Syracuse, New York — Syracuse football coach Fran Brown did not seem disturbed by the viral “Hard Knocks” video in which a New York Giants coach challenged NFL prospect Marvin Harrison Jr. to insult former Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord.

Instead, Brown told ESPN’s David Hale that he should send a gift to the New York Giants coaching staff in appreciation for their devotion to the Syracuse program.

Five underrated Ohio State football players to keep an eye on.

The Ohio State football team’s training camp is nearly begun. Here are several under-the-radar players to watch in 2024.

Gabe Powers – Linebacker: Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles claimed the redshirt sophomore improved significantly in the second half of the 2023 season. He won’t replace Cody Simon as the starter at MIKE (middle) linebacker, but he’ll see a lot more action than he did last season. He’s the team’s largest linebacker, standing 6’4″ and weighing 242 pounds, and he excels in short yardage and goal line situations.

Brandon Inniss, Wide Receiver: It’s not often that a former five-star recruit is considered an under-the-radar player, but this demonstrates how talented the Buckeyes’ receivers are. His decision not to enroll early cost him substantial playing time last season.

He only had one grab in 2023, but it was for a 58-yard touchdown that piqued the interest of OSU fans. A hairline fracture in his foot hindered him this spring, but his teammates have praised him for the effort he put into healing the ailment. He’ll likely start the season as Emeka Egbuka’s backup in the slot and the team’s fourth receiver.

Hero Kanu – Defensive Tackle: As he enters his fourth season of organized football, Kanu has merely touched the surface of his skill. He grew up playing soccer in Germany, and his family has been in the United States since 2020. There is a lot of excitement among those who have seen his exercises, and the expectation is that there will be no decline in performance when Tyleik Williams is rested.

Bryson Rodgers – Wide Receiver: I included him because he was frequently mentioned as one of the young players that had a standout spring. Because there is so much skill ahead of him at this position, you may only see him on occasion, but he has the ability to be productive when given the opportunity.

Calvin Simpson-Hunt – Cornerback: He did not enroll early last year, but he impressed enough to play in each of the final five games of the season. Knowles stated that he has progressed gradually and competes on a daily basis.

Simpson-Hunt is another athlete with a lot of potential, but don’t be surprised if the Buckeyes employ him as a situational player when they have extra cornerbacks. Also, I’m sure you’ll see him on special teams.

There are other guys who may be included on this list. But these five all stand out to me as having the potential to be quite productive when called upon.

Three Ohio State football players are on a coveted preseason watch list.

When you have one of the best rosters in college football, you might expect to win a lot of preseason honors. This has certainly been true for the Ohio State football squad. The Buckeyes have already received some much-deserved preseason recognition.

Some Buckeyes have already been named to some preseason All-American teams. Many award watchlists have also included Buckeyes on their lists of players to watch. The Maxwell Award is one of those award watch lists. This honor is given to the finest overall player in college football.

The Ohio State football program has the most players on the Maxwell Award watchlist entering the 2024 season. They are tied with the most players. Along with Miami, they have three players on the roster. Each player will play a vital role on the club this year.

Three Ohio State football players are on the Maxwell Award watchlist.

Emeka Egbuka is one of the players on the watch list. Egbuka is the team’s most seasoned receiver and now the best. He is likely to be a first-round choice in the 2025 NFL draft. After an injury-plagued 2023, Egbuka is hoping for a rebound season.

Will Howard is also on the preseason watch list. Howard, a transfer from Kansas State, is expected to be the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback. This is going to be the most talented offense he’s ever played with, so he has a legitimate shot at winning some honors.

Quinshon Judkins is the other player on this list. His presence is surprising, given that he will most likely be TreVeyon Henderson’s backup. Judkins comes in from Ole Miss and is one of the top running backs in the nation. He might not be better than a healthy Henderson.