Ohio State Football: Initial Predictions for the Buckeyes' 2017 Depth Chart
Ohio State came into the 2016 season with 16 new starters and the most inexperience of any team in college football, yet it still managed to go 11-1 and earn a playoff bid.
Head coach Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes will be gunning for redemption in 2017 after an embarrassing 31-0 blowout loss to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl, but this time around, they'll have at least 16 starters back for another potential playoff run.
Last fall, Ohio State had just one senior starter in center Pat Elflein, but six early deflections to the NFL—H-back Curtis Samuel, receiver Noah Brown, linebacker Raekwon McMillan and defensive backs Malik Hooker, Gareon Conley and today's departure of cornerback Marshon Lattimore—create some roster holes that need to be filled this offseason.
The good news for Meyer is that his team is loaded with young talent. There were 43 true and redshirt freshmen on the roster in 2016, and nine first-year players from Ohio State's loaded 2017 recruiting class have already enrolled to take part in winter conditioning and spring camp.
What will the Buckeyes' depth chart look like when they kick off the season against Indiana on August 31?
Quarterback: J.T. Barrett, Senior
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Ohio State is set at quarterback with the return of J.T. Barrett.
The two-and-a-half-year starter flirted with leaving Columbus before his final season but announced his intentions of coming back almost immediately after the loss to Clemson, saying, "It will be really hard for me to walk away when we just lost 31-0," according to Austin Ward of ESPN.com.
That gives Ohio State incredible stability at the most important position on the field. Barrett has won or shared Big Ten MVP honors in both of his full seasons (2014, '16) and will almost certainly leave Ohio State with every passing and quarterback record in school history.
One of the biggest battles this fall will be for the No. 2 spot. Joe Burrow is back and proved plenty capable of running Ohio State's offense in 2016, completing nearly 79 percent of his passes for 226 yards to complement three total touchdowns. But redshirt freshman Dwayne Haskins, who impressed teammates while assuming the role of Deshaun Watson in bowl prep, will be nipping at his heels.
Running Back: Mike Weber, Sophomore
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Mike Weber will be back and looking to build off one of the most impressive freshman seasons for a running back in school history.
After injuries forced him to redshirt in 2015, the Detroit native took over the starting job last fall and anchored Ohio State's power-rushing attack, running for 1,096 yards and nine touchdowns. The Buckeyes will likely feature him more this fall, though, after limiting his touches down the stretch (he averaged 11.2 carries in Ohio State's final six games after averaging 16.4 in its first seven contests).
Curtis Samuel's departure opens the door for true running back Antonio Williams to assume the backup role.
Wide Receiver: Binjimen Victor, Sophomore
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The first twist in the depth chart comes from the projected emergence of sophomore wideout Binjimen Victor.
The elite playmaker came to Ohio State as a true freshman last year with everything a coach could want in a pass-catcher. Standing at 6'4 ½", he has the size to be an absolute nightmare in the red zone, with the polished route-running ability to be a threat between the 20s.
Those are the traits that made him the No. 10 wideout and the No. 66 prospect nationally in the class of 2016, which helped him see limited playing time as a true freshman. He hauled in a 25-yard touchdown catch against Maryland and registered the biggest catch of the night (21 yards) against Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl.
Victor will be pushed by fellow sophomore Austin Mack and true freshman Trevon Grimes, a 5-star wideout who enrolled early to take part in spring drills.
Wide Receiver: K.J. Hill, Sophomore
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Flash back to Ohio State's season opener against Bowling Green last September. It's the second drive of the game, and with memories of the previous year's struggles on offense, Buckeyes fans are anxious after J.T. Barrett threw a pick-six on the game's first drive.
That's when K.J. Hill turned on the jets from the slot and burned Bowling Green's defense for a 47-yard touchdown.
Despite the playmaking ability he displayed in the opener, Hill never found traction in a wide receiver unit that desperately needed explosive plays. He finished the season ranked fifth on the team with 18 receptions and 262 receiving yards, but with Noah Brown's departure, Hill should see a lot more snaps this fall, with Parris Campbell and Terry McLaurin rotating in.
H-Back: Demario McCall, Sophomore
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Curtis Samuel's departure puts a lot of pressure on true sophomore Demario McCall, the talented successor for Ohio State's crucial H-back spot.
Samuel was the first hybrid to match the seemingly untouchable production of Percy Harvin, who revolutionized the position during Urban Meyer's tenure at Florida. Samuel was the only player in college football to record more than 800 receiving yards (865) and 700 rushing yards (771) to complement 15 total touchdowns.
McCall was a bolt of lightning when he played in spot duty, though, averaging 6.7 yards per touch with four touchdowns. His speed and playmaking ability are similar to that of Samuel's.
Backing up McCall is interesting prospect Eric Glover-Williams, a converted safety who announced his move to the wide receiver unit on Tuesday, via D.J. Byrnes of Eleven Warriors.
Tight End: Marcus Baugh, Senior
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Former co-offensive coordinator Ed Warinner vowed to get the tight end more involved in the passing game last spring, saying, "There are a lot more throws headed [Marcus Baugh's] way," according to Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch.
Those aspirations never materialized, as the passing attack struggled as a whole. Baugh caught just 24 passes for 269 yards and two touchdowns, with his best outing coming against Penn State, when he registered five catches for 55 yards and a score.
He's returning for his final season in Columbus, and he'll be backed up by returning No. 2 A.J. Alexander and redshirt freshman Jake Hausmann.
Left Tackle: Jamarco Jones, Senior
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Much was made of the huge task Ohio State had in replacing superstars such as Ezekiel Elliott, Joey Bosa and Michael Thomas, but one of the biggest voids in last year's roster was the one made by left tackle Taylor Decker's departure.
Jamarco Jones stepped in and protected J.T. Barrett's blind side admirably, earning second-team All-Big Ten honors from both the coaches and media. And by the midway point of the season, the offense started relying on its left tackle for more than just his pass protection.
"We rely on him for leadership, even though he’s a first-year starter," team captain Pat Elflein said in October, according to Jacob Myers of The Lantern.
Left Guard: Michael Jordan, Sophomore
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It's incredibly rare for a true freshman to come in and start at any position at a place such as Ohio State, and that's especially true in a position group as intricate and physical as the offensive line, but that's exactly what Michael Jordan did last fall.
The former 4-star standout enrolled early last winter and beat out Demetrius Knox and Matthew Burrell, two established players who had the inside track to earning the starting nod. He was the first offensive lineman to start at Ohio State as a true freshman since Orlando Pace, according to his official team profile.
Jordan and Jamarco Jones should form the Big Ten's strongest left tackle/left guard combo in 2017.
Center: Billy Price, Senior
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The only new starter Ohio State needs along its offensive line is at center after the graduation of Pat Elflein, and Meyer will look to the guy who started at right guard last fall to fill that role.
As a two-year starter, Billy Price will be the Buckeyes' most experienced offensive lineman next fall, which is exactly why Meyer will move him over to center. Ohio State's head man likes strength up the middle, and Price is the perfect candidate to anchor the offensive line and spearhead the offensive attack.
Like last year, Brady Taylor will provide depth and be a reliable backup.
Right Guard: Malcolm Pridgeon, Junior
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With Billy Price moving over to center, the lone hole in the offensive line is at right guard—a spot that will be filled by Malcolm Pridgeon.
The monster 6'8", 285-pound standout was just the second JUCO prospect signed by Meyer at Ohio State, and he was brought in last year to compete for the right tackle position. But a knee injury in fall camp sidelined him for three months, and his rehab prevented him from being game-ready down the stretch.
But with a full offseason to embrace an interior role, the Buckeyes will add a big, nasty presence to their run-blocking scheme, with Matthew Burrell and Wyatt Davis—a true freshman and 5-star stud from Ohio State's 2017 class—filling out the Nos. 2 and 3 spots.
Right Tackle: Isaiah Prince, Junior
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Right tackle Isaiah Prince had an up-and-down season in his first year as a starter last fall, but he's back with a year of experience under his belt and should be much better for it in 2017.
The right side of the line was a constant weak point in the Buckeyes offense last fall, and it buckled in the two biggest games of the regular season, when J.T. Barrett was sacked 14 times against Penn State and Michigan. But Prince made huge strides during Ohio State's bowl prep and held up well against Clemson.
That experience will pay off next fall, and Prince will be backed up by Branden Bowen and incoming freshman (and 5-star prospect) Josh Myers.
Weak-Side Defensive End: Tyquan Lewis, Senior
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Tyquan Lewis, Ohio State's two-time reigning sack leader, will be back for one final season.
The talented pass-rusher followed up his solid 2015 campaign by registering a team-high 10.5 tackles for loss and eight sacks, which netted him Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year honors. He has a speed and power combination that's hard to contain, and he leads a talented pack of weak-side rushers with the return of Jalyn Holmes and the anticipated arrival of Chase Young, a 5-star stud who dominated during the U.S. Army All-American Bowl last week.
Defensive Tackle: Michael Hill, Senior
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With Meyer's "strong up the middle" philosophy, the Buckeyes had a tall order last fall when they had to replace both interior defensive tackles in Adolphus Washington and Tommy Schutt.
Michael Hill was plugged in and he anchored the line, helping the unit yield just 123.9 rushing yards per game, which ranked 19th nationally. But with defensive line coach Larry Johnson, the Buckeyes have aimed to keep fresh legs in the game with a liberal rotation, which made the emergence of freshman Robert Landers important.
Landers was an absolute wrecking ball on the inside, using his quick first step to disrupt at the point of attack. Despite playing as a backup, Landers registered 7.5 tackles for loss, which ranked fifth on the team.
Both Hill and Landers will be back in 2017.
Defensive Tackle: Dre'Mont Jones, Sophomore
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Last year was supposed to be Tracy Sprinkle's breakout season at defensive tackle, but that fell apart in the first quarter of Ohio State's first game against Bowling Green, when he tore his right patellar tendon and was lost for the year.
That opened the door for redshirt freshman Dre'Mont Jones, who was coming off a season-ending injury himself. He played well on the inside, leading the defensive line unit with 52 tackles, four of which came behind the line of scrimmage.
Jones is back, and so is Sprinkle, who promised to return "with [a] vengeance" for his final season, according to Ari Wasserman of Cleveland.com.
Strong-Side Defensive End: Sam Hubbard, Senior, or Nick Bosa, Sophomore
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The first co-starters to appear on the depth chart come at strong-side defensive end with Sam Hubbard and Nick Bosa.
Hubbard, a two-year starter and one of the most versatile defenders on the team, is fresh off a junior season that netted eight tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks. He was spelled (and sometimes complemented) by true freshman Nick Bosa, the younger brother of superstar Joey Bosa.
Nick had an incredible season himself, notching seven tackles for loss and five sacks. With another year training under strength coach Mickey Marotti, these two are primed to fuel Ohio State's strong side yet again.
Will Linebacker: Jerome Baker, Junior
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Few people knew about Jerome Baker before Ohio State's spring game last April, but that changed after he made a miraculous one-handed interception that was frequently replayed on major sports networks.
He still entered the season as a backup, but when Dante Booker went down in the season opener, Baker stepped in, blew up and never relinquished his hold on the starting spot.
Baker became the speedy, disruptive force that Darron Lee was the previous year, ranking second on the team with 83 tackles and 9.5 tackles for loss. He also came up with two huge interceptions—one against Oklahoma that he returned 68 yards for a touchdown, and another against Michigan that triggered the Buckeyes' comeback.
Another spring game star, Nick Conner, will fill the backup role.
Middle Linebacker: Dante Booker, Junior
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Raekwon McMillan was the leader and unquestioned rock of the defense over the last two years, and his departure leaves a big hole not only in the linebacker unit, but also in the entire team.
The Buckeyes will turn to Dante Booker, who started on the outside last year before a knee injury derailed his season. The junior may not have much experience in the middle or possess the leadership of McMillan, but he will make the defense faster as a whole.
"When he gets on the field, he does some things y'all haven't seen yet," McMillan said of Booker last spring, according to Cleveland.com. "He's one of the fastest guys on the defense regardless of position, and he just brings that pop."
And if Booker goes down with another injury, the Buckeyes can turn to Justin Hilliard, a former 4-star standout from Ohio State's 2015 class.
Sam Linebacker: Chris Worley, Senior
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Chris Worley was tasked with the enormous responsibility of replacing Darron Lee in Ohio State's defense last fall, and with a year under his belt, the coaching staff will ask him to build on his solid junior season and develop into a leader for the unit.
Worley was productive, ranking fourth on the team with 70 tackles to complement 4.5 tackles for loss, but his biggest impact was made on Ohio State's pass defense. The converted safety possesses the speed to drop back and cover the slot, which is why he led the linebacker corps in passes defended in 2016.
Keandre Jones, a 4-star linebacker from Ohio State's 2016 class, will likely be plugged in as Worley's reserve.
Cornerback: Denzel Ward, Junior
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Ohio State's secondary was one of the most depleted units on the team last fall after losing three starters, and if cornerback Marshon Lattimore declares for the NFL draft as expected, the Buckeyes will be in the same situation and in need of three new starters next fall.
Fortunately for Meyer, he has a cornerback with a lot of experience in Denzel Ward, who was the primary nickelback when Ohio State needed a fifth defensive back this fall. He played in all 13 games and had an impressive nine pass breakups and nine passes defended, but the Buckeyes will need him to make a big leap as their primary corner in 2017.
There are plenty of reserves, especially with Ohio State's loaded 2017 class that includes six blue-chip defensive backs, but Joshua Norwood has the inside track at the No. 2 spot here.
Safety: Erick Smith, Senior
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Marshon Lattimore had a breakout season at cornerback, and Meyer is hoping that Erick Smith—a high school teammate of Lattimore—can do the same at safety to replace Malik Hooker.
Hooker emerged as Ohio State's most playmaking defender last fall, ranking third nationally with seven interceptions, three of which he returned for touchdowns (which led the nation). His play was the key reason the Buckeyes ranked seventh in pass defense.
Smith has been a key reserve and special teams contributor for three years, but he'll finally get his chance to start in his final season. Isaiah Pryor, a high 4-star from Ohio State's 2017 class, will emerge as the backup.
Safety: Damon Webb, Senior
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With Gareon Conley, Marshon Lattimore and Malik Hooker making plays all over the field, Damon Webb was the most overlooked and underappreciated member of the secondary.
He quietly put together a fantastic junior season, though, ranking fifth on the team with 57 tackles. As the lone returning starter in the unit this year—and a senior, no lessWebb should lead a new-look secondary and have more opportunities to make plays. Jordan Fuller, who backed Webb up last season, returns to the same role.
Cornerback: Kendall Sheffield, Junior
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Kendall Sheffield will be the only member of Ohio State's 2017 recruiting class to earn a starting job.
He's uniquely qualified to do so, of course, because he comes to Columbus with more experience than anyone in his class as a JUCO transfer. Back in 2015, Sheffield was a 5-star Alabama pledge who decided to transfer to Blinn College and explore a different collegiate destination.
The Buckeyes earned his commitment over Texas A&M and will be able to plug him into the starting lineup immediately. He'll be relieved by Damon Arnette, a special teams contributor and reserve from a season ago.
All recruiting and rankings information via Scout. All stats via cfbstats.com.
David Regimbal is the lead Ohio State football writer for Bleacher Report. Follow him on Twitter @davidreg412.
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