Photos: Ohio State opens training camp, preparing for critical 2024 season

COLUMBUS — Is there another program in the country with bigger expectations than Ohio State? It’s going to be hard to find one.

The Buckeyes took to the practice fields at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Thursday for their first of 25 practices ahead of the 2024 season. Ohio State is less than a month away from its season opener in Ohio Stadium against Akron.

There is plenty of work to be done first, however. Day one isn’t going to showcase much of anything, but there are a few things to pick up on. As Lettermen Row’s Spencer Holbrook wrote, Kansas State quarterback transfer Will Howard looks more comfortable in the Scarlet and Gray.

Read: Offensive observations from first day of Buckeyes training camp

Howard chose to spend his final season of eligibility with the Buckeyes after a solid stint with Kansas State. He is tabbed by many as QB1 for the Buckeyes, but until head coach Ryan Day announces it, the competition between him and Devin Brown continues. Speaking of Brown, he had a few impressive throws during the first practice as well.

Ohio State might field the best defense in college football this year. Lettermen Row’s Andy Backstrom wrote his defensive observations from Thursday’s practice and it had a note about one of the Buckeyes’ key returners. Defensive end Jack Sawyer hasn’t missed a step with how he closed the 2023 season. He represented the Buckeyes at Big Ten Media Days and is going to be a key figure for defensive coordinator Jim Knowles this fall.

READ: Defense, special teams observations from Buckeyes first practice of training camp

The Buckeyes return for practice No. 2 on Friday and then practice again on Saturday and Sunday before having an off day on Monday.

And lastly, Lettermen Row has photos from the first day of Ohio State 2024 preseason training camp.