6-0, 225-pounder has gained 1,186 yards
from scrimmage since and is averaging 5.9
yards per carry.
Although Barrett is not the incredible
athlete that his predecessor is, he is averaging
5.4 yards per carry with a total of 849 yards
and nine touchdowns on the ground. Each of
the two Buckeyes is ranked among the top 54
ground gainers in the country, and only two
other programs can claim two rushers ranked
that high.
"There were a lot of concerns with how
the running game was going to be because
of four new starters on the offensive line,
but it all starts up front," BuckeyeGrove.com
publisher Kevin Noon said. "I don't care
how good Ezekiel or J.T. are, if the line isn't
opening up holes, those guys aren't going to
be able to run."
Another well-rounded unit resides on the
other side of the ball, led by sophomore sack
master Joey Bosa and an experienced front
line with a few emerging playmakers mixed
in among the back seven.
Bosa leads the Big Ten in sacks (11.5) and
tackles for loss (18.0), while defensive tackles
Adolphus Washington, a junior, and Michael
Bennett, a senior, are also outstanding players
up front. However, the depth is lacking
behind the starters, and the group has been
exposed on the ground recently.
Junior Joshua Perry leads the squad in
tackles (99) from his weakside linebacker
spot, while redshirt freshman Darron Lee has
emerged as a playmaker on the strongside
with 11.5 tackles for loss, two interceptions
