We're exactly one day away from Ohio State's first spring practice of 2017.
The Buckeyes are in quite a different position heading into spring ball than they were a year ago. After a bevy of early NFL Draft declarations tested Ohio State's depth following the 2015 season, the Buckeyes are in a bit better shape this time around.
Ohio State is slated to have 15 returning starters — eight on offense, seven on defense — as it begins preparation Tuesday with hopes of returning to the College Football Playoff. But just because there are a few more answers heading into spring practice this time than there were a year ago, it doesn't mean the Buckeyes don't have some question marks.
Let's take a look at some burning questions Ohio State hopes to find answers for this spring:
Who will emerge as the front-runner at backup quarterback?
Everybody always wants to talk quarterbacks so we'll start there. Barring an injury, J.T. Barrett will be Ohio State's starter this spring and then in the fall. The really intriguing battle, however, is behind Barrett. Who becomes the backup: Joe Burrow, Dwayne Haskins or Tate Martell?
Burrow was the Buckeyes' No. 2 man a year ago as Haskins went through a redshirt season. Martell figures to redshirt this season as no quarterback ever avoided that in their first year under Meyer at Ohio State. So the true battle will likely be between Burrow and Haskins for that No. 2 spot. There will be a leader after spring ball wraps up, but expect this to continue into fall camp.
How deep is the talent pool in Ohio State's secondary?
It's going to be tested, for sure. Look, Meyer and Co. have recruited at such a high level since his arrival in Columbus, but losing six defensive backs early to the NFL in a two-year span feels like an extremely difficult obstacle to overcome for any program. Ohio State needs to replace three starters in its secondary for the second-straight year and while the Buckeyes have talent, it's once again unproven talent.
Denzel Ward will be one starting cornerback and Damon Webb is back at safety, but the other two spots figure to be totally up for grabs. Ohio State's 2017 recruiting class was defensive back-heavy and there figure to be some opportunities for those players to step in and grab some immediate playing time. We're going to find out exactly how good the Buckeyes' recruiting efforts have been this spring.
How will Ohio State's offensive line look?
Billy Price is scheduled to move from guard to center and three other starters from last year's offensive line return, but the Buckeyes have questions to answer after an inconsistent 2016 season. Price is likely to be limited in spring ball due to Meyer's 2,000-rep club so it'll be tough to evaluate Ohio State's offensive line as a whole, but his transition to center will be key in all of this.
Two additional things to watch up front this spring: the development of right tackle Isaiah Prince and the open guard position. Prince struggled last season in a couple of games so this is a big spring for him and his development. The departure of Pat Elflein gives Ohio State one opening up front and there are a handful of candidates who will be vying to fill the void at guard since Price slid to center in Elflein's spot.
Can Ohio State find consistent play at wide receiver?
The Buckeyes lacked explosion in the passing game last season and that was in large part to inconsistent play at wide receiver on the outside. Ohio State lost Curtis Samuel at H and Noah Brown on the outside, so there figures to be plenty of playing time available for new players.
Parris Campbell and Terry McLaurin are the veterans of the group and both will need to take serious strides this spring. Perhaps Campbell moves from outside receiver to H where his skill set might be better suited? K.J. Hill played a lot of slot receiver last season and flashed so look for him to get more involved this spring, as well.
Keep an eye on the young wide receivers, though: Binjimen Victor and Austin Mack. Both earned rave reviews from the coaching staff all of last season as true freshmen, but neither really saw a ton of early playing time. It might be time for Victor and Mack to emerge as this team's top outside receiving options.
Who is Ohio State's next H-back?
Samuel left after his junior season for the NFL after the most productive year Meyer has ever had from his favorite position. He was a do-it-all performer for Ohio State in 2016.
There's a giant hole at H now and the name most seem to be throwing around is sophomore Demario McCall. Now, McCall played running back last season as a true freshman — like Samuel did during his freshman year — and it's unclear right now what his route running ability is. But he certainly has the skill set best suited for the H position — at least in theory.
As mentioned above, Campbell could be another option at H. He spent the last three years at wide receiver, but he is a former high school running back and if you're looking for somebody that has a hybrid skill set, Campbell seems like a natural option as well.
Hill was listed last season as the third H behind Samuel and Dontre Wilson, but he's a natural wide receiver and isn't exactly a threat to carry the ball out of the backfield like Meyer intends — at least we haven't seen that from him yet.
How is Raekwon McMillan replaced?
Chris Worley and Jerome Baker are back in the fold at linebacker for Ohio State, but there's a rather sizable hole in the middle with Raekwon McMillan's departure for the NFL.
Dante Booker was a starter last season before he got injured and Baker took his spot so the three candidates most likely to start at linebacker for Ohio State are Baker, Booker and Worley. Figuring out where each plays, however, will be the big part of spring practice.
