Ohio State Football: Early-Offseason Priority List

In the immediate aftermath of Ohio State's surprising playoff collapse, head coach Urban Meyer was already thinking about the next step for his program.

"Ohio State is not used to this," Meyer said after the 31-0 blowout loss to Clemson, via Austin Ward of ESPN.com. "I'm not used to this, and we will not get used to this. That's not going to happen again. So we'll get things worked out."

What exactly do the Buckeyes need to work out?

New coaches, players, schemes and a fresh mantra highlight what should be a busy winter for Meyer and Ohio State.

Integrate the New Coaches

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One of the first moves Urban Meyer made when he got back to Columbus was an offensive shakeup in his coaching staff, which orchestrated a meager 215 total yards (and just 88 rushing yards) against Clemson—both of which were season lows.

Co-offensive coordinators Tim Beck and Ed Warinner moved on to Texas and Minnesota, respectively, as Meyer brought on former Indiana head coach Kevin Wilson and former San Francisco 49ers quarterbacks coach Ryan Day to replace them.

Both Wilson and Day coach the spread-to-power principles that Meyer built his coaching career on, but they'll bring a much more passing-focused offense to Columbus.

The Buckeyes struggled through the air in recent years, ranking 81st and 100th nationally in passing yards per game. With lesser talent, Indiana ranked 28th and 22nd during that same time span with Wilson in charge.

Meyer wants to see better results when his team goes to the air, which is exactly why Wilson and Day were brought on.

"We will become a good passing team, we will. Next year," Meyer said after the title game, via Ward.

Finish the 2017 Recruiting Cycle Strong

Credit: Scout

Ohio State had 43 true and redshirt freshmen and lost just one senior starter from last year's roster, meaning Urban Meyer will sign a smaller recruiting class in 2017.

That hasn't stopped the Buckeyes from assembling one of the best classes in the country, though. The current 19-member group is anchored by a nation-leading eight 5-star commits, seven of whom rank among Scout's Top 30 prospects.

That's an absurd amount of talent making its way to Columbus.

But with less than a month until national signing day, the Buckeyes are still on the trail for a few blue-chip prospects.

The biggest name on the board is 5-star Marvin Wilson, the top-rated defensive tackle and an absolute mauler of a prospect at 329 pounds. The Buckeyes are clearly aiming for another interior linemen to join 4-star commits Haskell Garrett and Jerron Cage, because they're also targeting Jay Tufele, the No. 3-rated defensive tackle.

The other big prospect on Ohio State's radar is 4-star offensive tackle Thayer Munford, who could join 5-stars Wyatt Davis (guard) and Josh Myers (tackle) in a fantastic offensive line haul. 

Get the Early Enrollees Up to Speed

Credit: Scout

Nearly half of Ohio State's current class is already on campus as nine true freshmen already graduated high school to enroll early and take part in winter conditioning and spring practice.

That extra time in the weight room and with their respective position groups gives those players an enormous edge over the rest of the freshman class, which enrolls in July to report for fall camp.

Last year, offensive guard Michael Jordan came in and immediately earned a look in Ohio State's search for a new left guard. Despite being just 18 years old, Jordan beat out upperclassmen Demetrius Knox and Matthew Burrell to win the starting job.

So who has the best chance to make a leap this spring?

The Buckeyes' secondary is the hardest hit unit on the team, as it lost three starters to the NFL. That gives 5-star Jeffrey Okudah and 4-stars Shaun Wade, Isaiah Pryor and Marcus Williamson a big opportunity to make an early impression.

Five-star quarterback Tate Martell and 5-star offensive tackle Josh Myers also have an opportunity to crack the depth chart if they can make the mental and physical leap as quickly as Jordan did a year ago. 

Identify the Playmakers

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Outside of Curtis Samuel, Ohio State's offense seriously lacked big-play ability in 2016. The Buckeyes registered just four plays of 50 yards or more, and Samuel was responsible for each one of them.

With the all-purpose back's early departure for the NFL, Urban Meyer has a huge need for playmakers. 

There are plenty of options—they're just unproven.

Demario McCall looks like the obvious option to replace Samuel in 2017. As a reserve last year, McCall made the most of his limited time on the field, averaging 6.7 yards per touch to complement four total touchdowns (three rushing and one receiving).

And while he feels like he could've contributed more to an offense that needed the kind of plays he could offer, McCall is ready for a bigger role next fall.

"I feel like I had a good season this year. Felt like it could have been better but it is what it is," McCall said, according to Eric Seger of Eleven Warriors. "I feel like I'm going to grind to have a better season next year."

Ohio State's new offensive coordinator will have to get more from an unproductive receiver unit that lost its top three pass-catchers in Samuel, Noah Brown and Dontre Wilson. Binjimen Victor and Austin Mack, two high 4-stars from Ohio State's 2016 class, could benefit the most from the new-look passing attack.

Find the New 'Edge'

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Urban Meyer uses mottos to motivate his team, and after the disappointing end to the 2016 season, he'll need to find a mantra that helps his team bounce back.

From 2013 to 2014, it was, "The Chase," which Meyer used to signify Ohio State's pursuit of Alabama and a national title. After winning the first-ever playoff, Meyer went with, "The Grind," as the loaded Buckeyes orchestrated the laborious task of repeating.

That team ultimately fell short, and after losing 16 starters to the NFL draft and graduation, the Buckeyes' motto for last season was, "The Edge," which signified the line between average and excellence.

Will Meyer keep that motto as he did with "The Chase"?

Whatever he chooses, and whatever identity his coaching staff wants to form during this offseason, will have a big impact on whether the Buckeyes can redeem their disastrous finish to the 2016 campaign.

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.