We should be enjoying this year's version of the spring game right now.
Instead of tuning in for the annual spring scrimmage, we're keeping our distance from one another while mulling over what will become of college football and the sports world as a whole.
University president Michael Drake certainly expects the ongoing pandemic to impact the season, and truth be told it already has thanks to a lack of workouts and spring practices. Gene Smith feels it's too early to speculate while the rest of us are just itching for something to help keeps our minds occupied. Fortunately, the Big Ten Network is coming through in a big way on this fine spring weekend.
The talented group of early enrollees and rebuilt running back room are among the areas most affected by practices getting canceled as we now hope things can safely get underway sometime this summer.
Even without the practices and spring game, we've decided to rank Ryan Day's position groups heading into the 2020 season that is set to kick off on Sept. 5 against Bowling Green.
8. Running Backs
We've spent plenty of time talking about Tony Alford's backfield and why the addition of Trey Sermon was such a big deal. There are question marks surrounding Master Teague and Marcus Crowley as they work to return from injuries. Sermon will reportedly be full go when he arrives in the coming months and 2020 signee Miyan Williams will also help to add some depth. Until then, redshirt freshman Steele Chambers will serve as the team's lone healthy back.
- Biggest Question: Health
7. Defensive Backs
The impact of Shaun Wade's return cannot be overstated, but there are still some question marks for Kerry Coombs' secondary. If you're a believer in Sevyn Banks and Cam Brown, then that makes the outlook more positive, and both have flashed at times. Fellow 2018 signee and likely starting safety Josh Proctor is a totally different player than Jordan Fuller and guys like Tyreke Johnson still need to take the next step.
- Biggest Question: Depth
6. Special Teams
The special teams oftentimes get overlooked and quite honestly is tough to place in the pecking order. Ohio State has returning seniors in Blake Haubeil and Drue Christman, and a little bit of experience is never a bad thing. Demario McCall and Garrett Wilson shared the punt return duties in 2019 with the latter seeing the bulk of the action. McCall served as the team's primary kick returner.
- Biggest Question: Explosiveness in the Return Game
5. Defensive Line
No one in their right mind would ever question Larry Johnson, but Ohio State's highly rotational defensive line lost three starters and four major contributors after the 2019 season. Chase Young, DaVon Hamilton, Robert Landers, and Jashon Cornell are all gone, but Johnson's rotation did allow plenty of others to get some much-needed experience.
Zach Harrison is on track to be the next star in the trenches while Jonathon Cooper and Tyreke Smith have also made their presence felt. On the interior, you've got Tommy Togiai back as a junior, Haskell Garrett as a senior, and we're all excited to see what former five-star Taron Vincent can do when healthy. Tyler Friday and Javontae Jean-Baptiste will also see plenty of action at defensive end.
- Biggest Question: The Health of Taron Vincent
4. Linebacker
Al Washington has a ton of experience at his disposal with three seniors expected to start (plus Justin Hilliard) and a trio of juniors chomping at the bit for more playing time. The loss of Malik Harrison is a pretty big blow, and now we wait to see if Baron Browning can live up to his five-star potential. I think Ohio State has struggled a bit to find the ideal spot for the Texan, but 2020 will give him ample opportunity to shine.
- Biggest Question: Will Baron Browning Take The Next Step?
3. Pass-Catchers
There isn't a more talented position group on the roster, but the lack of spring ball may be hurting the wideouts more than any other position outside of quarterback. Brian Hartline welcomed four touted freshmen in January, and unfortunately we won't get to see Julian Fleming, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Gee Scott Jr., and Mookie Cooper suit up in the spring scrimmage.
Chris Olave should be one of the best receivers in the country. Garrett Wilson already looks like the next big thing and is making the move to slot. And Jameson Williams flashed his blazing speed at times in 2019. This will be one of the team's strengths despite the losses of K.J. Hill, Austin Mack, and Binjimen Victor.
COME ONNNN @Jeremy_Ruckert1 makes an unbelievable one-handed catch for the @OhioStateFB touchdown! pic.twitter.com/VYAu1f7mJE
— FOX College Football (@CFBONFOX) December 8, 2019
The tight end spot is also loaded with returning starters Luke Farrell and Jeremy Ruckert. No one expects Ohio State tight ends to put up prolific numbers, but Farrell has been more than solid and Ruckert showed what he can do with a brilliant one-handed touchdown grab in Indy.
- Biggest Question: Can Jameson Williams Take Over on the Outside?
2. Offensive Line
You can make a strong argument that Ohio State's offensive line will be the team's biggest strength in 2020. Branden Bowen and Jonah Jackson are gone, but Nick Petit-Frere and Harry Miller should fill in admirably. Two of the more intriguing storylines will be heralded true freshman Paris Johnson Jr. and the continued development of 6-foot-8, 360-pound hero Dawand Jones.
Wyatt Davis and Josh Myers are two of the America's best interior lineman and both should be high draft picks when their time comes. Thayer Munford has been solid at left tackle despite being banged up a little bit. The biggest lingering concern revolves around right tackle and a former five-star who's yet to live up to the billing as the country's No. 7 overall prospect in the Class of 2018.
- Biggest Question: Is Nicholas Petit-Frere ready?
1. Quarterback
The depth in Ohio State's quarterback room was a bit problematic last year, but fortunately Justin Fields went through the season without any major bumps and bruises. We've got the quarterbacks at No. 1 because it's the most important position in sports and Ryan Day has a Heisman frontrunner and future first-round draft pick running the show in Columbus.
The Buckeyes added a pair of talented new signal-callers in C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller, and both of them arrived on campus in January. The battle between the freshmen was one of the things we were most looking forward to in the spring scrimmage, but it's going to take some time before there's any sort of clarity there. Dublin native Gunnar Hoak is now in his final season and is expected to serve as the primary backup until Stroud or Miller is ready to do so.
- Biggest Question: Which Freshman Emerges?
