Photo courtesy jwinslow.com

IT’S GAME WEEK! - Which means it’s time to announce the remaining players on my list of Top 25 Buckeyes of 2009. I would like to preface this final installment by saying I have amazed myself in making this list. Despite creating this list less than 25 days ago, if I remade the list again today, it would look quite a bit different. With that being said, without further adieu, I present to you the top Buckeyes of this season.

#10 Etienne Sabino, SO, OLB

Sabino is currently listed in the two -deep on the depth chart for the Navy game, but I still believe he is the second best linebacker (see #9 for the best) on this team. In my humble opinion, it is only a matter of time before Sabino swipes one of the starting jobs. My prediction: Sabino is the starter at strongside linebacker (replacing Spitler) by week 5 in Bloomington.

#9 Ross Homan, JR, OLB

Homan is the best linebacker on this year’s defense. He has an eye for the ball and has all the talent in the world. I expect him to lead the team in tackles in 2009. (On a side note: Ross’s younger brother Adam, a freshman this year, is battling for the starting job at fullback. Zach Boren - the freshman brother of starting guard Justin - is currently listed as the starter, but the competition is not over.)

#8 DeVier Posey, SO, WR

DeVier will lead the team in receptions this season. DeVier will lead the team in receiving yardage this year. DeVier will lead the team in touchdown catches this fall. DeVier is one of the top 5 most talented split ends to ever come through the Ohio State program. DeVier has the coolest name on the 2009 team.

#7 Mike Brewster, SO, C

Brew is the leader of the offensive line and one of the leaders of the team. I believe wholeheartedly that he is the reason Terrelle Pryor is wearing scarlet and gray right now. Mike helped bring in some fantastic athletes in the 2008 recruiting class (Posey, Stoneburner, Shugarts, Adams, Williams, Sweat, Goebel, Thomas, Sabino - to name a few). Buckeye fans should be thankful the staff landed this talented lineman, because not only will he anchor the Buckeye line for the next three seasons, but he was an invaluable recruiting tool.

#6 Cameron Heyward, JR, DE

Heyward has been a steady part of the defensive line for the past two seasons. He surprised many with his contributions in his first year on campus, and he continued to impress with a strong showing in 2008. I expect big things out of Cam this year. He knows the system and he provides excellent run support to a team that has struggled in that area in recent memory.

#5 Dan “Boom” Herron, SO, HB

From Beanie to Boom! Herron looked strong as a redshirt freshman last season. He backed up one of the all-time greatest Buckeyes in Chris Wells, but still posted over 400 yards and visited the end-zone 6 times last season. I think Boom will surprise some people this season. I expect 1,200 yards and 10+ TDs out of him en route to earning my nomination for ‘Breakout Player of the Year.’

#4 Justin Boren, JR, OG

Justin Boren is just plain nasty! He is exactly what this offensive line needed. Justin brings an attitude that hasn’t been seen on a Buckeye line in many years. Not only is he is far and away the most well-rounded and most talented lineman on the roster, but he is the clear cut leader of the ‘big uglies.’ Buckeye fans: Thank Mr. Rodriguez for scaring away the best lineman in the Big 10 from that team up north back to his home in Columbus!

#3 Thaddeus Gibson, JR, DE

Gibson is an absolute terror at the defensive end “Leo” position. He plays in a strikingly similar way to recent Buckeye Vernon Gholston. Thad passes the ‘look test’ just as well as Vernon did in his Buckeye days. He is covered with tattoos, and when he steps onto the football field, I challenge you (or your biggest friend) to try to wipe the grimaced look of determination off his face.

#2 Kurt Coleman, SR, SS

Coleman is the leader of an experience Buckeye defense. He (along with Spitler and Worthington) was named one of the three captains for 2009. Kurt has been adorned with all sorts of preseason honors, and I expect him to live up to every ounce of the hype. He may be undersized as a safety in the NFL, but that doesn’t matter right now. What does matter is that he is the most talented player on this defense and I guarantee you he will make several game-changing plays in 2009.

#1 Terrelle Pryor, SO, QB

I thought about saving my final pick until game day, but I realized you probably could guess it by now (as if you couldn’t have guessed long ago). Pryor carries a lot of weight on his shoulders this season (and I’m not just referring to the 20 pounds of muscle he added in the offseason). A lot of where the Buckeyes will end up in 2009 depends on this young man. He is capable of living up to the hype (as he proved last season), but certain parts of his game remain to be seen. I am still unsure of his throwing mechanics, passing accuracy, and decision-making. That being said, one thing I am sure of is that there are thousands of Buckeye fans counting on #2 in 2009!

And with that, I conclude my final installment of the Top 25 Buckeyes of 2009. Like I said, if I remade this list tonight, I would likely shuffle around quite a few players, but I would probably still go with the same Top 10.

We will all find out how accurate this list is soon, as the Buckeyes kick off the season as Navy visits the ‘Shoe this Saturday at noon. Before the game on Saturday, I will share with you my thoughts on the recently released first fall depth chart.

Until then, Go Buckeyes!

ThunderBuck

Comments (2)

Name

Email

Website

Title

Comment

smaller | bigger

Subscribe via email (registered users only)

Add Comment