Observations and Video from Ohio State’s Second Spring Practice of 2026

By Andy Anders and Dan Hope on March 12, 2026 at 10:31 am
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Ohio State held its second practice of the spring on Thursday, and media members who cover the team were allowed in once again to watch the first hour of practice.

As was the case on Tuesday, the open practice window consisted primarily of individual drills, but concluded with a 7-on-7 passing period in which the offense and defense went head-to-head. Ohio State’s top three quarterbacks all looked sharp during that period, as Julian Sayin, Tavien St. Clair and Justyn Martin combined to complete every pass they attempted.

Sayin kicked the practice off with a fiery speech to the team during its pre-practice huddle, as the Ohio State quarterback was the player called upon to speak to the team before practice on Thursday after safety Leroy Roker took on that role Tuesday, showing how his leadership growing entering his second year as the Buckeyes’ starting quarterback.

Here’s some more observations from what we saw at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Wednesday, including the versatility of freshman offensive weapon Legend Bey and how several receivers looked during the open practice window.

Legend Bey utilized all over the place

Legend Bey’s versatility and explosive athleticism have been major talking points from Ryan Day and recruiting experts since the saga that led him to Ohio State, and those traits were on display during Thursday’s open practice window.

Bey rolled between running back and wide receiver in the Buckeyes’ position drills, ensuring he worked out of the slot and out of the backfield. He was also one of six Ohio State players returning punts in practice, joining wide receivers Brandon Inniss, De’Zie Jones, Jeremiah Smith, Chris Henry Jr. and Phillip Bell.

The No. 126 overall prospect in the 247Sports composite rankings, Bey’s best chance to see the field regularly as a freshman could come as a return man. Day has often entrusted punt return duties to sure-handed veterans – mostly Inniss the past two seasons – but Bey getting early looks there could build trust in him from Ohio State’s coaching staff. Kickoff return is another potential role for Bey as a freshman.

Additional notes

  • Henry had a couple of freshman moments on Thursday, falling down while catching a pass on a short route and dropping a pass on his next rep in routes on air. The five-star receiver’s physical ability has been evident through the Buckeyes’ first two practices, but those moments served as a reminder that he still has a long way to go in his development.
  • Fellow freshman Brock Boyd looked the smoothest of the freshman receivers during the open practice window, running clean routes and catching the ball nicely.  
  • Inniss was a frequent target of Sayin’s and other quarterbacks during Ohio State’s 7-on-7 period, securing several receptions. Inniss is seeking heavier production after logging just 36 receptions for 271 yards and three touchdowns in his first year as a starter.
  • Jaylen McClain worked some at the nickel position in the Buckeyes’ secondary, while Leroy Roker III got reps at strong safety alongside Earl Little Jr. at free safety.
  • Transfer wide receivers Devin McCuin and Kyle Parker both mixed in with the first group of wideouts for Ohio State alongside Smith and Inniss.
  • Freshman Ohio State legacy and interior offensive lineman Mason Wilhelm was among the players who worked at center as the Buckeyes figure out where their first-year linemen will align at the start of their careers.
  • Carlos Locklyn’s intensity was on full display during Thursday’s practice as he gave hard coaching to his young group of running backs, which is without Bo Jackson and Isaiah West on the field this spring as they recover from shoulder surgeries. One particularly charged moment came late in the open practice window, when Locklyn made freshman Favour Akih run a lap for a mistake he made in a 7-on-7 rep.

Highlights

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