The man responsible for Ohio State's place kicking during its most recent national championship run played in more games that season than the last two combined. Sean Nuernberger still has two seasons of college eligibility remaining.
The Buckeyes — and Nuernberger — suited up 15 times in 2014. In the two years since the former starting kicker has participated in only seven games — none in 2016.
Nuernberger battled what Urban Meyer described as a groin injury during fall camp last year. It caused him to lose his job to walk-on and former James Madison soccer player Tyler Durbin, who finished the year 17-of-21 on field goals and 63-of-65 on extra points.
Whether or not Nuernberger can recapture the starting job he was handed in 2014 as a true freshman is at the top of the list or storylines for Ohio State's special teams. The other is how the Buckeyes will replace second-team All-American and Ray Guy finalist Cameron Johnston at punter.
Let's break down the specialists a little further before spring practice opens on Tuesday.
Kicker
Nuernberger connected on 13-of-20 field goal attempts during the 2014 national championship season. The former 3-star recruit from Buckner, Kentucky who enrolled early also made all 89 of his extra point tries. Senior Kyle Clinton handled kickoff duties that year for the Buckeyes, sending seven of his 115 boots out of bounds.
In an effort to find more consistency at placekicker in 2015, Meyer and Co. turned to Duke graduate transfer Jack Willoughby. The fifth-year senior beat Nuernberger for the job out of fall camp and though he served as the kickoff specialist all season, yielded to Das Boot in mid-November after going 7-of-11 in nine games. A missed 35-yard field goal in an eventual 28-14 victory against Minnesota was the final straw.
Nuernberger promptly entered the following week at Illinois and shanked a 24-yarder. He kept the job, though, and made 17 extra points in the final four games in addition to a trio of field goals in Ohio State's 44-28 victory over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl. Still, questions lingered about his confidence and ability.
Nuernberger's injury opened the door for Durbin, who stepped through it with ferocity. Durbin made his first 10 field goals last season before having one blocked and returned for the decisive score in Ohio State's 24-21 loss at Penn State. He regained his footing before the Michigan game when he missed two chip shots before nailing one with a second left that forced overtime. A pair of misses from 47 yards in the College Football Playoff against Clemson brought an unceremonious end to his brief Ohio State career.
Now the attention shifts back to Nuernberger. Ohio State signed the nation's No. 2 kicker, Blake Haubeil, as part of its vaunted 2017 recruiting class but the plan is for him to pay his own way this fall. Thus, he will grayshirt.
Is Nuernberger the guy? Or will Meyer like what he sees in potential walk-on and current Ohio State band member Austin Brizee? Brizee is working with Clinton on his fundamentals after his 55-yard boot caught the eye of assistant director of player personnel Eron Hodges and earned him a tryout.
The Buckeyes went the walk-on route once after not feeling good about things at the position with Nuernberger. Meyer has questions to answer on if that will be the case again or if Haubeil will play even as a grayshirt.
Punter
Cameron Johnston left Columbus as one of the best punters to ever come through Ohio State. His 46.3-yard punting average led the Big Ten and was fifth-best in the country last season, which earned him an invitation to the College Football Awards ceremony as a Ray Guy finalist. The Australian also averaged a net of 42.1 yards, fifth-best in the country. Coupled with Kerry Coombs's outstanding punt team gunners, the Australian was a weapon his entire career. He dropped countless punts inside the 20-yard line during his four years as a Buckeye.
Up next is Drue Chrisman, who did what Ohio State plans Haubeil to this fall a year ago and grayshirted. Ranked the No. 1 punter in the class of 2016, Chrisman is a terrific talent Ohio State believes is more than ready to step in and fill the shoes left behind by Johnston. The latter perfected the drop punt and Australian rugby-style boot, something expected to carry over as part of Chrisman's reign.
Whether or not Chrisman can successfully utilize that skill to his advantage will be something to watch this fall. Johnston also handled holding duties on field goals and extra points. Will Chrisman do the same? Regardless, the punting job is his for the foreseeable future.
