Ohio State 2011 Football Recruiting: Which Recruits Could Start in 2011?

In the midst of a serious controversy, Jim Tressel and the Buckeyes are trying to prime themselves for another Big Ten title run and getting back to a BCS bowl in the 2011 season. The flagship program for the conference, Ohio State is the dominant force on the midwestern recruiting trail, even now establishing solid in-roads into Florida and Georgia on the national front.

The Buckeyes clean up on the trail, and in 2011 things were no different. Tressel's bunch signed a top-10 type of recruiting class and has a couple incoming recruits headed for Columbus who think that redshirting is not an option. With a couple key returning starters suspended for the first five games, and Tressel docked the first two himself, getting the younguns ready to contribute early could be key to holding the fort until the cavalry comes back.

Which incoming Buckeyes could be looked to contribute the most in 2011?

5. Doran Grant, CB

For the Buckeyes, senior cornerbacks Devon Torrence and Chimidi Chekwa are both gone. Losing two starters and contributors always hurts, but when it comes to the back end, it's only a bigger wound. Corey Brown and Travis Howard return among a few other talented defensive backs, but Ohio State may be a bit green in the secondary.

Enter Doran Grant, one of the top cornerback prospects in the 2011 class. At 5'10", 175 pounds, Grant plays bigger than his listed size as his athletic ability and leaping ability allow him to match up with bigger receivers. Grant has the transition quickness, cover instincts and awareness to come in and help contribute as a nickel and dime cover corner as a true freshman.

With the rise of the spread offense and the three-, four- and five-receiver sets, defenses are being forced to load up on and employ defensive backs all over the field. Look for Grant to see some snaps and play a solid role for the Buckeyes in 2011.

4. Ryan Shazier, LB

Shazier makes this list not too much for the linebacking corps for Ohio State, but I just think he's too athletic and moves too well not see some time in 2011. He has the makings to be a special teams force on the cover units at 6'3", 205 pounds and 4.6 speed.

He could also easily become a solid third down/sub package type of cover linebacker, where he plays 10-15 snaps a game on defense in special packages. Down the road, Shazier will become an outstanding WILL linebacker, though now he likely is not ready for every down action. He needs to add weight and strength to shed blocks for the starter's role.

However, on passing downs, he could be used as either a blitzer or a good pass defender in either man or zone coverages. Shazier is athletic enough to hold running backs out of the backfield around the field or carry tight ends deep. I think there's a role for him as a true freshman, on the coverage units and defensive sub packages.

3. Kenny Hayes and Chase Farris, DE

Cam Heyward, Solomon Thomas and Nathan Williams are all gone, so depth is needed at the position. As the Buckeyes do have a few candidates already on the roster to step up and man starting spots in 2011, pass rushing is usually a committee type of job.

Many teams, especially in the physical Big Ten, play multiple players along the defensive front to keep everyone fresh.

Farris is already big enough to contribute as a strongside end in the Heyward mold at 6'6", 270 pounds. Hayes is a 6'5", 240 pounder who can get after the passer very well and should develop into one of the better pass rushers in the conference during his tenure in Columbus.

While the two may or many not start a game or two in 2011, don't be shocked to see the pair lining up with their hands down to rush the QB a few snaps a game every Saturday this fall.

2. Curtis Grant, LB

Andrew Sweat, Brian Rolle and even Ross Homan are all gone, and each started and played significant roles for the Ohio State defense in 2010. Dorian Bell, Storm Klein and Jon Newsome should return and be primed to step up and fill starting roles.

But Grant, a 5-star player, is one the very best linebacker recruits in the 2011 class, and surely will be coming to Ohio State to play, and play early. At 6'3", 225 pounds, Grant can play both the MIKE and SAM spots in the Buckeyes' 4-3 scheme. He's quick to react vs. the run, fill alleys, physical at the point of attack and has solid play speed.

Grant is looked at the next great Ohio State linebacker from having Andy Katzenmoyer to AJ Hawk, Bobby Carpenter to James Laurinitis. He will be looking to start his lineage in 2011.

1. Braxton Miller, QB

Miller is already enrolled and will practice with the squad during spring ball. Terrelle Pryor is obviously out for the first five games of the season, and Joe Bauserman seems to be Miller's main obstacle from being the opening day starter.

At 6'2", 190 pounds, Miller has a hose for an arm to combine with a dual threat skill set, play instincts and sheer playmaking ability. He's already a celebrity on campus and around the Midwest, so fans will be calling for him to play early. He's drawn comparisons to QBs ranging from Donovan McNabb to Pat White to even former Buckeye and Heisman Trophy winner Troy Smith.

Tressel has shown he is not afraid to play true freshman QBs, evidenced by starting Pryor as a true freshman. Even before Pryor was named the permanent starter, he still saw time in specialty packages for Oho State. Look for Miller to start the first five games, but even with Pryor back after that, to still get snaps and have a role in the Buckeye offense.