Incredibly, there are currently forty-five players on Ohio State's roster with freshman eligibility remaining. Those are the words frequently associated with predictions that the Buckeyes will not have a great season in 2016. At least, not great by OSU's lofty standards.

Obviously, that also means there are 40 players on the roster who are more experienced than that. (Technically, more than 40 – since Ohio State's roster presently stands at a couple of scholarship players over its limit of 85) Virtually every role of prominence on this season's team will probably be played by members of that group.

Ohio State rather famously, is losing several outstanding players from its 2013 recruiting class to the NFL this year. Familiar names like Joey Bosa, Ezekiel Elliott, Eli Apple, Darron Lee, Vonn Bell, Cardale Jones and Jalin Marshall are all gone. But nearly every remaining member of that class could be a major contributor in '16. In fact, there were very few players from that class who could be fairly labeled as “busts”.

At least thirteen members from the class of '13 could realistically either start – or be part of a starting rotation this year. On offense, JT Barrett, Billy Price and Corey Smith (pre-injury) all started in '15. And Dontre Wilson was the starting H-back in 2014 before going down with a season-ending injury. Every one of those players is experienced – and should be healthy and ready to roll by the beginning of the season.

Also, Marcus Baugh played a great deal as a back-up and as the second tight end in the two-tight end sets the Buckeyes used so frequently last season. Plus, the coaches have been raving about Evan Lisle for quite a while. It would be surprising if he did not contribute on the o-line this year. Hey – wide receiver, James Clark, is still one of the fastest players on the team, for that matter

That's potentially, up to seven offensive starters from one class. Not bad.

On defense, the class of '13 will be just as prominent. Michael Hill, Donovan Munger and Tracy Sprinkle comprised the rotation at defensive tackle in Ohio State's victory in the Fiesta Bowl. Tyquan Lewis was a starting defensive end on the same line.  Lewis was the team leader in sacks last season, by the way.

Gareon Conley is the sole returning starter in the defensive secondary. But Cam Burrows was listed second on the depth chart at safety before going down with a season ending injury last year. He should be a factor in '16, as well.

Last season's starting walk-out linebacker, Darron Lee said there would not be a significant step down if (a fellow member of the '13 class) Chris Worley had to come in for him. It seems the coaches agree. Worley is expected to start this season. In spite of the losses to the NFL, linebacker could be a real area of strength in '16.

That's potentially, up to seven defensive starters from the class of '13, also. Plus, Cameron Johnston will still be handling the punting duties.

Every one of those players has been in the system for three years.

Don't forget – there are still two players from the class of 2012 who are expected to play major roles in '16. Pat Elflein is a team captain and will lead the offensive line at center. And right now, it sounds like Head Coach, Urban Meyer, is favoring Bri'onte Dunn in the battle for the starting running back spot.

Then, consider the returning starters from the class of '14. Curtis Samuel and Parris Campbell (in spite of nagging injuries) each started a few games at wide receiver last season. For that matter, Noah Brown was a virtual lock to play one wr spot in '15 before breaking his leg in Fall Camp. And if the season was to start tomorrow, Jamarco Jones would almost certainly start at one of the vacated tackle positions.

Raekwon McMillan will be the undisputed leader of the defense, of course.  And Sam Hubbard saw so much playing time last year, it's really kind of hard to look at him as a “new” starter, per se. Dante Booker (WLB), Marshon Lattimore (CB) and Erick Smith (S) are all more-or-less expected to start in '16, also. Malik Hooker should be in the mix at safety, as well.

Most of the remaining “holes” in both the offensive and defensive starting line-ups could potentially be filled by members of the class of '14, too. Players like Damon Webb, Johnny Dixon, Jalyn Holmes, Demetrius Knox, Terry McLaurin and Darius Slade are all waiting in the wings. Plus, Sean Nuernberger will continue to handle the placekicking duties.

Every one of those players has been in the system for two years.

A couple of players from the 2015 class were able to play a bit as true freshmen last year. So naturally, they can't be counted among the players with freshmen eligibility remaining, either. One of them (Isaiah Prince) might start this season at tackle. It wouldn't be shocking to see quite a bit of Denzel Ward (CB) and/or Jerome Baker (LB) on the field in '16, either.

Of course, it would be unusual if a couple of players who red-shirted last year do not step up as significant contributors this season. It seems every year there are, at least, a few. And since so many freshmen red-shirted last year the potential for that happening this season should be even greater than in a more typical year. Nobody should be too surprised if guys like Mike Weber, Justin Hilliard, KJ Hill and/or Torrance Gibson play major roles this season.

With the departure of long snapper, Bryce Haynes – red-shirt freshman, Liam McCullough is certain to take over those duties.

Meyer has already pointed out a few true freshmen he expects to play in '16. Austin Mack, Jonathan Cooper and Jake Hausmann come immediately to mind. Plus, Michael Jordan was running with the first team offensive line in practice this week

However, the point is – that in spite of the presence of forty-five players with freshmen eligibility on the roster, few if any of them are expected (or really, needed) to actually start - with the notable exception of McCullough. Barring a rash of major injuries, of course - the players from that group who do contribute in a big way should simply provide the proverbial “icing on the cake”.

The remaining members of the class of '13 will be the ones leading the way -