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Ohio State Football: DE unit could be the best yet

By Charlie Lockhart

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 01: Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes chases down Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats in in the third quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 01, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 01: Chase Young #2 of the Ohio State Buckeyes chases down Clayton Thorson #18 of the Northwestern Wildcats in in the third quarter at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 01, 2018 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Joe Robbins/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 24: Jonathon Cooper #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drags down quarterback Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines behind the line of scrimmage on a two-point conversion attempt in the second quarter at Ohio Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Michigan 62-39. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 24: Jonathon Cooper #18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes drags down quarterback Shea Patterson #2 of the Michigan Wolverines behind the line of scrimmage on a two-point conversion attempt in the second quarter at Ohio Stadium on November 24, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Michigan 62-39. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Once again I will compare a unit on this year’s Ohio State football team to one prior to the 2014 season. When it comes to the DE unit it’s not close.

Before Urban Meyer retired left the building he loaded up the Ohio State defensive end unit to the point this group could be the best in the country.

I have been looking at units on this year’s Ohio State team and comparing them to ones on the 2014 National Championship team as things stood prior to the season. I have looked at the offense so now let’s go to the other side of the ball.

I will begin the defensive ends. This matchup isn’t even a contest.

Going into the 2014 season everybody expected Joey Bosa to be spectacular as he was a Freshman All-American in 2013. After that there were question marks.

On the side of the line there was DE Steve Miller had yet to perform to expectations many had for the former four-star DE. Rashad Frazier had seen little playing time.

As far as depth, there wasn’t much. Four-star recruit Jalyn Homes and redshirt freshman Tyquon Lewis was about all Larry Johnson had to work with.

Joey Bosa was named Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year and was a first team All American. His supporting cast performed well and they formed a terrific unit. But would you have thought that would be the case at the beginning of the season?

It’s a different story this year. Most are expecting Chase Young to be a high draft pick after his junior season just like the Bosa brothers. And why not, Young had 13.5 tackles for loss and 9,5 sacks last season.

Jonathon Cooper was buried in the depth chart until last season when he had 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks. Remember Cooper was ranked as the 3rd best weakside defensive end in the 2016 class. If he has a breakout year as a senior he and Young could be quite a combo coming off the edge.

Cooper had better perform well with the young guys who will be breathing down his neck.

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