OHIO STATE OFFENSE – Ohio State Buckeyes
8/31/1998 12:00:00 AM | Football
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.) %^$Strong spring camp…confident, athletic & intense…stepped in for Orlando Pace to start all 13 games as RS frosh in ’97.%^$
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.*) %^$Versatile…can play guard or tackle…big, but athletic…exper-ienced veteran of 32 games & nine starts…eight starts in 1997.%^$
TE 85 JOHN LUMPKIN (6-8, 260, Sr.) %^$Emerged last year (17-320 yds and 3 TDs)…excellent hands & a good blocker…spectacular 50-yard TD grab in Sugar Bowl.%^$
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.*) %^$A most pleasant ’97 surprise with 58 recpts, 981 yds, 5 TDs…now one of nation’s best…makes spectacular, big-play catches.%^$
PK 47 DAN STULTZ (6-0, 195, So) %^$Led Big Ten in kick scoring (7.1)…55-yard FG vs. IU…10 of 12 inside 40…could become one of OSU’s all-time bests.%^$
SECOND TEAM
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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 71 BEN PULFER (6-6, 270, Fr.) %^$Red-shirted ’97 season…battled through mid-season knee surgury…played defensive tackle last season.%^$
LG 65 MIKE GURR (6-7, 270, So.) %^$Has good quickness and athletic ability…has played tight end, right guard and left guard…concentrated on left in spring.%^$
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 87 KEVIN HOUSER (6-3, 250, Jr.) %^$Also has been the long snapper for punts and placements the past two years…good hands and excellent receiver.%^$ %^$
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 6 JIMMY REDMOND (6-0,187, Jr.) %^$Missed last season after breaking his right leg in the season opener against Wyoming…one of the fastest players on the team.%^$
LS 87 Kevin Houser%^$HO 41 Brent Bartholomew%^$PK 47 Dan Stultz%^$
KR 80 Reggie Germany%^$KR 5 Michael Wiley%^$PR 1 Gary Berry%^$PR 9 David Boston%^$
OHIO STATE DEFENSE
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FIRST TEAM
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DE 94 RODNEY BAILEY (6-3, 255, So.) %^$A rising star…only true frosh to start in ’97…makes plays (9 tackles vs. Mich.)…has size, quickness and athletic ability.%^$
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 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 32 NA’IL DIGGS (6-4, 235, So.) %^$A most promising young Buckeye…athletic and exceptionally quick…solid pass rusher and run stopper…up from DE. %^$
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.*) %^$Scholar-Athlete…key player & leader on the field…intelligent, hard-working & never out of position…savvy.%^$
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.) %^$Student of the game who is fast becoming a big-time player… studies technique…excellent athlete and a productive corner.%^$
Pu 41 BRENT BARTHOLOMEW (6-2, 210, Sr.) %^$All-America candidate…All-Big Ten, 10th nationally in ’97 (45.2 ypp; 4th best at OSU)…42.4 career average with 23 I20.%^$
LS 87 Kevin Houser%^$PU 41 Brent Bartholomew%^$
SECOND TEAM
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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 98 MIKE COLLINS (6-3, 290, Fr.) %^$True freshman…picked up defense quickly…will push for playing time…has good strength and is a tough player.%^$
DT 93 RANDY HOMA (6-2, 285, Jr.) %^$One of the strongest players on the team with a bench press of 475 pounds…great attitutde and eager to play.%^$
DE 52 JAMES COTTON (6-4, 245, Jr.) %^$Opened eyes in spring camp after switching from LB to DE…learning the system, but is an athlete…made plays this spring. %^$
BLB 10 JOE COOPER (6-2, 213, So.) %^$Moved to linebacker in fall camp…tough football player…sat out last season but did practice…powerfully built.%^$
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.) %^$Can play either outside LB position…will see playing time this year after a fine spring…a tough & physical player.%^$
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 18 NATE CLEMENTS (6-0, 185, Fr.) %^$True freshman…very impressive fall camp…high school All-American by numerous publications.%^$
*Indicates fifth year senior
