Ohio State football’s 2020 season may be up in the air right now, but that doesn’t mean there aren’t some talented players on the roster ready to get things cranked up if rumors are true that the Big Ten is now considering having, real, live American football sometime in the fall.
ESPN ranked the top 50 players heading into the 2020 season and there are plenty wearing scarlet and gray represented, season or not. In fact, the worldwide leader in sports programming identified four Buckeyes among the top fifty in all the land.
You can probably guess at least a couple, if not all four included, but what place does ESPN rank each one? We’ll start with the highest ranked and go from there.
Next … A quarterback for the ages
No. 4 – Quarterback Justin Fields
What ESPN says
Fields threw for 3,273 yards and 41 touchdowns last season. If Fields played this fall, he would have been one of the best quarterbacks in the country. He’ll be a likely top-10 pick in the 2021 NFL draft.
What we say
I don’t know that you can find three college football players better than Fields. I mean, the guy was a Heisman finalist last year and should be even better if and when we see him in 2020 or 2021. And I still don’t get the love affair with Trevor Lawrence when Fields outdueled him during the season last year. But, all we can hope for is to be able to settle it on the field.
Next … A cornerback that was hoping to show up big in 2020
No. 21 – Cornerback Shaun Wade
What ESPN says
Wade could have left Ohio State for the NFL last season, as he was projected as an early-round pick, but he chose to return, and he has the opportunity to have a major role in the Ohio State secondary.
What we say
I was really looking forward to watching Wade do his thing this year — especially after shunning NFL riches to come back one more season. The talent is there, it’s just putting it out on the field and showing everyone that he can be a lockdown No. 1 option.
Next … A wide receiver that is still underrated
No. 27 – Wide receiver Chris Olave
What ESPN says
The Buckeyes have had some excellent receivers over the past few seasons, and Olave is in that group. He led the team with 849 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 2019, but he still didn’t get a ton of the national talk for his stats and ability. With K.J. Hill, Binjimen Victor and Austin Mack all gone, Olave could put up even better numbers in 2020 — if a spring season happens.
What we say
ESPN is right on with this assessment of Olave. He’s a silky smooth route-runner with the speed that can beat defenses over the top. The only reason he’s not getting more attention is because he’s in a passing attack that likes to spread things around. He has the potential for an over 1,000-yard season if we get to see things get off the ground this year.
Next … Might end up being the best O-lineman in the draft
No. 31 – Offensive lineman Wyatt Davis
What ESPN says
Davis was an All-American and an All-Big Ten selection last season at right guard for the Buckeyes. He is already considered one of the best offensive linemen in the country and is being projected as a potential first-round draft pick. He is a reliable, versatile, strong lineman whom Ohio State expects to produce.
What we say
It’s quite possible Davis is severely underrated despite being considered a potential first-round NFL draft pick. He’s strong, agile and exceptional in both pass protection and leaning up against defensive lines in the run game. He’s so good, that BTN named him on its All-Decade Big Ten squad while he’s still putting his body of work together.
