Even though the regular season is over, it’s been quite a week for the Buckeyes. Let’s start with the good news.
Malcom Jenkins won the Jim Thorp award last night which goes to the nations leading defensive back. Jenkins has been an exciting part of the Ohio State defense and it’s good to see him getting the recognition he deserves. This season, Jenkins had 54 tackles and three interceptions leading one of the countries best pass defense.
It’s the Buckeye pass defense that is going to be key in the Ohio State/Texas Fiesta Bowl. You don’t score 50+ points without some serious passing and Texas hasn’t met a secondary like Ohio State. It would be great to see Jenkins and crew step up and silence the Colt McCoy passing game.
James Laurinaitis was also in Orlando as a finalist for the Bednarik Award which goes to the nations top defensive player. He lost out to Rey Maualuga of USC.
Laurinaitis and Maualuga make for an interesting comparison in style. It also says something about the coaching of both Ohio State and USC. Laurinaitis is a position player. He knows how to read the field and puts himself where he needs to be to make the play.
Maualuga is just the opposite. He has amazing speed and although he often finds himself way out of position, he makes up for it in speed and aggressivness. Come draft time, these two will be suited to very differing defensive styles.
Laurinaitis also lost out on the Lambardi Trophy and the Butkis award earlier this week. What is most interesting is that he lost the Lambardi to Texas defensive end Brian Orakpo. I have to be honest here. I know almost nothing about Orakpo. I’m just surprised to hear they play defense in the Big 12 these days.
It will be interesting to see these two line up against each other in Jan.
And then there’s this:
Ohio State freshman defense end Nathan Williams was arrested Wednesday for shoplifting. According to the Columbus Dispatch though, there is nothing to worry about. Williams said that he was just covering for a friend who had a prior criminal record and would get in serious trouble if arrested.
“I took his back,” Williams was qouted in the Dispatch.
And why shouldn’t he, what with it being the holiday season and all.
{ 3 comments… read them below or add one }
I don’t know about “nothing to worry about” with the Williams situation. Regardless of the circumstances, it was still a dumb thing to do, and it hurts the program. Not only imagewise, but he has become a force on our DL and should he be denied the trip to AZ, it will hurt our D line.
I should clarify that I meant the “nothing to worry about” comment as sarcasm in response Williams comments.
He does point out in the story that he was expecting a small fine and it is turning into something much larger.
Somehow I knew Rey was going to win the award. Little Animal wins on character.