Spring Practice Primer: Ohio State Opens Up 2016 With Significantly More Questions Than Answers

Football returns to Columbus on Tuesday morning as Ohio State opens spring practice. But let’s be honest for a second: It never really left.

With so many new faces, the feeling surrounding the Buckeyes heading into this spring is certainly different than it was a year ago, but that doesn’t mean there’s any less excitement. That’s just the way things work around here. No matter the year, no matter the team, Ohio State football is always buzzing.

There are significantly more questions than answers when it comes to the 2016 version of the Buckeyes. But after a senior class that won 50 games in four seasons departed and nine underclassmen declared early for the NFL Draft, that was always going to be the case.

One thing with Ohio State is always constant, though: Expectations are never going to change.

Here’s a quick rundown of everything Eleven Warriors wrote over the last few weeks to get you ready for spring practice:

• Positional previews: Offensive line, safety, wide receiver, running back, defensive tackle
• A list of five players who are preparing to enter a make-or-break spring
• On the difference surrounding Ohio State this spring as opposed to last
• Key spring practice dates to add to your calendars
• On Pat Elflein's transition from guard to center with an assist from former Buckeye Corey Linsley
• J.T. Barrett is the clear-cut starting quarterback at Ohio State during spring practice for the first time in his career
• On Barrett, Elflein and Raekwon McMillan already thriving in their roles as captains for the 2016 team
• On Ohio State's mantra for 2016: Welcome to 'The Land of the Wolves'

Some additional storylines to keep in mind:

Schiano, Studrawa transition to Ohio State's staff: The Buckeyes have two new coaches on their staff this spring in Greg Schiano and Greg Studrawa. Schiano replaces Chris Ash — who left to become the head coach at Rutgers — as Ohio State's safeties coach and co-defensive coordinator. Studrawa takes over as the offensive line coach as Ed Warinner shifted to coach the tight ends to put his primary focus on calling plays as the offensive coordinator.

Both have been active in recruiting since coming to Ohio State, but spring practice marks the first time they'll actually get to work with the players in football-related drills.

Ash overhauled the Buckeyes' secondary and the two-year turnaround was quite remarkable so Schiano has some big shoes to fill. He's certainly qualified, though, having been a longtime college head coach with a brief stint in the NFL as a head coach, as well.

Studrawa is in a similar spot replacing Warinner, who developed Ohio State's offensive line into one of the strongest in the country over the last three seasons. Warinner did not leave the program, of course, so that helps, but it's still a transition to keep an eye on, especially as the Buckeyes try to replace three starters up front.

Who will emerge as the player coaches can't stop talking about?: Two years ago it was Darron Lee. Last season, Noah Brown was the guy. There seems to be a player every spring Ohio State coaches can't stop raving about and there's a plethora of options for 2016. 

The Buckeyes are replacing 16 total starters and we've talked about the roster turnover at length, but Ohio State's coaches are rarely shy on praising young players who have earned it. Identifying that player or players is certainly something worth keeping an eye on this spring.

Position battles galore: We kind of outlined them all in the positional previews above, but because of the aforementioned turnover on Ohio State's roster, there are plenty of spots available this spring.

And while it's unclear how many starting jobs will be won, players can certainly put themselves in positions as frontrunners heading into fall camp. There's plenty of time available at running back, wide receiver, offensive line, defensive tackle, linebacker and in the secondary.

Head coach Urban Meyer is scheduled to address the media following Ohio State's first spring practice Tuesday at approximately 11 a.m. Eleven Warriors will have full coverage from Meyer's press conference, in addition to photos, videos and more.

Stay tuned. Football is back.