Spots Up For Grabs? 5 Starters Who Could Lose Their Jobs by the End of the Season

By Tyler Waddell — BlockONation.com Featured Contributor

Urban Meyer released his post-spring depth chart last month, with little-to-no surprises among the list.

Although this is subject to change throughout the remainder of the offseason, it will likely be the starting lineup heading into Week 1.

That said, there are a few players who could end up losing their spot during the regular season, whether it be due to lack of production or inadequate performance.

Meyer will not hesitate to put his best 22 athletes on the field, so midseason changes to the depth chart are a definite possibility.

Here are the five most likely starters that could get "demoted" during the 2012 season.

Travis Howard, Cornerback

After receiving a two-game suspension for accepting improper benefits to begin the 2011 season, cornerback Travis Howard returned to the starting lineup with high expectations as a high-impact player.

At times he did look like an upgrade to what was a very young, inexperienced secondary, but for the most part, Howard struggled. He was susceptible to numerous mental errors and had a difficult time trying to bring down opponents during initial contact.

Unfortunately for the 6'0", 190-pound senior, Meyer is also a little unsure of his current status on the depth chart. He listed Howard as a co-starter alongside sophomore Doran Grant, who impressed as a freshman and had a good spring.

Don't be surprised if Howard is passed up by Grant at some point in 2012.

Evan Spencer, Wide Receiver

The only thing that deserves a second glance on Ohio State's post-spring depth chart is sophomore Evan Spencer starting over freshman Michael Thomas.

Not that Spencer hasn't earned the spot—the picture above alone showcases his talent level—but the fact that Thomas exploded for 12 receptions and 131 yards in the Buckeyes' annual spring game makes the decision somewhat puzzling.

To put Thomas' performance into perspective, three Buckeyes were tied for the team lead with 14 receptions for all of 2011.

Following the game, Meyer was quoted saying that Thomas was one of the team's best receivers:

"Right now, him and (Brown) are kind of our top two (receivers)," Meyer said, according to The Lantern. "I’d have to say right now our playmakers on offense—the top five, in order—are Jordan Hall, would be Jake Stoneburner, would be probably Carlos (Hyde), Philly Brown, Michael Thomas and Devin Smith."

That was less than a month before he released the depth chart.

The starting position is Spencer's—who missed the spring game with a shoulder injury—to lose for the moment.

Reid Fragel, Right Tackle

Reid Fragel dedicated the offseason to making a huge transition—changing positions, from tight end to right tackle. He's put on over 30 pounds while maintaining less than 10 percent body fat, all while still being able to stay extremely agile.

"Reid is doing great. He’s everything you could want from a tackle in our system," said offensive line coach Ed Warinner, according to TheOZone.net.

Fragel is listed as the starting right tackle, but incoming freshman Taylor Decker—who was the sixth member to join Urban Meyer's first recruiting class at Ohio State—has been pushing for the spot.

Decker has continued to impress Meyer, reports Doug Lesmerises of Cleveland.com. He earned a lot of praise from the two-time national champion coach throughout spring practice and will keep pressuring Fragel for the position.

Corey Linsley, Center

Making the transition from being a backup guard to anchoring the offensive line as a center is senior Corey Linsley. He has become a leader overnight and has shown significant improvement from his first three below-average seasons with the Buckeyes.

"I really didn't see myself as accomplishing too much," Linsley told ESPN.com about his career. "I wasn't putting in all the time to be a great player. I was just doing enough to get by, and thought that was good enough. Obviously, last year showed that it wasn't.

"We had a series of 5 a.m. workouts right when Coach Meyer started, and that's when it kind of clicked for me," he continued. "I had to make a decision: Am I going to sit back and relax, or am I going to take the initiative to get better, to become a better player and a better person?"

Linsley took the latter, which has proven to pay off so far. He's listed as the current starter over freshman Jacoby Boren—who was the early favorite—and sophomore Brian Bobek—who apparently is now seeking to transfer, possibly to WVU.

Still, his track record isn't clean and the position is still up in the air. Many expect Linsley to keep his role on lockdown throughout the season (switching centers is always difficult on a quarterback), but the possibility of a change is not out of the question. He'll have to continue working harder than ever to maintain his spot.

Corey "Philly" Brown, Wide Receiver

Probably the least likely to lose his job among Buckeyes starters is Corey (Philly) Brown, who is listed as the "H" receiver on Meyer's post-spring depth chart.

This is the same position former college standout (and current NFL standout) Percy Harvin held during Meyer's tenure at Florida.

Big shoes to fill, right?

Harvin recorded 133 receptions for 1,929 yards and 13 touchdowns during his collegiate career as a Gator in the same spread-option offense. Brown, who finished 2011 with 14 receptions, 205 yards and a touchdown, had a great series of spring practices and is a "playmaker" in Meyer's eyes.

If Brown can immediately step in and live up to his title, he will have no problem holding down his starting position over junior receiver Chris Fields.

On the other hand, if he struggles to make the big plays that are expected of him, Meyer will not be reluctant to shake things up and throw other guys into mix. Even if Fields doesn't pressure Brown for the spot, others like Verlon Reed and Michael Thomas will.

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National Signing Day 2011: Ohio State Adds QB Jones, LB Grant

With the additions of Cleveland Glenville QB Cardale Jones and LB Curtis Grant (pictured at right), Ohio State's 2011 recruiting class moved up from fourth to third according to Scout.com.

Jones, a three-star recruit, will likely follow in the footsteps of Eddie George and Carlos Hyde by gray-shirting to attend a prep school for six months before arriving on campus. He will then be expected to red-shirt as a member of the 2012 class, allowing for a year or two of separation from 2011 top QB recruit Braxton Miller.

With the loss of Ross Homan and Brian Rolle, five-star and No. 1 OLB prospect Grant could immediately find himself in the two-deep for the 2011 Buckeyes.

In 2008, Etienne Sabino came to Ohio State under similar circumstances as the top-rated MLB prospect in the nation. He has two years of eligibility remaining so he may still eventually live up to the expectations he arrived with, but it does go to show that not every highly-touted guy makes an immediate impact on a program from day one.

It would be great to see Sabino have huge years in 2011 and 2012 and hopefully, Grant will have at least three huge years for Ohio State as well. He certainly has all the physical tools to succeed at Ohio State and potentially be one of the next great linebackers to come through Columbus.

Coach Tressel and his staff have once again assembled a great recruiting class and heading into 2011, the excitement as Spring ball and Fall camp near will be electric.



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(Photo copyright: Tim Casey - GatorCountry.com)

Head of the Class: Top 10 Ohio State Recruits for 2011

 Grant Freking—BlockONation Featured Contributor


National Signing Day 2011 is fast approaching and the Buckeyes currently have 21 commitments in their 2011 class, which is ranked No. 6 by ESPN.com, No. 2 on Scout.com and No. 7 on Rivals.com.

After considering talent level, immediate and future impact, rankings and video evidence, here are the top 10 2011 Buckeye football commitments.


No. 10—Jeremy Cash

There isn’t a recruiting category for hybrid defensive backs. If there was, Cash would be higher on that list than he is on some safety rankings. He fits the mold of the “Star” position at OSU, a combination of a linebacker and safety.

The 6-foot-2-inch, 185-pound Cash will probably need to pack on a few more pounds before he can take the punishment of the Star position at the college level. However, he does have a nose for finding the ball-carrier and tackles like the former linebacker that he is.

It takes awhile for players to grow into the Star position. Both Jermale Hines and Tyler Moeller earned their stripes as backups and as special team players before they matured into their hybrid roles on defense. Expect Cash’s route to be similar.


No. 9—Evan Spencer

The only wide receiver in this top 10 is Spencer, who hails from Vernon Hills, Illinois. After seeing video of Spencer, two things are clear: he’s got good hands and he’s got the so-called Ginn Stride. He’s not as fast as Ted Ginn Jr., but the two have similar 180-pound body types (Spencer is two inches taller at 6-foot-1) in addition to running with longer strides than of what one sees out of your typical player.

Spencer is your prototypical do-it-all receiver: he sets up his blocks well on reverses, he’s not afraid to take a screen pass over the middle and he great on “go” routes because of his ability to hit top speed quickly.

Odds are, Spencer probably won’t see the field as a freshman. DeVier Posey (once he’s back from suspension) is the No. 1 with Philly Brown and Chris Fields probably next in line. Check back on Spencer in 2012.


No. 8—Chase Ferris

A lot of scouts dog Farris for being relatively slow-footed as far as change of direction plays. I don’t see it. Is he DeMarcus Ware? No. But he's no sloth either.

Farris stands 6-feet-6-inches tall, weighs 265 pounds and exhibits great strength both as an offensive and defensive lineman. On the defensive side, he sheds blocks very well and while he may not be great in pursuit, he still causes havoc in the backfield.

There’s a good chance Farris could be a poor man’s Cam Heyward. Or he could be moved to the offensive side of the ball. It’s too early to tell. But the key for Farris is once he finds a position he needs to perfect the technical aspects of his game, because he’s already got all the physical gifts.


No. 7—Kenny Hayes

Hayes edged Farris by the slimmest of margins because the vibe is Hayes is slightly more ready for college football. At 6-foot-5-inches and 250 pounds, Hayes is built like an NFL defensive end, but could move inside if he adds more weight.

He doesn’t have the speed of Steve Miller or Ryan Shazier, but Hayes is very, very strong and looks like he would be able to handle a double-team pretty well. It will be interesting to see if he’s moved inside to defensive tackle or remains at end.

As far as an immediate impact, I just don’t see Hayes cracking the rotation in 2011. He should, however, make a big impact at OSU before his career is over.


No. 6—Brian Bobeck

Think current OSU center Michael Brewster but only three inches shorter. Bobek doesn’t grade out quite as well as Brewster did as a prospect, but he’s not far behind. Those who have watched him play say Bobek is a very cerebral lineman who is able to recognize blitzes quickly.

Bobek, who is stands 6-foot-2 and weighs 275 pounds, chose OSU over Michigan State, where his brother Jeff is a fullback. During his U.S. Army All-American Bowl practice interview, Bobek cited aggressiveness what seemed like a dozen times. He claimed he was a really aggressive lineman style-wise, but that he also needed to be more consistent with that style.

With Brewster coming back for his senior year and Corey Linsley being a safe option as a backup, Bobek may redshirt and sit a few years before seeing the field. But when he does secure playing time, OSU fans can expect to see a center that won’t be fooled by blitzes and has the technique to handle any defensive linemen.


No. 5—Michael Bennett

Bennett was a two-way stud as an offensive and defensive lineman. After watching this Centerville, Ohio monster of a man on tape, one word came to mind: Disruptor. He’s a menace on both sides of the ball, pancaking overmatched defenders on one play and bulldozing offensive lineman on another.

However, sheer talent won’t make him a star at the next level. The 6-foot-3-inch, 275-pound Bennett is incredibly athletic for a lineman, but he lacks the requisite strength to play right away.

It appears Bennett, who broke his left forearm in the third quarter of the U.S. Army All-American Bowl last week but should be ready to go when he enrolls in OSU in June, will play defensive tackle in college. He’s certainly athletic enough to play offensive guard too. Keep an eye on him as he looks like a pretty safe redshirt bet.


No. 4—Ryan Shazier

The Plantation, Fla. product, who was an originally a Florida commit before having second thoughts after Urban Meyer stepped down, was a pass-rushing machine at defensive end in high school and will continue that as an outside linebacker at Ohio State. At 6-foot-2-inches and weighing a hamburger over 200 pounds, Shazier doesn’t exactly have linebacker bulk, but that should come with weight training.

Watching Shazier on tape, it’s easy to see how big an upside this kid has. He’s already a college-level pass-rusher, using his non-stop motor and cornerback speed to drag down opposing ball carriers.

One thing to look for in Shazier’s transition to linebacker is his ability to shed blocks at the point of attack. If he can add the necessary strength to do that, he’s got a chance to be an All-Big Ten linebacker.


No. 3—Doran Grant

Grant ((pictured above, top right) could be the next great one at “Cornerback U.” He’s that good. What Grant lacks in ideal size and technique, he makes up for with ball skills and agility. The 5-foot-11-inch, 177-pound Akron Saint Vincent-Saint Mary cornerback also excelled as a wide receiver and return specialist in high school, but will probably be relegated to cornerback duties in Columbus.

What Grant also has going for him is that while plenty of players saw time in the injury-ravaged OSU secondary this season, there weren’t any breakout stars. This could lead to Grant seeing backup duty as a freshman and perhaps making an impact on special teams.

Once Grant perfects his technique, the sky is the limit for him. Why? He’s already developed a football sixth sense of baiting quarterbacks, something that can’t really be taught. And after he makes an interception, he’s extremely dangerous with the ball in his hands.


No. 2—Steve Miller

It was apples and oranges choosing between Miller and Grant for the No. 2 spot. Miller got the edge because it was determined he may have a better chance at seeing the field next season. A few things stood out to me about the 6-foot-3-inch, 235-pound Miller after watching him on tape.

The first was for not being the strongest looking guy, he did pretty good job discarding lineman at the point of attack and getting to the ball. Another thing is that he’s got a really good motor, which will suit him well in terms of getting on the field as a freshman, even if it’s special teams. The final item that stood out was Miller’s exceptional tackling ability, which also will pay dividends in the future.

Look for Miller to be wrecking havoc in opposing backfield’s perhaps as early as next season, especially if he can add more muscle to his somewhat gangly frame.


No. 1—Braxton Miller

The undisputed crown jewel of the 2011 class is Miller, the 6-foot-2-inch, 185-pound dual threat quarterback from Huber Heights, Ohio.

At first glance Miller will remind OSU fans of a taller, less stockier Troy Smith. But don’t confuse Miller with Smith; Miller has big-time wheels (4.47 40-yard dash) and the juking moves of a slot receiver.

In many regards, Terrelle Pryor’s heir apparent is already a better QB than the current OSU starter in the traditional sense of the term: Better footwork, better at going through progressions, better accuracy and the ability to make every throw.

What will be worth watching is how he adjusts to a more traditional offense in Columbus. He was mostly in the shotgun in high school, but since he has already enrolled at OSU and will go through spring practice, perhaps he can nip that potential transitional problem in the bud before fall camp.

Miller is expected to be the starter in 2012, however, fans will be calling for Miller during Pryor’s suspension in 2011, which currently stands at five games, but could be reduced.

If Miller doesn’t see any action during Pryor's absence, bet on Tressel redshirting him so not to waste a year of Miller’s eligibility.


If you liked this article, you may also like National Signing Day 2011: Florida Verbal Commit Ja'Juan Story Hits Ohio State Campus for Official Visit


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2011 Recruiting Class Gets Huge Boost: 5-Star Cornerback Doran Grant Commits to Ohio State

Live during Wednesday's Under Armour All-American game, which was broadcast on ESPN, Doran Grant chose Ohio State and Buckeye Nation over his Dad's Alma mater, Michigan State.

“I will be attending The Ohio State University,” Grant said. “My relationship with the coaches was the greatest, I’m ready to be a part of the Buckeye family and do my part in Columbus.”

Grant is an Ohio native and has maintained close ties to the Buckeyes for years, but his family also has a legacy at Michigan State, where his father starred for the Spartans.

He consistently maintained that both schools remained on an equal plain, but after tonight it became clear that his heart was with the Buckeyes all along.

“I’ve been ready to make this decision for a long time,” Grant said.

Grant is the best cornerback prospect in the country, rated No. 1 by Rivals and No. 2 by Scout. He's even better than advertised, and definitely fits the bill at a generous 5'10" and 175 lbs.

He's lighting-fast, tests off the charts athletically, tackles with a lot of power, and has a great nose for the ball.

According to Scout.com, Ohio State now has the No. 2 overall 2011 recruiting class in the country, and Grant arguably becomes one of the school’s top prospects alongside 5-star quarterback, Braxton Miller.

Updated 2011 Recruiting Class

    PLAYER     POSITION    STARS

BRAXTON MILLER    QB     *****
STEVE MILLER      DE     *****
DORAN GRANT       CB     *****
RYAN SHAZIER      LB     ****
MICHAEL BENNETT   DT     ****
BRIAN BOBECK       C     ****
EVAN SPENCER      WR     ****
DERJAUN GAMBRELL  DB     ****
DEVIN SMITH       WR     ****
KENNY HAYES       DE     ****
JEREMY CASH        S     ****
ANTONIO UNDERWOOD OL     ****
NICK VANNETT      TE     ****
CHASE FERRIS      DE     ****
RON TANNER         S     ****
CONNER CROWELL    LB     ***
TOMMY BROWN       OL     ***
JOEL HALE         DT     ***
JEFF HEUERMAN     TE     ***
CHRIS CARTER      OL     ***

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Original article by Michael Pinto. Edited, revised, and reposted by HD Handshoe