"The good thing with freshmen redshirts is they now get into the action. We'll find out where they're at.”
OSU football coach Mike Gundy
OSU Spring practice schedule
•March: 3, 5, 7, 10, 12, 14*, 25, 26, 28*, 31
•April: 2, 4*, 7, 9, 12
* Denotes open scrimmage.
Scrimmage on March 14 is at 1:30 p.m. Scrimmages on March 28 and April 4 are at 3:30.
OSU released its pre-spring practice depth chart on Thursday, and several players projected to make an impact during the 2008 season aren't listed.
The changes that may be made to the depth chart after 15 practices are what makes this spring so important. The Cowboys get started in shorts and helmets on Monday.
"On the defensive side, it will be interesting to see how those guys that showed up in January develop, how fast they can pick up what we're doing and carry it into a live drill at a fast speed,” Gundy said. "That's what you always worry about with an incoming player.”
OSU signed eight junior college players. Seven will participate in spring drills. Five of the seven play defense. But safety Lucien Antoine is the only junior college player listed on the pre-spring depth chart.
"The (junior college players) are not ahead of any of those other guys right now,” Gundy said. "Those (veteran) guys know the plays. The other guys can't even get lined up.”
By the end of spring, defensive tackle Swanson Miller, offensive tackle Andrew Mitchell, running back Beau Johnson and Antoine not only will know how to line up, they also could be pushing for starting jobs.
"You can get a considerable amount of information in 15 practices,” Gundy said. "Part of being a good college football player is being able to persevere with what you deal with every day, nagging injuries, school work, adjustments, longer practices, more physical practices.”
Juco newcomers are only part of the story. Coaches also want to get a good look at several redshirt freshmen, like defensive ends Richetti Jones and Jamie Blatnick, wide receiver Josh Cooper and linebackers Marcus Richardson and Jared Glover.
"The good thing with freshmen redshirts is they now get into the action,” Gundy said. "We'll find out where they're at.”
The bulk of spring snaps at quarterback will be divided between sophomore Alex Cate and redshirt freshman Brandon Weeden, who are competing for the backup job.
Junior Zac Robinson, who set the single season school record for total offense, will see limited action. Gundy wants Robinson to concentrate on improving his passing.
"Hopefully we'll come out of the spring with a guy who has stepped up and solidified that backup position,” Gundy said. "Zac will get some work, but I want to see what those other two guys can do.”
OSU will practice for two weeks, take a week off for spring break, and practice three more weeks, capped by the April 12 spring game.
"We've had a good off-season,” Gundy said. "Our players have worked hard in the weight room and the conditioning part. I think we're in good shape (physically).
"It's always interesting in the spring when you're short 20 guys and you don't have your incoming freshmen in here. All of our new coaches are up and running, pretty comfortable with what we're doing. We're ready to go.”
