COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State opened fall camp on Thursday morning with the first of its preseason practices at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Media members and fans who purchased tickets were able to watch the Buckeyes’ entire practice, which featured 14 periods of stretching, individual drills, 7-on-7 work, formations, and team periods.
Head coach Ryan Day met with reporters following practice. While it was only the first day of camp, Day touched on several key position battles, standout performers, and areas of emphasis entering the preseason.
Ryan Day
+ Legend Bey will miss the first few days of camp after violating team rules. Day said Bey is learning from the situation and is expected to return to practice soon.
+ Freshmen Brock Boyd and Chris Henry Jr. have already shown they are capable of contributing. Day said everyone in the program should approach camp as a competition for playing time, and the biggest question with those two receivers is not if they can help, but how soon.
+ Austin Siereveld will continue working at both guard and tackle as Ohio State searches for its best five offensive linemen. Along with Phillip Daniels, Ian Moore, and Josh Padilla, Day said there will be significant competition across the offensive line throughout camp.
+ Creating more yards after the catch remains a major point of emphasis. Day acknowledged it is difficult to fully evaluate without tackling, but said the Buckeyes have devoted considerable time to drills designed to improve in that area. He expects a clearer picture once the pads come on.
+ Day called Isaiah West one of the program’s biggest offseason success stories, saying the running back is in the best physical condition he has been since arriving at Ohio State.
+ Devin McCuin has adapted well since joining the program and has built credibility by embracing the weight room. Day said the next step is earning the No. 2 receiver role opposite Jeremiah Smith, a position that becomes even more important because of the attention Smith commands from opposing defenses.
+ Special teams remains a daily emphasis. Day said transfer long snapper Dalton Riggs is continuing to build chemistry with Joe McGuire, while the Buckeyes are also looking to develop depth at punter. Rather than simply kicking repeatedly in practice, Ohio State creates game-like situations, putting time on the clock and asking the kicker to make pressure field goals, to better simulate Saturdays.
+ Day identified several position battles he will be watching throughout camp, including the offensive line, tight end, the No. 5 and No. 6 wide receiver spots, running back, backup quarterback, and the secondary as Ohio State continues to sort out its depth.
+ On the feel of the first day of camp, Day said preseason practice is different than spring and summer workouts because the players are finally competing against one another with helmets on. He added that the team met Wednesday to discuss its identity and establish where it wants to go this season.
Photo via Ohio State Dept. of Athletics.
