Photo courtesy of Scout.com

As I promised last week, I will be revealing my picks for the Top 25 Buckeyes of 2009. Through many painstaking hours of scavenging message boards for information and overheating my PS3 for research purposes, of course, I have created the most accurate Top 25 (plus 5 honorable mentions) Buckeye list in existence. Feel free to disagree with that previous statement, because in all likelihood I will disagree with it after the first game of the year. Without any further ado, I present to you the honorable mentions as well as #21 to #25.

Honorable Mention

Aaron Pettrey, SR, K

If history tells us anything, it’s that a dependable kicker is needed to win under Coach T. Expect a solid season from #20. He has an extremely strong leg and his accuracy is improving.

Nathan Williams, SO, DE

Williams was not expected to contribute last season, but injuries forced him into the lineup. His aggressive playing style will make him a fan favorite. Expect him to contribute at the Leo position behind Thad Gibson.

Brian Rolle, JR, OLB

Rolle has been a special teams monster for two years now. With a slew of great linebackers on this Buckeye squad, he is just looking for an opportunity to prove himself.

Dorian Bell, FR, LB

Bell has enough talent to push his way into the LB rotation as a true freshman. He has the body of an NFL linebacker and will make us forget about his age once he sets foot on the field.

James Jackson, FR, WR

Jackson will have trouble sniffing the field at the WR position, but he is not likely to redshirt as he is a phenomenal kick returner. He might be the fastest Buckeye on the team and he will surely turn some heads as a return specialist.

#25 Brandon Saine, JR, HB

Brandon looked very impressive his freshman year, but didn’t seem to have much luck last year as the coaching staff continually called his number up the middle. If we can manage to get the ball to Saine on the outside, he is an athletic freak that will dazzle fans in the open field.

#24 Duron Carter, FR, WR

The son of the legendary Cris Carter, Duron has the tools of a polished collegiate wide receiver. A key member of the best high school in the nation, St. Thomas Aquinas, Duron has the height (6-4) to be a playmaker in the red zone.

#23 Jake Stoneburner, FR, TE

Stoney was recruited as a WR/TE hybrid and for the sake of the Buckeyes and the sanity of the fans, I hope he is utilized in a similar fashion. He has legit speed and catches everything thrown his way. In order to be a formidable offense, JT will have to utilize this special weapon at TE.

#22 Todd Denlinger, SR, DT

Todd has been a member of the DT rotation for several years now, but has yet to make a “splash” on the line. At arguably the weakest part of the defense, he will be relied on to help solidify our Front 7.

#21 Jaamal Berry, FR, HB

Jaamal got into some legal trouble before making it to Columbus, but has since cleared up the situation. He now has a chip on his shoulder as a freshman starting out in Tressel’s doghouse, but he is more than capable of climbing out. With his speed, quickness, and agility, Berry will be an essential piece of our championship run this season.

So there you have it. If you think I left someone out, perhaps I think more highly of him than you and he is in the Top 20. Or maybe you’re just wrong, because this Top 25 (+5) list is flawless.

Until next time, Go Buckeyes!

ThunderBuck