Ohio State Football: Could this be the best group of ‘Super Sophs’ yet?

Will the talented players in Urban Meyer’s 2017 recruiting class make an impact on the Ohio State football program like the ‘Super Sophs’ of 1968 and 2014?

50 years ago Ohio State made an incredible run to a national championship led by a group of “Super Sophomores”. Second year players also played a huge part in the Buckeyes’ 2014 run to the title. Now the 2017 recruiting class has the opportunity to make the same kind of impact on the Ohio State football program.

It’s almost a perfect storm with the holes to be filled and the talented young players in those position units. Many of the players in the ‘17 class have an opportunity to earn a starting position or become a key backup. Nearly all have a good chance of making an impact in some way.

First let’s take a look at the players on offense.

Not much needs to be said about running back J.K. Dobbins who set the college football world on fire with his outstanding freshman season. Everybody is expecting even greater things from him this year. But will he have classmates blocking for him?

That’s almost a certainty.

It seems like in nearly every report you read concerning spring practice there is mention of how well Thayer Munford is performing. After playing the backup role last year, Munford is the leader to start at right tackle with Isaiah Prince moving to the left side.

The other linemen in the 2017 class were the top two guards in the country according to the 247Sports Composite. Each are making their presence known as well. 

Josh Myers is in a battle with Brady Taylor for the starting center position. As of now, Wyatt Davis is the backup to Demetrius Knox at right guard. I could see two, or even all three of the linemen on the field with the game on the line.

The next two players will have challenges making an impact in the upcoming season. Wide receivers Jaylen Harris and Elijah Gardner are in the most loaded unit on the Ohio State football team. Seven receivers on the roster caught at least 17 passes last season.

I certainly wouldn’t count Harris out though. The former four-star recruit is 6-5, 215 pounds and was an outstanding high school basketball player. It would be easy to see redzone packages put in for him.

Gardiner was a project player Urban Meyer took a liking to late in the recruiting cycle. He is 6-3 and has bulked up to 200 pounds. He is extremely talented but probably will have to wait another year to see significant playing time.

Of course everybody knows Tate Martell is competing for the starting quarterback job. Whether he is the starter, or has packages put in for him at QB and/or another position, he will be making plays on the field.

Next a look at the other side of the ball where I see second year players flying all over the place, especially in the back seven. But the first player I will mention is a defensive lineman who is being raved about so much by players and coaches you would think his last name was Bosa.