Ohio State football: Josh Myers looking to lock down center spot

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After first starting to feel comfortable with his duties within the offense during Ohio State’s bye week in late October last season, Myers impressed the coaching staff during bowl practices in December.

That’s when he began to blossom, reminding everyone why he was the top-rated recruit in Ohio in the class of 2017.

Coach Greg Studrawa was considering finding a spot for Myers in the starting lineup this season even before All-American center Michael Jordan opted to enter the NFL draft a year early, but that became moot when Jordan announced his decision in January.

If that increased the urgency for Myers to be ready now, it was only in the eyes of his coach.

Myers started burning to be a 2019 starter last December.

“I think it all clicked,” Myers said Monday. "I just got so sick and tired of watching it. I hated it. I don’t hate it here, obviously, but I hate watching it. I’m a competitor. I want to play. I just got so tired of watching. I wanted to play so bad. And so I just had that attitude and mentally thought about it every day before practice and came with a passion every day I had probably been missing.”

It’s an approach he took into winter workouts and one he is still utilizing this spring as Studrawa works on replacing four starters.

The coach admitted center was a huge concern of his after Jordan made his somewhat surprising announcement, “but now Josh has stepped in and really taken the bit. He’s doing excellent.”

“His mindset, everything about him, how he carriers himself, everything changed. So I’m so confident in him now after watching him nine practices I really think he’s gonna be exceptional.”

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Myers’ progress has also been noticed by head coach Ryan Day, who described Myers as “a guy who is coming to work every day” and getting more comfortable with the physical and mental aspect of playing center.

“He makes the (blocking assignment) calls,” Day said. “I think he feels comfortable there. He’s tough. He’s shown toughness. He’s gotta bring it every day and be a veteran.”

Even if he is penciled in as the opening day starter, Myers intends to keep his focus on the present.

“I try not to look too far ahead,” he said. “Right now I try and take it day by day and have the best possible practice I can have this next practice, and I sure hope I look back on this time and say, that was it.”