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Ohio State Football: Final report card for Buckeyes’ 2019 season

By Dante Pryor

COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 5: Fireworks go off as the Ohio State Buckeyes take the field for a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - OCTOBER 5: Fireworks go off as the Ohio State Buckeyes take the field for a game against the Michigan State Spartans at Ohio Stadium on October 5, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /
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INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 07: Jeff Okudah #01 of the Ohio State Buckeyes on the post-game stage after winning the Big Ten Championship game over the Wisconsin Badgers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 07, 2019, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA – DECEMBER 07: Jeff Okudah #01 of the Ohio State Buckeyes on the post-game stage after winning the Big Ten Championship game over the Wisconsin Badgers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 07, 2019, in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images) /

Overall defensive grade: A

The transition from Greg Schiano to Jeff Hafley and Greg Mattison paid dividends this season. They were dominant defensively this season. The Buckeyes were fourth in the country in scoring defense allowing just 13.7 points per game.

As usual, the Buckeyes defense was loaded with defensive stars at all three levels.

Outstanding performers

Young had one of the best seasons for a defensive end ever in college football and he missed two games. Those games were against Maryland and Rutgers. There is no telling how ridiculous his numbers would have been if he played against those two awful offensive lines. He deserved to be in New York for the Heisman ceremony and should be the first pick in this year’s draft.

Okudah was one of the best defensive backs in the country. It is difficult not to compare Ohio State to LSU, but the only other “shutdown” corner in the country was Derek Stingley Jr. who played for — you guessed it — LSU. Okudah is the modern defensive back. He’s tall and athletic. In many ways, he looks like a wide receiver who made the transition to defensive back.

The 6-4 senior in another one of Ohio State’s many players you will see playing on Sunday. Harrison led the Buckeyes in tackles and was second in tackles for loss. He showed this season he can play sideline-to-sideline as well as shed blocks and get into the backfield.

Defensive Line: A

Although Young received most of the accolades — and deservedly so — this was a stout unit up front. The Buckeyes were 10th in the nation in run defense allowing under 3.0 yards per rush and barely 100 rush yards per game. They also led the country in sacks with 54. In addition to Young’s 16.5 sacks, the Buckeyes had three other players with at least five.

Linebackers: A

If Harrison was the anchor of the linebacking corps, Pete Werner was the hammer and Tuf Borland was the nail. This was a group that combined for 25 tackles for loss. The Buckeyes were second in the country in tackles for loss this season. This group did not miss many tackles either. They got guys to the ground with a combination of athletic prowess and heady play.

Defensive Backs: A

The defensive backfield, led by Okudah was one of the more underrated units in college football. Not only will Okudah play on Sundays, but so will his fellow backfield mates, Jordan Fuller and Damon Arnette.

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Special Teams: A

The Special teams were solid for the Buckeyes. Kicker Blake Haubeil made all of his extra points and 87 percent of his field goals. They were solid on their coverage teams not allowing a kickoff or punt return for a touchdown. Their punt coverage allowed only 3.0 yards per return which was good for 10th in the country.

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