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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Biggest Movers So Far This Spring — Ohio State Offense
Every year, new Buckeyes emerge and climb the depth charts of the Ohio State offense and defense.
It is a necessary progression which then allows the program to replace departed stars and reestablish any loss of depth.
Spring football is a significant portion of that player development and progression, and it always provides a few glimpses at some of the newest Ohio State stars.
Today, the Buckeyes are finishing up their 12th practice of what has been a productive spring camp.
It has been more productive for some than others, as is always the case. Injuries have allowed some young players to make a move. And some young players who had already established themselves as a leader at a position have gone on to cement their standing.
This past weekend we looked at the biggest movers this spring for the Ohio State defense, which means that today it is time to have the same type of discussion about the Buckeye offense.
Jeremy Ruckert, Soph. TE
The annual talk about this being the year that the tight ends get the ball has really centered around Jeremy Ruckert, and not because he is going to be starting for the Buckeyes this year, but because he and fifth-year senior Rashod Berry could command more playing time as they provide as much value to the offense as a third receiver. Ruckert’s ability to run routes as a slot receiver, tight end, or fullback makes him a very intriguing part of the Ohio State passing game. Having a second tight end on the field also helps out the running game. Ruckert has had a strong spring and is one of the reasons why head coach Ryan Day is feeling better and better about two tight end sets.
Garrett Wilson, Fr. WR
Garrett Wilson hasn’t exactly moved up the depth chart since enrolling early. In fact, with the move of Austin Mack to the ‘Z’ receiver spot, Wilson has actually moved back a step and is now behind Mack and sophomore Chris Olave. Don’t let that distract you from the fact that Wilson has been everything his coaches expected this spring. There are still plenty of nuances to work on, but the natural abilities show up nearly every single practice. Just a true freshman, he still needs to finish strong this week and then continue progression in the offseason.
Jaylen Harris, Jr. WR
Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline told me this spring that moving Austin Mack from ‘Z’ to ‘X’ was made easier by the play of junior Jaylen Harris. He and senior Binjimen Victor are manning the ‘X’ for the Buckeyes right now, along with many capable assists this spring from walk-on redshirt sophomore Garyn Prater. Harris has mostly just watched over his past two seasons, but now sitting second on the depth chart — which may actually mean being a co-starter — he is one giant step closer to being a significant contributor to the Ohio State offense.
Josh Myers, rSoph. C
Josh Myers and offensive line coach Greg Studrawa were both confident that Myers could have stepped in over the second half of last year for Michael Jordan if it was needed. In fact, there was even talk of doing it anyway. Even with the confidence the coaches had in Myers last season, he has only increased it this spring. He’s still the No. 1 at center but has done well enough that Studrawa views incoming graduate transfer Jonah Jackson as a guard because he feels just fine with the center position as it stands with Myers, redshirt freshman Matthew Jones, and incoming freshman Harry Miller.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/biggest-movers-ohio-state-offense/
Every year, new Buckeyes emerge and climb the depth charts of the Ohio State offense and defense.
It is a necessary progression which then allows the program to replace departed stars and reestablish any loss of depth.
Spring football is a significant portion of that player development and progression, and it always provides a few glimpses at some of the newest Ohio State stars.
Today, the Buckeyes are finishing up their 12th practice of what has been a productive spring camp.
It has been more productive for some than others, as is always the case. Injuries have allowed some young players to make a move. And some young players who had already established themselves as a leader at a position have gone on to cement their standing.
This past weekend we looked at the biggest movers this spring for the Ohio State defense, which means that today it is time to have the same type of discussion about the Buckeye offense.
Jeremy Ruckert, Soph. TE
The annual talk about this being the year that the tight ends get the ball has really centered around Jeremy Ruckert, and not because he is going to be starting for the Buckeyes this year, but because he and fifth-year senior Rashod Berry could command more playing time as they provide as much value to the offense as a third receiver. Ruckert’s ability to run routes as a slot receiver, tight end, or fullback makes him a very intriguing part of the Ohio State passing game. Having a second tight end on the field also helps out the running game. Ruckert has had a strong spring and is one of the reasons why head coach Ryan Day is feeling better and better about two tight end sets.
Garrett Wilson, Fr. WR
Garrett Wilson hasn’t exactly moved up the depth chart since enrolling early. In fact, with the move of Austin Mack to the ‘Z’ receiver spot, Wilson has actually moved back a step and is now behind Mack and sophomore Chris Olave. Don’t let that distract you from the fact that Wilson has been everything his coaches expected this spring. There are still plenty of nuances to work on, but the natural abilities show up nearly every single practice. Just a true freshman, he still needs to finish strong this week and then continue progression in the offseason.
Jaylen Harris, Jr. WR
Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline told me this spring that moving Austin Mack from ‘Z’ to ‘X’ was made easier by the play of junior Jaylen Harris. He and senior Binjimen Victor are manning the ‘X’ for the Buckeyes right now, along with many capable assists this spring from walk-on redshirt sophomore Garyn Prater. Harris has mostly just watched over his past two seasons, but now sitting second on the depth chart — which may actually mean being a co-starter — he is one giant step closer to being a significant contributor to the Ohio State offense.
Josh Myers, rSoph. C
Josh Myers and offensive line coach Greg Studrawa were both confident that Myers could have stepped in over the second half of last year for Michael Jordan if it was needed. In fact, there was even talk of doing it anyway. Even with the confidence the coaches had in Myers last season, he has only increased it this spring. He’s still the No. 1 at center but has done well enough that Studrawa views incoming graduate transfer Jonah Jackson as a guard because he feels just fine with the center position as it stands with Myers, redshirt freshman Matthew Jones, and incoming freshman Harry Miller.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/biggest-movers-ohio-state-offense/
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Football: Ohio State quarterbacks flash potential, but lack consistency in Spring Game
Sophomore Justin Fields and redshirt freshman Matthew Baldwin traded their final blows of the spring in the quarterback battle Saturday, although the “blows” were few and far between.
Fields completed less than half his throws but flashed great running ability, while the Baldwin fared better through the air in terms of yardage and completion percentage, but threw two interceptions and recorded a fumble.
“They both flashed at times, still a work in progress,” head coach Ryan Day said. “I thought that they gave some of the receivers a chance at times.”
Both athletes provided inklings of their full potential.
Fields connected with senior wide receiver Binjimen Victor for a 98-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The pass traveled 38 yards downfield, thrown up the right sideline directly into Victor’s arms overtop diving sophomore cornerback Lloyd McFarquhar.
This came a few drives after Fields showcased his running potential by outracing Team Scarlet’s defense for a five-yard read option touchdown run.
“I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface,” Fields said. “I know I can be better, I’ve done better at practice, of course there’s always room to improve so I’m just gonna continue to work.”
Baldwin threw a solid downfield pass of his own in the back of the endzone to freshman wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and finished the more accurate passer, connecting on 20 of his 36 pass attempts.
Inconsistencies persisted in a number of Baldwin’s throws, however. A 40-yard pass to redshirt senior wide receiver K.J. Hill was underthrown, even though it was caught. Another ball intended for Wilson went sailing out-of-bounds a few plays later.
That’s without bringing up the two interceptions, one thrown behind freshman H-back Jaelen Gill and another ill-advised toss into double coverage.
“I thought Matthew made a couple really nice throws down the field,” Day said. “We turned the ball over, threw it to them, which is good for the defense.”
Entire article: https://www.thelantern.com/2019/04/...otential-but-lack-consistency-in-spring-game/
Football: Inexperienced Ohio State offensive line gets thrown into the fire during Spring Game
The future of the Ohio State offensive line was at the Spring Game. But it was not on the field.
Jonah Jackson, a graduate transfer from Rutgers, who will not join the Buckeyes officially until fall camp, was on the sideline during the game as was five-star center Harry Miller. But they could not help head coach Ryan Day’s offense immediately.
Day had only 11 offensive linemen available for the Spring Game, forcing him to shorten the quarters and have a running clock in the second half, protecting the health of an already depleted room.
On top of not being 100 percent in terms of what the room would look like in the fall during spring practice, Day already had the offensive line as one of his main worries heading into his first spring as head coach.
And after the Spring Game, that did not change.
“At the offensive line, we have four guys to replace there,” Day said. “They’re probably the least experienced.”
But to redshirt sophomore guard Wyatt Davis, spring practice was not a time to wait for those members of the line who were not there yet or not healthy, like junior tackle Thayer Munford. It was a time to see which of the young players could emerge.
“All the guys that came in early, they have really stepped, I mean all the young guys, they really have been stepping up,” Davis said. “They have been developing better every week and I’m excited to see what they are going to do this fall camp.”
In the Spring Game, the Ohio State offensive line showed off its ability to block, especially in the running game. Ball carriers averaged 5.1 yards per carry Saturday, scoring four total touchdowns, including two by redshirt freshman running back Master Teague and one on a read option by sophomore quarterback Justin Fields.
But the spring was also a time for personal growth. Spending the majority of his time at right guard, Davis has been viewed as one of the secure starters on the line from the start of practice.
However, he does not view it in that way.
“Nothing’s for sure as far as the offensive line goes until that first game,” Davis said. “I just been trying to prove that I can play that spot and just trying to get better each day.”
Entire article: https://www.thelantern.com/2019/04/...gets-thrown-into-the-fire-during-spring-game/
Sophomore Justin Fields and redshirt freshman Matthew Baldwin traded their final blows of the spring in the quarterback battle Saturday, although the “blows” were few and far between.
Fields completed less than half his throws but flashed great running ability, while the Baldwin fared better through the air in terms of yardage and completion percentage, but threw two interceptions and recorded a fumble.
“They both flashed at times, still a work in progress,” head coach Ryan Day said. “I thought that they gave some of the receivers a chance at times.”
Both athletes provided inklings of their full potential.
Fields connected with senior wide receiver Binjimen Victor for a 98-yard touchdown in the second quarter. The pass traveled 38 yards downfield, thrown up the right sideline directly into Victor’s arms overtop diving sophomore cornerback Lloyd McFarquhar.
This came a few drives after Fields showcased his running potential by outracing Team Scarlet’s defense for a five-yard read option touchdown run.
“I feel like I’ve only scratched the surface,” Fields said. “I know I can be better, I’ve done better at practice, of course there’s always room to improve so I’m just gonna continue to work.”
Baldwin threw a solid downfield pass of his own in the back of the endzone to freshman wide receiver Garrett Wilson, and finished the more accurate passer, connecting on 20 of his 36 pass attempts.
Inconsistencies persisted in a number of Baldwin’s throws, however. A 40-yard pass to redshirt senior wide receiver K.J. Hill was underthrown, even though it was caught. Another ball intended for Wilson went sailing out-of-bounds a few plays later.
That’s without bringing up the two interceptions, one thrown behind freshman H-back Jaelen Gill and another ill-advised toss into double coverage.
“I thought Matthew made a couple really nice throws down the field,” Day said. “We turned the ball over, threw it to them, which is good for the defense.”
Entire article: https://www.thelantern.com/2019/04/...otential-but-lack-consistency-in-spring-game/
Football: Inexperienced Ohio State offensive line gets thrown into the fire during Spring Game
The future of the Ohio State offensive line was at the Spring Game. But it was not on the field.
Jonah Jackson, a graduate transfer from Rutgers, who will not join the Buckeyes officially until fall camp, was on the sideline during the game as was five-star center Harry Miller. But they could not help head coach Ryan Day’s offense immediately.
Day had only 11 offensive linemen available for the Spring Game, forcing him to shorten the quarters and have a running clock in the second half, protecting the health of an already depleted room.
On top of not being 100 percent in terms of what the room would look like in the fall during spring practice, Day already had the offensive line as one of his main worries heading into his first spring as head coach.
And after the Spring Game, that did not change.
“At the offensive line, we have four guys to replace there,” Day said. “They’re probably the least experienced.”
But to redshirt sophomore guard Wyatt Davis, spring practice was not a time to wait for those members of the line who were not there yet or not healthy, like junior tackle Thayer Munford. It was a time to see which of the young players could emerge.
“All the guys that came in early, they have really stepped, I mean all the young guys, they really have been stepping up,” Davis said. “They have been developing better every week and I’m excited to see what they are going to do this fall camp.”
In the Spring Game, the Ohio State offensive line showed off its ability to block, especially in the running game. Ball carriers averaged 5.1 yards per carry Saturday, scoring four total touchdowns, including two by redshirt freshman running back Master Teague and one on a read option by sophomore quarterback Justin Fields.
But the spring was also a time for personal growth. Spending the majority of his time at right guard, Davis has been viewed as one of the secure starters on the line from the start of practice.
However, he does not view it in that way.
“Nothing’s for sure as far as the offensive line goes until that first game,” Davis said. “I just been trying to prove that I can play that spot and just trying to get better each day.”
Entire article: https://www.thelantern.com/2019/04/...gets-thrown-into-the-fire-during-spring-game/
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Football: Justin Fields remains Ohio State quarterback frontrunner
From his time watching Urban Meyer make depth chart decisions as the head coach, Ryan Day has an idea of how it all works. He talks to the position coaches, makes sure they are all on the same page and watches film, among other things.
But most of the time, the answer to the question of who will start is somewhat obvious.
“Most of the time, it’s already going to be decided. You know who the starter is,” Day said. “You know guys over a period of time and have a body of work. You kind of know who the starter is.”
Since the start of his first spring as head coach, Day has pointed to the quarterback position as a battle between redshirt freshman Matthew Baldwin and sophomore Justin Fields.
Over the course of the past 15 practices, Day has watched as both quarterbacks have built up their own personal body of work, watching how they react to certain on-field situations, the way they manage the playbook, their ability to work a team downfield and their leadership on and off the football field.
And the Spring Game is just another aspect of that process. Day views it as another practice, except this time, both quarterbacks will play before a near-capacity crowd at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
But to most people, the quarterback position has already been decided.
Coming in as a former five-star recruit, Fields, a transfer from Georgia, came with the Ohio State starting quarterback job in his sights. Just his presence on the depth chart, being one of the top quarterback recruits in recent memory, forced a quarterback out in Tate Martell, and makes it difficult for any other quarterback to be in the picture.
Day saw what every other person saw when recruiting Fields: a talented quarterback with sky-high potential. Ohio State’s head coach called Fields’ physical traits “tremendous,” highlighting his size and ability to move along with his strong arm.
When he arrived at Ohio State, Day noticed the intangibles when the head coach worked with Fields one-on-one: his ability to read defenses at the line of scrimmage, his level of knowledge from the huddle.
“Very impressed with his ability to retain information, his football IQ,” Day said. “You forget for such a mature kid, he hasn’t played much football at all.”
Entire article: https://www.thelantern.com/2019/04/...s-remains-ohio-state-quarterback-frontrunner/
Football: Matthew Baldwin may have to wait another season
Matthew Baldwin learned by watching.
Healing from an ACL injury suffered in the 2017 Texas 6A State Championship Game, all the then-freshman quarterback could do was watch Dwayne Haskins and Tate Martell, learning the offense through mental reps.
Even when he was fully healthy, then-quarterbacks coach Ryan Day did not want to put Baldwin in harm’s way, keeping him off the scout team, where he was exposed to players coming at his knees.
“He really wasn’t doing a whole bunch. It was all up here,” Day said, pointing to his head. “That wasn’t easy for him. It was a long fall, but it was the right thing to do because we didn’t want to expose him to getting hit.”
Baldwin said for all of this past season, he was getting the playbook down and getting an idea of what being a college quarterback is like in Day’s offensive system.
For the first time, Baldwin had a chance to actually play out those mental reps in spring practices.
Trading first-team reps at points with sophomore quarterback Justin Fields, Baldwin worked through everything, from short bubble-screen looks to tight ends to short slant routes to fly routes leading to acrobatic catches by freshman wide receiver and former Lake Travis teammate Garrett Wilson.
Day said this level of practice is something Baldwin has been doing since the bowl game, working on his transition from observing to performing.
“Bowl practice was big for him,” Day said. “He was able to get out there and start to get his feet underneath him and he is building his confidence every day. And I think the best practices he has had is probably the last four or five.”
Baldwin said his body feels 100 percent. He said there are points where the confidence in his right knee may waver, such as cutting with his left foot instead of planting his right, but that he is returning to what he was in high school.
And his overall confidence is back as well.
“Now Tate leaves and Justin comes in,” Baldwin said. “I guess he is kind of chasing me.”
Entire article: https://www.thelantern.com/2019/04/football-matthew-baldwin-may-have-to-wait-another-season/
Note: These articles were before the Spring Game; however, I'm not sure that the Spring Game really changed anything as to who will start at QB for Ohio State in 2019.
From his time watching Urban Meyer make depth chart decisions as the head coach, Ryan Day has an idea of how it all works. He talks to the position coaches, makes sure they are all on the same page and watches film, among other things.
But most of the time, the answer to the question of who will start is somewhat obvious.
“Most of the time, it’s already going to be decided. You know who the starter is,” Day said. “You know guys over a period of time and have a body of work. You kind of know who the starter is.”
Since the start of his first spring as head coach, Day has pointed to the quarterback position as a battle between redshirt freshman Matthew Baldwin and sophomore Justin Fields.
Over the course of the past 15 practices, Day has watched as both quarterbacks have built up their own personal body of work, watching how they react to certain on-field situations, the way they manage the playbook, their ability to work a team downfield and their leadership on and off the football field.
And the Spring Game is just another aspect of that process. Day views it as another practice, except this time, both quarterbacks will play before a near-capacity crowd at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.
But to most people, the quarterback position has already been decided.
Coming in as a former five-star recruit, Fields, a transfer from Georgia, came with the Ohio State starting quarterback job in his sights. Just his presence on the depth chart, being one of the top quarterback recruits in recent memory, forced a quarterback out in Tate Martell, and makes it difficult for any other quarterback to be in the picture.
Day saw what every other person saw when recruiting Fields: a talented quarterback with sky-high potential. Ohio State’s head coach called Fields’ physical traits “tremendous,” highlighting his size and ability to move along with his strong arm.
When he arrived at Ohio State, Day noticed the intangibles when the head coach worked with Fields one-on-one: his ability to read defenses at the line of scrimmage, his level of knowledge from the huddle.
“Very impressed with his ability to retain information, his football IQ,” Day said. “You forget for such a mature kid, he hasn’t played much football at all.”
Entire article: https://www.thelantern.com/2019/04/...s-remains-ohio-state-quarterback-frontrunner/
Football: Matthew Baldwin may have to wait another season
Matthew Baldwin learned by watching.
Healing from an ACL injury suffered in the 2017 Texas 6A State Championship Game, all the then-freshman quarterback could do was watch Dwayne Haskins and Tate Martell, learning the offense through mental reps.
Even when he was fully healthy, then-quarterbacks coach Ryan Day did not want to put Baldwin in harm’s way, keeping him off the scout team, where he was exposed to players coming at his knees.
“He really wasn’t doing a whole bunch. It was all up here,” Day said, pointing to his head. “That wasn’t easy for him. It was a long fall, but it was the right thing to do because we didn’t want to expose him to getting hit.”
Baldwin said for all of this past season, he was getting the playbook down and getting an idea of what being a college quarterback is like in Day’s offensive system.
For the first time, Baldwin had a chance to actually play out those mental reps in spring practices.
Trading first-team reps at points with sophomore quarterback Justin Fields, Baldwin worked through everything, from short bubble-screen looks to tight ends to short slant routes to fly routes leading to acrobatic catches by freshman wide receiver and former Lake Travis teammate Garrett Wilson.
Day said this level of practice is something Baldwin has been doing since the bowl game, working on his transition from observing to performing.
“Bowl practice was big for him,” Day said. “He was able to get out there and start to get his feet underneath him and he is building his confidence every day. And I think the best practices he has had is probably the last four or five.”
Baldwin said his body feels 100 percent. He said there are points where the confidence in his right knee may waver, such as cutting with his left foot instead of planting his right, but that he is returning to what he was in high school.
And his overall confidence is back as well.
“Now Tate leaves and Justin comes in,” Baldwin said. “I guess he is kind of chasing me.”
Entire article: https://www.thelantern.com/2019/04/football-matthew-baldwin-may-have-to-wait-another-season/
Note: These articles were before the Spring Game; however, I'm not sure that the Spring Game really changed anything as to who will start at QB for Ohio State in 2019.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Morning Conversational: What Now For the Buckeye Quarterbacks?
The Buckeyes have gone through winter workouts and now spring football has come and gone, but this is only the beginning.
Work rarely stops inside the walls of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, and that is certainly the case for the Ohio State quarterbacks.
Sophomore Justin Fields and redshirt freshman Matthew Baldwin are attempting to replace Dwayne Haskins, but it was never going to happen by April.
“You get these 15 practices and then you get to the summer when the ball comes out and we can’t be there, so they’ve got to continue to enhance through the summer months,” co-offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said.
Most of the football work during the summer has to be organized by the players. The quarterbacks will throw to the receivers at every available opportunity in order to build a rapport and also just to get better.
They’ll also put what they learned in the spring to good use, and so will the coaches.
“It’s tough. It’s not coachspeak or phony, but sometimes you’re really just trying to figure it out and it takes a little bit of time,” Wilson said. “I think the worst thing we can do is force it. I think it’s bad to say, ‘Matt Baldwin can’t do this, so don’t force it.’ Maybe Matt can, he just needs a little bit of time.”
There is no doubt that both quarterbacks improved this spring and know the offense better than they did three months ago, but this is a marathon, not a sprint.
“When you get 15 practices, three times a week, sometimes maybe you need a little bit more,” Wilson said. “Help him through summer and preseason. It takes time. Don’t rush the time. It’s beginning that second week of preseason when you really start figuring out where you’re going.”
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/now-buckeye-quarterbacks/
The Buckeyes have gone through winter workouts and now spring football has come and gone, but this is only the beginning.
Work rarely stops inside the walls of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, and that is certainly the case for the Ohio State quarterbacks.
Sophomore Justin Fields and redshirt freshman Matthew Baldwin are attempting to replace Dwayne Haskins, but it was never going to happen by April.
“You get these 15 practices and then you get to the summer when the ball comes out and we can’t be there, so they’ve got to continue to enhance through the summer months,” co-offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson said.
Most of the football work during the summer has to be organized by the players. The quarterbacks will throw to the receivers at every available opportunity in order to build a rapport and also just to get better.
They’ll also put what they learned in the spring to good use, and so will the coaches.
“It’s tough. It’s not coachspeak or phony, but sometimes you’re really just trying to figure it out and it takes a little bit of time,” Wilson said. “I think the worst thing we can do is force it. I think it’s bad to say, ‘Matt Baldwin can’t do this, so don’t force it.’ Maybe Matt can, he just needs a little bit of time.”
There is no doubt that both quarterbacks improved this spring and know the offense better than they did three months ago, but this is a marathon, not a sprint.
“When you get 15 practices, three times a week, sometimes maybe you need a little bit more,” Wilson said. “Help him through summer and preseason. It takes time. Don’t rush the time. It’s beginning that second week of preseason when you really start figuring out where you’re going.”
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/now-buckeye-quarterbacks/
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Ohio State Football Notebook: ‘It’s not going to be a drop off’
A New Day, But Same Old Day Offense?
Before last season, a 5,000-yard passing offense at Ohio State seemed impossible. Or at least remarkably unlikely.
The Buckeyes have always been run-first, and while they were still run-first last year, they were pass-second and then maybe pass-third.
The running game also struggled last year, which maybe contributed to the need to throw the ball.
The loss of three senior receivers and a first-round NFL quarterback may tilt the offense back to the running game this season.
If fifth-year senior KJ Hill and his fellow receivers have anything to say about it, however, the passing game will still be just as dangerous as it was a year ago.
“It’s not going to be a drop-off,” he said. “We have the same standard here at Ohio State on the offense. And now with Coach Day as the head coach, he emphasizes it a lot. It’s just one of those things, this time last year we didn’t know we were going to do that, that we were going to set records. We weren’t even looking like we were going to set records. It’s going to take a lot of work and a lot of grinding.”
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/ohio-state-football-not-drop-off/
A New Day, But Same Old Day Offense?
Before last season, a 5,000-yard passing offense at Ohio State seemed impossible. Or at least remarkably unlikely.
The Buckeyes have always been run-first, and while they were still run-first last year, they were pass-second and then maybe pass-third.
The running game also struggled last year, which maybe contributed to the need to throw the ball.
The loss of three senior receivers and a first-round NFL quarterback may tilt the offense back to the running game this season.
If fifth-year senior KJ Hill and his fellow receivers have anything to say about it, however, the passing game will still be just as dangerous as it was a year ago.
“It’s not going to be a drop-off,” he said. “We have the same standard here at Ohio State on the offense. And now with Coach Day as the head coach, he emphasizes it a lot. It’s just one of those things, this time last year we didn’t know we were going to do that, that we were going to set records. We weren’t even looking like we were going to set records. It’s going to take a lot of work and a lot of grinding.”
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/ohio-state-football-not-drop-off/
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
OHIO STATE SPRING PRACTICE REVIEW: WHAT WE LEARNED AT EACH POSITION
QUARTERBACK: IT'S JUSTIN FIELDS' TEAM FOR (AT LEAST) THE NEXT TWO YEARS
Let's start with the easy one. The quarterback decision has been made, and Ryan Day didn't even have to name a starter.
Justin Fields took the vast majority of first-team reps throughout spring practice and began the spring game with the starters, but Day still remained mum on who would start at quarterback. He tried to sell the idea that the Buckeyes were holding an ongoing quarterback competition when the spring began, and he maintained that position in his press conference after the spring game.
But Matthew Baldwin's decision to transfer last week immediately ended what Day once called a "battle." Fields will start in 2019, and he'll start in 2020. If all goes according to plan, he'll then head to the NFL in 2021 with a pair of seasons of experience as a starter.
RUNNING BACK: J.K. DOBBINS IS PREPARING FOR A MAJOR LOAD OF CARRIES
No Mike Weber means even more J.K. Dobbins, and nothing happened this spring to dissuade that from happening.
Early in spring practices, Dobbins took the blame for what he believed to be a subpar sophomore season. Though he racked up more than 1,000 yards for the second year in a row, his yards per carry dropped from 7.2 in 2017 to 4.6 in 2018.
“I'm not going to make any excuses,” Dobbins said in March. “It was me. I regressed last year. I didn't have the year that I needed to have. So I put that on myself, and I'll get back to that this upcoming year.”
Given the dissatisfaction, Dobbins told running backs coach Tony Alford he didn't want to be treated like an experienced veteran during the spring, instead preferring to take as many reps as possible. Alford said he would oblige, intending to insert Dobbins more often than he would have had that conversation not happened.
Dobbins wants to serve as the bell cow in the backfield, and he'll have every opportunity to do so in the fall.
Master Teague and Marcus Crowley flashed in moments, but neither appears ready to take a Weber-esque load from Dobbins. Demario McCall also will be involved, but he missed the entirety of spring practice with an injury.
WIDE RECEIVER: THE RISING UNDERCLASSMEN WILL PUSH THE UPPERCLASSMEN FOR PLAYING TIME
K.J. Hill, Austin Mack and Binjimen Victor compose a strong class of senior wideouts, but they'll have to play well to remain on the field in lieu of a rising group of underclassmen.
Second-year receivers Chris Olave and Jaelen Gill and freshman Garrett Wilson shined during the spring, and Brian Hartline will find a way to get them on the field.
Olave's surge was predictable. He finished his freshman season strong with a pair of touchdown receptions against Michigan and a five-catch, 79-yard performance in the Big Ten championship.
Wilson and Gill had the potential to make similar ascensions, and they had the springs the staff hoped. Coaches couldn't stop praising Wilson, and Hartline called Gill one of the most improved players on the offense.
All three underclassmen made it clear that they deserve playing time in the fall. Ellijah Gardiner also made a case for himself this spring, which he concluded with a strong spring game.
TIGHT END: THE UNIT IS MORE EXPERIENCED THAN IN RECENT YEARS, FORCING INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES
Is this the year Ohio State's tight ends finally have a big role in the passing attack? Considering that same question has been asked every single offseason since what feels like the beginning of time, the answer is still likely no.
But with Luke Farrell, Rashod Berry, Jeremy Ruckert and Jake Hausmann returning, the position group's collective experience will be as vast as it has been recently. Thus, the coaches will spend the next few months game planning how to maximize production and get as many of them on the field as often as possible.
Kevin Wilson and Day have discussed increased two-tight end sets. The implementation of under-center snaps should increase playing time for tight ends, too. Ruckert, who Urban Meyer once called the best tight end prospect he had ever seen, has also split out as a slot receiver to get him on the field. The coaches appear intent on giving the unit a bigger role in the offense, even if that doesn't lead to drastic upticks in receptions.
OFFENSIVE LINE: JOSH MYERS CONTINUED HIS ASCENSION, POSITIONING HIMSELF AS THE LIKELY STARTER AT CENTER
After the Big Ten Championship Game, which marked Wyatt Davis' first career start, Greg Studrawa said Davis wasn't the only second-year lineman ready to play. He also named Josh Myers as someone who he felt was prepared enough to enter the game. The opportunity never presented itself, though, and he remained relegated to special teams.
With Michael Jordan heading to the NFL and Malcolm Pridgeon and Demetrius Knox graduating, Myers finally had a spot – or, three spots – open up. And he has taken advantage of the opportunity, coming close to locking up the starting center spot.
Studrawa left open the possibility of five-star Harry Miller enrolling in the summer and earning a job as an immediate starter, but that would be a surprise. Myers progressed this spring and should have the job locked up beside Davis and Jonah Jackson, the likely starters at guard.
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...ctice-review-what-we-learned-at-each-position
QUARTERBACK: IT'S JUSTIN FIELDS' TEAM FOR (AT LEAST) THE NEXT TWO YEARS
Let's start with the easy one. The quarterback decision has been made, and Ryan Day didn't even have to name a starter.
Justin Fields took the vast majority of first-team reps throughout spring practice and began the spring game with the starters, but Day still remained mum on who would start at quarterback. He tried to sell the idea that the Buckeyes were holding an ongoing quarterback competition when the spring began, and he maintained that position in his press conference after the spring game.
But Matthew Baldwin's decision to transfer last week immediately ended what Day once called a "battle." Fields will start in 2019, and he'll start in 2020. If all goes according to plan, he'll then head to the NFL in 2021 with a pair of seasons of experience as a starter.
RUNNING BACK: J.K. DOBBINS IS PREPARING FOR A MAJOR LOAD OF CARRIES
No Mike Weber means even more J.K. Dobbins, and nothing happened this spring to dissuade that from happening.
Early in spring practices, Dobbins took the blame for what he believed to be a subpar sophomore season. Though he racked up more than 1,000 yards for the second year in a row, his yards per carry dropped from 7.2 in 2017 to 4.6 in 2018.
“I'm not going to make any excuses,” Dobbins said in March. “It was me. I regressed last year. I didn't have the year that I needed to have. So I put that on myself, and I'll get back to that this upcoming year.”
Given the dissatisfaction, Dobbins told running backs coach Tony Alford he didn't want to be treated like an experienced veteran during the spring, instead preferring to take as many reps as possible. Alford said he would oblige, intending to insert Dobbins more often than he would have had that conversation not happened.
Dobbins wants to serve as the bell cow in the backfield, and he'll have every opportunity to do so in the fall.
Master Teague and Marcus Crowley flashed in moments, but neither appears ready to take a Weber-esque load from Dobbins. Demario McCall also will be involved, but he missed the entirety of spring practice with an injury.
WIDE RECEIVER: THE RISING UNDERCLASSMEN WILL PUSH THE UPPERCLASSMEN FOR PLAYING TIME
K.J. Hill, Austin Mack and Binjimen Victor compose a strong class of senior wideouts, but they'll have to play well to remain on the field in lieu of a rising group of underclassmen.
Second-year receivers Chris Olave and Jaelen Gill and freshman Garrett Wilson shined during the spring, and Brian Hartline will find a way to get them on the field.
Olave's surge was predictable. He finished his freshman season strong with a pair of touchdown receptions against Michigan and a five-catch, 79-yard performance in the Big Ten championship.
Wilson and Gill had the potential to make similar ascensions, and they had the springs the staff hoped. Coaches couldn't stop praising Wilson, and Hartline called Gill one of the most improved players on the offense.
All three underclassmen made it clear that they deserve playing time in the fall. Ellijah Gardiner also made a case for himself this spring, which he concluded with a strong spring game.
TIGHT END: THE UNIT IS MORE EXPERIENCED THAN IN RECENT YEARS, FORCING INCREASED OPPORTUNITIES
Is this the year Ohio State's tight ends finally have a big role in the passing attack? Considering that same question has been asked every single offseason since what feels like the beginning of time, the answer is still likely no.
But with Luke Farrell, Rashod Berry, Jeremy Ruckert and Jake Hausmann returning, the position group's collective experience will be as vast as it has been recently. Thus, the coaches will spend the next few months game planning how to maximize production and get as many of them on the field as often as possible.
Kevin Wilson and Day have discussed increased two-tight end sets. The implementation of under-center snaps should increase playing time for tight ends, too. Ruckert, who Urban Meyer once called the best tight end prospect he had ever seen, has also split out as a slot receiver to get him on the field. The coaches appear intent on giving the unit a bigger role in the offense, even if that doesn't lead to drastic upticks in receptions.
OFFENSIVE LINE: JOSH MYERS CONTINUED HIS ASCENSION, POSITIONING HIMSELF AS THE LIKELY STARTER AT CENTER
After the Big Ten Championship Game, which marked Wyatt Davis' first career start, Greg Studrawa said Davis wasn't the only second-year lineman ready to play. He also named Josh Myers as someone who he felt was prepared enough to enter the game. The opportunity never presented itself, though, and he remained relegated to special teams.
With Michael Jordan heading to the NFL and Malcolm Pridgeon and Demetrius Knox graduating, Myers finally had a spot – or, three spots – open up. And he has taken advantage of the opportunity, coming close to locking up the starting center spot.
Studrawa left open the possibility of five-star Harry Miller enrolling in the summer and earning a job as an immediate starter, but that would be a surprise. Myers progressed this spring and should have the job locked up beside Davis and Jonah Jackson, the likely starters at guard.
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...ctice-review-what-we-learned-at-each-position
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Ohio State Spring Recap — Buckeyes Deep Once Again At H-Back
Ohio State must replace Parris Campbell and his school-record 90 receptions from last year. Campbell set that record while splitting snaps with the returning KJ Hill, which gives you an idea of just how involved the H-backs were in the offense last season. Hill, now a fifth-year senior, will be joined at H-back by fifth-year senior CJ Saunders and redshirt freshman Jaelen Gill this season. All three will be in the rotation this season, which is why the depth chart has “ANDs” and not “ORs.”
Depth Chart
KJ Hill AND
CJ Saunders AND
Jaelen Gill
Notable
If Ryan Day and Brian Hartline weren’t comfortable with the situation at H-back, they probably wouldn’t have signed off on Demario McCall moving back to tailback. With KJ Hill, CJ Saunders, and Jaelen Gill, the position has depth, but each player also possesses their own distinct skill set. Hartline coaches his players to “be different,” and he’s got that with his H-backs. Hill and Saunders are annoyances for opposing coaches because they find open areas and move the chains. Gill, on the other hand, should begin to put fear in opposing defenses this season once they see what he is capable of doing.
Quotable
“I don’t think there’s anything he doesn’t do. To me, he’s not going to be a Parris Campbell burner but there’s a lot of things that he does that Parris maybe didn’t do and he’s being a great leader, he’s growing up and I think that it’s an absolute pleasure and we’re blessed to have him back this year and I’m glad that he came back, to not only lead this group, stay on m hip and just get better. K.J. Hill’s in a phenomenal spot and he’s a staple right now in our receiver room.” — OSU receivers coach Brian Hartline on KJ Hill.
Explodable
Losing Parris Campbell is a big blow for the Buckeyes, but redshirt freshman Jaelen Gill sure looked like a very promising replacement this spring. Gill is the only one of the H-backs who can replicate Campbell in terms of speed and explosion after the catch (or after the hand-off). He also showed some very nifty moves after the catch that involved more than simply getting into the next gear. Gill may not be as fast as Campbell, but he may have more make-you-miss.
Anectdotable
While surrounded by the assembled Ohio State beat this spring, Brian Hartline was being asked question after question about this receiver or that receiver, and yet none of those questions were about leading returning pass catcher KJ Hill. So I began a question about Hill with, “It doesn’t seem like we talk about KJ Hill enough…” and he replied, “Nope, you don’t.” Hill had 68 receptions for 865 yards and six touchdowns last season. The 68 catches and 865 yards are the third-highest totals for a returning player in the Big Ten this season. For a new starting quarterback, Hill should be the perfect security blanket.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/ohio-state-buckeyes-deep-h-back/
Ohio State must replace Parris Campbell and his school-record 90 receptions from last year. Campbell set that record while splitting snaps with the returning KJ Hill, which gives you an idea of just how involved the H-backs were in the offense last season. Hill, now a fifth-year senior, will be joined at H-back by fifth-year senior CJ Saunders and redshirt freshman Jaelen Gill this season. All three will be in the rotation this season, which is why the depth chart has “ANDs” and not “ORs.”
Depth Chart
KJ Hill AND
CJ Saunders AND
Jaelen Gill
Notable
If Ryan Day and Brian Hartline weren’t comfortable with the situation at H-back, they probably wouldn’t have signed off on Demario McCall moving back to tailback. With KJ Hill, CJ Saunders, and Jaelen Gill, the position has depth, but each player also possesses their own distinct skill set. Hartline coaches his players to “be different,” and he’s got that with his H-backs. Hill and Saunders are annoyances for opposing coaches because they find open areas and move the chains. Gill, on the other hand, should begin to put fear in opposing defenses this season once they see what he is capable of doing.
Quotable
“I don’t think there’s anything he doesn’t do. To me, he’s not going to be a Parris Campbell burner but there’s a lot of things that he does that Parris maybe didn’t do and he’s being a great leader, he’s growing up and I think that it’s an absolute pleasure and we’re blessed to have him back this year and I’m glad that he came back, to not only lead this group, stay on m hip and just get better. K.J. Hill’s in a phenomenal spot and he’s a staple right now in our receiver room.” — OSU receivers coach Brian Hartline on KJ Hill.
Explodable
Losing Parris Campbell is a big blow for the Buckeyes, but redshirt freshman Jaelen Gill sure looked like a very promising replacement this spring. Gill is the only one of the H-backs who can replicate Campbell in terms of speed and explosion after the catch (or after the hand-off). He also showed some very nifty moves after the catch that involved more than simply getting into the next gear. Gill may not be as fast as Campbell, but he may have more make-you-miss.
Anectdotable
While surrounded by the assembled Ohio State beat this spring, Brian Hartline was being asked question after question about this receiver or that receiver, and yet none of those questions were about leading returning pass catcher KJ Hill. So I began a question about Hill with, “It doesn’t seem like we talk about KJ Hill enough…” and he replied, “Nope, you don’t.” Hill had 68 receptions for 865 yards and six touchdowns last season. The 68 catches and 865 yards are the third-highest totals for a returning player in the Big Ten this season. For a new starting quarterback, Hill should be the perfect security blanket.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/04/ohio-state-buckeyes-deep-h-back/
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Seems like this new era of QB transfers is going to be as stressful as the Assistant Coaching Carousel.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
STATE OF THE POSITION: OHIO STATE'S OFFENSIVE LINE LACKS DEPTH BUT HAS YOUNG, INEXPERIENCED TALENT WITH HIGH UPSIDE
Over the summer, Eleven Warriors is taking a look at the state of every position on the Ohio State football team.
With Michael Jordan, Isaiah Prince, Demetrius Knox and Malcolm Pridgeon off to the NFL, Ohio State must figure out how to replace four starters on the offensive line.
Despite the notable turnover, there's reasonable optimism that the Buckeyes could put together a better offensive line than the one they trotted out last season. They still have depth issues. But with the transfer addition of Jonah Jackson, return of Thayer Munford and belief in Wyatt Davis and Josh Myers, Ohio State has a high-upside front five in 2019.
THE PERSONNEL
Ohio State expects to have 15 scholarship offensive linemen on the team next season.
Over the summer, Eleven Warriors is taking a look at the state of every position on the Ohio State football team.
With Michael Jordan, Isaiah Prince, Demetrius Knox and Malcolm Pridgeon off to the NFL, Ohio State must figure out how to replace four starters on the offensive line.
Despite the notable turnover, there's reasonable optimism that the Buckeyes could put together a better offensive line than the one they trotted out last season. They still have depth issues. But with the transfer addition of Jonah Jackson, return of Thayer Munford and belief in Wyatt Davis and Josh Myers, Ohio State has a high-upside front five in 2019.
THE PERSONNEL
Ohio State expects to have 15 scholarship offensive linemen on the team next season.
- Branden Bowen (RS-Sr.): In 2017, Bowen won a preseason position battle and started the first six games of the season at right guard. However, his season ended prematurely when he suffered a broken leg. He spent over a year recovering from the initial injury, which preceded three surgeries. Bowen hasn't taken a snap since then. Entering his fifth season, he's battling Nicholas Petit-Frere to become the starting right tackle, and he could compete with Jonah Jackson to start at left guard. The 6-foot-7, 315-pound lineman is a native of Draper, Utah.
- Joshua Alabi (RS-Sr.): Though he began his career as a defensive lineman, Alabi has found his home on the offensive side of the ball. The 6-foot-5, 305-pound Detroit native has an outside chance to start at right tackle, but he'll likely slot into the depth chart as Thayer Munford's backup at left tackle. He earned his first start in the Rose Bowl when he filled in for Munford, who missed the game due to injury.
- Jonah Jackson (RS-Sr.): Despite pursuit from Oklahoma as well, Jackson chose to transfer from Rutgers to Ohio State for his fifth and final year of eligibility. He's expected to take over the starting left guard spot, though he has also played center in his collegiate career. The 6-foot-4, 305-pound interior lineman started 11 games last year for Rutgers at right guard, and the prior season he started five games at center. Both coaches and media voted Jackson honorable mention All-Big Ten last season. 247Sports ranked him as the top transfer offensive lineman along with Georgia Tech's Parker Braun, who chose Texas.
- Kevin Woidke (RS-Sr.): The St. Ignatius graduate began his career as a walk-on but earned a scholarship this spring, though it is not guaranteed for the fall.
- Gavin Cupp (RS-Jr.): In his first three years as a Buckeye, Cupp has played sparingly, but he might be the primary backup at both guard spots this season. The Leipsic native who flipped from Michigan State to Ohio State as a recruit spent most of spring practice with the first-team at guard since Jackson hadn't graduated from Rutgers yet. Once Jackson arrives, Cupp will likely be relegated to reserve duty behind Jackson and Wyatt Davis. The 6-foot-4, 308-pound lineman still has a chance to win the starting job at left guard if he outplays Jackson in the preseason, though.
- Thayer Munford (Jr.): For the second year in a row, Munford will man left tackle. By the end of spring practice in 2018, Munford had essentially locked up the starting left tackle spot despite having just completed his freshman season. The 6-foot-6, 310-pound blind-side protector battled injuries in his first year as a starter, but he played well enough to garner honorable mention All-Big Ten honors. Munford, who didn't play in the Rose Bowl due to an undisclosed injury, missed the entirety of spring practice after undergoing surgery. He's expected to be fully healthy entering fall practice.
- Wyatt Davis (RS-So.): By the midpoint of the 2018 season, Greg Studrawa felt confident in Davis, but he didn't have a chance to play him until Knox suffered a late-season injury. Davis started both the Big Ten title game and Rose Bowl, playing well in each and setting himself up to become Ohio State's starting right guard entering the 2019 season. Though no one has declared him a starter, it would be a shock for him not to open the year at right guard. Davis, who stands 6-foot-4 and 313 pounds, was the top-rated guard in the 2017 recruiting cycle.
- Josh Myers (RS-So.): After switching from guard to center, Myers has put himself in position to open the 2019 season as a starter. The 6-foot-5, 310-pound bruiser entered college as a hard-nosed run blocker, but he had to learn how to pass block with consistency. Myers, a Miamisburg native, worked with the first-team offense throughout spring practice and is in a similar situation to Davis. No one in power has outright called him the starting center, but he essentially has the job locked down.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Morning Conversational: Where Will the Big Passing Plays Come From This Year?
The phrase “Next man up” applies here, but it should probably be more like “Next man out and up.”
When the Buckeyes lost receivers Terry McLaurin, Johnnie Dixon, and Parris Campbell from last season, they also lost three of the Big Ten’s top six producers of receptions of 40 yards or more.
The big-play trio accounted for 11 of Ohio State’s 14 receptions of 40 yards or more, and all seven of their 50-yard catches.
Returning receivers KJ Hill, Austin Mack, and Binjimen Victor each had one reception last season of 40 yards or more. Mack’s came early in the TCU game. Victor’s came late in the Penn State game. And Hill’s came against Minnesota and was one of his nine catches for a total of 187 yards.
Needless to say, another season with those three producing just one big play each won’t cut it.
Mack’s season was cut short last year, so he probably would have another one or two home runs, Victor, meanwhile, has one final season to turn all of those glimpses into a fully-realized representation of what he does.
If Mack stays at Z to help replace McLaurin and Dixon, he will need to pick up quite a bit of slack in the home run department.
Hill, on the other hand, is just fine doing what he does. He moves the chains over the middle of the field and catches whatever is thrown his way. His big-play numbers may or may not go up, but his value will be as high as ever.
They won’t have to do it all on their own, however.
As last year’s seniors said on more than one occasion, people haven’t even gotten to see everything that rising sophomore Chris Olave is capable of. He has more than enough deep speed and is expected to show that this coming season.
Expecting redshirt freshman Jaelen Gill to step in seamlessly for Parris Campbell is unrealistic, but he will produce some highlights, there is little doubt of that.
CJ Saunders will operate at the same middle-of-the-field frequency as Hill. Sometimes those catches will lead to some longer runs when the defense is caught in a bad way.
Running back JK Dobbins is dying for some wheel routes, which is something that Demario McCall will be involved with again as well, provided he is healthy.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/05/big-passing-plays-come-year/
The phrase “Next man up” applies here, but it should probably be more like “Next man out and up.”
When the Buckeyes lost receivers Terry McLaurin, Johnnie Dixon, and Parris Campbell from last season, they also lost three of the Big Ten’s top six producers of receptions of 40 yards or more.
The big-play trio accounted for 11 of Ohio State’s 14 receptions of 40 yards or more, and all seven of their 50-yard catches.
Returning receivers KJ Hill, Austin Mack, and Binjimen Victor each had one reception last season of 40 yards or more. Mack’s came early in the TCU game. Victor’s came late in the Penn State game. And Hill’s came against Minnesota and was one of his nine catches for a total of 187 yards.
Needless to say, another season with those three producing just one big play each won’t cut it.
Mack’s season was cut short last year, so he probably would have another one or two home runs, Victor, meanwhile, has one final season to turn all of those glimpses into a fully-realized representation of what he does.
If Mack stays at Z to help replace McLaurin and Dixon, he will need to pick up quite a bit of slack in the home run department.
Hill, on the other hand, is just fine doing what he does. He moves the chains over the middle of the field and catches whatever is thrown his way. His big-play numbers may or may not go up, but his value will be as high as ever.
They won’t have to do it all on their own, however.
As last year’s seniors said on more than one occasion, people haven’t even gotten to see everything that rising sophomore Chris Olave is capable of. He has more than enough deep speed and is expected to show that this coming season.
Expecting redshirt freshman Jaelen Gill to step in seamlessly for Parris Campbell is unrealistic, but he will produce some highlights, there is little doubt of that.
CJ Saunders will operate at the same middle-of-the-field frequency as Hill. Sometimes those catches will lead to some longer runs when the defense is caught in a bad way.
Running back JK Dobbins is dying for some wheel routes, which is something that Demario McCall will be involved with again as well, provided he is healthy.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2019/05/big-passing-plays-come-year/
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