Fall Forecasting: Ohio State's Offensive Line Must Adjust Without Mike Adams

Even after the arrival of three freshmen in June, Ohio State's offensive line depth chart remains quite thin.

The Big 3 from the 2008 recruiting class-- Mike Brewster, J.B. Shugarts, and Mike Adams-- were supposed to provide stability on the offensive line in 2011, but Adams' suspension complicates matters to begin the season. 

Brewster is a rock at center, and Shugarts has improved at right tackle every year, but Adams' absence at the pivotal left tackle position will force adjustments by the offensive staff.

Sophomore Andrew Norwell is slated to fill in for Adams in those first five games, and he does have some experience from 2010. Norwell is very strong and did a nice job with run-blocking in limited action, but he still needs more experience to hone his pass protection technique.

We may see the staff move a tight end to Norwell's side to aid him against weakside ends, particularly against Miami in the third game of the season. While not excellent in pass protection, Shugarts is more than adequate on the right side, and he should handle increased responsibility as a senior.

Justin Boren and Bryant Browning graduated, leaving both guard positions open for competition. Out of a group of three redshirt freshmen, both spots should be filled with talent. Jack Mewhort is the favorite for one opening, with Corey Linsley and Marcus Hall competing for the other. Mewhort came into Ohio State as a high school center but has spent the last three years practicing at various positions across the line. He's well-versed in the offensive scheme and should have no trouble holding his spot over the next three seasons.

Marcus Hall traded time with Shugarts at right tackle in 2009, but academic issues forced him to redshirt in 2010. With Shugarts definitively holding the right tackle spot, I expect Hall to be moved to guard this season and then take over for Shugarts after he graduates.

The competition between Hall and Linsley is important, but whoever wins should deserve it. This isn't a case of a less talented, more experienced player edging out a promising young talent; Hall and Linsley were both highly rated out of high school and have earned the praise of Buckeye coaches at one time or another. I give the slight edge to Hall in our projections because of experience, but there is an entire fall camp left for him to either solidify his position or for Linsley to surpass him and take control of the remaining opening.

The only worry I have with the line for 2011 is game inexperience. Norwell is the sole potential starter with less than two full seasons in the program, easing my concerns over youth, but we still don't know how the first-time starters will handle the bright lights of Ohio Stadium and, more pressing, the bull-rush of talented defensive linemen.

When Adams returns, he will take over for Norwell at left tackle.  Ohio State line coach Jim Bollman has always used the philosophy of getting his best five players on the field at one time, so we may see Norwell shift over to a guard position if he is clearly better than the alternative. I don't expect this to happen unless the guard play is horrendous, but it's a real possibility if Bollman wants Norwell to stay on the field.

The three freshmen guards from Ohio are super raw prospects. They need to redshirt, rebuild their bodies, and learn the scheme. Tommy Brown enrolled early and is practicing with the team right now, but he needs as much development as any prospect. With his athleticism, Antonio Underwood is the offensive line recruit who excites me the most, but I believe he is two full seasons away from realistically competing for a starting position. The other two, I think, are equally as far away from starting at Ohio State, and maybe more. Fortunately, the guard position is set for at least two seasons, which should line up perfectly with the maturation of this year's offensive line class.

The fourth member of that class, Brian Bobek, is a true center and was brought in as Michael Brewster's replacement. I expect Bobek to play this season, because he's more developed than many high school linemen and needs experience to prepare for starting in 2012. The coaches do not want to repeat Brewster's freshman season, where he was thrown into the fire and expected to perform. Bobek should see mop up time in the early MAC games and a series or two in each Big Ten contest, depending on the situation.

All signs point to a season-opening five game stretch with heavy formations and plenty of running. A first-time starting quarterback, inexperienced wide receivers, and young linemen demands a simple system with focused duties. Once Adams finishes his suspension, the line play will improve and the offense may expand. Until then, the guards will be doing a lot of pulling on power plays.