Five offensive players to watch for Saturday’s Ohio State football spring game

Ohio State’s offense averaged only 30 points per game last year, considerably below the standard set in the Urban Meyer/Ryan Day era.

Optimism is high that a new quarterback, a more experienced offensive line and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly the Buckeyes will allow the Buckeyes to return to their prolific ways this season.

The focus this spring has been largely on the quarterbacks, and that position is certainly the most compelling one about Saturday’s spring game with a graduate transfer, a returning junior and a promising freshman all looking to make their mark.

Mar 20, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Will Howard makes a throw beside quarterback Devin Brown during Pro Day at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

None of the five offensive players spotlighted here as players to watch Saturday have started a game in the Horseshoe. The spring will likely be an indicator of whether they will this fall.

Expectations are high for the Kansas State grad transfer to play at an elite level. Howard has the natural leadership skills and the mature demeanor needed to handle the pressure that accompanies being the Ohio State quarterback.

But he has to produce on the field, and as to be expected, there has been an adjustment period for Howard. He has been here three months compared to three years for Devin Brown.

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Day said halfway through the spring that he wanted Howard to make a jump in the final two weeks. Day said coaches have purposely put Howard in difficult down-and-distance situations to see how he’ll react and that he has responded well.

“He’s working really hard,” Day said. “He’s in the building early. He’s in the building late. He’s put in a lot of work, and I think the guys see…

Source link : https://sports.yahoo.com/five-offensive-players-watch-saturdays-214925825.html

Author : The Columbus Dispatch

Publish date : 2024-04-10 21:49:25

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