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Ohio State football: Buckeyes have the talent to win it all in 2018

By Patrick Mayhorn

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 25: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to throw a pass in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines on November 25, 2017 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 25: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to throw a pass in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines on November 25, 2017 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images)
(Photo by Tom Pennington/Getty Images) /

Defense

Ohio State’s offense and Ohio State’s defense haven’t worked fully in tandem since the 2014 national title run. In the years since, the amount of contribution from each side hasn’t been anywhere near balanced, with the defense keeping the Buckeyes in close games against good teams, while the offense struggles to find the endzone or at times even move the ball.

While I do think the offense will be very good this year, the defense should still be the pride of the Buckeyes in 2018. They’re absolutely loaded, all over the defense, both in the 11 starters and in a good chunk of the depth. Starting up front, Ohio State may have the most talented defensive lines in the entire Big Ten (save for maybe Michigan, depending on how good Aubrey Solomon is).

Nick Bosa and Chase Young could be the first overall picks in each of the next two NFL Drafts. Bosa, a junior, is well-known among college football fans, and was utterly dominant last year, despite having to share time with both Tyquan Lewis and Sam Hubbard. Now that they’re both gone, he looks ready to shine, just like his brother did.

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Somehow, Bosa isn’t even the most physically gifted defensive end on this team. Chase Young is a freak of nature, and established himself as a force in pass rush last season as just a true freshman. He’s a former five-star recruit, and he may be the most purely talented lineman to roll through Ohio State since Dan Wilkinson. Throw in another former five-star in Jonathan Cooper, on again off again playmaker Jashon Cornell, and a massive group of young talent, and this unit is terrifying.

The tackles, Dre’Mont Jones and Robert Landers, aren’t as elite of talents (though both will be very good), but the depth at tackle may be even better than the depth at end. Davon Hamilton, Antwuan Jackson, Haskell Garrett, and the dynamic freshman duo of Taron Vincent and Tommy Togiai should all see time up front, and there’s not a single name there that I’m concerned about. Ohio State has a disgusting amount of talent accrued up front.

If there is a weak point on this death star of a defense, it’s probably at linebacker. The linebackers struggled last year, specifically against teams like Oklahoma and Iowa that threw across the middle of the field. However, despite the loss of Jerome Baker, this group may improve in 2018. Malik Harrison was good in stretches last year, and could be great with more consistency. Baron Browning was awesome as a true freshman, and looks to be a star this season. If one of Dante Booker, Tuf Borland or Keandre Jones can step up to fill the third spot, I think Ohio State will be just fine at linebacker. Great, though? Probably not.

Big Ten’s best backs?

The defensive backfield is, well, and Ohio State defensive backfield under Urban Meyer. The top starter at corner, Denzel Ward, is off to the NFL, but his replacement, Damon Arnette, looks to be ready to take over as a lockdown star of this defense. He struggled at times as the number two corner last year, but just like Ward, Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley and Eli Apple before him, he should take a big step forward as he takes over the top spot.

Jeffrey Okudah, despite being just a true sophomore, looks to take over Arnette’s number two spot. He’s as natural a corner as I’ve seen at Ohio State, and has superstar written all over him. Kendall Sheffield will likely shift into the slot, and focus more on run support and pass rush than he did last season. He’s an excellent athlete, so he’ll likely be the go to choice for guarding speedy playmakers.

Safety Jordan Fuller will keep the secondary together along with Arnette, as the other returning starter. He was very good as a sophomore, and while he didn’t show up a ton on the box score, he was as consistently solid as anyone else on the defense. Across from him will likely be true sophomore Isaiah Pryor, who, like his 2017 classmate Jeffrey Okudah, is a natural fit at his position. Basically, the safeties should be great, as per usual.

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