Looking back at the 2021 Ohio State recruiting class: The contributors

In part one of this series, we looked back at the 2021 Ohio State recruiting class, focusing in on those players who decided to depart the program. At first glance, to lose 11 players of a 24-person recruiting class looks bad, but look closer at those departures - QB Kyle McCord and P Jesse Mirco were the only players who had developed into consistent starters, with the other players more within the contributor category.

It is that "Contributor Category" that will be the focus of this article. While small in number, both of these players listed will have eligibility remaining after the 2024 season, and could potentially be starters for the Buckeyes in 2025.

The Contributors (2)

1. WR Jayden Ballard - Ballard was among the earliest players in the recruiting class to offer his verbal commitment to Ohio State, verballing on 06/21/2019, from traditional Ohio powerhouse Massilon Washington. Ballard redshirted in 2021 and has been among those group of players that Ohio State fans have been wondering when he will emerge as one of the Ohio State wide receivers.

Ballard figures prominently as an option for Ohio State as the team's leading punt returner, as he fielded 9 punts for 49 yards during the 2023 season. At The Big Ten Media Days in July, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day said of Jayden Ballard, "...Jayden Ballard is another guy who has been at the program a while, we need him to step up and make an impact. He is a down the field threat with great speed.".

Considering that the wide receiver room at Ohio State is arguably the most talented and deepest position group within the football program, it is understandable that Ballard has had his difficulties with making a move up the depth chart. For his career, Ballard has 9 receptions for 159 yards, and 1 touchdown, which will be seen in the video clip provided, when Ballard played against Toledo in 2022. Ballard will have another year of eligibility, after the 2024 season.

2. OT Zen Michalski

Hailing from Floyds Knobs, Indiana, Michalski did not verbally commit to Ohio State until 10/03/2020, after originally being a verbal commitment to Louisville. Like Jayden Ballard, Michalski will have another year of eligibility after the 2024 season.

Zen Michalski was in the competition for the starting right tackle position during the 2023 spring drills and was eventually relegated to a backup role along the offensive line. Considering the likelihood that both Josh Simmons and Josh Fryar will be leaving the Ohio State program after the 2024 season, Michalski could set himself up well for the 2025 season, with strong performances in game time during the upcoming season.

Two players out of 24 players signed ranked as "contributors", for about an 8% value. Far less than the desired third in the unofficial "Rule Of Thirds" when evaluating recruiting classes, but as written up above, both Ballard and Michalski have time to emerge as starters - if not in 2024, then possibly in 2025.

The next and final article in the series will focus on those players who signed with Ohio State in 2021 and have emerged as starters. As always, let me know what you think. Thanks for reading.