COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The No. 11-ranked high school recruit in the Class of 2017, Baron Browning played at middle linebacker in blowouts and on special teams as a regular contributor this year, one example that the Ohio State Buckeyes remain committed to not ignoring their true freshmen.
"I didn't know what to expect coming in since it was my first year in the program," Browning told cleveland.com. "I was open to everything."
At Ohio State, once again, that means being open to playing right away.
Ohio State's 2015 season was a mess for scholarship management, as a roster packed with veterans and future NFL picks led to true freshmen not getting on the field.
Only four of 25 true freshmen played in 2015.
Last season, the Buckeyes got back on track by providing sensible opportunities to those who could handle it, playing 11 of 23 true freshmen.
This year that number grew, as 14 of 20 true freshmen played, with Urban Meyer and his staff doing an ideal job of living up to their desire to not redshirt any freshman that is ready.
"I would like to play (them all)," Meyer said. "I say that every year and sometimes it doesn't work out that way. It's not intent. If you don't play here, it's because you're not good enough.
"It's not because we're saving you for somewhere down the road. Those days are gone. If you come here and you're good enough, you play. If you don't, that's what I try to tell everybody, fans, uncles, everybody. If he's not playing, it's not because we're holding him back. No, no, you go play. This was a very good group we had, and their future .. that group is a very good group."
The only first-year players who should plan on redshirting are quarterbacks who aren't going to see the field and offensive linemen who need to develop physically. Three of the redshirts fit that description this year in quarterback Tate Martell and offensive guards Josh Myers and Wyatt Davis. The other three redshirts were receiver Ellijah Gardiner, a lower-ranked player who was a late add in the recruiting cycle; cornerback Shaun Wade, who battled injuries; and defensive lineman Jerron Cage.
Who played? Everyone else, including a bevy of athletic special teamers at linebacker and in the secondary, a stud running back, a future star at defensive end and an offensive tackle who made the two-deep.
"I think that you don't just play a guy to play him. (Cornerback) Jeff Okudah played because he's one of our best players, and we also needed him, but I've got news, he would have played anyways," Meyer said. "That's how good he was. (Running back) J.K. Dobbins, when Mike (Weber) went down became a need, but guess what."
He was ready. Defensive end Chase Young was ready. Right tackle Thayer Munford was ready.
Browning, the third-highest recruit in Ohio State's class behind Young and Okudah, was ready.
"I felt good," Browning said. "I'm still getting a feel for things and getting comfortable, so I'm just making the most of my opportunities in practice and when I get in the game."
Browning is one of the leading candidates to make the jump from special teamer as a true freshman to starter as a true sophomore. Redshirt freshman Tuf Borland took over the starting middle linebacker job this season and will enter 2018 as the top contender at that spot. But with senior Chris Worley and Jerome Baker, a likely candidate to leave for the NFL, there should be two other starting linebacker jobs open.
That likely will come down to current sophomores Keandre Jones and Malik Harrison and current freshmen Browning and Pete Werner fighting for those two jobs. Browning was a middle linebacker this year, but if Borland locks that down, Browning will battle for an outside spot.
"I feel like I can play anywhere, but that decision is not up to me," Browning said. "I'll play wherever they put me or where the team needs me. ... I feel like day in and day out I've been building and continuing to compete with my teammates and helping one another get better."
Playing helps. It helps the true freshmen stay focused. It helps the coaches get an understanding of the new guys. It helps the roster stay balanced.
And in 2017, Ohio State got it right.
2017 freshmen
PLAYED (14)
Offense (5)
RB J.K. Dobbins, OT Thayer Munford, WR Jaylen Harris, WR Brendon White, WR Trevon Grimes (transferred)
Defense (8)
DE Chase Young, CB Jeffrey Okudah, S Isaiah Pryor, LB Baron Browning, CB Marcus Williamson, DT Haskell Garrett, LB Pete Werner, CB Amir Riep
Special teams (1)
K Blake Haubeil
REDSHIRTED (6)
Offense (4)
WR Ellijah Gardiner, OG Wyatt Davis, OG Josh Myers, QB Tate Martell
Defense (2)
CB Shaun Wade, DT Jerron Cage