Several Ohio State players named among 10 best 2023 returning players at their position
We are still deep into the offseason in college football, but you know how it works. It’s a big business these days, and news, rumblings, rumors and even roster moves take place that we can all keep track of throughout the year.
Because of that, many in the media (us included) like to look ahead to the upcoming season as early as the day after the previous one ends (sometimes sooner). We’ve already seen many projections and predictions involving the 2023 season, and, yeah — Ohio State is expected to be one of the better teams this fall once again.
Correspondingly, you would expect several Buckeye players to be listed among the best in the country, and that should certainly be the case.
Pro Football Focus recently named the 10 best returning players at each position for the 2023 college football season, and several from Ohio State appeared on the list.
Here’s a look at each and where they rank at their respective positions according to PFF.
Miyan Williams, Running Back
Dec. 31, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia; Ohio State Buckeyes running back Miyan Williams (3) celebrates a rushing touchdown against Georgia Bulldogs during the second quarter of the Peach Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking
No. 8
What PFF Says
TreVeyon Henderson burst onto the scene in 2021 as a true freshman at Ohio State, rushing for 1,248 yards and 15 touchdowns. While he missed five games this past season with a foot injury, Williams took the reins as the top back for the Buckeyes.
Among Power Five running backs, Williams ranked fourth in forced missed tackle rate (38%), yards after contact per attempt (4.4) and combined first down and touchdown rate (38.3%). It’s up in the air who’ll be Ohio State’s RB1 next season, but Williams earned his place here for his performance in 2022.
Complete Top 10
Blake Corum, Michigan
Quinshon Judkins, Ole Miss
Raheim Sanders, Arkansas
Bucky Irving, Oregon
Braelon Allen, Wisconsin
Trey Benson, Florida State
Nicholas Singleton, Penn State
Miyan Williams, Ohio State
Donovan Edwards, Michigan
Frank Gore Jr., Southern Miss
Marvin Harrison Jr., Wide Receiver
Dec. 31, 2022; Atlanta, Georgia; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Marvin Harrison Jr. (18) celebrates his touchdown catch against Georgia Bulldogs during the first quarter of the Peach Bowl in the College Football Playoff semifinal at Mercedes-Benz Stadium. Syndication The Columbus Dispatch
Overall Ranking
No. 1
What PFF Says
He may not have won the Biletnikoff Award, but Harrison was the best receiver in college football this past season.
Hall of Famer Marvin Harrison’s son was both the highest-graded and most valuable wide receiver in the country in 2022, according to PFF’s wins above average metric. Against single coverage, the sophomore’s 878 receiving yards and 14 touchdowns led all FBS wide receivers.
Complete Top 10
Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Rome Odunze, Washington
Xavier Worthy, Texas
Malik Nabers, LSU
Jalen McMillan, Washington
Johnny Wilson, Florida State
Dorian Singer, USC
Ladd McConkey, Georgia
Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
Emeka Egbuka, Wide Receiver
Nov. 26, 2022; Columbus; Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Emeka Egbuka (2) makes a touchdown catch against Michigan Wolverines defensive back R.J. Moten (6) in the first quarter of their game at Ohio Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking
No. 2
What PFF Says
It remains to be seen who will take over as Ohio State’s next quarterback after C.J. Stroud, but whoever it is will be throwing to the two best receivers in the nation.
Outside of Marvin Harrison Jr., Egbuka was the most valuable Power Five wide receiver last year, according to PFF’s wins above average metric. Only Harrison tallied more receiving yards and receiving touchdowns last year than Egbuka among returning Power Five receivers. Egbuka’s 2.98 yards per route run ranked third in that same group, as well.
Complete Top 10
Marvin Harrison Jr., Ohio State
Emeka Egbuka, Ohio State
Rome Odunze, Washington
Xavier Worthy, Texas
Malik Nabers, LSU
Jalen McMillan, Washington
Johnny Wilson, Florida State
Dorian Singer, USC
Ladd McConkey, Georgia
Malachi Corley, Western Kentucky
Cade Stover, Tight End
Sept. 17, 2022; Columbus; Ohio State Buckeyes tight end Cade Stover (8) celebrates the first down catch during the first quarter against the Toledo Rockets at Ohio Stadium. Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking
No. 7
What PFF Says
Unlike Yurosek, Stover has no such issues as a run blocker. He made five big-time blocks this past season (PFF’s highest-graded blocks), which was tied for fourth among Power Five tight ends.
Working against Stover as a receiver is the fact that he plays with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, the two best returning wide receivers in college football. He still impressed as a pass catcher, though, as his 110 receiving yards after contact ranked 11th among Power Five tight ends.
Complete Top 10
Brock Bowers, Georgia
Brevyn Spann-Ford, Minnesota
Ja’Tavion Sanders, Texas
Jaheim Bell, Florida State
Bryson Nesbit, North Carolina
Benjamin Yurosek, Stanford
Cade Stover, Ohio State
Jalin Conyers, Arizona State
Caden Prieskorn, Ole Miss
Seydou Traore, Colorado
Donovan Jackson, Offensive Guard
Freshman guard Donovan Jackson was the No 19 overall prospect in his recruiting class.
Ohio State football training camp. Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
Overall Ranking
No. 9
What PFF Says
Jackson was a top-15 recruit in the 2021 class according to On3 Sports’ consensus.
The sophomore began to live up to the hype this year in his first season as a starter. His 76.7 grade was a top-10 mark among Power Five guards this year while his nine big-time blocks were tied for sixth.
Complete Top 10
Cooper Beebe, Kansas State
Beaux Limmer, Arkansas
Zak Zinter, Michigan
Christian Haynes, UConn
Justin Dedich, USC
Drake Nugent, Michigan
Tate Ratledge, Georgia
Zach Frazier, West Virginia
Donovan Jackson, Ohio State
Christian Mahogany, Boston College
J.T. Tuimoloau, Edge Rusher
Nov. 19, 2022; College Park, Maryland; Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau (44) celebrates his sack of Maryland Terrapins quarterback Taulia Tagovailoa (3) in the second quarter of their Big Ten game at SECU Stadium. USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking
No. 6
What PFF Says
If you want to see what Tuimoloau is capable of, turn on his tape against Penn State.
In that contest, the sophomore earned a career-high 93.5 grade while recording two sacks, two interceptions (one of which he returned for a touchdown), a forced fumble, a fumble recovery, a tackle for loss, a batted pass and three pressures. He’ll need to improve his consistency as a run-defender though, as the former top-five recruit only earned a 59.8 grade in that area.
Complete Top 10
Jared Verse, Florida State
Bralen Trice, Washington
Demeioun “Chop” Robinson, Penn State
Dallas Turner, Alabama
Mykel Williams, Georgia
J.T. Tuimoloau, Ohio State
Laiatu Latu, UCLA
Brandon Dorlus, Oregon
Gabriel Murphy, UCLA
Princely Umanmielen, Florida
Tommy Eichenberg, Linebacker
Nov. 12, 2022; Columbus; Ohio State Buckeyes linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (35) celebrates the tackle during the third quarter against the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium. Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Overall Ranking
No. 6
What PFF Says
Eichenberg was a PFF first-team All-American this past season and is the most valuable returning linebacker according to PFF’s wins above average metric.
The redshirt junior is a dominant run-stuffer, as his 49 run-defense stops in 2022 ranked second among all linebackers in the country while his 20 tackles for loss/no-gain were tied for third.
Complete Top 10
Jeremiah Trotter Jr., Clemson
Harold Perkins Jr., LSU
Tommy Eichenberg, Ohio State
Jamon Dumas-Johnson, Georgia
Barrett Carter, Clemson
Cedric Gray, North Carolina
Jaylan Ford, Texas
Abdul Carter, Penn State
Maema Njongmeta, Wisconsin
Ty’Ron Hopper, Minnesota
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