The Ohio State football team is hosting its annual Spring Game this weekend. It will be the first time that fans get a chance to see the new roster that Ryan Day has put together. Day was very busy in the Transfer Portal and on the recruiting trail over the last few months.
While spring practice has gone well, there are a few players who really need to put on a show during the Spring Game. There are three players who really need to have a strong performance in order to earn the snaps that they desire when the Fall rolls around.
1. Ian Moore
Tackle Ian Moore has had a solid Spring. In fact, he's played well enough that he has a shot to steal a starting position. There has been talk that he could move to left tackle while they end up moving Austin Siereveld to guard. Phillip Daniels still seems locked in at right tackle.
With both Siereveld and Daniels out for the rest of the spring, the Ohio State Buckeyes, Moore has a chance to really make a strong impression on Saturday afternoon with 70,000+ fans in the seats of the Shoe. If Moore can keep Julian Sayin upright, and if he can open up holes in the running game, Moore has a shot to earn a starting spot on the offensive line.
2. Devin Sanchez
The second-year corner has had a very strong spring. With how well he has played, he has a chance to earn a starting spot on the outside at the cornerback spot with Davison Igbinosun gone. He earned more playing time late in the season as a true freshman a year ago.
Jermaine Mathews Jr. is locked in as one of the starters on the outside. Earl Little Jr. seems locked in as the nickel corner. A strong performance on Saturday will give him the inside track to earn starting snaps as a sophomore. He is strong, physical, and now he's starting to trust his technique more.
3. Beau Atkinson
The former North Carolina defensive lineman made a minimal impact last year with the Buckeyes. After having 7.5 sacks in his final season with the Tar Heels, he managed just one last year. He was supposed to be an impact pass-rusher, but was not.
Day brought in more defensive linemen from the Transfer Portal in the offseason who could easily pass Atkinson on the depth chart. James Smith, Qua Russaw, and John Walker all could end up earning more snaps than Atkinson, unless he is able to have a huge Spring Game.