In case you hadn’t heard, Ohio State has quite a battle going on at the quarterback position.
But while that one won’t be settled until fall camp rolls around, the Buckeyes had several other slots up for grabs this spring. It’s a chance for players to grasp a firm hold on a starting position for the 2015 season heading into fall practice.
Following last season’s national championship, Ohio State had five spots where there were battles for starting spots going on, not including quarterback. Those included right tackle, wide receiver, defensive end, nose guard and cornerback. The Buckeyes lost starters at tight end and middle linebacker, as well, but there is no such battle going on at those positions as they have adequate replacements already in line.
With Ohio State’s spring game scheduled for Saturday, head coach Urban Meyer addressed those position battles during his press conference Monday morning.
Right Tackle
Based on what we’ve seen and heard all spring, this shouldn’t come as much of a surprise but Chase Farris appears to all but have solidified himself as Ohio State’s starter this fall. The fifth-year senior was in competition with sophomore Jamarco Jones, but as of right now it appears to be Farris’ job to lose.
Meyer all but confirmed that Monday.
“Right tackle is cleared up,” Meyer said. “Chase Farris will start if he continues to progress at right tackle.”
Wide Receiver
Meyer and wide receivers coach Zach Smith like to rotate multiple guys at this position, so there will be constant rotation and this spot. However, someone has to start opposite Michael Thomas out wide as the Buckeyes try to replace Devin Smith and Evan Spencer.
Jalin Marshall, Ohio State’s presumed starter at H-back, has been working strictly at wide receiver this spring in an effort to make him a more well-rounded player. Corey Smith is also an option as he returns, but the player Meyer singled out Monday was sophomore Noah Brown, who has been the name we’ve heard more than any other this spring.
“Noah Brown’s kind of solidified,” Meyer said. “If he just takes care of more business in the classroom I was going to announce him as one of the starting three or four.”
Defensive End
Outside of wide receiver, defensive end seems to be the most competitive position with a spot opening. The Buckeyes lost Steve Miller and Rashad Frazier who rotated at the defensive end spot opposite of All-American Joey Bosa, so they’ll need to find a replacement.
The leader in the clubhouse appears to be redshirt sophomore Tyquan Lewis, who Meyer said “has the upper hand” in the battle. Lewis, however, will be out for roughly four weeks after suffering a recent shoulder injury, Meyer said.
Right on Lewis’ heels, though, is redshirt freshman Sam Hubbard and sophomore Jalyn Holmes. Both have had very strong springs thus far.
Nose Guard
This spot was occupied by Adolphus Washington one year ago, but Washington will make the move to 3-technique this year to replace the departed Michael Bennett. That leaves Washington’s old position open for competition.
The job, right now, belongs to senior Tommy Schutt. However fifth-year senior Joel Hale, who moved back to defensive line this year after playing offensive line last season, was right there with Schutt before getting injured. Meyer said Monday that Hale will be out four to five weeks with a calf injury.
“(Schutt) has had a good spring, his best spring since he’s been here,” Meyer said. He’s cut weight, he’s done a very nice job. As of right now, he’d be the — him and Adolphus starting inside. As of right now. I’m not ready to say he’s the guy yet.”
Cornerback
The one position Meyer did not address Monday was cornerback, where Ohio State is searching for its No. 2 corner. Eli Apple will replace Doran Grant as the Buckeyes’ No. 1 cornerback.
Redshirt sophomore Gareon Conley has been running with the first team at that spot and cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs recently said he is having “a very good spring.”
But sophomore Damon Webb is pushing Conley and redshirt freshman Marshon Lattimore, who is almost fully healthy again after missing last year with a hamstring injury, could also push Conley.
