Quarterback pecking order, defensive depth shines: Observations from Buckeyes fourth day of training camp

COLUMBUS — Ohio State freshman quarterback Julian Sayin was the only quarterback not named Will Howard to take a first-team rep during 11-on-11 team drills Sunday.

Yes, a rep. Because Sayin only got one, and second-year cornerback Jermaine Mathews Jr. made that one rep Sayin had count. Mathews stepped in front of a Sayin pass, caught it and took off for a pick-six before making his way to the sideline to celebrate with teammates.

As for Sayin, it may have served as a good reminder to everyone that he’s still just a freshman, because he was yanked back to the huddle while Howard resumed first-team duties.

Mathews made the best play of the day and scored off of it. And Sunday served as a good mix of offense winning some and defense winning some.

Now the Buckeyes finally have a day off on Monday after four straight days of work outside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Lettermen Row was on-site for the fourth Buckeyes practice of August, and we have plenty to unpack from a hot three-hour Ohio State practice on Sunday. Let’s dive in.

Quarterback notes

+ Ohio State made sure to split reps for its quarterbacks evenly during 7-on-7 and ‘teach drills.’ But once the Buckeyes moved into full 11-on-11 team drills, Kansas State transfer Will Howard took all but one snap with the first-team offense. He didn’t have his best day of camp; that was Saturday. But he was still in command of the offense, and had the best day of any quarterback out there on Sunday.

+ Freshman Julian Sayin took the only non-Howard snap with the first-team offense. He threw a pick-six that was ran back by cornerback Jermaine Mathews for a touchdown. Howard promptly replaced Sayin with the first-team unit.

+ Third-year Buckeyes quarterback Devin Brown took a majority of second-team reps with the offense. He connected on a great deep ball to fourth-year receiver Jayden Ballard, who made an acrobatic catch down the sideline. It’s clear that Brown has the best deep ball of any quarterback. His inconsistencies elsewhere are holding him back.

+ Brown threw an interception to a diving Calvin Simpson-Hunt.

+ Freshman Air Noland took no reps during team drills for the second straight day.

Offensive line notes

+ Left guard and senior leader Donovan Jackson didn’t participate in the full 11-on-11 team drills. His left guard spot was filled by second-year lineman Austin Siereveld, which does provide a glimpse into the depth chart on this offensive line.

+ Senior Alabama transfer Seth McLaughlin was the first-team center and had a clean day of snapping the football. Second-year lineman Luke Montgomery took quite a few reps as the second-team center.

+ Star left tackle Josh Simmons had his best day of camp. He won two consecutive one-on-one reps, beating J.T. Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer on back-to-back plays. Simmons had a good first four days of camp.

+ So did right tackle Josh Fryar. He was impressive in one-on-one pass-rush competitions. The tackle duo looks to be rounding into form. I really like where this offensive line unit is right now, just four practices in.

+ Third-year linemen Carson Hinzman and Tegra Tshabola split first-team reps at right guard. That battle is really strong right now, and it will need time to sort itself out. Ohio State, from what we’ve seen through four days, has two really good options to choose from there.

Other offensive notes

+ If it hasn’t hit its cap already, go ahead and buy Carnell Tate stock. He catches every ball thrown his way and was one of the stars of Sunday’s practice. Tate just takes care of business and gets work done. Ohio State loves that about him, and he had a fantastic Sunday morning.

+ Freshman back James Peoples keeps flashing when he earns carries as a second- or third-string tailback. He has rare burst and really quick feet. He stood out Sunday.

+ Fourth-year receiver Jayden Ballard had the best catch of the day — courtesy of Devin Brown. On a deep ball down the sideline, Ballard leaped overtop of second-year cornerback Calvin Simpson-Hunt for an acrobatic catch.

Defensive notes

+ J.T. Tuimoloau was down on the grass after a full-team rep, and he stayed down for a minute or two. Following that, he did not return to practice — but he appears to be OK. He kept his helmet, wasn’t limping or showing any sign of pain. Could have been a stinger or a ‘wind knocked out’ situation.

+ Third-year cornerback Davison Igbinosun had two really nice pass breakups on good throws. He is having a great start to his second camp with the Buckeyes. Denzel Burke also had a near-interception during team drills.

+ Calvin Simpson-Hunt had one of the two defensive interceptions on Sunday. Caleb Downs nearly grabbed another after snagging one Saturday.

+ Freshman safety Jaylen McClain keeps flashing. He is as fearless of a freshman defensive back as we’ve seen at Ohio State, and he flies to the football. McClain is one to keep in mind moving forward.

+ Sonny Styles is everywhere for this defense. Always seems to be in the right spot to make plays.

+ Freshman linebacker Garrett Stover had a nice day. A Lettermen Row source told me to keep an eye on Stover because he had put together a good start to camp — and it was true. Sunday was the first time we thought Stover looked settled in with the third-string defense.

+ Senior nickel Lorenzo Styles Jr. was held out of practice again Sunday, but he was dressed for practice and got more work during team drills — with a no-contact jersey on. He is expected back in a full capacity soon, potentially even on Tuesday for practice No. 5.

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