With a clear emphasis on intensity from its head coach, Ohio State returned to the practice field Tuesday morning at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center for its sixth installment of spring drills.
Urban Meyer spoke with the team for more than a five-minute period in the team huddle after stretching and before drills commenced, once throwing his packet of papers to the ground as he shouted. The extended time Meyer spent talking to his team before practice got going was not normal, showing how the head coach wanted a boost in emotion and energy.
Media was permitted to view the first hour of practice. Here are some takeaways from the offensive side of the ball:
Notes:
- Mike Weber took the first snaps at running back in both backfield action and the team portion of practice.
- Bri'onte Dunn was not in attendance. A team spokesman said he had class Tuesday morning. The fifth-year senior has either been absent or late to every Tuesday practice the media has seen this spring.
- The running back reps went as followed: Mike Weber, Antonio Williams, Patrick Wise
- All three backs listed above struggled catching the ball out of the backfield during drills, which made running backs coach Tony Alford less than pleased.
- Dontre Wilson's right foot was heavily wrapped in medical tape Tuesday. He looked full speed and was a full participant during drills, backfield action and 7-on-7s.
- J.T. Barrett took the first-, second-, and third-string snaps in the team portion of practice. Stephen Collier and Joe Burrow did drill work on another spot on the field with quarterbacks coach Tim Beck. Burrow took snaps before Collier at quarterback during drills.
- First-team offensive line from left to right in team portions: Jamarco Jones, Michael Jordan, Pat Elflein, Billy Price and Isaiah Prince.
- Second-team offensive line from left to right in team portions: Demetrius Knox, Matthew Burrell, Brady Taylor, Evan Lisle, Brandon Bowen.
- In 7-on-7 drills, Austin Mack, Parris Campbell and Dontre Wilson all dropped passes on consecutive plays. The third pass as intended for tight end A.J. Alexander, but Wilson jumped in front and tried to grab it.
- Johnnie Dixon did plenty in drill work, but still did not cut much on routes as compared to the other wide receivers.
- The skill guys drilled the screen portion of the offense extensively, with James Clark, Parris Campbell, Torrance Gibson and Johnnie Dixon catching passes from J.T. Barrett. Dontre Wilson and Austin Mack also worked in and the plays were blocked by tight ends Marcus Baugh and A.J. Alexander.
- Later in 7-on-7s, Parris Campbell beat Malik Hooker for a catch. Terry McLaurin did the same thing over the middle against zone coverage.
- A.J. Alexander also hauled in a catch on a corner route from Joe Burrow when the second-string took snaps.
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Curtis Samuel caught passes while standing still in the corner of the practice field as he continues his comeback from his foot injury.
Urban Meyer is set to meet with the media at approximately 11 a.m. Tuesday. Stay tuned to Eleven Warriors for more updates.
