Ohio State Football: The 5 Most Important Redshirt Freshman or Transfers

Ohio State has an outstanding recruiting class coming onto campus for the 2012 season.

But even though Luke Fickell may have made a mistake by playing most of his freshman from last year's class instead of redshirting some, there are some redshirt freshman ready to step into action.

These players have had a chance to sit on the sidelines for a year and focus on either getting stronger or rehabbing, in preparation for this season and beyond.

Here are the five redshirt freshmen to watch in 2012.

5. TE Nick Vannett

Urban Meyer's offense will be very tight end-centric based on the productivity and success of Aaron Hernandez at Florida.

The Buckeyes already have a pair of good TEs in Jake Stoneburner and Jeff Heuerman, but Nick Vannett may be a guy that steps into the rotation.

He's more of an H-back tight end, whereas Stoneburner and Heuerman are more pure receiving TEs.

Vannett could be a good red-zone option with his ability to both block as well as run a route.

4. S Ron Tanner

Injuries always have to be a concern to some coaches, especially when you had a season like Ohio State had last year when it came to injuries.

The depth in the back seven for most of last year was ravaged with injuries all throughout the year.

Columbus native Ron Tanner never came off the sideline despite all the injuries and should find a chance to at least contribute on special teams.

Tanner is a great athlete who has the ability to be a good SS.

He may be called upon early on if the roster gets ravaged again with injury.

3. DL Chase Farris

Based on the incredible emphasis on defensive line recruiting, it seems like there isn't much of a place for Chase Farris.

But if Ohio State wants to get a great rotation going of linemen, especially at DT with Johnathan Hankins and Garrett Goebel starting, Farris can find a place there.

He will have to hold off freshman Tommy Schutt, but the experience he has had of learning the system for a year should give him a slight edge.

Farris is a pretty athletic lineman with the size to play inside, which is where he probably will play.

2. LB Connor Crowell

Ohio State's linebacking corps in 2011 was horrible, and there wasn't anything freshman Connor Crowell could do as he was rehabbing major injuries.

Crowell looks much healthier and should help freshmen Josh Perry, Camren Williams and David Perkins inject some juice into the position.

He has great athleticism and an excellent football IQ which allows him to be versatile on the field.

If he can stay healthy, he will have a chance to see the field this year.

1. WR Michael Thomas

This may be cheating here, but Thomas did come to Ohio State a year removed from high school.

He spent last year at Fork Union Military Academy in Virginia, after not meeting the necessary requirements to play college football in 2011.

Thomas enrolled early at Ohio State in January and has made an immediate, huge impression not only on his coaches, but on fans as well.

He reeled in 12 receptions for 132 yards in Saturday's spring scrimmage, which is two less than the team leaders (Devin Smith, Corey Brown and Jake Stoneburner) had all last season.

Thomas plays similar to former Buckeye-stud Terry Glenn and has even drawn some Keyshawn Johnson comparisons. After what he did in the spring game, it will be tough for Meyer to keep Thomas on the sideline all the time.

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