COLUMBUS — Urban Meyer spoke with reporters Monday after Ohio State football practice. This was the sixth practice of the spring for the Buckeyes. Meyer provided updates on his team, including injuries, personnel, position battles, and much more. Check out the highlights from Meyer below.
+ Tuf Borland has an achilles injury. He’s going to miss some time. He’ll be out for a while, but he won’t be out that long. His season is not in jeopardy.
+ They are still looking for a safety alongside Jordan Fuller. Josh Proctor will compete when he arrives, Marcus Hooker too.
+ Freshman linebacker Dallas Gant will probably play this year. He is very mature right now. He is a very smart player.
+ Justin Hilliard is one of the best special teamers. Meyer is a huge Justin Hilliard fan.
+ Parris Campbell probably didn’t get enough carries in the past, but they’d like to get the H-backs more carries this year. Demario McCall is having a good spring too.
+ Meyer thinks they did alright with the way they handled the 2015 quarterback battle. They don’t have time to look back at that stuff. They won every game but one. There is nothing to gain from looking back at that competition.
+ Tom Herman did a great job in the quarterback room keeping the players close. “It’s not normally like that.” Barrett and Jones remained best friends. “That’s really uncommon.”
+ Today wasn’t a great day for the offensive line, but he sees a lot of guys who are good enough to play this year.
+ The center competition, Brady Taylor is playing very well. The other guys need to get better.
+ Today wasn’t a great day in any phase. “I’ve got to figure out why.” There are a bunch of guys standing on the sideline because they are vets, so it gets sloppier with young guys in there.
+ Justin Hilliard and Baron Browning are in the middle. There is no spot set yet at any of the linebacker spots. “I kind of like that position right now.”
+ There isn’t a lot of quarterback depth in the 2019 class right now, so they are taking things a little bit slower, but not necessarily by choice. Arm strength is not one of their top five characteristics that they look for at quarterback.
+ Meyer has seen “a light come on” for Justin Hilliard. He has had two tough injuries, but Meyer can’t ask for anything more from him. He has made some mistakes, but he’s full speed.
+ Baron Browning is as talented a linebacker as has “ever walked through these doors.” “He’s got it all now.”
+ Ryan Day is an excellent coach and one of the better ones Meyer has had. They don’t want to get into a rotating door with their coaches. “I expect him to stay because that’s what he told me he’d do.” Bouncing around is not good for your career or your family.” Meyer pushed for a three-year deal for Day.
+ Just when you think a quarterback has stepped forward, another guy catches him or passes him. Is Meyer happy with them? “Not necessarily. I thought we’d be further ahead than we are now.”
+ Kevin Wilson has the same role he did last year. They are still working on the game day mechanisms, but nothing has changed with Ryan Day’s title change. Wilson still does what he always did before.
+ Meyer isn’t concerned at all about the linebacker position. Tuf Borland was locked in as a starter before his injury.
Good news that Borland’s injury does not threaten his season. This will just give some of the young kids more snaps. Pretty high praise for Baron Browning.
It is now clear that Day’s title change was all about keeping him . . .whatever it takes! Coming up for Spring game . . .can’t wait. Hope for good weather.Go Bucks!
MIKE isn’t the real issue at linebacker. Tuf Borland is a baller and so are Baron and Justin. Had he not battled injuries I believe that Justin Hilliard would be playing in the NFL this season. He’s a heat seeking missile when he healthy.
It’s the weak and strongside backers who are the question marks. But really, how much of the letdown last year was losing Luke Fickell? Probably a big part of it. Now that Greg Schiano has dropped down to help Davis, maybe they can get that weak showing from 2017 behind them, and back to playing Buckeye football.