The biggest question concerning the Ohio State offense - really the only question - is who will be the starting quarterback. The battle is between redshirt sophomore J.T. Barrett, who set team records last season with 3,772 total yards and 45 total touchdowns; and redshirt junior Cardale Jones, who led the Buckeyes on their amazing run to the national championship after Barrett suffered a season-ending ankle injury during the fourth quarter of the Michigan game. With his keen grasp of the read-option, Barrett probably fits Urban Meyer's scheme better. On the other hand, Jones has outstanding size (6' 5", 265 lbs) and a rocket arm that can force opponents to defend the entire field. The winner supposedly won't be declared until the opening series of the Virginia Tech game. My guess is that Barrett will start and Jones will also see some valuable playing time.
Running back Ezekiel Elliott enters the 2015 as a leading Heisman Trophy candidate. After his monster 2014 season (273 carries, 1,878 yards, 18 TDs), Elliott now has 2,140 yards rushing, good for 20th place in Ohio State history (tied with Ron Springs). Zeke needs 1,629 yards to claim second place on the all-time list behind the legendary Archie Griffin (5,589 yards). The biggest impediment to Elliott compiling huge numbers in 2015 will the Buckeyes themselves - will Zeke be able to get enough carries in an offense loaded with playmakers, especially when many of the games will likely be over by halftime?
With sophomore Curtis Samuel (58 carries, 383 yards, 6 TDs in 2014) moving to H-back, the reserve running back duties will be manned by a trio of inexperienced players: redshirt junior Bri'onte Dunn (34 carries, 196 yards, 2 TDs for his career); Warren Ball (31 carries, 161 yards, 0 TDs for his career); and true freshman Mike Weber (currently nursing a minor injury).
Believe it or not, Ezekiel Elliott is not the team's leader in career rushing yards. Braxton Miller enters his senior season with 3,054 yards, which is good for 8th best in Buckeye history and first place among Buckeye quarterbacks. But after suffering a shoulder injury that cost him the entire 2014 campaign, Miller is now a former quarterback. It will be interesting to see how Miller adjusts to his new role as an H-back, and how the offense utilizes him in both the running game and the passing game. Miller needs only 715 yards rushing to move into second place on the Buckeyes' career leaders list, but will he get enough carries in this multi-faceted offense?
The other H-backs will be junior Dontre Wilson (860 yards from scrimmage, 6 TDs for his career) and sophomore Jalin Marshall (644 yards from scrimmage, 7 TDs for his career), both of whom will also be responsible for return duties. Wilson has been the team's primary kick returner (43 returns, 1,051 yards for career), while Marshall has fielded punts (24 returns, 283 yards, TD for career).
The receiving corps loses their top playmaker, Devin Smith, who was one of the all-time greats at Ohio State (121 receptions, 2,503 yards, 30 TDs); as well as Evan Spencer (42 receptions, 579 yards, 7 TDs), whose contributions always exceeded his stats. The new leader of the wide outs is junior Michael Thomas (54 receptions, 799 yards, 9 TDs in 2014), who showed better hands and surprising big-play ability (TD receptions of 53, 63, and 79 yards) last year. Senior Corey Smith (20 receptions, 255 yards) showed flashes of brilliance but had too many drops and fumbles. Sophomore Noah Brown played sparingly in 2014 but was expected to be a big contributor this season; unfortunately he went down with a broken leg and will be lost for the year. The rest of this unit is unproven - the other nine receivers have a combined total of 2 receptions for 18 yards in in 18 games played. One of those two receptions was courtesy of walk-on Kato Mitchell in a 76-0 blow-out of Florida A+M in 2013.
Fifth-year senior Nick Vannett (36 receptions, 423 yards, 6 TDs for his career) will provide some stability in the receiving corps, and he is also a fine blocker in the running game. The rest of the tight ends are inexperienced, although sophomore Marcus Baugh will have many chances to make a name for himself as the Buckeyes' number two tight end.
The offensive line, a weakness heading into last season, is now decidedly a strength. The line is anchored by two All American candidates - left tackle Taylor Decker and right guard Pat Elflein - while left guard Billy Price and center Jacoby Boren also return as starters. Fifth-year senior Chase Farris is the only new member of this unit, replacing Darryl Baldwin at right tackle. The reserves are very raw but highly-regarded: sophomore Evan Lisle, sophomore Jamarco Jones, redshirt freshman Demetrius Knox, and true freshman Isaiah Prince should see some valuable action throughout the season.
Sophomore place kicker Sean Nuernberger made only 13 of 20 (65.0%) of his field goal attempts last season, and was only 5 of 10 from 40+ yards. Senior Jack Willoughby, a graduate transfer from Duke, will likely handle kick-off duties (replacing Kyle Clinton) but he may also get an opportunity on at least the longer field goal tries.
Running back Ezekiel Elliott enters the 2015 as a leading Heisman Trophy candidate. After his monster 2014 season (273 carries, 1,878 yards, 18 TDs), Elliott now has 2,140 yards rushing, good for 20th place in Ohio State history (tied with Ron Springs). Zeke needs 1,629 yards to claim second place on the all-time list behind the legendary Archie Griffin (5,589 yards). The biggest impediment to Elliott compiling huge numbers in 2015 will the Buckeyes themselves - will Zeke be able to get enough carries in an offense loaded with playmakers, especially when many of the games will likely be over by halftime?
With sophomore Curtis Samuel (58 carries, 383 yards, 6 TDs in 2014) moving to H-back, the reserve running back duties will be manned by a trio of inexperienced players: redshirt junior Bri'onte Dunn (34 carries, 196 yards, 2 TDs for his career); Warren Ball (31 carries, 161 yards, 0 TDs for his career); and true freshman Mike Weber (currently nursing a minor injury).
Believe it or not, Ezekiel Elliott is not the team's leader in career rushing yards. Braxton Miller enters his senior season with 3,054 yards, which is good for 8th best in Buckeye history and first place among Buckeye quarterbacks. But after suffering a shoulder injury that cost him the entire 2014 campaign, Miller is now a former quarterback. It will be interesting to see how Miller adjusts to his new role as an H-back, and how the offense utilizes him in both the running game and the passing game. Miller needs only 715 yards rushing to move into second place on the Buckeyes' career leaders list, but will he get enough carries in this multi-faceted offense?
The other H-backs will be junior Dontre Wilson (860 yards from scrimmage, 6 TDs for his career) and sophomore Jalin Marshall (644 yards from scrimmage, 7 TDs for his career), both of whom will also be responsible for return duties. Wilson has been the team's primary kick returner (43 returns, 1,051 yards for career), while Marshall has fielded punts (24 returns, 283 yards, TD for career).
The receiving corps loses their top playmaker, Devin Smith, who was one of the all-time greats at Ohio State (121 receptions, 2,503 yards, 30 TDs); as well as Evan Spencer (42 receptions, 579 yards, 7 TDs), whose contributions always exceeded his stats. The new leader of the wide outs is junior Michael Thomas (54 receptions, 799 yards, 9 TDs in 2014), who showed better hands and surprising big-play ability (TD receptions of 53, 63, and 79 yards) last year. Senior Corey Smith (20 receptions, 255 yards) showed flashes of brilliance but had too many drops and fumbles. Sophomore Noah Brown played sparingly in 2014 but was expected to be a big contributor this season; unfortunately he went down with a broken leg and will be lost for the year. The rest of this unit is unproven - the other nine receivers have a combined total of 2 receptions for 18 yards in in 18 games played. One of those two receptions was courtesy of walk-on Kato Mitchell in a 76-0 blow-out of Florida A+M in 2013.
Fifth-year senior Nick Vannett (36 receptions, 423 yards, 6 TDs for his career) will provide some stability in the receiving corps, and he is also a fine blocker in the running game. The rest of the tight ends are inexperienced, although sophomore Marcus Baugh will have many chances to make a name for himself as the Buckeyes' number two tight end.
The offensive line, a weakness heading into last season, is now decidedly a strength. The line is anchored by two All American candidates - left tackle Taylor Decker and right guard Pat Elflein - while left guard Billy Price and center Jacoby Boren also return as starters. Fifth-year senior Chase Farris is the only new member of this unit, replacing Darryl Baldwin at right tackle. The reserves are very raw but highly-regarded: sophomore Evan Lisle, sophomore Jamarco Jones, redshirt freshman Demetrius Knox, and true freshman Isaiah Prince should see some valuable action throughout the season.
Sophomore place kicker Sean Nuernberger made only 13 of 20 (65.0%) of his field goal attempts last season, and was only 5 of 10 from 40+ yards. Senior Jack Willoughby, a graduate transfer from Duke, will likely handle kick-off duties (replacing Kyle Clinton) but he may also get an opportunity on at least the longer field goal tries.
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