The Irreplaceables: The Most Indispensable Players Within the Big Ten's East Division

Building depth and developing young talent are two of the more pivotal aspects of running a successful college football program, and Ohio State's 2014 season may be one of the best recent examples of this. 

The expectations for the season changed drastically when Braxton Miller re-injured his shoulder in the middle of August. J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones were anything but household names at the time, and Miller was thought to be one of those players that the would-be national champions just couldn't afford to lose.

Depth is great to have, but it's not always the easiest thing to predict. Flashing in practices and spring scrimmages is one thing, but consistently performing against conference foes is a whole 'nother ballgame. 

The Big Ten's East Division is expected to be one of the best in the nation this year, and there are a number of players who would be nearly impossible to replace.

Ohio State • OT Jamarco Jones • CB Denzel Ward

The Buckeyes have plenty of returning starters and an absurd amount of depth at most spots. The biggest question along the offensive line is at right guard, but its most important player is lining up at left tackle.

Jamarco Jones is someone that Urban Meyer doesn't even want to think about having to replace as the depth at tackle is fairly thin right now. Jones is the team's best lineman and should be an early-round Draft pick in 2018. If something crazy were to happen, it's very likely that a total reshuffling of the line would take place. 

Even after having three players drafted in the first round, Ohio State's defensive backfield is likely the most talented unit in America. The issue is that the vast majority of that talent is unproven. Jeffrey Okudah and Shaun Wade should see the field this season, but it's not fair to expect too much from a pair of true freshmen.

Denzel Ward brings elite speed and plenty of experience to the cornerback position. While there's talent behind him – including JUCO transfer and potential starter Kendall Sheffield – Ward will be one of the more irreplaceable players on the defensive side of the ball in 2017.

Michigan • OL Mason Cole • DB Tyree Kinnel • DT Maurice Hurst

The Wolverines are a tough team to evaluate heading into the season. Everyone knows that they've lost a ridiculous amount of talent, but Jim Harbaugh's recruiting should help to remedy that even if it does take some time. It's no surprise that the most irreplaceable players are the ones with the most experience.

The offensive line loses three starters, but Mason Cole is a dang good piece to have coming back. Cole started his career at tackle but then settled in nicely as the team's center. He's actually rated as the No. 1 center for the 2018 Draft by a number of services. This season it looks like he's headed back to tackle because frankly he's probably their best option at the spot. One of the few returning starters, Cole is a guy the Wolverine offensive line really can't afford to lose. 

Despite having never started a game, defensive back Tyree Kinnel is the most experienced returning starter in the secondary. The Huber Heights native will be asked to help lead a defense that returns just two starters from a season ago. Michigan's secondary is slated to be the least experienced unit in the entire country.

Defensive tackle Maurice Hurst will be the only returning starter on a young defensive line, and he too will be asked to take on a leadership role. The senior will be surrounded by talent – including the likes of Rashan Gary – but Hurst could be the most essential member of the defensive line. Todd McShay has him going No. 16 in the 2018 NFL Draft.

Penn State • RB Saquon Barkley • Punter Blake Gillikin

The Nittany Lion offense has been revitalized under offensive coordinator Joe Moorhead, and it all starts with Saquon Barkely. The junior is likely to be the country's top running back, and despite a talented backup in Miles Sanders, Barkley – along with Trace McSorley – is what really makes this offense go. He's a Heisman frontrunner for a reason. 

Saquon Barkley put the whole USC defense on skates pic.twitter.com/EEKrueO70Q

— Jonathan Valencia (@JonValencia_WiB) July 27, 2017

An under-the-radar – yet extremely important – guy for the Fighting Franklins would have to be punter Blake Gillikin. Penn State's special teams was oftentimes less than spectacular when the scholarship restrictions were still in place, but that has recently changed. Gillikin's arrival last year saw Penn State's yards per punt average go from No. 11 in the conference all the way up to No. 3.

Michigan State • OL Brian Allen

Mark Dantonio and the Spartans have fallen on tough times lately. The 2016 season was a disaster and the recent sexual assault allegations and suspensions have only added to the turmoil. 

If the Spartans have anything to look forward to this season, it may very well be the running game, which is expected to be led by L.J. Scott. The stable of backs is pretty talented, but the offensive line will be a question mark yet again. In 2016, the Spartans had eight different linemen start at least three games. 

Brian Allen has started 25 games in his career and is expected to anchor the line. Last season he started at three different spots but should settle in at center this season. He is on the watch list for both the Outland and Rimington Trophies. With a lot of question marks in the trenches, he's been the one constant; even if it has been at a number of different positions.

Indiana • LB Tegray Scales

Defense is typically the last thing that comes to mind when thinking about the Indiana Hoosiers, but last season's unit was significantly better than previous years. The 2016 Hoosiers allowed 25 fewer touchdowns than the previous season which was a huge step in the right direction.

Cincinnati (Colerain) product Tegray Scales is without question the leader of the defense. The senior led the Big Ten in tackles a year ago and was tops in the nation in tackles for loss. He received second-team All-America honors and is already being recognized as one of the country's most underrated defenders. 

The Buckeyes will have to deal with Scales right out of the gate when they head to Bloomington on Aug. 31.

Just to clarify, guys like J.T. Barrett, Mike Weber, and Trace McSorley are three of the best players not only in the conference, but in the entire country. Their exclusion is more so related to the talent behind them and how things would potentially unfold in their absence. 

Ohio State's quarterback situation is in good hands, and I don't think going from Barrett to Burrow or Haskins would be too disastrous by any means. J.K. Dobbins is only a true freshman, but he already seems to have that "it" factor that has everyone excited. The same goes for the Nittany Lions as Tommy Stevens is another one of the conference's top backup quarterbacks.

No one is impossible to replace, but some are certainly more difficult than others.