Ohio State Football 2011: 10 Buckeyes Who Need To Step Up During First 5 Games
Spring practice is in full swing in Columbus, although the whirlwind of controversy surrounding coach Jim Tressel is still looming large.
The main question left to be answered is who will be starting in place of the Suspended Five.
These practices and the spring game in late April will help reveal a little bit of the puzzle for the future.
But even though most of the starting jobs are still up for grabs, here's a look at 10 Buckeyes who will need to come up huge if they still have hopes of another BCS bowl in 2011.
10. Travis Howard, CB
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Ohio State's secondary was pretty decimated by graduating seniors, as they must replace three starters, including both starting corners.
Luckily, Travis Howard had an electrifying final few games in 2010 including a pick-six against Penn State.
Replacing two two-year starters is not an easy job, but Howard has the natural skills of a potential top-end corner.
He may struggle at times, but his speed and hands could help this team's pass defense tremendously.
The fewer points the D gives up, the less pressure that will be put on a depleted offense.
9. Andrew Norwell, OT
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The left tackle position is possibly the second-most important position on a football team, and the suspension of All-Big Ten OT Mike Adams is a huge space to fill.
This gap means that sophomore lineman Andrew Norwell, who saw playing time last season, will most likely start on the left side.
Norwell best projects to the right side of the line due to his strength in the running game over the passing game.
But if Norwell can be serviceable in the first five games, he will have earned a chance to start full-time in 2012 at either tackle spot.
8. Jake Stoneburner, TE
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For an offense that historically has not used the TE very often, the lack of experienced depth at WR could make Jake Stoneburner a QB's best friend early on.
Stoneburner is essentially a WR in a TE's body, possessing great speed to go with his size at about 250 lbs.
Stoneburner caught 21 passes for 222 yards and two TDs, and could be targeted heavily depending on how many times the new QB will throw the ball.
His combination of size and speed makes him a mismatch that the offense can and should take advantage of more often.
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7. Andrew Sweat, LB
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Sweat's path to his senior year may be the quickest four years that most people can remember.
The OLB will fill in for Ross Homan's job on the strong side of the D and will most likely be the leader of the defense this season due to his experience.
With two other starting jobs in the LB corps, Sweat's leadership and experience will be tested, especially due to the lack of true experience all around the defense.
And the lack of explosive, experienced players on the offense puts even more pressure on this defense to play at a high level.
Andrew Sweat is more than capable of being that talented backer that can run the defense at a high level.
6. Nathan Williams, DE
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Replacing Cameron Heyward is no easy task whatsoever, but senior Nathan Williams' play can certainly help soften the blow for the time being.
Williams is a freakishly athletic rusher off the edge with a high motor that can make big plays in the backfield.
In 2010, Williams had 4.5 sacks and 8.5 TFL, which don't give enough credit to the impact he makes on the field.
For the Ohio State defensive line to have a big year, Williams will need to step into Heyward's shoes and have an even bigger impact on the field.
5. John Simon, DT
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Like Nathan Williams, John Simon is a relentless force on the defensive line. Except Simon's office is along the interior of the line.
Simon burst onto the scene right away in 2009 dominating USC All-American C Kris O'Dowd in his second game, and has never looked back.
Simon, a junior, might be moved to DE as Heyward was in his junior season, but has the athleticism and strength to be dominant anywhere on the line.
He will need to elevate his game to another level in 2011, but it's certainly within his potential to do so.
4. Jaamal Berry, RB
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Of all the Ohio State running backs competing for the starting job in the first five games, Jaamal Berry may be the biggest home run threat of them all.
Berry, who can run in the 4.3s and has good strength and vision, showed some of what he can do last season returning kickoffs along with Jordan Hall.
The earliest reports out of Buckeyes camp are that Berry looks like the most explosive back in spring workouts right now.
If he can stay healthy and steal the starting job, he might not be giving it up anytime soon.
But that's the key for Berry—staying healthy. If he can, he certainly can find his way to taking the starting job from Hall for the time being.
3. Corey "Philly" Brown, WR
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It takes quite a bit for a freshman WR at Ohio State to see the field.
But the potential that Corey Brown possesses might be the highest ceiling of any WR on the roster.
Brown had only eight catches in 2010, but had 105 yards and one TD. He showed the speed that could make him a big-time player, but must clean up his drops.
If he can reel in passes, he can be a dynamic player with game-breaking potential in the future.
With the lack of depth at wideout, Brown will need to come up huge right away to give the offense a reliable option in the passing attack.
2. Jordan Hall, RB
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Terrelle Pryor's high school teammate, Jordan Hall, is the most experienced candidate at RB with Boom Herron suspended to start the 2010 season.
The junior back has over 400 yards rushing in two seasons as a backup to Herron and five total TDs.
Hall's vision and the ability to cut on a dime makes him a difficult back to keep up with if he gets a large amount of carries.
Hall also can be a talented return man as he showed in 2010 with a kickoff return for a TD against Michigan.
The multi-dimensional back can make him a valuable part of the offense with Pryor and Co. out of commission.
1. Joe Bauserman/Braxton Miller, QB
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The No. 1 spot on this list is a tie between senior Joe Bauserman and freshman Braxton Miller because more than likely, these two will be the favorites to start at QB for Ohio State.
Bauserman has more experience throwing against FBS opponents with two seasons as Pryor's main backup.
Although he doesn't offer too much as far as top-end talent is concerned, Bauserman's experience is the biggest reason why he is the main favorite to start at QB.
However, Miller's pure athleticism and arm were quite impressive early on in the first two practices of the spring according to multiple reports.
He will need to gain experience in practices and scrimmages to move his way up the depth chart.
But in the end, what makes him a strong candidate for the starting job is his ability to run and throw effectively, giving him a more capable offensive weapon.
The other thing going for Miller is the 2008 example, where the more experienced senior, Todd Boeckman, was replaced with the young freshman, Pryor, because Jim Tressel felt Pryor gave the team a better chance to win.
Whatever happens, the most important player in the first five games will without a doubt be whoever starts at QB, whether it be Miller, Bauserman or any of the other candidates.
For more college football information and updates, visit The BCS Blitz and follow me on Twitter @bielik_tim.
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