Here's where I see things as of today after talking with several people over the course of the past few days and also doing some reading of the tea leaves.
Will probably revisit this at the end of camp in case of injuries, guys hitting the wall or guys finishing camp strong.
Redshirt:
Malik Barrow - Has a bright future at Ohio State but there are a lot of bodies to jump right now to get into the defensive tackle rotation. Thinking redshirt here.
Tuf Borland - Early enrollee and has received positive reviews from coaches and teammates, just don't see a lot of opportunity for early playing time here, however.
Drue Chrisman - Barring injury to Johnston or a desperate situation at place kicker, should be a redshirt.
Gavin Cupp - Just too many bodies to climb as he makes the adjustment from small school football to big boy football.
Wayne Davis - Definitely on the bubble right now, could see him getting some run this fall, especially if Lattimore continues to struggle with staying healthy. Have him redshirting for now, but could change my mind on this by the end of camp.
Luke Farrell - The emergence of AJ Alexander as a viable option this year may allow the Buckeyes to redshirt Farrell to get him some separation from Hausmann.
Tyler Gerald - Guard depth is better than tackle depth right now, would be surprised if he didn't redshirt, especially coming off the shoulder injury last year.
Malik Harrison - Tons of upside, but still very raw. A redshirt year seems likely.
Kierre Hawkins - Like the upside but he's the most raw of the three freshmen tight ends, redshirt seems very likely.
Malcolm Pridgeon - Due to his injury, it would be a surprise if he's brought back into the fold this fall. Likely headed for a redshirt.
Jahsen Wint - Needs a redshirt year to kind of settle in at one position after bouncing around a bit in high school.
Jack Wohlabaugh - I think Jack has a really bright future here but if Elflein doesn't stay healthy, there are two veteran options in Price and Taylor at center, makes sense to redshirt him.
No Redshirt:
Nick Bosa - Barring any setbacks coming off the knee surgery, Bosa will play this year. Has been in the plans all along.
Rodjay Burns - Flashing at scrimmages? Check. Early black stripe removal? Check. Plays a position lacking proven commodities? Check. Maybe not a guy that many had pegged to play this year, but I'm leaning that way right now.
Jonathon Cooper - Was a "bubble" guy before the Slade injury. Now seems very likely to play.
Jordan Fuller - I think you'll see them push at least two of the young DB's out there. They work well on special teams, there is playing time up for grabs, and they know what they have coming in next year too. Fuller's versatility, intelligence, and ability to play special teams get him out there early.
Dwayne Haskins - If Collier had stayed healthy, I think you may have seen them try and steal a redshirt here. Ultimately the No. 3 QB probably needs to be ready to go and if Haskins hits his ceiling he's not a five-year guy anyway. Get him some mop-up reps to help him prepare in case of injury and certainly to prepare for this upcoming QB battle in the spring with Burrow. Three QB's with freshmen eligibility next year wouldn't be ideal either. Early black stripe removal seems to validate this.
Jake Hausmann - One of the freshmen tight ends has to play, both as the No. 3 (or 2) tight end and to get separation from the other two. Hausmann is the most ready.
Keandre Jones - Jones doesn't NEED to play, but I don't see much value in redshirting the former five-star prospect. Think he finds his way onto the field on special teams and perhaps in mop up role at linebacker. One injury away from being on the two-deep. Historically, out-of-state guys of this caliber have played as true freshmen, if healthy. Mike Mitchell is the only one I can think of who didn't.
Michael Jordan - He's playing and starting.
Austin Mack - One of the safer bets to play. Will be in the receiver rotation and has the mentality to be a good special teams guy so it wouldn't surprise me to see him there either.
Demario McCall - Bubble guy and probably one of the tougher calls to make right now. Dunn's dismissal moves him one rung up the ladder and his ability in the return makes me think he's a little more likely to play than to not play. This is another one I'll probably revisit later in camp.
Binjimen Victor - Another bubble guy. Flashing in practice, but the wide receivers room is so competitive right now. Could really use a year in the S&C program. Have to be careful with out-of-state kids sometimes though, may have to get him in a little bit. Will revisit this one later in camp.
Antonio Williams - May have played no matter what, but Dunn's dismissal makes this one pretty clear.
Will probably revisit this at the end of camp in case of injuries, guys hitting the wall or guys finishing camp strong.
Redshirt:
Malik Barrow - Has a bright future at Ohio State but there are a lot of bodies to jump right now to get into the defensive tackle rotation. Thinking redshirt here.
Tuf Borland - Early enrollee and has received positive reviews from coaches and teammates, just don't see a lot of opportunity for early playing time here, however.
Drue Chrisman - Barring injury to Johnston or a desperate situation at place kicker, should be a redshirt.
Gavin Cupp - Just too many bodies to climb as he makes the adjustment from small school football to big boy football.
Wayne Davis - Definitely on the bubble right now, could see him getting some run this fall, especially if Lattimore continues to struggle with staying healthy. Have him redshirting for now, but could change my mind on this by the end of camp.
Luke Farrell - The emergence of AJ Alexander as a viable option this year may allow the Buckeyes to redshirt Farrell to get him some separation from Hausmann.
Tyler Gerald - Guard depth is better than tackle depth right now, would be surprised if he didn't redshirt, especially coming off the shoulder injury last year.
Malik Harrison - Tons of upside, but still very raw. A redshirt year seems likely.
Kierre Hawkins - Like the upside but he's the most raw of the three freshmen tight ends, redshirt seems very likely.
Malcolm Pridgeon - Due to his injury, it would be a surprise if he's brought back into the fold this fall. Likely headed for a redshirt.
Jahsen Wint - Needs a redshirt year to kind of settle in at one position after bouncing around a bit in high school.
Jack Wohlabaugh - I think Jack has a really bright future here but if Elflein doesn't stay healthy, there are two veteran options in Price and Taylor at center, makes sense to redshirt him.
No Redshirt:
Nick Bosa - Barring any setbacks coming off the knee surgery, Bosa will play this year. Has been in the plans all along.
Rodjay Burns - Flashing at scrimmages? Check. Early black stripe removal? Check. Plays a position lacking proven commodities? Check. Maybe not a guy that many had pegged to play this year, but I'm leaning that way right now.
Jonathon Cooper - Was a "bubble" guy before the Slade injury. Now seems very likely to play.
Jordan Fuller - I think you'll see them push at least two of the young DB's out there. They work well on special teams, there is playing time up for grabs, and they know what they have coming in next year too. Fuller's versatility, intelligence, and ability to play special teams get him out there early.
Dwayne Haskins - If Collier had stayed healthy, I think you may have seen them try and steal a redshirt here. Ultimately the No. 3 QB probably needs to be ready to go and if Haskins hits his ceiling he's not a five-year guy anyway. Get him some mop-up reps to help him prepare in case of injury and certainly to prepare for this upcoming QB battle in the spring with Burrow. Three QB's with freshmen eligibility next year wouldn't be ideal either. Early black stripe removal seems to validate this.
Jake Hausmann - One of the freshmen tight ends has to play, both as the No. 3 (or 2) tight end and to get separation from the other two. Hausmann is the most ready.
Keandre Jones - Jones doesn't NEED to play, but I don't see much value in redshirting the former five-star prospect. Think he finds his way onto the field on special teams and perhaps in mop up role at linebacker. One injury away from being on the two-deep. Historically, out-of-state guys of this caliber have played as true freshmen, if healthy. Mike Mitchell is the only one I can think of who didn't.
Michael Jordan - He's playing and starting.
Austin Mack - One of the safer bets to play. Will be in the receiver rotation and has the mentality to be a good special teams guy so it wouldn't surprise me to see him there either.
Demario McCall - Bubble guy and probably one of the tougher calls to make right now. Dunn's dismissal moves him one rung up the ladder and his ability in the return makes me think he's a little more likely to play than to not play. This is another one I'll probably revisit later in camp.
Binjimen Victor - Another bubble guy. Flashing in practice, but the wide receivers room is so competitive right now. Could really use a year in the S&C program. Have to be careful with out-of-state kids sometimes though, may have to get him in a little bit. Will revisit this one later in camp.
Antonio Williams - May have played no matter what, but Dunn's dismissal makes this one pretty clear.
