Football
Youth Movement at Defensive End Faces Challenge from Determined Veterans
By John PorentasOSU defensive coordinator Jim Heacock told reporters last fall that his duo of incoming defensive ends, Nathan Williams and Keith Wells, was perhaps the best pair of freshmen he has had at that position at Ohio State. That is high praise from a coach that had Will Smith and Darrion Scott as incoming freshmen to mention just one of the impressive pairs of ends Heacock has seen.
Nathan Williams As a true freshman last year Williams burst onto the scene as playmaker and this season is working with the first defensive line after off-season shoulder surgery. Wells, however, did not have the opportunity to shine last year due to a series of injuries he addressed in the off-season.
"Last year I was kind of devastated with injuries," said Wells.
"I dislocated my shoulder twice, so after the Texas game I went on ahead and had labrum repair surgery.
"The labrum is in your shoulder and is pretty much the muscle tissue that keeps the ball in the socket.
"All in the off-season, the summer and the spring, I've been rehabbing and getting my strength back so I can go out and compete."
Wells is in camp and champing at the bit to prove himself as a player who can make the same kind of impact that his classmate Williams made last year. Wells' biggest obstacle to that goal will be the formidable talent already on the OSU depth chart at his position. To see the field Wells will have to displace players like Thaddeus Gibson or Lawrence Wilson, both of whom are pure defensive ends, or even players like Cameron Heyward or Robert Rose, both of whom can play inside or outside. Despite the wealth of defensive ends, Wells is not deterred.
Keith Wells "That doesn't discourage me," said Wells.
"I feel like once I'm at my point, the point where I want to be, there won't be any competition for me."
Bold words, but Wells thinks he can walk the walk to back up the talk. He also knows that is a major challenge.
"There's definitely a lot of competition on the defensive line but at the same time once I get to where I want to be it won't matter who's on the depth chart. I feel like I'll excel over anybody," he said.
"The competition (at defensive end) definitely motivates you. At any given time you can move up on he depth chart and at any given time your spot can be taken, so you've definitely got to stay humble and you've definitely got to stay hungry."
What may help Wells get onto the field this year is his versatility. He has the size to be an effective run stopper yet possesses the speed an athleticism to rush the passer. That means he can fill several different roles, and that should help him get onto the field this year.
"I can play long and rangy and at the same time I can take on run blocks," said Wells.
"I've got my hand in the dirt right now but at any given time I can stand up and play the Leo position that Thaddeus Gibson plays. I can pretty much move around the line. I'm pretty versatile.
"Right now I'm playing with my hand in the dirt but they're experimenting with me at Leo also."
Lawrence Wilson Wells' and Williams may represent the youth-movement at defensive end at OSU, but there is one grizzled veteran that will offer stiff competition for playing time for both Wells and Williams, fifth-year senior Lawrence Wilson. Wilson is also coming off a season-ending injury, his second in two years after having earned a starting position in both of the last two seasons before having his year cut short by a leg injury.
"I'm feeling about 90 percent right now and I'm feeling better every day," Wilson said last week on photo day.
"By the season, the first couple of games, I'll be 100 percent.
"There's just a little soreness here and there, but other than that it feels great.
"My knee feels great and I'm ready to go. My conditioning is great, I passed the conditioning test pretty easily. I feel good running."
Wilson is also hungry. As a fifth-year senior, this is his last go-round as a Buckeye, something of which he is acutely aware, and he wants to be on the field despite the competition youngsters like Wells and Williams bring for playing time.
"This is my fifth media day. You blink and the time has passed by. I've learned a lot and I'm ready to play," Wilson said.
"It's my last year. Lord willing I'll stay healthy. I'm just excited to play and excited to show what I have and what I can still do."
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