Ohio State Football: 5 breakout freshmen to watch in 2018

ARLINGTON, TX - DECEMBER 29: The Ohio State Buckeyes celebrate with a team photo following the 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between USC and Ohio State at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. Ohio State won 24-7. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

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ARLINGTON, TX – DECEMBER 29: The Ohio State Buckeyes take the playing field before the 82nd Goodyear Cotton Bowl Classic between USC and Ohio State at AT&T Stadium on December 29, 2017 in Arlington, Texas. (Photo by Ron Jenkins/Getty Images) /

5. Taron Vincent

If it wasn’t for Ohio State’s incredible depth and talent on the defensive line, Vincent would be a sure thing to play as a freshman. Ranked 20th nationally, and first among defensive tackles, Vincent is a star in the making.

The IMG Academy product is already college football sized at 6-foot-2, 285 pounds, and will only get better with more time in the weight room. He was dominant for his entire high school career, and was only slowed by an unjustly during his senior season.

Now that Vincent is healthy, it’s hard to see Ohio State keeping him off the field. Even with players like Dre’mont Jones, Robert Landers, Haskell Garrett, Davon Hamilton, and JuCo star Antwuan Jackson filling the depth chart.

Vincent’s strength, athleticism, burst and move set make him extremely dangerous both in pass rush and run stopping. Giving him time with defensive line coach Larry Johnson will just make him more lethal up front.

Vincent should crack the ever-changing Johnson rotation early on.

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