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2026 GA RB Jonaz Walton (Verbal Offer)
- By pnuts34
- Football Recruiting
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HudL
Class: 2026
Position: RB
School: Carrollton(GA) Central
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 205lbs
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Rivals
HudL
Class: 2026
Position: RB
School: Carrollton(GA) Central
Height: 5-foot-10
Weight: 205lbs
Login to view embedded media
LGHL 2025 running back recruiting sorting itself out, Buckeyes offer preferred walk-on spot to portal prospect
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2025 running back recruiting sorting itself out, Buckeyes offer preferred walk-on spot to portal prospect
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Michigan loses out on a top RB target to Kentucky.
It’s that time of the late spring season when Ohio State recruiting is gearing up for a busy June that will see tons of campus visits with many of the top targets the Buckeyes are after.
In addition to official and unofficial visits, there are also one-day position camps where prospects will compete to try and earn an Ohio State offer. June is going to be tough to keep track of, but it should also be an exciting start to the summer. Until then, it’s full-steam ahead with the plan of further evaluating talent and pitching why Columbus is the place to be for their already offered top targets.
The Buckeyes have to take at least two running backs in the 2025 cycle, with the potential for a third if the right situation presents itself. Plenty of elite options are strongly considering Ohio State, but the Buckeyes have had one name all along that has clearly been atop of their leaderboard in Jordon Davison.
The No. 96 player nationally and seventh-best running back in the class per the 247Sports Composite grades, Davison continues to be recruited heavily by Ohio State and will see that be the case even after he decides on the school of his choice. Multiple crystal ball predictions have the Buckeyes winning out in the end, but there’s work still to be done to fend off other suitors such as Oregon and Texas.
Knowing full well though that Davison is a top target, that leaves at least one other RB spot, and having two in-state 2025 talents in Ohio State’s backyard has left a little bit of a conundrum of who to go after the hardest. The names in question involved are Bo Jackson and Marquise Davis.
Yesterday though, the situation really cleared itself up when Davis announced his commitment to Kentucky. A decision that wasn’t unexpected at least in Ohio State’s mind, it’s been apparent since Carlos Locklyn took over as the new position coach in Columbus that he preferred Jackson as the in-state running back to try and land while former RB coach Tony Alford seemed to have wanted Davis. Either way, this sheds light on where Ohio State goes from here as Jackson and Davison are clearly the two backs at the top of the list for OSU.
Ironically, with Alford now at Michigan, it was the Wolverines who started to lead the way in terms of predictions for Davis, and though Tony was all over this recruitment dating back to his time in Columbus, Kentucky stealing him away is a major help to Ohio State, which certainly wouldn’t want a top player in-state to head north to their rivals.
Without trying to throw too much shade, Ohio State never exactly hurt at the running back position under Alford, but he did leave something to be desired both in recruiting and development. A shot at him came often when it correlated to his recruiting wins and now Buckeye fans all over are telling their friends up north, “told you so” after Michigan lost out on a target Alford had gone all-in on. Though it’s not an immediate win for the Buckeyes, Ohio State sees their rival lose out and that’s music to their ears.
Not a scholarship offer, but Ohio State was in the recruiting business yesterday with John Motton who still has two years of eligibility remaining after entering the transfer portal.
A Groveport, Ohio, Motton has played his first couple of years at Ohio University and yesterday saw the Buckeyes notice his intent to transfer by offering him a preferred walk-on spot. Again, not a scholarship, but it’s still something worth tracking as it wouldn’t be entirely out of the question to see him maybe earn a scholarship eventually since the current roster has a handful of spots open contributing to their 85 scholarships thanks to the few players who have also decided to transfer out.
A 5-foot-10, 200-pound cornerback, Motton is not currently ranked in the transfer portal grades, but was a two-star out of high school and should see continued interest in the near future.
Continue reading...
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Lori Schmidt / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Michigan loses out on a top RB target to Kentucky.
It’s that time of the late spring season when Ohio State recruiting is gearing up for a busy June that will see tons of campus visits with many of the top targets the Buckeyes are after.
In addition to official and unofficial visits, there are also one-day position camps where prospects will compete to try and earn an Ohio State offer. June is going to be tough to keep track of, but it should also be an exciting start to the summer. Until then, it’s full-steam ahead with the plan of further evaluating talent and pitching why Columbus is the place to be for their already offered top targets.
Running back position continues to sort itself out
The Buckeyes have to take at least two running backs in the 2025 cycle, with the potential for a third if the right situation presents itself. Plenty of elite options are strongly considering Ohio State, but the Buckeyes have had one name all along that has clearly been atop of their leaderboard in Jordon Davison.
The No. 96 player nationally and seventh-best running back in the class per the 247Sports Composite grades, Davison continues to be recruited heavily by Ohio State and will see that be the case even after he decides on the school of his choice. Multiple crystal ball predictions have the Buckeyes winning out in the end, but there’s work still to be done to fend off other suitors such as Oregon and Texas.
Knowing full well though that Davison is a top target, that leaves at least one other RB spot, and having two in-state 2025 talents in Ohio State’s backyard has left a little bit of a conundrum of who to go after the hardest. The names in question involved are Bo Jackson and Marquise Davis.
Yesterday though, the situation really cleared itself up when Davis announced his commitment to Kentucky. A decision that wasn’t unexpected at least in Ohio State’s mind, it’s been apparent since Carlos Locklyn took over as the new position coach in Columbus that he preferred Jackson as the in-state running back to try and land while former RB coach Tony Alford seemed to have wanted Davis. Either way, this sheds light on where Ohio State goes from here as Jackson and Davison are clearly the two backs at the top of the list for OSU.
Ironically, with Alford now at Michigan, it was the Wolverines who started to lead the way in terms of predictions for Davis, and though Tony was all over this recruitment dating back to his time in Columbus, Kentucky stealing him away is a major help to Ohio State, which certainly wouldn’t want a top player in-state to head north to their rivals.
Without trying to throw too much shade, Ohio State never exactly hurt at the running back position under Alford, but he did leave something to be desired both in recruiting and development. A shot at him came often when it correlated to his recruiting wins and now Buckeye fans all over are telling their friends up north, “told you so” after Michigan lost out on a target Alford had gone all-in on. Though it’s not an immediate win for the Buckeyes, Ohio State sees their rival lose out and that’s music to their ears.
Quick Hits:
Not a scholarship offer, but Ohio State was in the recruiting business yesterday with John Motton who still has two years of eligibility remaining after entering the transfer portal.
A Groveport, Ohio, Motton has played his first couple of years at Ohio University and yesterday saw the Buckeyes notice his intent to transfer by offering him a preferred walk-on spot. Again, not a scholarship, but it’s still something worth tracking as it wouldn’t be entirely out of the question to see him maybe earn a scholarship eventually since the current roster has a handful of spots open contributing to their 85 scholarships thanks to the few players who have also decided to transfer out.
A 5-foot-10, 200-pound cornerback, Motton is not currently ranked in the transfer portal grades, but was a two-star out of high school and should see continued interest in the near future.
Continue reading...
LGHL Michael Hall Jr. drafted by hometown team, has chance to excel as a pro in Cleveland
- News
- 0 Replies
Michael Hall Jr. drafted by hometown team, has chance to excel as a pro in Cleveland
Josh Dooley 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
As Cincinnati Bengals fan, my team taking a “Michigan Man” over Hall became a bitter pill to swallow during (NFL) draft weekend.
“With the 49th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Michael Hall Jr., defensive lineman from THE Ohio State University...” is what I wanted to hear when my favorite NFL team addressed their interior defensive line in the second round of this year’s draft. Instead, the Bengals chose Kris Jenkins Jr., formerly of Michigan. And while Jenkins Jr. is a fine, fine player – as well as an NFL legacy – I would be lying if I said that the selection of a “Michigan Man” over Hall (Jr. implied from here on out) did not sting quite a bit.
You see, Hall provides what Cincinnati is and has been missing: A quick, twitchy athlete (4.76 40-yard dash) along the interior of their defensive line, who also possesses an innate ability to get after the quarterback. Granted, Hall’s 2023 counting stats might not scream “ferocious pass rusher”, but there were plenty of flashes and examples of the former Buckeye at least creating pressure in opponents’ backfields. And college production is not necessarily the best indicator of NFL success, anyway. This is why the best NFL front offices also take into account potential and ceiling, both of which are very high for Hall.
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Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
So again, my Bengals ended up with Jenkins. And hopefully, he develops into a four-time Pro Bowler like his dad. He (Jr.) certainly boasts plenty of talent, and his NFL pedigree is something that, in theory, should give him some sort of inherent advantage over most other rookies/players. But I really believe that Hall will become a household name in Cleveland... If he is not already.
For those not familiar, Hall grew up in Streetsboro, a suburb of Cleveland, making his selection by the Browns a precursor to an eventual homecoming. He will now return to “The Land” as a football-playing prodigal son. He will play for his hometown team; a team that needs an interior pass rusher. Things could not have worked out any better, for the player or team!
But feel-good stories don’t mean squat out on the field. If Hall stinks, he will likely be referred to as a bust and hear boos from at least a portion of the Browns’ fanbase. However, I do not expect that (either) to be the case.
Because what Hall lacks in size (6-foot-2ish, 290 after a few cheat meals) he makes up for with strength and athleticism. He has violent hands and a nasty spin move, utilizing both and then all of the above in place of sheer mass. Had he weighed 305 or 310 at the NFL Combine, he likely would have been in the conversation with Byron Murphy as the top defensive tackle available. As it turns/turned out, Hall was drafted as DT4 but has the potential to match or exceed the production of all those DTs taken before him. How so? Allow me to explain...
For starters, Hall’s skillset is a perfect theoretical fit in Cleveland. With prototypical, space-eating 0-tech Dalvin Tomlinson swallowing up snaps at one DT spot, there is room for a complementary interior player next to him. Shelby Harris was supposed to be that guy for the Browns, however, he is about to turn 33 years old and was ineffective as a pass rusher last season. The team also signed Quinton Jefferson to help at DT, but he is coming off a double groin rupture (I just squirmed in my chair) and has spent the majority of his career at DE.
So not only does Hall complement Tomlinson and fill a need in Cleveland, but he will also (presumably) line up next to some guy named Myles Garrett from time to time... Not. Too. Shabby.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25428512/usa_today_21884637.jpg)
Tommy Gilligan-USA TODAY Sports
An(y) interior pass rusher who lines up next to Garrett is acquiring and doing so with the ultimate cheat code. The latter is on a shortlist of best defenders in the league and deals with consistent/frequent double teams from opponents, leaving his DT brethren to go 1-on-1 most of the time. This is an area where Hall excels. His size is an issue when taking on multiple 300-pounders, but when it’s 1v1, the former Buckeye can rely on his first step and overall quickness to blow past guys.
Now, I can’t and/or shouldn’t end this piece without acknowledging that Hall is far from a surefire Hall of Famer. He is undersized, produced just 45 total tackles and 6 sacks in Columbus, and was drafted outside the top 50 for a reason. Buuuut, I just can’t shake the feeling that Hall is going to torture not only my Bengals but most other teams throughout his NFL career. I believe that he is going to be more productive as a professional than he was in college, which is not unheard of by any means. Heck, it’s not unheard of for a Buckeye to do so. Compare the college and pro stats of Terry McLaurin, Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper, and others. Some players hit late or find their way into the right system(s) and then take off.
So against my will, I will be rooting for Hall as a Cleveland Brown. I think he has a chance to be special. But hopefully not against my team.
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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
As Cincinnati Bengals fan, my team taking a “Michigan Man” over Hall became a bitter pill to swallow during (NFL) draft weekend.
“With the 49th overall pick in the 2024 NFL Draft, the Cincinnati Bengals select Michael Hall Jr., defensive lineman from THE Ohio State University...” is what I wanted to hear when my favorite NFL team addressed their interior defensive line in the second round of this year’s draft. Instead, the Bengals chose Kris Jenkins Jr., formerly of Michigan. And while Jenkins Jr. is a fine, fine player – as well as an NFL legacy – I would be lying if I said that the selection of a “Michigan Man” over Hall (Jr. implied from here on out) did not sting quite a bit.
You see, Hall provides what Cincinnati is and has been missing: A quick, twitchy athlete (4.76 40-yard dash) along the interior of their defensive line, who also possesses an innate ability to get after the quarterback. Granted, Hall’s 2023 counting stats might not scream “ferocious pass rusher”, but there were plenty of flashes and examples of the former Buckeye at least creating pressure in opponents’ backfields. And college production is not necessarily the best indicator of NFL success, anyway. This is why the best NFL front offices also take into account potential and ceiling, both of which are very high for Hall.
So again, my Bengals ended up with Jenkins. And hopefully, he develops into a four-time Pro Bowler like his dad. He (Jr.) certainly boasts plenty of talent, and his NFL pedigree is something that, in theory, should give him some sort of inherent advantage over most other rookies/players. But I really believe that Hall will become a household name in Cleveland... If he is not already.
For those not familiar, Hall grew up in Streetsboro, a suburb of Cleveland, making his selection by the Browns a precursor to an eventual homecoming. He will now return to “The Land” as a football-playing prodigal son. He will play for his hometown team; a team that needs an interior pass rusher. Things could not have worked out any better, for the player or team!
But feel-good stories don’t mean squat out on the field. If Hall stinks, he will likely be referred to as a bust and hear boos from at least a portion of the Browns’ fanbase. However, I do not expect that (either) to be the case.
Because what Hall lacks in size (6-foot-2ish, 290 after a few cheat meals) he makes up for with strength and athleticism. He has violent hands and a nasty spin move, utilizing both and then all of the above in place of sheer mass. Had he weighed 305 or 310 at the NFL Combine, he likely would have been in the conversation with Byron Murphy as the top defensive tackle available. As it turns/turned out, Hall was drafted as DT4 but has the potential to match or exceed the production of all those DTs taken before him. How so? Allow me to explain...
For starters, Hall’s skillset is a perfect theoretical fit in Cleveland. With prototypical, space-eating 0-tech Dalvin Tomlinson swallowing up snaps at one DT spot, there is room for a complementary interior player next to him. Shelby Harris was supposed to be that guy for the Browns, however, he is about to turn 33 years old and was ineffective as a pass rusher last season. The team also signed Quinton Jefferson to help at DT, but he is coming off a double groin rupture (I just squirmed in my chair) and has spent the majority of his career at DE.
So not only does Hall complement Tomlinson and fill a need in Cleveland, but he will also (presumably) line up next to some guy named Myles Garrett from time to time... Not. Too. Shabby.
An(y) interior pass rusher who lines up next to Garrett is acquiring and doing so with the ultimate cheat code. The latter is on a shortlist of best defenders in the league and deals with consistent/frequent double teams from opponents, leaving his DT brethren to go 1-on-1 most of the time. This is an area where Hall excels. His size is an issue when taking on multiple 300-pounders, but when it’s 1v1, the former Buckeye can rely on his first step and overall quickness to blow past guys.
Now, I can’t and/or shouldn’t end this piece without acknowledging that Hall is far from a surefire Hall of Famer. He is undersized, produced just 45 total tackles and 6 sacks in Columbus, and was drafted outside the top 50 for a reason. Buuuut, I just can’t shake the feeling that Hall is going to torture not only my Bengals but most other teams throughout his NFL career. I believe that he is going to be more productive as a professional than he was in college, which is not unheard of by any means. Heck, it’s not unheard of for a Buckeye to do so. Compare the college and pro stats of Terry McLaurin, Baron Browning, Jonathon Cooper, and others. Some players hit late or find their way into the right system(s) and then take off.
So against my will, I will be rooting for Hall as a Cleveland Brown. I think he has a chance to be special. But hopefully not against my team.
Continue reading...
LGHL B1G Thoughts: Major Big Ten takeaways from the 2024 NFL Draft
- News
- 0 Replies
B1G Thoughts: Major Big Ten takeaways from the 2024 NFL Draft
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Big Ten showed out in the 2024 NFL Draft, here are my biggest takeaways.
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 this article will also include the newest members, Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington. Check out the “I-80 Football Show” for more in-depth analysis and to preview the next week of B1G games.
The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone with a heavy Big Ten influence. Using the conference alignment that became official in 2024 the Big Ten was second only to the SEC with 10 first-round draft picks. The Big Ten has seven of the top 12 picks with quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Michael Penix Jr., JJ McCarthy, and Bo Nix joined by wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze and Penn States offensive tackle Olu Fashanu. This draft had intrigue, shocking picks, and a fair amount of drama. As always the draft does two things, it highlights the top teams of the past season and it helps identify teams that may struggle in the next season due to lost talent. Here are my ten biggest takeaways from the 2024 NFL Draft.
Let’s be honest, Caleb Williams is a good player with great potential. He was 100% the best quarterback in this draft and worthy of the number one pick. Caleb will arguably be the most talented quarterback the Bears have ever had. I would make an argument for Justin Fields but Fields suffered through Chicago’s mistakes so they could prepare to set Caleb up for success. Despite Caleb’s talent, he is not a generational talent. Generational is a term that has been used too often and for too many people and we must remember who came before him.
Andrew Luck was the last generational quarterback at the time he was drafted. Caleb would not have been drafted higher than Andrew Luck and maybe not higher than RG3. I’m not sure he would’ve been drafted higher than Trevor Lawerence if they were in the same draft either. He may have been drafted above CJ Stroud because Bryce Young was but Bryce has better tape than Caleb and had a horrible first season. Caleb is a great kid, a good player and already deals with too much hate from adults who don’t like how he dresses or what he does with his nails. Let’s not also put the weight of being labeled generational on him and just allow him to grow as a person and a quarterback in the NFL.
The Falcons are the laughingstock of the draft right now after drafting Michael Penix Jr. with the number eight pick in the draft. There are several issues wrong with those decisions. Firstly, Michael Penix Jr. is not a first-round talent, secondly, they just signed Kirk Cousins to a new deal with almost $100 million guaranteed.
Finally, Michael Penix is already 24 and will be 26 or 27 before he starts for Atlanta unless something bad happens to Kirk, which would leave Atlanta in a financial hole. If they trusted Cousins enough to pay him over 100 million dollars coming off an injury they would have been better suited drafting a player who would help them win now. I’m a huge Penix fan but with the no. eight pick you have to expect him to be the future of your franchise and that is a huge leap of faith. Atlanta is trying to have its cake and eat it too but instead, it may have just knocked the cake on the floor and stepped in it.
Denver is in a very bad way right now. After trading for head coach Sean Payton and letting Russell Wilson walk, Denver is in a non-inviable position of employee a coach who wants to win now despite what is cost. Ask the Saints how that worked out after Payton’s desire to win put them in a hole and when it got too tough he walked away. Payton wants to win now and he used that desire to draft Bo Nix with the no. 12 pick in the draft. If the Falcons didn’t draft Penix four picks before this would be the worst pick in the draft. The desire to find a quarterback is a disease that NFL franchises must get rid of because drafting players like Bo Nix with the twelfth pick in the draft instead of trading down is how you get fired.
Michigan had 13 players drafted but only one in the first round. There’s been a lot of talk about Michigan’s draft and, indeed, some of their best players are still in Ann Arbor but I think people are missing the point. Michigan didn’t win a national championship because of its top-end talent, it won because it had a group of players in their fourth and fifth years who bought in and were tougher than their opponents.
This was not an Ohio State or Alabama team with a litany of five-star players. Michigan was a throwback build and that is reflected in the draft position of their players. Aside from JJ, the most talented players from the 2023 Michigan team, Mason Graham and Will Johnson are still on the roster but there are a lot of key pieces from their run that they must replace to be successful in 2024.
Ohio State is in the exact opposite place of their biggest rivals. They only had four players drafted because most of their top players decided to return for the 2024 season. After experiencing three straight losses to Michigan and watching them win a National Championship players like JT Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Denzel Burke, TreVeyeon Henderson, and Emeka Egbuka all came back to win a pair of gold pants and a national championship.
Ohio State will be heavily featured in the 2025 draft the only question is will they finally get a win over Michigan and can they bring Ohio State’s first national championship since 2014?
Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze were in heavy competition to be the best wide receiver in college football last season. That debate carried on to the NFL draft even though Marvin Harrison Jr. won the Biletnikoff Award for the best wide receiver in college football. Now that debate will be carried over to the NFL as both will fight for offensive rookie of the year.
Granted with multiple quarterbacks taken in the first round it’s going to be hard for either of them to win the award but I believe they’ll both put in a valiant effort. For my money, Marvin Harrison Jr. has the best shot because he is both the best wide receiver in the draft and will have the best quarterback throwing him the ball.
The best part about the draft being over is thinking about the next draft. Below you will find a group of players who are already being listed on 2025 draft big boards and way too early mock drafts. These are just the known names as every year someone comes out of nowhere and becomes a first-round draft pick.
Players not on this list that I think could end up here with a good year start with Carnell Tate a wide receiver entering his third season with the Buckeyes and with a stellar year could be a first-round pick.
While I don’t think he’s a first-round talent, you always have to include a quarterback and if Drew Allar bounces back from a tough 2024 NFL Draft will fall in love with his size and talent. Ohio State could also land a second corner in the first round if Davison Igbinosun or Jordan Hancock continue to develop this fall.
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
Kirby Lee-USA TODAY Sports
The Big Ten showed out in the 2024 NFL Draft, here are my biggest takeaways.
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 this article will also include the newest members, Oregon, UCLA, USC, and Washington. Check out the “I-80 Football Show” for more in-depth analysis and to preview the next week of B1G games.
The 2024 NFL Draft has come and gone with a heavy Big Ten influence. Using the conference alignment that became official in 2024 the Big Ten was second only to the SEC with 10 first-round draft picks. The Big Ten has seven of the top 12 picks with quarterbacks Caleb Williams, Michael Penix Jr., JJ McCarthy, and Bo Nix joined by wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze and Penn States offensive tackle Olu Fashanu. This draft had intrigue, shocking picks, and a fair amount of drama. As always the draft does two things, it highlights the top teams of the past season and it helps identify teams that may struggle in the next season due to lost talent. Here are my ten biggest takeaways from the 2024 NFL Draft.
Caleb Williams deserved to be no. one but he isn’t a generational prospect
Let’s be honest, Caleb Williams is a good player with great potential. He was 100% the best quarterback in this draft and worthy of the number one pick. Caleb will arguably be the most talented quarterback the Bears have ever had. I would make an argument for Justin Fields but Fields suffered through Chicago’s mistakes so they could prepare to set Caleb up for success. Despite Caleb’s talent, he is not a generational talent. Generational is a term that has been used too often and for too many people and we must remember who came before him.
Andrew Luck was the last generational quarterback at the time he was drafted. Caleb would not have been drafted higher than Andrew Luck and maybe not higher than RG3. I’m not sure he would’ve been drafted higher than Trevor Lawerence if they were in the same draft either. He may have been drafted above CJ Stroud because Bryce Young was but Bryce has better tape than Caleb and had a horrible first season. Caleb is a great kid, a good player and already deals with too much hate from adults who don’t like how he dresses or what he does with his nails. Let’s not also put the weight of being labeled generational on him and just allow him to grow as a person and a quarterback in the NFL.
The Falcons did what and for who?
The Falcons are the laughingstock of the draft right now after drafting Michael Penix Jr. with the number eight pick in the draft. There are several issues wrong with those decisions. Firstly, Michael Penix Jr. is not a first-round talent, secondly, they just signed Kirk Cousins to a new deal with almost $100 million guaranteed.
Finally, Michael Penix is already 24 and will be 26 or 27 before he starts for Atlanta unless something bad happens to Kirk, which would leave Atlanta in a financial hole. If they trusted Cousins enough to pay him over 100 million dollars coming off an injury they would have been better suited drafting a player who would help them win now. I’m a huge Penix fan but with the no. eight pick you have to expect him to be the future of your franchise and that is a huge leap of faith. Atlanta is trying to have its cake and eat it too but instead, it may have just knocked the cake on the floor and stepped in it.
No Nix… What are you doing?
Denver is in a very bad way right now. After trading for head coach Sean Payton and letting Russell Wilson walk, Denver is in a non-inviable position of employee a coach who wants to win now despite what is cost. Ask the Saints how that worked out after Payton’s desire to win put them in a hole and when it got too tough he walked away. Payton wants to win now and he used that desire to draft Bo Nix with the no. 12 pick in the draft. If the Falcons didn’t draft Penix four picks before this would be the worst pick in the draft. The desire to find a quarterback is a disease that NFL franchises must get rid of because drafting players like Bo Nix with the twelfth pick in the draft instead of trading down is how you get fired.
Michigan’s Draft is the epitome of their program
Michigan had 13 players drafted but only one in the first round. There’s been a lot of talk about Michigan’s draft and, indeed, some of their best players are still in Ann Arbor but I think people are missing the point. Michigan didn’t win a national championship because of its top-end talent, it won because it had a group of players in their fourth and fifth years who bought in and were tougher than their opponents.
This was not an Ohio State or Alabama team with a litany of five-star players. Michigan was a throwback build and that is reflected in the draft position of their players. Aside from JJ, the most talented players from the 2023 Michigan team, Mason Graham and Will Johnson are still on the roster but there are a lot of key pieces from their run that they must replace to be successful in 2024.
Ohio State’s lack of draft picks is huge for the 2024-25 Buckeyes
Ohio State is in the exact opposite place of their biggest rivals. They only had four players drafted because most of their top players decided to return for the 2024 season. After experiencing three straight losses to Michigan and watching them win a National Championship players like JT Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Denzel Burke, TreVeyeon Henderson, and Emeka Egbuka all came back to win a pair of gold pants and a national championship.
Ohio State will be heavily featured in the 2025 draft the only question is will they finally get a win over Michigan and can they bring Ohio State’s first national championship since 2014?
Marvin Harrison Jr. vs. Rome Odunze for Offensive Rookie of the Year
Marvin Harrison Jr. and Rome Odunze were in heavy competition to be the best wide receiver in college football last season. That debate carried on to the NFL draft even though Marvin Harrison Jr. won the Biletnikoff Award for the best wide receiver in college football. Now that debate will be carried over to the NFL as both will fight for offensive rookie of the year.
Granted with multiple quarterbacks taken in the first round it’s going to be hard for either of them to win the award but I believe they’ll both put in a valiant effort. For my money, Marvin Harrison Jr. has the best shot because he is both the best wide receiver in the draft and will have the best quarterback throwing him the ball.
A look ahead, who could be a first-round pick in 2025
The best part about the draft being over is thinking about the next draft. Below you will find a group of players who are already being listed on 2025 draft big boards and way too early mock drafts. These are just the known names as every year someone comes out of nowhere and becomes a first-round draft pick.
Players not on this list that I think could end up here with a good year start with Carnell Tate a wide receiver entering his third season with the Buckeyes and with a stellar year could be a first-round pick.
While I don’t think he’s a first-round talent, you always have to include a quarterback and if Drew Allar bounces back from a tough 2024 NFL Draft will fall in love with his size and talent. Ohio State could also land a second corner in the first round if Davison Igbinosun or Jordan Hancock continue to develop this fall.
- Mason Graham, DT - Michigan
- Will Johnson, CB - Michigan
- Abdul Carter, Edge - Penn State
- Denzel Burke, CB - Ohio State
- Colston Loveland, TE - Michigan
- Dani Dennis-Sutton, Edge - Penn State
- JT Tuimoloau, Edge - Ohio State
- Josh Conerly Jr., OT - Oregon
- Quinshon Judkins, RB - Ohio State
- Jack Sawyer, Edge - Ohio State
- Emeka Egbuka, WR - Ohio State
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LGHL After transfer, one less receiver on the roster may mean an extra in the 2025 class
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After transfer, one less receiver on the roster may mean an extra in the 2025 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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Buckeyes lose Kyion Grayes to the transfer portal
It had been a pretty quiet past couple of weeks for Ohio State in regard to the 2024 football roster. However, as the spring transfer portal window closed, the Buckeyes saw multiple players — such as Kyion Grayes, Nigel Glover, and Enokk Vimahi — add their names to the portal. And while any player loss is somewhat disappointing, OSU came out of the period with nearly every player expected to contribute still on the roster.
Ohio State’s late transfer losses likely won’t impact the current roster much; all talented players, it just didn’t work out for them in Columbus and that’s okay. Wishing each player greener pastures in their next stops, the curiosity now is focused on whether Ryan Day and company will add any new players to the roster and how the defections might impact recruiting efforts for the 2025 class.
Specifically looking at Grayes and the receiver room, Ohio State being down another player at the position may open up another spot in the 2025 class. Likely only losing Emeka Egbuka after the 2024 season, Brian Hartline has the Buckeyes in great shape as Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, Jeremiah Smith, and a host of others will all be back. Sure, the team might also lose guys to the portal after the upcoming season, but that further proves that in the 2025 cycle, Hartline may need to take one extra player.
At first glance, two or three is the number likely to be brought in as the 2025 Ohio State wide receiver haul. Guys such as Jaime Ffrench and Dakorien Moore are atop of the wish list, but others have made the cut as Hartline is strongly pursuing a handful of other guys... and he typically gets the guys he wants.
With just one receiver committed so far thanks to De’zie Jones, Ohio State really does need at least two more and possibly even three. With their recruiting success being so consistent the last several cycles, the Buckeyes have yet to take a true receiver in the transfer portal and it shows that this staff would much rather develop high school talent than just rely solely on the portal. Yes, additions are made when it’s needed at positions of weakness, but receiver has yet to be weak under Hartline’s tenure.
Fortunately for this cycle, once again it looks like Hartline is going to repeat his success. A major win while hosting Moore just last weekend, the Buckeyes were originally supposed to host him for the spring game, but plans changed... and maybe for the better. Being able to have him on campus in a calmer setting means that the coaches were able to increase their attention and focus on just him and he came away with very positive sentiments regarding Ohio State and all they have to offer, even if he is still currently committed to LSU.
In regard to Ffrench, the Buckeyes continue to lead the way in his recruitment and it does feel like this is one player Ohio State will eventually land.
Until Ohio State is able to secure the next one or two guys, it’s not out of the question either to see new names surface. There are several top receivers out there that would love nothing more than to earn Ohio State’s offer and with several already on the list, it’s back to the grind of recruiting and building relationships.
Simply put, with a room as talented as the current receiver crop, and with elite young talent potentially seeing the field sooner than some of the veterans, it’s likely that the Buckeyes look at taking one more prep prospect than originally planned.
Continue reading...
Caleb Houser 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
The Buckeyes lose Kyion Grayes to the transfer portal
It had been a pretty quiet past couple of weeks for Ohio State in regard to the 2024 football roster. However, as the spring transfer portal window closed, the Buckeyes saw multiple players — such as Kyion Grayes, Nigel Glover, and Enokk Vimahi — add their names to the portal. And while any player loss is somewhat disappointing, OSU came out of the period with nearly every player expected to contribute still on the roster.
Ohio State’s late transfer losses likely won’t impact the current roster much; all talented players, it just didn’t work out for them in Columbus and that’s okay. Wishing each player greener pastures in their next stops, the curiosity now is focused on whether Ryan Day and company will add any new players to the roster and how the defections might impact recruiting efforts for the 2025 class.
Losing Grayes could mean an additional receiver being taken in 2025
Specifically looking at Grayes and the receiver room, Ohio State being down another player at the position may open up another spot in the 2025 class. Likely only losing Emeka Egbuka after the 2024 season, Brian Hartline has the Buckeyes in great shape as Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, Jeremiah Smith, and a host of others will all be back. Sure, the team might also lose guys to the portal after the upcoming season, but that further proves that in the 2025 cycle, Hartline may need to take one extra player.
At first glance, two or three is the number likely to be brought in as the 2025 Ohio State wide receiver haul. Guys such as Jaime Ffrench and Dakorien Moore are atop of the wish list, but others have made the cut as Hartline is strongly pursuing a handful of other guys... and he typically gets the guys he wants.
With just one receiver committed so far thanks to De’zie Jones, Ohio State really does need at least two more and possibly even three. With their recruiting success being so consistent the last several cycles, the Buckeyes have yet to take a true receiver in the transfer portal and it shows that this staff would much rather develop high school talent than just rely solely on the portal. Yes, additions are made when it’s needed at positions of weakness, but receiver has yet to be weak under Hartline’s tenure.
Fortunately for this cycle, once again it looks like Hartline is going to repeat his success. A major win while hosting Moore just last weekend, the Buckeyes were originally supposed to host him for the spring game, but plans changed... and maybe for the better. Being able to have him on campus in a calmer setting means that the coaches were able to increase their attention and focus on just him and he came away with very positive sentiments regarding Ohio State and all they have to offer, even if he is still currently committed to LSU.
In regard to Ffrench, the Buckeyes continue to lead the way in his recruitment and it does feel like this is one player Ohio State will eventually land.
Until Ohio State is able to secure the next one or two guys, it’s not out of the question either to see new names surface. There are several top receivers out there that would love nothing more than to earn Ohio State’s offer and with several already on the list, it’s back to the grind of recruiting and building relationships.
Simply put, with a room as talented as the current receiver crop, and with elite young talent potentially seeing the field sooner than some of the veterans, it’s likely that the Buckeyes look at taking one more prep prospect than originally planned.
Continue reading...
