As much as fans get excited about all the blue chip recruits littered throughout another Urban Meyer recruiting class, the reality is that most new arrivals don't make significant impacts on the field as true freshmen.
One way for a true freshman to push the odds of seeing the field in year one in his favor is to enroll early. Within the 2018 class, a total of eight enrolled early including names like defensive tackle Tommy Togiai, center Matthew Jones, running back Master Teague, cornerback Sevyn Banks and linebacker Dallas Gant. Juco transfer defensive tackle Antwuan Jackson also enrolled back in January.
Of that crop, it's possible Togiai and Jackson in particular could see some rotational time in the middle of Ohio State's defensive line and Teague could certainly see mop up time behind Mike Weber and J.K. Dobbins.
But what about the guys who didn't make it to campus until June? The task of carving out a meaningful role becomes that much tougher when the rest of the squad is ahead from a playbook and routine perspective. That said, a handful of newcomers stick out as having a chance to make an impact in year one based on their elite talent and overall opportunity at their respective positions.
JOSH PROCTOR - SAFETY
The No. 8 safety and 71st-best prospect in the 247 rankings Josh Proctor has insiders gushing over his talent.
At 6-foot-2, 198 pounds, the U.S. Army All-American already has the frame to play safety right away and with Ohio State breaking spring camp without a sure-fire starter opposite Jordan Fuller, it's fair to assume Proctor will get a long look in fall camp.
Even if Isaiah Pryor is able to earn the starting job, it's likely Proctor will earn snaps as a reserve and could eventually threaten for rotational minutes as a co-starter of sorts.
Should Pryor exceed the expectations of many, Proctor could still be a special teams mainstay in year one.
TYREKE SMITH - DEFENSIVE END
The No. 4 weakside defensive end and 34th-best overall prospect in the 247 rankings, Tyreke Smith is about to be coached up by the best position coach in the country in Larry Johnson.
Smith, out of Cleveland Heights, boasts a 6-foot-4, 255 pound frame and plenty of quickness off the edge.
While it's true the Buckeyes do have Nick Bosa and Chase Young pegged as dominant starters off the edge and former five-star prospect Jonathon Cooper appears poised to contribute as a junior, Johnson likes a deep rotation and Smith should get some looks early to see if he might be a fit.
For Smith to make an impact, he'll need to challenge Jashon Cornell for fourth in the pecking order and keep fellow freshmen Tyler Friday and Javontae Jean-Baptiste at bay.
Sensei Larry Johnson tunes up Tyreke Smith.
TARON VINCENT - DEFENSIVE TACKLE
A five-star prospect listed as the No. 1 defensive tackle by both Rivals and 247, Taron Vincent arrives with all the accolades you could want in a player.
He's a consensus top-20 prospect regardless of position and played at high school football factory IMG Academy in Bradenton, Florida.
At 6-foot-2, 288 pounds, Vincent is a svelte defensive tackle who comes with pedigree as the son of five-time NFL Pro Bowler Troy Vincent.
I flirted with leaving Vincent off this list because of all the depth at defensive tackle but even though Dre'Mont Jones and Bobby Landers have the interior starting jobs locked up, Vincent could make a run at minutes if he can show enough versatility and effectiveness to challenge as a rotational backup to Jones at the 3-tech.
NICHOLAS PETIT-FRERE - OFFENSIVE TACKLE
Thayer Munford cemented his spot as the starting left tackle in spring drills but Nicholas Petit-Frere could challenge fourth-year junior Joshua Alabi as his primary backup.
Petit-Frere comes in as the No. 1 ranked player in Ohio State's 2018 class. He was the No. 7 overall prospect and top-ranked offensive tackle in the 247 rankings and a consensus top-15 prospect. He was a signing day commitment helping push Meyer's 2018 haul to the No. 2 spot nationally.
It might take a month or two for Petit-Frere to fully grasp all that comes with protecting the quarterback's blind side in big time college football but if can get enough practice reps against guys like Bosa and Young, he could be a key reserve in year one.
JEREMY RUCKERT - TIGHT END
Another position with a bit of back log headlined by Luke Farrell and Rashod Berry, not to mention Jake Hausmann, breaking through at tight end will be an incredibly tough chore.
That said, Meyer has waxed poetic about Ruckert noting the Lindenhurst, New York product might be the best tight end prospect he's ever seen or recruited earlier this year. A few days ago at Big Ten Media Days, Meyer was back it suggesting that if Ruckert doesn't play as a freshman then something is wrong.
Yeah, I know. Meyer is prone to such hyperbole but it should be noted Ruckert comes in as the No. 2 tight end and 37th-best overall prospect in the 247 rankings.
Ruckert is listed last here because he's the longest shot of the five in my opinion but I won't be surprised if he turns some heads in blowouts.
