Ohio State Football: 2017 season preview, predictions

Defense

Ohio State’s defense is losing a number of stars from the 2016 team, especially in the secondary — but we will get into that shortly.

However, the front-seven is looking solid heading into the season. In fact, there’s talk that the defensive line might just be the best in the Big Ten, if not the country. Four starters return to the line including guys like Sam Hubbard and Tyquan Lewis at the ends. They combined for 75 total tackles, 19 for loss and 11.5 sacks last season.

Nick Bosa, too, will get plenty of snaps at the end position, looking to be one of the best young stars in the conference. He had 29 tackles and five sacks in 2016.

Dre’Mont Jones and Michael Hill are presumed starters at both tackle spots and although they combined for no sacks last season, that will surely change in 2017. Expect big years from both of the interior linemen.

At linebacker, Chris Worley, fourth on the team in tackles in 2016, returns to the middle while Dante Booker and Jerome Baker (another returning starter) will be on the outside. This unit is experienced, athletic and flat-out scary.

The Replacements: Ohio State secondary edition

If you take a look at college football’s perennial powerhouse programs, one thing stands out: there’s no rebuilding, just reloading. For Ohio State, that couldn’t be more true under Urban Meyer. The head coach is losing his entire secondary, basically, from 2016.

However, there’s talk that the 2017 version of the defensive backfield could be just as good, if not better, than last year’s. Gone are Malik Hooker, Gareon Conley and Marshon Lattimore, but the depth is incredible for 2017.

Damon Webb is the lone returning starter. The senior safety is an All-Big Ten caliber talent who finished with 57 tackles, three pass deflections and a pick last season. He will be joined by Jordan Fuller as the other starter and Erick Smith and Isaiah Pryor look to add depth at safety.

At the two vacant cornerback spots, Denzel Ward and Damon Arnette look like the early favorites to start, but don’t sleep on Alabama transfer Kendall Sheffield. Sophomore Jeffrey Okudah will be in that regular rotation as well.

The replacements might just surpass what the 2016 team did in the defensive backfield, ranking seventh in the country against the pass.