COACH AND PROGRAM
The fastest way to an Ohio State Buckeye fan’s heart is to beat Michigan.
Jim Tressel accomplished that feat in his first season as head coach at OSU -- and the victory came in Ann Arbor no less -- which was OSU’s first win there since 1987 and also its 400th Big Ten victory. Tressel’s predecessor, John Cooper, went 2-10-1 against the Wolverines before being dumped after the 2000 season.
The new head coach didn’t lead OSU to its first national title since 1968 last year, but his first season with the Buckeyes program got off to a good start as he instilled a new attitude into the prestigious program.
OSU won seven games, and almost capped off the year with an eighth victory after a fourth-quarter rally from 21 points down against South Carolina in the Outback Bowl. The Gamecocks spoiled the comeback bid with a last-second field goal to win, 31-28, but it was a morale victory for the Buckeyes.
"A year ago, we would have quit, and you know that and I know that," former OSU running back Jonathan Wells told the Columbus Dispatch. "We stayed in there, and that’s due to coach Tressel and the coaching staff."
With a full season behind him and one of the top recruiting classes in the country, Tressel and the Buckeyes are ready to move forward in 2002, even though they will have to do it without Wells and nine other starters.
That’s OK. The Buckeyes and their coach have had a year to get comfortable with each other, and now the real work can begin.
"Last spring was really a learning spring," Tressel said. "We didn’t know anything about our guys except what we saw on film. This year we know a little more about each other and know a little bit more about what to expect."
The Buckeyes should expect to win under Tressel, who enters his 17th year of coaching with a 142-62-2 record -- the bulk of it coming at Youngstown State where he made the playoffs 10 times and won four NCAA Division I-AA championships in 15 years.
This season, OSU will have to get the job done with the defense leading the way. Seven of the 12 returning starters are from that side of the ball, including two-time All-America safety Michael Doss (5-11, 204) and four-year starting free safety Donnie Nickey (6-3, 203).
Doss, a candidate for the Jim Thorpe Award and national defensive player-of-the-year honors, decided to return for his senior season after flirting with the NFL.
The offense is a little unstable with veteran quarterback Steve Bellisari gone, along with Wells and fullback Jamar Martin. The trio comprised more than 3,500 yards on offense last season. All-American center LeCharles Bentley, 49-game starting tackle Tyson Walter and tight end Darnell Sanders, who decided to enter the NFL draft early, also are gone.
In all, the Buckeyes had eight players taken in the April draft, led by Bentley and cornerback Derek Ross.
QUARTERBACKS
Love him or hate him, Bellisari had a lock on the OSU quarterback job for the better part of three seasons. He started 31 straight games before being suspended for the Illinois game after being arrested for driving under the influence.
Juniors Scott McMullen (6-3, 215) and Craig Krenzel (6-4, 215) each had a chance to make a case for the starting job, but Bellisari ended up coming back to lead the rally against South Carolina.
In McMullen’s one start, against Illinois, he was 4-of-13 passing for 42 yards and a touchdown before being replaced with Krenzel.
Also in the spring mix was sophomore Jim Otis (5-10, 200), while red-shirt freshman Matt Trombitas (6-5, 224) sat out with a knee injury.
"I thought they did a nice job of moving around in the pocket and finding the open man," Tressel said after the spring game. "I thought they made really good decisions with the football, both made some good throws and didn’t force too much. They’ve been working in and out with a lot of different personnel this spring. All of them have made a lot of improvement this spring."
One of the reasons Tressel might want to wait on picking his starter is Massillon’s Justin Zwick (6-4, 215). There’s already plenty of hype surrounding the freshman’s arrival after being chosen a first-team all-state quarterback and Division I Associated Press Co-Offensive Player of the Year last fall in Ohio.
He was also a Parade All-American, throwing for 10,500 yards and 112 touchdowns during his high school career. Zwick threw for 3,821 yards and 40 touchdowns last fall.
RUNNING BACKS
The Buckeyes are looking for a new backfield. There’s plenty of talent there, it’s just a matter of finding out who fits where in the pro-style offense.
Sophomore Lydell Ross (6-0, 210) rushed for 419 yards and six touchdowns last fall. The Tampa, Fla. native became only the third OSU freshman to rush for 100 yards in a game when he compiled 124 yards and two scores against Indiana. The other two backs to accomplish the feat were Robert Smith (1990) and Archie Griffin (1972).
Ross, who has breakaway speed and gets to the holes in a hurry, enters fall camp at the top of the depth charts, with fellow speedy sophomore Maurice Hall (5-10, 190) next to replace Wells, who rushed for 1,331 yards and 16 touchdowns his senior season.
Also in the hunt are red-shirt freshman JaJa Riley (6-2, 200) and heralded freshman Maurice Clarett , last year’s USA Today Offensive Player of the Year and Ohio’s Mr. Football, from Warren. The 6-0, 230-pound tailback from Harding High ran for 2,194 yards and 38 touchdowns last fall while also catching 19 passes for 351 yards and six scores.
Clarett could be the next great running back at OSU, with his combination of power, speed and fierce determination. He got a head start on his college career by enrolling at OSU for the winter quarter, so he was able to attend spring practice.
At fullback, sophomore Branden Joe (6-0, 245) and red-shirt freshman Brandon Schnittker (6-2, 250)are ranked 1-2 on the depth charts. Joe has the experience edge having served as Martin’s backup last year.
WIDE RECEIVERS/TIGHT ENDS
The strength of the OSU offense comes at this position with junior split end Michael Jenkins (6-5, 200) and senior flanker Chris Vance (6-2, 180). Both veterans have big-play potential with their size, speed and hands.
Jenkins, the team’s home run threat, led the Buckeyes last season with 49 receptions for 988 yards and three touchdowns. Vance, who’s not afraid to make acrobatic catches, was second with 34 catches for 605 yards and a team-high four touchdowns.
Sophomore Chris Gamble (6-2, 180) also returns after a decent first season to add another target along with junior Drew Carter (6-4, 200), who was expected to start last year but miss the season because of a leg injury. Tressel has compared Gamble to a young Cris Carter, a former OSU great.
Behind Vance are three sophomores -- Bam Childress (5-9, 180), Angelo Chattams (5-11, 185) and John Hollins (6-2, 180). Childress and Chattams both saw limited action last year.
With plenty of talent at the position, the big problem for OSU will be if nobody can get them the football.
At tight end, Sanders will be missed, but junior Ben Hartsock (6-4, 264) slides into the vacant starting spot. Last year, he caught seven passes for 81 yards and one touchdown while serving primarily as a blocker.
Red-shirt freshman Ryan Hamby (6-4, 230) has the speed and hands to make an impact at the position and has already impressed the OSU coaching staff with his ability.
Both tight ends ended up on the injured list by the end of camp, which allowed converted linebacker Redgie Arden (6-4, 240) a chance to play as a red-shirt freshman.
The Buckeyes added two more receivers in their freshmen class with in-state standout Roy Hall (6-3, 210), from Brush High in Lyndhurst, and Glades Central product Santonio Holmes (5-11, 170), from Florida.
OFFENSIVE LINE
The Buckeyes’ biggest question mark heading into the season comes from this unit, which lost its center to the NFL and another dependable starter. In addition to filling out the starting five positions, depth could be a problem.
Tackle Shane Olivea (6-3, 310) returns for his junior season and figures to be a key cog in the line, making the shift from right side to the left. But Olivea is still recovering from a broken ankle he suffered last year against Michigan and was limited in camp workouts.
Another returning starter, junior left guard Adrien Clarke (6-5, 325), also sat out spring ball with a broken wrist. Clark has the potential to be OSU’s next All-American lineman with his size, strength and excellent footwork.
The third starter is right guard Bryce Bishop (6-3, 312), who enters his second season on the line after working hard to earn playing time as a red-shirt freshman.
The other two starters heading into the fall are junior center Alex Stepanovich (6-4, 302) and junior right tackle Ivan Douglas (6-8, 305), who missed time last year with a blood clot in his lung.
Tressel said he was pleased with both players’ work in the spring.
Because they missed two injured starters in those workouts, the Buckeyes had a good chance to evaluate some of the inexperienced players. Reserves like red-shirt freshman center Adam Olds (6-4, 275) and senior guards Michael Stafford (6-3, 280) and Scott Kuhnhein (6-4, 285) played well, along with sophomore tackle John McLaughlin (6-6, 290).
Red-shirt freshmen Ryan Cook (6-5, 307) and Andree Tyree (6-3, 280) add more depth at tackle and guard, respectively.
With five linemen coming in, the Buckeyes might also look to their freshman class for some help. Two names to remember are tackles Doug Datish (6-5, 290) and Derek "The Waffle" Morris (6-6, 360).
Morris was a first-team USA Today All-American his senior season at North Mecklenburg in Huntersville, N.C., and considered one of the best tackles in the country. His idol is former OSU tackle Orlando Pace, who now plays for the St. Louis Rams.
KICKERS
Neither sophomore, Mike Nugent (5-10, 170) or Josh Huston (6-2, 195), had much to brag about last fall after going a combined 10-of-24 on field goals.
Nugent, who missed some big kicks against Penn State and Illinois, enters the preseason as the starter for field goals (7-for-14 last year) and extra points (27-for-29). Huston is expected to handle kickoffs.
No matter who plays where, the Buckeyes need to get better production from their kicking department.
DEFENSIVE LINE
Three starters return up front in Anderson, and junior ends Darrion Scott (6-3, 271) and Will Smith (6-4, 250) to give OSU a solid foundation on the line.
Anderson emerged last season to become an anchor for the OSU defense, starting all 12 games and finishing with 38 tackles and three sacks. The former high school wrestling champion brings a physical presence to the inside.
Scott missed spring practice after having shoulder surgery after the Outback Bowl, but is expected back for the season. He started nine times last year, recording 49 tackles and two sacks. The former high school linebacker is also versatile enough to play inside at tackle, where he’s expected to open the season.
Smith enters his second season as a starter after making 47 tackles and four sacks last year. The Utica, N.Y, product has outstanding speed to rush the passer and has a knack for showing up in big games. He made nine tackles in the Outback Bowl.
Senior Kenny Peterson (6-4, 265) has the inside track on the left end job, with his size and quickness giving him the edge. He started twice last year and finished with 24 tackles and three sacks while being part of OSU’s five-man defensive end rotation.
Depth is an asset on this unit with sophomore end Simon Fraser (6-5, 250) and senior tackle David Thompson (6-5, 287) pushing for playing time.
"You’ve got six battle-tested guys in there," Tressel told the Dispatch. "You can mix and match those guys however you like."
The OSU head coach wants to have eight solid linemen, and red-shirt freshman Marcus Green (6-0, 300) appears to be one of the top candidates to fill one of those spots. Sophomore Bryce Culver (6-4, 217) also enters the mix.
Five more defensive linemen are part of the incoming class, including Quinn Pitcock (6-4, 285), a second-team USA Today All-American from Piqua, Ohio. Pitcock was rated as the top defensive lineman in the state after posting 69 tackles and 15 sacks his senior season.
LINEBACKERS
The unit lost two starters, including captain Joe Cooper, but Wilhelm returns to patrol the middle. The two-year starter missed spring ball recovering from off-season ankle surgery, but that allowed backup junior Fred Pagac Jr. (6-0, 225) a chance to play. Injuries are something that Pagac has also had to contend with during his career.
When healthy, Wilhelm has great instincts and a nose for the football. He made 63 tackles last year despite missing most of two games. He received the team’s Randy Gradishar Linebacker Award at the end of the season.
On the outside, junior Robert Reynolds (6-3, 234) and senior Cie Grant (6-2, 220), who moves back to linebacker from cornerback, are likely to start. Grant made 56 tackles and had three interceptions starting at cornerback last season after asking the coaches if he could play there instead of back up at linebacker.
Junior Marco Cooper would have figured into this mix, but he was suspended for the season after he was arrested in April and charged with possession of the drug Ecstasy and carrying a concealed weapon. His future with the program remains in doubt.
That leaves the backup spots to juniors Jason Bond (6-3, 240) and Pat O’Neill (6-4, 230).
OSU also has another blue-chip in-state linebacker coming aboard in USA Today first-team All-American Mike D’Andrea (6-3, 240). SuperPrep rated him the top overall linebacker in the country coming out of Avon Lake High, where he made 140 tackles as a senior.
Also coming in are Lancaster High’s Bobby Carpenter (6-3, 240) and Centerville’s A.J. Hawk (6-2, 230) from Ohio, and Baltimore, Md. product Stan White Jr. (6-3, 230), one of the premier outside linebackers in the nation.
White’s dad, Stan, played for OSU before moving on to the NFL in 1971.
DEFENSIVE BACKS
It might be hard to find a better pair of safeties in the country than Doss and Nickey. Junior free safety Will Allen (6-1, 190) is the third experienced safety.
Doss led the team with 87 tackles, including 10 for a loss, and also intercepted three passes. The Canton native could become just the seventh Buckeye to earn All-America honors three straight years after deciding to return to school to earn his degree at his mother’s request.
The Buckeyes are glad to have Doss back, along with Nickey, who made 54 tackles and had two interceptions last season. Sophomore Thomas Matthews (6-0, 206) also figures into the mix.
At cornerback, the Buckeyes have some holes to fill with Ross gone and Grant back at linebacker. OSU has become "Cornerback U” the last few years with Ross, Nate Clements, Antoine Winfield, Shawn Springs and Ahmed Plummer moving on to the NFL. This year, the team would be happy to just have two solid starters.
Junior Richard McNutt (5-10, 178) and sophomore Dustin Fox (6-0, 190) have the early lock on the starting jobs. McNutt has battled ankle injuries throughout his career, but the coaches like what he brings to the table in work ethic and attitude. Fox played 12 games last year, and the converted safety has speed and hard-hitting ability to play the position.
Also in the hunt for time are senior Chris Conwell (5-9, 180), junior Bobby Britton (5-11, 194) and sophomore Harlen Jacobs (6-1, 197). Conwell sat out last season after transferring from Youngstown State, where he started for two years.
The addition of freshman Michael Roberts (5-11, 175) from Toronto figures to give this unit a lift. Roberts took part in drills after enrolling for the spring quarter. He has excellent cover skills and speed, and was one of Canada’s top prospects.
SPECIAL TEAMS
In addition to having three kickers, the Buckeyes have most of their return team back. The one big change on special teams is at long snapper, where sophomore Kyle Andrews (5-11, 245) is the top candidate for long snaps and Kuhnhein will handle field goals and PATs.
Vance and Gamble are both able to handle punt returns. Vance had a team-high 23 returns for 159 yards last year.
On kickoffs, Hall averaged 21 yards per return as a freshman. Doss could also be back there along with Riley and Clarett.
This area is sound, but has the potential to be spectacular with some of the return talent.
RECRUITING CLASS
The Buckeyes did not have to travel far to land some of their blue-chip prospects this past off-season. Zwick and Clarett have the potential to be Big Ten stars for the next few years, and headline one of the top classes in the country.
OSU landed nine of the state’s top-10 prospects, including two more blue-chippers in Morris and D’Andrea, and have 18 new in-state players overall. It’s clear the state of Ohio likes what Tressel is doing in Columbus.
Not only does the class have loads of football talent, the 25-player group is smart, too, with a combined GPA of just more than 3.0.
Bringing in Clarett and Roberts this spring could help pay immediate dividends. Another in-state player, Troy Smith (6-1, 205), can play almost anywhere, which he did at Glenville his senior season. The Buckeyes just list his position as athlete.
BLUE RIBBON ANALYSIS
With a favorable schedule and a seasoned defense, the Buckeyes could be the class of the Big Ten this season.
The big question will be whether the offense can pull its weight -- and that means finding a quarterback and solidifying that offensive line. If Zwick ends up being the answer at quarterback, Tressel doesn’t want him taking a pounding behind a weak front line.
OSU is a little inexperienced at cornerback, but has some great leadership in Doss and Nickey in the secondary. The rest of the defense also has some seasoned players at key spots.
The schedule seems to be in OSU’s favor, with eight home games that included Michigan and Penn State. The Buckeyes still have to make trips to Wisconsin and Illinois, but avoid having to face Michigan State.
If everything falls into place, OSU could be back in the BCS picture this year. But considering the state of their offense and the fact quarterback Justin Zwick is only a freshman, the Buckeyes might be a year -- and another top-notch recruiting class -- away from vaulting into that elite group of the nation’s top teams.
