It's not often freshmen defensive linemen plays key snaps at Ohio State. According to defensive coordinator Luke Fickell, it is one of the more difficult positions to contribute early due to the wear and tear that comes from facing off against the bulk in the trenches.
"I think it's difficult at times," Fickell said Feb. 3. "I think the biggest difference in the high school game to the college game has got to be in those big positions, whether it's a defensive lineman, whether it's an offensive lineman."
It makes sense — college football players are considerably larger than most at the high school level, and those that play either on the offensive or defensive line are the biggest on the field Saturday afternoons. In Urban Meyer's Ohio State tenure, really the only true freshmen to play consistent and significant roles in their first years are Joey Bosa, Noah Spence and Adolphus Washington. All are set to be early round NFL Draft picks in April.
“The good thing about defensive line as opposed to offensive line, there's not really truly as much to learn it comes down a little more to the battle. But guys physically developed I would say have the first and best chance to come in and be able to compete at that level right away.”– Luke Fickell
"The good thing about defensive line as opposed to offensive line, there's not really truly as much to learn it comes down a little more to the battle," Fickell said. "But guys physically developed I would say have the first and best chance to come in and be able to compete at that level right away."
One guy both Fickell and Meyer say is physically developed to play as a true freshman is Nick Bosa, the five-star defensive end and highest rated player in the 2016 class. Bosa is 6-foot-4 and 265 pounds, plus he is blessed with the genealogy that puts his older brother in solid position to be a top-5 draft pick this year.
"Obviously, Nick Bosa would be one of those guys that you would say physically coming in would have an opportunity to be able to challenge (for time)," Fickell said.
Added Meyer: "He's playing. He had the knee injury but he's well ahead of schedule. Looks fantastic. He's a little ahead of his brother at this time."
Bosa suffered a slight tear to the ACL in his right knee in early November, but is expected to make a full recovery and all reports are that his rehabilitation is moving as expected — if not better.
The nation's top-ranked defensive end commit won't arrive in Columbus until this summer, but another freshman Fickell mentioned might be able to withstand the physical wear and tear to contribute in 2016 is early enrollee Malik Barrow. Like Bosa, Barrow tore his ACL his senior season of high school but could be back in time to play this fall. Barrow suffered the injury in September.
"Malik Barrow, a guy coming off surgery as well — I'm not sure whether physically he could step in there tomorrow and battle with some of the guys," Fickell said. "But he's there."
Barrow is 6-foot-3 and 270 pounds, the lone defensive tackle pledge in Ohio State's 2016 haul. With Washington, Tommy Schutt and Joel Hale out of the program, Barrow could be in the mix for playing time alongside Michael Hill, Donovan Munger, Tracy Sprinkle and others if healthy. Bosa could move inside to defensive tackle as well.
"We recruit those guys with the idea that we think that they can come in and give us an opportunity to compete and vie for some playing time," Fickell said. "Especially if you're playing nine or 10 guys up there."
Lest we forget Dre'Mont Jones, Jashon Cornell and Darius Slade, three guys who redshirted either of the last two years either because of injury, lack of development or space. Bosa, Washington, Schutt and Hale are all gone now, though, so opportunity lies in the wake of those players able to grasp it.
They just must be physically developed and ready to withstand the body blows that come with playing defensive line at the Division I level. Even early enrollee Jonathon Cooper could come off the edge if he's ready, Fickell said.
"Looking at big things from Jashon, from Dre'Mont and a bunch of those guys because it's going to be a little bit by committee until we can figure out really who we can count on," Fickell said.
