get better and develop them.'..."
Spring Profile: Wilson Staying Positive Despite Setbacks April 8, 2008 Source: OSU Official Site - "Lawrence Wilson’s last two seasons haven’t exactly gone according to plan. After playing in 24 games his first two seasons out of Akron’s St. Vincent-St. Mary High School where he was ranked a Ohio’s top defensive end, Wilson was redshirted in 2007 after breaking his right leg in the first game of the season. Last year Wilson played in seven games before tearing his left ACL which sidelined him for yet another season. During the offseason, Wilson has been focusing on the muscles in his legs more and working on getting healthier and stronger. But the road to recovery has not been easy. 'It’s tough,' Wilson said. 'I just take it one day at a time. I tell myself I have to go as hard as I can and let tomorrow and the future take care of itself. If I keep my mind focused and stay positive, everything will work out.'..."
Coach Tressel on OSU Offensive Changes Source: Big Ten Network
Ferentz tops Rodriguez for top spot in Big Ten coaching rankings April 7, 2009 Source: SI.com - "Ranking the Big Ten coaches: 1. Kirk Ferentz, Iowa...2. Rich Rodriguez, Michigan...3. Jim Tressel, Ohio StateLet's go ahead and bronze Tressel's sweater vest. He has won five Big Ten crowns and the 2002 BCS championship, and he played for two other BCS titles. He hasn't even been on the job for 10 seasons, but he's posted an 83-19 record in his time in Columbus. Not bad for a former Football Championship Subdivision (i.e., Division I-AA) coach..."
2009 Big Ten Team-by-Team Schedule Breakdown April 7, 2009 Source: CollegeFootballNews.com - "Realistic best case record with this schedule: 12-0 - Barring total disaster worst case record: 7-5 - Realistic record: 9-3 - Non-Conference Schedule: Navy, USC, at Toledo, New Mexico State - Big Ten Teams Missed: Michigan State, Northwestern...Summary: The last thing a team with so many new defensive starters needs is to deal with Navy in the opener, and worse yet, everyone will be looking ahead to the showdown against USC. If the Buckeyes can pull off the win that could redefine and turn around the program, it should be smooth sailing until November when the trip to Penn State could turn out to be for the Big Ten title. The other three Big Ten road games are against Indiana, Purdue and Michigan; the three duds of last year. There aren't two road games in a row and playing USC is offset by non-conference dates against Toledo and New Mexico State. While OSU might still be the top dog in the conference, missing Michigan State is a major bonus. Not playing Northwestern isn't a positive...Toughest Schedule: 3. Ohio State"
"Defensive Coordinator Jim Heacock and defensive linemen Thaddeus Gibson, Doug Worthington, Lawrence Wilson and Todd Denlinger sat down for interviews following practice on Tuesday.
Heacock, Defensive Linemen Address Media Tuesday April 7, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site - "Defensive coordinator Jim Heacock met with the media after Tuesday's practice along with defensive linemen Todd Denlinger, Thaddeus Gibson, Lawrence Wilson, and Doug Worthington...
Heacock upbeat about defensive line April 8, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...Heacock has a defensive line group that is deep, talented and veteran. They work hard and smart...Heacock is the type of guy who looks at a cloudless sky and forecasts a hurricane...yet he is optimistic about the Buckeyes' defensive line. They return seven of their top eight players from last season...For the first time in three years, the line is a strength, not a question mark..."
Position breakdown: Key losses: tackle Nader Abdallah
• Key returnees: Cameron Heyward, Thaddeus Gibson, Doug Worthington, Dex Larimore, Todd Denlinger, Robert Rose, Nathan Williams
• Time to step up: Garrett Goebel, Willie Mobley, Lawrence Wilson, Keith Wells
• What it was: At times it was dominating in 2008, at times it was stymied, but it was a more dynamic unit than the year before. All signs point to 2009 being the year of the D-Wall.
• What it might be: Heyward, Worthington, Larimore and Denlinger are a seasoned foursome to share playing time at the two spots inside, with Heyward and Worthington having the flexibility to play end, too. Gibson and Williams developed into pass-rushing demons who harassed Texas' Colt McCoy in the Fiesta Bowl. If Wilson has shaken the injury bug for good, he could add to the havoc.
Defensive line out-takes April 7, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Line coach Jim Heacock, on the development of redshirt freshman Garrett Goebel: 'He's in the two-deep, for sure, and getting better every day. He had a good redshirt year. You can redshirt and get better, or you can redshirt and stay the same, or you can redshirt and get worse. He got better, he worked hard in the weight room and when he was on scout team he really worked hard against our offensive line last year.'...
Thaddeus Gibson Interview Source: OSU Official Site
Gibson: Stop run, then search and destroy April 7, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "'Destroy everything moving.' Be aware that Thaddeus Gibson followed that assessment with a laugh. But when the Euclid High grad, who will be a fourth-year junior at Ohio State in the fall, was asked to analyze what type of game he wants to play next season, he was succinct..."
Spring Practice Note and Quotebook April 8, 2009 Source: The Ozone - "The Buckeyes unexpectedly opened up practice to media members yesterday...OSU Head Coach Jim Tressel prefaced spring practice with a comment that he wanted to see a more physical football team. The two practices we've seen reflected that goal. There was plenty of hitting, spirited hitting at that, and plenty of ones vs. ones competition, particularly by the offensive and defensive lines. 'I think it's been more physical than we've been since I've been here,' said defensive coordinator and defensive line coach Jim Heacock who arrived in Columbus in 1996...Practice Notes:..."
Boren quick to make big impression April 8, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Boren, the celebrated transfer from Michigan who had to sit out last season, has wasted little time showing why he was a starter for the Wolverines as a freshman as he now presses to earn a starting job with the Buckeyes...A working five: Offensive coordinator Jim Bollman is working his offensive linemen at several positions to give them both flexibility, in terms of lineup, and knowledge of others' responsibilities in the schemes. There was a point during yesterday's practice when this seemed to be the more productive of the lines: left tackle Andy Miller, left guard Boren, center Michael Brewster, right guard Bryant Browning and right tackle Jim Cordle..."
Talking offensive line from afar April 6, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "...I'm kind of getting to like the idea of Cordle at tackle. To me, here were the two biggest problems with the offensive line last season. * The tackles and tight ends getting beat on the edge by the pass rush. * The interior part of the line getting blown up in the run game and letting Beanie Wells and the other running backs get hit in the backfield. How do you solve the middle? By having Justin Boren starting at a guard spot, and that's not going to change. That's an upgrade, and that can not be underestimated...How do you solve the edge? By maybe putting a guy out there who's not so massive. Cordle might be a little quicker than what Ohio State has seen at tackle recently. And he obviously knows what he's doing as a fifth-year senior..."
Offensive Line Being Retooled this Season April 6, 2009 Source: The Ozone - "There aren't going to be a whole lot of seniors on this year's Ohio State football team. One of them will be offensive lineman Jim Cordle...'I don't want to be on a line again that everybody says 'they suck', so our hope is to be good, very good,' said Cordle...OSU coaching staff is taking a little different approach to practice this spring, one that should help with some of what has ailed OSU's offensive line, a lack of nastyness and toughness...The Buckeyes are mixing and matching along the offensive front this spring, looking for that right combination of players. Offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Jim Bollman ticked off some of the possibilities at each position. 'Michael Adams and Andrew Miller have been working at left tackle,' said Bollman. 'Justin Boren and Conner Smith have been working at left guard, Michael Brewster, Jim Cordle and Andrew Moses have been working at center, Bryant Browning, Michael Brewster and Evan Blankenship have been working at right guard.'..."
Key issues facing the Ohio State football team April 5, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "A year ago, Ohio State spring drills were more like a formality. With almost every starter back and brimming with seniors...Now, coming off a 10-3 season that some tabbed disappointing despite a fourth straight share of a Big Ten title and a fifth straight win over rival Michigan, the Buckeyes are shuffling a fresh deck of cards this month...Ohio State never thinks in terms of rebuilding, and reloading might not capture the theme of this spring, either. It's more like coach Jim Tressel and his staff are remodeling, and doing it around the talents of returning starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor..."
Position breakdown April 6, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Dispatch beat reporters Ken Gordon and Tim May will analyze each position group on the Ohio State football team during spring practice. Today: OFFENSIVE LINE
Ohio State football could have some holes April 2, 2009 Source: The Morning Journal - "After losing 31 players from a team that went 10-3 last season and suffered a heartbreaking loss to Texas in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl, he has a lot of holes to fill and a lot of questions to answer heading into spring practice today..."
Pryor the only certainty in Buckeyes' backfield April 5, 2009 Source: The Morning Journal - "This is the first in a four-part series looking at Ohio State football during its annual spring practice...Tressel's recruiting class was headlined by a pair of Florida running backs, Jaamal Berry (Miami Palmetto) and Carlos Hyde (Naples). National consensus put the Buckeyes' 2009 incoming freshman class at or near the top of the national rankings. However, as legendary college basketball coach Al McGuire once said, "The best thing about freshmen is that they become sophomores..."
Offensive line will anchor young Buckeye offense April 6, 2009 Source - "This is the second in a four-part series...Ohio State coach Jim Tressel saw a ton of offensive talent either leave via graduation or through early entry for the 2009 NFL Draft. He has holes to fill, but thinks he has the talent to piece together a solid offensive unit. At the receiver position, however, the experience is thin..."
Chekwa and Spitler will lead OSU defense April 7, 2009 Source - "This is the third in a four-part series...The Buckeyes will be young in the secondary, but that does not especially mean they will not be good...junior cornerback Chimdi Chekwa is a returning starter who made great strides as the 2008 season progressed. Senior safety Kurt Coleman led the Buckeyes in interceptions last season with four, and his 78 tackles was third on the team. Fifth-year senior Anderson Russell is a hard-hitting safety who recorded 67 tackles last season, picked off a pair of passes and forced three fumbles..."
Buckeyes' defensive line will shine in 2009 April 8, 2009 Source - "This is the final installment of a four-part series ...This will clearly be the strength of the Ohio State defense. 6-6, 287 pound junior Cameron Heyward is explosive on the inside, a run-stuffer who can also get into the backfield. He recorded 36 tackles (4.5 for a loss) and three sacks last season. Thaddeus Gibson, a 6-2, 240 pound junior, is quick off the edge, recording nine tackles for a loss last season (second on the team) and five sacks. Dexter Larimore (6-2, 300 junior) saw plenty of action in the interior of the defensive line last season while Nate Williams (6-3, 245 sophomore) lettered last season as a freshman defensive end..."
Bollman, Linemen Meet with the Media Sunday April 5, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site - "Offensive coordinator and offensive line coach Jim Bollman met with the media after Sunday's practice at Ohio Stadium along with offensive linemen Bryant Browning and Jim Cordle . Click on the links above for video and audio interviews. The Buckeyes worked out for 2 hours inside Ohio Stadium in their fourth practice of the spring. They return to the field again Tuesday.
Ohio State 2009 Prospectus: Secondary April 4, 2009 Source: Buckeye Commentary - "The Ohio State defense continues to be the flag bearer for the program and no portion better illustrates that prominence than the defensive backfield...The best part of the secondary is Chekwa returns and provides good stability at cover for the Buckeyes. He may not be Jenkins and I do have some concerns that he can be a true No. 1 CB, but he will allow the Buckeyes to be somewhat flexible on defense."
Ohio State 2009 Prospectus: Linebackers March 31, 2009 - "...For the first time since 2003, the Buckeyes do not have a star linebacker to build around. With the way the Tressel has been recruiting these days no one truly believes this will be a position of weakness for OSU, but there are few that are expecting status quo..."
Ohio State 2009 Prospectus: Defensive Line March 28, 2009 - "...Naturally, it is impossible to have any hope that the 2009 defense can approximate its immediate predecessor, but that may be short-sighted for a couple of reasons: (1) Ohio State always reloads on defense... (2) For the first time in a long time (2003?) the defensive line is the strength of this side of the ball..."
Depth chart released, with Cordle a starting tackle April 3, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "The Ohio State depth chart is out for spring football, and as expected, Jim Cordle is one of your starting tackles, along with sophomore Mike Adams. Justin Boren and Bryant Browning are the starting guards, with Michael Brewster at center. Etienne Sabino is still listed at middle linebacker, backing up starter Austin Spitler, while Ross Homan is the starter on the weakside and Tyler Moeller the starter on the strongside. In the secondary, Chimdi Chekwa and Andre Amos are the starting corners, with Travis Howard backing up Amos. DeVier Posey and Dane Sanzenbacher are the starting receivers, with Ray Small and Taurian Washington listed as second string and Lamaar Thomas and Grant Schwartz third string. Rob Rose is listed as a defensive end, not a tackle, joining Nathan Williams as a backup to starters Cameron Heyward and Thaddeus Gibson. Dexter Larimore is listed ahead of Todd Denlinger at one tackle spot, while Doug Worthington is the other starter, backed up by Garrett Goebel. Maybe the most interesting part of the depth chart? The fact that there are only eight three-year lettermen. That and the fact that Sanzenbacher is the backup holder."
OFFENSE QB 2 Terrelle Pryor* (6-6, 235, So.)
14 Joe Bauserman* (6-2, 220, So.)
16 Ross Oltorik (6-2, 210, RFr.)
TB 1 Dan Herron* (5-10, 193, So.)
3 Brandon Saine** (6-1, 217, Jr.)
24 Marcus Williams** (5-10, 202, 5th)
33 Joe Gantz (6-0, 199, 5th)
46 K.C. Christian (5-11, 209, Jr.)
35 Bo DeLande (6-0, 184, So.)
FB 41 Jermil Martin (6-0, 227, RFr.)
37 James Georgiades (6-1, 240, RFr.)
48 Spencer Smith (6-2, 225, So.)
49 Adam Homan (6-4, 235, Fr.)
There's always time to talk kicking April 2, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "...With Ryan Pretorius gone and Aaron Pettrey back after basically splitting the kicking duties by the end of last year, locking in one guy might be better for the team. I still think the Buckeyes ended up getting that competition backward more often than not during the three seasons Pettrey and Pretorius were at Ohio State together. I understand not wanting to rotate kickers every game, but I think sometimes the hotter kicker was on the sideline for much of the last three years...'Aaron Pettrey I think can be an extraordinary kicker,' Tressel said. 'He had a really good offseason. He trimmed down, lost eight or nine pounds and really looks good.'...Tressel said Devin Barclay and Ben Buchanan will fight it out to be the backup kicker, though that position should only be needed if Pettrey is hurt..."
Spring Outlook; Practice Begins Thursday April 1, 2009 Source: OSU Official Site - "A period of adjustment is underway within Ohio State football, with plenty of new faces and new assignments to renew a Buckeye program that has won Big Ten titles and played in BCS bowls the last four years. It starts April 2, when Coach Jim Tressel and his staff begin to replace 24 lettermen during 14 practices that precede the OSU spring game April 25 (the same day the NFL Draft is likely to select a prodigious number of former Buckeyes). 'We want to use this spring as a chance to study who we are and what we can do,' explains Tressel, beginning his ninth campaign as head coach at Ohio State. 'We’re looking forward to some positive growth as individuals and as a team. Our guys during the winter were as responsive, as competitive and as accountable as I can remember in handling what they had to do.'..."
Tressel expects biggest leap from Pryor this season April 1, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "...Everyone anticipates Terrelle Pryor and this sophomore class emerging as the leaders on a team that lost 28 seniors and three juniors, and Tressel can see how that could happen.'I think it will be more natural for him to lead from this point on,' Tressel said of Pryor. 'It was a little bit more difficult when he was thrust into the role he didn't expect in the fall, or maybe we didn't expect in the fall.'..."
OSU set to meld a new offense April 1, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...Terrelle Pryor said he can sense it. From his interaction with coach Jim Tressel and offensive coordinator Jim Bollman as well as the teammates who must fill seven vacant starting spots on the offense, the sophomore quarterback said the Buckeyes are eager for the start of spring drills Thursday. 'I can tell you the coaches are fired up,' Pryor said. 'Coach Tressel is really fired up; I meet with him every day in his office and I can tell. Coach Bollman is more fired up than I can ever remember seeing him. I think this spring is going to be very fun. Everyone seems to be looking forward to it.' Pryor knows change is in the works, and has been for a couple of months. A year ago, OSU's offense was designed to take advantage of the talents of returning senior quarterback Todd Boeckman and tailback Chris "Beanie" Wells, with some components for Pryor, considered a passing and rushing threat. Now, it will largely feature Pryor's talents. The offense will undergo changes that couldn't be made at midseason last year, when Tressel made Pryor the starter. But the Buckeyes apparently are looking at several options to upgrade this year's model..."
