Fifth-year seniors “nuts and bolts” of Ohio State

COLUMBUS, OHIO» Reloading is going to be more challenging than usual this time for Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer, who is accustomed to losing much of his talent to the NFL each year.

Seven fifth-year seniors who were key contributors this season are departing, including star quarterback J.T. Barrett — a four-year starter who holds nearly every Ohio State passing and scoring record — and defensive end Tyquan Lewis, the 2016 Big Ten defensive player of the year.

Another handful of this season’s best players could leave early to enter the 2018 NFL draft in the next few weeks, including All-America cornerback and likely firstrounder Denzel Ward, defensive end Sam Hubbard and linebacker Jerome Baker.

Meyer said it’s going to be especially tough to replace this departing group.

“These fifth-year guys are not just fantastic players, they are the nuts and bolts of this program,” he said. “They own this program.”

Before fully focusing on filling the holes, Meyer has to worry about motivating his troops to beat No. 8 USC in the Cotton Bowl on Friday, a consolation prize after the No. 5 Buckeyes just missed out on the fourth national playoff spot.

The Cotton Bowl is big to the Buckeyes who are playing — or may be playing — in their last college game.

“After this game, I’m hoping I can celebrate in Dallas,” said Baker, who was third on the team in tackles this season but still didn’t meet expectations. “But I don’t worry about (possibly going to the draft). It comes with the sport. You make decisions, but right now I’m worried about beating USC. You always played USC in the video games, and to play them in real life is kind of cool.”

Four of the Buckeyes’ top receivers also are draft eligible and could go early — K.J. Hill, Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin and Johnnie Dixon.

Barrett’s departure clears the way for an intriguing quarterback derby as this year’s backup, Dwayne Haskins, battles Joe Burrow, who was supplanted as the No. 2 signal-caller when he broke his hand before the season. Tate Martell, a dual-threat QB who was redshirted this season, also will be in the mix.

Barrett, who hasn’t drawn a lot of interest from NFL teams, was nonchalant about playing his last college game in his home state of Texas.

“I am not sad or excited or anything. I have been here a while, guys. People joke around and say I have played college football for seven years. I think that’s a little extreme,” he said. “I’m just grateful for the opportunity to be at a place like Ohio State.”