When the Big Ten’s fall season fell apart, the thought of Ohio State playing in the national championship seemed like an imagination.
Coach Ryan Day, Justin Fields, and the Buckeyes fought hard for this season and made it a reality. Fields started a #WeWantToPlay petition which received 250,000 signatures and it took off from there.
That’s all this Buckeye team wanted, a chance. On Sept. 16, when the Big Ten announced a season will take place in October, they got just that.
The Buckeyes ran with the opportunity and didn’t disappoint. This team faced more obstacles than imagined throughout the year. They faced COVID difficulties from week 6 of the season until the end but didn’t stop the fight.
This team was doubted from the start and proved all the doubters wrong winning the Big Ten championship, beating Clemson in the Sugar Bowl championship, and finished the historic season with a heartbroken national championship loss to one of Alabama’s most talented teams we’ve seen in years.
Looking ahead
Leaving (accepted senior bowl invite or most likely to enter draft.): Justin Fields, Wyatt Davis, Shaun Wade, Chris Olave, Trey Sermon, Jonathan Cooper, Tuf Borland, Baron Browning, Marcus Williamson, Drue Chrisman, Justin Hillard.
POSSIBILITY of returning: Tommy Togiai, Haskell Garrett, Pete Werner, Sevyn Banks, Nick Petit-Frere, Jeremy Ruckert, Tyreke Smith.
2021-2022 Season
The Offense
The Quarterback Battle:..Will be as competitive as it gets. CJ Stroud and Jack Miller will be looked at as the front runners for the job heading into the season, but incoming 5-star freshman Kyle McCord may add a three-way race to be the Buckeyes next quarterback.
- CJ Stroud: Class of 2020 (4
star , #2 QB, #42 overall) - Jack Miller: Class of 2020 (4
star , #13 QB, #334 overall) - Kyle McCord: Class of 2021 (5 star, #3 QB, #25 overall)
Offensive Line…Remain dominant. Nick Petit-Frere, Matthew Jones, Harry Miller, Dawand Jones, and Paris Johnson Jr. will be a force up front.
Running Backs…Competition will be interesting. The Buckeyes will have Master Teague, Miyan Willams coming back, but incoming #1 ranked, 5-star running back TreVeyon Henderson will add some fuel to that competition.
Wide Receivers…Are loaded. Garrett Wilson will be returning for his junior season and looks to have a Heisman type of year. He has the talent and ability to put up record-breaking numbers for this Buckeyes offense next season. The WR core will also bring back Jameson Williams and stud freshmen Jaxon Smith-Njiba and Julian Fleming. The Buckeyes also bring in the #1 and #8, and #15 WR in Emeka Egbuka, Jayden Ballard
The Defense
D-Line…Are dominant and ready. The D-line will consist of Tyreke Smith (if returns), Taron Vincent, Jerron Cage, Zach Harrison, Tyler Friday. Along with these five, Incoming freshman Jack Sawyer (ranked #4 in the country) will make an immediate impact for the defense.
Linebackers…Will consist of some new faces. However, will be poised for a big year: Dallas Gant, Craig Young, Cody Simon, and Javontae Jean-Baptiste
Secondary…Is improved and prepared. Sevyn Banks and Josh Proctor will be returning and looking for a strong offseason translating it into next fall. Cornerback Cameron Brown will be back after suffering a Torn Achilles against Penn State early in the season. Along with these three true
The Buckeyes will also have the #3 and #4 ranked cornerbacks in the country coming in (Jakailin Johnson, Jordan Hancock).
The 2021 Recruiting Class: according to 247sports
- Jack Sawyer, DE (#4 player, #3 pos)
- Emeka Egbuka, WR (#9 player, #1 pos)
- Donovan Jackson, OG (#17 player, #1 pos)
- TreVeyon Henderson, RB (#24 player, #1 pos)
- Kyle McCord, QB (#25 player, #3 pos)
- Jakailin Johnson, CB (#47 player, #3 pos)
- Mike Hall, DT (#49 player, #4 pos)
- Jayden Ballard, WR (#66 player, #8 pos)
- Jordan Hancock, CB (#67 player, #4 pos)
- Evan Pryor, ARB (#81 player, #2 pos)
- Reid Carrico, LB (#84 player, 5 pos)
- Marvin Harrison Jr, WR (#91 player, #15 pos)
- Ben Christman, OG (#124 player, #6 pos)
- Tyleik Williams, DT (#161 player, #12 pos)
- Andre Turrentine, S (#167 player, #9 pos)
- Denzel Burke, ATH (#191 player, #8 pos)
- Jantzen Dunn, S (#202 player, #12 pos)
- Zen Michalski, OT (#318 player, #23 pos)
Early 2022 Recruiting Class look: according to 247sports
- Quinn Ewers, QB (#1 player, #1 pos)
- Jahiem Singletary, CB (#10 player, #5 pos)
- Caleb Burton, WR (#14 player, #1 pos)
- Gabe Powers, LB (#33 player, #2 pos)
- C.J. Hicks, LB (#38 player, #3 pos)
- Dasan McCullough, ATH (#54 player, #6 pos)
- Jyaire Brown, CB (#123 player, #13 pos)
- Tegra Tshabola, OT (#138 player, #15 pos)
- Benji Gosnell, TE (#265 player, #12 pos)
Future is bright.
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