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With an undefeated 12-0 2012 and defeating arch rival Michigan well behind them, Urban Meyer's second ever Ohio State team took to the indoor practice confines of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center for the first time in the new year. While it wasn't a full pads practice, the team went through both a 7-on-7 and full squad portion practice on the afternoon.
Though there's sure to be plenty of rehash pieces and more in-depth analysis of what was seen taking place during the first of two practices this week, the early reactions mostly seemed to share similar perspective. Tyvis Powell (who Meyer later singled out to laud at his first spring practice press conference of 2013) was amongst those players who surprisingly saw far more action than expected. Powell played the nickel and may have worked his way in the offseason into serious playing time. Pretty much everyone also raved about Ohio State junior quarterback Braxton Miller, which is never a bad thing.
Jordan Hall was also a name that drew some high praise both for a particularly emphatic catch, as well as for looking well up to speed after missing the majority of 2013 with injuries. It'll be interesting to see in the weeks and months to come if Hall can transition into that star player Meyer spoke of him possibly becoming during his first year running the program. Without further adieu though, here's what the all-stars of the Ohio State media had to say about the Buckeye's inaugural practice of spring 2013:
Biggest surprise today at OSU spring football: Tyvis Powell as No. 1 Star
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) March 5, 2013
Urban Meyer about to speak after the first #OhioState spring practice. A few notes: Frank Epitropoulos boomed punts...
— Jeff Svoboda (@JeffSvoboda) March 5, 2013
Couple things from OSU spring practice.Braxton was throwing heat.
— BEAU BISHOP (@BeauBishop) March 5, 2013
Freshmen CBs Cam Burrows and Eli Apple stepped in as second-teamers behind Roby and Doran Grant
— Marcus Hartman (@marcushartman) March 5, 2013
LB Ryan Shazier wore orange shirt and was limited becasue of injuries. First-team DL was Spence, Hale, Bennett and Washington...
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) March 5, 2013
Jamal Marcus has been moved from LB to DE. ... Curtis Grant got most first-team reps at MLB. ... CB Bradley Roby looked very good w 2 picks.
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) March 5, 2013
Cam Burrows looks the part.
— BEAU BISHOP (@BeauBishop) March 5, 2013
My three most impressive players from today's practice: 1. Bradley Roby, 2. Jordan Hall, 3. Michael Thomas.
— Brandon Castel (@BCastOZone) March 5, 2013
Bradley Roby is really good.Looks elite.As would be expected but carried himself that way.
— BEAU BISHOP (@BeauBishop) March 5, 2013
A few position notes: Right tackle was split between Taylor Decker and Chase Farris, with Decker getting the first crack at things.
— Jeff Svoboda (@JeffSvoboda) March 5, 2013
Jordan Hall looked very crisp. The PCL/foot injuries look to be in the past. He's now a slotback in the Percy Harvin role.
— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) March 5, 2013
Wow play of day, in my eyes, was Jordan Hall -- he's back at hybrid back -- leaping high over Christian Bryant to snare deep pass.
— Tim May (@TIM_MAYsports) March 5, 2013