Ohio State will enter this season as one of the teams expected to contend for a national championship, but the Buckeyes – like every team in the country – have spots where they can more afford to lose players than others.
Most did not figure quarterback would be a question mark heading into the season thanks not only to the presence of superstar junior Braxton Miller – the reigning Big Ten MVP and Offensive Player of the Year – but also steady senior Kenny Guiton as his backup.
However, head coach Urban Meyer told the crowd at the annual Morning Sports Report in Columbus on Tuesday there could be a problem with Guiton, a player offensive coordinator Tom Herman has called the best backup QB in America.
"I think Kenny Guiton might have injured his hand, but I don't know how serious,” Meyer said. "I'm going to find out."
If Guiton is not available to start the season – obviously a big if based on the dearth of information available at this point in time – the Buckeyes would have to go with either redshirt freshman Cardale Jones or true freshman J.T. Barrett as Miller's backup. Jones is viewed as a raw talent who has yet to display the consistency to be relied upon in a major college game while Barrett is not only new to college football but also continuing his recovery from a serious knee injury that cut short his high school career last year.
In brighter news for Buckeye fans, Meyer also confirmed previous reports Australian punter Cameron Johnston has joined the team and is on scholarship.
"We had a scholarship come available, so I made the decision we needed to go get a punter.“To find one of his caliber based on what everybody is telling me, it’s hard to imagine that happening. But he hasn’t punted in a game yet either.”
