Behind The Box Score

With Ohio State Football comes success, big victories and massive paychecks following collegiate careers. This upcoming 2009 season looks much the same as the Buckeyes feature a dual threat quarterback in Terrelle Pryor, a stockpile of talented running backs and receivers and a defensive line that could be one of the best in college football. With the big names come big expectations, but for Ohio State this year, there are a talented pool of skill players that will make an impact this season and here is the list of the top impact players unknown to the average fan.

5. Lamaar Thomas- A burning return specialist, Thomas was among the best in the Big Ten in kick return average and after a solid freshman season, the sophomore from Maryland looks to have an impact as a wide receiver. Having been heavily recruited out of high school, Thomas showed the signs of his potential last season after nearly breaking a few returns for touchdowns. If he can work on his receving skills a little more, we could see another Ted Ginn in the making real soon. Featuring solid pass catching skills and route running that will challenge opposing defenders, “Flash” as he is called could be the next great #7 to come out of Ohio State.

4. Brian Rolle- With a linebacking core showing great signs of youth and inexperience, Rolle, a native of Apokee, Florida, should fill in just fine for Marcus Freeman, who was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers. Rolle, an athletic backer who has shown the ability to hit very hard will use his 5’11″ 222 pound frame to lay licks on Buckeye opponents everywhere. With the injuries to Tyler Moeller and Ross Homan, Rolle will see plenty of action early on this year and his true test of courage will come against USC, a game the mentally ready Rolle has been circling on his calender all year.

3. Nathan Williams- Although undersized for his position, Williams should be very effective on the Buckeyes defensive line this season. Coming off a freshman season where Williams got to the quarterback quite often when he was in the game, #43 only adds depth to the Ohio State defensive line, a unit that got great pressure on opposing quarterbacks towards the end of last season along with stuffing the run. Similar to Mike Vrabel, Williams is a key component to a side of the line that will likely go unmentioned with the newfound emergence of Thaddeus Gibson. Similar to the line of 2002, the front four hope to improve even more and lead the Buckeyes to a national championship.

2. Jermale  Hines- Hines, a graduate of Cleveland’s Glenvile High School, is a converted linebacker who was used in nickle coverage last season. Emerging as a play maker in the Michigan State matchup, Hines returned a fumble for a touchdown, only showing his potential. With the departure of Malcolm Jenkins, the Ohio State secondary is fair game and Hines has proved his worth on the field. Determination is one of his strong suits and with his play last season, Hines could become the next Donte Whitner, a first round draft pick of the Buffalo Bills who had the hard hitting ability similar to Hines and the interesting thing is this, they both came from Glenville.

1. Jaamal Berry-After rushing for over 5,000 yards and leading the Buckeyes to three BCS bowl games, Beanie Wells is off to the NFL where he hopes to continue his prestigous career. Back in Columbus, the running back spot is wide open and coach Jim Tressel hopes to use a trio of backs including Boom Herron, Brandon Saine and Berry. Berry, a graduate of Palmetto High School in Miami, is an explosive runner who has speed to kill, power to run through walls and game breaking ability even Devin Hester would be jealous of. Berry is only a freshman but has already made an impact on campus, moving up the depth chart and being apart of many formations. With Terrelle Pryor running an explosive offense, Berry should contribute very much this season, as Ohio State is done with the power back and now has three that can get it done. With 4.3 speed and a 215 pound frame, look for Jamaal to produce this season and I predict over 500 yards and seven touchdowns from the Under Armour All-American. If #4 can flash the aformentioned ability agains the Trojans of USC, we could see the true freshman move up to the top of the depth chart, something no running back has done since Maurice Clarett, a similar runner who rushed for 1,200 yards in 2002. With the departure of Wells rocking the headlines, Berry has somewhat sneaked behind the scenes and the results will show on the field this season. Ohio State has always had talented teams but this season is unlike any other, and the presence of a talented back like Berry should only add to the success the Buckeyes will have on the field.