Ohio State Football: 5 Most Important Players in the New Spread Offense

Urban Meyer's newly installed spread-option offense does not lack importance at any role, but there are five positions—and players—that specifically hold the key to success in 2012.

Ohio State returns nine starters to this side of the ball, and although starting positions are not set in stone at this point, I fully expect this list to carry through with its high expectations this season.

Here are the five most important players in the Buckeyes' spread offense.

5. Jack Mewhort, OT

Making the transition from guard to tackle, Jack Mewhort enters his junior season with the huge task of replacing second-round draft pick Mike Adams and protecting quarterback Braxton Miller's blindside.

Left tackle is undoubtedly the most important position on the offensive line and is usually where the team's best pass blocker is placed.

The Big Ten is loaded with ferocious defensive ends and Mewhort will never be able to take a play off—and the Buckeyes plan on running 80-90 of them a game.

With his experience, elite footwork and agility, the 6'6", 300-pound LT has an extremely important job. In order for the right-handed Miller to be successful in 2012, his blindside must be taken care of.

4. Jake Stoneburner, TE

Senior tight end Jake Stoneburner led the team with seven touchdown receptions off 14 total catches last season. It may not seem like much, but it's a sign of incredible things to come.

Stoneburner is not like the average tight end; his receiver-like speed helps him get open along the seams, while his outstanding size (6'5", 250 pounds) and strength allows him to separate from defenders and create mismatches.

Like the Aaron Hernandez days back at Florida, Urban Meyer will use Stoneburner as another option on the line. He will be targeted multiple times throughout each game and will carry a huge target on his back, causing other receivers to get open.

3. Corey (Philly) Brown

He may not be the most talented receiver on the depth chart, but Braxton Miller and the Ohio State Buckeyes desperately need Corey (Philly) Brown to play to his highest potential as the starting flanker this season.

Brown will be filling the role that Percy Harvin assumed during the Florida Gators' 2008 title run, lining up off the line closest to the offensive tackle. We can expect him to take motion hand-offs, run drag routes and lure the safeties away from the flats (area on the field between the line of scrimmage and 10 yards into the defensive backfield).

Brown, also a threat on special teams, could thrive in this new system. It fits his skill set and he could easily end up being Miller's No. 1 target through the air.

2. Jordan Hall, RB

Living behind the shadow of Dan "Boom" Herron for the last three seasons, Jordan Hall enters his senior year with a lot to prove as the Buckeyes' starting running back.

Hall has only played in 25 games at Ohio State, totaling 184 carries for 814 yards (4.4 ypc) and five touchdowns. However, he's best when utilized in the passing game, and that's exactly what Urban Meyer plans to do in 2012.

Known for making noise as a returner, Hall shows great versatility and is a ticking time bomb when it comes to creating big plays. He won't ever run the ball more than 15 times in a game this season, but as Meyer's top "playmaker," we can expect him to finish the year with 50-plus receptions.

Other than the signal caller, Hall is hands down the most important piece of this offensive puzzle and Ohio State needs him to live up to his hype.

1. Braxton Miller, QB

I don't think this surprises anyone. Everyone saw what Braxton Miller could do as a freshman with a predictable, bland offensive attack.

Now they'll see what he can do in a fast-paced offense where he will be asked to use his legs to make plays in the running game, unlike years past.

Miller is an electrifying athlete with big-play ability, as he showed in last year's win over Wisconsin (among others). He's had time to work on his mechanics with new offensive coordinator Tom Herman—who has an outstanding resume of developing quarterbacks—and can continue to grow and learn the playbook through the summer.

The sophomore QB seemed poised throughout the spring game, completing 24-of-31 attempts (77.4 percent) for 258 yards and an interception and showing improvement with his passing technique.

For a team and fanbase that has been running a primitive offensive scheme for far too long, seeing a coaching staff that's willing to build around a quarterback's talents such as Miller's is very exciting.

Ohio State's fate will lean heavily on Miller's performance; with the new spread, more experienced weapons and a coach that's all about winning, I'm sure we'll see him become one of the better dual-threat quarterbacks in the nation.


Follow this reporter on Twitter: @Tyler_Waddell.