Five Takeaways From Ohio State Spring Football

1. What did we learn about Ohio State this spring? 

We learned Ohio State’s going to be really good. How good depends on the luck with respect to injuries, plus how advanced the incoming freshman enrolling this summer are. It’s definitely not out of the question for this group to put together a second straight unbeaten regular season though.

2. What position groups still need work?

Right tackle is still to be determined. Neither candidates (Taylor Decker nor Chase Farris) were particularly outstanding, but both should be adequate. It gets dicey if anyone else on the line goes down with an injury, however.

Urban Meyer’s saying the wide receivers aren’t there yet, but don’t buy it; it’s mostly just motivational jargon. The wide receivers are an extremely strong group already, and adding some of the 2013-ers enrolling this summer will make them even more so.

Kicker Drew Basil having to man the punting duties this year is still a relative unknown; he looked the part mostly in the spring game and special teams coordinator Kerry Coombs doesn’t seem worried. Still, until he’s done it in the regular season, it remains to be seen.

3. Name a few players who could have breakout seasons

Chris Fields might get some run at the Pivot position (aka the Percy Harvin role). Jordan Hall missed last year due to injury and has had some grade issues this spring. Fields looked great substituting in the spring game and Meyer’s said “he’s earned a starting spot.”

If you don’t know freshman corner Eli Apple, learn the name now. He’s going to be a good one. Linebacker Joshua Perry might also be a lesser known player who turns out to be rather solid.

4. Can you quickly grade each position group? 

QB: A+   Best starter/backup combo in the game.

RB: A-

WR: B+

TE: A-

OL: B

DL: A

LB: B-   Shazier is A+ and Perry and Curtis Grant could very well be A’s themselves when everything’s said and done – and we’re all well versed with David Perkins’ hit on Brutus Buckeye by now. It’s still early, though.

DB: B+

K/P: Incomplete  Drew Basil was brutal in the spring game as a kicker (though has been solid enough in the past) and is still unproven as a punter.

5. Are there any “surprises” we can expect from this team? 

I’m afraid the only real surprise might be a loss; their schedule is laughably easy as is. The Big Ten title game in Indianapolis might be their biggest chance to be defeated until a potential BCS title game berth, but as college football tends to do, a wrench (maybe in the form of a costly injury or suspension) could nip national title prospects in the bud. We’ll have to see.

Luke Zimmermann of Land-Grant Holy Land provided the information for our Ohio State football spring update.  For more Ohio State football information, commentary and analysis, you can follow Luke on Twitter @lukezim.