Ohio State Football: 3 Second-Year Players Poised for Stardom in 2023
Since taking over as Ohio State football coach after Urban Meyer's retirement, Ryan Day may be occupying one of the most enticing seats he's ever seen. He has lost to the Wolverines twice in a row, something Meyer never did, and he has gone back-to-back seasons without being selected to the Big Ten championship game.
He now has a lot to show as he starts the crucial 2023 season. His excellent 2022 recruiting class is entering its second year, but he is losing his top quarterback CJ Stroud to the NFL.
Which sophomores will break through as stars for Ohio State in 2023?
#3. Kaleb Brown, Wide Receiver
While Ohio State doesn’t exactly need more receivers to step up with Jaxon Smith-Njigba gone because he didn’t play at all in 2022 and the Buckeyes’ offense was just fine, Kaleb Brown has true star potential.
Fortunately for the Buckeyes, they seem to be bringing in elite receivers every single year and Brown is entering his second season along with fellow former four-star and top-100 wideout Kyion Grayes. However, Brown will get more snaps this season and finish as a budding star.
Brandon Inniss comes in as one of the best receivers in the 2023 class so Brown will have to fight his way onto the two-deep this season, but he’s capable.
#2. Sonny Styles, Safety
Josh Proctor and Ronnie Hickmon are no longer with the team, so there are some openings on the two-deep for someone like Sonny Styles, the second-best recruit in the 2022 class for the Buckeyes and a five-star player who attended Ohio State.
Styles, a star from Ohio, was the best safety in the country and was ranked as the No. 12 player overall in the 2022 class by the composite. He was Ohio's second-best recruit overall, trailing only teammate and fellow five-star recruit CJ Hicks.
Sonny Styles was the Buckeyes' next big thing in defensive backfield as a freshman, recording nine total tackles and a tackle for loss. In 2023, he will have the chance to get a thorough understanding of the field.
#1. Kenyatta Jackson, Defensive End
Despite Zach Harrison's departure, JT Tuimoloau, a superstar, has secured the starting defensive end position. Don't underestimate Kenyatta Jackson's ability to break into the two-deep and play a significant amount of time. He will be among the greatest defensive linemen in the nation this upcoming season and a potential top draft prospect.
There are high expectations for Jackson to contribute significantly because he was the top-60 overall prospect and Ohio State's fourth-best recruit in the 2022 class. The former four-star was managed to save his redshirt despite playing sparingly as a true freshman. He made two total tackles and one tackle for loss in three games during his rookie season with the Buckeyes.
Anrew Ivins of 247Sports likened Jackson, who stands 6 feet tall and weighs 235 pounds, to Clemson star KJ Henry and predicts that he will go in the second round of the draft.
