Ohio State Football: Time for offense to produce NFL ROTY
The Ohio State football team’s recent run of producing the NFL’s Defensive Rookie of the Year is well known as three Buckeyes have won the award recently.
Ohio State football players Joey Bosa, Marshon Lattimore and Nick Bosa have all been named the top defensive rookie since 2016. Next season might be a battle between Chase Young and Jeffrey Okudah as long as both stay healthy.
Not that Larry Johnson needs the accolades, but if Young ends up winning the 2020 award a parade should be held in his honor.
The offensive side of the ball has been in a drought since Eddie George took home Offensive Rookie of the Year in 1996. That is not a knock, llenty of Buckeyes were fantastic as rookies.
Compelling arguments can be made that Terry McAlaurin, Ezekiel Elliott and Michael Thomas were slighted by comparison to the actual winner in 2016 and 2019. Unfortunately, the drought is unlikely to end in 2020.
As good as J.K. Dobbins and K.J Hill are, the chances of either one winning the award are slim.
2021 is another story. This is the year where Ohio State’s offensive players have a legitimate shot at matching their defensive teammates.
Of course, this is predicated on a few guys leaving early.
At the top of the list is Justin Fields. He has all the tools to become an elite NFL quarterback. The progression he will make this season under Ryan Day will pay dividends as a rookie in 2021.
Fields will likely have stiff competition from Trevor Lawrence. If Fields doesn’t win it, Chris Olave might.
If there is one thing Buckeye Nation can bet on, it is the work that Olave is putting in this off-season to overcome the unlucky last play against Clemson.
He’s already a great receiver. His determination to become the best receiver will make him a Top 15 pick next April.
Working against Olave is that wide receivers usually don’t win the award. Odell Beckham, Jr. is the only one in the last 10 years.
The longshot is Jeremy Ruckert. A tight end has never won the award, but with the way versatile tight ends who play more like wide receivers are coveted I can see that changing.
Next. Last look at ‘Lost Class’ that found its way. dark
Ruckert is built just like Travis Kelce who was the fourth leading receiver last year. The Buckeye tight end is built for success in the NFL.