The 2018 Ohio State football team is loaded with top-level talent yet again, and may well be the most skilled we have seen under Urban Meyer. Here is a look at which players could have a breakout season.
Chase Young
At 6-foot-5 265-pounds, Defensive End Chase Young is simply put is a freak of nature. Late in games during the 2017 season, Young saw the field mostly during mop-up time, but it was evident he will be special.
He will play on a defensive line with Nick Bosa, one of the nation’s best players who is a potential No. 1 overall NFL draft pick. Young will line up opposite the “Little Bear”. The duo of edge rushers will quickly become a matchup nightmare for opposing offensive lines.
Young certainly possess the potential and athleticism to become one of the most dominant players in the country before his departure to the NFL. Last year many around the sport may not have heard of Chase Young. However, this season, maybe even afer a few games, Chase Young will be a household name.
Dre’mont Jones
Another defensive lineman ready to be unleashed is Dre’mont Jones. He will command the interior alongside Robert Landers and live in the offensive backfield. As a new addition to the Buckeyes’ Rushmen package, Jones will increase his draft stock with the way being paved by the momentous attention being drawn by Nick Bosa. Double teams and/or too much focus on Bosa will lead to many opportunities for Jones to capitalize and make the big play.
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Dwayne Haskins
A quarterback who can make every throw, Haskins looks poised to be the next great field general for the Buckeyes. The shoes he has to fill are large as JT Barrett was one of the most decorated quarterbacks to ever play College Football. Barrett’s Big Ten and school records speak for themselves as Barrett boasts 39.
But last year in Ann Arbor, when Barrett had to exit “The Game” due to a bizarre injury, in came Dwayne Haskins. A glimpse of the future for Buckeye fans, who in the moment feared was upon them sooner than expected.
Haskins went onto the field with the Buckeyes trailing in the Big House but came through with a drive highlighted by a third and thirteen precision bullet to Austin Mack proving he belonged.
You can expect Buckeyes to emphasize the run early this season to help ease Haskins into his role. That should give him a certain comfort level heading into early season bouts with TCU and Penn State, both of which are away from The Shoe.
It’s hard to say if Haskins will hit the ground running or if it will take time for him to become acclimated to starting. However, for the first time since Cardale Jones and Devin Smith were hooking up on deep passes, Ohio State’s consistent vertical passing assault will return. With Haskins under center and experienced receivers to target you can count on that.