Ryan Day names true freshman as starting punter for Buckeyes

We’re just about a week away from the 2024 edition of the Ohio State football season and now we know who will handle the punting duties for the Buckeyes. Ryan Day has named true freshman, Nick McLarty, as the starting punter for the season opener.

McLarty who stands at 6-foot, 7-inches, and has a canon attached to his hip. The Australian-born punter gained notoriety earlier in the year when he posted a video of himself bombing a punt 90 plus yards and out of an entire stadium.

The competition came down between McLarty, Joe McGuire, Hadi Jawad, and Anthony Venneri — a transfer from the University of Buffalo. Day shared in his press conference that the starting gig is just for right now and that the competition may go on to the coming weeks. As for now, McLarty is the guy.

With the offensive firepower the Buckeyes have, punts may be few and far between. But in the unlikely event the Ohio State offense should stall, McLarty could be a valuable weapon flipping the field.

McLarty will take over for Jesse Mirco who transferred to Vanderbilt earlier this year.

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