Plenty Of New Names, Faces For Buckeyes

COLUMBUS, Ohio—Ohio State being the preseason pick to win the Big Ten for the fifth year in a row may not have much to do with anyone currently on the roster.

“The reason why we’re No. 1 is because of A.J. Hawk, Troy Smith, James Laurinaitis - guys who set that foundation and made sure Ohio State is as prominent as it is for the last few years,“ defensive lineman Doug Worthington said, referring to stalwarts during the four-year run of titles.

Sure, the Buckeyes have talent. Everyone compares quarterback Terrelle Pryor to a young Vince Young and most of the lines and several other key figures are also back in the fold.

But this is a different group in scarlet and gray than the one that went 10-3 last year and won seven of eight Big Ten games. Gone are 28 members of the senior class, not to mention three juniors who jumped to the pros ahead of time. There are numerous unproven and maybe unknown new starters.

“This is something that we’ve got to keep it going and keep our legacy going,“ Worthington said.

No wonder coach Jim Tressel is more than a little concerned about the Sept. 12 clash at Ohio Stadium with Southern California, a team that trashed the Buckeyes 35-3 last year in L.A.

“We most certainly have to mature quickly because our September is an extraordinary one,“ said Tressel, 83-19 through eight seasons with the Buckeyes.

The season may rest largely on the shoulders of Pryor, rated the top quarterback recruit in the nation a year ago. He started nine games (not counting the Fiesta Bowl loss to Texas, where he came out for the first play at wide receiver), winning eight.

True to form, Pryor showed some jaw-dropping speed and moves in the open field while rushing for 631 yards and six TDs. Linemen caught air as much as they caught him. But he also showed a nagging inconsistency to complete passes beyond 10 or 15 yards, even though he hit on 61 percent of his passes for 12 TDs with only four interceptions.

He lashed out at reporters after the intrasquad scrimmage in the spring.

“I just hear the media in Ohio, or whoever, saying that I couldn’t throw the ball as good,“ he said. “But you saw it today. The world saw it today. I can throw the ball. I’m a quarterback that can run. That’s how we’re doing it.“

So much depends on Pryor because so many of Ohio State’s skill players have departed. Four of the top six rushers (including leader Chris Wells with 1,197 yards), the top two receivers (Brian Robiskie with 42 catches, Brian Hartline with 21) and the top three scorers are gone.

Dan Herron (439 yards) and Brandon Saine will try to replace Wells, much like they did the first part of last season when Wells was out with a foot injury. A prized recruit, Jaamal Berry from Miami (Fla.) Palmetto will likely also vie for time despite a June arrest in Florida on a misdemeanor drug possession charge.

Out wide the candidates include DeVier Posey, Taurian Washington, Dane Sanzenbacher and Ray Small, with Jake Ballard taking over for Rory Nicol at tight end. Two linemen moved on, but Justin Boren (a transfer from Michigan) and Mike Adams, who saw time last year as a freshman, should move right in.

The defense is mostly in place, but is lacking the biggest names from a unit that held eight teams to 14 or fewer points. Former Butkus and Nagurski winner Laurinaitis, the Big Ten’s defensive player of the year the past two seasons, was a second-round pick of the St. Louis Rams. Thorpe Award winner Malcolm Jenkins is also in the NFL, vacating a cornerback spot. Starting linebacker Marcus Freeman and lineman Nader Abdallah also turned pro.

Thaddeus Gibson, Cameron Heyward, Dexter Larimore and Worthington make for a stolid front four, with Austin Spitler stepping into the middle linebacker position after watching Laurinaitis for the past three years. Andre Amos is likely to replace Jenkins.

Even though there are plenty of experienced subs waiting to take over, count on quite a few fresh faces getting minutes.

“I actually have to study some of these freshmen’s names,“ Worthington said. “I remember when I first came here, I was ‘OK, what’s your name? What’s your name?‘ And I knew them all. Now, I’m like ‘uh.‘ It’s kind of funny because I’m a fifth-year and these guys were like freshmen and eighth grade when I was a going into college.“

Some of the rookies have asked to see Worthington’s tattoos - the 2009 equivalent of team bonding.

Tressel was among six college coaches who visited U.S. service personnel in the Middle East on a morale-boosting tour this summer. It ended up meaning just as much to the coaches.

“Any time you gain experiences that sharpen your perspective of just how fortunate you are, you’d like to think that would enhance your future performance,“ he said. “I’d like to think that a more grateful coach will be a better coach.“

And there’s nothing he would be more grateful for than a big year from Pryor and a bunch of other youngsters.

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