COLUMBUS — Ohio State, with transfer Will Howard being named the starting quarterback two days ago, rolled into its second major scrimmage of the preseason on Saturday seemingly with most of the starting jobs settled, but that’s been the case since camp began.
On offense, yes, No. 1 right guard hasn’t been declared. But Tegra Tshabola and last year’s starting center Carson Hinzman , who has missed several practices due to the unspecified illness that ran through the offensive line room, have made that a healthy battle, not a desperate one.
Tight end appears to be a competition between fifth-year graduate Gee Scott Jr. and Ohio University transfer Will Kacmarek , at least for No. 1. In an offense coordinated by Chip Kelly, though, it’s expected two tight ends are going to be in the lineup frequently.
On defense, the only starting job that might be up for grabs is at WILL linebacker. But Sonny Styles , who started at safety last year, is seen as the frontrunner to be No. 1 when things settle out, with C.J. Hicks seeing plenty of action.
That’s why coach Ryan Day headed toward Saturday’s scrimmage more with the team’s fortifying needs in mind than starting jobs on the line. He has said since the first of the year the 2024 Buckeyes must gird for what could be a minimum 16-game schedule, what with the expanded 12-team College Football Playoff promising at least that many games for the two teams who advance to the championship match. It could be 17 games for one or both.
“I don’t know if we’ll get anything quite like answered on Saturday” in terms of any big questions, Day said. “I think we’ll learn more information and continue to move forward.
“I mean, we know how long this [season] is going to be, and we’re continually trying to take the next step in certain areas and build this foundation. And Saturday will be one more piece of the puzzle.”
Developing and recognizing reliable depth is as much the focus at this point as installing more plays on offense or schemes on defense.
Speaking of defense, third-year coordinator Jim Knowles pointed to one of his depth concerns headed into Saturday.
“Safety depth,” Knowles said. “We feel good about our starters [ Lathan Ransom and Alabama transfer Caleb Downs ].”
Saturday’s desire was to see continued progress by their backups. Malik Hartford played some for Ohio State last year as a freshman, and true freshman Jaylen McClain has been a riser the past two weeks of camp.
“Really, McClain has emerged as a guy who is going to have to be ready to,” Knowles said. “But you’ve kind of got two guys that are unproven and still learning. And like every day and practice is a learning experience for them, and a challenge, particularly if they get to go against our best receivers. So our safety depth needs to come along.”
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