We all know Ohio State has talent littered all over the field on both sides of the ball. Though most of this talent is widely known across the country, there is one relatively unknown commodity for the Buckeyes that only enhances their chances to defend their national title in 2015. That commodity is wide receiver Johnnie Dixon, the man who promises to put Ohio State’s offense in overdrive and in control of their national title defense.

Outside of Ohio State circles, Dixon may be one of the most talented and exciting receivers nobody knows about entering the season. Dixon, a four-star recruit in 2013 out of Palm Beach Gardens, Fla., was one of the more coveted recruits Urban Meyer managed to land. As the fifth-best wide receiver in the class of 2014, Dixon was expected to make an instant impact last season as a freshman.

Those expectations were derailed when Dixon underwent season-ending knee surgery last September. Though the promising freshman would go on to miss the remainder of the season, Ohio State was nonetheless able to grant him a medical redshirt. Now, almost a year later, he is anticipated to be healthy for the upcoming season – much to the dismay of the rest of the Big 10.

Though it would not be totally accurate to claim that Ohio State has any definitive weaknesses on their roster, the one relative weakness they do have is a lack of experience in the wide receiver corps. After losing Devin Smith and Evan Spencer from last season, the only truly experienced receivers on the roster are Michael Thomas and Jalin Marshall. After that, there is a large group of inexperienced receivers that includes Dixon.

Of that group of inexperienced receivers, none entered Columbus with the upside and expectations of Dixon. Now that his injury issues are likely in the rear-view mirror, the Buckeyes have a bona fide speedster on the outside who can turn a simple screen pass into a 50-yard gain or beat any elite defensive back on a deep route.

Dixon has all the makings to be one of those playmakers who demands heightened scrutiny whenever he is out on the field or moving prior to the snap. From a simple strategic standpoint, the speed and elusiveness that Dixon brings with him loosens up the defense underneath and forces opposing defenses to consider putting a double team on him. Ohio State already boasts an offensive weapon that poses a similar danger in Marshall, but emphasizing Dixon’s involvement in the offense gives the Buckeyes an extra shot of dynamism and explosiveness to their passing game.

While it remains unknown which quarterback will be named the starter, it’s a fact that whomever starts for Ohio State will have the knowledge that they can rely on the speedy receiver who can transform any short slant pass into an exhilarating footrace to the end zone. With returning receivers Thomas and Marshall still posing as major threats on the outside, it would be wise for the Buckeyes to play Dixon as a slot receiver.

The most exciting aspect that Dixon gives to the Ohio State offense is, similar to Marshall, versatility. He gives them the option of starting him as a receiver on the outside or in slot, using him out of the backfield, lining him up in the Wildcat and also as a kick/punt returner. Dixon’s enviable combination of speed and versatility gives Ohio State a wealth of options in utilizing his skills in a variety of different mediums.

Dixon may not be the best all-around player on the Buckeyes, but he has the potential to become one of their most dangerous and versatile offensive weapons. In Ohio State’s quest to defend their national title, he represents a formidable tool that promises to play a key role in that defense.

Dan is a Big 10 Football Beat Writer for www.RantSports.com. You can follow him on Twitter @danescalona77.