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Wednes(Day): Ohio State coach sets rotation at tight end, defensive line for opener
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
- 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.
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Here's our stab at a 3-deep prediction for Ohio State on both sides of the ball
- Bucknuts projects Julian Sayin as Ohio State's starting quarterback, followed by Tavien St. Clair and freshman Luke Fahey.
- The projected skill-position starters are Bo Jackson at running back, Jeremiah Smith, Devin McCuin and Brandon Inniss at receiver, and Nate Roberts at tight end, with freshman Chris Henry Jr. among the second-team receivers.
- Ohio State's projected offensive line is Ian Moore, Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daniels from left to right.
- The projected defensive front starts Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and Beau Atkinson at end, Eddrick Houston and Will Smith Jr. at tackle, and Payton Pierce and Christian Alliegro at linebacker.
- Freshman Jay Timmons projects to start at nickel beside corners Devin Sanchez and Jermaine Mathews Jr. and safeties Jaylen McClain and Earl Little Jr., with Connor Hawkins and Joe McGuire retaining the projected kicking and punting jobs.
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- OL/WR: After hearing from Ryan Day, Earl Little Jr and Carson Hinzman on Tuesday, talking Ohio State WR rotation, defensive line, offensive line and chemistry with @BillLandis25 on The Bill and Doug Show
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