The Buckeyes return to the football field Thursday for the first spring practice of the season.There will be a total of 15 practices this spring, ending with the annual Scarlet & Gray Game on Saturday, April 25, at Ohio Stadium.The Buckeyes welcome back 17 starters, a team that finished second in the Big Ten and landed an appearance in the Sugar Bowl. The returning veteran team includes All-Americans Andy Katzenmoyer, at linebacker, and cornerback Antoine Winfield. Katzenmoyer was awarded the Butkus Award last season as a sophomore, and Winfield was Ohio State’s 1997 MVP. Linebacker Jerry Rudzinski returns and looks forward to spring practices.”Every spring practice we focus on the fundamentals,” Rudzinski said. “Now we have to work on getting good chemistry on the team because we can look good on paper, but we have to play well on the field.”Junior punter Brent Bartholomew led the Big Ten with an average of 45.2 yards per kick on 72 punts. Bartholomew summarizes what he hopes to accomplish this spring.”The team needs to focus on unity,” Bartholomew said. “The seniors need to step up and encourage leadership for the younger players.”Gary Berry, junior free safety, returns after starting all 13 games, and ending with 48 tackles last season. Berry said he anticipates next season, and wants to land the National Championship title.”The team is itching to put the pads back on and go out to have fun,” Berry said. “There will be a lot of new experiences but we’ll take last year’s skills into spring so we’ll know what we need to work on.”Sophomore split-end David Boston ends last season with two school records for most receptions in a game, with 14 at Penn State, and most receptions in a season, with 73 for 970 yards and 14 touchdowns.Junior Joe Germaine regains the starting quarterback position after rotating with Stanley Jackson last season. Germaine threw for 1,847 yards and 18 touchdowns in 1997.Junior flanker Dee Miller joins the returning cast with a season-ending 58 receptions. Junior strong safety Damon Moore also returns with a history of 67 tackles last fall. Fullback Matt Keller, left guard Rob Murphy, center Kurt Murphy, right guard Ben Gilbert, right tackle Tyson Walter, and tight-end John Lumpkin all return on offense.Junior tailback Michael Wiley finished last season with six touchdowns, and ran for 588 yards. Safety Damon Moore, cornerback Ahmed Plummer, tackle Joe Brown, and ends Matt LaVrar and Rodney Bailey return on defense.Keller said he wants to take on a leadership position as one of the experienced players.”The younger players will learn by example from the older players,” Keller said. “The work ethic that everyone displays is amazing, so we’ll just need to build on last season’s team.”