OSU Fball New Starters 2016

A cursory glance at the OSU depth chart shows OSU 2016 is going to look a lot like UM 2017 in terms of major losses on the lines, wide receiver corps, and defense in total -  but (most likely) bringing back a good QB*.

http://www.ourlads.com/ncaa-football-depth-charts/depth-chart/ohio-stat…

*Unless it's Taysom Hill - Discuss man.

OSU has 9 potential EE from the starting ranks (of 22!) - 4 have chosen to leave, 4 TBD, 1 returning. (Not counting Cardale as a starter - he was #10)

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You can still expect OSU - now recruiting almost as well as Bama the past 4 years - to be a very talented squad, especially come November after 3 months of  playing together but this certainly makes that trip to Oklahoma ominous and reduces margin for error in many other games esp in October when the team is still finding itsself.  It's the right year for a senior heavy Michigan to go into Columbus and end years of anguish. It's a shame Bowling Green graduated its QB because that one had upset alert written all over it. 

Bolding all the guys that will be gone or projected to be:

Offense

• WR - Michael Thomas (still deciding but being mocked as the 2nd best WR in most draft boards and very underutilized in that offense)
• WR - Jalin Marshall (still deciding, seems like it would do a lot of good to return but many of his friends from his class are leaving en masse so might help him go)
• ATH - Braxton Miller
• QB - JT Barnett
• RB - Zeke (EE)
• LT - Taylor Decker
• LG - Billy Price
• C - Jake Boren
• RG - Pat Elfein
• RT - Chase Farris
• TE - Nick Varnett

At best it appears OSU will return 4 guys on offense - and if Marshall leaves, 3.  QB and 2 guards.

Defense

• DE - Joey Bosa (EE)
• DT - Tommy Schutt
• DT - Joel Hale
• DE - Tyquan Lewis
• LB - Joshua Perry
• LB - Raekwon McMillan
• LB - Darron Lee (EE)
• CB - Gareon Conley
• S - Vonn Bell (potential late 1st/mid 2nd round pick - seems likely to go)
• S - Tyvis Powell (EE)
• CB - Eli Apple (probably could go but not as obvious as Bell - more like a 3rd/4th roundish guy)

At best, OSU would retain 5 guys if both Bell and Apple stay.  Probability says Bell at least goes and it would not be a surprise to see both go.  That would leave 3 returning starters - 1 at each of the 3 levels of the defense.

Overall there is a chance only 6 starters return as a floor.  Best case of 10 would make it one of the least experienced (in terms of starters returning) teams in nation.  Of course guys like Hubbard could be quasi starters and should move in without missing a beat but in general it's the year to make hay vs OSU.