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Ohio State football: What’s the potential impact of missing players for Spring practice?

By Del Barris

Nov 30, 2019; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Mike Sainristil (19) is unable to complete a pass as Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Cameron Brown (26) applies pressure during the second half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports
Nov 30, 2019; Ann Arbor, MI, USA; Michigan Wolverines wide receiver Mike Sainristil (19) is unable to complete a pass as Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Cameron Brown (26) applies pressure during the second half at Michigan Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Tim Fuller-USA TODAY Sports /
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The Ohio State football team is missing a few players this Spring. How much a big deal is it?

“It happens every spring” is a saying usually associated with baseball; it comes from the 1949 movie of the same name. It can also be used to describe the problem of players missing or being limited for the Ohio State football team’s spring practice.

Whenever the Buckeyes take the field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center around mid-March each year, we never fail to see starters and potential starters on the sidelines or unable to fully participate in those 15 important sessions.

This season is no exception as Ryan Day’s team has its share of players either injured or rehabbing an injury. Here is a look at a few of those Buckeyes and the potential impact of their absence or limited participation.

Haskell Garrett    Status: Out    Potential Impact: Light 

Why is the absence of an All-American defensive tackle not a big deal? Because we know what Garrett can do; he’s a known commodity. I know Ryan Day wants to see all of his players participating in spring practice because it is a time where fundamentals and technique are stressed. But, I don’t worry about a player with Garrett’s experience; there’s plenty of time in August to get himself ready for the season.

Cameron Brown    Status: Limited    Potential Impact: Moderate to Heavy

The concern here is the lack of depth at cornerback as the redshirt junior rehabs the Achilles injury he suffered in the second game of last season against Penn State. Sevyn Banks, Marcus Williamson, and Brown are the only three cornerbacks with experience. Behind them is a lot of unknowns.

Dallas Gant    Status: Limited    Potential Impact: Heavy

The senior from Toledo, who is expected to take over at Mike (Middle) linebacker, suffered a foot injury very early in spring practice. Yes, he’s been in the program for a few years, but considering how hard the team was hit by graduation at this position (they lost their top four linebackers), Gant getting reps in practice as THE guy is vitally important for the Buckeye defense if it hopes to rebound from a subpar 2020.

Kourt Williams    Status: Limited    Potential Impact: Heavy

Before a season-ending knee injury in October, he appeared headed for more than just token playing time as a true freshman. He has the ability to play the single-high safety, or he can move into the slot and play that more hybrid position. Just as with cornerback, the Buckeyes don’t have a lot of known depth here. I think he’s someone who can help the Buckeyes. Being limited in a very important spring for him really hurts this defense.

Harry Miller    Status: Limited    Potential Impact: Light to Moderate

As I said in my recent article about Miller (you can read it by clicking here), I don’t think being limited is going to hurt that much. You don’t need to be hitting in order to learn blocking calls, but offensive line coach Greg Studrawa can’t fully begin to build cohesion with this group when his expected starting center is limited. There should be enough time during August camp for the unit to come together.

All five are expected to be ready to go for fall camp beginning in August. The Ohio State football team shouldn’t worry about the guys that matter the most.

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