Well, given the limited spring practice sessions and the chaotic start-stop-start again fall, it’s hard to predict just how impactful this year’s freshman Buckeyes might be. However, with the nation’s No. 5 recruiting class, it’s not impossible to at least guess who could be the biggest difference-makers.

Before we get to the list, let’s first chat about need. An offense this explosive probably doesn’t need that many more weapons, but the rich got richer, and we may look back on last year’s wide receiver haul as legendary. More on that in a minute.

New defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs will have some holes to fill, including at linebacker and in the secondary. As the former cornerbacks coach at Ohio State, Coombs made a reputation for churning out talent: every starting cornerback he coached in Columbus made it to the NFL. Expect it to continue — and because there is an opportunity, expect some freshmen to step up and make a difference.

Without further ado, 5 impactful freshman Buckeyes for 2020:

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Honorable mention: Gee Scott Jr. — WR

The 10th-best wide receiver in the country (hailing from the state of Washington), Scott trained with Richard Sherman. That tells me a lot. He’s got a chip on his shoulder too, and he wants to prove he’s the best of this talented freshman receiver class. He’s 6-3, 210 pounds and grew up not knowing sometimes where he was going to sleep at night. Tough as nails. I’m betting on him. He also recently had the black stripe removed from his helmet, which means he’s turning heads in practice and becoming a player.

5. Paris Johnson Jr. — OT

The top incoming offensive tackle in the country, Johnson will fight for a starting position on the right side of the line. The Buckeyes want to add talented depth here, and at 6-6, 305 pounds, Johnson fits the bill. Described as “ferocious” by his high school athletic director (who went on to say he’s also an A student who speaks Mandarin Chinese), the Cincinnati Princeton product is already generating whispers that he could be the next Orlando Pace.

4. Julian Fleming — WR

This is the star. He also recently lost his black stripe. Long-term, this kid will be crazy good. But he’s coming from a high school offense in Pennsylvania that’s far different from Ryan Day’s at OSU. Give him time to learn. Receivers coach Brian Hartline will bring him along and the 6-2, 200-pound Fleming will have plenty of moments this year. Then, as a sophomore, he’ll explode.

3. Ryan Watts — CB

A safety in high school at Little Elm, Texas, the 6-3, 186-pound Watts will be a corner in Columbus, which is a position of need. As a high-schooler, he could have been a quarterback or receiver, but he decided to perfect his craft in the secondary, convinced he could make the NFL by keeping up with big receivers. I think he’ll do just that. After all, every corner from OSU makes the league, right?

2. Jaxon Smith-Njigba — WR

Another Texas product (Rockwall), the state’s Gatorade Player of the Year finished his senior campaign with more than 30 touchdowns and more than 2,000 yards receiving. Everyone who’s seen the 6-0, 196-pounder talks about his great hands, and his ability to catch anything thrown his way. He was the first of the class to lose his black stripe. He’ll get plenty of chances to shine early on in this offense, probably opposite Chris Olave. I think Smith-Njigba could be the most productive frosh wide receiver out of the gate.

1. Lejond Cavazos — CB

I had to go wild card on this one. I’m predicting the biggest impact freshman will be on defense — again, a corner. Yet another Texas native (Seguin) Lejond (pronounced “legend”) Cavazos transferred to IMG, where the 6-1, 194-pound safety-turned-corner turned heads with a 4.4 40 time and a 44-inch vertical leap. A devastating mix of size and speed at the position, he’s got a chance to step in and play right away. Although he only played corner as a high school senior, he and Watts are motivated to be the next big things at the position. Even if they have to bide their time behind Shaun Wade and Sevyn Banks, they’ll find a way to contribute and make a difference.

It’s going to be another fun year in Columbus.