It’s rare for a non-redshirt freshman to make a major impact for Ohio State.
The talent on the Buckeyes’ roster is usually so deep that players must wait to break into the lineup. But it does happen. Denzel Burke announced his arrival three years ago when he became a starter at cornerback to open the season.
This year, Jeremiah Smith looks ready to become a star right away. But Smith might not be the only one who could make an impact. Here’s a look at the freshmen who could contribute significantly.
Wide receiver Jeremiah Smith
This is a no-brainer. The No. 1 overall recruit in the 2024 class, Smith dazzled with his speed, size and hands in the spring. He looked like a polished veteran.
“It’s easy to see how talented he is,” OSU coach Ryan Day said. “I think the thing you already recognize, though, is that he’s really good at the no-talent things as well. But I’m going to hold off comments until he plays his first snap at Ohio State.”
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The intangibles that Day referenced start with his maturity and work ethic.
“He’s very about his business, very professional,” senior receiver Emeka Egbuka said. “I think that’s what’s most impressive about him. He’s the prototypical wide receiver that you would want, but he’s mature beyond his years, and you don’t really have to get on him too much. He’s going to work and he’s going keep himself humble. That’s what I love about him.”
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Said defensive end Jack Sawyer, “That kid is just special. That’s the only word I can use to describe him.”
Smith gives every indication of following Marvin Harrison Jr. as the latest in a long line of elite receivers.
“He has a little bit of Marv in him,” Burke said, “and he’s only a freshman, so imagine what he’s going to be like in his third year. It’s going to be nuts. I’m really excited to have him.”
Defensive end Eddrick Houston
Houston was so important to Ohio State’s recruiting class that Day stopped his signing day press conference to talk to him and persuade him to stick with his OSU commitment.
The biggest challenge to Houston seeing a lot of playing time is the depth chart at his position. Seniors J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer are the clear starters. Both are potential All-Americans. Behind them Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson, who’d start and be standouts for most teams.
But Ohio State wants to go deep into its rotation, especially if the Buckeyes have a lot of blowout wins, and Houston should get his chance for playing time.
Quarterback Julian Sayin
For most of the spring, Sayin looked like a real contender for the starting job, though the odds against a true freshman starting are quite high. But Sayin, who left Alabama after Nick Saban’s retirement, showed why he was a top-20 recruit nationally. He struggled a bit in the spring game, but that did little to dim the view of him as a future starter and star.
It’s unlikely he’d beat out Will Howard and Devin Brown and be the opening-day starter, but if they struggle or are injured, the Buckeyes could turn to Sayin.
“He is a fast processor,” Day said. “He’s very, very twitchy. People talk a lot about the twitch in the lower half – how quick they move − but he’s twitchy from the waist up – how fast the ball comes out of his hand.
“Dwayne Haskins was that way. The ball just came out fast. (Sayin’s) mind works that way as well, and that’s a good trait to have as a quarterback.”
Running back James Peoples
Peoples and Pickerington North’s Sam Williams-Dixon might get significant playing time even with TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins ahead of them.
Henderson has an injury history, and the Buckeyes will want to lessen the load on both players in what figures to be a long season. The Buckeyes have no one proven behind Henderson and Judkins following the transfer of Dallan Hayden and the season-ending injury to T.C. Caffey.
That leaves the freshmen running backs. Peoples was ranked seventh among running backs in the 247Sports composite rankings. Williams Dixon was a three-star ranked 85th among running backs.
“Obviously, the two running backs are going to have to play,” Day said. “They’re going to get in games and get carries.”
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