Offense, Martell play well in first scrimmage

With the season opener against Indiana less than four weeks away, Ohio State had its first scrimmage of training camp Saturday.

From the way that defensive coordinator Greg Schiano described the scrimmage — the Big Ten Network was the only media entity permitted to watch — it provided plenty of fodder for critiquing.

“It was good,” said Schiano, the only coach made available to reporters afterward. “A lot of guys got to play a lot of plays. We’ve performed better, but that’s what training camp is for — to learn and get better.

“We’ve had some really good practices. Today wasn’t our best. But we have good players. They’ll do a good job.”

Schiano said he was too focused on preparing for each play of the scrimmage to notice individual standouts.

“Our offense played well today,” Schiano said. “Defensively, we need to do a better job with our assignment football, with some of the (shot)gun run stuff.”

Martell stands out

Two safeties made available to the media after the scrimmage praised the play of true freshman quarterback Tate Martell. The Erick Smith (34), shown during spring practice in March, is competing with Jordan Fuller for one of the starting safety assignments. Gatorade and MaxPreps high school Player of the Year is the only scholarship quarterback not wearing a “do not hit” jersey in training camp. It sounds as if that wasn’t really necessary.

“Nobody got a good hit on him,” senior Damon Webb said.

Martell is listed at

only 5 feet 11, but he has a gift for improvisation.

“He’s definitely a run threat,” Webb said. “We do the option and he’s real good at that. He’s real shifty. He’s definitely a playmaker.”

Added senior Erick Smith, “I like little Tate. With the ball in his hands, he’s dangerous. He’s one of the most elusive

players on the team.”

Webb also praised redshirt sophomore and Joe Burrow and redshirt freshman Dwayne Haskins, who are competing to be J.T. Barrett’s top backup.

“Dwayne and Joe always look good,” he said. “They go out each and every day and make spectacular plays, too.”

Safety battle

The safety spot opposite Webb is a battle primarily between Smith and Jordan Fuller. Smith had a chance to make a statement in Saturday’s scrimmage because Fuller didn’t participate because of what Schiano described as a minor injury.

“He’s going to be fine,” he said. “Just a little tweak on his leg. He’ll be back on Monday.”

Smith knows about more serious injuries. He tore a knee ligament in 2015.

“I just had to reflect on everything and go back to my foundation and why I even started to play football,” Smith said. “After looking at my foundation and setting my vision, I had to keep going forward.”

Smith gained a reputation at Cleveland Glenville as a big hitter.

“I ain’t lost that,” Smith said with a smile.

5-star OL commits

Doug Nester, a five-star offensive line prospect from Huntington, West Virginia, became the first member of the 2019 recruiting class when he made his commitment public Saturday.

He did it by Twitter, with an extended message that included a facsimile of his signature.

The 6-foot-5, 295pound Nester had been considered a major lean to Ohio State for a couple of months. He already is ranked No. 3 among tackle prospects nationally for the 2019 cycle, according to the 247sports composite of the major recruiting services.