sparcboxbuck
What happened to my ¤cash?
You _are_ aware that the OL was thin today, right? It’s was a bit of 1s vs 2s.
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- Thread starter ScriptOhio
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You _are_ aware that the OL was thin today, right? It’s was a bit of 1s vs 2s.
ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
As fans who frequent this site and others focused on Ohio State athletics, we're all absolute junkies for any morsel of information about how spring practice is going for Buckeye football as the program looks to bounce back from another season of falling to Michigan and coming up short in its quest for a national title.
We refresh Twitter like fiends on open practice and scrimmage days, read and re-read quotes from coaches and players, consume every feature article on players and position groups, and watch every Ryan Day presser trying to draw conclusions from what he says and what he doesn't say in hopes of piecing together how things are going.
Sometimes we forget that spring is a time for optimism which can make it hard to get a true flavor for where the concerns reside or if a coach's glass is just a little too full in that moment.
And while the quarterback competition between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown is the biggest storyline of this spring camp - not just for which guy appears to be No. 1 but how he's actually performing - whether or not Ohio State's defense has the right talent and how well the puzzle pieces fit together will be every bit as impactful to the outcome of the 2023 season.
Ohio State's 2022 defense led by new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles realized statistical improvement compared to the 2021 outfit but still fell outside the top-20 in scoring defense, passing defense and rushing defense after giving up 1,033 total yards and 87 points during back-to-back losses to Michigan and Georgia to close the season.
Now the hope is the Buckeyes will be better in Year Two in Knowles' system and a host of guys vying to play major roles come through. This spring, the tenor has been positive across virtually every player and position group but when it comes to put up or shut up time this fall, all we can do is wait and see.
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Spring football to me is assessing individual performances and growth, there's nothing to be learned about the team cumulatively. Especially with the OL, our Spring Game is fun to watch but you really don't know the OL until the fall because they are fragmented/sitting out for rest or injuries. So I kind of throw that position out the window.
As to the others...seems like Davison is going to start and glad to hear he is doing well already, we need to improve at CB more than any position imo . Not surprised Tate looks talented, but holy crap he is exceeding my already very high expectations...I would say he is too good to keep off the field but no way MH Jr or Egbuka come off the field except for a breather. But Tate seems so good that he could steal some PT from Fleming, X and Ballard...best guys will find their way onto the field at WR, not worried about it at all I am just excited to see it play out. And I didn't even bring up Innis, who I think is an instant star if puts in the work.
On QB, sounds like a dead-even battle as I think most expected. I saw some great throws from both of them, may the best man win. Brown has some serious Burrow-vibes though, maybe I am imagining that but his size, shortened throwing motion, athleticism, etc. just reminds me of his playstyle. Obviously talent and performance would be tough to match, but the style of play is there. One of McCord or Brown will be a stud similar to year's past...one of those good problems.
RB is interesting to me...we have Tre and Miyan, who will get most of the carries in all likelihood. Then you have Hayden, Chip, Pryor, X and Caffey...I think we'll be great there, just interested to see how the carries go. At a certain point in the season I wanted to see Hayden get 20 carries a game but injuries were a factor, so we'll see how that sorts out.
At OL, I am nervous with three significant departures (PJ, Wypler and Dawand). But we do have a lot of guys I really like...I have no real idea of how that will sort out other than Jones will hold a spot on the interior, Donovan Jackson will start, and probably Fryar will start (likely LT but he could play anywhere). One idea I have had there is have Jackson at RT if Hinzman is ready at center. Lots of flexibility but true OTs have me worried a bit if some guys like Fitzpatrick, Zen, Tshabola, etc. do not pan out. Interior will be good.
On defense, I think the front 6-7 will be pretty stacked. DBs just need to play better this year and getting rid of the Sawyer at Jack thing to play straight DE should do wonders. A combination of Burke, Davison, Hancock, Mathews, CSH, Ransom, Carter, Styles, Proctor, Kourt, Martinez, Stokes, etc. has gotta work, too much talent there.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
Column: Realistic expectations for Ohio State’s D-line after dominant scrimmage
What should we expect from this group in 2023
The expectation for the Buckeye defensive line is taking a step forward in 2023, which means going from having dominant moments to being a dominant group. This starts with the veteran players such as Tuimoloau, Sawyer, Hall, Williams, and Hamilton all setting the tone on a daily basis.Ryan Day talked about wanting consistency from this group. Every head coach knows to win a national championship you need a defensive line to dominate. That means the expectation is to be a truly dominant group, and that should show up statistically. Hearing that the line was dominant in the most recent scrimmage should not only add to the confidence that a step forward will be taken, but the defense as a whole can be even better.
This is obviously just a practice in spring, but this is where it all starts. The Buckeyes had insane performances from Tuimoloau, Hall, and Sawyer last season that all show the high ceiling the group has. For the defense to reach the expectations Day set, the defensive line will have to reach that ceiling more often. For the defensive line to do that, it starts with stacking elite practices.
Last week, the older Buckeyes showed the room what it was like to work the entire scrimmage, making plays late in the day. This week they showed they can dominate from start to finish – even if the offensive line has its injuries. This dominance was not limited to the ones, with both second year players Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson having big days as well. The talented depth should raise expectations.
The defense will go as far as the defensive line takes them, and that starts in practice. Being dominant every day is the only way they will be dominant come the regular season, and a truly elite unit is exactly what should be expected from Larry Johnson’s defensive line.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
You’re Nuts: Player you’re most excited to see after another Ohio State scrimmage
Which Buckeyes are creating the most buzz in practice?
www.landgrantholyland.com
You’re Nuts: Player you’re most excited to see after another Ohio State scrimmage
Which Buckeyes are creating the most buzz in practice?Josh’s Take
The player who has stood out to me through a handful of practices and a few, let’s face it, sort of inconsequential scrimmages, is sophomore defensive end Kenyatta Jackson. His frequent trips to the backfield have me reminiscing about Chase Young, while also sweating bullets over the Buckeyes’ offensive line.Gene’s Take
I was going to pick a defensive end as well after the group really seemed to steal the show at the last spring practice. Jack Sawyer was going to be my choice, as I am excited to see what he is capable off with a full year as a normal defensive end and not some stand-up hybrid that takes away from his natural ability to get to the quarterback.
Which young football Buckeyes are set to make an impact on defense in 2023?
Ohio State’s spring scrimmages could be a sign of things, or more specifically, breakouts to come.
www.landgrantholyland.com
Which young football Buckeyes are set to make an impact on defense in 2023?
Ohio State’s spring scrimmages could be a sign of things, or more specifically, breakouts to come.Kenyatta Jackson, Defensive line
Gabe Powers, Linebacker
Sonny Styles, Safety?
C.J. Hicks, Linebacker
Kye Stokes, Safety
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
When healthy, Tony Alford thinks his 2023 running back room is the deepest he’s ever had.
Only, it’s far from fully healthy this spring. TreVeyon Henderson said he feels “back to myself” after undergoing foot surgery after the regular season, but he hasn’t received full medical clearance just yet. Banged up for much of last season, Miyan Williams didn’t participate in Ohio State’s scrimmage reps last weekend. Evan Pryor is expected to be back in action by the start of the season, but he’s still recovering from a preseason ACL tear suffered last year.
That leaves Ohio State’s two healthiest scholarship running backs, Chip Trayanum and Dallan Hayden, with the most opportunities to gain ground on their talented stablemates during spring ball. And by all accounts, they’ve taken advantage so far.
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Day's comments today about the OL are telling.
"We want starter-level play out of them.." or something very near that really caught my eye. All the skill position talent in the world isn't going to help a brand new QB behind a bad OL.
"We want starter-level play out of them.." or something very near that really caught my eye. All the skill position talent in the world isn't going to help a brand new QB behind a bad OL.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
HICKS TAKES FIRST-TEAM REPS, SIMON AND CARRICO IMPRESS
ANTWI, MARTINEZ MAKE PLAYS OF THE DAY
DAY SEES PROGRESS FROM QUARTERBACKS
ADDITIONAL OBSERVATIONS
- Zen Michalski returned to practice after missing Saturday’s Student Appreciation Day practice with an undisclosed ailment. He took reps with both the first- and second-team offensive lines at right tackle along with Tegra Tshabola. Both of them also saw occasional work at left tackle on Friday while Josh Fryar and George Fitzpatrick saw some snaps at right tackle.
- Enokk Vimahi continued to rotate in regularly with the first-team offense at both left and right guard.
- Victor Cutler saw an increase in reps with the first-team offensive line at center from previous practices. While Carson Hinzman has taken most of the first-team reps this spring, Day said Hinzman has not locked down the starting job yet and that Cutler is making “good progress,” but said Cutler is still “learning how to practice at Ohio State every day.”
- Just as he did in last Saturday’s scrimmage, Marvin Harrison Jr. took nearly all of his reps in Friday’s practice from the slot. With Egbuka, Fleming and Xavier Johnson all out, Harrison took most of the first-team reps in the slot while Jayden Ballard and freshmen Carnell Tate and Noah Rogers took most of the outside receiver reps with the starters.
- Friday was the first time this spring that the media had the opportunity to watch the Buckeyes practice kickoff returns. With Johnson out, Kaleb Brown took the first reps at kickoff returner while Tate took the second reps. Brown broke one long return while Tate muffed a kickoff when he tried to run with the ball before securing possession.
- TreVeyon Henderson took some reps at running back during the teach periods, which are half-speed, non-contact practice periods that emphasize fundamentals and play installation.
- Kenyatta Jackson stood out as he consistently has in practices that have been open to the media this spring, blowing up multiple plays in the backfield and forcing an incomplete pass by beating Michalski for a spin move. Jaden McKenzie also had a strong showing on the defensive line for a second straight open practice, stopping multiple runs behind the line of scrimmage.
- Freshman tight end Jelani Thurman and safety Malik Hartford and walk-on running back Chase Brecht – who saw a heavy dose of work with the second-team offense Friday with Dallan Hayden and Chip Trayanum splitting first-team reps – all had their black stripes removed after Friday’s practice.
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OregonBuckeye
Semper Fi Buckeyes
Sounds like we should expect a lot of growing pains for the OL this year
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Captain Buckeye
Assistant Coach
I really think this is the only concern this team has which is not where you want a concern.
The interior should be fairly good with Jones and Jackson at guard (dammit it would've been nice to have Wypler back). Also heard that Fryer is doing pretty good at tackle too. So really we are really in need for another tackle and center.
I think the guys fighting for the spots are talented enough but lack the experience. IMO, we need to put out messages to we need help there to hopefully entice a player who's good but on a terrible team (think Jackson from Rutgers) to enter the portal. We are 1-2 players away from having a very dangerous team.
On a side note, anyone not expecting a drop off at QB is going to be very disappointed. I'm sure they'll be productive but IMO it'd be a mistake to be a pass happy team. With the backs we have and our OL being better at run blocking we should not be throwing more than 20-24 times a game. We should be much more 2019 than 2022 next season.
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ScriptOhio
Everybody is somebody else's weirdo.
"We are re not there yet," Day said of the trajectory of quarterback play this spring. "But (Friday) was a step in the right direction. I like the way they competed today. They took the classroom to the fields. And again, you know, if they're gonna allow us to coach them hard like that, they're gonna get better faster. We'll see. But we're not there yet.”
OHIO STATE:
CBS Sports: The Buckeyes were one missed field goal away from making the College Football Playoff National Championship, and now coach Ryan Day is charged with filling the shoes of two-time Heisman Trophy finalist quarterback CJ Stroud. Kyle McCord, a 6-foot-3, 222-pound junior, and 6-foot-3, 213-pound sophomore Devin Brown are vying for the job but haven't separated from each other.
Our take: We don't know which quarterback will earn the starting nod but we do know that QB1 will have a talented group of wide receivers to throw to, making his job a lot easier.
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IMO, this season will be much like Strouds 2021 season as a 1st year starter. Fans will hate whomever is the QB early on and want the backup, then he'll settle in and find a rhythm and start lighting it up. If OSU can start 4-0 and win the dog fight against ND, I can see the offense coming together really well. At Wisky will be tough, but I don't think they have the horses to keep up for an entire game, and after that the next toughest game will be: The Game
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