Where Things Stand for Every Position Group on Offense After Ohio State’s First Week of Spring Practice
Ohio State’s spring observe is barely simply starting, however we have already gotten a primary glimpse at what the Buckeyes have at every place group for the 2026 season.
Ohio State opened the primary hour of every of its first two practices to the media final week, Ryan Day met with the media for his first press convention of the yr and one returning star on both sides of the ball – Julian Sayin and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. – additionally met with reporters final week, giving us some perception into the place issues stand on either side of the ball as spring ramps up.
With the Buckeyes on spring break this week earlier than they return to the sector for the primary of their remaining 13 spring practices on Tuesday, we’re recapping what we have seen and heard thus far about every place group, beginning on the offensive aspect of the ball.
Quarterback
There’s not a lot drama at quarterback this spring, as Julian Sayin returns to guide the offense after main the nation in completion share and ending fourth in final yr’s Heisman Trophy vote. That stated, there are a number of areas of emphasis for Sayin this spring as he works to enhance coming into his second yr as a starter. He’ll have extra duty to vary performs on the line of scrimmage this season, whereas Ryan Day believes it is essential for Sayin to turn out to be extra of a menace within the working sport this yr.
“Making an impact with his legs when appropriate, we know that that’s the X-factor that has to show up this year,” Day stated final week. “And he’s aware of that and been working hard in the offseason.”
Tavien St. Clair seems to be extra snug than a yr in the past and is the clear frontrunner to be Ohio State’s No. 2 quarterback this season. That stated, Justyn Martin additionally seems to be like a succesful backup with a better ceiling than different veteran transfers the Buckeyes have introduced in as backup quarterbacks in recent times, so he is the early favourite to be the No. 3 quarterback above true freshman Luke Fahey.
Running Back
With Bo Jackson and Isaiah West sidelined as they recuperate from shoulder surgical procedures, Ohio State’s complete working again contingent this spring is gamers who weren’t on the crew final spring: Florida switch Ja’Kobi Jackson, true freshmen Legend Bey and Favor Akih, redshirt freshman Anthony “Turbo” Rogers and walk-on Stanley Jackson Jr. (the latter two joined the crew final summer season).
Given that, it most likely should not come as a shock that the primary day of spring was “a little rough” for that place group, in line with Day.
“We’ve got work to do there,” Day stated with fun.
That remark would recommend Jackson and West stay in line to be Ohio State’s prime two working backs this fall. But Bey is drawing so much of early buzz as a participant who could possibly be a flexible weapon for the Buckeyes – he practiced at each working again and extensive receiver throughout the first week of spring – whereas Rogers and Ja’Kobi Jackson additionally appeared explosive throughout the parts of observe that the media have been in a position to watch.
Jackson’s expertise possible offers him the early leg as much as be Ohio State’s No. 3 working again, however Bey and Rogers will probably be gamers to observe all spring as all three of them may have a lot of probabilities this spring to indicate they need to be within the rotation this fall.
Wide Receiver
To the shock of completely nobody, Jeremiah Smith appeared like the most effective participant on the sector throughout the first week of spring. Already referred to as an “alien” (in complimentary style), Smith seems to be even larger, quicker and stronger than ever earlier than this spring as he prepares for his possible remaining season as a Buckeye earlier than a top-five choice within the 2027 NFL draft.
Fellow Iron Buckeye Brandon Inniss seems to be poised to be Ohio State’s No. 2 receiver this season – though he’ll stay primarily within the slot, not less than in three-receiver lineups – with Day saying Inniss is “right there” with Smith as a frontrunner of the place group.
Offseason switch additions Kyle Parker and Devin McCuin seem like the early frontrunners to begin at Z receiver. Both took a lot of first-team reps throughout the first week of observe, and Day stated each of them had “really good practices” on day one and are “pros already.” But extremely touted five-star freshman Chris Henry Jr. can also be a serious contender to begin or not less than play commonly immediately, and he flashed throughout his first week of collegiate practices.
“He’s been making great plays,” Sayin stated of Henry after the second observe. “I’m excited about him.”
Day stated second-year receivers Phillip Bell and De’Zie Jones are additionally “pushing” for taking part in time, whereas freshmen Jerquaden Guilford and Brock Boyd flashed throughout their first week of observe, as properly.
There are not any positive issues outdoors of Smith at extensive receiver proper now, leaving extra uncertainty across the place group this spring than there’s been in most up-to-date years. But early impressions recommend the Buckeyes may have stronger depth at receiver than they did final yr with as many as 9 wideouts making early circumstances for taking part in time.
“We’re as deep as we’ve been in a while there,” Day stated.
Tight End
With Bennett Christian out for the spring with an undisclosed harm, the tight ends splitting most of the first-team reps this March and April will probably be sophomore Nate Roberts and offseason switch additions Hunter Welcing and Mason Williams. There’s been no clear indication of a pecking order amongst them by one week, however Roberts seems to be able to contend for a beginning position in yr two whereas Welcing and Williams are each anticipated to be important contributors. Christian, who’s performed commonly in multi-tight finish units as a blocker the final two seasons, will even possible issue into the rotation this fall.
Day additionally singled out Max LeBlanc as somebody who’s “had a really good offseason,” making the redshirt sophomore from Canada a doable sleeper to observe on the place. Day stated true freshman Nick Lautar has additionally “done a nice job in the weight room so far, but it’s hard to play as a young tight end,” suggesting that Lautar is probably going in line for a redshirt in his first yr as a Buckeye.
Offensive Line
The most attention-grabbing revelation from the primary week of spring at any place got here alongside the offensive line, as Day revealed that Phillip Daniels is barely practising at sort out proper now regardless of offseason hypothesis that he may transfer to proper guard. Austin Siereveld can also be principally practising at sort out, Day stated, whereas Ian Moore – who has been considered as a candidate to take over at sort out if both Siereveld or Daniels moved inside – will cross-train at guard this spring.
Through one week, Gabe VanSickle seems to be getting the primary look to be Ohio State’s new beginning proper guard after Tegra Tshabola’s switch to Kentucky. Joshua Padilla can also be a candidate for that spot, however Day stated Padilla – who’s additionally cross-training at heart – is “probably going to be limited for a decent amount of the spring,” giving VanSickle an early likelihood to tug forward in that competitors.
Siereveld seems prone to stay Ohio State’s beginning left sort out, with Luke Montgomery and Carson Hinzman locked in at left guard and heart. Daniels stays the Buckeyes’ prime proper sort out for now, though that may stay a place to watch if Moore could make a surge this spring after Daniels struggled down the stretch of final season.
Ryan Day stated it is “worth a discussion for sure” whether or not Phillip Daniels can play guard, however he is nonetheless solely practising at sort out for now.
Day particularly named Carter Lowe as a younger man the Buckeyes are desirous to get extra reps this spring, so he is one other sort out to observe, not less than in phrases of competing for a spot on the two-deep. True freshman Sam Greer may issue into that competitors, as he is already listed at 6-foot-7 and 335 kilos and appears the half of somebody who will earn early taking part in time as a Buckeye.
Jake Cook and Deontae Armstrong – the opposite returning offensive linemen from final season – are main candidates to spherical out the two-deep on the inside offensive line. Armstrong, a reserve sort out for his first two years as a Buckeye, was seen taking reps at guard throughout the first week of observe and has a likelier path to taking part in time inside than he would have outdoors.
While there’s work to be finished for Ohio State to determine its greatest 5 up entrance because it seems to be to bounce again from a tough finish to final season on the offensive line, Day is worked up concerning the Buckeyes’ depth within the trenches, calling the offensive line “as deep as we’ve been, just in terms of being able to put guys on the field.”
