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LGHL Five Storylines: No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball welcomes No. 21 Illinois
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Five Storylines: No. 12 Ohio State women’s basketball welcomes No. 21 Illinois
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Buckeyes have the Illini’s number in recent years, but how does a new look Ohio State match up, and will Cotie McMahon play?
It’s been a long non-conference slate for Ohio State women’s basketball without a power conference opponent. After seven games, the Buckeyes are a perfect 7-0, with minor scrapes to show for it from a trip to Belmont. Aside from that narrow victory, it’s been mostly smooth sailing for the Scarlet and Gray. That changes Sunday when the No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini come to town.
While the game only teases the Big Ten calendar, with non-conference games returning on the other side of the afternoon matchup, it gives a glimpse into who this Ohio State team will be once the competition increases.
Here are five things to watch this weekend.
The last four games of the season have been without star forward Cotie McMahon. Picking up a lower leg injury on her right leg in practice, McMahon’s been in a boot and supporting the Buckeyes from the sidelines.
On Wednesday, Ohio State showed a first glimpse of McMahon’s possible return.
While the visuals elicit excitement for Ohio State fans, it’s a sign of progress, not a sign of an imminent return.
“She’s in practice and still kind of day-to-day but she’s made significant progress so I think we’ll be in a good position with her,” said head coach Kevin McGuff.
Should McMahon continue to be out on Sunday, which won’t be released by the conference until Sunday afternoon, Ohio State will continue with guard Kennedy Cambridge playing in the third guard role, with Taylor Thierry playing forward.
Just because McMahon isn’t on the court, doesn’t mean the players on the Buckeyes don’t benefit from having the forward around. In McMahon’s junior season, she’s grown into a leader on the team and brings the same desire and passion off the bench.
“When we coming out the game, even on timeouts when she feels that we’re not living up to the standard or playing as hard as we can,” said forward Ajae Petty. “She’s always talking and being encouraging and different things like that.”
Ohio State would rather have the upperclassmen on the court, especially against an Illinois group that’s full of seniority of their own. The Fighting Illini regularly start five seniors, and three are in their fifth years.
An element of playing the teams on Ohio State’s schedule is running into the occasional lull.
After the tip, teams bring intensity and their game plan to the Buckeyes, and Ohio State matches it. In most games this year, they’ve exceeded it, creating large deficits in the first half that ultimately end in victories.
Coming out of the halftime locker room, opponents bring a renewed intensity and have run into Buckeye teams who are sitting on sometimes leads over 20 points, which turns into opponents battling back. Maybe not in terms of erasing deficits, but going on sustained runs that take Ohio State time to break through.
In six of seven games this season, opponents have their best scoring quarters in the third quarter.
Against Utah State on Friday, Ohio State allowed 18 first-half points, and then 17 in the third quarter. Against Old Dominion on Thanksgiving day, it was a staunch defensive performance allowing 14 first-half points with the Monarchs scoring 18 in the third.
This stretches back through the non-conference schedule, with four opponents either matching or outscoring their entire first-half productivity in the 10 minutes following halftime.
I think we’ve shown that we can be really good but I still don’t think we’re anywhere close to what we’re capable of being and I think a lot of it has to do with consistency,” said McGuff. “It’s just we have a lot of new people where what we do is new to them and so we look good at times but we don’t sustain it for as long as we have in years past with older more mature teams.”
Ohio State’s eventually knocked off the cobwebs and hit their stride to recover from any sort of letdown, but the game against the Belmont Bruins shows it takes longer with a group who’s only played together for a few months.
The Buckeyes couldn’t string together an effective offense and when that third-quarter slump hit, there was only a four-point lead that the Bruins turned into a nine-point fourth-quarter lead.
Guard Jaloni Cambridge and the Scarlet and Gray showed that high level of talent to erase it and come away with the victory, but they won’t have the same luxury against Big Ten teams.
Now, the history between Ohio State and Illinois shows that even mature teams can go down to this side. In the 22-23 season, the Buckeyes needed a 17-point comeback in the second half to come away with the victory. Can this new iteration afford to allow the same kind of deficit to build and expect to win?
The Buckeyes have mostly had their way with Illinois over the past four seasons, but regardless of the final score, forward Kendall Bostic has a great game.
Here are Bostic’s stat lines against Ohio State over the past three seasons:
Jan. 6, 2022: 11 points/16 rebounds
Feb. 14, 2022: 12 points/16 rebounds
Jan. 8, 2023: 27 points/15 rebounds
Jan. 25, 2024: 13 points/18 rebounds
To put it lightly — no one’s stopped Bostic on the Buckeyes.
Bostic averages more rebounds per game against Ohio State than any of the other 16 teams in the Big Ten but the Buckeyes might finally have the personnel to slow her down.
Combining graduate forward Ajae Petty and freshman Elsa Lemmilä has given Ohio State a presence inside that they haven’t seen since the days of Aaliyah Patty and Dorka Juhász. Petty and Lemmilä average 7.7 rebounds and 7.4 rebounds collectively, with no Ohio State player averaging more than seven in the past three seasons.
Offensively, Petty’s come into her own over the past week of Buckeye games, scoring a season-high in points against Old Dominion (24) with her first double-double in scarlet and gray. Petty followed it up with a 19-point, nine-rebound game against the Utah State Aggies.
For Lemmilä, the 6-foot-6 center is still working on consistently offensively but defensively uses her size to her advantage, sitting seventh in the Big Ten with 16 blocks, all coming from a bench role.
Between the two, the Buckeyes rarely lack size on the court but how will they respond in a big game situation like facing their first conference opponent of the season?
The stage shouldn’t be too big for Petty, who spent last year starting every game of a tough SEC slate of games.
“Knowing that I’ve played against other talented players and knowing what I can do. I think that’s the biggest thing, just knowing that I’m capable of playing against those top players,” said Petty. “The SEC is a tough conference, but the Big Ten’s a really tough conference as well.”
Last season, the biggest matchup in the post was against the LSU Tigers and their now-WNBA forward Angel Reese. Kentucky lost, but Petty had 10 first-half rebounds playing against Reese, and outrebounded the star 15-14.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25774927/usa_today_22684675.jpg "NCAA Womens Basketball: Kentucky at Louisiana State")
Matthew Hinton-Imagn Images
That was on a Wildcats team that struggled all season, and not an Ohio State side that has others that can get involved in defending the paint like Taylor Thierry and the older Cambridge sister.
While the size and strength of the Illini interior are formidable, the play on the perimeter makes Illinois a team to be reckoned with.
“Got great guard play they really really experienced on the perimeter,” said McGuff. “Makira Cook is incredible I really really love her game and in Genesis [Bryant] also really really talented, so I like their talent level I love their guard play. They play really hard, they’re well organized and so we’re certainly gonna have our hands full.”
The effectiveness of the Cook, Bryant, and Adalia McKenzie trio has varied against Ohio State in the last two seasons, but it’s a different group of guards going up against this experienced side.
In the past two seasons, the trio started 180 games for the Illini. Ohio State’s likely starting duo, if McMahon is out, has 67 NCAA starts, and 66 of them come from shooting guard Chance Gray.
McGuff has No. 1 point guard Jaloni Cambridge, Gray, and the older Cambridge. The younger Cambridge is 12th in the nation in defensive rating (62.6) and leads the Big Ten with 6.4 percent of her defensive possessions ending in a steal for the freshman.
Since starting four games ago, Kennedy Cambridge averages 7.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game, showing the NCAA the formidable defensive duo the Cambridge sisters bring to the game.
The idea that it would take time for the Buckeyes full-court press to adjust to the absence of Jacy Sheldon and Celeste Taylor may have been exaggerated when comparing the two sides.
Looking only at games against non-power conference schools, the perimeter defense of the 24-25 Buckeyes averages 25.7 turnovers forced, compared to 24.7 from last year’s group. Ohio State is fourth in the country in forcing turnovers, and first in the Big Ten.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25775001/2183536009.jpg "Cleveland State v Ohio State")
Photo by Kirk Irwin/Getty Images
How will that translate to the conference schedule? The trio in Illinois are slow to start their scoring clip this year, all shooting below their averages from last season, but that’s from a small sample size, including a tough shooting day against the Kentucky Wildcats.
Illinois combined to shoot 26.7 percent from the field, with Bryant especially struggling, going 0-of-8 from the floor and scoring one point. McKenzie picked up some of the scoring, leading the Illini with 18 points, but the defensive prowess shown by Ohio State early means the three need to be on their game.
Will their experience playing together, and years in the NCAA, give them what they need to rebound from that game against the Wildcats? All three are playing in their final seasons of eligibility, with none of them beating Ohio State. Barring a matchup in the postseason, Sunday is the last time for Illinois to stop a 12-game losing streak to the Scarlet and Gray, meaning an even more motivated side is expected.
The ultimate question entering Sunday surrounds the Buckeyes' ability to beat a ranked Big Ten team. Thierry’s been in this position of playing through mid-major after mid-major before facing a team that truly challenges Ohio State over the past three seasons.
“I think we’re pretty prepared. We’ve been coming in practice with a mindset to get better and improve our mistakes from previous games,” said Thierry. “So, I think we’re just excited to get started and get ready with this Big Ten play.”
It’s not only the players. It might sound crazy, but beating teams by 30 to 40 points loses its excitement after a while. Belmont gave some heart palpitations for Buckeye fans, but no other game this season will carry with it the heavy weight of expectations like Sunday’s matchup will.
Within the walls of the program, the expectations are always high, but from the outside looking in, it’s hard to know what will happen when the two teams meet up at the Schottenstein Center.
Illinois has the experience, played two power conference schools already this year, splitting with a win against the Florida State Seminoles and then the aforementioned fall to the Wildcats. Ohio State hasn’t been close to that level.
When the final buzzer sounds Sunday, will the storyline be that the Buckeyes are ready for conference play or that progress is further along than previously thought?
Either way, the games matter a little more starting this weekend.
Continue reading...
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Michael Allio/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The Buckeyes have the Illini’s number in recent years, but how does a new look Ohio State match up, and will Cotie McMahon play?
It’s been a long non-conference slate for Ohio State women’s basketball without a power conference opponent. After seven games, the Buckeyes are a perfect 7-0, with minor scrapes to show for it from a trip to Belmont. Aside from that narrow victory, it’s been mostly smooth sailing for the Scarlet and Gray. That changes Sunday when the No. 21 Illinois Fighting Illini come to town.
While the game only teases the Big Ten calendar, with non-conference games returning on the other side of the afternoon matchup, it gives a glimpse into who this Ohio State team will be once the competition increases.
Here are five things to watch this weekend.
Cotie McMahon: In or Out?
The last four games of the season have been without star forward Cotie McMahon. Picking up a lower leg injury on her right leg in practice, McMahon’s been in a boot and supporting the Buckeyes from the sidelines.
On Wednesday, Ohio State showed a first glimpse of McMahon’s possible return.
While the visuals elicit excitement for Ohio State fans, it’s a sign of progress, not a sign of an imminent return.
“She’s in practice and still kind of day-to-day but she’s made significant progress so I think we’ll be in a good position with her,” said head coach Kevin McGuff.
Should McMahon continue to be out on Sunday, which won’t be released by the conference until Sunday afternoon, Ohio State will continue with guard Kennedy Cambridge playing in the third guard role, with Taylor Thierry playing forward.
Just because McMahon isn’t on the court, doesn’t mean the players on the Buckeyes don’t benefit from having the forward around. In McMahon’s junior season, she’s grown into a leader on the team and brings the same desire and passion off the bench.
“When we coming out the game, even on timeouts when she feels that we’re not living up to the standard or playing as hard as we can,” said forward Ajae Petty. “She’s always talking and being encouraging and different things like that.”
Ohio State would rather have the upperclassmen on the court, especially against an Illinois group that’s full of seniority of their own. The Fighting Illini regularly start five seniors, and three are in their fifth years.
Consistency Needed
An element of playing the teams on Ohio State’s schedule is running into the occasional lull.
After the tip, teams bring intensity and their game plan to the Buckeyes, and Ohio State matches it. In most games this year, they’ve exceeded it, creating large deficits in the first half that ultimately end in victories.
Coming out of the halftime locker room, opponents bring a renewed intensity and have run into Buckeye teams who are sitting on sometimes leads over 20 points, which turns into opponents battling back. Maybe not in terms of erasing deficits, but going on sustained runs that take Ohio State time to break through.
In six of seven games this season, opponents have their best scoring quarters in the third quarter.
Against Utah State on Friday, Ohio State allowed 18 first-half points, and then 17 in the third quarter. Against Old Dominion on Thanksgiving day, it was a staunch defensive performance allowing 14 first-half points with the Monarchs scoring 18 in the third.
This stretches back through the non-conference schedule, with four opponents either matching or outscoring their entire first-half productivity in the 10 minutes following halftime.
I think we’ve shown that we can be really good but I still don’t think we’re anywhere close to what we’re capable of being and I think a lot of it has to do with consistency,” said McGuff. “It’s just we have a lot of new people where what we do is new to them and so we look good at times but we don’t sustain it for as long as we have in years past with older more mature teams.”
Ohio State’s eventually knocked off the cobwebs and hit their stride to recover from any sort of letdown, but the game against the Belmont Bruins shows it takes longer with a group who’s only played together for a few months.
The Buckeyes couldn’t string together an effective offense and when that third-quarter slump hit, there was only a four-point lead that the Bruins turned into a nine-point fourth-quarter lead.
Guard Jaloni Cambridge and the Scarlet and Gray showed that high level of talent to erase it and come away with the victory, but they won’t have the same luxury against Big Ten teams.
Now, the history between Ohio State and Illinois shows that even mature teams can go down to this side. In the 22-23 season, the Buckeyes needed a 17-point comeback in the second half to come away with the victory. Can this new iteration afford to allow the same kind of deficit to build and expect to win?
Containing Kendall Bostic
The Buckeyes have mostly had their way with Illinois over the past four seasons, but regardless of the final score, forward Kendall Bostic has a great game.
Here are Bostic’s stat lines against Ohio State over the past three seasons:
Jan. 6, 2022: 11 points/16 rebounds
Feb. 14, 2022: 12 points/16 rebounds
Jan. 8, 2023: 27 points/15 rebounds
Jan. 25, 2024: 13 points/18 rebounds
To put it lightly — no one’s stopped Bostic on the Buckeyes.
Bostic averages more rebounds per game against Ohio State than any of the other 16 teams in the Big Ten but the Buckeyes might finally have the personnel to slow her down.
Combining graduate forward Ajae Petty and freshman Elsa Lemmilä has given Ohio State a presence inside that they haven’t seen since the days of Aaliyah Patty and Dorka Juhász. Petty and Lemmilä average 7.7 rebounds and 7.4 rebounds collectively, with no Ohio State player averaging more than seven in the past three seasons.
Offensively, Petty’s come into her own over the past week of Buckeye games, scoring a season-high in points against Old Dominion (24) with her first double-double in scarlet and gray. Petty followed it up with a 19-point, nine-rebound game against the Utah State Aggies.
For Lemmilä, the 6-foot-6 center is still working on consistently offensively but defensively uses her size to her advantage, sitting seventh in the Big Ten with 16 blocks, all coming from a bench role.
Between the two, the Buckeyes rarely lack size on the court but how will they respond in a big game situation like facing their first conference opponent of the season?
The stage shouldn’t be too big for Petty, who spent last year starting every game of a tough SEC slate of games.
“Knowing that I’ve played against other talented players and knowing what I can do. I think that’s the biggest thing, just knowing that I’m capable of playing against those top players,” said Petty. “The SEC is a tough conference, but the Big Ten’s a really tough conference as well.”
Last season, the biggest matchup in the post was against the LSU Tigers and their now-WNBA forward Angel Reese. Kentucky lost, but Petty had 10 first-half rebounds playing against Reese, and outrebounded the star 15-14.
That was on a Wildcats team that struggled all season, and not an Ohio State side that has others that can get involved in defending the paint like Taylor Thierry and the older Cambridge sister.
Guard Battle
While the size and strength of the Illini interior are formidable, the play on the perimeter makes Illinois a team to be reckoned with.
“Got great guard play they really really experienced on the perimeter,” said McGuff. “Makira Cook is incredible I really really love her game and in Genesis [Bryant] also really really talented, so I like their talent level I love their guard play. They play really hard, they’re well organized and so we’re certainly gonna have our hands full.”
The effectiveness of the Cook, Bryant, and Adalia McKenzie trio has varied against Ohio State in the last two seasons, but it’s a different group of guards going up against this experienced side.
In the past two seasons, the trio started 180 games for the Illini. Ohio State’s likely starting duo, if McMahon is out, has 67 NCAA starts, and 66 of them come from shooting guard Chance Gray.
McGuff has No. 1 point guard Jaloni Cambridge, Gray, and the older Cambridge. The younger Cambridge is 12th in the nation in defensive rating (62.6) and leads the Big Ten with 6.4 percent of her defensive possessions ending in a steal for the freshman.
Since starting four games ago, Kennedy Cambridge averages 7.3 points, 4.3 rebounds, and 2.3 steals per game, showing the NCAA the formidable defensive duo the Cambridge sisters bring to the game.
The idea that it would take time for the Buckeyes full-court press to adjust to the absence of Jacy Sheldon and Celeste Taylor may have been exaggerated when comparing the two sides.
Looking only at games against non-power conference schools, the perimeter defense of the 24-25 Buckeyes averages 25.7 turnovers forced, compared to 24.7 from last year’s group. Ohio State is fourth in the country in forcing turnovers, and first in the Big Ten.
How will that translate to the conference schedule? The trio in Illinois are slow to start their scoring clip this year, all shooting below their averages from last season, but that’s from a small sample size, including a tough shooting day against the Kentucky Wildcats.
Illinois combined to shoot 26.7 percent from the field, with Bryant especially struggling, going 0-of-8 from the floor and scoring one point. McKenzie picked up some of the scoring, leading the Illini with 18 points, but the defensive prowess shown by Ohio State early means the three need to be on their game.
Will their experience playing together, and years in the NCAA, give them what they need to rebound from that game against the Wildcats? All three are playing in their final seasons of eligibility, with none of them beating Ohio State. Barring a matchup in the postseason, Sunday is the last time for Illinois to stop a 12-game losing streak to the Scarlet and Gray, meaning an even more motivated side is expected.
Big Ten Begins
The ultimate question entering Sunday surrounds the Buckeyes' ability to beat a ranked Big Ten team. Thierry’s been in this position of playing through mid-major after mid-major before facing a team that truly challenges Ohio State over the past three seasons.
“I think we’re pretty prepared. We’ve been coming in practice with a mindset to get better and improve our mistakes from previous games,” said Thierry. “So, I think we’re just excited to get started and get ready with this Big Ten play.”
It’s not only the players. It might sound crazy, but beating teams by 30 to 40 points loses its excitement after a while. Belmont gave some heart palpitations for Buckeye fans, but no other game this season will carry with it the heavy weight of expectations like Sunday’s matchup will.
Within the walls of the program, the expectations are always high, but from the outside looking in, it’s hard to know what will happen when the two teams meet up at the Schottenstein Center.
Illinois has the experience, played two power conference schools already this year, splitting with a win against the Florida State Seminoles and then the aforementioned fall to the Wildcats. Ohio State hasn’t been close to that level.
When the final buzzer sounds Sunday, will the storyline be that the Buckeyes are ready for conference play or that progress is further along than previously thought?
Either way, the games matter a little more starting this weekend.
Continue reading...
LGHL Bucketheads Podcast: Is it time to panic after last night’s beatdown in College Park?
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Bucketheads Podcast: Is it time to panic after last night’s beatdown in College Park?
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images
The Buckeyes lost to Pittsburgh in overtime and then got boat-raced by Maryland on the road, but how bad was it?
“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
We are back for episode 139 of the Bucketheads Podcast, and we are here to talk Ohio State men’s basketball fans off the ledge...maybe.
After losses to Pittsburgh and Maryland and falling to 5-3 on the season, is it time to push the panic button yet? And what went wrong in the Buckeyes 83-59 loss to Maryland in the DMV?
Also, how can the Buckeyes move forward without Aaron Bradshaw? The frontcourt seems to be a weakness moving forward, so how can Jake Diebler and the coaching staff help fix that as we move into the heart of the season?
Make sure to like, subscribe, comment, and leave a review on the show!
Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN
Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor
Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba
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
Photo by Greg Fiume/Getty Images
The Buckeyes lost to Pittsburgh in overtime and then got boat-raced by Maryland on the road, but how bad was it?
“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
We are back for episode 139 of the Bucketheads Podcast, and we are here to talk Ohio State men’s basketball fans off the ledge...maybe.
After losses to Pittsburgh and Maryland and falling to 5-3 on the season, is it time to push the panic button yet? And what went wrong in the Buckeyes 83-59 loss to Maryland in the DMV?
Also, how can the Buckeyes move forward without Aaron Bradshaw? The frontcourt seems to be a weakness moving forward, so how can Jake Diebler and the coaching staff help fix that as we move into the heart of the season?
Make sure to like, subscribe, comment, and leave a review on the show!
Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN
Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor
Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba
Continue reading...
LGHL Catching up with Ohio State Wrestling
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Catching up with Ohio State Wrestling
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The OSU grapplers have completed three duals thus far and witnessed the triumphant return of All-American Sammy Sasso.
Tom Ryan’s Ohio State wrestling squad kicked off dual action in mid-November, reeling off three consecutive (and dominant) wins of 30+ team points. The grappling Bucks also claimed seven individual titles at the season-opening Clarion Open and saw reigning 141-pound national champion Jesse Mendez defeat his stiffest competition and NCAA co-finalist at the NWCA All-Star Classic in State College, PA — Penn State’s backyard/home venue and the mecca of modern wrestling.
As impressive as OSU’s start to the season has been, it pales in comparison to the individual triumph(s) of both Tom Ryan and Sammy Sasso.
Ryan was involved in a serious automobile accident in April, which resulted in the Buckeyes’ coach being pulled from his car by the jaws of life. He then underwent 20+ hours of anesthesia and surgery to repair fractures in his femur and tibia, a shattered kneecap, and a torn rotator cuff. He also underwent a skin graft and received stitches for a head injury.
Ryan was hospitalized for nearly two weeks but has since recovered well enough to join his team and be available for early season action. He even signed a contract extension that runs through the 2027 season.
As for Sasso, well, his story is (also) nothing short of remarkable. Ohio State’s unquestioned leader, 4x All-American, and 2x Big Ten Champion was shot in the stomach during a carjacking attempt in August of 2023. He survived but was told – after multiple surgeries and 41 days in the hospital – that he may never walk again, let alone wrestle.
But there’s a reason (multiple, really) that Sasso is referred to by many as “The Savage”. He was determined and undeterred.
For more than a year, Sasso endured intense rehab while also spending as much time as possible with coaches and teammates, eventually reaching the point where he was mentally and physically ready to compete again. But Ryan and his staff don’t just hand out spots in the lineup. Even to an individual as accomplished, admired, and respected/revered as Sasso... “The Savage” was required to earn a spot, which he did. And I think it’s safe to assume that he wouldn’t have preferred the recent situation to play out any other way.
Now, not only is Sasso back in OSU’s lineup, but he is also wrestling at 165 pounds — two weight classes above the one at which he previously competed (149). He is 3-0, with one major decision and a boatload of respect and admiration from everyone familiar with his story.
Several other Buckeye grapplers have impressed during and throughout the first month of the season, including but not limited to Brendan McCrone (125 lbs., 8-0), Nic Bouzakis (133, 7-1 with 3 wins via pinfall), Dylan D’Emilio (149, 8-0 with 4 major decisions), and Luke Geog (197, 7-1 with 4 tech falls). 2023-24 All-Americans Mendez and Nick Feldman are also doing just fine – and performing as expected – with 13 combined wins, 11 of which have come via MD, TF, or pin.
Ohio State is currently ranked 5th in the NWCA Coaches Poll (team), with several individuals ranked inside the top-10 at/of their respective weight classes. Mendez leads the way as an NCAA favorite, but it’s really worth keeping an eye on the entire OSU lineup. Because Ryan and Co. once again have a squad that is loaded with talent and poised to compete for B1G and NCAA glory.
Next up for the Buckeyes is this weekend’s Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, an event in which Ohio State has consistently performed well. Ryan’s squad has won the event five times since 2011 and took third place last year.
The 2024 edition of the Keen Invitational will feature several of the NCAA’s best teams, providing a solid litmus test for OSU prior to Big Ten competition, which is slated to begin shortly after the first of the year. The Big Ten race is shaping up to be a dogfight again this season, with five teams currently ranked inside the top-10 (NCWA poll).
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Samantha Madar/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The OSU grapplers have completed three duals thus far and witnessed the triumphant return of All-American Sammy Sasso.
Tom Ryan’s Ohio State wrestling squad kicked off dual action in mid-November, reeling off three consecutive (and dominant) wins of 30+ team points. The grappling Bucks also claimed seven individual titles at the season-opening Clarion Open and saw reigning 141-pound national champion Jesse Mendez defeat his stiffest competition and NCAA co-finalist at the NWCA All-Star Classic in State College, PA — Penn State’s backyard/home venue and the mecca of modern wrestling.
the call stands … @PhenoMendez is still#GoBucks
@SJanickiPhoto pic.twitter.com/ytC6zId8YP
— Ohio State Wrestling (@wrestlingbucks) November 17, 2024
As impressive as OSU’s start to the season has been, it pales in comparison to the individual triumph(s) of both Tom Ryan and Sammy Sasso.
Ryan was involved in a serious automobile accident in April, which resulted in the Buckeyes’ coach being pulled from his car by the jaws of life. He then underwent 20+ hours of anesthesia and surgery to repair fractures in his femur and tibia, a shattered kneecap, and a torn rotator cuff. He also underwent a skin graft and received stitches for a head injury.
Ryan was hospitalized for nearly two weeks but has since recovered well enough to join his team and be available for early season action. He even signed a contract extension that runs through the 2027 season.
As for Sasso, well, his story is (also) nothing short of remarkable. Ohio State’s unquestioned leader, 4x All-American, and 2x Big Ten Champion was shot in the stomach during a carjacking attempt in August of 2023. He survived but was told – after multiple surgeries and 41 days in the hospital – that he may never walk again, let alone wrestle.
But there’s a reason (multiple, really) that Sasso is referred to by many as “The Savage”. He was determined and undeterred.
For more than a year, Sasso endured intense rehab while also spending as much time as possible with coaches and teammates, eventually reaching the point where he was mentally and physically ready to compete again. But Ryan and his staff don’t just hand out spots in the lineup. Even to an individual as accomplished, admired, and respected/revered as Sasso... “The Savage” was required to earn a spot, which he did. And I think it’s safe to assume that he wouldn’t have preferred the recent situation to play out any other way.
Now, not only is Sasso back in OSU’s lineup, but he is also wrestling at 165 pounds — two weight classes above the one at which he previously competed (149). He is 3-0, with one major decision and a boatload of respect and admiration from everyone familiar with his story.
Several other Buckeye grapplers have impressed during and throughout the first month of the season, including but not limited to Brendan McCrone (125 lbs., 8-0), Nic Bouzakis (133, 7-1 with 3 wins via pinfall), Dylan D’Emilio (149, 8-0 with 4 major decisions), and Luke Geog (197, 7-1 with 4 tech falls). 2023-24 All-Americans Mendez and Nick Feldman are also doing just fine – and performing as expected – with 13 combined wins, 11 of which have come via MD, TF, or pin.
Ohio State is currently ranked 5th in the NWCA Coaches Poll (team), with several individuals ranked inside the top-10 at/of their respective weight classes. Mendez leads the way as an NCAA favorite, but it’s really worth keeping an eye on the entire OSU lineup. Because Ryan and Co. once again have a squad that is loaded with talent and poised to compete for B1G and NCAA glory.
Next up for the Buckeyes is this weekend’s Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational, an event in which Ohio State has consistently performed well. Ryan’s squad has won the event five times since 2011 and took third place last year.
The 2024 edition of the Keen Invitational will feature several of the NCAA’s best teams, providing a solid litmus test for OSU prior to Big Ten competition, which is slated to begin shortly after the first of the year. The Big Ten race is shaping up to be a dogfight again this season, with five teams currently ranked inside the top-10 (NCWA poll).
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LGHL I-80 Football Show: Penn State and Oregon had how many sacks this season?
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I-80 Football Show: Penn State and Oregon had how many sacks this season?
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
After Ohio State’s shocking loss to Michigan, it is Penn State and Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Welcome to a new episode of Land-Grant Podcast Network’s I-80 Football Show. On this show, we travel down I-80 to talk all things Big Ten Football. This is the only Big Ten Podcast that’ll cover all 18 teams. After every week of action, we will catch you up on all the conference’s games and look ahead at the matchups, storylines, and players you should be paying attention to for the next week. My name is Jordan Williams, and I am joined by my co-host Dante Morgan.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
The Big Ten regular season has come to an end with Penn State and Oregon heading to Indianapolis to fight for the Big Ten title. Despite his best effort, Jordan gets drawn into a conversation about the Ohio State-Michigan game. Jordan has been well aware for a few years but it is so clear now that Ryan Day has a mental block when it comes to coaching against Michigan.
Ohio State had an advantage in all aspects of the game but Ryan Day can not handle the pressure and coached his worst game all season. After four straight losses to Michigan and four years without winning the Big Ten, it’s time to move on from Day but we have no faith that Ohio State’s leadership makes the right decision.
The coaching carousel is starting to heat up as non-playoff teams are starting to make moves. USC linebacker coach Matt Entz accepted the Fresno State head coaching job while Rutger’s defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak is now officially the head coach at UMass. Purdue has moved on from head coach Ryan Walters while Michigan moved on from offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell.
Nebraska lost defensive coordinator Tony White to Florida State for the same role but they secured Dana Holgerson as their offensive coordinator after a brief stint to end the season. With bowl games and the 12-team playoff, it will be another few months before all the moves are final but the lights are on and the carousel music is playing.
The Big Ten dropped their all-conference teams and the end-of-season award winners headlined by Dillion Gabriel and Abdul Carter as offensive and defensive players of the year. Ohio State’s superstar freshman Jeremiah Smith became the first player to win the Freshman of the Year and Wide Receiver of the Year awards.
As expected, Curt Cignetti swept the coach of the year awards after going 11-1 in his first season as Indiana’s head coach. The guys also discuss early signing day which says Oregon dethrone Ohio State for the top class in the conference. Oregon, Ohio State, and Michigan all have top-ten classes nationally led by five-star quarterbacks. The future of the conference is in good hands.
In their weekly pitstop, Dante proves himself right about the Lakers. It was too early to celebrate as the Lakers just lost to the Miami Heat by 40 points. Jordan loves that Paige Bueckers is the first college athlete to design a platers exclusive shoe with Nike.
If you like the show, please share it with friends and family and leave a five-star review. To keep up with the show, you can subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network Feed, where new episodes drop every Thursday. You can also find Jordan’s article, including B1G Thoughts, on the Land-Grant Holy Land website.
Follow the show on YouTube: @GetDefensiveSportsNetwork
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @I80FootballShow
Connect with us on Twitter: Jordan: @JordanW330 and Dante: @DanteM10216
Continue reading...
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Brian Murphy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
After Ohio State’s shocking loss to Michigan, it is Penn State and Oregon in the Big Ten Championship Game.
Welcome to a new episode of Land-Grant Podcast Network’s I-80 Football Show. On this show, we travel down I-80 to talk all things Big Ten Football. This is the only Big Ten Podcast that’ll cover all 18 teams. After every week of action, we will catch you up on all the conference’s games and look ahead at the matchups, storylines, and players you should be paying attention to for the next week. My name is Jordan Williams, and I am joined by my co-host Dante Morgan.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
The Big Ten regular season has come to an end with Penn State and Oregon heading to Indianapolis to fight for the Big Ten title. Despite his best effort, Jordan gets drawn into a conversation about the Ohio State-Michigan game. Jordan has been well aware for a few years but it is so clear now that Ryan Day has a mental block when it comes to coaching against Michigan.
Ohio State had an advantage in all aspects of the game but Ryan Day can not handle the pressure and coached his worst game all season. After four straight losses to Michigan and four years without winning the Big Ten, it’s time to move on from Day but we have no faith that Ohio State’s leadership makes the right decision.
The coaching carousel is starting to heat up as non-playoff teams are starting to make moves. USC linebacker coach Matt Entz accepted the Fresno State head coaching job while Rutger’s defensive coordinator Joe Harasymiak is now officially the head coach at UMass. Purdue has moved on from head coach Ryan Walters while Michigan moved on from offensive coordinator Kirk Campbell.
Nebraska lost defensive coordinator Tony White to Florida State for the same role but they secured Dana Holgerson as their offensive coordinator after a brief stint to end the season. With bowl games and the 12-team playoff, it will be another few months before all the moves are final but the lights are on and the carousel music is playing.
The Big Ten dropped their all-conference teams and the end-of-season award winners headlined by Dillion Gabriel and Abdul Carter as offensive and defensive players of the year. Ohio State’s superstar freshman Jeremiah Smith became the first player to win the Freshman of the Year and Wide Receiver of the Year awards.
As expected, Curt Cignetti swept the coach of the year awards after going 11-1 in his first season as Indiana’s head coach. The guys also discuss early signing day which says Oregon dethrone Ohio State for the top class in the conference. Oregon, Ohio State, and Michigan all have top-ten classes nationally led by five-star quarterbacks. The future of the conference is in good hands.
In their weekly pitstop, Dante proves himself right about the Lakers. It was too early to celebrate as the Lakers just lost to the Miami Heat by 40 points. Jordan loves that Paige Bueckers is the first college athlete to design a platers exclusive shoe with Nike.
If you like the show, please share it with friends and family and leave a five-star review. To keep up with the show, you can subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network Feed, where new episodes drop every Thursday. You can also find Jordan’s article, including B1G Thoughts, on the Land-Grant Holy Land website.
Follow the show on YouTube: @GetDefensiveSportsNetwork
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @I80FootballShow
Connect with us on Twitter: Jordan: @JordanW330 and Dante: @DanteM10216
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LGHL B1G Thoughts: The penultimate CFP rankings have the Big Ten in a good spot!
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B1G Thoughts: The penultimate CFP rankings have the Big Ten in a good spot!
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
The regular season has come to an end, and with only conference championship games left the Big Ten is looking at four playoff teams.
Every week after the Big Ten games, I will bring you some B1G thoughts on everything that happened! This will include analysis, stats, key players, moments, and more. With the Big Ten expanding from 14 teams to 18 teams in 2024 we will have a bunch of storylines to follow.
Ryan Day and Ohio State are all in for the 2024 season. Is Oregon a national championship contender or will they stumble in their first Big Ten season? How do the former members of the Big Ten West fair in the new divisionless format?
We will track all these storylines and more as the Big Ten hopes to win back-to-back national championships. Check out the I-80 Football Show for more in-depth analysis and to preview the next week of B1G games.
The Penultimate Playoff Ranking!
The regular season has come to an end, and with it we’ve received the penultimate rankings from the College Football Playoff committee.
With only the conference championship games left, it’s safe to assume that four Big Ten teams — Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State, and Indiana — will all make the 12-team playoff field.
After much debate, Indiana secured a spot due to the chaos of the last couple of weeks, and Ohio State, with two top-five wins, was never going to fall out of the top 12 even with a shocking loss to Michigan. While there may be some changes to the seeding in the official bracket that releases on Sunday, Dec. 8, let’s take a look at some of the potential matchups.
If Oregon, which is currently favored, beats Penn State in the Big Ten Championship game and Texas beats Georiga, Penn State will most likely end up with the No. 5 seed, leading to a matchup against Arizona State in a game they would probably be favored by at least 10 points. Until the playoff seeding is adjusted, the No. 5 seed is the best, as Penn State would have a clear path to the semi-finals if they were to defeat Boise State in the second round.
Many Penn State fans were unhappy with their season outlook after losing to Ohio State, but now they seem to be in the driver’s seat. If they win on Saturday they could end up with the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye, and if they lose they most likely end up with the most coveted seed in the bracket.
After much debate on social media, the College Football Playoff committee respects Ohio State’s resume over that of Tennessee, which I believe is the right decision. They are both 10-2 teams with disappointing losses, but Ohio State has two wins over eventual playoff teams and a one-point loss to Oregon, the current No. 1 seed and favorite to win the national championship.
If Texas beats Georgia causing the Bulldogs to end up with three losses, Ohio State could move up to the No. 7 seed and a potential rematch against Indiana, but as currently projected Ohio State would get to host Tennessee in the first round.
Ohio State was a complete no-show against Michigan offensively, but their defense has been the best in the country since the Nebraska game and should be able to stop Tennessee’s limited offense. A win over Tennesse would lead to a rematch against Oregon, a game that we expected to see in the Big Ten championship game. That Ohio State-Oregon rematch could be the eventual winner of the national championship, but I’m sure Ohio State is hoping to end up opposite of Oregon in the bracket. I would imagine the Buckeye would rather face Indiana and Texas over Tennessee and Oregon to reach the playoff semi-finals.
Indiana is in the playoff, but would probably appreciate a better draw than Georgia or Ohio State. The system is setting up for Indiana to go home after a first round loss on the road, but we shouldn’t count out the Hoosiers. If Indiana gets a chance to play the Georgia team that showed up against Georgia Tech they could easily win that game.
Indiana is in a win/win situation, they went 11-1 in the first season under Cignetti and made the 12-team playoff. They are officially playing with house money with a chance to play spoiler on the road. Who has it better than the Hoosiers right now?
I’m sure Oregon wants to win the Big Ten in their first season, but you have to wonder how upset they would be if they landed the No. 5 seed. Despite the first-round bye, Oregon is in line to play Ohio State, Tennesse, or Georiga in the second round and all of those teams would have a real chance to upset them in the playoffs. Oregon is a good team that won’t run from a challenge, but playing Penn State followed by an Ohio State rematch or a game against Tennessee or Georgia isn’t the ideal playoff run.
With one weekend left the Big Ten is in a great position entering the playoffs with a strong chance to repeat as national champions. When the Big Ten voted to expand to 18 teams, this is the scenario they hoped for! We’ll have the final bracket soon enough, but the conference should feel good about the penultimate rankings.
Follow The I-80 Football Show on YouTube: @GetDefensiveSportsNetwork.
Subscribe to the podcast: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
Connect with me on Twitter: @JordanW330
Follow I-80 Football Show on Instagram: @I80FootballShow
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JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Justin Casterline/Getty Images
The regular season has come to an end, and with only conference championship games left the Big Ten is looking at four playoff teams.
Every week after the Big Ten games, I will bring you some B1G thoughts on everything that happened! This will include analysis, stats, key players, moments, and more. With the Big Ten expanding from 14 teams to 18 teams in 2024 we will have a bunch of storylines to follow.
Ryan Day and Ohio State are all in for the 2024 season. Is Oregon a national championship contender or will they stumble in their first Big Ten season? How do the former members of the Big Ten West fair in the new divisionless format?
We will track all these storylines and more as the Big Ten hopes to win back-to-back national championships. Check out the I-80 Football Show for more in-depth analysis and to preview the next week of B1G games.
The Penultimate Playoff Ranking!
The regular season has come to an end, and with it we’ve received the penultimate rankings from the College Football Playoff committee.
With only the conference championship games left, it’s safe to assume that four Big Ten teams — Oregon, Penn State, Ohio State, and Indiana — will all make the 12-team playoff field.
After much debate, Indiana secured a spot due to the chaos of the last couple of weeks, and Ohio State, with two top-five wins, was never going to fall out of the top 12 even with a shocking loss to Michigan. While there may be some changes to the seeding in the official bracket that releases on Sunday, Dec. 8, let’s take a look at some of the potential matchups.
If Oregon, which is currently favored, beats Penn State in the Big Ten Championship game and Texas beats Georiga, Penn State will most likely end up with the No. 5 seed, leading to a matchup against Arizona State in a game they would probably be favored by at least 10 points. Until the playoff seeding is adjusted, the No. 5 seed is the best, as Penn State would have a clear path to the semi-finals if they were to defeat Boise State in the second round.
Many Penn State fans were unhappy with their season outlook after losing to Ohio State, but now they seem to be in the driver’s seat. If they win on Saturday they could end up with the No. 1 seed in the playoffs and a first-round bye, and if they lose they most likely end up with the most coveted seed in the bracket.
After much debate on social media, the College Football Playoff committee respects Ohio State’s resume over that of Tennessee, which I believe is the right decision. They are both 10-2 teams with disappointing losses, but Ohio State has two wins over eventual playoff teams and a one-point loss to Oregon, the current No. 1 seed and favorite to win the national championship.
If Texas beats Georgia causing the Bulldogs to end up with three losses, Ohio State could move up to the No. 7 seed and a potential rematch against Indiana, but as currently projected Ohio State would get to host Tennessee in the first round.
Ohio State was a complete no-show against Michigan offensively, but their defense has been the best in the country since the Nebraska game and should be able to stop Tennessee’s limited offense. A win over Tennesse would lead to a rematch against Oregon, a game that we expected to see in the Big Ten championship game. That Ohio State-Oregon rematch could be the eventual winner of the national championship, but I’m sure Ohio State is hoping to end up opposite of Oregon in the bracket. I would imagine the Buckeye would rather face Indiana and Texas over Tennessee and Oregon to reach the playoff semi-finals.
Indiana is in the playoff, but would probably appreciate a better draw than Georgia or Ohio State. The system is setting up for Indiana to go home after a first round loss on the road, but we shouldn’t count out the Hoosiers. If Indiana gets a chance to play the Georgia team that showed up against Georgia Tech they could easily win that game.
Indiana is in a win/win situation, they went 11-1 in the first season under Cignetti and made the 12-team playoff. They are officially playing with house money with a chance to play spoiler on the road. Who has it better than the Hoosiers right now?
I’m sure Oregon wants to win the Big Ten in their first season, but you have to wonder how upset they would be if they landed the No. 5 seed. Despite the first-round bye, Oregon is in line to play Ohio State, Tennesse, or Georiga in the second round and all of those teams would have a real chance to upset them in the playoffs. Oregon is a good team that won’t run from a challenge, but playing Penn State followed by an Ohio State rematch or a game against Tennessee or Georgia isn’t the ideal playoff run.
With one weekend left the Big Ten is in a great position entering the playoffs with a strong chance to repeat as national champions. When the Big Ten voted to expand to 18 teams, this is the scenario they hoped for! We’ll have the final bracket soon enough, but the conference should feel good about the penultimate rankings.
Follow The I-80 Football Show on YouTube: @GetDefensiveSportsNetwork.
Subscribe to the podcast: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
Connect with me on Twitter: @JordanW330
Follow I-80 Football Show on Instagram: @I80FootballShow
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LGHL Breaking down Wednesday’s early signing period for Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class
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Breaking down Wednesday’s early signing period for Ohio State’s 2025 recruiting class
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Buckeyes ink a top-five recruiting class for 2025.
Wednesday marked the beginning of the early signing period for the class of 2025. Always an eventful day for programs across the country, the current college football landscape has never before been this wild.
Whether it be late commitments, flips, rumored NIL deals, and various other headlines, Ohio State found themselves in the mix of some of that craziness, but fortunately still boast a top five national class. On the losing and winning side yesterday, the Buckeyes tried to weather the storm the best they could. Though you’d like as little drama as possible, the modern times may never allow for that to happen unless the NCAA finally decides to step in.
Either way, in the midst of some ups and downs, Ohio State has a class to be proud of with some elite talent. Here’s a breakdown on Wednesday’s happenings both from the positive and negative side of things.
There’s always some potential for the Buckeyes to see some late heroics when it comes to signing day even with an already impressive class. Maybe not the norm as Ohio State tends to have their top guys already locked up early in the process, 2025 gave the staff some things to be excited about.
Landing not one, but two additional players, the Buckeyes were able to pick up the commitment and letter of intent from Alabama native athlete, Anthony “Turbo” Rogers. A player the staff had long been after, Rogers was committed to the in-state Crimson Tide for over a year, but re-opened his recruitment in mid November, giving Ohio State a chance to not only get in the mix once again, but really take a front seat for his eventual pledge.
Releasing his plans to decide between the Ohio State and Georgia on signing day, Turbo gives the Buckeyes their third running back in the class, but more importantly is the all-purpose back this staff was really after. Listed as the No. 148 player nationally and ninth best running back in the class per the 247Sports Composite, seeing Ohio State win out over an SEC school is always a sweet accomplishment, and taking another player from the state of Alabama too only further allows this staff to remain a viable presence moving forward.
In addition to Rogers, Ohio State was also fortunate enough to land the addition of defensive end target Epi Sitanilei, who provides some major depth at a position of real need as the trenches certainly could use some replenishing before the 2025 campaign in Columbus.
A long-time UCLA commit since early summer, Sitanilei is the No. 348 player nationally, and the 27th best edge rusher in the class per the 247Sports Composite. More impressively, 247Sports has him listed as their tenth-best edge rusher and many top analysts believe Epi has one of the higher upsides compared to the rest of the defensive ends in this current cycle.
Likely more confirmation as to how fortunate Ohio State was to land this late commitment, Epi comes from one of the premier programs not only in California but in the nation, as St. John Bosco develops at an incredible rate and plays some of the best prep competition you can find, further proving Sitanilei has all of the tools to be a real player at the next level for the Buckeyes.
A major win for Larry Johnson and Ohio State, the transfer portal will need to be a player for the Buckeyes are they rebuild a roster sure to lose key pieces, but adding another edge rusher of Epi’s caliber is exactly how you want to see this staff faring when it comes down to crunch time on signing day.
Easily the most unfortunate happening on Wednesday, Ohio State did finally lose the commitment of five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord. No shortage of seeing his name in the news, Offord all season long was a player the Buckeyes were having to try their best to hold onto thanks to his continued recruitment that allowed for multiple schools to remain in the mix.
Taking several trips to Auburn this past fall, it’s not a shock to see him leave his Ohio State pledge, as that was long thought to be the eventual outcome based on his many visits. Ending up at Oregon is a blow considering how many recruiting battles the Buckeyes have had this year alone with the Ducks, who now remain as a conference foe.
Choosing the Ducks over both Ohio State and Auburn, the Oregon was in thick of things in the early fall months, but it really was Auburn who being that much closer to home was the real threat knowing their continued communication with him and the addition of their NIL efforts as well playing a major role. Still, Oregon swooping in late was the biggest blow to this Ohio State 2025 class, and while it hurts to lose a five-star in the final moments, having the nation’s top cornerback in the class thanks to Devin Sanchez certainly softens that blow.
The No. 11 player nationally and second ranked corner per the 247Sports Composite, Offord had been committed since February, but the Nike money spoke volumes late in the process. Ohio State will see Na’eem down the stretch sometime in the future, and hopefully that will be a battle they this time win.
The No. 71 player nationally and the fifth best edge rusher in the 247Sports Composite, Grady said and did all of the right things throughout his recruitment, but on Wednesday it was Auburn who felt like they had found some momentum (NIL money) to the point where a flip may not have been necessarily expected, but was a possibility.
Shutting down that threat, Zion sticking with his Ohio State commitment is massive for this program who cannot afford to lose defensive linemen and really needed him to stay in the class. A player who can get on the field early in his career in Columbus, his signature may have been one of the more important ones not only yesterday, but for years to come.
The top offensive tackle in the country, missing out on his commitment earlier this fall was hard to stomach, but all would be forgiven if they somehow can pull this off. Easier said than done for sure, this is one player you pay whatever it takes knowing the need this team has.
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Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Doral Chenoweth/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
The Buckeyes ink a top-five recruiting class for 2025.
Wednesday marked the beginning of the early signing period for the class of 2025. Always an eventful day for programs across the country, the current college football landscape has never before been this wild.
Whether it be late commitments, flips, rumored NIL deals, and various other headlines, Ohio State found themselves in the mix of some of that craziness, but fortunately still boast a top five national class. On the losing and winning side yesterday, the Buckeyes tried to weather the storm the best they could. Though you’d like as little drama as possible, the modern times may never allow for that to happen unless the NCAA finally decides to step in.
Either way, in the midst of some ups and downs, Ohio State has a class to be proud of with some elite talent. Here’s a breakdown on Wednesday’s happenings both from the positive and negative side of things.
Twice as nice - Ohio State adds two players to their haul
There’s always some potential for the Buckeyes to see some late heroics when it comes to signing day even with an already impressive class. Maybe not the norm as Ohio State tends to have their top guys already locked up early in the process, 2025 gave the staff some things to be excited about.
Landing not one, but two additional players, the Buckeyes were able to pick up the commitment and letter of intent from Alabama native athlete, Anthony “Turbo” Rogers. A player the staff had long been after, Rogers was committed to the in-state Crimson Tide for over a year, but re-opened his recruitment in mid November, giving Ohio State a chance to not only get in the mix once again, but really take a front seat for his eventual pledge.
Releasing his plans to decide between the Ohio State and Georgia on signing day, Turbo gives the Buckeyes their third running back in the class, but more importantly is the all-purpose back this staff was really after. Listed as the No. 148 player nationally and ninth best running back in the class per the 247Sports Composite, seeing Ohio State win out over an SEC school is always a sweet accomplishment, and taking another player from the state of Alabama too only further allows this staff to remain a viable presence moving forward.
In addition to Rogers, Ohio State was also fortunate enough to land the addition of defensive end target Epi Sitanilei, who provides some major depth at a position of real need as the trenches certainly could use some replenishing before the 2025 campaign in Columbus.
A long-time UCLA commit since early summer, Sitanilei is the No. 348 player nationally, and the 27th best edge rusher in the class per the 247Sports Composite. More impressively, 247Sports has him listed as their tenth-best edge rusher and many top analysts believe Epi has one of the higher upsides compared to the rest of the defensive ends in this current cycle.
Likely more confirmation as to how fortunate Ohio State was to land this late commitment, Epi comes from one of the premier programs not only in California but in the nation, as St. John Bosco develops at an incredible rate and plays some of the best prep competition you can find, further proving Sitanilei has all of the tools to be a real player at the next level for the Buckeyes.
A major win for Larry Johnson and Ohio State, the transfer portal will need to be a player for the Buckeyes are they rebuild a roster sure to lose key pieces, but adding another edge rusher of Epi’s caliber is exactly how you want to see this staff faring when it comes down to crunch time on signing day.
Not all goes as planned
Easily the most unfortunate happening on Wednesday, Ohio State did finally lose the commitment of five-star cornerback Na’eem Offord. No shortage of seeing his name in the news, Offord all season long was a player the Buckeyes were having to try their best to hold onto thanks to his continued recruitment that allowed for multiple schools to remain in the mix.
Taking several trips to Auburn this past fall, it’s not a shock to see him leave his Ohio State pledge, as that was long thought to be the eventual outcome based on his many visits. Ending up at Oregon is a blow considering how many recruiting battles the Buckeyes have had this year alone with the Ducks, who now remain as a conference foe.
Choosing the Ducks over both Ohio State and Auburn, the Oregon was in thick of things in the early fall months, but it really was Auburn who being that much closer to home was the real threat knowing their continued communication with him and the addition of their NIL efforts as well playing a major role. Still, Oregon swooping in late was the biggest blow to this Ohio State 2025 class, and while it hurts to lose a five-star in the final moments, having the nation’s top cornerback in the class thanks to Devin Sanchez certainly softens that blow.
The No. 11 player nationally and second ranked corner per the 247Sports Composite, Offord had been committed since February, but the Nike money spoke volumes late in the process. Ohio State will see Na’eem down the stretch sometime in the future, and hopefully that will be a battle they this time win.
Quick Hits
- The biggest win of the day in this opinion, Ohio State being able to hold on to Alabama native and defensive end commit Zion Grady cannot be overstated.
The No. 71 player nationally and the fifth best edge rusher in the 247Sports Composite, Grady said and did all of the right things throughout his recruitment, but on Wednesday it was Auburn who felt like they had found some momentum (NIL money) to the point where a flip may not have been necessarily expected, but was a possibility.
Shutting down that threat, Zion sticking with his Ohio State commitment is massive for this program who cannot afford to lose defensive linemen and really needed him to stay in the class. A player who can get on the field early in his career in Columbus, his signature may have been one of the more important ones not only yesterday, but for years to come.
@GradyZion #THE25 | #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/F9BSiWeYQk
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) December 4, 2024
- Most have heard by now, but in case you missed it, Tennessee commit David Sanders Jr. did not sign his NLI yesterday with the Vols. Regardless of reason, if there is one at all, this leaves a crack in the window for Ohio State, and they’ll be doing all they can to pry that open hoping they can pull off some late magic with the position that needs more help than any other on this current roster.
The top offensive tackle in the country, missing out on his commitment earlier this fall was hard to stomach, but all would be forgiven if they somehow can pull this off. Easier said than done for sure, this is one player you pay whatever it takes knowing the need this team has.
BREAKING: 5️ OT David Sanders Jr. is NOT expected to sign today, per our @TomLoy247.
Sanders has been committed to Tennessee since August.
247Sports National Signing Day 2024 Show https://t.co/71pux3IPss pic.twitter.com/Fq1S7iMs76
— 247Sports (@247Sports) December 4, 2024
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LGHL Uncut: Ryan Day talks 2025 recruiting class, says he intends to coach Ohio State next year
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Uncut: Ryan Day talks 2025 recruiting class, says he intends to coach Ohio State next year
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State Athletics
He also kinda sorta owns owns the Michigan loss.
Throughout the year, the Land-Grant Podcast Network will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
On today’s episode of “Land-Grant Uncut,” we are bringing you unedited audio from the Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 press conference with Ohio State football coach Ryan Day on the first day of the Early Signing Period. The first portion of the press conference is spent discussing the players who had already signed their scholarship offers. There were a handful of Buckeyes who had ceremonies after Day’s presser, so they weren’t discussed, despite the fact that they did end Wednesday as official Buckeyes.
Then, the media was afforded the opportunity to ask about anything they wanted... and they did. They asked Day about the obsessive need to run the ball against Michigan even when it clearly wasn’t working, whether or not he overthinks The Game, whether or not he intends to be Ohio State’s coach next season, what types of changes he has planned for the College Football Playoff, and much more.
Watch the full press conferences on Ohio State’s official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/buckeyes/live_videos
Contact Matt Tamanini
Online Profile: https://authory.com/MattTamanini
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
Ohio State Athletics
He also kinda sorta owns owns the Michigan loss.
Throughout the year, the Land-Grant Podcast Network will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
On today’s episode of “Land-Grant Uncut,” we are bringing you unedited audio from the Wednesday, Dec. 4, 2024 press conference with Ohio State football coach Ryan Day on the first day of the Early Signing Period. The first portion of the press conference is spent discussing the players who had already signed their scholarship offers. There were a handful of Buckeyes who had ceremonies after Day’s presser, so they weren’t discussed, despite the fact that they did end Wednesday as official Buckeyes.
Then, the media was afforded the opportunity to ask about anything they wanted... and they did. They asked Day about the obsessive need to run the ball against Michigan even when it clearly wasn’t working, whether or not he overthinks The Game, whether or not he intends to be Ohio State’s coach next season, what types of changes he has planned for the College Football Playoff, and much more.
Watch the full press conferences on Ohio State’s official Facebook page: https://www.facebook.com/buckeyes/live_videos
Contact Matt Tamanini
Online Profile: https://authory.com/MattTamanini
Music by: www.bensound.com
Continue reading...
