A handful of freshmen had notable outings at Ohio State football’s preseason training camp on Aug. 8.
Here are five developments from the Buckeyes’ third and final open practice outside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Freshman Brock Boyd takes advantage of first-team reps
On day three of preseason practices, freshman wide receiver Brock Boyd made an impressive catch off a pass down the right sideline from quarterback Julian Sayin.
The 6-foot-1, 196-pound Boyd joined the Buckeyes as a three-star recruit out of Southlake, Texas after recording 1,145 yards and 15 touchdowns on 75 receptions his senior season.
Boyd is just one of three new Ohio State receivers who have seen first-team snaps this preseason. Freshman Chris Henry Jr. and UTSA transfer Devin McCuin are also emerging options to play alongside Jeremiah Smith and Brandon Inniss.
“We’ve got some talented guys on the offensive side of the ball,” Sayin said.
Wide receiver Kyle Parker, a veteran who transferred from Ohio State, has been limited at camp after leaving the field early on the first day of practice.
Legend Bey practices after missing opening days of camp
Freshman Legend Bey made his first appearance at preseason training camp after being out the first two days due to an unspecified violation of team rules.
Bey practiced primarily as the third team’s running back, but he also slotted out wide for a few 7-on-7 plays. While Bey was a quarterback during his high school career in Forney, Texas, he’s listed as a running back for the Buckeyes.
A four-star recruit, Bey had committed to Tennessee last December. However, he was released from his scholarship weeks later and enrolled at Ohio State.
Jay Timmons fills key role as OSU’s secondary takes shape
Jay Timmons has impressed his teammates on the defensive side during his first fall camp, playing nickel back with the first team over the last three days.
“It [the nickel back position] allows us to play multiple defenses,” Ohio State safety Jaylen McClain said. “And he’s been doing a good job at understanding the playbook and being able to execute.”
At cornerback, junior Mathews took first-team reps after spending the previous two days with the second team. Mathews started opposite departing senior Davison Igbinosun last season, but sophomores Devin Sanchez and Dominick Kelly were lining up as the starters during the first preseason practices.
Bo Jackson back with first team offense
Similar to Mathews, sophomore running back Bo Jackson opened camp practicing with the second team, despite being one of the returning starters and stating he’s fully healthy following an offseason shoulder surgery.
Jackson is coming off a 1000-yard, six-touchdown freshman campaign. However, fellow sophomore Isaiah West took a majority of the first-team carries over Jackson across the first two days of camp.
Jackson and West split the first-team load on day three, though West seemingly remained as the first option.
Ian Moore tested at starting left guard once again
The offensive line continues to rotate through different starting options.
After redshirt sophomore Ian Moore slotted in at left guard for the first practice, with Austin Siereveld sliding to right tackle, Siereveld was moved to Moore’s position on day two. When Siereveld practiced at left guard, where he started six games last season, redshirt junior Josh Padilla filled the right tackle role.
But Moore and Siereveld were back playing their day-one positions for the third practice.
Phillip Daniels, Caron Hinzman and Luke Montgomery remain on the offensive line for both variations of the starting lineups.
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This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: 5 takeaways from Ohio State football’s final open preseason practice
Reporting by Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch / The Columbus Dispatch
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By Brianna Mac Kay, Columbus Dispatch | USA TODAY Network
