COLUMBUS -- There was no need for panic, and Urban Meyer patiently rattled off the reasons why the suspension of his best defensive player didn't have him scrambling for answers.
The Ohio State coach pointed to all the success his program has had in recruiting, loading up with talent poised to step in when needed. He again praised defensive line coach Larry Johnson, and Meyer made clear he has total faith the position coach will have his unit ready to go when the season opens. He even referenced the experience the Buckeyes already have dealing with the adversity that comes from losing a superstar just before the season starts after dealing with it last year at quarterback.
All of that, not to mention the abundance of offensive talent that would be more than capable of picking up some slack should the defense need a lift, ensured there would be no crisis of confidence for Meyer or the Buckeyes when they officially confirmed last week that Joey Bosa would be suspended for their season opener against Virginia Tech. But that still doesn't mean Meyer completely shrugged Bosa's absence off like one of the reigning Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year’s sack celebrations, because if there was one unit with some uncertainty and lack of experience heading into training camp already, it was defensive end.
"Obviously, when you lose the big defensive end, that everyone knows where he's at, that's a concern," Meyer said Thursday at Big Ten media days. "Probably off the get-go it would be arguably one of the best defensive players in the United States of America won't play in that game.
"So that's the one."
That issue might be at the top of the priority list when the Buckeyes begin preparation for the Hokies, but Meyer subtly provided plenty of evidence that suggests he won't view it as a significant hurdle for the preseason No. 1 team in the nation.
The Buckeyes were already putting a strong emphasis on developing their talented but largely unproven defensive ends during camp this month after losing seniors Steve Miller and Rashad Frazier to graduation. And based on the reviews from spring practice, the battle to start opposite Bosa was going to be fierce, with Tyquan Lewis, Sam Hubbard, Darius Slade and early enrollee Jashon Cornell all making a push for the job.
That amount of depth will certainly come in handy now that two of those players will have to make starting debuts in a hostile environment while trying to fill the shoes of a top-rated draft prospect, but there's no way to predict how any of them can handle that pressure at this point.
"It might be a lot of pressure on guys, but that’s my job and Joel Hale's job as a leader on the defensive line and Coach Johnson's job to make those guys feel as comfortable as possible," defensive tackle Adolphus Washington said. "So when they go out there, they should have nothing to worry about but just playing.
"Our defense is made for anybody to play in it. We'd love to have Joey, but we can't have him for the first game. We can't change up our whole defense just because of the absence of one person. Whoever that guy is, he's going to be capable of going in and not having any fall off."
A little drop off in production might be understandable in Bosa's absence, but either way, Meyer isn't worried enough to sound any alarm bells heading into training camp.