Ohio State Buckeyes: 5 positions to watch this preseason

Here is a look at five important areas of the depth chart:

1. Offensive line

Coach Ryan Day conceded he is optimistic the Buckeyes will again have one of the best offensive lines in the county despite losing two starters. Not only do stalwarts Thayer Munford, Josh Myers and Wyatt Davis return, the candidates to replace the two starters who graduated are almost all highly rated recruits.

Harry Miller is the favorite to move into the guard spot opposite Davis while Nicholas Petit-Frere, Dawand Jones and Paris Johnson Jr. should battle for the right tackle spot.

“Nick had a tremendous offseason,” Day said. “His bodyweight is as strong as it’s ever been. I think he’s had a great offseason. He’s strong, really looks like a different person. Then I’ve been very impressed with Paris’ attention to detail in the short time he’s been here.

Credit: Contributed

Credit: Contributed

2. Running back

After Master Teague III was injured on the first day of spring practice, Ohio State appeared to have a major depth problem at the position.

With Teague recovering and the addition of Oklahoma transfer Trey Sermon, the Buckeyes could have multiple options to replace 2,000-yard back J.K. Dobbins.

“Both are very, very talented,” Day said. “I will say that Master has done an unbelievable job of rehabbing. He has been focused on it. He’s been disciplined. He amazes me every day with what he’s done to get to where he’s at right now, and I’m very very impressed with what he’s done.

“Trey’s been a great addition so far. He’s got a great way about him. He’s got great work ethic, and our guys have kind of embraced him.”

They will be in the mix with Marcus Crowley, who is also returning from an injury suffered late last season, Steele Chambers and true freshman Miyan Williams

“Steele chambers had an unbelievable offseason,”Day said. “I think you’re gonna see great things out of him. Marcus Crowley is coming off of his injury. He’s done a good job, and then Miyan Williams has stepped in and in a short time showed that he can learn quickly.”

3. Receiver

For the second year in a row, Ohio State lost three productive senior receivers.

A large, highly regarded group of freshmen were expected to take up at least some of the slack, but Julian Fleming, Mookie Cooper, Jaxon Smith-Nijigba and Gee Scott Jr. lost valuable developmental time in the offseason.

“There’s a lot of reps under under their belts that they did not get, so the good news is they are very talented, but they just don’t have the experience and didn’t get it in the spring,” Day said. “So that’s where you know the next few weeks are critical to get those guys up to speed.”

Of course, the cupboard isn’t bare thanks to the return of experienced, productive returnees Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson.

Credit: Contributed

Credit: Contributed

4. The secondary

Shaun Wade is the only returning starter here, and he is likely to be in a new position, moving outside to cornerback after playing in the slot most of the time last season.

“We have we have some young guys back there, but I would say in addition to Shaun I would say that Sevyn Banks and Marcus Williamson both have shown leadership. They’ve set an example, and they’re holding guys to a certain level.”

Banks, Williamson and Josh Proctor are among veteran candidates to move into the starting lineup, but a big group of freshmen are also hoping to earn playing time.

They are also under new leadership with Kerry Coombs having replaced Jeff Hafley as the lead coach in the secondary, but Coombs is familiar with many of the players after having recruited them before leaving to coach in the NFL for two seasons.

“I think you know Kerry’s done a great job with that group,” Day said. “As you guys know, he’s got a lot of energy out there. He’s pushing those guys really hard, but he’s building that accountability within the unit, and those guys have stepped up and once we get the pads on and get going hopefully some more will.”

5. Backup quarterback

Though Justin Fields should be one of the best signal-callers in the country, the competition to back him up and get a leg up toward being the starter when he leaves is wide open.

Freshmen Jack Miller III and C.J. Stroud enrolled in January with hopes of getting valuable experience, but that did not materialize.

They are joined by senior Gunnar Hoak, who transferred from Kentucky last year, and walk-ons Danny Vanatsky, J.P. Andrade and Jagger LaRoe.

“It’s been hard because it’s been so many meetings,” Day said. ‘You think about all the meetings leading up to spring practice and then we only had three practices. And then it was just months upon months of meeting and meeting and meeting and watching film, so there’s nothing you can do to replace experience of seven-on-seven and then of practice reps and certainly game reps.”