The Ohio State freshmen need to start stepping up. Saturday would be a good time for them to make a major impression.
The time for waiting is up in Columbus. It is time for the Buckeyes' freshmen to start stepping up and making a meaningful impact on this Ohio State team.
Now, it is really important to contextualize what that looks like for the Buckeyes this year. Ohio State does not need any of its young players to step up to be All-Americans, but if the Buckeyes want to make a run this year, they are going to need contributions from their young players.
One guy who has consistently shown up so far this year on the defensive side has been Jay Timmons. Timmons was the guy who made the very first play of the game against the Texas Longhorns to force the fumble and then recover it.
On offense, the Buckeyes have teased three players, but one of them is really going to have to make a move.
Legend Bey is the wildcard in the backfield. He has been an incredible disappointment so far in this young season, as he seemingly cannot get out of his own way. There is a very clear trust issue between him and head coach Ryan Day, and the worst part is that the Buckeyes could use some help in the backfield.
On the outside, it's time for Day to let wide receiver Brock Boyd take the next step in this offense. He has been limited, but only because of the times he has been put into the game. Every time that he is in, he makes an impact play, whether it is in the run game or making a solid catch. It is time for him to get more opportunities because Ohio State needs someone other than Jeremiah Smith.
That brings us to Chris Henry Jr. Henry has two touchdown catches this year, including a 75-yard touchdown against Kent State, which showed his big-play capability.
For Henry Jr., it is time for him to start asserting his dominance against better competition. He didn't get much opportunity last week against Illinois, and maybe it is time for him to make something happen against the Hawkeyes.
The Buckeyes certainly appear to have one of the top rosters in the country, and the way that they win football games makes them very tough to beat. However, they are not without fault.
They need to continue developing depth at their skill positions. Until they have that, they are playing with fire, and they are one Jeremiah Smith injury away from taking a major step down in terms of their offense.
