Spring Preview: Linebacker Logjam

Last season: By almost any measuring stick, this group had a terrific season and I am not about to dispute that. James Laurinaitis would have been a first round choice had he decided to leave and Marcus Freeman would likely have been a day one selection. Larry Grant graduated and the 49ers drafted him in the seventh round.

Laurinaitis won the Butkus Award (controversy aside) for being the nation’s top linebacker, while leading the team in tackles for the second straight season (121 tackles). If Laurinaitis leads the team again this season it will the second consecutive three-year stretch where one player led the Buckeyes in tackles each year. (A.J. Hawk led the team in tackles from 2003-2005.) Another similar year from Lil’ Animal should land him inside the Top 10 for career tackles at Ohio State.

Marcus Freeman finished second in total tackles (109) and led Ohio State in solo tackles (66). He also forced two fumbles and broke up more passes than any player other than Chekwa.

This season: This is the definition of a logjam with a ton of talent in the linebacker meeting room each week, but there little experience and certainty beyond Laurinaitis and Freeman. Including incoming freshmen, the Buckeyes have 12 candidates for playing time this fall. Representative of this stockpiling, at least three players have practiced at and/or are said to be switching positions – Tyler Moeller (to safety), Curtis Terry (to fullback), Thaddeus Gibson (to DE).

In addition, Ohio State increasingly played a nickel defense with a fifth defensive back replacing Larry Grant in many situations. More on this in the defensive back preview, but suffice it to say, I think this is a bad idea. I am a believer in getting your 11 best players on the field. If the coaches believe that means only playing two LBs, so be it, but the Buckeyes seem to consistently recruit higher caliber LBs than any other position.

The starters/reserves: I think this is the nation's best linebacking corp regardless of who fills the third spot. Their only rival in that department is USC. After Laurinaitis (MLB) and Freeman (WLB), the depth chart gets very unclear. Austin Spitler finished fourth among LBs with 26 tackles but he is hardly a shoo-in to play regularly this fall because he backs up Laurinaitis.

At the SLB spot, it is anybody’s guess. Curtis Terry has the most career experience and is the probable starter … unless, he plays fullback. Count me in as not liking that idea. Last time I checked, Beanie ran for 1,600 yards without a killer fullback leading the way. Terry is not going to be much better than Dionte Johnson, if at all. So, why take a starting linebacker away from the defense? Why not use TE Brandon Smith? Ohio State does not use tight ends anyway, so let him get some action at FB. Plus, there is the potential for a screen or dump pass to him occasionally. But, I digress.

I know, I know. The coaches told Terry he will be allowed to play on both sides of the ball. They said the same thing to Chris Gamble before the 2003 season. Care to take a guess at Gamble’s offensive stats that year? Four catches, 38 yards.

If Terry does not get the nod, I have no idea who starts there. Tyler Moeller? Perhaps, but he is has been practicing at safety. Thaddeus Gibson would have been given the position, but he has officially switched to defensive end. Jermale Hines is also in the linebacker/safety discussion. His undisclosed spring game injury has muddied this somewhat.

The remaining players in the conversation are Ross Homan, Mark Johnson, Brian Rolle, Andrew Sweat, and Etienne Sabino. If I were a betting man (after this weekend’s Derby experience I shouldn’t be) I would look for Terry to man the SLB position and play little fullback. Perhaps that is wishful thinking.