The Ohio State Buckeyes just wrapped up their spring game, and fans finally got a peek at what might be coming this season. Live stats weren’t available during the action, but Ohio State released some numbers for the top offensive guys afterward.
Bucknuts took a closer look at the defense too, so there’s a decent sense of how both sides performed. Let’s talk about who stood out and what we can take away as the Buckeyes start gearing up for fall.
Top Offensive Performers
The offense had some fresh faces making noise. Quarterbacks, receivers, you name it—there were flashes all over the place and a few surprises that could shake up the depth chart.
Quarterback Stats
Quarterback play was a mixed bag. Tavien St. Clair put up the best numbers:
- 9 Tavien St. Clair: 9 of 21 passing, 166 yards, 1 TD; 2 carries, 14 yards
- 10 Julian Sayin: 8 of 15 passing, 82 yards, 1 INT; 2 carries, 10 yards, 1 TD
- 13 Luke Fahey: 3 of 8 passing, 26 yards; 3 carries, 73 yards, 1 TD
- 16 Justyn Martin: 1 of 5 passing, 8 yards; 1 carry, 3 yards
St. Clair’s arm talent is obvious, and he found the end zone through the air. Julian Sayin showed off some mobility with a rushing TD, though he did throw a pick.
Running Back Stats
The running backs—well, it was a little up and down. Favour Akih got plenty of work:
- 29 Favour Akih: 16 carries, 50 yards; 1 reception, 3 yards
- 24 Ja’Kobi Jackson: 8 carries, 20 yards; 3 receptions, 35 yards
- 28 Stanley Jackson Jr.: 4 carries, 7 yards
Akih handled a heavy load, but the yards didn’t come easy. Ja’Kobi Jackson looked comfortable catching passes out of the backfield, which is never a bad thing.
Wide Receiver/Tight End Stats
Receivers and tight ends were busy, and Chris Henry Jr. really turned heads:
- 15 Chris Henry Jr.: 4 receptions, 96 yards, 1 TD
- 82 David Adolph: 1 reception, 38 yards
- 83 Nate Roberts: 2 receptions, 24 yards
- 4 Jeremiah Smith: 2 receptions, 21 yards
- 11 Brock Boyd: 2 receptions, 21 yards
- 8 De’Zie Jones: 1 reception, 11 yards
- 3 Devin McCuin: 2 receptions, 10 yards
- 84 Hunter Welcing: 1 reception, 10 yards
- 6 Jerquaden Guilford: 1 reception, 8 yards
- 34 Brennen Schramm: 1 reception, 5 yards
Henry Jr. was the big-play guy, nearly hitting 100 yards and snagging a touchdown. David Adolph and Nate Roberts chipped in with chunk plays too, so there’s some depth here.
Defensive Standouts
The defense wasn’t just along for the ride. Several guys made their presence felt, and Bucknuts’ film review highlighted a few standouts.
Leading Tacklers
Eli Lee led the group with nine tackles—pretty impressive for a spring game:
- 33 Eli Lee: 9 tackles
- 11 Terry Moore: 5 tackles
- 26 Payton Pierce: 5 tackles
- 20 Cincere Johnson: 5 tackles
Lee seemed to be everywhere. Moore, Pierce, and Johnson were steady, each finishing with five stops.
Playmakers and Key Contributions
It wasn’t just about tackles. A few defenders made splash plays that stood out:
- 17 TJ Alford: 4 tackles, 1 PBU
- 2 Kenyatta Jackson Jr.: 3 tackles, 2 sacks
- 21 Brenton “Inky” Jones: 1 tackle, 2 PBUs
- 12 Beau Atkinson: 1 tackle, 1 sack, 1 INT
Kenyatta Jackson Jr. got home for two sacks—he looked like a real problem off the edge. Beau Atkinson did a little bit of everything, even grabbing a pick.
Key Takeaways and Areas for Improvement
The spring game showed some strengths but also left a few question marks as Ohio State gets ready for the real thing.
Offensive Consistency
Quarterback play has to be steadier. St. Clair flashed, but overall, the completion rates and some decisions could use work. The run game felt a bit flat—Akih’s 50 yards on 16 carries isn’t going to scare anyone yet, but there’s time to figure that out.
Defensive Cohesion
The defense had some strong individual moments, but they’ll need to gel, especially with tougher offenses coming up. The secondary needs to avoid penalties and tighten up coverage—Cam Calhoun’s pass interference stood out as something to clean up.
Looking Ahead
The Buckeyes are moving on from the spring game with a lot to work on. There’s going to be a big focus on tweaking their strategies and leaning into what already looks promising.
The coaching staff will spend hours breaking down film. They’re looking to patch up weak spots and get the most out of their top players.
If you’re after a deeper dive with photos and full video recaps, check out the full article at 247Sports.
With the amount of talent on both offense and defense, there’s a real buzz among Ohio State fans right now. The spring game was just a sneak peek, but it definitely gave us some things to think about for the upcoming season.
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