It is far from a secret Ohio State will be replacing the majority of its top talent that was so essential to the success of the last two seasons. The Buckeyes have a ton of holes to fill.
But every team brings back some key parts even in transitional seasons, and Ohio State is no exception in 2016. The Buckeyes have quite a few experienced players who will be relied on heavily even though there's quite a bit of roster turnover.
We tried to showcase those players by selecting the five most indispensable for the 2016 season. These are essentially the players Ohio State can't afford to lose — whether that be due to injury, suspension, or whatever other reason — and are most critical to the team's success.
So without any further delay, here's our list.
5. Billy Price — Offensive Guard
One of two offensive linemen on this list (you can probably guess the other), Price is preparing to enter his third season as a starter up front for Ohio State. It's still unclear whether he'll start at left or right guard this year, but either way, he is crucial to the Buckeyes' success on offense.
Depth on the offensive line has been a rather large concern and a point of emphasis for Urban Meyer, so it's essential for Ohio State to keep Price on the field as much as possible next season as he protects quarterback J.T. Barrett and also paves the way for whoever winds up winning the running back competition.
4. Gareon Conley — Cornerback
The lone returning starter in the secondary, there's an argument to be made Conley could be Ohio State's most important defensive player next season. He was, by most accounts, outstanding last season — his first as a starter — and will look to become one of the Big Ten's best defensive backs this year for the Buckeyes.
Conley will attempt to follow in the steps of Bradley Roby, Doran Grant and Eli Apple as Ohio State's No. 1 cornerback who goes on to become an early-round NFL Draft pick in the Meyer era. The Buckeyes have very little experience behind Conley at corner, so his play will be huge in Ohio State's potential success this year.
3. Raekwon McMillan — Linebacker
Though there was certainly an argument to be made for Conley as Ohio State's most important defensive player, it's hard to pick anybody over McMillan — the captain of the Buckeyes' defense.
An All-American candidate at middle linebacker, McMillan led Ohio State last season with 119 tackles. The 6-foot-2, 240-pounder is a projected first-round NFL Draft pick should he opt to leave Columbus after his upcoming junior season.
Perhaps even more important than his on-field ability, however, is how McMillan has developed into a leader throughout his first two years at Ohio State. It's hardly a surprise he was named a captain by Meyer at the conclusion of last season and there are no replacements on the Buckeyes' roster for McMillan.
2. Pat Elflein — Offensive Center
Unlike his other teammates who all had the same option, Elflein decided to return to Ohio State for his senior season. The Buckeyes are going to need him, too, as the apex on an offensive line attempting to replace three starters.
Like McMillan, Elflein was named a captain by Meyer following last season and there's an argument to be made he could actually be Ohio State's most indispensable player. His transition to center means he will be in charge of making all of the checks and calls to protect Barrett.
A three-year starter, Elflein comes in at No. 2 on our list and very easily could have been No. 1.
1. J.T. Barrett — Quarterback
Ohio State has a pretty successful history of the backup quarterback succeeding under Meyer, so Barrett being No. 1 on this list maybe isn't quite the slam dunk selection you'd think it would be. But at the end of the day, he's the Buckeyes' most important player heading into 2016.
Barrett will provide Ohio State with stability at the sport's most important position during a season where there is turnover at nearly every other spot on the roster. It's the primary reason why you can't rule Ohio State out as a contender for the Big Ten title; the Buckeyes know who their quarterback is and you can't say the same for many of the other teams in the conference.
As things stand right now, Joe Burrow is Ohio State's No. 2 quarterback though highly-touted freshman Dwayne Haskins will arrive soon and things could change there. But there's no question who the Buckeyes' No. 1 option is and that's Barrett.
Ohio State will go as far as Barrett takes it in 2016.
