Ohio State football spring practice has started: What we saw early on

Ohio State opened spring practice on Monday with the first six periods open to reporters.

Below are notes and observations from the Buckeyes handful of drills at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

* Julian Sayin , the redshirt freshman who is seen as the early favorite in the Buckeyes’ quarterback competition, led the passers through most of their position drills, going ahead of redshirt sophomore Lincoln Kienholz , then freshman Tavien St. Clair. But Kienholz was first up when the entire offense was together for the last period of the media viewing window. Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said earlier this month that they would mix up the rotation of quarterbacks, and they planned to “roll those guys the best we can.”

* Sophomore James Peoples led the rotation of running backs in position drills, followed by West Virginia transfer C.J. Donaldson, redshirt freshman Sam Williams-Dixon and freshman Bo Jackson. The group of available backs also included TC Caffey, who was a participant after missing last season with a knee injury.

* The configuration of returning starting offensive lineman included Austin Siereveld at left tackle. It was a switch for Siereveld, a redshirt sophomore who made six starts at left guard last season. Luke Montgomery , a junior who was a part of the guard rotation with Siereveld in 2024, remained in the interior. Ian Moore , a redshirt freshman, lined up as the right tackle with the returning starting linemen.

* Transfer offensive linemen Ethan Onianwa and Phillip Daniels rotated at left and right tackle, respectively. Onianwa was Rice’s starting left tackle last fall and the previous two years at right tackle. Daniels made four starts as Minnesota’s right tackle in November.

* C.J. Hicks, a senior who was the top-ranked prospect in the Buckeyes’ recruiting class three years ago, practiced with the defensive linemen and lined up as an end with the second-team defense. Defensive line coach Larry Johnson said earlier this month that Hicks was transitioning from linebacker .

* The first group of defensive linemen included Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson as ends with Kayden McDonald and Eddrick Houston as the tackles.

* Arvell Reese lined up as the middle linebacker when he was paired with Sonny Styles, who was on the weak side. Malik Hartford also rotated as one of the starting safeties with Caleb Downs.

* New defensive coordinator Matt Patricia moved between various position groups after beginning with the defensive line.

Joey Kaufman covers Ohio State football for The Columbus Dispatch. Follow him on X, the platform formerly known as Twitter, @joeyrkaufman or email him at jkaufman@dispatch.com .

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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Ohio State football opens spring practice: Observations on Buckeyes