Predicting Ohio State breakout stars of 2024: Jeremiah Smith, Sonny Styles, and James Peoples headline candidates
The Ohio State Buckeyes are known for their star power entering 2024, with All-Americans like Caleb Downs and Emeka Egbuka. But it's the breakout players who will likely define Ohio State's 2024 season as they aim to win its first championship since 2014. After scouring the depth chart, practice reports, scouting reports, and watching as much […]
The Ohio State Buckeyes are known for their star power entering 2024, with All-Americans like Caleb Downs and Emeka Egbuka. But it's the breakout players who will likely define Ohio State's 2024 season as they aim to win its first championship since 2014.
After scouring the depth chart, practice reports, scouting reports, and watching as much as humanely possible, we have the best Ohio State breakout candidates. Each of these playmakers has the right blend of opportunity, athleticism, talent, and fit to elevate their play when the chance comes.
Ohio State Breakout Candidates 2024
Offense
WR Jeremiah Smith
Yeah, we have to start with Jeremiah Smith. The vaunted receiver prospect has been hyped endlessly by media, beat writers, scouts, and coaches. He's the real deal, and there's a good chance he breaks the 1,000-yard mark as a frosh.
Will Smith lead the Buckeyes in receiving? I don't think receptions is in the mix unless Egbuka gets hurt. But Smith might have the most yards on a unit that is deep and varied with role players. The biggest hurdle in Smith's way is he'll be in a run-heavy offense.
RB James Peoples
The benefactor of this being a run-heavy offense that wants to limit damage to star tailbacks Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson should be James Peoples. The freshman has drawn comparisons to JK Dobbins already. Notably, his quick first step and muscled-up body have put him ahead in the race for RB3.
If the two backs ahead of him stay healthy, Peoples won't have a ton of volume or primetime touches. That doesn't mean he won't be on the field in the second half of contests, though. Expect to see No. 20 get more touches than fellow freshman Sam Williams-Dixon.
TE Jelani Thurman
The tight end position is fairly clear right now. Senior Gee Scott Jr. will get the majority of early snaps, while Will Kacmarek is the team's best blocking option. That leaves a smaller slice of the pie for sophomore Jelani Thurman.
Thurman is likely the best athlete of the bunch, though, and I think Chip Kelly will look to maximize his set of abilities. His verticality brings a different element to the group.
Defense
LB Sonny Styles
Sonny Styles has pulled ahead in the race to start at weakside linebacker, so the stage is set for the junior to star in his first season at the position. After totaling 53 tackles, 4.5 tackles for loss, and two sacks as a huge safety, Styles will be better served by playing downhill more often. He was not overly comfortable in space, so the Buckeyes knew they had to reign his assignments in.
That's not a knock, and the 230-pounder will star as he flies around the field alongside Downs. Look for Styles to be a finisher who creates highlight tackles and turnovers.
SAF Malik Hartford
A former top prospect who saw the field only a little bit in 2023, Malik Hartford has drawn positive reviews in training camp. He's clearly athletic enough to start in 2025, and Ohio State will need to feed him snaps sooner rather than later. I expect Jim Knowles to work him into three safety looks.
EDGE Mitchell Melton
It's surprising how unanimous the Ohio State beat writers have said that senior Mitchell Melton is the team's best pure pass rusher. The 6-foot-3, 242-pounder has only one career sack and three tackles with the Buckeyes. But it's a matter of opportunity, and he's been a force on third down passing situations in practice.
