Gray skies, high humidity and rain puddles surrounded the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Tuesday. Inside, Ohio State's football program held its sixth practice of the spring season.
The 2017 edition of Urban Meyer's team is at its halfway point of the spring session. The annual intrasquad scrimmage is set for a 12:30 p.m. kickoff on April 15 at Ohio Stadium.
Here are updates from Meyer after practice on Tuesday.
NOTES:
- Baron Browning injured his shoulder on Saturday in practice. He is set for surgery on Tuesday and is out for "a couple months." Meyer said Browning should be 100 percent by June.
- Meyer called Parris Campbell a "playmaker" and said he "deserves to have a good final season."
- "I'd like to meet the program who is 'DB U' over Ohio State. Very impressive what we've done here in recent years."
- Meyer said he likes what is going on with the offensive staff: "Probably one of our better days today as far as installing things."
- Meyer said he is overall very pleased with the first six practices: "Guys came out this morning with a great jump in their step. It was a good day today."
- Meyer said J.K. Dobbins has passed Antonio Williams on the depth chart. Dobbins is battling with Demario McCall for the backup running back spot behind Mike Weber.
- Asked about quarterback recruiting, Meyer brought up the "negative" of an early signing period because people commit so early in the process. He said that position specifically has evolved on the trail: "I'd love to see quarterbacks play their senior year but those days are so far gone."
- Meyer called the early enrollees "maybe the best group we've had already here."
- Junior college transfer cornerback Kendall Sheffield already lost his black stripe.
- Meyer again reiterated that Kevin Wilson has been "really, really good" in his transition to the new offensive coordinator. He was worried about hiring a former head coach for that position but "he's done a marvelous job."
- Meyer said Ohio State had its best day offensively on Tuesday: "It was a big push." Added that the tempo really picked up.
- Antonio Williams has a hamstring issue, which is why he missed practice. Jonathon Cooper is also battling through a hamstring injury.
- Kierre Hawkins missed practice on Tuesday: "Taking care of some academic stuff."
- Davon Hamilton has a broken foot and is out for the foreseeable future: "He will be full speed soon."
- Meyer said he is "somewhat impressed" with where Ohio State's wide receivers group.
- Matt Burrell has had "a good few days" on the offensive line, Meyer said. He is rolling through with the first team just like Demetrius Knox.
- List of Ohio State receivers in order this spring: Campbell, K.J. Hill and Terry McLaurin are fighting for No. 2, Binjimen Victor, Austin Mack, and he added that Johnnie Dixon has "had a good spring."
- Who is Ohio State looking at for the H? "Parris Campbell is dynamic ... he's that guy right now."
- Meyer called K.J. Hill one of Ohio State's top-2 or top-3 receivers on the roster.
- Meyer said Justin Hilliard strained his bicep the other day which is why he wore an orange non-contact jersey but he has "been very impressive" the first few days of practice: "He needs to get in the mix. It's time."
