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Ohio State Football: How players will benefit by enrolling early

By Charlie Lockhart

ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 25: Urban Meyer head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts to a play in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines on November 25, 2017 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images)
ANN ARBOR, MI - NOVEMBER 25: Urban Meyer head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes reacts to a play in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines on November 25, 2017 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /
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A look at Ohio State’s early enrollees.

Nine of the 23 players in this year’s recruiting class have already enrolled to get a head start on their Ohio State football careers. While it is sure to benefit each of them just by getting acclimated to college life and the football program, it will enable some to see playing time next season.

I’ll take a look at the nine recruits and see how enrolling early may impact their freshman season. I will group players by units and/or similar situations when possible. 

I will begin with the defensive players today and look at the players on the other side of the ball later.

I want to take a look at the defensive tackles first because each has an excellent chance of making the rotation. They are Antwuan Jackson the No. 1 JUCO player in the country and Tommy Togiai the No. 3 high school DT.

With Tracy Sprinkle and Michael Hill moving on there is a need to fill in at least one spot in the nose tackle position rotation. Each of the tackles could be in the mix with a strong spring.

Jackson was a highly coveted recruit by Urban Meyer in the 2016 class. Being able to work with Larry Johnson in spring practices may enable him to step in at NT right off the bat.

The extra work with coach Johnson will certainly help Togiai, but getting into Mickey Marotti’s strength and conditioning program early could be a huge benefit. Togiai was dominant in high school but he hasn’t been beat on by 6-5, 300 pound offensive linemen on a regular basis. The extra muscle he will put on will certainly help his chances of seeing the field in the fall.

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Tyreke Johnson certainly helped himself by enrolling early. With Damon Webb graduating there is an opening in the two deep at safety to be filled, and going through spring practices will give him a better opportunity to earn the spot.

Like corner Jeffrey Okudah last year, Johnson is a five-star recruit who has an opening. It worked well for Okudah by enrolling early didn’t it?

Linebacker Dallas Gant and cornerback Sevyn Banks are outstanding talents but are in loaded units. They will benefit by having an opportunity to impress coaches on special teams in the spring that may enable them to see playing time in the fall.

However, I think it would be a long shot for either of those players to make the two deep in their units unless there is an injury situation with players ahead of them.

Next: Urban Meyer’s Zone 6 wish-list filled

Next time I’ll look at the offensive players who enrolled early. At least two of those players may have really helped themselves by doing so.

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