Nick McLarty will handle punting duties in Ohio State's season opener.
On Thursday, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day named the 6-foot-7, 255-pound freshman from Melbourne, Australia, as the Buckeyes' starter for the Akron game. As Ohio State enters the 2024 season, McLarty will look to beat out Joe McGuire, Hadi Jawad and Buffalo transfer Anthony Venneri for good in the competition.
"Right now, Nick will be the starter," Day said in a brief press conference. "That competition could go into next week, but as we head into the weekend, he is the starter, and the plan is for him to be the first punter to go out in the game against Akron."
Day said McLarty has made a smooth transition to life in Columbus and the Ohio State football program. McLarty has impressed Day and the Buckeyes' coaching staff with his strong leg, as well as smaller intricacies of playing the punter position, such as snap-to-kick quickness and hang time.
"He's made a good transition into the country but also playing football, not Australian rules football, which is very, very different," Day said. "The snap-to-kick has improved. He's a taller guy, so the ball has to get off his foot faster. I think he's done that. His hang time is good. He's been more consistent.
"He'll kick a few that go out of the stadium. He's got a strong leg. But we're looking for that consistency. He's shown that here most recently, so he's got the upper hand right now."
