Ohio State football
2019 season preview
Kyle Robertson/Dispatch
Despite what most would consider to be a successful 2018 season — a 13-1 record with victories over rivals Michigan and Penn State and a Rose Bowl win over Washington — many Ohio State fans were disappointed that the Buckeyes did not make the College Football Playoff. A year later, OSU hopes a new quarterback and a new head coach will lead the Buckeyes to their first national championship since 2014.
Jeff Okudah
JUNIOR CORNERBACK
No. 1
Hometown: Grand Prairie, Texas.
Size: 6 foot 1, 200 pounds
2018 statistics: 13 games, one start; 26 unassisted tackles, eight assists; one fumble recovery, eight pass breakups
2019 outlook: Okudah has all the ingredients to become the next great Ohio State cornerback to leave early for the NFL. He has size, speed and instincts and should benefit from the new scheme that includes zone coverage.
Justin Fields
SOPHOMORE QUARTERBACK
No. 1
Hometown: Kennesaw, Georgia.
Size: 6 foot 3, 223 pounds
2018 statistics (at Georgia): 12 games, no starts; 27 of 39 passing for 328 yards and four touchdowns, no interceptions; 42 rushes for 266 yards (6.3 average), four TDs
2019 outlook: It’s not a stretch to say that as Fields goes, so goes Ohio State. If the former No. 2 overall recruit in the 2018 class progresses quickly, the Buckeyes could be playoff-bound. But how big will the growing pains be?
J.K. Dobbins
JUNIOR RUNNING BACK
No. 2
Hometown: La Grange, Texas.
Size: 5 foot 10, 217 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, 12 starts; 230 carries, 1,053 yards rushing, 4.6 yards per carry; 23 receptions, 148 yards; 13 total touchdowns
2019 outlook: After what he called a “failure” of a 2018 season, Dobbins says he wants to show he’s the best running back in college football. He has the talent to make his case.
Chase Young
JUNIOR DEFENSIVE END
No. 2
Hometown: Hyattsville, Maryland.
Size: 6 foot 5, 265 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, 11 starts; 25 unassisted tackles, nine assists, 15.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, five pass breakups
2019 outlook: Young is the headliner on OSU’s defense. He often played in Nick Bosa’s shadow, but the spotlight is his now. Young has everything to be a dominant player — size, quickness, technique and relentlessness.
Damon Arnette
SENIOR CORNERBACK
No. 3
Hometown: Fort Lauderdale, Fla.
Size: 6 foot, 195 pounds
2018 statistics: 13 games, all starts; 31 unassisted tackles, nine assists; one interception, seven pass breakups
2019 outlook: After flirting with the NFL, Arnette chose to return to school and is intent on flourishing in the Buckeyes’ new scheme. He and Jeff Okudah need to be the foundation of OSU’s pass coverage.
Jordan Fuller
SENIOR SAFETY
No. 4
Hometown: Old Tappan, New Jersey.
Size: 6 foot 2, 205 pounds
2018 statistics: 13 games, all starts; 61 unassisted tackles, 20 assists, 2.5 tackles for loss; one interception, five pass breakups, two fumble recoveries
2019 outlook: The leader of the secondary appears fully recovered from an unspecified injury that kept him out in the spring. He’s an intelligent, responsible person and that translates onto the field. Should be an all-Big Ten player.
Baron Browning
JUNIOR LINEBACKER
No. 5
Hometown: Fort Worth, Texas.
Size: 6 foot 3, 248 pounds
2018 statistics: 12 games, three starts; 12 unassisted tackles, 11 assists, 3.5 tackles for loss, one sack
2019 outlook: Browning was a five-star recruit but didn’t solidify the job when he got his chance filling in for injured Tuf Borland at middle linebacker last year. Now he must battle Borland and Teradja Mitchell for that job, though he has the raw talent to play outside as well.
Taron Vincent
SOPHOMORE DEFENSIVE TACKLE
No. 6
Hometown: Baltimore, Maryland.
Size: 6 foot 2, 293 pounds
2018 statistics: 10 games, with no starts; two unassisted tackles, one assist, one tackle for loss, one sack
2019 outlook: Vincent is one of several promising interior linemen who should have a more prominent role this season. The sophomore was a five-star recruit and has all the tools to be an impact player.
Teradja Mitchell
SOPHOMORE LINEBACKER
No. 7
Hometown: Virginia Beach, Virginia.
Size: 6 foot 2, 242 pounds
2018 statistics: 10 games, no starts; no tackles
2019 outlook: Coaches and players rave about Mitchell’s potential. He has speed and instincts, but must beat out incumbent Tuf Borland at middle linebacker and also fend off Baron Browning.
Jashon Cornell
GRADUATED SENIOR DEFENSIVE TACKLE
No. 9
Hometown: St. Paul, Minnesota.
Size: 6 foot 3, 285 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, one start; nine unassisted tackles, six assists, two tackles for loss, one sack
2019 outlook: After bouncing from end to tackle, Cornell is looking to find a home as a 3-technique tackle. He has been a role player, but he has the talent to make his final year a breakout one.
Binjimin Victor
SENIOR RECEIVER
No. 9
Hometown: Pompano Beach, Florida.
Size: 6 foot 4, 199 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, one start; 21 receptions, 354 yards (16.9 average), four touchdowns
2019 outlook: Long touted as the OSU receiver with the most potential, the time is now for him to deliver. His dazzling catch and run against Penn State last year showcased his talent. How often can he show it?
Austin Mack
SENIOR RECEIVER
No. 11
Hometown: Fort Wayne, Indiana.
Size: 6 foot 2, 215 pounds
2018 statistics: Eight games, all starts; 26 receptions, 331 yards (12.7 average), one touchdown
2019 outlook: Injuries and inconsistency have held back Mack, but he also has made clutch catches and is embracing his role as a senior leader.
Tyreke Smith
SOPHOMORE DEFENIVE END
No. 11
Hometown: Cleveland.
Size: 6 foot 4, 267 pounds
2018 statistics: 13 games, no starts; one unassisted tackle, eight assists
2019 outlook: He showed flashes of pass-rush ability last season and could have a larger role this year.
Gunnar Hoak
TRANSFER QUARTERBACK
No. 12
Hometown: Dublin (Coffman H.S.)
Size: 6 foot 4, 212 pounds
2018 statistics(at Kentucky): b>five games, no starts; 13 of 26 passing for 167 yards and two touchdowns, no interceptions
2019 outlook: He wasn’t expected to beat out Justin Fields and didn’t. Now Hoak has to learn the system well enough to be a dependable backup if called upon.
Rashod Berry
SENIOR TIGHT END
No. 13
Hometown: Lorain, Ohio.
Size: 6 foot 4, 255 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, four starts; nine receptions, 78 yards (8.7 per catch), two touchdowns
2019 outlook: Berry found a home on offense after bouncing back and forth from defensive end. He’s still somewhat raw but has elite athleticism.
K.J. Hill
SENIOR RECEIVER
No. 14
Hometown: Little Rock, Arkansas.
Size: 6 foot, 195 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, no starts; 70 receptions, 885 yards (12.6 average), six touchdowns; 14 punt returns, 76 yards (5.4 average)
2019 outlook: Barring injury, he’ll almost certainly become OSU’s career leader in receptions. He’s a jack-of-all-trades receiver with superb hands and good moves in the open field.
Chris Olave
SOPHOMORE RECEIVER
No. 17
Hometown: San Marcos, California.
Size: 6 foot 1, 185 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, no starts; 12 receptions, 197 yards (16.4 average), three touchdowns; one blocked punt
2019 outlook: The unheralded recruit exploded late last season. Olave has excellent hands and is a smooth route-runner. Look for him to put up big numbers.
Jonathan Cooper
SENIOR DEFENSIVE END
No. 18
Hometown: Gahanna, Ohio.
Size: 6 foot 4, 257 pounds
2018 statistics: 13 games, all starts; 14 unassisted tackles, 11 assists, 6.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, one fumble recovery
2019 outlook: Cooper has always been relentless, but not always efficient. In his final season, he wants to put it all together. If his technique matches his effort, that can happen.
Pete Werner
JUNIOR LINEBACKER
No. 20
Hometown: Indianapolis
Size: 6 foot 3, 239 pounds Junior linebacker; No. 20. Hometown: Indianapolis. Size: 6 feet 3, 239 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, 13 starts; 38 unassisted tackles, 20 assists, 7.5 tackles for loss, three sacks; two forced fumbles, seven pass breakups.
2019 outlook: Werner had his ups and downs last year but he has earned raves from coaches this year. He’s making a strong bid to retain his starting spot as “Sam” linebacker.
Shaun Wade
REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE DEFENSIVE BACK
No. 24
Hometown: Jacksonville, Fla.
Size: 6 foot 1, 194 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, two starts; 27 unassisted tackles, four assists; one forced fumble, three interceptions, 10 pass breakups
2019 outlook: A natural playmaker, Wade should see an expanded role this year. He could be the nickel cornerback as well as have a role as a safety.
Brendon White
JUNIOR SAFETY
No. 25
Hometown: Powell (Olentangy Liberty H.S.)
Size: 6 foot 2, 215 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, five starts; 27 unassisted tackles, 19 assists, four tackles for loss; one interception, two pass breakup
2019 outlook: After emerging as an impact safety the second half of last year, White is taking over the “bullet” position, a linebacker/safety hybrid.
Demario McCall
JUNIOR RUNNING BACK
No. 30
Hometown: North Ridgeville, Ohio.
Size: 5 foot 9, 195 pounds
2018 statistics: Eight games, no starts; eight carries, 50 yards rushing; nine receptions, 110 yards; three punt returns, 32 yards; 10 kickoff returns, 195 yards
2019 outlook: McCall’s speed and elusiveness make him a big-play threat, but injuries and inconsistency has kept him from having a major role in the offense. The opportunity is there this year.
Tuf Borland
JUNIOR LINEBACKER
No. 32
Hometown: Bolingbrook, Ill.
Size: 6 foot 1, 232 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, 11 starts; 25 unassisted tackles, nine assists, 15.5 tackles for loss, 10.5 sacks, two forced fumbles, five pass breakups
2019 outlook: Young is the headliner on OSU’s defense. He often played in Nick Bosa’s shadow, but the spotlight is his now. Young has everything to be a dominant player — size, quickness, technique and relentlessness.
Master Teague III
REDSHIRT FRESHMAN RUNNING BACK
No. 33
Hometown: Murfeesboro, Tenn.
Size: 5 foot 11, 220 pounds
2018 statistics: Seven games, no starts; 17 carries, 106 yards rushing, 6.2 yards per carry, one touchdown
2019 outlook: Teague was expected to be Dobbins’ backup, but a lingering injury has jeopardized that. When healthy, he’s a powerful runner with surprising speed.
Malik Harrison
SENIOR LINEBACKER
No. 39
Hometown: Columbus (Walnut Ridge H.S.)
Size: 6 foot 3, 240 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, 10 starts; 33 unassisted tackles, 34 assists, nine tackles for loss, three sacks; two forced fumbles, one pass breakup
2019 outlook: Harrison is the one linebacker who's secure in his job after a breakout junior year. Blessed with size and speed, Harrison should be an all-Big Ten-caliber player.
Wyatt Davis
REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE GUARD
No. 52
Hometown: Bellflower, Calif.
Size: 6 foot 4, 131 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, two starts.
2019 outlook: He looked at home at right guard after replacing the injured Demetrius Knox the final two games last season. Davis has always had the brains and the talent to be a star; now he’s mastering the technique of his position.
Davon Hamilton
SENIOR DEFENSIVE TACKLE
No. 53
Hometown: Pickerington, Ohio.
Size: 6 foot 4, 310 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, with three starts; eight unassisted tackles, eight assists, 3.5 tackles for loss
2019 outlook: He plays a position that is more grunt work than glory, but Hamilton could be poised to have a big year. He has the size to handle double teams and adds quickness that should make him a force in the Buckeyes’ aggressive scheme.
Joshua Alabi
SENIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
No. 59
Hometown: Detroit.
Size: 6 foot 5, 305 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, one start.
2019 outlook: Alabi, who filled in admirably for Thayer Munford in the Rose Bowl, will be at worst a valuable backup at tackle.
Robert Landers
SENIOR DEFENSIVE TACKLE
No. 67
Hometown: Dayton.
Size: 6 foot 1, 285 pounds
2018 statistics: 12 games, nine starts; 12 unassisted tackles, 10 assists, five tackles for loss, one sack
2019 outlook: Landers’ short stature and quickness gives offensive linemen fits. He’ll be a key part of the rotation at nose guard.
Josh Myers
REDSHIRT SOPHOMORE CENTER
No. 71
Hometown: Miamisburg, Ohio.
Size: 6 foot 5, 310 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, no starts
2019 outlook: A converted guard, Myers looks poised for a breakout season as the starting center. He’s a powerful run blocker and has made strides in pass-blocking after doing little of that in a wing-T offense in high school.
Tommy Togiai
SOPHOMORE DEFENSIVE TACKLE
No. 72
Hometown: Pocatello, Idaho.
Size: 6 foot 2, 300 pounds
2018 statistics: 12 games, no starts; seven unassisted tackles, three assists, two tackles for loss
2019 outlook: Unanimously regarded as the strongest player on the team, Togiai will join Robert Landers and Davon Hamilton to form a potent trio at nose guard.
Jonah Jackson
GRADUATE TRANSFER SENIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
No. 73
Hometown: Media, Pa.
Size: 6 foot 4, 305 pounds
2018 statistics (at Rutgers): 12 games, 11 starts
2019 outlook: Jackson has made a smooth transition from Rutgers and is expected to start — and star — at left guard.
Thayer Munford
JUNIOR OFFENSIVE TACKLE
No. 75
Hometown: Cincinnati.
Size: 6 foot 6, 310 pounds
2018 statistics: 13 games, all starts
2019 outlook: If his surgically repaired back holds up, Munford should anchor the line at left tackle as the Buckeyes’ only returning starting lineman from 2018.
Branden Bowen
SENIOR OFFENSIVE LINEMAN
No. 76
Hometown: Draper, Utah.
Size: 6 foot 7, 315 pounds
2018 statistics: no games (injured)
2019 outlook: The starter at right guard in 2017 before breaking two bones in his leg, Bowen has made a strong, if belated, recovery and is battling Nicholas Petit-Frere at right tackle.
C.J. Saunders
SENIOR RECEIVER
No. 80
Hometown: Dublin (Coffman H.S.)
Size: 5 foot 10, 190 pounds
2018 statistics: 11 games, no starts; 10 receptions, 73 yards (7.3 per catch); eight punt returns, 50 yards (6.2 average)
2019 outlook: The former walk-on was voted a captain by his teammates. Saunders could become a valuable possession receiver.
Jeremy Ruckert
SOPHOMORE TIGHT END
No. 88
Hometown: Lindenhurst, N.Y.
Size: 6 foot 5, 250 pounds
2018 statistics: 12 games, no starts; one reception, 13 yards
2019 outlook: If the Buckeyes finally make the tight end a significant part of its passing game, Ruckert likely will fill that role. He is a gifted receiver who has improved as a blocker but will have to overtake veterans for playing time.
Luke Farrell
JUNIOR TIGHT END
No. 89
Hometown: Perry, Ohio.
Size: 6 foot 6, 250 pounds
2018 statistics: 13 games, no starts; 20 receptions, 205 yards (10.3 per catch), one touchdown
2019 outlook: The likely starter at a stacked and experienced position is solid at all phases. He isn’t an athlete like Rashod Berry nor has the pass-catching potential of Jeremy Ruckert, but Farrell has proven to be dependable.
Drew Chrisman
JUNIOR PUNTER
No. 91
Hometown: Cincinnati.
Size: 6 foot 3, 220 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, 61 punts, 2,636 yards (43.2-yard average), 29 inside 20-yard line
2019 outlook: More famous for his bottle-flipping exploits, Chrisman is pretty good at field-position-flipping as well. He has developed into a bona fide weapon for the Buckeyes.
Blake Haubeil
JUNIOR KICKER
No. 95
Hometown: Buffalo, N.Y.
Size: 6 foot 3, 230 pounds
2018 statistics: 14 games, 10 of 13 field goals (76.9 percent); 37 of 37 PATs; 67 points
2019 outlook: With Sean Nuernberger’s departure, the job is fully Haubeil’s now and he has the strong leg to be a difference-maker.
Game 1 | Florida Atlantic
Essentials: Noon Saturday, Ohio Stadium (TV: Fox)
The skinny: The 2019 opener will mark the first meeting between the schools but the Buckeyes’ 13th game all-time against a team from Florida. OSU is 5-7 versus the Sunshine State, including a combined 0-5 against Florida and Florida State. Ohio State has won three of five games against Miami and is 1-0 against Central Florida and Florida A&M. Among teams in Football Bowl Subdivision, the Buckeyes have yet to meet Florida International and South Florida.
Game 2 | Cincinnati
Essentials: Noon Sept. 7, Ohio Stadium (TV: ABC)
The skinny: It will be old home week for third-year Cincinnati coach Luke Fickell, a Columbus native who was a former Ohio State player, assistant coach and interim head coach, in 2011 after Jim Tressel’s resignation. Fickell will become the fifth former OSU coach to lead a different team against the Buckeyes, and the first since Sam Willaman’s Western Reserve team was stomped 76-0 in 1934. Edwin Sweetland, Howard Jones and John R. Richards also switched sidelines against Ohio State.
Game 3 | Indiana
Essentials: Noon Sept. 14, Bloomington, Ind. (TV: Fox)
The skinny: Of Ohio State’s 923 career wins (counting the 12 “vacated” in 2010), a full 75 of them, or 8.1%, have come at the expense of Indiana. The Buckeyes have 50-plus career wins against four other Big Ten teams — Illinois (69), Northwestern (62), Wisconsin (59) and Michigan (51). In terms of winning percentage among longtime conference opponents, the Buckeyes’ .842 winning clip vs. Indiana is second to the .867 mark (46-7) against Minnesota.
Game 4 | Miami University
Essentials: Time TBA Sept. 21, Ohio Stadium (TV: BTN)
The skinny: From November 1934 until September 1992, Ohio State played 562 games — but none against another in-state team. Since then, the Buckeyes have played 27 times against in-state opponents and won them all, including victories over Miami in 2000 (27-16), 2005 (34-14) and 2012 (56-10). Miami’s margin of defeat of 25.7 points is less than OSU’s average in-state victory margin of 28.5 points. Only three of the 27 games were decided by one score.
Game 5 | Nebraska
Essentials: Time TBA Sept. 28, Lincoln, Neb. (TV: TBA)
The skinny: Nebraska’s 2018 record under first-year coach Scott Frost was the same 4-8 that the Cornhuskers suffered through in Mike Riley’s final season of 2017. So why are fans smiling? Well, Michigan was the only team to dominate Nebraska last season, a 56-10 defeat in game 3 of an 0-6 start. The Huskers finished 4-2, including a five-point loss to Ohio State, a three-point loss to Iowa and wins over bowl teams Minnesota and Michigan State.
Game 6 | Michigan State
Essentials: 7:30 p.m. Oct. 5, Ohio Stadium (TV: ABC or ESPN)
The skinny: Offense is the name of the game in college football — except in East Lansing, where it enjoys witness protection. Michigan State placed in the bottom 3.5% among 130 FBS schools in scoring offense in 2018, averaging a meager 18.7 points per game. Since 2014, when the Spartans averaged 43 points and lost to only national champion Ohio State and runner-up Oregon, MSU has ranked 60th, 105th, 96th and 126th nationally in scoring offense.
Game 7 | Northwestern
Essentials: 8:30 p.m. Oct. 18, Evanston, Ill. (TV: FS1)
The skinny: Hue and cry be damned, the Ohio State-Northwestern game will be played on a Friday at the Big Ten’s behest. It will mark OSU’s first regular-season game on a Friday, but not its first TGIF game. The Buckeyes are 7-5 in bowls played on Fridays, including the good (double-overtime win against Miami in the 2003 Fiesta Bowl), the bad (1971 Rose Bowl loss to Stanford) and the ugly (Woody Hayes’ punch in the 1978 Gator Bowl).
Game 8 | Wisconsin
Essentials: Time TBA Oct. 26, Ohio Stadium (TV: TBA)
The skinny: There was a time when a matchup against Wisconsin meant easy pickings for Ohio State, but those days are buried in microfilm. Woody Hayes’ teams went 25-1-2 against Wisconsin but subsequent coaches Earle Bruce (4-5), John Cooper (8-2-1) and Jim Tressel (4-4) discovered the Badgers were a tough out. Urban Meyer’s OSU teams went 5-0 against Wisconsin — a 59-0 thrashing in the 2014 Big Ten championship and four games decided by a touchdown or less.
Game 9 | Maryland
Essentials: Time TBA Nov. 9, Ohio Stadium (TV: TBA)
The skinny: Maryland football seems to be at something of a crossroads. The Terrapins enter their sixth season in the Big Ten with their fifth head coach in that span, counting current coach Mike Locksley twice after he served as interim coach following Randy Edsall’s firing midway through the 2015 season. Maryland has only two winning seasons since 2010 (both 7-6) and has gone 15 years without reaching 10 wins. Former Alabama offensive coordinator Locksley offers hope.
Game 10 | Rutgers
Essentials: Time TBA Nov. 16, Piscataway, N.J. (TV: TBA)
The skinny: The death-and-taxes nature of Ohio State’s series with Rutgers is no mirage. The Buckeyes are Big Ten kings; the Scarlet Knights are the paupers following the king’s horses with shovels. OSU’s margin of victory in five meetings is 48.8 points, including an average of 38-1 in the middle quarters, when the depth advantage reveals itself. Recently graduated kicker Sean Nuernberger had 26 career points against Rutgers, one fewer than the Knights have scored against OSU.
Game 11 | Penn State
Essentials: Time TBA Nov. 23, Ohio Stadium (TV: TBA)
The skinny: Ohio State’s 27-26 win over Penn State last season marked the first time in school history that the Buckeyes had played one-point games against the same opponent in consecutive seasons. OSU beat the Nittany Lions 39-38 the year before. Remarkably, OSU went 6-0 in one-point games under Urban Meyer, including two wins each against Penn State and Michigan State (17-16 in 2012 and ’16) and one each over Michigan (42-41 in 2013) and Maryland (52-51 last year).
Game 12 | Michigan
Essentials: Noon Nov. 30, Ann Arbor, Mich. (TV: Fox)
The skinny: Ohio State and Michigan never combined for more points in a game than the 101 they put up last Nov. 24, and the Buckeyes’ total in the 62-39 victory was 12 more than they had ever scored against UM. But statistics show that these aren’t the old days: In the past six years, OSU has averaged 41.5 points against the Wolverines; in six games from 1976-81, Ohio State totaled 44 points against Michigan — and still won twice.