Why Ohio State football spring game could be more pass heavy

Ohio State’s annual spring football game could become a pass-heavy affair.

The Buckeyes are ending spring practice on April 18 with a banged-up backfield, leaving them short on available running backs for the scrimmage at Ohio Stadium.

The Buckeyes are not only expected to be without running backs Bo Jackson and Isaiah West, who have been limited following offseason labrum surgeries, but also Legend Bey and Anthony Rogers.

Ohio State wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton talks to his players during practice on April 4.

Coach Ryan Day said Bey has been recovering from a hamstring injury in recent weeks. He did not address Rogers’ injury, but suggested it was likely to keep him from being a participant.

During the scrimmage open to students two weeks ago, the only available scholarship running backs were freshman Favour Akih and Florida transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson.

“We'll have to throw the ball some,” Day said, “which is good for the quarterbacks to get the ball out of their hand and see how they handle the environment, then get a chance to see the ball with the wide receivers and see what those guys do, and then pass rush and pass protection.

Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin throws a pass against Minnesota on Oct. 4.

“Not that we won't run the ball, but with those guys down you probably won't get as much of that.”

The Buckeyes are deep at wide receiver, affording their quarterbacks plenty of potential targets.

Along with retaining Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss, they brought in UTSA’s Devin McCuin and LSU’s Kyle Parker as transfers during the offseason portal window and signed a talented freshman class to add to a group of underclassmen.

The depth could result in the Buckeyes using a deeper rotation this year, a possibility that Day acknowledged.

“If I'm predicting it, I would say probably yes,” Day said. "A lot of guys are playing themselves into roles that I feel like they can play for us. Still yet to be seen, we're not going to make any decisions coming out of the spring, but if the competition continues and the guys continue to improve, you're going to see guys get opportunities.

“We've done it before. If guys deserve to play, they're going to play. We do have a good room with some good depth, so that’ll keep those guys fresh. It’s a long season.”

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Email him atjkaufman@dispatch.comand follow him on@joeyrkaufman on X.

This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football spring game could be more pass heavy