Ohio State’s Open Practice: Impressive Performances by Devin Brown and Growing Hype for Jeremiah Smith

Ohio State’s Open Practice: Impressive Performances by Devin Brown and Growing Hype for Jeremiah Smith

Ohio State held its eighth spring football practice on Saturday, and it was open to the media, students, and a host of prospects. Here are a few key takeaways, including highlight plays, some impressive throws, and more.

Quarterback Competition Still Open

No matter how much I want to talk about freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith, I can’t start these practice takeaways without talking about the quarterbacks. At this point in the spring, it’s impossible to say one quarterback is taking the starter reps over the others. The coaching staff purposefully rotated through the quarterbacks for reps with each team, including Devin Brown, Kansas State transfer Will Howard, and Lincoln Kienholz. Coach Ryan Day explained that they want to give everyone a chance to play with different units and see how they perform. So, as of now, there isn’t a true “starter” among them.

Impressive Performance by Devin Brown

Although there isn’t a clear frontrunner for the starting quarterback position, Devin Brown stood out during Saturday’s practice. He made several eye-catching throws, including an over-the-shoulder pass to Emeka Egbuka that was perfectly placed and resulted in a great catch. Brown also connected with Jeremiah Smith on a well-placed throw between two defenders. Overall, Brown displayed consistency and emerged as the most impressive quarterback during the practice session.

Will Howard Shows Improvement

While Devin Brown had a standout performance, Will Howard also showed improvement from previous practices. He looked more comfortable in the offense and delivered a nice touchdown throw to Quinshon Judkins on a wheel route. As a veteran transfer, it’s expected that Howard would start to settle into the system as time goes on. Coach Day mentioned that he has been progressing well but would like to see him take the next step in the remaining weeks of spring practice.

Other Quarterbacks’ Performances

Lincoln Kienholz and freshman Julian Sayin also had their moments during the practice session. Kienholz made impressive throws, including a deep pass to Jeremiah Smith and a perfectly placed ball to tight end Jelani Thurman. Sayin showcased his talent with strong passes and fearlessness in making any throw. The only quarterback who didn’t stand out as much was Air Noland, but that’s because he didn’t take many team reps.

Jeremiah Smith Shines Bright

Jeremiah Smith, the top-ranked player in the 2024 recruiting class, continues to live up to the hype. After having his black stripe removed, which signifies a player’s readiness, Smith made plays that no freshman should be able to make. He displayed exceptional skills and athleticism, making one-on-one catches against tight coverage and showcasing his ability to adjust to the ball mid-air. Coach Day expressed his excitement about Smith’s future and commended his approach to the game.

Dominant Defense

The defense had a strong showing during the practice, causing problems for the offensive line. During a period when the offense was backed up against the goal line, the defense recorded three consecutive safeties. Defensive linemen such as Kayden McDonald, Mitchell Melton, JT Tuimoloau, Hero Kanu, Jason Moore, C.J. Hicks, Caleb Downs, and Eddrick Houston stood out with their impressive plays and disruptive presence. The defensive line depth was a pleasant surprise and bodes well for Ohio State’s chances in the upcoming season.

Offensive Line Rotations

The right side of the offensive line is still a work in progress, but there were some changes from the previous week. Alabama transfer Seth McLaughlin started at center and didn’t have any issues with snaps. The right tackle position is being contested between Josh Fryar and Tegra Tshabola, with Luke Montgomery holding down the right guard spot. Enokk Vimahi also saw reps at right guard with the second-team unit. Coach Day mentioned that they are still trying to figure out the best five offensive linemen and will continue to evaluate and build chemistry as the preseason approaches.

Conclusion

Ohio State’s open practice provided a glimpse into the ongoing quarterback competition and showcased impressive performances from Devin Brown and Jeremiah Smith. Brown stood out as the most consistent quarterback, while Smith continued to exceed expectations with his exceptional skills. The defense had a dominant outing, causing problems for the offensive line and displaying impressive depth along the defensive front. As the spring practice continues, Ohio State will look to solidify their offensive line and make progress in determining their starting quarterback.