Offense was the name of the game in the Ohio State Buckeyes' 2017 spring game. With no hitting allowed for much of the early part of the game (an indication OSU could be worried about it's depth), the offense shined. The Scarlet team beat the Gray team 38-31, and although we won't overreact to a scrimmage, there are some takeaways.
With that in mind, here are four things we learned from the OSU Football Spring Game.
Hello Johnnie Dixon
If you forgot about Johnnie Dixon, that's understandable. A class of 2014 recruit, he played early in his freshman year before knee injuries end that year and limited him from making any impact. But he wowed at the spring game, with five receptions for 90 yards and two scores in the first half alone. He finished with six and catches for 108 yards and two scores. Dixon showed why he was a Top 100 recruit. If he can stay healthy, he could finally become the dynamic weapon he has the potential to be.
Defensive Backs Need Work
The combined QB stat line from J.T. Barrett, Burrow and Haskins tells the story: 626 yards and 7 TDs. Has Ohio State's passing attack gone from average at best to elite in one spring? Doubtful. The more likely answer is that OSU is having a rough time replacing three likely first round picks in the secondary. There's talent, namely true freshman Jeffrey Okudah and Shaun Wade, but they need time. It could be a bit of a rough go early for the OSU secondary. They did at least bounce back a bit in the second half.
QB Competition ... For The Backup Role
Look, J.T. Barrett is and will be the starter. But there's a big battle to be Barrett's backup and to take the lead in the 2018 QB race. And while the spring game didn't provide any clarity, it showed both Joe Barrow and Dwayne Haskins have talent. Burrow completed 14 of 22 passes for 262 yards and 3 TDs, while Haskins was 26 of 37 for 293 yards and 3 TDs. This is a good problem to have for the Buckeyes. On a related note, Tate Martell barely played. A redshirt year seems likely, barring injuries.
DeMario McCall
McCall didn't have many touches, just eight in total. But, he racked up 83 yards on the ground and 48 yards and a TD through the air. He gives the Buckeyes another weapon on offense, something OSU needs with Curtis Samuel and Noah Brown off to the NFL. He's not going to be a 20-carry per game type (not at 5-foot-9, 194-pounds), but he could provide a few big plays each game if he's used right.
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