Ohio State Football: Tight ends ready for new season

The tight ends haven’t been involved in the Ohio State passing offense very often the last few years but that may change this season.

Late in the Urban Meyer era, tight ends weren’t as much of a focus in the Ohio State offense as it had been in years past. Nick Vannett was a great offensive weapon for the Buckeyes and so was Jeff Heuerman.

For whatever reason, recruits after that never panned out to be great athletes and coach Meyer instead opted to use his speed receivers in open field. Tight ends were more involved with blocking for the various skill position players.

But now with Ryan Day calling the shots that possibly could change. Coach Day has already made it known that he wants to open up the offense even more than it already was under Urban. Could that include the tight ends seeing more receptions?

Only time will tell but for now lets talk about the current tight ends that this upcoming Buckeye team has to offer.

The two tight ends who led the Buckeyes in receiving last season return and sophomore Luke Farrell put up the biggest numbers. Farrell gained 205 yards on 20 receptions while reaching the end zone once during last years campaign.

Rashod Berry also contributed in the passing game as the Junior had 9 catches for 78 yards and 2 scores.

The rest of the crew was nowhere to be seen and that is typical. It was the case in the Jim Tressel era as well when tight ends were used more frequently. Primarily using two tight ends has been a normality for years.

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The rest of the tight end crew for the upcoming season includes senior Derrick Malone, junior Jake Hausmann, senior Brock Davin, and sophomore Jeremy Ruckert who recorded one catch for 13 yards last year.

The only player out of the remaining few that I just listed who I could see making an impact is Ruckert. He was tabbed as an athletic receiver coming out of high school but didn’t see much playing time sitting behind Berry and Farrell.

It’s possible Ruckert could impress this Buckeye coaching staff and make his way onto the field more often next season.

Whatever happens in 2019, the Buckeyes have a talented group of tight ends and it will be up to Ryan Day and his staff as to how they want to use them.