Practicing behind an offensive line with three new starters, throwing to a new crop of wide receivers and a new tight end and handing the ball off to a different running back, Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett has already seen a lot of change this spring.
This isn’t a surprise, of course, as the Buckeyes are working to replace eight offensive starters — and 16 total — after the mass exodus following the 2015 season which saw nine underclassmen declare for the NFL Draft. Barrett, who is set to enter his redshirt junior season behind center, is one of the few ones who stuck around for 2016.
And because of all the transition — and as several of Barrett’s top offensive weapons are limited due to injury — Ohio State’s offense has been somewhat of a work in progress through the first eight practices of the spring.
“I don’t think we ever want to be content with what we do because you’re always trying to progress and get better. I think that’s we’re at right now, we’re at a spot where we can grow,” Barrett said Saturday. “We’re not complacent at all, I don’t think that’s our mindset. We’ve got young guys getting reps and making sure that they’re going to be able to help us out.”
The Buckeyes are looking to revamp an offense that ranked third in the Big Ten a season ago, averaging 434.1 yards per game. But they first must find ways to replace three starting offensive linemen, running back Ezekiel Elliott, tight end Nick Vannett and wide receivers Michael Thomas, Jalin Marshall and Braxton Miller.
That’s not an easy task.
Mike Weber and Bri’onte Dunn are splitting first-team reps at running back right now — head coach Urban Meyer says the two are “neck and neck” — and if one doesn’t become a clear-cut favorite by the time September rolls around, Ohio State may attempt to replace Elliott with a ‘by committee’ look, something the Buckeyes haven’t had much of since Meyer arrived prior to the 2012 season.
At wide receiver, things are a bit more difficult, especially this spring, as Ohio State’s likely top-four receivers in 2016 are all being held out or limited in spring ball. Noah Brown and Corey Smith are rehabbing from season-ending injuries suffered last season, while Curtis Samuel is working his way back from offseason foot surgery and the team is being cautious with Dontre Wilson, as well, who has had lingering foot problems for the better part of the last two years.
So that leaves Barrett to work this spring with a lot of guys who haven’t had a whole lot of playing time for the Buckeyes. At Saturday’s open practice, Austin Mack, James Clark and Parris Campbell were working with the first-team offense while Terry McLaurin, Johnnie Dixon and Torrance Gibson rotated in. Redshirt freshman K.J. Hill, who also has a chance to be a contributor this fall, is practicing with a cast on one of his hands so he’s also limited and can only use one hand to catch passes.
Because of all that, at times, the Ohio State offense has looked a bit rough during open portions of practice. The hope, of course, is that when everybody is full speed, the Buckeyes don’t miss a beat. Having the young players get reps now hopefully prepares them for the season if they’re called upon — and they likely will be.
“I think just our young guys getting reps and then older guys being able to lead the young guys and how things are supposed to go more technique-wise,” Barrett said. “I think that’s crucial to us developing this year.”
Ohio State’s young guys still have a long way to go to do just that, but the good news for the Buckeyes is there’s still plenty of time for that development.
