Ohio State Football: 5 breakout players 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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COLUMBUS, OH – NOVEMBER 11: Hunter Rison #5 of the Michigan State Spartans shakes off the tackle from Malik Harrison #39 of the Ohio State Buckeyes in the fourth quarter to pick up yardage at Ohio Stadium on November 11, 2017 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Michigan State 48-3. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

Harrison arrived in Columbus without too much fanfare — he was a mid-three star recruit without a ton of big-time offers — but he made a splash as soon as he arrived on campus. He racked up 13 tackles as a true freshman, and played a bigger role in 2017, finishing with 36 tackles, three tackles for loss, and a pair of sacks. He went out on a high note in the Cotton Bowl, matching a career high with six tackles.

The Buckeyes are loaded pretty much across the board on defense, but the outside linebacker spot is still in a state of flux.

Harrison seems as safe a bet as any to fill the void left by the departed Jerome Baker and Chris Worley, and Urban Meyer and company will be counting on him to provide veteran leadership for an inexperienced position group. If Harrison has a big season, good luck finding any holes in this defense.

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