Don't Forget What's Left Behind: Ohio State Players To Watch in 2009

Forget about the stellar 2009 recruiting class and Terrelle Pryor (trust me, it's hard). The cupboard for the Buckeyes is not exactly bare. Young players that contributed to the team in last season are ready to be leaders for the next year.

Outside of the obvious return of Pryor, here are five players that people should keep an eye on heading into a promising 2009 campaign.

5. Nathan Williams

Williams found playing time as a true freshman in a position where the Buckeyes haven't had too much success lately: defensive line. He filled a role as a situational rusher after the injury to Lawrence Wilson and performed admirably.

Although he only recorded two sacks last season, his presence on the line gave Ohio State a semi-legitimate speed rusher from the outside.

Expect him to get more playing time along with DE Thaddeus Gibson which might make one talented duo.

4. Dane Sanzenbacher

Most people recognized that the Buckeyes didn't pass the ball that often last year. But when Pryor had to make throws, one of his favorite targets was reliable sophomore Dane Sanzenbacher.

Though less than six feet tall, Sanzenbacher has shown great fearlessness in going up for the ball along with great hands.

Many have compared him to former Buckeye Anthony Gonzalez.

And if he continues to make spectacular catches routinely, he may be one of the better WRs to come out of what some now call WR U.

3. Jermale Hines/Tyler Moeller

Everybody always talks about how Ohio State has produced many great players in the back seven in recent years. But two potential stars fit the mold of S/LB in Hines and Moeller.

Both players are speed guys who hit with great ferocity. Both can line up either as a LB or SS due to their tremendous versatility. And the staple of any great defense is depth.

Hines' great start to the season, followed by Moeller's great performance against Michigan, presents alot of potential in these two undersized, yet talented playmakers. Watch for numbers 7 and 26 on defense next year.

2. Thaddeus Gibson

Not a starter until the middle of the season, Gibson made a huge impact on what has been the weak point of the defense in recent years. He would eventually lead the team in sacks with five.

The sophomore from Euclid, Ohio looks like he will be starting opposite Lawrence Wilson in 2009, and anyone who watched Gibson in the Fiesta Bowl had to be impressed.

Despite committing personal fouls in the game, Gibson was effective in helping to generate some pressure on Colt McCoy, recording one of three big sacks on the Heisman finalist.

Gibson returns to help anchor a part of the defense that might appear to be a position of depth on the defensive end. If he continues to improve, the Big Ten might face the type of ferocious front four pressure the Longhorns witnessed during the game.

1. Daniel "Boom" Herron

Buckeye fans are still ecstatic about new recruits Jamaal Berry and Carlos Hyde at the RB position, but the favorite to start may be the most overlooked player on the roster.  How quickly fans forget about the Boom.

Herron was overlooked because of all the attention to Beanie Wells, but he showed tremendous improvement over the course of the season. Averaging just under five yards per carry, Boom scored touchdowns in each of the final four games, including a great 49-yarder against Michigan and the touchdown before the game-winner against Texas.

Herron is more of a quick back, but he runs fearlessly into the middle of the defense. Despite being undersized, he runs bigger than he is.

With the type of ability he showed in the second half of the season, a good spring will put Boom Herron at the top spot on the OSU RB depth chart come Sept. 5 against Navy.

With these good young players ready to step up, plus the tremendous talent coming in from the Class of 2009, the Buckeyes look poised to continue their winning ways in the coming years.