With Ohio Stadium lurking behind them under the brilliant, cloudless blue sky above Ohio State's campus, Urban Meyer gathered his troops together Friday morning for a quick word before the Buckeyes got to work in their first day of full pads.
"It is a rugged day today," Meyer bellowed at Coffey Road Park. "A rugged, rugged day."
Meyer repeated the phrase roughly 10 more times, hoping to drill into his head the idea that the first day in full gear meant it was time to let loose and show what each player can bring to the table.
"I want to find out our middle linebacker is today," Meyer said. "It's going to be a rugged day today. Get ready, Raekwon. Rugged, rugged, day."
Raekwon McMillan is all but assured the starting middle linebacker spot for the Buckeyes when they trot out for the season opener in Blacksburg, Va., Sept. 7 against Virginia Tech. That didn't stop the man with three national championship rings capturing an opportunity Friday to challenge the player who once had five-star status and show he's just like everyone else on the team.
It's time to earn your worth at Ohio State.
Notes:
- As already mentioned, the biggest news of the day is freshman quarterback Torrance Gibson taking snaps with the Ohio State wide receivers. He still wore his black jersey during practice, but did not do any drill work with the other quarterbacks on roster during the portion of practice open to the media.
- Gibson at wide receiver makes sense: With so much talent in the Ohio State quarterback room, it is next to impossible for him to get enough worthwhile reps to further his development. Plus, with his athleticism, Meyer sees the potential for another weapon on the outside in an already loaded offense.
- Cardale Jones took the first reps yet again in the backfield session of practice. It likely means that it was just his turn to do so Friday. J.T. Barrett stepped in right after him and also took extra reps at running the option.
- Ezekiel Elliott initially had trouble getting the footwork down for the option left with Jones, but eventually took it in stride.
-
In that portion of work, Braxton Miller left the wide receiver drill to work in at option with Jones. Curtis Samuel did the same, proving what Meyer said in the past that he'll play both H-back and running back to be true.
@CJ12_ speed option with @BraxtonMiller5 , yes please #OhioState #FallCamp pic.twitter.com/MT4bop4D5m
— Josh Winslow (@jwinslow7) August 14, 2015 -
Elliott, Miller and Jalin Marshall were seen catching punts from the jugs machine in the early part of practice. Dontre Wilson did not.
Here are Ezekiel Elliott, Braxton Miller and Jalin Marshall fielding punts. Dontre Wilson did not. pic.twitter.com/IUgTQMsX3W
— Eric Seger (@EricSeger33) August 14, 2015 - One-on-one goal line tackling drills pitted the offense against the defense. A ball was placed on a bag and when the whistle was blown, the offensive player grabbed it and tried to get beyond the end line past the defender. The defense got in a hole early during the drill, but ultimately won it, 15-10.
- During that drill, Gibson slipped past Denzel Ward and spiked the ball to the turf in excitement, showing his elusiveness and athleticism.
- McMillan absolutely stoned Elliott during their one-on-one, leading to raucous cheers from everyone from Meyer, to Luke Fickell and the rest of the team.
- Freshman linebacker Nick Conner did the same to Nick Vannett, showing an unwillingness to back down from the fifth-year senior.
- Noted talker and safety Tyvis Powell also jawed quite a bit with Noah Brown during the goal line drills.
- Joel Hale and Cam Burrows spent the entire time media was allowed inside the fences to watch practice off to the side doing footwork drills. Hale tore his calf in spring practice and Burrows also spent time in the offseason with a cast on his lower left leg and ankle.
Stay with Eleven Warriors for continuing coverage of Ohio State practice, with videos of drills and a photo gallery coming soon.
