Ohio State in search of defensive leadership, production without Nick Bosa

The speculation, debate and conversations about Ohio State never end, and Lettermen Row is always ready to dive into the discussions. All week long, senior writer Austin Ward will field topics on Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes submitted by readers and break down anything that’s on the minds of the Best Damn Fans in the Land. Have a question that needs to be tackled, like the one today about the absence of Nick Bosa? Send it in right here — and check back daily for the answers.

Has anyone on the defense stepped up as a new leader in the wake of Nick Bosa leaving the team? I feel like the defense has been struggling without his leadership and I was just wondering if someone had stepped up during the Bye week. Thanks for answering! 😊🏈🌰 #GoBucks

— HeatherC 😘💖⚾⛸️ (@kwanfan1212) October 30, 2018

Maybe back in September it just wasn’t possible to fully grasp how significant the loss of Nick Bosa would be for Ohio State. Even though he was the most dominant defensive player in America, the Buckeyes could point to all the talent they had piled up in recruiting, the faith in the Next Man Up mantra and perhaps the possibility that the superstar would be back to rationalize his absence as not being much of a problem.

If nothing else, the program anticipated that it could at least minimize the drop-off without him. But both in terms of production, leadership and maybe even scheme, moving forward without a defender who was generating some Heisman Trophy buzz is still impacting these Silver Bullets as they try to live up to that nickname in November.

“I mean, that’s an obligation of the coach, unit leader to develop that [leadership],” Ohio State coach Urban Meyer said. “And it’s something we work on very hard around here.

“We’re not where we need to be, obviously, but we’re working really hard at it.”

It’s Bosa’s captaincy, in particular, that might really be the toughest for the Buckeyes to replace. Bosa was never the most vocal player on the roster, but he had dedicated himself in the offseason to embracing that role and was becoming the kind of voice both inside the locker room and out that carried weight.

Ohio State captain Jordan Fuller can help provide leadership down the stretch. (Birm/Lettermen Row)

And when it comes to work ethic and nonstop effort on the field, there was absolutely nobody better to set the standard for Ohio State. If a guy with that much talent was grinding as hard as Bosa, the rest of the roster had no excuse not to do the same. Those qualities are hard to duplicate, and there is an element of leadership and trust with teammates that takes time to develop.

Heading into stretch run with championships still in reach, that’s going to put even more weight on the shoulders of safety Jordan Fuller. The junior was the only defensive player who spoke to the media after the blowout loss at Purdue, facing the tough questions for the rest of a unit that collapsed in the fourth quarter without any help. And while there weren’t an abundance of answers in the immediate aftermath, Fuller’s commitment to getting the problems fixed is exactly what the Buckeyes need.

But he can’t do it alone, and that’s where somebody like fellow captain linebacker Tuf Borland is going to have to step up alongside him. Those guys already had leadership responsibility, of course, but unless a younger defensive end like Chase Young steps to the forefront with his immense talent and tries to duplicate some of what Bosa provided, the pressure is going to stay on Borland and Fuller to drag along their teammates to the level that’s required.

Ohio State pulled that off a year ago thanks to an impressive group of veterans setting the tone. Now is the time when leadership is truly tested, and the coming weeks will reveal just how solid that foundation is for these Buckeyes.

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