The Making of a Legend Part II "It's Miller Time".. CFB25

[Deuce2223]

END OF SEASON WRAPUP

COACHING CHANGES

Well OC Clayton Dees announced his decision to return to the Panthers for his a 4th season, DC Jose Phenix has decided to depart the Panthers after 6 seasons becoming the Head Coach at Auburn..

Reports are Phenix offered Dees the OC job with the Tigers..

Clayton Dees

Quote:

"I have to be completely honest it was tough decision.. Coach Miller gave me my first job at QB coach and has been a major influence in my life as both a player and a coach, but Coach Valdez has been the one to trust me to elevate my coach path so quickly to the point I had Clemson and TCU asking me to interview for HC jobs, I felt like at the end of the day, I wanted to stay loyal not just to FIU but to Coach Valdez and to the group of guy's we have returning"

NFL EARLY ENTRIES AND TRANSFERS

The Panthers quest to make it 3 in a row will have some major shoes to fill.. Hesiman winner and National Player of the Year RS SO WR Devin Kennedy (91) and RS JR WR Ian Kamula (93) as well as RS JR DE Kerry St Pierre (91) the winner of this year Lombardi Award have officially declared and joining them will be RS JR Marvin Ware (89)..

We also have learned that RS FR QB Akeem Armah (73) has announced his decision to transfer (More PT).

With these 5 joining the 13 Seniors that means FIU will have a few scholarships to offer in the late recruiting season/Transfer Portal with RB being a key position for Coach Valdez and Dee's to look for.

DRAFT

(Overall Rating)

1st(93) WR I.Kamula (Season-58 rec 1012 yds 13 TD, Career- 87 rec 1609 yds 21 TD)

1st (91) WR D.Kennedy (Season-86 rec 1479 yds 21 TD, 12 carries 168 yds 2 TD, Career- 12 carries 168 yds 2 TD, 155 rec 2563 yds 26 TD

1st (91) DE K. St Pierre (Season- 49 Tackles 9 TFL, 14.5 Sacks, Career- 104 Tackles, 26 TFL, 36.0 Sacks)

2nd (89) CB G. Sykes (Season-54 Tackles 5 INT, Career- 112 Tackles 5 TFL 13 INT)

2nd (90) RT T. Vizcaino (Season-672 snaps, gave up 4 sacks)

4th (89) RB M. Ware (Season-247 carries 1307 yds 7 TD, 20 rec 137 yds, Career-342 carries 1803 yds 15 TD)

4th (89)W R E. Boenzi (Season-76 rec 1045 yds 7 TD, Career-23 carries 199 yds 5 TD, 307 rec 4589 yds 52 TD)

6th (88) RB A. Rasmussen (Season-86 carries 519 yds 3 TD, 15 rec 130 yds, Career- 136 carries 790 yds 6 TD)

6th (88) LT D. Judge (Season-1093 Downs played, 1 Sack)

6th (87) SS T. Harmon (Season 62 tackles, 3 TFL, 1 Sack, 4 INT, Career-147 Tackles, 5 TFL 8 Sacks)

7th (87) WR W. Abiamiri (Season-27 rec 422 yds 7 TD, Career-167 rec 3107 yds 28 TD)

**Boenzi leaves with the ACC and FIU Career Record of Receiving Yards, Receptions and TD Catches..

**St Pierre leaves as the Career leader in Sacks

We got some major shoes to fill on both sides of the ball.. TE Eric Longo (36 rec 469 yds 5 TD0 and RS SO WR Edward Marshall (4 rec 79 yds 1 TD) will be the top 2 receivers returning, with over 4000 yds and 49 TD's leaving.

Power RB Tim Trinidad looks to be the new RB1 after rushing 46 times for 185 yds with 15 TD.

Harmon and Skyes combined for 9 INT's but our leader SO Major Mentor (7) will return. St Pierre's 14.5 sacks will be missed, but RS FR S. Ezeike had 12.5 and SO OLB T. Swope had 8.0 well JR DE M. Clifton had 7.0

[Deuce2223]

END OF THE YEAR RECAP

COACHING CHANGES

Despite rumors of multiple interviews, 1st year OC Damone Sneed is returning after helping Guide the Buckeyes to the Nation's #1 Offense. However Coach Miller did have to find a new DC as the other Sneed is heading to Iowa to take over the Hawkeyes program..

Miller ended up selecting former Minnesota Gopher DC Trey Honeycutt.

Miller "We didn't have alot of options, I tried reaching out to former Boise State HC Spencer Danielson who as the HC at South Carolina last season but was not renewed at the end of the year, but Coach D is heading to ULM to take over the Warhawks. What I love about Trey though is that he is familiar with the Big Ten, has has been around for awhile (Level 37) and he has alot of recruiting ties to the the Midwest (Pipeline Illinois)

ROSTER MOVE

The Buckeyes didn't have any early entries or transfers.. RB Dave Jones (90 Ovr) was selected in the 3rd Round and CB Victor Ibrahim (88 Ovr) was selected in the 4th.

STATS TO REPLACE

RB Dave Jones leaves having carried the ball 242 times for 1975 yds with 12 TD this season, but former 5* RB Curtis McCracken (92 carries 789 yds 3 TD) and Power RB Fredrick Tam (125 carries 711 yds 24 TD) both return so most of those stat's will likely be picked up both those 2 plus a talented group of RB's waiting in the wings.

SR WR Jabu Gayton (60 rec 690 yds 8 TD) led the team in both Receptions and TD's but Coach Miller will have a full season of Ezekiel Tandy who had 26 rec for 322 yds and 5 TD in 6 games back for a full year plus N. Tull (45 rec 882 yds 7 TD) and G. Cobb (52 rec 728 yds 7 TD) returning as well as a trio of others.

OLB R. Henricks (38 Tackles 12 TFL, 4.5 Sacks) will have to be replaced as well as 2 starters in the secondary (Ibrahim and F. Nauta) but other then that 8 of the 11 starters return.

RECRUITING

Coach Miller and the Buckeyes landed 4* ATH/TE Baraka Cobbs (#489 OVR/#42 GA/#21 ATH) and 3* MLB Sinilau Nchami (#1693 OVR/#24 PA/#81 MLB) late giving them 17 commitments going into the off-season. The Current class (6-5*,10-4*,1-3*) ranks #1 (FIU is #2). Despite not really having much room left to add from the Portal, Miller announced he will still at least look to see if he can add 1 or 2 more impact players.

[redsox907]

Glad FIU could avenge Coach Miller. I think Dee's best move is to stay at FIU until Coach Valdez moves on and then take the reigns, but while planned plenty that rarely ever works out.

[Deuce2223]

Quote: Originally Posted by redsox907

Glad FIU could avenge Coach Miller. I think Dee's best move is to stay at FIU until Coach Valdez moves on and then take the reigns, but while planned plenty that rarely ever works out.

FIU's Defense was solid all year. I was surprised with how wwwell Alabama's Defense was. I struggled to run but because I had the lead I wasn't really worried. Pounds was only sacked twice, but it felt like i was getting hit almost every play. I think I had like 5 or 6 3rd down throws that were incomplete because he would get drilled as he was trying to make the throw.

As of now I am not in love with any of my current backups at QB, and besides Trinidad I don't really have a RB that I am just like oh man I really want to run the ball 20 times with this guy. Also because all of my WR's are new i don't have that Trurue #1 guy like i had with Boenzi and Kennedy or even that #3 and #4 like i had with Kamula and Abiamiri. So honestly if I it wasn't for KP coming back, I think the cool story line would've been to go to Auburn as Coach Phenix's OC. But I didn't want to leave KP hanging. He only needs like 4000 yards to surpassed Kennum as the NCAA Leader in Passing Yards.

I think the plan is to probably take a low level offer and build his resume as a HC then try and return to FiU as the HC someday.

I am keeping FiU in the ACC for 1 more season then I am probably going to move them to the SEC along with Miami.

I could see Dees staying in the ACC and moving to a school like UNC, NC State, or i am also also moving UCF and USF to the ACC so I think him staying in Florida and helping rebuild one of those programs could work too.

[Deuce2223]

PANTHERS EDGE OUT BUCKEYS FOR #1

The Panthers and Buckeyes didn't get a chance to meet on the field in a National Championship rematch this season, but the Panthers and Buckeyes went head to head off the field and FIU came out the victor in the closest recruiting battle to date.. (253.55 vs 253.45).

FIU landed 21 players in total (5-5*, 14-4* and 2-3*) adding 3 players in the final recruiting process including 2 transfers.

4* WR Devonta Ahmad (Troy) is a RS SO listed at 6'1 193lbs originally from Jacksonville FL. He was the #14 Overall Recruit in the Portal and the #1 WR.

4* RG Junior Chong (Washington State) is a also a RS SO listed at 6'5 304lbs originally from Kahuku HI. He was the #33 Overall player in the Portal and the #1 OG.

FIU also added 3* QB Nathan Salyer (#733 Ovr/#98 TX/#60 QB) after losing a QB to the portal (Akeem Armah originally from Danbury CT, went home and signed with UConn).

Here is a look at the entire class

5* CB Ryland Loftus (#7 Overall)
5* RT Richard Lozano (#13 Overall)
5* RT Morris Poole (#14 Overall)
5* LT Isaiah Cormier (#23 Overall)
5* SS Moses Starks (#30 Overall)
4* WR Donald Owen (#58 Overall)
4* MLB Reed Shelley (#74 Overall)
4* RB D'Andre Ibrahim (#75 Overall)
4* WR Nigel Baggs (#99 Overall)
4* WR Robert Bowles (#122 Overall)
4* QB George Cloud (#147 Overall)
4* WR Jimmy Regis (#197 Overall)
4* WR Tevan Culliver (#200 Overall)
4* WR Sergio Nickey (#226 Overall)
4* WR Gordon Mohamed (#310 Overall)
4* ATH/RB Emmett Kumah (#359 Overall)
4* C David Zamora (#417 Overall)
3* CB Koren Cheridor (#621 Overall)
3* QB Nathan Salyer (#733 Overall)

Transfer Portal
4* WR Devonta Ahmad (#14 Ovr)
4* RG Junior Chong (#33 Ovr)

BUCKEYES

Like FIU, Ohio State added 3 more players to their class in the late signing period bringing their class to a total of 20 players (6-5*, 13-4*, 1-3*).

Should've just signed 1 more 3* and I would've had the 1 class for a 3rd year in a row..

FIU started strong in the Portal landing 4* TE Joe Trejo (Tulsa) the #1 Overall recruit in the portal and then added 2 more Top-10 transfers in 4* FS Shaquille Booker (Marshall) and 4* DT Gregory Carmichael.

Here is a look at the entire class.

5* DE George Oruwariye (#6 Overall)
5* WR Cam Spain (#18 Overall)
5* MLB Max Michaud (#19 Overall)
5* QB Frederick Clemons (#22 Overall)
5* OLB Rodney Newcombe (#26 Overall)
5* WR Nate Pettis (#27 Overall)
4* HB Andy Bortes (#43 Overall)
4* RG Devonte Cisco (#194 Overall)
4* ATH Charlie Emery (#236 Overall)
4* ATH/DE Nyles Simms (#284 Overall)
4* FS Trevon Burfict (#330 Overall)
4* ATH/QB Julius Breida (#338 Overall)
4* ATH/RB Robert Rourke (#461 Overall)
4* CB Onaje Onwuasor (#473 Overall)
4* ATH/TE Baraka Cobbs (#489 Overall)
4* CB Eli Grimes (#491 Overall)
3* MLB Sinalau Nchami (#1693 Overall)

Transfer Portal

4* TE Joe Trejo (#1 Ovr)
4* FS Shaq Booker (#4 Ovr)
4* DT Gregory Carmichael (#6 Ovr)

OTHER TOP-25 CLASS'S AND MORE

(5*/4*/3*/2*)

#3 Alabama- 28 players (3/23/2/0)
#4 Wisconsin- 34 players (1/23/10/1)
#5 Tennessee- 31 players (2/18/11/0)
#6 Oregon- 33 players (2/24/7/0)
#7 Miami- 34 players (1/24/9/0)
#8 Texas- 31 players (1/21/9/0)
#9 Arkansas 22 players (1/11/10/0)
#10 Virginia Tech- 32 players (0/21/11/0)
#11 Georgia-21 players (2/8/11/0)
#12 Florida-30 players (1/10/19/0)
#13 Ole Miss-30 players (1/12/17/0)
#14 Boise State- 28 players (1/8/19/0)
#15 Notre Dame- 31 players (0/19/12/0)
#16 Texas A&M- 35 players (0/22/13/0)
#17 Oklahoma- 28 players (0/10/18/0)
#18 Florida State- 25 players 0/8/17/0)
#19 Penn State- 20 players (1/11/8/0)
#20 LSU- 18 players (0/11/7/0)
#21 Cincinnati-26 players (0/8/14/4)
#22 Southern Miss- 26 players (1/7/8/10)
#23 Nebraska- 20 players (0/7/13/0)
#24 UCLA- 35 players (1/11/18/5)
#25 Oklahoma State- 30 players (0/8/8/14)
#26 NC State- 32 players (1/5/10/16)
#27 Syracuse-34 players (0/5/26/3)
#30 Illinois- 31 players (0/8/8/15)
#31 Auburn- 31 players (0/6/24/1)
#33 Michigan- 19 players (0/5/14/0)
#34 K-State- 17 players (0/7/9/1)
#38 Washington- 24 players (0/3/21/0)
#77 Clemson- 12 players (0/5/7/0)
#79 ECU- 22 players (0/5/3/14)
#96 USC- 12 players (0/2/10/0)
#105 South Carolina 13 players (0/0/10/3)
#111 Michigan State 16 players (0/0/5/11)
#117 UNLV 16 players (0/0/3/13)
#130 Northwestern 10 players (0/1/1/8)
#131 Old Dominion 8 players (0/0/5/3)
#132 Toledo 7 players (0/0/5/2)
#133 UL Monroe 28 players (0/0/0/5/23-1*)
#134 Ohio 4 players (0/0/4/0/0)

[Deuce2223]

PAC-12 MAKING MOVES TO TRY AND BRING BACK POWER 5

With the arrival of 2035 comes another wave of Conference Realignment, with the Pac-12/14 making big moves to try and get back the Status of a "Power 5".

After 10 years of struggling to find their footing in the Big 12, Arizona, Arizona State, Utah and BYU are making their return to the Westcoast, well Colorado is headed back to the Big 12 with instate rival Colorado State joining them..

Here is a look at the new Pac-14 which will break into 2 Divisions playing 10 Conference games and 2 non-conference games each year.

Pac North
Boise State
Oregon State
Washington State
UNLV
Utah
BYU
Utah State

Pac South
Arizona
Arizona State
Fresno State
San Diego State
Cal
Stanford
UCLA

The Big 12 didn't stop with adding Colorado and CSU. The Big 12 threw some major money at Texas, TAMU, and Oklahoma swaying the schools to leave the SEC for opportunities for Big 12 titles and Top-4 seeds in the playoffs.. Here is a look at the new Big 12 which will also break into 2 Divisions and play 10 Conference games and 2 non-conference opponents.

LONESTAR
Texas
Texas Tech
Texas A&M
TCU
Baylor
SMU
Rice
Colorado

PLAINS
Oklahoma
Oklahoma State
Tulsa
Iowa
Iowa State
Kansas
Kansas State
Colorado State

*Had to split the 2 Colorado schools. They are the only 2 that don't stay in the division with their instate rivals.


The Big Ten saw some pretty major changes. Stanford, Illinois, Indiana all vacated well the conference only added Purdue back as they move to a 14 team Conference.. For now the Conference is not going to split into Divisions and for this season will only play 9 conference games with 3 out of conference opponents. (I meant to switch it to 10 but forgot, also if I do make Divisions next year here is what I am thinking)

Ohio State
Cincinnati
Michigan
Michigan State
Wisconsin
Minnesota
Nebraska

Purdue
Notre Dame
Penn State
Pitt
Oregon
Washington
USC

The American was the big winner grabbing the mighty fallen Big Ten program as well as added Vanderbilt who comes over after playing in the Pac-12 the last few seasons. The Conference will feature 12 teams in 2 Divisions playing 9 conference games and 3 out of conference opponents.

North
UConn
Temple
UMass
Boston College
Syracuse
Buffalo

MIDWEST
Northwestern
Indiana
Illinois
Memphis
Vanderbilt
Middle Tennessee State

CUSA didn't see much change.. The Conference did add former CSUA Champs Liberty back to the fold, but lost Kentucky who is headed back to the SEC after several strong years in CUSA leaving instate rival Louisville behind. The Conference will feature 11 teams with all teams playing each other allowing for 2 non-conference opponents.

Coastal Carolina
Charlotte
Appalachian State
Western Kentucky
Louisville
Marshall
Southern Miss
Old Dominion
James Madison
Liberty
FAU

The Mac sees the return of Northern Illinois bring the conference to 11 teams. For now they will play everyone allowing for 2 non-conference opponents.

Akron
Toledo
Miami OH
Bowling Green
Kent State
Ohio
Western Michigan
Eastern Michigan
Central Michigan
N. Illinois
Ball State

The Sunbelt sees the return of former Conference Champ Louisiana and adds Tulane who will look to regroup and start challenging for a playoff spot again. It will feature 12 teams with 2 Divisions and each team will play 10 conference opponents and 2 non-conference opponents.

Bayou
La Tech
Jax State
Louisiana
UAB
UL Monroe
Tulane

Deep South
Troy
Southern Alabama
Arkansas State
Kennesaw State
Georgia State
Georgia Southern

The Mountain West makes a few changes.. Hawaii returns after spending the last 4-5 years as a Independent, and they also add Houston. The Conference will feature 12 teams, with 2 Divisions with each team playing 9 conference games (probably will switch it to 10)

Texas Division
Houston
UTEP
UTSA
Texas State
North Texas
Sam Houston

? Division
Hawaii
Wyoming
Nevada
New Mexico
New Mexico State
San Jose State


**The ACC and SEC are still in discussions and compensation of teams moving.. The SEC wants to add FIU and Miami and are also talking about adding Georgia Tech. However it appears this move is on hold until 2036..

The ACC made some pretty big moves bringing in UCF and USF well losing Liberty they still manage to get back to 16 teams creating 2-8 team Divisions.. They will play 10 conference opponents and 2 non-conference opponents. Here are the 2 Divisions

FIU
Miami
USF
UCF
ECU
UNC
Duke
NC State

West Virginia
Virginia Tech
Virginia
Maryland
Rutgers
Georgia Tech
Wake Forest



For now the SEC will feature 14 teams. Rumors are right now should they add all 3 teams from the ACC, they most likely will only send Missouri back giving the Conference 16 teams will the ACC will drop back to 14. For now here is the look at the 2-7 team Divisions. They Conference will play 10 in-conference games and 2 non-conference opponents.

Georgia
Clemson
South Carolina
Tennessee
Kentucky
Florida
Florida State


Alabama
Arkansas
Auburn
LSU
Ole Miss
Miss State
Missouri

With Hawaii leaving the Independent Status, all 3 Military Academy's join... Air Force, Army and Navy are all Indy now..

[Deuce2223]

2035 TOP-25 PRE-SEASON RANKINGS

Ratings (Overall/Offense/Defense)

#1 Ohio State(94/94/94)
#2 Alabama (90/89/91)
#3 FIU (91/91/92)
#4 Notre Dame (90/90/91)
#5 LSU (89/89/90)
#6 Washington (88/86/91)
#7 Tennessee (88/90/87)
#8 Wisconsin (86/87/86)
#9 Virginia Tech (88/87/90)
#10 Kansas State (89/89/90)
#11 Purdue (82/84/82)
#12 Ole Miss (89/89/90)
#13 Penn State (89/89/89)
#14 Oklahoma (87/87/87)
#15 Cincinnati (81/81/81)
#16 Texas Tech (84/84/85)
#17 Georgia Tech (80/79/82)
#18 East Carolina (83/80/86)
#19 TCU (86/87/86)
#20 Georgia (91/91/91)
#21 Arkansas (80//82/80)
#22 Maryland (84/85/84)
#23 Florida (90/89/91)
#24 Baylor (80/80/81)
#25 Tulsa (81/80/82)

Well the Pac-12 is making strides to try and get back on the national scene not having a team in the Top-25 Pre-season isn't a great start. Boise State (86/85/87), Utah (85/86/85) and BYU (84/84/84) are currently the 3 highest ranked teams.

With Purdue gone from the American, it looks like it's a probably a 3-4 team race to see who takes over as the dominate team.. Syracuse (84/84/84), Buffalo (84/84/85) and Temple (84/84/85) are currently the favorites.

Houston's move to the MWC could be good for the program coming off a 2-8 season in the Big 12.. Houston is a (84/84/85) and should compete with UTSA (84/84/84) for the Texas Division well Nevada (84/84/84) appears to be the favorite on the other side.

CUSA appears to be a wide open race. Charlotte is the highest rated (83/82/84) but 7 of the other 10 teams are all rated 81/82..

Tulane (84/85/84) and Louisiana (84/84/84) are probably the favorites, but I expect Southern Alabama (85/85/85) to continue to push for opportunities as well in the Sun Belt.

Like CUSA, the Mac is wide open.. All the teams are rated from 79/81, so nobody really stands out.

FIU and Virginia Tech are still the favorites to face each other in the ACC Championship game, but with Georgia Tech and Maryland starting in the Top-25 they could push the Hokies well FIU will have to contend with ECU and Miami.. Even though the Hurricanes are not starting in the Top-25 they should be as they are a (91/91/91)

Texas (89/89/90) and TAMU (91/91/91) are not in the Top-25 but like Miami they should be.. With TCU, TTU and Baylor all starting in it, Colorado might regret leaving the Pac-14. Oklahoma and K-State are the favorites on the other side.. I am not sure why Tulsa is in the Top-25 they are actually one of the lowest rated teams in the conference.

With 3 straight Big Ten titles, #1 Ohio State has to be considered a favorite to make a run at #4.. But Washington, Notre Dame, Wisconsin are all Top-10 programs, and Purdue, Penn State and Cincinnati give the conference 7 teams in the Top-25 and that doesn't include Oregon (90/90/91), Nebraska (88/87/90) or USC or Michigan (both 85's). I think we could see 10 teams via for a ranking this season.

With Oklahoma ,Texas, TAMU gone from the SEC it will be interesting to see if a new team rises to the top.. Someone like Tennessee, Florida, Ole Miss or Arkansas or will it continue to be LSU/Georgia/Alabama every year.. Also can Coach Phenix revive Auburn (90/90/90) and what about Clemson (88/87/90) who has to be one of the best 4 win teams in the country.

[Deuce2223]

2035 OHIO STATE MEDIA GUIDE

2035 expectations are high for the Ohio State Buckeyes and for good reason.. OSU will start the year ranked #1 in the country and return key players from last year's that finished 13-1 losing to Alabama in the 2nd Round of the CFP after a 13-0 season that including a Big Ten Championship.

For Coach Miller it will be Year 1 of a new 5 year contract after going 40-5 in his first 3 seasons in Columbus. Despite multiple offers that included Georgia, Texas and USC, Miller is committed to the long term with the Buckeyes as he looks to cement his name in the record books among the coaching legends of the past.

TEAM SCHEDULE

This year the Big Ten schedule will feature 9 Conference games and much to the surprise of Miller and the Buckeyes, for a 2nd straight year their biggest rival is not on the schedule, as Ohio State will close out the season in Week 13 @ Oregon.

Miller

Quote:

"To be honest it's sorta heartbreaking to not play Michigan. My first 2 years we hosted them in Columbus and now 2 years in a row we won't be making the trip to Big House"

With a extra non-conference game, Coach Miller made it a point to try and add 2 Texas schools to the schedule playing 1 at home in the "Shoe" well playing the other on the road.

Miller

Quote:

"We have been doing a great job of landing guy's from the Midwest and reaching back into Florida as well as landing several guy's from the West Coast, but Texas is a recruiting hotbed and I felt it was important to get us on TV and also in person in front of some of those high profile Texas recruits"

Week 1 vs Akron
Week 2 vs #19 TCU
Week 3 @ #16 TTU
Week 4 vs Nebraska
Week 5 "Bye"
Week 6 vs Minnesota
Week 7 @ USC
Week 8 @ #6 Washington
Week 9 vs #11 Purdue
Week 10 vs #4 Notre Dame
Week 11 vs Pitt "Senior Day"
Week 12 @ #13 Penn State
Week 13 @ Oregon

*I completely forgot about putting Illinois on the schedule as a non-conference opponent. They will be back next year probably as my Week 1 opponent every year if possible. I do really hope we get Michigan back on the schedule. I honestly might make Divisions just to be sure to play them and Cincinnati every year..

THE ROSTER

(R)=player is Redshirting
(T)=player is a True Freshman active
(RS)=Player is a Redshirt Freshman who was inactive last year

QB

SO Nick De La Rosa (88)
RS JR Abdul Diabate (88)
RS SO Demarco Killings (82)
(R) FR Frederick Clemons (78)
(R) FR Julius Breida (77)

De La Rosa returns as the starter after throwing for 3272 yds with 33 TD and 24 INT as a True Freshman.. The leash will be short though this season as Diabate has proven he can be effective when given a chance.

Diabate has complete 28/45 pass's for 482 yds with 8 TD and 1 INT over the past 2 seasons as the backup. The former 3* from Carolloton Ohio has closed the gap and will see more PT this season especially in Week 1 against the Zips.

Killings returns as the team's #3 well Clemons and Breida will both redshirt this season.

RB/FB

RS JR Frederick Tam (88)
JR Cameron McCracken (87)
RS FR Viliami Te'o (86)
RS SO Ja'Quan Britton (81)
(R) FR Charlie Emery (79)
(R) FR Andy Bortles (76)
(R) FR Robert Rourke (76)

RS SO Kalen Tabor (81)
RS FR Lee Dubois (80)

Gone is Dave Jones and his almost 2000 yds rushing, but the good news is this unit is loaded with talent.

Tam was voted a Offense Captain by the team after rushing for 711 yds last season and scoring a school record 24 TD's. He will team up with former 5* Cameron McCracken (789 yds 3 TD) to give the Buckeyes a solid 1-2 punch.

RS FR V. Te'o (Former 5*) and J. Britton both provide home run type speed as well and will likely factor into the return game as well fight for that #3 spot that McCracken held last year that still managed to produce over 700 yds.

(R) FR Charlie Emery was actually recruited as a WR but moves to RB. He will redshirt this season along with 4* Recruits A. Bortles and R. Rourke but Miller has built enough depth here he shouldn't be worried if Tam or McCracken or both leave a year early for the NFL.

Former TE Kalen Tabor moved to FB last year and started all 14 games paving the way for the Buckeyes to rush for over 4000 yds as a team. Former 5* Recruit Lee Dubois moves from RB to FB and will back him up as well as be the primary backup to Tam in the Power RB role.

WR/TE

RS JR Ezekiel Tandy (92)
RS JR Nick Tull (81)
RS SO Gabe Cobb (85)
RS SO D'Angelo Lowe (85)
RS FR Khalid Ahlers (81)
RS SO Manny Trueblood (80)
RS FR Orlando Riggs (80)
RS SO Greg Lanier (76)
(R) FR Cam Spain (79)
(R) FR Nate Pettis (74)

Everyone is excited to see what a full year of E. Tandy could look like.. He will be the Buckeyes #1 well Nick Tull will be the #2 for the 2nd year in a row Tull has average close to 1000 yds over his 2 seasons with 6 TD's and has proven to be a reliable player who can stretch the field averaging (19.1 per catch).

This unit is so talented we will probably see Cobb and Lowe sharing the 3/4 role well Ahlers,Riggs,Trueblood and Lanier will see time at the #5...

JR Joe Trejo (90)
RS SR Caesar Bourgeois (81)
JR Kaleb Poole (81)
RS SO Gabe Harper (76)
(R) FR Baraka Cobbs (73)

C. Bourgeois has been the starter the past 2 seasons but his biggest strength is blocking and the run game (18 rec 244 yds 5 TD) so enter Tulsa transfer Joe Trejo who had 33 rec for 489 yds last year for the Golden Hurricanes.

Poole and Harper are also both receiving threats, so we could see Miller add in a few more 3 TE sets this year to the Buckeyes Offense..

O-LINE

(* Starter)

*LT RS SO Dennis Howden (90)
LT RS FR Taylor Ring (87)
LT RS SO Vince Perkins (84)

*LG RS SR Ethan Whitehurst (92)
LG RS SO Adrian Morton (86) *Will start at RG for Locke*
LG RS SR Dominick Naanee (83)
LG RS SO Greg Castonzo (82)

*C RS SR Marquis Pena (89)
C RS FR Jamal Cruise (80)
C RS FR Laron Middlebrooks (75)

*RG RS JR Steven Locke (87) **Injured for 4 more week**
RG RS SO Javonte Tipton (82)
RG RS FR George Edmunds (82)
RG (R) FR Devonte Cisco (75)

*RT RS FR Jay Abott (87)
RT RS SO Jamal Haden (86)
RT RS JR Viliami Bee (80)

I am pretty sure this unit and bench is the most talented in the country..

D-LINE

*DE RS SR Joel Ezukanma (89)
DE RS JR Juan Rico (82)
DE RS FR Demetrious Ellington (80)
DE RS FR Alex Malveaux (79)

*DE RS JR Mafu Vakapuna (88)
DE JR Cortez Summer (86)
DE RS FR Warren Columbo (80)
DE (R) FR George Oruwariye (79)
DE (R) FR Nyles Simms (75)

*DT RS FR Clyde Talbot (88)
DT RS JR Gregory Carmichael (87)
DT RS SR Ethan Sahara (83)
DT RS FR Malcolm Shaw (77)
DT (R) JR Cole Small (83)

Ezukanma is the Bucks best pass rusher on the line but only recorded 9.5 sacks last season.. Miller will need him to step up for someone to step up if the Buckeyes are going to challenge for another Big Ten title and a deep run in the playoffs. Former 4* C. Talbot had a great spring (jumped 8 points) and secured the starting spot at DT, as Ohio State is rumored to be switching to a 3-3-5 Defense this year as well as adding some 3-4 formations. If OSU does run a 4 man front, SR E. Sahara and Syracuse transfer G. Carmichael will see some action. Sahara did post 6 sacks last year so if Talbot doesn't provide something he could move back into the starting lineup.

LB

*OLB RS SR John Perez (93)
OLB RS JR Raekwon Selvia (74)
OLB (R) FR Rodney Newcombe (78)

* MLB RS SR Jose Giguere (86)
MLB RS SO Gill Roy (75)
MLB (R) FR Sinilau Nchami (69)

*OLB RS SO Eric Clemens (88)
OLB RS SR Ben DeLuca (85)
OLB RS JR Stan Hoffman (82)
OLB RS SO Phill Rossi (82)

Perez is a 4 year starter who currently holds the record for career sacks at OSU with 34.5 sacks over 3 seasons, including a career high 13 last season. Former 5* Eric Clemens was the backup at MLB last year but moves to the outside as Miller looks to get him more PT.. He has 16 career tackles. Starting MLB Jose Giguere posted 66 tackles and had 3 INT last year.. He joins Perez as one of the Defensive captains this season.



DB

*CB RS SR Frank Pounds (87)
*CB RS SR Nick Costanzo (89)
CB RS SR Jason Bulgara (89)
CB RS SR Xavier Michel (81)
CB (R) FR Onaje Onquasor (79)
CB (R) FR Eli Grimes (75)

*FS RS SR Shaq Booker (88)
*FS RS SR Ronnie Darliek (87)
FS (R) FR Max Michaud (79)
FS (R) FR Trevon Burfict (76)

*SS JR Greg Robinson (88)
SS RS JR Paul Schofield (84)
SS RS SR Paul Barnhardt (82)

Pounds led the team with 6 INT's last year and has recorded 10 over the past 3 seasons. Costanzo is a 3 year starter but has recorded just 5 career INT's.. but he also has only allowed 18 catches over 3 years showcasing QB's just don't like to throw his way. Bulgara will play some Dime back but his main role is Special teams where he showcases his 99 speed.

Shaq Booker joins Ronnie Darilek in the starting lineup after starting for 3 years at Marshall.. Darilek missed 6 weeks last year but still managed 34 tackles 4 TFL, 4.5 sacks and 2 INT and was actually in the voting for the "Best DB" in the nation at the end of the season.

Robinson returns for his 3rd season as the Buckeyes starter at SS. The former 5* is the 3rd Defensive Captain and posted 61 Tackles last year with 3 INT..

ST

PK SO Lamar Dugans (75)

P RS SR Isaiah Mangen (79)

KR- D. Lowe, O. Riggs
PR- J. Bulgara

Dugans made 10/14 FG's last season including a long of 54 yds. He was 85/86 on XPT.. Mangen has a career avg of 40.0 yds with a Net Avg of 36.2

Lowe has a kickoff return for a touchdowns (96 yds) and averaged 26.8 last year on 12 returns. He also has a Punt return for a TD (86 yds) averaging 14.8 yds on 9 returns.

Riggs buried on the depth chart at WR will try and make a impact as the other KR guy but OSU is loaded with speed.

Bulaga had 52 PR for 518 yds including a 65 yd return for a TD..

RECRUITING

Ohio Stat has a full 85 man roster for the first time since Coach Miller's arrival. The roster has 17 Seniors, 18 Juniors, 19 Soph's and a combo of 31 Freshman (Redshirted and Redshirting).

With several Juniors and even Redshirt Sophomore's capable of turning pro early, Miller and the staff plan on recruiting 20 scholarships this season with 15-17 targeted in-season and the other 3-5 targeted via the off-season/portal.

Miller

Quote:

"Of our 17 Seniors, 4 are on Offense (3-O-line) 12 are on Defense (7 DB's, 3 LB's) and our Punter. Our priority will be those positions.. We feel good about our QB/RB/WR rooms but that doesn't mean we will not go after some of the best players in the country at those positions. My focus this year is really guy's who have OSU as their #1 school.. With back to back #1 class's and a #2 last year I feel like this roster has a solid foundation to win for the next 3-4 years but we obviously have to keep working at it and not just expect top talent to want to come here because of who we are"