Three players from Ohio State football will attempt to subdue the Tigers.

Naturally, everything else regarding the upcoming Cotton Bowl game against Missouri on December 29 has been eclipsed by the big news announcement that Kyle McCord entered his name into the transfer portal on December 4. I have the following question as Ohio State football fans attempt to adjust to the non-playoff atmosphere of this bowl game: which players might play a significant role in Ohio State’s game plan?

The three Ohio State players listed below may see a lot of action against Missouri in 2023. The Cotton Bowl in the latter stages of the 2023 season might provide fans a preview of what to expect from the Ohio State Buckeyes in 2024.

1. Carnell Tate: A true freshman, Tate has caught 17 passes for 260 yards and one touchdown so far this season. It may not impress the non-fan of football too much. Tate’s numbers are impressive, as Ohio State football supporters will quickly note, especially in light of the fact that he is a true freshman and that his team includes Julian Fleming, Marvin Harrison, Jr., and Emeka Egbuka.

Julian Fleming has also announced his intention to use the transfer portal, even though Harrison and Egbuka have not yet stated that they plan to sit out the Cotton Bowl. Tate has the ability to be Ohio State’s best wide receiver option come 2024, just like Marvin Harrison, Jr. showed against Utah in the Rose Bowl in 2022.

2. RB Dallan Hayden ~ TreVeyon Henderson has not yet disclosed his plans regarding the Cotton Bowl or a potential early entry into the 2024 NFL Draft, in line with what I have written above regarding Marvin Harrison, Jr. and Emeka Egbuka.

Dallan Hayden has a great chance to start at tailback for the Buckeyes if Henderson does decide to miss the Cotton Bowl. Hayden will remain a redshirt this season, as expressed by Ohio State head coach Ryan Day, and the Cotton Bowl will not affect that decision. Hayden could play a significant role in the game plan against Missouri after having a great performance against Purdue earlier in the season (11 carries for 76 yards and 1 touchdown).

3. CB Jermaine Mathews, Jr. ~ Another true freshman who has made an impression in little playing time, Mathews may benefit from Denzel Burke’s potential 2024 NFL Draft selection as well as Ryan Turner and Jyaire Brown’s transfer portal selections. Mathews could earn a start at cornerback and position himself to be a starter on the Ohio State defense in 2024 if Burke chooses to skip the Cotton Bowl.