Coming into Week 1 most of the starters for Ohio State Football were set, but the starting free safety spot was still up for grabs.
True freshman malik hartford, Syracuse transfer ja'had carter and sixth year veteran Josh Proctor were options to start. All three were expected to play against Indiana.
Buy Buckeyes TicketsWell, that question has been answered. Proctor was on the field for the Buckeyes’ first defensive series of the game.
The senior has a great deal of experience for the Buckeyes. He was a starter on the 2020 team that went to the national title game and entered 2021 as a starter but his season ended with a leg injury in Week 2.
Last season he started four of first five games of the season before seeing his role get diminished with Ronnie Hickman, Lathan Ransom and Tanner McCalister getting the majority of the snaps at safety.
Josh Proctor boomstick (!)
And, soon after, Ohio State forces an Indiana three-and-out. Hoosiers have 12 total yards after two drives. pic.twitter.com/BiUiAoUJQA
— Andy Backstrom (@andybackstrom) September 2, 2023
Proctor is playing well. He has a tackle for loss on each of Indiana’s first two drives, but I expect Hartford and Carter to also get snaps. The free safety starting job could remain a question mark throughout the beginning stage of the season.
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