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Ohio State Football: 3 under the radar Buckeyes poised to have a big year

By Frank Teriaca

GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers is wrapped up by Zach Harrison #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images)
GLENDALE, ARIZONA - DECEMBER 28: Trevor Lawrence #16 of the Clemson Tigers is wrapped up by Zach Harrison #33 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the first half during the College Football Playoff Semifinal at the PlayStation Fiesta Bowl at State Farm Stadium on December 28, 2019 in Glendale, Arizona. (Photo by Norm Hall/Getty Images) /
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LINCOLN, NE – SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes on the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images)
LINCOLN, NE – SEPTEMBER 28: Head coach Ryan Day of the Ohio State Buckeyes on the field before the game against the Nebraska Cornhuskers at Memorial Stadium on September 28, 2019 in Lincoln, Nebraska. (Photo by Steven Branscombe/Getty Images) /

The Ohio State football team is poised to have a big 2020 campaign. Here are three under the radar players who could breakout next season.

As the sting of the Fiesta Bowl still lingers, it is time to turn the page and start looking forward for what’s to come next season. Head coach Ryan Day has a lot of talent coming back to Columbus next season and he received some great news on Thursday afternoon when linebacker Baron Browning announced that he would be returning for his senior year.

It is safe to assume that players such as Justin Fields, Chris Olave and Garret Wilson are going to have great seasons for the Scarlet and Gray next season. But who are some under the radar type players that can take the next step and make big contributions to the Buckeyes next season? Here are three names to watch out for:

Zach Harrison, defensive end

If Ohio State wants to make the College Football Playoffs next season than young players on the defense are going to have to step up. And Zach Harrison may just be the key player for that defense. The former five-star recruit from Olentangy Orange High School in Columbus made a very nice impact this season as a true freshman.

Harrison finished with 14.5 tackles and 3.5 sacks on the season. Colin Hass-Hill of Eleven Warriors broke down Harrison’s snap count in comparison to other great Buckeye defensive lineman during their freshman seasons:

"“Zach Harrison played 284 snaps as a freshman. For an Ohio State defensive lineman under Larry Johnson, that’s a boatload. Tells you how much the coaches think of him. For reference, Chase Young played 196 snaps in 2017 and Tyreke Smith played 183 snaps in 2018.”"

I think that gives you insight to the fact that the coaches are looking at Harrison to take over Chase Young’s spot in the lineup for next season. And while it is going to be hard for him to replicate Young’s dominant performance, look for Harrison to be that “next in line” defensive end for Larry Johnson. A 10 sack season would not surprise me in the least for Harrison.

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