Quarterback
Theo Scott, a senior from Long Beach, Calif., began last season as Ohio's starter, but after two games he injured his left collarbone, giving way to Boo Jackson, a senior from Gardena, Calif. Jackson finished the season as the starter. Scott is back and should be at full strength. Scott and Jackson will make quarterback one of the more heated position battles of the spring. Scott's injury limited him to only 29-of-44 attempts for 247 yards and one touchdown. In 2007, he completed 63-of-109 passes for 743 yards and threw for five touchdowns. Jackson completed 185-of-306 attempts a year ago for 2355 yards and 19 touchdowns. Jackson also rushed for 333 yards and two touchdowns.
Running back
Last season Chris Garrett led the Bobcats with 529 rushing yards and five rushing touchdowns. Donte Harden rushed for 454 yards and had two touchdowns in four fewer games. Vince Davidson should also play a large role in the Bobcats' running game. The three along with L.J. Flintall will be fighting all spring for carries.
Wide Receiver
Senior Taylor Price and junior LaVon Brazill both return after leading Ohio with 51 and 34 catches, respectively. After those two, the position gets a little murky. The battle at wide receiver will be for the third spot. Last season as a redshirt freshman, Riley Dunlop was third among wide receivers with 22 receptions, and Terrence McCrae had 14. Those two along with promising junior Steven Goulet will lead a heated battle for the spot.
Tight End
Andrew Mooney, who holds the Ohio single-season record for touchdown receptions with nine, and is tied for second in all-time touchdown receptions with 12, has graduated. David Carter, who was a team captain and the only other tight end with a reception, is also gone. The Bobcats have seven tight ends with no experience battling it out for playing time.
Offensive Line
Ohio loses its top three linemen from a year ago in left tackle Josh Leuck, left guard Mike Eynon and center Tommy Stuck. Senior David White will likely fill either the left guard spot or center. Senior Shawn Fosnaugh was immediate backup at left tackle last season and will look to secure that spot. On the right side of the line senior Michael Philibin returns at right guard and junior Cole Bunner returns at right tackle. That makes four spots with solid contenders, with one completely up for grabs. Look to see if the Bobcats' top recruit Jonathan Lechner or junior college transfer Kadre Pinder shake things up.
Fullback
Ohio will look to replace Jayson White. Joel Scipio was listed second on the depth chart last year. Mitch Morsillo is returning from an injury that kept him out all last season. In addition, freshmen Tim Edmund and Nico Price could also battle for playing time when they enroll.
Linebackers
If there is one position where Ohio has continuity from last year, it's linebacker, where two of three starters return. The Bobcats' leading tackler a year ago, middle linebacker Noah Keller, returns for his junior season. The second leading tackler, Lee Renfro, returns at weakside linebacker for his senior season. Chris Hall's departure does leave one spot open at linebacker. Redshirt sophomore Jay Edwards and sophomore Brandon Weaver are the leading candidates.
Cornerback
Ohio loses one, Mark Parson, but gets back senior starter Thad Turner, senior Idris Lawrence and junior Julian Posey, who is returning from a leg injury. Lawrence, who was the immediate backup at both spots last season, will battle Posey and possibly safety Travis Carrie for Parson's spot.
Defensive tackle
Ernie Hodge and A.J. Oxley both return for their junior seasons, giving Ohio a pair of experienced defensive tackles. Jameson Hartke, though, leaves a big hole to fill. He led the defensive line with 52 tackles and the team with four sacks. Jacob Williamson, who was second on the depth chart a year ago, has also moved on.
Safety
Free safety Steven Jackson was the Bobcats' third-leading tackler with 71 and added two interceptions. The absence of Michael Mitchell leaves junior Donovan Fletcher and sophomore Travis Carrie, who could contend at either cornerback or safety.
Defensive End
Both starters will return at defensive end. Junior Curtis Meyers and senior Kris Luchsinger are both back, as is senior Conor Reilly.
Special Teams
There is almost no speculation on special teams heading into the spring. Punter Matt Schulte returns for his junior season. Sophomore Matt Weller appears to be the guy to take over for Barrett Way at kicker. Kyle Robbins returns for his senior season at long snapper. Chris Garrett, L.J. Flintall and Donte Harden are both back to return kicks. Brazill, who returned the majority of the punts last season, is back as well.
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Boo Jackson proved to be a capable replacement at quarterback for Theo Scott last year. He'll go up against Scott for the top spot on Ohio's depth chart. (Joel Hawksley | Staff Photographer)
