Another season of Ohio State Football is near with a new crop of youngsters and newcomers ready to perform. There are lots of guys to be excited about. Like everyone else, I can't wait to see the likes of Jack Sawyer, JTT, Kourt Williams, TreVeyon Henderson ect ect..Yet in this era of mega recruiting hype and social media, I find myself especially cheering for those less heralded and overlooked players to break out.
I've created a pre-season team of sleeper Buckeyes and am curious about your opinions on which guys you view as most likely to potentially surprise. Most of these players are competing for increased role, significant playing time, and first real game action. Others have already made contributions, but still may be getting overlooked by fans & media.
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QB - Jack Miller III - There's been no shortage of press regarding the QB position at Ohio State. The next few seasons are shaping up to be perhaps the most
fascinating in program history in terms of how they handle the talent in that room. Despite being one of the top west coast signal callers of 2020, a lot of Buckeye
fans are seemingly having a difficult time envisioning Jack Miller III as the man at Ohio State. Does this feeling have more to do with the competition in the room or
are there serious doubts about his ability?
In my opinion Jack may have been one of the 2020 freshmen hurt the most by the lack of game reps in the covid season. The outlook from fans may have been different had we got a chance to see him ball out vs teams in mop up duty last season. Yet, if there's any fanbase that should value the importance of QB depth & hold off on premature conclusions, It's BuckeyeNation. We saw Kenny G come in and ball out in 2013, then we witnessed Cardale Jones win a national title a year later. Whether it's 2nd or 3rd string for Jack Miller, I want to see him show out and make the most of his opportunities when he gets in there.
RB - Marcus Crowley - Former Florida Gatorade player of the year and top 100 prospect - Marcus Crowley seems to be the default 4th RB due to Master Teague's incumbency, Miyan Williams' ascension, and Tre Henderson's undeniable ability. Yet Crowley could end up being one of the top 2 RBs on the roster. Finally healed & healthy, Marcus looked good in the spring and is primed for his breakout fall season..provided he gets the opportunity. Listed at 6'1/216..he's bigger than every other back aside from Teague and he gets to the second level in a hurry. He flashed as a true freshman and was on track to do some things before the injury derailed his second year campaign. I feel like Crowley would be a #1 or #2 back for several power 5 teams. Don't sleep on him!
RB - Master Teague - It's wild to think about a player of his experience level getting overlooked, but that's exactly the case for Teague. It appears many
in BuckeyeNation have developed a case of Master Fatigue (pun intended) as we're ready to see what other guys can do. Master seems to be approaching Tuf Borland status as captain quality guys who just aren't ideal/optimal as feature players. At Ohio State we are used to video game guys at RB, Teague is not that. But how many times have we seen upperclassmen guys turn it up to another level in their latter years? Jonathan Wells, Derek Coombs, Brandon Saine, Boom Herron, Mike Weber ect..
I don't view Master as feature back quality, but am not ready to give up on him either..especially after not being fully healthy last season. The dude is physically imposing, and in my view he doesn't even have to show more shake (although it would be nice), if he could just break more tackles he will get his this season. He's a one cut and go type of back..that's cool..but if you're not going to make many guys miss, don't go down as easily as you have at times..that was more frustrating than anything. There's nothing like a having a big determined upperclassman brute at RB..it could do a lot for the confidence of the young QB and O-Line. And it shouldn't surprise us to see Teague have some monster games this season..players do get better.
RB - Evan Pryor - The RB room is loaded featuring what could be Oho State's next great one in Treveyon Henderson. But I feel like we should be talking about
Evan Pryor more because he's electric in his own right. One of the top backs out of the south for the 2021 cycle, Pryor is equipped with big time shake & elusiveness, game breaking speed and excellent hands out of the backfield. People compare Henderson to Saquon Barkley. Well I see some Alvin Kamara in Evan Pryor. tOSU hasn't had many guys with his type of skillset. And if used correctly I see him destroying teams in the B1G Ten. Like Marcus Crowley, I think Evan Pryor would immediately be in the two deep for several teams as a true freshman.
TE - Joe Royer - Everyone knows about Ruckert. People seem to be high on Cade Stover and Gee Scott is naturally getting press from the position switch. But haven't heard much on second year TE Joe Royer. Another freshman victim of the 2020 lost covid year, there just weren't many opportunities for optimal development due to minimal games and a veteran TE room. The Cincinnati Elder product was able to utilize spring to increase his weight/strength and get more comfortable with his inline blocking. Per his spring & fall interviews with media, Royer is looking to make his mark on special teams as well as competing for snaps in Day's 12 personnel as more of a receiving threat. It looks like Stover is going to take on Luke Farrell's role alongside Ruckert. Like everyone else, I can't wait to see what Gee Scott can do in this offense, but it looks like there's opportunity for Royer to compete for that #3 TE spot.
OL - Luke Wypler, Matt Jones, Enokk Vimahi -- There's not much to say here as it seems like Ohio State's entire 2 deep has garnered considerable praise this pre-season! And it's been awesome to read about how deep and strong this O-line room is. The rise of Dawand Jones has kind of pushed the other Jones from New York to sleeper status as it looked like Matthew was a probable starter after his play last season. At center, the staff is really high on Harry Miller's off-season improvement, but Luke Wypler isn't making that decision for starting center easy at all. Just another example of how deep this line is. Wypler could be starting for several B1G teams right now and has all-conference potential imo. Jones & Wypler really don't fit the category as sleepers, but Enokk Vimahi might be. After the newfound hype of Josh Fryar this pre-season, Vimahi is probably the least talked about dude in the two-deep. The stoic sophomore out of Hawaii can play guard or tackle and is ready to step in where ever he is needed. I can't wait to see Stud's second team O-line operate after the 1st team gets done putting it on teams this season.
WR - Julian Fleming - I'm really looking forward to Julian Fleming making noise this season. Talk about being a 'victim' of Brian Hartline's unreal recruiting and development. You have the top two WRs in college football, a budding superstar in Jackson-Smith Njigba, and two of the most refined true freshmen WRs you will ever see in Emeka Egbuka & Marvin Harrison Jr. Lost in all that is the former #1 overall WR of the 2020 class.
Another one of those Covid freshmen who endured limited
opportunities to shine. Fleming is back, fully healthy and with a chip on his shoulder to show what he can do. At the hotel check-in it looked like Julian didn't even want to acknowledge the press. After last season and not being able to participate in spring ball, he seems laser focused with a bit of healthy anger & excitement to make a name for himself. A lot people are excited about Harrison Jr, but lets not forget about the other big time PA guy in that room. It's almost insane that Fleming is a 'sleeper' candidate this season, but that's the reality of Ohio State's WR talent. The 4th receiving threat should feast in many instances this season..whether that be Ruckert, Fleming or Harrison.. with most of the attention on Wilson, Olave & JSN..I wouldn't want to be that safety or 4th corner matched up with a Julian Fleming. His unique combination of size, strength and speed make him a valuable asset to that room.
DE - Darion Henry Young - Lots of hype for the super freshmen, and for good reason. But I want to see what Darion Henry can do after a normal off-season of development from Larry Johnson. He was a big in-state get from the 2020 class, but isn't getting much press at all. He seems to have that Tyquan Lewis, Tyler Friday like hybrid body type where he can play outside and inside in a pinch. We all know Jack Sawyer is going to have a significant role in the two deep. And with Tyler Friday out, it looks like JTT will also have an opportunity to get lots of snaps as he's progressing quickly. Can Darion Henry carve out a role for himself in this 2021 season in prep for significant playing time in 2022?
DE - Cormontae Hamilton - Hamilton is a true sleeper and underdog player. I love rooting for Buckeyes like him..a guy who doesn't get talked about but just plays hard with that 4 to 6, A-B mentality. He reminds me of Rashod Berry with their initial enthusiasm to become Buckeyes and the physicality they play with, whether on offense or defense. Cormonate seems to have settled in at his DL position with flashes in the 2021 spring game. Larry Johnson has annually showed a willingness to play guys who have consistently performed in practice. Less heralded guys like Hamilton are what make Johnson's famed rotations. Depth is the name of the game and we can use as many guys as possible who are ready. Looking forward to see what the bruiser from Memphis, TN can do this season.
DT - Jaden McKenzie - We know about Garrett, Vincent, Cage & Jackson -- all four should have prominent roles on the line and will need to hold it down for the Buckeyes. But there's opportunity depth wise for several guys to make a move- Jaden McKenzie is one of the two big DL OSU recruited out of North Carolina in recent years (Jacoby Cowan is the other who could also be on this list). Jaden redshirted in 2019 and had to deal with some injuries that hindered his development in 2020. Now he's quietly going about his business to make contributions on this defensive line. There's a pair of true freshmen monsters in Mike Hall & Tyleik Williams who are looking to make noise and Davon's little bro Ty Hamilton is surging, so the time is now for McKenzie to claim his backup spot and contribute.
DT - Noah Potter - It was good to see Noah Potter do some things in the Spring Game. He's just a redshirt sophomore but it feels like he's been at Ohio State longer
than that. At 6'6/275, big Noah has made the most of Mickey Marotti's program with added strength and bulk. A converted defensive end out of Mentor, Potter's pass rushing abilities make him an intriguing option at LJ's 3-tech position inside. Another guy who isn't getting much talk from fans & media alike, you have to think he's benefiting from a full spring and pre-season camp. Noah has physically matured and has had multiple years to study LJ's technique. It's go time in 2021 to push for a role as younger guys are coming.
LB - K'Vaughan Pope - I have the other linebacker from Virginia as the sleeper candidate for big contributions from that room. Mitchell has been all but penciled in as a starter. Cody Simon is getting hella hype, Gant has been a fan favorite and people are talking about additions Steele Chambers & Palaie Gaoteote. But out of all the returning guys, K'Vaughan Pope has made the most plays at linebacker in a Buckeye uniform. He's been a staple on special teams for the last 2/3 seasons and had back to back interceptions in 2019 versus Maryland & Rutgers. He makes up for his lack of size with athleticism and tenacity. After bidding his time for three years, Pope isn't about to let 2021 pass without putting his stamp on the defense. It's going to be exciting to see who steps up to make plays out of linebacker room.
LB - Tommy Eichenberg - Eichenberg is another one of these second/third year players vying for significant playing time for the first time in their Buckeye careers. From his interview with the media this week, the former St Ignatius star appears to be all business as he competes for a spot in fall camp. Tommy said he wants to show
Buckeye Nation how important football is to him. He went on to mention how much he learned from the way guys like Tuf Borland and Justin Hilliard went about their business. His serious demeanor kind of reminds me of Tuf Borland, he doesn't care about all the outside noise as he just wants to hit people and play football..it's easy to root for a kid like this.
He's currently facing stiff competition of the likes of Dallas Gant & Cody Simon when it comes to a starting spot, but we should expect to see #35 on the field this year on special teams and as a solid reinforcement in the front seven. I could see Tommy stepping in later in the season and turning some heads as he gets more comfortable. Good things happen when preparation meets opportunity..that's how Tuf grabbed a spot that he would never really relinquish.
Bullet - Ronnie Hickman - There's an opportunity for whoever mans the Bullet position to be one of the team's overall breakout guys for 2021. This is going to be exciting to watch as all three initial candidates are competing for legit playing time. Kourt Williams looks like a future star Captain for the Buckeyes and Craig Young is a physical specimen..but 'Rocket' Ronnie Hickman has a real chance to make a name for himself this season. Like Williams, Hickman's career got off to a slow start due to a serious injury. But he was able to get his feet wet last season and managed to look just as competent as some of his older peers. Now with a real off-season of development we could see one of those giant steps that a player takes in his second year of real game action. We shouldn't be shocked if Hickman is the starting Bullet in Minneapolis in three weeks.
DB - Marcus Williamson - Super Senior Marcus Williamson is back to help the Silver Bullets return to glory. Nobody really expects the 2020 graduate to be factor this season making him a classic sleeper guy. The turbulent nature of last season just didn't allow for some guys seeing their first game action to play optimal football. To a man, I expect everyone of those guys who played in last year's secondary to make improvements under Matt Barnes' purview.
I re-watched some 2020 games and Marcus' play wasn't too bad..he was able to diagnose plays quickly for the most part and his tackling got better later in that short season. He's already bringing value as a veteran helping some of the younger guys along. They may give him a lesser role , but I'm rooting for the Westerville product to save his best for last in 2021. Some of the best stories are guys who keep sticking with it like Johnny Dixon, Daryl Baldwin, Justin Hilliard, Damon Arnett ect..
DB - Marcus Hooker - Seems like every Marcus on this roster is being slept on. I love a great redemption story and it looks like Malik's little brother is getting a chance to turn some negatives in to positives..on and off the field. Reading some of the vitriol directed at Hooker this season from fans..you would think he personally and purposely ran over their dog. I suspect some of those comments may have been different had his on field play been better. He had his ups and downs like just about every other player in the secondary . You could tell the game was still moving fast for a guy seeing his first real game action. Yet the staff still sees ability & potential in Hooker.
As he works his way through this camp after missing spring ball..I'd like to see Marcus become a special teams demon and earn the privilege of manning the secondary once again. And by the latter half of the season, you never know..his number could be called to step in for guys. It certainly would be something if he ended up being a special teams hero by blocking a FG or forcing a fumble on a returner. I'm thinking any contributions from Marcus this year is gravy.
DB - Bryson Shaw - This guy is like casper the friendly ghost. You rarely ever hear anything about Shaw from the coaching staff, media and the fanbase. A few things seem to working against him. Josh Proctor has that safety spot locked down, for good reason. Young Lathan Ransom has been making an upward move from last season going into this fall camp. And the one high safety look in general simply limits chances for a pure safety to get more snaps. Still, it's going to important for him to be ready in providing depth should his number get called. He's another player more likely to make a name for himself on special teams. After redshirting in 2019 and the fragmented 2020 season, Shaw has to be chomping at the bit to compete in a full season prior to what should be a big competition in 2022
