Ohio State football: An under-the-radar position battle

Battles are a part of every preseason camp, including for the Ohio State football team. Here are some battles that are things Buckeye fans should keep an eye on.

This year, maybe more so than most, there are position battles everywhere at Ohio State’s fall camp. Quarterback is the most high-profile. Battles are going on at running back, linebacker, and the interior of the offensive line to name a few. There is another developing that is as important as any other but will probably not get a lot of attention. Looks like the Buckeyes have a good ol’ fashioned kicker’s duel.

Back in June, while we were all focused on recruiting battles and who J.T. Tuimoloau would choose, the only thoughts given to the transfer portal had to do with former USC linebacker Palaie Gaoteote, who ultimately joined the Ohio State football team.

In addition to their pursuit of Gaoteote, Ryan Day and his staff were doing work elsewhere in the portal to bolster a position that had suddenly become an area of concern to them. Adding former North Carolina kicker Noah Ruggles may not have gotten much attention, but he may turn out to be one of Ohio State’s most important off-season moves.

As a true freshman in 2020, Jake Seibert performed well enough when filling in for Blake Haubeil. After the season I don’t think anyone gave much thought to anyone but Seibert as OSU’s kicker going forward. Then came two missed field goals in the Spring Game.

I’ll be honest, I didn’t think it was that big of a deal and said that in an article a few weeks ago (you can read that article by clicking here), but Day must have seen something he did not like and felt a viable option to Seibert is needed.

Ruggles is certainly that viable option. He put up 102 points in 2019 for the Tar Heels when he converted all 45 extra-point attempts and 19 of 27 field goals. His career-long field goal of 49 yards shows his leg has some range, but he was just three of six on attempts from that 40-49 yard distance and was 0-3 over fifty yards. He lost the starter job last season and had just one extra point attempt in 2020.

Despite being supplanted last season, I still think Ruggles can help the Ohio State football team. While Seibert was perfect on all sixteen of his extra-point attempts in 2020, his sample size of field goals is small. He made one from 23 yards and missed from over 40.

At the time, I did not think the two misses in the Spring Game were cause for concern. But, when you look at his field goal attempts in game situations, he’s converted just one of four. Ruggles at least has a full season to judge him. Bringing in competition for Seibert is a good decision.

Both were seen taking turns during place-kicking segments of practice last week, so Ruggles is getting a serious look right now. I can see a scenario as we’ve had in the past where one handles field goals and extra points, while the other is the kickoff specialist.

As I said at the beginning of this article, this is a battle that probably won’t get a lot of attention, but here is something to keep in mind: the kicking game is considered the most important phase of football. The competition between Seibert and Ruggles is one to keep a close eye on.