Ohio State football: On quarterbacks, WR-DB competition, a local standout and more

Here are some other takeaways from the spring, starting of course with the quarterbacks.

1. I was really impressed with Joe Burrow, but I still think Dwayne Haskins will be the starter. 

Why Urban Meyer said the quarterback competition remained open all spring was not hard to see. Burrow, Haskins and redshirt freshman Tate Martell all did good things Saturday.

Haskins might have the highest ceiling, but Burrow made more plays. That is significant, but was it enough?

RELATED: No starting QB decision yet from Urban Meyer

A scheduled spring wrap-up meeting between Meyer and the media for Monday was canceled.

I have no idea if that was related to Meyer not wanting to say anymore about the quarterback derby, but it wouldn’t surprise me if it was because it’s probably still too close to call and he has already said that multiple times.

While I think being No. 2 on the depth chart at the end of last season and leading the Buckeyes’ comeback at Michigan will ultimately break a tie between Haskins and Burrow, I don’t think there was enough difference this spring for Meyer to declare a starter before training camp, either.

2. I am extremely skeptical Martell will actually have a special role in the offense this year. 

A red zone package might make sense because it makes calling plays easier when the quarterback is a talented runner, but the other two are good enough with their feet I’m not sure this is necessary.

Giving Martell touches anywhere else on the field requires taking away opportunities from players such as J.K. Dobbins, Mike Weber, Demario McCall and Parris Campbell, so that doesn’t make much sense, either.

Martell is dangerous in the open field, but less so than all of them, and the older quarterbacks are enough of a run threat to keep the defense honest, which is really all that is necessary for the offense to function.

3. I want to see the receivers and defensive backs against someone else. 

Ohio State threw the ball all over the yard Saturday, which meant many chances to watch the young receivers and defensive backs battle each other.

Both sides had their moments, so it will be interesting to see what that translates to on each side of the ball this fall.

RELATED: Who are the top 10 Ohio State quarterbacks of all time?

More than a couple of offensive chances were converted against tight coverage where the throw and catch were just too good to stop, so that should be a good sign.

Sevyn Banks, a true freshman, got a trial by fire and gave up some plays, but he kept fighting until the end. Sophomores Amir Riep and Marcus Williamson also flashed at times.

4. Believe the hype on Demario McCall. 

Sometimes guys who become media and/or fan favorites early in their careers don’t pan out. I am betting McCall will.

He looked like much more than a running back trying to play receiver Saturday, showing the ability to get open from more than one area, tracking the ball well and finishing plays.

The only question with McCall is whether or not he can get enough touches considering the top six receivers are back and Campbell is also a running and recovering threat at the H position.

5. Josh Myers looked fine in the middle. 

The five-star prospect from Miamisburg started at center for the Scarlet team and looked solid in pass protection and the running game.

Brady Taylor is likely to be the starting center this fall, but it sounds like Myers will be part of a second unit that Meyer said he likes better than any he has had since he got to Columbus.