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LGHL You’re Nuts: What are you hoping to learn about Ohio State before conference play?
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You’re Nuts: What are you hoping to learn about Ohio State before conference play?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
Today’s Question: What are you hoping to learn about Ohio State before conference play?
The Buckeyes' offense has been firing on almost all cylinders under new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, with quarterback Will Howard surrounded by a wealth of weapons, including running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, and wide receivers Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, and freshman standout Jeremiah Smith.
Through two games, the team has 644 passing yards, 443 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 54 first downs.
The craziest part? They’re doing it with a limited playbook. Head coach Ryan Day said a few days ago that Kelly hasn’t opened up the full offensive playbook yet, which means Kelly has more up his sleeve.
Huge, if true.
The Buckeyes’ offense hasn’t really been tested yet, so it’s not yet clear just how high their ceiling is—but they already look like they’re playing national championship-caliber football.
That doesn’t mean it’s been perfect. The offensive line has had its share of challenges, and frankly, the right side in particular has some issues they need to sort out before Ohio State has to face a competitor like Oregon. They’re doing a fine job, but they’ll need to be a little more confident and explosive against some of the tougher Big Ten opponents than was required of them against Akron or Western Michigan.
Still, the offensive line as a whole improved drastically between Week 1 and Week 2, and they’ll get Donovan Jackson back this weekend after he missed the first two games with an injury, which brings some added leadership to the group.
Even with the offensive line’s room for improvement, if I were a defensive coordinator, I would hate to see Ohio State coming. Based on talent alone, they would be a nightmare to defend. But even more challenging is that Kelly’s play-calling is unpredictable. We haven’t even gotten to the good stuff.
By the time the Buckeyes get to the meat of their conference schedule, I expect the offense Kelly is going to have them running to look entirely different than what we see today.
For starters, other teams are making adjustments to how they’ll defend us based on these early games. As Smith heats up, for example, the coverage on him will tighten, freeing Egbuka to play the starring role everyone expected him to play before the season started.
Kelly’s offense will have to adjust, which is part of why the depth he’s been talking about is so critical. It gives him more options. Plus, a longer season necessitates depth to avoid wear and tear on your top guys, it becomes even more important to have other players lined up and ready to go at the drop of a hat. Kelly can work with that.
But don’t expect Kelly to take a reactive approach to football. He’s a proactive guy, and he’s going to coax aggression out of his players, no matter who the opponent is or where the player is in his depth chart.
That means we can expect to see even more creativity in the play-calling. Chip Kelly isn’t new to play-calling, but it’s going to be exciting to see what he can really do with this much talent. If this is what this team is accomplishing and we’re only a few chapters into his playbook, just imagine how high they can fly.
The further we get into Kelly’s plans, the more we’re going to learn about just how special this team is and exactly how they stack up against the other top teams in the country.
Unfortunately, I’m not sure that there’s a lot that will really satisfy my cravings for knowledge by watching the Buckeyes play Marshall this Saturday, because, well... it’s Marshall. But there is one area where the Thundering Herd conceivably will give OSU a challenge.
Coming into their Week 4 matchup, Marshall currently has the fourth-best defensive pressure grade according to Pro Football Focus. I don’t put a ton of stock into PFF grades, but they can be a useful tool to point you in the right direction of things to look for, or to confirm what you see with the naked eye.
Ohio State will be welcoming back Donovan Jackson to the offensive line this weekend, so I am curious to see what the legitimate first-team offensive line can do against a defensive attack that at least has some semblance of ability to put pressure on Will Howard. Granted, Marshall was far more effective at generating pressure versus Stony Brook than it was against Virginia Tech, but the Herd still graded out with a solid 68.5 against the Hokies.
So while the offensive line looked reasonably improved against Western Michigan, I would like to know if they are ready for a legitimate Big Ten challenge. Again, I’m not sure that we will actually be able to glean that based solely on a matchup with Marshall, but before the conference slate officially starts, it might be the one thing that we actually able to get any insight on.
The Buckeyes’ pass protection has been pretty solid thus far, ranking in the top 20 according to PFF. But by sliding Jackson back in, it is possible that things don’t look as cohesive as we would like. Even if that’s the case, I would welcome seeing what Howard can truly do on the move.
We’ve seen him avoid pressure in the pocket through the first two games, but I am curious what he will be able to do against a front seven that is truly bearing down on him. Obviously I hope we never have to find out, but I remain unconvinced that the offensive line is capable of anything approaching Joe Moore Award-level. So, if by chance, Marshall is able to get some free runners in the backfield at some point, I wouldn’t necessarily like it, but I would welcome the ability to see what Howard does in those situations.
So, ultimately, as I wrap up this rambling missive, I want to feel confident in the Ohio State offensive line’s ability to protect Will Howard, I’m just not so sure that we will have a definitive answer before the Bucks kick off the B1G schedule against Michigan State next weekend.
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
Today’s Question: What are you hoping to learn about Ohio State before conference play?
Jami’s Take: Just how high is the offense’s ceiling under Chip Kelly?
The Buckeyes' offense has been firing on almost all cylinders under new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, with quarterback Will Howard surrounded by a wealth of weapons, including running backs TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins, and wide receivers Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, and freshman standout Jeremiah Smith.
Through two games, the team has 644 passing yards, 443 rushing yards, 15 touchdowns, and 54 first downs.
The craziest part? They’re doing it with a limited playbook. Head coach Ryan Day said a few days ago that Kelly hasn’t opened up the full offensive playbook yet, which means Kelly has more up his sleeve.
Huge, if true.
The Buckeyes’ offense hasn’t really been tested yet, so it’s not yet clear just how high their ceiling is—but they already look like they’re playing national championship-caliber football.
That doesn’t mean it’s been perfect. The offensive line has had its share of challenges, and frankly, the right side in particular has some issues they need to sort out before Ohio State has to face a competitor like Oregon. They’re doing a fine job, but they’ll need to be a little more confident and explosive against some of the tougher Big Ten opponents than was required of them against Akron or Western Michigan.
Still, the offensive line as a whole improved drastically between Week 1 and Week 2, and they’ll get Donovan Jackson back this weekend after he missed the first two games with an injury, which brings some added leadership to the group.
Even with the offensive line’s room for improvement, if I were a defensive coordinator, I would hate to see Ohio State coming. Based on talent alone, they would be a nightmare to defend. But even more challenging is that Kelly’s play-calling is unpredictable. We haven’t even gotten to the good stuff.
By the time the Buckeyes get to the meat of their conference schedule, I expect the offense Kelly is going to have them running to look entirely different than what we see today.
For starters, other teams are making adjustments to how they’ll defend us based on these early games. As Smith heats up, for example, the coverage on him will tighten, freeing Egbuka to play the starring role everyone expected him to play before the season started.
Kelly’s offense will have to adjust, which is part of why the depth he’s been talking about is so critical. It gives him more options. Plus, a longer season necessitates depth to avoid wear and tear on your top guys, it becomes even more important to have other players lined up and ready to go at the drop of a hat. Kelly can work with that.
But don’t expect Kelly to take a reactive approach to football. He’s a proactive guy, and he’s going to coax aggression out of his players, no matter who the opponent is or where the player is in his depth chart.
That means we can expect to see even more creativity in the play-calling. Chip Kelly isn’t new to play-calling, but it’s going to be exciting to see what he can really do with this much talent. If this is what this team is accomplishing and we’re only a few chapters into his playbook, just imagine how high they can fly.
The further we get into Kelly’s plans, the more we’re going to learn about just how special this team is and exactly how they stack up against the other top teams in the country.
Matt’s Take: How the offensive line holds up against a decent pass rush
Unfortunately, I’m not sure that there’s a lot that will really satisfy my cravings for knowledge by watching the Buckeyes play Marshall this Saturday, because, well... it’s Marshall. But there is one area where the Thundering Herd conceivably will give OSU a challenge.
Coming into their Week 4 matchup, Marshall currently has the fourth-best defensive pressure grade according to Pro Football Focus. I don’t put a ton of stock into PFF grades, but they can be a useful tool to point you in the right direction of things to look for, or to confirm what you see with the naked eye.
Ohio State will be welcoming back Donovan Jackson to the offensive line this weekend, so I am curious to see what the legitimate first-team offensive line can do against a defensive attack that at least has some semblance of ability to put pressure on Will Howard. Granted, Marshall was far more effective at generating pressure versus Stony Brook than it was against Virginia Tech, but the Herd still graded out with a solid 68.5 against the Hokies.
So while the offensive line looked reasonably improved against Western Michigan, I would like to know if they are ready for a legitimate Big Ten challenge. Again, I’m not sure that we will actually be able to glean that based solely on a matchup with Marshall, but before the conference slate officially starts, it might be the one thing that we actually able to get any insight on.
The Buckeyes’ pass protection has been pretty solid thus far, ranking in the top 20 according to PFF. But by sliding Jackson back in, it is possible that things don’t look as cohesive as we would like. Even if that’s the case, I would welcome seeing what Howard can truly do on the move.
We’ve seen him avoid pressure in the pocket through the first two games, but I am curious what he will be able to do against a front seven that is truly bearing down on him. Obviously I hope we never have to find out, but I remain unconvinced that the offensive line is capable of anything approaching Joe Moore Award-level. So, if by chance, Marshall is able to get some free runners in the backfield at some point, I wouldn’t necessarily like it, but I would welcome the ability to see what Howard does in those situations.
So, ultimately, as I wrap up this rambling missive, I want to feel confident in the Ohio State offensive line’s ability to protect Will Howard, I’m just not so sure that we will have a definitive answer before the Bucks kick off the B1G schedule against Michigan State next weekend.
Let us know who you are agreeing with:
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LGHL Three Buckeye offensive players who deserve more playing time this season
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Three Buckeye offensive players who deserve more playing time this season
Jami Jurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A lot of Buckeyes have gotten reps so far this year, but a few have impressed us enough that we’d like to see more
Heading into this season, head coach Ryan Day spoke about the importance of depth, particularly in this age of longer seasons and expanded playoffs. Already this year, we’ve seen Ohio State start to share some of the wealth in terms of giving reps to a number of different guys, and as we edge closer to conference play, we’ve started to see the evolution of Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s vision for this offense.
Still, on a roster overflowing with talent, there are a few players it would be nice to see either take more reps or take on a larger role in some aspect of the offense. Some of these guys don’t necessarily need to start at their position to step into these roles, but given what we’ve seen so far, it would be nice to see more of them.
In a wide receiving room that includes Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, and freshman standout Jeremiah Smith, it would be easy for Inniss to get lost. Instead, he’s stepped up as an impact player on special teams (an area the Buckeyes struggled last season), where he has done an exceptional job returning punts.
We’ve seen him take snaps on offense, but he’s been much less utilized than the three other aforementioned wide receivers despite excellent route running and speed on his punt returns. Inniss has proven that he can be a weapon, and while I wouldn’t expect him to step into a starting role this year, it would be great to see him take more reps on offense, especially knowing the other three will face wear and tear as the season goes on.
Inniss is more than capable of holding his own with this offense, and with a little more experience under his belt, he could add even more depth for the Buckeyes at wide receiver, helping to keep the top guys rested and healthy while helping Inniss get valuable game-time experience.
After missing last season due to an unfortunate suspension, Christian is ready to make up for lost time, and while we haven’t seen much from him while other tight ends Gee Scott Jr., Will Kacmarek, and Jelani Thurman take the majority of the snaps, Christian is already making the most of the time he’s had on the field.
The tight ends room has proven to be adept blockers, but they’ve been underutilized as receivers. Christian has the potential to do both—and did against Marshall in Week Two, putting up a 55-yard touchdown on a pass from quarterback Julian Sayin. He’s an excellent route runner as well, in addition to strong blocking, and while the tight ends have to split receptions with an already-stacked offense, it would be nice to see Christian get his hands on the ball a bit more than he is at present.
Christian has said he’s comfortable playing unselfishly and flying a bit under the radar, but this is another case where more reps could help take some of the pressure off Kacmarek, Scott, and Thurman. Christian believes he’s got the mental and physical toughness to be an impact player for the Buckeyes, and he’s already shown he can overcome adversity off the field. More experience in these early games could help him unlock that full potential.
Currently third on the Buckeyes’ depth chart at quarterback, everything we’ve seen so far from Sayin has left us wanting more.
The true freshman, who was the top-rated quarterback and the No. 6 player overall in the 2024 recruiting class, has only taken four snaps, with the majority of the playing time going to starter Will Howard and backup QB Devin Brown, but he’s made the most of each opportunity, going 2-for-2 and maintaining his composure under pressure in key situations. He has put up 61 yards, including the 55-yard touchdown pass to Christian mentioned above, which came on a 4th-and-1 play against Western Michigan.
He’s quick, great in the pocket, and his accurate arm makes him extremely dangerous. And perhaps more importantly, Sayin is one of those guys you just know is going to get better with age.
He has the natural talent, without question, but he also has the kind of attitude that creates champions. While it was a long shot that he’d land the starting job this year, he was never truly out of the running in the offseason despite his lack of experience at the collegiate level. When he does finally get the starting job in the future, more reps now could mean less time getting his sea legs down the road, setting the Buckeyes up for success not just this season but well into the future.
Continue reading...
Jami Jurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
A lot of Buckeyes have gotten reps so far this year, but a few have impressed us enough that we’d like to see more
Heading into this season, head coach Ryan Day spoke about the importance of depth, particularly in this age of longer seasons and expanded playoffs. Already this year, we’ve seen Ohio State start to share some of the wealth in terms of giving reps to a number of different guys, and as we edge closer to conference play, we’ve started to see the evolution of Day and offensive coordinator Chip Kelly’s vision for this offense.
Still, on a roster overflowing with talent, there are a few players it would be nice to see either take more reps or take on a larger role in some aspect of the offense. Some of these guys don’t necessarily need to start at their position to step into these roles, but given what we’ve seen so far, it would be nice to see more of them.
Brandon Inniss, WR
In a wide receiving room that includes Emeka Egbuka, Carnell Tate, and freshman standout Jeremiah Smith, it would be easy for Inniss to get lost. Instead, he’s stepped up as an impact player on special teams (an area the Buckeyes struggled last season), where he has done an exceptional job returning punts.
We’ve seen him take snaps on offense, but he’s been much less utilized than the three other aforementioned wide receivers despite excellent route running and speed on his punt returns. Inniss has proven that he can be a weapon, and while I wouldn’t expect him to step into a starting role this year, it would be great to see him take more reps on offense, especially knowing the other three will face wear and tear as the season goes on.
Inniss is more than capable of holding his own with this offense, and with a little more experience under his belt, he could add even more depth for the Buckeyes at wide receiver, helping to keep the top guys rested and healthy while helping Inniss get valuable game-time experience.
Bennett Christian, TE
After missing last season due to an unfortunate suspension, Christian is ready to make up for lost time, and while we haven’t seen much from him while other tight ends Gee Scott Jr., Will Kacmarek, and Jelani Thurman take the majority of the snaps, Christian is already making the most of the time he’s had on the field.
The tight ends room has proven to be adept blockers, but they’ve been underutilized as receivers. Christian has the potential to do both—and did against Marshall in Week Two, putting up a 55-yard touchdown on a pass from quarterback Julian Sayin. He’s an excellent route runner as well, in addition to strong blocking, and while the tight ends have to split receptions with an already-stacked offense, it would be nice to see Christian get his hands on the ball a bit more than he is at present.
Christian has said he’s comfortable playing unselfishly and flying a bit under the radar, but this is another case where more reps could help take some of the pressure off Kacmarek, Scott, and Thurman. Christian believes he’s got the mental and physical toughness to be an impact player for the Buckeyes, and he’s already shown he can overcome adversity off the field. More experience in these early games could help him unlock that full potential.
Julian Sayin, QB
Currently third on the Buckeyes’ depth chart at quarterback, everything we’ve seen so far from Sayin has left us wanting more.
The true freshman, who was the top-rated quarterback and the No. 6 player overall in the 2024 recruiting class, has only taken four snaps, with the majority of the playing time going to starter Will Howard and backup QB Devin Brown, but he’s made the most of each opportunity, going 2-for-2 and maintaining his composure under pressure in key situations. He has put up 61 yards, including the 55-yard touchdown pass to Christian mentioned above, which came on a 4th-and-1 play against Western Michigan.
He’s quick, great in the pocket, and his accurate arm makes him extremely dangerous. And perhaps more importantly, Sayin is one of those guys you just know is going to get better with age.
He has the natural talent, without question, but he also has the kind of attitude that creates champions. While it was a long shot that he’d land the starting job this year, he was never truly out of the running in the offseason despite his lack of experience at the collegiate level. When he does finally get the starting job in the future, more reps now could mean less time getting his sea legs down the road, setting the Buckeyes up for success not just this season but well into the future.
Continue reading...
2026 DC DL Carter Meadows (Verbal Offer)
- By brodybuck21
- Football Recruiting
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LGHL Donovan Jackson is gonna finally make his season debut against Marshall
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Donovan Jackson is gonna finally make his season debut against Marshall
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
Subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
Presser Bullets: Caleb Downs Focused on Safety Rather Than Offense, Donovan Jackson Back for Ohio State
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
Jackson returns: 4 takeaways from OSU football press conference
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
Key Takeaways as Buckeyes get back to work, focus on Marshall (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
Ok, I like this guy:
What Ryan Day said as Ohio State comes out of open weekend
Steve Helwagen, Bucknuts
How did you feel about Ohio State having a bye during Week 3? Weird, right?
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State Quarterback Will Howard Watches Film Throughout the Day, Loves “Chess Game” of Football
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson is ‘ready to roll’ after missing Buckeyes’ first two games
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Football: Ohio State Host Marshall Saturday for a Big Noon Kickoff
Ohio State Athletics
I f*cking hate this guy:
Jeremiah Smith headlines 10 fastest players in college football so far
Grant Hughes, 247Sports
You’re Nuts: What has been most surprising in college football this season?
Brett Ludwiczak and Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
B1G Thoughts: Wisconsin is suffering from an identity crisis
Jordan Williams, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State men’s basketball player preview: Ivan Njegovan
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
Men’s Soccer: No. 7 Ohio State Blanks Penn State, 5-0
Ohio State Athletics
I used to follow all of the spoilers and rumors and speculations really closely, but I’ve gotta say, it’s much better to go in blind.
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.
Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.
Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.
You’re welcome!
For your Earholes...
Subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
On the Gridiron
Presser Bullets: Caleb Downs Focused on Safety Rather Than Offense, Donovan Jackson Back for Ohio State
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
Jackson returns: 4 takeaways from OSU football press conference
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
Key Takeaways as Buckeyes get back to work, focus on Marshall (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
Ok, I like this guy:
What Ryan Day said as Ohio State comes out of open weekend
Steve Helwagen, Bucknuts
How did you feel about Ohio State having a bye during Week 3? Weird, right?
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State Quarterback Will Howard Watches Film Throughout the Day, Loves “Chess Game” of Football
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
Ohio State’s Donovan Jackson is ‘ready to roll’ after missing Buckeyes’ first two games
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Football: Ohio State Host Marshall Saturday for a Big Noon Kickoff
Ohio State Athletics
I f*cking hate this guy:
Jeremiah Smith headlines 10 fastest players in college football so far
Grant Hughes, 247Sports
You’re Nuts: What has been most surprising in college football this season?
Brett Ludwiczak and Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
B1G Thoughts: Wisconsin is suffering from an identity crisis
Jordan Williams, Land-Grant Holy Land
On the Hardwood
Ohio State men’s basketball player preview: Ivan Njegovan
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Men’s Soccer: No. 7 Ohio State Blanks Penn State, 5-0
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
I used to follow all of the spoilers and rumors and speculations really closely, but I’ve gotta say, it’s much better to go in blind.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State men’s basketball player preview: Ivan Njegovan
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Ohio State men’s basketball player preview: Ivan Njegovan
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Njegovan was the last player to be added to the roster this offseason to help add depth to the center rotation.
Even though it is September and fans are locked into college football, the fall also means that college basketball is right around the corner.
From now until the start of the hoops season in early November, we will be doing player previews and team previews for all the players on the men’s basketball team and the new-look Big Ten Conference.
Name: Ivan Njegovan
Position: Center
Class: Freshman
Previous School: Gimnazija Vladimira-Nazora
Hometown: Otocac, Croatia
Weight: 250 lbs
Height: 7-foot-1
With the loss of Felix Okpara and Zed Key, the Buckeyes had to bring in another center to fill out the rotation of Aaron Bradshaw and Austin Parks.
Njegovan is a long, young center who stands at 7-foot-1. Before coming to Columbus this season, he played for Zadar and Bosco of the Croatian Premier League last year, averaging 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 56 percent from the floor.
The tall center has also played national basketball as a member of the Croatian U20 National Team that competed in the 2024 European Championship. According to Ohio State Athletics, he averaged 6.1 points and 6.6 rebounds over seven games. He finished the tournament against Bulgaria with 15 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocked shots.
He also played for his hometown team, Zadar, in the ABA League and the ABA Junior League for parts of the last three seasons.
Njegovan is an elite shot blocker and a talented offensive player who has raw potential that the coaching staff at Ohio State will have four years to work with
To be honest, his role on this team is unknown. It really comes down to 1) How well Aaron Bradshaw can stay out of foul trouble and stay on the court and 2) What the staff thinks of Austin Parks.
Bradshaw is an immense talent who was a top-five recruit coming out of high school and played one year for Kentucky. If the former Wildcat is able to stay on the floor and out of foul trouble, which was an issue at Kentucky, he will be on the court a lot and Parks or Njegovan will play a little off the bench to fill out the rotation.
If Bradshaw struggles with foul trouble and only plays 20 minutes a game or less, then they may need Njegovan and Parks to play to help fill out the rotation.
Otherwise, if the staff deems Njegovan is more ready than Parks, then he will be the backup. This is unlikely since he is coming in late as a freshman and Parks has been in the system for two years.
Continue reading...
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Njegovan was the last player to be added to the roster this offseason to help add depth to the center rotation.
Even though it is September and fans are locked into college football, the fall also means that college basketball is right around the corner.
From now until the start of the hoops season in early November, we will be doing player previews and team previews for all the players on the men’s basketball team and the new-look Big Ten Conference.
The Ivan Njegovan File
Name: Ivan Njegovan
Position: Center
Class: Freshman
Previous School: Gimnazija Vladimira-Nazora
Hometown: Otocac, Croatia
Weight: 250 lbs
Height: 7-foot-1
Breakdown
With the loss of Felix Okpara and Zed Key, the Buckeyes had to bring in another center to fill out the rotation of Aaron Bradshaw and Austin Parks.
Njegovan is a long, young center who stands at 7-foot-1. Before coming to Columbus this season, he played for Zadar and Bosco of the Croatian Premier League last year, averaging 7.4 points, 4.4 rebounds, and 1.3 blocks per game while shooting 56 percent from the floor.
The tall center has also played national basketball as a member of the Croatian U20 National Team that competed in the 2024 European Championship. According to Ohio State Athletics, he averaged 6.1 points and 6.6 rebounds over seven games. He finished the tournament against Bulgaria with 15 points, 16 rebounds, and three blocked shots.
He also played for his hometown team, Zadar, in the ABA League and the ABA Junior League for parts of the last three seasons.
Njegovan is an elite shot blocker and a talented offensive player who has raw potential that the coaching staff at Ohio State will have four years to work with
Expected Role
To be honest, his role on this team is unknown. It really comes down to 1) How well Aaron Bradshaw can stay out of foul trouble and stay on the court and 2) What the staff thinks of Austin Parks.
Bradshaw is an immense talent who was a top-five recruit coming out of high school and played one year for Kentucky. If the former Wildcat is able to stay on the floor and out of foul trouble, which was an issue at Kentucky, he will be on the court a lot and Parks or Njegovan will play a little off the bench to fill out the rotation.
If Bradshaw struggles with foul trouble and only plays 20 minutes a game or less, then they may need Njegovan and Parks to play to help fill out the rotation.
Otherwise, if the staff deems Njegovan is more ready than Parks, then he will be the backup. This is unlikely since he is coming in late as a freshman and Parks has been in the system for two years.
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