Ohio State's defensive line could be very good, but one injury is showing how quickly that could change.
Junior Nathan Williams (43) is expected to have a big role on the Buckeyes' defensive front this fall. Williams is currently nursing a leg injury, one of several defenders currently dealing with bumps and bruises.COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Nathan Williams walked toward his teammates during Ohio State's practice Tuesday, limping with his left knee wrapped in ice, his action limited to rehab work on the side after injuring his knee Saturday.
The junior is ticketed to replace Thaddeus Gibson as Ohio State's Leo defensive end, where he'll rush the passer, stop the run and drop into coverage.
"He's definitely matured a lot from last year and I think he's ready to take that next step," OSU senior defensive lineman Cameron Heyward said of Williams before his injury Saturday. "Thad did some great things for us, but I'm expecting even more out of Nate.
"He definitely has to keep growing as a person and a player. He always had a knack for getting to the quarterback, so we're going to see what he can do against the run now."
With what Williams has shown, playing important passing downs during his first two seasons at Ohio State, it's reasonable to expect he's ready for more. His teammates believe his knee won't keep him from doing that, with the season just over two weeks away.
"Obviously, it's not good to have a guy go down," senior defensive tackle Dexter Larimore said. "I don't think we're too concerned about how long he'll be out. I think he'll be back a lot sooner than a lot of people think."
While Larimore, as he should as a senior leader, expressed faith in Ohio State's depth on the defensive line, frankly, it's just not there, at least compared to a year ago. Junior Solomon Thomas steps in for Williams, and while he's been a standout in off-season scrimmages, he hasn't had the chance to show much when it matters.
Though the Buckeyes' lineup on both sides of the ball is stacked with seniors and experienced juniors, Williams' injury, even if it's minor, is a reminder of the Buckeyes' inexperience on parts of their second unit, especially the defensive line.
A pleasant surprise as a freshman, John Simon (54) is being counseled against a sophomore slump by veteran teammates such as Cameron Heyward.Minor injuries throughout camp helped show that Tuesday, as at one point five defensive starters were on the sidelines -- Williams, linebacker Ross Homan [he says he's almost ready to return from a minor hamstring pull], safety Orhian Johnson [icing a left leg injury], cornerback Devon Torrence [a lingering hamstring issue] and cornerback Chimdi Chekwa [left partway into practice with a hamstring tweak].
It's part of the game, and nothing that should bother the Buckeyes against Marshall on Sept. 2, but even redshirt freshman Melvin Fellows, expected to be a leader on that second line, was out of practice and on the sidelines Tuesday. He was stretching his left leg after a knee injury kept him out last year.
So the options may be limited. But if healthy, the potential top four is worth watching.
"It's far-fetched to say right now," Heyward said, "but at the end of the season I want to be able to say we had the best defensive line in the country."
Williams fits Ohio State's ideal Leo mold. Heyward is an All-American candidate and future first-round draft pick who was probably the main reason Tuesday's practice was stacked with NFL scouts. Larimore has the ability to penetrate in the middle of the line and fits the nose guard role the Buckeyes require when they go to more of a 3-4 look. He was playing very well before going down halfway through last season.
"I do think he gets overlooked a lot," Heyward said, "but he's a great talent."
But the player who could take the line from good to great is sophomore John Simon, who forced his way into a deep rotation as a freshman and has established a reputation as a workout warrior.
"Just knowing you put that work in gives you that extra drive on the field," Simon said. "I think that helps more than the strength itself."
Heyward has spoken to Simon about avoiding the sophomore slump he felt he went through in his second season. What's unspoken is the need to stay healthy.
Everything with Ohio State's defense starts up front. That should be a good thing. Throw in an injury or two with this group, and everything could change.
Michigan reminder: The Buckeyes end every practice with what coach Jim Tressel calls the Maize and Blue period, a short session in position groups where the players do one last thing to make themselves better with the Wolverines on their minds.
One addition to the session came across the sound system Tuesday -- Michigan's fight song "The Victors" blasting as the Buckeyes went about their work.