Ohio State Football Predictions: 4 Players Who Will Fail the Buckeyes in 2012

It's a new era for the Ohio State Buckeyes!  Urban Meyer has arrived and will begin steering the school in a new course towards an era of strong play and a renewed rivalry with Michigan.

Ohio State has many talented players, including quarterback Braxton Miller, and a great recruiting class to provide depth.  

But, which talented Buckeyes players may not perform up to their potential in this transitional season?

Jordan Hall, Running Back

Jordan Hall is expected to be the lead rusher in a very potent ground attack.  

He is a good player, but fans need to understand that he is really a shifty, dual-threat back, and that he could disappoint if he is thrust into a traditional feature-back role.

Nonetheless, the Buckeyes will have a strong running game in 2012.  

If Hall's shiftiness is used properly and combined with the downhill power of Carlos Hyde, then Ohio State will be tough to stop in the backfield.  Plus, Buckeyes fans will get a look at an excellent recruit Brj'onte Dunn who should be the team's future at the position.  

Verlon Reed, Wide Receiver

Verlon Reed is one of the most dependable Buckeyes pass catchers of the past few years.  But his ACL injury is a tough one to recover from, and Ohio State should not rely on him too much this season.

Reed may certainly recover and be an impact player this year.  He has an otherwise durable, productive history.  But Ohio State has other options at the position, so they should avoid featuring Reed unless he is ready.  

Instead, the Buckeyes should look to explosive Corey Brown–a poor man’s “Percy Harvin-type” play-maker, Devin Smith, and Evan Spencer to build their passing attack this season.  

Nathan Williams, Defensive End

Nathan Williams headlines a group of young Buckeyes defensive ends.  He has little experience and, along with fellow starter Steve Miller, could be a weak spot for Ohio State this season.

However, the Buckeyes do have talented prospects J.T. Moore and Kenny Hayes to step up if either Williams or Miller do not perform up to expectations.

Plus, Ohio State's defensive line is balanced by a surplus of interior talent, including John Simon and Johnathan Hankins, to form a strong core to the Buckeyes' defense.  

Storm Klein, Linebacker

Last year, Ohio State's greatest weakness was shockingly low depth and talent at linebacker. Storm Klein was a part of that: a hardworking player who is nonetheless not a special talent at the position.

Klein may be part of the solution, but to be successful Ohio State will need star linebacker Ryan Shazier to step up to the plate and perform well this season.