2016 Ohio State Spring Football Preview: Youth Will Be Served, Early And Often – QB Preview

“Almost everything that is great has been done by youth…” ~ Benjamin Disraeli
 
Ohio State began spring football practice on March 8th. Heading into the 2016 college football season, Ohio State will have 44 players on its roster designated as either a redshirt freshman (21 of the 25 players signed in February 2015), or a true freshman. For a roster that can have only 85 scholarship players, Ohio State will have around 52% of its roster with no playing time experience. As former Ohio State Head Coach John Cooper used to say, “If a dog is going to bite you, it will bite you as a pup.”.

For the next several weeks, I will be writing position group previews, leading up to the Ohio State Spring Football Game in Ohio Stadium on April 16th, 2016. These position groups will be ranked, from least to most concern, as I perceive them. It is entirely possible that my concerns, as well as the coaching staff’s concerns, will be reevaluated after the spring game.

4th – Quarterback

Players Lost – Cardale Jones. Yes, I know that Braxton Miller made far more plays at the quarterback position in his career at Ohio State than at wide receiver, but I listed Braxton Miller’s loss on the squad as a wide receiver in a previous post. Besides, Miller did play at wide receiver in 2015 for the Buckeyes, not at quarterback.

As for Cardale Jones, the hero of the 2014 run to the national championship gave up his final year of eligibility to enter the 2016 NFL Draft. While Jones struggled at times for Ohio State in 2015, it was reassuring to know that there was a quarterback on the roster who could fill in, with experience, if needed.

Returning Players/Incoming Players – J.T. Barrett (Redshirt Junior), Stephen Collier (Redshirt Sophomore), Joe Burrow (Redshirt Freshman).

A few things to keep in mind as it relates to this position group…

· It was not an oversight that led me to not list Torrance Gibson as a quarterback. While I am speculating that Gibson may get some opportunities in 2016 to play some quarterback in wildcat formations, or in the red zone, Gibson has been listed on the spring football preview as a wide receiver.

· For the first time in his career, J.T. Barrett enters the spring football season as the unquestioned starter at quarterback. Barrett has also already been named a team captain by Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer. No more worries about if the offense will allow Cardale Jones or Braxton Miller to be involved as the quarterback – this is J.T. Barrett’s team, as 2016 commences.

· Joe Burrow is the leading favorite to be the backup quarterback. While Burrow was overshadowed by Gibson in the recruiting hoopla of last year, Burrow impressed the coaching staff throughout 2015. While Barrett is the leader of the offense, it is going to be imperative for Ohio State’s success on the field for Burrow to continue to grow as a possible quarterback.

· Stephen Collier may be in a now or never type mode as it relates to his Ohio State career. While Burrow may have the inside track to be the top backup quarterback, Collier needs to do whatever possible to impress the coaching staff. Highly-touted freshman quarterback Dwayne Haskins will arrive this summer, and could leapfrog Burrow to become the third-string quarterback.

· My rationale for listing quarterback fourth on the list of concerns? Quite simply, it was only two short years ago that Ohio State’s improbable run to the national championship involved going down to the third-string quarterback that season. J.T. Barrett did have a suspension last season, and Cardale Jones was able to play during Barrett’s suspension – unlike last season, there are no backup quarterbacks with any appreciable game experience. Look for Burrow, and possibly Collier, to get playing time this season, early and often, in the event something happens to Barrett.

These questions, among others, have been on my mind, as Ohio State resumed spring practice on March 22nd.

2016 Ohio State Spring Football Preview: Youth Will Be Served, Early And Often – WR Preview

“Almost everything that is great has been done by youth…” ~ Benjamin Disraeli
 
Ohio State began spring football practice on March 8th. Heading into the 2016 college football season, Ohio State will have 44 players on its roster designated as either a redshirt freshman (21 of the 25 players signed in February 2015), or a true freshman. For a roster that can have only 85 scholarship players, Ohio State will have around 52% of its roster with no playing time experience. As former Ohio State Head Coach John Cooper used to say, “If a dog is going to bite you, it will bite you as a pup.”.

For the next several weeks, I will be writing position group previews, leading up to the Ohio State Spring Football Game in Ohio Stadium on April 16th, 2016. These position groups will be ranked, from least to most concern, as I perceive them. It is entirely possible that my concerns, as well as the coaching staff’s concerns, will be reevaluated after the spring game.

5th – Wide Receiver
Players Lost – Braxton Miller, Michael Thomas, and Jalin Marshall. Braxton Miller exhausted his eligibility in 2015, and showed glimpses of brilliance along the way as he transitioned from quarterback to wide receiver. Somehow, this move will remain etched in my memory for years to come…



Michael Thomas had a year of eligibility, but gave it up to enter the 2016 NFL Draft. Thomas displayed reliable hands and a physical style to the position that will be missed.

Jalin Marshall actually gave up two years of eligibility to enter the 2016 NFL Draft. Of all the Buckeyes who entered the NFL Draft, Marshall seemed to be the player who could have benefited from another year in Columbus. Oh well – best of luck to Marshall as he prepares for the 2016 NFL Draft.

Returning Players/Incoming Players – Corey Smith (Redshirt Senior), Noah Brown (Redshirt Sophomore), Parris Campbell (Redshirt Sophomore), Johnnie Dixon (Redshirt Sophomore), Terry McLaurin (Redshirt Sophomore), James Clark (Redshirt Junior), Alex Stump (Redshirt Freshman), K.J. Hill (Redshirt Freshman), Austin Mack (Freshman).

A few things to keep in mind as it relates to this position group…

· Corey Smith and Noah Brown are penciled in as starters at the wide receiver spots. Neither are expected to play much this spring, as both players are coming off injuries that ended both players’ 2015 seasons. Smith enters the 2016 college football season as the leading returning wide receiver, with 5 receptions. No, that is not a misprint. 5 receptions. Curtis Samuel had 22 receptions in 2015, and is listed as an H-Back on the roster. More importantly, Samuel is going to miss portions of spring practice, due to an offseason surgery.

· Johnnie Dixon has battled nagging injuries throughout his Ohio State career. With so many players hungry for playing time, this spring may be a now or never type of moment for Dixon to emerge.

· Parris Campbell has also been mentioned prominently by Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer. Campbell may be able to make a move with the depth chart, with Smith and Brown sitting out throughout the spring practices.

· True freshman Austin Mack has been singled out by Coach Meyer after the first two practices. Mack will be a player to keep an eye out for during the upcoming spring game on April 16th.

· Other players who may be in the mix are Terry McLaurin, James Clark, Alex Stump, and K.J. Hill. Clark has played sparingly ever since his injury that took place in 2013. McLaurin played sparingly in 2015. Both Stump and Hill redshirted in 2015.

· The biggest wild card of the position group is Torrance Gibson. Gibson was one of the crown jewels of the 2015 recruiting class…at quarterback. Gibson redshirted last season, and is listed in the official program spring football guide as a wide receiver.

· Binjimen Victor is another highly-touted freshman, but will not be on campus until the summer. All of the players listed above will want to take advantage of the spring, as it seems that Mack will be in the mix for playing time in 2016.  Victor could get a look this summer if the players do not take advantage of the spring practices.

These questions, among others, have been on my mind, as Ohio State will resume spring practice on March 22nd.

2016 Ohio State Spring Football Preview: Youth Will Be Served, Early And Often – CB Preview

“Almost everything that is great has been done by youth…” ~ Benjamin Disraeli
 
Ohio State began spring football practice on March 8th. Heading into the 2016 college football season, Ohio State will have 44 players on its roster designated as either a redshirt freshman (21 of the 25 players signed in February 2015), or a true freshman. For a roster that can have only 85 scholarship players, Ohio State will have around 52% of its roster with no playing time experience. As former Ohio State Head Coach John Cooper used to say, “If a dog is going to bite you, it will bite you as a pup.”.

For the next several weeks, I will be writing position group previews, leading up to the Ohio State Spring Football Game in Ohio Stadium on April 16th, 2016. These position groups will be ranked, from least to most concern, as I perceive them. It is entirely possible that my concerns, as well as the coaching staff’s concerns, will be reevaluated after the spring game.

6th – Cornerback

Player Lost – Eli Apple. Apple declared for the 2016 NFL Draft, giving up two years of eligibility. While Apple did not have as strong a season in 2015 as he did in 2014, Apple was well-regarded by the Ohio State coaching staff.

Returning Players/Incoming Players – Gareon Conley (Redshirt Junior), Damon Webb (Junior), Marshon Lattimore (Redshirt Sophomore), Denzel Ward (Sophomore), Eric Glover-Williams (Sophomore), Damon Arnette (Redshirt Freshman), Joshua Norwood (Redshirt Freshman).

A few things to keep in mind as it relates to this position group…

· Gareon Conley is a returning starter at one cornerback. Conley demonstrated throughout the course of the 2015 season that he was quite capable at handling the position – in 2014, at Michigan State, Conley struggled, requiring Apple to come off the bench and play, despite Apple battling an injury at the time. In many respects, Conley had a better 2015 season than Apple.

· The other cornerback position seems to be suiting up to be a battle between Damon Webb, Marshon Lattimore, Denzel Ward, and Eric Glover-Williams. Webb was suspended for part of 2015, but played in nickel coverage when the suspension was lifted. It is possible Webb could also get a look at one of the vacant safety spots. Lattimore has battled injuries in both 2014 and 2015 – will Lattimore’s hamstring injuries allow him to remain in the mix as a possible starter? Denzel Ward and Eric Glover-Williams both played as true freshmen in 2015, primarily on special teams. Ward has been mentioned by Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer as a possible starter at the vacant cornerback spot.

· Neither Damon Arnette nor Joshua Norwood have played so far as Buckeyes. Both players redshirted in 2015. Both Arnette and Norwood will want to use the spring practices to their advantage, as…

· Reinforcements are on the way, but will not arrive until the summer. Ohio State signed five defensive backs in the 2016 recruiting class (Rodjay Burns, Wayne Davis, Kareem Felder, Jordan Fuller, Jahsen Wint). Of these five, only Wint has been listed as a safety. It is entirely possible one of these players could get a look at the cornerback position, depending upon how the spring practices shake out.

These questions, among others, have been on my mind, as Ohio State spring practice began on March 8th.

2016 Ohio State Spring Football Preview: Youth Will Be Served, Early And Often – TE Preview

“Almost everything that is great has been done by youth…” ~ Benjamin Disraeli

Ohio State will begin spring football practice on March 8th. Heading into the 2016 college football season, Ohio State will have 44 players on its roster designated as either a redshirt freshman (21 of the 25 players signed in February 2015), or a true freshman. For a roster that can have only 85 scholarship players, Ohio State will have around 52% of its roster with no playing time experience. As former Ohio State Head Coach John Cooper used to say, “If a dog is going to bite you, it will bite you as a pup.”.

For the next several weeks, I will be writing position group previews, leading up to the Ohio State Spring Football Game in Ohio Stadium on April 16th, 2016. These position groups will be ranked, from least to most concern, as I perceive them. It is entirely possible that my concerns, as well as the coaching staff’s concerns, will be reevaluated after the spring game.

7th – Tight End

Player Lost – Nick Vannett. Vannett exhausted his eligibility, and is preparing for the 2016 NFL Draft. Even though Vannett did not have as strong a senior season as he would have liked, Vannett had 19 receptions for 162 yards. Compare and contrast that to Marcus Baugh, who had 2 receptions for 32 yards, with the longest reception (27 yards) coming in The 2016 Battlefrog Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame.

Returning Players/Incoming Players – Marcus Baugh (Redshirt Senior), A.J. Alexander (Redshirt Freshman), Rashod Berry (Redshirt Freshman).

A few things to keep in mind as it relates to this position group…

· Marcus Baugh is the starter, almost by default. Baugh enters the 2016 season with a career total of 3 receptions for 34 yards, and one touchdown. That is three more receptions and one more touchdown than any other scholarship tight end on the Ohio State roster. Baugh has had numerous off the field issues in the past. The coaching staff has maintained their patience with Baugh, and Baugh seems poised to conclude his Ohio State career as a starter in 2016.

· Neither A.J. Alexander or Rashod Berry played in 2015. Considering Alexander was coming off an injury sustained during his senior year of high school, and how Berry split time at multiple positions in high school, it is no surprise why Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer was reluctant to play either player in 2015.

· Reinforcements are on the way, but will not arrive until the summer. Ohio State signed three tight ends in Luke Farrell, Jake Hausmann, and Kierre Hawkins, but none of these players will be in the mix during spring practice. For both Alexander and Berry, the spring practices will be essential. Alexander and Berry will want to secure their positions on the depth chart, before any of the freshmen tight ends arrive on campus.

These questions, among others, will be on my mind once Ohio State spring practice begins March 8th.