It's impossible not to take note of the talent on this 2015 Ohio State squad. Seemingly every spot on the two deep is filled with players who could eventually find themselves on an NFL roster; some sooner than others. While this season is still in its very early stages and the NFL Draft is over seven months away, there's no question that next year's depth chart is going to have several openings.
Ohio State's 2016 recruiting class is shaping up rather nicely – currently checking in at #1 in the nation – and there are still a few key pieces that the coaching staff is hoping to add in the coming months. National signing day is still several months away and there will surely be some shake-ups in the class, but right now there are several future Buckeyes who could be in line for early playing time in 2016.
TE • JAKE HAUSMANN & LUKE FARRELL • HAUSMANN HIGHLIGHTS • FARRELL HIGHLIGHTS
Right now, tight end is one of the few positions where Ohio State isn't especially loaded. With Jeff Heuerman's departure to the NFL and the staff's missing out on a few key 2015 targets – namely Hale Hentges (Alabama) and Chris Clark (who has predictably already left UCLA) – the Buckeyes find themselves a little thin at the position. Senior Nick Vannett is one of the best in the country and is listed by some as the top senior tight end in the 2016 Draft class, but behind him are a few question marks.
Redshirt sophomore Marcus Baugh is serving as Vannett's backup, and despite Urban Meyer giving him some praise on Wednesday, his career has been inconsistent as he seems to fall in and out of the coaches' good graces.True freshmen Rashod Berry and A.J. Alexander round out the position, but neither players' future seems to be entrenched at the tight end position. Berry could potentially end up playing along the defensive line and Alexander could move into more of a Noah Brown-type role.
Fortunately for Tim Hinton, the Buckeyes are poised to bring in what will be the top tight end class in America, featuring the nation's third and fourth-ranked players at the position. While the two in-state prospects are grouped together on this list, they both bring something different to the table and could be featured as early as 2016.
Cincinnati's Jake Hausmann (Moeller) has the frame, hands, and blocking ability to make an early impact, possibly as a true freshman. As he adds more muscle, his run-blocking should continue to improve. The competition level at Moeller is also top-of-the-line; the Crusaders will face New Jersey powerhouse Don Bosco Prep on Friday.
Luke Farrell (Perry, Ohio) committed to the Buckeyes at July's Friday Night Lights event, and the 6-foot-6, 240 pounder may also be called upon early in his college career. Rivals.com recruiting analyst Marc Givler sees a balanced tight end prospect ($$).
It could be argued that Farrell is Ohio's most balanced tight end prospect as he has the athleticism to make plays in the passing game but the big frame and strength to be an outstanding blocker on the edge.
Farrell hauled in three passes – including a nifty one-hander – for 66 yards and a pair of scores in last week's matchup against Madison.
RB • KAREEM WALKER • HIGHLIGHTS
The Buckeyes brought in one running back in the 2015 class, and that player – Detroit's very own Mike Weber – had a great summer before going down with a knee injury. Ohio State fans will have to wait at least another week to see Weber tote the rock, as the ground game will continue to rely on a trio of juniors.
The general consensus is that Ezekiel Elliott will be be gone after this season and could very well be the first running back taken in the 2016 NFL Draft. Brionte Dunn and Warren Ball do return next season, but there are question marks surrounding the two, as both were beaten out by true freshman Curtis Samuel a year ago. Samuel has since taken on more of a wide receiver/H-back role, but it remains to be seen where the aforementioned juniors will find themselves once Mike Weber is healthy. As for Weber himself, his play will be something to keep a close eye on for the next few months, and it may help give us an idea of what the 2016 pecking order might look like.
Regardless of how things pan out behind Elliott for the rest of 2015, it's difficult to imagine the nation's top running back prospect not seeing the field next year. DePaul Catholic's Kareem Walker (Wayne, NJ) surprised nearly everyone when he took to Twitter to announce his commitment to Ohio State during January's showdown with the Oregon Ducks. Since pledging to the Buckeyes, Walker's recruitment has been a tad bit tumultuous with several visits to other schools, but the 6-foot-1, 210-pound back continues to say all the right things.
Walker's size is already in the mold of a college tailback. Even more importantly, he is working to make arrangements to enroll early. Barring something unforeseen, Buckeye fans should expect to see him on the field in 2016.
WR • AUSTIN MACK • HIGHLIGHTS
The unfortunate injury to sophomore wideout Noah Brown has resulted in shakeup at wide receiver and could have implications on 2016 as well. Redshirt junior Michael Thomas is one of the best in the country and is expected to make the jump to the NFL after the season. Corey Smith is also in his final season. Guys like Johnnie Dixon, K.J. Hill, Terry McLaurin and James Clark will all continue to battle for playing time which could give them some momentum going into next season.
Outside of the aforementioned Brown, the Buckeyes don't have a lot of size at the wide receiver position. True freshman Alex Stump checks in around 6-foot-3 and 200 pounds, but he appears to be in line for a redshirt. Fort Wayne's Austin Mack (Bishop Luers) is a prime candidate to – at the very least – add some needed depth to the 2016 wide receiving corps.
At 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds, Mack already has an ideal frame to contribute at the next level, most likely as a split end. Yes, he will need to continue adding muscle mass but that will be a challenge Mickey Marotti will gladly accept. The Fort Wayne star has tremendous hands and body control, and although he's not a burner, his speed really isn't a question mark either. Mack has already signed his financial aid agreement and enrolling early will help him see the field early on in his career.
Austin Mack will be looking to make an early impact in Columbus.
DE • NICK BOSA • HIGHLIGHTS
It's no secret that junior defensive end Joey Bosa is toward the top – or even at the very top – of pretty much every single Draft board. The Mel Kipers and Todd McShays of the world have been raving about him ever since the 2015 Draft concluded back in May. Sophomore Tyquan Lewis, redshirt freshman Sam Hubbard and sophomore Jalyn Holmes have seen the bulk of the playing time outside of Bosa. The future is bright for freshmen Dre'Mont Jones and Jashon Cornell, but they both could ultimately end up on the inside of the defensive line.
Fort Lauderdale's Nick Bosa (Saint Thomas Aquinas) will have a lot of work in front of him if he wishes to crack the two deep as a true freshman, but his versatility is something that should work in his favor. Much like his brother, the younger Bosa is being moved all over the defensive line as a high school senior. This is something that helped Joey contribute early and often in Columbus. While Nick doesn't have quite the frame that his brother does, some have said that his development is further along than Joey's was at the same stage.
One significant difference will be the coaching. When Joey Bosa enrolled in 2013, Mike Vrabel was leading the defensive line efforts. Larry Johnson Sr. arrived in 2014 and has been working with the defensive line for the last two seasons. Safe to say he can't wait to get his hands on another Bosa.
Joey Bosa made waves as a true freshman. Will Nick follow in his footsteps?
Yes, there is still a lot of football to be played this season and there are bound to be changes with the 2016 recruiting class. Regardless, Urban Meyer has made his thoughts on redshirting pretty clear.
Urban Meyer: I stole from Pete Carroll; we don't redshirt guys here. http://t.co/e2QTMw9D4Z
— CoachingSearch.com (@coachingsearch) January 8, 2015
While there are only a few spots left in the 2016 class, there are some potential early-impact players still out there. Buckeye fans will want to keep an especially close eye on Fort Lauderdale's Binjimen Victor (Coconut Creek). The 6-foot-4, 170 pound wideout is another player who could challenge for early playing time if he decides to sign with the Buckeyes.
The 2016 NFL Draft is going to do a number on the Buckeyes' depth chart, and that is a testament to the coaching staff and to the players buying into the program. With all of the talent that will be saying goodbye to Columbus, the 2016 class will be walking into some major opportunities.
