Fall camp is rolling for Ohio State, and the Buckeyes are spending the preseason sorting through a long list of unsettled jobs.
The defending standard in Columbus is obvious: Ohio State opened as the No. 1 team in the nation with championship expectations. But even with that kind of billing, plenty of spots are still there for the taking.
At running back, the picture has changed after James Peoples transferred to Penn State. Bo Jackson handled the primary role last season, and Isaiah West now has a real opening in front of him.
Ryan Day said West had one of the best offseasons in the program, and he’s already been working with the starters a lot during the first week of camp. However it shakes out, Jackson and West are expected to give Ohio State a strong rushing tandem, with true freshman Legend Bey also in line to add some explosiveness.
Receiver brings its own competition behind Jeremiah Smith, who remains the centerpiece of the offense. Senior Brandon Innis is trying to hold off UTSA transfer Devin McCuin and five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr. for starting spots in the Buckeyes’ wideout rotation.
Up front, the offense has a few more jobs still unsettled. Center Carson Hinzman and left guard Luke Montgomery are set to return in their starting roles, but left tackle, right tackle and right guard are all still open.
Ohio State wants more from the line this season, so those battles matter. The competition at right guard and right tackle includes Austin Siereveld, Ian Moore, Phillip Daniels and Josh Padilla.
Siereveld is expected to start somewhere, though the exact spot has not been decided.
Tight end is another area with room to sort itself out. Ohio State lost both Max Klare and Will Kacmarek to the NFL through Day 2 of the draft in April, leaving a wide-open fight around Nate Roberts. Transfer additions Hunter Welcing and Mason Williams are both expected to factor in.
On defense, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. already has his place secured, but the other edge spot is still unresolved for Matt Patricia. Alabama transfer Qua Russaw, returning pass rusher Beau Atkinson and sophomore Zion Grady are all in the mix for that starting job.
The secondary has some known pieces, including cornerbacks Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Devin Sanchez and safety Jaylen McClain. Even so, Patricia’s rotation is still being sorted out, and the remaining corner and safety spots are going through ongoing evaluations in camp.
In Other News...
Ohio States Quarterback Pipeline Looks Dangerous For Years To Come
Christopher Vargas commitment gives Ohio State another layer to its quarterback picture, and it only adds to a room that already includes Julian Sayin and Tavien St. Clair. With Sayin expected to finish this season and St. Clair projected to follow for another year or two, the Buckeyes now have the kind of depth that lets them think about succession far beyond one recruiting cycle.
Vargas brings a different style and skill set than the quarterbacks already in place, which is part of what makes the whole setup so intriguing for Ohio State. If the pieces line up the way the Buckeyes hope, they could keep a five-star-caliber quarterback at the center of the offense for years, with each passer bringing something a little different before the next one takes over. [Read more 🡒]
Jalen McCuin Is Giving Ohio State Fans A New Reason To Watch
Early fall camp is giving Ohio State a better sense of what its receiving room might look like beyond Jeremiah Smith, and Jalen McCuin has quickly become part of that conversation. The transfer has drawn notice for the way he has settled in and positioned himself as a player worth watching as the Buckeyes sort out who can handle a larger workload once the season begins.
McCuins rise matters because Ohio State is not just looking for bodies at the position, it is looking for reliable separation behind its top target. The early impression around camp is that he has put himself in the mix for a meaningful role, which adds another layer to a receiver battle that already has plenty at stake for players trying to earn trust before the real games arrive. [Read more 🡒]
Ohio State Freshman Is Suddenly Changing The Buckeyes Secondary Battle
Ohio States secondary has been one of the cleaner little battles to watch in fall camp, and freshman cornerback Jay Timmons has quickly forced his way into the conversation. The Buckeyes have given him plenty of work at the nickel spot, and the early returns have been strong enough to get the attention of both teammates and coaches as the team sorts through roles before the season begins.
Timmons rise matters because nickel is one of those spots where trust can matter as much as talent, and a freshman suddenly pushing for meaningful snaps changes the shape of the depth chart. If his camp momentum keeps building, Ohio State may have to make some difficult decisions about how it wants to divide playing time among the rest of its defensive backs. [Read more 🡒]