Heading into spring practice, one thing was for certain when it pertained to Ohio State's quarterbacks.
Barring an injury, J.T. Barrett was going to be the Buckeyes' starter. The day Barrett announced he was returning to Ohio State for his fifth season that became the case. Urban Meyer quickly dispelled any other possibilities.
But when it came to Barrett's backup, that was anything but a sure thing heading into spring ball. And after Saturday's spring game, there still isn't a clear-cut leader for No. 2.
"I want to watch the film and have conversations with our coaches," Meyer said. "We haven't had that yet. I know it is very close, but I'm not prepared to say who is 2, who is 3, etc., yet."
That was a bit of a different statement than the one Meyer offered just a couple of weeks ago when he declared redshirt sophomore Joe Burrow ahead of redshirt freshman Dwayne Haskins.
"I'd say Joe is ahead, but they're both getting reps," Meyer said April 4.
So, it begs the question: Did Haskins really make up that much ground in just two short weeks or was Meyer's statement following the spring game a tactic to keep both motivated throughout the summer? It was probably the latter.
Burrow and Haskins each impressed during Saturday's spring game. Burrow was 14-for-22 passing for 262 yards and three touchdowns while Haskins finished 26-for-37 for 293 yards and three scores. Tate Martell, the freshman early enrollee who figures to be sitting fourth on the depth chart at this point, was 1-for-2 passing for 11 yards and a 5-yard touchdown run.
Of course, spring game performances should be taken with a grain of salt. But that shouldn't take away from the fact both Burrow and Haskins delivered — in a big way.
And perhaps the most important thing the performance taught us, coupled with what assistant coaches and other players said throughout spring, was that if something were to happen to Barrett, Ohio State would be just fine at quarterback.
Ryan Day's meeting room is absolutely loaded with talent.
"I'd say we're all competing every day with each other and ourselves against the defense," Burrow said. "That's what I'm focused on, getting better by myself. Getting a great relationship with the quarterbacks and competing."
Added Haskins: “I’ve just got to continue to get better and that’s what Coach Meyer, Coach Day and Coach [Kevin] Wilson keep stressing to me, to get better every day because they see the potential. Just have to continue to put the meetings on the field and continue to get better.”
The biggest point of emphasis this spring for the Ohio State quarterbacks was the deep passing game. The Buckeyes struggled in that department a year ago — they ranked just 91st nationally with only 33 pass plays of 20-plus yards — so Day and new offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson wanted to bring the explosion back to an offense that lacked in that department.
Meyer said his quarterbacks completed a high percentage throughout all of spring ball. By all accounts, Ohio State should be much improved in that department.
"It went very well," Barrett said. "I think before we weren't necessarily making them at first but with Coach Wilson and Coach Day, each finding landmarks for those throws, keeping them from the boundaries so the receivers understand where it's going to hit at and then also those guys run hard and beating those guys downfield."
"As it got towards the end I think we did a really good job of completing the ball."
Ohio State's 2014 season was evidence there can never be too many quality quarterbacks on a single roster. After Braxton Miller got injured during fall camp and was out for the season, Barrett stepped in and led Ohio State to a Big Ten championship game appearance. Cardale Jones took the reins from there and delivered the Buckeyes a national title.
Those situations are rare, of course, but the lesson learned by Meyer and Co. was quite apparent: Quarterback play is always critical in college football and every good team needs more than one.
After the conclusion of spring ball, it's pretty apparent the Buckeyes have just that.
"All four quarterbacks in the last three weeks have been exceptional. They've done a very good job," Meyer said. "Very good spring for our quarterbacks."
