Buckeyes Preparing For Familiar Setting

The lack of production amongst the receiving group in 2013 was startling and something Urban Meyer would not hold back on when talking about the shortcomings of the Ohio State offense. How was it going to get better in 2014? Was there anyone to step up?

Enter “Zone 6”.

Michael Thomas emerged after a couple of years of mediocrity to become a legitimate number one receiver. Devin Smith continued to be the home run threat that would take the top off of secondaries. Jalin Marshall and Corey Smith stepped to become solid contributors as well. As a group, the Buckeye receivers took a serious preseason question and turned it into a collective weapon on offense.

The 2016 group has been absolutely gutted, and very little experience remains for Zach Smith. Corey

Smith returns for a final year, but he will be doing so while coming back from a broken leg suffered last October. Dontre Wilson is also back for one final go around, and it is past time for him to take the next step.

Curtis Samuel became a slot player last year after lining up in the backfield in his freshman year. He is more than likely going to be used all over the field this year.

Left are a bunch of names that are high on talent, but extremely low on experience.

Noah Brown was primed to be the starting receiver opposite of Michael Thomas last year. He routinely received praise through the spring and summer, and he appeared ready for a breakout. His season came to a devastating end when be suffered a broken leg in fall camp. He is back and should be ready to start come week one.

After Brown, there doesn’t appear to be any definitive answers. Many are hoping that Torrance Gibson can make finally tap into the immense talent he possesses, but that is far from a certainty.

The same could be said for true freshman Austin Mack, who became the first ever true freshman to lose their black stripe in spring practice. Mack was tabbed as a guy who could contribute immediately, and for a group that is in need of play makers, he is doing everything right to earn that shot.

Will guys step up around J.T. Barrett and give him viable weapons to distribute the ball to?

Next: Revamping the Silver Bullets