As the 2008 regular season has concluded and we all await January 5, DTI pitches in with the Buckeye Team Awards for this season, as well a projected line-up for next year’s squad.

Offensive MVP: Chris “Beanie” Wells- Beanie was the heart and soul of this offense, as displayed during the OU and USC games when he was out with an injury. The offense looked lost when number 28 was not on the field, which is why he is named Offensive Most Valuable Player for 2008.

Defensive MVP: Malcolm Jenkins- Jenkins came back for his senior season and did not disappoint. The senior corner back and 2008 Thorpe Award recipient always came up with a big play when the Buckeyes needed it the most and constantly shut down opposing #1 receivers.

Special Teams MVP: Shaun Lane- Lane was first, with Brian Rolle a close second. Lane was always around the ball on special teams, and his fumble recovery on the muffed punt against OU ultimately won the game for the Bucks. Lane could be an NFL specialist on kick-offs and as a gunner, much like New York Giants WR David Tyree, but will need to prove to NFL teams he could contribute as a sixth corner back as well. Nonetheless, Lane surely deserves this award.

Offensive Newcomer of the Year: Terrelle Pryor- As if this was a surprise. Pryor is 8-1 as the starter and would have been 9-0 and starting in the Rose Bowl if it weren’t for a certain Penn State safety. Pryor was simply fantastic this season and rarely showed the lumps of a freshman signal caller. I can’t wait to see TP in Glendale and for the next 2-3 years in Columbus

Defensive Newcomer of the Year: Nathan Williams- Despite his recent legal troubles, Williams edges out Etienne Sabino for this award. Williams was very impressive playing the hybrid DE/LB position and on the interior at DT occasionally, logging 17 tackles (3 for loss) and 2 sacks. It seemed he was always getting after the quarter back and making big plays. His future is bright and it’s a shame he probably won’t be able to make the bowl trip.

Most Improved-Offense: Dane Sanzenbacher- Sanzenbacher was the go-to receiver for the Buckeyes this yea, going over the middle without fear and taking some vicious hits while going at it. Sanzenbacher had 21 receptions for 272 yards and a touchdown on the yea, but had a knack for coming up with timely plays. Sanzenbacher reminds me of Wes Welker and will be a great slot receiver for the remainder of his career.

Most Improved-Defense: Kurt Coleman- While some Buckeyes fans were calling for his job late last year into early this season, Coleman really improved his coverage skills and instinct to find the ball. Always a big hitter, Kurt tallied 67 tackles (3 for loss), 1 sack, 4 interceptions, and 1 forced fumble. His play against Michigan State gave the Buckeyes tremendous momentum in what became a blow out victory.

Team MVP: Chris “Beanie” Wells- Beanie wells logged 1,091 yards on 191 carries (5.7 avg.) with 8 touchdowns in just 9 games (2 were really half games). The team averaged just 19 points when he didn’t play and averaged over 31 when the bruising junior tailback was in the line-up. There is not a single player on the Buckeyes team that meant more to the success of the program than Chris Wells, making his the most deserving of this award.

……….and to cap this all off, a prediction of the 2009 Line-Up………

Offense

QB: Terrelle Pryor RB: Daniel “Boom” Herron

FB: Jermil Martin WR: DeVier Posey

WR: Dane Sanzenbacher WR: Lamaar”Flash” Thomas

TE: Jake Ballard LT: Mike Adams

LG: Jim Cordle C: Mike Brewster

RG: Justin Boren RT: Bryant Browning/ JB Shugarts

KR: Lamaar Thomas K: Aaron Pettrey

Defense

DE: Thaddeus Gibson DT: Cameron Heyward

DT: Doug Worthington DE: Lawrence Wilson

WLB: Ross Homan MLB: Austin Spitler/Etienne Sabino

SLB: Tyler Moeller/B. Rolle CB: Donald Washington

CB: Chimdi Chekwa FS: Anderson Russell

SS: Kurt Coleman Star: Jermale Hines/Tyler Moeller

P: Ben Buchannan /J. Thoma PR: DeVier Posey

photos courtesy of ohiostatebuckeyes.com