Ohio State will conclude its 2025 spring practices while Buckeye fans will get their first chance to watch the Buckeyes in Ohio Stadium this offseason as OSU holds its spring game at the Shoe on Saturday at noon.
While numerous other teams across college football moved to cancel their spring games this year, Ohio State will play a full spring game on Saturday after briefly rebranding the final practice as a spring showcase. While the Buckeyes’ established stars who played a lot of snaps last season likely won’t play more than a series or two, the spring game will be a great opportunity to evaluate how the rest of Ohio State’s players perform in simulated game situations.
As we prepare to watch the Buckeyes conclude their spring at the Shoe this afternoon in a scrimmage that will also be broadcast by Big Ten Network and 97.1 The Fan, we break down our biggest questions entering the game, highlight some players to watch in the spring game and make some predictions for what we’ll see happen.
Questions
Can Julian Sayin make a move?
Sayin has been viewed as the frontrunner to be Ohio State’s 2025 starting quarterback since he transferred to OSU from Alabama last offseason, but he’s split reps with Lincoln Kienholz all spring and hasn’t been spectacular in practices that have been open to the media. With Kienholz seemingly making a push for the job, Sayin needs a strong finish to the spring to regain momentum in the competition.
Specifically, I want to see Sayin make the right reads consistently, show composure under pressure and be accurate throwing the ball downfield. So far this spring, I haven’t seen enough from Sayin in those areas to be confident he’s ready to be Ohio State’s starting quarterback, but Saturday is a great opportunity for Sayin to remind everyone why he was the top-ranked quarterback in the 2024 recruiting class.
– Dan Hope
What looks will Matt Patricia show?
Patricia is infamously known for running multiple defensive looks throughout his career. In my opinion, the biggest non-QB battle storyline of the spring is how the defense will line up under new management. Will it look roughly the same as Jim Knowles' defense on Saturday? Will it look much different? How much has Patricia been able to install this spring, and how much will he want to show in the spring game? How much tinkering with the formations (and obviously who is being used where) will have my full attention on Saturday.
- Garrick Hodge
How will Ohio State’s defensive tackle depth look?
On Monday, Ryan Day said he’s seen “flashes” from the defensive tackles behind Eddrick Houston and Kayden McDonald. “But in order for us to play defense like we did last year, we’re gonna need those guys to step up more than they have,” Day explained. The talent is there for Jason Moore, Tywone Malone, Will Smith Jr. and Eric Mensah, but they need to step up in a big way for the Buckeyes to maintain a high standard on defense next fall.
- Chase Brown
What lineups does Ohio State utilize for its first-team offensive line?
One of the most interesting position battles to follow this offseason for the Buckeyes is along their offensive line. New offensive line coach Tyler Bowen has utilized myriad combinations in his first unit during practices open to the media, with at least two players taking first-string reps at all five spots. The mix and match in the spring game will be intriguing to follow.
– Andy Anders
Players to Watch
C.J. Hicks
Hicks’ move to the edge has drawn positive reviews from Ohio State coaches this spring, but Saturday will be his first time playing as a full-fledged edge rusher in a game-like setting. He’s been a standout in past spring games only to end up playing sparingly on defense in the fall, but the converted linebacker has his best chance of his Ohio State career to earn substantial playing time in his new role, and an impactful performance on Saturday would go a long way toward establishing his position in the defensive end rotation.
– Dan Hope
Jaylen McClain/Malik Hartford
McClain and Malik Hartford are in one of the biggest position battles of the spring. So even if it's cheating, I'm picking two players here. How both look when given a chance to shine may give us a hint of where this competition may be headed.
- Garrick Hodge
Bo Jackson
Bo knows. With James Peoples and West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson the frontrunners to be Ohio State’s “pair” next season, I am looking for Jackson to distinguish himself as the “spare” in the Buckeyes’ scrimmage. On March 19, Carlos Locklyn said he’d been impressed with Jackson to that point in the offseason. We will see if Locklyn can put a bow on what has seemed to be a splendid spring for the freshman ballcarrier.
- Chase Brown
Max Klare
Tight ends were a frequent target of Ohio State's quarterbacks on Friday, and generally, closer targets are better for inexperienced signal callers. Klare is also a ludicrously talented pass catcher given his production in a putrid Purdue offense, and he'll be eager to prove himself now that he's wearing scarlet and gray.
– Andy Anders
Predictions
Mylan Graham is the leading receiver
Graham has been generating buzz all spring as a potential breakout player and was the offensive standout of Ohio State’s penultimate practice of the spring on Friday. With Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate and Brandon Inniss – especially Smith and Tate – likely to see limited action due to their standing as starters, Graham should be plenty of action with the first-team offense and he’s my pick to lead all Buckeyes in receiving yards for the spring game.
– Dan Hope
Payton Pierce leads Ohio State in tackles
On March 27, James Laurinaitis called Payton Pierce “an absolute natural” at linebacker. He also called Pierce a “throwback” at the position, relying on feel in the box, striking ability and running through contact to make plays. With Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese likely to see less action coming off Ohio State’s 16-game championship season, I think Pierce steps up and makes the most plays for Team Gray.
- Chase Brown
Gray wins
The gray team on Saturday is the defense, and I feel Ohio State's defense is further along than its offense at this point in the offseason. The Buckeyes' candidates at quarterback have looked shaky while the secondary has looked elite in spring practice, plus such scrimmage settings tend to favor defensive linemen over offensive linemen.
– Andy Anders
Tavien St. Clair gets fans excited
It seems pretty evident that Tavien St. Clair isn't going to win this year's starting QB battle, only because of how much he has to learn and how much further ahead Sayin and Kienholz are in the system by comparison. But that doesn't mean St. Clair isn't going to make a few plays with his raw athleticism that gets Ohio State fans excited on Saturday. He's made a couple dazzling plays already this spring and we wouldn't be surprised if that continues.
- Garrick Hodge
