We have now passed the National Signing Day and all (except Bryce Brown) of the top high school prospects have committed (and signed letters of intent) to schools for next year. I’ve already broken down the offense for next year in my previous posts, so I’m going to shift gears and take a look at the defense. I’ll start it off by giving my comments and insight on what we will be seeing upfront on the defensive line.

At Defensive End:

Ø Lawrence Wilson, SR-RS – The 6-5 274-pound fifth-year senior has not completed either of the past two seasons due to injury. He broke his right leg in 2007 against Youngstown State, and tore his right ACL this past season against Ohio University. His name is consistently mentioned amongst the players expected to have “breakout seasons.” A prized recruit of the 2005 recruiting class from St. Vincent-St. Mary High School (home of King James), Wilson has the potential to be a first-day draft pick a year from now if he can stay healthy.

Ø Thaddeus Gibson, JR-RS – Gibson was converted to defensive end from outside linebacker last summer. His intensity on the field helped him to excel, but also caused him to miss tackles and make mistakes (penalties). With another offseason of grooming at the position, expect him to make a name for himself and establish himself as one of the premier pass rushers in college football. He is one of the more likely candidates to leave early for the NFL following next season.

Ø Rob Rose, SR – At 6-5 and 285 pounds, Rose isn’t your typical defensive end. Every year there is talk about whether he should slide inside to defensive tackle or remain at the end position. Size and strength are clearly not the reasons he hasn’t molded into a tackle, so the coaches must see something in his ability at defensive end that has yet to translate to the field. He has suffered nagging shoulder injuries, but I expect Rose to go out with a bang in his final year as Buckeye and possibly get a late round look from an NFL team willing to take a risk on a player with great potential.

Ø Nathan Williams, SO – Williams played well his first year on campus and was one of the more surprising first year players for the Buckeyes in 2008. He has the speed and strength to exceed at the defensive end position in the Big Ten. Though Gibson and Wilson are the anticipated starters, I would not be surprised to see Williams push them for playing time. There has also been talk of seeing him at the middle linebacker position as well.

Ø Keith Wells, FR-RS – At 6-5, Wells has the size to mold into a fantastic athlete at the position, but at just 210 pounds, he needs to add some weight before he can contribute consistently. He was a prized recruit coming out of high school because of his athleticism and long wingspan. After a year in our S&C program, he might add enough size to warrant some playing time next year.

Ø Willie Mobley, FR-RS – Mobley reinjured his shoulder early on in last year’s campaign and spent the season rehabbing. He was another big-time prospect out of high school, and might see the field some in passing downs if he can stay healthy next year.

Ø Melvin Fellows, FR – Fellows, the number three rated defensive end (according to Scout), stands 6-5 and weighs in at 245 pounds. He is an excellent pass rusher, but will need to work on his technique before he will see the playing field. I expect to see Fellows on the field early next season and possibly contributing a good deal of playing time once the season wraps up.

Ø Jonathan Newsome, FR – The signing of Newsome adds a second Glenville-native (Rob Rose) to our defensive end rotation. Newsome is a hybrid-DE/LB type of player (ala Bobby Carpenter). He will likely redshirt next year.