Returning starters
Offense (7):
QB Braxton Miller, FB Zach Boren, WR Corey Brown, WR Chris Fields, G Jack Mewhort, G Andrew Norwell, TE Jake Stoneburner
Defense (9): DL John Simon, DT Johnathan Hankins, NG Garrett Goebel, DT Adam Bellamy, LB Storm Klein, CB Travis Howard, CB Bradley Roby, S Christian Bryant, S C.J. Barnett
Specialists (2): K Drew Basil, P Ben Buchanan
Starters lost
Offense (3):
C Mike Brewster, RB Dan Herron, OT Mike Adams, OT J.B. Shugarts
Defense (2): S Tyler Moeller, LB Andrew Sweat
COLUMBUS — Ohio State safety C.J. Barnett made an inspiring comeback from surgery for a torn knee ligament last season, leading the Buckeyes in tackles. But individual accomplishments feel a little hollow when your team is floundering so badly.
After a Rose Bowl victory in 2009 and a Sugar Bowl win in 2010 (since vacated), OSU tumbled to a 6-7 record — its first losing mark since 1988. And Barnett said the slide from the usual standards was more than just a wake-up call for the players. It was a frying pan to the face.
“When you go to a school like this, you expect to do great things and win,” said the fourth-year junior from Northmont. “You kind of get a sense of entitlement, that you’re entitled to go out there and win games and have great bowls like that.
“That year brought us to reality. You’ve got to work for what you want.”
The Buckeyes aren’t likely to forget those lessons with the no-nonsense approach of coach Urban Meyer and his assistants.
Asked what the new staff has brought to the program, Barnett said: “Competitiveness. A sense of urgency. And I think a strictness that we haven’t had. Things are a lot more strict here, which is good.
“There’s no dead weight. And if there is dead weight, we’re trying to get rid of it. The biggest thing they bring is that everyone knows what they’re supposed to do when they’re supposed to do it. No back talking, just do it.”
Barnett, one of nine returning starters on defense (and 18 overall), said he’s getting pushed to be more of a vocal leader, and he’s certainly earned the right to speak up.
After tearing his ACL in the second game of 2010, he became an impact player again last season, although he said he really wasn’t at full strength until midway through the year.
He had 75 tackles and was third on the team in pass break-ups and deflections with 14.
He made a favorable impression on Meyer during spring practice, despite missing the Scarlet and Gray game with a mild groin injury.
“I like his leadership. I like his intensity and his knowledge of the game,” Meyer said. “He’s played a lot of games here, and our coaches have great confidence in him. I can see why.”
Contact this reporter at (937) 225-2125 or dharris @DaytonDailyNews.com.
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