Get all your news in one place.
100’s of premium titles.
One app.
Start reading
USA Today Sports Media Group
USA Today Sports Media Group
Sport
Josh Keatley

Former Four-Star Recruits Change Positions during OSU spring ball

The Ohio State football team is in the middle of spring practices and all of the attention is on the heated quarterback position and other position battles that will go a long way to determining what the team will look like in 2021.

Although position switches are less prominent in the day and age of transferring, they can still occur. Schools like Ohio State recruit five-star athletes by the dozen. With logjams occurring all over the place on the depth chart, it is a great idea to move some of these elite athletes around to get them on the field and improve the Buckeyes’ chances across the entire roster.

Ohio State is no stranger to position changes. We all remember when Braxton Miller moved from quarterback to wide receiver. Miller moving helped the offense become more explosive and also improved his draft stock. More recently, Cade Stover moved from linebacker to tight end to add depth at that position.

And now we have a couple of significant changes early on in 2021. A few days ago it was announced that two former four-star recruits are working out at other positions for 2021, but will the moves have the same effect? Will they stick, and will they last?

NEXT … An explosive, experienced athlete lost in the mix

USA TODAY Sports

Demario McCall

Height: 5- foot, 9-inches

Weight: 171-pounds

Old Position: Running Back

New Position: Defensive back

McCall was a four-star recruit from North Ridgeville, Ohio in the class of 2016, and few prospects in the country had his level of explosion. He was also elite at finding and bursting through seams provided by the defense and possessed an ability to stop on a dime. But despite these insane traits, McCall failed to make a consistent impact.

McCall has already made one position switch to wide receiver, but again has failed to crack the lineup to earn any substantial reps. His lack of size is really holding him back from contributing at a higher clip on offense, but with the Buckeyes being slim in the defensive backfield, McCall may be able to make an impact in his sixth year on the back end of the defense.

NEXT … A fast and physical pass catcher

Ohio State Buckeyes wide receiver Gee Scott Jr. (13) makes a catch in a drill during practice at Ohio Stadium in Columbus, Ohio on October 3, 2020.

Gee Scott Jr.

Height: 6-foot, 2-inches

Weight: 207-pounds

Old Position: Wide Receiver

New Position: Tight End

Scott was a consensus four-star recruit in the 2020 class from the state of Washington. He came into Columbus as one of the more refined prospects in that class with elite route-running ability, and was seen as an ideal fit for the quick hitting short side of the passing game.

Although polished for his class, Scott lacks the pure athleticism that other receivers on the two-deep can offer, and he may be topped out as far as athletic potential goes. Scott does however has a larger frame and several years of eligibility left, which could make him an intriguing fit at tight end.

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.

 

Sign up to read this article
Read news from 100’s of titles, curated specifically for you.
Already a member? Sign in here
Related Stories
Top stories on inkl right now
One subscription that gives you access to news from hundreds of sites
Already a member? Sign in here
Our Picks
Fourteen days free
Download the app
One app. One membership.
100+ trusted global sources.