“That's what they do in Texas — they run out of bounds.”
Tony Alford wasn't ready to hear why freshman running back J.K. Dobbins elected to step on the white paint before he should have to finish a rep on Tuesday morning at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. Ohio State took the field for the sixth time this spring and Alford kept on the Texas product.
Running back drills with Tony Alford holding a bat: pic.twitter.com/314dSb8fwO
— Eric Seger (@EricSeger33) March 28, 2017
“Stay in bounds!” he shouted.
Here are more observations from Ohio State's offense from Tuesday's practice:
- Eric Glover-Williams is explosive, crisp in and out of cuts and fast. We already knew this — but he rarely lost a rep in the 1-on-1 portion of practice between the wide receivers and defensive backs.
- Glover-Williams also made a few catches over the middle in the mini-field portion of practice. The same goes for Parris Campbell, who again spent the majority of his time in the slot.
- Campbell again showed an aggressiveness to the ball. He also remains quick in and out of cuts.
- Punt returners, in order: K.J. Hill, Kendall Sheffield, Demario McCall and Glover-Williams. Shaun Wade did not field punts on Tuesday as he had in the weeks prior.
- Urban Meyer was pleased with the punt portion of practice, ending it more than 2 minutes early after getting animated when a rep finished. The program staffer on the loudspeaker, gave that group a shout out by saying, "Good s***, punt."
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The emphasis on the downfield passing game is again apparent. J.T. Barrett, Joe Burrow, Dwayne Haskins and Tate Martell all threw multiple passes down the sideline to receivers, both with and without defenders on them.
Here is video proof that yes, J.T. Barrett is practicing deep passes during Ohio State spring practice: pic.twitter.com/l8g70RhYcN
— Eric Seger (@EricSeger33) March 28, 2017 - The quarterbacks also did a quick drill where they took the snap around the 45-yard line and practiced lobbing it to a spot in the middle of the end zone.
- In the backfield action portion of drills, Meyer lurked around the players and visibly expressed ball security with the running backs. He showed them how he wanted them to position their hands before taking a handoff and how to put the ball underneath one arm after grabbing it from the quarterback.
- Johnnie Dixon was a full participant once again and beat defenders deep a few times. He has yet to show any ill effect from his recent knee problems, but it is important to remember this is the first practice of the week and the Buckeyes take a least one day off between spring sessions. Dixon's problem has been he cannot stay healthy.
- Barrett appeared accurate on his deep and intermediate passes. Joe Burrow looked accurate on intermediate routes as well but struggled at times throwing deeper.
- McCall worked with the running back group once again during drill work.
- Antonio Williams was noticeably absent from practice on Tuesday.
- The first two offensive line groups stayed the same as last week. From left to right: Jamarco Jones, Michael Jordan, Billy Price, Demetrius Knox and Isaiah Prince.
- Second team: Josh Alabi, Matt Burrell, Brady Taylor, Malcolm Pridgeon and Branden Bowen.
- Binjimen Victor and Campbell beat Kendall Sheffield on consecutive plays during mini-field. Victor got an inside release and made a catch on a slant pass while Campbell created significant separation on a comeback route near the sideline.
- Tate Martell underthrew a pass to the sideline on the right side during mini-field. Joshua Norwood intercepted it.
- K.J. Hill made multiple grabs during mini-field but he nearly got drilled in his helmet by Dwayne Haskins. Haskins rifled a strike on a 15-yard hook pattern to Hill in the slot but the receiver had not turned around yet, an obvious timing issue.
- Dixon beat Damon Webb on a deep pattern in 1-on-1s, catching the pass from Barrett around the 5-yard line and scoring a touchdown.
- Barrett was the only quarterback who went to the offensive and defensive line portion of practice, taking snaps so those groups could get reps against one another. Burrow, Haskins and Martell continued throwing to tight ends and receivers. Barrett joined that drill after about 5 minutes of working with the whole offensive line against Larry Johnson's defensive front.
- Tight end Marcus Baugh ran laps again during practice. He was joined by defensive end Jonathon Cooper.
- Dayton Dunbar 4-star running back Tavion Thomas watched practice on Tuesday morning with Mark Pantoni. Meyer came over and spoke with him for a few minutes while the team stretched.
- Cardale Jones, Gareon Conley, Raekwon McMillan and Earle Bruce all attended practice.
