Ryan Day Talks Preseason Wrap As Game Week Approaches

COLUMBUS — Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with reporters following practice Thursday night. He answered a number of questions about how things are shaping up on the offensive line, the defense, expectations for quarterback Will Howard, and much more. The highlights of everything that was said can be found below.

+ How have the offseason moves gone? Coming out of preseason you want to have some of your questions answered. You won’t have them all answered. They’ve had an opportunity to build some depth in camp. They’ve shown it on the field with the techniques, fundamentals, and scheme. There’s been an edge to the team. “We’ve been consistent.” Things have been back and forth between the offense and defense.

+ Tegra Tshabola is definitely going to play at right guard but the starting job is still yet to be decided. That will be decided in the next few days. Day feels better about the offensive line now than he did before preseason practice. They’ve addressed the depth on the OL. Austin Siereveld has stepped up in a big way with Donovan Jackson being out.

+ What do you want to see out of the OL this year that you didn’t see last year? The message is they want to be the hardest-playing offensive line in the country. Knock the line of scrimmage back. Seth McLaughlin has done a nice job of communicating. He takes control up front. “To me, we’ve got to move the line of scrimmage and knocking people back.”

+ There are some really good young players in the system. The standard is having the best offensive line in the country.

+ Sonny Styles has stepped up and played well. He’s made the transition. He’s bigger and stronger. He’s doing a better job of getting off of blocks. He understands the communication better. “He’s certainly the leader in the clubhouse.”

+ Mylan Graham took a step in the right direction following his black stripe removal. If he continues to practice the way he’s practicing, he’ll give himself a chance to get into the rotation later in the season. “That’s probably more his path right now.” “We’ll give him the reps he deserves.”

+ Anybody who comes in in January, Day doesn’t see them as a freshman anymore.

+ How have you spent your time during scrimmages now that you’re not calling plays? “I’m still in there. Right there. Talking and communicating.” “I’m going to be very much involved in special teams.” He’ll be involved in the two-minute warning and clock management. But he’ll be watching the team’s demeanor as well. “We’ve got to win the situations.”

+ Right now Nick McLarty will be the starting punter. That competition will continue but the plan is for him to be the first punter against Akron. He’s got a strong leg. He’s made the transition to America and American football. The snap to kick timing has really improved. He’s a taller guy so the ball has to get off of his foot faster. He’ll kick a few that will just go out of the stadium. They still want more consistency.

+ Where is Will Howard’s ceiling? He’s got a bunch of traits. He’s big and strong. He can stand in the pocket with poise. He feels the rush but he stands right in there. He can run 22 mph. He has an overall command in the huddle and leads. He’s been very accurate since he’s been here. It looks right when he’s running the offense. His ceiling? That’s up to how he plays this season. He’s got a lot of skills that translates well to the next level.

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