What Happens to Ohio State Defensive Players in the NFL?

Ok, Buckeyes I know you have a lot of good cornerbacks and wide receivers in the NFL. I'm not talking about those guys. I am talking about your defensive ends and linebackers that were drafted very high in recent drafts and ended up with less then impressive stats. (and yes, I know of Michigan's history of running backs in the NFL)

Today, let's focus on three players: AJ Hawk, Vernon Gholston, and Bobby Carpenter.

• All First Round Draft Picks (Carpenter - 2006 #18 pick, Hawk - 2006 #5 pick, Gholston -2008 #6th pick)

Let's look at Bobby Carpenter of the Dallas Cowboys:

He has played in 46 total games and made 45 solo tackles (12 in 2007, 10 in 2008, 9 so far in 2009). Bobby has 1.5 sacks in his career and 0 interceptions. Considered a bust so far in Dallas and mostly plays on special teams and some 3rd downs.

AJ Hawk of the Green Bay Packers:

AJ has played in 51 games and recorded 245 tackles, 7.5 sacks with 3 interceptions. AJ has been a steady but not spectacular linebacker for the Packers. The News and Notes from Yahoo Sports says: Hawk only had seven tackles in the previous two games combined, so this was a big game for him. The Packers are using a combination of linebackers right now which limits their playing time. Rookie Clay Mathews who scored a touchdown last night has seen a lot of time at AJ's expense.

Vernon Gholston of the NJ Jets:

Vernon has played in 19 games so far and recorded 12 solo tackles with zero sacks. Vernon is having a hard time breaking into the starting lineup even with Calvin Pace serving a 4 game NFL suspension. Disappointment doesn't start to explain Vernon's career so far with the Jets. He is widely considered one of the biggest busts from the 2008 draft. What Vernon does have going for him is time and he can right the ship with the new defensive coaches now running the Jets.

Summary:

To be fair, these guys are still young and have time to find their way in the NFL. Carpenter and Gholston have been the most disappointing, with AJ being more steady then the dominate linebacker which the Packers thought they were drafting. Also, Will Smith another Ohio State DE that was drafted in the first round in 2004 has had a very successful NFL career highlighted by a pro bowl selection in 2006 and a low light of a 4 game suspension in 2008 after testing positive for diuretic, which can be used a masking agent for steroid use.

What are the reasons behind this? Difficult to say. Some might consider that a dominate player in the Big Ten does not equal that of a NFL Star. Maybe "the Vest" gets the best out of his players? Maybe they are in the right position in college but not in the complex defenses of the NFL?

Anyway you look at it, NFL GM's across the league will look a little harder at Ohio State Linebackers or Defensive Ends before drafting them in the first round in future drafts. That might be the reason Laurinaitis dropped to the second round last year.

Note: James Laurinaitis was a second round draft pick in 2009 and is off to a fast start with 25 tackles through 4 games for the St. Louis Rams. Marcus Freeman was a 5th round draft pick by the Chicago Bears and has yet to play in a game.