As some of you may have surmised, along with being a huge Steelers fan, I�m also a big Ohio State Buckeye fan. College football fans know that Ohio State has won several National Titles and has produced a ton of pro football players, including several standout RBs, WRs, CBs, OTs, and LBs. (I�ve got to brag on my team a little.) Anyway at the request of MadMike (My biggest fan), here is my take on Buckeyes entering the 2002 draft. It�s my hope that you will all share an analysis of your favorite colleges� players who are eligible for this year�s draft.
Buckeyes entering the 2002 draft in no particular order:
C/G� #68 LeCharles Bentley� 6�2� 290 lbs. A dominate interior lineman, who has played all 5 O-line positions. Has had some back ailments in the past, but took every snap in his senior year until missing the bowl game due to a foot injury. 2001 Big Ten Offensive Lineman of the Year, winner of the Rimington trophy, given to college football�s best center, and a first-team pick on the American Football Coaches Association All-America team.� Named First Team All-Big Ten for 2001 season and earned Second-Team All-Big Ten honors behind Minnesota All-America center Ben Hamilton in 2000. Projection: 2nd round.
DT #98 Mike Collins 6�3� 290 lbs. Teamed with Ryan Pickett last year to form one of the nations best DT tandems. Collins didn�t drop off without Pickett next to him, and in my opinion is the better of the two players. 2nd team All Big Ten in 2001. In 1999 and 2000� earned Honorable Mention All-Big Ten. Projection: 2nd round.
FB #39 Jamar Martin 6�0� 250 lbs. A human bowling ball, who knocks linebackers around like pins.� A tad slower a foot than one would like, but has good hands and surprising athletic ability. Played a lot of football for the Buckeyes. A devastating run blocker. Projection: 3rd or 4th round.
RB #28 Jonathan Wells 6�1� 230 lbs. Finally broke out this year. At times seems a tad slow, but broke some very long runs this year while out running some very fast players. Put up some huge numbers against some good defenses. Has decent hands. Had over 1200 yards on the ground this year while averaging over 5 yards a carry. 2nd team All Big Ten in 2001.� It will be interesting to see what his 40 time is clocked as. I�m not sure he has the speed to get around the corner in the NFL. Could be a career back up or could be a steal. Reminds me of Richard Huntley. Projection: 4th or 5th round
CB #7 Derek Ross 6�1� 197 lbs. A one year starter, who is making the mistake of leaving early. He has the size and speed, but lacks experience. Led the Big Ten in INTs with 7. He missed the bowl game because of knee surgery. Whoever drafts him must be patient, because right now he is beatable. Also has some history of legal problems. Was the nickel back in 2000. Did not play in 1999, but was the Buckeye�s Co-Special Teams player of the year in 1998 in part because he blocked 3 punts.� Could be a steal or a bust. Projection: 3rd to 5th round. (Do not confuse him with #2, Michael Doss, the Buckeyes outstanding safety who decided to return for his senior season.)
LB #58 Courtland Bullard 6�3� 227 lbs. 3 year starting strong side OLB, but also a guy who�s play never quite lived up to his incredible work out numbers. Said to have sub 4.5 speed. A solid OLB. Projection: 3th to 4th round.
LB #10 Joe Cooper 6�0� 225 lbs. Defensive captain and 5th year senior is the emotional leader of the Buckeye�s defense. Is a two year starter at weak side OLB. 2nd team All Big Ten in 2001. In 2000 won First-Team All-Big Ten honors and landed a spot on the third team of the Associated Press All-America Team. Led all non starters in tackles in 1999 & 1998. Some say he is smaller than listed. The guy is all heart. Sometimes reminded me of Greg Lloyd. Projection: 6th or 7th
OT/G #77 Tyson Walters 6�4� 300 lbs. Replaced Orlando Pace at LT back in 1997, but didn�t really fill his shoes. Started all games at LT in1997, 1998, and 1999, but missed 2000 season with a bazar infection� in his back. (Was red shirted in 1996.) Was back this year and moved around the O-line starting at several positions. First Team all Big Ten this year. Has been accused of having a big mouth, and sued a teammate who allegedly hit him to shut him up. Is a smart guy though because he has been named to the Big Ten�s all academic team multiple times. Reminds me of former Volunteer and present Packer Chad Clifton. Projection 3rd or 4th round.
QB/Saftey� #8 Steve Bellisari 6�3� 220 lbs. The three year starter maybe the worst QB I can remember at OSU. He would have been a good option QB at a place like Nebraska though because he runs well with the ball. He just doesn�t read defenses well and thus throws too many INTs. Only threw 8 TDs this year, and threw 6 INTs. Compared to 13 & 13 last year. He can get hot, but is mostly inconsistent. FSU had recruited him as a safety, but he came to OSU to play QB. He did play some safety at OSU as a freshman though and did well. His future in the NFL may depend on his skills at that position and on special teams. He is one of the best special teams wedge busters I�ve ever seen. In 1998 he was voted Co-Special Teams player of the year for the Buckeyes. They say he is a good kid, but he did have the much publicized DUI charge that kept him from starting the Michigan game. Projection: 7th round if at all
TE #86 Darnell Sanders 6�6� 265 lbs.� The junior is a two year starter who is leaving early. Can get deep, especially down the seem. Decent hands and blocker. Underused by Buckeyes. Similar to Ricky Dudley. Projection: 3rd to 4th round.
C #66 Mike Jacobs 6�1� 285 lbs. Former walk on and career back up, until this year�s bowl game. A solid run blocker, but struggles in pass protection. Snaps for FGs and extra points, which might be his ticket to the NFL. His father use to be the O-coordinator at O.S.U. Projection: unlikely to be drafted.