For the first time since 2003, Ohio State enters spring drills as the reigning national champions.
Yes, the roster is still stacked and while on paper it appears Urban Meyer's squad should once again be in the thick of the championship hunt, there are still questions to answer as the Buckeyes begin spring drills next Tuesday.
Though it won't be settled in spring due to injuries, the three-way battle between Cardale Jones, J.T. Barrett and Braxton Miller to be Ohio State's starting signal remains the biggest question mark. While that battle will dominate the headlines all the way to the season opener in Blacksburg, there are numerous other questions that the staff will begin to sort through starting next week.
With that, we glance at five key storylines heading into spring drills.
RESHAPING THE WIDE RECEIVER CORPS
Two key senior departures from last year's championship season include Devin Smith and Evan Spencer. Smith led the squad in receiving yards (931), yards per catch (28.2), yards per game (62.1), receiving touchdowns (12) and scaring the mess out of defensive coordinators with his deep ball abilities. Conversely, Spencer's raw numbers didn't get the attention of most secondaries but his leadership and incredible blocking ability made him a legit contributor during the title run.
In their absence, Zach Smith has plenty of talent to work with but how the rotation will shake out is far from certain. Mike Thomas will obviously be the #1 true wide receiver in what will no doubt be his final NFL audition and Corey Smith showed big play ability in between a handful of fumbles but the competition will be fierce.
With Dontre Wilson back from injury giving the Buckeyes a ridiculous tandem of Wilson and Jalin Marshall at the H-Back slot, it's likely both but moreso Marshall could see increased reps on the outside. Meanwhile, Noah Brown stepped up as Marshall's backup when Wilson went down but he's another guy who could be used at numerous receiver spots in an effort to get his skill-set on the field.
With Thomas, Smith, Marshall and Wilson as a probable top four and Brown potentially ready to breakout that gives Smith five studs with plenty of other guys vying for snaps.
James Clark and Johnnie Dixon have been slowed by injuries but will hopefully be healthy enough to push for reps into fall camp. Jeff Greene is still around and Parris Campbell has big time speed. The list seems to go on and on and that doesn't even include fall arrivals in K.J. Hill and Alex Stump. Next Tuesday marks the beginning of what will be a competitive months-long race for the opportunity to play in what should be a lethal offense.
leaders to legends
No team will win a national championship without talented Jimmy's and Joe's complementing talented coaches drawing up the X's and O's but a third factor is leadership.
Since his arrival in Columbus, Meyer has preached the importance of senior leadership within a program and taken significant measures to develop such characteristics in his players and coaches.
Last year, the championship run was largely credited to Cardale's clutch gene, a resurgent defense and a dominating rushing attack – all absolutely critical factors – but another huge intangible to capturing the championship was that senior leadership.
Michael Bennett was a steadying force for the defense especially in the wake of Kosta Karageorge's death and his efforts were complimented by a tremendously unselfish Curtis Grant and a leader-by-example in Doran Grant. On the other side of the ball, Evan Spencer and Jeff Heuerman formed a strong 1-2 punch in leading the offense and even got an assist behind the scenes from Braxton Miller.
This year, expect Meyer to talk early and often about who is or isn't stepping up as a leader and how critical that development will be to having any chance at repeating.
Odds are Taylor Decker and Miller take the torch from Spencer and Heuerman with an assist from Jacoby Boren and maybe Nick Vannett on offense so there is little cause for concern there.
Defensively, beyond Joshua Perry, and maybe Adolphus Washington, the Buckeyes may have to lean on juniors such as Vonn Bell, Joey Bosa and Tyvis Powell. How and who begin to step up on that side of the ball with a chance of not only becoming leaders but legends in program history depending on the season's outcome will be worth watching.
SOLIDIFYING THE DEFENSIVE LINE
As noted, the departure of Michael Bennett is a major hit to the defensive leadership and the loss of his on-field production is another significant hole that must be patched. Bennett played like a man possessed down the stretch and there isn't a sure bet on the roster to replace his impact.
Senior-to-be Tommy Schutt, a former five-star prospect out of Illinois, has yet to live up to the hype though he has had some injuries. If Schutt can't get it done, the likely next in line will be redshirt sophomore Michael Hill. The South Carolina product has had his own injury issues but the time is now.
If neither of those guys can get the job done Ohio State will have some concerns as next in line will be fall camp arrivals in three-stars DaVon Hamilton and Robert Landers.
The other opening is at defensive end with the loss of Steve Miller and Rashad Frazier. The duo was was serviceable in Noah Spence's absence with Miller's pick-six against Alabama serving as one of the most clutch plays of the playoff run. First dibs on the job appear to belong to Jalyn Holmes but Tyquan Lewis would like something to say about that and it would be unwise to discount true freshman and early enrollee Jashon Cornell making a bid for snaps. This could be one of the closest position battles of the spring even though a starter might not be crowned until September 7th.
TURNING THE CORNER
Fielding two legit corners is a top priority for any aggressive defense looking to be among the nation's elite and Ohio State will need one legit cover guy to emerge with the departure of Doran Grant.
A quiet leader but big time competitor, Grant's performances against his toughest challenges such as Tony Lippett and Amari Cooper were crucial factors in the championship run.
While Eli Apple becomes Ohio State's de facto #1 corner drawing the toughest coverage assignments, cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs must figure out who among a talented group of challengers will complement Apple's emergence.
A trio of guys appear to be in the running including Gareon Conley, Marshon Lattimore and Damon Webb while early enrollee Jamel Dean will also attend spring camp.
Conley broke up a couple passes last year and Webb had one while Lattimore was forced to redshirt following a hamstring injury so none of the guys have proven enough to have first dibs on the job entering camp. As with defensive end, this should be another stiff competition with Lattimore and Webb garnering the most buzz as potential starters. I'd agree with that as Conley hasn't impressed despite having the most opportunity but this is another battle in which a winner might not be known until the defense takes the field against Virginia Tech.
DECIDING ON THE FINAL SLOB
Last year's ridiculous offensive line returns four starters in Taylor Decker, Billy Price, Jacoby Boren and Pat Elflein. The lone starting spot, right tackle, is vacant with the departure of the underappreciated Darryl Baldwin.
With Ed Warriner leading the slobs, it's fair to think Ohio State could plug in Cameron Johnston at right tackle and steamroll through the B1G but since they'll take a different approach, the most likely candidate to get the first chance to lock down the position is senior Chase Farris. The Elyria product has paid his dues shuffling along both sides of the line and has some experience despite being a career backup.
Jamarco Jones is the name most often brought up after Farris and the guess is that they remain the top two candidates throughout the spring though Brady Taylor or others could potentially enter the mix.
