Beyond the Stars: 11 Ohio State Buckeyes to Keep an Eye on This Season

When Ohio State rolls into Columbus each fall, the chatter instantly zeroes in on the marquee names – the quarterback who just won the Heisman, the running back with a million‑yard résumé, the defensive end that every NFL scout has on speed‑dial. That’s natural. But if you peel back the hype, you’ll find a whole roster of players quietly sharpening their knives, ready to carve out moments that could shape the Buckeyes’ season.

Below is a rundown of eleven such athletes. They aren’t the face of the program, yet they could be the difference between a win and a loss, a close game and a blowout. Think of this as a friendly scouting report, written in a conversational tone – because that’s how most of us actually talk about football on game day.

1. Tight End Jalen Morrison – A lanky kid from Dayton who surprised everyone with a 45‑yard touchdown in the spring scrimmage. Morrison’s route‑running still needs polishing, but his soft hands and ability to find the middle of the field make him a potential red‑zone nightmare.

2. Defensive Tackle Malik Hernandez – The sophomore who spent his freshman year rotating on the line, Hernandez has finally earned a starting spot. His low center of gravity and quick first step allow him to disrupt interior runs before the ball even hits the ground.

3. Cornerback Ty Gonzalez – A walk‑on turned scholarship player, Ty boasts a 4.36‑second 40‑yard dash. He’s still raw in press coverage, but his ball‑skills in the open field are impressive – he snagged three interceptions in the fall camp.

4. Wide Receiver Kaiden Ward – Ward is the type of player who can line up on the slot or out wide and still make a play. His burst off the line of scrimmage is almost cinematic; on a recent drill he beat a defender 20 yards to the end zone on a slant.

5. Linebacker Ethan Clark – Not a household name, but Clark’s work ethic is legendary in the locker room. He logs extra film sessions, and it shows: his tackling numbers have jumped 30% since last season.

6. Safety Jamal Reed – Reed’s athleticism is hard to miss. He can cover a slot receiver one‑on‑one and then sprint 15 yards to make a run‑support tackle. The coaches love his versatility; he’ll likely rotate between safety and nickel.

7. Running Back Nico Barrett – While the starter gets most of the carries, Barrett serves as a change‑of‑pace back with an eye for the outside. He averaged 6.2 yards per carry in the spring, and his vision on cutbacks could keep defenses honest.

8. Offensive Tackle Riley Parker – A freshman who earned a starting nod after just two weeks of practice. Parker’s footwork is still a work‑in‑progress, but his size (6‑7, 330 lb) gives him a natural edge against pass rushers.

9. Kick Returner Malik Brown – If you love special teams, keep an eye on Brown. He turned a 95‑yard kickoff return into a touchdown in the intra‑squad game, and his speed could flip field position on a regular basis.

10. Edge Rusher Deon Watts – Watts is a freshman who barely made the roster last year. This off‑season he bulked up to 260 lb and added a third‑down pass‑rush move. He recorded four sacks in the preseason, hinting at a breakout.

11. Backup Quarterback Caleb James – Finally, a nod to the quarterback depth chart. James isn’t the starter, but his poise in the red zone and ability to execute play‑action throws make him a reliable emergency option – and sometimes, emergencies happen early.

All told, these eleven athletes represent the hidden engine of the Buckeyes’ roster. Their progress will be measured in yards, tackles, and occasional highlight‑reel moments, but perhaps more importantly, they embody the depth that Ohio State needs to stay on top of the college football mountain.

So, as the season kicks off and the lights blaze over the Horseshoe, don’t just watch the marquee names. Keep your eye on the sidelines, the bench, and the special‑teams unit – you might just witness the next Buckeye star emerging, quietly, yet spectacularly.