Ohio State Football: 5 incoming freshmen who could start in 2018

Ohio State football closed its 2018 recruiting class on a high note. Which incoming freshmen could become starters for Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes?

Urban Meyer has done a heck of a job of recruiting since taking over at Ohio State, but no one should truly be surprised because he did the same at Florida. He usually has the Buckeyes in the top-three nationally and they finished No. 2, behind Georgia, in this cycle.

Starting as a true freshman at Ohio State is not only difficult to do, but rather unlikely, especially early in the year. However, it can be done — just ask JT Barrett and JK Dobbins.

Which five incoming freshmen have a good chance to start at some point in 2018?

The linebacker position, like most positions at Ohio State over the past five years, has been a major strength for the Buckeyes. However, they are losing some key talent at the position including Jerome Baker and Chris Worley.

Baker was the middle linebacker last season while Worley played on the outside, opening up a potential spot for incoming freshman Dallas Gant.

The four-star from Toledo, Ohio, is one of a handful of early enrollees and he also happens to be the Buckeyes’ highest-rated linebacker in the 2018 class. He’s listed as the No. 6 outside linebacker in the nation as well as the 59th-best overall recruit, according to 247Sports.

The 6-foot-3, 225-pound in-state recruit will already have the defensive schemes down and that’ll give him a leg up when spring ball hits. Keandre Jones and Justin Hilliard are his main competition.