Ohio State held its annual team media Sunday afternoon at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. You can get caught up with some of our coverage here:
- Highlights from Urban Meyer's press conference
- Video interviews with players and assistant coaches
- Photo gallery
- Mike Weber on attempting to replace Ezekiel Elliott
Here are five additional takeaways from media day after talking with Meyer, some assistant coaches and an abundance of players.
Offensive line depth is an issue
At certain positions [wide receiver, defensive line] depth is not a huge concern, but with the news of Malcolm Pridgeon's knee injury, Ohio State's offensive line is awfully thin after the projected starting five of Jamarco Jones, Michael Jordan, Pat Elflein, Billy Price and Isaiah Prince.
Meyer is certainly concerned in that area.
"Matt Burrell, Demetrius Knox have really got to come on, really come on, and then Branden Bowen has got a long ways to go, but he's going to come on too," Meyer said. "You have to get depth there."
Ohio State's running back situation continues to be intriguing
Meyer said redshirt freshman Mike Weber and junior Curtis Samuel "are the top two backs in the program," and by the way players and coaches were talking Sunday, both will be heavily involved in the running game this season.
Weber will likely still be the primary ball carrier, as Samuel will continue to play some wide receiver, but it feels like this year's running back situation will look more like Meyer's days at Florida than the previous seasons here at Ohio State.
Dontre Wilson will also be involved in the running game.
There is no concern within the team about the secondary
Gareon Conley is the lone returning starter in the secondary, but the Buckeyes feel that they've got a really strong back four, specifically at cornerback.
Conley said he wouldn't be surprised if this year's secondary is even better than last season's, and cornerbacks coach Kerry Coombs said he's got four really good corners — Conley, Marshon Lattimore, Denzel Ward and Damon Arnette — who will all play this season for Ohio State.
Freshmen continue to turn some heads
Meyer always says he hates redshirting players, but the reality is he often does. There will be a few more that play this season than usual, however, strictly out of necessity.
Michael Jordan and Austin Mack are names we've heard a ton since they arrived back in January and Meyer said both will play this fall, but he also rattled off a few other names that could see some early playing time whether it's on offense, defense or special teams.
Nick Bosa is obviously one and the Buckeyes are still easing him back from his knee injury, but Meyer additionally mentioned Keandre Jones, Jordan Fuller, Jonathon Cooper and Jahsen Wint as defensive players who could see some special teams time. On offense, Meyer specifically mentioned Jake Hausmann as a guy who could become the No. 2 tight end and Demario McCall has a real shot to join Dontre Wilson in the return game.
Ohio State will find out a lot about itself this week
The Buckeyes are preparing to enter blackout mode this week as there will be no media availability until next Monday. Meyer said Ohio State is scheduled for nine practices in the next six days.
Outside of Saturday's scrimmage, there was minimal hitting this past week for the Buckeyes as the team wasn't in full pads until Thursday. That will certainly change this week with a handful of two-a-day practices.
"This week will determine if we'll be any good," Meyer said.
