In Columbus, Ohio State doesn’t rebuild, they reload. This season will be a big time test for that mantle as there are a lot of very big holes to fill after multiple Buckeye stars left early for the NFL.
With OSU’s spring practice set to begin tomorrow, March 7th, plenty of questions regarding those holes are being asked. Head coach Ryan Day has a lot on his plate.
Over the course of the fourteen practices spanning a little over a month, culminating with the fifteenth, or as we know it, the LiFEs ports Spring Game, the hope is that some of those questions will be answered.
Not all of them well but here are the five position battles that we will be keeping an eye on during this spring.
#5 - Defensive end
Zach Harrison is the first Buckeye meeting with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Asked him to name a returning Ohio State defensive end we haven’t seen play much yet who he expects to break out next year, his answer was Caden Curry: “He’s going to be a really good player.” pic.twitter.com/H0kn92KjUw
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) March 1, 2023
Breakdown
Gone is[ autotag]Zach Harrison[/autotag], who put up some very solid NFL combine numbers even though he never really lived up to his 5-star ranking coming out of high school. There is plenty of potential in this group, starting with caden curry. He got plenty of run towards the end of last year and there’s usually a big freshman to sophomore jump.
Also in the mix is Omari Abor, Kenyatta Jackson and Jack Sawyer if he is moved back to the position. True freshmen Jayson Moore and Joshua Mickens won’t report until the summer so they won’t factor into the race in the spring.
#4 - Center
RG Enokk Vimahi, in for Matt Jones, with a nice block to help spring Williams. pic.twitter.com/ACLIKMFy0S
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) September 7, 2022
Breakdown
Luke Wypler, like Harrison, just finished his rounds at the combine and did better than expected. His departure wasn’t one many saw coming, and the Buckeyes will have to find a suitable replacement for him. Transfer Victor Cutler could come in a make an impact but there might be a learning curve due to a jump in competition from Louisiana-Monroe.
Jakob James won’t participate this spring due to an injury, Enokk Vimahi might have the leg up this spring. Don’t forget about Josh Fryar, who will battle it out for a tackle spot (more on that below) but if he isn’t in the running there, could end up at center.
#3 - Safety
all business 🔍 @sonnystyles_ pic.twitter.com/ct7V47AZo2
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) February 16, 2023
Breakdown
Ronnie Hickman and Tanner McCalister are gone, while some of the returning players didn’t have much success this past season. Latham Ransom is presumed as one of the starters, but there should be two other players getting reps there as well.
Syracuse transfer Ja’Had Carter has the potential to make a big splash, but a lot of that depends on how quickly he can pick up defensive coordinator Jim Knowles system. Many, including myself, think that rising sophomore Sonny Styles will make a huge leap and take one of those spots.
kye stokes had tons of chatter as well and is on a similar path to Styles. The play of this group will go a long way in how the 2023 defense will shake out.
#2 - Offensive tackles
Nice block by substitute RT Josh Fryar, with help from Cade Stover. pic.twitter.com/69KloleNsM
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) November 15, 2022
Breakdown
Two literal massive holes need to be filled as Paris Johnson Jr. and Dawand Jones left for the NFL. The pursuit of a transfer tackle and subsequent misses were well documented so it was an obvious concern for offensive line coach Justin Frye.
Fryar, as mentioned earlier, will be in the mix for a starting spot. Tegra Tshabola, Zen Michalski, Ben Christman and Trey Leroux are all candidates as well.
It would be great to see two or three of these lineman take the next step this spring, in case an injury happens. Tackles will be extremely important due to having a new starting quarterback in the fall.
#1 - Quarterback
Ronnie Hickman meeting with the media at the NFL Scouting Combine.
Asked about Kyle McCord, Hickman responded, “Don’t sleep on Kyle, man. He can really sling it.” pic.twitter.com/Pm0VZx23wK
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) March 2, 2023
Breakdown
No surprise here, quarterback is the biggest for the 2023 Ohio State team. For the past two years, C.J. Stroud has been amazing, even with his two losses to our rivals. His backup Kyle McCord didn’t get many opportunities, mainly mop-up duty. Devin Brown is a huge unknown, but his ability to escape the pocket and use his legs has intriguing potential.
Day has mentioned that if he can, he would name a starter coming out of the spring. I honestly don’t think that happens, and the battle bleeds over into the fall.
Regardless of the outcome, this position battle is the one most are curious to see play out.
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