Ohio State football is coming off one of the ugliest bowl game performances in recent memory, but these guys could help Buckeye fans move forward.
During Urban Meyer’s first five seasons at Ohio State, the Buckeyes have been the pinnacle of the Big Ten. Going along with their 61-6 record during that span, they claimed the first national championship of the College Football Playoff era in 2014. However, last year’s finish wasn’t as rewarding for Ohio State; Buckeye Nation’s hoping for a redeem-season in 2017.
Player turnover is inevitable in college football — and ultimately expected at places like Ohio State — because it means a plethora of Buckeyes are headed to the NFL. But when a number of those players leave, massive vacancies are left for the program to fill. Just in the last two NFL Drafts, the Buckeyes have had 19 players chosen, almost enough to field an entire offense and defense.
However, Meyer’s still donning the headset, senior quarterback J.T. Barrett is gunning for another Big Ten title and CFP appearance, Nick Bosa and Sam Hubbard project to anchor one of the best defensive lines in the country and, lest we forget, the Buckeyes are coming off an 11-win season.
So while there are obvious bright spots, a number of question marks are casting shadows over the Buckeyes in the young season. Who are some potential candidates to have a breakout year and get the Buckeyes back to the promised land?
Damon Arnette appeared in all 13 games for the Buckeyes last season after redshirting in 2015. He was used sparingly on defense in 2016, only managing 21 tackles and one interception, but what do you expect from a guy competing with three first round draft picks?
Arnette, hailing from the prestigious St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida, is tasked with replacing either Marshon Lattimore (drafted No. 11 overall) or Gareon Conley (drafted No. 28 overall) at defensive back. Malik Hooker (drafted 15th overall) displayed beautifully how to play deep-safety a year ago for the Buckeyes, but Arnette will find greater success on the outside or as a slot defender.
I’m not sure what it is about Ohio State, but there’s always a few players who quietly blow up — and Arnette’s trajectory keeps rising.
If he doesn’t earn starting-corner reps early in the season, Arnette will still be an impact player for coach Urban Meyer. He spent roughly 180 snaps on special teams a year ago, one facet of the game that’s often overlooked.
It seems like everywhere Urban Meyer coaches, skill-position players just flock to him with a glimmer of hope they’ll get an opportunity. Parris Campbell falls directly into that group — and he’s made the most of it thus far.
Playing mainly on special teams his first two years in Columbus, Campbell is in position for a breakout year at wide receiver. He only managed 13 receptions for 121 yards last year and failed to reach the endzone through the air, but he did score on one of his four rushing attempts. Meyer always finds ways to put the ball in his play-makers’ hands, and Campbell could be the guy in 2017.
Replicating the production of former Buckeyes Noah Brown and Curtis Samuel will surely bring pressure, but if Campbell’s able to produce, the Buckeyes will enter stadiums with an x-factor other’s can’t match.
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Don’t expect him to completely abandon the return units, though: Campbell was a state champion sprinter in high school, anchoring the 4×100 and 4×200 teams. Conference coaches dubbed him a third-team All-Big Ten return specialist last year after his 27.8 return average ranked him 11th in the nation.
Shaun Wade is a true freshman from Jacksonville, Fla., but enrolled at Ohio State in January of 2017 after graduating early from high school. One of the top prospects in the nation — and considered the No. 1 corner by many — earned consensus top-25 player status from virtually every recruiting service.
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At January’s U.S. Army All-American Bowl, Wade was named the 2017 Lockheed Martin defensive back of the year. The second national award Wade collected as a senior was the American Family Insurance All-USA Defensive Player of the Year award.
With plenty of attrition in the Buckeyes’ secondary, he has a chance to come in and compete for playing time right away. It’s not rare for young players to star under Urban Meyer, but Wade could be one of the biggest stars since the head coach took the reigns in Columbus.
Wade’s no stranger to winning, either. While at the Trinity Christian Academy in Jacksonville, his team won four consecutive state football championships. You read that right, four in a row. Adding a player of Wade’s caliber to the mix defensively should breed lots of competition, something Ohio State’s desperately searching for after last season’s walk through the finish line.
Another cornerback? After flooding the NFL Draft with players from the secondary, it’s logical that someone at Ohio State needs to step up in 2017. Some believe Denzel Ward could’ve been a top pick if not for Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley, and he’ll get the chance to prove his supporters right this fall.
After rotating in at the position last year, Ward’s expected be thrust into a starting role this season. After all, his nine pass deflections in 2016 were tied for a team-high. He appeared in all 13 games too, so he’s rather familiar with the level of competition and won’t be forced to adjust his game like freshman Shaun Wade.
The progression of Ward is one that’s been fun to follow in Columbus. As a freshman in 2015, he was one of only four freshman on scholarship to get playing time. About 80 percent of his snaps came on special teams, but it goes to show you he’s willing to put in his time and contribute wherever he’s needed.
One thing he’ll look to do better this year is turn the opponent over. Ward’s failed to intercept a pass while donning the scarlet and gray, but with greater opportunities in 2017, look for that to change.
After garnering attention from seemingly every Power Five program out of high school, Johnnie Dixon arrived in Columbus with huge expectations. Things haven’t come to fruition as most had hoped, though. He’s only appeared in 14 games during his three years at Ohio State, but not because he isn’t good enough to see the field.
Knee injuries have hampered the versatile Dixon since arriving in 2014, playing only two games as a freshman and five as a sophomore. He saw action in seven games last year, but wasn’t a routine contributor and managed only six catches for 26 yards. After a healthy offseason and an impressive spring game, six catches for 108 yards and two touchdowns, fans everywhere are expecting big things from Dixon.
Meyer offered up Dixon’s name immediately when asked on the Big Ten Network who could emerge at wide receiver in 2017.
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“The guy that was a top-30 player is Johnnie Dixon out of Florida and he can go,” claimed Meyer. “He’s had injuries since we’ve had him, but he’s been a breath of fresh air…He’s a guy that can flat run.”
Any questions? If Meyer’s a believer in Dixon, who are we to think otherwise? O-H-I-O.