OSU Buckeyes

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 -- Ed Warinner barely even needed a second to flash back through nearly three decades in the profession.

If the Ohio State offensive line coach had ever coached four returning starters, all of them seniors, he wouldn’t have had much trouble remembering that unit.

And now that he finally does have one brimming with experience and talent, it’s apparently just as easy for Warinner to climb out of bed these days now that the chance to work with it has arrived. All those veterans also might come in handy for him when he reports to work looking for one more guy to join them as they try to fill the hole at right tackle.

“Makes it easy to get up at 5:30 in the morning to come in here, I can tell you that,” Warinner said.

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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.

RIGHT TACKLE

• Who: Ohio State was unsettled even midway through training camp as it looked to fill the last available spot on the offensive line, but it clearly found a winner after Reid Fragel nudged ahead in the position battle and never looked back. The converted tight end bulked up his body and soaked up the technique at right tackle, and his nasty blocking in the run game and reliable work in protection provided an invaluable boost for the spread offense in Urban Meyer's first season. It stands to reason that Fragel could have been even more special as a lineman if he'd been able to spend more than one year there, but that development will now come after a likely selection in the NFL draft this spring.
• By the numbers: The Buckeyes featured a power rushing attack before Meyer arrived, but he took it to an even higher level with his spread offense thanks to the physical blocking he got from all five spots up front -- including the somewhat surprising work done by Fragel sealing the edge or pancaking linebackers at the second level. Ohio State averaged 191 yards per game on the ground the season before Meyer arrived, and despite his spread reputation, he backed up his repeated claims that a rushing attack really makes it hum by bumping that number up to 242 behind Fragel and his big buddies.
• Job description: The Buckeyes will be returning four experienced starters on the line, so the new member is going to have plenty of assistance as he breaks into the rotation. With Corey Linsley and Jack Mewhort back, for example, Ohio State certainly isn't going to need somebody to come in and try to be a leader. What it will need is an athletic player capable of keeping Braxton Miller clean in the pocket and displaying enough mobility and strength to keep up with a rushing attack that will essentially return completely intact. The only thing missing is a right tackle, and the spotlight will be on the guy filling Fragel's big shoes.
• Top candidates: The job was nearly Taylor Decker's in training camp, though the true freshman ultimately came up short in his tight battle with the veteran, physically-developed Fragel. The edge Decker did have back in August was that he's a natural lineman who was more technically sound as a blocker, and with another offseason to build his body, the future is bright for the rising sophomore heading into spring practice and a training camp where he's likely to be the clear favorite to join the first unit.
• One to watch: The Buckeyes kept Kyle Dodson stashed away on the bench for a season after his high-profile recruitment and decision to sign with Meyer a year ago, but he'll have a chance to show he's ready to put his considerable athleticism and talent on display after being slowed by a shoulder surgery that set back his growth initially. Decker has a head start, of course, but a healthy and energized Dodson should at least be able to provide some depth up front.

In the recruiting world, they call it flipping when one school has a recruit under its wing but by signing day that athlete commits to a different university.

As the days dwindle until national signing day, attention has turned to which players Urban Meyer and Co. might roll their way in an all-important 2013 recruiting class for Ohio State.

Some look at Tony Stevens (Orlando, Fla./Evans) or Trey Johnson (Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett). However, if odds were set, the most likely candidate is one most fans already know about.

Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) has made it no secret that he wants to take visits -- whether official or unofficial -- before giving Michigan his signature.

A longtime Wolverine pledge, the cornerback has said he chose Michigan because no other big-name schools were really after him.

The Wolverines were the only visit Conley took, but now that he has interest from schools including Oregon and Ohio State he wants to see what they’re all about, even if that means he is no longer committed to Michigan.

The Ducks have shown strong interest, while Ohio State has extended an offer.

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COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Quick hitters from Ohio State coach Urban Meyer after his first game-week press conference with the program on Monday morning.

Progress report: The final decision isn't in yet for Nathan Williams.

But the Buckeyes should have a pretty good idea of whether or not the senior defensive lineman will be available in some capacity against Miami (Ohio) this weekend after practice on Monday evening.

For now, that still leaves Meyer with his fingers crossed.

"Today is a big day for Nate," Meyer said. "He's been up and down, trying his heart out. Tough injury, and I would hope to have him for a limited basis in the first game. Today's a big day for him.

"We work, rest, work, rest, work, rest. Now we're in a game week and we have to find out what we can do."

Spread vs. spread: The RedHawks are likely going to air it out and lean on their high-octane passing attack.

The Buckeyes are intent on establishing a powerful presence on the ground.

Both offenses fall in the spread category, but the first week of the season should provide a clear example of what makes Meyer's different than the pass-happy version.

"It's completely different than our spread," Meyer said. "They're a spread that throws it. We're a spread that probably at the end of the day, we might be 50-50 or 60-40 run (to) pass. We're a line up and come rocking off the ball type of spread offense.

"They're more of a dropback pass. The quarterback (Zac Dysert), tremendous player. And that receiver (Nick Harwell) is really good. Those two kids can play anywhere in America.

On the line: The battle is over for now, and Reid Fragel will be on the field for the first snap at right tackle.

But at some point, Taylor Decker is still likely going to see some action. And the Buckeyes aren't done evaluating the two players just because training camp is over.

"We think both can be really good players for us," offensive line coach Ed Warinner said. "Reid is just a little bit ahead, so he'll get the nod for this Saturday as the starter. Anticipate Taylor being in the game, playing, contributing -- he would be the first guy in the game at either right tackle or left tackle. He works both sides, so he's our swing guy and our third tackle right now.

"Still a very close race there. There isn't a lot of separation there, it's just Reid is older and a little more veteran, little more ready to go."

Bumps and bruises: Freshman running back Warren Ball had surgery to repair a mid-foot strain and is out for an indefinite period of time, according to a school spokesman.

That leaves the Buckeyes with a pair of rushers currently on the shelf with foot injuries, with starter Jordan Hall expected to miss the first two games following his own offseason procedure.

Carlos Hyde has taken over the starting role to open the year, with Bri'onte Dunn claiming the backup job.

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

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.