Five Ohio State players facing make-or-break training camps

COLUMBUS — Ohio State has no shortage of talent.

The Buckeyes recruit at a level only fellow elite programs such as Alabama and Clemson exceed. But that creates log-jams at key positions as former 4-and 5-star recruits battle each other for starting spots and places on the two-deep rosters.

Ohio State opens training camp Friday. As part of that, Lettermen Row is highlighting five Buckeyes who are entering make-or-break training camps under first year coach Ryan Day.

OL Branden Bowen

Bowen, a former starter along the offensive line before breaking his leg in 2017, will be heavily in the mix as part of the most competitive roster spot: the starting right tackle. As Bowen worked during spring practice, another offensive linemen took the lead in the battle for right tackle. Now, Bowen will face off against Nicholas Petit-Frere for that job, and he’ll also battle Rutgers transfer Jonah Jackson for the left guard spot.

The good news for Bowen? He’s likely the most versatile offensive linemen on the Ohio State roster, so even if he doesn’t win a starting spot, he’s a proven commodity who can step in and play nearly anywhere if the Buckeyes sustain an injury. But he’d be better off having a good camp and starting the season opener.

LB Baron Browning

Browning is a wild card in Ohio State’s linebackers room. As Tuf Borland and Teradja Mitchell are set for a battle at middle linebacker under new position coach Al Washington, the former 5-star recruit Browning enters camp with a lot to prove. Malik Harrison already has a starting spot lined up after putting off the NFL for one last season with the Buckeyes. Pete Werner can claim more experience than Browning heading into camp. And the addition of the new Bullet position isn’t clearing the way for Browning. That spot will likely take a linebacker off the field for certain plays so Brendan White can assume the free-roaming role.

Browning was highly regarded when he committed to Ohio State. He has the capability to make plays for the Buckeyes — if he can break out during camp. If he doesn’t, he might be watching the the other linebackers from the sideline.

RB/H-back Demario McCall

As deep as Ohio State is at wide receiver and H-back, McCall’s name gets brought up just as much as any player’s. McCall was buried beneath the running back tandem of J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber last season, as well as plenty of talent at H-back. Could this be the year he finally earns playing time and makes something out of it? He was shaky in the return game last season, most notably with the muffed kick against Michigan.

McCall has a chance to help as a backup behind Dobbins with Master Teague. He also has a chance to help at H-back, but K.J. Hill and possibly even Jeremy Ruckert are also candidates for that job. McCall will have to be better this August than he has been at Ohio State to find time on the field in key moments.

DL Jashon Cornell

Simply put: Ohio State’s defensive line is loaded. Yes, the Buckeyes lost Dre’Mont Jones and Nick Bosa, but they return a bevy of defensive linemen and the ultra-talented Chase Young. Robert Landers returns alongside Davon Hamilton, the projected starters. Youngsters Tommy Togiai, Haskell Garrett and Taron Vincent all have high expectations and could platoon in the trenches for the Buckeyes.

So, where does Cornell fit in along the defensive line? He might not if he struggles during camp. As a guy who’s had multiple camps to stick out, Cornell has yet to do so. He has one more to figure things out and carve out a role for the Buckeyes.

WR Jaylen Harris

Harris is a skill position player who stayed home in Ohio to play for the Buckeyes, but hasn’t been able to crack the rotation. Although Ohio State lost three of its top receivers from a year ago, Harris’ path to playing time will be just as difficult this season. The wide receivers ahead of him, Chris Olave, K.J. Hill, C.J. Saunders, Garrett Wilson, Binjimen Victor and Austin Mack, aren’t going anywhere. All of them, with the exception of Wilson, have already proven what they can do on the field.

If Harris doesn’t make a push for playing time this season, it could be an even tougher road next season, as the Buckeyes prepare to add the country’s best receiving haul in recruiting, including top-ranked wide receiver Julian Fleming. Harris’ time to make a name for himself is now.