By now, you have probably read enough on the Ohio State quarterback battle to where your head is spinning. Don't worry, there will plenty more on the signal-callers to come in the coming days, weeks and months leading up to the 2018 season.
Ohio State's other open position battles are still being worked out and there are still a number of candidates still fighting for the right to be called a starter for the Buckeyes.
Quarterback is without question the most important position in football, therefore it is the most important position battle still to be determined in Columbus. However, Ohio State still needs to decide on three new linebackers, a safety and a center before the season kicks off on Sept. 1.
What follows is a list of the three most important position battles (outside of quarterback) that have yet to be decided at Ohio State, and how the decisions at those positions could impact the 2018 Buckeyes.
1. Middle / Outside Linebacker
Many, including myself, believe that at least one of the outside linebacker positions will be filled by Malik Harrison by the time the season starts. Harrison played plenty of reps last season in place of oft-injured Dante Booker and played well, collecting 36 tackles and a pair of sacks in 2017. Who joins him in the second level of Ohio State's defense remains to be seen.
With Tuf Borland sidelined with an Achilles, it is likely that someone else will have to fill in at the middle linebacker spot in the season opener. Baron Browning appears to be the leader in the clubhouse, but Justin Hilliard continues to push the sophomore.
The middle linebacker position has been crucial for Ohio State's defense over the years, and when the play at that spot has dropped, the Silver Bullets struggled. Chris Worley played the first few games at middle linebacker to start the season, but looked out of place at times. Oklahoma repeatedly gashed Ohio State with throws over the middle against the Buckeye linebackers on its way to a 31-16 win over OSU.
Once Worley got healthy and returned to outside linebacker and Borland assumed the middle linebacker duties, Ohio State seemed to stabilize a bit, outside of a disastrous showing in Iowa City.
Whoever wins the middle linebacker job will have to become the quarterback of the defense, and immediately assume a leadership role, which is why it is at the top of this list.
Joining the battle at middle linebacker is the other outside linebacker spot opposite of Harrison. Keandre Jones looks to have the upper hand to win the job, but is consistently getting pushed by the likes of Pete Werner.
The outside linebacker spot isn't as crucial as middle, but because of Ohio State's struggles at the position in pass coverage last season, the Buckeyes need to make sure they appoint the right player to fill this spot. Whoever does get the nod will have to play in space, something the linebackers struggled with at times a year ago.
2. Center
Ohio State has been spoiled with dominant play in the middle of the offense since Urban Meyer arrived in Columbus in 2012. The Buckeyes have boasted the likes of Corey Linsley, Jacoby Boren, Pat Elflein and Billy Price at center over the years, and for the first time in seven seasons, there is a serious question mark at the position.
Brady Taylor is the leader for the spot at the conclusion of fall camp, as the fifth-year senior put together a solid spring. However, the fact that Taylor has been around for five years and has yet to play a meaningful snap brings questions as to how he will perform when the bright lights are on him and he is touching the ball every play.
Redshirt freshman Josh Myers came in highly recruited last season, but an injury kept him from earning much playing time. He is the clear No. 2 option pushing Taylor, and could very well still earn the job by the time Oregon State invades Ohio Stadium.
Josh Myers started at center for the Scarlet team in Saturday's Spring Game and is pushing Brady Taylor to start in 2018 for Ohio State.
This position is the most critical battle going on for Meyer's offense, and with the Buckeyes also breaking in a new signal-caller, it is crucial for Ohio State to get consistency and leadership from its center. Taylor will enter fall camp as the starter, but I wouldn't be shocked to see Myers take the job over at some point during the season.
3. Cornerback
You could probably go with the safety spot opposite Jordan Fuller in this spot, but I am going with corner for a few reasons.
For starters, Ohio State has to replace yet another (likely) first-round pick in Denzel Ward, and the Buckeyes are breaking in a new position coach in Taver Johnson. Kendall Sheffield is the clear No. 1 corner, but behind him there are a few question marks.
Damon Arnette had his ups and downs last season in his first full season as a starting corner, and has been relegated to No. 46 this spring, which hints that he might not be in the highest of standing with the coaching staff. From there, Ohio State is expecting Jeffrey Okudah to be the third corner in the rotation; however, Okudah missed spring ball as he recovers from shoulder surgery.
There is a lot of talent in the cornerback room at Ohio State, but there is also a lot of unproven talent. The other question, of course, is whether or not Johnson can continue to meet the standard that Kerry Coombs set at corner for the Buckeyes. Only time will tell.
