Ohio State went from not having a Spring Game at all to now having more of one than fans have witnessed in years.
On Tuesday, Ryan Day announced that the Spring Game will involve tackling, "We'll break up offense and defense, and the first part of that will be thud for some of the guys who have played a lot of football," Day continued on, "After a few drives, we'll get right into it and we'll be tackling. The quarterbacks will not be live. But everybody else will. And it'll look like a normal spring game."
A Spring Game that not only gets players on the field but also involves them hitting one another down to the ground immediately makes this much more intriguing to watch. Although it sounds like it will only be the backups, fans can now get a grasp of who can hit and who can avoid the hits.
That makes this Spring Game one that is a must-watch especially to discover who can show promise and get fans a little extra excited come August. Here are eight players to watch in Ohio State's Spring Game:
#8 - Linebacker, Arvell Reese
Arvell Reese is a junior listed at 6' 4'' and weighs 238 lbs. With Cody Simon off to the NFL, Arvell has been expected to be the next starting linebacker alongside Sonny Styles this year. He has gotten high praise for his work ethic and development this spring but none better than when offensive lineman, Ian Moore said, "One of the most athletic guys I think I’ve ever seen in my entire life.”
Ohio State has a number of athletic players on their football squad, so to hear an offensive lineman who has faced Sonny Styles and Cody Simon call Arvell the most athletic is substantial praise. Reese most likely be hitting on Saturday, but fans can watch for that athleticism to be on display.
#11 - Defensive End, C.J. Hicks
C.J. Hicks is a senior listed at 6' 3'' and weighs 233 lbs. He is a former 5-star out of Ohio who played linebacker for his career at Ohio State but moved into defensive line coach Larry Johnson's room this spring. Although he is still listed as a linebacker on the Ohio State roster site, Larry Johnson has been coaching him and said, "So, C.J.'s with me right now trying to learn how to play the position, and I want him to learn how to play the position as a defensive end – standup – and not as a linebacker. I think that's the transition that mentally he's got to go through."
With only one year of eligibility left, Hicks will be given the opportunity to shine in a defensive end room with not much depth. If Hicks can make his last year count at Ohio State, now is the time to make it happen. If he comes away with a tackle for loss or two, you can expect the CJ Hicks hype machine to be in full effect, as Buckeye nation loves to see a highly rated player from Ohio make a statement.
#10 - Quarterback, Julian Sayin
Julian Sayin is a sophomore listed at 6' 1'' and weighs 203 lbs. Going into spring practices, Sayin was thought to be the guy who would come out of camp with either the job or a clear favorite. But that hasn't happened. On Tuesday, Ryan Day told the media that the quarterback battle is “pretty much neck-and-neck right now.”
Sayin needs to display consistency and solid play in front of a large crowd and have command of the offense. It won't be easy to follow in Will Howard's shoes, but if he can make some pretty throws and show command and leadership of the offense, fans will come out of the spring much more confident in their projected starter.
#3 - Quarterback, Lincoln Kienholz
Lincoln Kienholz is a junior listed at 6' 3'' and weighs 207 lbs. It's been a while since we've seen Kienholz play meaningful football in an Ohio State jersey. Obviously, last Spring's Game was meaningful, too, but not nearly as big as the Cotton Bowl he played in, where Devin Brown got injured and Kienholz was thrust into action.
This time, Kienholz will be ready for the moment. What he really needs to show is that this quarterback battle isn't neck and neck because Sayin is playing poorly. This race is neck and neck because Lincoln Kienholz has improved and he's pushing for the starting job more than most would have participated.
#11 - Wide Receiver, Quincy Porter
Quincy Porter is a freshman listed at 6' 4'' and weighs 205 lbs. Porter was the first freshman to get his black stripe removed this spring. Offensive Coordinator Brian Hartline highlighted Porter's consistency and work ethic, but perhaps the biggest praise was when Jeremiah Smith said that Porter is, “The Next One.” There has been a lot of praise for Porter in spring practice and now fans will get the chance to see him shine in The Shoe.
#96 - Defensive Lineman, Eddrick Houston
Eddrick Houston is a sophomore listed at 6' 3'' and weighs 270 lbs. All Spring Ryan Day has been quite vocal about his concern about the interior of the defensive line depth. It might even be a position group they need to address in the transfer portal. But a good showing by Houston would ease many fans' concerns.
#86 - Tight End, Max Klare
Max Klare is a junior listed at 6' 4'' and weighs 236 lbs. Klare came in from the transfer portal after a breakout season at Purdue, where he was one of the bright spots of the team. With Gee Scott Jr. gone, Klare will look to be the next pass-catching tight end we could see inline but also split out wide in the slot.
It'll be interesting to see how they use Klare and what he can do as tight ends coach Keenan Bailey said, "He [Klare] showed some things on film that might compliment what we already have in the room, really make it a pretty whole unit.”
#25 - Running Back, Bo Jackson
Bo Jackson is a freshman listed at 6' 0'' and weighs 210 lbs. With Quinshon Judkins and TreVeyon Henderson off to the NFL, the starting running back position at Ohio State is wide open. Most are assuming transfer CJ Donaldson and sophomore James Peoples might be the next duo for Ohio State, but I wouldn't be surprised to see Jackson cut into some of those carries.
In fact, running back coach Carlos Locklyn had high praise for Jackson, listing off his speed and size and then pausing for a moment to say, "He got gifts only God can give.” He also noted Jackson will "Have to work and compete," but it seems like Jackson might be one we are talking about a lot more after Saturday.
Overall, the Ohio State Spring Game is sure to be one fans will enjoy. With a ring ceremony planned, tackling, and many new players to watch, fans are in for a treat whether they watch on television or in the stadium.