It wasn’t hard to locate some of the best players to recently play at Ohio State. All one had to do was take a peek down on the sidelines at Ohio Stadium or up at the video board above the south stands. Many of the recent players who starred for the Buckeyes the last few seasons all came back to witness Saturday’s spring game.
Former Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby was introduced to the crowd at midfield during a timeout. All-American safety Vonn Bell was given the same opportunity. Former linebackers Joshua Perry and Darron Lee were out coaching up students during a halftime race. Michael Thomas, Johnathan Hankins and more were interviewed by the Big Ten Network during the television broadcast.
So many of the recent Ohio State greats were back in attendance. They were all there, as part of the record 100,189 inside the stadium, to get a glimpse of the Buckeyes’ future.
“The teams that have great success, they’re the ones that come back,” head coach Urban Meyer said after the game, which was won 28-17 by the Gray team. “When they come back, they can be extremely proud of what they’ve done.”
With a senior class that amassed 50 wins over the last four years and nine underclassmen declaring for the NFL Draft, it’s expected Ohio State experiences somewhat of a drop-off for the 2016 season. The thought is there is just so much to replace and that it’s not going to be an easy task in just one season.
The Buckeyes have a lot of talent, but it’s a lot of unproven talent.
“There is a gap there a little bit. Whenever you lose nine juniors, there is a gap,” Meyer said. “It’s like missing a recruiting class. When you lose that many players — the most I think we lost was six one year — you get that gap and someone’s gotta — it’s up to the staff to get there.
“There is a lot of talent, just gotta push them up a year.”
That talent was on full display Saturday. From Joe Burrow to Torrance Gibson, and Mike Weber to Malik Hooker. There were other names, too. And Meyer has a bit of comfort coming out of spring. He feels his group is in a good spot.
“I do see it. I’m going to go home — I’m very pleased, I’m good,” Meyer said. “I will probably watch the film and get sick to my stomach, but, no, what I saw today was the future is bright at Ohio State.”
Meyer Talks Defensive Line Performance
Meyer has been often critical about the lack of depth along Ohio State's defensive line in recent years, particularly on the interior. It's been a strong point of emphasis this spring, too, and it's a huge reason why the team decided to move both Jashon Cornell and Dre'Mont Jones — two players which the Buckeyes recruited as defensive ends — to the interior of the line.
Cornell, Jones, Tracy Sprinkl, Michael Hill, Robert Landers and Davon Hamilton all played quite a few snaps Saturday and all flashed at times. Hamilton had a game-high three sacks to lead the Gray team while Cornell had a pair to pace the Scarlet team. Jones and Dylan Thompson also were credited with sacks along the defensive line.
After the game, Meyer was asked to give his final assessment of the defensive line coming out of spring practice.
"There was a lot of pressure on Coach Johnson and that unit because when we won the national championship the defensive line played as well as any team in America and a good chunk of those guys are gone," Meyer said. "I think they're talented, very eager, we have a good D-line coach and the good thing is they're allowed to spend time with our players now in the summer.
"We finished pretty good on the defensive line the last few practices."
Jerome Baker Talks One-Handed Interception
Ohio State sophomore linebacker Jerome Baker is still trying to battle for the starting position once occupied by Darron Lee, though Baker seems to be firmly behind redshirt junior Chris Worley at this time.
But the biggest highlight of Saturday's spring game was undoubtedly made by Baker when he intercepted a pass from Burrow by snatching it with one hand, looking like a natural wide receiver. It was the kind of athleticism many have often raved about with Baker.
After the game, Baker was made available to the media and was asked about the play.
"Our D-line got to [Burrow] and I seen Joe under pressure and he just threw it up and I went up and got it," Baker said. "That's just God given, being able to make a play like that. Just made a play, that's all."
Added fellow linebacker Dante Booker: "I actually wasn't too surprised. I've seen him do it before. He did it one time in practice. He's just an athlete. Just another day at the office."
Meyer Hesitant on Hyde Comparisons For Weber
Redshirt freshman running back Mike Weber carried the ball eight times for 38 yards and had two touchdowns Saturday and made a strong statement to be Ohio State's No. 1 running back when fall camp rolls around. Bri'onte Dunn, Weber's main competition for the starting job, did not play.
Weber is a guy who has drawn comparisons to former Ohio State running back Carlos Hyde. He's a smaller player — Weber is listed at just 5-foot-10 and 215 pounds while Hyde was listed at 6-0 and 240 pounds — but there are similar running styles. Hyde was in attendance Saturday.
Weber was called 'Baby Los' by his teammates last fall when he had his black stripe removed early in camp. And even though Meyer said Weber "played really good" during Saturday's spring game, he was a bit hesitant on the Hyde comparisons, as expected. After all, Hyde ran for 1,521 yards and had 18 touchdowns as a senior in 2013.
"They were starting to compare him to Carlos Hyde, easy now," Meyer said with a smile. "He hasn't reached that level yet."
