Ohio State head coach Ryan Day spoke with reporters on Monday to provide some updates on how the first week of spring practice went for the Buckeyes. He covered a number of topics during his session, all of which are covered in the highlights below.
— It’s early but it’s good to see guys moving around. First padded practice is Wednesday.
— Work ethic is there for Jack Sawyer. He’s doing well so far.
— The first couple of practices, you’re watching effort and then how well are the corrections being applied. If you’re making the same mistake twice, that becomes an issue. During camp you have to take care of yourself and your body. You have to rest. Organize your academics. As practices get stacked, there is more film and you need to continue the improvement and fixing issues and eliminating the same mistakes.
— The quarterbacks will not be made live this spring, though there are temptations after they make a bad read. (Joking.)
— The corners need to get more proficient in man coverage than they were last year. He’s excited about the staff and what he’s seen. Sevyn Banks and Cam Brown are the vets, but it’s a big spring for Lejond Cavazos and Ryan Watts. They have to step up and they’re going to have a great opportunity to compete. Denzel Burke is coming off of a shoulder injury but he made a play early in practice. They are moving Cam Martinez around and he has flexibility. The depth will be built up as they head towards the season. But they will be young.
— They practiced outside today which was nice. “It feels like things are getting somewhat back to normal.” They are now getting into the meat of spring practice and it’s very important. It set them back last year and they desperately need these practices and the meetings.
— The Bullet is still a thing, it was just hard to take those linebackers off the field last year. As they head into the offseason, looking at who they’re playing this year, the hybrid role is still important and they’ll look at guys who can handle that spot.
— Ask who is rolling in with the first team, he said they’re rolling the top two teams and they mix in threes in as well. It isn’t so much about the depth chart right now it’s about reps. Right now it’s about individuals getting better.
— Asked if they pay attention to other schools’ recruiting class, Day said yes, but it’s still always about the culture fit. It’s about telling the recruits why Ohio State is right for them and having them choose Ohio State.
— Thayer Munford is a mature young man and understands the value of this education. He is going to have a lot of options and opportunities after football. He can do a lot of different things. His leadership has really stepped up the last few months. He understands what the brotherhood is about and what this program means to the people in Ohio. He appreciates his role and wants to uphold the standard.
— Demario McCall’s attitude and work ethic has been off the charts this offseason. It hasn’t always gone the way Demario has wanted it to go. They are trying to find a role for him. If he continues to work like he is, they’ll find something for him.
— Quarterback is such a developmental position. They all have adversity and it’s about who can handle the adversity and get better through it. The more you’re around guys, it’s the guys who want it bad enough and care more about it who then put their talents to the best use.
— At linebacker, it’s the guys who played last year. Day then mentioned all of the linebackers. “Craig Young is in the mix.” Young has also done some things outside. Lathan Ransom has done some things in nickel. Then it’s finding a mix of nickel and strong safety and nickel and free safety. They don’t have those answers yet along with the linebackers. It’s still four DL and 2-3 LBs in the game.
— Craig Young has worked some at safety and linebacker, i.e. Bullet.
— “Right now Steele is playing running back and Master is the incumbent.” The other guys are hungry and want to get reps. Marcus Crowley looks to be ready to go and is healthy. The two freshmen have made a good impression early on.
— The offensive line is flexible. Matt Jones can play center or guard like Harry Miller. The idea is to find the best five and that’s it. How does that fit in terms of position specificity, that will work itself out. Harry Miller is in non-contact right now and probably will be throughout spring.
— There was a 7-on-7 play where Denzel Burke picked off a pass that was exciting to see.
— The fastest way to find the bench at RB is to turn the ball over. “We have to take care of the football.”
— Nothing early on the quarterbacks. “We’ve been rolling them so that the reps have been split up pretty evenly.” “I’ve certainly not been disappointed by any stretch of the imagination.”
— No updates on Marcus Hooker.
