Ohio State Football: Could we finally see a TE emerge?
The tight ends on recent Ohio State football teams have been a productive yet often little used group in the passing game. That could change.
The Ohio State football program has often used the tight end position as one to catch key first downs and block effectively for the run game in seasons past. Could this finally be a season in which the tight end position produce a break-out player?
Jeremy Ruckert is someone who has the potential to do just that. The former four-star No. 37 overall player in the 2018 class from Lindenhurst, New York can be a special player within this offense.
With special agility and speed for a man his size, Ruckert was also able to demonstrate the ability to make special catches such as he did in the Big Ten Championship game with his spectacular one-handed touchdown grab.
So he has the athleticism and potential to be special but Ohio State also has the show the willingness to incorporate the position into its passing game more often next season. Coach Day and his staff may just be forced to do that out of necessity.
After losing receivers such as Austin Mack, Bin Victor and KJ Hill to the NFL after last season, the Buckeyes have only two wide receivers with playing experience in Chris Olave and Garett Wilson. Banking on the talented group of freshman or the group of upperclassmen who just haven’t panned out yet in such as Jaylen Harris, Kamryn Babb or Elijah Gardiner would be a risky proposition.
Next. LB unit went from a weakness to a strength. dark
That leaves a massive opportunity for Ruckert to take advantage of. And coach Day is always showing the ability to adapt his offense around the skill set of his players, this could finally be a season in which we see a tight end flourish.