Spring Game Primer: What to Expect from Ohio State's Defense Saturday

Ohio State didn't lose too many contributors from the team that ripped through the first ever College Football Playoff on its way to the program's eighth national championship last season, but those that did leave left considerable holes.

At a place like Ohio State, though, one that expects championships every single year it competes for them, there's not time to rebuild. Just to reload.

That started March 10 with the first day of spring drills and culminates Saturday with the team's annual spring game at Ohio Stadium. Urban Meyer isn't a huge fan of spring games, but does like the fact that at place like Ohio State gives him and the rest of his staff a chance to see how younger players react in front of a big crowd.

Here's a snippet into what to watch for from those young players on the defensive side of the ball when the game gets under way at 1:30 p.m. Stay tuned for a quick look at the offense later.

Defensive Line

As is sure to be the case all summer and throughout the 2015 season, the first name that comes to mind regarding Ohio State's defensive line is All-American Joey Bosa.

Bosa's laurels earn him all sorts of well-deserved recognition, but if you wish to see him between the lines Saturday, get to Ohio Stadium early.

"I think the fans deserve to watch the Joey Bosa’s of the world go out there and play and Taylor Decker’s," Meyer said Thursday on the Big Ten teleconference. "Then we’ll start taking those guys out of the game and continue on with the scrimmage."

Meyer said guys like Bosa and others who are members of the 2,000-rep club will play two series and then get out of harms way Saturday. Those first couple rounds won't even be ground tackle oriented.

With that in mind, expect younger players on the D-line like Sam Hubbard, Jalyn Holmes, Darius Slade, Tracy Sprinkle, Michael Hill, Donovan Munger and even Dylan Thompson to get the bulk of the reps. Meyer recently named Tyquan Lewis the starter at defensive end opposite Bosa, who should get plenty of snaps due to inexperience.

Linebackers

Last year's Spring Game star, Darron Lee, blossomed into the perfect blend of speed and power at outside linebacker Ohio State's defense had been yearning for since Meyer's arrival.

It is unlikely, however, for another young linebacker burst onto the scene like Lee did in front of the Ohio Stadium crowd a year ago. The Buckeyes hardly lost anyone from last year's National Championship team at the position.

The lone guy who is gone, though, is 2014 team captain Curtis Grant. He's been replaced with perceived future star Raekwon McMillan, who saw some playing time last season. Expect McMillan to play early and often Saturday, but if you want to watch soon-to-be team captain Joshua Perry and Lee smash skulls, you'll likely be waiting until September.

"I like to see the young linebackers when they get out there and they play. Guys like Dante Booker and Nick Conner," Perry said Thursday. "Those guys I'm really excited to see because they've put in a lot of work this spring."

Perry's widely regarded as one of if not the smartest guy on the team, so trusting him on this seems sensible. Conner and Booker should get loads of time Saturday, along with Camren Williams and Chris Worley. Kyle Berger is still working his way back from from a torn ACL, so it's unlikely he'll see much, if any, time. McMillan and the rest of the younger players will be in the spotlight.

Cornerback

The starting job opposite of Eli Apple is up for grabs this season due to the graduation of All-Big Ten performer Doran Grant. Apple isn't likely to play much Saturday after starting nearly every game last season, so be prepared to see a load of younger guys get the reps.

Among those include Gareon Conley, who was listed as a co-starter along with Apple all last season but was relegated to the bench as Apple blossomed into a solid player. Damon Webb and Marshon Lattimore figure to be the two guys pushing Conley for the starting nod, though it's unclear how much time Lattimore will get Saturday as he continues his way back from hamstring surgery.

Expect those three to be the brunt of conversation for the most of the offseason as they battle for a starting spot, with Saturday being a final chance to make an impression in spring practice.

Safety

Tyvis Powell and Vonn Bell return for their second seasons as full-time starters in 2015, hardly offering a chance for younger players to get on the field this fall.

That's not necessarily a bad thing, considering how Bell and Powell turned into stellar contributors on the back end of Ohio State's defense last season. The duo likely won't play much Saturday, leaving the door open for guys like Erick Smith, Cam Burrows and Malik Hooker to leave their mark.

Powell and others have raved about Smith's development this spring, so keep an eye out for him to make big plays. He did so in spot mop-up duty last season.

Breakout Player

There's always going to be the one guy that catches the eye of fans and coaches that you didn't expect in the Spring Game. The Ohio State defense returns starters in every room, so there are plenty of options to choose from the young guys who are set to get their chance to make their presence felt Saturday.

If I had to choose, though, I'd go with Hubbard as a guy who could break out. Meyer lamented the fact that it essentially took him an entire season to find Hubbard a permanent home last season, and he's a name that's been floating around the team this spring. He's a freak athlete who's long and goes hard, so I see him making some plays.