After the completion of another annual LifeSports Spring Game, practice is officially over until fall camp at Ohio State. Coming into spring ball, taking a stab at the depth chart was purely speculation based on last year and the potential of the upcoming season.
But now, we actually have some real, live snaps with first teams, and game action in a glorified scrimmage to go by. With all of that now known, here’s the latest on where we think things stand with all the positions on the gridiron in Columbus.
Quarterback
1. Justin Fields
2. Chris Chugunov
With the news of the Matthew Baldwin transfer plans, the QB job is now all but assured for Justin Fields. West Virginia graduate transfer Chris Chugunov now has to be prepared and ready for action.
Running Back
1. J.K. Dobbins
2. Demario mccall
No change here from our latest projection. McCall didn’t play in the Spring Game because of a nagging injury, so don’t look into that at all. Master Teague is making an impression though, so we’ll have to keep a watch on that.
Next … a deep wide-receiver group
Slot/H-Back
1. K.J. Hill
2. Jaealen gill
This seems pretty well set, but Gill’s workload might go up based on all the targets he received in the Spring Game.
Wide Receiver
1. chris olave
2. austin mack
1. binjimen victor
2. garrett wilson*
All could get fairly equal playing time here because they’ve all shown high-end ability. Keep a watch on Wilson who is a talent the coaches just may not be able to keep off the field.
Tight End
1. Luke Ferrel
2. roshod berry
We’re still waiting for sophomore Jeremy Ruckert to rise up push for playing time. But right now, this appears to be the pecking order.
Next … competition on the offensive line
Center
1. josh Myers
2. Matthew Jones
I would appear as though Myers has this one pegged down for now. Keep any eye on what shuffling occurs though as the coaches try to get the best five guys on the field.
Left Guard
1. Jonah Jackson
2. Wyatt Davis
Davis came on at the end of last year but Jackson will probably factor in somewhere as a graduate transfer that was All-Big Ten honorable mention. The Left and Right Guard positions might be interchangeable here.
Right Guard
1. brandon Bowen
2. Gavin Cupp
Bowen is coming back from injury and has some experience that could give him the upper hand. Cupp has gotten some good reviews from the coaching staff.
Left Tackle
1. thayer munford
2. Joshua Alabi
Munford seems to have this locked down. Alabi seems to be the second best option and might be good enough to lock down another position as things go along.
Right Tackle
1. Nicholas Petit-Frere
2. Ryan Jacoby
Petit-Frere seems to be reaching the potential we all knew he had when he picked Ohio State at the wire last year. Jacoby will push all of the line for playing time.
Next … a talented D-line with a lot of options
Defensive End
1. chase young
2. tyreke SMith
1. jonathon cooper
2. Zach Harrison
Young is a sure thing on one side and experience will win out for now while Smith is rising. However, watch for Harrison to make a leap from now, through fall camp.
Defensive Tackle
1. Davon Hamilton
2. Tommy TOgiai
1. robert landers
2. Jashon Cornell
It’ll be a deep and talented defensive-line yet again and all these guys will get plenty of time and some not even on this two-deep. Landers is a known commodity and Hamilton has been coming on in the spring. There’s not much drop off below that either with Togiai, Cornell, etc.
Next … looking for answers at linebacker
Strong Side Linebacker
1. malik harrison
2. dallas gant
Harrison is most likely going to get first crack here after showing up big at the end of last year. Gant will factor in now for depth.
Middle Linebacker
1. Tuf Borland
2. baron browning
A lot of people aren’t very high on Borland but he was never really himself last year. He’s a hard-working, blue-collar kid and he’ll show why he got so much playing time as a freshman now that he’s fully healthy.
Weak Side Linebacker
1. pete werner
2. teradja mitchell
Werner is the call now, but Mitchell is starting to elbow his way into more than just a backup. He’s going to be one of the main stories to watch as we get into fall.
Next … a solid secondary
Cornerback
1. Jeffrey Okudah
2. shaun wade
1. damon arnette
2. Sevyn Banks
Right now, these four are the odds on favorite to get the bulk of the playing time in the fall. Amir Riep showed out in the Spring Game, so we’ll have to see if he can continue to make waves.
Safety
1. Jordan Fuller
2. isaiah pryor
Safety
1. Brendon White
2. josh proctor
Keep in mind that White is now getting a look at the “Bullet” position which be a hybrid of a safety and linebacker, but he’s still a free-safety by trade and took the bull by the horns last year. Fuller should be the guy at the other safety position with Pryor right there as well.
Next … the specialists
Punter
1. Drue chrisman
2. jake metzer
Nothing to see here and no controversy. Chrisman is “engaged” and in charge here.
Field Goals
1. blake Haubeil
2. Zach hoover
Haubeil is clearly the man here after taking the full-time duties last year.
Kickoffs
1. Blake Haubeil
2. zach hoover
Same call here.
* Freshman
