The Ohio State football team has just completed the longest season in college football history, playing 16 games on their way to winning a national championship. This matches the length of the old NFL schedule and exceeds what most players are accustomed to.
The Buckeyes concluded their season triumphantly, securing the national title with a victory over Notre Dame. However, some teams wrapped up their seasons two months earlier, giving them a significant rest advantage heading into the 2025 season. This extended schedule puts Ohio State at a disadvantage in terms of recovery time. Head coach Ryan Day recognizes the importance of managing fatigue, especially with many players from the championship roster moving on. To help compensate for the shorter offseason, he has decided to push back the start of Spring practice.
Instead of beginning practice before Spring Break as they typically do, the Buckeyes will now wait until after the break to start their sessions. This change means practice will likely begin the week of March 17th if they start on a Monday. The exact date for the annual Spring Game remains unclear, but it will likely be scheduled later than usual. Last year, the game took place on April 15th, so this year, it may be at least a week later.
One of the key storylines for Spring practice will be the quarterback competition. Julian Sayin is expected to take first-team reps and is projected to be the starting quarterback next season. However, he will face competition from true freshman Tavien St. Clair and Lincoln Kienholz.
The delayed start to Spring practice should benefit the Buckeyes after their grueling 2024 campaign. While extra rest is crucial, the team still has significant roster changes to address. Despite the later start, practices are expected to be as intense as ever as Ohio State prepares to defend its national title in the upcoming season.
