Buckeyes open spring workouts

Associated Press

COLUMBUS

While Jim Tressel’s NCAA violations hang like a specter over his program, the Buckeyes begin spring practice with a number of other key questions.

“It’s going to be a little bit different team,” Tressel said in an understatement, addressing the on-the-field product after apologizing for what he termed his “mistakes” off it. “There are some folks who have played a lot of football who aren’t here anymore. There is a tremendous amount of leadership that isn’t here anymore. We’re going to miss a whole bunch of guys, which gives a lot of opportunity for the next group.”

Spring workouts began Thursday with Tressel, facing at least a five-game suspension to start the 2011 season, stalking the field with a whistle around his neck. The Buckeyes worked out indoors in shorts, shoulder pads, jerseys and camo-print helmets.

The Buckeyes, who went 12-1 last year, have been hit heavily by graduation, and also by suspensions — with five standouts including starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor suspended for the first five games for accepting improper benefits. Pryor would have missed spring workouts regardless, after surgery on his right ankle in January. He was finally out of the protective boot he’s been wearing.

Pryor was standing behind the offense during the workout, shouting encouragement. At one point, he was explaining a play to highly touted freshman quarterback Braxton Miller.

All of the others who will sit out the first five games are taking an active part this spring, including wide receiver DeVier Posey, offensive lineman Mike Adams, tailback Dan Herron and defensive lineman Solomon Thomas.

All the suspensions — including Tressel’s for not disclosing that he knew about the five players’ relationship with a Columbus tattoo-parlor owner — and the other losses have created a lot of uncertainty.

“To me this is a much more exciting spring when you’re not sure what exactly you’re going to have when they walk out there,” assistant head coach Luke Fickell said.

The biggest question of the spring is who will get the most snaps at quarterback?

Without Pryor — a three-year starter unavailable due to injury, not to mention his suspension through Oct. 1 — someone must take over the reins. The candidates are last year’s backup, Joe Bauserman, a fifth-year senior who has seen only sparse playing time; Kenny Guiton, a sophomore from Texas who can both run and throw; redshirt freshman Taylor Graham, a pocket quarterback in the mold of his father, former Buckeyes quarterback Kent Graham; and Miller, an acclaimed recruit from the Dayton area.

“It’s going to be fun to watch,” Tressel said. “I’m going to have as much fun watching as you guys are — as to who’s going to step up and emerge.”