Ohio State football: Players to keep an eye on during the spring game
By Ryan Rosko
Another Ohio State football season is upon us. With every new year however, there are questions that need to be answered.
Given that college football games don’t get played for four more months and for the Ohio State football team five months, at least there is the spring game to help fans wait.
The annual spring game is the exciting preview fans look forward to yearly.
The yearly exhibition will be on Saturday. Cleveland.com’s Bill Landis provided the television information for those who prefer that route.
"If you don’t want to brave the weather, the game will be televised on Big Ten Network and streamed on BTN2Go with Kevin Kugler, James Laurinaitis and Bobby Carpenter on the call."
Whether fans are in-person watching the game or watching it elsewhere, there are a number of players worth keeping an eye on. Whether it is due to a need for a replacement at a position or to see how if at all certain players are developing and progressing, there is going to be plenty to watch.
On offense, quarterback, left tackle, and center are the positions. Meanwhile, on defense, cornerback and defensive end are the priorities.
Who will step up at quarterback? They need one, so is there going to be a signal-caller that separates from the rest? Joe Burrow, Dwayne Haskins, and Tate Martell are all vying for the job. Could two QBs co-start, yes, but it is too early to really consider that plus it is not ideal.
Burrow threw for just 61 yards and with Haskins showing plenty of promise last season when given the chance, Burrow shouldn’t be the favorite. Haskins threw for 565 yards in eight games in 2017. Martell did not appear in a game in 2017.
At left tackle and center, can Joshua Alabi and Brady Taylor step right into the lineup without missing a beat? Both players could and really should be the replacements to players that will be no later than day two picks. Alabi will get his shot to replace Jamarco Jones while Taylor looks to claim the starting gig following Billy Price‘s departure.
With the departure of Denzel Ward at cornerback, it is Jeffrey Okudah‘s time. The promising sophomore showed how talented he was last season and what is to come in the future.
Opposite him are Damon Arnette and Kendall Sheffield. Both will start but which one will join Okudah in claiming a top two cornerback role?
Tracy Sprinkles, Sam Hubbard, and Jalyn Holmes have all left. Nick Bosa is a star on the other side of the defensive line but there is a hole that needs to be filled. Is Chase Young going to fill it or will Ohio State have to go with someone else such as Jonathon Cooper?
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There are plenty of options and quite a few questions that needs answered. That’s okay though as there is plenty of time before Ohio State has to make some decisions.