Ohio State 2026 Football Training Camp Week 1 Observations

Ohio State is beginning the second week of its football training camp. The Buckeyes are loaded, and four big stories have emerged thus far. The Buckeyes are preparing for a trying schedule that will begin with a cupcake (Ball State) on September 5. However, the next week will be more difficult as they travel to Texas to take on the Texas Longhorns.

The game between Ohio State and Texas will be a rematch of their contest last season, when the Buckeyes prevailed 14-7. Julian Sayin was decent in that game, but Texas quarterback Arch Manning was bad. He was better the rest of the season, but the struggles in his marquee game probably cost him the Heisman Trophy. Who do you think will win the Heisman Trophy this season?

Ohio State First Week Training Camp Observations

The Scarlet Gray Scrimmage game at Ohio State University. — Credit: Flickr user laffy4k

There have been some developments in the first week of Ohio State camp. Although it just started, you can learn a great deal about what is going on with the team from the initial practices. Some important things have emerged. Without further ado, there are four main stories.

Devin McCuin Is Emerging As The #2 Wide Receiver

Devin McCuin, the transfer in from the University of Texas at San Antonio, has looked great so far. This is important because it is clear that Jeremiah Smith is the number one wide receiver. Who is going to start with him? Ohio State is probably going to start three wide receivers, so there is room for two more starters.

Brandon Inness, a returnee from last year, is basically guaranteed to be one starting wide receiver, but McCuin is in line to be the second. He has caught two 50-yard touchdowns and had a contested, two-tapping touchdown catch. All three from the starting quarterback, Julian Sayin.

This is a major story as there are other talented wide receivers in the mix. Jeremiah Smith said this is the deepest wide receiver group in his career. Chris Henry Jr., Brock Boyd, Jerquaden Guilford, and Kyle Parker (in addition to Inness) are his competition. Parker transferred in from LSU, where Ohio State Wide Receivers Coach Cortez Hengten was last season.

What Will The Ohio State Offensive Line Look Like?

One thing is clear thus far: Ohio State is moving around their offensive linemen. This is probably because of the 16-game season, where basically no team will start the same offensive line combination in all games.

Here are the line combinations that have been used thus far. One thing is certain: depth and flexibility are the keys to success for a team on the offensive line. In the early going, the Buckeyes are definitely trying to build that.

Set 1

Left Tackle — Ian Moore
Left Guard — Luke Montgomery
Center — Carson Hinzman
Right Guard — Austin Siereveld
Right Tackle — Phillip Daniels

Set 2

Left Tackle — Austin Siereveld
Left Guard — Luke Montgomery
Center — Carson Hinzman
Right Guard — Joshua Padilla
Right Tackle — Phillip Daniels

Set 3

Left Tackle — Austin Siereveld
Left Guard — Luke Montgomery
Center — Carson Hinzman
Right Guard — Joshua Padilla
Right Tackle — Ian Moore

Isaiah West Is A Man-Child And Might Be The Starting Running Back

Bo Jackson rushed for 1,095 yards last season as a freshman. He is the incumbent starter at running back, but he might not start this season. To be sure, he will get a lot of carries, but his backup last season, Isaiah West, had a great offseason and showed up to camp ripped. He has been getting first-team carries so far this year. It is early, but this is an important trend.

Like the offensive line, depth is important at running back. The Buckeyes have had success in the immediate past with a two-headed running back approach. They won a national championship with Treyvon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins in the backfield. They are likely trying to do something similar this year.

Some Freshmen Are Generating Buzz

With a top-ranked team, there is no doubt that the Buckeyes have several high-powered freshmen. A bunch of them are having great early camps. Jay Timmons has been playing with the first team a lot so far. Even though Devin McCuin has distinguished himself early on, Chris Henry Jr. will almost certainly play a lot.

Brock Boyd could also play a lot. Sam Greer is a mountain of a man who will be buried on the Buckeye Offensive Line depth chart. However, size is one component of success there. Finally, there is Legend Bey. He has had some behavior problems, but his skill set is undeniable. Plus, he has little competition on the team for the slot receiver spot.

Conclusion

Ohio State started football camp about a week ago, and there have been four major stories. What those stories tell us is that the top-ranked team has a lot of talent and is seeking depth at several key positions. There are also quite a few freshmen who will play for the Buckeyes this season.