On the quarterbacking process at Ohio State
Ohio State is been quite quiet about this internally.
Ohio State is somewhat interested in two quarterbacks: Washington State transfer Cam Ward and Duke transfer Riley Leonard.
Although I believe Ward to be the superior candidate, Ohio State doesn’t seem to be fully committed to either one of them.
Although Leonard hasn’t disclosed his plans, it appears like he is headed to Notre Dame.
The Ohio State Buckeyes will get their one-year quarterback if they can persuade him that Columbus is a better match. I’m not sure Ohio State wants to throw everything on Leonard, though. He doesn’t appear to be a real improvement. McCord passed for 3,170 yards, 24 touchdowns, and six interceptions in the previous season. This season, Leonard’s ailments kept him out of several games; nonetheless, in 2022, he finished the entire season with 2,967 yards and 20 touchdowns passing on 63.9 percent of his throws. 13 touchdowns came via his rush as well. Nevertheless, Leonard appears to be competent but not a game-changer at the caliber Ohio State requires.
Since Ward recently graduated from Washington State, I believe things there are about to get better. I am aware that Ohio State and the quarterback have at least spoken, but I’m not sure how far things have progressed from there.
Ward was anticipated to make visits to Miami, Florida State, and Washington, according to ESPN’s Pete Thamel. Ward may visit Ohio State within his five allotted visits.
In my opinion, Ohio State will go into the Cotton Bowl with Devin Brown, assess the situation afterward, and see how he is doing. Despite being hurt at the end of the spring, Brown battled McCord all the way to the wire during the previous offseason, and now there’s a chance that freshman Lincoln Kienholz will enter the fray. I am aware that many Ohio State students believe he has a very bright future ahead of him.
Of course, five-star Air Noland is also arriving, but I doubt he’ll be using the field straight away.
Though the team has been successful at the position, I know there is a lot of worry about the quarterback position and whether Ohio State will go locate its elite man in the portal. However, be patient. I believe there is skill, and if a real upgrade isn’t available, Ohio State doesn’t want to choose someone from the gateway just for the sake of choosing.
Not to be overlooked is the spring gateway window.
What would be the main priority if Ohio State didn’t prioritize a quarterback?
It’s certain that the Buckeyes will bolster their defensive line with some talent.
This past weekend, the Buckeyes hosted defensive tackle transfer Derrick Harmon from Michigan State, and they should be keeping an eye out for a couple additional prospects at that position. The portal features some well-known players, primarily from Texas A&M. One such player is defensive end LT Overton, with whom Ohio State is reportedly in communication, according to 247Sports’ Steve Wiltfong. A&M defensive tackle Walter Nolen and Middle Tennessee State defensive tackle Marley Cook, who has already received an offer, are two other players to keep an eye on.
Additionally, Ohio State will be considering a few other openings. The areas with the greatest need right now are undoubtedly the trenches on both sides of the ball.
Texas A&M offensive tackle Chase Bisontis is a name I’ve heard mentioned a couple times. Before deciding to commit to Texas A&M, he had a lot of interest in Ohio State, so it will be interesting to see if they can win him over again. According to Pro Football Focus, Bisontis surrendered four sacks and thirty pressures last season, which tied him for the 18th-highest among offensive tackles. It’s difficult to determine if such dismal results are exclusively attributable to Bisontis, though, given that Texas A&M’s pressure rate allowed at year’s end was 128th. He was formerly ranked among the top 100 prospects and has been named a Freshman All-American by several sites. He will have a spot in Ohio State’s starting lineup. They will continue to seek for an offensive lineman, but that’s a huge name I’ve heard mentioned.
There is a need for running backs as well, but Henderson’s performance will likely determine those goals. If he decides to stay, I believe Ohio State will try to add a younger guy who is willing to sit out a season to mature. However, Trevor Etienne, a Florida transfer and the younger brother of former Clemson running back Travis Etienne, is a possibility if Henderson decides to go. He had a strong one-two combination with Hayden last season, rushing for 753 yards and eight touchdowns. Many colleges are interested in Etienne, but if he committed to Ohio State and Henderson left, there would only be five scholarship spots available until the freshman arrive.
What does tight end’s future hold?
Joe Royer was one transfer portal entrance that caught us off guard. Although he only saw 56 snaps in the fall, he was destined to have a large increase in playing time should Cade Stover decide to enter the NFL Draft this spring. Stover is still eligible for one more year, but this might be his last one. In that scenario, Royer and Gee Scott Jr. would have faced off for the starting tight end position.
Does freshman Jelani Thurman have more room now that Royer is gone? He had a fantastic spring and, given how frequently Ohio State employs two tight ends, might play a role.
