Head coach Ryan Day leads the team onto the field before then-No. 1 Ohio State’s game against Michigan State on Nov. 11, 2023. Now, in August 2024, the Buckeyes are preparing for their season opener against Akron on Saturday. Photo Credit: Brett Price | Lantern File Photo

It’s officially game week in Columbus.

After a long break from the season, the Buckeyes are finally training again and can look forward to a weekend game, as the Akron Zips travel to Ohio Stadium on Saturday.

Although Ohio State head coach Ryan Day had already named several starters for Tuesday’s season opener, it’s important to note that Day said the Buckeyes expected to use a number of their players at other positions, not just the starters.

Below are the three key takeaways from Day’s press conference Tuesday at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

Tegra Tshabola is officially a starter

Day announced that junior offensive lineman Tegra Tshabola will be the team’s starting right guard in Saturday’s season opener against the Zips.

Tshabola will start the game at right guard, but Day said the Buckeyes will rotate several linemen at that position throughout the game.

“He has been consistent, now he has to put his performance on the field and play,” Day said of Tshabola.

Tshabola will join an offensive line that includes senior Josh Simmons at left tackle, senior Donovan Jackson at left guard, graduate Seth McLaughlin at center and senior Josh Fryar at right tackle.

During fall practice, the offensive line struggled with a stomach ailment that affected several players in the locker room. Day said it was difficult to have players out for an extended period of time, but also admitted it helped in some ways with adding depth.

“Some guys maybe got pushed into action a little quicker than they needed to,” Day said. “When you’re working with the ones, you have to work hard. All the things that you can technically get away with with the twos and threes, blocking Tyliek (Williams) and Ty (Hamilton) and those guys, you can’t get away with that — you better figure it out quickly. And that’s why we built more depth than we expected after the preseason.

Transition completed: Sonny Styles is starting linebacker

Tshabola was not the only starter Day named before the season opener.

Day also announced that Junior Sonny Styles will be the Buckeyes’ starting linebacker alongside Senior Mike Linebacker – and “Block O” receiver —Cody Simon.

Although Styles will technically be the “starter,” Day said the team plans to have sophomore Arvell Reese, junior CJ Hicks and junior Gabe Powers play at the position as well.

Styles moved from safety to linebacker in the spring and Day was impressed with his play during the position change.

“When you move up, the game gets faster. It’s just faster and he’s changed his body,” Day said. “The reps he got in the spring really helped and I think he’s done a good job of communicating.”

Styles enters 2024 as an experienced player in the Ohio State defense. During his career with the Buckeyes, Styles has played 25 games and started 12 times, according to Ohio State Athletics.

Production of freshman receivers?

It is extremely rare for freshmen to take the field in their first year at Ohio State University.

One exception is rookie wide receiver Jeremiah Smith.

Day needed only one word to answer whether Smith will take a coveted starting spot on Saturday.

“Yes.”

However, Smith is not just a “normal” freshman. The Opa Locka, Florida native was not only a five-star recruit, but also the best player in the entire class of 2024, according to 247 Sports.

Day did not want to release the starting receivers for week one, but it is safe to assume that sophomore Carnell Tate and senior Emeka Ebuka will accompany Smith on the outside.

In addition to those three receivers, sophomore Brandon Inniss, sophomore Bryson Rodgers, junior Kojo Antwi and senior Jaylen Ballard will be on the field Saturday, according to Day.

“I’m excited to see them play,” Day said. “They’ve had a good preseason and had a few more days to prepare in that first week, but they’re just as excited to get out there as anyone else.”