Joshua Perry was a three-year starter for Ohio State at outside linebacker and will be an early-round selection in April’s NFL Draft. But that didn’t stop current Buckeye linebacker Raekwon McMillan from playfully jabbing at his former teammate and friend last week.
“You can tell Josh I said this: Dante is a way better athlete,” McMillan joked when meeting with the media to provide an update on Ohio State’s offseason.
Ouch. The man wasn’t even there to defend himself.
Dante, of course, is Dante Booker, Perry’s likely replacement for the Buckeyes at one outside linebacker spot during the 2016 season. The junior-to-be recorded 22 tackles during 2015 in a reserve role.
But while the numbers certainly don’t grab your attention, make no mistake about it: Booker can play. After all, he was the No. 54-ranked overall player in the 2014 recruiting class and the nation’s fourth-rated outside linebacker. Hailing out of St. Vincent St. Mary High School in Akron, Ohio — yes, the same one LeBron James attended — Booker was Ohio’s Mr. Football as a senior for the Fighting Irish. It should be noted defensive players don’t often win this award, which is given to the state’s top player each year.
But while the talent is certainly there, the opportunity during Booker’s first two seasons in Columbus was not.
Sometimes that’s what happens at a place like Ohio State, though. It's very easy to get wedged behind an NFL-caliber player and have to wait it out a couple of years before a chance arises.
Booker’s moment has arrived.
“I just think it’s his turn,” Ohio State strength coach Mickey Marotti said. “There goes Josh Perry, here comes Dante Booker.
“He’s a gifted, talented player that has done some good things for us, but look around and it’s, ‘OK, it’s my turn.’ Some of these younger players after the other guys are gone, it’s just different.”
In McMillan, Tyquan Lewis and Gareon Conley, Ohio State returns just three starters on defense heading into the 2016 season. Sam Hubbard and Booker seem to be shoe-ins for other starting spots, but there is no question about the amount of turnover next season for the Buckeyes on both sides of the ball.
Urban Meyer has said repeatedly throughout his tenure as Ohio State’s coach if one player leaves and the next guy steps in is not as good that the team is not as good. For Booker, that’s not an easy task since the guy he must fill in for was an All-Big Ten performer and a future NFL Draft pick.
But the early signs are encouraging for Buckeyes fans based on the praise Booker received from his teammates and coaches this winter.
“Dante is a good athlete, man. When he gets on the field he does some stuff that y’all haven’t even seen yet in practice,” McMillan said. “He’s one of the fastest guys on defense regardless of position so he just brings that pop.”
