While seven former Ohio State players are taking the next step in their football careers this week at the NFL Scouting Combine, many Ohio State fans are already thinking about who will take their place in the lineup.
For insight on who could be the next NFL draft prospects for the Buckeyes at wide receiver and tight end and on the offensive and defensive line, there’s few better people to the ask than the NFL draft prospects who just came out of those position groups: Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jeremy Ruckert, Thayer Munford, Nicholas Petit-Frere, Haskell Garrett and Tyreke Smith.
Thanks to those of us on the Ohio State beat who made the three-hour trip west from Columbus to Indianapolis to talk to those seven Buckeyes at the combine, those prospects fielded plenty of questions during their media sessions this week about their former Ohio State teammates who will still be playing for the Buckeyes in 2022.
Their answers provided insight on who might be the top players to watch when the position battles to replace them in the lineup officially commence with the start of spring practices next week.
“Marvin’s gonna have a huge year”
Wilson already answered the question of which wide receiver he thought would step up during a radio interview on 97.1 The Fan in December, when he identified Marvin Harrison Jr. – even before Harrison’s three-touchdown game in the Rose Bowl – as the receiver he thought could have a Jaxon Smith-Njigba-esque breakout season in 2022.
“He’s a different breed,” Wilson said in December. “You can see the impact his father had on him and how great of a job he did, as far as catching footballs and running routes, he’s a technician. So it’s awesome to watch, and I think Marvin Harrison’s someone everyone should be looking out for next year.”
On Wednesday at the NFL Scouting Combine, Wilson offered more praise of Harrison and fellow rising sophomore Emeka Egbuka as part of an answer about how he tried to mentor the younger receivers during his Ohio State career.
“When Marvin, great guys like that are coming in, Emeka, they can also show you things and show you how to approach it,” Wilson said. “Those are great dudes and they didn't need too much guidance, if we're being real.”
Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson are both expecting big things from Marvin Harrison Jr. in 2022.
Olave was asked more directly which receivers he believes will step up alongside Smith-Njigba in 2022, and Harrison was also the first receiver he named.
“Marvin’s gonna have a huge year this year, I believe,” Olave said. “He's one of those natural talents, and his work ethic’s off the charts. So I can't wait to watch him this year.”
Olave said he expects Egbuka, Julian Fleming and Jayden Ballard to make an impact at wide receiver for the Buckeyes this fall, too. While Ballard took a redshirt and caught just one pass last year as a true freshman, Olave thinks Ballard has huge upside as he continues to develop.
“Jayden Ballard’s my guy, and I can’t wait to see him take off,” Olave said. “His speed is off the charts. He’s 6-3, he’s probably like 200 pounds now, so he’s got that body frame and he's a deep threat. Once he develops his route running, he’s going to be one of the best in the country.”
Chris Olave says he thinks Marvin Harrison Jr. is gonna have a huge year this year.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) March 3, 2022
He also expects Emeka Egbuka, Julian Fleming and Jayden Ballard to step up for Ohio State at wide receiver.
Olave described both Harrisons work ethic and Ballards speed as off the charts. pic.twitter.com/HiH0AvhSKM
Royer, Rossi and Scott are tight ends to watch
At the beginning of the week, I published a story about how offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson and former tight end-turned-current linebacker Cade Stover are among those expecting Joe Royer to step up at tight end for the Buckeyes in 2022. You can add Ruckert to that list of believers.
When Ruckert was asked Wednesday who Ohio State fans should expect to see step up at tight end this fall, Royer was the first tight end he named. He also expects sixth-year senior Mitch Rossi to be a leader in the tight end room now that Ruckert is gone, while he thinks Gee Scott Jr. will also be ready to make an impact this year.
“I think Joe Royer’s been having a great (development), he really stepped up last year as well and has emerged,” Ruckert said. “Not sure where Cade’s gonna play, he can kind of do both, playing defense or offense. Gee Scott's coming along well. Haven't gotten a chance to see the freshmen, but Mitch Rossi coming back, he's leading the room, he’s been probably my closest friend there. So you know what you're getting with him, he's gonna hold down the room and lead those guys.”
Add Jeremy Ruckert to the list of believers that Joe Royer will step up at tight end for Ohio State this year.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) March 3, 2022
Ruckert also said Mitch Rossi will be a leader in the tight end room and Gee Scott Jr. is coming along well. pic.twitter.com/52xVRuisU7
Asked specifically about how Royer has impressed him, Ruckert said he saw Royer grow throughout the last two years and showcase his skills on the practice field.
“It’s not easy to come in as a young guy as a tight end, everybody goes through their struggles. I had my struggles. But the way he stayed true to the process and continued to grow and bought into it, I think that it's important to him, and you obviously see him in practice making those special plays,” Ruckert said. “He's just got to continue to trust himself and trust why he's there. He's there for a reason, he’s just got to be himself and be confident.”
Don’t sleep on Fryar up front
When Smith was asked to name an Ohio State offensive lineman who hasn’t played much yet that impressed him when they went up against each other on the practice field, the former Ohio State defensive end replied without hesitation: Josh Fryar.
“Fryar’s definitely one that impressed me,” Smith said. “He’s just got that dog (mentality), and I feel like he always kept learning and kept improving. He kept stacking days. Every time I’d see him, he was getting better. He wasn't being complacent. He was always getting better, and the more I went against him, I felt like he was definitely getting better. So yeah, I definitely see him being one of the guys in the future.”
Most early offensive line projections for the 2022 season have assumed that Paris Johnson Jr. and Dawand Jones will be Ohio State’s starting tackles with some combination of Matt Jones, Donovan Jackson and/or Harry Miller starting at guard next to Luke Wypler at center. But Smith’s comment seems like an indicator that Fryar – who can play both tackle and guard – shouldn’t be counted out in that competition, and Munford gave a similar sentiment about Fryar, who’s entering his third year with the Buckeyes.
“Another person that's gonna be very interesting to see when he gets on the field is Josh Fryar,” Munford said. “Josh Fryar is gonna be amazing as an offensive lineman.”
Thayer Munford and Tyreke Smith both identified Josh Fryar as a player to watch on Ohio State’s offensive line in 2022.
Before mentioning Fryar, Munford also named Johnson and Matt Jones as offensive linemen who he expects to step up this year, elaborating that he thinks Johnson is “going to make tremendous strides” in his second year as a starter. When he was asked specifically if Jackson is another offensive lineman who could emerge in 2022, Munford replied, “Oh yes, 100 percent.”
Vincent one to watch on D-line
Much like Olave and Wilson with Harrison, Garrett and Smith both said the same name first when they were asked who they expect to see step up on Ohio State’s defensive line this season: Taron Vincent.
Four years into his Ohio State career, Vincent has missed some time with injuries and hasn’t yet lived up to the hype that he came in with as a five-star recruit, but Smith and Garrett both expect that to change in Vincent’s fifth-year senior season.
“Next year, I feel like the sky’s the limit. He hasn't really got to really showcase all what he's about, but he's got it, man. He's definitely got it,” Smith said. “We see it in practice. Every time we practice, we see the ability Taron has in him and what he can do on the field. And not only on the field but mentally, he’s really smart in the game. His dad played many years in the league and I feel like he's just been around football so long, he just knows it inside and out. Anything, he tags on to stuff quick. It's really like second nature for Taron.
“I feel like this year is just his year to really show out. I wouldn't be surprised if he's one of the top tackles in (next year’s draft) class.”
Garrett said he thought Vincent “played great” in the Rose Bowl and that it will be a turning point for Vincent’s Ohio State career.
“He's going to be great,” Garrett said. “The guys listen to him. He’s a leader in that room, and he really knows how to motivate guys.”
Both Smith and Garrett named several other Ohio State defensive linemen that they expect to make an impact this season, as well. Smith said he expects Zach Harrison to be one of the top players in college football this year, and Garrett named him right after Vincent as a defensive lineman he expects to lead the way.
Garrett and Smith both said they’re looking forward to seeing what Tyler Friday can do at defensive end in 2022 after missing the 2021 season with a torn ACL. Smith also named J.T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer and Javontae Jean-Baptiste as defensive ends who could make a bigger impact in 2022, while Garrett named Ty Hamilton, Tyleik Williams and Jerron Cage as other defensive tackles to watch.
