Melton returns for spring practice after tearing ACL
Defensive lineman Mitchell Melton has been medically cleared to participate in individual drills for Ohio State during spring practice.
But Melton, who tore an anterior cruciate ligament in last year’s spring game and missed the season as a result, is expected to remain limited to individual work for at least a majority of the practices over the next five weeks.
“We’ve just got to be smart,” Buckeyes coach Ryan Day said, “and bring him back the right way.”
As seen by reporters during a halfhour viewing period as spring practice opened Tuesday, Melton went through a series of drills with the defensive linemen.
His all-around skillset made him a candidate to line up at the “Jack” position, the hybrid defensive end-linebacker role, before he went down last April.
“We’re hoping he can make an impact for us this year,” Day said. “Before the injury, we were excited about him and what he was doing. He’s got a really good passrush ability and good strength and play speed.”
Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles said he hopes Melton can regain the form that stood out a year ago.
“I want to see him back to where he was,” Knowles said. “He jumped out. He really did.”
Henderson progresses in rehab
The stretching line of players included running back Treveyon Henderson as he went through warmups and did some running.
But Henderson, who underwent surgery for a fracture and torn ligament in his left foot in December, would later go to a group of players rehabilitating injuries off to the side of the indoor field at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.
Henderson made an immediate impact as a freshman in 2021 when he rushed for more than 1,000 yards, but was limited by his injured foot last fall.
His 571 rushing yards were not even half as many as he totaled in his breakout debut season.
Offensive tackle alignment
Josh Fryar is starting out at left tackle with Zen Michalski and Tegra Tshabola at right tackle.
Both tackle spots on the Buckeyes’ offensive line were vacated with Paris Johnson and Dawand Jones leaving for the NFL.
Fryar, a fourth-year junior, was the most heavily used backup last season and started against Indiana in place of an injured Jones at right tackle.
Day said Fryar’s experience had a role in position him at left tackle, which maintains a critical role in pass protection, preserving the quarterback’s blind side.