COLUMBUS, Ohio – Ohio State football coach Ryan Day announced Thursday that Nick McLarty will be the team’s starting punter in its opening game against Akron on Aug. 31.
“He’s got a strong leg,” Day said. “He’s adapted well to the country, but also just playing football rather than Australian Rules Football, which is very, very different. The snap-to-kick is really better … His hang time is good and he’s become more consistent.”
McLarty is entering his first season as a graduate of Melbourne, Australia, battling with fellow Australian Joe McGuire and Buffalo transfer Anthony Venneri for a spot in the starting lineup.
As for the competition at the right guard position, the battle for the starting position for Ohio State will likely be decided after a tryout on Saturday.
Day again praised Tegra Tshabola, who wants to compete for this position.
“He’ll definitely play unless something drastic happens,” Day said. “I think he’s earned this chance. How much and whether it’s the whole game is something we’ll probably decide over the course of the weekend.”
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What else Day said
- Day wants the offensive line to be the group that plays the hardest.
- Day said center Seth McLaughlin is feeling more confident and has taken control up front. He noted that McLaughlin’s experience during his time at Alabama is evident.
- Day was told that Ohio State was a destination for wide receivers, but not for offensive line. Days said, “I don’t see it that way at all… We should have the best offensive line in the country.”
- While Chip Kelly calls plays on offense, Day has also been involved in practice games. Day says that’s because practice games are structured as offense versus defense. He has been heavily involved in special teams.
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