Noteworthy Ohio State camp news (QB battle, DT injury, etc)

[Blake Munroe]

These are some practice notes from Eleven Warriors, which I’ll include the link below. 
 

Offense:

- Two days into preseason camp, my overall view on the quarterback competition remains the same as it was going in. It’s fair to call Sayin the presumptive frontrunner, but I still believe there’s a real competition between him and Kienholz – especially after Kienholz was named an Iron Buckeye on Friday. Neither quarterback has delivered a wow moment yet in camp, but they also haven’t made many glaring mistakes.

As was the case on Thursday, there wasn’t a runaway winner of the day between the two quarterbacks. Sayin had the more efficient day on Friday, showing composure in the pocket and making smart decisions with the ball, but the vast majority of his throws in Friday’s practice were short throws. Kienholz operated with a similar script and had a few misfires, including one near-interception for which he had to run a lap around the field
 

- James Peoples and CJ Donaldson were the first running backs in the order for their respective squads and continue to look the part of OSU’s top two running backs this season.

 

Defense:

- Eddrick Houston did not participate in drills but was present for Friday’s practice, walking around the field in a knee brace with a slight limp after leaving Thursday’s practice due to injury.

- With Houston out, Will Smith Jr. and Tywone Malone lined up at defensive tackle with the starters during many of the “teach” periods where the full defense was together on Friday. Kayden McDonald and Jason Moore also repped with the starters on their respective split squads on Friday. 

- As he did on Thursday, star safety Caleb Downs continued to line up in multiple positions on Ohio State’s defense. On some series, Downs lined up at nickelback with Jaylen McClain and Leroy Roker III manning the safety spots (Malik Hartford and Faheem Delane were the top safeties on the other field during team drills). On other series, Downs moved back to free safety alongside McClain with Lorenzo Styles Jr. manning the nickel spot.

[Blake Munroe]

There’s a lot more in depth notes on the actual story. Here’s a link to the article, which is free:

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2025/08/157072/ohio-state-practice-observations-turbo-rogers-flashing-in-first-two-practices-no-big-move-in-quarterback-battle-yet

[Blake Munroe]

And here is a link to their day one notes:

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-state-football/2025/07/157053/ohio-state-practice-observations-beau-atkinson-and-epi-sitanilei-stand-out-on-first-day-of-camp-caleb-downs-lines?amp

[Raistlin]

Outside of WR and Safety, tOSU has significantly less talent this year.  Just look at RB, they went from Henderson/Judkins to Peoples (who didn’t have a committable offer from Texas) and Donaldson (a W Va back); they went from a 5th year QB to a freshman.  I’m feeling better about the game.

[Cujonation83]

41 minutes ago, Raistlin said:

Outside of WR and Safety, tOSU has significantly less talent this year.  Just look at RB, they went from Henderson/Judkins to Peoples (who didn’t have a committable offer from Texas) and Donaldson (a W Va back); they went from a 5th year QB to a freshman.  I’m feeling better about the game.

Me too 

[AusMOJO]

4 hours ago, Raistlin said:

Outside of WR and Safety, tOSU has significantly less talent this year.  Just look at RB, they went from Henderson/Judkins to Peoples (who didn’t have a committable offer from Texas) and Donaldson (a W Va back); they went from a 5th year QB to a freshman.  I’m feeling better about the game.

Honestly? Yeah. This is what I've been saying. They'll still be a tough out at their place but they're not even close to the same squad they were last year. It's why I was confused the TE picked there over Texas. Not even sure that was a money thing either.

[tfoster40]

I was listening to a OSU live stream and one of the insiders said that Max Klare is a Brock Bowers level tight end, kinda surprised me I know he is good but I don’t think he is that level good 

[Raistlin]

37 minutes ago, AusMOJO said:

Honestly? Yeah. This is what I've been saying. They'll still be a tough out at their place but they're not even close to the same squad they were last year. It's why I was confused the TE picked there over Texas. Not even sure that was a money thing either.

Apparently, Texas did not push because on his visit we saw that he was not as big as advertised.  We viewed him as a split out TE, not someone who could help in the run game.  That’s what was said anyway 

[CaseMcCoyTruther]

1 hour ago, AusMOJO said:

Honestly? Yeah. This is what I've been saying. They'll still be a tough out at their place but they're not even close to the same squad they were last year. It's why I was confused the TE picked there over Texas. Not even sure that was a money thing either.

The TE is from Cincinnati. 90 minutes away from Columbus.

[NothinButDaHorns34]

53 minutes ago, tfoster40 said:

I was listening to a OSU live stream and one of the insiders said that Max Klare is a Brock Bowers level tight end, kinda surprised me I know he is good but I don’t think he is that level good 

I wouldn’t expect an OSU “insider” to say anything less then that. 

[CQuast]

I know this thread is in regards to Ohio St., but there has been some pretty heavy talk about our backup QB spot. So, I was wondering how you, @CJ Vogel, @Gerry Hamilton, @Jeff Howe, @Bobby Burton would have the room if Maalik Murphy was still here (Yes, hypothetical and Murphy being here would almost guarantee us not going after Caldwell) and I guess my real question is do we feel better, worse or the same regarding our backup QB situation as we did when Murphy was QB2 to Ewers?

[VaHorn]

I am sure that Ohio State worries more about the team up North but there’s a cadence to the Texas/Ohio State rivalry. W/L/W/L. We are the better team, but we are also due.