Spring camp is well underway.
Ohio State began practices on Friday, and it continues this week. Head coach Ryan Day hopped on a Zoom call on Monday morning to update the media on his team's progress. He talked about the quarterbacks, the early enrollees, cornerbacks and more.
A bullet-point rundown of what Day said (with video above):
- On Jack Sawyer: "Good to see him get out here moving around. It's so early on, our guys haven't even put pads on. ... So far, so good." He says the entire group of early enrollees have impressed the coaches so far.
- He says the Buckeyes' first padded practice will be on Wednesday.
- Day and the coaches focus on effort level, how well players are taking care of themselves and the ability to make corrections on the field early in spring camp. "If you're making the same mistake twice, then something's not right."
- Ohio State doesn't plan to let the let the quarterbacks get hit in the spring: "There's too much to risk there."
- Sevyn Banks and Cameron Brown will again primarily play outside cornerback. Also at the position: "It's a big spring for Lejond Cavazos and Ryan Watts." He mentions Denzel Burke will be in the mix at outside cornerback too. He made a play on Day 1 of practice that flashed. Cameron Martinez will be moving around and could be looked at as an outside corner, too. "The depth will kind of be built up as we head toward the season."
- Day: "It feels like things are somewhat getting back to normal." He said the Buckeyes practiced outside today. On the lack of practices over the past year: "It set us back some as a program."
- On whether the Bullet still exists: "It's still there. Really what it is is it's a hybrid." He says the linebackers were a strength of the defense last season which is why it wasn't used much in 2020.
- If he and the staff look at how other national powers are recruiting: "We're always looking at that stuff, and I know (Mark Pantoni's) always keeping an eye on who guys get." He says it's less about the guys Ohio State doesn't get and more about making sure the guys Ohio State gets fit with this team.
- On Thayer Munford staying at Ohio State: "He's a mature young man who understands the value of an education and what that means for the rest of his life and a life after football." He notes Munford's leadership has "stepped up" over the past few months. "I think he likes that role. I think he appreciates the guys who have come before and he wants to uphold that standard."
- About Demario McCall: "I thought Demario's attitude and work ethic has been really, really good this offseason. Off the charts."
- He says the guys at linebacker haven't really moved positions at all. Mentions Craig Young has worked a bit at safety (the Bullet).
- Day says finding the mix of nickel/strong safety is really important. "I don't think we have our answer yet."
- He confirms Steele Chambers will play running back this spring. There was some speculation he might move to linebacker.
- On running back: "Master (Teague) is the incumbent. He certainly has earned that right to be the incumbent." He says the other running backs are hungry for playing time.
- On the offensive line: "The idea is to find our best five offensive linemen. That's it."
- He says Harry Miller will likely be a non-contact participant for the duration of spring camp.
- If any of the quarterbacks have flashed early in spring: "Nothing early. We've been rolling them, so the reps have pretty much been split up equally. Some good things, some other snaps that have been just OK." He says there have been "good things from all three of them." ... "Certainly have not been disappointed by any of them."
