Ohio State Football: Weighing losses, retention for 2020 season
On defense, the line will have a mountain to climb. But with budding superstar Zach Harrison leading the charge for a young but talented defensive line, Ohio State will still give quarterbacks fits.
Linebacker is where the Silver Bullets have the greatest retention with Baron Browning, Pete Werner and Tuf Borland all expected to come back. With the expertise of Al Washington coaching the LBs, offenses will find it difficult to get more than five yards, IF they get through the defensive line.
The defensive backfield, much like the line, has to replace highly talented players: Okudah, Fuller and Arnette left their mark at Ohio State by locking down opposing receivers and racking up the tackles and INTs.
Shaun Wade announced Sunday he will be back for another season, and he’ll be joined at CB by Amir Reip who showed flashes of greatness throughout his limited time in action.
Reip was forced to step in when Wade was ejected against Clemson, and did as much as could be expected against a team that was finally utilizing its incredible weapons on the edge. Safety Josh Proctor should also see improvement his junior season.
Next year, Reip will be able to work with Wade instead of replacing him, and Proctor will be getting the most reps at the free safety position.
In addition to the talent Ryan Day has returning he also has a top four recruiting class that could make an immediate impact.
One in particular is five-star WR Julian Fleming, who could see similar reps to Garrett Wilson’s 2019 production if he puts in the work in practice and the Scarlet and Gray Spring Game (which is just over three months away).
Next. How to move on to the 2020 season. dark
As the saying goes, Ryan Day‘s cupboard won’t be bare. Although there are some heavy losses on both sides of the ball, the 2020 Ohio State football team will be highly favored to return to the College Football Playoff and might have just enough to win it all.