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Ohio State Football: 5 Breakout spring practice candidates

By Frank Teriaca

COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 09: Jameson Williams #6 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH - NOVEMBER 09: Jameson Williams #6 of the Ohio State Buckeyes runs with the ball against the Maryland Terrapins at Ohio Stadium on November 9, 2019 in Columbus, Ohio. (Photo by G Fiume/Maryland Terrapins/Getty Images) /
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COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 1: Tommy Togiai #72 of the Ohio State Buckeyes defends against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Oregon State 77-31. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)
COLUMBUS, OH – SEPTEMBER 1: Tommy Togiai #72 of the Ohio State Buckeyes defends against the Oregon State Beavers at Ohio Stadium on September 1, 2018 in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defeated Oregon State 77-31. (Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images) /

No. 4: Tommy Togiai, defensive tackle

Much attention will be paid to the battle at defensive tackle this spring. The Buckeyes are losing its top three players on the depth chart from a season ago as this will be a completely new rotation for coach Larry Johnson to figure out.

Tommy Togiai has the leg up for the nose tackle spot and I don’t expect that to change entering spring practices. One of the strongest players on the team, Togiai figures to be a natural for the nose tackle position and credits the ongoing seniors from last season in DaVon Hamilton, B.B. Landers and Jashon Cornell for helping his development, from Lettermen Row:

"“With them, just teaching me my steps and all that, helping me out, giving me pointers on how to play nose guard,” Togiai said. “Giving me tips on how to get off blocks and get better with my hands. It really helps.”"

Look to hear Togiai’s name a lot this spring as he is a player to watch out for to win one of the two open defensive tackle positions.

No. 3: Nicholas Petit-Frere, offensive tackle

The Ohio State offensive line looks to be one of the strongest units on the team heading into the 2020 campaign. It however does have two open spots to fill. One of them is at right tackle as Branden Bowen has moved on to the NFL Draft. Bowen was a very solid tackle last season and replacing him wont be easy.

This looks to be a three-man competition between Dawand Jones, true freshman Parris Johnson and former five-star recruit Nicholas Petit-Frere. Entering his third season in the program, it is now or never for Petite-Frere to earn a starting role on this team.

A naturally gifted athlete with the right size and bend for an offensive tackle at the major college football level, Petit-Frere is poised to grab ahold of the right tackle position and not let go. And as long as he has a good spring on the field and in the weight room then it appears to be his job to lose. I look for him to impress his coaches during spring practices.

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