Buckeyes near full strength heading into training camp next week
INDIANAPOLIS — Among all the topics Ohio State coach Ryan Day covered during his 48-minute breakout session with the media on Wednesday at Lucas Oil Stadium, he finished his time with a major health update ahead of the start of training camp next week.
Day addressed the question of injuries — or lack thereof — as the Buckeyes prepare to open camp later next week. Ohio State was without eight scholarship players for spring practice a few months ago. All of them are back to full strength, including a wild card at running back.
“Evan Pryor, full go,” Day said.
The junior running back was slated to have a breakout season last fall before a devastating knee injury sidelined him for the entire year. But he’s back at full strength.
As is fellow junior running back TreVeyon Henderson, who missed spring ball.
Projected starting wide receivers Julian Fleming and Emeka Egbuka, meanwhile, made the expected recovery from offseason surgeries and will be ready for training camp after missing all of spring practice. Star middle linebacker Tommy Eichenberg, a preseason All-American candidate, also missed spring ball, but he’ll be back for camp next week.
Of course, center Jakob James, who is battling to become the starter as the apex of the Ohio State offensive line, will be back on the field for the Buckeyes, as well.
It wasn’t all good news on the injury front for Ohio State, however, as Day did provide updates on a pair of walk-ons who will be out.
“[Walk-on wide receiver] Reis Stocksdale is the only one that has a long-term [injury],” Day said. “He had [an ACL tear], so he’ll be out until bowl practice. [Zak Herbstreit] will be out indefinitely right now. He’s still with the team, report to camp but he won’t be able to get on the field.”
“Everybody else is full go.”
The other announcement Day made was that Grant Toutant, a senior reserve offensive lineman, is medically out.
Day also made the expected announcement that second-year offensive lineman Avery Henry is medically out for the Buckeyes as he enters remission for his cancer treatment. Henry will remain as part of the football program throughout his treatment, although it’s unlikely he’ll be able to play football again.
ICYMI: Ryan Day joins Lettermen Row video
Ohio State coach Ryan Day was led around to make various appearances on radio shows and video networks from across the college football landscape.
One of those stops along the way was with Lettermen Row.
The Buckeyes fifth-year head coach joined the show just before taking the podium for his 45-minute breakout session at Lucas Oil Stadium on Wednesday afternoon, and there was plenty for Lettermen Row to ask him as he looks back at his first four years and ahead to his fifth season at the helm of the program.
