Ohio State Football Recruiting: Players Buckeyes Need to Make Instant Impact

The Ohio State Buckeyes went undefeated last season, but they were not without their holes and now have to replace 10 starters from that squad.

Urban Meyer is going to need some instant impact out of this recruiting class to help fill some of those holes. Luckily, they have the 2013 class that 247Sports has ranked second in its composite rankings.

The following three players all come in with high expectations, and will be needed to step up if Ohio State wants to make a run at another undefeated season. 

Eli Apple, CB

The Buckeyes have a stellar group of secondary players coming in, and Eli Apple is the best of the group.

ESPN has him rated as the third-best corner in this class, and 247 has him as the fifth-best in its composite rankings. 

Apple has a chance to overtake Doran Grant for the second corner position and if not, this 6'0", 185-pound ball-hawker will likely spend plenty of time on the field as the nickel corner.

If Apple lives up to his potential, the Buckeyes' pass defense will be in great shape. 

Timothy Gardner, OT

Ohio State returns starters at every position along the offensive line except right tackle.

The Buckeyes brought in a talented group of linemen, but Timothy Gardner has the best chance to play right away.

At 6’5”, 310 pounds, Gardner has a perfect body for right tackle and he has the attitude to go with it. He is a pure mauler and will be a force in the run game.

He'll likely be competing with Taylor Decker for the starting spot and Meyer will surely be hoping Gardner seizes that position. 

Joey Bosa, DE

The Buckeyes are losing Johnathan Hankins and John Simon along the defensive line. They have two capable defensive ends in Michael Bennett and Noah Spence, but behind those two it is wide open. 

Every great defensive line has a strong rotation. Defensive end Joey Bosa will give the Buckeyes just that.

He is a solid 270 pounds. He has the explosiveness for the outside and the strength for the interior, but he appears best suited for end. He will be able to seal the edge and put pressure on the passer.

With Bosa playing up to his potential, the Buckeyes will have a strong rotation at end.