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2020 Season Outlook - Offense

+9 HS
TroyBuckeyeFan22's picture
December 29, 2019 at 1:32pm
37 Comments

Well, I'm tired of talking about the game last night already. Instead of being pissed about this one, why not be happy and look ahead to next season?

Quarterback
Returning: JR Justin Fields, RS SR Gunnar Hoak
Incoming: CJ Stroud (#2 PRO), Jack Miller (#14)
Leaving: Chris Chugonov

Returning a Heisman finalist for his second full season of work will be a pivotal part of the offense. Fields will likely be one of the top candidates for the Heisman trophy and important in an early season match-up with Oregon, as well as taking on Penn State on the road. The key will be for Fields to stay healthy just as it was this year, as both incoming QB's will be true freshman.

Running Back
Returning: RS SO Master Teague III, RS SR Demario McCall, SO Marcus Crowley, RS FR Steele Chambers
Incoming: Miyan Williams (#46 RB)
Leaving: JK Dobbins*

JK Dobbins was an extremely important asset, that worked his way into possibly being the best back in the country. His 2,000 yard season was the first in Ohio State history. Replacing him will be extremely tough. Teague has looked good in garbage time, but does not have the same burst that Dobbins does. McCall has been around the program for a long time and has yet to break out. The biggest question mark here could be the development of Marcus Crowley, a former Florida Gatorade Player of the Year. Can Crowley become a lead back, or a featured back in his second year in the program to give Ohio State another back? 

Wide Receiver
Returning: JR Chris Olave, SO Garrett Wilson, SR Jaylen Harris, SO Jameson Williams, RS SO Jaelen Gill, RS SR CJ Saunders (?)
Incoming: Julian Fleming (#1 WR), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (#5), Gee Scott Jr. (#12), Mookie Cooper (#15)
Leaving: KJ Hill, Austin Mack, Binjimen Victor

A decent amount of talent will be leaving the team with one of the most productive receivers in history in KJ Hill, along with two receivers that were featured at pivotal times throughout the year. Despite this, Ohio State will likely be improving in the wide receiver department after one of the best wide receiver recruiting hauls in history. With another year of development for Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson, this unit will be dangerous.

Tight End
Returning: RS SR Luke Farrell, JR Jeremy Ruckert, RS SR Jake Hausmann
Incoming: Joe Royer (#11 TE)
Leaving: Rashod Berry

The often under-utilized tight end position will stay strong in 2020, with the top two coming back. Farrell is often looked over but shores up the running game, while Ruckert is one of the most talented tight ends Ohio State has seen, from a school that has a history of producing NFL tight ends. This should be another strength for the Buckeyes in 2020.

Offensive Line
Returning: SR Thayer Munford, RS JR Wyatt Davis, RS JR Josh Myers, RS SO Nicholas Petit-Frere, SO Harry Miller, RS SO Matthew Jones, SO Enokk Vimahi
Incoming: Paris Johnson Jr. (#1 OT), Luke Wypler (#2 C), Josh Fryar (#20 OG), Grant Toutant (#38 OT), Jakob James (#53 OG), Trey LeRoux (#90 OT)
Leaving: Branden Bowen, Jonah Jackson, Joshua Alabi

In some of the biggest bowl news, the three starting lineman that were draft eligible stated that they were returning to school. This will allow the Buckeyes line to be extremely strong in 2020. With Nicholas Petit-Frere, a 5* prospect and top offensive tackle in the country coming out of high school, should slide in to the right tackle position. This leaves one spot for Harry Miller, Matthew Jones or Enokk Vimahi, either at center or guard. Ohio State's offensive line was very good in 2019, and has a chance to be better in 2020.

I think this offense has the potential to be the even better than the offense this season. If the staff can find a serviceable running back (or a rotation of running backs that works), they will be beyond dangerous.

Potential Starting Lineup:
QB: Justin Fields
RB: Master Teague III (Marcus Crowley)
WR - X: Garrett Wilson (Julian Fleming)
WR - Z: Chris Olave (Jameson Williams)
H-Back/Slot: Jaelen Gill
TE: Luke Farrell / Jeremy Ruckert
LT: Thayer Munford
LG: Harry Miller
C: Josh Myers
RG: Wyatt Davis
RT: Nicholas Petit-Frere

I think tOSU will feature a lot of three receiver or two tight end sets, trying to utilize the depth they have with Jameson Williams, Julian Fleming, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Gee Scott Jr., and Jeremy Ruckert. It will also depend on if Jaelen Gill can take the next step and live up to his hype. The other "question" is the last player to join the offensive line, and where they might play. If Miller is the best option, it will be interesting to see if they move Myers to the guard spot and allow Miller to play center since it's his natural position, while Myers is probably a more true guard. It could also be interesting to see if the uber-talented Paris Johnson Jr. could push for the open tackle spot, even though I would be willing to bet not. 

What does everyone think?

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