Ohio State football: Early Offensive Two-Deep Depth Chart for 2021

The Ohio State football team is trying to figure out who is going to get snaps. We project the depth chart way too early.

Ohio State football is right around the corner and that means it’s time to dive into what this roster may look like in 2021. Today we will analyze and project the Buckeyes two deep depth chart for this fall on the offensive side of the ball, while defense will be out in the days following.

QB – CJ Stroud (RS FR), Kyle McCord (FR)

Stroud only accounted for one touch over the course of his freshman season and that was a 48-yard rushing touchdown vs MSU. There is a lot to like about Stroud who was highly recruited coming out of high school. Stroud checks some of the same boxes as Justin Fields as he has a strong arm along with impressive athleticism that allows him to make plays out of the pocket. Stroud is young but has an elite supporting cast along side him, especially at WR with arguable the top receiving corps in all of FBS. Stroud also has the guidance of Ryan Day who will install a game plan to ensure his success.

Kyle McCord, the 27th ranked recruit in the class of 2021 looked sharp in the spring game meaning this battle for the starting job will be a tight one as we close in on the season but Stroud should have the edge. The player who starts under center will have an elite supporting cast around him meaning either of these guys could be under the radar Heisman picks.

RB – Master Teauge (RS JR), TreVeyon Henderson (FR)

Teague reminded us in the national championship how valuable of an asset he is to this football team, rushing for 65-yards and 2-touchdowns on 15 carries vs Alabama. Teague quietly had a solid season despite Trey Sermon’s late breakout as he recorded 12+ carries in six of his seven games a season ago, rushing for 514-yards and 8-touchdowns while averaging a little under 5 yards per carry. Teague even posted a career high 169-yards vs IU and will assume the role of the bruiser this fall while his side kick posses immense talent.

I anticipate TreVeyon Henderson will provide the biggest immediate impact among true freshman. The top ranked RB recruit shows great lateral agility with great acceleration in the open field. Henderson’s best attributes are his abilities as a pass catcher who’s versatility allowed him to shine out the back field and even at CB. Henderson is a high end playmaker who is certain to see plenty of work early in his career right out the gate and fills the role of pass catching back, something Teague doesn’t do.

WR1 – Garrett Wilson (JR), Julian Fleming (SOPH)

WR2 – Chris Olave (SR), Emeka Egubka (FR)

SLT WR – Jaxon Smith-Njiba (SOPH), Marvin Harrison Jr (FR)

Chris Olave shocked many by opting to return to the Ohio State football program for another year as him and Garret Willison are arguable the nations top two returning pass catchers, posting quite similar numbers a year ago. Everybody knows about the stars at the top of this core but the fillers are what really makes them stand out. The slot should see a mix of Jaxson Smith-Njiba and Julian Fleming, both being highly ranked 5-stars in the class of 2020 and are certainly instore to see some legitimate time in the rotation following an off-season of work with the first team as they posses high ceilings.

Marvin Harrison Jr, the son of former Colts legend Marvin Harrison arrives on campus, being the 14th ranked WR (96th OVR) recruit in the class of 2021 has great hands and is a primer route runner for his youth and although he will slowly be worked on to the field his abilities will be used often. Ohio State also snagged the top ranked pass catcher in this years cycle in Emeka Egubka. The Washington native has a great blend of strength, speed and hands. Ohio State has unquestionable the nations top wide receiver core and all of them are destined to see the field with the aforementioned Wilson and Olave heading the charge. (2020 Stats Olave: 50 Recs, 729-Yards, 7 TDs, Wilson: 43 Recs, 723-Yards, 6 TDs)

TE – Jeremy Ruckert (SR), Cade Stover (RS SOPH)

Ruckert has been great at catching touchdowns for the Buckeyes each of the past two seasons but just recently started getting national recognition due to his outstanding effort versus Clemson. Ruckert has caught 27 passes for 296 yards and 9-touchdowns over the past two seasons, two coming against the Tigers and one coming via an incredible one handed snag in the 2019 Big Ten title game.

Cade Stover is transitioning from OLB to Tight End, and given his 6’5, 235 pound frame could allow him to thrive. Stover was a highly ranked defensive recruit coming out of high school making this transition an interesting one but he has the talent to really shine anywhere, as he did in high school.

LT – Thayner Munford (SR), Dawand Jones (JR)

Munford is one of the nations top three returning lineman, depending on who you ask but everyone’s list will have his name on it. Munford was among elite status a season ago from his LT spot and anchors down that side of the offensive line.

Dawand Jones is a former standout basketball player who was ranked outside the top 1,000 in the class of 2019 and will be the Buckeyes swing tackle this fall.

LG – Harry Miller (JR), Matthew Jones (RS JR) 

Miller was solid in 2020 after replacing Jonah Jackson and with another off-season of work should be in for an all-conference type season. Miller has been limited this spring with an injury but once he’s thrusted back into the lineup has the potential to be elite in his own right.

C – Luke Wypler (RS FR), Josh Fryar (RS FR)

Wypler was the second ranked center in the class of 2020, as a primer four-star recruit. Wypler is a former varsity wrestler meaning he’s not afraid to get nasty in the trenches while possessing great technique. Wypler is strong and has good lateral agility and is one my radar as one of the Shoes top breakout candidates for the Ohio State football team .

Josh Fryar, like Dawand Jones was brought in as a three star recruit mainly for depth purposes. Fryar will occupy any spot on the interior line as a backup.

RG – Paris Johnson Jr (SOPH), Matthew Jones (JR)

Johnson, the top ranked OT and ninth overall recruit in the class of 2020 will get the start at Guard this fall. Johnson is 6’6, 305 pounds and has the athletic ability to make any block in this high paced offense. Ryan Day has made it clear that Johnson is shifting inside this fall but is certainly the tackle of the future.

Matthew Jones, the top ranked Center recruit in the class of 2018 will occupy a backup role on the interior and could even find himself competing for the starting job in the middle.

RT – Nicholas Petit-Frere (RS JR), Dawand Jones (JR) 

Nicholas Petit-Frere, another former five star recruit took a massive leap forward in 2020, solidifying his spot as starting RT in favor of Paris Johnson. The Florida native was one of the nations top pass protectors a season ago but could use some improvement as a run blocker.

None the less Petit-Frere is going to be an all-American candidate and I’m excited to see how much more he improves following an impressive year.