This spring is an important one as the Buckeyes have to replace starters Lathan Ransom, Denzel Burke and Jordan Hancock.

This will be Johnson’s third stint with the Buckeyes, working for as many full-time head coaches in the process. The Cincinnati native first served as the defensive backs coach from 2007-11, working for Jim Tressel. His final season he coached under Luke Fickell, who served in an interim role after Tressel reigned as the head coach.

All but five of the 26 high school recruits who signed with the Buckeyes in December enrolled in school for the spring semester, allowing them to participate in 15 practices that will be held through the middle of next month. Here are five to keep an eye on during the coming weeks.

George has spent the last four years getting his first taste of the coaching world as Tennessee State’s head coach. The Tigers went 24-22 (13-12 Ohio Valley/Big South Conference) during his tenure and are coming off a 9-4 season, losing in the first round of the FCS playoffs.