Leaders And Best

February 25th, 2014 at 7:04 PM ^

Have you looked at our depth chart? With Magnuson out for spring with shoulder surgery and Bryant taking a medical, I thiink this was the most likely outcome. The only other player who probably was an option was maybe Bars. Mason Cole hasnt't taken a snap of college football yet, and Chris Fox was coming off a torn ACL. Kugler and LTT were expected to take longer to develop.

Ohio State is replacing 4 senior starters and has less experience coming back than MIchigan. It's college football. You need kids to step up and fill new roles every year. Hopefully, our highly touted OL recruits from the last 2 years continue to grow and surprise this fall.

reshp1

February 26th, 2014 at 9:50 AM ^

I think it has more to do with not messing with the Center position now that they have something that works in Glasgow than Kugler not being ready, but that's just my speculation. If it's clear through Spring Camp that he's clearly better, I think Glasgow get's bumped out to guard.

FreddieMercuryHayes

February 25th, 2014 at 6:49 PM ^

Not a huge surprise with Mags out.  We had heard Dawsom was competing at tackle.  The news that LTT was out (per what I read on twitter) was surprising though.  Hope he gets well.  He has that prototypical LT frame.  Hope he can learn to use it.

denardogasm

February 25th, 2014 at 6:50 PM ^

Damn.  That's a young line.  We all knew it would be obviously but it doesn't really hit you til the coaches say it directly.  A lot of experience on the interior though.  

FreddieMercuryHayes

February 25th, 2014 at 6:53 PM ^

Yeah, as soon as Bryant took a medical, there were really no older options.  Who else is there?  Miller as a RS junior, that's it.  Kugler, Dawson, Mags, LTT, Bars...all underclassmen.  But yeah, at least the starting line has a year of nomianl starting experience under their belt.  And the most experience at center probably helps as well.

redhousewolverine

February 26th, 2014 at 11:37 AM ^

Actually, I think the ideal LT is 6'6-6'8. I believe Brian linked an article a couple years back about how the average NFL LT is about 6'5. One issue was that most guys are measured taller than they are and I think the article was meant to shed light on height not being indicative of success and it noted that the focus around height revolved more around the longer arms that came with height, I believe.

Ezeh-E

February 26th, 2014 at 8:22 AM ^

The 4th and 5th year guys are from the 2010 and 2011 classes right now. These were lost recruiting clases both on OL and for DT/NT.  We're just young as all get out in the positions where you need 22-year-old grown men.

Best case scenario would have been all the 2012 recruits panning out after two years on campus, which is unrealistic and would still yield an incredibly young line.

Michael Scarn

February 25th, 2014 at 7:08 PM ^

Now I wonder if Magnuson were healthy right now, who would be on the right side, Dawson or Braden?  Have to think that you would have the 2nd team guy take reps at left so the starter can focus solely on the position he'll most likely play, but who knows.  

getsome

February 26th, 2014 at 1:00 AM ^

maybe they just think dawson has the most talent and has progessed enough.  it can be argued hes most athletic OL theyve brought in so far although bosch and kugler would be in that conversation.  as long as he does not have stubbier arms of 6'2" guys then 6'4" 300 is fine for OT as long as he has great hands and punch and moves his feet well.  obviously not everyone has lewans prototypical size - and many 6'6" plus type kids just dont have the athleticism to get it done against edge rushers, theres only so many massive kids on this planet who will ever be remotely coordinated enough to excel at LT.  many seemed to mention dawson this past season as being very impressive, including hoke, although im sure they tried to keep chatter to minimum given the situation etc.  my guess would be they see dawson as their most athletic OL on the edge at this point with enough ability to reroute and mirror rushers.  and i think most would agree braden, though hyped and penciled in as starter over past few seasons/offseasons, probably has not shown enough in 1v1 siutations for coaches to trust on island yet.  ive been all for dawsons bump out to OT - not that it matters though considering the coaches recruited themselves into a corner with like 10 OGs and 2-4 earmarked OTs (with minimum 2 of those OTs being multi year projects in need of complete body overhauls before truly lining up)