2019 Ohio State Season Thread

[Mdot21]

not really OSU related since he transferred, but Tater Tot Martell loses out on the Miami QB starting job to a freshman. He'd have been better off staying put at Ohio State and trying to battle Fields.

[Anonymous Coward]

I don't think the Tate Martell news affects the ceiling with Fields -- his potential is still through the roof. But maybe the Martell news does lower the floor, though. On the opposite side, had Martell sounded like a future Heisman winner, the floor would have seemed to rise to "even better than that" for Fields. I think that floor is pretty different with Martell not only losing but losing to a freshman.

[Mdot21]

I don't think the Tate Martell news affects the ceiling with Fields -- his potential is still through the roof. But maybe the Martell news does lower the floor, though. On the opposite side, had Martell sounded like a future Heisman winner, the floor would have seemed to rise to "even better than that." I think that floor is pretty different with Martell not only losing but losing to a freshman.

wasn't saying anything in regards to Fields or his potential.

I was simply saying that for Tater Tot, probably made more sense staying put and trying to compete against Fields with receivers & coaches & a system that Tater was familar with and were all areas that Tater had a leg up on over Fields. Instead he transfers to Miami, has to learn timing and chemistry with all new receivers, get used to all new coaches, and try to learn an all new system 1,200 miles south of where he'd been living the last 3 years. He's the back-up there in Miami, would've been better off being the back-up where he was at. Sometimes the grass isn't always greener. Although: I'd much rather live in Miami than anywhere in Ohio. Lol.

[Anonymous Coward]

My comment wasn't a response to you except that you did bring up the topic of Martell. Other than that, I meant mine to stand alone.

[ELA]

Tate was a no show at practice today.

[Cincydawg]

Tate may lack the emotional makeup to be a QB, not sure, but he is not showing evidence of maturity IMHO.

Is it safe to assume Fields will be the starter now?

[Mdot21]

Tate was a no show at practice today.

headcase.

[MrNubbz]

He's asked to enter a portal again headed for some place called Ann Arbor - ever hear of it?Wants to work with a QB whisperer

[ELA]

Is it safe to assume Fields will be the starter now?

Tate was already at Miami, he lost out there to a true freshman.

[MaximumSam]

Welcome to my continuing series - a slow piecemeal preview of OSU that helps me figure out who is actually on the team.

Up first: Offensive Coaches and QB's

Obviously there has been a tremendous amount of change at OSU, so no need to rehash the obvious.  Ryan Day is the head coach that is an almost complete question mark.  Part of coaching is intangible - motivating guys to continue to get better and better and work as a team requires qualities that are hard to check in boxes.  It's useless to try and figure out if Day has it - we shall see.   What we can talk about is his football identity, which is still a question mark, if less of one.  

Urbs was pretty well defined as a guy who loved running power football through the spread option.  With Dwayne Haskins last year and Ryan Day more in charge, the outfit resembled the Air Raid quite a bit more.  Instead of mashing the defense on the ground, the offense took on the proverbial "get the ball in space to the speedy guys" as they utilized a lot more screens and mesh routes to spring their receivers.  However, the running game suffered, and there always looked to be this battle of identities as to what OSU was trying to be.  

The offensive coaching staff is largely the same with one notable addition - Oklahoma State OC Mike Yurcich was brought in to be the QB coach and "passing game coordinator," whatever that is.  He had some big numbers at Okie State and has the now traditional no huddle, spread attack.  No real reason to expect a boatload of change, and the biggest question mark is whether running the quarterback is going to be a big part of the offense via Urbs or just something that gets sprinkled in from time to time.  

That's key, because as you may have heard, OSU got a transfer from Georgia in bigshot recruit Justin Fields.  All and do everything, everyone expects him to be the starter this year ahead of Kentucky transfer Gunnar Hoak.  There is no question Fields is a fantastic athlete who can run, but there are questions as to whether he can consistently complete forward passes.  At times, coaches think they can turn big time athletes into Dan Marino.  I'm not sure OSU will have a great offense hoping that Fields can drop dimes like Haskins did.  

[MaximumSam]

Cont - Offensive skill positions

Let's start with what we know.  J.K. Dobbins is the clear starter at running back, and figures to get a million snaps.  While it's unclear what the running game will look like, he figures to be a big part of whatever it is.  Mike weber is gone and the running back depth is pretty scant.  Demario McCall moves from purgatory receiver to second string tailback, and while he has looked like a playmaker at times, he's rarely been on the field.  Master Teague and Marcus Crowley are youngsters who are available.

Similarly, at receiver, KJ Hill is a lock to see a lot of snaps.  He's the lone returnee of their top four options from last year, and he is excellent in the slot or H-Back situations that get him crossed up with a linebacker or safety.  After him gets a bit mysterious.  OSU would like a rotation of six receivers.  There are lots (and lots) of options here.
- Austin Mack would be a lock, but he was injured for half of last season and is banged up now
- Bin Victor is a senior and has been around for a while, but never really been the playmaker he was projected to be
- Chris Olave - came on late as a freshman for the injured Mack, and made an announcement with two touchdowns against Michigan
- Jaylen Harris - Big bodied type who has been stuck on the depth chart but now has an opening
- CJ Saunders - former walk-on who earned playing time last year in the crowded WR field
- Garrett Wilson - True frosh super recruit who is hgihly rated mostly on how polished a receiver he is right now
- Jaelen Gill - Redshirt frosh who observers call the best playmaker on the team

Also, Elijah Gardner and true frosh Jameson Williams are getting mentioned, too.  Kamryn Babb is currently injured.  It's tough to say what the receivers will look like.  KJ Hill and a healthy Austin Mack will get plenty of run, but all of the guys mentioned above could get substantial playing time.

And btw, OSU also has tight ends.  They weren't a huge part of the offense last year, though some conjecture that could change a bit this year.  In any event, Luke Farrell returns as the steadiest tight end, though Jeremy Rucket and Rashod Berry are the more athletic ones and may line up more as receivers.  Jake Hausmann also returns, though he has struggled with injuries.

[Mdot21]

Tate was already at Miami, he lost out there to a true freshman.

this is a kid who committed to Washington as an 8th grader, then flipped to Texas A&M as a 10th grader, and then de-committed from A&M, and then signed with Ohio State. Left Ohio State for Miami after Justin Fields transferred in. Now he'll probably be leaving Miami after only one off-season. Crazy.

[847badgerfan]

So...

Trademark on the word "THE"??

Gotta be f'ing kidding me.

[Mdot21]

That's key, because as you may have heard, OSU got a transfer from Georgia in bigshot recruit Justin Fields.  All and do everything, everyone expects him to be the starter this year ahead of Kentucky transfer Gunnar Hoak.  There is no question Fields is a fantastic athlete who can run, but there are questions as to whether he can consistently complete forward passes.  At times, coaches think they can turn big time athletes into Dan Marino.  I'm not sure OSU will have a great offense hoping that Fields can drop dimes like Haskins did. 
Haskins was special man. He could drop dimes with the best of them.

The key for Ryan Day will be to let Justin Fields be Justin Fields. He's got a really good arm, but not sure he spins it like Haskins. Very few do. Haskins ball placement and accuracy was out of sight. That's why a lot of those short passes went for big gains. You put the ball on the money on time and hit the WR in stride- those 6-7 yard passes can turn into 20+ in a hurry. And Haskins could also fit balls into tight spaces down the field. His arm talent was special.

If Day tries to just make Fields a pocket passer, then I think the OSU offense could really struggle. They need to use what makes him special- that 4.5 speed in a 6'3 frame. This kid was the #2 recruit in the nation for a reason. Insanely productive HS player with out of this world measurables. He's got a really strong arm, not sure it's quite as refined as Haskins. Haskins came out the womb slinging the football. He was born to be a QB. Some guys are just naturally gifted at throwing a football. Like the guy you just mentioned: Dan Marino. Most perfect passer there ever was. All due respect to Aaron Rodgers and this new guy Mahomes everyone seems to be obsessed with. Marino is the best passer that ever lived and ever will live.