I’m sure there are countless college football fans across the country staying up late at night wondering how Ohio State could possibly reload with all of the talent lost from the 2020 squad, including quarterback Justin Fields.

Well, based on a list released by ESPN on Wednesday, there’s little reason for Buckeye fans to fret. ESPN released its top 50 newcomers for the 2021 season, and Ohio State was well-represented with six players making the list.

Here are the Buckeyes who made the list and where they fell

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  • No. 23 CJ Stroud and Quinn Ewers
  • No. 27 JT Tuimoloau
  • No. 31 TreVeyon Henderson
  • No. 39 Jack Sawyer
  • No. 40 Marvin Harrison Jr.

More than 20 percent of this list is made up of Buckeyes. It’s impressive. Let’s take a closer look at these six.

Starting with Stroud and Ewers, they both are quarterbacks with their first shot at starring in an Ohio State uniform. Stroud did not play last season and appears to be the front-runner to be Ohio State’s starter in 2021. Ewers, however, makes the list not only for being a No. 1 recruit but for going to the Buckeyes a year early so he can make money off of NIL. It’s a historic move and could start a trend of early enrollment in order to make money.

Tuimoloau was a high-end recruit picked up late in the process by Ohio State that has some around the country excited. Sawyer is in a similar boat. Both may see their roles increased after the injury to Tyler Friday.

Henderson, meanwhile, is in a similar boat but has stuck out because of his frame of 5-foot-10, 210 pounds. He appears to be a guy who could possibly step into the Buckeye backfield right away. Harrison Jr. is coming off of a strong Spring Game performance and has been on the radar of Ohio State fans for a few months now.

Lists like this explain why it’s hard to bet against the Buckeyes to once again capture the B1G crown.