Ohio State Football: Top Recruits Ready to Make Impact as Freshmen

Urban Meyer wasted no time improving the Ohio State roster once he was hired. He flipped a number of recruits and the Buckeyes, who weren't even in the top 25 recruiting classes at one point, finished with a top-10 class.

The team went 6-7 under Luke Fickell's rule, but the Meyer and Ohio State names were more than enough to carry them on the recruiting trail after the disappointing season.

In 2012, they cannot compete in postseason play, but they'll be watched closely all the same.

Here's a look at a few of the top recruits who'll immediately make a difference in their freshmen seasons.

Mike Thomas, WR

This guy has already gotten the attention of the Buckeye faithful. Thomas, a 6'2", 192-pound freshman wide receiver from Los Angeles, Calif., caught 12 receptions for 131 yards in the spring game.

The early enrollee's performance came only in the spring, but the fact that he had only two less receptions than Ohio State's leading wide receiver did in the entire year last season speaks volumes.

He was easily quarterback Braxton Miller's favorite target and will be so this season as well.

Don't be surprised at all when the freshman starts making plays. 

Noah Spence, DE

Three of Meyer's top recruits all play defensive end, but it is Spence who is the crown jewel of the coach's first haul.

Spence, who checks in at 6'4", 245 pounds, wasn't even considering Ohio State until Meyer was hired.

The Pennsylvania native is a beast off the edge and will help the Buckeyes restore order in the Big Ten for the next few seasons.

Adolphus Washington, DE

Playing opposite of Spence will be Washington. At 6'4", 251 pounds, the Ohio native is physically ready to take the field, but he does have plenty of developing to do as a football player. That said, he will be used in pass-rush situations, which suits his talents the best.

He and Spence, along with Se'Von Pittman, Tommy Schutt and Jamal Marcus, give the Buckeyes some pieces to build with going into the future.