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USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Michael Chen

Observations from Ohio State football’s first spring practice

Now that there has been some time to digest what we saw and heard today regarding Ohio State football, there are plenty of takeaways from the first day of spring practice.

Now is not the time to overreact, but more to make notes of what the Buckeyes are doing as they prepare for the season. Head coach Ryan Day has a two-game losing streak, even if they were both to College Football Playoff teams.

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Without being present at practice, there were still plenty of observations to be broken down about what happened at the Woody Hayes Athletic Facility today. Here are some things that stuck out in my mind.

Goodbye Jack?

Observation

When the Buckeyes faced their best competition, the defense faltered last year and it might be due to Jim Knowles’ scheme. Football is different in the Big Ten and College Football Playoff than the Big XII. Defense is a premium when competing for a championship. It might be that Knowles realized this too late and is now making the adjustment. If he didn’t have a player to fit the position, why utilize it? Nice to see Mitchell Melton healthy and …

Jack Sawyer back at defensive end

Observation

When it was announced that Sawyer was going to play the “Jack” position, many thought it would be a seamless transition. It wasn’t, as the former 5-star struggled to make an impact on the field this past season. Him making the move back to end just makes the most sense, especially with the open spot left by Zach Harrison. If we finally see Sawyer breakout, this defensive line could very well dominate the competition.

Marvin Harrison Jr. returning punts

Observation

I do not like this one bit, not at all. There are no questions surrounding Harrison Jr. We all know what he can do and messing around on the punt team isn’t something we would see in the regular season. Emeka Egbuka was the main returner last year, but he’s missing the spring with an injury. Why not have a freshman back there? No need to risk anything with Harrison Jr. this spring.

Devin Brown’s new number

Observation

Brown changed his number to 33 as a tribute to Hall of Fame quarterback Sammy Baugh. The first enshrined into Canton, Brown has worn the number as a youth and even his Twitter handle is part of the tribute, @dbbrownqb33. It’s pretty cool.

Sonny Styles hype train begins

Observation

This train has left the building for me already. Styles should just be arriving but he’s already heading into his second season and about to become a household name. He’s as big as a linebacker with safety speed, a combo that reminds me of former Buckeye Darron Lee and we all know what Lee accomplished in Columbus in 2014 and 2015. All aboard!

Davison Igbinosun also looking good

Observation

The transfer is massive, the biggest corner in a long time to suit up for the Buckeyes. He already has plenty of experience and the transition from the SEC to the Big Ten shouldn’t be a big one at all. Can’t wait to really see what he can do in the fall.

Offensive line a big concern

Observation

Could this be an even bigger issue than quarterback? It very well could be, and for Day to be concerned now is not good. Three jobs are open and they’re arguably at the most important positions along the line, tackle and center. The Buckeyes desperately need players to set up here.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on Twitter.

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