Ohio State Football: Why are former 4 star recruits being dominated?
One of the most disappointing situations with the Ohio State football team the last three games has been the lack of physical play at the line of scrimmage.
Watching the last three Ohio State football games should give fans cause for concern. The Buckeyes weren’t the more physical team in any game as the offensive and defensive lines were pushed around. You can include the linebackers in the mix as well.
With the way Urban Meyer has loaded those units in recent recruiting classes how is that even possible? Especially when the teams the Buckeyes have struggled against have few former 4 star recruits on their roster.
Before making those comparisons let’s look at key stats which show Ohio State hasn’t been playing tough, hard nose football of late.
A team that’s controlling controls the line of scrimmage is definitely playing physical football and rushing stats are a good indication if they are doing so. Let’s look at how the Buckeyes have performed running the football and stopping the run the last three games.
- Indiana: 21 rushes for 84 yards, 4.0 yards per carry
- OSU: 48-154 yards (2.9) and 1 touchdown
Even though the Buckeyes had more rushing yards, the average yards per carry was poor. Things didn’t get better against the Golden Gophers.
- Minnesota: 33-178 (5.4) and 2 touchdowns
- OSU: 32-99 (3.1)
Who would have thought the Boilermakers would have controlled the line of scrimmage the way they did?.
- Purdue: 29-161 (5.6) and t touchdowns
- OSU: 26-76 (3.0)
During the last two games the Buckeyes have allowed 169.5 yards per game (5.6 ypc) and 5 touchdowns while averaging 87.5 per game (3.1 ypc) and have failed to score on the ground.
That’s amazing when you consider how Urban Meyer has recruited elite players on the offensive and defensive lines as well as linebackers. Especially when you take into consideration the number of 4 star recruits on the teams that have pushed the Buckeyes around.
Take a look at these recruiting stats and you will see what I mean. Here are the number of 4 Star recruits Urban Meyer has landed in the three units discussed above from 2015-2018. I didn’t go back to the 2014 recruiting class because most of those players have moved on with Dante Booker and Demetrius Knox the only fifth year seniors remaining.
- Linebacker: 8
- Defensive line: 11
- Offensive line: 10
Now for the 5 star recruits:
- Linebacker: 2
- Defensive line: 2
- Offensive line: 1
Now for a look at the number of 4 star athletes who chose to play for Indiana, Minnesota and Purdue between 2014-2018.
Indiana
- 2014: Wide receiver Dominique Booth
- 2015: No 4 star recruits
- 2016: “
- 2017: “
- 2018: “
Minnesota
- 2014: Running back Jeff Jones
- 2915: No 4 star recruits
- 2016: LB Carter Coughlin
- 2017: No 4 star recruits
- 2018: Offensive linemen Curtis Dunlap and Daniel Faalele, wide receiver Rashod Bateman
Purdue
- 2014: No 4 star recruits
- 2015: “
- 2016: “
- 2017: “
- 2018: Wide receiver Rondale Moore
To put things into perspective, the Ohio State starting offensive line consists of as many former 4 star recruits than the Indiana, Minnesota and Purdue coaching staffs were able to reel in during the last five recruiting cycles.
So why aren’t the lines and linebackers imposing their will on opponents. I can only think of three reasons why they aren’t.
First, the players were overvalued as recruits. That’s not likely because that would mean recruiting experts, Urban Meyer and coaches from around the country who offered them scholarships were all wrong.
Second, they don’t have the desire to become elite football players. I doubt that because most have aspirations of playing in the NFL.
Third, coaching could be an issue?
The only way to develop an offensive line into being a physical one is by consistently running the ball between the tackles. That allows the big linemen to pin their ears back and put a defender on his back. That happened often when Tom Herman was the OC, but now it’s rare to see an inside run more than one time during a drive.
Outside runs are now the norm which requires finesse blocking. Inside runs require more man to man battles which offensive linemen love.
I think a steady diet of J.K Dobbins and Mike Weber running up the middle where the big guys can just bowl people over will change the dynamics in the Ohio State running game.
It has worked nearly every time it’s been tried.
Now for the front seven’s issues.
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The defensive ends are often rushing outside in which leaves gaping holes for running backs to run through. More bull rushes (a power technique) would allow the ends to help in slowing down opposing teams running game.
Linebackers appear to be worrying about their assignments so they are on their heels instead of their toes and aren’t flying to the ball. A linebacker who is thinking too much and not playing instinctively can be the difference between a running back being held to a short gain or taking off running.
When Luke Fickell was the linebackers coach/defensive coordinator the Silver Bullets’ front seven was always a strong suit for Ohio State and played like their hair was on fire. The same can’t be said for the front seven this year.
dark. Next. Is it time to panic in Columbus?
It is a head scratcher that with the talent on the lines and in the linebacker unit the Buckeyes aren’t playing more physical than they are. That had better change before the November stretch drive.