{mosimage} I've been a bit down as of late following my recent trip to Columbus for the Ohio State - Wisconsin game. Not down on the Buckeyes win, rather, I've been kind of ill. Not as sick as other times, which I appreciate, but sick none-the-less. These slow times bring me to a reality that despite the fact that Ohio State's defense is as good as anyone in the nation, their top players are as good as gone. Offensively, a couple other guys could go. Defensively, 3 guys in particular will go; James Laurinaitis, Malcom Jenkins and Vernon Gholston.

Why? Because it's O-State and they are good, that's why.

This coming from a someone who believed in the tooth fairy until 10, Santa until 14 and the Cincinnati Bengals through the 90's. I only bring this up because of certain message board hopefuls chirping about a team wide junior class return. Listen bed wetters, it ain't happening.

Ohio State, who has had more guys drafted since 1994 than anyone else looks to add to that list in the 2008 NFL Draft.

The Top Draft Pick will be Malcolm Jenkins. Second will be James Laurinaitus and last will be Vernon Gholston. I say the because ESPN's Draft Central tells me so. Plus, Sportsline puts all 3 in their top 5 list of undreclassmen on D (juniors). I still like my odds of a tooth fairy over these guys coming back.

Interestingly, Sportsline writer Rob Lank ranks James Laurinaitus (#3) ahead of Malcom Jenkins (#4) of all the defensive guys.. Gholston is sitting strong at #5. All 3 of these guys were 3 star prospects out of high school.

Malcom Jenkins (6-1 202 lbs.)

Jenkins has been solid from day 1 and Ohio States best corner since year 2. He has the size, speed and toughness NFL GM's drool over. Best of all for him, he is the best corner on the board. This means a team who really needs a corner may select him in the top 10 picks. Either way, he'd really have to close the season out weak to drop under 15. Jenkins is a former 3 star prospect from New Jersey. He camped at OSU and was offer right away.

Jenkins proves that star ratings are a bit rediculous. I think even most recruiting analysts would admit that. But hey, they sure are fun.

James Laurinaitus (6-3 247 lbs.)

Little Animal is solid in every facet of the ILB position but his athleticism really jumps out. In coverage, he's probably the the best in the nation. As his 19 tackles last week proved, he is damn good at that too. He has stepped his game up from last year when he won the Bednarik Award for top defender in the nation. It's been fun JL, gonna miss ya all over the field. ESPN has him at #15 right now with only one linebacker (Dan Conner at # 13) ahead of him. I think he could be the first linebacker taken, which again could result in a top 10 selection. I'd be shocked if he dropped any lower the midway through round 1.

Vernon Gholston (6-4 258lbs.)

Sure, Gholston has the scariest guns this side of Iraq but that does not mean he is going early (send the troops home, if you will), right? Wrong! Again, I'm sitting in the stands at the Wisonsin game and watch him run around for a sack once. He bulldozed a dude another time. He's got some serious talent and finished with 4 sacks--tying a school record. Will Smith was great at OSU. Alonzo Spellman will always stick out as the most gifted. But Gholston is giving me flashbacks of both these guys. And it's pretty scary for QBs.

Another guy who could go is OLB Marcus Freeman. He is playing solid football and is a redshirt junior. He was injured his first year or else this would be his final year. He took a lot of heat early but now appears he could be setting himself up for NFL dollars this year. He is "borderline" but if forced to say one way or another, I'll say he too is gone.

Offensively, LT Alex Boone and Brian Robiske are both early departure candidates. Boone is gone. Robiskie will stay. That's my best guess. Boone has said before he would leave, and should be a day 1 selection, which will be reason enough. Robiskie's dad is an NFL assistant. Plus, he could further raise his stock, as he is not on the round 1 board.

The offensive unit has 1 senior starting while on D they also have 1 senior starting. How I look at it, they have an additional 4-5 guys who are playing their final season.

Earlier this year (June) I wrote an article about OSU's 2008 recruiting class. In it, I discussed who will leave early. Interestingly my analyses is still what it used to be. Check out this copy and paste from the article:

• OL Alex Boone- This big guy was a headline recruit in his day and has shown flashes of brilliance in his two seasons thus far. In between those flashes has been inconsistency. Now, as a Buckeye fan, do you root for a mediocre year or do you want his potential to be realized now? Bottom line: you don't have a choice. If he's projected in the top 3 rounds he'll be gone. He's gone. Prediction: Buh Bye
• LB Marcus Freeman- Got better as the year went on last year. He has had a knee injury, so look for him to leave if he can. Prediction: Nice knowing ya
• DE Vernon Gholston- He is fast, strong and intimidating. Needs more time to see if he can be as good as it seems he could be. He reminds me of Alonzo Spellman a little bit and Spellman left early. Despite similarities he is not as good as Zo'. I'm borderline on this one. Prediction: Decides to leave before veins start popping out
• DE Lawrence Wilson- Versatile lineman who was a good basketball player in high school. Between Wilson and Gholston I think one of them will stay. Wilson may have the better season but simply becasue he is younger (never redshirted) I think he stays. Plus, he really has not come close to living up to his potential as of yet. Prediction: Stays
• CB Malcom Jenkins- Jenkins was the only underclassmen in the defensive backfield who played well throughout the season last year. He plays hard and fast. He looks like a first round pick. He plays like one too. Prediction: Going, going, gone
• LB James Laurinaitis- Returning All-American. Nagurski Award recipient. He has a ton to prove this year despite his success in 2006. Given that, he should prove to be consistent and a solid NFL prospect. Prediction :Remember me when you're rich
• WR Brian Robiskie- His father, Terry Robiskie was an assistant for the Browns, so Brian Robiskie must know if he would be good enough. I think Brian Robiskie will be a guy who could have left and decided to stay. Money is not an issue and Robiskie seems to be trying to master his skills and knowledge at the WR position. If he is not a perfectionist, he sure as hell likes to act like one on Saturdays. He'll know he could improve his standing with another year considering every RB and QB on the roster should be returning. Prediction: Stays

Sure, we can keep dreaming but OSU fans should be damn happy if only 4 of these players leave early. Lawrence Wilson has been injured all year or else he'd be gone too, from what I was hearing about his play after I wrote the above words on June 18.

Both departures on offense will come on the O-Line. On defense they'll have to replace their "next great corner", a two time defensive player of the year and Guns meet missile. The good news is this year's team is primed for a strong finish. The bad news is next year will be a rebuilding year, right? Wrong. Rebuilding years are over for now at Ohio State. They likely won't return much until Tressel is retired or is Bowden/Paterno old.

TrackBack URI for this entry

Comments (3)

Subscribe to this comment's feed

onearmedbandit said:

Nice article man. I was at the OSU/Wisconsin game as well. I wish I would have known you were there. We could have discussed Maurice Wells (who sucked ass in this one) in person. My friends and I were discussing this very topic on our way out of the stadium. The defense is still so young, but we are going to lose centerpieces at each level. Gholston was unbelieveable against Wisconsin. He could have easily had 6 sacks on the day. Laurinaitis cleaned up everything that got past the line. Luckily, the Bucks have guys who can fill the roles and are bringing in excellent recruits to replace these All America quality players. I'll be sad to see them go, but I'll enjoy watching them in the pros. Oh ya, great picture. One of the best I've seen on the site. What's the good word on the betUS podcast this week?

report abuse vote down vote up

November 07, 2007
Votes: +0

Lloyds Apple said:

I assume you are kidding about Mo Wells, who had a nice 6 yard run to set up Chris Wells on 2nd and 4. The dude only had 3 carries and you're going to diss on him? Unbelievable. I don't diss on loyal Buckeyes who do what they are told, personally. And yes, he did more on his limited opportunities than Saine did on his. But I don't want to rip on Saine in defense of Mo, so I'll let it slide. You should have known I was in C-Bus....I mentioned it all week! We could have talked Buckeyes and business. As for the podcast, I'll hit you up. We are looking for guys right now, as usual.

report abuse vote down vote up

November 07, 2007
Votes: +0

Lloyds Apple said:

	BTW--That Mo Wells article was posted by someone on the Bucknuts (pay) forum, resulting in a bunch of people commenting who were as thankful as me that Mo stuck around.
	report abuse vote down vote up

November 07, 2007
Votes: +0

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (Registered users only)

I have read and agree to the Terms of Usage.

Add Comment