Which Buckeye needs to stand alongside Pryor to lead OSU to a national title? Poll

Who will be step it up to help Terrelle Pryor lead the Buckeyes to a national title?

Terrelle Pryor's legs and arm are key parts to the Buckeyes' national title hopes. That much is a given. But as good as he is -- or is expected to be -- he can't do it all. Someone's gotta catch his passes, take his hand-offs, stop the other team's offense, pin 'em back on kicks.

In his story in today's Plain Dealer, Ohio State beat writer Doug Lesmireses talks about the role defensive lineman Cameron Heyward plays, both as a hard-nosed player and as an inspirational co-captain.

On Sunday, Lesmireses wrote a piece on the recruiting Class of 2008 being a key to this title drive. That included Pryor, but joining him from that class in the starting lineup this year are left tackle Mike Adams, center Mike Brewster, wideout DeVier Posey, right tackle J.B. Shugarts, tight end Jake Stoneburner, defensive end Nathan Williams, linebacker Andrew Sweat and punter Ben Buchanan. Six other recruits from then are key backups.

Alongside them are guys like left guard Justin Boren, whom Lesmireses said may be the best offensive lineman in the Big Ten and linebacker Ross Homan, who could be starting in the NFL were it not for an unplanned redshirt year in 2007 for a turf toe injury.

But who among them will have to step it up for Ohio State to raise BCS National Championship trophy?