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Ohio State football: 3 Buckeyes that must step up to win Big Ten in 2021

By Shayne Nissen

Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Sevyn Banks (7) during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Sevyn Banks (7) during the game against the Michigan State Spartans at Spartan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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Zach Harrison was a top-15 prospect in the 2019 recruiting class coming out of Olentangy Orange.Big Ten Championship Ohio State Northwestern
Zach Harrison was a top-15 prospect in the 2019 recruiting class coming out of Olentangy Orange.Big Ten Championship Ohio State Northwestern /

2. Zach Harrison

Buckeye fans have been waiting for Zach Harrison’s breakout season, but it just hasn’t come quite yet.

A former five-star and No. 2 defensive end in the class of 2019 according to 247Sports, Harrison had just 14 tackles and two sacks in the Buckeyes’ eight games last season. It wasn’t anything to write home about, but people around Columbus think that might change this year.

According to Pete Nakos at Letterman Row, Harrison “walked around Ohio State with renewed confidence this spring.” He has reshaped his body with the help of strength and conditioning coach, Mickey Marioti and the work has shown off.

Coaches have raved about him and he showed improvement in his speed off the edge in Ohio State’s spring game this year.

This is something that fans and coaches alike have been waiting for out of Harrison, who hails from Olentangy Orange High School and was the No.1 player coming out of Ohio in 2019.

If all indications from the offseason are correct, Harrison’s breakout season is coming and will put him in the ranks of Joey Bosa, Nick Bosa and Chase Young as a first round NFL draft pick at defensive end for the Buckeyes.

If he can make that jump, it will lay a lot of pressure off of a generally inexperienced secondary that is looking to bounce back from a bad year last season.

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