Ohio State Football: 3 players who need a big Spring Game
The Ohio State football team is set to have its annual Spring football game this Saturday in Ohio Stadium. Here are three players who need a big game.
The Ohio State football team and head coach Ryan Day will conduct the annual Spring Game tomorrow in Ohio Stadium. The Spring Game is often the fans’ first chance to see what this next year’s version of the football team would look like and who might make an impact. This year’s Spring Game has no shortage of storylines as there are position battles to be earned this offseason.
The Spring Game should be taken with a grain of salt. I remember Justin Fields coming out in 2019 and having an iffy game. That worked out pretty well in the end for the Buckeyes. But it is a chance for younger players and for those who are trying to earn playing time to stand out to their coaches. Here are three players who need to have a big day.
No. 3: Cam Martinez, Safety
Martinez has a chance to become a starter this offseason and a big Spring Game might catapult him to being No. 1 on the depth chart playing the slot safety position that Tanner McCalister had last year. Martinez is in a tight battle with transfer Ja’Had Carter, who has played a bunch of snaps while at Syracuse.
Carter is probably going to sit out tomorrow as he was injured last week in camp, so Martinez will see plenty of reps. And if he impresses enough playing with the first team, then this could wind up being Martinez’s job to lose.
No. 2: Mike Hall, Defensive Tackle
Hall had a great start to his Buckeye career last season as he dominated the early portion of Ohio State’s schedule. Injuries derailed his 2022 season in the back half as Hall looks to regain the form that had people comparing him to Aaron Donald.
Right now, the defensive tackle depth chart is jumbled at the top between Hall, Tyleik Williams, and Ty Hamilton. Someone needs to emerge as the Buckeyes’ best defensive tackle and that could be and should be Hall. A big Spring Game could make that a reality.
No. 1: Josh Fryar, Offensive Tackle
The biggest question mark of this Ohio State offense isn’t at quarterback but with its offensive line. Three new starters need to take shape this offseason and Josh Fryar needs to be among them. Right now, he’s the expected starter at left tackle after being the sixth offensive lineman in a backup role a season ago.
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Fryar needs to prove in this Spring Game that the left tackle position is his and that coaches don’t have to try to find another one in the portal. If Fryar can ease the coach’s mind in securing his position, then really they only have to worry about the right tackle spot as Carson Hinzman appears to have a stranglehold on the center position.