Ohio State has to identify 16 new starters before kicking off its 2016 campaign against Bowling Green next September, and with that attrition, a number of underclassmen have a golden opportunity to earn spots in the starting lineup.
Urban Meyer signed the country’s No. 7 recruiting class after winning the national title last year, but the Buckeyes redshirted 20 of their 25 freshmen because their roster was so loaded.
Those redshirt freshmen could make a huge impact this fall, and Meyer vowed to play more of his first-year Buckeyes on national signing day—when he predicted that 18 of Ohio State’s 25 new players will see the field.
Here’s a guess at which underclassmen will make the first team to start the year.
Defense
Despite the need for eight new starters on defense, only two will be underclassmen.
The Buckeyes lost three starters on their defensive line and in the secondary, and that’s where the pair of underclassmen will emerge. But even those two players—defensive end Sam Hubbard and safety Malik Hooker—are entering their third years of the program as redshirt sophomores.
Hubbard should be a familiar sight for Buckeyes fans. The converted safety prospect bulked up in his first year with the Buckeyes and moved to the defensive line, and during last year’s 12-1 run, he backed up Joey Bosa admirably and became a formidable force in the rotation. He ranked second on the team with 6.5 sacks, and with Bosa’s departure, he’s in…
Continue Reading: Ohio State Football: Underclassmen with Best Chance to Earn Starting Spot in ’16
