Here is a look at some of the Ohio State freshmen likely to see significant playing time next season.
With the Ohio State underclassmen declaring for the NFL draft, many young players will have the chance to step up and make a difference for the Buckeyes this fall. Having the nation’s second-best recruiting class coming in, I imagine that a lot of blue-chip freshmen will compete for starting roles. Especially since nine of them are early enrollees who will practice with the team this spring.
There are a couple of negatives in starting a true freshman, though. The first is that they lack experience and are prone to make mistakes. The second one is, the earlier a top-tier player sees significant playing time, the more likely it will be for him to leave early to the NFL.
Nevertheless, here is a list of the seven freshmen who I think will make the greatest impact this coming season, listed from the least likely to the most likely.
7.) Chase Young, DE (6-5, 251)
If not for the depth Ohio State has on the defensive line Chase Young would be a lot higher on this list. He has future top five NFL draft pick written all over him.
I imagine that with Tyquan Lewis, Nick Bosa, Sam Hubbard, Jalyn Holmes, Jonathon Cooper and company returning, Young probably won’t get into the rotation much. But who knows? We’re talking about a five-star guy with pass rush skills as good as any freshman in the country.
One thing that we will see right off the bat in Young is great length and athleticism. And while he’s an excellent pass rusher off the edge, perhaps his best trait is having the ability to get a hand up and bat down passes at the line of scrimmage. We will be lucky to see this guy stick around until his senior season.
6.) Baron Browning, OLB (6-4, 230)
A five-star recruit, Baron Browning is the number one linebacker in the country. He will make an instant impact, and is a guy you can bring off the edge to pressure the passer and plug up the middle to stop the run. His 4.5 forty speed and excellent instincts make him good in space as well.
This guy can do whatever you ask of him on defense, including playing as a defensive back who can break on balls and intercept them.
5.) Trevon Grimes, WR (6-3, 202)
One thing Ohio State hasn’t had since their 2014 national championship season is a deep threat at wide receiver who can stretch the field vertically. That’s where Grimes will come in handy.
Hopefully with his size, speed and physical nature he can fill that void. With his intangibles and straight-line speed combined, he certainly has the ability to come in and contribute as a true freshman.
4.) Jeffrey Okudah, CB (6-1, 190)
Out of all of the safeties and corners in the 2017 recruiting class, Okudah could be the best defensive back in the country. His athleticism, leadership qualities and great frame make him as special as he is, and he can also lay big hits on ball carriers as well.
The Texas product has the ability to be a lock down corner at the next level. The fact that he was originally recruited as a safety just goes to show that he’s good at providing run support as well.
With these qualities and his 4.4 speed in the 40, look for Okudah to see significant playing time this year. Especially since Gareon Conley, Marshon Lattimore and Malik Hooker declared for the NFL draft early.
3.) Josh Myers, OL (6-6, 306)
With MANY inconsistencies on Ohio State’s offensive line last season, guys like Myers have a shot to really come in and steal a starting role. The thing that separates Myers from tackles with similar physical traits is his toughness, attitude and nastiness.
I haven’t seen a more complete Ohio-born offensive lineman come to Ohio State since Nick Mangold way back in the early 2000’s. There’s a lot to be excited about with Myers, and it blows my mind that he dropped from a five-star recruit to a four-star one late in the recruiting process.
Look for Myers to maul over defenders in the run game and gradually improve his pass blocking skills as he matures into one of the better offensive lineman in the conference.
2.) Shaun Wade, CB (6-2, 175)
According to the 247sports composite rankings, Jeffrey Okudah is the No. 1 cornerback in the nation. Well, the Buckeyes also picked up the No. 2 cornerback in the nation in Shaun Wade. I guess Urban Meyer really made this position a priority after the Buckeyes’ secondary was absolutely terrible in his first two years as Ohio State’s coach.
Like Okudah, Wade has a great frame for the position. Having recorded seven interceptions as a high school senior, not only does he have great instincts and ball skills, he’s liable to make a pick six on any given play.
Based on film alone, Wade looks more impressive than Okudah and is just a tad more physical. That’s why I have him ranked ahead of Okudah.
Nevertheless, I am excited about both of these young studs. Both will see the field as true freshmen.
More from Scarlet and Game
- Ohio State Football: How Denzel Burke has bounced back so far this season
- Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes conference schedule is set
- Ohio State Football rolling into form at the perfect time
- How Ohio State football has done historically versus new Big 12
- Ohio State Football: We need to see “Killer Ryan Day” at South Bend
1.) Wyatt Davis, OL (6-5, 310)
Another five-star prospect, Davis was the number one offensive guard in the country in the 2017 class, according to the 247sports composite rankings. In his highlight films, there are moments where Davis appeared to maul over three or four guys at once while taking them for a ride down field.
Like Myers, his run blocking is extraordinary. Although Davis was recruited as a guard, he has the skill-set to excel at any position along the offensive line.
Must Read: Head Scratching Questions and a No-Brainer
Like Myers, Davis has the ability to come in and make an instant impact, which means that Isaiah Prince and a few others’ jobs could be in jeopardy.