Ohio State's 2018 class could very well end up being one of the best in school history.
For now, however, the freshman class has to simply get to campus and start their careers as Buckeyes. A few have already done so, as nine early enrollees participated in spring practice as they try to figure out how they fit in on their first collegiate squad.
Master Teague, Tommy Togai and Tyreke Johnson headline a group of nine early enrollees from the 2018 cycle that have already gone through their first Ohio State practices, but there are still a plethora of first-year Buckeyes who have yet to put on the scarlet and gray.
We take a look at which Buckeyes in the 2018 class that have yet to arrive on campus could make the biggest impact early on and how others might fit in. We gave each player an impact rating, with 10 being a starter and 1 a likely redshirt season.
Nicolas Petit-Frere, Offensive Tackle
The highest rated recruit in the 2018 cycle, Petit-Frere was a huge get for Urban Meyer after missing out on Jackson Carman. At 6-foot-6, 272 pounds, he has the size to play tackle and provide instant depth there, with a good chance at cracking the two-deep before week one against Oregon State.
Petit-Frere's impact could be felt sooner rather than later if an injury occurs at tackle, making him an unlikely candidate to redshirt in 2018.
Impact Rating: 5
Taron Vincent, Defensive Tackle
Ohio State lost a number of defensive ends to the NFL Draft, but the Buckeyes remain loaded at defensive tackle. Dre'Mont Jones, Robert Landers, Davon Hamilton and early enrollee Tommy Togai appear to be near the front of the depth chart right now. JUCO transfer Antwuan Jackson and sophomore Haskell Garrett also figure to compete for playing time.
That being said, Vincent is an elite talent and should make an early impression in fall camp, adding his name to the long list of defensive tackles above. He will have to compete with a loaded unit, but his talent should be enough to get him on the field in mop-up duty early and part of the rotation as the season wears on.
Impact Rating: 4
Jaelen Gill, H-back
Gill is the prototypical H-back. He has elite speed, agility and the hands of a No. 1 wide receiver. With that skill set, you would think he would play immediately when he steps on campus.
The problem for Gill is that there are three H-backs currently vying for playing time already in Parris Campbell, K.J. Hill and Demario McCall. All three have proven to be explosive playmakers in their own right, which leaves Gill behind the eight-ball for now. His explosiveness with the ball in his hands, however, should at least get him on the field for special teams in his first year. By his sophomore campaign, I fully expect him to be competing for a starting job, if not winning it outright in 2019.
Impact Rating: 4
Tyreke Smith, Defensive End
Perhaps Ohio State's most important signing in the 2018 class, Smith gives the Buckeyes athleticism and depth to a unit that desperately needed after three players left for the NFL.
Nick Bosa, Chase Young and Jonathon Cooper figure to be Ohio State's top three defensive ends, but after that, Smith appears as though he could make an immediate impact in Larry Johnson's room. His quick first step and pure athleticism should get him on the field early this season, and his reps should only increase as the season rolls on.
Impact Rating: 8
Jeremy Ruckert, Tight End
One of the top tight ends in the country in the 2018 class, Ruckert comes into a position group that is replacing a two-year starter in Marcus Baugh and has a job up for grabs. Luke Farrell was named the starter heading into spring, but that job could still be won before the season opener.
Ruckert is the most athletic tight end Meyer has had in his time at Ohio State, and after he gets acclimated with the offense, he could be a very serious weapon in the passing game for the Buckeyes. We have seen the Buckeyes use two tight end sets before, and he could easily be used in that personnel grouping as a freshman.
Impact Rating: 6
Teradja Mitchell, Linebacker
With a linebacker unit that is replacing three starters, Mitchell comes in as the highest rated linebacker recruit in his class, and looks as though he could make his presence felt the second he walks through the doors at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
A middle linebacker, Mitchell will likely compete with Baron Browning and Justin Hillard for reps inside while Tuf Borland recovers from an Achilles injury. While it isn't likely he starts this season, expect him to crack the two-deep before long and immediately contribute on special teams.
Impact Rating: 6
Josh Proctor, Safety
Proctor comes to campus as a dark horse candidate in the safety opening opposite Jordan Fuller. At 6-foot-2, 190 pounds, he already has good size for the position and his athleticism and range makes him an elite safety prospect.
However, he will have to beat out the likes of Isaiah Pryor, who appears to have a leg up in the competition for that spot having been on campus for a year and gone through spring ball as one of the main competitors for the job. Proctor should play plenty of special teams in 2018, and perhaps push for reps at safety as the season wears on.
Impact Rating: 5
Kamryn Babb, Wide Receiver
The top-rated wide receiver in Ohio State's 2018 class, Babb comes into a loaded wide receiver room with plenty of veteran talent. The Buckeyes boast six upperclassmen already in a set rotation and competing for reps themselves.
Babb is clearly talented, but will likely have to wait his turn. In 2019, Ohio State will have some openings at wide receiver as at least three seniors will exhaust their eligibility, and that is when Babb can make his move for playing time. For now, a redshirt season could be likely.
Impact Rating: 2
Brian Snead, Running Back
The transfer of Antonio Williams to North Carolina means Snead will be slightly higher on the depth chart than he would have a few months ago, but he is still on the outside looking in when it comes to playing time.
J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber figure to get 90 percent or more of Ohio State's carries in 2018, and Master Teague has made a positive impression on the coaching staff in limited reps during spring ball. Snead has a long way to go in order to see the field on offense, but if he makes an impact on special teams, could compete for some carries in 2019.
Impact Rating: 2
Tyler Friday, Defensive Lineman
A top-100 player in his class, it is hard to imagine a player of Friday's abilities redshirting. If he succeeds in his transition to defensive end, there is a chance he could slide into the back end of the rotation.
Friday will have to compete with the likes of Bosa, Young, Cooper and Smith, but his talent and size make him a candidate to step in and play right away in 2018. If he impresses during fall camp, he could possibly find his way into the rotation this year. If not, 2019 could be a breakout season for him.
Impact Rating: 4
L'Christian 'Blue' Smith, Wide Receiver
At 6-foot-6, Smith has perhaps the highest ceiling of any receiver on Ohio State's roster. His size makes him a candidate to play outside, or gain weight and play tight end in the future. As a freshman, however, his opportunity for playing time is low.
As previously mentioned, the Buckeyes are loaded with veteran wide receiver talent and the rotation is already six to seven deep. Expect Smith to spend his 2018 season seeing how his body develops, and then finding where he fits in for the 2019 campaign.
Impact Rating: 2
K'Vaughn Pope, Linebacker
Pope is a player that could be a dark horse candidate to crack the two-deep at linebacker as Ohio State's competition at two of the three linebacker spots appears to be wide open.
His immediate impact will likely be made on special teams, however, has Ohio State already has a number of veteran players competing for starting jobs in Bill Davis' unit.
Impact Rating: 3
Javontae Jean-Baptiste, Linebacker
Jean-Baptiste is a physical specimen. At 6-foot-5, 215 pounds, he is ready to step on the field right now and make an impact.
As discussed above though, Ohio State is already chuck-full of veteran players competing for a pair of linebacker spots (Malik Harrison has one outside spot locked up in this writer's opinion). Jean-Baptiste's size will get him on the field as a special teamer, but don't expect much more than that from him in his rookie season.
Impact Rating: 3
Cameron Brown, Cornerback
Brown will have to work his way into a cornerback rotation that already features four to five players competing for reps in Ohio State's defense. Special teams could be an option, but a redshirt season is definitely in play for Brown during his rookie year.
Impact Rating: 2
Chris Olave, Wide Receiver
With a plethora of veterans in front of Olave and no reps under his belt, a redshirt season looks very likely unless he can get onto the field playing special teams.
Impact Rating: 1
Alex Williams, Defensive End
A late addition to Ohio State's 2018 class, Williams is going to struggle to compete with the likes of Bosa, Young, Cooper and Smith for playing time this season. At 6-foot-7, 250 pounds, he has the size to play immediately, but he lacks the pure athleticism of the guys in front of him.
Williams will provide depth in a pinch, but will have a hard time finding a spot in the rotation for Ohio State in 2018.
Impact Rating: 1
Marcus Hooker, Defensive Back
The younger brother of Malik, Hooker comes to Ohio State as a legacy, but one that is going to start behind a plethora of talent at corner and or safety. Before he can even compete for playing time, he needs to figure out what position he better fits in the Buckeye defense.
His athleticism however, could get him onto the field on a special teams unit or two. I wouldn't be shocked to see him on a coverage unit at some point during the season.
Impact Rating: 2
