Graduation will take toll

COLUMBUS (AP) -- For the final time, 26 seniors will pull on an Ohio State uniform when the Buckeyes play Kansas State in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 2.
The void they will leave in the lineup next season will mean lots of chances for underclassmen and freshmen to make their cases for playing time. It will also mean lots of anxiety for everyone from coach Jim Tressel to the Buckeyes fans who have become so accustomed to winning because of the senior class.
"Oh, it'll be interesting," senior tight end Ben Hartsock said of what lies ahead for the program.
In addition to the seniors, many also believe that junior cornerback Chris Gamble will likely make the jump to the pros a year early.
If that is the case, when the Buckeyes convene for spring practice they will have to replace at least 12 and possibly 13 starters.
Opportunities for recruits
So many vacancies should provide Tressel with a bumper crop of recruits intent on playing right away. No one knows the Ohio State two-deep roster better than guys who are already looking ahead to where they fit in.
When recruits "see a position that's going to graduate, the competitive guy looks at that and says, 'You know what? I'm going to go compete for that,' " Tressel said. "The opportunity to play is always up there when it comes to recruits."
Here's a look at what the recruits and underclassmen are looking at, position by position:
Offensive line
No fewer than four starters are graduating: Alex Stepanovich, Adrien Clarke, Shane Olivea and Hartsock. Sophomores Nick Mangold and Rob Sims return, but this will be the No. 1 area Tressel will strive to patch. Ryan Hamby is solidly established as Hartsock's replacement.
On the interior line, T.J. Downing and Adam Olds are likely fill-ins for the departed seniors.
"These guys are up-and-comers who have been a part of every situation we've gone through the past couple of years and they're ready to take the helm," Hartsock said. "That's part of the evolution of football."
Receivers
It's not quantity but quality when it comes to the departed here. Michael Jenkins and his 50 catches a year -- many coming with a game teetering on the brink -- will be hard to replace.
Santonio Holmes stepped in for the injured Drew Carter (who also graduates) and had a big second half. Roy Hall and Bam Childress largely are not proved players, but that might be because Jenkins has been the go-to guy for so long.
Holmes said he can only imagine what next year's team will be like.
"Occasionally I'm thinking about it and I wonder which guys are going to have big impacts for our team next year, filling in the spots of some of the guys that are leaving," he said.
Running backs
The top two rushers are back, Lydell Ross and Maurice Hall, but the Buckeyes were largely ineffective on the ground all season. Look for an incoming freshman to make a big push for playing time. Branden Joe is finally healthy at fullback and figures to play a larger role in 2004.
Quarterback
Craig Krenzel and Scott McMullen have taken almost all the snaps this season and now both will be gone.
Justin Zwick was anointed as the next great Ohio State quarterback when he came to campus two years ago. So far, he hasn't had an opportunity to show his stuff after tossing 89 touchdown passes in high school.
During last spring's workouts, however, it appeared that athletic Troy Smith was ahead of Zwick in the pecking order. Don't be surprised if both see considerable action when the 2004 opener against Cincinnati rolls around on Sept. 4.
Asked if he was antsy to prove himself, Zwick said, "No, not too much. We still have a game to play in January. We're getting ready for that. We'll see how it goes after that."
Defensive line
Another area decimated by losses. Gone are three of the four starters: Will Smith, Darrion Scott and Tim Anderson, with end Simon Fraser back.
The 2004 season could be a breakthrough for several other players who have shown flashes of ability but have never gotten a long look, including Marcus Green, David Patterson, Quinn Pitcock and Mike Kudla. Despite the holes, the falloff will not be huge.
Linebackers
A.J. Hawk has already marked himself as a fine player. Now is the time for Bobby Carpenter, Mike D'Andrea and Thomas Matthews to do the same. Seniors Robert Reynolds and Fred Pagac Jr. were adequate, but the younger players will make the most of the opportunity.
Defensive backs
Strong safety Will Allen, who saved the day in wins over North Carolina State, San Diego State and Bowling Green, is out of eligibility. Donte Whitner will likely step into his spot and join holdover Nate Salley on the back line. Dustin Fox is solid at one corner. Should Gamble leave, Ashton Youboty or Harlen Jacobs would likely get to start.
Special teams
Mike Nugent is as good a kicker as there is in the nation. The Buckeyes lose his counterpart, punter B.J. Sander. Backup kicker Josh Huston is Sander's nominal backup, but Tressel and his staff will almost certainly have to recruit a punter to either develop or possibly play right away.
Intangibles
Coming off two glittering seasons, Tressel's assistants have become attractive to many other colleges seeking head coaches. Defensive coordinator Mark Dantonio took the Cincinnati job on Tuesday -- and will lead the Bearcats into Ohio Stadium for the Buckeyes' opener on Sept. 4.
The Buckeyes will be tested early and often in 2004, with games against Marshall and at North Carolina State after taking on Dantonio's new team. After a bye week, they'll embark on the Big Ten schedule.
Despite the losses, there are still talented players itching for their chance.
"The guys who will still be here have gained a lot of experience," Jenkins said. "I think they'll be fine next year."