Defensive end Vernon Gholston will get all the attention from Ohio State fans after the 2008 NFL Draft, but he should not be the only one.
A pair of Buckeyes, linebacker Larry Grant and offensive tackle Kirk Barton, were selected in the seventh round Sunday. These two seniors will get their chance to become NFL sleepers.
Grant returns to his old stomping grounds after being selected 214th overall. The linebacker, who played for a year at Community College of San Francisco and won Junior College National Player of the Year in 2005, was drafted by the San Francisco 49ers.
It is surprising the 49ers waited as long as they did to draft a linebacker, because they are desperate for depth. Their current roster has six players filling four positions, with no true middle linebackers in reserve. Grant, having played inside and outside linebacker at OSU, should be able to fill either role.
One thing that turns scouts away from the 6-foot-1 athlete is his size. Grant may be a little small when compared to the ideal build of an NFL starter, especially at middle linebacker where he will be expected to shut down the running game. His stature did not hurt him at OSU, with 69 career tackles in 25 games. His experience as a running back in high school also adds depth to his knowledge of the game.
Grant's experience playing safety and special teams adds even more to his versatility. With San Francisco's 3-4 defensive scheme, do not expect to see this Buckeye warming the bench all game.
Barton, pick No. 247 overall, heads to Chicago. The offensive tackle was projected to be picked earlier, making this athlete, who allowed only one sack last season, a steal late in the draft.
Barton's biggest concern is his quickness. His speed has shown little improvement in his time at OSU and some scouts believe he might have hit his peak. Slow performances in consecutive BCS title games has brought this problem into the national spotlight. A nagging knee injury from 2005 may be the cause of this, but offseason surgery could put an end to these worries.
Despite these issues, his size, intelligence and experience have made Barton a hard guy for coaches to pass on. His dedication to his 300-pound frame in the weight room should impress fellow teammates. The coaching staff will recognize his knowledge of the game in practices, and his years starting at OSU have prepared him for a career in the NFL.
One suggestion would be to move Barton to guard. The speed concerns become less important on the inside of the line, and a player with Barton's size and style of play would be wasteful on the bench. It would be a difficult transition, but the chance at playing time would keep him dedicated.
Unlike Gholston, who will be given one of the starting end positions upon training camp, Grant and Barton will have to work their way into their starting lineups. Gholston, however, has the potential of being a bust in the NFL.
The other two Buckeyes have nowhere to go but up.
Nick Bechtel can be reached at bechtel.42@osu.edu.
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