Ohio State Football News: Offseason Questions and Early Storylines for 2024
The Ohio State Buckeyes finished the 2023 season with a disappointing loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. However, as the dust settles and we look ahead to 2024, there are still plenty of reasons for Buckeye fans to be excited.
Coaching Staff Changes
One of the biggest storylines of the offseason will be the potential for changes to Ryan Day’s coaching staff. After the Cotton Bowl loss, Day said that he would not rule out staff changes. Offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson’s future is particularly uncertain, as his unit struggled throughout the 2023 season.
Transfer Portal
The transfer portal will also be a busy place for the Buckeyes this offseason. Ohio State has already lost several key players, including wide receiver Noah Rogers and punter Jesse Mirco. However, the Buckeyes have also added some talent through the portal, including tight end Will Kacmarek from Ohio University.
Quarterback Battle
With CJ Stroud off to the NFL, there will be a battle for the starting quarterback job in 2024. Kyle McCord and Devin Brown are the two leading candidates. McCord started the final game of the 2023 season after Stroud was injured, while Brown is a highly-touted recruit who redshirted last year.
Recruiting
The Buckeyes have one of the top recruiting classes in the country for 2024. They have already signed several five-star players, including linebacker Jeremiah Smith and defensive end Matayo Uiagalelei. However, the Buckeyes are still in the mix for some of the top uncommitted players in the country, such as quarterback Dante Moore and wide receiver Brandon Inniss.
Early Storylines for 2024
In addition to the storylines mentioned above, here are a few other early storylines for the 2024 Ohio State Buckeyes:
Can the offensive line improve after a disappointing 2023 season?
Buckeye faithful yearn for redemption. Returning starters, bolstered by promising rookies, charge towards a revamped offensive line, aiming to erase the 2023 nightmare and build a fortress for their QB in 2024.
Can the Buckeye Defense Rise Again?
A year etched in missed tackles and costly penalties still stings Ohio State fans. The 2023 defense, once a stalwart unit, crumbled under pressure. But whispers of hope rise from the ashes.
Youngsters like freshman phenom linebacker CJ Hicks are eager to prove their mettle. Veteran leaders like Ronnie Hart Jr. vow to tighten the secondary. And defensive mastermind Jim Knowles, in his second year at the helm, tinkers with schemes, forging a new identity.
The road to redemption won’t be easy. Big Ten offenses are a hungry beast, and scars from last season run deep. But the Buckeye spirit burns bright. This defense, tempered in the fires of adversity, may yet rise again, stronger and more resolute than before.
The 2024 season is shaping up to be an exciting one for Ohio State football. The Buckeyes have a lot of questions to answer, but they also have a lot of talent. It will be interesting to see how Ryan Day and his staff can put the pieces together and make a run at the College Football Playoff.
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