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Ohio State Football: 3 important position battles to watch

By Alex Austin

INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 07: Ryan Day the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches his team practice before the start of the BIG Ten Football Championship game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images)
INDIANAPOLIS, INDIANA - DECEMBER 07: Ryan Day the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes watches his team practice before the start of the BIG Ten Football Championship game against the Wisconsin Badgers at Lucas Oil Stadium on December 07, 2019 in Indianapolis, Indiana. (Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images) /
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Whoever starts at linebacker for the Ohio State Football team won’t have a lot of experience prior to doing so.Cfb Ohio State Buckeyes At Michigan State Spartans
Whoever starts at linebacker for the Ohio State Football team won’t have a lot of experience prior to doing so.Cfb Ohio State Buckeyes At Michigan State Spartans /

Replacing the three starting linebackers will be a challenge

Anytime an entire unit has to be replaced, the battle for starting spots will be fierce. All three of the starting linebackers for the Buckeyes last season (Tuf Borland, Pete Werner, and Baron Browning) have graduated and left the program which leaves a lot of productivity to be replaced.

Some players got time in reserve roles who seem more likely to start this year which the biggest being Teradja Mitchell. With the Buckeyes looking to go to a more Bullet friendly scheme, that leaves the middle linebacker position (Mike) still open for competition.

The two players vying for that spot are Dallas Gant and Cody Simon. Simon has had a strong spring and camp which are putting him slightly above the rest of the pack as the Buckeyes move forward. The biggest wrinkle could come when the NCAA makes a ruling about former USC transfer Palaie Gaoteote.

Gaoteote is awaiting a decision about if he can be considered for a scholarship for Ohio State or needs to play as a walk-on. The outcome could determine if he gets a shot to be on the starting roster. Stating multiple seasons at USC would give him a tremendous experience advantage that could push for playing time or a starting role.

Next. The Rushmen are coming. dark

All of the battles this Fall are important, but these are the three that are the biggest priority for the Buckeyes.

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