2021 Ohio State Offseason Thread

[Brutus Buckeye]

Well that explains why he didn't play much this year. 

[Abba]

Who will start at QB?  I presume it won't be Fields.

Pretty open right now.  I would guess CJ Stroud, but could also be Jack Miller or Kyle McCord.

[MaximumSam]

Tight ends:

Well, this is a total crapshoot.  Luke Farrell and Jake Hausmann are both fifth year seniors.  Farrell had five receptions for 5 receptions for 37 yards and Haussman had 1 reception for 13 yards.  Both these guys were on NFL radars before the season started (Farrell more so than Haussman) but it's difficult to tell where they stand now.  They both went through Senior Day, but so did Thayer Munford, who is coming back. 

Jeremy Ruckert also has a decision to make.  He is much more of an NFL prospect, but given guys like Pitts and Freiermuth are out there, would he be better served trying to come back and have a bigger year in the offense?  He has first round pick ability, but didn't have first round production.  If the other guys leave he is clearly the dude and might be in line for a big year, though tight end production has been a bit of the elusive goose for OSU. (Edit: he came back)

All of these guys could leave, and if so they will be very green.  Cade Stover has played a couple snaps at tight end as a redshirt freshman.  He was a four star linebacker recruit, so...Also in the mix is Joe Royer, who was a true freshman this past year and was a three star prospect.  Incoming is three star prospect Sam Hart.  So, OSU could really use one and maybe two of those vets to stick around. 

[MaximumSam]

Offensive Line

Probably leaving:

Josh Myers: Declared for the draft.  

Wyatt Davis: Expected to declare for the draft.  Only caveat is that he sustained an injury against Alabama of uncertain seriousness.  

Gavin Cupp: He's a redshirt senior who has rarely played, so not sure he'd want to come back or that they want him to come back.  

Probably staying:

There's too many guys to talk about, so I'll list what I think is the starting five next year.

LT: Thayer Munford - Announced his return for a fifth year. Has had injury issues but was very good this past year.
LG: Matthew Jones - Took over for Harry Miller so giving him the nod here
C: Harry Miller - Was a five star prospect who didn't look like he could snap when he got a game at center, but everyone seems to think he's the man here.
RG: Paris Johnson - A five star tackle prospect who isn't going to be backup
RT: Nicholas Petite-Frere - He is eligible for the draft and has the talent to leave, though it's expected he will come back

Backups: Dawand Jones will be the main backup, he played a lot this year.  Max Wray is also a tackle backup.  Third year guys are Enokk Vihami and Ryan Jacoby, both four star prospects.  Second year guys are Luke Wypler, Grant Toutant, Josh Fryar, Jakob James, and Trey Leroux.  All but Wypler were three star guys.

Incoming

The big dude is Donovan Jackson, a five star guard prospect out of Texas who many think could compete for a starting spot on day one.  He could get some playing time at left guard or at right guard if Petite-Frere leave.  They have a couple four star prospects coming in with Ben Christman and Zen Michalski, though it would be surprising if they played much.

[MaximumSam]

Fields declares, to the shock of everyone

[Cincydawg]

I like Fields, a lot, I liked him at UGA, I think he has toughness (duh) and character (blocking downfield).  I'm curious how he will fare in the NFL.

[FearlessF]

Fields would be my pick of QBs in the draft.

[Honestbuckeye]

TE Ruckert coming back.  

[MaximumSam]

Baron Browning says adios

[MrNubbz]

You're shyting me,I thought this was only his 2nd year,time flies

[Brutus Buckeye]

Olave is coming back. 

[MaximumSam]

Olave is coming back.

That's pretty shocking

[Abba]

That's pretty shocking

Yeah, I thought he would be gone for sure.  I don't really know what more he has to prove, but glad to have him back.

[Honestbuckeye]

Me too- but transfers coming.  Too many 5 stars waiting that can play now.