Look, we all knew this was a possibility when it began. I planned my annual list of Ohio State playmakers on offense, and that went fine. I then decided to do the same thing once again on defense, but things haven’t gone so well. I thought I would have time to get it done, but I’m running out of time, and I still have other commitments that I have to finish (like my Big Ten Ratings).
So, due to time constraints, I am moving forward in the action and just gonna go ahead and run down the final six. My apologies for my lack of foresight for the first time ever.
To catch you up, here is how the Top 10 list of playmakers on defense looks before we speed through the final six. By no means does this lessen the importance of this particular series. It just means that I probably shouldn’t try to sneak it in next year. My apologies to the readers, the playmakers, and their families.
Mostly, though, I apologize to myself for spreading myself to thin.
The Countdown
10. Damon Arnette, rSo Cornerback
Damon Arnette is an aggressive defender who has won one of the three starting jobs at cornerback. His teammates on the offensive side of the ball have been effusive in their praise of his play in the spring and fall. He has received comparisons to Bradley Roby, who was a known playmaker.
9. Damon Webb, Sr Strong Safety
Damon Webb is the leader of the secondary. He won’t be your typical deep safety. He will stay closer to the line of scrimmage, especially when there is a slot receiver to defend. His confidence is high, which is exactly where you want it to be for your playmakers.
8. Dre’Mont Jones, rSo Defensive Tackle
Dre’Mont Jones has already been tabbed as the best player on the Ohio State defense by some draftniks. He will be one of the most active defensive tackles in the nation, and may even get some time on third downs this year. Expect him to be active in the backfield.
7. Dante Booker, rJr Linebacker
Dante Booker might be the best athlete on the team. He will be put in a position to both defend slot receivers and make plays in the backfield. If he can do what Darron Lee did in 2014, he will move up this list very easily.
6. Sam Hubbard, rJr Defensive End
Sam Hubbard will be used in multiple ways in the Ohio State defense this season. He can make plays behind the line of scrimmage even on wide screen passes. He has worked on his pass rush attack and will also be used as a standup linebacker in certain situations. Don’t be surprised with an interception or two this year while dropping back in a zone blitz.
5. Denzel Ward, Jr Cornerback
The fastest Buckeye, Denzel Ward is also the team’s best cornerback. He didn’t have any interceptions last season, but that should change this year. And once he gets the ball in his hands, he becomes an offensive player instantly.
4. Nick Bosa, So Defensive End
Nick Bosa looked as much like a freshman a season ago as his brother did as a freshman in 2013. He finished second on the team with 5.0 sacks while splitting reps. This year he will play outside primarily, which will allow him to showcase the pass rush work he has put in over the last nine months.
3. Tyquan Lewis, rSr Defensive End
Tyquan Lewis is the reigning Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year. He is as productive against the run as he is the pass. Lewis led the Buckeyes with three forced fumbles last season. He will be a relentless and tireless disruptor of the football this year, which is the very definition of defensive playmaker.
2. Chris Worley, rSr Middle Linebacker
Chris Worley has moved to middle linebacker, where he will be used to both blitz the backfield and drop back into pass coverage. Given his ability to cover ground, he will have an opportunity to make plays all over the field. For the first time in his career, he will be near the football, which is all he has ever wanted.
1. Jerome Baker, Jr Will Linebacker
Jerome Baker finished second on the team with 9.5 tackles for loss and third with 3.5 sacks last year. He also picked off two passes, returning one for a touchdown. He did this while being a step slow in understanding everything that he was supposed to be doing. That won’t be an issue this year. He might be the fastest linebacker in the Big Ten, and now he knows where he’s going. He will put up some numbers this year.
