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Ohio State football: Filling the void at tight end

By Del Barris

MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Jeremy Ruckert #88 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes a one handed catch during the College Football Playoff National Championship football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images)
MIAMI GARDENS, FLORIDA - JANUARY 11: Jeremy Ruckert #88 of the Ohio State Buckeyes makes a one handed catch during the College Football Playoff National Championship football game against the Alabama Crimson Tide at Hard Rock Stadium on January 11, 2021 in Miami Gardens, Florida. The Alabama Crimson Tide defeated the Ohio State Buckeyes 52-24. (Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images) /
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The Ohio State football team has one of the best tight ends in football in Jeremy Ruckert. Who will step up behind him is a mystery.

Quick, name a tight end currently on Ohio State’s roster, besides Jeremy Ruckert, who got playing time last year. Take your time, I’ll wait…….give up? The answer is Mitch Rossi or Cade Stover. If those names are familiar, give yourself a pat on the back because you’re a hard-core fan.

According to participation numbers compiled by elevenwarriors.com, Rossi, a former walk-on, saw the field for 32 plays last season at tight end. Not all of those were during mop-up duty. A good chunk of those plays were with the first-team offense when he lined up as a wing and utilized as a blocker in 3-tight end formations.

Stover played just five plays at the position in 2020. These are just two of the other six tight ends, besides Ruckert, on the Ohio State football team’s roster who will begin the process this Spring of filling the void left by the graduation of all-world blocker Luke Farrell and Jake Hausmann. Make no mistake folks, it’s a very large void.

My choice for the second spot behind Ruckert is Stover. He began his career as a Buckeye on defense before being switched to the other side of the ball before last season. He has the size (6’4”, 255 pounds) and, if you saw him in the few opportunities at playing time on defense as a true freshman, you know he’s aggressive and athletic.

Redshirt freshman Joe Royer is highly thought of by the coaching staff and will push Stover. Because they had success using him, I think you’ll see Rossi again in certain situations. The size of Corey Rau (6’4”, 250 pounds), a former walk-on who transferred from SMU before last season, makes him an intriguing option for spot duty in multiple tight end formations as well.

Next. Which QB will start the Spring Game?. dark

Day loves formations with one running back and two tight ends (commonly known as “12 personnel”), so finding that second tight end is, in his words, critical. But, decisions on a pecking order behind Ruckert don’t have to be made during spring practice. Look for this position battle to continue well into August.

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