College football is transitional. Ohio State’s roster from year to year is a fluid collection of athletes that melds together for one season at a time to produce another layer woven into the tapestry of Buckeye football lore. Great players, marginal players, role players and never-used walk-ons are all flecks of paint on that great canvas that grows each year to collect that season’s unique team.
Because of the transient nature of the team roster, we must sadly say goodbye to those who either exhaust their eligibility at the end of the year, choose to leave early, or are dishonorably discharged for any number of school, conference or NCAA rules violations, or other ethical transgressions.
Generally speaking, it’s the former. And I’ve come to talk about those players today.
Specifically, I’d like to address the most important seniors on the 2015 Ohio State team. As I type this, there are 18 seniors listed on the current Buckeye roster. Barring an early injury that leads to a redshirt situation, this will be the final year these fine young men will grace the Horseshoe’s surface on Saturdays in full uniform. All of them have already contributed to the overall tapestry of OSU football, but some will play a greater role still than the others.
Herein, I’ll discuss the five seniors who could be the most pivotal in Ohio State’s bid to repeat as the College Football Playoff champions in 2015. These are the guys who should play the largest role in guiding the Buckeyes back to the promised land with outstanding play and the wisdom of four (or more) years of experience in college football.
Braxton Miller*
A healthy (hence the * but he appears to be on track) Braxton Miller would become perhaps the most important senior on the team. If able to resume his duties at starting quarterback, Miller’s athleticism, experience and knack for making plays would become the perfect complement to Ohio State’s strong running game via Ezekiel Elliott and the Slobs.
He could also relax and not try to do everything himself, after standing on the sideline and seeing how good Zeke ran the ball down the stretch. After sustaining a number of injuries throughout his career, Miller has hopefully learned how to manage his health and maximize his potential to stay on the field through smart decisions and trusting others to do some of the heavy lifting. But he also can go for it if he needs to in key situations, knowing that there are two capable backups behind him.
Taylor Decker
As Chris told you on Thursday, Taylor Decker is kind of important. With only young or unproven players behind him, Decker is indispensable at left tackle. He and left side line mate Billy Price move mountains to provide creases and seams for Zeke to run through (OK, sometimes they’re more like chasms), and he protects the quarterback’s blind side (whoever of the Magnificent Three he may be).
About to become a three-year starter, the 6-foot-8, 315-pound Decker has the essential experience the team needs. The Vandalia, OH, product has seen pretty much everything a defense will try to do to Urban Meyer’s offense. His strength, quickness and technique make him a heavy favorite for first-team All-B1G honors and a potential first-team All-American. The Buckeyes will rely heavily on big No. 68.
Jacoby Boren
The general of the offensive line, Jacoby Boren, is gearing up for his final campaign. The 6-foot-2, 285-pound center exemplifies the same toughness, tenacity and nastiness as his older brothers Zach and Justin before him. He has worked between guards Billy Price and Pat Elflein for a full season now, and perhaps no offensive line has gelled for a stretch of games the way the Slobs did at the end of 2014.
Boren’s continued strong play will be instrumental to the line continuing to perform at a high level, particularly while breaking in a new right tackle. But even beyond his play, it’s the leadership Boren displays on the field to his teammates that Ohio State will need in 2015.
Adolphus Washington
Cincinnati Taft’s Adolphus Washington came to Ohio State as a pass-rushing defensive end, and he’ll leave as a defensive tackle. One of the defense’s most unselfish players, the 6-foot-4, 290-pound Washington moved inside for the good of the team, and then played nose tackle to allow teammate Michael Bennett to have the freedom to make plays in space last season.
As the lone returning starter to the interior of the Buckeye defensive line, Washington’s presence is paramount to the Silver Bullets in 2015. As a reward for his selfless service last season, Diesel will slide into Bennett’s vacated role, where he can put his explosive pass rushing skills to work and continue to clog up running lanes to shut down the opposition’s rushing attack.
Joshua Perry
The cerebral Josh Perry committed to Ohio State way back in June of 2010, becoming the first recruit to pledge to the Buckeyes in the 2012 class. Five years later, the Olentangy High product out of Galena, OH, has become Ohio State’s relentless tackling machine. Over the last two seasons, the 6-foot-4, 254-pound Perry has racked up 188 tackles, 10.5 tackles for loss, four sacks, three pass break-ups and an interception.
A second-team All-B1G performer last year (as voted by the media; the coaches made him honorable mention), Perry simply quietly makes plays for the Buckeyes, both against the run and the pass from his WILL linebacker position. With a new starter in between him and SAM linebacker Darron Lee, Perry’s experience and leadership will be vital in 2015. Expect Perry to be a contender for the Butkus-Fitzgerald Award, but also expect his quiet nature to keep him from winning it.
Other seniors who will play important roles in 2015 include long snapper Bryce Haynes, tackle Chase Farris, tight end Nick Vannett, defensive tackle Tommy Schutt, and wide receiver Corey Smith. Any of the five could slide into the top five on this "most important seniors" list if Miller isn't healthy.
Which seniors do you think will matter most to the 2015 Buckeyes? Which ones will you miss the most?
