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2024 tOSU Spring Practices and Game (April 13)

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Presser Bullets: Ryan Day Says Ohio State Expects to Have a Running Back Coach by Next Week, Next Two Weeks of Spring Practice Critical for Will Howard

Ryan Day expects to have a running backs coach by next week and says the next two weeks will be important for Will Howard.
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PRESSER BULLETS: RYAN DAY SAYS OHIO STATE EXPECTS TO HAVE A RUNNING BACK COACH BY NEXT WEEK, NEXT TWO WEEKS OF SPRING PRACTICE CRITICAL FOR WILL HOWARD​

Ohio State's running back coaching search is still ongoing but Day gave a rough timeline of "next week" to name a hire. Will Howard had an inconsistent day of practice but Day has liked the progress he's seen from the Kansas State transfer while adding that the next two weeks will be important for Howard.
  • On the quarterback competition: "We're just, really, rolling them right now. ... I think you saw everybody get reps with the ones today." Day added that the last two weeks of spring practice will be very important for figuring out where everyone stands.
  • The offensive line competition is still ongoing, and Josh Fryar has played some guard this spring "We're still trying to figure out who the best five are and move them around."
  • Lathan Ransom is only doing individual and seven-on-seven drills off his injury from last season. Brandon Inniss has a "temporary issue" and should be back soon.
  • On Jayden Bonsu playing safety with the first few teams: "The more guys that are thrown into the fire, the more they can respond. ... The next two weeks are going to be an opportunity to ... We need to build depth at all positions."
  • On the defensive line: "They were in the backfield a bunch. ... You can see the quickness with some of the interior guys, with Kayden you've seen the quickness. ... You've seen Mitchell Melton get in the backfield."
  • On Jeremiah Smith and Caleb Downs: "I think both of them have discipline in their life, I think both of them have built up a skill package. ... Jeremiah has really stepped in ... I'm gonna be careful what I say, but he's been very exciting to watch and we're all very excited about his future."
  • On Will Howard and Seth McLaughlin losing their black stripes: "You see the progress being made ... both those guys deserve to get their black stripes removed today."
  • On Bryson Rodgers: "He's very quick in short areas, I think he does a nice job in the slot in particular ... I think he's a very good route runner. ... The challenge for him is to continue to get stronger, play through contact, but if can do that he'll contribute for us this year."
  • On the running backs: "I think Tre's done a great job with leadership, I think Quinshon's done a really good job. ... I'm excited about all of them ... I'd like to think it's the best room in the country."
  • Day added that T.C. Caffey is a player that could get carries for Ohio State this year.
  • While Day likes some of the progress he's seen from Howard but wants to see more over the next two weeks. "He was a little bit more calm in the pocket, he had some really good throws, he missed some throws as well. ... He's got a good way about having poise back there. ... As his eyes get right and his feet time up with that, he'll start making more plays."
  • Day said that Ohio State is taking their time searching for a new running backs coach but plans to have one named "next week."
  • On Will Smith Jr.: "He's finally healthy and he's actually stacking practices together. ... He put on a lot of strength and a lot of weight early on and then had some issues. ... We're making progress
See link for video.
 
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MGMT said:
Kayden McDonald is my pick for a breakout guy imo. Guy actually looks like he can wreck games
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Power Rankings: Potential breakout stars at Ohio State’s spring game​

These players could shine on Saturday and carry that momentum into the 2024 season.

5. Brandon Inniss​

While Carnell Tate was turning heads around this time a year ago, there was another prize recruit at wide receiver who arrived on the scene — Brandon Inniss, the No. 22-ranked overall player and the highest rated Ohio State recruit in 2023. Inniss only caught one pass in 2023, but it went for a 58-yard touchdown in the Buckeyes’ lopsided win at Purdue.

While Tate got his black stripe removed quickly and finished the 2023 season as Ohio State’s fifth-leading receiver, Inniss has as much, or more, talent and upside. It would be unsurprising if he has a big spring game, especially if he’s on the same team with Tate, Jeremiah Smith or Emeka Egbuka, who would likely draw the better coverage man from the defense.

4. Will Howard​

This is maybe a stretch, as quarterback performances the last few iterations of the spring game have been more of the solid variety than spectacular. When you throw in that Howard is still learning the offense and has several inexperienced receivers, it seems he’d be an unlikely candidate to break out during the spring game.

And yet, that’s how I see him. This is a player who will have an opportunity to impress. If he does, that bodes well for Ohio State’s offense this fall. Howard should get a good number of snaps, so if he’s hitting his receivers, he’ll be in the running.

3. Sonny Styles​

Not exactly one of the new guys, Styles is nevertheless a candidate to have a breakout performance on Saturday. Styles moving to linebacker can help him become a more instinctive player. With a more defined role, he can attack the ball or be used for specific roles that require less reading and reacting.

This is what I expect from Styles this season. I envision him being allowed to simplify his game, helping him make the kinds of plays that Darron Lee and Ryan Shazier made in the past at Ohio State. If Styles is fully (or even mostly) unleashed on Saturday, he could make enough splash plays to turn in a spring game MVP-type performance.

If so, I look for that to carry on into the fall as he gets more comfortable with how Jim Knowles is using him.

2. Caleb Downs​

Reportedly spending time at multiple safety spots during spring practice, Downs is an intriguing player out of Alabama by way of the transfer portal. He’s a player who has already demonstrated his worth on the national stage in college football, and yet he’s barely getting started.

Downs is a player I expect to elevate the entire Ohio State defense in 2024. It would be unsurprising to me if the sophomore had a huge performance in the spring game or has a monster season this fall with the Buckeyes. One never knows exactly how these things will go, but a player with Downs’ ability and instincts is a player to keep an eye on.

1. Jeremiah Smith​

It’s no surprise to see Smith’s name at the top of this list, is it? We’ve all been hearing his name since his arrival. Smith set a new record for getting his black helmet stripe removed, and videos of him in practice have been all over social media. He’s been making one-handed catches in the end zone and getting the better of much more experienced defensive backs during the spring.

At a position where it’s difficult for freshmen to make their mark among so much talent, Smith seems destined to get on the field early and often. There’s no better time to start making inroads in that direction than the spring game. The annual event has largely become a passing game showcase because of the number of players who are protected from being hit.

Running backs tend not to make as big of an impact these days in the spring game, which means quarterbacks, receivers, and defensive players are the guys who tend to stand out.

I look for Smith to step up with a big spring game and to quickly earn a starting spot.
 
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DaddyBigBucks said:
Best looking true freshman people have seen in awhile; but "true freshman" is still the most important part of that statement. As far as any of us know, he's not legitimately in the running to start, but Day will not come right out and say that.
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Is it a stretch? 100%, Brown when had the opportunity last year was inconsistent and the reason he didn't win the starting job. Howard does concern a bit as he wasn't a great passer at K State. From a talent perspective, Sayin is qb 1 but a lot more goes into being a QB than talent alone. Then add the ripple effect of the roster/QB room that would have. Good problem to have quality players.
 
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