Ohio State’s gearing up for another wild college football season, and the Buckeyes’ preseason camp is already drawing plenty of attention. Head Coach Ryan Day, now in his eighth year, has laid out some big priorities for the team.
This post dives into what came up at Big Ten Media Days: the running back group, the possibility of more quarterback runs, and questions around how fast the Buckeyes want to play this year. If you want a deeper dive, the full article’s over here.
Running Backs Under the Microscope
Coach Day hasn’t been shy about it—the running backs are under the microscope as preseason camp begins. With veterans like Isaiah West and Bo Jackson back, plus new faces like Ja’Kobi Jackson and Legend Bey, there’s a lot riding on this group.
Both Bo Jackson and Isaiah West missed spring practice, which isn’t ideal. Day even mentioned J.K. Dobbins as the kind of example they should look to.
*We can’t afford to have a sophomore slump this year,* Day said. The pressure’s on, no doubt.
Key Players to Watch
Bo Jackson and Isaiah West showed flashes as freshmen. Now, the expectation is for them to step it up a notch.
Ja’Kobi Jackson and Legend Bey add some real competition, so this preseason feels like it’ll set the tone for the whole backfield. There’s a sense that someone’s about to break out, but who knows who it’ll be?
Julian Sayin’s Role in the Running Game
Quarterback Julian Sayin might be more involved in the run game this season. Day pointed out that Sayin’s gotten faster and stronger, so maybe we’ll see some designed runs for him.
Sayin said he’s been grinding in the offseason to get better at running. *It’s been good this offseason, just working on it and trying to improve,* he shared.
Could this add a new wrinkle to Ohio State’s offense? It’s possible. Day said using the quarterback as a runner will be situational, but it could give them an edge.
*Any time you can add the quarterback into the run, it certainly gives us an advantage,* Day said. It’s one of those things you don’t want to overdo, but it’s there if they need it.
Pace of Play: To Speed Up or Not?
The pace of play is a hot-button issue, especially after last year’s more methodical approach. Day and new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith are still figuring out if they want to speed things up.
Day pointed out that their pace was similar the year before when they won it all. *To me, it’s more about efficiency,* he said.
Still, he left the door open to change if it helps the team. No one’s married to one style, it seems.
Arthur Smith brings a new perspective, which could shake things up. *It’s also good to get a different opinion and a different perspective,* Day mentioned.
Conclusion
Ohio State’s gearing up for the new season, and honestly, there are a few things people can’t stop talking about. The running back group is under the microscope, and there’s a lot of curiosity about whether the quarterbacks will get more involved on the ground.
There’s also this ongoing debate about the team’s tempo—will they speed things up, or stick with what worked before? With Ryan Day leading the charge and plenty of talent on the roster, it’s shaping up to be a season worth watching.
If you want to dig into all the details, you can check out the full article here.
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