Four Buckeyes Who Have Become More Important Than Expected

Every fall camp produces a few players who become more important than anyone expected a few months earlier — and Ohio State has several of them right now.

In this episode of The Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss four Buckeyes whose roles have grown significantly during camp. The list starts with freshman nickel Jay Timmons, who has gone from promising newcomer to a player getting first-team reps and looking like a major piece of the defense.

The guys also break down the rise of defensive end Beau Atkinson, freshman safety Simeon Caldwell, and transfer kicker Marcello Diomede, who may give Ohio State a long-range field-goal option it simply has not had in years.

0:01 — Welcome to the Buckeye Weekly Podcast
0:08 — The usual campus noise follows the show
0:51 — Four Buckeyes who have become more important than expected
1:16 — Jay Timmons' role has changed dramatically
2:04 — How Timmons went from freshman depth to first-team nickel
2:57 — Why the nickel role is such a big jump in responsibility
3:25 — Beau Atkinson's emergence at defensive end
4:35 — How Atkinson worked his way back into a major role
5:54 — Where Atkinson could fit in the defensive line rotation
6:50 — Freshman safety Simeon Caldwell enters the conversation
7:34 — Why Caldwell's role is becoming more intriguing
8:23 — Caldwell's unique safety/linebacker skill set
9:29 — Marcello Diomede gives Ohio State another kicking option
10:19 — Could Diomede become the long-field-goal specialist?
11:00 — Ohio State hasn't made a 50-yard field goal since 2019
11:42 — How a long-range kicker could steal points in close games
12:49 — When was the last time Ohio State had two 50-yard kickers?
13:09 — Final thoughts on the unexpected contributors
14:03 — BuckeyeInsiders.com and closing

Which Buckeye has become more important than you expected during fall camp? Let us know in the comments.

For more Ohio State football coverage, practice intel and fall camp discussion, visit BuckeyeInsiders.com and join us on The Insiders Board.

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