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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Spring’s Unanswered Questions for the Ohio State Offensive Line
Every year following Ohio State spring football we recap what happened position by position.
Who stepped up, who stepped back, what got fixed, and what didn’t?
With 12 of the 15 spring practices cancelled due to the pandemic, however, essentially nothing happened, nothing got fixed, nobody stepped up, and no questions got answered.
So since we can’t talk about which questions got answered, we will instead discuss which questions still remain.
Position by position.
What do the Buckeyes have in Paris Johnson?
Paris Johnson was the No. 1 offensive tackle recruit in the 2020 class and he was on campus this winter as an early enrollee. He enrolled early with an eye on battling for the starting right tackle job, but with only three practices occurring before things got shut down, that goal got put on ice.
While offensive line coach Greg Studrawa got a little bit of a look at Johnson in those three practices, it is unfair to expect a freshman offensive lineman to be up to speed in his first week. It’s even more unfair to expect that when competing against Ohio State defensive linemen. That experience, however, would have helped greatly and made Johnson much more ready for the season.
So much of what was lost this spring is the iron sharpening iron aspect of football. Johnson could have gained some very valuable experience facing off against the likes of Zach Harrison, Baron Browning, Tyreke Smith, Tyler Friday, and Javontae Jean-Baptiste.
Who is the left guard?
With the exception of right tackle, where most expect junior Nicholas Petit-Frere to take over, the biggest question mark on the Ohio State offensive line is the open left guard spot.
With Jonah Jackson off to the NFL next week, the Buckeyes will turn to a number of candidates. One of them would have been fifth-year senior Gavin Cupp, but he was out for the spring with an injury anyway, so he may have gotten a bit of a reprieve. Redshirt sophomore Matthew Jones would have been another possibility. He was moved from center last year because the staff really liked true freshman Harry Miller.
Redshirt freshmen Enokk Vimahi and Ryan Jacoby are two options as well. Jacoby saw no action last year, while Vimahi got a little bit of a taste.
The smartest money was seemingly on sophomore Harry Miller, who was spoken of last year like few other true freshmen — and that was well before he ever played in a single game. He is an advanced player, which means there is a pretty good chance that he is one of the top five offensive linemen on the team. If he is, then he starts. The only problem is that we don’t know because spring didn’t get a chance to tell us.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2020/04/buckeyes-unanswered-ohio-state-football-offensive-line/
Every year following Ohio State spring football we recap what happened position by position.
Who stepped up, who stepped back, what got fixed, and what didn’t?
With 12 of the 15 spring practices cancelled due to the pandemic, however, essentially nothing happened, nothing got fixed, nobody stepped up, and no questions got answered.
So since we can’t talk about which questions got answered, we will instead discuss which questions still remain.
Position by position.
What do the Buckeyes have in Paris Johnson?
Paris Johnson was the No. 1 offensive tackle recruit in the 2020 class and he was on campus this winter as an early enrollee. He enrolled early with an eye on battling for the starting right tackle job, but with only three practices occurring before things got shut down, that goal got put on ice.
While offensive line coach Greg Studrawa got a little bit of a look at Johnson in those three practices, it is unfair to expect a freshman offensive lineman to be up to speed in his first week. It’s even more unfair to expect that when competing against Ohio State defensive linemen. That experience, however, would have helped greatly and made Johnson much more ready for the season.
So much of what was lost this spring is the iron sharpening iron aspect of football. Johnson could have gained some very valuable experience facing off against the likes of Zach Harrison, Baron Browning, Tyreke Smith, Tyler Friday, and Javontae Jean-Baptiste.
Who is the left guard?
With the exception of right tackle, where most expect junior Nicholas Petit-Frere to take over, the biggest question mark on the Ohio State offensive line is the open left guard spot.
With Jonah Jackson off to the NFL next week, the Buckeyes will turn to a number of candidates. One of them would have been fifth-year senior Gavin Cupp, but he was out for the spring with an injury anyway, so he may have gotten a bit of a reprieve. Redshirt sophomore Matthew Jones would have been another possibility. He was moved from center last year because the staff really liked true freshman Harry Miller.
Redshirt freshmen Enokk Vimahi and Ryan Jacoby are two options as well. Jacoby saw no action last year, while Vimahi got a little bit of a taste.
The smartest money was seemingly on sophomore Harry Miller, who was spoken of last year like few other true freshmen — and that was well before he ever played in a single game. He is an advanced player, which means there is a pretty good chance that he is one of the top five offensive linemen on the team. If he is, then he starts. The only problem is that we don’t know because spring didn’t get a chance to tell us.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2020/04/buckeyes-unanswered-ohio-state-football-offensive-line/
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Spring’s Unanswered Questions for the Ohio State Tight Ends
Every year following Ohio State spring football we recap what happened position by position.
Who stepped up, who stepped back, what got fixed, and what didn’t?
With 12 of the 15 spring practices cancelled due to the pandemic, however, essentially nothing happened, nothing got fixed, nobody stepped up, and no questions got answered.
So since we can’t talk about which questions got answered, we will instead discuss which questions still remain.
Position by position.
Has Cade Stover finally found a home?
In the little bit of spring that we got to see, Cade Stover jumped out in his first look as a tight end. After playing linebacker for the bulk of last season, and then moving to defensive end somewhere late in the year, he was expected to be part of the front four this year.
However, the need ended up being greater at tight end and he did not look out of place as a pass catcher. Stover was a great running back in high school and he showed no problem bringing that mentality back as a pass catcher.
He looked good in the spring, but it was mostly passing and as everyone knows, there’s much more to being an Ohio State tight end than catching the ball.
Is Jeremy Ruckert ready to be a playmaker?
Jeremy Ruckert opened the year with two touchdown catches against Florida Atlantic, but caught just two more scores in the next 13 games. One of those touchdowns, of course, was the one-handed grab in the Big Ten Championship Game, which gives just a glimpse of the athleticism that he’s working with.
Ruckert caught 14 passes for 142 yards last season, but is he ready to be more than just a 10-yard-per-catch guy? Can he be a mismatch weapon for the Buckeyes? Given OSU’s versatility on defense, it would have been nice to see what Ruckert could do during the spring.
Ohio State has more playmakers available in the slot this year than they did the year before, which means snaps are going to become more difficult for Ruckert. If he makes plays, however, then he’ll have nothing to worry about.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2020/04/springs-unanswered-questions-ohio-state-tight-ends/
Every year following Ohio State spring football we recap what happened position by position.
Who stepped up, who stepped back, what got fixed, and what didn’t?
With 12 of the 15 spring practices cancelled due to the pandemic, however, essentially nothing happened, nothing got fixed, nobody stepped up, and no questions got answered.
So since we can’t talk about which questions got answered, we will instead discuss which questions still remain.
Position by position.
Has Cade Stover finally found a home?
In the little bit of spring that we got to see, Cade Stover jumped out in his first look as a tight end. After playing linebacker for the bulk of last season, and then moving to defensive end somewhere late in the year, he was expected to be part of the front four this year.
However, the need ended up being greater at tight end and he did not look out of place as a pass catcher. Stover was a great running back in high school and he showed no problem bringing that mentality back as a pass catcher.
He looked good in the spring, but it was mostly passing and as everyone knows, there’s much more to being an Ohio State tight end than catching the ball.
Is Jeremy Ruckert ready to be a playmaker?
Jeremy Ruckert opened the year with two touchdown catches against Florida Atlantic, but caught just two more scores in the next 13 games. One of those touchdowns, of course, was the one-handed grab in the Big Ten Championship Game, which gives just a glimpse of the athleticism that he’s working with.
Ruckert caught 14 passes for 142 yards last season, but is he ready to be more than just a 10-yard-per-catch guy? Can he be a mismatch weapon for the Buckeyes? Given OSU’s versatility on defense, it would have been nice to see what Ruckert could do during the spring.
Ohio State has more playmakers available in the slot this year than they did the year before, which means snaps are going to become more difficult for Ruckert. If he makes plays, however, then he’ll have nothing to worry about.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2020/04/springs-unanswered-questions-ohio-state-tight-ends/
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Ohio State Right Tackle Spot a Three-Man Competition
There are two open offensive line jobs for the Buckeyes heading into the 2020 season and plenty of options for both spots.
Ohio State is looking for a new left guard and a new right tackle. Given the competitors at both spots, the more intriguing battle looks to be at right tackle.
It is the right tackle spot where the Buckeyes have an interesting range of candidates.
There are three players vying to start and the contrast between them is stark.
Third-year sophomore Nicholas Petit-Frere was the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2018 class and the No. 7 player in the class overall. True freshman Paris Johnson was also the No. 1 offensive tackle in his 2020 recruiting class and the No. 9 player overall. Then there is candidate number three — true sophomore Dawand Jones. Jones ranked No. 1,043 nationally and was the No. 86 offensive tackle in the 2018 recruiting class.
Jones was a surprise last season, seeing action in a number of games after being an expected redshirt. Jones didn’t play as much as Petit-Frere, who saw significant snaps in a number of games last year.
Both players saw more action than the true freshman Johnson, who has only taken part in three spring practices.
Despite the limited viewing window this spring, Ohio State offensive line coach Greg Studrawa is pleased with where things stand at right tackle.
“I’ll tell you, the first three days of spring practice were unbelievable to see those guys go out there and compete,” he said. “And to answer your question, that’s what it’s gonna take. It’s gonna take someone that wants to go out there and grab that position by the ‘you know what’ and say that they want it.”
Petite-Frere saw about 150 more snaps than Jones did last year, so Studrawa had a better idea of what to expect from him. He had less of an idea of what to expect from Jones and Johnson.
Neither player disappointed.
“I would’ve liked to have seen Dawand, and even Nick — Nick’s played a little bit for us. He’s been in some games, so he’s got a little more experience, but what I saw out of Dawand and Paris, two young guys in three days of spring practice, I couldn’t believe how advanced, how far Dawand has come and how advanced and mature Paris is for a freshman,” Studrawa said.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2020/04/ohio-state-right-tackle-spot-three-man-competition/
There are two open offensive line jobs for the Buckeyes heading into the 2020 season and plenty of options for both spots.
Ohio State is looking for a new left guard and a new right tackle. Given the competitors at both spots, the more intriguing battle looks to be at right tackle.
It is the right tackle spot where the Buckeyes have an interesting range of candidates.
There are three players vying to start and the contrast between them is stark.
Third-year sophomore Nicholas Petit-Frere was the No. 1 offensive tackle in the 2018 class and the No. 7 player in the class overall. True freshman Paris Johnson was also the No. 1 offensive tackle in his 2020 recruiting class and the No. 9 player overall. Then there is candidate number three — true sophomore Dawand Jones. Jones ranked No. 1,043 nationally and was the No. 86 offensive tackle in the 2018 recruiting class.
Jones was a surprise last season, seeing action in a number of games after being an expected redshirt. Jones didn’t play as much as Petit-Frere, who saw significant snaps in a number of games last year.
Both players saw more action than the true freshman Johnson, who has only taken part in three spring practices.
Despite the limited viewing window this spring, Ohio State offensive line coach Greg Studrawa is pleased with where things stand at right tackle.
“I’ll tell you, the first three days of spring practice were unbelievable to see those guys go out there and compete,” he said. “And to answer your question, that’s what it’s gonna take. It’s gonna take someone that wants to go out there and grab that position by the ‘you know what’ and say that they want it.”
Petite-Frere saw about 150 more snaps than Jones did last year, so Studrawa had a better idea of what to expect from him. He had less of an idea of what to expect from Jones and Johnson.
Neither player disappointed.
“I would’ve liked to have seen Dawand, and even Nick — Nick’s played a little bit for us. He’s been in some games, so he’s got a little more experience, but what I saw out of Dawand and Paris, two young guys in three days of spring practice, I couldn’t believe how advanced, how far Dawand has come and how advanced and mature Paris is for a freshman,” Studrawa said.
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2020/04/ohio-state-right-tackle-spot-three-man-competition/
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
The pick: Nicholas Petit-Frere
The path for Petit-Frere to live up to his recruiting ranking couldn’t be more clear. Although he’s going against two talented tackles, including a five-star freshman who has planned on starting at Ohio State for years, Petit-Frere has the inside track to win the job, especially with the lack of spring practice. He’s the most experienced tackle candidate on the roster and is the only option of the three who has starting experience. Petit-Frere lost this job opportunity to Branden Bowen last season. This year will likely be different.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
What Did Buckeye Receiver Room Miss Without Spring Practice?
There is a lot that goes into getting a college football team ready for Saturdays in the fall.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, much of the process has been altered, delayed, or completely scrapped.
Every practice, workout, and meeting has a purpose and a goal, and right now some of those goals have been mended a bit so that players can accomplish them from home.
Not everything can be replicated at home, however. Spring practice is done and gone, and with it, the process of learning from your mistakes.
“During spring it’s more the ability to take meetings to the field. The mental aspect of the game, being able to make mistakes and how fast can we correct things,” Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline said. “At the end of the day, everyone’s gonna make mistakes, but it’s all about how fast can you fix them so mistakes don’t become problems. Some mistakes happen over and over again, so those are the kind of things you just don’t know.”
The learning that is happening right now is in front of a computer screen, which might be fine for an engineer, but it’s not exactly ideal for a Buckeye wide receiver.
With a hand’s-on coach like Hartline, the inability to pull a player aside after a rep and fix footwork or hands or eye placement is frustrating. With spring practice halted, there is also no implementation of new schemes or alterations. Without a field to put those plans in action, it’s just talk at this point.
With no practice, the learning process is stunted. Just as game experience is more effective than practice reps, practice reps are more effective than a diagram on an iPad.
“To get things installed, to get things to an understanding, to get the verbiage and the signals. It’s really more about finding out how they really dissect things and interpret things,” Hartline said. “That’s all. Everyone’s different. Nothing more, nothing less. They definitely compete. They all really compete. The room did a great job.”
Entire article: http://theozone.net/2020/05/buckeyes-miss-without-spring-ohio-state-football/
There is a lot that goes into getting a college football team ready for Saturdays in the fall.
Because of the COVID-19 pandemic, however, much of the process has been altered, delayed, or completely scrapped.
Every practice, workout, and meeting has a purpose and a goal, and right now some of those goals have been mended a bit so that players can accomplish them from home.
Not everything can be replicated at home, however. Spring practice is done and gone, and with it, the process of learning from your mistakes.
“During spring it’s more the ability to take meetings to the field. The mental aspect of the game, being able to make mistakes and how fast can we correct things,” Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline said. “At the end of the day, everyone’s gonna make mistakes, but it’s all about how fast can you fix them so mistakes don’t become problems. Some mistakes happen over and over again, so those are the kind of things you just don’t know.”
The learning that is happening right now is in front of a computer screen, which might be fine for an engineer, but it’s not exactly ideal for a Buckeye wide receiver.
With a hand’s-on coach like Hartline, the inability to pull a player aside after a rep and fix footwork or hands or eye placement is frustrating. With spring practice halted, there is also no implementation of new schemes or alterations. Without a field to put those plans in action, it’s just talk at this point.
With no practice, the learning process is stunted. Just as game experience is more effective than practice reps, practice reps are more effective than a diagram on an iPad.
“To get things installed, to get things to an understanding, to get the verbiage and the signals. It’s really more about finding out how they really dissect things and interpret things,” Hartline said. “That’s all. Everyone’s different. Nothing more, nothing less. They definitely compete. They all really compete. The room did a great job.”
Entire article: http://theozone.net/2020/05/buckeyes-miss-without-spring-ohio-state-football/
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
OSU RB Coach Tony Alford ‘Fine’ With Committee Approach
Replacing JK Dobbins is going to be a tall order for the Buckeyes this year. He rushed for a school-record 2,003 yards and played his best last year against the best teams.
He was also a workhorse.
Of the 499 carries by a running back last year, Dobbins had 301 of them — or 60%. The rest of the carries went mainly to Master Teague, whose 135 attempts came mostly in the fourth quarters of blowouts. It was great experience for Teague, and is certainly something he will rely upon in his bid to be the Buckeyes’ starter in 2020.
The thing is, the Ohio State starting running back in 2020 may not be looking at the same 300 carries that Dobbins received a season ago. With no proven starters but plenty of talented contenders, there is a chance the Buckeyes move to a committee approach with their running backs.
Oklahoma transfer Trey Sermon didn’t come to Ohio State to sit. He has over 2,000 rushing yards in his career to prove that he is capable. Teague, meanwhile, rushed for 789 yards as the Buckeyes’ backup last year, which is rarefied air and generally an indicator of very good things to come down the road.
Second-year players Marcus Crowley and Steele Chambers also impressed in their rookie seasons last year. And fifth-year senior Demario McCall is always meandering back and forth from the receivers room to the running backs room.
Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford has four or five returning players he can turn to this season, which is more than he’s ever had before. The number of options he has this year is one major reason why some could see the Buckeyes turning to a committee approach at tailback.
“You know, I’ve said this all along, I said this when JK was here even with Mike Weber and things like that, you don’t have any preconceived ideas of ‘well, we’re going to just run one guy, so we have to get this guy ready.’ They’re all going to get ready to play,” Alford said recently. “They’re all going to be prepared to play and we’re gonna do whatever we need to do to win games.
“And if that’s with a committee approach, then that’s fine. If it’s not, then it’s not. But to say what that’s going to be right now, I think that’s premature on my part. I think we’re just gonna go through and see how we do, and we’ll do what we need to do to win games, whatever that looks like.”
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2020/05/osu-rb-coach-tony-alford-fine-committee-approach/
Replacing JK Dobbins is going to be a tall order for the Buckeyes this year. He rushed for a school-record 2,003 yards and played his best last year against the best teams.
He was also a workhorse.
Of the 499 carries by a running back last year, Dobbins had 301 of them — or 60%. The rest of the carries went mainly to Master Teague, whose 135 attempts came mostly in the fourth quarters of blowouts. It was great experience for Teague, and is certainly something he will rely upon in his bid to be the Buckeyes’ starter in 2020.
The thing is, the Ohio State starting running back in 2020 may not be looking at the same 300 carries that Dobbins received a season ago. With no proven starters but plenty of talented contenders, there is a chance the Buckeyes move to a committee approach with their running backs.
Oklahoma transfer Trey Sermon didn’t come to Ohio State to sit. He has over 2,000 rushing yards in his career to prove that he is capable. Teague, meanwhile, rushed for 789 yards as the Buckeyes’ backup last year, which is rarefied air and generally an indicator of very good things to come down the road.
Second-year players Marcus Crowley and Steele Chambers also impressed in their rookie seasons last year. And fifth-year senior Demario McCall is always meandering back and forth from the receivers room to the running backs room.
Ohio State running backs coach Tony Alford has four or five returning players he can turn to this season, which is more than he’s ever had before. The number of options he has this year is one major reason why some could see the Buckeyes turning to a committee approach at tailback.
“You know, I’ve said this all along, I said this when JK was here even with Mike Weber and things like that, you don’t have any preconceived ideas of ‘well, we’re going to just run one guy, so we have to get this guy ready.’ They’re all going to get ready to play,” Alford said recently. “They’re all going to be prepared to play and we’re gonna do whatever we need to do to win games.
“And if that’s with a committee approach, then that’s fine. If it’s not, then it’s not. But to say what that’s going to be right now, I think that’s premature on my part. I think we’re just gonna go through and see how we do, and we’ll do what we need to do to win games, whatever that looks like.”
Entire article: https://theozone.net/2020/05/osu-rb-coach-tony-alford-fine-committee-approach/
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