Ohio State brought in 21 freshmen in the 2021 recruiting class. Most of them will have to wait their turn on the bench.
But the 2021 class is one of the most talented that the Buckeyes have ever seen. With all the talent at their disposal, they can’t all sit out for an entire year. There will be some who can contribute from day one.
Of all of the talented four- and five-star recruits that Ohio State signed, there are at least four who can make an immediate impact.
Ohio State Freshman Who Can Contribute in 2021
Kyle McCord
Ryan Day has not settled on a starter at quarterback in 2021. He will let C.J. Stroud and Kyle McCord battle it out.
At the moment, Stroud has the upper hand. He has been in the program for a year already and played some snaps as a true freshman.
But if anyone has the talent to unseat the returning favorite, it’s McCord. Not only was McCord a five-star recruit, but he was just named by the National High School Coaches Association as the Player of the Year.
Even if McCord loses out on the starting job, he will only be one play away from getting some game action. Whether he is the starter or the backup, McCord will have a lot of responsibility in his freshman season.
Donovan Jackson
Ohio State adds the top-rated guard in the country to its freshman class this fall. Donovan Jackson is a five-star recruit and could see some action as early as opening day.
Two spots on the interior of the offensive line have opened up. Right guard Wyatt Davis and center Josh Myers are staking their claim in the 2021 NFL Draft. If Harry Miller moves to play center, then both guard spots will be up for grabs.
Ohio State is not afraid to start freshmen on the offensive line. Michael Jordan played left guard as a true freshman in 2016. Jackson could follow that path in the fall.
[pickup_prop id=”3422″]
Jack Sawyer
Incoming defensive end Jack Sawyer is the next in a long line of talented defensive ends at Ohio State.
He probably won’t get to start, but that doesn’t mean that he won’t get some serious playing time. The defensive line rotates more than any other position, so whether he starts or not, he’ll get to play.
Zach Harrison wasn’t a starter last year, yet he made Second Team All-Big Ten. That goes to show that you don’t have to be at the top of the depth chart to make an impact.
Reid Carrico
The Buckeye’s top four linebackers from 2020 entered the NFL Draft, so the position is wide open. There is a hand full of seniors who are ready to take over, but Reid Carrico could make it interesting.
Realistically, in his first year, Carrico will be a special teams player and first man off the bench. But, as could be the case with McCord, if he ever needs to go out and play, he will be able to get the job done.
