Ohio State Football: Buckeyes' Most Important Players at Each Position
There wasn't a team in the country that showcased the importance of depth better than Ohio State during its historic championship run in 2014.
The Buckeyes entered last season trying to replace four elite offensive linemen, their leading rusher (Carlos Hyde), receiver (Corey Brown), tackler (Ryan Shazier) and cornerback (Bradley Roby), and that was all before they lost Braxton Miller (the team's offensive engine) and Noah Spence (who was expected to be the team's best pass-rusher) for the season.
But none of those hits kept head coach Urban Meyer and Ohio State from marching through the first-ever College Football Playoff and capturing the team's first national title since 2002.
This fall, the Buckeyes return much more talent and experience than they did the year before. But even still, Meyer knows the important balance between setting his starters up for success and preparing his backups for any worst-case scenario.
Here's a breakdown of the most important player at each position.
Quarterback: J.T. Barrett
1 of 7
When it comes to the 2015 season, there isn't a wrong answer here.
The Buckeyes currently boast three championship-caliber quarterbacks with Cardale Jones, J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller in the fold. And while Miller and Barrett are easing their way back into the full swing of things, there's so much depth and talent at the position that it's almost impossible to determine who's most important for this '15 team.
Barrett's getting the nod here because he holds the key to Ohio State's success in 2016 and beyond.
Barring some unforeseen development, Barrett should return to Ohio State and be the clear-cut leader at quarterback next season. He'll be expected to carry the Buckeyes' championship aspirations, even with the likely NFL deflections of superstar juniors Ezekiel Elliott and Joey Bosa.
Running Back: Ezekiel Elliott
2 of 7
There's no question that Ezekiel Elliott is Ohio State's most important running back.
As a true sophomore last year, Elliott got off to a slow start, running for just 141 yards in his first three games as a starter. He found his legs against Cincinnati in Week 5, posting 233 total yards (182 rushing, 51 receiving) to complement one touchdown.
He picked up steam as the season wore on, culminating in a dominant postseason stretch when he ran for 696 yards and eight touchdowns against Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon.
According to Odds Shark, Elliott enters the season as the Heisman Trophy front-runner and will pace Ohio State's running game, which has ranked in the top 10 in each of the last three seasons.
Wide Receiver/Tight End: Corey Smith
3 of 7
The biggest hit Ohio State took this offseason was to its pass-catchers with the departure of receivers Devin Smith and Evan Spencer and tight end Jeff Heuerman.
The Buckeyes still return a load of talent, however, with Michael Thomas, Jalin Marshall, Dontre Wilson and Curtis Samuel on the perimeter. Nick Vannett, who has backed Heuerman up over the last two seasons, is ready to step into a primary role at tight end.
But Meyer needs to find a suitable replacement for Smith, who developed into college football's best deep-threat receiver during his four years in Columbus.
That void could be filled by Corey Smith, who showcased his speed and playmaking ability in the spring game. Facing a defense that knew the deep ball was coming, Smith still managed to haul in six passes for 174 yards and two touchdowns.
If he can develop into a consistent week-to-week playmaker for the Buckeyes, their offense will be much more dynamic this fall.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Offensive Line: Chase Farris
4 of 7
Ohio State returns four starters along the offensive line in left tackle Taylor Decker, left guard Billy Price, center Jacoby Boren and right guard Pat Elflein, giving Urban Meyer a strong front to build his offense on.
The lone deflection from last year's unit is at right tackle, and after a strong spring camp, Chase Farris has emerged as the replacement.
His surge this spring was important for the Buckeyes. Farris battled talented sophomore Jamarco Jones, but he pulled ahead because he's been a part of the program for five years compared to Jones' two.
"He was ready to be a starter toward the middle, end of last year," co-offensive coordinator Ed Warinner said, according to Bill Landis of Northeast Ohio Media Group. "If he keeps doing what he's doing he'll be able to take that position over. Jamarco Jones isn't going to let him have it, but it's just a difference in age there, a fifth-year guy vs. a second-year guy."
If Farris is able to perform at a high level, Ohio State will have one of the best offensive lines in college football this year.
Defensive Line: Tyquan Lewis
5 of 7
The Buckeyes know what they have in Joey Bosa, who ranked fifth nationally in sacks (13.5) and tackles for loss (21) during the 2014 season. They also feel good about the interior with Adolphus Washington and Tommy Schutt anchoring the line at defensive tackle.
But Urban Meyer is hoping to give Bosa something he didn't have last year—a competent counterpunch on the opposite side of the line.
Steve Miller and Rashad Frazier were serviceable, but neither packed the punch of Noah Spence, who was supposed to complement Bosa as one of college football's best pass-rushing packages.
Ohio State is hoping Tyquan Lewis can be that kind of player, and the coaching staff feels confident about his abilities after a breakout spring.
“It’s clicked in his mind, the kind of player he has to be,” Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson said, according to Tim Moody of the Lantern. “He’s playing much faster than he played last year. And I think he understands the defensive concept much more than he did last year. But he’s had a really outstanding spring.”
If Lewis can emerge as a consistent pass-rusher, it'll be much more difficult for opposing offenses to handle both him and Bosa coming off the other edge.
Linebacker: Raekwon McMillan
6 of 7
Ohio State has a proud history of outstanding linebacker play—especially in the middle with recent players such as A.J. Hawk and James Laurinaitis—but that hasn't been the case during Urban Meyer's time with the Buckeyes.
In 2012, Meyer had to convert Zach Boren from fullback to middle linebacker midseason because of a lack of production. A year later, Curtis Grant failed to play at a consistent level, and the Buckeyes didn't have the depth to support him.
The tide started to shift last year, however, as Grant posted the best season of his career. He also benefited from a competent backup in Raekwon McMillan, who will be stepping into the starting lineup this fall.
And if he can tap into his outstanding potential, Ohio State's defense has the chance to be dominant.
McMillan, a former 5-star recruit out of Hinesville, Georgia, piled up 54 tackles, 6.5 tackles for loss and 2.5 sacks as a reserve during his freshman season last year.
Playing alongside Joshua Perry (the team's leading tackler in 2014) and Darron Lee (one of the most disruptive defenders in the country), McMillan will have the opportunity to thrive this fall.
Secondary: Gareon Conley
7 of 7
Ohio State has a big need in its secondary after the departure of first-team All-Big Ten cornerback Doran Grant. Eli Apple is primed to step up as the team's top cornerback, but the other side of the secondary remains a question mark as fall camp looms.
Gareon Conley is hoping to be the answer Ohio State is looking for.
The redshirt sophomore had an up-and-down season last year.
On the road against Michigan State last year, Conley saw some early playing time because Apple was sidelined. The Spartans went after him, targeting Keith Mumphery for a big gain of 44 yards and 15-yard touchdown on the first drive of the game.
The Buckeyes will need him to be much better this year because he came out of spring practice as the leader for the starting spot. And when Ohio State hits the road for its season opener this fall, it won't take long for Virginia Tech to challenge him.
"When he goes out there on Sept. 7, he's gotta know, they're coming at you," cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs said, according to Bill Landis of Northeast Ohio Media Group. "They've seen (Apple) play. What happened when you went out on the field last year? They came right at you, play No. 2, it took them one play to find you. He knows that."
All recruiting rankings and information courtesy of 247Sports.
David Regimbal covers Ohio State football for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
.jpg?w=600 "Colts Release Kenny Moore")
