We're nearly two weeks away from Ohio State's spring game.
The Buckeyes continue to go through their 15 allotted practices, and after the latest one on Friday morning head coach Ryan Day joined the media to offer some quick updates on where his team stands.
A bullet-point rundown of what he said (with video above):
Ryan Day
- On Gee Scott Jr. working with the tight ends: “He's a very mature young man and sees a future for that in him.” They're not sure whether he'll be a full-time tight end or now. “He thinks Kevin Wilson can really teach him how to block.”
- About Demario McCall working on the defensive side of the ball: “The defensive guys have been really excited about him.” He says McCall brought the possibility to the coaching staff. He's lining up in the nickel spot. “He's had a great offseason. Probably the best offseason he's had.”
- On the defensive backfield: “I think we have some good young guys that are showing up.”
- Day says they went about 50 plays in practice today with live contact. “We're going to grade the film coming off the weekend and see where we're at.”
- He says a few guys are sick, but don't have COVID-19. He says Chris Olave is one of them, which is why he wasn't at practice today.
- “I thought in the scrimmage today that the running backs really came off the ball.”
- Day asked if he'd like to have more hitting in practice: “We'd like to do it some more. ... We have to be smart, though.” He says there are two practices with helmets and two practices with pads next week.
- On how they go about position changes: “I think, for us, my approach is that I want to do what they feel comfortable with. If they're not comfortable playing a position, we won't do it.” He says there are times, like with Cade Stover, they bring an idea of a position switch to a player's attention and hear their feedback. “I think sometimes guys look at it as opportunity, as well.”
- He says most of the time young quarterbacks are making mistakes for the first time. “They have the right attitude.”
- On the recent criticism of Justin Fields: “When I think of Justin Fields, I think of somebody who got off the field against Clemson and for the next year just grinded toward getting back to that same situation and winning that game.” He says it started in the offseason when he was one of the hardest-working guys, inspiring Mickey Marotti along the way. “Not only does he not opt out, he fights to get the season back.” If everything goes smoothly, he says, then that's a red flag. But Fields had to overcome adversity before achieving his goal of beating the Tigers. “I think the world of him.”
