By Jim Naveau

jnaveau@limanews.com

COLUMBUS – Seth McLaughlin has made a good impression in a short time at Ohio State.

Coach Ryan Day, offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and quarterback Will Howard all talked about the Alabama transfer, who has become one of the leaders of OSU’s offensive line from his position as the starting center, during Day’s weekly press conference on Tuesday.

Day said, “Seth has done a very good job of communicating. He brings a certain level of experience and stability. Everything up front is about communicating. The more these guys can communicate, the better we can execute.”

Stability was also high on Kelly’s list of things he likes about McLaughlin. “He’s been there, done that. He’s seen a lot and played in some really big games. I think the other players on the line look to him because they know he has that experience,” he said.

Howard said, “He brings a certain level of experience and maturity. Having that guy at the center position is crucial. I’ve been blessed to have some good centers and Seth’s up there. He’s making calls. He’s bringing the juice. He’s making some calls before I even make them.

“He makes my job easier if I’m not having to make a ton of protection calls. I think he’s fit in really well with this group. He’s become a really important part of this offense. I’m really glad we got him.”

Some other thoughts from Day going into Saturday’s game against Marshall:

– NO OFFENSE FOR DOWNS NOW: There had been some talk in the preseason about safety Caleb Downs getting a few carries as a running back but Day threw cold water on that idea at least in the short term.

“Right now I think we’re focused on Caleb being the best safety in America and doing his job there.” Day said.

“He’s still working as a punt returner (in practice). But I don’t think we’re quite there yet that we need him to get involved in the run game, not that we won’t as the season goes on. He will be an option if need be, but right now we’re going to concentrate on safety.”

– READY TO ROLL: Left guard Donovan Jackson is expected to play for the first time this season on Saturday.

Jackson, a returning starter, did not play in OSU’s first two games because of an unspecified injury or illness. Day said Jackson could have played in an emergency situation against Western Michigan in the second game of the season but that was not necessary in a 56-0 of the Broncos.

“He’s ready to roll,” Day said. “He didn’t come back to watch games from the sideline. It took everything we had to hold him back.”

– SIEREVELD SURPRISES: Austin Siereveld, who filled in for Jackson, will return to a back-up role but made a case for more playing time, in his two games as a starter.

Day said Siereveld “has provided us with some depth we didn’t know we had going into the season.”

Tegra Tshabola will remain the starter at right guard but Siereveld might get some playing time there.

“He (Tshabola) is the starter. He has played good football. We’re going to try to find ways to get Austin in the game because he’s earned that opportunity. We’ll see how it shakes out but right now Tegra is the starting right guard,” Day said.

– COMFORT ZONE: Howard is “getting more and more comfortable every day,” Day said.

– HARRISON A PRO: When asked about Marvin Harrison Jr. catching the first two touchdown passes of his NFL career on Sunday, Day said, “Marvin Harrison Jr. is a wonderful player. He’s going to have a great career in the NFL. He’s just such a pro. This is just the beginning of what he’s able to do.”

When it was Kelly’s turn to speak, he sized up the Buckeyes’ three main running backs this way:

– QUINSHON JUDKINS: “I had just watched highlights of him in terms of what he did at Ole Miss. Usually guys that size are a little bit more of a battering ram type player, although he has those qualities. He’s got great feet and vision for someone his size.

“It’s really surprising sometimes to see how he works his way through a hole or what doesn’t look like a hole but he can work his way through it because of his footwork and vision. Putting that on somebody his size, a 220-pound running back, is kind of a rare commodity. He has those qualities but he also has a real tough physical-ness to him. If there isn’t a hole there he can create a hole himself.”

– TREVEYON HENDERSON: “What has impressed me most about TreVeyon is just his work ethic. He’s a guy who is out there every single day and he only knows one speed. You never have to talk to him about effort. He’s always trying to get better. “I think he’s an explosive play waiting to happen. I’ve seen on highlight tapes what he’s done here before. Hopefully in these next couple Saturdays we’re going to see him take one not only through the second level but through the third level and go all the way because he has that type of breakaway speed. He’s one of the fastest kids on the team.”

– JAMES PEOPLES: “James has done a really nice job in the first two games. We were excited about him going into the first game but you never know. A young player is kind of like a tea bag. You don’t know what you’ve got until you put it in hot water. With James, you learned he’s a pretty good football player. We’re excited about his growth and how he continues to pick up what we’re doing.”