There's only so much you can glean from a spring practice. Urban Meyer knows that, so Ohio State's head coach wanted to put his players in game-like scenarios — or as much as you can in spring ball — by holding a scrimmage Saturday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
That scrimmage was closed to the media, but on Tuesday, following the Buckeyes' sixth practice of the spring, Meyer was asked about how his team looked and, more specifically, if there were any young players who captured his attention.
Meyer rattled six names off the top of his head. They surely weren't all of the players, but the ones who, in Meyer's eyes, stood out the most. Here's a quick look at the six guys Meyer said stood out Tuesday during the team's scrimmage.
DaVon Hamilton — Defensive Tackle
The first name out of Meyer's mouth was redshirt freshman defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton. "I just talked to Davon Hamilton's family and boy he's really falling out of his shell a little bit," Meyer said. "He's a guy that's doing pretty good."
Hamilton, a former three-star recruit, was rotating a bit between the second and third team at defensive tackle Tuesday during the open portion of Ohio State's practice. Meyer longs for depth on the defensive line and Hamilton could be pushing to be in the rotation come fall.
Sam Hubbard — Defensive End
You hardly think of Hubbard as a young guy, but the reality is he wasn't a starter last year and he's only a redshirt sophomore. Still, expectations are sky high for Hubbard to fill in for the departed Joey Bosa, and it appears Hubbard is well on his way to becoming a force for the Buckeyes on the end this fall.
Jalyn Holmes — Defensive End
A guy who Meyer has been waiting to come around, Holmes is running with the first team this spring as Tyquan Lewis continues to rehab a shoulder injury. Holmes will likely be the third defensive end in the rotation this fall — behind Lewis and Hubbard — so this is a big spring for him as he's likely to be counted on in pass-rushing situations next season.
Michael Jordan — Offensive Lineman
The first of two true freshmen on the list, Jordan was brought up a couple of times by Meyer on Tuesday. He was running with the first-team offense at guard during the open portion of practice and is a guy Meyer said he's "really impressed with."
Austin Mack — Wide Receiver
Mack has been mentioned a few times already this spring by Meyer and other players as a guy who may crack the wide receiver rotation in the fall. There are plenty of snaps to be had and Mack appears to be making quite an impression as an early enrollee.
Mike Weber — Running Back
This one hardly seems surprising as Weber is battling with Bri'onte Dunn for the starting running back spot next season. Meyer said the two are "neck and neck" right now, but Weber stood out enough during Saturday's scrimmage for Meyer to mention him Tuesday.
