Projecting Ohio State's 2017 Depth Chart

QB- JT Barrett

Joe Burrow 

Dwayne Haskins

Tate Martell

With J.T. Barrett back as a fifth-year senior, there’s no question who the Buckeyes’ starting signal-caller will be in the coming season. The most intriguing battle on the quarterback depth chart comes behind him, as Joe Burrow and Dwayne Haskins jockey for the right to serve as Barrett’s primary backup. As a true freshman, Tate Martell is expected to take a redshirt season in 2017.

RB- Mike Weber Jr

J.K. Dobbins

Antonio Williams

 Like quarterback, Ohio State’s starter at running back is settled as Mike Weber returns, but who will serve as the sophomore’s top backup remains unclear. With J.K. Dobbins enrolling early and getting a head start on his college career, look for the No. 2 all-purpose back in the 2017 class to push sophomore Antonio Williams — and potentially Weber — for carries.

WRX- Binjimen Victor

Austin Mack

Trevon Grimes

Jaylen Harris

After Noah Brown opted to declare for the NFL draft, Ohio State found itself forced to replace the premier position in its receiving corps. With the flashes he showed as a freshman and ability to stretch the field, Binjimen Victor should get the first shot at starting for the Buckeyes at the X-position. Behind him Austin Mack, Trevon Grimes and Jaylen Harris should provide depth, but ideally each would find a way to get on the field on a consistent basis in 2017.

WRZ- KJ Hill

Parris Campbell

Terry McLaurin

Elijah Gardiner

Although Parris Campbell and Terry McLaurin each possess an experience advantage, neither has shown the playmaking ability of Hill, whose skill set should lend itself nicely to new offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson’s scheme. Elijah Gardiner, a late addition to the Buckeyes’ 2017 class, is a likely redshirt candidate

H-Back- Demario McCall

Erick Glover-Williams

With Curtis Samuel headed to the NFL, sophomore Demario McCall possesses an ideal skill set to play the “Percy Harvin position” in Urban Meyer’s offense. After spending the first two seasons of his college career on defense, Eric Glover-Williams indicated last month he’d be converting to wide receiver and at H-back, and the 5-foot-9, 178-pound player could serve as a dual threat. Wide receivers Parris Campbell and K.J. Hill could also potentially see time at Ohio State’s hybrid position.

TE- Marcus Baugh

A.J. Alexander

Jake Hausmann

Luke Farrell

Having returned to Ohio State for his redshirt senior season, Marcus Baugh will serve as the Buckeyes’ unquestioned starter at tight end in 2017. Behind him, A.J. Alexander, Jake Hausmann and Luke Farrell will duke it out for playing time and the right to become Baugh’s replacement in 2018 and beyond. It’s worth noting that tight end is one position Ohio State didn’t take a player at in its 2017 class.

LT- Jamarco Jones

Branden Bowen

Thayer Munford

A second-team All-Big Ten selection as a junior, Jamarco Jones returns to Ohio State for his second season as a starter in 2017. Branden Bowen received playing time as a blocking tight end a season ago, but the Buckeyes lack depth behind Jones at the most important position on their offensive line. True freshman Thayer Munford is a likely redshirt candidate.

LG- Michael Jordan

Demetrius Knox

Josh Myers 

 After starting as a true freshman a year ago, Michael Jordan will return to his left guard spot as one of the anchors of Ohio State’s offensive line in 2017. A former highly touted recruit, Demetrius Knox has little to show for his college career after his first three seasons on campus and could get jumped by 4-star prospect and early enrollee Josh Myers if he doesn’t show noticeable improvement this offseason.

C- Billy Price

Brady Taylor

Gavin Cupp

A first-team All-American at guard in 2016, Billy Price will look to solidify the Buckeyes offensive line from the center position in 2017. Behind him, however, depth and experience appear to be lacking, as neither Brady Taylor nor Gavin Cupp has taken significant snaps. Myers is also a candidate to spend time at center in the coming year.

RG- Malcom Pridgeon 

Wyatt Davis 

Matthew Burrell 

The top-ranked offensive guard in the 2017 class, Wyatt Davis would be a candidate to start as a true freshman had he enrolled early as Jordan did a year ago. Instead, look for Meyer to give Malcolm Pridgeon, a junior college transfer from a year ago, a look at guard, with Davis possessing the potential to take over as the starter by season’s end. Matthew Burrell arrived in Columbus as a highly touted prospect in 2015 but has yet to take a meaningful snap at Ohio State.

RT- Isiah Prince

Malcom Pridgeon

Kevin Feder

Although Pridgeon possesses the versatility to start at guard, he could also push incumbent starter Isaiah Prince for his starting right tackle job throughout the offseason. Ideally, however, Price would show enough improvement that the Ohio State staff would feel comfortable sliding Pridgeon to guard in order to piece together its most experienced offensive line as possible.

DE- Tyquan Lewis

Nick Bosa 

Chase Young

There isn’t a more loaded position on either side of the ball for Ohio State heading into 2017 than defensive end. The Buckeyes don’t only return the reigning Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year in Tyquan Lewis and former 5-star prospect Nick Bosa, but will add to their depth with incoming 5-star freshman Chase Young. Look for OSU defensive line coach Larry Johnson to lean on his ‘Rushmen’ package even more in an effort to put the Buckeyes’ best pass-rushers on the field.

DE- Sam Hubbard

Jaylyn Holmes

Jonathon Cooper

Much like a season ago, Sam Hubbard will serve as Ohio State’s official starter opposite Lewis, but for all intents and purposes, Jalyn Holmes should be considered a co-starter alongside his classmate, as he’ll find himself on the field plenty thanks to the ‘Rushmen’ package. One of the top prospects in the Buckeyes’ 2016 class, Jonathon Cooper could himself the odd man out on a crowded depth chart in 2017.

DT- Michael Hill

Malik Barrow 

Davon Hamilton

Michael Hill returns as Ohio State’s top interior defensive lineman, but redshirt freshman Malik Barrow could push the fifth-year senior for playing time. Of all the positions on the Buckeyes’ depth chart, this is the one that needs the most improvement in the coming year.

DT- Tracy Sprinkle

Robert Landers 

Dre'mont Jones

Much like defensive end, Ohio State will rely on a steady rotation of defensive tackles in 2017, especially with senior Tracy Sprinkle returning from injury. With Robert Landers and Dre’Mont Jones having shown a propensity for making plays, true freshmen Haskell Garrett and Jerron Cage are likely redshirt candidates.

SAM- Chris Worley

Malik Harrison

Brendon White

 After providing a steadying presence on the Buckeyes’ defense in 2016, Chris Worley returns to his role as Ohio State’s starting SAM linebacker in 2017. Meanwhile, Malik Harrison showed plenty of promise on special teams in 2016 and freshman Brendon White possesses the potential to play multiple positions — on either side of the ball.

MIKE- Dante Booker

Baron Browning 

Tuf Borland

Originally Ohio State’s starting Will linebacker a season ago, Dante Booker lost his spot in the Buckeyes’ starting lineup when an early-season injury paved the way for the emergence of Jerome Baker. Assuming he’s at full strength in 2017, Booker could slide into the middle of OSU’s defense, where he’d compete with 5-star freshman and early enrollee Baron Browning for the right to replace Raekwon McMillan.

WILL- Jerome Baker

Keandre Jones 

Peter Warner

 In Booker’s absence, Baker emerged as a star last season and should resume his role as the Buckeyes’ starting WILL linebacker. Keandre Jones possesses plenty of upside and could wind up as Baker’s replacement in 2018. While freshman Pete Werner is a redshirt candidate, it wouldn’t be surprising to see the 4-star prospect shine on special teams in the coming year.

CB- Denzel Ward

Shaun Wade 

Damon Arnette 

Having spent his sophomore season rotating alongside Marshon Lattimore and Gareon Conley, the return of Denzel Ward should provide some semblance of experience to the Buckeyes’ secondary. Behind him, Shaun Wade has high upside as a 5-star prospect and Damon Arnette could crack the lineup as a nickel back.

CB- Jeffery Okudah

Kendall Sheffield 

Marcus Williamson

 Perhaps the most intriguing position battle on the Buckeyes’ defensive depth chart is 5-star freshman Jeffrey Okudah vs. former 5-star prospect Kendall Sheffield for the right to start opposite Ward. As an early enrollee, Marcus Williamson will provide depth and could play on special teams.

FS- Jordan Fuller

Erick Smith

Jeffery Okudah

With Malik Hooker off to the NFL, an opening for a playmaking safety in Ohio State’s secondary exists. Sophomore Jordan Fuller could be the man for the job, although he’ll first have to fend off fourth-year safety and heavy hitter Erick Smith. Should the Buckeyes decide they’re OK without him at corner, Okudah also possesses the potential to play safety.

SS- Damon Webb

Isaiah Pryor  

Amir Riep

Damon Webb will serve as the lone returning starter in the Buckeyes’ secondary in 2017. Depth behind the senior is seemingly lacking, but Isaiah Pryor possesses high upside and Amir Riep could play either corner or safety.