Ohio State returns the bulk of its nucleus for its 2024 season, but change is a constant in college football.
That’s especially the case in this transfer portal era when players no longer must sit out a year before playing for their new school.
Jan 30, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State University football safety Caleb Downs talks with the media during his first sit-down interview since transferring from Alabama. He was the national freshman of the year at Alabama.
Ohio State got one of the biggest infusions in transfer talent in the country, and four of those players are among the five newcomers most likely to make an impact for the Buckeyes next season.
Here’s a look at them:
Oct 28, 2023; Manhattan, Kansas, USA; Kansas State Wildcats quarterback Will Howard (18) runs the ball during the first quarter against the Houston Cougars at Bill Snyder Family Football Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Scott Sewell-USA TODAY Sports
Howard wasn’t a blue-chip prospect out of Pennsylvania five years ago, but as a quarterback he probably will determine the fortunes of the Buckeyes more than any other player.
More: Oller: Ryan Day’s January haul has Ohio State loaded for bear. Time to win big or go home
Howard worked to become a star at Kansas State, and now he’ll have more talent around him than he did there. He’ll also have more expectations, which he has embraced.
Ohio State didn’t jump on Howard right away in the transfer portal because the Buckeyes wanted to see how the Cotton Bowl played out with Devin Brown at quarterback.
That didn’t go well for OSU. Brown was ineffective early and then injured in the 14-3 loss to Missouri, causing coach Ryan Day to pursue Howard, after all. Howard uses his legs as well as his arm, and Ohio State is banking on that dual threat as well as his experience and grit to lead the Buckeyes to a…
Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/ohio-state-footballs-top-five-105615490.html
Author : The Columbus Dispatch
Publish date : 2024-02-27 10:56:15
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