Piecing Together The Ohio State Depth Chart On Offense

With spring ball now in the rearview, it is time to do what the Ohio State coaches refuse to do — definitively set in stone a tentative depth chart.

Today we will look at the offensive side of the ball where a quarterback battle rages, the search for a right guard continues into fall camp, and everybody braces for the transfer portal to open on Tuesday.

So, yeah, expect this depth chart to change just about every day for the next two weeks.

Quarterback

33 Devin Brown, rSoph OR
18 Will Howard, rSr
3 Lincoln Kienholz, rFr OR
10 Julian Sayin
12 Air Noland

Devin Brown and Will Howard split reps evenly throughout the spring. That competition should continue on in fall camp. Those two have separated from the other three quarterbacks. There is the thought, however, that if Howard is already “even” from the outset, how long until he’s ahead? Freshman Julian Sayin has made a push for the No. 3 spot with Lincoln Kienholz. Air Noland closed spring ball on a positive note.

Running Back

32 TreVeyon Henderson, Sr AND
1 Quinshon Judkins, Jr
20 James Peoples, Fr
28 TC Caffey, rSoph OR
24 Sam Williams-Dixon, Fr

As I’ve said on the Buckeye Huddle message board about the running back depth chart, TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins is not an OR scenario. They are both aces. The transfer of Dallan Hayden moved everybody else up one spot. Head coach Ryan Day wants five running backs, but that usually means five scholarship running backs. TC Caffey is a walk-on that they love, but they may still choose to supplement things in the portal very shortly.

X Receiver

17 Carnell Tate, Soph
14 Kojo Antwi, rSoph OR
82 David Adolph, rSoph

Carnell Tate has solidified his spot as expected. True freshman Damarion Witten will arrive in the summer and could factor in at this spot. Kojo Antwi dealt with injuries during the spring but finished healthy. David Adolph is a 6-foot-5 walk-on that has impressed the last couple of years.

Z Receiver

4 Jeremiah Smith, Fr
9 Jayden Ballard, rJr
7 Kyion Grayes, rSoph

Not much more needs to be said about Jeremiah Smith. Jayden Ballard started the spring game over Smith, but there isn’t much that will keep Smith off the field. Ryan Day said after the spring game that Ballard needed to start making plays this spring, which happened over the last two weeks of camp. Five-star Mylan Graham arrives in June.

Slot Receiver

2 Emeka Egbuka, Sr
13 Bryson Rodgers, rFr OR
11 Brandon Inniss, Soph

It sure seemed like the plan this season was to play Emeka Egbuka outside more, but with Jeremiah Smith coming on as he did, Egbuka is back in his familiar role in the slot. He’ll move all over the place, but the slot will likely be his first home. An injury cost Brandon Inniss most of spring but he’ll be fine for this season. Bryson Rodgers took advantage of his opportunities and continues to be a consistent weapon for the Ohio State quarterbacks.

Tight End

88 Gee Scott, Jr., rSr
15 Jelani Thurman, rFr OR
49 Patrick Gurd, rJr OR
89 Will Kacmarek, rJr
85 Bennett Christian

Gee Scott, Jr. is a leader on this team who can be used all over the field. Walk-on Patrick Gurd got some action this spring as a fullback in the old Mitch Rossi-kind of role. Jelani Thurman, Will Kacmarek, and Bennett Christian continue to try to earn a spot in 12 personnel looks.

Left Tackle

71 Josh Simmons, rJr
68 George Fitzpatrick, rSoph OR
65 Zen Michalski, rJr
72 Deontae Armstrong, Fr

George Fitzpatrick had a solid spring moving back and forth from left side to right side. He has played in just four games in his two years at Ohio State. It would be huge for this offensive line if he can be ready to play backup minutes. Freshman Deontae Armstrong is a tremendous athlete who is getting stronger by the day. He could make a push over the summer and into fall camp.

Left Guard

74 Donovan Jackson, Sr
67 Austin Siereveld, rFr
66 Enokk Vimahi, rSr
73 Devontae Armstrong, Fr

Austin Siereveld has gotten a ton of good reps this spring. A redshirt freshman being with the twos on the offensive line is either an indication of growth and talent, or a thin room. Though I suppose it could mean both.

Center

56 Seth McLaughlin, rSr
75 Carson Hinzman, rSoph
62 Josh Padilla, rFr
54 Toby Wilson, rJr

Seth McLaughlin got the start in the spring game, but both he and Carson Hinzman got time with the ones at center. That was the case throughout the spring. McLaughlin’s experience is going to be tough to displace. Josh Padilla did solid work this spring and is the future of the position.

Right Guard

75 Carson Hinzman, rSoph
51 Luke Montgomery, Soph
66 Enokk Vimahi, rSr

Luke Montgomery spent most of the spring with the ones at right guard, but it was Carson Hinzman who got the start in the spring game. The spring game is just one practice, but this was kind of the direction things were heading. Offensive line coach Justin Frye wanted to give Hinzman and McLaughlin time to compete at center before giving them both a look at right guard. Given that they are both experienced starters, it is difficult to imagine one of them not being in the starting lineup. The transfer portal is also an option that Ryan Day has not discounted.

Right Tackle

70 Josh Fryar, rSr
77 Tegra Tshabola, rSoph
69 Ian Moore, Fr
76 Miles Walker, rFr

This one seems pretty settled, unless the transfer portal provides the kind of opportunity that would slide Josh Fryar to right guard. Josh Fryar has continued to reshape his body and refine his footwork. He wants to play tackle but will do whatever he is asked. Tegra Tshabola could end up being the sixth or seventh man on the offensive line, which could become a starting role on any given weekend.

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