Photos: Ohio State opens training camp, preparing for critical 2024 season
COLUMBUS — Is there another program in the country with bigger expectations than Ohio State? It’s going to be hard to find one.
The Buckeyes took to the practice fields at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Thursday for their first of 25 practices ahead of the 2024 season. Ohio State is less than a month away from its season opener in Ohio Stadium against Akron.
There is plenty of work to be done first, however. Day one isn’t going to showcase much of anything, but there are a few things to pick up on. As Lettermen Row’s Spencer Holbrook wrote, Kansas State quarterback transfer Will Howard looks more comfortable in the Scarlet and Gray.
Read: Offensive observations from first day of Buckeyes training camp
Howard chose to spend his final season of eligibility with the Buckeyes after a solid stint with Kansas State. He is tabbed by many as QB1 for the Buckeyes, but until head coach Ryan Day announces it, the competition between him and Devin Brown continues. Speaking of Brown, he had a few impressive throws during the first practice as well.
Ohio State might field the best defense in college football this year. Lettermen Row’s Andy Backstrom wrote his defensive observations from Thursday’s practice and it had a note about one of the Buckeyes’ key returners. Defensive end Jack Sawyer hasn’t missed a step with how he closed the 2023 season. He represented the Buckeyes at Big Ten Media Days and is going to be a key figure for defensive coordinator Jim Knowles this fall.
READ: Defense, special teams observations from Buckeyes first practice of training camp
The Buckeyes return for practice No. 2 on Friday and then practice again on Saturday and Sunday before having an off day on Monday.
And lastly, Lettermen Row has photos from the first day of Ohio State 2024 preseason training camp.
Ohio State safety Caleb Downs lines up during the first practice of 2024 training camp on Aug. 1. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State quarterback Air Noland. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State offensive coordinator Chip Kelly. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State cornerback Davison Igbinosun. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State quarterback Devin Brown. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State defensive end Eddrick Houston. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State defensive tackle Hero Kanu. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State defensive end Jack Sawyer. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State defensive tackle Jason Moore. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State safety Jayden Bonsu. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State cornerback Jermaine Mathews. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State defensive end JT Tuimoloau. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State defensive end JT Tuimoloau. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State defensive end JT Tuimoloau. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Offensive line coach Justin Frye. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State DT Kayden McDonald. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State QB Lincoln Kienholz. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State OL Seth McLaughlin. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State LB Sonny Styles. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State DT Tyleik Williams. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State DT Tywone Malone. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State QB Will Howard. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State QB Will Howard. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State QB Will Howard. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State TE/WR Damarion Witten. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State WR Emeka Egbuka. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State OL Gabe VanSickle. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State OT Ian Moore (right). (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State TE Jelani Thurman. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith (left) and CB Aaron Scott Jr. (right). (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State OL Josh Padilla. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State OT Josh Simmons. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
Ohio State DL coach Larry Johnson. (Matt Parker/Lettermen Row)
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