Zach Harrison, Thayer Munford and Jeremy Ruckert featured at Big Ten Media Days

Ohio State junior Zach Harrison, senior Jeremy Ruckert and fifth-year senior Thayer Munford represented the Buckeye football program at Big Ten Media Days on Friday in Indianapolis.

The three players spoke with the media about the summer, the mindset heading into the fall, and what they expect from themselves and their teammates this fall.

• Ruckert said his biggest goal this offseason was to help the young quarterbacks feel comfortable in the offense. “They’re all new, they’re all learning, they’re young, but at the same time, they’re super talented, and they’re coming along so well.”
• When asked about the quarterback competition, Ruckert said he is looking forward to seeing how it plays out. “They’re working hard, they’re staying after it, they’re texting us on the weekends trying to throw and get some work in, so I’m excited. I think it’s going to be a good season.”
• Munford also spoke on the quarterback competition. “Everything’s not set in stone until the day of the game, so you all can ask me all these questions on the quarterback, but I can’t really tell you all, or I really don’t know.”
• Ruckert commented on the national championship game against Alabama last season, saying he was grateful he and his teammates could compete, considering how much the pandemic took away from them.
• Ruckert said the Michigan rivalry remains one of the best in college sports. “I see it as one of the greatest rivalries, if not the greatest rivalry in all of sport.”
• Harrison said the lineman, linebackers and secondary work together to make a complete defensive play. “The quicker we get to the quarterback, the less they have to cover, and the longer they cover, the more time we have.”
• Harrison said it would be “something scary to see” if the Ohio State defense works in cohesion.
• Harrison said Sawyer and J.T. Tuimolaou would play this season on the defensive line but claimed the position’s depth chart is deep. “They’re going to get snaps this year. We just have to see how much.”