Five under-the-radar players to watch on the Ohio State football team

The beginning of camp for the Ohio State football team is all but upon us. Here are a few under-the-radar players to keep an eye on in 2024.

Gabe Powers – Linebacker: Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles has said the redshirt sophomore improved a lot during the second half of the 2023 season. He won’t supplant Cody Simon as the starter at MIKE (middle) linebacker, but he’ll see the field far more than he did last season. At 6’4” and 242 pounds, he’s the team’s biggest linebacker and is perfect for short yardage and goal-line situations.

Brandon Inniss – Wide Receiver: It isn’t often you can consider a former five-star recruit an under-the-radar player, but that tells you how much talent the Buckeyes have at receiver. His opportunity for significant playing time last season was hurt by his decision to not enroll early.

He had just one catch in 2023, but it happened to be for a 58-yard touchdown that certainly got the attention of OSU fans. A hairline fracture of his foot slowed him this spring, but he has drawn rave reviews from his teammates about the work he has put into rehabbing that injury. Most likely, he’ll begin the season as a backup to Emeka Egbuka in the slot and be the team’s fourth receiver.

Hero Kanu – Defensive Tackle: Because he’s entering only his fourth season of organized football, Kanu has just scratched the surface of the talent he possesses. He grew up playing soccer in Germany and his family has been in the U.S. since 2020. There is a lot of excitement among those who have seen his workouts and the thinking is there will not be a drop-off in performance when Tyleik Williams is given a breather.

Bryson Rodgers – Wide Receiver: I include him because I heard his name mentioned often as one of the young players who had an outstanding spring. Because of a boat load of talent ahead of him at this position, you may not see him for anything other than spot duty here and there, but he has the potential to be productive when given the chance.

Calvin Simpson-Hunt – Cornerback: He’s another who did not enroll early last year, but he impressed enough to find his way onto the field in each of the last five games of the season. Knowles said he has come along step by step and is someone who competes every day.

Simpson-Hunt is another who has a lot of talent in front of him, but don’t be surprised if you see him used as a situational player when the Buckeyes go with extra cornerbacks. Also, I’m quite certain you’ll see him featured prominently on special teams.

There are a multitude of guys you can include on a list like this. But these five all jump out at me as having the ability to be very productive when called on.