Before opening the players up to a large contingency of media gathered at Ohio State's Woody Hayes Athletic Center, Urban Meyer took questions and talked about the topic at the top of everyone's list, the big quarterback competition currently going on for the defending national champions.
Here were the highlights:
-Torrance Gibson will potentially see time at Wildcat quarterback, wide receiver, and has also returned kicks too. Per Meyer, Gibson was the one who initiated the position switch because he wanted to play now, but it doesn't constitute a permanent move or anything like that. Listed as a QB/WR on Ohio State's roster
-There's a competition to be field goal kicker between returning sophomore Sean Nuernberger and Duke graduate transfer Jack Willoughby. Willoughby will likely be the kickoff specialist taking over for the graduated Kyle Clinton.
-"This is a big week for him," Meyer on Braxton Miller's transition to H-Back/wide receiver.
-Emphasized that the Buckeyes are being cautious with moving forward with him. "We want to make sure that shoulder is healed."
-On the possibility of Braxton throwing the ball, either under center or otherwise: "That weapon, that can do that, as well as what he can do [with his feet] — God forbid he throws that darn thing and something happens." Emphasized they'll be cautious in that regard to his health too.
-"Offensive line has to be the best coached position on the team." Talked some about Ed Warinner's move to playcaller/offensive coordinator and stated that Warner (as talked about prior) will stay on the field due to the offensive line coach component of things.
-Coach Meyer said he's going to have a meeting with Tim Beck and Warinner today and take every bit of analytics they have to factor in to what they've seen between J.T. and Cardale so far. "I think they're both right there...They're both working their tails off. It's one of the most refreshing competitions I've ever witnessed."
-Meyer admitted for the first time this fall that Gareon Conley is the other corner opposite Eli Apple. Said Damon Webb is "right there" and that Marcus Lattimore can compete for time once he's healthy.
-Added Jalyn Holmes or Sam Hubbard will be starting for Joey Bosa at defensive end opposite Tyquan Lewis.
-Meyer praised Zach Smith (said he's taken over the recruiting coordinator role functionally due to his social media expertise), graphics guy Sammy Silverman, and video guy David Trichel's importance to the Buckeyes' recruiting.
-"We want to be nine strong; that's pounded in throughout this facility." "We don't want [the players] to focus on anything other than their unit."
-Added that J.T. Barrett's arm strength left something to be desired when he first arrived at Ohio State but now he can make all the throws he needs to be able to make.
-"It's a freaking grind right now, man," Meyer said, adding that repeat or not, he compared this season to the staff's first at Ohio State in 2012.