Blake's Back: Updated 2023 Depth Chart
Don't care if you didn't want it. Don't care if you didn't need it. Don't care if you don't agree with it. BLAKE CORUM IS BACK...and I've never been so excited to add a name back.
Chart? No. DEPTH Chart.
QB: J.J. McCarthy
2. Davis Warren
3. Jack Tuttle
4. Alex Orji
5. Jayden Denegal / Brandon Mann
7. Kendrick Bell
RB: Blake Corum 😁
2. Donovan Edwards
3. CJ Stokes / Kaleel Mullings
5. Cole Cabana / Isaiah Gash
7. Tavierre Dunlap
8. Leon Franklin
9. Benjamin Hall
RB/WR: Donovan Edwards
2. Cole Cabana
WR: Roman Wilson
2. Amorion Walker
3. Karmello English
4. Fredrick Moore
WR: Cornelius Johnson
2. Darrius Clemons
3. Cristian Dixon
SLOT: A.J. Henning / Tyler Morris
3. Semaj Morgan
4. Eamonn Dennis
H-BACK: Max Bredeson
TE: Colston Loveland
2. Matthew Hibner / A.J. Barner
4. Marlin Klein
5. Deakon Tonielli / Zack Marshall
LT: LaDarius Henderson
2. Jeffrey Persi
3. Trevor Keegan
4. Evan Link
LG: Trevor Keegan
2. Giovanni El-Hadi
3. Amir Herring
4. Alessandro Lorenzetti
C: Greg Crippen / Drake Nugent
3. Raheem Anderson
4. Reece Atteberry
RG: Karsen Barnhart
2. Andrew Gentry / Reece Atteberry
4. Nathan Efobi / Dominick Guidice
RT: Trente Jones / Myles Hinton
3. Tristan Bounds
4. Connor Jones
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NT: Kenneth Grant
2. Cam Goode
3. Ike Iwunnah
DT: Mason Graham
2. Rayshaun Benny
3. Trey Pierce
DT/DE: Kris Jenkins
2. Enow Etta
3. Brooks Bahr
EDGE: Derrick Moore / Braiden McGregor
3. TJ Guy
4. Enow Etta
5. Aymeric Koumba
ILB: Junior Colson
2. Nikhai Hill-Green / Ernest Hausmann
4. Jimmy Rolder
5. Micah Pollard / Jaydon Hood
7. Semaj Bridgeman
8. Hayden Moore / Jason Hewlett
ILB: Michael Barrett
2. Nikhai Hill-Green / Ernest Hausmann
4. Jimmy Rolder
5. Micah Pollard / Jaydon Hood
7. Semaj Bridgeman
8. Hayden Moore / Jason Hewlett
EDGE/OLB: Jaylen Harrell / Eyabi Okie
3 Josaiah Stewart
4. Joey Velasquez
5. Kechaun Bennett / Tyler McLaurin
7. Breeon Ishmail
CB: Will Johnson
2. Ja'Den McBurrows / Jyaire Hill
4. Jalen Perry
5. German Green
6. Myles Pollard / Cameron Calhoun
CB: Gemon Green
2. Ja'Den McBurrows / Jyaire Hill
4. Jalen Perry
5. German Green
6. Myles Pollard / Cameron Calhoun
NB: Mike Sainristil
2. Zeke Berry / Kody Jones
S: Rod Moore
2. Caden Kolesar / Zeke Berry
4. Damani Dent
S: Makari Paige
2. R.J. Moten / Quinten Johnson
4. Keon Sabb
5. D'Juan Waller
K: Tommy Doman / Adam Samaha
P: Tommy Doman
WATCHLIST (Guys who I'm watching to closely):
*NFL (currently undecided, but assumed as going pro)*
RG: Zak Zinter
NT: Mazi Smith
EDGE: Mike Morris
...*also* (doesn't mean anything other than that I'm interested in knowing that they're coming back)
RB: Tavierre Dunlap
RB: Leon Franklin
WR: Cristian Dixon
WR: Eamonn Dennis
LG: Trevor Keegan
C: Greg Crippen
RG: Reece Atteberry
ILB: Michael Barrett
ILB: Jaydon Hood
EDGE: TJ Guy
EDGE/OLB: Joey Velasquez
EDGE/OLB: Tyler McLaurin
CB: Gemon Green
CB: German Green
CB: Jalen Perry
*HS*
ATH: Nyckoles Harbor, NT: Jamel Howard, DT: Cameron Brandt
Notes: Added a RB/WR position because it almost seemed unfair to leave Edwards as just a #2 RB. He's a defacto starter and will be pulling some "non-RB snaps" from the H-Back (Bredeson), the SLOTs, and the #2 TEs. There was already more than 12 positions on each side of the ball...one more doesn't kill anything.
Just like Grant is #1 at NT, but Graham and Jenkins are your starters, IMO. Benny and Grant probably rotate as the 3rd DL, based on the situation.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:06 PM ^
Should probably list Edwards as #1 RB/WR
January 9th, 2023 at 3:07 PM ^
Huh?
January 9th, 2023 at 3:10 PM ^
Oops didn't see. Reading too fast. Good work.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:18 PM ^
No worries, gets me excited too!
January 9th, 2023 at 3:08 PM ^
Looks like an awesome squad.
Without knowing Gemon Green's decision, besides CB, what are the major holes, if any all can see on this squad?
January 9th, 2023 at 3:14 PM ^
That's it. I'd argue #3 CB as well.
I'm hoping we can keep Green AND get a transfer (Domani Jackson would do the trick 😁)...give McBurrows and Hill one more year and the "winner" can take over for Green after next year. I think you always need 3 starting CBs - 4 if you count the NB (Sainristil).
Zinter is the only other one...and not because we don't have options. We do, and we'd be fine. It's solely about Zinter, the dude is incredible when he's playing at his best. Getting Zak (and Keegan) back would be huge!
January 9th, 2023 at 3:39 PM ^
Domani Jackson and Will Johnson are boys. Will tried real hard to get him to come here. Could you imagine them two at CB for 2 years….
January 9th, 2023 at 7:01 PM ^
...there are rumors about it still being a possibility. But until they're more than Twitter talk (i.e., Braelon Allen), I'll wait.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:59 PM ^
El Hadi is more than capable and deserves to start somewhere.
January 9th, 2023 at 7:02 PM ^
If Keegan and/or Zinter comes back...where is that somewhere?
January 9th, 2023 at 3:15 PM ^
A second catchy/blocky tight end.
Linebacker, still.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:26 PM ^
I think Edwards is going to steal snaps from your blocky/catchy TE. He's got to be on the field WITH Corum at times and it can't be Corum, Edwards, 2 TEs and 1 WR. So you pull that TE and it's Corum, Edwards, Loveland, Wilson, Johnson.
Hoo weee...talk dirty to me. That 5 is SPECIAL.
Also, Barner is catchy...with enough size to be blocky. Dude is 6'6, 251. And Hibner has been in the system long enough...if he can't step in now, I'd be really disappointed.
As for LB...you get Nikhai Hill-Green back and add a guy that people are saying might be the best LB on the team in Hausmann.
Personally, I'm not nearly as high on Colson as others, but knowing we have NHG and Hausmann to compete...whoever ends up starting is going to be just fine. If Colson and Barrett beat out those two...let's roll.
...just my two pennies.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:46 PM ^
NHG is going on 5 months of "day to day" including 4 weeks extra at the end. Im not sure ive seen a stranger injury in my life. No daily reporters asking about him the last dozen weeks of the season either.
January 9th, 2023 at 7:04 PM ^
I thought he had a torn hamstring, thought got back, and tore it again.
He was cleared to play a couple of weeks ago.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:55 PM ^
Yes. Colson with 101 tackles-30 more than anyone else is definitely someone to cast a wary eye toward /s
Otherwise, this is one hell of a roster.
January 9th, 2023 at 7:08 PM ^
I'm talking about Colson who hasn't found a guy to cover when dropping into zone in his life and who was like +12 overall in UFRs this year.
He's a good player, I just don't think he's this All-American level player like some on this board think.
I probably value him the way this board seems to value DJ Turner. Solid, but not going to confuse him for Jourdan Lewis.
January 10th, 2023 at 4:12 PM ^
DJ Turner is getting talked about as day 1 or 2 pick. That's why he is going pro. He is alot better then most give him credit for. He will most likely have a better NFL career then Lewis because of his size and speed
January 11th, 2023 at 1:05 PM ^
His size?
he looks like he's 5,10 170
January 9th, 2023 at 3:29 PM ^
If Barrett returns, LB is very well stacked. At least five experienced guys for basically two spots.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:18 PM ^
I think we are thin at WR with experience. CJ, Roman, then a drop-off. It's also assumed CJ is staying at this point (unless I missed an announcement). I wouldn't mind a transfer with some playing time to push the younger guys. Hoping guys like Clemons, Morris, and Walker pan out.
January 9th, 2023 at 4:04 PM ^
Apparently hes enrolled in grad school so I'm expecting him to drop the news that he'll be returning for his 5th year
January 9th, 2023 at 5:40 PM ^
Even so, Henning has a lot of work to do to be #1 slot. He just didn't look great this year catching the ball and running routes. I hope he steps up.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:21 PM ^
I think the kicking game is an unknown.
If OSU had Jake Moody they'd be playing for a national title tonight.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:23 PM ^
Noah Ruggles was actually decent for them.
January 9th, 2023 at 4:33 PM ^
January 9th, 2023 at 6:17 PM ^
Oh shit did the tunnel get him too?
January 9th, 2023 at 3:28 PM ^
I was actually going to say that when I hit Save.
Definitely the kicking game. Not that it's bad...but a huge unknown. Biggest question mark on the roster, IMO.
Moody was the best or 2nd best (for you Garrett Rivas lovers) in school history. We've seen Doman bomb a few punts, but FGs is crucial for a team that plays like we do. We don't just rely on hitting the big plays.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:10 PM ^
This roster is loaded. Just hope the team stays hungry. They were a little too proud of themselves (though rightfully deserved) heading into TCU. Less pride, less fall. Stay hungry boys!
January 9th, 2023 at 3:17 PM ^
If that game didn't humble the entire roster...nothing will.
I just hope they remember the steps it took to get there.
You sleep walk through your schedule and PSU, Maryland, and OSU will be a huge wake-up call.
...I'm banking on the defense taking that game to heart. 51 points is unacceptable, period. They should have that tattooed on their mind all offseason. 51. 51. 51.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:34 PM ^
I get the motivation, but it’s really 37 they gave up. That’s a lot, but when you’re in the playoffs, that’s about average
January 9th, 2023 at 3:51 PM ^
Also there were a ton of possessions that game. TCU had the potential of putting up 126 (18 possessions) points not including the 14 we gifted them. Those running backs looking like All Americans really was the problem to me. Im not sure we really played a solid running game this year maybe Illinois?
January 9th, 2023 at 3:12 PM ^
Makes me feel A LOT better about the depth at RB. Hoping we have a 1A/B combo next year with Corum and Edwards, Stokes solidifies himself as an RB 2 with Cabana coming in and making some noise. When we thought Corum was gone, people kept saying we were stacked at the RB position but I never felt it. Will be interesting to see what we have after next year if both Corum and Edwards go pro.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:15 PM ^
Looks like a talented and deep roster that can make another playoff run. I think you undervalue last years secondary recruits a little. I believe Sabb and Berry are gonna be significant contributors in the defensive backfield. If Zinter comes back the offensive line looks to be just as good as this year or dare I say better with the portal additions.
Is it too early to get really excited about this fall already.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:17 PM ^
For sure. We have a lot of basketball games to lose before we can start thinking about August.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:42 PM ^
A lot more wide open 3’s for Joey Baker to miss.
January 10th, 2023 at 4:15 PM ^
Just don't see how we get better at the center position and LT with who is on the roster now.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:22 PM ^
Fantastic news! Looking forward to seeing him carry twelve (!) Buckeyes for a touchdown next year,
January 9th, 2023 at 3:22 PM ^
You can probably split Edwards out wide more to help the receiver position.
January 10th, 2023 at 4:16 PM ^
Start DE at the slot position and then you can run him out of it also. Should have BC and DE on the field as much as possible to put pressure on the defenses.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:28 PM ^
This team is going to be loaded. With quality depth everywhere
January 9th, 2023 at 3:30 PM ^
I wonder if they run a little more with 3 LBs in order to utilize Barrett and Colson as blitzers more often and at the same time give the offense a completely different look to prep for. There are 4 proven LBs now and getting more speed and talent might be worth trying as a change of pace.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:31 PM ^
Hoping Edwards doesn't transfer now that Corum is staying.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:33 PM ^
Same, but they seemed so close in that Post Game interview where they were calling themselves "thunder and thunder". I think RBs realize they need to share the load this day and age. Plenty of touches for both of them.
January 9th, 2023 at 4:08 PM ^
As much as we run the ball they will be fine. Our backup RBs get more carries than some schools starters. Plenty of touches for both of them. Blake's share of the pie is going to dip some. And the touches that would normally go to Stokes, Mullings etc will dip too. In the end it will be good for both of them because they will be fresh and not beat up by the end of the year.
January 9th, 2023 at 4:13 PM ^
Why would he ever transfer? He could barely stay healthy this year, same with Blake.
Neither of them need 30 carries a game.. they should both be splitting 15 to 20 a game
January 9th, 2023 at 4:52 PM ^
And for about half the schedule they should be splitting time with the backups. Not establishing RB3 was probably one of the bigger failures of the coaching staff.
January 9th, 2023 at 6:33 PM ^
Not sure why you got negged for saying that. There were plenty of opportunities to build more depth at RB throughout the season when we basically blasted everyone except Maryland and Illinois after halftime. OK, the OSU game wasn't put away til late 4th quarter either, but that leaves 9 games in which some of the other guys could have gotten more work.
January 9th, 2023 at 3:31 PM ^
Let's GOOOOOOOOO BLUE!!!
January 9th, 2023 at 3:31 PM ^
Has Henning ever really ran routes? Seems like we only use him on sweeps. Would it be more likely Wilson stays in the slot and Amorion Walker starts at WR?
January 9th, 2023 at 3:43 PM ^
WMU 2021 he was JJ’s go to guy (aside from the miraculous heave to D. Baldwin)