Fall Forecasting: Ohio State's Defensive Line Needs Replacements

Cameron Heyward and Dexter Larimore's respective departures leaves two starting positions open on the defensive line for coordinator Jim Heacock to replace.

Larimore's spot, at least, has a replacement with experience ready. Sophomore Johnathan Hankins surprised everyone by earning a spot in the line rotation last season, and he followed his true freshman season with a strong spring.

The Michigan native has transformed his body from the pudgy high school version we saw last year into a leaner, well-conditioned athlete capable of playing a high number of snaps. Former Michigan head coach Rich Rodriguez passed on Hankins after seeing him at camp, and that's probably a decision current Michigan coach Brady Hoke wishes his predecessor would have made differently.

Hankins will start at nose tackle, or, to be more specific, 1-technique defensive tackle, and should be a steady 1st and 2nd-down player in 2011. When he's on the field, Hankins is reminiscent of former Alabama nose tackle Terrence Cody in his immovability and girth. On third-downs and obvious passing situations, Heacock will probably substitute Hankins out for another defensive lineman with more pass rushing ability.

Replacing Heyward's presence outright is impossible, and Ohio State may have to creatively dabble with positioning to get their best four linemen on the field as starters. They occasionally moved Johnny Simon out of his 3-technique tackle position to a defensive end spot last season, and he may begin this season as a true strongside end.

Adam Bellamy or Garrett Goebel would then play Simon's 3-technique spot with Nathan Williams reprising his role as the weakside end/LEO. Hankins, Simon, and Williams are Ohio State's best three linemen and will play the most snaps, barring injury. Bellamy and Goebel will share roughly equal time unless one of the two clearly separates himself from the other.

Heacock likes to rotate eight linemen during games, but he won't put anyone on the field until he's earned it. The five players mentioned above will assuredly be in Heacock's rotation, but there's a group of four players who could also see time. Redshirt senior Evan Blankenship, an offensive lineman before switching to defensive tackle in last year's fall camp, has limited playing time prospects, if any. Blankenship switched because he wasn't going to play on the offensive line and the defense needed bodies on the scout team, which will probably be where Blankenship's contributions remain.

Before spring practice began, redshirt sophomore Melvin Fellows was projected as a possible starter at strongside defensive end. While Fellows did have a solid spring, he's coming off two straight injury-shortened seasons and has not distinguished himself enough to be a guaranteed contributor. Fellows has the protoypical size Ohio State wants out of its strongside ends (6''5, 270 lbs.), but he cannot help the team if he isn't healthy. Fellows sat out the second half of Ohio State's last scrimmage before the spring game with an apparent neck injury, but it does not appear serious enough to carry over into fall camp.

Two redshirt freshmen, Daryll Baldwin and J.T. Moore, have an opportunity to join the rotation. Many questioned the Buckeye staff for offering the two, especially Baldwin, but they have a shot to contribute in only their second year in the program. The knock on Baldwin out of high school was his lack of production with such great physical skills. He looked like he should dominate, but was oftentimes outplayed by inferior athletes. If the Buckeye staff can unleash the beast, so to speak, they will have a tremendous defensive lineman with incredible athleticism.

The four freshmen who will certainly play defensive line are unknowns. It's a large leap from high school to college at any position, but no more so than on the defensive line. Traditionally, Ohio State plays at least one true freshman in the rotation, but it's too soon to predict who that will be this year. Joel Hale practiced with the team during the spring after enrolling early, and Steve Miller, Kenny Hayes, and Michael Bennett all arrived in June to take part in summer conditioning. Hayes, I think, is the freshman most in need of a redshirt year to bulk up, but he could provide immediate depth on the strong side if necessary

Missing from this list, at least for now, is freshman Chase Farris, who could end up on either the offensive or defensive lines, and suspended defensive end Solomon Thomas. With his wingpsan and athleticism, Farris is an excellent offensive tackle candidate; and with Ohio State's shallow depth chart at offensive tackle, Farris may switch positions early in fall camp. Thomas won't start but will join the rotation at defensive end after serving his five game suspension for selling memorabilia.

Ohio State has done an excellent job recruiting quality defensive linemen, and there will be plenty of athletes to choose from in compiling this year's rotation. The top five all have game experience and will provide consistent play, but additional depth is needed. The defensive line has done a nice job replacing personnel losses the past two season, but they need a new batch of youngsters to step up for this defense to be successful.

This post is sponsored by the USMC.