OSU loses almost everyone to the NFL draft

[Tharvot]

Which may be a good thing for 2016-2017. It's likely that after next year, we'll lose Raekwon, and possibly Hubbard, Barrett and Samuel, depending on how well they play. Otherwise, it's unlikely we lose anyone else (outside of seniors, of which there's basically one - Elflein). Ohio State has already proven it can win the whole thing with underclassmen talent. What we're likely looking at next year -

QB - Barrett (RS JR)
RB - Curtis Samuel (JR)
RB - Mike Weber (RS FR)
H-back - Demario McCall (FR) or Dontre Wilson (SR)
WR - Paris Campbell (Soph)/Torrance Gibson (RS FR)
WR - Noah Brown (RS Soph)/Austin Mack (FR)
TE - Marcus Baugh (RS JR)
LT - Jamarco Jones (RS Soph)
LG - Billy Price (JR)
C - Pat Elflein (SR)
RG - Matthew Burrell (RS FR)
RT - Isaiah Prince (Soph)

DE - Tyquan Lewis (JR)
DE - Sam Hubbard (JR)
DT - Michael Hill (JR)
DT - Tracy Sprinkle (RS JR)
OLB - Jerome Baker (Soph)
MLB - Raekwon McMillan (JR)
OLB - Dante Booker (JR)
CB - Gareon Conley (JR)
CB - Damon Webb (JR)
S - Malik Hooker (Soph)
S - Erick Smith (JR)

Of course, we'll rotate in plenty of others, including several FR/RS FR/Soph that I didn't list. The good thing is that we have talent for days pretty much across the board, basically like 2014.

Sam Hubbard is a freshman, not a JR. And he's got some damn fine upside. We also have Bosa's little bro coming in and Weber is supposed to be a stud RB. The talent will be there, experience and development will need to be picked up.

 

[Across The Field]

I think Lee is a lock for 1st round too and Bell is apparently on the verge. Can't fault the guys for going when they are first round projected, in fact I'd question their decision making if they didn't go in that case.

It happens. Just gotta reload. Gonna be some serious learning to be done next season.

I think Lee could have come back and really shot up draft boards. He's not necessarily Jaylon Smith, but he could have been a top 15 pick in 2017 for sure if he came back and had another great year. I wouldn't be shocked if he went around the 28-31 range, which in this day isn't an enormous drop in pay, but damnit I wanted him back.

Marshall, Apple and definitely Powell made a very ill-advised decision. I know it's the dream to play in the NFL, but these guys are in no way ready to make that jump. One more year in school would've helped all 3 immensely.

 

[Across The Field]

Sam Hubbard is a freshman, not a JR. And he's got some damn fine upside. We also have Bosa's little bro coming in and Weber is supposed to be a stud RB. The talent will be there, experience and development will need to be picked up.

These are the respective classes they'll be in next year. Hubbard was in the 2014 class but you're right, he RS in 2014 so he'll be a RS Soph, not a JR.

It wouldn't shock me, as long as he's fully healthy, if Nick snags one of the DT spots. It's sounding like they might move him there, which is fantastic.

 

[fishinabarrel]

Which may be a good thing for 2016-2017. It's likely that after next year, we'll lose Raekwon, and possibly Hubbard, Barrett and Samuel, depending on how well they play. Otherwise, it's unlikely we lose anyone else (outside of seniors, of which there's basically one - Elflein). Ohio State has already proven it can win the whole thing with underclassmen talent. What we're likely looking at next year -

QB - Barrett (RS JR)
RB - Curtis Samuel (JR)
RB - Mike Weber (RS FR)
H-back - Demario McCall (FR) or Dontre Wilson (SR)
WR - Paris Campbell (Soph)/Torrance Gibson (RS FR)
WR - Noah Brown (RS Soph)/Austin Mack (FR)
TE - Marcus Baugh (RS JR)
LT - Jamarco Jones (RS Soph)
LG - Billy Price (JR)
C - Pat Elflein (SR)
RG - Matthew Burrell (RS FR)
RT - Isaiah Prince (Soph)

DE - Tyquan Lewis (JR)
DE - Sam Hubbard (JR)
DT - Michael Hill (JR)
DT - Tracy Sprinkle (RS JR)
OLB - Jerome Baker (Soph)
MLB - Raekwon McMillan (JR)
OLB - Dante Booker (JR)
CB - Gareon Conley (JR)
CB - Damon Webb (JR)
S - Malik Hooker (Soph)
S - Erick Smith (JR)

Of course, we'll rotate in plenty of others, including several FR/RS FR/Soph that I didn't list. The good thing is that we have talent for days pretty much across the board, basically like 2014.

Is Corey Smith definitely not getting a medical redshirt? Would like to see him back at the WR position. Doubt he is going to light up the stat board but he has made some key catches when needed and is an excellent blocker

 

[7Samurai13]

How's Sparty looking for 2016? Who do you think wins the QB spot?

I don't know. Hard to tell with the Ohio State game and our run game working. I prefer O'Connor because he is a better passer and I prefer a more pro style set. I feel worse about this upcoming season than I did the season after Cousins left because at least when Cousins left, we had a top notch defense.

 

[Tharvot]

Is Corey Smith definitely not getting a medical redshirt? Would like to see him back at the WR position. Doubt he is going to light up the stat board but he has made some key catches when needed and is an excellent blocker

I think he should probably qualify for one.

 

[Across The Field]

Is Corey Smith definitely not getting a medical redshirt? Would like to see him back at the WR position. Doubt he is going to light up the stat board but he has made some key catches when needed and is an excellent blocker

Actually that hasn't been decided, but I'm not sure he's even going to be given a starting spot. Though unproven, we do have a ton of talent and competition at the position.

 

[fishinabarrel]

Actually that hasn't been decided, but I'm not sure he's even going to be given a starting spot. Though unproven, we do have a ton of talent and competition at the position.

Even if he isn't given a starting spot the guy was a beast on special teams as well.

 

[Across The Field]

I don't know. Hard to tell with the Ohio State game and our run game working. I prefer O'Connor because he is a better passer and I prefer a more pro style set. I feel worse about this upcoming season than I did the season after Cousins left because at least when Cousins left, we had a top notch defense.

You're definitely in good shape at RB it would seem, but I know the OL takes a big hit. It's hard to see what became of the MSU defense, but the 2014-2016 classes should yield some nice returns on that side of the ball. You've been recruiting well.

 

[7Samurai13]

You're definitely in good shape at RB it would seem, but I know the OL takes a big hit. It's hard to see what became of the MSU defense, but the 2014-2016 classes should yield some nice returns on that side of the ball. You've been recruiting well.

Heard on the radio today that Conklin might be coming back which would be huge for our OLine. But had to take with a grain of salt because the two yahoos were saying that the marquee game in the East next year will be UM @ MSU because although Ohio State is very talented and will do well, will take a step back because of replacing 8 players on O.

 

[fishinabarrel]

Heard on the radio today that Conklin might be coming back which would be huge for our OLine. But had to take with a grain of salt because the two yahoos were saying that the marquee game in the East next year will be UM @ MSU because although Ohio State is very talented and will do well, will take a step back because of replacing 8 players on O.

Ohio State will have a ton of talent but I am going to hold back my optimism, just in case. They don't have a whole lot of time to figure things out as a young team either. Bowling Green and Tulsa aren't exactly the cakiest of cupcakes and then we go to Norman. Ending the year against MSU and TTUN again as well as @Penn State and @Wisky in the middle in back to back weeks. Just gonna settle my expectations for next year and sit back and enjoy it when it happens

 

[Shanemansj13]

Is Corey Smith definitely not getting a medical redshirt? Would like to see him back at the WR position. Doubt he is going to light up the stat board but he has made some key catches when needed and is an excellent blocker

That would be key for veteran leadership at the WR position, we just need one guy to lead the young talented guys. Gibson could be a key guy, switched to WR, but could be a wildcat guy and a crazy good athlete.

 

[Tharvot]

Ohio State will have a ton of talent but I am going to hold back my optimism, just in case. They don't have a whole lot of time to figure things out as a young team either. Bowling Green and Tulsa aren't exactly the cakiest of cupcakes and then we go to Norman. Ending the year against MSU and TTUN again as well as @Penn State and @Wisky in the middle in back to back weeks. Just gonna settle my expectations for next year and sit back and enjoy it when it happens

I may actually watch more games next year than I did this year. I just assumed we would walk all over teams this year and didn't tune in to 4-5 games because I decided to go do something else. Next year, particularly the early season, I'll be very tuned in because I really won't know what to expect.

 

[7Samurai13]

Ohio State will have a ton of talent but I am going to hold back my optimism, just in case. They don't have a whole lot of time to figure things out as a young team either. Bowling Green and Tulsa aren't exactly the cakiest of cupcakes and then we go to Norman. Ending the year against MSU and TTUN again as well as @Penn State and @Wisky in the middle in back to back weeks. Just gonna settle my expectations for next year and sit back and enjoy it when it happens

I'm glad we didn't get Wisconsin'd this year. Did you see what the B1G did to them in October? I think somebody knocked up a B1G exec's daughter and never called her again.

 

[Across The Field]

Heard on the radio today that Conklin might be coming back which would be huge for our OLine. But had to take with a grain of salt because the two yahoos were saying that the marquee game in the East next year will be UM @ MSU because although Ohio State is very talented and will do well, will take a step back because of replacing 8 players on O.

Yeah Conklin would be a huge boost for sure. If you can bring back 3/5 that would definitely be good.

As far as OSU goes, it's hard to say for sure that the michigan game won't be better. Like most of the Buckeye fans on here, I am cautiously optimistic. While Urban has always been a solid recruiter, he hit huge on several key recruits - Washington, Bosa, Lee, McMillan, Bell, EzE, Barrett, Thomas, etc. It'd be hard to assume the next guys up will be able to play the high level these guys did in 2014 when they were still youngsters, though the potential is there. The B1G will definitely be very unbalanced in terms of East/West. Any of the top 3 in the East would likely be the favorite to win the West, and probably by a decent margin.

 

[Across The Field]

I'm glad we didn't get Wisconsin'd this year. Did you see what the B1G did to them in October? I think somebody knocked up a B1G's daughter and never called her again.

Am I missing something? All I see is Iowa/Nebraska in consecutive weeks, but those were sandwiched by Hawaii and Purdue.

OSU is going to have an hellacious run next year next season. We go @Wisconsin/@Penn State/vs NW/vs. Nebraska in consecutive weeks, and then get Maryland before finishing @MSU/vs. michigan.

 

[7Samurai13]

Am I missing something? All I see is Iowa/Nebraska in consecutive weeks, but those were sandwiched by Hawaii and Purdue.

OSU is going to have an hellacious run next year next season. We go @Wisconsin/@Penn State/vs NW/vs. Nebraska in consecutive weeks, and then get Maryland before finishing @MSU/vs. michigan.

2016

Sept 24th @ Mich State
Oct 1st @ Michigan
Oct 8th Open
Oct 15th Ohio State
Oct 22nd @ Iowa
Oct 29th Nebraska

 

[Across The Field]

2016

Sept 24th @ Mich State
Oct 1st @ Michigan
Oct 8th Open
Oct 15th Ohio State
Oct 22nd @ Iowa
Oct 29th Nebraska

Ohhh I didn't realize you were talking 2016. Sweet jesus, they have a gauntlet.

 

[7Samurai13]

Ohhh I didn't realize you were talking 2016. Sweet jesus, they have a gauntlet.

When you have to play the three top teams in the crossover games, you're going to have a bad time.

 

[Across The Field]

When you have to play the three top teams in the crossover games, you're going to have a bad time.

No shit. Methinks we see Wisconsin fall back a bit, maybe with similar results to 2012/2013 - 8, maybe 9 wins. That LSU game is going to be really interesting. I'm hoping it's unseasonably cold.