5 Ohio State players to watch in the Peach Bowl
The Ohio State Buckeyes will be without two of their top offensive playmakers when it faces the Georgia Bulldogs in the College Football Playoff. Ohio State has gone much of the season without wide receiver Jaxon Smith-Njigba and running back TreVeyon Henderson.
The Buckeyes have a lot of talented skill position players that have stepped up without Smit-Njigba and Henderson. Georgia enters the game as the No. 1 team in the country. However, Georgia’s pass defense did not look invincible in the SEC championship against LSU.
For the past few years, Ohio State has recruited the wide receiver position better than any team in the country. The Buckeyes have an extremely talented offense and an improved defense.
What Ohio State players do Georgia fans need to know about ahead of the Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl?
Quarterback C.J. Stroud
(Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images)
Quarterback C.J. Stroud finished third in the Heisman voting ahead of Stetson Bennett. Stroud is accurate and is expected to be one of the first quarterbacks selected in the 2023 NFL draft.
This season, C.J. Stroud has thrown 37 touchdowns, six interceptions, and 3,340 passing yards. Stroud is somewhat mobile, but he does not break off many big runs. Stroud has never ran for over 100 yards in his three-year career at Ohio State.
Wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr.
Marvin Harrison Jr., No. 18 of the Ohio State Buckeyes, celebrates his third quarter touchdown with teammate C.J. Stroud. (Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images)
Ohio State wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. made the 2022 USA TODAY Sports All-America first-team. Harrison Jr. has excellent speed and body control.
The sophomore receiver has 72 receptions, 1,157 receiving yards, and 12 touchdowns this season. Harrison Jr. is a good route runner and will look to exploit Georgia’s secondary, which looked vulnerable against LSU.
Defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Cody Simon (30) and defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau (44) celebrate after the fourth down stop. Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State freshman defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau is one of the most talented players in the country. Tuimoloau will need to have a big game for the Buckeyes.
The true freshman, a former five-star recruit, has 3.5 sacks, two interceptions, and 28 tackle this season. Tuimoloau absolutely dominated in Ohio State’s win over Penn State earlier this year.
Offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr.
Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Paris Johnson Jr. (77) is a talented 2023 NFL draft prospect. David Banks-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State’s offensive tackles could have the edge against Georgia’s outside linebacker room. The Buckeyes have a pair of talented offensive tackles. Offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. made the 2022 USA TODAY Sports All-America second-team.
Georgia will have to hope for dominance from Jalen Carter on the interior and for a few young edge defenders to step up against the Buckeyes.
Linebacker Tommy Eichenberg
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Tommy Eichenberg has a tough task against the versatile Georgia offense. Eichenberg and Ohio State limited talented Notre Dame tight end Michael Mayer to 32 receiving yards on five catches in the season-opener.
However, Eichenberg, who is on the 2022 USA TODAY Sports All-America second-team, will face a tough challenge against Georgia’s explosive offense. Georgia has an effective running game and regularly gets explosive plays from tight end Brock Bowers. Eichenberg has 112 tackles, 2.5 sacks, and one interception this season.
