2006 Spring Football Outlook – Ohio State Buckeyes
3/30/2006 12:00:00 AM | Football
March 30, 2006
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Jim Tressel has to feel a little bit like Jekyll and Hyde as he gets set to begin spring practice. On the offensive side of the ball, he has eight starters returning, including All-America candidates Troy Smith at quarterback, Ted Ginn Jr. at flanker and Kirk Barton at tackle. Then he looks in the mirror and sees just two returning starters staring back at him on defense.
Great feeling on the one hand. Scary stuff on the other.
But Tressel, who is now beginning his sixth season at Ohio State, has never been one to shy away from a challenge, no matter how formidable. That is one of the reasons his teams have enjoyed such success the past five seasons, including the 2005 campaign when Ohio State fashioned a 10-2 record and closed out the season with seven consecutive wins, including victories over Michigan and Notre Dame, the latter coming in the Tostitos Fiesta Bowl.
“Our goals won’t change this spring,” says Tressel, whose Buckeyes wound up fourth in the final national polls last year. “We will stress fundamentals, because teams that are fundamentally sound win football games. Spring is the time to teach.
“And we will work on getting a clearer indication of our players’ skill-sets so we know which players to plug in at what positions.”
Not much question about the skill level on offense. In Smith, Ginn, split end Anthony Gonzalez and tailback Antonio Pittman, the Buckeyes boast four of the most explosive weapons in college football
Dubbed “The Fun Bunch” by a local TV reporter, they give the Buckeyes the ability to strike anytime from anywhere.
And with Doug Datish, T.J. Downing and Barton all returning up front, the offensive line has a solid nucleus to build around.
It is an offense that put up more than 400 yards against Michigan and 617 against Notre Dame.
“We have to continue to improve daily on offense,” says Tressel. “That is especially true of Troy. Our receivers need to have a big spring, too. We want to continue to be balanced out there. That is one of the reasons we were so dangerous last year, no one could focus on stopping one receiver. And when Antonio Pittman got it going, opposing teams had something else to worry about.”
Tressel isn’t ready to concede the cupboard is bare on defense, even though defensive tackles Quinn Pitcock, who might be good enough to give the school back-to-back Lombardi Award winners, and David Patterson are the lone returning starters.
“Absolutely not!” he declares. “We have some good young players returning. Some have seen extensive time, some have played mostly on special teams and some really haven’t played at all. But there is talent there. We just need to get it situated.”
The Buckeye coach will keep a watchful eye on the kicking game, which has played such an important role in Ohio State’s success during the Tressel era.
A.J. Trapasso is back at punter and is coming off an impressive freshman year, but there is no proven performer at placekicker, where the Buckeyes have been sensational the past four years.
“We have 18 seniors on this squad and 17 of them are fifth-year seniors,” points out Tressel. “We are counting on them to be our leaders beginning right now. We (the coaching staff) have seen signs of that leadership during winter workouts. They know this is their team.”
OFFENSE
Quarterback
The Buckeyes are four deep here. Smith is coming off a sensational year in which he rolled up 2,893 total yards and accounted for 27 touchdowns (16 passing and 11 rushing). The 6-1 senior, who also led the Big Ten in passing efficiency, is 13-2 as a starter heading into his final year. Senior Justin Zwick, a veteran of 17 games including nine starts, also returns as do sophomore Todd Boeckman and redshirt freshman Robbie Schoenhoft. All four are exceptionally talented.
Tailback
Pittman had a superb sophomore season, demonstrating the ability to run inside and out. He finished the year with 1.331 yards and seven touchdowns on 243 carries, an average of 5.5 yards per carry. Not the biggest of backs, the 5-11, 195-pounder has demonstrated the ability to pick up tough yards and he rarely loses yardage. Sophomore Maurice Wells, Ohio State’s third leading rusher last year with 199 yards, is back as is Erik Haw. Heralded freshman Chris Wells is enrolled for spring quarter and will get a long look. He was the Ohio player of the year last fall. At 6-1 and 225, he gives Ohio State the big back that has been absent in recent years.
Fullback
Stan White Jr. and Dionte Johnson are punishing blockers. Neither carried the ball last year, but White, who played the majority of the time, had three receptions. Johnson is a physical runner. In the OSU scheme, fullback is primarily a blocking position. Both White and Johnson understand their role.
Wide Receivers
Ginn had 51 receptions last year, including 17 in the Buckeyes’ final two games. The OSU speedster had 803 receiving yards and four touchdown catches, the shortest of which covered 42 yards. He is an electrifying football player. The sneaky fast and sure-handed Gonzalez totaled 28 receptions and three touchdowns and averaged 13.3 yards per catch in 2005 as the third option. Look for those numbers to go up in 2006. Senior Roy Hall, junior Devin Jordan, sophomore Brian Robiskie and redshirt freshman Brian Hartline are all part of a deep pool of receivers who should help offset the loss of leading receiver Santonio Holmes (53 catches, 977 yards, 11 touchdowns).
Offensive Line
Datish, Downing and Barton were regulars last year and Alex Boone saw extensive action at tackle. So did big Steve Rehring (6-8, 329) before being sidelined with pneumonia and missing much of the season. Talented Tim Schafer, who has bounced around at several different positions but now seems to have found a home on offense, also returns. Add redshirt freshman Jim Cordle and sophomores Ben Person and Kyle Mitchum to the mix and the Buckeyes appear to be set up front, although, who goes where remains to be seen. Datish, for example, played left tackle last year, but don’t be surprised to see him get a look at center. Cordle is a promising young player who was making a move in fall camp last year as a true freshman before suffering a foot injury that ended his season. Rehring has the size to play tackle, but could also figure at guard.
Tight End
Rory Nicol is back after sitting out last year with a foot injury. His return gives the Buckeyes a physical presence that was missing last year. The 6-5 sophomore is also a fine receiver and all-around player. Marcel Frost showed signs of promise late last year and has all the tools, including speed and hands, to be a standout. Brandon Smith, a converted linebacker, is the third tight end.
DEFENSE
Defensive Line
Pitcock and Patterson give the Buckeyes two veterans inside. Both are big, tough, smart and physical. They combined for 52 tackles last year, including 10.5 tackles-for-loss and 5.0 sacks. Pitcock, unquestionably the strongest player on the team, will be in his third year as a starter and is a dominating player. Patterson, who started at end last year but usually moved inside after the first series, is blessed with exceptional quickness. Senior Jay Richardson, a veteran of 26 games and six starts, is expected to step in at end, while speedy sophomore Lawrence Wilson is the leading candidate to replace Mike Kudla at the Leo (rush end) spot. Richardson has been a sometimes starter the past two years and Wilson possesses a world of talent. Depth will come from Vern Gohlston and Alex Barrow at ends and Joel Penton, Sian (she-on) Cotton, and Nader Abdallah on the inside. Penton is the most experienced of the three and has been a steady performer throughout his career. Cotton and Abdullah lend a physical presence. Doug Worthington and Ryan Williams, both true freshmen last year, will sit out the spring while recovering from knee surgery.
Linebacker
Gone are All-American A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel, possibly the best threesome across the board in school history. That leaves a hole the size of the Grand Canyon in the Ohio State defense. But the Buckeyes do have three experienced holdovers in Marcus Freeman, Mike D’Andrea and John Kerr. The speedy Freeman lettered in 2004 as a true freshman and was expected to make a strong contribution last year. Unfortunately, a knee injury in the first game and a subsequent infection sidelined him for the remainder of the year. He is healthy and ready to go heading into spring ball. D’Andrea came to Ohio State along with Hawk and Carpenter, but has been injury plagued throughout his career, first by a shoulder in 2003, then by a knee the past two years. But he got through the December bowl practice with no ill effects and now heads into the spring hoping to regain his place in the starting lineup. Kerr was a starting linebacker at Indiana as a freshman before transferring to Ohio State. After sitting out a year, he played behind Hawk and with the special teams the past two seasons. Additionally, sophomore James Laurinaitis returns. He backed up Carpenter last year and stepped in at Michigan when Bobby was hurt on the first play of the game. He made his first career start against Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl and played well. Junior college transfer Larry Grant, a first-team Juco All-American last year, has enrolled for spring quarter and should have an immediate impact. Juniors Curtis Terry and Chad Hoobler have been in the system for two years, albeit primarily with the special teams, and redshirt freshman Austin Spitler and true frosh Ross Homan (a winter quarter enrollee) are highly regarded.
Defensive Backfield
Dependable Nate Salley and Tyler Everett have graduated and Austin Youboty and Donte Whitner have opted to pursue their dreams of playing in the NFL, so the coaching staff has four holes to fill. Malcolm Jenkins started three games at boundary corner last year as a true freshman when Everett was out with an injury. He is a good football player who is only going to get better with a spring practice under his belt. Senior Antonio Smith, originally a walk-on who was converted to scholarship this past winter, is the most experienced performer at the field corner and is a smart football player. Brandon Mitchell, Nick Patterson and Jamario O’Neal look to be the leading candidates at safety. Mitchell is easily the most experienced of the group with 33 games, including eight starts, on his resume. O’Neal, who played mostly with the special teams last year as a true freshman, was one of the top recruits in the class of 2005. Mike Roberts, Ryan Lukens, Brandon Underwood and Sirjo Welsh will be in the picture, as will redshirt freshmen Donald Washington and Andre Amos and spring quarter newcomer Kurt Coleman. Wide receiver Devon Lyons has moved to safety. He played there briefly in 2004 and impressed the coaches with his size, speed and quick grasp of OSU’s defensive scheme.
Kicking Game
Sophomore A.J. Trapasso returns at punter. He averaged 40.4 yards per kick last year and downed 19 of his 43 kicks inside the 20. OSU was second in the Big Ten in net punting, narrowly missing out on that title for the first time in four years. With his booming leg, Trapasso has the potential to be a Ray Guy Award candidate. Placekicking is another story. With Josh Huston, who did all the placekicking last year, gone, Ryan Pretorius and Aaron Pettrey are the leading candidates for the job. The South African-born Pretorius was the backup last year, but his only game experience is one kickoff. Pettrey, like Pretorius a walk-on, was a true freshman last year and did not see any game action.
In the long snapping area, Drew Norman does return. He turned in a solid showing last year in his first year as a regular.
Return Game
Whether it is on punts or kickoffs, Ginn is one of the most exciting return specialists in the country. He had touchdowns both ways last year and is already the school and Big Ten career leader in punt returns for touchdowns with five. Pittman, Maurice Wells, O’Neal and Haw are all possibilities as kickoff returners.
Spring Practice Notes
Spring Dates – The Buckeyes open spring practice March 30 andconclude April 22 with the annual Scarlet & Gray Game inOhio Stadium. Starting time for the latter is 1 p.m. Ticketscurrently are on sale at the Athletics Ticket Office in the JeromeSchottenstein Center, or by going on-line at www.hangonsloopy.com.
Covering the Game – Those members of the media that would liketo cover the spring game should either call or e-mail Steve Snappat the Athletics Communications Office. Requests received prior toApril 14 will be mailed. Requests after that date will be held atthe Ohio Stadium Media Will Call window on the west side of thestadium and will be available beginning three hours before gametime.
He dubbed them – Columbus sportscaster Clay Hall of WSYX-TV(ABC) get credit for dubbing the OSU offensive backfield of TroySmith, Ted Ginn Jr., Anthony Gonzalez and Antionio Pittman as “TheFun Bunch.” And why not, they accounted for 26 of the Buckeyes’ 41rushing and receiving touchdowns last year.
Spring is a time for new faces – The Buckeyes will have fournew faces on the roster this spring: Linebacker Ross Homan enrolledat the beginning of Winter Quarter, while defensive back KurtColeman, linebacker Larry Grant and tailback Chris Wells wereSpring Quarter enrollees.
Injury Update – Defensive linemen Doug Worthington and RyanWilliams and cornerback Shaun Lane will sit out spring ball whilerecovering from knee surgery.
Senior Leadership – There are 18 scholarship seniors on thisyear’s team, 17 of which are fifth-year players. The lonefourth-year senior is David Patterson.
Academic Success – A record 56 members of the football teamposted a grade point average of 3.00 or higher during the 2005 FallQuarter. The old record had been 46, set in the spring of 2005.
Converted – Cornerback Antonio Smith, originally a walk-on, hasbeen converted to scholarship. Smith, who will be a senior in 2006,had been on partial academic aid.
