COLUMBUS (AP) — When Ohio State opened training camp earlier this month, coach Urban Meyer said it was “open season” for starting jobs. With just over a week before the season opener, some of those jobs have yet to be locked down.
Ohio State is replacing 8 starters on each side of the ball. Offensive line, wide receiver and cornerback are among the positions where starters for the Sept. 3 game against Bowling Green still haven’t been named, according to Buckeyes coaches. Regardless of who starts, there will be many new faces on the field next week.
On the offensive line, returning starters Pat Elflein and Billy Price are the anchors at center and right guard. Pencil in Jamarco Jones at left tackle and at right tackle probably Isiah Prince, one of the team’s few true freshmen who earned playing time last year.
Highly touted junior college transfer Malcolm Pridgeon, who was expected to compete at guard and tackle, was lost to a knee injury in training camp.
On the defensive line, Tyquan Lewis returns at end, and sophomore Sam Hubbard, who backed up All-American Joey Bosa last season, has locked down the other end position.
The No. 6 Buckeyes lost all their starting receivers from last year, which has made for one of the most intriguing competitions in camp. Noah Brown has locked up one of the spots but fifth-year senior Corey Smith and Parris Campbell are competing for the other.