The Ohio State football team has ended its spring game, and despite the weird format and there being no tackling, we were able to at least start to answer some questions. Some of that came from the much-anticipated quarterback battle — though it’s a long haul and not a one-moment-in-time proposition.
Team Brutus defeated team Buckeye to a tune of 28 to 13, but in the grand scheme of things, it means absolutely nothing. Ryan Day and the coaching staff rotated all three quarterbacks between the two teams and the team vs. team format only existed for the first half. So who looked good, and who could have made better on their opportunities?
Here are two winners and two losers from what we saw from the 2021 Ohio State LiFESports spring game on Saturday.
NEXT … The clear winners
Winners
C.J. Stroud
Stroud sure seems like the leader for the starting quarterback gig and he displayed confidence and understanding of the playbook. We knew he had the physical traits, but his awareness on the field and connection with the receivers is what separates him.
Coach Day continues to preach that this is a wide-open battle, but that feels a little bit like coach-speak at this point. Count us in the camp that will be shocked if Stroud doesn’t trot out against Minnesota as the starting quarterback on September 2.
I know this is just a spring game … but C.J. Stroud has had the edge throughout camp, and I think it's pretty clear he's going to be the starting quarterback for Ohio State.
— Austin Ward (@AWardSports) April 17, 2021
Jack Sawyer
Sawyer came to Columbus with an insane amount of hype surrounding him, but he proved he was worth every bit of it today with four sacks (via the spring game “touch” variety). It is very hard to judge lineman in a thud-only scrimmage, but Sawyer had four legitimate sacks and should be a bookend force to reckon with as Harrison potentially patrols the other side.
But remember, there’s also Tyreke Smith who will have something to say about that spot. Either way, if he keeps his head on straight and continues to develop, there’s no reason to not believe that Sawyer is going to be special.
Jack Sawyer is now up to four sacks in today's game. And that's why Ohio State has to find a place for him in its defensive end rotation this year.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) April 17, 2021
NEXT … Those that could have done better
“Losers”
Jack Miller III
Realistically Miller played fine and his first drive was excellent. He clearly has the skillset to lead this offense, but once he threw that interception, it was game over with the momentum he generated early on. Miller was done mentally and it snowballed from there.
The spring game isn’t the end all be all, but he’ll have to turn the page and get back to work. Again, there’s still time, but he was having himself a day before the pick.
Final quarterback stats from today's Ohio State spring game:
C.J. Stroud: 16-22, 185 yards, 2 TD
Kyle McCord: 12-17, 184 yards, 2 TD
Jack Miller: 17-30, 128 yards, 1 INT
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) April 17, 2021
The Defensive Backfield
Everyone is talking about these insane Ohio State receivers and rightfully so, but it would be really nice to see what this defensive backfield can do fully healthy against a receiving corps that is just insane. Sevyn Banks was already out and they are trying to replace Shaun Wade.
Do we really know what is going on in the defensive backfield? Today wasn’t a good look, but it’s hard to really know what we’re dealing with here. Still, it was not a good performance by the back end of the defense, and things still need addressing there.
