Can you feel it? The college football season is quietly approaching the horizon. We are here to highlight some in-camp battles that may shake the college football world come three months time. In the spotlight are three important postitions for the Buckeyes, and may make the difference in hat looks to be a big year for the scarlet and grey.
WR: Emeka Egbuka (So.) vs Julian Fleming (Jr.)
Two former five stars battling for primier snaps. Ohio State arguably has the best collection of talent in the nation sitting in one room. Emeka Egbuka and Julian Fleming start immediately at any other school in the nation. Following the emergence of Marvin Harrison Jr in the Rose Bowl, he has his spot secured. The two pass catchers will be fighting for the outside role opposite Harrison with Jaxon Smith-Njigba manning the slot. In that Rose bowl matchup Fleming saw a career high 47 snaps, Egbuka only saw 18. Egbuka showed flashes of talent on special teams and is eager to convert that to this offence. Fleming looks to right the ship and remain injury free for the first season since arriving on campus. Winner of this battle looks to play a large role, as the loser might be looking for a new home. With Ballard, Grayes, and Kojo Antwi breathing down their neck, The time to secure their spot is now and does not look to get easier with the way Brian Hartline is collecting talent.
Tight End: Mitch Rossi v Gee Scott v Cade Stover v Joe Royer
Talk about uncertainty. This group is full of question marks. Not one, not two, not three, but four player are vying for the role of starter. The last time we saw Cade Stover play, he was on the defensive side of the ball. Rossi is back for a sixth season for the Buckeyes. and Scott is a converted WR. Royer is the only one of the four that came to Ohio State on scholarship to play the TE position. As the season approaches this will be a group to keep an eye on.
QB2: Kyle McCord Vs Devin Brown
We all know CJ Stroud is the leader in this room. He is the Heisman frontrunner and projected top-10 pick barring injury. But after him there is a bit of a battle. True freshman Devin Brown has lived up to the hype. Kyle McCord won the backup spot last year and pushed Quinn Ewers out of the room. After this season there is a big question on how Ohio state plans to move ahead with the program. Take a trip down Buckeye history with me. An established leader, a guy that has been in the program and a young upcomer. What does this sound like? Sounds an awful lot like the 2018 season where they opted for a for-sure two years from the younger guy. Who were these guys you ask? They so happened to be JT Barrett, Dwayne Haskins and Joe Burrow. If history repeats itself and it is close, expect McCord to be taking snaps at another location come this time next fall.
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