Just finished practice four today, and have a big scrimmage looming on Saturday---but the early returns are in, and here are six names of note...
1) Justin Hilliard---Taking reps at all three linebacker spots right now---Living up to his high school billing already as he plays very fast and a football IQ that goes way beyond his young age. The linebacker position was voted "position group" of the summer for how hard they worked out, and this guy is good enough to step right in and see playing time. Very strong and plays with outstanding leverage. Going to be a very special player here.
2) Erick Smith---Kind of the forgotten man in the Buckeye secondary, but he is having a very very good Fall camp, and will be pushing for playing time--especially in the Buckeyes' more "exotic" defensive sets. Plays the run and the pass equally well and is extremely athletic. Will be a standout on special teams as well. Erick has NFL-type measureables, and will make an immediate impact when he sees regular playing time
3) Billy Price---Just mauling guys on the defensive line right now. Might be the strongest player on the OSU team(and maybe ever). Has made a concerted effort to work on his knee bend and his flexibility in the offseason and its noticeable. Last year at this time he was almost a throw-in on the offensive line--now he is one of the Five Blocks of Granite. And he has sophomore eligibility...Oh my.....Looking to build on his freshman all american campaign of last year, and is looking good doing it
4) JT Barrett/Cardale Jones---wanted to list them both, as they are really having trouble distancing themselves from each other. Both are extremely accurate. Both are mobile enough. Both have great command of the offense. Both are having really good Fall camps. They are using an advanced statistical matrix to try and separate the two---after four practices they are scoring almost identically. Not sure how you pick between the two, but its a pleasant situation to be in.
5) Tyquan Lewis---As much as Billy Price is mauling guys on the interior of the offensive line---Lewis is abusing guys on the edge, and we are talking about some very experienced tackles (ie Decker, Taylor) that he is going up against--and many times leaving grasping for air. Lewis seems to have one defensive end spot on lockdown, and has no intention of relinquishing that spot up to anyone. Very very fast player with explosive first step and great hand strength. Understands leverage and how to get around the corner and does it with regularity. Will be huge for the OSU defense, especially in Bosa's absence.
6) Isaiah Prince/Branden Bowen---really could have put the entire freshman offensive line. But these two guys have really risen to the top. Can't say enough good things about the physical conditioning of the entire group, but these two worked especially hard. And Bowen may be one of the largest human beings you will ever see play football---just massive. This incoming freshman class is full of stars, but the early returns on the lineman are the most glowing. Prince is very long with great feet and is surprisingly strong. Bowen is just huge, and very smart. All will push for time, and the early rumblings are that a "second five" will be run out there against VT at a point in the game--they are that good.
More to come
1) Justin Hilliard---Taking reps at all three linebacker spots right now---Living up to his high school billing already as he plays very fast and a football IQ that goes way beyond his young age. The linebacker position was voted "position group" of the summer for how hard they worked out, and this guy is good enough to step right in and see playing time. Very strong and plays with outstanding leverage. Going to be a very special player here.
2) Erick Smith---Kind of the forgotten man in the Buckeye secondary, but he is having a very very good Fall camp, and will be pushing for playing time--especially in the Buckeyes' more "exotic" defensive sets. Plays the run and the pass equally well and is extremely athletic. Will be a standout on special teams as well. Erick has NFL-type measureables, and will make an immediate impact when he sees regular playing time
3) Billy Price---Just mauling guys on the defensive line right now. Might be the strongest player on the OSU team(and maybe ever). Has made a concerted effort to work on his knee bend and his flexibility in the offseason and its noticeable. Last year at this time he was almost a throw-in on the offensive line--now he is one of the Five Blocks of Granite. And he has sophomore eligibility...Oh my.....Looking to build on his freshman all american campaign of last year, and is looking good doing it
4) JT Barrett/Cardale Jones---wanted to list them both, as they are really having trouble distancing themselves from each other. Both are extremely accurate. Both are mobile enough. Both have great command of the offense. Both are having really good Fall camps. They are using an advanced statistical matrix to try and separate the two---after four practices they are scoring almost identically. Not sure how you pick between the two, but its a pleasant situation to be in.
5) Tyquan Lewis---As much as Billy Price is mauling guys on the interior of the offensive line---Lewis is abusing guys on the edge, and we are talking about some very experienced tackles (ie Decker, Taylor) that he is going up against--and many times leaving grasping for air. Lewis seems to have one defensive end spot on lockdown, and has no intention of relinquishing that spot up to anyone. Very very fast player with explosive first step and great hand strength. Understands leverage and how to get around the corner and does it with regularity. Will be huge for the OSU defense, especially in Bosa's absence.
6) Isaiah Prince/Branden Bowen---really could have put the entire freshman offensive line. But these two guys have really risen to the top. Can't say enough good things about the physical conditioning of the entire group, but these two worked especially hard. And Bowen may be one of the largest human beings you will ever see play football---just massive. This incoming freshman class is full of stars, but the early returns on the lineman are the most glowing. Prince is very long with great feet and is surprisingly strong. Bowen is just huge, and very smart. All will push for time, and the early rumblings are that a "second five" will be run out there against VT at a point in the game--they are that good.
More to come
