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Media Guide Depth Chart Holds Several Surprises
by John Porentas

The OSU media guide released yesterday had in it a depth chart (below) going into fall camp and while there weren't a ton of surprises, there were a few.

There were several names on the depth chart that were a bit surprising, a couple that were missing, and a couple that were in unexpected spots.

Missing Names: Perhaps the biggest surprise of the names missing is that of defensive end Robert Rose. Rose is coming off shoulder surgery but most thought he would be in the two-deep going into fall camp.

Also missing is Ray Small from the wide receiver position. Small is on the depth chart as a specialist (returner) but not at wide receiver.

New Names: Taurian Washington is currently penciled in at the wide receiver spot formerly held by Small. Josh Kerr is listed as the backup at left tackle to Alex Boone and Connor Smith the backup at right guard to Ben Person. Also along the offensive line, Evan Blankenship is listed as the backup to Bryant Browning at right tackle. At defensive end Tom Ingram is listed in the spot most thought would go to Robert Rose.

Names in unexpected spots: Donald Washington is listed as a backup at corner after having been a starter. Washington's demotion is related to off-field problems, not performance on the field. Currently taking Washington's spot as the starter is Chimdi Chekwa. Also at corner, Eugene Clifford is currently listed as a backup, but Clifford's future as a Buckeye is somewhat cloudy also due to off-field problems.

"I really can't say anything about Eugene just in case he ends up somewhere else and they need to talk about it. He's in the midst of a situation and we'll know for sure what everyone is doing, Eugene and the rest, when we report for camp," said Tressel yesterday of the situation with Clifford.

If Clifford does leave the Buckeyes, the most likely replacement for him on the depth chart is Andre Amos.

The depth chart reflects how things stood after spring ball. Fall camp usually produces some changes in the depth chart. The most likely changes will be at defensive end where Rose could earn his former position back and along the offensive line at the backup positions where any number of young offensive linemen are capable of stepping up and earning a spot on the depth chart. It will also be very interesting to see if Small and Washington can earn their way back into good graces with the coaching staff.

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