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“That’s critical, because the Buckeyes have to manage the future of the roster while simultaneously squeezing all it can out of the limited time it has left with Bosa along with the expectation that Young will be gone after the 2019 season.”
- Austin Ward, Lettermen Row
Ohio State defensive line and assistant head coach Larry Johnson has to be pleased with the NCAA. The decision to change the rules on redshirts will no doubt help Johnson’s ability to grow and develop a lot of the talent coming into Columbus with more time to do so. The rule, which was put into place this offseason, allows players to play in four games before the coaching staff has to make a decision on whether to redshirt the player or not.
So for players coming in that aren’t sure-fire starters from the jump, it allows time for experience and to see what they’re capable of—without giving up a year of eligibility.
For a defensive line as deep and talented as the Buckeyes have, the new rule is a godsend. Ward goes into a deeper dive in terms of which players this benefits the most, but to throw out a name, Tyreke Smith should be one to watch. Ohio State can be patient with him or decide that he’s simply too ready to not be on the field this season.
“[Top 50 Ohio State football players for 2018] No. 7: Michael Jordan”
The folks over at Cleveland.com are breaking down their top 50 Ohio State football players for the upcoming season and the list continued on with offensive lineman Michael Jordan.
Jordan made the list at 7th overall, which is a big step up for him from last season, where he was ranked 19th overall. Jordan came to Columbus in 2016 and started right away, helping anchor the middle of that offensive line and hasn’t really looked back. He didn’t come into the program with any really insane hype, it sort of just blossomed into a solid work effort and he’s taken full advantage. He’s highly-touted among coaches however, and his solid play is huge in terms of being reliable at all times.
Jordan usually manages to stay healthy and is poised for a big season as he might arguably be the best offensive lineman the Buckeyes have entering 2018.
“[Top 16 college football programs since 2010] 2. Ohio State”
- Bill Bender, Sporting News
The folks over at Sporting News put together a list of the top 16 college football programs since 2010 as the decade reaches its last legs. The list was favorable to Ohio State, who finished second only to Alabama. The Buckeyes under Urban Meyer have compiled a 73-8 record over the past six seasons, and it had not been for the transition year when Jim Tressel resigned and Luke Fickell took over, Ohio State might even have a better case for the top spot.
The Buckeyes have won two Big Ten championships under Meyer, and won their division in 2012 (but were banned from participating in any postseason games). Meyer also brought a national championship to Columbus in 2014, and Ohio State has made the College Football Playoff two times in its four-year history.
Other teams on the list following Ohio State were Clemson, Florida State, Oklahoma, LSU, Stanford, Oregon, Auburn, and Wisconsin to round out the top 10.
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