Defensive tackle Johnathan Hankins is the surprise leader as the Buckeye freshman who could contribute most to Ohio State this season.
Jim Tressel believes there will be a handful of true freshmen who will find playing time this season for the Buckeyes.CHECKING OUT THE KIDS
Ohio State freshmen with a good chance to play: DT Johnathan Hankins; WR Corey Brown; K Drew Basil; OT Andrew Norwell; CB Christian Bryant; LB Scott McVey; RB Carlos Hyde; DE J.T Moore
Possible redshirts: CB Bradley Roby; RB Rod Smith; WR T.Y. Williams; WR James Louis; DE David Durham; DL Darryl Baldwin; WR Verlon Reed; QB Taylor Graham; S Chad Hagan; CB Adam Griffin
— Doug Lesmerises
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Johnathan Hankins already has done enough in Ohio State's preseason camp to earn a nickname, and "Big Hank," a 335-pound defensive tackle from Detroit, might help Ohio State as much as any true freshman this season.
With seniors and juniors filling the starting lineup, the Buckeyes don't have many holes. But Hankins gives them something they haven't had in years, filling a role that's often difficult to recruit -- an oversized yet athletic space-eater in the middle of the line.
"He's like that defensive tackle you always want," OSU senior linebacker Ross Homan said. "He's tough, he's mean ... and he's big, but he still has good feet and he has great hands for a true freshman. He's not looking to just take on double teams, he's looking to get off double teams and make the play, which is something special."
Ohio State typically plays about half its freshmen and redshirts the rest to save a year of eligibility. The decisions are about opportunity as much as talent.
Among the 18 true freshmen, Hankins is playing a position where Ohio State is looking for depth, so his impressive showing has allowed him to move on to the second team. The Buckeyes always rotate defensive linemen, so he should play enough to make a difference.
Defensive lineman Cameron Heyward said Hankins could be the next big thing. Offensive lineman Bryant Browning said Hankins will throw you around if you're not ready. Ohio State coach Jim Tressel has liked what he's seen.
So get ready for Big Hank.
"When he first came here, I thought, 'That's a big dude,'" senior offensive lineman Justin Boren said. "You don't think a guy like that can move very well, but he can move. I think he can definitely contribute this year."
Here are five other true freshmen that should get a chance to help the Buckeyes:
• Receiver Corey Brown: Nicknamed for his hometown and called "Philly" by his coaches and teammates to differentiate him from Corey Brown the redshirt freshman cornerback, he's impressed everyone with his raw speed.
Cornerbacks Devon Torrence and Chimdi Chekwa said a list of the fastest Buckeyes would include Brandon Saine, Chekwa, Terrelle Pryor and James Jackson.
"He's shown he can make plays," Tressel said. "He'll help us this year."
That could be more as a primary punt returner than a receiver, with at least DeVier Posey, Dane Sanzenbacher, Taurian Washington and Chris Fields ahead of him on the offense. But maybe the Buckeyes will try to use that speed in certain situations.
• Kicker Drew Basil: He has the leg, with range up to 60 yards, though he did miss three field goal tries of more than 50 yards in some windy conditions at Saturday's team scrimmage.
At the very least, he's set to handle the kickoffs, and he's still in line to handle the longer field-goal attempts. Senior Devin Barclay has kicked well in camp, too, so their competition should continue. But Basil, who was around for spring football, seems to possess the maturity you'd want from a young kicker.
"I have one job, and that's to put the ball through the uprights, kick it high and true," Basil said. "And that's what I've got to do. Devin does that about every time and I just want to be able to match him."
• Right tackle Andrew Norwell: "For a young lineman, he's been very, very impressive," Tressel said, and the Buckeyes need him to be. With Marcus Hall redshirting, he's working with the second team at right tackle after missing much of his senior high school season after breaking a bone in his left leg.
"I like to think I have a good eye for talent," junior center Michael Brewster said, "and the first day he stepped out here, he was really getting after it. We're really excited about him."
• Defensive back Christian Bryant/linebacker Scott McVey: The Glenville grad and the St. Ignatius grad are behind veterans but have shown enough, by quickly picking up the defense, to probably earn the chance to help on special teams.
Senior linebacker Brian Rolle has praised McVey, and Bryant has been working at both cornerback and at the "star" safety position as the staff tries to expand his chances to see the field.