Recruiting rankings are often flawed because each individual player has a different story, but programs that bring the best talent to their campus typically win the most championships.
The injury bug also bites some players and their chances to live up to the massive expectations set forth by recruiting services fall by the wayside. For example, think about former five-star linebacker Mike D'Andrea whose career never could take off due to knee problems.
Urban Meyer's football program underwent a major overhaul following the 2015 season, with nine underclassmen declaring for the NFL Draft and 18 seniors graduating. The Buckeyes fielded essentially the same roster the past two seasons, hardly leaving room for many underclassmen to make an impact with so much pro talent available.
More than half of Ohio State's roster (44 of the 85 available scholarships) is set to be either true or redshirt freshmen in 2016. That leaves, however, a solid group of older players at risk of falling behind that youth. There are also some players that haven't yet made an impact on the field for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State recruits the top talent year in and year out, so some of these players have yet to live up to their billing as impact players. Below are five that must change that this fall or risk getting passed over by the young guys under them.
Evan Lisle — Redshirt Junior Offensive Lineman
Lisle committed to Ohio State as part of the vaunted 2013 recruiting class, a four-star prospect from Centerville. A top-75 player nationally, Lisle was expected to make an impact up front early in Urban Meyer's tenure.
As we enter year five of Meyer's reign in Columbus — and Lisle's fourth season — we still are waiting for the 6-foot-6 and 305-pounder to achieve enough consistency to earn playing time.
However, Lisle did receive valuable snaps with the first-team offense often this spring due to some injuries in the unit and Billy Price sitting out as a member of the 2,000-rep club. Will that translate to worthwhile minutes in 2016? If it doesn't, the clock might strike zero on Lisle's career.
James Clark — Redshirt Junior Wide Receiver
Meyer said Clark had the "best spring" of his career this year, a step vital for his future playing time. An ankle injury in the 2013 Florida A&M game forced a redshirt during his first year on campus, but Clark has been unable to blip up the depth chart since.
A hamstring injury during the 2014 season kept him behind the likes of Devin Smith, Michael Thomas, Jalin Marshall, Dontre Wilson and others. He saw some time last season, but did not record a catch. Clark still does not have a reception in his career.
Clark committed on signing day in 2013, an important get for Meyer and Zach Smith as a four-star and speedy receiver from south Florida. A first-team all-state performer as a senior, many expected Clark to contribute right away. Injuries prevented that, but now in his fourth year in Columbus, Clark must step up.
Chris Worley — Redshirt Junior Linebacker
To put it simply, it's now or never for Chris Worley.
He waited his turn behind Darron Lee at strong side linebacker, bulking up earlier in his career so he could move from safety to linebacker and provide depth. He played extensively on special teams last season and leads to start in place of the first-round draft pick this fall.
However, sophomore Jerome Baker isn't going away. If he keeps making plays like the one-handed interception he snagged in the spring game, it'll be difficult for Luke Fickell to keep him off the field. Problem is, where do you put him? He could supplant Worley if the redshirt junior and former Glenville High School star doesn't hit the ground running this fall.
Dylan Thompson — Redshirt Sophomore Defensive Lineman
Thompson redshirted the 2014 season with a knee injury and didn't play at all last year. Meyer laid it out pretty simply this spring when asked about the defensive lineman's status with the program.
"Do something," Meyer said of Thompson. "And underline that. Do something."
A bit harsh, sure, but the point of view makes sense from the head coach. A three-star prospect from Chicago, Thompson had the potential to provide depth and even earn significant playing time on the defensive line this spring after exits of Adolphus Washington, Tommy Schutt, Joel Hale and Joey Bosa. Instead, we heard about Bosa's little brother, Nick, and the excitement about his arrival to campus in June in addition to the development of other players on the defensive line.
Thompson certainly could step up and get playing time this fall, but he'll need to show Larry Johnson something soon to make that happen.
Kyle Trout — Redshirt Sophomore Offensive Lineman
Though he is just a sophomore in terms of football eligibility, Trout just completed his third spring at Ohio State after enrolling early in 2014. The Buckeyes redshirted four offensive linemen this past season, so there is plenty of young talent at the position prime to pass him if he doesn't step up his game.
A four-star recruit, Trout was a top-25 tackle nationally in the class of 2014, but has yet to see the field. The coaching staff can't be in a position to wait much longer for him to produce and provide depth instead of only playing on the scout team.
Ohio State signed four offensive linemen in its 2016 class and two highly ranked players in Josh Myers and Jake Moretti have already committed for 2017. The clock is ticking on Trout to make a move.
