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No Buckeyes expected to be taken in first round of NFL draft
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 9:56 PM
By Ken Gordon
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/04/20/nfl_draft_osu_4-21.html?sid=101
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Mottos such as "No name, no blame, no worries," and "Do your one-11th" served Ohio State's defensive players very well last season, but they're doing them no favors heading into the NFL draft.
The Buckeyes had a stellar defensive year in 2009, ranking fifth nationally in scoring defense and total defense. They thrived on having no stars, which created good chemistry.
Once the rah-rah college days are over, though, it's all about a player selling himself to the professionals. Suddenly, individuals matter.
And that's why OSU's four-year streak of having at least one first-round draft pick is in jeopardy, and why as few as three Buckeyes might be drafted, period.
"It's unfortunate, but we do have a lot of talented players (hoping to be drafted)," said safety Kurt Coleman, one of the few who likely will hear his name called.
OSU's lone hope to land a first-rounder is Thaddeus Gibson, a defensive end who will most likely play outside linebacker in the pros. Most analysts consider him a second-day pick (second or third round in the three-day draft), but it's possible that someone nabs him Thursday.
The last time the Buckeyes did not have a first-rounder was 2005, when kicker Mike Nugent was the first OSU player picked (New York Jets, second round).
Coleman is a good example of what many draft-eligible Ohio State players are facing this year. A three-year starter, he was an impact player last season, intercepting five passes and forcing three fumbles.
Once the cold eyes of NFL scouts looked Coleman over, though, they saw a player they feel is slightly undersized for a safety (he measured 5 feet 101/4, 192 pounds at the NFL combine) and maybe not quite fast enough to be a cornerback. He is projected as a fourth- or fifth-round pick.
"I've had a lot of positive feedback," he said. "I've talked to eight or nine teams that told me they wanted to draft me; it's just a matter of when."
After Gibson and Coleman, the rest of the former Buckeyes fall into the late-round category.
Among that group, those with the best chance of being picked are defensive tackle Doug Worthington and kicker Aaron Pettrey. Good pro-day performances in March helped linebacker Austin Spitler, defensive end Lawrence Wilson and safety Anderson Russell, but they could very easily become undrafted free agents.
"My mindset is, I'm going to be drafted," Spitler said. "Just going to camp (as a free agent) to get a shot is not the right mindset for me."
Worthington said he's hopeful he might get picked as high as the third round but is more realistically looking at the fourth or fifth.
He also thinks that even though many of his defensive teammates lacked big numbers last year - Worthington, for instance, had 42 tackles and two sacks - scouts will look past that and see the talent.
"We had a sound defense and flawless execution, and I think the NFL will see that and appreciate that," he said. "I think some of our guys are going to be drafted earlier than you think."
[email protected]
Tuesday, April 20, 2010 9:56 PM
By Ken Gordon
http://www.dispatch.com/live/content/sports/stories/2010/04/20/nfl_draft_osu_4-21.html?sid=101
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
Mottos such as "No name, no blame, no worries," and "Do your one-11th" served Ohio State's defensive players very well last season, but they're doing them no favors heading into the NFL draft.
The Buckeyes had a stellar defensive year in 2009, ranking fifth nationally in scoring defense and total defense. They thrived on having no stars, which created good chemistry.
Once the rah-rah college days are over, though, it's all about a player selling himself to the professionals. Suddenly, individuals matter.
And that's why OSU's four-year streak of having at least one first-round draft pick is in jeopardy, and why as few as three Buckeyes might be drafted, period.
"It's unfortunate, but we do have a lot of talented players (hoping to be drafted)," said safety Kurt Coleman, one of the few who likely will hear his name called.
OSU's lone hope to land a first-rounder is Thaddeus Gibson, a defensive end who will most likely play outside linebacker in the pros. Most analysts consider him a second-day pick (second or third round in the three-day draft), but it's possible that someone nabs him Thursday.
The last time the Buckeyes did not have a first-rounder was 2005, when kicker Mike Nugent was the first OSU player picked (New York Jets, second round).
Coleman is a good example of what many draft-eligible Ohio State players are facing this year. A three-year starter, he was an impact player last season, intercepting five passes and forcing three fumbles.
Once the cold eyes of NFL scouts looked Coleman over, though, they saw a player they feel is slightly undersized for a safety (he measured 5 feet 101/4, 192 pounds at the NFL combine) and maybe not quite fast enough to be a cornerback. He is projected as a fourth- or fifth-round pick.
"I've had a lot of positive feedback," he said. "I've talked to eight or nine teams that told me they wanted to draft me; it's just a matter of when."
After Gibson and Coleman, the rest of the former Buckeyes fall into the late-round category.
Among that group, those with the best chance of being picked are defensive tackle Doug Worthington and kicker Aaron Pettrey. Good pro-day performances in March helped linebacker Austin Spitler, defensive end Lawrence Wilson and safety Anderson Russell, but they could very easily become undrafted free agents.
"My mindset is, I'm going to be drafted," Spitler said. "Just going to camp (as a free agent) to get a shot is not the right mindset for me."
Worthington said he's hopeful he might get picked as high as the third round but is more realistically looking at the fourth or fifth.
He also thinks that even though many of his defensive teammates lacked big numbers last year - Worthington, for instance, had 42 tackles and two sacks - scouts will look past that and see the talent.
"We had a sound defense and flawless execution, and I think the NFL will see that and appreciate that," he said. "I think some of our guys are going to be drafted earlier than you think."
[email protected]
DAL @ GB
