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Ryan Day identified Nate Roberts, Mason Williams and Bennett Christian as Ohio State's top three tight ends entering the opener, with Max LeBlanc next in the rotation and Northwestern transfer Hunter Welcing also expected to play.
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Ohio State plans to rotate its defensive line extensively across base and nickel personnel, with Kenyatta Jackson, Zion Grady, James Smith, Eddrick Houston, John Walker and Beau Atkinson among the early participants.
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Phillip Daniels earned Ohio State's opening opportunity at right tackle through improved practice consistency, but Day said sustaining that level in games remains his central challenge.
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Brandon Inniss, Phil Bell and Devin McCuin are Ohio State's punt-return options, while converted quarterback Legend Bey is expected to take the first kickoff return if the week proceeds as planned.
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Offensive coordinator Arthur Smith is expected to work from the field, and Day said the new coordinator structure has freed him to spend more time with players while the staff tests its early schematic assumptions in games.