We’ve already gone through this exercise just after the season ended, and then again right before spring. But we’ll continue to revisit it as we go through the offseason and on towards real, live American football in the fall — hopefully.
We now know the early departures for the NFL, and there’s a couple of dismissals to make note of. In addition, some early enrollees will have a chance to make their mark, and a big-time graduate transfer has arrived to provide immediate depth for the backfield.
And with the COVID-19 crisis shutting spring football and almost all areas of life down (and rightly so), it’s time to project where the depth chart is heading towards the fall. Hopefully, things get a little closer to normal and we have football this season.
Anyway, let’s start things off in the backfield.
Next … the quarterback/running back combination
Quarterback
1. Justin Fields**
2. Gunnar hoak
There’s no reason to change things here at the moment. Fields might lift a statue in New York, and Hoak has the most experience behind him. Ryan Day has sais C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller will compete for the back-up job as well.
Running Back
1. Trey Sermon
2. Master Teague
We are now projecting Sermon to be the official stater in the backfield. He quickly becomes the best option with the most experience. But don’t sleep on Master Teague. He’s a tireless worker and has a running style that holds up well in the Big Ten. If he can come back from the Achilles injury, he’ll compete for time. He’ll definitely share carries if healthy, no matter what.
Next … the pass catchers
Slot/H-Back
1. Demario Mccall
2.Jaealen Gill
If you’ve been following us here at Buckeyes Wire, we had already thrown McCall into the mix at the H-back position because it’s the more natural spot for him. Day and staff confirmed that this spring, and we’re now moving him in the top spot on the depth chart. With so many options here, this could change, but right now we like the experience over Gill. Watch for one of the other special freshman receivers like Mookie Cooper to also compete.
Wide Receiver
1. chris olave**
2. Jaxon smith-njigba*
1. Garrett Wilson
2. julian fleming*
This is where we had things before spring, and we still like where this is. Wilson and Olave might be the best wide receiver tandem in the conference. But there’s so much talent at this position, we could see several guys rotate in and out. Heck, even C.J. Saunders is likely going to factor in somewhere. It’s an embarrassment of riches at this position.
Tight End
1. Luke Farrell**
2. jeremy ruckert
Both of these guys will get a ton of reps and opportunities, but Farrell was ahead of Ruckert on the depth chart last season, and that’ll likely remain.
Next … the offensive line
Center
1. josh myers**
2. Max Wray
Myers’ decision to return makes this an easy pick. Harry Miller’s natural position is center, but based on the spring, we believe Miller will slide over to left guard to get the five best guys on the field. That leaves an opening for someone else like a Max Wray or another to slot in as the backup. This will be fluid situation and will probably change behind him.
Left Guard
1. Harry Miller
2. Enokk vimahi
Someone has to fill the huge shoes of the departed Jonah Jackson, and it looks like Miller’s at this point. After Myers graduates, he’ll likely make the move back over to center, but the coaching staff has to find a way to get him on the field to put together the best unit they can.
Right Guard
1. wyatt Davis**
2. matthew jones
No change here either. Davis is an NFL talent (maybe first round) and is going to destroy guys this year. Jones will factor in somewhere depending on where all the shuffling and development lands.
Left Tackle
1. thayer munford**
2. Paris Johnson, Jr*
Munford is the clear starter here, but Paris Johnson is going to wiggle his way into playing time somewhere. We like him here for now, but that all depends on where guys fit best.
Right Tackle
1. Nicholas Petit-Frere
2. dawand jones
We still believe it’s Petit-Frere’s time to step up with all that talent, but watch out for Dawand Jones. He has been impressing and could push hard as the season progresses.
Next … another talented defensive line
Defensive End
1. jonathon cooper**
2. tyreke smith
1. zach harrison
2. tyler friday
We haven’t changed anything here either. This is another talented group and all four guys (and then some) will get rotated in and out without much of a drop-off. Keep an eye on Tyreke Smith pushing Cooper hard. Harrison might be the next great one around the edge.
Defensive Tackle
1. tommy togiai
2. taron Vincent
1. haskell garrett
2. Jerron Cage
There’s not a complete game-changer in this group, but they are all solid and versatile. You can mix and match pretty much here, and there’s depth to burn.
Next … the linebacker group
Strong Side Linebacker
1. pete werner**
2. justin hilliard
Middle Linebacker
1. Tuf Borland**
2. dallas gant
Weak Side Linebacker
1. Baron Browning
2. k’vaughan pope
The linebacking group, in general, is a very versatile one and this could also change as pieces are moved around. We’ve already seen these guys shuffled around in the small sample size of spring practice, and it could even change week-by-week once the season begins. Here’s how we like it right now though. Werner and Borland are almost shoo-ins to start, and from there, it’s going to be a heated competition that will make this unit even better.
Next … a rebuilt secondary
Cornerback
1. Shaun Wade**
2. marcus williamson
1. Cam Brown
2. lejond Cavazos*
Cornerback
1. sevyn banks
2. tyreke johnson
Safety
1. josh proctor
2. marcus hooker
This position group will be the biggest rebuild, and we haven’t changed anything since the beginning of spring here. Getting Shaun Wade back for another year is a huge table-setter. He’ll be the No. 1 lockdown corner this year. However, the dismissal of Amir Riep opens the door for others. There are options, and we’ll have to see if guys like Cavazos and Hooker step up.
Next … the specialties
Punter
1. Drue chrisman**
2. jake metzer
Field Goals
1. blake Haubeil**
2. Dominic DiMaccio
Kickoffs
1. Blake Haubeil**
2. Dominic DiMaccio
This is probably the easiest position group to figure out. They are all veteran and all coming back, even though Chrisman did indeed flirt with leaving early. This could be the best special teams unit in the Big Ten.
*Freshman
** Returning Starter
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