Ohio State Buckeyes Spring Game Preview: Top Five Players to Watch

Oct 4, 2014; College Park, MD, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Raekwon McMillan (5) celebrates after scoring a touchdown off a interception in the fourth quarter against the Maryland Terrapins at Byrd Stadium. Ohio State Buckeyes defeated Maryland Terrapins 52-24. Mandatory Credit: Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports

4. Raekwon McMillan’s Time to Shine

Raekwon McMillan came to Ohio State last year as a consensus five-star recruit and the nation’s No. 1 inside linebacker. He made an instant impact as a freshman despite the presence of senior Curtis Grant occupying the starting spot.

The 6-2, 250-pound McMillan was better than Grant last year and he came in for Grant on sub packages and showed his skills, especially on passing downs as a true freshman when he racked up 54 tackles and played in all but one game.

I’m not sure how much he’s going to play on Saturday afternoon, but what I want to see when he’s out there is how he commands the defensive huddle and gets his unit in position. Middle linebackers often set the tone for the rest of the defense and McMillan is a guy poised for an All-Big Ten selection this year with the potential to challenge for All-American honors and go down in the history books as the next great Buckeye middle linebacker.

Next: Running Back Rotation