There aren’t too many college football programs that have has as much talent that’s come through the tunnel at almost every position group quite like Ohio State. Alabama comes to mind, but it’s hard to find another program that can keep up.
Last year, ESPN went through an exercise of identifying a Position U for every position on the football field and Ohio State was well represented. It was named Defensive Back U by the Worldwide Leader in Sports Programming and was in the top ten in numerous others.
Now, ESPN is re-visiting that list and we’re onboard the train. Here’s a look at every position group and where Ohio State lands according to ESPN staff writer David. M. Hale.
Next … Quarterback U
Ohio State’s rank in ESPN’s Quarterback U
1. Oklahoma
2. USC
3. Oregon
4. Louisville
5. Texas
6. Florida State
7. Auburn
8. Florida
9. LSU
10. Ohio State
What we say
Had you made this list a decade ago or so, it’s unlikely Ohio State would have made the top ten. However, it helps to have guys like Terrelle Pryor, Braxton Miller, J.T. Barrett, Dwayne Haskins, and Justin Fields rounding things out. And don’t look now, but there are more four and five-star signal-callers on their way. Look for Ohio State to move up this list — especially with Ryan Day in charge.
Next … Running Back U
Ohio State’s rank in ESPN’s Running Back U
1. Alabama
2. Wisconsin
3. LSU
4. Miami
5. Oklahoma
6. Auburn
7. Texas
8. Oregon
9. Georgia
10. Arkansas
What we say
It’s a bit surprising Ohio State is in the top ten here but that probably has more to do with the Buckeyes going away from the run-heavy offense of years past. The Buckeyes did come in just outside the top ten according to ESPN, but when you have guys like Beanie Wells, Carlos Hyde, Ezekiel Elliott, and J.K. Dobbins, you’d think that’d be enough to crack the top ten. But hey, this listing does only go from 1998 on, so I guess players like Eddie George and Archie Griffin don’t give OSU the bump needed to vault further up. Go historical and there’s no doubt this list looks a lot different.
Next … Wide Receiver U
Ohio State’s rank in ESPN’s Wide Receiver U
1. USC
2. Oklahoma
3. LSU
4. Ohio State
5. Florida State
6. Oklahoma State
7. Florida
8. Alabama
9. Notre Dame
10. Clemson
What we say
Again, many think of Ohio State as a tailback heavy program historically, but there have been some exceptional wide-receivers in the last twenty years or so. The first name that comes to mind is Michael Thomas, but others like Terry McLaurin are starting to make a splash. Just wait until some of these other highly rated prospects get on campus as well and forge their own path.
Next … Tight End U
Ohio State’s rank in ESPN’s Tight End U
1. Miami
2. Iowa
3. Stanford
4. Missouri
5. Notre Dame
6. Oklahoma
7. Wisconsin
8. Michigan
9. UCLA
10. Arizona State
What we say
This is by far the position group at Ohio State that just hasn’t had much production historically — not even in the last twenty years. Because of that, it’s no surprise the Buckeyes aren’t anywhere to be found in this group. Talent has been there a lot of times, but the scheme OSU runs just doesn’t seem to feature the tight end other than as an outlet valve, or in the blocking scheme.
Next … Offensive Line U
Ohio State’s rank in ESPN’s Offensive Line U
1. Alabama
2. Wisconsin
3. Oklahoma
4. Ohio State
5. Michigan
6. USC
7. Notre Dame
8. Georgia
9. Iowa
10. Florida State
What we say
It’s another top-five position group according to ESPN and it’s not hard to see why. There are offensive lineman littered throughout the NFL, even guys like Andrew Norwell who was an undrafted free agent that has developed into a very good starter with both Carolina and Jacksonville. This year’s O-line was expected to be one of the best in college football as well, with at least three more being potentially drafted in the 2021 NFL Draft.
Next … Defensive Line U
Ohio State’s rank in ESPN’s Defensive Line U
1. Florida State
2. Alabama
3. Ohio State
4. Clemson
5. Penn State
6. LSU
7. Texas
8. USC
9. Tennessee
10. Florida
What we say
There aren’t too many arguments against Florida State and Alabama being ahead of Ohio State at this point, but the Buckeyes are closing fast. With guys like Cameron Heyward, Nick and Joey Bosa, and Chase Young, there are some explosive guys quickly making a name for the Ohio State rushmen. And yeah, there’s more on the way.
Next … Linebacker U
Ohio State’s rank in ESPN’s Linebacker U
1. Georgia
2. Alabama
3. Ohio State
4. USC
5. Penn State
6. Oklahoma
7. Michigan
8. Miami
9. Clemson
10. Florida
What we say
I have to admit, I was a little surprised to see Ohio State so high on this list here, but then I remembered that guys like James Laurinaitis, A.J. Hawk, and Bobby Carpenter came through the program in the early 2000s, which covers this timeframe. Things have changed a lot with the position in recent years, but here’s hoping that we see things bump up again soon.
Next … Defensive Back U
Ohio State’s rank in ESPN’s Defensive Back U
1. Ohio State
2. LSU
3. Alabama
4. Florida
5. Miami
6. Florida State
7. Texas
8. Georgia
9. Virginia Tech
10. USC
What we say
Eat your heart out Florida and LSU. Those two like to argue about being DBU, but nobody holds a candle to Ohio State over the last twenty years. There are a slew of first-round draft picks, All-Americans, and NFL Pro-Bowlers to choose from. Just this past season, Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette added to the first-round tear the Buckeyes have been on lately. But don’t tell them that, they’d rather be known as BIA (Best In America).
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