I may have played up the expectations for the offense quite a bit, but don't mistake that as a slight to the 2010 silver bullet defense.
In short, they will be as fast and furious as any defense that has played in Columbus in the Tressel era.
It all starts up front for the Buckeyes, where All-American DE Cameron Heyward - a senior who passed up the NFL as a junior - returns to anchor what should be one of the most feared lines in the nation. Heyward possesses the size and strength to be considered as one of, if not the best, defensive line prospect in the upcoming NFL draft (in my humble opinion... don't mistake me for being a scout). Complementing him on the outside in OSU's hybrid 4-3/3-4 scheme will be pass rush specialist Nathan Williams. Williams is currently sidelined with a knee injury, so look for junior Solomon Thomas to sub in for Nathan's temporarily vacated LEO position. The ends are set to be highly productive once again. The tackles will make or break the star level that this line can reach though, but don't sweat it out over whether they will be any good or not. The tackles are very disciplined, big and level-headed guys who simply plug up gaps, disrupt plays and stop the run. Sophomore John Simon and senior Dexter Larimore will start, while plenty of depth is waiting in the wings to contribute on the field. Simon is a future All-American -- mark it down.
Not much needs to be said about the linebackers because...well, OSU is the modern day linebacker U. Ross Homan and Brian Rolle return to improve off of stellar junior seasons to bring a special blend of raw athleticism, play making ability and unquestioned leadership. Homan is the all-around total package while Rolle may be the eventual MVP if he makes as many plays as he did last season at middle linebacker. The SAM linebacking spot, which has been left open by the departure of 7th round pick Austin Spitler, is a toss up between former five and four star prospects Etienne Sabino and Andrew Sweat. As of right now, Sweat has been running with the first team but in the long term it may not even matter. Both are ready to play and perform immediately.
Kurt Coleman made a living off of making huge plays - quite effortlessly I might add - and it won't be easy to match his production in the secondary this season. Three returning starters from last season return to try their best, including the senior cornerback tandem of Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence. Both corners showed flashes last season but also displayed their weaknesses for all to see. Chekwa is the most experienced and will be the #1 corner on the depth chart once again. Jermale Hines, who started at free safety the majority of the year and also played the Star position, will be called upon to be at FS for the entire year and create turnovers with his unique combination of size, strength and quickness. Senior Tyler Moeller, coming off a medical redshirt year, will play his natural Star position. His story is both motivational and inspiring after coming back to play football less than a year after suffering head trauma as a result of being assaulted in Florida last summer. Former high school quarterback Ohrian Johnson will start at strong safety, while Travis Howard, Corey Brown, Donnie Evege and Christian Bryant will all vie for lots of playing time.
If you are familiar at all with how good OSU's defense played last season, then the following statement shouldn't come as a surprise to you: this will be the best defense in college football in 2010...as long as Williams returns to health before the Miami game and one of three senior starters in the secondary steps up to have a special year.
Will the stars all align in 2010? Your guess is as good as mine.
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