Nick McLarty will handle punting duties in Ohio State’s season opener.
On Thursday, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day named the 6-foot-4, 250-pound freshman from Melbourne, Australia, the Buckeyes’ starter for the game against Akron. When Ohio State begins the 2024 season, McLarty will look to finally beat Joe McGuire, Hadi Jawad and Buffalo transfer Anthony Venneri in the competition.
“Right now, Nick is the starter,” Day said in a brief press conference. “This competition could go into next week, but this weekend he’s the starter and the plan is for him to be the first punter out in the game against Akron.”
Day said McLarty has adjusted easily to life in Columbus and the Ohio State football program. McLarty has impressed Day and the Buckeyes coaching staff with his strong leg as well as smaller nuances of the punter position, such as snap-to-kick quickness and hang time.
“He’s settled into the country well but he’s also playing soccer, not Australian Rules football, which is very, very different,” Day said. “The snap-to-kick has improved. He’s a bigger guy so the ball has to come off his foot quicker. I think he’s done that. His hang time is good. He’s become more consistent.”
“He’ll shoot some balls that go out of the stadium. He’s got a strong leg. But we’re looking for that consistency. He’s shown that here recently, so he’s got the upper hand at the moment.”
