COLUMBUS, Ohio – His coaches and teammates believe J.T. Barrett has assumed the starting quarterback job at No. 5 Ohio State as if that were the plan all along.
It wasn’t, of course. The freshman got the job when two-time Big Ten player of the year Braxton Miller reinjured his throwing shoulder on Aug. 18 and was lost for the season.
Despite the blow, coach Urban Meyer says his rookie quarterback and the rest of the team have stepped up during the week between Miller’s injury and Saturday’s season opener against Navy at M&T Bank Stadium in Baltimore (Noon/CBS Sports Network).
“I think we’re pretty ready. I like where we’re at…I like how they responded to Braxton’s injury. So I think we’re pretty ready,” Meyer said this week.
Meyer says Barrett is doing a great job handling one of the highest profile jobs at the college level. Fellow Buckeyes say Barrett is a cool, patient kid mature beyond his 19 years.
It’s only natural for there to be growing pains as a youngster goes from understudy to the spotlight. This much is certain: All eyes will be on Barrett when Ohio State opens against Navy on Saturday.
Without Miller, nearly 90 percent of the Buckeyes’ total offense from 2013’s 12-2 team has been lost to graduation or injury and Barrett’s offensive squad returns only four starters.
With Carlos Hyde gone, sophomore Ezekiel Elliot has emerged as one of the standouts in fall camp, along with fifth-year senior Rod Smith and sophomore Bri’onte Dunn. Meyer has also pointed to sophomore Warren Ball and freshman Curtis Samuel as running backs who might carry the ball.
The outlook is more promising at receiver where seniors Evan Spencer, Devin Smith and Jeff Heuerman return, having accounted for a combined 1,342 yards and 15 touchdowns last season. Meyer says sophomore Dontre Wilson, redshirt freshman Jalin Marshall, redshirt sophomore Mike Thomas and redshirt junior Corey Smith have all made impressive showings during the preseason workouts.
The biggest question marks remain on the offensive line where only junior tackle Taylor Decker returns from last year’s unit.