Setting the table for Buckeyes third week of training camp
COLUMBUS — Ohio State is set to begin its third week of training camp — and hit the halfway point of August camp — this week.
The Buckeyes have accomplished a lot in the first 10 practice sessions of August, but there’s still plenty more they need to do before they take the field inside the Horseshoe against Akron on Aug. 31.
Lettermen Row is setting the table for the week ahead in Ohio State football, and we’re kicking off this August Monday with some storylines and notes we’re tracking ahead of an important stretch of training camp. Let’s dive in.
What’s latest on quarterback situation?
We’ll cut right to the chase here: Kansas State transfer Will Howard is beginning to truly assert himself as QB1 for Ohio State. He has impressed teammates and coaches alike so far during this month of camp, and he’s flashing the skillset needed for this offense during practices that have been open to the media. Even behind closed doors, he reportedly shined during the Buckeyes’ scrimmage on Saturday morning.
Ohio State is still in evaluation mode with both Howard and third-year Ohio State quarterback Devin Brown, who has flashed his elite downfield passing ability during the early stages of camp but needs to be more consistent in short and intermediate throws. Both quarterbacks have their flaws, but they’re also capable of leading the Buckeyes ultra-talented offense.
This is Howard’s job to lose, especially as the season draws closer with every day of camp. Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is slated to speak to the media Thursday. Could be have a starting quarterback announcement to make? Or will he wait another week for more evaluations before making that call? It’s a big week for Howard and Brown as the QB battle continues.
Is offensive line back to full health? Are they improving?
Ohio State had a ‘funky virus’ going around the offensive line room last week; offensive linemen Carson Hinzman, Josh Simmons and George Fitzpatrick all missed Thursday’s practice with an illness and left the Buckeyes short-handed for at least one practice. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said he hoped the illness was out of the room by the end of the weekend, and sources indicated to Lettermen Row that the room was getting back to full strength. Are the Buckeyes now past it all entering the third week of camp?
And if so, can Ohio State make up for lost time after missing two potential starters on the line last week? Simmons is locked into his role at left tackle, but Hinzman is in the middle of a battle with Tegra Tshabola at right guard. Hinzman previously missed the first day of camp on Aug. 1, so he’ll need to make up for plenty of missed practice time.
Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye and the rest of his staff — including assistant Mike Sollenne and analyst Tim Drevno — will need to see this offensive line continue to improve and come together. It has a chance to be a really strong unit.
Do Buckeyes feel confident with defensive tackle depth?
The Buckeyes top two defensive tackles are making their way through training camp as the unquestioned leaders of the group. Tyleik Williams and Ty Hamilton are having a good camp and enter this season with sky-high expectations. But the Buckeyes still need to see the other defensive tackles continue to push for playing time behind them.
Lettermen Row and the rest of the media won’t talk to the Buckeyes defensive linemen until Aug. 21, one of the final media sessions of camp before game week arrives. By the time we do talk to those defensive linemen and position coach Larry Johnson, Ohio State needs to have a good feel for who will be next in line behind Williams and Hamilton. Can that be Hero Kanu in Year 3? Or will Jason Moore and Kayden McDonald keep flashing and become key pieces of the rotation during their second season on campus? McDonald has a real chance to become the key backup nose tackle, while Kanu and Moore can play both defensive tackle spots.
Ohio State will need to see a lot from those three if it’s going to feel good about the depth at defensive tackle before the season arrives at the end of the month.
Is Arvell Reese becoming factor in linebacker room?
Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles sent out his daily ‘Silver Bullet of the Day’ post to his X account on Monday morning. Monday’s recipient: second-year linebacker Arvell Reese, an athletic freak who is beginning to show he can provide a boost for the Buckeyes linebacker room. Might that be a sign that Reese is pushing for playing time?
Cody Simon is the unquestioned leader of the unit entering this season, and the fifth-year senior is in line for a potential captain’s role. Former starting safety Sonny Styles and third-year linebacker C.J. Hicks will certainly both play massive roles for the Buckeyes; Styles is the likely starter at WILL.
Beyond those top three, Reese is a prime candidate to play at Mike linebacker for the Buckeyes along with fellow Mike linebacker Gabe Powers and true freshman Payton Pierce, who is having a nice camp so far. Reese could be the one of this group to break out and find playing time early in his career — setting himself up nicely for the future.
Other items to track
+ Ohio State has seen inconsistent punting from freshman Aussie Nick McLarty. He’s in a battle with Buffalo transfer Anthony Venneri and fellow Australian native Joe McGuire. That battle is expected to continue into the late stages of camp.
+ Are the Buckeyes building wide receiver depth? Bryson Rodgers reportedly had a good scrimmage on Saturday, but he’s still developing. Ohio State has four sure-thing playmakers in the receiver room. The depth behind those starters is questionable and needs to improve in the next couple of weeks.
+ Speaking of wide receiver depth, true freshman Mylan Graham arrived in the summer and is now going through his first camp with the Buckeyes. He’s a name to watch as a smaller, shifty receiver who could find time in the nonconference slate — and then go from there.
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