Not only are there storylines of conference realignment and expanded College Football Playoff, but with big-name coaching departures in Michigan and Alabama, the Big Ten and SEC Championships have never been more open.
The Ohio State Buckeyes have six players returning that PFF says are some of the best at their positions.
First, the Buckeyes’ big running back transfer, Quinshon Judkins, appears on the list as the No. 2 returning player at his position.
Last season in the SEC at Ole Miss, Judkins carried 271 times for 1,158 yards and 15 touchdowns for an average of 4.3 yards per carry, while scoring 15 touchdowns. He also contributed 22 catches for another 149 yards and two scores.
Wideout Emeka Egbuka is the third-best receiver on the returning list per PFF.
The Steilacoom, Washington, native posted 41 catches for 515 yards and four touchdowns last season, playing in the shadow of Marvin Harrison Jr. With Harrison gone to the NFL, look for Egbuka’s numbers to skyrocket.
Offensive lineman Donovan Jackson is the fourth-ranked interior offensive lineman per PFF after a stellar season in Columbus.
Pass-rush specialist Jack Sawyer is No. 3 on the returning edge defenders list after being the only FBS edge rusher to earn 85.0-plus grades on both pass and run defense.
Tyleik Williams is No. 5 on the interior defensive lineman’s list per PFF after becoming a full-time starter his past season and tying for fourth in Power Five interior defensive linemen with 26 run stops.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs is the last Buckeye on the list, but the only one to be ranked No. 1 in his position group.
The Alabama transfer is the only rising true sophomore to lead one of PFF’s positional rankings.
With the current crop of young players, Ohio State should be at or near the top of the new expanded College Football Playoffs rankings near the end of the season.
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