Ohio State Roster Breakdown: Predicting the Buckeyes' 2024 Success

Ohio State football is always a force to be reckoned with, and the 2024 season is no exception. With a new year comes a new set of challenges, but with a roster full of talented young players, the Buckeyes are poised to make a deep run in the College Football Playoff. But which players will be the difference-makers on the field? In this article, we'll break down the Ohio State roster and predict which players will lead the Buckeyes to success in 2024.

The Buckeyes' roster is full of high-profile recruits and returning starters, but it's also a team that is heavily reliant on transfers and upperclassmen to fill key positions. This is a common theme for many Big Ten teams, as the NCAA's transfer rules have made it easier for programs to bolster their rosters. However, for Ohio State, the challenge will be balancing the desire to improve the roster with the need to give players meaningful playing time and development opportunities.

One of the biggest questions on the Buckeyes' roster is who will be running the show at quarterback. Travon McMillian and Jaxon Smith-Njigba are both returning starters, but they will be joined in the competition by a slew of highly-touted freshmen. Who will emerge as the top QB in Columbus? Will it be McMillian's senior season or a breakout year for one of the younger signal-callers?

Offense: Who Will Carry the Load?

Ohio State's offense is always a dynamic unit, and 2024 is shaping up to be no exception. The Buckeyes have a plethora of talented wide receivers, including a pair of All-Americans in Emil Bere Alptekin and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. But the real question is, can the running game truly take off this year? With a rebuilt offensive line and a number of talented backs, including TreVeyon Henderson and Junior Zamora, the Buckeyes could be in store for a big year on the ground.

Some key positions to watch on the Buckeyes' offense include:

• Quarterback: Will Travon McMillian or Jaxon Smith-Njigba emerge as the top QB in Columbus?
• Running Back: Can TreVeyon Henderson and Junior Zamora carry the load on the ground?
• Wide Receiver: Who will be the top receiving threat for the Buckeyes?
• Linebacker: With a number of talented linebackers on the roster, who will be the leading tackler and playmaker in the middle of the field?

Defensive Line: Will Ohio State's D-Line Bring the Heat?

The Buckeyes' defensive line is always a strength, but 2024 could be a special year for this unit. With a number of talented freshmen and transfers joining the mix, the Buckeyes could be in store for a big year on the defensive line.

Some key players to watch on the Buckeyes' defense include:

• Edge Rusher: Who will be the leading pass rusher for the Buckeyes?
• Interior Lineman: Can the Buckeyes' interior linemen bring the heat against the run?
• Linebacker: Who will be the leading tackler and playmaker in the middle of the field?

Defensive Backs: Who Will Be the Shutdown Corner?

The Buckeyes' defensive backfield is always a unit to watch, and 2024 could be no exception. With a number of talented cornerbacks and safeties on the roster, the Buckeyes could be in store for a big year in the secondary.

Some key players to watch on the Buckeyes' defense include:

• Cornerback: Who will be the top cornerback for the Buckeyes?
• Safety: Can the Buckeyes' safeties bring the ballcarrier down to the ground?
• Nickelback: Who will be the leading coverage specialist in the nickel package?

Special Teams: Who Will Kick for the Buckeyes?

The Buckeyes' special teams unit has always been a strength, and 2024 could be no exception. With a number of talented kickers and punters on the roster, the Buckeyes could be in store for a big year in the kicking game.

Some key players to watch on the Buckeyes' special teams include:

• Kicker: Who will be the top kicker for the Buckeyes?
• Punter: Can the Buckeyes' punter pin opponents deep and flip field position?
• Return Specialist: Who will be the leading return specialist for the Buckeyes?

Return Game: Will Ohio State's Return Game Be a Force to Be Reckoned With?

The Buckeyes' return game has always been a unit to watch, and 2024 could be no exception. With a number of talented return specialists on the roster, the Buckeyes could be in store for a big year in the return game.

Some key players to watch on the Buckeyes' return game include:

• Kick Returner: Who will be the leading kick returner for the Buckeyes?
• Punt Returner: Can the Buckeyes' punt return specialists flip field position and create big plays?
• Return Specialist: Who will be the overall return specialist for the Buckeyes?

Coaching Staff: What's New and Who's Returning?

The Buckeyes' coaching staff has always been a key factor in the team's success, and 2024 could be no exception. With a number of new coaches joining the staff, the Buckeyes will have to adapt to a new system and make some adjustments.

Some key coaches to watch in 2024 include:

• Quarterbacks Coach: Who will be the Buckeyes' quarterbacks coach?
• Offensive Line Coach: Can the Buckeyes' offensive line coach improve the line's performance?
• _Defensive Coordinator