Ohio State Football: 5 Questions That Need to Be Answered During Fall Camp

Even with all the talent and expectations in Columbus, there are still a number of pressing questions that Urban Meyer needs to answer as Ohio State opens fall camp on Monday.

The top-ranked Buckeyes reported to the team hotel for the official start of camp on Sunday afternoon, and over the next four weeks, the coaching staff will fine-tune the depth chart and finalize the game plan in preparation for the season-opening clash with Virginia Tech. 

Here are five things Meyer will need to sort out before the start of the season.

Who's Going to Start at Quarterback?

Paul Vernon/Associated Press

One of college football's most intriguing offseason storylines will finally reach a resolution when Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett battle for the starting quarterback spot.

Jones got a head start during spring practice as Barrett worked through his recovery from the broken ankle that ended his 2014 season. Jones got the chance to build a chemistry with Ohio State's new-look receiver unit that lost key members such as Devin Smith and Evan Spencer. 

But Barrett was able to run seven-on-seven drills during spring camp to stay fresh and engaged while Jones got the lion's share of first-team reps. Meyer said Barrett was "close to 95 percent" in early July, according to Ari Wasserman of the Plain Dealer, so he should be up to full speed for camp.

Meyer doesn't plan to announce his starting quarterback before the Virginia Tech game, so he has four weeks to make his decision. 

Can Braxton Miller Catch?

One of the other big storylines during the offseason was Braxton Miller's move from quarterback to wide receiver.

The two-time Big Ten MVP is coming off a pair of surgeries to his throwing shoulder, and he told Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated that he isn't quite ready for a full load of throwing activity. Because of that, he made the move to the perimeter in order to see the field in his final season with the Buckeyes.

“For the most part, it’s going to be H-Back and punt return,” Miller said, via Thamel. “This is the smarter thing for right now, God blessed me with a lot of talent and different opportunities. I’m going to have fun with that and still score a lot of touchdowns and help the team out and be dominant at that.”

Jay LaPrete/Associated Press

But does he have the actual skill set to contribute in such a capacity?

That's something Meyer wants to find out. But the coaching staff is eager to get him on the field to find out how they can use him.

"We won't know enough until practice starts how we can use him and what he can do," Meyer said, according to Doug Lesmerises of the Plain Dealer. "I just don't know. He's a great athlete, but he's never caught a pass for us. So we'll know more and we have plenty of time when practice starts."

Who's Going to Be the Other Cornerback?

Ohio State's secondary surged down the stretch of the 2014 season as the starting four defensive backs found their groove in Chris Ash's simplified defensive scheme.

Safeties Vonn Bell and Tyvis Powell are back along with cornerback Eli Apple, but the Buckeyes have to identify their second corner to replace Doran Grant, who was drafted by the Pittsburgh Steelers last May.

Gareon Conley emerged as the front-runner after a solid spring practice, and by all accounts, he had a great summer and is ready to step into his role as a starter.

"The one name that people are a little bit iffy on is Gareon Conley, because he didn't play a ton last year and people got the impression about him," linebacker Joshua Perry said at Big Ten media days, according to Eric Seger of Eleven Warriors. "But that kid, the way he's worked this summer and some of the things he's been through in his development right now is huge."

Andrew Weber-USA TODAY Sports

But Conley will have to work hard to keep talented underclassmen Damon Webb and Marshon Lattimore at bay. 

"There's a different level of expectation on the part of the player who feels really good that he's gonna be the starter," cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs said of Conley, via Bill Landis of the Plain Dealer. "Damon Webb is nipping at his heels and he wants that job, but Gareon is walking out of the building every morning saying, 'I'm gonna be that guy.' It's a different level than, 'I hope I might be that guy.' There's no safety net." 

Which Freshmen Are Ready to Make an Instant Impact?

Over the last two seasons, Ohio State has had a number of true freshmen step up and make an immediate impact.

In 2013, the Buckeyes got huge contributions from Joey Bosa, who had earned a starting spot by the Week 6 matchup with Northwestern, and Dontre Wilson, who made an impact on the ground, in the air and on special teams. Last season, middle linebacker Raekwon McMillan was a big part of the defense as he split time with Curtis Grant, and offensively, Curtis Samuel emerged as Ezekiel Elliott's primary backup.

Which freshmen will be ready to play this fall? 

Former 4-star prospect Michael Weber has a huge opportunity to crack the running back rotation this fall. 

The depth chart behind Elliott is wide open after Samuel transitioned to H-Back this spring. Bri'onte Dunn had a great spring and is slotted as the No. 2 back, but Weber showed up for camp looking the part of a freshman ready to play.

Other first-year guys to watch include receivers K.J. Hill and Alex Stump, defensive linemen Jashon Cornell and Robert Landers and linebackers Justin Hilliard and Nick Conner.

Can This Team Handle the Expectations?

The last 10 teams that entered the season ranked No. 1 have failed to win the national championship, with USC being the last to do so in 2004.

The Buckeyes are hoping to end that decade-long curse, and Meyer is already trying to set the tone and prepare his team for the grind that comes with repeating. Meyer won't use the word "defend," because the players they lost and the incoming freshmen have created an entirely new team. And he knows there's a difference between proving yourself as a team and staying on top of the mountain once you do so.

"I can tell you which is more enjoyable and that's the run up the hill," Meyer said at Big Ten media days, via Jon Solomon of CBS Sports. "I'm sure every player would say that, too."

Meyer's biggest priority over the next four weeks will be identifying the right leaders to help his team handle the mounting expectations. Perry has emerged as the voice of the defense, and guys such as Taylor Decker, Miller and Barrett have been singled out for their leadership as well. 

But if the right leadership doesn't emerge, the Buckeyes will have a very hard time living up to the hype. 

All recruiting information via 247Sports.

David Regimbal is the Ohio State football Lead Writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.