Position-by-position grades for Buckeyes’ 2021 season

It’s a testament to the high standard set by and for Ohio State that an 11-2 season capped by a Rose Bowl win can be considered a disappointment. ● But any year in which the Buckeyes lose to Michigan and don’t win the Big Ten can’t be judged an unqualified success. An early loss to Oregon caused a shuffling of responsibilities among defensive coaches, and the Buckeyes did improve on that side of the ball until Michigan exposed them. ● On offense, the Buckeyes relied on a dazzling passing game led by redshirt freshman C.J. Stroud and the spectacular receiving trio of Jaxon Smith-njigba, Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave. ● Dispatch beat writers Bill Rabinowitz (offense) and Joey Kaufman (defense and special teams) graded the performance of each position group from this past season.