OHIO STATE BUCKEYES
2012 College Football Early Preview
OFFENSE - 9
------RETURNING STARTERS------
DEFENSE - 10
KEY LOSSES
OFFENSE: Joe Bauserman-QB, Dan Herron-TB, DeVier Posey-WR, Mike Adams-OT, Mike Brewster-C, J.B. Shugarts-OT
DEFENSE: Tyler Moeller-SLB, Andrew Sweat-WLB
TE Jake Stoneburner
Secondary / Defensive Line

Every single player in the defensive backfield returns from the nation's 15th ranked pass defense. It's back to playing hard-nosed defense as the front line also boasts the return of every single player. Versatile lineman John Simon is an NFL talent at either tackle or end.

Passing Game

This was one of the worst passing offenses in the country (117th nationally). Granted quarterback Braxton Miller was forced into action as a true freshman, but no receiver caught more than 14 passes.

DE John Simon
* DEPTH CHARTS were only designed as a simplistic gauge for listing players that departed and players that received the most playing experience (consistent starters). NationalChamps.net recognizes the importance of missing personnel data not listed such as redshirts, transfers, injuries, incoming recruits, back ups and alternates. Their coverage will begin with our full 2012 Preseason Preview due out this coming spring.
OHIO STATE 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
OFFENSE
QB Braxton Miller-So ..
FB Zach Boren-Sr ..
TB Jordan Hall-Sr Carlos Hyde-Jr
WR Chris Fields-Jr Verlon Reed-So
WR Corey Brown-Jr Devin Smith-So / T.Y. Williams-So
TE Jake Stoneburner-Sr Reid Fragel-Sr
OT Andrew Norwell-Jr ..
OG Marcus Hall-Jr ..
C .. ..
OG Jack Mewhort-Jr ..
OT .. ..
K Drew Basil-Jr ..
 
OHIO STATE 2012 DEPTH CHART
Returning Starters/
Key Players
DEFENSE
DE John Simon-Sr J.T. Moore-So
DT Johnathan Hankins-Jr ..
NT Garrett Goebel-Sr ..
DE Adam Bellamy-Jr Michael Bennett-So
SLB Etienne Sabino-Sr ..
MLB Storm Klein-Sr ..
WLB Ryan Shazier-So ..
CB Travis Howard-Sr Dominic Clarke-Jr
CB Bradley Roby-So Doran Grant-So
S C.J. Barnett-Jr Zach Domicone-Sr
S Christian Bryant-Jr Orhian Johnson-Sr
P Ben Buchanan-Sr ..
QUICK TAKES
  • What interim head coach Luke Fickell got handed as a first year coach is light years from what new head coach Urban Meyer gets handed. The Buckeyes welcome 19 starters back (the most of anyone in this Top 25) and the suspensions are a thing of the past. Had Meyer inherited the job a year ago, the meager results would not have been much different.
  • Braxton Miller is another athletic quarterback in the same mold as former signal caller Terrell Pryor. He will kill teams with his scrambling but throwing the ball is a chore. Miller did make solid progress down the stretch of 2011 but the game plan is modified to better suit Miller's strengths and not force him to throw the ball downfield too often.
  • Team leading tackler C.J. Barnett heads a young and athletic secondary that eerily resembles some of the Buckeye's best in recent years.
  • Ohio State won't be bowl eligible in 2012 due to NCAA sanctions, but Urban Meyer will better a 6-6 type of season. The talent in Columbus is still based on quality and quantity.
  • The million-dollar question is whether Urban Meyer can turn this team into a National Championship contender again. The answer is yes. His recruiting prowess has already made a difference immediately after accepting the job and it’s only going to grow from here. Recruiting at Ohio State is easy, Meyer will take it to a whole other level.

 

OHIO STATE 2012 SCHEDULE

09/01 - Miami OH
09/08 - UCF
09/15 - California
09/22 - UAB
09/29 - at Michigan State
10/06 - Nebraska
10/13 - at Indiana
10/20 - Purdue
10/27 - at Penn State
11/03 - Illinois
11/17 - at Wisconsin
11/24 - Michigan