Spring is always an important time for quarterbacks and receivers to get on the same page but especially so for the Ohio State football team this year.
Head coach Ryan Day will have his work cut out for them for the Ohio State passing attack to be nearly as strong as last year’s. With young quarterbacks, receivers and a new coach it will take time for everyone to get on the same page.
That process will begin soon during spring practices.
There is no doubt coach Mike Yurcich has two excellent quarterbacks to work with and Brian Hartline has a talented receiving corps. It’s just a matter of the two units getting in sync as every receiver runs a slightly different route, and the ball comes out of each quarterback’s hand differently.
Matthew Baldwin is obviously more familiar with the receivers but certainly could use the reps. Even though he enrolled early last year he missed spring ball due to an injury and of course was behind Dwayne Haskins and Tate Martell on the depth chart.
Of course Justin Fields is the odds-on favorite to win the starting job and it will be extremely important for him and the receivers to become familiar with each other.
Even though the quarterbacks are inexperienced and some of the receivers vying for open spots are as well, there are reasons to think the passing attack can progress quickly. First you have to look at the coaches involved who will try to make that happen.
Coaches Day and Yurcich have proven to be two of the best in the country at developing quarterbacks. And in just one season coach Hartline developed one of the best receiving corps in college football.
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Also, even though the Buckeyes lost three top receivers to graduation there are experienced players coming back. And three of them are seniors, H-backs K.J. Hill and C.J Saunders and wide receiver Binjimen Victor.
Freshman Chris Olave came on strong late last season as well. I have yet to hear how Austin Mack is progressing after being injured last year so I’m not sure if he will be participating in spring practices.
Having experienced receivers will certainly help the quarterbacks get comfortable as well as show the talented young players what they need to do to earn playing time.
It will be difficult for the Ohio State passing attack to approach the success Dwayne Haskins and Co. had last season. However, there is plenty of talent on the roster, experienced receivers and a terrific coaching staff so it is possible. The work put in during spring practices will go a long way in determining whether it will happen or not.