Ohio State Football: Could another tight-end step up?

Under Ryan Day, the Ohio State football team hasn’t prioritized the use of tight ends in the passing game. Despite having some really good options at that position, tight ends haven’t gotten as many opportunities as receivers to make plays in the passing game.

When you look at who the Buckeyes have had at wide receiver, that makes sense. But it would still be nice if they could use the bigger targets every now and then. Jeremy Ruckert was the best tight end in his high school recruiting class and he never had more than 26 catches in a season.

Cade Stover will be returning this season as the team’s most experienced tight end. Despite an awful finish to last year, he will be the number-one option at that position. Is there another tight end who could step up and get some action in the passing game too?

I really like Joe Royer as a tight end. We’ve seen him make some really nice plays in the last two Spring Games. He just hasn’t gotten the opportunity to play yet in actual games. He has just three career catches. I think his ceiling is higher than some of the other options at that position.

Gee Scott Jr. is the only other candidate to step up. He has 10 career catches and one touchdown. He moved from receiver to tight end during his freshman season. This might be the season that he’s finally in the shape he needs to be to get some snaps.

Unfortunately, I think Stover will be the only one to get any number of significant snaps at the tight-end position. Day just doesn’t prioritize that position because of how great the receivers are. I think they should though. It would make the offense that much more dangerous.