Ohio State head coach Ryan Day has outlined several areas of concern following the Buckeyes' first preseason practice, as the team gears up for its eighth consecutive season with high expectations.
Day, entering his eighth year at the helm, is aiming for the team's eighth consecutive top 10 finish. Last season, the Buckeyes finished at No. 5 and fell short of defending their national championship.
Primary concerns for Day include the offensive line, where four starters return but the starting lineup may see changes. Position battles are expected at left tackle and right guard, with Austin Siereveld shifting to right guard and Ian Moore potentially taking over at left tackle. Other players like Carson Hinzman, Luke Montgomery, and Phillip Daniels are also in contention for starting roles, with Joshua Padilla expected to compete at guard.
The tight end room presents another area of focus, with the departure of Will Kacmarek and Max Klare to the NFL. However, returning players Bennett Christian and Nate Roberts, along with transfers Mason Williams from Ohio University and Hunter Welcing from Northwestern, provide depth.
Concerns also extend to backup quarterback and specific receiver spots (three, four, five, and six on the depth chart). Despite the return of All-American Jeremiah Smith and senior leader Brandon Inniss, the Buckeyes are looking to fill out the receiving corps with freshmen like Chris Henry Jr. and transfers Devin McCuin (Texas-San Antonio) and Kyle Parker (LSU).
At the running back position, 1,000-yard rusher Bo Jackson is back. However, classmate Isaiah West has had a strong offseason in the weight room and is pushing for reps, even working with the first-team offense during practice. "He had a tremendous offseason, one of the best in the whole building," Day said of West. "When he was in there last year, he showed some real good things, so we want him to take the next step, just as we do Bo."
Freshman running back Legend Bey was absent from practice due to a violation of team rules, though Day indicated he would return soon.
The Buckeyes are scheduled to open their season at home against Ball State on September 5, followed by a potential top 10 matchup at Texas the subsequent week.