BleedGopher
Well-known member
- Joined
- Nov 11, 2008
- Messages
- 60,876
- Reaction score
- 16,429
- Points
- 113
per Nathan:
The Ohio State football team opens the season Sept. 2 at Minnesota. We are counting down the best 50 players Ohio State will face on that 2021 schedule.
2020 stats: In six games, recorded 27 tackles (5.5 for loss) with 4.5 sacks, two pass deflections and two fumbles forced.
What he has done: Mafe barely cracked the national top 1,500 as a three-star prospect out of Hopkins, Minnesota. His athletic upside eventually broke through, though, and in 2020 he became one of the Big Ten’s most consistent pass rushers.
How he can hurt Ohio State: Mafe is one of a handful of pass rushers who rank among the best in the country who show up on this list of OSU opponents. Some of them appear much higher.
The good news for whatever first-time starter wins the Buckeyes’ quarterback job is they should be well-protected. Offensive tackles Thayer Munford and Nicholas Petit-Frere built their reputations on denying some solid pass rushers in 2020, including some now in the NFL.
So Minnesota may need to find creative ways to utilize Mafe. He often lines up as a stand-up outside linebacker to rush off the edge. However, he will also slide inside to 3 technique, which would give him freedom to attack the backfield without going through Munford and Petit-Frere.
Ohio State ranked 12th among Big Ten teams in sacks allowed per game (2.63) in 2020. That somewhat reflects Justin Fields’ style of play and his willingness to let big plays develop. Regardless, Mafe is one of several reasons why OSU will want to improve on that number this fall.
www.cleveland.com
Go Gophers!!
The Ohio State football team opens the season Sept. 2 at Minnesota. We are counting down the best 50 players Ohio State will face on that 2021 schedule.
No. 18: Minnesota DE Boye Mafe
6-4, 265 pounds, senior2020 stats: In six games, recorded 27 tackles (5.5 for loss) with 4.5 sacks, two pass deflections and two fumbles forced.
What he has done: Mafe barely cracked the national top 1,500 as a three-star prospect out of Hopkins, Minnesota. His athletic upside eventually broke through, though, and in 2020 he became one of the Big Ten’s most consistent pass rushers.
How he can hurt Ohio State: Mafe is one of a handful of pass rushers who rank among the best in the country who show up on this list of OSU opponents. Some of them appear much higher.
The good news for whatever first-time starter wins the Buckeyes’ quarterback job is they should be well-protected. Offensive tackles Thayer Munford and Nicholas Petit-Frere built their reputations on denying some solid pass rushers in 2020, including some now in the NFL.
So Minnesota may need to find creative ways to utilize Mafe. He often lines up as a stand-up outside linebacker to rush off the edge. However, he will also slide inside to 3 technique, which would give him freedom to attack the backfield without going through Munford and Petit-Frere.
Ohio State ranked 12th among Big Ten teams in sacks allowed per game (2.63) in 2020. That somewhat reflects Justin Fields’ style of play and his willingness to let big plays develop. Regardless, Mafe is one of several reasons why OSU will want to improve on that number this fall.
Minnesota’s ‘freakish’ Boye Mafe out to ruin Ohio State quarterback’s debut: Buckeyes’ best opponents, No. 18
Minnesota defensive end Boye Mafe is an emerging NFL Draft prospect who can test Ohio State's freshman quarterback on opening day.
Go Gophers!!
