Players to Watch During Spring Practice – Ohio State Buckeyes
4/1/1999 12:00:00 AM | Football
April 1, 1999
#1 – Sr. FS Gary Berry
One of the teams fastest players and best athletes, Gary is a 37-game veteran with 24 24 starting assignments at free safety. A play maker, Gary has 115 career tackles, six interceptions and seven pass break-ups. He capped a solid junior season in 1998 with a 12 tackle performance – 11 of the solos – in the Buckeyes win over Texas A&M in the Nokia Sugar Bowl. He was so good in that game, hitting like a strong safety in fact, that Sports Illustrated tabbed him for their first ever All-Bowl team free safety. He finished the year with 55 tackles from his free safety position to rank fifth on Ohio States balanced defensive unit that led the nation against the rush and finished second in total defense. He also broke up two passes. He did not record any interceptions – the first time in three seasons he did not have an interception – but neither did star teammate Antoine Winfield, who went on to win the Thorpe Award as the nations outstanding defensive back. As a sophomore in 1997 he established a new school record by returning interceptions a total of 166 yards. He scored two touchdowns that season, both coming against Michigan State and minutes apart. He scored on a 45-yard interception return and he scored after scooping up a blocked punt and taking it one yard into the end zone. Those two scores marked the first time since 1983 that an OSU defender has scored twice in a game. He had a then-career-high nine tackles in the game at Penn State. His big play total that season included a strip of Michigan quarterback Brian Griese on the Michigan two-yard line that set up an OSU touchdown in the 1997 game.
GARY BERRY’S DEFENSIVE STATS
YEAR GP/GS S-A-T INT YDS PBU 1996 12/0 7-5-12 1 19 1 1997 13/12 38-10-48 5 166* 4 1998 12/12 44-11-55 0 0 2 TOTALS 37/24 89-26-115 6 185 7 *indicates OSU single season record
#32 – Jr. LB Nail Diggs
A most promising young student-athlete with loads of talent, athletic ability and quickness. His 108 career tackles includes 24 tackles-for-losses totalling 112 yards, with 12 of those quarterback sacks. He has played in all 24 games the past two years and has started 13 straight games. He was named first-team all-Big Ten Conference by the coaches after a sensational sophomore year in 1998, his first as a linebacker after spending his first two seasons along the defensive line. He literally exploded onto the college football scene, finishing as the second-leading tackler (80) on an outstanding defensive unit that finished No. 2 in the nation, and he lead the team in tackles-for-loss (16-73). Ranked second in sacks (6-44) and third in solo tackles (59). Also had a pass interception, two pass break-ups, a forced fumble and a 47-yard fumble returned for a touchdown against Illinois. He led the Buckeyes in tackles three times, including a career-high 11-tackle game vs. Northwestern. He had 10 tackles against Missouri, nine vs. Iowa (with two sacks) and eight vs. Minnesota (with three sacks).
NAIL DIGGS DEFENSIVE STATS
YEAR GP/GS S-A-T TFL YDS SA YDS 1997 13/2 21-7-28 8 39 6 36 1998 12/12 59-21-80 16 73 6 44 TOTALS 25/14 80-28-108 24 112 12 80
#64 – Sr. RG Ben Gilbert
Ben has started 25-consecutive games at right guard and he is a veteran now of 33 games. He has been a fixture on the right side since assuming the starting position, loggin over 550 minutes the last two seasons. He is coming off an outstanding junior season in 1998, having helped the Buckeyes to over 500 yards per game of total offense including nearly 200 rushing yards per game. Named Ohio States offensive lineman of the year by the coaching staff following the season and a major reason why the offense had eight games with over 500-yards of total offense and had high games of 320 rushing yards and 390 passing yards. Was rewarded for his efforts by earning second-team all-Big Ten Conference honors by both the coaches and the media. His key block helped spring Michael Wiley on a 53-yard touchdown run against Michigan that set the stage for Ohio States huge win. Started all 11 games at right tackle.
#60 – Jr. DE Brent Johnson
The surprise player of the 1998 season for the Buckeyes, Brent will be a player to watch and an honors candidate in 1999. Last fall, he came into camp being touted as “the most improved and the most consistent defensive end throughout spring drills,” according to his position coach Shawn Simms, and then he went out and had a banner sophomore season while starting all 12 games at defensive end. An influence player, Brent led all linemen with 40 tackles and he lead the team with seven quarterback sacks for losses totalling 35 yards. He also had two pass break-ups at the line of scrimmage and he made his first collegiate interception in the win over Northwestern. Brent had five tackles in the win over Minnesota and he had four tackles with two behind the line of scrimmage (for losses totalling 12 yards) in the huge win over Michigan. He played the run and the pass extremely well and he proved that he has a bright future ahead of him.
BRENT JOHNSON’S DEFENSIVE STATS
YEAR GP/GS S-A-T TFL YDS SA YDS 1997 5/0 1-0-1 0 0 0 0 1998 12/12 25-15-40 8 43 7 35 TOTALS 17/12 26-15-41 8 43 7 35
#23 – Sr. FB Matt Keller
Will be a team leader on the offensive side of the ball in 1999. A most-valuable offensive performer for the Buckeyes over the last three years, simply without all the hype associated with the 1,000-yard rushers and receivers and multi-touchdown makers. A three-year letterman and a two year starting fullback, Matt enters the season a veteran of 37 games and 22 starting assignments. He has impressive totals for an OSU fullback of 521 rushing yards, 52 receptions and 574 receiving yards, and five touchdowns scored. He has caught at least 16 passes in each of his first three seasons. He is coming off another dynamite season as a junior in 1998 when he rushed for 143 yards (and averaged 4.0 yards per carry) and caught 16 passes, plus led countless tailback rushes through the line with tremendous and effective blocks. His high rushing game was 22 yards vs. Northwestern, but he caught passes in each of the last eight games, including a 49-yard reception that set up Ohio States final points in the 31-16 win over Michigan. He scored on a 69-yard touchdown against Purdue as a freshman in 1996.
MATT KELLER’S RUSHING STATS
YEAR GP/GS ATT YDS AVG TD LG 1996 12/0 25 121 4.8 1 22 1997 13/12 59 257 4.4 0 16 1998 12/10 36 143 4.0 1 12 TOTALS 37/22 120 521 4.4 2 22 MATT KELLER’S RECEIVING STATS
YEAR GP/GS REC YDS AVG TD LG 1996 12/0 17 235 14.7 2 63 1997 13/12 19 139 7.3 0 22 1998 12/10 16 200 12.9 1 49 TOTALS 37/22 52 574 11.0 3 49
#56 – Sr. LG Rob Murphy
A leader of the offensive line, this feisty and spirited performer is a two-time All-American who will be considered for all the lineman honors and awards in 1999. Coming off a junior season in 1998 where he started all 12 games and was named first-team All-American by the Associated Press and the Football News and all-Big Ten Conference after helping the Buckeyes to a school record 497.6 yards of offense per game, including 199.6 rushing yards per game. A tough and physical performer who sets the tone for the rest of the line, Rob has started since his freshman season and enters 1999 with 35 starts at left guard to his credit. Ohio States first All-American guard since Jim Lachey in 1984, Rob was named a first-team All-American by the Football News after his sophomore season in 1997 and he was a freshman All-American by the same publication in 1996. He played alongside Orlando Pace in 1996 and credits much of his play during that red-shirt freshman season to the help and advice that the future No. 1 NFL draft pick gave.
#19 – Sr. CB Ahmed Plummer
A quiet, spiritual leader of the Buckeyes, Ahmed played alongside All-Americans Antoine Winfield and Damon Moore but was never in their shadows. That is because he performed so well. While the attention has been on others, Ahmed has quietly led the Buckeyes in interceptions the past two years and he enters his senior season as a major award candidate and All-America potential. A three-year veteran of 35 games and 25 cornerback starting assignments, Ahmed has nine career interceptions and 25 career pass break-ups in addition to 113 career tackles. An honorable mention all-Big Ten Conference performer as a junior in 1998, Ahmed led the Buckeyes and tied for fourth in the Big Ten with 17 pass break-ups in addition to leading the team with four interceptions. He had interceptions in the huge victories over Penn State and Michigan, and he recorded four pass break-ups against Minnesota and three apiece against Penn State and Minnesota. His 52 total tackles included 10 solo stops in the Sugar Bowl victory over Texas A&M. Called a “student of the game” by defensive backs coach Jon Tenuta, Ahmed is also a fine student in the classroom. Three times this business and human resources major has been named an OSU Scholar-Athlete and an academic all-Big Ten honoree and twice he has been named a District IV academic All-American by GTE/CoSIDA.
AHMED PLUMMER’S DEFENSIVE STATS
YEAR GP/GS S-A-T TFL YDS PBU INT 1996 10/0 13-6-19 1 6 2 0 1997 13/13 30-12-42 1 30 6 5 1998 12/12 47-5-52 4 14 17 4 TOTALS 35/25 90-23-113 6 50 25 9
#5 – Sr. TB Michael Wiley
Coming off a terrific junior season in 1998 when he rushed for 1,235 yards in his first season as a starter. He will be a candidate for all the major awards and All-American laurals as well as a senior. A truly electrifying performer, Michael enters his senior season with 1,999 rushing yards, 42 receptions for an additional 477 yards and scored 22 touchdowns (17 of them rushing). Called the “Buckeye Blur” by his hometown San Diego Union Tribune, Michael gained his 1,235 yards in the third-fewest carries ever by an OSU 1,000-yard rusher – 198. A threat to go all the way anytime he touches the football, Michael, a first-team all-Big Ten Conference choice by the coaches and the media, had 13 rushes of over 20 yards including 76-, 59-, 53- and 40-yard runs in 1998. He ranked second in the Big Ten and 23rd nationally in rushing and he ranked fourth in the Big Ten in all-purpose yards. He is the teams leading returning receiver after a 27-reception campaign in 1998. After just three games last season he had rushed for more yards than any Ohio State back – 500 – with a 209-yard effort against Missouri a signature performance. He averaged 10.0 yards per carry vs. Minnesota (120 yards) and he had 100 hard-earned yards against Michigan State. His 53-yard touchdown burst against Michigan opened the OSU scoring and provided the spark for another terrific game – 120 yards off 12 carries. He gained 88 yards against Texas A&M in the Sugar Bowl. Michael gained 588 yards rushing in a reserve role in 1997. In his first game as a true freshman in 1996, he scored three touchdowns the first three times he touched the football (a 49-yard reverse and receptions covering 51 and 60 yards).
MICHAEL WILEY’S RUSHING STATS
YEAR GP/GS ATT YDS AVG TD LG 1996 10/0 23 176 7.7 1 49 1997 13/0 105 588 5.6 6 32 1998 12/11 198 1,235 6.2 10 76 TOTALS 35/11 326 1,999 6.1 17 76 MICHAEL WILEY’S RECEIVING STATS
YEAR GP/GS REC. YDS AVG TD LG 1996 10/0 6 194 32.3 3 60 1997 13/0 9 83 9.2 0 24 1998 12/11 27 200 7.4 1 35 TOTALS 35/11 42 477 11.3 4 60
OHIO STATE’S OFFENSE
FIRST TEAM
SE 80 REGGIE GERMANY (6-2, 195, Jr.)
Ready for the big time…14 rec. for 229 yds & 4 TDs as a reserve in 98…missed two with collar bone inj….110-meter high hurdler.
LT 77 TYSON WALTER (6-5, 305, Jr. )
A 25-game starter and 25 games played…confident, athletic & intense…honorable mention all-Big Ten Conf.(coaches & media).
LG 56 ROB MURPHY (6-5, 300, Sr.)
98 Associated Press All-American and two-time Football News All-American (97 & 98)…all-Big Ten Conference…35 starts.
C 63 KURT MURPHY (6-4, 290, Sr.)
Strong and intelligent…makes all the line calls…two-year starter with 32 games and 19 starts…District IV Academic All-American.
RG 64 BEN GILBERT (6-5, 295, Sr.)
Voted by coaches as teams top lineman last year…2nd team all-Big Ten Conference pick…32-game, 24-start veteran…married (Holli).
RT 75 HENRY FLEMING (6-7, 305, Jr.)
Will try once again to take hold of the RT position…played in 10 games in 98…tough and massive…has battled injuries and illnesses.
TE 84 STEVE WISNIEWSKI (6-5, 265, Sr.)
The tight end veteran…leads all OSU TEs with 15 catches, 218 yards and 2 TDs…solid blocker and a 37-game veteran.
QB 8 STEVE BELLISARI (6-3, 210, So.)
Savvy sophomore who shined and starred as special teams warrior in 98…those days are over…left-handed passer who can run.
FB 23 MATT KELLER (6-0, 238, Sr.)
Gives great effort…savvy leader…tough…521 career rush yards & 52 career catches…37 games, 22 starts…bell-ringer blocker.
TB 5 MICHAEL WILEY (6-0, 195, Sr.)
Major awards candidate…1,235 rush yards in 98 incl. 209 vs. Missouri and 120 vs. Michigan…All-Big Ten Conference…a blur.
FL 4 KEN-YON RAMBO (6-1, 190, Jr.)
Talented, graceful and athletic “speed” receiver…highly regarded out of H.S….12 career catches at OSU…slowed by ankle sprains.
PK 47 DAN STULTZ (6-0, 195, Jr.)
Has 55-yard FG to his credit, but needs consistency (28-for-50 FGAs)…should be ok this fall, but will miss spring drills.
SECOND TEAM
SE 81 DARIK WARNKE (6-0, 196, Jr.)
Battled through hamstring injuries and a hand injury last season and, but still managed to catch five passes for 47 yards.
LT 69 JIM MASSEY (6-5, 285, So.)
Talented young performer who is strong and runs well…missed virtually all of last season after having back surgery in the fall.
LG 65 MIKE GURR (6-7, 270, Jr.)
Has good quickness and athleticism…has played tight end, right guard and left guard…concentrated on guard position in 98.
C 68 LeCHARLES BENTLEY (6-3, 265, So.)
Strong and explosive athlete who lettered as a true freshman, spending time at left tackle…also played on kickoff coverage teams.
RG 70 SCOTT KUHNHEIN (6-6, 285, Fr.)
Kentucky AAA offensive lineman of the year as a senior red-shirted the 1998 season at Ohio State.
RT 55 TAM HOPKINS (6-5, 295, Jr.)
Terrific athlete…strong & powerful…will be given every opportunity to shine this spring…can also play the guard position.
TE 87 KEVIN HOUSER (6-3, 250, Sr.)
Played in all 12 games last year as a blocking tight end…36-game veteran…valuable special teams performer as the long snapper.
QB 12 AUSTIN MOHERMAN (6-5, 215, So.)
Has an excellent arm and has the benefit of a red-shirt year learning the system…has one collegiate QB series to his credit.
FB 39 JAMAR MARTIN (6-1, 235, So.)
Already a 12-game veteran…backed-up Keller all last season…terrific blocker…caught five passes for 68 yards…rushed for 34 yards.
TB 43 DEREK COMBS (6-2, 197, Jr.)
Possibly the fastest player on the team…two-year letterman has rushed for 170 yards off 56 carries.
FL 18 TONY LOCKE (5-10, 185, Jr.)
Urbana, Ohio native enters his second spring after originally walking-on to the team…played in Toledo game last year.
OHIO STATE’S DEFENSE
FIRST TEAM
DE 94 RODNEY BAILEY (6-3, 255, Jr.)
Play-making end…nine QB sacks and 15 TFLs in first two seasons…8 TFLs in last 4 games of 98…16 career starts…25 games.
DT 79 RYAN PICKETT (6-3, 290, So.)
Started nine games as a true freshman…shared teams top rookie defensive player award…physical…22 tackles and five TFLs.
DT 73 JOE BROWN (6-6, 285, Jr.)
One of teams quickest linemen…21 tackles and 6 tackles for loss in 98…17-game starter….played with a plate in left thumb.
DE 60 BRENT JOHNSON (6-4, 265, Jr.)
Terrific sophomore season…named teams top defensive lineman…led team with 7 sacks and led linemen with 40 tackles.
WLB 32 NAIL DIGGS (6-4, 235, Jr.)
Has superstar potential and is an All-American candidate…first-team all-Big Ten in 98…80 tackles and 14 TFLs…12 career sacks.
MLB 44 CHRIS KIRK (6-3, 235, Sr.)
Has played in 26 games the last three years while backing up close friend and H.S. teammate Andy Katzenmoyer…very physical.
BLB 58 COURTLAND BULLARD (6-3, 220, So.)
Possesses outstanding athletic ability and speed…received medical waiver in 1998 after painful groin injury limited him to two games.
CB 18 NATE CLEMENTS (6-0, 185, So.)
Has a bright future…played in all 12 games as a frosh…OSUs nickle back the last six games…19 tackles, 1 int. and 4 PBUs.
FS 1 GARY BERRY (6-0, 195, Sr.)
Called “the top athlete among the DBs”…a major award and All-American candidate…55 tackles, 2 TFLs, 2 PBUs, sack last year.
SS 17 PERCY KING (6-4, 210, Sr.)
A big hitter…a veteran of 27 games…has two career interceptions and three blocked kicks (biggest led to a TD vs. PSU last year).
CB 19 AHMED PLUMMER (6-0, 190, Sr.)
One of the nations finest CBs…legit 99 Thorpe Award candidate …team-best 17 PBUs & 4 INTs. in 98…25 career PBUs, 9 ints.
SECOND TEAM
DE 48 MATT LaVRAR (6-3, 240, Sr.)
37-game vet…11-game starter in 97…good run stopper and improving as a pass rusher…54 career tackles includes five sacks.
DT 90 CLINTON WAYNE (6-3, 275, Jr.)
Called “the best athlete among the tackles”…strong, physical and tough to defend…20 tackles in 98…two career INTs (incl. 1 TD).
DT 98 MIKE COLLINS (6-3, 290, So.)
Shared OSUs outstanding rookie defensive player honors last year…int. and TD against Iowa…led OSU rookies with 23 tackles.
DE 52 JAMES COTTON (6-4, 245, Sr.)
Athletic end who can run with skill players…opened eyes after switching from LB to DE…16 tackles, 3 TFLs & 3 PBUs in 1998.
BLB 10 JOE COOPER (6-2, 213, Jr.)
Undersized, but a huge hitter…24 tackles in 98…10 tackles in reserve role vs. Toledo…recovered blocked punt for TD vs. PSU.
MLB 30 JASON OTT (6-4, 240, So.)
Can play all LB positions…played in 11 games in 98 as red-shirt frosh backing Katzenmoyer…a tough & physical player.
WLB 49 TIM CHEATWOOD (6-4,215, So.)
Successful switch from SS to linebacker last year…recorded 18 total tackles with an interception and recovered fumble.
CB 3 DAVID MITCHELL (6-1, 195, Jr.)
A veteran special teamer with 24 career appearances and two career interceptions…3 PBUs…will also see time at free safety.
FS 3 DAVID MITCHELL (6-1, 195, Jr.)
A veteran special teamer with 24 career appearances and two career interceptions…3 PBUs…will also see time at cornerback.
SS 25 DONNIE NICKEY (6-3, 203, Fr.)
Red-shirted the 1998 season as a true freshman…is an exceptional athlete from nearby Plain City, Ohio.
CB 7 DEREK ROSS (6-1, 190, So.)
Shared teams outstanding special teams award in 98…13 tackles and three blocked kicks…outstanding athlete and great speed.
-Go Bucks!-
