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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ANN ARBOR, MI – NOVEMBER 25: Dwayne Haskins #7 of the Ohio State Buckeyes looks to throw a pass in the second half against the Michigan Wolverines on November 25, 2017 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Michigan. (Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images) /

No surprises here. The biggest breakout candidate for Ohio State is also the player most crucial to the team’s success in 2018.

With fellow quarterback Joe Burrow transferring to LSU this offseason, it’s all but confirmed that the young Dwayne Haskins will be lining up as signal-caller for the Buckeyes in 2018. The good news for OSU fans? Haskins performed admirably in mop-up duty for J.T. Barrett last season, completing 70.2 percent of his passes for 565 yards, and tossing four touchdowns to just a single interception.

His pocket presence and throwing ability have been compared favorably to the departed Barrett, though the 6-foot-3 sophomore isn’t quite the runner that his predecessor was.

Next: Way-too-early 2019 NFL Mock Draft

The Buckeye offense will look much different in 2018, but if Haskins lives up to his high-four-star billing, they won’t miss a beat. In fact, college football may even have a new star quarterback on the horizon.

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