Photo Gallery: Team Gray wins annual Ohio State Spring Game

COLUMBUS — Ohio State learned plenty about itself Saturday throughout its annual spring game.

In front of 75,000-plus fans inside Ohio Stadium, the Buckeyes’ defense — aka, Team Gray — beat the offense — ahem, Team Scarlet — 40-31 in the final practice of the spring.

The performance from the Buckeyes was typical of how they have looked all spring. Jim Knowles’ defense looks more cohesive and understanding of the system in place. The defensive line, starting with J.T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer and Mike Hall, has been tremendous. Linebackers Cody Simon and C.J. Hicks have taken their available time and opportunity to continue growing into can’t-keep-on-the-sideline players. And the secondary arguably has grown the most.

It was a true team effort for the defense Saturday with effective play at all three levels, and that’s something that head coach Ryan Day is happy to see.

“There’s reason for optimism for sure,” Day said following the spring game.

Ohio State is far from a finished product, however. The quarterback competition between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown will carry into the summer. Offensive line coach Justin Frye is still yet to find the right combination of pieces to complete the offensive line puzzle.

Additionally, the Buckeyes will add the remainder of their 2023 class in the summer as well. Brandon Inniss, Calvin Simpson-Hunt, Jason Moore, Joshua Mickens, Arvell Reese, Lincoln Kienholz, Kayden McDonald, Jayden Bonsu and Cedrick Hawkins are a few months away from joining the team.

There are plenty of questions remaining about Ohio State as the Buckeyes are now officially done with spring camp. Up next for the program from a team standpoint? Nothing. Well, summer workouts and voluntary extra work.

In the meantime, Lettermen Row has put together a photo gallery from the first football inside Ohio Stadium of 2023.

ICYMI: Photo Gallery: Visiting recruits, commits appeared at Ohio State spring game