Ohio State Football: 8 Most Important Backups on the Roster

The 2011 college football season still feels like it is a lifetime away, although the wait should feel smaller now that the NFL is back in business.

But it's never too early to look at the depth of a team, because it's not in the starting guys, but in the backups and depth players where titles are won.

Whether it be injuries or fatigue, backups are called upon now more than ever, and for the Ohio State Buckeyes, they need some good production out of their depth players.

As we kick off 2011, we should now expect players from that recruiting class of 2009 to contribute heavily, some of whom will be on this list.

Here is a look at the eight most important backups for the Buckeyes this season.

8. DE J.T. Moore

A young Ohio State defense is going to need some serious depth since they will need to fill seven starting vacancies.

One of those young guys that could provide some good depth is one of the spring's breakout players in DE J.T. Moore.

Moore fits the Nathan Williams mold of a rusher with athleticism and an endless motor coming off the edge.

With the amount of pressure on the defensive line to be the strength of the defense once again and having to replace a great talent in Cameron Heyward, everyone needs to chip in and do their part.

Moore's number will then be called upon more to contribute in different situations.

7. DB Corey Brown

Of the two Corey Browns on the Ohio State roster, one is an assured starter at WR, and the other will try to recover from offseason knee surgery.

And the 2009 model of Corey Brown will need to be in good condition because fellow safety C.J. Barnett, who also is recovering from knee surgery, will need a safety net.

Brown has not gotten much of a chance to show off his skills after being redshirted in 2009 and having his position changed from offense to defense.

But his athleticism makes him a very intriguing player as he can certainly be a very good FS, although he is behind Orhian Johnson in the rotation.

If healthy, Brown will get some playing time this season and will need to be good as well.

6. CB Bradley Roby

We've projected Dominic Clarke to start at corner opposite 2010 breakout player Travis Howard, leaving Bradley Roby as the likely nickel corner.

Roby was a late commit in the 2010 class, but drew some attention with his blazing speed and good hands.

He had a strong spring after redshirting last season, but the departure of starters Chimdi Chekwa and Devon Torrence means that guys like Roby will be called upon to contribute heavily.

He certainly has the ability and the chance to start off as the nickel corner should allow him to grow in at his own pace.

5. WR T.Y. Williams

When you look at the receivers on the Ohio State roster, it's hard to miss the 6'7'' frame of redshirt freshman T.Y. Williams.

Though he still seems like a raw prospect, Williams no doubt has the prototypical frame of a possession WR which complements Corey Brown's speed game very well.

Williams had a very good spring scrimmage, including scoring a TD on a 68-yard catch-and-run from fellow redshirt freshman Taylor Graham.

He will likely back up DeVier Posey when he returns from his five-game suspension, but should get plenty of reps in his absence.

Williams has a ceiling as high as his frame and his wingspan, which means he should soon become a good friend of Braxton Miller's.

4. TE Reid Fragel

For as good as Jake Stoneburner is as a TE, Reid Fragel does the job just as well and may be just as important in case the Buckeyes flex Stoneburner out wide more often.

Fragel had nine catches for 121 yards and one TD last season, and showed that he can be a very well-rounded TE.

His 6'8'' frame and soft hands makes him a very valuable red-zone target as well as a good safety valve in bailout plays, which a new QB like Braxton Miller will need from time to time.

If Stoneburner will be used much more as a WR at times, they will need Fragel to step in and improve on a strong 2010.

3. LB Curtis Grant

While it may seem a little unfair to consider a true freshman just arriving on a college campus to be an important backup, Curtis Grant is no ordinary freshman.

Grant, who already seems like a college-ready prospect in terms of strength and stature, is one of only a handful of consensus 5-star prospects in the class of 2011.

He has drawn some comparisons to Ray Lewis with his athleticism, size and his ability to read and diagnose the opposing offense.

While that last aspect may take some time to acclimate to the college level, it would seem almost a guarantee that he will see the field as a freshman.

Even considering the depth at LB, Grant will get a chance to get some seasoning as a freshman and hopefully getting his college career started on the right foot.

2. RBs Rod Smith/Jaamal Berry

This spot is a tie between two players because even though Jordan Hall will likely move to WR full time this season, both Jaamal Berry and Rod Smith will be fighting for the temporary starting RB job.

Dan Herron will obviously start again at RB when his suspension is over, so both Berry and Smith will have five games to make their case as to being the No. 1 backup to Herron.

These two backs complement each other very well; Berry is the pure speed home run hitter, and Smith is a physical specimen blessed with size and speed, much like Eddie George and Beanie Wells.

Both of these backs will get extensive playing time this season after each had a strong spring. And with the uncertainty at the QB position, these two backs will need to perform to take pressure off the passers.

1. OT Andrew Norwell

Although the most depth on the team comes from the LB and RB positions as mentioned before, the reason Andrew Norwell is the most important backup on the team is because the offensive line lacks great depth.

With the suspension of All-Big Ten LT Mike Adams, Norwell will start at LT and be the top tackle to sub in when Adams comes back.

Outside of Norwell, the tackle position lacks much experienced depth with the exception of Marcus Hall, who will return from a redshirt year in 2010 to get his academics in order.

Unfortunately, OSU's lack of recruiting the offensive line more heavily could come back to hurt the Buckeyes in the future. 

That's why they need guys like Norwell and Hall to step up in a year where their two starting tackles will graduate and they will be left with little in the cupboard for the moment.

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