COLUMBUS – The Buckeyes hit the field Tuesday morning for the first of 15 practice sessions, culminating in the annual spring intra-squad scrimmage on April 13 in Ohio Stadium.
The biggest challenges facing head coach Ryan Day and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly will be finding a new quarterback to replace the 2023 starter, Kyle McCord, who transferred to Syracuse.
McCord’s backup, Devin Brown, who started the Cotton Bowl game against Missouri, will again try to convince the coaches that he should be the Buckeyes’ starter.
Lincoln Kienholz, a freshman who had a rough go in the 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cottom Bowl, also wants the job. Transfer Will Howard and top recruits Air Noland and Julian Sayin are also candidates.
Ohio State is in good shape most everywhere else, with returning players like receiver Emeka Egbuka and running back TreVeyon Henderson.
The transfer portal brought top players Quinshon Judkins, a running back from Ole Miss, as well as center Seth McLaughlin and safety Caleb Downs from Alabama.
Ohio State opens the 2024 football season at home against Akron on Aug. 31. In the first year of play for an expanded Big Ten and 12-team College Football Playoff, the Buckeyes will play new conference member Oregon on Oct. 12 in Eugene.