Spring Outlook – Ohio State Buckeyes
11/20/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
This is a routine Ohio State has not been through in over a decade.
On Nov. 20, 1999, at about 3:18 p.m., the season ended. What followed was an eerie silence surrounding the Woody Hayes Athletic Center through the month of December. Without bowl practices or a bowl game, the Buckeyes quietly went about their business of hitting the weights and voluntarily meeting for conditioning drills over the next three months.
But the Buckeyes will start making noise again April 1 and hopefully there will be a loud bang when spring drills conclude on April 29 with the annual Scarlet and Gray Game, slated this year for Crew Stadium, while Ohio Stadium continues to undergo renovation.
Coach John Cooper and staff are looking to replace nine starters – five on offense and four on defense. The intensity level should be deafening.
“We were kicked around some last year and that’s something nobody around here is used to,” Cooper said. “To get back to the level we established and sustained in the past is going to take sacrifice and hard work. And I promise you – there is nobody in the Ohio State lockerroom that isn’t willing to sacrifice and work hard to get this program back to where it should be.
“We will get after it this spring.”
Cooper made immediate changes in the off-season aimed at improving the chemistry and outlook of the team. For starters, long-time assistant coach and defensive coordinator Fred Pagac was elevated to the newly-created position of assistant head coach. Chuck Stobart, former receivers coach, was promoted to offensive coordinator and fiery secondary coach Jon Tenuta is now the defensive coordinator. Continuity will improve at a few other positions with quarterbacks coach Tim Salem also inheriting the receivers and former defensive tackles coach Jim Heacock taking on the defensive line responsibilities. George Belu, one of the most respected offensive line coaches in college football, was hired to improve the play of the line and Brian Williams was added to coach the linebackers. “Our offensive and defensive philosophies haven’t changed,” Cooper said. “But we are going to scheme more toward our strengths and get back to the things we do best.
“I promise you this,” Cooper continued. “Ohio State will be a force again on the national scene and be a legitimate player in the Bowl Championship Series standings. We have too much talent and too many good people on this team for that not to happen.
“Even with last year, Ohio State University football is still one of the top programs in the nation and one we think is among the elite in college football. We are not used to .500 seasons and we refuse to accept mediocrity. Ohio State will be back to where we think it should be.”
POSITION-BY-POSITION
QUARTERBACK
Coach – Tim Salem
Key Returnees – Steve Bellisari
Key Losses – none
| Quarterback Steve Bellisari |
A year ago, the lack of experience at the quarterback position was a major concern for the Ohio State coaching staff. But after a season of learning on the job, junior Steve Bellisari enters this spring with 10 games as a starter under his belt and brings loads of talent and ability to the table. His pure athleticism is at times electrifying and his ability to act as a multi-dimensional threat will drive opposing defensive coordinators crazy. The OSU coaching staff is hoping for his continued growth and development this spring.
“Steve showed a great amount of improvement at the end of last year,” Tim Salem, OSU quarterbacks coach, said. “It may not have shown in the statistics, but it was more than evident in the films. He now has 15 days of practice to get a big jump on next year.”
In his first season as a starter, Bellisari was 101-of-224 for 1,616 yards passing with 12 touchdown passes and nine interceptions. His ability to move outside of the pocket was even more impressive. Bellisari was second on the team with 332-yards rushing including a 68-yard scamper against Purdue.
Behind Bellisari are redshirt freshmen Craig Krenzel and Scott McMullen.
“This is a chance for Craig and Scott to show what they have learned,” Salem said. “The backup position won’t be decided this spring. Can one separate himself for the other? Sure. But we need to see that they are both growing within the system and developing.”
TAILBACK
Coach – Tim Spencer
Key Returnees – Jonathan Wells, Derek Combs, and Jerry Westbrooks
Key Losses – Michael Wiley
| Tailback Derek Combs |
Two-year starter Michael Wiley may be gone, but the cupboard is definitely full at the tailback postition for Ohio State – and nothing else should be expected. After all, two years ago, when Sports Illustrated set out to build the perfect college football team, the editors chose Ohio State to supply the tailbacks. The Buckeyes have featured a 1,000-yard rusher in six out of the last 10 years, including 1995 Heisman Trophy winner Eddie George. The trio of tailbacks vying for not only the starting job but also for playing time are seniors Derek Combs and Jerry Westbrooks and junior Jonathan Wells. As a group, lack of experience will not be a problem as this seasoned trio has combined for 1,099 yards rushing in their respective careers. Wells, who ended last season as the primary backup, enters spring practices as the No. 1 back on the depth chart.
“But nothing is etched in stone,” Tim Spencer, OSU running backs coach, said. “Spring is a time for competition. All three of these guys will have ample opportunity to run, catch and block – to show that they can do the things that we like them to do.”
Each running back showcases a different style. Wells is more of a physical back with excellent speed while Combs is a speedy back that can be physical when needed. Last year, Combs, played in seven games and carried the ball 43 times for 173 yards. He also scored three touchdowns. Wells, who missed three games with an ankle injury, still carried the ball 51 times for 292 yards and also scored three touchdowns.
“I want our backs thinking that they can do both – be both physical and elusive,” Spencer said. “We need to feel comfortable with whomever is in the game.”
Westbrooks adds an intriguing dimension to the running game. His combination of speed, power and athleticism will earn him a hard look by the coaching staff.
“Jerry is as fast as Derek and can be as physical as Jonathan,” Spencer said. “It would be great if he could put it all together and finish his career in a strong fashion. We’d love to see him bust out and have a great year.”
FULLBACK
Coach – Tim Spencer
Key Returnees – Jamar Martin and Nate Stead
Key Losses – Matt Keller
Once again, the Buckeyes are solid at fullback with six-game starter Jamar Martin in the mix. After an injury sidelined Matt Keller early last season, Martin was thrust into the starting role for half the season and performed extremely well, especially in the big games. In the Penn State game, he drew praise from Penn State’s Butkus Award-winning linebacker LaVar Arrington for his tenacious blocking. In the Michigan game, Martin, a junior, rumbled for 35 yards on two carries and caught a 1-yard touchdown pass.
“Jamar probably didn’t expect to play as much as he did going into last year,” Spencer said. “But he put together an excellent season and should improve even more this spring.
Backing up Martin will be sophomore Nate Stead and redshirt freshman Jesse Kline. Stead is rock solid and built in the same mold as Martin. Kline, originally recruited as a tailback, possesses good size but is more of a multi-dimensional talent with his ability to run and catch the ball.
OFFENSIVE LINE
Coach – George Belu
Key Returnees – LT Tyson Walter, C LeCharles Bentley and RT Henry Flemming
Key Losses – RG Ben Gilbert and C Kurt Murphy
No other position at Ohio State will see as much improvement as the offensive line – count on it. New position coach George Belu is a no-nonsense, no-excuses type of teacher. His experience in working with college offensive linemen is nationally respected and with the talent that returns, OSU should re-establish itself as one of the top offensive lines in not only the conference but the country.
Now entering his fourth year as a starter, left tackle Tyson Walter is a veteran of 37-consecutive starts. Massive Henry Flemming returns after starting 11 games last year at right tackle. LeCharles Bentley, clearly one of the up-and-coming young stars on the offensive line, makes the move to center this year and is first on the two-deep entering spring practice. Last season Bentley, who was named the OSU Offensive Lineman of the Year, started at both right tackle and left guard.
The 6-5, 305-pound Tam Hopkins (right guard) and 6-7, 290-pound Mike Gurr (left guard) are leading candidates for the remaining two offensive line spots. Hopkins, a high school All-American, is a veteran of 28 collegiate games and Gurr started five games last year. Adrien Clarke, a promising youngster from Shaker Heights, Ohio, made huge strides in the fall season and will get a long look this spring.
TIGHT END
Coach – Bill Conley
Key Returnees – Darnell Sanders and Ben Hartsock
Key Losses– Kevin Houser and Steve Wisniewski
For the second-consecutive year, the Buckeyes will have a new starter at tight end. Gone are 1999 starters Steve Wisniewski and Kevin Houser. But tight end coach Bill Conley is excited about the prospects of both junior Darnell Sanders and redshirt-freshman Ben Hartsock – and the heated battle being waged between them for the starting spot.
“Both guys will have their chances to shine,” Conley said. “We bracket our tight ends a lot – go with a lot of two tight end formations – so both of these guys will get a chance to play a lot of minutes.”
Sanders, a high school quarterback and safety, brings good size and athleticism along with surprisingly soft hands to the position. Hartsock also is a versatile athlete and a quality blocker with prototype size for the position.
“These two will have to prove they are consistent blockers,” Conley said. “Nobody doubts their abilities to catch and run routes, but their abilities to pass-and-run block will set them apart from each other.”
RECEIVER
Coach – Tim Salem
Key Returnees – Reggie Germany and Ken-Yon Rambo
Key Losses – none
| Wide Receiver Ken-Yon Rambo |
The receiver position is perhaps the team’s strongest. Starters Reggie Germany and Ken-Yon Rambo return for their senior years after combining for 84 catches and 1,489 yards receiving in 1999. With a year of starting experience under their respective belts, the pair will build successes from a year ago and emerge as one of the finest receiving tandems in the Big Ten.
Rambo possesses world-class speed and will look to establish himself as more of a playmaker this season. Germany is a graceful, sure-handed receiver who runs crisp, precise routes. He has added a little more bulk in the offseason to help enhance his game.
But beyond Rambo and Germany lies unknown quantities. Vying for time at the split end position are Vanness Provitt and Drew Carter. Competing for the backup flanker position are Chad Cacchio and Ricky Bryant.
“We have a couple of veterans who are itching to show what they can do and a couple of young guys that really could have played last year,” Tim Salem, OSU receivers coach, said. “The 15 days of practice will be key for these guys. They need to improve and prove to the coaches they deserve to play. Spring is about competition. And at the receiver position, there will be a lot of it.”
All four backup receivers bring something unique to the offensive mix. Provitt, a senior, has always carried the label of having great potential. He is built in the same mold as Germany. Injuries have marred his career. He is as strong and healthy as ever in his OSU career. Carter, who did not play football until his junior year of high school, is an intriguing talent that has a tremendous upside. The speedy Bryant impressed coaches in the fall with his ability to make plays and soft hands. Cacchio is one of the most consistent receivers on the squad.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Coach – Jim Heacock
Key Returnees – DE Brent Johnson, DT Mike Collins, DT Ryan Pickett, DT Joe Brown, DE Rodney Bailey
Key Losses – James Cotton
The front four of the defense is Ohio State’s most experienced group by position. Five players who have started at least 11 games return – ends Brent Johnson and Rodney Bailey and tackles Joe Brown, Mike Collins and Ryan Pickett. Johnson, Bailey and Brown are all seniors and Pickett and Collins are juniors. The major change with this group will come from the coaching position as Jim Heacock will now mentor the entire line after handling just the tackles in the past. Heacock has built the reputation of bringing out the best in his players. He has proven to be an excellent and caring teacher. The defensive ends will undoubtedly flourish under his tutelage.
The strength of this group is up the middle. Pickett and Collins are the returning starters. Combined they add almost 600 pounds of run-stuffing, pass-rushing mayhem. In 1999, the duo combined for 104 tackles (56), 20 tackles-for-loss and seven sacks (Collins, 56, Pickett, 48). Brown, who started in 1997-98, suffered from shoulder problems last year. He is now fully recovered and aiming to get his starting job back. Behind the starters lies loads of depth. Veteran Clinton Wayne (36 games, 8 starts), enormous Paris Long, (6-6, 320 pounds) and talented redshirt freshman Tim Anderson will vie for playing time but will need to make lasting impressions this spring.
Bailey and Johnson are a pair of veteran bookends with 22 and 23 starts, respectively. The duo has worked hard in the offseason and will need to become bigger playmakers in 2000. Their careers have been marked with steady improvement and consistency. Sophomores Kenny Peterson, Julius Yeast and David Thompson will fight for the back-up positions.
LINEBACKER
Coach – Brian Williams
Key Returnees – WLB Joe Cooper, MLB Jason Ott, BLB Courtland Bullard
Key Loss – Na’il Diggs
| Middle Linebacker Jason Ott |
In what now seems like a yearly event, OSU will be forced to replace yet another All-American at the linebacker position. Gone from last year is outside linebacker Na’il Diggs, a first-team All-American. And while finding a suitable replacement will be a challenge, new coach Brian Williams is looking for even bigger things out of the entire linebacking corps.
“In the short time I’ve been here, I’ve been impressed with the work ethic that each player has displayed,” Willliams said. “They have been watching film on their own and (strength and conditioning) Coach (Dave) Kennedy has had nothing but positive things to say about their attitudes in the weight room. I am excited to work with this bunch because good things can only happen when you have a group of hard workers.”
Starters at two positions return to this unit. Middle linebacker Jason Ott, who showed tremendous improvement in the season’s final games, finished last season fourth on the team with 79 tackles. Outside linebacker Courtland Bullard returns after finishing last season with 40 tackles and three sacks. Both have the edge for the starting jobs this season.
A pair of key reserves, Joe Cooper and Matt Wilhelm, should battle for the third starting position. The pair showed tremendous improvement, which translated to more playing time in the second half of last season. The versatile Cooper, who played both the middle and outside positions, finished the season with 36 tackles. Wilhelm was one of four true freshmen to crack the defensive depth chart last season. The youngster possesses great size, speed and football sense. The coaching staff was excited with Wilhelm’s improvement as last season progressed and will look for even more progress in the spring.
The middle position should be bolstered by the return of Fred Pagac, Jr. Before his season-ending injury against Wisconsin, Pagac worked his way into being the primary backup at middle linebacker. He is now 100 percent and nothing less than a return to form should be expected. Redshirt freshman Pat O’Neil has spent his off-season adding weight and strength and will get a long look in April, and maybe beyond.
DEFENSIVE BACK
Coach – Jon Tenuta
Key Returnees – CB Nate Clements, SS Mike Doss, FS Donnie Nickey, CB David Mitchell
Key Losses – CB Ahmed Plummer and FS Gary Berry
| Middle Linebacker Jason Ott |
Typical Jon Tenuta-coached defensive backs have basically the same characteristics – they are fundamentally sound, play with a controlled aggressiveness, take pride in doing their jobs and make big plays. The group this year is one of the most talented on the team and is led cornerback Nate Clements and strong safety Mike Doss.
Clements is OSU’s top cover man and, like former OSU All-American and Thorpe Award-winner Antoine Winfield, has an incredible penchant for stopping the run. The 6-0, 195 pound junior finished second on the team with 90 tackles. Foot surgery in January temporarily sidelined him but he is expected to be 100 percent for spring practice.
Last season, Doss became the first true freshman to start in the OSU defensive secondary since Winfield did it in 1995. He brings a linebacker’s mentality to the strong safety position and displayed great instincts and athleticism in his two starts.
Doss replaces 1999 strong safety Donnie Nickey, who started 10 games at the position last year. Nickey will begin spring drills at the free safety spot – a position for which he may be more naturally suited. Blessed with great size for his position (6-3, 203), Nickey’s vast experience in the secondary should make the adjustment to the new position an easy one.
David Mitchell – the nickel back last year – enters the spring as the starter at the other cornerback position. The always-reliable Mitchell played well in limited duty and has the full confidence of his teammates and coaches entering the spring.
Depth in the secondary will be a mild issue this spring. Kelton Lindsay and Richard McNutt will try to lock down the backup spots at cornerback and Cie Grant will be the primary backup at both safety positions.
SPECIAL TEAM
Key Returnees – K/P Dan Stultz, P B.J. Sander
Key Losses – LS Kevin Houser
Senior Dan Stultz returns after successfully handling double duty as the team’s punter and kicker. Stultz averaged 38.6 yards per punt last year while nailing 12-of-16 field goals (including 5-of-7 from beyond 40 yards). Redshirt freshman B.J. Sander will challenge for the starting nod at punter and is now fully recovered from a foot injury sustained during an all-star game the summer after his high school career ended. Finding a replacement for four-year starter Kevin Houser at long snapper is a major concern.
