OSU Buckeyes

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Training camp is over and game preparations have begun. The torture of the offseason is nearly over, and Ohio State's first game under Urban Meyer is closing in. Leading up to the opener against Miami (Ohio), BuckeyeNation will count down the 10 players that figure to have the biggest impact on Meyer's first campaign, continuing with a wide receiver looking to make an impact in the spread offense.

No. 7

COREY "PHILLY" BROWN

• POSITION: Wide receiver
• BASICS: A bit banged up in the spring, the junior wasn't able to really show off his speed and playmaking ability on the perimeter for the new coaching staff. At full strength, the 6-foot, 186-pounder has turned heads with his quickness and earned the designation from Urban Meyer as the No. 1 wideout on the roster.
• BY THE NUMBERS: Like the other returning targets, Brown doesn't have the most extensive resume -- but he did tie for the team lead in catches as a sophomore. Over two seasons, he's got 22 receptions to his credit for 310 yards with a pair of touchdowns.
• OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPACT: The desire to find playmakers at receiver in the new spread offense has been well documented, and Meyer appears to have found a couple that he likes in August. Brown has put himself at the top of the list, and he's also presented himself as an option for the hybrid pivot position with his elusive ability as a runner in the open field. How often the Buckeyes might use him in that role remains to be seen, particularly with Jordan Hall expected to fill it when he returns from injury after the first couple games. But Brown figures to see the ball plenty in the passing game, and he's in line to easily surpass the 14 grabs he had last year.
• HE SAID IT: "‘Philly’ Brown, he’s done an unbelievable job, he’s a different player really than he was in the spring. He was hurt in the spring, so I probably didn’t have an opportunity to see the 100 percent ‘Philly’ Brown, but he’s 100 percent right now and he looks pretty good. ... Really, 'Philly' has come back and now you see what I hoped to see in the spring when he was about 80 percent." -- wide receivers coach Zach Smith

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- First, Mickey Marotti will make sure the team is loose, warm and ready for a game.

Then the Ohio State strength coach will do the same thing with the fans.

In a video posted on Friday, new Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer and Marotti went over the details of the new "quick cals" designed to help get the students in the south end zone fired up at Ohio Stadium starting with the opener next week against Miami (Ohio). And it's clear they're expecting the same level of intensity in the stands as on the field.

"We want to start a new tradition and show the relationship between our student body, the best student body in America, and our football team," Meyer said in the instructional video. "... We ask you to join. Can't wait to see you on Sept. 1."

That date has long been circled on the calendar for Ohio State as Meyer begins his first season.

But now it's not just the initial test of his Buckeyes on the field. The fans will be evaluated for the first time as well.

A YouTube video released by Ohio State director of player personnel Mark Pantoni:

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Training camp is over and game preparations have begun. The torture of the offseason is nearly over, and Ohio State's first game under Urban Meyer is closing in. Leading up to the opener against Miami (Ohio), BuckeyeNation will count down the 10 players that figure to have the biggest impact on Meyer's first campaign, continuing with an offensive lineman whose identity hasn't actually been determined yet.

No. 8

REID FRAGEL or TAYLOR DECKER

• POSITION: Right tackle
• BASICS: The Buckeyes haven't settled on a starter yet, but their choices are a converted tight end who has bulked up to more than 300 pounds or a freshman who arrived on campus carrying 310 pounds on a 6-foot-7 frame.
• BY THE NUMBERS: Fragel hasn't played a game yet as an offensive lineman, but he has plenty of game experience heading into his senior season after appearing in 39 games at tight end. He finished his run at the position with 14 career receptions, though he was always valued more as a blocker -- one indication he might be able to make the transition to tackle.
• OPPORTUNITY FOR IMPACT: Each option comes with a built-in negative that has seemingly kept coach Urban Meyer from picking a guy and completing the starting lineup. Fragel is a converted tight end and isn't quite as familiar with the position. Decker is a true freshman at a position that often benefits from additional time in the weight room before being thrown into action. But both of them appear capable of handing the responsibility of protecting Braxton Miller on one edge of the line or the competition wouldn't feature them at this point. Whether it's ultimately Fragel or Decker, the last piece of the puzzle on the offensive line could help make the offense or contribute to some breakdowns, giving them a chance to strongly influence the season one way or the other.
• HE SAID IT: "It’s not negative by any means; we don’t avoid each other or anything like that. It’s not like two gunslingers walking past each other. Definitely trying to help him out. Him being a freshman, there are obviously things he’s got to learn and I can help him with it after being here a while. I’ll give him pointers here and there, but at the end of the day, if coach wants to call it a battle, I’m going to do everything I can to beat him out." -- Fragel on the competition in training camp

Coach Urban Meyer leads Ohio State in their first scrimmage.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- If there had only been one adjustment, maybe there would be no decision to make.

Scooting the ball five yards closer obviously makes booming a kickoff into the end zone a bit easier. For a team like Ohio State that already had a leg that could handle the old distance, blasting it clear out of the back with consistency has perhaps become a realistic option.

But the new NCAA rules also balanced that yardage out providing some in exchange for the return team, with touchbacks now bringing the ball back out to the 25-yard line when an offense takes over. And that additional change might not always provide the intended goal of more touchbacks and less violence on kickoffs.

Rather than give up that yardage and just let Drew Basil swing away, Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer appears to have other ideas for his kickoff man and coverage unit, depending on who is standing at the other end of the field.

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