Ohio State spring game takeaways: Defense shines, question at quarterback remains

Ohio State Buckeyes quarterback Devin Brown (33) runs the football for the scarlet team during the first half of the LifeSports spring football game at Ohio Stadium on Saturday.

Ohio State showed why it’s a 2024 title contender during its spring game on Saturday.

The Buckeyes’ talent was undeniable, both on defense and at the skill positions. However, one massive question must still be answered.

Here are five takeaways from Ohio State’s spring game.

Will a starting quarterback please stand up?

The Buckeyes have everything a team needs to compete for a national title except a sure thing at quarterback.

Saturday’s spring game offered transfer quarterback Will Howard and 2023 commit Devin Brown a chance to separate themselves, yet neither’s first-half performance was so outstanding that it cemented one over the other.

Howard was 9-of-13 for 77 yards, while Brown finished 5-of-7 for 66 yards. Both were competent, which could be what Ohio State needs to return to the College Football Playoff’s semifinals and beyond.

But every team with a championship in mind needs a quarterback it can rally around, and at least through the spring, who that is in Columbus is still to be determined.

Emeka Egbuka’s decision to return should pay off now … and later

The senior wideout is one of several Buckeyes who returned instead of declaring for the 2024 NFL Draft. That decision should benefit Ohio State’s offense this season and Egbuka’s draft stock in 2025.

He made a highlight-reel catch on Saturday, the best of the afternoon, with a one-handed snag in the first half.

Egbuka had 74 receptions, 1,151 receiving yards and 12 scrimmage touchdowns in 2022 and should quickly become Howard’s or Brown’s favorite target. He’ll also stand out among 2025 NFL wide receiver prospects instead of getting lost in the shuffle of a stacked 2024 class.

The defense is even better than the offense

Cornerback Denzel Burke and edge-rushers Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau are among the defenders who also returned to Columbus for the 2024 season. If Saturday’s play is any indication, the veteran group should be one of the country’s best.

The secondary was solid in coverage, recording four interceptions and holding Howard to 0-for-3 on one red-zone sequence.

Overall, the starting defense looked better than the starting offense. For a team that’s gotten punched in the mouth the past three years by Michigan’s physical offense, it’s about time the defense imposed its will.

Longtime head coach Chip Kelly gets back to … coaching?

“I just want to coach football,” said offensive coordinator Kelly when asked by Fox Sports’ Joel Klatt why he gave up his gig as UCLA head coach for a coordinator role.

His answer should alarm NCAA executives and college athletics departments. With head coaches navigating the transfer portal, fundraising for NIL support and working the recruiting trail, they increasingly have less and less time to coach.

It’s an unsustainable load that will lead to more coaches following Kelly’s lead if it goes unaddressed.

Fans are hyped for the 2024 season

Three consecutive losses to bitter rival Michigan haven’t dimmed Buckeyes fans’ hopes. Instead, they’ve arguably never been hungrier for a football season to start.

Fox Sports’ RJ Young noted 80,012 people were in attendance, an increase from last year when 75,122 fans came out to the scrimmage.

With the talent on Ohio State’s roster, it’s no wonder fans would be excited for the regular season. Just as during Saturday’s spring game, all eyes will be on the Buckeyes this fall.

Want more articles like this? Follow Yardbarker on MSN to see more of our exclusive college football content.

More must-reads:

Trending slideshow: The 25 best players in Ohio State football history (Provided by Yardbarker)