POSITION BREAKDOWN: DEFENSIVE ENDS

Projected starters (height, weight, classification) | Career starts at OSU

Jarrell Owens (6-3, 265, RJr.) | 12

Cole Walterscheid (6-5, 260, RJr.) | 13

Backups (height, weight, classification) Vili Leveni (6-4, 265, RSr.) Tralund Webber (6-5, 250, Sr.) Jordan Brailford (6-3, 250, RSo.) Brock Martin (6-4, 250, Fr.)

Scouting ahead

This season: While Owens and Walterscheid handled all of the 2016 starts at end and enter this season with starter designations, expect a heavy rotation at the end spots.

“Really, of all those defensive ends, four or five of them are capable of being starters,” said Cowboys defensive line coach Joe Bob Clements.

Webber finished second on the squad with six sacks a year ago and Leveni has significant experience, though his career has been hampered by injuries. Brailford has the highest upside of the group, if he can stay healthy. Martin showed up physically ready and has put himself into play as a true freshman.

The future: OSU will lose key rotation pieces in seniors Leveni and Webber, yet return both starters and two backups for 2018. There’s a need to replenish the position, with Owens and Walterscheid entering their seniors seasons a year from now. The Cowboys have one commitment from an end in the upcoming recruiting class: three-star prospect Tyler Lacy, who already has good size at 6-4, 238 pounds. More help is sure to be sought with a look to the junior college ranks likely.