A new-look Ohio State football team will begin spring practice on Monday. But if many of the names are unfamiliar to casual fans, the high bar that always exists for the Buckeyes has not been lowered.
“Our expectations don’t change,” coach Ryan Day said. “Whether it was last year, the year before, this year, none of that stuff is ever going to change.”
That doesn’t mean the “natty or bust” mantra that motivated the Buckeyes is as realistic as it was in 2024. That team had almost unprecedented urgency. Several seniors delayed their NFL pursuits for a final chance at a national championship.
The Buckeyes are a program that reloads instead of rebuilds. But no program can lose Jack Sawyer, J.T. Tuimolaou, Will Howard, TreVeyon Henderson, Cody Simon, Donovan Jackson and so many others without having a massive void.
“When you look at our biggest concerns, it’s replacing the guys that walked out the door,” Day said. “Obviously, that’s the biggest key, and the guys who are returning, they’re in a different situation. We certainly have holes that we need to fill.”
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But nobody expects or would accept a regression like Michigan endured last year when it went 8-5, albeit with a certain stunning victory in late November, after winning its national title in 2023. Ohio State remains loaded with talent. Any team that has wide receiver Jeremiah Smith on offense and safety Caleb Downs on defense has an enviable foundation.
But this will be a pivotal spring for most other players as they fight for starting or at least rotational roles.
Julian Sayin the favorite in Ohio State quarterback battle
The most eyes will be on the quarterback battle. Redshirt freshman Julian Sayin was the top quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class. He was the third-stringer behind Howard and Devin Brown, who transferred to California. Though Sayin is viewed as the front-runner, Day is not tipping his hand. He said Sayin will split first-team reps with redshirt sophomore Lincoln Kienholz and five-star freshman Tavien St. Clair.
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“Early on, we’re going to try to go three groups so those guys get an equal amount of reps,” Day said.
Former OSU players asked about Sayin at the NFL combine raved about his arm and said they expected him to start. The biggest question about him is whether he has Howard’s qualities as a vocal leader. Day said that applies to all the quarterbacks.
“Being a leader and showing that toughness and showing that fire and showing that grit, Will did a great job of that,” Day said. “We’re coming off the heels of that. These guys got a chance to see that. But I agree that I think that’s the biggest challenge.”
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He said strength coach Mickey Marotti has tried to hasten that process by forcing the quarterbacks into leadership situations.
“The first few times it might be a little clunky,” Day said. “It may not be very good. But the more you do it, the more confidence you have, and the more you get to find your voice, and that’ll be important for the quarterback.”
Who will be Ohio State’s running backs, linemen?
Quarterback is one of several positions up for grabs. Running backs Henderson and Quinshon Judkins are gone, and sophomore James Peoples and West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson are likely to share the job. Insiders are also touting freshman Bo Jackson as a player to watch.
The offensive line showed its depth during last year’s championship run after being derided most of the season. It’s safe to assume that new line coach Tyler Bowen will do much mixing and matching in the spring.
Brandon Inniss should take over pretty seamlessly for Emeka Egbuka as the slot receiver, and Purdue transfer Max Klare is a major addition at tight end.
Who returns for Ohio State’s defense?
Downs, linebacker Sonny Styles and cornerback Davison Igbinosun are the only returning starters on defense. Line coach Larry Johnson said he is reinvigorated by the challenge of replacing all four starters.
Defensive ends Kenyatta Jackson and Caden Curry have proven themselves to be capable players. Tackles Kayden McDonald and Eddrick Houston have also flashed elite ability. Developing depth behind them is Johnson’s biggest task.
Part-time starter Arvell Reese will team with Styles at linebacker. Jermaine Mathews is the front-runner to replace Denzel Burke at the cornerback spot opposite Igbinosun. Lorenzo Styles Jr. is likely to get the first crack at the nickel spot held by Jordan Hancock. Jaylen McClain or Malik Hartford among others will compete for the safety spot alongside Downs.
“The No. 1 goal of spring is to get individual players better,” Day said. “Fundamentally and technically, we’ve got to get better as football players. Then once we get into the summer, we start putting the scheme together and (developing) the chemistry of the team.”
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Questions abound for Ohio State as spring practice approaches
