Darron Lee would know what it's like to capture the attention of an older player. As a former high school quarterback playing his first season at linebacker last year, Lee did just that when Ohio State opened spring practice for the 2014 season.
He went on to be a key contributor for the Buckeyes in their run to a national championship. And as Ohio State wrapped up its fourth spring practice of 2015 on Thursday, Lee was asked who were some of the younger guys were that have captured his attention so far.
“On offense, I’ll say Parris Campbell. He’s going make a lot of plays for us and Terry (McLaurin) is gonna make some plays for us. Those guys work real hard and they were a big part for us on scout team last year," Lee said. "On defense, Sam Hubbard, he’s been doing real well and I’d say Gareon Conley and Damon Webb.”
Ohio State's spring game is schedule for April 18 so let's look at what each of these possible breakout stars brings to the table.
Parris Campbell
A dynamic player during his days at Akron St. Vincent-St. Mary High School, Campbell came to Ohio State as one of those hybrid-type players capable of playing multiple positions.
He was a four-star recruit and a top-150 player, but on a Buckeye team crowded at both wide receiver and running back, Campbell redshirted last year as a true freshman.
This spring, Campbell has been working with the wide receivers in position drills and looks like he's capable of playing that spot of the famous H-back slot in Urban Meyer's offense. He's a speedy and shifty and at 205 pounds has the size to play both inside and out. Campbell has the ability to be a serious playmaker for the Buckeyes this fall.
Terry McLaurin
McLaurin was the "other" receiver in Ohio State's 2014 recruiting class as Johnnie Dixon was the most highly-touted guy in that group.
But McLaurin has shown flashes of brilliance this spring, according to his teammates. The former four-star prospect out of Indianapolis, McLaurin, like Dixon, redshirted last season as a true freshman.
On Ohio State's spring roster, he's listed at 6-foot-1, 200 pounds and was one of the faster guys is the Buckeyes' 2014 class.
Sam Hubbard
Sam Hubbard has been popular this spring.
If there's one guy who comes up more than anyone else when discussing young talent that hasn't yet played for Ohio State it's Hubbard, who has been mentioned by head coach Urban Meyer on numerous occasions.
Hubbard has played linebacker, tight end and defensive end so far for the Buckeyes, but has yet to appear in a game. Him not having a true position is likely the reason he hasn't seen the field yet.
After redshirting last year as a true freshman, Hubbard seems to have found a home at defensive end, though. An athletic freak, Hubbard is up to 265 pounds (he was listed at 244 on last year's roster) and has a real shot to start for the Buckeyes at defensive end opposite Joey Bosa when they open fall camp.
Gareon Conley
Conley was in serious contention for a starting spot last year when he was listed as a co-starter at cornerback with Eli Apple before Ohio State took on Navy in the season-opener.
He saw some early playing time, but it became clear as the season went on Apple was the guy who would start opposite Doran Grant. Now, Grant has graduated and Apple has moved over to the No. 1 corner spot leaving the door open for Conley to push for playing time.
A former four-star prospect from football-crazed Massillon, Ohio, Conley, who will be a redshirt sophomore in the upcoming season, has all the tools to step in and contribute next year at corner. He has been taking reps with the first-team defense in spring practice thus far.
Damon Webb
Pushing Conley for that No. 2 corner spot, though, will be Webb, who saw extensive playing time on special teams a year ago for the Buckeyes as a true freshman.
A highly-touted prospect out of Cass Tech High School in Detroit, Webb came to Columbus with high expectations. Webb has been taking second-team reps with the defense this spring, but can no doubt make a push at Conley once fall camp rolls around and could also play in Ohio State's nickel defense now that Armani Reeves will not return next season.
