OSU Buckeyes

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Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesMiddle linebacker Curtis Grant is someone that OSU would like to step up to help fill the void left by Etienne Sabino and Zach Boren.

• Who: Neither senior was able to give a full season at linebacker, though it was an injury for one that helped open the door for the other to prove he was equally skilled on the defensive side of the ball after establishing himself as perhaps the best fullback in the Big Ten before that. After how much Etienne Sabino and Zach Boren offered the Buckeyes in what amounted to half of a year each, there's no question Urban Meyer would give plenty to have them back for one more run with the program -- particularly given the lingering depth concerns at the position. Boren was a natural at middle linebacker and provided invaluable leadership during a rocky defensive stretch in the middle of the season. Sabino blossomed as his career with the Buckeyes wound down, giving nearly every column on the stats sheet before a broken leg interrupted his last season. Both leave plenty of responsibilities behind, both on and off the field.

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AP Photo/Scott BoehmJohnathan Hankins will be tough to replace for OSU.

• Who: The Buckeyes might have held out some slim hope that Johnathan Hankins would return for another year and a chance to compete for a championship, but with his stock already so high, that always was going to be a bonus and not an expectation heading into Urban Meyer's second season with the program. Hankins didn't post the gaudiest numbers during his junior campaign, but his ability to impact the game went well beyond statistics as he occupied multiple blockers, ate up space in the middle of the defensive line and swallowed up any running backs that happened to venture his way as he solidified his NFL stock while the Buckeyes went undefeated.
• By the numbers: While for the most part the work Hankins did to anchor the defensive line was hard to quantify in the box score, the junior still finished fifth on the team with 55 tackles. There wasn't much flashy about his approach and he didn't finish many plays in the backfield with just 4 tackles for a loss, but it was a rare sight to see Hankins lose an individual matchup and he simply had to be accounted for by the opposing offensive line on every snap.

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Joe Robbins/Getty ImagesTravis Howard had four interceptions as a senior.

• Who: Inconsistent heading into his last season with the Buckeyes, Travis Howard turned in his most productive campaign from start to finish and formed one of the best partnerships in the country at cornerback opposite Bradley Roby. Howard wasn't perfect by any stretch and dealt with injuries throughout the season, but his experience and knack for big plays will be tough to replace.
• By the numbers: While Roby received the majority of the attention and accolades for his eye-popping number of passes defended, it was Howard who actually led the Buckeyes and the Big Ten in interceptions on the way to a perfect record.The senior also blocked a punt that led to a touchdown and recovered a fumble, giving Ohio State the kind of takeaway help it had emphasized heading into the year.
• Job description: Assuming Roby elects to return, the Buckeyes are going to need to find a complementary piece to put on the other side of the field -- one who will likely face more throws his way than the average cornerback with teams likely to take their chances avoiding Roby, a potential first-round NFL pick down the road. Ohio State was at its best defensively late in the season when it dialed up its pressure packages and played more man coverage in the back end, trusting Roby and Howard to regularly come out on top in their matchups. The next starter will have to be capable of doing the same thing.
• Top candidate: The Buckeyes have already had a chance to get a look at what Doran Grant can do in live action, and the early returns were positive for the rising junior. Inserted for an entire game with Roby injured against UAB in September, Grant stuffed the stats sheet in virtually every column with seven tackles, a sack, a fumble recovery and an interception that helped the Buckeyes overcome a sluggish performance on offense and finish up its nonconference slate unbeaten. Grant should have the first crack at getting back in the starting lineup on a full-time basis.
• One to watch: Ohio State is putting together perhaps the best collection of secondary talent in the entire nation as it works on the 2013 recruiting class, but there are already some guys on campus that could make a push for more playing time after spending time on special teams as true freshmen. Armani Reeves impressed with his athleticism and work ethic during his first season with the program, and he could benefit from a big offseason.

BuckeyeNation Week in Review

• Urban Meyer laments missing the 15 bowl practices that would have helped the Buckeyes' underclassmen.
• Receiver Verlon Reed, who had just one catch in 2012 after being a starter early in 2011, is leaving the team.
• The Buckeyes made it official that the spring game will be in Cincinnati because of Ohio Stadium concrete work.
• Cornerback pledge Eli Apple has a great reason for changing his name.
• Will the Buckeyes go for another offensive lineman in this class?
• The biggest need is still at linebacker, and Mike Mitchell and Trey Johnson will announce at the nationally televised all-star games. They're both among the top #BlueChipBattles.
• Urban Meyer has Georgia on his mind in recruiting, almost as much as Ohio. Two prospects from South Georgia power Camden County got Ohio State offers this week.
• Ohio State will get the first official visit of ESPN 150 safety Vonn Bell.
• Five things to know and five things to learn and needs vs. wants in Ohio State's 2013 class.
• Ohio State doesn't offer scholarships to many junior college players, but there was one they missed on this week.
• 2014 TE Jeb Blazevich loves Ohio State's coaching staff.
• The Buckeyes are firmly in the race for a top linebacker in the 2014 class, as well as massive OT Orlando Brown Jr.
• 2014 QB Drew Barker grabbed two more offers, but not Ohio State yet.
• 2014 athlete Lonnie Johnson postponed his announcement.
• Urban Meyer did the most underrated coaching job in the country this year, writes Travis Haney.

Football

• The NCAA is weighing some proposals to change the recruiting calendar.
• Does Ohio State's monitoring of athletes' spending go too far in compliance? (New York Times)
• The Buckeyes' goal was to be the best secondary in the country, and they have a great shot at that next season. (Dispatch)
• The Buckeyes' toughest opponent next season could be ... San Diego State? (Plain Dealer)
• John Simon says his injured knee will be ready for the Senior Bowl. (Dispatch)
• Former Buckeyes lineman Kirk Barton earned an MBA while serving as a GA. (Dispatch)

Basketball

• Kansas has the Buckeyes' number.
• It didn't happen Saturday, but Ohio State is developing scoring options beyond Deshawn Thomas, who is one of the top 10 matchup nightmares in the country.
• The Buckeyes struggled a bit, but got past Winthrop.
• Amedeo Della Valle is the people's bomber. (Eleven Warriors)
• How the Big East/Catholic 7 saga affects the Buckeyes. (Land Grant Holy Land)

The Gang's All Here

• The Indians are using Nick Swisher's Ohio State ties in order to recruit him to Cleveland.
• The men's volleyball team is aiming to get back to national prominence. (Dispatch)
• Thirty-three student-athletes graduated after the fall semester. (OSU)
• Those holiday treats are tough on Ohio State wrestlers. (Dispatch)