2025 Spring Practices, Spring Game, and other Tidbits

[Zurp]

I would agree on pretty much every point and only add to #9. UFM was far from perfect, but he was not a POS. My view is he got ran out on a PC campaign for something he could not control. Then he went to Jacksonville and let's be real, took a brief nose dive. The analyst gig is the best thing that happened to him and lets him be himself again (honestly Saban falls in that category as well).

But when UFM was our coach, he cared about nothing but the players, the students, the fans and Ohio. Everyone else could eff off and that is what I love about him, he didn't give a rat's ass about what anyone else thought of him. I met him his first week on campus at Eddie George's Sports bar on High (when it was there), just wanted to say welcome home as an alumnus and get a picture. We sat down and talked about all the things he wanted to do to keep Ohio State football elite. He wanted to involve the students more than ever in the program (which he did), he wanted better fan access to the team because he felt it was the state's team and not his team, and we also discussed ways Braxton Miller could be deployed the best in a pre-RPO era. He truly cared about the players, the university and its students and fans, it truly showed.

The man took 15-20 minutes to talk to me about all of that and instantly won my heart as a coach. I remember Noah Spence was in the room on a recruiting visit and pretty much said dang, OSU fans know their stuff...I said thanks Noah and Urban grinned so big and said that is Ohio State football. He committed about a week later because UFM was a recruiting boss.

But yeah, the majority of that were shit takes, with a couple salient observations. We are "THE" for good reason and I won't apologize for it, while also not flaunting the term. We get to make The Game the biggest rivalry in sports because it is, everyone else can fluff off if they don't understand it. I'm a respectful fan but I'm not going to hold back on being passionate for my team. Moral of the story is go ahead and hate us, we like that fuel even though it is not needed.

All fair points and I'll admit that my defense of the "writer" was in the couple of things that hit the media since he left Ohio State and from the reputation he had at Florida. I do think he was railroaded out of Ohio State unfairly. And I think he did a lot of really good things at Ohio State. I somehow felt that "POS" was endearing - though I'm not sure how, now.

 

[RB07OSU]

All fair points and I'll admit that my defense of the "writer" was in the couple of things that hit the media since he left Ohio State and from the reputation he had at Florida. I do think he was railroaded out of Ohio State unfairly. And I think he did a lot of really good things at Ohio State. I somehow felt that "POS" was endearing - though I'm not sure how, now.

I feel you. The overarching theme for me is that most tend to hate UFM if he's not your coach. Hell, I did when he was at Florida and I get all of that. He got railroaded (perfect term) from OSU for sins of an assistant he had no control over, and I am forever furious over it even though Day was a great replacement. But in reality, everyone outside OSU will mostly hate him and that's just what it is. Same goes for the program's success.

On that end, I assume BTN is covering the spring "game"? Sorry if I missed that point above.

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[ScriptOhio]

Observations and Highlights from Ohio State’s First Spring Practice of 2025

Malik Hartford was the first-team strong safety, Austin Siereveld practiced at left tackle and Lincoln Kienholz and Julian Sayin split first-team QB reps to start spring practice.

www.elevenwarriors.com

Observations and Highlights from Ohio State’s First Spring Practice of 2025​

Spring football is underway at Ohio State.

Ohio State officially began spring practice on Monday, and Eleven Warriors was in attendance alongside the rest of the Ohio State beat to watch the first hour of practice before the rest of the opening practice was closed to media.

Hartford starts with first team

Kienholz, Sayin split first-team reps at QB

Additional notes

• Six players took punt return reps during Ohio State’s first punt period: Inniss, Tate, Downs, Smith, Rodgers and Graham, in that order. Peoples and Quincy Porter joined the punt return group during the Buckeyes’ second punt period.
• Returning star safety Caleb Downs was active in coaching up fellow safeties, even giving walk-on Ryan Rudzinski some hands-on technique instruction.
• No round of practice observations would be complete without some Smith praise, and it was clear to all observers that the rising sophomore added some muscle mass this winter as he looks to take another step from his record-breaking freshman season.
• Ohio State did a round of routes on air with all three quarterbacks throwing at once, and the side-by-side comparison exemplified the quickness of Sayin’s release. The ball left his hand noticeably quicker than Kienholz’s or St. Clair’s.
• The size of West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson stood out in comparison to the Buckeyes’ other running backs as he is listed on Ohio State’s spring roster at 6-foot-1 and 237 pounds.
• Porter was another player who was eye-catching physically, towering above other receivers and defensive backs with his 6-foot-4 frame.
• New coaches on the field for Monday’s practice included former Ohio State safety Nate Ebner, who the Buckeyes have hired as a special teams quality control coach, and former Ohio State offensive lineman Toby Wilson.
• Walk-on running back TC Caffey was seen doing rehab work on his own as he recovers from the torn ACL he suffered last season while walk-on wide receiver Nolan Baudo wore a headset and called signals in from the sideline rather than taking reps with the receivers.
• Former Ohio State players in attendance for Monday’s practice as visitors included NFL draft prospects Tyleik Williams and Seth McLaughlin.
• A drone was present to collect additional footage of practice for Ohio State.

 

[BuckBackHome]

 

[ScriptOhio]

Ohio State's first spring practice starts on Monday, giving us our first look at the Buckeyes' newest faces, like five-star quarterback Tavien St. Clair in No. 9, five-star cornerback Devin Sanchez in No. 4 and Purdue transfer tight end Max Klare in No. 86.

Arvell Reese to Wear No. 8, Tavien St. Clair to Wear No. 9 and Devin Sanchez to Wear No. 4 As Ohio State Releases New Jersey Numbers for Spring

Ohio State’s midyear enrollees receive their jersey numbers while several returning Buckeyes have also changed numbers for 2025.

www.elevenwarriors.com

The complete list of numbers for Ohio State’s new freshmen and transfer additions:

• 4 Devin Sanchez
• 7 Phillip Bell
• 8 De’zie Jones
• 9 Tavien St. Clair
• 10 Faheem Delane
• 11 Quincy Porter
• 12 C.J. Donaldson
• 15 Zion Grady
• 17 TJ Alford
• 18 Bodpegn Miller
• 20 Riley Pettijohn
• 24 DeShawn Stewart
• 25 Ty Howard
• 25 Bo Jackson
• 26 Payton Pierce
• 30 Cody Haddad
• 32 Isaiah West
• 33 Eli Lee
• 48 Logan George
• 70 Phillip Daniels
• 71 Jayvon McFadden
• 74 Carter Lowe
• 76 Jake Cook
• 78 Ethan Onianwa
• 83 Nate Roberts
• 86 Max Klare
• 88 Trajen Odom
• 91 Jarquez Carter

In addition to newcomers receiving their jersey numbers, six returning Buckeyes – wide receiver Bradon Inniss, cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr., linebacker Arvell Reese, safety Brenten "Inky" Jones, wide receiver Bryson Rodgers and tight end Max LeBlanc – changed their numbers this winter.

• 1 Brandon Inniss (previously No. 11)
• 7 Jermaine Mathews Jr. (previously No. 24)
• 8 Arvell Reese (previously No. 20)
• 21 Brenten “Inky” Jones (previously No. 32)
• 21 Bryson Rodgers (previously No. 13)
• 88 Max LeBlanc (previously No. 86)

 

[ScriptOhio]

How do you get into the coaches clinic?

I have no idea; but to find out you might start by calling (or stopping by) this office:

Ohio State Athletics Office Locations | Ohio State

Athletics Administration 2400 Olentangy River Rd Phone: 292-7572 Baseball 250 Bill Davis Stadium, 650 Borror Dr Phone: 292-1075 Fax: 688-8707 Business Office...

ohiostatebuckeyes.com

Camps and Clinics
710 Fawcett Center, 2400 Olentangy River Rd
Phone: 247-2267
Fax: 292-5075

FWIW, another one this year:

 

[ScriptOhio]

 

[ScriptOhio]

Ryan Day Says Ohio State Plans to Play A Spring Game on April 12

Ohio State is planning to play a regular spring game on April 12. Ryan Day said the decision to call it a spring showcase was to leave “wiggle room in case of injuries.”

www.elevenwarriors.com

Ryan Day Says Ohio State Plans to Play A Spring Game on April 12​

Ohio State is planning to play a spring game on April 12.

Despite renaming this year’s spring game as a spring showcase, Ryan Day said Monday that his plan is for Ohio State to still play a traditional spring game in its final practice of the spring at Ohio Stadium, citing the importance of simulating game reps in the stadium and preparing to start the season fast when the Buckeyes host Texas on August 30.

Day said the decision to rename the spring game as a spring showcase this year was made so that Ohio State would have flexibility in case injuries left the Buckeyes thin at any position group. As long as the team remains healthy for the next three weeks, though, the plan will be for the Buckeyes to play a full scrimmage on April 12, with Day saying he expects the spring game to look similar as it has in past years.

“My plan is to have a spring game. I just think we need to save a little bit of wiggle room in case we take injuries. That's it,” Day said. “So we want to do this. We want to play a spring game. Now, there may be some guys that are held from the spring game, but not many. We're 159 days away from playing Texas, and that day will matter to a lot of young players. So we need to get out there and compete. The format of it and how it works will probably be similar to what we've done in the past. So it'll be a great opportunity for fans and folks to see our guys and get out there and play.”
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“That part of it, to me, it is what it is, but we need to go do it. It's important that we start the season fast, and I think that first step is playing in the spring game,” Day said. “If we're down some linemen or down some bodies and we have to adjust, we'll figure that out from there. But we're, I guess, just three weeks out here, and so we plan on playing in that spring game on April 12th. So looking to get a great crowd, and I know we've got some great things planned that day.”

 

[ScriptOhio]

Ohio State player Jeremiah Smith has hilarious answer to time travel question

The best player on the Ohio State football team had a hilarious answer to asking where he would time travel and why. He wants to relive his best moment.

scarletandgame.com

Ohio State player Jeremiah Smith has hilarious answer to time travel question​

The best player on the Ohio State football team had a hilarious answer to asking where he would time travel and why. He wants to relive his best moment.

Following one practice, the Ohio State social media team asked players if they would like to travel back in time to any era, what era would it be and why. While most players gave an answer involving an event in high school or a historical event, Smith gave a very funny answer because it involves himself.

Ohio State football player Jeremiah Smith wants to relive a moment from the national championship

Smith decided that he wanted to travel back in time to the National Championship Game against Notre Dame so he could relive 3rd and Jeremiah all over again. He sealed up the national championship with that play.

 

[calibuck]

Hope the Spring game is run as a hopped up scrimmage. Would dearly like to see the #1 DL against the #1 OL, and #2 Dl v #2 OL. As well as some decent hitting. I get that the QBs will be protected, but think that the RBs should get to be tackled. Probably more against than for, but merely my opinion, but of course, that's expecting zero injuries....Go Bucks! Also look forward to the B10 reviewing each B10 team, and broadcasting on B10 channel. Hopefully, this year, they will post which team they're visiting, so don't have to watch the chaff to get to the kernal (tOSU).

 

[pnuts34]

Hope the Spring game is run as a hopped up scrimmage. Would dearly like to see the #1 DL against the #1 OL, and #2 Dl v #2 OL. As well as some decent hitting. I get that the QBs will be protected, but think that the RBs should get to be tackled. Probably more against than for, but merely my opinion, but of course, that's expecting zero injuries....Go Bucks! Also look forward to the B10 reviewing each B10 team, and broadcasting on B10 channel. Hopefully, this year, they will post which team they're visiting, so don't have to watch the chaff to get to the kernal (tOSU).

This is pretty much how the spring game has always gone

 

[calibuck]

So, no 'touch' versus 'tackle'?

 

[ScriptOhio]

2025 Pro Day

 

[calibuck]

Could only catch snippets from my telephone, but were there any other local kids (non-tOSU) that were included at Pro Day? Or do these extras fill in when there's not 17+ hopefuls working out before what appeared to be NFL 100% represented? Thanks to those that included their viewings on this page. Glad to see our guys elevating themselves from the masses at Indy. Home cookin' is best. Massive increase in Will's performance. Guess the take-away is that he can make all the throws (if can assume throws same as at Indy), to targets he knows well. What I saw was actually better than games, hitting the WR in stride, rather than having WR 'stutter-step/wait' a heartbeat or two before ball arrives. Hopefully the pro coaches were available for the writers question "Did X increase their draft standing in your eyes?" or somesuch.