Here we are, just over a week before the start of the brand new College Football season. After all the hype during the offseason, we as a team, as a unit, must prepare for the unexpected. We must prepare for tragedy to strike at any moment. Whether it is during the offseason, early on in the season, mid-season or during the late stages in the season. We always have to be ready. Although I hate to talk about a players untimely injury, it is needed. The Buckeyes and their “next man up” mentality will ultimately cultivate and develop another starting caliber/secret weapon type of player or players during this upcoming season.
Lets cut to the chase shall we?
#3 Michael Thomas, WR:
Michael Thomas is the most experienced player at his position on the team. Â The Redshirt Junior has constantly improved year after year and I don’t expect him to stop growing as a player. Â He will be asked to become a more vocal leader in the locker room or on the sidelines because Jeff Heuerman has graduated and is chasing his NFL dreams as we speak. Â So Thomas will have to fill the leadership void for Zone 6. Â After his redshirt year, Thomas has showed the knack for making big play after big play on the field. Â He has showed that he can be consistent and a valuable player for the Buckeyes. Â He showed improvement as a blocker downfield. Â He sometimes shows the consistency as a blocker that Coach Meyer wants to see. Â Thomas also has the ability to beat you in so many ways. Â He can catch in traffic, he can get yards after the catch. Â He can even burn you with his top end speed going on a “Go” route toward the endzone. Â Thomas is a complete WR. Â That is why Thomas is one of the WMD’s on this years offense. Â I feel like when he has this huge year, we can pretty much count him as gone. Â He will leave for the NFL.
#17 Jalin Marshall, WR/H-Back:
Jalin Marshall will have to play catch up after his one game suspension. Â He is the second most experienced player on the roster and that will lead to some high expectations for his role on offense. Â Marshall has added value on the roster due to his ability to return punts. Â At any given moment he can take one back to the house for additional points. Â He can also catch passes in all sorts of ways too. Â Whether it is in traffic or whether its on a screen pass. Â Heck, here’s a little tidbit, Marshall played QB in high school. Â He is also capable of slinging the rock! Â Like we saw during the season, Marshall is another WMD that Coach Meyer can utilize this season. Â He has the speed that he covets and he is definitely hungry for an expanded role this season. Â I think after the suspension, he will assume his role and start opposite of Thomas.
#1 Braxton Miller, WR/H-Back:
The 2 year BIG Offensive Player of the Year is now a WR/H-Back! Â This is a year of new for Miller, who is also sporting a brand new number. Â He is also going to have a new role. Â Miller obviously has the speed to burn DB’s and I think that he will be used as the deep threat this season. Â Meet the new Devin Smith! Â Although Miller isn’t as polished as Smith was, I think Miller will make the necessary adjustments to make an impact during his last season as a Buckeye. Â I look for Meyer to get all he can get from the unsung and selfless hero, Miller. Â He wants Miller to start this year. Â Whether it at WR or H-Back, he will start either spot. Â Miller has the speed and let’s not forget that he used to sling the ball around too. Â He still has the ability to make people miss. Â Whether he is running the wildcat, coming in on a sweep or if he’s going out wide, he will find a way to make plays. Â Miller is a playmaker people! Â Don’t sleep on him. Â Miller has been seen having “secret practices” lead by J.T. Barrett and he has caught a few balls from King Dolodale himself. Â With the QB battle still raging on, I expect Miller to go out with a bang. Â Regardless of which QB starts. Â He will assert himself as the last starting WMD. Â Meyer will release the Kraken this season!
#84 Corey Smith, WR:
If not for the one game suspension, I would have Smith as the fourth WR off of the bench. Â Smith flashed at the critical moments of games. Â He comes up with timely (AND BRUTAL!) blocks like what we say from him in the Michigan and BIG Conference Championship games. Â He made a key catch on 3rd down against Oregon in the Playoff Championship game. Â He isn’t a big play waiting to happen like his peers, but he flashes when the team needs it the most. Â Once the suspension is lifted, I expect him to re-assume his role on the team.
#2 Dontre Wilson, WR/H-Back:
Wilson will assume his punt returning duties when he returns into the fold. Â That is assuming that someone on the roster doesn’t take his job. Â Wilson is suspended for the season opener and that is completely okay because we have potential high impact players waiting in the wings. Â Wilson is too fast to have rot on the bench and I think the coaching staff knows that as well. Â With that big time catch at East Lansing, he just oozes with potential. Â Sure he had lofty ratings coming out of high school, but like Curtis Grant on the Defense, he will find his niche and he will live up to the hype.
#82 James Clark, WR:
I will be honest, I completely forgot about Clark in my previous article. Â And that is no slight to him or his ability and what he can bring to this offense. Â I simply check marked his name on my notebook and that is all. Â Anyways, he is another “burner” on the Ohio State roster. Â He has had a rough couple of years, battling various injuries, but he should be a good one. Â Whether it is during this upcoming season or later down the road, he will live up to the hype. Â With Corey Smith serving his one game suspension, it opens up the doors for not only Clark, but the rest of the WR corps. Â I haven’t seen much tape on Clark, but I am confident in his potential. Â He has the tools needed to become a big time WR, he just needs to want it more than everyone behind him. Â And with Smith out for the first game of the season, make an everlasting impression young man!
#5 Johnnie Dixon, WR:
Another highly touted recruit out of high school who suffered untimely and unfortunate injuries early on in his Ohio State career. Â Like Clark, he is another speedster out of Florida looking to make an impact. Â Dixon is too good to sit on the bench (I can honestly say that with every WR on the team)! Â With Smith being absent from the trip to Blacksburg, he has a good shot at getting some playing time. Â Dixon will look to rebound from his injury plagued past. Â He may not have a role just yet, but I have a feeling that he is another sleeper on the team that is just waiting for his shot at playing time.
#89 Jeff Greene, WR:
Greene transferred to Ohio State from Georgia Tech and he has yet to find his niche in the offense. Â He is 6’5″ and I want to see him succeed. Â He would be a match-up nightmare for smaller DB’s and I would love to see that. Â We haven’t had a WR taller than 6’3″ for a little bit the last receiver I can think of is Michael Jenkins (6’4″). Â If Greene can improve on his craft, I would enjoy seeing him line up across from Thomas, but Meyer loves having speed demons all over the field so I just don’t know. Â He showed the willingness to block during his time at Georgia Tech and I think if he shows that to the coaching staff, he will earn some time. Â I would love for Greene to succeed, but he has to show the coaching staff that he is worthy for additional playing time.
#21 Parris Campbell, WR:
I have Campbell as a WR, for now. Â He is a weapon like Marshall and he is just as fast. Â Like the QB situation, there is a log jam at the WR position. Â Everyone is vying for playing time. Â Campbell is a bigger WR at 6’1″, 205. Â He is another burner, with little to no experience. Â Campbell can fill the Devin Smith roll too if he is called upon. Â There is no shortage of Devin Smith like players on the roster too. Â It is just a matter of time until his shoes will be filled once again. Â He will look to contribute on Special Teams and during the occasional blowout.
#83 Terry McLaurin, WR:
Like Campbell, but weighing 5 pounds less, McLaurin is another beast of a player. Â Another player who is capable of becoming the next Devin Smith. Â McLaurin has the speed to burn helpless DB’s routinely, but he just needs to be afforded the opportunity. Â Look for McLaurin to contribute on Special Teams as well as during mop up duty. Â I wouldn’t be shocked if he makes a surprise start or two either.
#6 Torrance Gibson, WR:
Here is another QB turned WR! Â In practice, Gibson made a Randy Moss like catch against a starting Defensive Back. Â I hate to say it, but I will! Â I am excited to see if he will earn playing time this season as a True Freshman. Â It isn’t like Gibson is a slouch after switching positions either. Â Like Miller, he will be a weapon. Â I hope Gibson can turn some heads this season. Â It will be an amazing sight to see.
#14 K.J. Hill, WR:
Hill is the third newcomer to get his blackstripe removed. Â That says a lot of this talented WR out of Arkansas. Â He has the tools to succeed. Â He has been doing well enough to earn his status as a Buckeye by shedding his black stripe. Â Now the sky is the limit for the Freshman. Â He can run routes for days. Â He can catch. Â Let’s see if he can turn more heads and take some playing time away from the upperclassmen.
#87 Alex Stump, WR:
Stump flipped to Ohio State late last year. Â He, like all Ohio kids want to stay close to home for the support. Â Stump made his decision to join Ohio State. Â He is coming off of an injury that he sustained from high school, but I am not worried about him at all. Â He looks to be a good one, but I’m afraid that he is set for a redshirt as he recovers from surgery. Â I may be wrong, but the WR depth is too much at the moment and I think he sits out this season. Â That isn’t necessarily a bad thing because he can study the playbook more. Â Win-win for both sides of the equation.
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