Ohio State starts spring practice today, and with it comes a new era in Ohio State football led by head coach Urban Meyer and his staff.

Most fans, including myself, are expecting many new and exciting changes this spring- especially on offense.

It goes without saying that these changes are a source of great anticipation and excitement in Buckeye Nation.

Spring practice will culminate in the spring game on April 21st, and I wouldn’t be surprised if attendance pushed 100,000 (pending the weather) given the buzz.

Media access to spring practice is another big question that will be answered in the coming days and weeks.

Under new management, it is possible that we could see unprecedented access to practice, which means unprecedented updates.

We will have to wait and see how that pans out (edit: the media will be able to observe practice once a week on Wednesdays), but increased practice reports is yet another reason for the excitement in the air.

Based on three practice reports or three dozen, here are some things to look for this spring.

Quarterback

This won’t come as a surprise to anyone, but the Braxton Miller (6’2″ 210) show directed by Urban Meyer is about to begin in Columbus.

It goes without saying that Braxton Miller under center in the new offense is the number one thing most fans will be watching for this spring.

That story will be unmercifully beat into the ground ESPN-Tebow style, so I will spare you the details- moving on to the backups.

Ken Guiton (6’3″ 206) looks like he really stepped his game up this off season. Miller is the star without question, but Guiton will provide quality depth that the Buckeyes haven’t enjoyed in years.

It is not a stretch to say that this is potentially the best depth the Buckeyes have had at QB since Smith and Zwick roamed the sidelines- or possibly even as far back as Krenzel and McMullen.

Also worth keeping an eye on this spring is freshman Cardale Jones (6’5″ 226). He spent a year at prep-school before coming to Columbus, so he should be more prepared than your average first year player.

Jones has plenty of physical tools to work with. Watching how he develops and picks up the system this spring could determine his status as the heir apparent to Braxton.

Running Back

I really think Meyer will be looking for a power runner to compliment Miller’s quickness out of the backfield.

To that end, I am looking for Carlos Hyde (6’0″ 235), Rod Smith (6’3″ 230) and even early enrolled freshman Bri’onte Dunn (6’1″ 214) in an intense competition to be the featured back.

Hyde is the early favorite based on last season, but Dunn will be making a strong push.

After a rocky year on and off the field in 2011, Smith has a lot to prove this spring.

Just getting back into the swing of things with the team would be a welcomed sign for him.

Competing for playing time would be a bonus.

Between the three, Ohio State’s power running game looks to be in good hands.

Jordan Hall (5’9″ 198) returns as well, although his role as a featured back might be tweaked this season.

All summer and fall last year we heard about the creative ways that Hall would be utilized in the offense.

Disappointingly, that creativity never surfaced during the season.

Power running between the tackles isn’t exactly one of Hall’s strengths, so rather than trying to fit a square peg into a round hole, getting him in space would make a lot of sense.

Motioning in and out of the backfield, slant patterns, end arounds, bubble screens… whatever the case may be- perhaps the creativity we heard so much about last season will be realized this year under new management.

We will find out in the coming weeks.

Wide Receiver

This was by far the most disappointing position in the offense last season in terms of production.

The poor performances can be explained away pretty easily (freshman QB, inexperience, injuries, pathetic play calling, and so on…) but the bottom line is that improvement here will be essential this spring.

This group is still young, but they did gain valuable experience last year in game situations and even showed some flashes of greatness.

It will be interesting to see what the new coaching staff can do and which players emerge and excel in the new system.

Right now, your guess is as good as mine- it will be a completely blank slate this spring.

Check out the depth chart for the players that will be competing here.

Tight End

Jake Stoneburner (6’5′ 245) started off last season strong, but fizzled when opposing defenses figured out that he was basically the only consistent down field threat that the Buckeyes had in the passing game.

Defenses focused on stopping Stoneburner with success, but in Urban Meyer’s multi-facted attack don’t expect them to duplicate that this season.

I see Stoneburner having a career senior season in the offense- which starts today.

With Reid Fragel’s move to tackle, the depth behind Stoneburner is relatively young and inexperienced.

Jeff Heuerman (6’6″ 247) played last season, but his time on the field was limited. Despite this, he is the clear number two guy.

He is one of Ohio State’s brightest young stars in my opinion and, regardless of how much action he sees this year, I expect his Buckeye career to be a good one.

Nick Vannett (6’6″ 248) redshirted last year, so what he brings to the table this year is a question mark.

Answering questions like that is what spring practice is all about, though, so we will see what happens.

Offensive Line

The biggest thing to watch here is, once again, the tackles.

Andrew Norwell (6’6″ 304) was serviceable at left tackle last year during Mike Adams’ suspension.

It seems like a safe bet to pencil him in at LT once again- although under the new staff who knows how that will go.

I would bet that Mewhort and Norwell will start somewhere on the line, after that there are a whole lot of questions and not a lot of answers.

Freshman Taylor Decker (6’7″ 310) enrolled early and will be participating in spring practice.

Watching to see if he can secure a starting spot will be one of the top story lines and questions to be answered.

How successful the move to tackle for former TE Reid Fragel (6’8″ 298) and former DL Darryl Baldwin (6’6″ 292) will be is another huge story this spring.

Their successful (or failed) transition will be a huge part of the depth at tackle.

More questions include:

• Will any of the young players [Tommy Brown (6’4″ 310), Antonio Underwood (6’2″ 301)] stay at tackle? or will they move inside? My strong suspicion is that they are both destined for the interior.
• After earning starting time as a true freshman, Marcus Hall (6’6″ 317) has had serious issues on and off the field for the past two seasons. Will he get back on track and be a factor on the depth chart? It would be really great to see him live up to his potential this year- perhaps the new coaching staff is the kick he needed to head back in the right direction.
• Is there any way that Chris Carter (6’4″ 358) can earn playing time (or even stay on the team) under a staff looking for athletic linemen that are able to move? Things aren’t looking too bright right now, but that could always turn around if Carter remains committed to the strength and conditioning programs.
• Will Jack Mewhort (6’6″ 310) stay at guard, where he was one of the most consistent lineman last season? or will the new staff move him out to tackle given the relative depth at both positions? I would hate to see him lose the momentum he built at guard last season by moving to tackle, but given his frame and athleticism, it might be necessary to move him to the edge.
• Will Brian Bobek (6’2″ 275) make the transition to starting center seamlessly? What will the depth look like? Will early enrolled freshman Jacoby Boren (6’2″ 283) instantly be #2 on the depth chart? The lack of depth and inexperience here is concerning to say the least if those two aren’t the answer.

Under the new staff, it is almost impossible to project the answers to these questions or what the starting group will look like.

I will be anxiously awaiting reports out of practice on how this one shakes out.