Ohio State Buckeyes’ 1998 Outlook – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/10/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
August 10, 1998
COLUMBUS, Ohio – ESPN Game Day analyst Kirk Herbstreit described it best when news was made this spring over Ohio State not having a player selected in the NFL Draft for the first time ever: “There’s a good reason they’re all coming back,” he said.
Ohio State University head coach John Cooper appears to have a sturdy, rock-solid foundation in place as he heads into the 1998 season, his 11th year at the helm of the Buckeyes. Among 51 returning lettermen are 17 starters – nine on defense and eight on offense – from last year’s 10-win, Sugar Bowl-capped campaign. In terms of leadership and experience, the roster consists of 17 seniors with 12 of those individuals in their fifth year.
Among the skill players and thrill players returning are the best player in college football (middle linebacker Andy Katzenmoyer), the best pair of receivers in college football (David Boston and Dee Miller), a tested, experienced secondary headed by, perhaps, the best cornerback in college football (Antoine Winfield), possibly the most patient quarterback in the nation (Joe Germaine), some speedy tailbacks, and offensive and defensive line players who are youthful, but have size, energy and the drive to want to get better.
“I like the chemistry of this football team and I like its work ethic,”says Cooper. “The thing that has happened to us the last few years is our young players have seen the kind of success that we’ve had and they realize what it takes to be successful. And that’s work, and work ethic. That’s the best thing I can say about our football players.”
Scouting the Offense
Eight offensive starters return – receivers David Boston and Dee Miller, linemen Rob Murphy (left guard), Tyson Walter (left tackle), Kurt Murphy (center) and Ben Gilbert (right guard), tight end John Lumpkin, and fullback Matt Keller – from a team that averaged over 400 yards per game and scored 30 points per game. Gone is quarterback Stanley Jackson, tailback Pepe Pearson, and right tackle Eric Gohlstin.
“I think we have real good skill players on offense,” says Cooper. “I think Joe Germaine will have a good solid year at quarterback and, obviously, we have some fine receivers who can run and catch the football in David Boston, Dee Miller, Reggie Germany and Ken-Yon Rambo. We don’t have a real and proven, big-time running back, but I like Michael Wiley, Derek Combs and Joe Montgomery and the things they can do with the football.
“The question mark – again – is how much more improvement is our offensive line going to make. We can not afford to make big mistakes offensively by turning the ball over and taking negative yardage in sacks. We’ve got to avoid the mistakes and we’ve got to be able to run the ball when we want to run the ball and not just when the situation dictates a run. So the key is how well the offensive line comes along.”
Though technically not a starter, Germaine is back at quarterback. A 6-2 senior, he came off the bench to throw for 1,847 yards and 16 touchdowns last year while flirting all season long with the NCAA passing efficiency title. He finished third. And even though he has started just one game in his two previous seasons, Germaine already ranks sixth in OSU passing history with 3,040 yards to go along with 31 touchdown passes.
“There is no question that Germaine feels secure that he is our quarterback,” says Cooper. “He is the man. He is our quarterback as we start the season. He has all the intangibles that you are looking for: intelligence, work ethic, dedication, commitment, leadership, a good arm, and I think he has a good supporting cast.”
Mark Garcia, who enters the season as the No. 2 signal caller, was the third-team quarterback last season and saw limited action, completing nine of 23 passes for 175 yards and one touchdown (he was also intercepted once). Red-shirt freshmen Austin Moherman and David Priestley are in a battle for third-team duties.
“I think that Mark Garcia made some progress in the spring as did Austin Moherman and David Priestley,” explains Cooper. “All three of those guys can really, really benefit from a great summer workout. All of them have to improve between now and when we play West Virginia.”
In front of those quarterbacks is an offensive line that has starting experience across the board, but is still relatively young and is coming off a season in which it allowed its quarterbacks to be sacked 47 times for 317 negative yards. And coming off a tough afternoon against Florida State’s explosive defense in the Sugar Bowl, this spring was to have been an interesting one along the line, with some young Buckeyes threatening to take over some of the playing time. It didn’t happen.
“I liked the way Tyson Walter and Kurt Murphy and Ben Gilbert improved and fought off the challenge that the young offensive linemen were supposed to give them,” said Cooper. “I think that all three of those guys had good solid springs. They still have to improve, though, between now and the time we play West Virginia.
“On the other hand, a couple of those young players who we anticipated having a good spring, for whatever reason, didn’t. Tam Hopkins got hurt the third day of spring practice (fracture/dislocation of the right ankle). Henry Fleming and Eric Smith – each with left ankle sprains – were hurt off-and-on and nobody else really stepped up and met the challenge.
“We are counting on Rob Murphy to make a complete and full recovery from a knee injury [complete medial colateral ligament reconstruction]. Somebody has got to step up at right tackle whether its senior Brooks Burris or Fleming or Smith or if we have to move Hopkins out there. Somebody has got to step up!”
If Germaine is a cinch to take over at quarterback, then fleet junior Michael Wiley seems equally assured of stepping in at tailback for the departed Pearson. Speedy, elusive and a threat to score every time he touches the football, Wiley rushed for 588 yards and six touchdowns last year.
He will have competition, though, from senior Joe Montgomery and swift sophomore Derek Combs. Montgomery, who blew his knee out two seasons ago and then had more surgery this past January, was on the practice field every day in the spring and has worked as hard as anybody. When he was healthy, he was the Buckeyes’ most effective inside runner.
Junior Matt Keller started all last year at fullback and has shown time after time that he is a play-maker, whether he is making a key block or blocks, catching a pass or gaining some tough rushing yards. He was the team’s third-leading rusher (257 yards; 4.4 yards per carry) and receiver (19 catches; 139 yards) last year and it will take some heads-up play by back-up Sean Penny to bump Keller to second team.
The receiving corps could be the best in college football. Behind Boston and Miller, who used their talent, speed and size advantages to combine for 131 receptions for 1,851 yards and 19 touchdowns last year, are sophomores Reggie Germany and Ken-Yon Rambo. Both can pick up big yards after the catch and both combine great hands with the ability to get open. Right behind are Vaness Provitt, a big target who is effective in the red zone, and Kevin Griffin, a competitive and dependable player who always seems to make plays.
The tight-end tandem of John Lumpkin and Steve Wisniewski combined for 29 receptions, 495 yards and five touchdowns in 1997, but Cooper still says: “We’ve got to get more production out of our tight ends. We didn’t get anything out of Wisniewski this spring [due to an injured lower back]. Lumpkin missed all of our winter conditioning drills while playing basketball, and that doesn’t help. And Kevin Houser missed about half of spring (right wrist fracture). Tight end has got to become a more productive position for us in terms of blocking and catching the football.”
Scouting the Defense
Nine starters return from a unit that ranked No. 2 nationally against the pass and No. 7 in total defense last year. Leading the way is returning All-Americans Andy Katzenmoyer and Antoine Winfield. The entire secondary returns alongside Winfield, with Damon Moore and Gary Berry at the safeties and Ahmed Plummer at the other corner spot. Jerry Rudzinski returns at outside linebacker. Matt LaVrar is the veteran returnee on the defensive line with sophomores Rodney Bailey and Joe Brown the best in a stable-full of young linemen. Bailey was the only true freshman to start for the Buckeyes in 1997. Departed starters include tackle Winfield Garnett and linebacker Kevin Johnson.
“We have enough athletes on defense that we are going to have a solid defensive football team,” Cooper says, matter-of-factly. “I feel very good about what we did last year on defense and the players we have coming back. And I think we have some players who can really run to the ball.”
Ohio State’s secondary could be as good as there is in college football. Everyone knows about Winfield and his skills that make him a legitimate contender for the Thorpe Award. And everyone has heard of two-year starter Moore at strong safety, the punishing hitter who also has 10 career interceptions. And, by coupling tremendous speed with solid skills, Berry did plenty last year, including intercepting five passes and scoring two touchdowns, both at Michigan State off interception and blocked punt returns. Plummer, possibly the best of the group, is real quiet about his terrific speed and leaping ability, and the fact that he tied Berry for the team lead in interceptions with five. He is a hard hitter as well.
“I like our secondary,” Cooper said. “Those guys have all played. Safety Percy King had a fine spring practice and he, too, is ready to contend for some real playing time, and Central McClellion can come in and play any one of the positions.”
The fierce Katzenmoyer, the Butkus Award winner last year as a sophomore and a finalist for the Maxwell Award as college football’s best player, the Lombardi Award and the Nagurski Award as college football’s best defensive player, will be one of the top players in college football as a junior. With his size, speed, big-play know-how and the ability to simply dominate games from his middle linebacker position, he will be on the minds of many as a Heisman Trophy candidate.
Along side Katzenmoyer are Jerry Rudzinski, in his third year as a starter, and rising talent Na’il Diggs. The savvy Rudzinski is always in the right place and he will be looked upon as a leader this year. Diggs played in all 13 games last year as a red-shirt freshman and led the team in quarterback sacks with six. He started vs. Michigan and Florida State when OSU went to a four-linebacker look. There’s talent in waiting as well, with linebackers Courtland Bullard, Chris Kirk and Jason Ott all returning. Only Ott didn’t play last year.
“We will be formidable at linebacker,” says Cooper.
The defensive line is talented but inexperienced. Matt LaVrar, a starter last year, reserve Randy Homa and incoming junior college transfer James Cotton are the only juniors among this mix. Cotton really shined and played well at the end of spring ball when he was moved to defensive end. End Rodney Bailey and tackle Joe Brown are each returning starters coming off solid first-year campaigns. Three additional sophomores – Clinton Wayne, Paris Long and Brent Johnson – had terrific spring camps and will be more than ready to fight for increased playing time in the fall. Wayne is an athletic 270-pounder who played in all 13 games last year. Long red-shirted last season, moved to defense at the Sugar Bowl, and was clearly a presence in the spring. Freshman Mike Collins, in school in time for spring drills, also had a noticeable spring practice. Red-shirt freshman Heath Queen was sick for much of spring practice, but this 6-5, 270-pounder will also get a look along the line.
“You should see the most improvement from us up front along the defensive line,” predicts Cooper. “Rodney Bailey played well last year for us as a true freshman. Joe Brown, Clinton Wayne, Paris Long and newcomer Mike Collins all had good spring practices. Long and Collins, as young football players, can really help us. Although LaVrar started for us last year, he or somebody needs to step us for us at the other defensive end position and at the end of spring it was Cotton.”
Scouting the Special Teams
Ohio State returns two experienced kickers in punter Brent Bartholomew and place kicker Dan Stultz, as well aslong-snapper Kevin Houser. However, Cooper has concerns here.
“I am probably more concerned about the overall kicking game than I am about the offense or defense,” said Cooper. “I’m talking about the little things that we need to do to make us a great football team. Brent Bartholomew punted the ball well last year, but we have to do a better job of field position and a better job of coverage on punts and kickoffs. We’ve also got to do a better job of kicking field goals. Sixty percent on field goals is not good enough. Dan Stultz has got a strong enough leg that he ought to be one of the nation’s top field goal kickers, but 60 percent is not acceptable.”
Bartholomew had a career-best year last year with a national top ten average of over 45 yards per punt. Stultz made good on 15 of 25 field goal attempts as a freshman, including an OSU record 55-yard field goal in Ohio Stadium.
“Special teams will be a real point of emphasis for us but I think we will be better on them this year because we have better young football players,” said Cooper. “And I expect Kevin Griffin to be an outstanding special teams performer for us.”
1998 Depth Chart
Offense Entering Fall Camp
FIRST TEAM
SE 9 DAVID BOSTON (6-3, 215, Jr.)
All-America candidate…a force on the field…led Big Ten with OSU record 73 rcpts. in ’97…6th at OSU w/106 rcpts…22 TDs.
LT 77 TYSON WALTER (6-5, 305, So. )
Strong spring camp…confident, athletic & intense…stepped in for Orlando Pace and started all 13 games as RS frosh in ’97.
LG 56 ROB MURPHY (6-5, 300, Jr.)
All-America candidate…’97 FN All-American…missed spring drills, but expected to lead in ’98…tough & physical…23 starts.
C 63 KURT MURPHY (6-4, 290, Jr.)
Strong, young player…intelligent…makes all line calls…started six of last seven games last year…20-game veteran.
RG 64 BEN GILBERT (6-5, 295, Jr.)
Strong spring camp…21-game vet with 13 starts last year as true soph…physical…continues to improve…recently married.
RT 67 BROOKS BURRIS (6-7-290, Sr.*)
Versatile…can play guard or tackle…big, but athletic…experienced veteran of 32 games & nine starts…eight starts in 1997.
TE 85 JOHN LUMPKIN (6-8, 260, Sr.)
Emerged last year (17 for 320 yds and 3 TDs)…excellent hands & a good blocker…spectacular 50-yard TD grab in Sugar Bowl.
QB 7 JOE GERMAINE (6-2, 205, Sr.*)
Terrific timing & accuracy…6th in OSU passing annals with 3040 yds…31 TD passes…3rd nationally in ’97 in pass effic.
FB 23 MATT KELLER (6-0, 238, Jr.)
Savvy, crafty & works hard…3rd-leading rusher and receiver in ’97 (257 rush yards & 19 receptions)…boom-boom blocker.
TB 5 MICHAEL WILEY (6-0, 195, Jr.)
Called “talented & gifted & elusive & special”…a threat to score on every touch…averages 8.9 yards per touch.
FL 15 DEE MILLER (6-1, 200, Sr.*)
A most pleasant ’97 surprise with 58 recpts, 981 yds, 5 TDs… now one of nation’s best…makes spectacular, big-play catches.
SECOND TEAM
SE 80 REGGIE GERMANY (6-2, 195, So.)
On his way to becoming a marquee player…smooth…great hands and speed…gets yards after the catch…expected to play a lot in ’98
LT 69 JIM MASSEY (6-5, 285, Fr.)
Red-shirted ’97 season…young and very good athlete who can play both tackle and guard…looking for more reps this season.
LG 65 MIKE GURR (6-7, 270, So.)
Has good quickness and athletic ability…has played tight end, right guard and left guard…concentrated on left guard in spring.
C 78 DREW ELFORD (6-4, 300, Jr.)
Moved to center last fall but can play all the offensive line positions…has continued to improve and will press for time.
RG 55 TAM HOPKINS (6-5, 295, So.)
Terrific athlete…strong & explosive…will challenge for starting honors…expected to be 100 pct. after spring ankle injury.
RT 75 HENRY FLEMING (6-7, 305, So.)
Tough and massive…is expected to push for starting position… slowed in the spring, but played in seven games in ’97.
TE 84 STEVE WISNIEWSKI (6-5, 265, Jr.)
Status in question due to lower back injury…did not compete this spring…junior Kevin Houser may end up as No. 2 TE.
QB 16 MARK GARCIA (6-4, 215, Sr.*)
Can throw to any part of the field and is capable of making the big play…knows the offense…talented and eager to play.
FB 36 SEAN PENNY (6-2, 215, So.)
Highly regarded with all the tools…just needs to grasp fullback mentality…terrific athlete…averaged 6.0 yards per rush.
TB 33 JOE MONTGOMERY (5-11, 216, Sr.)
Making valiant comeback from major knee injury & surgeries…confidence is back…team’s most physical tailback.
FL 4 KEN-YON RAMBO (6-1,190, So.)
Has speed, hands, moves and can close on the football…terrific athlete who can make big plays…averaged 20.7 ypc off 7 receptions as frosh.
PK 47 DAN STULTZ (6-0, 195, So)
Led Big Ten in kick scoring (7.1)…55-yard FG vs. IU…10 of 12 inside 40…could become one of OSU’s all-time bests.
1998 Depth Chart
Defense Entering Fall Camp
FIRST TEAM
DE 94 RODNEY BAILEY (6-3, 255, So.)
A rising star…only true frosh to start in ’97…makes plays (9 tackles vs. Michigan)…has size, quickness and athletic ability.
DT 90 CLINTON WAYNE (6-3, 275, So.)
Called “the best athlete among the tackles”…strong, physical and tough to defend…worked on technique & is ready to shine.
DT 73 JOE BROWN (6-6, 285, So.)
One of the team’s quickest linemen…active, strong, physical… sheds blocks…hard worker…will a have major presence.
DE 52 JAMES COTTON (6-4, 245, Jr.)
Opened eyes in spring camp after switching from LB to DE… learning the system, but he is an athlete…made plays this spring.
BLB 32 NA’IL DIGGS (6-4, 235, So.)
A most promising young Buckeye…very athletic and exceptionally quick…solid pass rusher and run stopper…up from DE.
MLB 45 ANDY KATZENMOYER (6-4, 255, Jr.)
The best player in college football…Heisman Trophy, Lombardi, Outland, Butkus, Maxwell & Nagurski awards candidate.
WLB 35 JERRY RUDZINSKI (6-2, 225, Sr.*)
OSU Scholar-Athlete…key player & leader on the football field…intelligent, hard-working & never out of position…savvy.
CB 11 ANTOINE WINFIELD (5-9, 180, Sr.) All-American…Thorpe Award candidate…loves to practice… loves to
play…makes plays with a vengeance…a warrior.
FS 1 GARY BERRY (6-0, 195, Jr.)
Called “the top athlete among the DBs” and is one of the team’s fastest…a veteran, but best football is ahead of him.
SS 13 DAMON MOORE (5-11, 200, Sr.*)
Fierce hitter…a force in the secondary…runs the show…makes adjustments…Tenuta: “there is no task he cannot accomplish.”
CB 19 AHMED PLUMMER (6-0, 190, Jr.)
Student of the game who is fast becoming a big-time player… studies technique…excellent athlete and a productive corner.
SECOND TEAM
DE 48 MATT LaVRAR (6-3, 240, Jr.)
11-game starter in ’97…consistent at stopping the run & improving as a pass rusher…still learning after switch from LB.
DT 59 PARIS LONG (6-6, 320, Fr.)
Will get plenty of playing time…switched to defense during Sugar Bowl week and has shined since…made noise this spring.
DT 98 MIKE COLLINS (6-3, 290, Fr.)
True freshman…picked up defense quickly…will push for playing time…has good strength and is a tough player.
DE 60 BRENT JOHNSON (6-4, 265, So.)
Most improved & most consistent end this spring…played run and pass extremely well…becoming an influence player.
BLB 58 COURTLAND BULLARD (6-3, 220, So.)
Promising prospect with size, speed & a nose for the ball…still learning, but is expected to be a terrific player…can accelerate.
MLB 44 CHRIS KIRK (6-3,235, Jr.)
An excellent run stopper and a physically tough player…a fine player in his own right…simply plays behind college FB’s best.
WLB 30 JASON OTT (6-4, 240, Fr.)
Can play either outside LB position…will see playing time this year after a fine spring showing…a tough & physical player.
CB 3 DAVID MITCHELL (6-1, 195, So.)
Played in all 13 games last year as a true frosh with plenty of special teams action…has good size and speed…still learning.
FS 17 PERCY KING (6-4, 210, Jr.)
The “surprise of the secondary” this spring…finally realized his skills and will push for playing time this year…a big hitter.
SS 20 CENTRAL McCLELLION (5-11, 190, Sr.*)
Has terrific talent and can play all the secondary positions… works hard and is a favorite to be around…the nickel back.
CB 2 ROLLAND STEELE (5-11, 170, So.) Good athlete with excellent speed…continues to improve… works hard
and is a competitor.
Pu 41 BRENT BARTHOLOMEW (6-2, 210, Sr.)
All-America candidate…All-Big Ten, 10th nationally in ’97 (45.2 ypp; 4th best at OSU)…42.4 career average with 23 I20.
