Former five-star recruit is among the breakout players to watch for Ohio State this fall

Every college football season. Players come out of nowhere and end up being a big name. Sometimes it is a late bloomer that takes a bit to get going.

For Ohio State, it is hard to fly under the radar because people know your name most of the time if the Buckeyes recruit you.

With that being said, a few different players could break out for the Buckeyes this season specifically. I will be highlighting the one obvious freshman and then two players with experience that could fall under that umbrella.

WR Jeremiah Smith

You just knew the one on freshman was going to be on this list. The No. 1 player in the class of 2024 was a homerun of a get for the Buckeyes and he’s going to have an impact as a freshman. Smith has the size, speed, and pass-catching abilities to be one of the best at his position in 2024.

Entering the season, I view Smith as the No. 3 pass catcher at worst. Ryan Day being hesitant to use him in the spring game should be a clue to what the Buckeyes have planned for the freshman. A freshman with the talent of Smith does not walk through the doors often.

LB C.J. Hicks

Hicks is a former five-star recruit that hasn’t had a significant role in his first two college seasons but that is going to change in 2024. Hicks should finally slot into a near-starting role at worst. With two years in the strength and conditioning program, the Ohio product should be a hit stick at times.

As a freshman, Hicks made six tackles and he followed that up with eight tackles as a sophomore. With Steele Chambers and Tommy Eichenberg no longer in Columbus, there are snaps to be had.

DE Caden Curry

Curry is another player that has been able to develop and while he is still behind some talented edge rushers, should play a more significant role in 2024. As a freshman Curry had 14 tackles and a half sack. He followed that up with 1.5 sacks and 3.5 tackles for a loss last season in a reserve role.

Sawyer and Tuimoloau will be off to the NFL after 2024 and Curry will likely be the guy off of the edge. A strong season in 2024 could catapult him into that exact result.

Related: Ohio State’s wide receiver group ranked highly compared to the rest of college football