This is the third in a series of position group previews for the 2009 Buckeyes.The Ohio State defensive line will be taking the field in 2009 with something several of the other position units for the Buckeyes lack...significant game experience. The Bucks have nine of their top ten defensive linemen returning from last season, and the coaches will be relying on them to stabilize the defense while the young linebackers and a cornerback or two get their baptism under fire.
A defensive end rotation that could have as many as seven or eight different players seeing action looks like it could be one of the strengths of the team. Opposing coaches will have to figure out a way to slow down Thaddeus Gibson, Cameron Hayward, Lawrence Wilson and Nathan Williams as they try to disrupt the offense from the outside. Rob Rose and Solomon Thomas add quality depth to the defensive end group, and sophomore Keith Wells and redshirt freshman Willie Mobley will be looking for any opening to make an impact in their first game action. Incoming freshmen Melvin Fellows and Jonathan Newsome are both Cleveland kids with loads of potential.
On the inside at defensive tackle, the core group of Todd Denlinger, Dexter Larimore and Doug Worthington returns, having lost only Nader Abdallah from the foursome that manned the middle for the Bucks last year. Garrett Goebel comes off a redshirt year to back up the starting tackles, and two promising freshmen from northeast Ohio, Johnny Simon and Adam Bellamy will join the group in the fall.
OSU line coach Jim Heacock will often rotate some of his quicker defensive ends into the tackle spots in pass rushing situations to get more athleticism and speed onto the field. Heyward, Rose and Williams all saw action on the inside at times last year, and the emphasis on versatility and situational substitution will surely carry over to 2009.
