2024 tOSU Special Teams Discussion

[calibuck]

Putney. Get David Putney. I want my three #1s back, all of them, and David Putney too.

 

[ScriptOhio]

Overseen by Quality Control Coach Rob Keys, Ohio State Expects Collaborative Special Teams Effort in 2024​

For anyone who needs a reminder, there are three phases in the game of football.

As with every offseason, prose has been penned to preview Ohio State’s offense and defense, but one of the more covert storylines to follow in the spring and summer has been what the Buckeyes are doing on special teams now that they have moved on from maligned coordinator Parker Fleming.

With starters at punter and kicker ready to go and returners eager to be tested out in-game, Ryan Day is expecting a collaborative effort from players and staff to see some resurgence on special teams, an effort spearheaded by him and quality control coach Rob Keys.
“Rob is gonna be sort of the ringleader of it all, and I’m right there with him for everything,” Day said on Thursday. “We’re gonna utilize everybody we possibly can.”
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A key rule change brought Keys from the background to the foreground of Ohio State’s punting and kicking plans in 2024. In June, the NCAA removed the limit on the number of on-field coaches teams can have in practices and games.

That took Keys, the former head coach and special teams coordinator for D-II Findlay, from a background advisory role on special teams to help coach coaches on what to do to a foreground position where he’ll work hand-in-hand with Day to oversee the operation.

Each special teams unit has been assigned to a different position coach as safeties coach Matt Guerrieri handles the punt team, linebackers coach James Laurinaitis takes the kickoff team and wide receivers coach Brian Hartline and tight ends coach Keenan Bailey work with the punt and kick return units.

Ohio State also has another program assistant, Gunner Daniel, who is working closely with the Buckeyes’ specialists now that support staffers are allowed to coach.
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The competition to start at punter has been won out by Australian freshman Nick McLarty, who defeated walk-on Joe McGuire and Buffalo transfer Anthony Venneri.

"He's made a good transition into the country but also playing football, not Australian rules football, which is very, very different," Day said of McLarty on Thursday. "The snap-to-kick has improved. He's a taller guy, so the ball has to get off his foot faster. I think he's done that. His hang time is good. He's been more consistent.

"He'll kick a few that go out of the stadium. He's got a strong leg. But we're looking for that consistency. He's shown that here most recently, so he's got the upper hand right now."
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continued

Jus sayin': I'm anxious to see McLarty really "boom" some punts, etc.

 

[ScriptOhio]