Ohio State football: 5 Buckeyes poised for breakout seasons in 2020
Zach Harrison | Sophomore | DE
While Fleming is the darling of the 2020 class coming to Columbus this season, Zach Harrison was that player for the Buckeyes in the 2019 class.
Harrison, a five-star recruit out of Olentangy Orange High School in Lewis Center, Ohio, is set to be the next dominant defensive end in what has been an impressive run for the Buckeyes at that position.
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It started with Joey Bosa’s entrance as a freshman in 2013, followed by his brother and 2019 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Nick Bosa, and rounding it up with 2019 Heisman Finalist Chase Young. Whether or not Harrison will live up to those names, only time can tell, but no is no doubt that he is a fantastic player.
With the injury to Jonathan Cooper last season, Harrison got some decent playing time, eventually starting in the College Football Playoff semifinal game last season. In fact, Harrison played the second-most snaps among defensive ends behind only Young. Starting all 14 games Harrison recorded 24 tackles, five tackles for loss and 3.5 sacks.
Now with Young being drafted second in the 2020 NFL draft, Harrison will step in as the leader on the defensive line for the Buckeyes in 2020, heading what should be an impressive pass rush. Will he be the dominant, Heisman type force that Young was in 2019? Probably not, but Harrison should still carry on the now consistent tradition of dominant Ohio State defensive ends. Expect a breakout season from Harrison in 2020.