The 15 early enrollees from Ohio State's second-ranked 2021 recruiting class are starting their collegiate careers this weekend, and they're receiving a warm welcome as they arrive in Columbus.
Unlike last year's crop of incoming freshmen, this group should almost certainly get to partake in winter conditioning and a full spring camp. Last March, the 2020 early enrollees only got through three practices before the COVID-19 pandemic shut all team activities down.
But with upgraded testing standards in place, the Buckeyes should be able to practice safely this spring, which is huge for both an Ohio State team needing to replace key starters/contributors and the freshmen who could make an immediate impact later this fall.