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Kevin Wilson remains key figure for Ohio State offensive success

Austin-Wardby:Austin Ward•07/26/18•

AWardSports

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The speculation, debate and conversations about Ohio State never end, and Lettermen Row is always ready to dive into the discussions. All week long, senior writer Austin Ward will field topics on the Buckeyes submitted by readers and break down anything that’s on the minds of the Best Damn Fans in the Land. Have a question that needs to be tackled, like the one today on Kevin Wilson? Send it in right here — and check back daily for the answers.

Kevin Wilson has been somewhat overshadowed this offseason at Ohio State. The promotion and raise for Ryan Day took a good deal of the spotlight, and even with training camp looming, the attention now will shift to what kind of impact Brian Hartline can have with the wide receivers. But Wilson is considered one of the sharpest, most innovative offensive minds in the country for a reason, and his value for the Buckeyes absolutely shouldn’t be discounted.

Now, typically this conversation always comes back to the play-calling and the logistics Urban Meyer and his staff use on game day. Ohio State has worked hard to downplay the importance of that final voice, and in some ways, there’s good reason to buy into that line of thinking. Meyer is always going to be involved, but whether it’s Day or Wilson, the Buckeyes truly do put together a collaborative plan of attack every week. And I think that’s why after a year of working together, a full offseason to brainstorm and some change in personnel at the most important position on the field, both Wilson and Day will have more influence to shape the attack.

Ohio State-Ryan Day-Ohio State offensive coordinator-Ohio State Buckeyes-Ohio State quarterbacks-Kevin Wilson

Ryan Day and Kevin Wilson can provide a lot of new ideas for Ohio State’s power-spread offense. (Birm/Lettermen Row)

Wilson has experience with all sorts of different quarterbacks, he’s shown a willingness to ride running backs when he has elite rushers on hand and he’s long been ahead of the curve in blending the two together. Last season it was already clear to see some of his ideas with the run-pass options elements that he’s studied and utilized for years helping Ohio State at times. The expectation is that the Buckeyes will continue to enhance that package of plays, even if Dwayne Haskins isn’t going to be the primary rushing threat on some of those plays that J.T. Barrett might have been in the past.

And don’t be surprised if the tight ends wind up playing a more important role thanks to Wilson as well. There is a bit of uncertainty about the depth chart heading into August, but there is a lot of intriguing talent with Luke Farrell currently projected as the starter, Rashod Berry coming into his own and tantalizing freshman Jeremy Ruckert now on campus. There were some clear examples last season of what Ohio State could do with the tight end position to attack the middle of the field, and that could become even more dangerous due to the threat of play-action passing attack as teams pay attention to the loaded backfield.

Wilson remains right in the middle of the whole process for Ohio State as the power-spread offense continues to evolve. And he certainly isn’t going to be overlooked in the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

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