PFF reveals top potential 2022 breakout candidates for Ohio State Buckeyes

Ohio State could be gearing up for a special season in 2022 with some big names returning. But the Buckeyes could have some breakout stars to help them out this year, and PFF listed three players who could make themselves household names.

PFF’s Anthony Treash listed Marvin Harrison Jr., Tyleik Williams and Jack Sawyer as players who could make noise in 2022. Harrison could especially be in good position alongside Jaxon Smith-Njigba and as Ohio State deals with the losses of Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson to the 2022 NFL Draft.

“The son of the Indianapolis Colts legend Marvin Harrison Sr. has had a ‘really good offseason,’ according to head coach Ryan Day,” Treash wrote. “The 6-foot-3, 205-pound receiver showed promise to close out his true freshman campaign in 2021 with five combined first downs and touchdowns in the Rose Bowl. Harrison is poised to be an integral piece of Ohio State’s offense in 2022.”

Ohio State also lost a big piece of its defensive line when Haskell Garrett headed to the NFL. Treash argued Williams has the ability to help fill that role and put together high grades last season, according to PFF.

“The sheer number of high-end reps from Williams on just 184 snaps in his true freshman campaign is almost hard to believe,” Treash wrote. “The 6-foot-3, 315-pound interior defender’s upper-body strength paired with good hand placement led him to a 75.4 PFF grade in his first season.

“The four-star recruit posted an 84.0 pass-rush grade, racked up 21 pressures from 114 rushes, batted a couple of passes, recorded 10 defensive stops and forced a fumble. Williams should be able to ease the loss of experienced veteran Haskell Garrett along the Buckeyes’ interior defensive line.”

Sawyer is the third candidate to break out, and he put together an impressive spring. He’ll play a big role alongside J.T. Tuimoloau — a Five Star Plus+ recruit in 2021. Add in his size and Sawyer could be poised for quite a season in 2022.

“He hadn’t played a down of football since 2019 after getting hurt and then opting out of the 2020 season to end his high school career, but Sawyer played 101 pass-rush snaps as a reserve during his true freshman campaign at Ohio State and recorded 11 pressures en route to a 78.6 pass-rush grade,” Treash wrote. “The 6-foot-4, 250-pound edge defender is explosive, powerful and more advanced than most players his age. … Sawyer could be the next Ohio State household name on the edge.”