OSU Buckeyes

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- With spring practice in the books and Ohio State heading into its offseason conditioning program, BuckeyeNation is looking at the players who boosted their stock with the program the most during those 15 workouts. The offense will go first this week, followed by a handful of defenders who will be in line for heavy workloads this fall, as well.

No. 1: Chris Fields

• Who: The Buckeyes aren't yet in a position to feel truly comfortable about their depth at wide receiver, but they certainly can rest a bit easier at the end of spring practice -- and not just because a talented group of signees will be arriving this summer in time for training camp. Ohio State apparently had another potential starter under its nose the entire time, and Fields finally presented himself as a target worth throwing out with the first team with 15 productive practices that clearly caught the eye of coach Urban Meyer. Fields has only sporadically contributed much of consequence heading into his senior season, and while the Buckeyes might not have gone undefeated without his overtime-forcing touchdown last year against Purdue, that's the only score of his career at this point. It appears he has positioned himself for a chance to improve that production considerably.
• Spring progress: The relative lack of bodies on hand at receiver in spring gave Fields plenty of chances to show what he could do as a weapon in the spread offense, but he also benefited from a minor injury to Jordan Hall that opened up some reps at H-back and gave the Buckeyes yet another option to consider. Fields offered steady hands as a target, appeared much more comfortable with his routes and responsibilities and showed good speed and elusiveness once he had the football in his hands -- whether it got there through the air or if he took it as a rusher, as he did on a 6-yard touchdown carry in the spring game.
• Jockeying for position: Evan Spencer might have posted better numbers a year ago and Michael Thomas could have the greater upside as a target in the passing game, but neither left camp with Meyer calling them a starter. Fields took that honor, and if the Buckeyes had to play a meaningful game in April, he would be listed along with Devin Smith and Philly Brown as the first-team wideouts on the depth chart. That's a pretty remarkable development and a tribute to the work Fields has done since chipping in just 4 catches last season, though more competition is on the way.
• He said it: "Chris Fields, I’m going to name him starter today. I told him I would if he finished the spring, and Chris Fields has earned a starting spot on the offense -- which is amazing. He’s a wonderful guy. Last year was very inconsistent, but I know [offensive coordinator] Tom Herman feels the same way. He’s earned a starting spot." -- Meyer after the spring game
• Closing number: Fields pulled some double-duty in the closing exhibition in Cincinnati, and that heavy workload helped him pile up some yardage and continue to catch Meyer's eye heading into the summer. In all, Fields caught 5 passes for 37 yards and added 9 more yards on 2 carries with a touchdown to put a wrap on his productive camp.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- With spring practice in the books and Ohio State heading into its offseason conditioning program, BuckeyeNation is looking at the players who boosted their stock with the program the most during those 15 invaluable workouts. The offense will go first this week, followed by a handful of defenders who will be in line for heavy workloads this fall as well.

No. 3: Michael Thomas

• Who: The sophomore receiver still might not be a finished product and he didn't leave camp with a claim to a starting job, but there's little doubt that Thomas is trending upward after a season largely spent on the sideline adapting to the college level and the responsibilities at his position. The Buckeyes have two veterans they can feel pretty confident about in Philly Brown and Devin Smith, who are both back and improved as well. Thomas is making a push for an expanded role thanks to an ability to make tough catches, run sharper routes and an apparent ability to make catches despite contact against tight coverage. At a minimum, the spread offense should include more targets in the rotation even before the new wave of signees report this summer.
• Spring progress: Thomas turned in a buzz-worthy camp in the 2012 spring practice as an early enrollee, but he certainly wasn't prepared to live up to the hype as he struggled to get a grasp on the playbook last fall. With the benefit of a full year to get acclimated and up to speed, his natural skills were put on display with more regularity during open workouts in March and April. Thomas was able to adjust to balls on deep routes and consistently haul them in with his strong hands. Passes that might have been somewhat off target on intermediate routes were snagged thanks to his size and reach, and with his weight up close to 200 pounds, Thomas wasn't pushed around by cornerbacks who bumped, and he more than held his own in one-on-one passing drills during an impressive series of workouts.
• Jockeying for position: Brown and Smith are comfortably at the top of the depth chart, just as they were at the end of last season. And while the addition of a handful of potential playmakers from the recent signing class will add to the competition in training camp, the battle for time is already heating up thanks to the emergence of Chris Fields, some development by Evan Spencer and the improved comfort of Thomas. Fields was given the third starting position coming out of spring, but Thomas isn't likely to fade away in the fall, as he did as a freshman.
• He said it: "I mean, he developed, he came along. He was a true freshman, and he wasn’t as good as I hoped he was going to be or as good as he hoped he was going to be. But the best thing that happened to him was having to deal with success and failure, and having to go into an offseason saying, ‘My God, I was nowhere near where I want to be or where this offense for my head coach needs me to be.’ It really fueled the last six months." -- wide receivers coach Zach Smith, on Thomas
• Closing number: The second spring game for Thomas wasn't quite as explosive as the first, but he still put his mark on the exhibition with another productive outing during a pass-heavy afternoon. Thomas finished with seven catches for 79 yards, including a long of 31, and had a touchdown reception that highlighted his ability to come down with the football in traffic.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- There are two standards at the disposal of Zach Smith, and they’re equally effective at getting the attention the Ohio State wide receivers coach needs from his players.

If he wants, Smith can point to the bar that historically has been set so high by the Buckeyes who have come through the program, a pitch that works as both a motivator for players on campus and a recruiting tool off it.

“There have been seven first-rounders since 1995, more than anyone else in the country,” Smith said. “I don’t think there’s been a university in the last 17 years that has produced wideouts like this place has.”

If the promise of the NFL isn’t enough, Smith can simply refer to the resume of the head coach, Urban Meyer, and the value he places on receivers in his spread offense, and the type of numbers his system can produce for those capable of playing in it.

The trick to becoming a first-round draft pick can be just as challenging as learning all of the responsibilities in Ohio State’s playbook. Neither happens overnight or even in a full calendar year, but heading into their second season under Meyer and Smith, the Buckeyes at least appear to have a better grasp on the latter.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The book is closed on Urban Meyer's second spring camp with Ohio State, and the final pages weren't short on entertainment.

The Buckeyes hit the road for their annual exhibition on Saturday, heading down to Cincinnati for a 31-14 game won by the Scarlet that featured some familiar sights for the reigning Big Ten Leaders Division champs -- and a few developments that should be encouraging for Meyer heading into the summer.

1. Braxton Miller is still developing

The coaching staff has openly wondered what it might have been able to do with an extra year molding Miller before he was thrust into action as a true freshman, and the way the junior continues to show improvement offered another reminder why that would have been so valuable.

Miller's mechanics aren't immune to breakdowns, but his footwork, accuracy and decision-making all looked noticeably better on Saturday. Granted, it was an exhibition setting and there wasn't all that much pressure on him to perform. Miller didn't have the benefit of really using his legs to make plays, though, forcing him to rely on his arm in the pass-heavy scrimmage. He passed the test with 16 completions in 25 attempts, throwing for 217 yards and a pair of touchdowns without a turnover.

2. Anticipation grows for sophomore defensive ends

The brief glimpses of what Noah Spence and Adolphus Washington could do as freshmen last fall already raised expectations for the guys tasked with replacing John Simon and Nathan Williams as the bookends up front defensively. But the talented sophomores might have sent the bar into another stratosphere as they dominated pretty much everybody who tried to get in their path on the way to the quarterback.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The stakes are high, even if somebody doesn't have pads on during the scrimmage.

In case the physical, hard-hitting action didn't clarify how seriously Ohio State takes its live work even during spring practice, the group that had to line up for sprints after coming up on the losing end left little doubt.

Anybody involved with the defensive effort closed the practice on Tuesday afternoon running from one sideline to the other as punishment after Kenny Guiton ended a two-minute drill with a touchdown pass to Nick Vannett -- including the coaching staff and hobbling coordinator Luke Fickell.

"Academic people, coaches, everybody," Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer said. "It was good to see some competition.

"I’m not sure we have any answers yet, other than Kenny did a nice job leading that second group on a nice touchdown drive. Good day."

There was plenty for Meyer to like even before that final play, a deft pass from Guiton to the right-corner of the end zone where Vannett fought through a hold to haul in the score.

Guiton continued to provide reliability as the backup option at quarterback. Both lines had encouraging performances and largely played to a draw. A handful of receivers made eye-catching grabs, and the defense had success at times with a more blitz-happy approach than it showed a year ago.

And among those performances, these four also stood out as the Buckeyes start heading into the final workouts before the spring game on April 13.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Urban Meyer was only ready to truly evaluate one thing.

The Ohio State coach couldn't lead a full-contact practice on the first day of spring camp, so there was only so much he could really find out physically about his second Buckeyes team.

But mentally Meyer was able to get a read on where the Buckeyes were when they reported to the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Tuesday, and those reviews were positive as the work toward providing an encore to a perfect season started on the practice field.

"It was fine, I wasn't really concerned about attitudes, I knew we would have good attitudes," Meyer said. "What I’m concerned with is just the development of some players and after Day One I can’t give you a whole lot, other than we went out in shorts and did have a good attitude. Guys like Tyvis Powell and Pittsburgh Brown and some other guys had good days, thought we threw and caught pretty well.

"It’s the first day in shorts. We’ve got to expect them to [have a good attitude]."

The camp opener did provide a few notable developments aside from the way the Buckeyes approached the workout mentally, starting with these four players/positions.

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With national signing day in the books, the next big date on the Ohio State calendar as it continues working toward an encore for an undefeated season in 2013 is spring practice. Before those workouts begin, BuckeyeNation will take a look at each position to see where the roster is at -- and where it's going.

WIDE RECEIVERS

• Who's back: A valuable, versatile piece of the offense is gone, and Jake Stoneburner's size and ability to line up all over the formation will be missed. But the hybrid receiver-tight end didn't exactly produce as often as the Buckeyes were anticipating in his lone season in Urban Meyer's offense, and the two guys who truly carried the load in the passing game are both coming back and poised to take another step forward after upping their production last fall. Corey "Philly" Brown showed marked improvement from the beginning of the year to the end, and Devin Smith put his chemistry with Braxton Miller and knack for clutch receptions on display much more often as a sophomore. Behind those starters, Evan Spencer and rising sophomore Michael Thomas started gaining more trust from the coaches at the end of the perfect season and could start pushing for more work in the spring.
• New face: The cavalry is coming, but it hasn't arrived yet. The Buckeyes made speedy weapons at the skill positions a top priority on the recruiting trail, and the haul they landed could easily impact the spread offense right away with hype building already for Jalin Marshall, Dontre Wilson, James Clark and Corey Smith. But none of those guys will be on the field during spring workouts, leaving critical practice reps for the returning veterans.
• Projected spring depth chart: Brown's role could shift a bit to feature more work in the slot, a role that running back Jordan Hall or reserve Chris Fields could potentially play as well, as the Buckeyes tinker with matchups and formations. Spencer could then move into a starting role at the 'Z' spot where Brown was listed a year ago, with Smith backed up again by Thomas at the other spot.
• Numbers game: The approach was about as different as could be, but in terms of yardage, Smith and Brown wound up essentially in the same place. Brown vastly improved his number of receptions as a junior, going from 14 to 60 and claiming the team lead by doubling Smith's total. But Smith's ability to streak behind defensive backs and track down the ball produced almost as twice as much yardage per catch as Brown averaged -- with the two combining in the end for 90 catches, 1,287 yards and 9 touchdowns.
• One to watch: Early enrollment gave Thomas a jump on learning the system and a stage to showcase his skills in the spring game a year ago, with the latter in particular taking the buzz about his potential to another level after wowing the crowd at Ohio Stadium with 12 receptions for 131 yards. That performance perhaps put some unfair expectations on a true freshman, and he wasn't ready to meet them in his first campaign while finishing with 3 catches for 22 yards. But those extra workouts a year ago and another full slate of offseason conditioning could start paying some dividends heading into his sophomore season, and setting the table with productive workouts in March and April will be critical with more competition for playing time on the way.
• He said it: "I think we were built a little differently. But to say we never had talent, I never said that. We maybe didn't have the home-run hitter [with] explosiveness, open-space players on offense, but you know what, some guys really grew up and did a good job for us. 'Philly' Brown did a nice job, but we don't have enough. When you're running an offense where you want three or four split guys all the time and you only have one or two, that's not enough. I think we're starting to get a little bit of that built up." -- Meyer on signing day

Ohio State hardly needs motivation thanks to the chip on its shoulder already firmly in place after sitting out the postseason with a perfect record. But just in case any players required any extra fuel heading into workouts or wanted a little help putting together some goals, BuckeyeNation is here to lend a hand with some records that could be in reach with another productive offseason.

PASS RECEPTIONS

• Who owns it: Like most marks for wide receivers, it's a safe bet to throw out the name of David Boston -- and his 1998 season easily stands out as one of the most impressive statistical campaigns Ohio State has had at any position. His 85 catches that year are 12 more than any other target has ever snagged with the Buckeyes, and the next-closest total belongs to Boston as well. However, with a 12-game season and potentially two chances in the postseason to track him down, that record could be vulnerable down the road as Ohio State continues to expand its spread offense under Urban Meyer.
• Who wants it: Corey "Philly" Brown endured his share of jokes about failing to make tacklers miss early in the season and was obviously a part of a group that took more serious criticism before that from the coaching staff during spring practice and the offseason after struggling to make any impact in 2011. But the rising senior steadily became the kind of playmaker Meyer could trust on the perimeter and started piling up catches in big games, with his 12-reception outing against Michigan State providing strong hints of what Brown could offer after another year to develop.
• Relevant number: Boston's impressive 7.1 receptions per game might wind up being safe, though Brown could potentially give that mark a run for its money as well, depending on how the run-to-pass ratio is tweaked in Meyer's second season with the program. Brown finished up at an even five catches per contest after finishing the season with eight catches in the win over Michigan, and his total of 60 was the sixth-highest in school history. With two more opportunities potentially at his disposal than Boston had in his record-setting season, Brown would need to average about six receptions per game to claim the top spot in the record books -- a figure he hit or exceeded five times as a junior.
• Offseason checklist: The Buckeyes were rarely shy about getting Brown involved in the offense, establishing right from the opener that he would be a featured weapon by throwing to him seven times in the win over Miami (Ohio). But as the staff gained confidence in his ability to break tackles and tack on extra yardage in the open field, it seemed to expand the package of plays designed to get him the football with everything from quick-hitting throws on the perimeter to touch passes as he came in motion through the formation. Typically the Buckeyes got him the ball near the line of scrimmage, though, and if he and Miller can develop their chemistry even more during the offseason and Brown takes another step forward as a route-runner, his reliable hands should see even more use.
• Attainable goal: The variety of ways the Buckeyes can get Brown involved puts the record in reach for him, though the number of weapons returning on offense could possibly be a factor in keeping his numbers in check even if he returns as a much more dangerous option next fall. Devin Smith should be a more consistent factor at the other receiver spot, Michael Thomas and Evan Spencer figure to play more prominent roles -- and then there's the running game to consider with Carlos Hyde teaming up with Miller again in the backfield. But it wouldn't take too dramatic of a jump in production for Brown to challenge one of Boston's top records, and he should be prepared for it after seeing what the spread offense can do for him during Ohio State's perfect debut season with it.

Heading into the new year and offseason workouts, BuckeyeNation will look at some holes left by the departing Ohio State veterans and potential candidates to fill them.

WIDE RECEIVER

• Who: The transformation into the ultimate mismatch didn't quite materialize after Jake Stoneburner moved from tight end to wide receiver, and he wasn't able to equal his dynamic red-zone production from his junior season during his senior campaign with Ohio State. But while Stoneburner went through some rough patches and perhaps didn't give the Buckeyes everything they might have hoped for after moving him around the formation, he was still dangerous at times as a target with 16 catches and four touchdowns and leaves a 6-foot-5 hole to fill on the perimeter. And even when his own statistics weren't all that impressive, Stoneburner still found ways to make an impact by throwing around his 245-pound frame and improving as a run-blocker to help the Buckeyes explode on the ground.
• By the numbers: Not exactly known for his speed, Stoneburner still tied for the longest reception of the season after darting down the middle of the field for a 72-yard touchdown that effectively sealed a road victory at Penn State in October. That huge strike offered a reminder of the big-play ability Stoneburner brought to the position, which prompted the move in the first place. It was maybe also somewhat bittersweet for the Buckeyes, who might have liked to see it more often -- that dash against the Nittany Lions represented 27 percent of his yardage for the season.
• Job description: The Buckeyes need somebody capable of stressing coverage in the middle of the field, keeping defenses honest against both the threat of the run and allowing Devin Smith and Corey "Philly" Brown room to operate on the outside. Ohio State had few problems putting up points and obviously finished with a perfect record, but the offense could potentially become even more prolific if it can tap into some space across the middle of the field with a big, fearless target who can offer a reliable set of hands for quarterback Braxton Miller and the ability after that to do something extra with the football in his grasp.
• Top candidates: Given his responsibilities previously when exclusively at tight end or the diverse package of duties he had as a senior, it might take a combination of guys to fill Stoneburner's void. At tight end, the Buckeyes already know what they have in Nick Vannett and Jeff Heuerman and have plenty to feel good about there. Chris Fields flashed in a limited role as Stoneburner's official backup at the "H" wide receiver, but Michael Thomas could be an option to watch after breaking into the rotation more regularly at the end of his freshman season. The rising sophomore has a good relationship with Miller and the kind of size at 6-foot-2 that combines with impressive athleticism to make for a difficult defensive assignment, which gives him a shot at becoming the No. 3 option statistically.
• One to watch: Evan Spencer won't exactly be emerging from nowhere after finishing fourth on the team with 12 catches during the perfect season, particularly after finishing strong down the stretch with the majority of his production coming in the final five games. That late burst offered a glimpse at the kind of weapon Spencer could be in the passing game, and while he obviously doesn't have the same body type as Stoneburner, he should still be able at 6-foot-2 and 205 pounds to chip in some blocks for the run game and win his share of matchups after another offseason to build his game.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ready or not, the Ohio State freshmen continue to be thrown into the fire.

In some cases it's no longer really a matter of getting a couple opportunities for the young Buckeyes to prove themselves -- they have no choice if the program is going to stay undefeated this season while injuries keep piling up on the roster.

That situation has been most obvious at linebacker, and Joshua Perry appeared ready to capitalize on his expanded role before a minor health concern popped back up for him as well. But the defensive line has had to deal with the same issue lately, and even the special teams already loaded with young Buckeyes are getting ravaged by significant injuries and forcing another wave of players to fill the void in the kicking game.

A few players are obviously handling the responsibilities better than others, and every new player develops at a different pace. But these guys three guys stood out in the 29-22 overtime win over Purdue as starting to turn the corner -- or building on previously encouraging outings for Ohio State.

Noah Spence

• Position: Defensive end
• Stats sheet: 2 tackles
• What it means: The talented pass-rushing specialist didn't have as much of an impact on the stat sheet as he did against Indiana when Nathan Williams was out of the lineup, but the Buckeyes now have enough faith in him to tinker with the rotation and get him involved in meaningful situations. The clearest example of the different approach an emerging Spence allows the coaching staff to take is moving Williams to play some outside linebacker in a 3-4 look, and the newcomer was on the field for a critical stop on the late drive in the fourth quarter that helped set up the game-tying touchdown.
• He said it: "When you start knocking some bodies out of there, we’ve got a problem. We have some guys playing inordinate amount of plays, 600-some snaps for some defensive linemen that we should be developing some depth behind them, but they’re all freshmen." -- coach Urban Meyer

Michael Thomas

• Position: Wide receiver
• Stats sheet: 1 catch for 11 yards
• What it means: Certainly contributing in the Big Ten is a bit more difficult than turning in a productive outing in an exhibition game in the spring, and Thomas has struggled to live up to the hype that accompanied his huge afternoon back in April. But there's not much question about his talent or potential ability to have an impact for the Buckeyes, and while it's only one play, making a grab in conference action and starting to see more responsibility on offense is a sign Thomas might be catching on.
• He said it: "Every day somebody has a chance to make a change. Every day you have opportunities. Every day something flashes across you, a chance that maybe you'll get better -- and we're nonstop around here. I believe that's one of the great things about college football as opposed to the NFL." -- Meyer

David Perkins

• Position: Linebacker/special teams
• Stats sheet: 3 tackles
• What it means: After a five-game drought, Perkins was back to showing up and wreaking some havoc on special teams -- where all of his tackles for the Buckeyes on Saturday. The coaches have pointed to the 6-foot-2, 220-pounder as somebody they have been waiting for to get a grasp on the defense so they can turn him loose at outside linebacker, where he's currently listed behind Perry and could be close to breaking through for some playing time. Obviously given the injuries at that position, Ohio State could certainly use the help.
• He said it: "Right now we’re dealing with a roster that’s around 60, 59 players. Of those 59, not everybody is playing obviously, so the call to arms is still there. Rather disappointed in several handfuls of guys who haven’t contributed, and when you start throwing those kinds of numbers around, that’s why you’re seeing issues on kickoff. ... Some guys have to really step up." -- Meyer

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The true answer won't come for more than a month.

The data Urban Meyer relies on year after year to gauge how successful a training camp was isn't available until four games are in the books, so the grades are still incomplete from the Ohio State coach for now.

But he wanted physical practices, and Meyer seemed pleased with the intensity the Buckeyes delivered. He also wanted a team that survived that style of play with its health intact, and after knocking on wood, Meyer appears to have got what he wanted there as well.

"Unbelievable," Meyer said after a workout on Monday evening. "I mean, the way we practiced and I don’t think we’ve lost a guy, have we?"

The only potential losses from the lineup for the opener on Sept. 1 already existed before camp, with Jordan Hall's foot injury and the surgically repaired knee of defensive end Nathan Williams currently looming as the only possible absences of significance.

The Buckeyes have dealt with a few minor health issues through camp, with contributors such as tight end Jeff Heuerman missing time with a tight hamstring and starting linebacker Ryan Shazier briefly on the shelf with an undisclosed ailment as well.

But aside from season-ending surgery for true freshman offensive lineman Joey O'Conner, a knee scope for reserve safety Zach Domicone and a hamstring injury for freshman wide receiver Frank Epitropoulos, the Buckeyes appear to have a full deck heading into the season.

And four weeks after it begins, Meyer will know if he should have pushed the Buckeyes even harder or dialed it back.

"The only thing I worry about is the health in the heat, you know, I’m scared to death of the heat," Meyer said. "We’ve been fortunate. We try to push them as hard as we possibly can, and how you evaluate that is just over the last 10 years how we do in the first four games. We’ve gone, I think we’re 39-1 or something like that in our first four games and we have really hard camps.

"Sometimes you play teams you’re better than, and sometimes you don’t. That’s how I try to evaluate every year if we’re going too hard, but we’re fine."

PASSING GRADE: Walking off the field, Meyer admitted he wasn't really aware of what the offense had just done.

But once he popped in the film of Saturday's closed scrimmage, there was clear evidence of the improvement he's been emphasizing in the Ohio State passing game. And while statistics have not been released publicly, Meyer tallied one up for Braxton Miller that surely validated his progress leading the attack at quarterback.

"He threw for 350 yards in the scrimmage, so he had a good day," Meyer said. "Really good day. I didn’t realize it until after the scrimmage.

"The area where we’re much improved is throwing and catching, much improved. We couldn’t have gone much the other way, but they are much improved. The receivers have stepped up."

They were clearly making the most of a lot of balls thrown their way from Miller in a session that Meyer indicated was largely the first-team offense against the second-team defense.

Corey "Philly" Brown was likely the biggest beneficiary after being designated as Ohio State's "No. 1 receiver right now" by Meyer, with Devin Smith apparently not far behind. But Jake Stoneburner, Michael Thomas and Nick Vannett also drew praise for their recent work by Meyer, who hasn't been shy in the past about criticizing his targets.

"I feel right now the offense will be fairly competent," Meyer said. "I can’t say great because I don’t see that yet. But I see competency, I see the ball being snapped correctly, I see an offensive line protecting and doing the right things and the skill [players] are starting to improve.

"It didn’t look that way for the first two weeks in the spring."

UP FOR GRABS: The Buckeyes didn't leave the scrimmage with a resolution at right tackle.

Their workout on Monday certainly didn't provide an answer either.

The other four spots on the offensive line are seemingly locked in for the opener against Miami (Ohio), but converted tight end Reid Fragel and freshman Taylor Decker are still jockeying for the fifth one -- and it appears neither did anything to win it during the latest practice session.

"We can’t name a starter right now," Meyer said. "... Right tackle has got to be a little better. They’re trying, but one at times looks like a freshman because he is and one looks like a guy that just moved from tight end.

"It’s fresh in my mind because they got slapped around a little bit today."

KLEIN TRIAL PUSHED BACK: Former Ohio State linebacker Storm Klein's trial date, originally scheduled for Monday, has been pushed back to Sept. 24, according to Franklin County Municipal Court documents.

The senior was dismissed from the team in July after being charged with domestic violence and assault for an alleged incident with the mother of his child.

Michael Thomas provided the perfect fuel for the hype machine.

Coming on the heels of one of the worst passing seasons in the country, Ohio State had made a clear emphasis on improving through the air with a new coaching staff that was looking for playmakers on the perimeter.

A heralded recruit, Thomas stepped onto the big stage at Ohio Stadium in front of an enormous crowd for the first time and didn't back down from the opportunity he was given.

He even provided easy numbers for sake of comparison, making 12 catches in a single afternoon for an offense that didn't have anybody grab more than 14 balls over the entire season a year ago.

But while the anticipation for encores has only grown since Thomas made a splashy debut in the spring game back in April, the freshman is continuing to stress the importance of perspective as he prepares for something a bit more real than an exhibition.

"I still want to remain humble," Thomas said. "It was just a spring game, you know, still have 12 more games against different teams, different competition. So I feel like that was a great opportunity for me, but I feel like I could always do better. I feel like there’s room for improvement, and if I keep working, I feel like I can keep everything going.

"I just try to keep working hard. I don’t let it all get to my head."

That approach has been important through a little more than a week of training camp, because the Buckeyes aren't handing out jobs based on spring games -- regardless of how head-turning they might have been.

Thomas has drawn steady praise for his work ethic over the offseason, and his potential has certainly excited more than just fans based on the positive reviews from both the coaches and his teammates.

Meyer indicated during on Sunday that Thomas "picked up where he left in the spring," which was obviously on a high note. But Thomas isn't focusing on what he did then, nor does he really seem to want credit for it as he battles for playing time in a much-improved position group.

"I just try to step up when my name is called, when it’s my opportunity," Thomas said. "I mean, you may not get a lot of shots, I feel like when you get your shot, you have to step up.

"There are also a lot of guys around me. I mean, I had those 12 catches and a lot of yards, but the quarterbacks were throwing great balls, so it was like I had no other choice but to catch it."