Take a deep breath everyone: Football is back.
Well, at least football practices.
Ohio State opens its 2015 fall training camp Monday morning, with the freshmen players working out first at 8:45 a.m. The older guys hit the field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center at 3:05 p.m. after the entire team checked in to its hotel Sunday afternoon.
Full rundown of the dates and times of practices can be found here.
The Buckeyes switched their mantra from "The Chase" to "The Grind" shortly after winning the first-ever College Football Playoff National Championship in January. They don't like using the word "defend" to define their season this year, but the target will be on their backs larger than ever in 2015.
Here's a primer to get you ready for Camp Meyer 2015.
#QBgeddon is officially real: J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones enter Monday's practice with the largest microscope on them. The two were integral parts in Ohio State winning it all one season ago, but now are set to duke it out to earn the starting job with Braxton Miller's move to wide receiver.
"It's definitely crunch time," Jones said Sunday before checking into the team hotel.
Starting spots up for grabs: This wouldn't have normally been an area of concern for Ohio State, but since Joey Bosa, Corey Smith, Dontre Wilson and Jalin Marshall all must sit out the season opener against Virginia Tech after "violating a department policy," there's a few slots open.
The biggest loss is easily Bosa. The All-American's suspension leaves yet another hole on the defensive line: senior Adolphus Washington is currently the only returning starter available for Week 1 from last year's club. Miller's adjustment and progression at wide receiver adds a high level of intrigue for the team's available playmakers on the outside, too, especially with those three receivers being held out.
"This is the most excited I've been for camp, but without being super excited, because it's camp."– Taylor Decker
Who starts opposite of Eli Apple?: Gareon Conley earned the starting cornerback spot opposite Apple in spring drills, but top talents Marshon Lattimore and Damon Webb are lurking. Sports Illustrated's Pete Thamel called Lattimore his "X-factor" for Ohio State in 2015, which is worth noting, because, well, he's Pete Thamel. It's hard to find someone closer to Meyer in the media. Definitely something to keep an eye on during camp.
Buckeye linebackers look strong: Joshua Perry and Darron Lee turned in stellar seasons one year ago as full-time starters for Luke Fickell. Former blue-chip recruit Raekwon McMillan also got his feet wet in the middle. That unit looks potent and poised to have another big year if all can stay healthy.
"We got a lot of great guys coming back, great players," Perry said Sunday. "Got a lot of good young players coming through. We just want to see how everything works together."
Staff additions: Stan Drayton bolted to the NFL and Tom Herman headed south to the University of Houston after helping the Buckeyes top Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon in the postseason. Meyer hired Tony Alford to fill in for Drayton and Tim Beck to do the same for Herman. How each guys steps in and produces is a noteworthy topic to watch, especially for Beck considering what he has in front of him at quarterback.
Ed Warinner as OC: With Herman's move to Houston, offensive line coach Ed Warinner got promoted. He'll now be calling the plays — with both Meyer's and Beck's input — despite staying on the field during games. How Warinner and the rest of the staff grow together with this change will go a long way to determine how camp and then the season will play out.
Slob rule: Warinner's offensive line returns four starters from a year ago and inserts Chase Farris into the vacant right tackle spot after the graduation of Darryl Baldwin. They figure to be monsters up front with Ezekiel Elliott running behind them, potentially laying waste to any concern for whoever plays quarterback.
"It's my last shot at it, my last chance to kind of make a mark as a player here so I want to go out right," starting left tackle and senior Taylor Decker said Sunday.
Heisman Hype: Elliott was the favorite to win the Heisman Trophy when the initial odds came out following the national title game, mostly because he and the Buckeye offensive line annihilated Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon for 696 yards and eight touchdowns in the three biggest games of the year.
But along with him, whoever wins the job at quarterback is bound to be in the Heisman conversation once the season kicks off. Meyer's offense is too potent to not score points and put up gaudy stats, and how he uses the talent in the quarterback room will go a long way to determine how much love those guys get in the race. Will that hype become a distraction? We'll see.
Miller's move: Miller's always had the attention of everyone — and even now has it of a drone — but how he develops and grows into a complete wide receiver is an interesting storyline for camp. How Meyer plans to use him within the offense is, too. The opportunities to get an athlete like that the ball are endless.
There's obviously more to watch for than what's listed above, but Ohio State's 2015 season officially gets under way Monday morning. Buckle up.
"This is the most excited I've been for camp, but without being super excited, because it's camp," Decker said.
Jones added: "This is what I look forward to, when it's nothing but ball. Nothing but 24/7 ball, outside of school. This is where, these two and a half weeks, it's really how we define our team in the season."
