Eric Boggs
Will Howard maintained his momentum during Ohio State’s third practice of preseason camp at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center. After an underwhelming start, Howard has shown why he’s the frontrunner to be the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback for the 2024 season. Despite a shaky spring, Howard’s recent performances have bolstered his standing in the quarterback competition.
Offense
Howard demonstrated his consistency by delivering accurate passes during team drills and 7-on-7 sessions. He took the majority of reps behind the first-team offensive line and showcased his running ability with an explosive sprint up the left sideline, which could have been an 80-yard touchdown if not for the play being whistled dead. Julian Sayin also stood out, especially during a red-zone passing drill where he made a perfect deep throw to Jeremiah Smith. Devin Brown, while having a challenging day, connected with Emeka Egbuka on a deep pass, highlighting his potential.
Ohio State’s offensive line is still being solidified. Josh Simmons, Donovan Jackson, and Josh Fryar took all first-team reps at their positions, while Seth McLaughlin and Carson Hinzman shared center duties. Hinzman and Tegra Tshabola split reps at right guard. Luke Montgomery also split second-team center reps with Hinzman, showcasing his versatility.
Freshmen running backs James Peoples and Sam Williams-Dixon have been impressive, consistently breaking off impressive runs and catching passes out of the backfield. Both players have shown they can contribute significantly, especially given the limited depth at the running back position.
Walk-on tight end Jace Middleton and wide receiver Reis Stocksdale also made notable contributions. Middleton had a long catch-and-run, while Stocksdale frequently got open against the third-team defense, making multiple downfield catches. Jayden Ballard made a notable play during the red-zone passing drill, catching a pass over a defender and securing his feet in the back of the end zone.
Defense
Defensively, Jordan Hancock had a standout practice, getting his hands on several passes and tipping one to Caleb Downs for an interception. He has consistently provided solid coverage in the slot and has been active as a tackler. Davison Igbinosun and Sonny Styles also made significant plays, with Igbinosun shutting down a screen pass and Styles excelling as a run stopper and in coverage from the Will linebacker position.
Sophomore linebacker Arvell Reese intercepted a pass off a deflection and had multiple quarterback pressures as a blitzer. Defensive tackle Kayden McDonald was disruptive in both one-on-ones and team drills, continuing to impress the coaching staff.
Special Teams
Special teams practice included live field goal attempts for the first time in camp. Returning starter Jayden Fielding had a mixed performance, shanking one attempt wide left but otherwise being consistent.
Will Howard’s performance has solidified his position as the leading candidate in Ohio State’s quarterback competition. Julian Sayin and Devin Brown continue to push for playing time, while the offensive line and freshman running backs are showing promise. Defensively, standout performances from players like Jordan Hancock and Sonny Styles are encouraging signs. With special teams beginning to take shape, Ohio State’s preseason camp is proving to be a critical period for evaluating and solidifying the team’s lineup for the 2024 season.
