With it being the month of July, the Ohio State football team will start practice soon. In just a couple of months, the Buckeyes will start the regular season. However, the Ohio State Buckeyes still have to figure out a few starting spots once practice actually starts. Not every spot is solidified.
After the Buckeyes lost four first-round picks, they have a lot of talent to replace. Of course, Ohio State has a lot of talent ready to replace those guys. Ryan Day has a few positions that he is going to be watching once they convene on the field soon. There will be multiple positions fans should keep their eyes on, as well.
There are three positions that are the most intriguing in terms of battles that need to be settled. Two of them are on the offensive end of the field, and the final one is on defense. The first of these battles has to do with the talent on the outside at receiver.
1. Wide receiver
Jeremiah Smith is the surest bet in college football. He's the best receiver in the country and will be the best weapon in the country. However, who is going to be opposite him is still a question. Carnell Tate was the fourth overall pick in the NFL Draft in April, so he has to be replaced.
There are no obvious options to take over for Tate. Chris Henry Jr. is the leading candidate. The true freshman was a five-star recruit and showed flashes during the Spring Game. Still, he's unproven, even if he is the second-most talented receiver on the roster.
Brandon Inniss and Kyle Parker are the other two candidates. Inniss might have two years of eligibility left with the new NCAA rules. Neither of them has proven that much in their collegiate careers. Watching that second receiver spot will be very intriguing.
2. Safety
Caleb Downs is now with the Dallas Cowboys. That means a starting safety spot is open for grabs. Jaylen McClain will continue to start at one spot. Right now, Terry Moore is the favorite to start next to him. The transfer from Duke missed all of last season with a knee injury.
Yet, Moore has been described as the perfect replacement for Downs. That remains to be seen. Malik Hartford is still on the roster and will likely be the biggest competition to Moore. True freshman Blaine Bradford could make a push as well, but that seems unlikely. LeRoy Roker has a shot, too.
3. Right guard
Perhaps the positional battle with the biggest implications for the entire team is the left tackle spot. Austin Siereveld started there last year and played well. It would make sense for him to stay there, except there is no obvious starter at right guard. That is why the guard spot is so intriguing.
Does Siereveld move to right guard? If he does, does that mean Ian Moore starts at left tackle? If Siereveld stays at left tackle, who fills in at right guard? That would likely mean Josh Padilla or Gabe VanSickle would start. Neither of them played well in stretches late last year.
These are all battles that fans should keep their eyes on as practice gears up to start.
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