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Football
Redshirt Forecast: Those Who Will Play
By Brandon Castel

COLUMBUS — Fall camp is not quite half over at Ohio State, but already things are starting to take shape. The Buckeyes are just 20 days away from their season-opener against Marshall, and we wondered which newcomers might contribute for the No. 2 team in the country as they set their sets on Glendale in 2010.

It’s far too early to make guarantees which guys are going to emerge from the 2010 freshman class, but we take an early look on who might play for Jim Tressel this fall and who might have to wait until next year in our three-part “Redshirt Forecast” series.

For some strange reason, we also included the thoughts of Tony Gerdeman.

Six Newcomers Most Likely to Play in 2010

Drew Basil
Photo by Jim Davidson

1. K Drew Basil – If there is one freshman who is all but guaranteed to play in 2010, it has to be a healthy Drew Basil. One of only two players in the class who enrolled in time for spring practice, Basil proved he is ready to contribute at the college level. Not only did he hold his own in the spring doing both kicking and punting, but the Chillicothe native might just have the strongest leg on the team. Senior Devin Barclay will be the team’s primary kicker, and Ben Buchanan the punter, but Basil should have an opportunity to seize roles on both kickoffs and long-range field goals. He looked more like a veteran during Saturday’s kick scrimmage (going 11-of-12 on field goals) and may have shown the coaching staff that he’s ready to contribute as a rookie.

Gerd on Basil: Best leg on the team and already part of the plan. Biggest no-brainer on the list.

Carlos Hyde
Photo by Jim Davidson

2. RB Carlos Hyde – The other freshman who enrolled early, Hyde was expected to be a certain redshirt with all the depth Ohio State has at running back, but it’s looking more and more likely that he could find a role on the offense in 2010. He is still running fifth at tailback behind Saine, Herron, Hall and Berry, but Jermil Martin leaving the team and Rod Smith’s mysterious absence this fall have left Hyde as the only true power back on the team. Saine and Herron are both capable of pushing the pile, but if Tressel wants a true bruiser in the red zone he might just turn to Hyde, who has also shown some nifty moves in the open field. He even had a big hit on special teams Saturday, which is another way he can prove himself as a youngster.

Gerd on Hyde: Second-biggest no-brainer, in my opinion.

3. DT Johnathan Hankins – The Buckeyes are usually too deep on the defensive line for a freshman to work his way into the rotation, but that might not stop Hankins from bucking the trend. While they have good depth up front once again, Hankins' size and play-making ability will make him an intriguing option for Jim Heacock this fall. He is listed at 335 pounds, but probably came to camp around 320 this fall and the Buckeyes simply don’t have another guy with a similar size and build. His size has limited his ability to stay on the field for more than a handful of plays, but he has been exciting to watch when he’s in there. While he looks like a guy who is just good for taking up space in goal line situations, Hankins can move pretty well and has knack for making plays in the backfield.

Gerd on Hankins: There's nobody else like him on the team. Let's see what he can do. Plus, keeping him busy might be the best way to stay in shape.

4. LB Scott McVey – One of the first things Jim Tressel looks for when deciding which freshmen are going to play and which are going to redshirt is guys who can contribute on special teams and McVey certainly fits the profile. The former St. Ignatius standout is built in the Tyler Moeller mold and is already running with the third-team defense during fall practice. He moves around very well for a linebacker and could eventually see some time at the Star position as well. With guys like Andrew Sweat, Storm Klein and Dorian Bell ahead of him, McVey isn’t going to see any time at linebacker in 2010, but he could play his way on to a number of coverage teams.

Gerd on McVey: He's been pretty impressive and already seems to be making waves. Perhaps he can make an impact on special teams.

5. WR Corey “Philly” Brown – A lot depends on what happens with Taurian Washington, but “Philly Brown” has the look of an impact player this fall. With Duron Carter and Lamaar Thomas gone, the Buckeyes could use some young talent at the wideout spot this fall and Brown has shown excellent quickness when he has the ball in his hands. If he can cut his teeth as a return man, that might be his quickest way of getting on the field and Brown showed he could do that during Saturday’s kick scrimmage. He also got a chance to work with the second-team offense because Chris Fields was working with the ones.

Gerd on Brown: I don't think there is an offense or special teams in the nation that he couldn't help. Just give him a chance. Could also be James Louis. Play one, sit the other.

6. CB Christian Bryant – Cornerbacks aren’t usually ones to find their way onto the field as freshmen at Ohio State, at least not with the depth they’ve had in recent years, but Bryant could be the exception. The Buckeyes are pretty stacked at corner, but Bryant brings a different element. He is a smaller guy, but he packs a big punch. He might already be one of the hardest hitters on the team and could really be a guy who makes a name for himself as a youngster on kick and punt coverage this season.

Gerd on Bryant: Glenville kids with any ability tend not to redshirt of late, and Bryant has such ability.

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