Spring football this year for the Ohio State linebackers began with seven players trying to prove they belonged. Tuf Borland was the sure thing at middle linebacker, but an injury to his Achilles tendon knocked him out of action until around September. Justin Hilliard and Baron Browning then stepped in for him and…
Ohio State doesn’t just recruit the occasional star. Everyone on their roster is used to being one of the best players on the field when they come in from high school, Rome included. As a freshman, he was unable to get onto the field on defense for more than a few plays at the end of games. As a result, Baker would second…
At last, after what seemed like ages, the day was upon them. Guests poured in and greeted Rome, Jerome, Teddie, and all of the other familiar faces. They ate, socialized, and settled in to watch, wait and pray that their host would hear his name called… and sooner rather than later. Excitement turned to nervousness.
Congratulations to Denzel Ward and Billy Price on earning first-round draft selections in the 2018 NFL Draft. Both were well-deserved, and Ohio State fans who root for the Browns and Bengals who had grown numb to watching their favorite NFL team bypass Buckeyes can rejoice in the day one selections. Tom Orr…
Man coverage is marginal vs TEs, accrues holding penalties defending Rail/Wheel routes due to poor technique. Overall, an OLB that can win with leverage in a one-gap scheme and flows sideline to sideline vs the run. Shows the ability to cover in Zone/Man coverage and blitz from multiple angles. Lacks the play strength…
Ohio State’s linebackers did seem to play better later in the season. That was after Chris Worley was moved back to his more natural outside linebacker spot while Tuf Borland took over the middle linebacker role. Now, the three linebackers who finished the 2017 season are not around, with Worley and Jerome Baker off to…
For the second year in a row, the Buckeyes are going to be replacing their leading tackler. Following the 2016 season, they had to replace middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan, and now following the 2017 season, they will have to replace outside linebacker Jerome Baker. Baker finished with 72 tackles, 8.0 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks, two…
Ohio State junior linebacker Jerome Baker announced on Monday that he was forgoing his senior season and entering the 2018 NFL Draft. It was not a surprise and nobody was caught off guard, but it does leave one gigantic unanswered question for the Buckeyes: Now what? Urban Meyer and Luke Fickell recruited the position well…
Baker started for the Buckeyes for two seasons, recording 159 tackles and seven sacks between 2016 and 2017. He stepped in for an injured Dante Booker in 2016 and played very well, creating the expectation that this would be his final season at Ohio State. Baker led the Buckeyes with 72 tackles this past season, but admittedly…
Every fall, Urban Meyer and his assistant coaches sit with high school football players and their families and explain the benefits of playing their college ball at Ohio State. The chance to be a part of the greatest rivalry in sports and play for championships is part of it. They sell the value of an OSU degree, the “Real Life Wednesdays” program…
