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Main Image: Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

Ohio State Spring Practices: Breaking in the Youth

Originally posted on Last Word On Sports
By Drew Crabtree | Last updated Mar 15, 2026 12:00 PM ET

The first two Ohio State spring practices are in the books. While there are no determinations anyone can possibly make other than “Jeremiah Smith is still very good at football,” there are a few takeaways from what we’ve seen.

Much can be said about a few veterans already stepping up and taking leadership roles. Julian Sayin, sporting a fresh cut and a decent attempt at a mustache, has been a vocal leader for the offense already. Predictably, Kenyatta Jackson Jr. has been a leader on defense. The fifth-year senior switched to his high school jersey and is now wearing number two. That jersey carries a lot of weight within the hallowed halls at Ohio State, with plenty of program greats wearing the deuce. Less predictably, it was Leroy Roker who gave an impassioned speech following Tuesday’s practice. The third-year safety is battling for Caleb Downs’ vacated spot, so he will be someone to watch.

Aside from that, the intriguing part of the early spring practices has been the attention and, quite honestly, the tough coaching of the newcomers to the program.

Ohio State Spring Practices: Breaking in the Youth

Injury Update

Heading into Ohio State’s spring practices, we noted that Bo Jackson and Isaiah West, the projected top two running backs on the depth chart, would be out due to shoulder surgery. Both have been at practice and have been limited, but it’s been Turbo Rogers and the rest of the group leading the way. In addition to Jackson and West, projected starting linebacker Riley Pettijohn, projected starter at right guard Joshua Padilla, and tight end Bennett Christian are all going to be limited due to their own shoulder surgeries.

With the Week 1 matchup at home against Ball State in a whopping 177 days, there is no rush to return from surgery for any player, no matter how important they will be this fall. All five players will be integral to the Buckeyes in their own way, but making sure they are 100% healthy for Texas in Week 2 is paramount. Ryan Day, celebrating his 47th birthday today, will be extra cautious. Don’t be surprised if a few more names are out for the Spring Game on April 18.

A Future Legend

With Jackson and West out, therein lies a fantastic opportunity for the rest of the running back room to make an impact. Rogers is doing a great job as the first back in formation, but reporters and coaches alike are quickly growing accustomed to true freshman Legend Bey.

Bey’s recruitment saga was as wild as any. Regardless of what happened before, he’s in the scarlet and gray, and he’s alright fighting to make an impact in his first season on campus. From the jump, he’s running as smoothly as any in the running back pecking order.

Most interestingly, Bey has not been exclusive to the running back individual drills. In addition to working with Carlos Locklyn and the running backs, he has taken some reps with the wide receivers, led by new position coach Cortez Hankton. Bey was working out of the slot and working on being a receiver out of the backfield.

Finally, one of the ways young players make an impact early is on special teams. Day has brought that mentality with him throughout his tenure, which he learned from his predecessor. Bey has been fielding punts in practice alongside Smith, Brandon Inniss, De’Zie Jones, Chris Henry Jr., and Phillip Bell. When the Buckeyes start working on kick return, it would make sense that Bey would be in the rotation to find the best two returners on the team.

Bey may be too explosive to keep off the field in 2026. The question is where he is used.

Potential Future Stars

Ohio State Buckeyes cornerback Cam Calhoun (18) defends wide receiver Chris Henry Jr. (15) during the first day of spring workouts for the 2026 football season at Woody Hayes Athletic Complex in Columbus on March 10, 2026.

If there is anything to take away from these early practices, it’s that the future still looks bright in Columbus. Henry, the five-star receiver who will be battling to start opposite Smith, looks as advertised. There are some freshman headaches that will need to be ironed out, but he is going to be a fun one to watch. The six-foot-five, 195-pound youngster is about as physically imposing as anyone not wearing four in that room.

Elsewhere on offense, Sam Greer could be an interesting name to watch. The four-star tackle from Archbishop Hoban (OH) comes to Columbus at six-foot-seven and 330 pounds. Already, he looks the part of a college tackle. As of now, the two tackles are Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daniels. There is a contingent within the fanbase that thinks Siereveld should kick inside to guard, and Greer and Ian Moore should be the bookend tackles. If Greer, Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, Siereveld, and Moore are the five best, so be it! Regardless, cracking the starting lineup, let alone the two-deep, as a freshman will be a challenge.

Finally, speaking of freshmen who don’t look like freshmen, Khary Wilder may be a factor this year. Last season, true freshman Zion Grady logged over 100 snaps. It’s not outlandish to think Wilder beats that this year. The EDGE depth is a bit of a quagmire behind Jackson. If a big body flying around the edge wearing 34 hits the quarterback, don’t be too surprised.