The Drought is Over
Caleb Downs scores Ohio State’s first punt return touchdown since 2014.
Needing to replace nearly a dozen starters including quarterback J.T. Barrett, a host of studs along the defensive line and its leading tackler from a 2017 squad that went 12-2 including a win over USC in the Cotton Bowl, Ohio State is counting on more than a handful of players to make big leaps this fall.
The good news is Urban Meyer recruits for such situations and while a host of guys are largely unproven at the collegiate level there's reason to believe their talent will translate into legit production.
With that, here are five guys who absolutely have to realize huge jumps in both role and production this season if the Buckeyes want to play for a Big Ten title and potentially a College Football Playoff bid.
DWAYNE HASKINS - QUARTERBACK
This one's a no-brainer in that Haskins is expected to take over for the departed Barrett and any team with designs on being elite must receive, at minimum, steady and efficient production from the quarterback spot.
With Joe Burrow having transferred to LSU, there's even more pressure on Haskins to succeed as new backup Tate Martell appears poised to be a threat with his feet but questions remain about his ability as a big-time collegiate passer at this stage of his development.
In eight games last season, Haskins flashed all the physical tools you want including a rocket arm and sturdy size on the way to a 70% completion rate (40/57) in eight games with four touchdowns against one interception.
His clutch performance in relief of Barrett during a come-from-behind win in Ann Arbor helped secure his spot atop the depth chart this spring though his effort also left the Buckeyes without much of a net as it paved (or at least aided) the way for Burrow's transfer.
If Haskins can take care of the football on the run, make the right reads and not rely too much on his cannon in a way that forces throws into too tight of windows, he could produce a special season. If he is careless with the football, Ohio State will most likely fail to reach expectations. No pressure, kid.
Kendall Sheffield has first round tools, he just needs to put it all together.
KENDALL SHEFFIELD - CORNERBACK
With the departure of Denzel Ward to NFL purgatory, Ohio State really needs Kendall Sheffield to step up as the No. 1 corner.
As a redshirt sophomore, Sheffield posted nine pass break-ups and 40 tackles but endured some struggles in coverage from time to time as he was often the guy opposing offenses elected to attack.
Expected to start opposite Damon Arnette, the time is now for Sheffield to be a more consistent cover man that avoids flags and builds on what was a useful season in run support.
At 6-foot, 193 pounds, Sheffield improved as the season wore on and his combo of physicality and sprinter's speed could easily see him selected in the first couple rounds of next year's NFL Draft. For now, his job is to build off the latter half of last season and be the lead guy with Arnette and Jeffrey Okudah making up the typical three-man rotation logging the majority of meaningful cornerback snaps.
CHASE YOUNG - DEFENSIVE END
Chase Young wasn't asked to do much last year as a true freshman defensive end on a team featuring Tyquan Lewis, Sam Hubbard, Nick Bosa and Jalyn Holmes off the edges.
Despite mostly mop-up reps, Young still managed 6.0 TFL, 3.5 sacks and a forced fumble amid 19 stops.
This year, the five-star talent figures heavily into Ohio State's plans as a starter opposite Bosa giving the Buckeyes an elite pass-rushing combo. While all signs point to Young stuffing the stat sheet, the reality is he must do exactly that or else teams will load up to keep Bosa in check.
If Young blows up as expected, not only will Bosa benefit but teamed with Dre'Mont Jones and Robert Landers along the interior, the Buckeyes should boast one of the best defensive lines in all of college football.
I like the way you block me right Thayer.
THAYER MUNFORD - LEFT TACKLE
Despite being one the lowest-ranked recruits of Ohio State's 2017 recruiting class, Thayer Munford served as Isaiah Prince's primary backup at right tackle and played well in spot duty as a true freshman.
Heading into 2018, early signs pointed to Prince moving over to the more-celebrated left tackle spot with Munford taking his place but as spring drills unfolded, Munford proved more comfortable on the left side of the line and he heads into fall camp as the man charged with protecting Haskins' blind side.
Munford overcame a ton to even secure an OSU scholarship let alone a starting spot as a true sophomore but here we are. Though other positions breaking in new starters like quarterback, linebacker and safety will get generate more chatter, there's no question whether or not Munford can turn in a solid season will go a long way in determining Ohio State's fate in big games.
ISAIAH PRYOR - SAFETY
I flirted with either Malik Harrison or Baron Browning to round on this list but I decided to take a bit of a flyer on Isaiah Pryor.
The minds of very respectable insiders say true freshman Josh Proctor is going to ultimately seize the open safety spot opposite Jordan Fuller but I've got a hunch Pryor will prove tough to unseat thanks to an extra year of experience in the program (he was also an early enrollee), his own four-star, Top 100 pedigree and a cerebral approach to the game complemented by a solid 6-foot-2, 197 pound frame.
Pryor logged 13 stops, a sack and two pass break-ups a season ago but the reality is the door is open for Proctor and others after Pryor failed to cement his spot in spring drills.
Whether or not Pryor can lock up and hang on to a starting spot remains to be seen but you can bet Greg Schiano, Alex Grinch and company are hoping he has the chops to help anchor the last line of Ohio State's defense.
