Ohio State football: Five Buckeyes Primed To Disappoint in 2015

Nov 23, 2013; Columbus, OH, USA; Indiana Hoosiers quarterback Nate Sudfeld (7) runs the ball and is tackled by Ohio State Buckeyes defensive lineman Tommy Schutt (90) in the fourth quarter of the game at Ohio Stadium. Ohio State Buckeyes beat Indiana Hoosiers 42-14. Mandatory Credit: Trevor Ruszkowksi-USA TODAY Sports

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Tommy Schutt

Defensive Tackle, Senior

It’s not easy to replace such a valuable player like Michael Bennett, but that’s what Tommy Schutt will attempt to do in 2015. The fifth-year senior has really only been used as a rotational player in his time with the Buckeyes, mainly due to injury trouble, but Schutt seems to have it all together heading into his final season at Ohio State. He’s dropped some weight this offseason and if Schutt can stay relatively healthy, he’ll play an important role on what is expected to be the best defense in the nation.

That’s really a huge “if” for Schutt, though. Maintaining good health hasn’t been his forte, and his size (6’3, 290 pounds) doesn’t exactly do him any favors in terms of becoming one of the top defensive tackles. He has the skills to get the job done in 2015, but between an inability to stay healthy and the lack of size necessary to make a consistent impact on every down, it’s unlikely Schutt will live up to the lofty standards set by Bennett and the Buckeyes’ coaching staff.

Next: Cardale Jones