Freshman Tracker: Zach Harrison Starts, Seven Freshmen Set Career-Highs and Enokk Vimahi Makes Ohio State Debut Against Maryland

Maryland provided the perfect opportunity for 11 of Ohio State's 17 scholarship freshmen to give us a brief glimpse into what the Buckeyes might look like in two years. Seven of the freshmen set career-highs in various categories during the 73-14 mauling of Maryland. The blowout also enabled three other youngsters to see the field for the first time since Week 4 against Miami University and another to make his Ohio State debut.

Bryson Shaw, Jaden McKenzie and Noah Potter hadn't played since Sept, 21, but on Saturday, Shaw was able to get action on special teams, McKenzie had four snaps at defensive tackle and Potter had 15 plays at defensive end. 

With 6:35 remaining in the fourth quarter, McKenzie and Potter were called upon to make up half of Ohio State's defensive line. The combination worked as the Buckeyes were able to force a fumble that Jeron Cage recovered. Potter recorded his first two tackles of his OSU career.

Craig Young and Marcus Crowley also returned to action and did so in fine fashion. Young had a career-high three tackles and Crowley had career-highs in rushes and yards. The running back from Jacksonville, Florida, finished with eight carries for 82 yards and scored his first rushing touchdown, after previously catching a touchdown pass against Miami.

Crowley's most impressive run was the 25-yard sideline scamper that set-up his one-yard score. It appeared that the fleet-footed freshman scored on the play, but the ref ruled him out at the one. Had the play been reviewed, the booth would have likely ruled that Crowley scored. In the end, it didn't matter, as he scored on the next play.

@TC_Jax_Football Alumnus Marcus Crowley @marcus_2334 rushes the 1 then dives in for the score! Marcus, @Im_showtime_ @shaunwade2017 will soon have a NCAA title to go with multiple state championships. pic.twitter.com/ZyqlkEaGIM

— TCA Conquerors Athletics (@AthleticsTca) November 9, 2019

Jameson Williams finished the day with 38 receiving yards and a career-high four catches. The burner's longest catch of the day was for 15 yards. He was also called for a personal foul after laying the wood on a blindside block.

Garrett Wilson continues to impress during his first year in Columbus. His official stat line Saturday had him ending the day with a career-high 82 yards on four catches and a touchdown. The touchdown came on a fantastic 14-yard fade to the left corner of the end zone from Chris Chugunov.

Wilson had what would have been a 46-yard receiving touchdown. In the waning moments of the 3rd quarter, Wilson shook his defender with one step to the outside before cutting back in on a beautiful seam route to catch a deep ball from Chugunov. However, Dawand Jones was called for holding and the touchdown was negated.

Collin Hass-Hill provides the visual of what should have been:

1) My god, what a bomb by Chris Chugunov under pressure

2) Nice tackle for loss by Dawand Jones pic.twitter.com/yBrVXsc567

— Colin Hass-Hill (@chasshill) November 9, 2019

Speaking of Jones, the mountain of a man played for a career-high 36 offensive snaps. His day began at the start of the second half, but he was relieved for a couple of series after former Buckeye and current Maryland linebacker Keandre Jones blew by him and caused a strip sack. Jones returned to the game with 5:30 left in the third quarter. Following his unfortunate holding penalty, Jones helped clear the way on Ohio State's final three rushing touchdowns.

Harry Miller's name wasn't called on Saturday, and that's a good thing for an offensive lineman. Like most of the other young Buckeyes, Miller also set a career-high for playing time. He entered at the beginning of the second half and played all 46 offensive snaps to finish the game. 

Zach Harrison made his first start in place of suspended defensive end Chase Young, but was only on the field for 19 plays. With just under four minutes remaining in the third quarter, the Olentangy Orange alumnus recorded a sack. In his excitement, he flexed his muscles and was called for a personal foul, which Ryan Day said after the game was a good learning moment for the talented defender. He now has 11 tackles, four tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks for the season.

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Enokk Vimahi made his Ohio State debut in Saturday's fourth quarter, when he entered the lineup at left guard after second-team left guard Matthew Jones was knocked out of the game with an injury. He played 16 snaps in his first game appearance as a Buckeye and helped lead the way for two Demario McCall rushing touchdowns.

Under the NCAA's redshirt rules, a player can appear in up to four games at any point throughout the season and still count it as his redshirt year. In all, 14 freshmen have seen playing time this season, with Dawand Jones joining Crowley, Harrison, Miller, Williams, Wilson and Young as those who are now ineligible for redshirts as he played in his fifth game of the season on Saturday.

Potter has now played in four games this season, so Ohio State will have to make a decision on whether he should play in any more games and burn his redshirt.