Quarterbacks
Braxton Miller is out for the season. Redshirt freshman J.T. Barrett will start in his first game at Ohio State, after sitting out last year. Barrett was recruited as a dual threat quarterback, and he missed his senior year of high school with a torn ACL. Backing up Barrett is third-year sophomore Cardale Jones who had limited playing time last year. Jones is known more as a scrambler, and his large frame will make it difficult for the defense. Coach Meyer has hinted at the possibility of a dual quarterback system early in the season.
Running Backs
It will be very difficult to replace Carlos Hyde. Sophomore Ezekiel Elliott had 30 carries last year for 262 yards and he is expected to start. Fifth year senior Rod Smith has not lived up to Eddie George comparisons, but he will have a chance this season. Also carrying the ball are sophomores Bri'onte Dunn, Warren Ball, and freshman Curtis Samuel. Reports indicate that Samuel is a playmaker and he had a great spring and preseason. In certain formations receiver Dontre Wilson will also run the ball, in which he averaged 8.1 yards/carry last year.
Receivers
Returning at receiver are Devin Smith with 22 starts, Evan Spencer with 15 starts, and tight end Jeff Heuerman. Smith has 1572 yards and 18 touchdowns. Heuerman will be limited for a few weeks due to foot surgery in the spring. When healthy tight end Heuerman should see more passes as compared to last year, as will fourth-year junior Nick Vannett who is expected to start in Heuerman's place this week. Competing for playing time are Michael Thomas, Corey Smith, Jalin Marshall, and Johnnie Dixon. Dontre Wilson added some muscle in the offseason and will continue to add another dimension to the offense.
O-Line
Taylor Decker is the only returning starter. There will be a variety of players sharing time early this season including Billy Price, Joel Hale, Jacoby Boren, and Chad Lindsay. Boren and Lindsay are competing for center and Boren, a junior, comes from a strong pedigree with two brothers (Justin-OL and Zach-FB/LB) previously starting at Ohio State and his Dad played at Michigan. Lindsay is playing as a graduate student after graduating from Alabama where he played on the Alabama O-Line. There appears to be more certainty with the right side as the projected starters are Pat Elflein and Darryl Baldwin.
D-Line
The defensive line returns all four starters, Noah Spence, Michael Bennett, Adolphus Washington, and Joey Bosa. Bosa impressed everyone last season as a true-freshman. Spence is suspended for the first two games due to a drug test prior to the bowl game, and Steve Miller will start in his place. Tommy Schutt may split time with Bennett.
Linebackers
This unit will miss Ryan Shazier, who will be playing on Sundays this fall. The linebackers look to build off last year's experience with the return of Curtis Grant and Joshua Perry. Perry is the leading returning tackler with 64 tackles in 2013 including 10 in the Orange Bowl. Sophomore Darron Lee will step in at linebacker. Freshman Raekwon McMillan appears prepared to make an impact if his services are needed.
Secondary
Gone is Bradley Roby to the NFL, but Tyvis Powell is back at safety and Doran Grant returns at cornerback. There is a competition between freshmen Gareon Conley and Eli Apple for the other cornerback spot. Highly touted safety Vonn Bell earned his first start last year in the Orange Bowl, in which he intercepted a touchdown pass in the endzone. Bell may split time with Cam Burrows at safety. 
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