Ohio State Football: Five mid-season awards
By Ryan Stano
Ohio State football Defensive Player of the Year
This award was a little harder to give out. The defense was a mess for the first three games of the season but has gotten much better lately. They still have their problems, but they are finally starting to get on the right track. Haskell Garrett has been consistent throughout though.
Garrett has been the best player on the defense so far this year. It seems like whenever the Buckeyes have a tackle for loss in the backfield it’s because Garrett blew up the line of scrimmage. He is truly a handful to block and often gets double-teamed as a result.
Garrett was an All-American a year ago and is already playing better this season. He has 18 tackles, 3.5 sacks, and a fumble recovery for a touchdown. The man is simply a beast at the defensive tackle spot and is playing like he wants to be a first-round pick.
The Buckeyes need Garrett to be good more than any other player on the defensive side of the ball. He clogs up the middle of the field in the run game and pushes the pocket back in the passing game. His play has started to elevate since Matt Barnes took over play-calling as well.
The next award to give out has to deal with the best freshman the Buckeyes have had on the team so far this year, and it might not be who you expect.