College Football

Ohio State football notebook: Personnel updates abound

Updated Sep. 26, 2022 8:49 a.m. ET

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COLUMBUS, Ohio - The suspensions of Rod Smith and Bradley Roby weren't the only items Ohio State coach Urban Meyer discussed Saturday afternoon after what he called an important intra-squad scrimmage. 
*Meyer said the scrimmage was "good" and admitted "if it wasn't, I probably wouldn't tell you guys."
Two weeks from the season opener vs. Buffalo, Meyer said his team is "not ready to play a game. The good thing is we have two weeks to get ready."
Meyer has long been a believer in a military-style "power of the unit" approach and said only when Ohio State has nine positional units ready for the bright lights will the Buckeyes reach their goals. He said right now he has "four or five" units ready and the rest working to catch up.
The linebackers "are not ready," Meyer said. "We're not there yet. They have some work to do."
Each first unit got 50 or so plays at full speed on Saturday "because they needed it," Meyer said. 
*The offensive line is getting back to full strength but isn't there yet. Injured starters Corey Linsley and Andrew Norwell are working in practice, but not full-time or full speed. Taylor Decker has claimed the right tackle spot, and Meyer said Jacoby Boren has been getting key reps inside. 
Meyer singled out senior guard Marcus Hall as a player who's made a leap in this camp. 
*Meyer said junior wide receiver Devin Smith had his "best all-around day" in Saturday's scrimmage.
*On sophomore defensive end Noah Spence, Meyer said "he's what you tell your coaches to go out and find" in recruiting.
*Three players have seen their football careers come to end in the last week: Tight end Blake Thomas (neck) from Cleveland St. Ignatius and Columbus-area defensive backs Adam Griffin and Jamie Wood, both of whom had shoulder surgery. 
*After Saturday's scrimmage the Buckeyes have "46 hours off their feet," Meyer said. Monday will be the last two-a-day practice session. Fall semester classes start Wednesday.
*Freshman Billy Price has been moved from defensive line to the offensive line and junior J.T. Moore has been moved from defensive end to tight end. Both moves were precipitated by injury and depth issues. 
Price and freshman defensive tackle Michael Hill are the latest new Buckeyes to have the black stripe removed from their helmets. With four senior offensive linemen this season, Price's move is clearly about the future. 

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