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Grading every Ohio State football game by season in terms of entertainment value

Grading Every Ohio State Football Player's Performance in Dominant Win Over Akron

In a lopsided season-opening victory, the Ohio State Buckeyes dismantled the Akron Zips with a commanding 52-6 final score, showcasing the depth and talent that has fans buzzing about another potential College Football Playoff run. Under the bright lights of Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes' performance was a mix of explosive plays, disciplined execution, and a few areas ripe for improvement as they gear up for tougher Big Ten challenges. This comprehensive player-by-player grading breaks down the individual contributions across offense, defense, and special teams, highlighting standouts, surprises, and those who need to step up. Grades are based on a standard A-F scale, factoring in execution, impact, and consistency relative to expectations for a program like Ohio State.

Starting with the quarterback room, where the Buckeyes boast enviable depth, redshirt freshman Kyle McCord took the reins as the starter in place of the injured C.J. Stroud, who sat out with a precautionary shoulder issue. McCord earned a solid A- for his poise under center. He completed 18 of 25 passes for 319 yards and three touchdowns, displaying sharp accuracy on intermediate routes and a willingness to stretch the field vertically. His best moment came on a 45-yard touchdown strike in the second quarter, threading the needle between two defenders. However, a couple of early overthrows and a forced interception in the red zone prevented a perfect grade. Backup quarterback Jack Miller, who saw mop-up duty in the fourth quarter, gets a B+. Miller went 5-for-7 with 66 yards and a touchdown, showing good decision-making but lacking the arm strength to consistently challenge deep. Third-stringer J.P. Andrade didn't see action, so he's ungraded, but his practice reps suggest he's developing nicely.

Moving to the running backs, where Ohio State's ground game remains a powerhouse, Miyan Williams led the charge with an A grade. The sophomore bulldozed his way to 125 yards on 18 carries, including a 32-yard touchdown scamper that highlighted his vision and burst through the line. Williams' physicality wore down Akron's front seven, setting the tone for the Buckeyes' balanced attack. TreVeyon Henderson, the highly touted freshman, wasn't far behind with an A-. He averaged 7.2 yards per carry on 12 touches, totaling 87 yards and two scores, but a fumble in the third quarter dinged his otherwise electric performance. His speed and elusiveness make him a future star, though ball security will be key. Master Teague III, rotating in for short-yardage situations, earns a B. He punched in a one-yard touchdown but managed only 34 yards on eight carries, looking a step slower than his backfield mates. Evan Pryor, another freshman, saw limited snaps and gets a C+ for a couple of decent runs but nothing game-changing.

The wide receivers corps, often the flashiest unit for Ohio State, lived up to the hype. Chris Olave, the veteran leader, receives an A+ for a masterful outing. He hauled in seven catches for 142 yards and two touchdowns, including a acrobatic one-handed grab that will make highlight reels. Olave's route-running precision and chemistry with McCord were evident throughout. Garrett Wilson, his dynamic counterpart, gets an A. Wilson's six receptions for 110 yards included a 28-yard score, but a dropped pass on third down in the first half kept him from perfection. Jaxon Smith-Njigba, emerging as the slot weapon, earns a B+ with four catches for 65 yards; he showed great hands but could have been more involved. Emeka Egbuka, the freshman phenom, flashed potential with a B- on two grabs for 38 yards, though he needs to refine his releases off the line. Julian Fleming and Marvin Harrison Jr. saw spot duty; Fleming gets a C+ for a key block but no receptions, while Harrison earns a B for a 15-yard catch in garbage time.

Tight ends provided solid support in both passing and blocking. Cade Stover leads with a B+, contributing three catches for 42 yards and excellent run blocking that sprung several big gains. Jeremy Ruckert, dealing with minor nagging injuries, gets a B- for two receptions but looked limited in his routes. Mitch Rossi, the fullback-hybrid, earns a C+ primarily for his blocking, though he didn't factor much in the pass game.

On the offensive line, which paved the way for 256 rushing yards, left tackle Thayer Munford anchors with an A. His pass protection was flawless, giving McCord ample time, and he dominated in run blocking. Paris Johnson Jr. at right tackle gets a B+; he was stout overall but allowed one pressure that led to a hurried throw. Guards Matthew Jones and Enokk Vimahi both earn B's for solid interior play, with Jones particularly effective in pulling assignments. Center Luke Wypler, the young starter, receives a B- after a couple of errant snaps but redeemed himself with strong anchoring against blitzes. Reserves like Dawand Jones and Josh Fryar saw action and get C+'s for competent relief work without major mistakes.

Shifting to defense, where Ohio State aims to rebound from last year's inconsistencies, the defensive line set a ferocious tone. Haskell Garrett, the disruptive tackle, earns an A for two sacks and constant pressure that forced Akron into quick throws. His penetration disrupted multiple plays. Zach Harrison at end gets a B+ with a sack and three tackles for loss, showing improved bend around the edge. Tyreke Smith, the other end, matches with a B+ for his run-stopping prowess, including a key stuff on fourth down. Javontae Jean-Baptiste rotated in and gets a B for a forced fumble. Interior linemen like Jerron Cage and Taron Vincent both earn B-'s; Cage had a tackle for loss, but Vincent was quiet against the run.

Linebackers provided the heartbeat of the defense. Cody Simon, stepping into a larger role, gets an A- with eight tackles and an interception returned for 25 yards. His instincts in coverage were spot on. Teradja Mitchell earns a B+ for seven tackles and solid gap filling. Palaie Gaoteote IV, the USC transfer, gets a B in limited snaps, showing physicality but needing better recognition. Dallas Gant and Tommy Eichenberg rotated and both receive C+'s; Gant had a few tackles, but Eichenberg missed an open-field stop.

In the secondary, the Buckeyes' pass defense was lockdown against Akron's modest attack. Cornerback Cameron Brown leads with an A, blanketing receivers and breaking up two passes. Denzel Burke, the freshman starter, earns an A- for his first career interception and sticky coverage. Sevyn Banks gets a B+ despite a penalty, as he limited yards after catch. Safeties Ronnie Hickman and Bryson Shaw both get B's; Hickman had six tackles and a pass deflection, while Shaw was steady in run support. Lathan Ransom, rotating at nickel, earns a B- for aggressive play but a coverage lapse on Akron's lone touchdown drive.

Special teams rounded out a complete performance. Kicker Noah Ruggles gets an A for perfect 5-for-5 on field goals, including a 48-yarder. Punter Jesse Mirco earns a B+ with punts averaging 44 yards and two inside the 20. Return specialist Xavier Johnson gets a B for a 32-yard kick return but muffed one punt, fortunately recovered. Overall coverage units were solid, earning collective B's without major breakdowns.

This game against Akron served as a tune-up, exposing strengths like the explosive offense and a swarming defense while highlighting needs for cleaner execution, especially in ball security and penalty avoidance (Ohio State committed seven for 65 yards). Standouts like Olave, Williams, and Garrett reinforce why the Buckeyes are preseason favorites, but depth players must elevate as the schedule intensifies. Next up is a sterner test against Oregon, where these grades will be put to the ultimate scrutiny. If Ohio State builds on this foundation, another national title chase is well within reach.

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