Phil Harrison
August 14, 2024 6:00 am ET
The Ohio State football team has arguably the most talented roster heading into 2024. With elite recruiting class after recruiting class stacked together, and with the return of a slew of players that should be in the NFL in combination with some key transfer portal additions, most experts agree the top roster is either in Columbus or Athens with the Georgia Bulldogs.
There will be several Buckeyes have a significant impact this fall on both sides of the ball, and the preseason watch lists agree because it seems like every day there’s a new one announced that has an Ohio State player (or multiple) attached to it.
But which players are the best of the best of the best? Is it someone from the skill positions, or a grinder on the defense? We take a stab at ranking the top ten Ohio State football players entering the 2024 season.
10
Will Howard, Quarterback
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Will Howard hasn’t even been named the starting quarterback yet, but it would be a bit of a shocker if he wasn’t given the keys soon. He doesn’t need to be the best playmaker on the team, but should look more dynamic with all of the skill position players he has at his disposal. He too, should thrive with what Chip Kelly will be cooking up this fall. Think J.T. Barrett, but maybe a little better in his only year in Columbus.
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9
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Tyleik Williams is going to be a force again in the middle of the defensive line. There was a noticeable difference with the disruption up front when he was in the lineup and healthy vs. not. NFL scouts are drooling over him, and so is defensive coordinator Jim Knowles.
8
Jack Sawyer, Defensive End
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Jack Sawyer might end up racking up more sacks and tackles for loss than his counterpart on the other edge, Tuimoloau. He started to show all of that fast-twitch ability last season once the coaching staff let him go back to putting his hand in the ground and coming off the edge. Look for one more year in that role to pay dividends.
7
Denzel Burke, Cornerback
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The Ohio State secondary is sick with talent and a lot of it comes out of the back end. Denzel Burke had a fantastic freshman campaign then went through a sophom*ore slump largely because of of injuries, but flashed again in 2023. He’s as close to a lockdown corner as you can get in the Big Ten and will be tasked with erasing the top receiving threat of opposing offenses. We like his chances because of the quickness and ball-skills.
6
Quinshon Judkins, Running Back
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We’ll have to see how the season plays out, but it’s possible Quinshon Judkins out-performs Henderson. What a luxury to have two of the most talented running backs in the country as options. Judkins was a beast in the SEC and brings his blend of power, vision, and speed in a Scarlet and Gray uniform. Look for Kelly to get creative using both backs this season.
5
J.T. Tuimoloau, Defensive End
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J.T. Tuimoloau, or JTT as many like to call him, has literally taken over games at times. He was one of the top rated recruits coming out of the 2021 class and has a rare blend of size and explosiveness off the edge. Teams won’t be able to game plan against him as much in 2024 because of the depth of talent across the defensive line. He should be a game wrecker this fall.
4
Donovan Jackson, Left Guard
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He’s one of the best players on the team and might also be one of the most important because the offensive line has to be better in 2024 for Ohio State to realize the special goals it has set for this season. Donovan Jackson is a two-time first team All-Big Ten performer and is a likely early round NFL draft pick in waiting.
3
TreVeyon Henderson, Running Back
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All of the hype seems to be going to TreVeyon Henderson’s backfield mate, Quinshon Judkins, but when healthy, Henderson might be the most explosive back in the country. He also is a serious weapon out of the backfield in the passing game. He’ll be a matchup issue for defensive coordinators in Chip Kelly’s offense this year.
2
Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver
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I feel like people are sleeping a little bit on Egbuka. He was almost a lock to be an NFL first-round slection before the injury bug hit last season. Remember, his stats were almost identical to Marvin Harrison Jr.’s in 2022. Now that he’s healthy, he should be the No. 1 option through the air with polished route running, exceptional hands, and a burst to get away from defenders.
1
Caleb Downs, Safety
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Caleb Downs was arguably the best freshman defender in the country last season at Alabama. Ohio State missed on his recruitment as a prep player but he’s on campus now as a transfer. He has a nose for the ball, is explosive, and has unparalleled athleticism. He’s going to be a stud this season and gets our top billing.
