Position Outlook: Defensive End

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Arguably the strength of the entire team this year, this crop of defensive ends could be something special. After racking up just 24 regular season sacks last year across 12 games, the unit really came through in the Fiesta Bowl, harassing Colt McCoy by notching four sacks, allowing just 54 yards rushing, and doing pretty much all it could in holding Texas to its lowest scoring output of the year. While the secondary couldn't hold up its end of the bargain against the Longhorns, it gave Buckeye fans something to look forward to on a defense that replaces four starters and one part-time guy in Donald Washington. In particular, the end play has to improve if Ohio State wants to take down the two big obstacles on the schedule - USC and Penn State. It can't be all Thad Gibson all the time. Fortunately, he's got plenty of help. More after the jump.

Lawrence Wilson has had two years running of simple bad luck. Following an injury in the 2007 opener against YSU, Wilson trained his hardest to get back in to playing form for 2008. Again, the injury bug bit him in the middle of the season. 2009 is his last year in a Buckeye uniform; he's already redshirted, and without a doubt, he has the most to prove of any Buckeye senior. He came here in the midst of tons of hype in 2005, and hasn't quite delivered. For all his trouble, he's still only listed second on the depth chart behind Cam Heyward. Heyward is massive for an end; 6'6" and and pushing three hundy. While he has the body of a 3-4 end, he's rotated between tackle and end due to injuries along the line the last two seasons, but for now, he's sticking at end in Heacock's 4-3 scheme. 

On the other side of the line is the largely known quantity and junior Thaddeus Gibson, a Vernon Gholston-type "Leo" guy who has the athleticism to play linebacker and end. He will demand double teams frequently if he replicates his Fiesta Bowl performance in any way. Backing him up will the promising Nathan "Nothin' But A G Thang" Williams, a true freshman who came off the bench last year to notch two sacks against Northwestern and half of one against Texas. Williams is big, and an explosive pass rusher, but he had a history of injury at the high school level. If that's done bothering him, he will be very good this year.

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The amazing thing about the situation at defensive end is that Ohio State runs three and perhaps even four deep. Rob Rose came to Columbus as a talented prospect but has never done all that much despite being built like a freaking dump truck. In my dreams, we redshirt him and he's groomed as Gibby's replacement, but that probably isn't going to happen. He's an excellent fifth man on this defensive line; expect him to get in on third downs alomst exclusviely. Keith Wells mysteriously blew a redshirt on special teams and mop-up duty last year, but he's fourth on the depth chart behind two seniors (Rose and Wilson) and a very good junior. I wouldn't fret over what this might say about his progression when the position is so completely stacked with more experienced talent. Solomon Thomas had a jaw-dropping jersey scrimmage but is still third on the depth chart behind more Gibson and Williams, who notched his sacks in genuine game-time action. Willie Mobley will be providing further depth at both positions.

We still aren't done, by the way. The 2009 Ohio State recruiting class featured two defensive ends: Melvin "Safari Planet" Fellows and Jonathan Newsome figure to insert themselves into the mix at some point this fall; Fellows has the recruiting accolades but Newsome has the more prototypical "Leo" size at 6'2" 220 pounds. While neither may see significant time, these guys could be the core of the next great Ohio State defensive line. Keep an eye on them.