Ohio practiced Sunday for its third day of 2019 fall camp. The practice was conducted in 24 total periods, which lasted over two hours and 10 minutes. Here are The Post’s observations.
ATTENDANCE
Not present: Michael Farkas (non-football obligation)
Other notes: Running back Julian Ross did not practice as he is recovering from an offseason injury. While he did not practice, Ross did do light conditioning throughout Sunday’s practice. Running back Jake Neatherton saw more action in practice but was still held out during 7-on-7 and team periods. Running back Walter Wilbon was dressed in street clothes and sat in the stands for the second day in a row. Running back Jonathan Barna was dressed in a red practice jersey. Wide receiver Shane Hooks and cornerback Jamal Hudson also did not practice.
OBSERVATIONS
Sights and sounds
- DJ Khaled was Sunday’s top choice for music during the pre-stretch session — three out of five songs were from the rapper.
- All players were dressed in helmets and shoulder pads for the first time in fall camp.
- A Kansas City Chiefs scout attended Sunday’s practice.
- Redshirt senior Javon Hagan joined senior Nathan Rourke as one of two players to have the green Ohio decal on the side of his helmet.
Quarterback
- Sunday’s practice featured a large emphasis on the ground game and during individual periods the quarterbacks and running backs primarily worked on read option exchanges.
- During team periods, Rourke broke off for a couple of 10-yard runs on both designed and broken plays.
- Rourke also went 5-for-10 during team periods that featured a spectacular catch from Cam Odom on a 15-yard comeback route.
- Redshirt freshman Joe Mischler only threw four passes during practice.
- Freshman Kurtis Rourke appears to be the early frontrunner as the backup. There was no rotation between him and Mischler with the immediate backups.
Running backs
- Running backs shined in Sunday’s practice, which contained a heavy emphasis on the ground game.
- Redshirt freshman O’Shaan Allison took first-team reps and broke off a string of good runs, including a 15-yard gain through the middle of the line.
- Ross was an active player-coach throughout parts during practice today and spent some time with Allison following first-team reps.
Offensive line
- From left to right, the starting offensive line was Austen Pleasants, Brett Kitrell, Steven Hayes, Hagen Meservy and Marques Grimes.
- One of the more energetic groups throughout Sunday’s practice, the offensive line was noticeably happy about wearing shoulder pads for the first time in camp.
- Pleasants had a couple of pancake blocks during team periods that fired up the sideline.
Defensive line
- Amos Ogun-Semore had another solid showing against the starting offensive line. He had two quarterback hurries and what would have been two sacks had the whistle not been blown.
Linebackers
- Eric Popp, Dylan Conner and Jared Dorsa started for the defense during 7-on-7 and team periods.
Secondary
- Sunday featured another 1-on-1 session and the secondaries held the upper hand. Hagan, Marlin Brooks and brothers Ilyaas and Xaivor Motley were all tight in coverage and combined for several pass breakups.
Next up
- The Bobcats practice Monday starting at 7:50 a.m. The practice is open to the public.
