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Observations On Offense From Ohio State’s 1st Spring Practice

By March 2, 2020 (4:00 pm)Football

The Ohio State football team kicked off its first spring practice, with several notable names in attendance at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on March 2.

Former Ohio State head coach John Cooper, former offensive lineman Branden Bowen and former defensive tackle DaVon Hamilton were in attendance as well as Marvin Harrison, who is an NFL Hall of Famer and the father of the 2021  wide receiver commit with the same name.

Sophomore H-back Jaelen Gill was limited at practice, while sophomore wide receiver Kamryn Babb, sophomore running back Marcus Crowley, fifth-year senior offensive guard Gavin Cupp, and sixth-year senior H-back C.J. Saunders were unavailable. Junior wideout Chris Olave also did not practice, but worked out on the side.

After running through special teams and individual drills, the Buckeyes ran the offense against the defense for some competitive head-to-head activity without shoulder pads or tacking.

Junior quarterback Justin Fields threw three interceptions [two to junior cornerback Sevyn Banks], but the returning signal caller also made some exciting throws down field. Fields found sophomore wide receiver Garrett Wilson, freshman wideout Julian Fleming and fifth-year senior tight ends Luke Farrell  and Jake Hausmann.

A highlight from the segment of offense against defense came from a pair of true freshmen. First-year quarterback Jack Miller found freshman wideout Jaxon Smith-Njigba on the sideline for an excellent one-handed catch.

Another highlight of practice came on a throw by freshman signal caller C.J. Stroud to the end zone, where he found a leaping fifth-year senior H-back Demario McCall for a touchdown.

Former transfer quarterback, Gunnar Hoak, also made a highlight-reel throw, finding sophomore wideout Jameson Williams down the sideline, where he hauled it in and high-stepped through the goal line.

When the Buckeyes went to a team period, they sent out a first-team offensive line of senior left tackle Thayer Munford, sophomore left guard Harry Miller, junior center Josh Myers, junior right guard Wyatt Davis and sophomore right tackle Nicholas Petit-Frere.

Head coach Ryan Day had an experienced group of receivers with the first team, featuring senior Jaylen Harris, junior Ellijah Gardiner and Wilson, along with Farrell at tight end and sophomore running back Master Teague.

The second-team offensive line featured sophomore left tackle Dawand Jones, sophomore left guard Matthew Jones, freshman center Luke Wypler, redshirt freshman right guard Enokk Vimahi and freshman right tackle Paris Johnson.

Former linebacker/defensive lineman Cade Stover practiced at tight end, where the redshirt freshman made a handful of plays in the passing game.

The young Ohio State wide receivers stood out in their first spring practice, with true freshmen Fleming, Smith-Njigba, Mookie Cooper and Gee Scott all making plays in the passing game. Smith-Njigba particularly stood out with a few highlight catches.

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