Gleitman’s Goods: Ohio State training camp insider

Ohio State has kicked off its 2024 training camp and the program has registered 4 strong days so far as they work towards what they hope is a national championship season this year.

Lettermen Row’s staff has done a fantastic job in providing updates on the first four days of camp ( here , here , here , here , here , here , and here ), but we’ve also tapped into a couple of team sources to get some extra scoop and tidbits from camp thus far.

In this edition of Gleitman’s Goods, we go inside Ohio State training camp to learn more about the 2024 version of the Buckeyes.

Ohio State Training Camp Insider

It’s very early into Ohio State training camp, so a lot will change and evolve as the team develops, but below are some nuggets sources from multiple sources that have been around the team during camp thus far:

+ Biggest noticeable changes year over year in week one are with the staff. The new personnel on staff are making a difference, for the better, and their presence is absolutely felt in week one of camp.

+ Expanding upon that first point, the biggest change of the group is Chip Kelly . Truly allowing Ryan Day to be the CEO of the program and for the first time since he’s been the head coach, Day is legitimately trusting someone else to run the offense. Had someone tell me in the past, Day would always jump in to actually coach the quarterbacks in drills or sessions. This year the only time he’s jumped in is really to change the down and distance or starting yard situation to see different looks.

+ Kelly not only is running the offense, but he’s put a stamp on it. The Buckeyes are doing some different things this year with pre-snap motion. They’re also showing some different elements and variety out of the run game. Lots of optimism early that the run game will be a strength that this offense can lean on. Had one source say to me “not that he would have been bad, but the best thing that happened to this program for 2024 is Bill O’Brien going to Boston College. Getting Chip here is big in so many ways.”

+ One more bullet on the staff, Kelly isn’t the only one making an impact. One source was impressed with how hard Carlos Locklyn coaches. Said his style won’t be for everyone, so that is something to watch in recruiting, but that he is loud and he is equally as tough on the best back in the room to the walk-ons. Tim Drevno helping out on the offensive line has been “a huge lift” as well, and one source thinks he will be an extremely valuable person in helping Kelly and Justin Frye maximize the run game. Nothing substantial but on defense, so far, sources think it’s going well with new staffers James Laurinaitis and Matt Guerrieri as well. More just guys who are working within what Jim Knowles and Tim Walton want, but that’s the point and their units look good so far.

+ At quarterback a common observation is that Ohio State is going to do more with the quarterbacks and their legs this year. Whether it’s more movement of the pocket, options, or designed runs, no matter who is back there, that’s been clear early.

+ Speaking of who is back there, I continue to hear Will Howard will be the guy and taking the majority of reps on Saturday (all but one) with the first team is obviously a strong indicator there. Devin Brown continues to have some “wow” moments, especially in the deep passing game, but Howard is the most overall consistent in everything and that, combined with his athleticism/mobility and experience make him an easy front-runner right now. As Spencer and Andy have reported, he also now has more command of the offense and that should continue to improve.

+ No knock on TreVeyon Henderson , and he’s expected to have a big year, but I just continue to get rave reviews on how special Quinshon Judkins can/will be. James Peoples getting some nice love from my sources early too—they think he’s going to be able to contribute nicely this year.

+ High expectations and lots of confidence in having a deep receiver room this year but Carnell Tate has been the guy standing out the most to one source of mine in camp, thus far.

+ I am told that the Ohio State offensive line started out a bit slow the first couple of days, but had much stronger days three and four. The staff is very pleased with what they’ve seen so far, especially at the bookends. The depth at tackle is not there, though, at least right now.

+ The right guard battle continues to go on and it seems that will spill into next week, at a minimum. I’m told they’d really like to have their guy by the end of this week, and at worst the week after. The former would give them two full weeks of camp and then a week of game prep to fully gel with the rest of the first unit. Two sources I asked were split on whether they’d pick Carson Hinzman or Tegra Tshabola , so this thing is close, and they’ll take it as long as they have to in order to ensure the best guy is playing. Hinzman probably has a leg up today, in my opinion from info gathered, but it seems like Tegra is trending up.

+ Defensive line has been as strong as expected thus far. Jack Sawyer has been named as a guy who has taken a big leap forward. “He looks like a man on a mission” was the quote I got, with the person adding, “now that the position switch stuff (JACK in 2022) is behind him, he’s full speed ahead”.

+ Mitchell Melton has been very impressive as well, per a source. One other source said “he has the quickest first step on the unit”.

+ One of the sources said while they won’t be the main guys playing, that they really like the potential of some of the younger defensive tackles like Kayden McDonald and Jason Moore .

+ While Ohio State is saying it’s close at Will linebacker, my source would be stunned if Sonny Styles isn’t the guy when two linebackers are on the field. My source thinks there will be a role for all four guys competing but that Styles and Cody Simon will be the main two you see in base. But with Styles’ versatility they can get creative to get CJ Hicks on the field with him, and also use Gabe Powers possibly against heavy run teams (think Iowa).

+ Defensive backs have been very good thus far. Caleb Downs is as good as advertised. While Denzel Burke , Jordan Hancock , and Jermaine Mathews have had strong camps thus far, the guy who has impressed one source the most is Davison Igbinosun . Our guys have reported this but Ohio State freshman safety Jaylen McClain “always has his nose around the ball” and has “flashed the most at safety outside of the starters”. He’s not in the top group at corner, but a source mentioned Calvin Simpson-Hunt as well as turning a corner in his career development.

+ Jayden Fielding has the kicker job locked up but at punter there’s some difference of opinion from sources on preference. Nick McLarty’s best punt is better than anyone else’s but as he continues to make a transition to high level American football, some prefer the consistency and experience of Buffalo transfer Anthony Venneri for the 2024 season at Ohio State. This is a battle that will continue on.

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