Ohio State Football: 6 Incoming Freshmen Who Will Make an Impact in 2012

With a new regime in town, every player at Ohio State goes into spring practice with a clean slate. While this may be a positive for some players, it also could be a negative for those that may not be able to adapt as well to head coach Urban Meyer's new system and staff. This change of scenery will certainly shake things up and may even give some incoming freshmen an opportunity to shine in their first year on campus.

Here are six freshmen that will most likely make an impact next year, whether it is due to their talent or the team's needs.

OT Taylor Decker

With the graduation of three starting offensive linemen, there will be plenty of shuffling going on at the offensive front.

New offensive line coach Ed Warinner will have to find a center and two offensive tackles that will be able to excel in Meyer's offensive system. These type of tackles are extremely different than the type of offensive linemen the old coaching staff tended to recruit, so his options are extremely limited. Meyer likes longer and leaner tackles as opposed to the bigger offensive linemen that were previously recruited to OSU.

Taylor Decker certainly won't start right away but will give Warinner some depth at OT and will most likely be in the two-deep at the position. More importantly however, at 6'8" and 295 lbs., Decker is the type of tackle Meyer wants in his system.

Decker's compatibility with Meyer's offense makes him the first option in the event of an injury to either starting offensive tackles. Along with his ideal size, Decker is also more equipped to compete at the next level right now, compared to the Buckeyes' other offensive tackle recruit, Kyle Dodson.

CB Armani Reeves

When watching Armani Reeves' highlight tape, one thing jumps out to you.

The guy is flat out explosive.

While the Buckeyes are pretty set at the cornerback position next year, it's not unrealistic to expect Reeves to see the field in certain dime packages. The nephew of Hall of Fame basketball star Charles Barkley has impressive speed and is a solid tackler in open space.

Even if Reeves isn't able to see much of the field on defense, the young prospect will certainly make an impact on special teams. Reeves has a nose for the football and a mean streak that is perfect for an effective special teams combatant. Look to see this fiery CB making plays on special teams and possibly defense in his first year in Columbus.

WR Ricquan Southward

Ricquan Southward has been a bit of a recruiting mystery. The Florida native didn't see much playing time until his senior year, but as a senior Southward was dominant, to say the least. Southward may not have a high rating from the recruiting services, but he does have solid size and is an effective runner after the catch.

The lone Sunshine State recruit runs excellent routes, possesses solid hands and can make things happen in the screen game. His type of talents correlate greatly with Meyer's system, and with the WR position wide open next year, why can't Southward make an impact in 2012?

RB Bri'onte Dunn

Contrary to some people's beliefs, big backs will succeed under Meyer and Bri'onte Dunn is certainly a large back. At 6'2" and 215 lbs., Dunn is the classic Buckeye back, and with the questions surrounding Rod Smith and Jaamal Berry, he has a chance to see the field in 2012.

Jordan Hall and Carlos Hyde are expected to get the bulk of the carries next season, but Dunn will have the opportunity to push for playing time in his freshman year. The product out of Canton, Ohio is extremely talented and Meyer doesn't shy away from circulating the ball to his most talented options. Already on campus, Dunn will reap the benefits of this added practice time and could work his way in to the backfield rotation next fall.

WR Michael Thomas

For some reason, Michael Thomas' commitment to Ohio State lacked the hype and attention it rightly deserved. Thomas has ideal size for a receiver at 6'4", 205 lbs. and completely dominated in high school. Before spending a season at Fork Union Military Academy, the California native racked up 82 receptions for 1,756 yards and an impressive 22 touchdowns in his senior year. 

The Buckeyes need help at wide receiver and Thomas has a great chance to fill that role next season. The young prospect is also an early enrollee, which will give him an edge over other incoming freshmen, as well as the same amount of reps that current OSU receivers will get in Meyer's new system. Thomas could be an effective target in the red zone and also has the ability to stretch the field with his size and exceptional speed.

Although little was made of his commitment, Thomas could be just what Meyer and his staff need at the WR position right out of the gate.

DE Noah Spence

Noah Spence is the type of recruit you don't even need to look at the depth chart to say he will make an impact in his first year. The Buckeyes' flagship recruit is so talented, Meyer will be gladly forced to put him on the field in 2012.

Although Spence is a bit undersized, the Pennsylvania native has a relentless motor and a knack for making big plays. In the Under Armour All-America game, against the nation's best high school talent, Spence dominated and racked up a few sacks, a couple tackles for loss and even a forced fumble. This young prospect brings it on every play and will fit perfectly in the "Leo" position at Ohio State, which focuses on getting after the quarterback. 

With Spence's explosive and relentless style of play, don't be surprised to see him spend the majority of his freshman year in opponents' backfields making plays.