While having your starting cornerback (Donald Washington) and top reserve safety suspended for the first two games of the 08′ season (Jamario O’Neal) is never an auspicious way to start the season, providing two vacant openings for games against Youngstown State and Ohio University does have its advantages. The fact of the matter is, in a typical college football season, matters such as injury and suspension are part of reality. This unfortunate circumstance allows for several players in the secondary rotation to see significant game time and this experience/in-game work could pay large dividends in the long run. Coach Jim Tressel made it a point to say the two athletes in question will need to “Earn their car keys back,” DTI takes a look at the Buckeyes who will help drive the BCS bus in their stead…

Cornerbacks- 

(#5) Chimdi Chekwa- (So. 6′0 188lbs.)- A true “diamond in the rough” for OSU last season, Chekwa saw plenty of action as the fifth-man in nickel back coverage, player match-up situations and in late-game affairs last season. The Florida native registered 30 tackles and an interception in 07′, while leading the team with nine pass breakups. His knack for finding the football in the open field and playing mistake free football has gone a long way with defensive coordinator Jim Heacock. With Washington out for two weeks, Chekwa will slide into the open spot across the field from Malcolm Jenkins to complete the cornerback pairing. For the sophomore, this will be his first real shot to prove he is worthy of “starter” status. If he can continue to elevate his game and plays well versus the Penguins and Bobcats, he could potentially challenge D-Wash for time at USC in week three as well as throughout the season.

(#13) Andre Amos- (Jr. 6′1 183lbs.)- An unfamiliar face for the first half of last season, Amos spent a great deal of time from March to October off the field and in the weight room rehabbing his left knee after surgery. However, the former wide receiver worked tirelessly and made his way back onto the field at Purdue as a member of the special teams unit. On the year, he picked up three tackles in eight games and solidified himself as a valuable member of the kickoff and cornerback units. With Chekwa moving to a role as a starter, the junior will enter the opening game as a top reserve in the two-deep rotation and should see plenty of action. How effective he can be will determine his usage from there on out. His ceiling is high and if he can show consistency, he just might convince the coaching staff to use him against teams with four and five wide receiver sets such as Southern California, Michigan State and Illinois.           

(#29) Shaun Lane- (Sr. 5′10 175lbs.)- A seasoned veteran for the Buckeyes over his four years in Columbus, Lane is a leader on and off the field. He saw time during 07′ in the nickel and dime packages while also making significant contributions as a member of the special teams where he was a four-time unit player of the week. There is nothing exceptional about the cornerback but he is simply a very solid football player, illustrated by his 13 tackles last year. Similar to both Chekwa and Amos, the senior will see the field early and often for OSU in the first two games and becomes the second member of the scarlet and gray two-deep set at cornerback. A blue collar worker, his play and status on the team will have him on the gridiron throughout the season where you get the feeling he could make a play or two to help the Buckeyes win a ball game.

**(#11) James Scott- (So. 5′10 170lbs.)- The mystery man of the group. After seeing the field in eight games during his freshman season (5 tackles, fumble recovery), Scott was not a member of Ohio State’s 105-man fall camp. He should be a top reserve along with Chekwa in 08′ but now there is the question of whether or not he will be on the field for game one of the season? If the undisclosed matter allows him to be ready for Youngstown State, he could potentially be an extra defensive back in certain formations and make key tackles on special teams as well as playing in the third and fourth quarters against teams such as Troy and Minnesota. We will have to hold our collective breaths on this one and hope it all works out because he looked like an up and coming competitor for OSU.

Safeties-

(#8) Aaron Gant- (Jr. 6′0 194lbs.)- One of the “unsung heroes” from a prior article written about players who give their all to little media attention, Gant should continue to bring the effort with a little more recognition in 2008. It seems almost comical but no. 8 will move up the reserve list and could be the next line of defense after Russell and Coleman at safety. He played through a foot injury as a sophomore but should be back to 100% this g around. He could match his last seasons’ tackle total of six within those first two games as he goes in on the opening kickoff and returns soon after to replace the starters on select plays and defensive situations.  If he stays healthy, the Michigan high school star could make a nice impact throughout the year.

(#23) Nick Patterson- (Sr. 6′1 209lbs.)- One of the best examples of a player who fans believe can reach a higher level of play but has yet to get there. In his senior season, maybe Patterson can finally shake this classification and add another element to the Buckeyes’ safety core. His six tackles were nothing special last season but his 34-yard interception against Northwestern proves he can be a playmaker. His counterpart, Jamario O’Neal, has proven one thing at his time at Ohio State: he will never be the man to count on in Columbus. Therefore, the reserve spot alongside Gant is up for grabs and if Patterson plays well, he might cajole his way into staying there for the long term.  The fight for a backup position might not be the most heavily covered topic at fall camp but on a team looking to contend for a third straight national title appearance, it is more important than most people realize.    

(#14) Nate Oliver- (Fr. 6′0 215lbs.)- Although he did not see the field in 07′, the safety’s high school credentials and recruiting service ranking of 11th nationally sheds a little light into his potential in Buckeye garment. He might be situated between two quality players in Gant and Patterson but as OSU has shown in the past, the best athletes find their way into games when they are ready. His first assignment will be in special teams coverage but he will definitely see the field in the first two games. His ability to make plays and stick with opposing offenses will be the litmus test as to how often he will step between the lines in non-clean up duty. Oliver, a St. Edwards product, has the potential to be all-over in 08′. OSU has lacked a deep safety unit but it appears they might have finally find the depth they were looking for.