“As iron sharpens iron, so one person sharpens another.” (Proverbs 27:17)
Can one reason that Ohio State OL outperform and out earn (https://www.elevenwarriors.com/forum/ohio-state-recruiting/2020/06/114552/nfl-ol-buckeyes-out-earn-crimson-tide) their Alabama counterparts in the NFL be related to the fact that Ohio State produces ELITE “Edge Rushers” (DEs in 4-3 schemes and OLBs in 3-4 schemes) that Buckeye OL had to protect against constantly in practices whereas Alabama has, incredibly, produced NO elite Edge Rushers in the last several years? None. Zero. Zilch. Nada.
PFF.com projected 2020 starting lineups for each NFL team. Of the projected 64 (32 teams X 2) Edge Rusher starters, Ohio State, unsurprisingly, led all schools with 5 projected starters.
Ohio State 2020 NFL Edge Rusher Projected Starters:
- Joey Bosa (LAC)
- Nick Bosa (SF)
- Chase Young (WAS)
- Sam Hubbard (CIN)
- John Simon (NE)
Alabama 2020 NFL Edge Rusher Projected Starters:
n/a
Per ESPN's coverage of Alabama Pros:
“Missing piece: Defensive end. It's hard to believe that Alabama can so consistently pump out that level of talent at DT and linebacker without producing any elite NFL edge rushers. And that's probably what kept the Crimson Tide from winning this competition [best 2020 NFL college team]. If we were to put this squad together in real life, we'd have to make some position switches.”
Per ESPN’s coverage of Ohio State Pros:
“Biggest strength: Edge rushers. The exact opposite of Alabama here. Wow, is this an elite unit. Both of the Bosa brothers made our all-Big Ten starting lineup (where we also identified the edge rushers as the conference's biggest strength). And they're flanked by the No. 2 pick in this year's draft, Chase Young, who could develop into the best of the bunch. Heyward can also bounce outside when needed. And we didn't even have room for standouts such as Sam Hubbard and John Simon on this team.”
Best Division Talent.
The Big Ten East (10) has also produced more 2020 NFL Edge Rusher Projected Starters than the SEC West (7).
…other Big Ten East NFL Edge Rusher Projected Starters:
- Frank Clark (TTUN)
- Brandon Graham (TTUN)
- Chase Winovich (TTUN)
- Yannick Ngakoue (MAR)*
- Yetur Gross-Matos (PSU)
SEC West NFL Edge Rusher Projected Starters:
- Myles Garrett (TAM)
- Von Miller (TAM)
- Danielle Hunter (LSU)
- K’Lavon Chaisson (LSU)*
- Montez Sweat (MSU)
- Trey Flowers (Arkansas)
- Dee Ford (Auburn)
*Due to Yannick Ngakoue’s possible 2020 hold-out, K’Lavon Chaisson may start in his place.
Best Conference Talent.
ESPN recently ranked college conferences based on their 2020 NFL Best 22 starters and the Big Ten ranked first (https://www.espn.com/nfl/story/_/id/29206024/nfl-ultimate-all-conference-teams).
Per ESPN’s Adam Rittenberg…
“Biggest strength: Edge rushers. Wow, this is right up there with the SEC secondary as a contender for the most loaded position group in this entire project. It was so overcrowded that we had to split up the Watt brothers, leaving T.J. off the list. We also didn't have room for the No. 2 pick in this year's draft, Chase Young, among others. No league has produced a deeper and more varied group of elite-level pass-rushers than the Big Ten," Rittenberg said. "Ohio State supplies the Bosa brothers and now Chase Young. Wisconsin's J.J. Watt is approaching a decade of dominance in the league. And don't forget Maryland's Yannick Ngakoue, who is an excellent value."
In addition, 4 of the Big Ten’s Edge Rushers (J. Bosa, N. Bosa, T.J. Watt, & Frank Clark) were selected as 2020 Pro Bowl starters vs. only 1 from the SEC (Von Miller).
…so, does iron sharpen iron?
