Michael Citro
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2024 Ohio State Spring Game: Three pleasant surprises
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Here are a few things that stood out from Saturday’s Spring Game.
The annual Ohio State Spring Game has come and gone. Team Scarlet nipped Team Gray, 34-33, in front of a crowd of 80,012 at the Horseshoe. However, since the Spring Game isn’t really a football game these days, the score and winning side is almost immaterial — except that all wholesome, correct-thinking individuals will always root for Team Scarlet, but I digress.
As always, there were plenty of talking points, and here are three of the things that stood out to me on Saturday.
It was interesting to see a running game emerge during the Spring Game. With many players considered “down” when touched — or even just at the threat of it happening — it’s unusual for the running backs to stand out, but that’s what happened on Saturday, as the final tally was 243 rushing yards. That’s pretty good when most players don’t have the option to break tackles and gain extra yards after contact (although some did, as it was a mixture of live action and “thud tempo”).
There was good jump in the legs of both presumed starters, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, but they weren’t the only ones who looked good. With Dallan Hayden moving on, I was interested in seeing what the Buckeyes have behind Henderson and Judkins, and I wasn’t disappointed.
James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon showed their skills, and the Buckeyes look like they’ll be OK in the depth department this season. Peoples ran for 36 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, but he always looked threatening in an if-this-game-was-for-real-things-might-be-different kind of way. Williams-Dixon did even better, running for 75 yards and a score on 11 attempts.
Both players look like they’ll be able to help out if needed in 2024. Plus, TC Caffey looks healthy again.
It wasn’t lost on me that the quarterbacks combined for 46 of those rushing yards, and I expect we’ll see more quarterback running in 2024 than we have over the past several seasons.
Linebackers CJ Hicks and Sonny Styles tallied a combined 14 tackles in the Spring Game, and it seemed like more. Both guys were around the ball a lot, with Hicks finishing with eight stops and Styles ending the day with six.
There will be snaps for new faces at linebacker in 2024, and it’s a good look for Hicks and Styles to contribute. Sure, it’s just the Spring Game, but it’s still good to see them stepping up with Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers departing.
Speaking of linebackers, Mitchell Melton also flashed in this game. Can this guy just stay healthy for a season — please? I’m interested to know what a season with a completely healthy Melton looks like.
It wasn’t exactly surprising that Ohio State’s secondary was good on Saturday. The defensive backs were up against opposing quarterbacks that were either inexperienced, new to the program, or both. But they were also competing against an insanely talented wide receivers group, and it seemed like everyone was making plays.
Calvin Simpson-Hunt, Inky Jones, Jaylen McClain, and Dianté Griffin all got their hands on an interception on Saturday. Jones was everywhere, finishing with seven tackles, while freshman cornerback Aaron Scott made six stops. Veteran Davison Igbinosun had terrific blanket coverage for most of his snaps, too.
One can never put too much stock in Spring Game performances, but that’s all the live Ohio State football we get until the fall, so it’s still worth watching.
Which players impressed you?
Continue reading...
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Here are a few things that stood out from Saturday’s Spring Game.
The annual Ohio State Spring Game has come and gone. Team Scarlet nipped Team Gray, 34-33, in front of a crowd of 80,012 at the Horseshoe. However, since the Spring Game isn’t really a football game these days, the score and winning side is almost immaterial — except that all wholesome, correct-thinking individuals will always root for Team Scarlet, but I digress.
As always, there were plenty of talking points, and here are three of the things that stood out to me on Saturday.
Running Back Depth
It was interesting to see a running game emerge during the Spring Game. With many players considered “down” when touched — or even just at the threat of it happening — it’s unusual for the running backs to stand out, but that’s what happened on Saturday, as the final tally was 243 rushing yards. That’s pretty good when most players don’t have the option to break tackles and gain extra yards after contact (although some did, as it was a mixture of live action and “thud tempo”).
There was good jump in the legs of both presumed starters, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, but they weren’t the only ones who looked good. With Dallan Hayden moving on, I was interested in seeing what the Buckeyes have behind Henderson and Judkins, and I wasn’t disappointed.
James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon showed their skills, and the Buckeyes look like they’ll be OK in the depth department this season. Peoples ran for 36 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries, but he always looked threatening in an if-this-game-was-for-real-things-might-be-different kind of way. Williams-Dixon did even better, running for 75 yards and a score on 11 attempts.
Both players look like they’ll be able to help out if needed in 2024. Plus, TC Caffey looks healthy again.
It wasn’t lost on me that the quarterbacks combined for 46 of those rushing yards, and I expect we’ll see more quarterback running in 2024 than we have over the past several seasons.
Hicks, Styles Looked the Part
Linebackers CJ Hicks and Sonny Styles tallied a combined 14 tackles in the Spring Game, and it seemed like more. Both guys were around the ball a lot, with Hicks finishing with eight stops and Styles ending the day with six.
There will be snaps for new faces at linebacker in 2024, and it’s a good look for Hicks and Styles to contribute. Sure, it’s just the Spring Game, but it’s still good to see them stepping up with Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers departing.
Speaking of linebackers, Mitchell Melton also flashed in this game. Can this guy just stay healthy for a season — please? I’m interested to know what a season with a completely healthy Melton looks like.
One Serious Secondary
It wasn’t exactly surprising that Ohio State’s secondary was good on Saturday. The defensive backs were up against opposing quarterbacks that were either inexperienced, new to the program, or both. But they were also competing against an insanely talented wide receivers group, and it seemed like everyone was making plays.
Calvin Simpson-Hunt, Inky Jones, Jaylen McClain, and Dianté Griffin all got their hands on an interception on Saturday. Jones was everywhere, finishing with seven tackles, while freshman cornerback Aaron Scott made six stops. Veteran Davison Igbinosun had terrific blanket coverage for most of his snaps, too.
One can never put too much stock in Spring Game performances, but that’s all the live Ohio State football we get until the fall, so it’s still worth watching.
Which players impressed you?
Continue reading...