Fresh off a national championship season which many considered to have happened a year ahead of schedule, it’s no secret Ohio State is stacked with talent for the upcoming 2015 season.
The Buckeyes did not lose a single underclassman to the NFL Draft — they are the first national championship team to do that since LSU in 2007 — and they return 15 starters from last year’s squad.
There is no questioning the skill on Ohio State’s roster. It is flooded with potential early-round NFL Draft picks: Joey Bosa at defensive end, Taylor Decker on the offensive line, Cardale Jones at quarterback, Darron Lee at linebacker. The list goes on and on.
But the Buckeyes have a talented roster behind those who are projected to start in 2015. They have a significant amount of depth.
Here are five players who are projected non-starters for the upcoming 2015 season at Ohio State — quarterbacks not included — who will make a major impact at some point.
Curtis Samuel
This probably seems like I'm taking the low-hanging fruit here by selecting Samuel — he's one of Ohio State's top playmakers — but truth be told we don't really know how much he's going to play this season.
Samuel spent all of last season as Ezekiel Elliott's backup at running back, but practiced this past spring with the H-Backs. The Buckeyes already have Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson at that position. Samuel will make an impact for Ohio State, it's just uncertain where he'll do it at this point.
Sam Hubbard
There isn't a backup defensive player Ohio State's coaches have raved about more than Hubbard, who has played three different positions since coming to Columbus last year.
Hubbard redshirted as a true freshman as he tried to find a position. He's now at home at defensive end and although Tyquan Lewis came out of spring practice as the starter at end opposite Joey Bosa, Hubbard will make his way onto the field in 2015 and will be an impact player for the Buckeyes.
Erick Smith
Ohio State is set at safety with both Tyvis Powell and Vonn Bell returning, but that doesn't mean there isn't a place for Smith on the field this fall.
The sophomore from Cleveland made impact on special teams last season as a true freshman, but I'd expect him to push for some meaningful snaps this season at safety or, potentially, at the nickel position.
Damon Webb
With Doran Grant gone, Ohio State had an opening for a starting position at cornerback. In spring practice, redshirt sophomore Gareon Conley won the job, according to head coach Urban Meyer, and will go into fall camp as the starter.
But sophomore Damon Webb was right there with Conley and I'd expect that to continue this fall. Webb will likely be the Buckeyes' third corner and should see some meaningful snaps this year after playing mostly on special teams a year ago.
Parris Campbell
Opportunities to make an impact as a reserve on offense are less likely with the overwhelming talent Ohio State has on that side of the ball, but if there's a darkhorse to be that guy it could be Campbell.
The redshirt freshman is one of the Buckeyes' fastest players and could be a dangerous playmaker at either H-back or wide receiver. Campbell had a strong spring and would be yet another weapon for the Buckeyes on offense.
