Justin Zwick is the clear frontrunner for the starting quarterback job, but
he will be the first to admit he still has a ways to go. The spring is obviously
a vital time for him in his development and everything is going pretty smooth so
far.
“It’s been going good,” Zwick said. “There’s a lot of excitement
out there, putting some pads on and popping a few here and there for those guys
that like to hit. It’s been fun, we’re getting better everyday and that’s
what it’s all about. Spring practice is about getting better everyday and that’s
what we’re focusing on.”
Zwick is getting the majority of repetitions with the first-team offense and
his confidence is growing with each snap.
“The more reps you get, the more experience you’re going to get and that’s
important to your game and just getting better,” Zwick said. “I’m just
focusing on every rep I have and making the best of it.”
Much has already been made of the slimmed-down offensive line. The Buckeyes
will be a lot lighter and quicker up front this year and Zwick has taken notice.
“They’re doing real well,” he said. “They’re young guys and a lot
of them haven’t had a lot of playing time and they’re getting in there and
getting reps this spring and they’re learning. I think they’re an athletic
group. They’re moving around and flying around and it’s exciting. We’re
putting in some stuff and they’re able to get out there and get on the edge if
they need to and they’re doing good so far.”
It’s still early in spring ball, but Zwick likes the way things have gone
for him so far personally. He is getting a lot thrown at him, but that’s the
only way to get better.
“Yeah, I feel good about it,” he said. “Just getting out there and
seeing different looks and going through those experiences is good and the more
chances I have to do that, the better things are going to get. I feel more
comfortable each time out there. I’m feeling real comfortable.”
Zwick was asked what parts of his game need the most fine-tuning.
“I just think getting in there with the guys - the guys that are going to
be playing on Saturdays - and getting on the same page with them,” he said.
“Just feeling comfortable in there with the offensive line and calling plays
and having them look at you as a leader. I just think all of that is something -
when you don’t play for a while - you kind of get out of. To get back into it,
it’s kind of nice. After a couple practices, you’re right back in it.”
The Buckeyes will hold the twice-annual jersey scrimmage next Saturday (April
17) in Ohio Stadium.
“It’s important,” Zwick said. “Anytime you’re in Ohio Stadium you
want to play well because it’s exciting to be there. We’ll be live and
everybody will be hyped up and ready to go and you just want to come out and
have a good showing and just do what you’ve been learning up to that point in
spring ball and put it all together.
“I’m just going to look at it like another practice. Going out there and
I’m going to learn from it and hopefully get better from it.”
There have been rumblings that Todd Boeckman is giving Zwick a run for his
money in practice. Chances are still very good that Boeckman will redshirt this
year - Troy Smith will probably be the backup - but Zwick has been impressed
with Boeckman.
“He’s good,” Zwick said. “He’s a young guy; he’s a big guy. He’s
going to fill out his body here in the next year or so and will get better. He
can throw the ball. He’s smart. He’s going to be a good one.”
Zwick got a close look at linebackers Anthony Schlegel and John Kerr in
practice last year. He thinks they will be a huge boost to the defense this
year.
“They bring a lot of experience,” he said. “They’ve had a lot of
playing time at the schools they were at before they came here and that’s
important. The more you’re in there playing, the more you’re going to be
able to help others out and see certain things that they’re used to seeing. It’s
going to be good for everybody, I think.”
Santonio Holmes will likely be Zwick’s No. 1 target this season. But who
will step up and fill the No. 2 spot? Zwick thinks Roy Hall - currently penciled
in as a starter - will be the man.
“Roy is a tough, strong, fast, athletic guy and I knew it was going to be
like that,” he said. “Seeing him in the weight room, seeing him lift, I knew
he was going to be a tough guy for us. He’s been getting better and getting
more reps and getting more comfortable with everything and he’s going to be a
good one.”
Zwick knows it’s important to develop a good rapport with his receivers.
“It’s huge, getting out there in game-like situation and running routes
and seeing things and just getting on the same page with each other,” he said.
“That’s something that we’re going to have to do this spring and in the
summer with 7 on 7 and in camp this fall. Just get on the same page so we know
what’s going on.”
There are a bevy of backup receivers fighting for jobs -- a couple of seniors
and a lot of young guys.
“They’re all looking good,” Zwick said. “They’re all young, good
athletes. We had Tony Gonzalez go down with a hamstring injury. Devin Jordan is
doing a good job for us being in there and seeing things and making catches for
us. They’re all learning. A lot of those guys haven’t had too many reps, so
they’re all learning and they’re getting in there and doing what they can.”
But thanks to their experience, John Hollins and Bam Childress probably have
the edge to make the two-deep over the younger guys.
“Yeah, they’ve been here and they know the system a little bit better,”
Zwick said. “They’ve had a few more reps and so they’ve been in some
situations that some of the younger guys haven’t been in. So, yeah, I think
Bam and John have a leg up right now.”
Jim Tressel has mentioned that if there were “a game tomorrow” Zwick
would be the starter. However, Zwick doesn’t put too much stock in that, or so
he says.
“I really don’t even think about it,” he said. “I just want to come
out here everyday and give 100 percent and try to get better and try and make
this team better. That’s all I’m going to worry about.”
Zwick knows the Buckeyes have to click on all cylinders to have a successful
offense this year. There can’t be a weak-link if the offense wants to move the
ball and put points on the board.
“I think it has to be a combination of everything,” Zwick said. “In
order for me to use my receivers, I’m going to have to have a good offensive
line to get time. To use our tailbacks we have to have a good line and we have
to have our receivers making good downfield blocks. It all goes together. We’re
all going to be working hard.”