NCAAF · 1 year ago

Ohio State Spring Football: 5 Burning Questions for the Buckeyes

TJ Inman

Host · Writer

5. Do They Have An Answer at Tight End?
The reliable Cade Stover headed to the NFL, leaving a hole at tight end. Ohio State dipped into the portal and brought in Will Kacmarek from Ohio University. He’s a polished blocker but not a particularly dangerous pass-catching option, and players like Gee Scott Jr. and Jelani Thurman will have a chance to beat him out if they can start to turn their potential into production. Chip Kelly might utilize two tight end sets quite often, so multiple tight ends will play, but the primary weapon at tight end will need to be determined this spring.
1. How Does Ohio State Deal With 5 Scholarship QBs?
The Ohio State Buckeyes were perfectly content to let quarterback Kyle McCord transfer to Syracuse. After some rumors, they eventually landed former Kansas State signal-caller Will Howard. He joins a quarterback room with two returning scholarship quarterbacks with limited experience, plus incoming five-star freshmen Julian Sayin and Air Noland. In the transfer portal era, having that many high-profile players at quarterback is unheard of. With a new offense being installed by coordinator Chip Kelly, how do the Ohio State Buckeyes get each quarterback some work during the spring? Will Howard seize the starting job, as expected? Or, will one of the true freshmen impress enough to carry the competition into the fall? Ohio State got decent quarterback play from McCord, but there was a belief that he was not good enough to win them a national title. They hope one of the players they brought in can elevate the position in 2024.
2. Can the Buckeyes Solve the OL Problem?
One of the primary reasons that Ohio State lost to Michigan for three straight seasons is the lack of physicality on the offensive line. The Buckeyes retained offensive line coach Justin Frye, who had previously worked with the new offensive coordinator, Chip Kelly. Can they figure out the best formula to fix the offensive line? Most outside observers believe the right guard and right tackle positions are up for grabs despite the return of players who played some there in 2023. Josh Fryar returns, but he'll be pushed by Luke Montgomery and Tegra Tshabola. Last season’s starting center (Carson Hinzman) could slide to guard. Enokk Vimahi could be a factor at right guard as well. This spring will go a long way toward determining who starts on the line.
3. Who Steps Up at Wide Receiver?
Superstar Marvin Harrison Jr. has moved on to the NFL, so the Buckeyes have a gigantic hole in the offense to plug at wide receiver. Emeka Egbuka returning for another season is a good start, but the Buckeyes need more answers regarding the position. The good news is that no program in the country has recruited better than Ohio State at wide receiver. Returnees like Carnell Tate and Jayden Ballard will undoubtedly factor in. Brandon Inniss, the highest-rated recruit for OSU in the 2023 class, is looking to make his mark in year two. Jeremiah Smith, the number one overall prospect in the country in 2024, will immediately compete for a starting job as well. Ohio State is loaded at wideout, but which players step up to fill the holes will be fascinating to watch unfold.
4. Who Starts at Linebacker?
The Buckeyes bring back most of the 2023 defense. There is probably only one true position battle on the defensive side of the ball: WILL linebacker. Cody Simon is the only player returning who has started a game at that spot but is not considered the favorite to win the battle. The addition of Caleb Downs at safety leaves Sonny Styles without a spot in the lineup. Styles started all of last year at strong safety and is now 6’4” and 230 pounds, meaning he is big enough to play linebacker in the Big Ten. Styles has been moved to linebacker for the spring and is being given a chance to win the starting role. Former five-star recruit C.J. Hicks is another potential option, and depth pieces Gabe Powers and Arvell Reese will get a shot as well.
5. Do They Have An Answer at Tight End?
The reliable Cade Stover headed to the NFL, leaving a hole at tight end. Ohio State dipped into the portal and brought in Will Kacmarek from Ohio University. He’s a polished blocker but not a particularly dangerous pass-catching option, and players like Gee Scott Jr. and Jelani Thurman will have a chance to beat him out if they can start to turn their potential into production. Chip Kelly might utilize two tight end sets quite often, so multiple tight ends will play, but the primary weapon at tight end will need to be determined this spring.
1. How Does Ohio State Deal With 5 Scholarship QBs?
The Ohio State Buckeyes were perfectly content to let quarterback Kyle McCord transfer to Syracuse. After some rumors, they eventually landed former Kansas State signal-caller Will Howard. He joins a quarterback room with two returning scholarship quarterbacks with limited experience, plus incoming five-star freshmen Julian Sayin and Air Noland. In the transfer portal era, having that many high-profile players at quarterback is unheard of. With a new offense being installed by coordinator Chip Kelly, how do the Ohio State Buckeyes get each quarterback some work during the spring? Will Howard seize the starting job, as expected? Or, will one of the true freshmen impress enough to carry the competition into the fall? Ohio State got decent quarterback play from McCord, but there was a belief that he was not good enough to win them a national title. They hope one of the players they brought in can elevate the position in 2024.

Ohio State Spring Football: 5 Burning Questions for the Buckeyes

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