In Urban Meyer's eyes, it isn't about what you do at your first day of work. It is about what comes next.
“I guess you used the word zip but it’s because they haven’t practiced in a while and they’ve been getting their brains kicked in in the weight room,” Meyer told a reporter on Tuesday, shortly after Ohio State ended its first practice of the spring.
“They’re really excited to be out there running around. I hope we have that same zip in practice 12 or in the middle of August.”
The reporter used the word "zip" which is why Meyer repeated it, but what the head coach said was accurate too. Ohio State permitted the media to watch the first hour of practice on Tuesday and it was pretty evident there was a spring in the step of everyone on the field. Meyer, his coaching staff — complete with three new members — the players, training staff; everyone was excited to get back on the field.
Especially the wide receivers, which Meyer continued made specific reference to as he continued.
“It wasn't there last year,” he said.
Saying wide receiver production was absent in 2016 is an understatement. Omitting Curtis Samuel, who also played running back, Ohio State didn't have a player in Zach Smith's room catch more than 32 passes last season. That man, Noah Brown, just spent last weekend at the NFL Combine with Samuel.
The Buckeyes lacked a true deep threat outside of Samuel, struggled to find guys who consistently could make plays and J.T. Barrett struggled to find them even when they were open. That falls on him but also his offensive line, which needs an uptick in production like everybody else.
Meyer outlined that truth on Tuesday too and called to arms the players that inhabit Zach Smith's position room. He did not specify names but noted he needs to see more from a few of them.
“Right now, we’re very fluid,” Meyer said. “We’re getting three-year windows from some guys and the young guys have got to step up and go.”
Meyer added earlier in his press conference that he loves what Ohio State has at the top of its program in terms of players in addition to the dynamite recruiting class he just signed. Now the Buckeyes must "squeeze it to make sure everybody's productive and provides value." Outside of maybe the offensive line, that doesn't ring true for any other group than the wide receivers.
James Clark's decision to walk away from the program means the Buckeyes have no senior wide receivers on the roster. Juniors are Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin and Johnnie Dixon, the latter of which struggles to stay healthy with ailing knees.
Campbell worked in the slot almost exclusively on Tuesday and made a few nice catches on post patterns during a half-field session of practice. It led to Meyer yelling his name multiple times in excitement after tossing a fist pump above his head. Meyer knows what Campbell brings in terms of explosion in the return game. He needs more of it within the offense.
K.J. Hill, Austin Mack and Binjimen Victor all have extremely high ceilings but need to show they can perform at an elite level. It was obvious with Meyer's words about the young guys that he desperately wants to use that trio extensively this fall. Brendon White could be lumped in that group too, a young pup and freak athlete who until recently wasn't sure where he'd take reps in his first set of spring practices.
“Right now we have a little bit of a need at wide receiver,” Meyer said. “We're pretty deep at linebacker. Brendon White, he is a great athlete, quarterback in high school. Let's take a look at him there, see if he develops, yet he's also learning how to tackle and play on defense.”
Meyer added he expects White's first impact to come on special teams, which in a way makes sense since it sounds like he'll essentially be learning two positions. Toss other freshmen Jaylen Harris, Trevon Grimes and Elijah Gardiner into the mix in June and the Buckeyes have a wide breadth of talent at wide receiver again. Except those three don't arrive for three months.
So for spring practice, it is on Smith to make his boss happy and show growth in the young players at wide receiver. Ohio State's downfield passing game didn't stretch its legs last season for multiple reasons. A lack of game breaker at receiver other than Samuel is the biggest reason why. Meyer sees "outstanding" potential for that to change in 2017.
But it starts with consistency on Day 2, Thursday.
“We have not had the production but was it a good first day? I’d put it at a great first day,” he said, “but a lot of great first days out there.”
