The final week of spring practice is officially upon us as Ohio State's 2018 Spring Game is set for Saturday at 1:45 p.m. at Ohio Stadium.
That said, there are still plenty of spots up for grabs in Columbus, making the final week of practice critical for those trying to leave a lasting impression before the summer.
All eyes are on the quarterback battle between Dwayne Haskins, Joe Burrow and Tate Martell, as Ohio State looks to replace J.T. Barrett, but numerous other positions remain open as Urban Meyer will have to fill all three linebacker positions as well as a likely first-round pick at cornerback in Denzel Ward.
What follows is a list of five Buckeyes who have something to prove in the final week of spring ball – not including the quarterbacks – in no particular order.
Demario McCall, RS Sophomore, H-back
McCall instantly became a fan favorite at Ohio State as a freshman with his blazing speed and apparent love for dirt bikes, but since arriving in Columbus, he has yet to make a splash with the Buckeye offense.
Yes, McCall has earned some playing time in his first two seasons as a Buckeye, and has found the end zone a number of times, but he has yet to see any playing time at Ohio State with the game on the line.
Last season, McCall saw his numbers dip from his freshman campaign as he dealt with a lingering groin injury that kept him out of Ohio State's final eight games of the 2017 season.
In a game that almost exclusively features the passing game and will surely showcase the quarterbacks, McCall could use a breakout performance at H-back as he continues to battle with Parris Campbell for playing time.
Keandre Jones, Junior, Linebacker
Another member of Ohio State's 2016 recruiting class, Jones is finally in a position where he can battle for a starting role.
Jones sat behind Jerome Baker and Chris Worley his first two seasons at Ohio State, and saw limited game action outside of special teams for the Buckeyes, leaving his ability to play outside linebacker at the college level largely unknown to those outside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
With three spots open, Jones will have plenty of opportunities to make a lasting impression with the coaching staff in a game day atmosphere. Due to the nature of the spring game, the linebackers will likely be tested through the air often on Saturday, an area they struggled mightily in last year.
If Jones can hold his own in the passing game on Saturday, he could solidify his spot as one of Ohio State's starting outside linebackers in 2018.
Brady Taylor, Senior, Center
A fifth-year senior, Taylor has everything to prove in Ohio State's 2018 Spring Game.
For starters, can he handle the pass-rush from the likes of Dre'Mont Jones and Ohio State's other premier interior linemen in a game-like atmosphere? That will be crucial for the Buckeyes as they break in a new quarterback for the first time since 2014.
Taylor also has big shoes to fill, as Ohio State's last two centers have taken home the Rimington Award. Taylor needs a solid day at center to keep Josh Myers and Matthew Burrell off his heels, as he tries to lock down the starting role in his final season.
He won't have much of an opportunity to show off his run blocking ability in the spring game, so keeping the quarterback clean (even though they will be in no-contact jerseys) will be critical for Taylor.
Luke Farrell, RS Sophomore, Tight End
With the departure of Marcus Baugh, Ohio State is looking to fill a major void at tight end. While Rashod Berry appears to be the early favorite, Farrell could have an opportunity to push him in 2018.
Berry's athleticism will be hard to keep off the field, but we have seen Ohio State use double-tight end sets in the past. In order to utilize those personnel groupings again, the Buckeye coaching staff will want to have a second tight end they can rely on, and a solid performance during the final week of spring could go a long way for Farrell.
In a pass-heavy spring game, Farrell will have the opportunity to show his receiving skills, but perhaps more important will be the handful of times he might be asked to block in the run game. If he can take advantage of those reps, he might get more game reps come September.
C.J. Saunders, Senior, Wide Receiver
Saunders made an incredible first impression on Ohio State fans last season, as he emerged in the second half of a blowout win over UNLV, catching six passes for 102 yards and a score.
His production in limited action (17 catches, 221 yards) last season made him a fan favorite in a receiver room that some believe has underachieved in recent years. After adding some weight in the offseason, Saunders is looking to earn more game reps in 2018, and a solid showing in the spring game would be a good place to start.
By now, we know Saunders can be a reliable receiver. What we don't know is how well he can block on the perimeter. His lack of size and strength is what kept him off the field last season, but if he can prove to the coaching staff that he can hold his own in the run game, he just might slide into the rotation at receiver in 2018.
