Ohio State Football: Projecting the 2012 Depth Chart After National Signing Day

Not even a postseason ban can deter the amount of anticipation already building for the 2012 season.

Ohio State under new coach Urban Meyer has already assembled a top-five recruiting class, including the No. 3-ranked class on Scout.com.

They will also bring back 19 starters on this team, despite their very stunning 6-7 season a year ago.

A renewed Buckeye spirit and higher level of individual accountability from Meyer and his coaching staff should raise the level of play of each player.

And Meyer has basically told everyone that there will be open competition all over the place, so the battle for starting jobs will be very fun to watch throughout the spring and fall camps.

Here is a projection of what the depth chart could look like after national signing day.

Projected starters in bold.

Offense

Quarterback: Braxton Miller, Kenny Guiton, Cardale Jones

Running Back: Jordan Hall, Carlos Hyde, Rod Smith, Bri'onte Dunn

Fullback: Zach Boren

Wide Receiver (X): Corey Brown, (Stefon Diggs if he commits on Feb. 10), Michael Thomas (if Diggs doesn't commit)

Wide Receiver (Y): Devin Smith, Evan Spencer

Wide Receiver (Z): Verlon Reed, Chris Fields

Tight End: Jake Stoneburner, Jeff Heuerman, Nick Vannett

Offensive Tackle: Andrew Norwell, Marcus Hall, Reid Fragel, Taylor Decker

Offensive Guard: Corey Linsley, Jack Mewhort, Joey O'Connor, Antonio Underwood

Center: Brian Bobek

Miller will obviously start at QB this season and should become more dangerous in Urban Meyer and Tom Herman's offense.

Jordan Hall has had an up-and-down career so far, but he should be the favorite to start at running back this year.

Ohio State will likely go in the spread 75-80 percent of the time, but do expect the Buckeyes to use some I-formation looks.

The offensive line clearly needs some depth, with two freshmen and a converted tight end among the two-deep at the tackle and guard positions.

Jake Stoneburner and Corey Brown—if used like Aaron Hernandez and Percy Harvin at Florida, respectively—could have big years.

Defense

Defensive End: Nathan Williams (if healthy), Steve Miller, J.T. Moore, Noah Spence, Kenny Hayes

Defensive Tackle: John Simon, Johnathan Hankins, Garrett Goebel, Michael Bennett, Adam Bellamy

Outside Linebacker: Ryan Shazier, Storm Klein, David Perkins, Josh Perry

Inside Linebacker: Etienne Sabino, Curtis Grant, Conner Crowell

Cornerback: Bradley Roby, Travis Howard, Christian Bryant, Doran Grant

Free Safety: Orhian Johnson, Corey Brown, Christian Bryant

Strong Safety: C.J. Barnett, Jamie Wood, Devan Bogard

John Simon might move back to defensive tackle alongside Johnathan Hankins to free up room for Nathan Williams and an open competition between all the young DEs on the roster.

Steve Miller seems like the small favorite to take the job, but keep an eye on redshirt sophomore J.T. Moore, who had a great spring last year.

The starters at linebacker should stay the same, although Curtis Grant should help push Etienne Sabino.

Behind Shazier and Klein, the athleticism at outside linebacker with guys like Perkins and Perry is simply stunning.

With the dismissal of Dominic Clarke, that almost assures that senior Travis Howard and breakout stud Bradley Roby will start at corner. Youngsters Doran Grant and Christian Bryant will each be used in important roles in nickel or dime packages.

There doesn't seem to be many challengers for the starting safeties, which means Johnson and Barnett should be able to keep their jobs for now.

Special Teams

Kicker: Drew Basil

Punter: Ben Buchanan

Long Snapper: Bryce Haynes

Kick Returners: Jordan Hall, Devin Smith, Armani Reeves (Stefon Diggs if he commits)

Punt Returner: Armani Reeves, Jordan Hall

Hall had some success as a kick returner back in 2010, and Devin Smith's track background is something Urban Meyer will want to use as much as he can.

He likes having his best athletes on special teams, and having a guy who can run like Smith on the kick return team is a huge luxury.

Freshman corner Armani Reeves returned two punts for touchdowns in his senior year of high school, which means he will get a chance to compete for the job.

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