COLUMBUS, Ohio — Three practices into Ohio State’s preseason camp, there are still far more questions than answers. That is to be expected.
The Buckeyes have only recently put the pads on, and the coaching staff is still moving players around to figure out what its best combinations look like. Saturday’s practice provided the first real dose of physicality, with the defense generally having the better of team drills and the defensive line creating problems, particularly against the second- and third-team offensive lines. But the first three days have also provided some early indications of where certain position battles may be headed.
The Ozone was in attendance for all three practices, and here are some observations from the opening stretch of Ohio State’s preseason camp.
Isaiah West Primarily Takes First-Team Running Back Reps
Through the first three practices, Isaiah West has consistently been one of the running backs working with Julian Sayin and the first-team offense. West has primarily taken the first-team reps at running back, including alongside the first-team offensive line. He has shown burst, vision and decisiveness, particularly when finding small openings between the tackles.
That continued after West missed the spring following shoulder surgery. Ryan Day said following the first practice that West had one of the best offseasons on the team and that he was looking the best physically he had looked.
The early practice reps have backed that up.
Ja’Kobi Jackson has also continued to make a case for a significant role. He worked with the first team alongside West during the opening practices and showed the ability to hit longer runs while also remaining a reliable option in the passing game.
Bo Jackson, meanwhile, has worked more with the second-team offense during the opening days. That should not be interpreted as a final depth-chart decision, particularly this early in camp, but it is notable that West has consistently been given the opportunity to work with the top group.
Then there is Legend Bey, who returned to practice Saturday after missing the first two days because of a violation of team rules. Bey looked like a freshman at times during his first practice of camp. He had a fumble during a play involving Tavien St. Clair and was required to take a lap afterward. Bey walked much of the lap rather than running it.
St. Clair also had to take two laps during Saturday’s practice, including one following a bad snap and another after the fumble involving Bey.
There is plenty of talent in the running back room, but there is also plenty left to sort out. If the first three practices are any indication, West has put himself in position to receive a significant workload.
Transfer Wide Receiver Devin McCuin Has Been a Noticeable Playmaker
If there has been one receiver, or player generally, who has consistently stood out through the first few practices, it has been Devin McCuin. The UTSA transfer had already put together a strong spring, and that momentum carried into camp.
McCuin consistently made plays down the field and after the catch, showing the type of explosiveness Ohio State is looking for from its receivers this season.
He worked extensively with the first-team offense alongside Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss during the first couple of practices.
Chris Henry Jr. has also continued to make his case. Henry made a contested touchdown catch during the first practice and has shown why there is so much excitement surrounding him heading into his freshman season. Brock Boyd has also flashed during the opening days of camp.
There is still plenty to sort out at receiver and depth is being built, but McCuin has made himself difficult to overlook and has made it clear that fans should buy stock in McCuin now.
Offensive Line Shuffling and Finding Best Five
The offensive line has been one of the clearest examples of Ohio State using camp to experiment. Day said after the first practice that the Buckeyes would try different combinations before determining their best five. That process is already underway.
On the first day, Ian Moore was at left tackle while Austin Siereveld was at right guard. Luke Montgomery remained at left guard, Carson Hinzman at center and Phillip Daniels at right tackle.
The following day, Siereveld moved back to left tackle, Joshua Padilla worked at right guard and Moore moved to right tackle, where he split time with Daniels.
The competition appears to involve Moore, Siereveld, Padilla and Daniels for the tackle and right guard spots, with Montgomery and Hinzman remaining at their respective positions.
The second-team offensive line on Friday provided another interesting wrinkle. Carter Lowe worked at left tackle, Jake Cook at left guard, true freshman Maxwell Riley at center and Gabe VanSickle at right guard, with either Moore or Daniels working at right tackle. Padilla’s work at right guard also opened the door for Riley to get an extended look at center. Padilla figures to be the next man up at center if something happens to Hinzman, but his movement to guard gave the Buckeyes an opportunity to get another young player snaps at the position.
The First-Team Defensive Line is Starting to Come to Focus
On the defensive line, Beau Atkinson, Eddrick Houston, Will Smith Jr. and Kenyatta Jackson Jr. have been primarily working with the first-team group.
Saturday’s practice provided the first opportunity to see Ohio State in pads, and the defensive line took advantage of it. The defense won more often than not during team drills, with the defensive line particularly disruptive against the second- and third-team offensive lines.
Houston was one of the biggest standouts of the day.
Jackson Jr., entering his veteran season on the defensive line, has also taken on more of a leadership role. He said after the second practice that he is trying to lead by example, be vocal and do his job at a high level.
Jay Timmons Has the Juice at Nickel
Freshman cornerback Jay Timmons has been one of the more intriguing players to watch early in camp. Timmons has taken first-team reps at nickel and has shown the athleticism and energy to make his presence noticeable.
Safety Earl Little Jr. praised Timmons following the second practice, noting that the freshman has made plays early and has handled himself well mentally and physically.
Timmons is still a freshman, so there will naturally be plenty for him to learn. But three practices in, he has certainly looked like someone worth keeping an eye on.
Jermaine Mathews Jr. took most of the first-team reps opposite Devin Sanchez at cornerback on Saturday, while Dominick Kelly, who had worked more heavily with the starters during the first two practices, spent more time with the backups. There was also rotation at linebacker, with TJ Alford and Riley Pettijohn getting first-team work alongside Payton Pierce and Christian Alliegro.
Special Teams Still Taking Shape
Not everything has been clean. Saturday also marked the first live field-goal attempts of preseason camp, and the results were not particularly clean. Connor Hawkins, Marcello Diomede were each called upon to attempt another field goal during situational work, and both missed what appeared to be roughly 40-yard attempts.
Ohio State has also begun sorting through its punt-return options. Brandon Inniss, Brock Boyd, Phillip Bell and De’zie Jones all took reps as punt returners during the first two practices, with the same four players continuing to see work Friday. Saturday brought a larger group into the mix. Legend Bey, Jeremiah Smith, Kyle Parker, Devin McCuin and Anthony “Turbo” Rogers joined Inniss, Boyd, Bell and Jones as players fielding punts.
Excellent write up. Thanks Caroline!