The "we don't rebuild, we reload" mantra has been around Ohio State's program for years and it has largely rang true thanks to a recruiting machine that evolved during the early-mid 1990s under John Cooper and carried through to Jim Tressel and now Urban Meyer.
As Ohio State saw 12 players taken in last year's NFL Draft including a record 10 selected in the first three rounds, the expectation was the mantra would be challenged in 2016 with the Buckeyes forced to replace 16 starters.
Linebacker was just one position group hit hard by roster turnover as Darron Lee went to the New York Jets with the 20th pick of the Draft followed by fellow starter Joshua Perry who landed in San Diego as a 4th round selection.