Dave Thurman (9:15 am)

What freshmen get a chance to play?  Who fills the two deep this year?  And, who will be the biggest surprise on each side of the ball?  That’s stuff we all want to know, and I’m going to take a crack at briefly answering each of those questions.

First, which freshmen actually get a chance to make an impact in ’08?  I think the following true freshmen will all play, shunning the redshirt: Terrelle Pryor, Mike Adams, Mike Brewster, Jake Stoneburner, Lamaar Thomas, DeVier Posey, Etienne Sabino, Andrew Sweat, and Orhian Johnson.  A few of them will even make the two deep, which is listed below.  I don’t think there are many redshirt freshmen who will see a lot of action, but Dan Herron is a keeper and may find his way on the field a little more than expected.  With defensive backs dropping off like flies, doors may open for Nate Oliver and Donnie Evege, as well.  Of the entire group of freshmen I look for Pryor and Posey to grab the most headlines, but look out for Orhian Johnson – he may surprise. 

2008 Ohio State 2-Deep:

It may not be this way when the Bucks take the field against Youngstown State, but eventually I think this is the two-deep, barring injuries:

QB:  Todd Boeckman Terrelle Pryor

TB: Beanie Wells  Brandon Saine 

FB: Ryan Lukens  Curtis Terry

WR: Brian Robiskie Taurian Washington

WR: Brain Hartline Ray Small

TE: Rory Nichol  Jake Ballard

C: Jimmy Cordle Mike Brewster

RG: Ben Person  Connor Smith

LG: Steve Rehring Kyle Mitchum

RT: Bryant Browning Mike Adams

LT: Alex Boone  Andrew Miller

K: Ryan Pretorius Aaron Pettrey

DE: Cameron Heyward Robert Rose

DE: Lawrence Wilson Thaddeus Gibson

DT: Doug Worthington Nader Abdallah

DT: Dexter Larimore Todd Denlinger

WLB: Curtis Terry  Ross Homan

MLB: James Laurinaitis  Austin Spitler

SLB: Marcus Freeman Brian Rolle

CB: Donald Washington Chimdi Chekwa

CB: Malcolm Jenkins Andre Amos

SS Kurt Coleman Jamario O’Neal

FS: Anderson Russell Aaron Gant

P: A.J. Trapasso  Jon Thoma

Now, for the surprises – the guys who come out of nowhere, or exceed expectations: 

On offense: I think Taurian Washingtonis ready to explode, if given the chance, but I also see big things in store for DeVier Posey.  Hopefully, having more weapons at wideout will further open up our offense and allow Todd Boeckman to have a big year.  Of course everyone expects a major impact from Terrelle Pryor, but if he has a Tim Tebow kind of freshman year it won’t really come as a surprise.

On defense: Even though he’s not listed in my two-deep, I really like Jermale Hines, and I think he will have an impact on special teams, and work his way onto the field on defense.  And, I really think this is the year Robert Rose has his coming out party, as a hybrid defensive lineman sliding between end and tackle.  If he’s healthy I believe we’ll see the light go on and watch Rose begin to utilize his massive talent.   

Anyway, it is going to be a fun year to watch with lots of competition at most spots.  Hopefully all of that competition will lead to big things on the field! 

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