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.
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?
Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said the Buckeyes won't be using the "Jack" position, the hybrid defensive end-linebacker spot, as much in spring practice with Jack Sawyer being at end full-time and Mitchell Melton limited to individual drills.
— Joey Kaufman (@joeyrkaufman) March 7, 2023
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
DC Jim Knowles says Jack Sawyer will work be solely a defensive end, not jack. #Buckeyes
— Kellyanne Stitts (@KellyanneStitts) March 7, 2023
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
Marvin Harrison Jr. the first-team punt returner for OSU pic.twitter.com/Ue2H1Kob50
— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) March 7, 2023
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
QB Devin Brown on why he's going to wear #33 for Ohio State this season: pic.twitter.com/gvYpNiZ64J
— Justin Holbrock (@NBC4Justin) March 7, 2023
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
Ryan Day on Sonny Styles:
"You've seen what he can do in his first year," he said. "In the role he played last year… I couldn't have been more impressed with what he did."
"He is a playmaker, and he's gonna play a lot of football for us this fall."
— Chase Brown (@chaseabrown__) March 7, 2023
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
Ole Miss transfer CB Davison Igbinosun wearing No. 20 and looking pretty huge at 6-2 pic.twitter.com/gVVUG3rn0u
— Griffin Strom (@GriffinStrom3) March 7, 2023
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
Day likes OSU's depth at RB and WR, TE, QB. Concerned about offensive line (no surprise). Likes first cluster of guys at DL, LB, DB but wants to build depth behind those.
— Bill Rabinowitz 🗞 (@brdispatch) March 7, 2023
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.
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