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Class of '14 Key in '17 - Despite Early Departures

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buckeye phi's picture
March 30, 2017 at 12:14pm
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There has been a lot of talk about Ohio State's young talent this offseason - and rightfully so.  The class of 2017 reportedly had the highest average recruiting rating of any class since those kinds of metrics have popularly been used.  And nine of it's twenty one members were early enrollees this year. 

Then, there's the usual buzz about those underclassmen who have already shown flashes of brilliance in limited action.  Of course, the development of young talent is key to the overall health of any program.  However, it is still preferable to have a core of veteran talent throughout the team.  Ohio State has that covered - and then some - this year

The Buckeyes' class of 2014 is poised to have a tremendous season.  In spite of the fact five of it's members have declared early for the NFL draft this April, this year's seniors and redshirt juniors will be appearing throughout the line-up. In fact, if those five had decided to stay one more year at Ohio State, over half of this season's starting line-up would probably have been made up of members of that class, alone.   

Naturally, it's tempting to wonder what the 2017 Buckeyes might have looked like if Noah Brown, Malik Hooker, Marshon Lattimore, Raekwon McMillan, and Curtis Samuel had all stuck around.  But for this exercise, the focus will be on the players who will actually be participating for OSU this year.  

The current narrative is that there is only one vacant spot on the offensive line.  Four starters are returning from 2016, but it wouldn't be terribly surprising if some reshuffling occurred.  Pass protection was a major problem last season, obviously.  

Currently, one of the leading candidates to fill the void is redshirt junior, Demetrious Knox.   If he wins the starting job (presumably, at right guard), he will be joining classmate, Jamarco Jones - a true senior and star player at left tackle.   

Brady Taylor provides solid depth to the interior line, also.  And though he didn't come in with the class of '14, Malcolm Pridgeon (a junior college transfer last year) will technically be a redshirt junior this season.  Pridgeon has now fully recovered from the knee injury that kept him out of action in '16.  It'll be a little surprising if he doesn't make his presence felt in a big way, soon.  

The player who has arguably been making the most waves during spring drills so far is redshirt junior, Parris Campbell.  As expected, he has made the move from wide receiver to H-back (upon Samuel's departure).  Already established as a kick returner, Campbell is also known as a ferocious blocker.  Due to his unselfish play, he is one of head coach, Urban Meyer's "favorite players"  

A highly regarded running back in high school, Campbell should be a natural at the hybrid position at this point in his development.  To say big things are expected of him this year would be quite an understatement.  

Another '14 classmate, Terry McLaurin, is in the thick of the battle for the starting job at "Z receiver".  Like Campbell, McLaurin is one of the fastest players on the team.  It will be interesting to see how well he might fit in to new offensive coordinator, Kevin Wilson's, "enhanced" passing offense.  

A talented but chronically injured wide receiver, Johnny Dixon, is healthy at this writing.  If his knees will let him, he could be a factor this year as well.

There will be members of the class of '14 playing throughout the defense this season.  Sam Hubbard will be a starter at defensive end.  He will be joined in the two-deep rotation by classmate, Jalyn Holmes.  Behind them in the formation - Dante Booker is expected to start as the Buckeyes' strongside linebacker in '17.  

If the season was to start today, it looks like both starting safeties would be from the class of '14.  Damon Webb is the lone returning starter from last year's secondary.  At the other safety spot, Erick Smith has been running with him on the first team in the early going in spring drills.  

Don't forget the leading candidate to take over as Ohio State's placekicker.  Sean Nuernberger was the starting kicker as a true freshman three seasons ago.  He appears to be the odds-on favorite to resume those duties in '17.  

If that all holds up, it means eleven players from the class of '14 could be starters or, at least, major contributors this year.  In our present age of early departures for the NFL, transfers, etc., that is rather amazing - especially, for an elite program.  

Now consider that the Buckeyes will be returning six starters who will be redshirt seniors in '17.  That's a total of seventeen players with at least four years in the program who are expected to contribute significantly this year.  In fact, over the course of one year - Ohio State will have gone from the least experienced roster in the FBS to one of the most veteran teams - among elite programs.  

In spite of a crushing loss in the college football play-off to close out '16, based on experience/maturity alone, Buckeyes everywhere have good reason to have high hopes for the upcoming season -

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