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LGHL Cody Simon a worthy recipient of Ohio State’s ‘Block O’ jersey
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Cody Simon a worthy recipient of Ohio State’s ‘Block O’ jersey
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The veteran linebacker has proven his leadership over the years, and will don the school’s Block O jersey in 2024.
Senior linebacker Cody Simon is the latest player to earn the right to wear Ohio State’s Block O jersey — a tradition inspired by and dedicated to the late college and pro football hall of famer Bill Willis, whose No. 99 is retired by the Buckeyes. Simon joins previous recipients Jonathon Cooper (2020), Thayer Munford (2021), Kamyrn Babb (2022), and Xavier Johnson (2023).
He’ll turn in his No. 30 and start wearing No. 0 on Saturdays.
The jersey is given annually to players exhibiting Willis’ character, toughness, and leadership. That’s what makes Simon a worthy recipient of the honor, and only the second non-Ohioan to earn the Block O jersey.
Now in his fifth season in Columbus, the Jersey City, NJ native has already received his degree at Ohio State and is now in graduate school. He earned his degree in finance in 2023 and was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, an OSU Scholar-Athlete and a member of the Academic All-Big Ten Conference team. It was his fourth time as an OSU Scholar-Athlete, and his third time receiving Academic All-Big Ten honors.
Simon has been a steady contributor throughout his Ohio State career, but he is expected to step up to a new level in 2024. Not only will he be the new starting Mike linebacker, replacing 2023 starter Tommy Eichenberg, but he was named one of four OSU team captains for 2024 on Saturday.
During the pandemic-marred 2020 season, Simon managed to get on the field for six games as a freshman linebacker and special teamer, including appearances in the two College Football Playoff games against Clemson and Alabama. Simon managed four tackles in limited action that year.
Making a big jump his sophomore year, Simon finished fourth on the Buckeyes in tackles (54), including eight in one game at Nebraska and seven each against three of the four ‘M’ schools: Minnesota, Maryland, and Michigan. Simon also had his first career interception against Akron, returning it 24 yards.
He finished the season with a sack, 2.5 tackles for loss, a pass breakup, and three quarterback hurries. Unfortunately, an injury prevented Simon from participating in Ohio State’s Rose Bowl victory over Utah and kept him out of 2022 spring practice.
Simon slipped to seventh on the team in tackles in 2022, finishing with 32. He recorded 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a quarterback hurry in his third season. His biggest performances in 2022 were a pair of six-tackle performances against Arkansas State and Iowa.
In 2023, Simon climbed back to fourth on the team in tackles (57). He did not record a sack, but tallied three tackles for loss and two pass breakups. His 57 tackles, 24 solos and 33 assists were all career highs, and he had big games against Rutgers and Purdue, recording nine and eight tackles, respectively.
Now as a captain and the recipient of the Block O jersey, more will be expected of Simon in 2024. A promising career that seemed on a high trajectory his senior year when he started 10 games is back on track. With the support of his teammates and coaches — Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinitis recently called him the unquestioned leader of the group — Simon is poised for a statement season in his final year in Columbus.
Continue reading...
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The veteran linebacker has proven his leadership over the years, and will don the school’s Block O jersey in 2024.
Senior linebacker Cody Simon is the latest player to earn the right to wear Ohio State’s Block O jersey — a tradition inspired by and dedicated to the late college and pro football hall of famer Bill Willis, whose No. 99 is retired by the Buckeyes. Simon joins previous recipients Jonathon Cooper (2020), Thayer Munford (2021), Kamyrn Babb (2022), and Xavier Johnson (2023).
He’ll turn in his No. 30 and start wearing No. 0 on Saturdays.
The jersey is given annually to players exhibiting Willis’ character, toughness, and leadership. That’s what makes Simon a worthy recipient of the honor, and only the second non-Ohioan to earn the Block O jersey.
Now in his fifth season in Columbus, the Jersey City, NJ native has already received his degree at Ohio State and is now in graduate school. He earned his degree in finance in 2023 and was a Big Ten Distinguished Scholar, an OSU Scholar-Athlete and a member of the Academic All-Big Ten Conference team. It was his fourth time as an OSU Scholar-Athlete, and his third time receiving Academic All-Big Ten honors.
Simon has been a steady contributor throughout his Ohio State career, but he is expected to step up to a new level in 2024. Not only will he be the new starting Mike linebacker, replacing 2023 starter Tommy Eichenberg, but he was named one of four OSU team captains for 2024 on Saturday.
During the pandemic-marred 2020 season, Simon managed to get on the field for six games as a freshman linebacker and special teamer, including appearances in the two College Football Playoff games against Clemson and Alabama. Simon managed four tackles in limited action that year.
Making a big jump his sophomore year, Simon finished fourth on the Buckeyes in tackles (54), including eight in one game at Nebraska and seven each against three of the four ‘M’ schools: Minnesota, Maryland, and Michigan. Simon also had his first career interception against Akron, returning it 24 yards.
He finished the season with a sack, 2.5 tackles for loss, a pass breakup, and three quarterback hurries. Unfortunately, an injury prevented Simon from participating in Ohio State’s Rose Bowl victory over Utah and kept him out of 2022 spring practice.
Simon slipped to seventh on the team in tackles in 2022, finishing with 32. He recorded 5.5 tackles for loss, two sacks, a forced fumble, and a quarterback hurry in his third season. His biggest performances in 2022 were a pair of six-tackle performances against Arkansas State and Iowa.
In 2023, Simon climbed back to fourth on the team in tackles (57). He did not record a sack, but tallied three tackles for loss and two pass breakups. His 57 tackles, 24 solos and 33 assists were all career highs, and he had big games against Rutgers and Purdue, recording nine and eight tackles, respectively.
Now as a captain and the recipient of the Block O jersey, more will be expected of Simon in 2024. A promising career that seemed on a high trajectory his senior year when he started 10 games is back on track. With the support of his teammates and coaches — Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinitis recently called him the unquestioned leader of the group — Simon is poised for a statement season in his final year in Columbus.
Continue reading...
LGHL Power Two Podcast: Can the Big Ten overtake the SEC in 2024?
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Power Two Podcast: Can the Big Ten overtake the SEC in 2024?
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 James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Will the Big Ten emerge as the new super conference now that Nick Saban has retired?
Welcome to a new episode of Land-Grant Podcast Network’s Power Two Podcast. On this show, we talk about Big Ten and SEC football… and everyone else. This show is for the die-hard fans and the casual college football fans.
After every week of action, we will catch you up on all the major matchups of the previous weekend and look ahead at the games, 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 DaNaysia Jones. Lock in as we run a power sweep through the college football landscape.
There are just a few short days before Week 0 of the 2024 College Football Season. We conclude our season previews with the Big Ten Conference, which stands at the national spotlight's forefront. With storied programs, new faces and high expectations, this season promises to be one of the most competitive and intriguing in recent memory.
The Big Ten’s reputation as one of the premier conferences in college football is on the line. With the SEC’s dominance in recent years, the Big Ten’s top teams must prove they can compete at the highest level. In a post-Nick Saban world, anything can happen — especially for the top contenders.
Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State emerge as the conference’s heavyweights. Ohio State, led by head coach Ryan Day, boasts a roster loaded with NFL talent. Is this the season that they end the 10-year drought without a National Championship?
Will the newest edition, Oregon, stack up to their potential or will the competitiveness of this conference be too much? Should Penn State be satisfied with a playoff spot but potentially no advancement? DJ and Jordan answer these questions and more.
This season, more than ever, the Big Ten has the opportunity to send multiple teams to the College Football Playoff. With a 12-team CFP on the horizon, the stakes are high, and every game will matter.
If you like the show, please share it with friends and family and leave a five-star review. If you want to keep up with the show, you can subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network Feed where new episodes drop every Monday.
You can also find Jordan’s article ‘B1G Thoughts’ on Land-Grant Holy Land.
Follow the show on YouTube: @JordanW330
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @PowerTwoPodcast
Connect with us on Twitter: Jordan: @JordanW330 and DJ:@dj_danaysia
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 James Black/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Will the Big Ten emerge as the new super conference now that Nick Saban has retired?
Welcome to a new episode of Land-Grant Podcast Network’s Power Two Podcast. On this show, we talk about Big Ten and SEC football… and everyone else. This show is for the die-hard fans and the casual college football fans.
After every week of action, we will catch you up on all the major matchups of the previous weekend and look ahead at the games, 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 DaNaysia Jones. Lock in as we run a power sweep through the college football landscape.
There are just a few short days before Week 0 of the 2024 College Football Season. We conclude our season previews with the Big Ten Conference, which stands at the national spotlight's forefront. With storied programs, new faces and high expectations, this season promises to be one of the most competitive and intriguing in recent memory.
The Big Ten’s reputation as one of the premier conferences in college football is on the line. With the SEC’s dominance in recent years, the Big Ten’s top teams must prove they can compete at the highest level. In a post-Nick Saban world, anything can happen — especially for the top contenders.
Ohio State, Oregon, and Penn State emerge as the conference’s heavyweights. Ohio State, led by head coach Ryan Day, boasts a roster loaded with NFL talent. Is this the season that they end the 10-year drought without a National Championship?
Will the newest edition, Oregon, stack up to their potential or will the competitiveness of this conference be too much? Should Penn State be satisfied with a playoff spot but potentially no advancement? DJ and Jordan answer these questions and more.
This season, more than ever, the Big Ten has the opportunity to send multiple teams to the College Football Playoff. With a 12-team CFP on the horizon, the stakes are high, and every game will matter.
If you like the show, please share it with friends and family and leave a five-star review. If you want to keep up with the show, you can subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network Feed where new episodes drop every Monday.
You can also find Jordan’s article ‘B1G Thoughts’ on Land-Grant Holy Land.
Follow the show on YouTube: @JordanW330
Follow the podcast on Instagram: @PowerTwoPodcast
Connect with us on Twitter: Jordan: @JordanW330 and DJ:@dj_danaysia
Continue reading...
LGHL After missing on David Sanders Jr., Ohio State must alter its recruiting strategy in 2026 class
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After missing on David Sanders Jr., Ohio State must alter its recruiting strategy in 2026 class
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
2026 OT Maxwell Riley | Mick Walker, 247Sports
The Buckeyes cannot afford similar results in the next cycle.
As was the expected result after the past few weeks, five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. committed to Tennessee over the weekend. With Josh Petty committing to Georgia Tech earlier in the week, Ohio State’s top two remaining options along the offensive line are now both off the board. The Buckeyes are left with just a pair of commits at the position group in the 2025 class in Carter Lowe and Jake Cook in a cycle where they really needed to restock the cupboard.
While chasing those five-star national linemen like Sanders is always an uphill battle, Ohio State and Justin Frye have compounded the issue by having no real backup plan in the event that the North Carolina native committed elsewhere. Of the fewer than 30 total offensive linemen the Buckeyes have offered in this cycle — a net cast not nearly wide enough — just four players remain uncommitted, and only one of them has any real interest in Ohio State in three-star IOL Jayvon McFadden.
Now Frye finds himself on the hot seat — and for good reason. Ryan Day brought the former UCLA staffer in to replace an unwilling recruiter in Greg Studrawa, and has seen little to no increase in efforts from the new position coach. Ohio State offered far fewer players along the offensive line than the top tier programs they are competing against, and failed to even offer some of the talented prospects from within state borders like Wisconsin commit Nolan Davenport (No. 33 OT, No. 12 OH) or Kentucky commit Jermiel Atkins (No. 48 OT, No. 19 OH).
With Ohio State set to lose three if not four of its starting offensive lineman to graduation and/or the NFL Draft at the conclusion of this upcoming season, this leaves the Buckeyes in a pretty dire position. They will likely need to add multiple players through the transfer portal next offseason — something the program has also been hesitant to do despite lucking out on a late addition in Josh Simmons and taking a flyer on Seth McLaughlin.
That is a dangerous way to live, given that it is no guarantee the quality of player both that will be available and that Ohio State is willing to pursue. On top of that, offensive line is one of if not the hardest position to build via the transfer portal. If the Buckeyes want to actually get serious about improving a unit that has performed well below expectations over the past several seasons, the recruiting strategy — and effort — will need to improve in the 2026 class.
That will begin with locking down the guys who are right within your own backyard. Luckily, there are a handful of big time prospects along the offensive line in Ohio in the next cycle — three of the four of which already hold an Ohio State offer.
The top dog in the 2026 class at offensive tackle is Maxwell Riley. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound lineman ranks as the No. 6 OT and No. 37 player overall as the top prospect in Ohio per 247Sports’ rankings. With nearly 30 offers to his name from all the high-end programs, Riley is an absolute must-get for Ohio State. It will not be a slam dunk to get the Avon Lake native to Columbus, but the Buckeyes do currently hold the lone Crystal Ball prediction via Bill Kurelic — albeit, one that was cast in early 2023.
The other two in-state lineman with Ohio State offers thus far in the 2026 class are Sam Greer and Will Conroy. Greer, an Akron native, ranks as the No. 13 OT and No. 170 prospect nationally as the No. 6 player in Ohio per the 247Sports Composite. Conroy, who hails from Cleveland, is the No. 16 IOL and No. 13 player in the state per 247Sports. Greer was offered by the Buckeyes early on in April 2023, while Conroy earned his offer in January of this year.
With Greer, Ohio State can perhaps gain some ground through peer recruiting, as current 2025 commit Eli Lee as well as 2026 cornerback target Elbert Hill both attend the lineman’s high school, Archbishop Hoban — the same prep program that produced former OSU running back Chip Trayanum. As far as Conroy, the Buckeyes were left off the IOL’s top five schools list in July despite Conroy saying Ohio State was his “dream school” and having grown up rooting for the program, which is... concerning?
Another blue chip prospect within state lines who currently lacks an Ohio State offer is offensive tackle Adam Guthrie. Listed at 6-foot-7, 285 pounds, Guthrie ranks as the No. 16 OT and No. 215 player nationally as the No. 9 in-state prospect per the 247Sports Composite. The Miami Trace product holds over 30 offers to this point, but for whatever reason the Buckeyes have yet to enter the mix. That will obviously need to change — and soon.
Still, while the 2026 class presents a handful of talented options right within Ohio along the offensive line that seem prime for the taking, early indications once again show a concerning trend.
Ohio State has officially offered just 15 total players along the offensive line in the cycle to this point. Compare that to some of the other top schools in the Big Ten, like Michigan (32 offers), Oregon (37) and Penn State (55), as well as some of the top national programs like Alabama (33) and Georgia (40), and it once again paints a troubling picture for Frye’s efforts on the recruiting trail.
The pure number of offers you send out isn’t a direct reflection of the work being done behind the scenes, but it’s also a pretty bad look given the current circumstances of the position group and its failing recruiting strategy. If Frye is going to keep his job beyond this season, we are going to have to see some increased energy on top of some actual results at some point.
That work should start by locking down the top guys in Ohio, then taking aim at some of the top national prospects elsewhere. Ohio State cannot finish another cycle putting all of its eggs in one basket and coming up empty, especially at a position so crucial to winning at the highest level.
Continue reading...
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
2026 OT Maxwell Riley | Mick Walker, 247Sports
The Buckeyes cannot afford similar results in the next cycle.
As was the expected result after the past few weeks, five-star offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. committed to Tennessee over the weekend. With Josh Petty committing to Georgia Tech earlier in the week, Ohio State’s top two remaining options along the offensive line are now both off the board. The Buckeyes are left with just a pair of commits at the position group in the 2025 class in Carter Lowe and Jake Cook in a cycle where they really needed to restock the cupboard.
While chasing those five-star national linemen like Sanders is always an uphill battle, Ohio State and Justin Frye have compounded the issue by having no real backup plan in the event that the North Carolina native committed elsewhere. Of the fewer than 30 total offensive linemen the Buckeyes have offered in this cycle — a net cast not nearly wide enough — just four players remain uncommitted, and only one of them has any real interest in Ohio State in three-star IOL Jayvon McFadden.
Now Frye finds himself on the hot seat — and for good reason. Ryan Day brought the former UCLA staffer in to replace an unwilling recruiter in Greg Studrawa, and has seen little to no increase in efforts from the new position coach. Ohio State offered far fewer players along the offensive line than the top tier programs they are competing against, and failed to even offer some of the talented prospects from within state borders like Wisconsin commit Nolan Davenport (No. 33 OT, No. 12 OH) or Kentucky commit Jermiel Atkins (No. 48 OT, No. 19 OH).
With Ohio State set to lose three if not four of its starting offensive lineman to graduation and/or the NFL Draft at the conclusion of this upcoming season, this leaves the Buckeyes in a pretty dire position. They will likely need to add multiple players through the transfer portal next offseason — something the program has also been hesitant to do despite lucking out on a late addition in Josh Simmons and taking a flyer on Seth McLaughlin.
That is a dangerous way to live, given that it is no guarantee the quality of player both that will be available and that Ohio State is willing to pursue. On top of that, offensive line is one of if not the hardest position to build via the transfer portal. If the Buckeyes want to actually get serious about improving a unit that has performed well below expectations over the past several seasons, the recruiting strategy — and effort — will need to improve in the 2026 class.
That will begin with locking down the guys who are right within your own backyard. Luckily, there are a handful of big time prospects along the offensive line in Ohio in the next cycle — three of the four of which already hold an Ohio State offer.
The top dog in the 2026 class at offensive tackle is Maxwell Riley. The 6-foot-5, 280-pound lineman ranks as the No. 6 OT and No. 37 player overall as the top prospect in Ohio per 247Sports’ rankings. With nearly 30 offers to his name from all the high-end programs, Riley is an absolute must-get for Ohio State. It will not be a slam dunk to get the Avon Lake native to Columbus, but the Buckeyes do currently hold the lone Crystal Ball prediction via Bill Kurelic — albeit, one that was cast in early 2023.
The other two in-state lineman with Ohio State offers thus far in the 2026 class are Sam Greer and Will Conroy. Greer, an Akron native, ranks as the No. 13 OT and No. 170 prospect nationally as the No. 6 player in Ohio per the 247Sports Composite. Conroy, who hails from Cleveland, is the No. 16 IOL and No. 13 player in the state per 247Sports. Greer was offered by the Buckeyes early on in April 2023, while Conroy earned his offer in January of this year.
With Greer, Ohio State can perhaps gain some ground through peer recruiting, as current 2025 commit Eli Lee as well as 2026 cornerback target Elbert Hill both attend the lineman’s high school, Archbishop Hoban — the same prep program that produced former OSU running back Chip Trayanum. As far as Conroy, the Buckeyes were left off the IOL’s top five schools list in July despite Conroy saying Ohio State was his “dream school” and having grown up rooting for the program, which is... concerning?
Another blue chip prospect within state lines who currently lacks an Ohio State offer is offensive tackle Adam Guthrie. Listed at 6-foot-7, 285 pounds, Guthrie ranks as the No. 16 OT and No. 215 player nationally as the No. 9 in-state prospect per the 247Sports Composite. The Miami Trace product holds over 30 offers to this point, but for whatever reason the Buckeyes have yet to enter the mix. That will obviously need to change — and soon.
Still, while the 2026 class presents a handful of talented options right within Ohio along the offensive line that seem prime for the taking, early indications once again show a concerning trend.
Ohio State has officially offered just 15 total players along the offensive line in the cycle to this point. Compare that to some of the other top schools in the Big Ten, like Michigan (32 offers), Oregon (37) and Penn State (55), as well as some of the top national programs like Alabama (33) and Georgia (40), and it once again paints a troubling picture for Frye’s efforts on the recruiting trail.
The pure number of offers you send out isn’t a direct reflection of the work being done behind the scenes, but it’s also a pretty bad look given the current circumstances of the position group and its failing recruiting strategy. If Frye is going to keep his job beyond this season, we are going to have to see some increased energy on top of some actual results at some point.
That work should start by locking down the top guys in Ohio, then taking aim at some of the top national prospects elsewhere. Ohio State cannot finish another cycle putting all of its eggs in one basket and coming up empty, especially at a position so crucial to winning at the highest level.
Continue reading...
LGHL Seth McLaughlin is looking to have an immediate impact on Ohio State’s offensive line
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Seth McLaughlin is looking to have an immediate impact on Ohio State’s offensive line
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The center joins the Buckeyes after hitting the transfer portal following Alabama’s loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Akron.
The main beneficiary of Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s retirement in January was Ohio State. The Buckeyes were able to bring three Crimson Tide players to Columbus via the transfer portal. While safety Caleb Downs and quarterback Julian Sayin have received most of the attention, center Seth McLaughlin is going to step in immediately on the Ohio State offensive line this season.
Prior to committing to Alabama, McLaughlin grew up and played his high school football in Buford, Georgia. Not only did McLaughlin end up being a four-star recruit, he replaced former Harry Miller on the offensive line after Miller graduated and moved on to Ohio State to play for the Buckeyes from 2019 to 2021. McLaughlin was part of Alabama’s 2020 recruiting class, but he would only play a handful of snaps in his freshman year in Tuscaloosa.
McLaughlin was thrown into the fire late in the 2021 season when he made his first start for Alabama in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia in a game the Crimson Tide would end up winning to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. Following a strong performance against the Bulldogs, McLaughlin earned the start in the CFP semifinal win over Cincinnati, as well as in the loss in the rematch against Georgia in the title game.
Despite holding his own in three starts at center to close out the 2021 season, McLaughlin still sat behind Darrian Dalcourt on Alabama’s depth chart heading into the 2022 season. McLaughlin would eventually move back to the starting center position as Dalcourt was dealing with injuries. By the end of a season that saw the Crimson Tide lose games to Tennessee and LSU by a combined four points to keep them out of the playoff, McLaughlin had started eight games.
Unlike the 2022 season, there was no question about McLaughlin’s role last year on the offensive line, as Dalcourt moved to guard so McLaughlin could start at center. McLaughlin would go on to start 13 games for a Crimson Tide squad that would sneak into the College Football Playoff after beating Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, snapping the 29-game winning streak of the Bulldogs.
Unfortunately for McLaughlin and Alabama, not only did they lose to Michigan in overtime in the Rose Bowl, the center had a number of poor snaps, including one on the final play of the game.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25576958/1903205064.jpg "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: JAN 01 CFP Semifinal - Rose Bowl Game - Alabama vs Michigan")
Photo by Jordon Kelly/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Two days after the loss to Michigan, McLaughlin entered the transfer portal. Just three days after entering the portal, McLaughlin decided Ohio State was the right place for him.
The move makes a ton of sense for both sides. Not only did McLaughlin want to play for a prestigious program like Alabama that would be in the national title hunt, but Ohio State brought in an established center since there were questions at the position after Carson Hinzman didn’t play in the Cotton Bowl.
The addition of McLaughlin looked even smarter after Ohio State brought in Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator. O’Brien was part of Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama in 2021 and 2022, so he already had some familiarity working with McLaughlin. O’Brien’s time in Columbus lasted less than a month, as he took the head coaching position at Boston College, which opened up after O’Brien was hired by Ohio State.
Despite O’Brien moving on, Ohio State actually upgraded at offensive coordinator since they brought in UCLA head coach Chip Kelly, who is Ryan Day’s mentor.
Even having played in 35 games and starting 24 contests over the last three seasons, there are some Ohio State fans that might be leery of McLaughlin because of some of those poor snaps against Michigan. McLaughlin isn’t too worried about the issue and is feeling more comfortable in the Ohio State offense because there is a difference in cadence and signaling.
Jalen Milroe and Alabama chose to use a clap to signal they were ready for the snap, while Ohio State is planning to use a verbal cadence, which McLaughlin is more comfortable with.
There certainly are a number of incoming transfers on offense that will receive more attention than McLaughlin, but the center is going to be critical to Ohio State’s success this year. The Buckeyes need McLaughlin to put some of the inconsistent snap issues that were seen from him last year behind him, and hopefully a change in scenery helps.
McLaughlin has plenty of big game experience, so he should fit in just fine on a Buckeye team that has their eyes on a national title this year.
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The center joins the Buckeyes after hitting the transfer portal following Alabama’s loss to Michigan in the Rose Bowl.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Akron.
The main beneficiary of Alabama head coach Nick Saban’s retirement in January was Ohio State. The Buckeyes were able to bring three Crimson Tide players to Columbus via the transfer portal. While safety Caleb Downs and quarterback Julian Sayin have received most of the attention, center Seth McLaughlin is going to step in immediately on the Ohio State offensive line this season.
Prior to committing to Alabama, McLaughlin grew up and played his high school football in Buford, Georgia. Not only did McLaughlin end up being a four-star recruit, he replaced former Harry Miller on the offensive line after Miller graduated and moved on to Ohio State to play for the Buckeyes from 2019 to 2021. McLaughlin was part of Alabama’s 2020 recruiting class, but he would only play a handful of snaps in his freshman year in Tuscaloosa.
McLaughlin was thrown into the fire late in the 2021 season when he made his first start for Alabama in the SEC Championship Game against Georgia in a game the Crimson Tide would end up winning to secure a spot in the College Football Playoff. Following a strong performance against the Bulldogs, McLaughlin earned the start in the CFP semifinal win over Cincinnati, as well as in the loss in the rematch against Georgia in the title game.
Despite holding his own in three starts at center to close out the 2021 season, McLaughlin still sat behind Darrian Dalcourt on Alabama’s depth chart heading into the 2022 season. McLaughlin would eventually move back to the starting center position as Dalcourt was dealing with injuries. By the end of a season that saw the Crimson Tide lose games to Tennessee and LSU by a combined four points to keep them out of the playoff, McLaughlin had started eight games.
Unlike the 2022 season, there was no question about McLaughlin’s role last year on the offensive line, as Dalcourt moved to guard so McLaughlin could start at center. McLaughlin would go on to start 13 games for a Crimson Tide squad that would sneak into the College Football Playoff after beating Georgia in the SEC Championship Game, snapping the 29-game winning streak of the Bulldogs.
Unfortunately for McLaughlin and Alabama, not only did they lose to Michigan in overtime in the Rose Bowl, the center had a number of poor snaps, including one on the final play of the game.
Two days after the loss to Michigan, McLaughlin entered the transfer portal. Just three days after entering the portal, McLaughlin decided Ohio State was the right place for him.
The move makes a ton of sense for both sides. Not only did McLaughlin want to play for a prestigious program like Alabama that would be in the national title hunt, but Ohio State brought in an established center since there were questions at the position after Carson Hinzman didn’t play in the Cotton Bowl.
The addition of McLaughlin looked even smarter after Ohio State brought in Bill O’Brien as offensive coordinator. O’Brien was part of Nick Saban’s staff at Alabama in 2021 and 2022, so he already had some familiarity working with McLaughlin. O’Brien’s time in Columbus lasted less than a month, as he took the head coaching position at Boston College, which opened up after O’Brien was hired by Ohio State.
Despite O’Brien moving on, Ohio State actually upgraded at offensive coordinator since they brought in UCLA head coach Chip Kelly, who is Ryan Day’s mentor.
Even having played in 35 games and starting 24 contests over the last three seasons, there are some Ohio State fans that might be leery of McLaughlin because of some of those poor snaps against Michigan. McLaughlin isn’t too worried about the issue and is feeling more comfortable in the Ohio State offense because there is a difference in cadence and signaling.
Jalen Milroe and Alabama chose to use a clap to signal they were ready for the snap, while Ohio State is planning to use a verbal cadence, which McLaughlin is more comfortable with.
There certainly are a number of incoming transfers on offense that will receive more attention than McLaughlin, but the center is going to be critical to Ohio State’s success this year. The Buckeyes need McLaughlin to put some of the inconsistent snap issues that were seen from him last year behind him, and hopefully a change in scenery helps.
McLaughlin has plenty of big game experience, so he should fit in just fine on a Buckeye team that has their eyes on a national title this year.
Continue reading...
LGHL James Peoples’ value far supersedes his spot on the depth chart for Ohio State
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James Peoples’ value far supersedes his spot on the depth chart for Ohio State
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State freshman running back James Peoples | via @James_peoples17 on Twitter
The Buckeyes’ freshman gets to learn behind two veteran co-starters while providing important depth.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Akron.
Ohio State’s offense, which has previously been driven by a high-flying passing attack, could see more a shift towards a run-heavy system in 2024. While the receivers are still incredibly talented and quarterback play should be improved, the star(s) of the show will likely be the nation’s top running back duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins.
Henderson, a former five-star and the No. 1 RB in the 2021 recruiting class, has been a dynamic weapon for the Buckeyes when healthy, rushing for over 2,700 yards on 6.2 yards per carry with 32 touchdowns in addition to 569 yards and five scores in the receiving department across 31 career games. He returns for what will be his senior campaign, looking to build on the high points while avoiding the injury bug that has plagued each of his last two seasons.
Joining him in the backfield will be the Ole Miss transfer, Quinshon Judkins. A surprise addition to the Ohio State roster this offseason, Judkins had been an absolute bell-cow back for the Rebels in each of his first two collegiate seasons, rushing for over 2,700 yards and 31 TDs on a whopping 545 carries (over 270 per year). The Alabama native was named a freshman All-American in 2022 and First Team All-SEC in 2023 for his efforts, and will continue his playing career in Columbus in 2024 in a true thunder-and-lighting combo alongside Henderson.
While those two guys will obviously earn the bulk of the reps, they won’t be able to do it alone. However, the four running backs behind Henderson from last year’s Ohio State team are now all gone. Chip Trayanum, who spent the last two seasons with the Buckeyes after transferring from Arizona State, is now at Kentucky. Miyan Williams elected to go pro, and Dallan Hayden and Evan Pryor ended up at Colorado and Cincinnati, respectively.
Even with the addition of Judkins, that is a lot of depth to lose at one position in an offseason. As a result, the next man up behind the Buckeyes’ starting duo will be true freshman James Peoples.
Peoples comes to Ohio State as the No. 8 running back and the No. 115 player nationally in the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite. The San Antonio, Texas native missed some of his senior season with an injury, but still averaged over 10 yards per carry in each of his last two years at Veteran Memorial, amassing an impressive 1,904 yards and 28 touchdowns in his junior campaign in 2022 to earn San Antonio Express-Times Offensive Player of the Year honors.
As a result, Peoples racked up nearly 30 offers during the recruiting process from virtually all of the big names in the sport. The 5-foot-10 running back first received his Ohio State offer during a recruiting camp in the summer of 2022, and would eventually choose the Buckeyes a year later out of a group of six finalists that also included Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and TCU. While Peoples grew up in Texas, it likely helped Ohio State’s chances that his father is from Cleveland and his mother is from Youngstown.
Now, Peoples will be thrust immediately in an important role. He obviously isn’t going to be expected to tote the rock 25 times a game or anything like that, but he will be on the field when both of the top two guys could use a breather, and will likely be the main man in mop up duty once games are out of hand. Peoples has been third in line during drills behind Henderson and Judkins during camp, and recently shed his black stripe on Aug. 9, showing that the coaching staff believes in his abilities to play at this level.
“I feel very confident,” Peoples said to the media earlier this month, “Because of the intensity in practices we’ve been through with Coach Lock. I feel like if they call my number, I’ll definitely be ready. [...] I bring an edge to my game. I’m very competitive. I run hard every play. I’m a hard worker.”
Peoples has already shown a little of what he is capable of during Ohio State’s spring game, where he ran for 40 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries while also adding three receptions for 23 yards. The running back seems to clearly understand his role on the team, and will be ready to go when thrust into action — likely as soon as the Buckeyes’ first game on Aug. 31 against Akron.
“[A big role this season] definitely could come. But I just say keeping my head down, working every day and all that’s going to sort itself out,” Peoples said. “I just gotta focus on doing my job, coming to practice every day, putting my best foot forward and doing my assignment. I’m not too worried about kind of like where I’ll fall really right now, but just being the best player that I can be right now and seeing where it goes from there.”
In the era of the 12-team College Football Playoff, depth is going to be more crucial than ever. Ohio State has two of the nation’s best running backs on its roster, but Henderson has had more than his fair share of injury woes in the past, and Judkins would prefer to avoid another 250-plus carries this season to keep a little tread off the tires for the next level. As a result, Peoples will be far more than just a garbage time ball-carrier for the Buckeyes this season, and it sounds like he will be up to the task.
Continue reading...
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State freshman running back James Peoples | via @James_peoples17 on Twitter
The Buckeyes’ freshman gets to learn behind two veteran co-starters while providing important depth.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Akron.
Ohio State’s offense, which has previously been driven by a high-flying passing attack, could see more a shift towards a run-heavy system in 2024. While the receivers are still incredibly talented and quarterback play should be improved, the star(s) of the show will likely be the nation’s top running back duo of TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins.
Henderson, a former five-star and the No. 1 RB in the 2021 recruiting class, has been a dynamic weapon for the Buckeyes when healthy, rushing for over 2,700 yards on 6.2 yards per carry with 32 touchdowns in addition to 569 yards and five scores in the receiving department across 31 career games. He returns for what will be his senior campaign, looking to build on the high points while avoiding the injury bug that has plagued each of his last two seasons.
Joining him in the backfield will be the Ole Miss transfer, Quinshon Judkins. A surprise addition to the Ohio State roster this offseason, Judkins had been an absolute bell-cow back for the Rebels in each of his first two collegiate seasons, rushing for over 2,700 yards and 31 TDs on a whopping 545 carries (over 270 per year). The Alabama native was named a freshman All-American in 2022 and First Team All-SEC in 2023 for his efforts, and will continue his playing career in Columbus in 2024 in a true thunder-and-lighting combo alongside Henderson.
While those two guys will obviously earn the bulk of the reps, they won’t be able to do it alone. However, the four running backs behind Henderson from last year’s Ohio State team are now all gone. Chip Trayanum, who spent the last two seasons with the Buckeyes after transferring from Arizona State, is now at Kentucky. Miyan Williams elected to go pro, and Dallan Hayden and Evan Pryor ended up at Colorado and Cincinnati, respectively.
Even with the addition of Judkins, that is a lot of depth to lose at one position in an offseason. As a result, the next man up behind the Buckeyes’ starting duo will be true freshman James Peoples.
Peoples comes to Ohio State as the No. 8 running back and the No. 115 player nationally in the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite. The San Antonio, Texas native missed some of his senior season with an injury, but still averaged over 10 yards per carry in each of his last two years at Veteran Memorial, amassing an impressive 1,904 yards and 28 touchdowns in his junior campaign in 2022 to earn San Antonio Express-Times Offensive Player of the Year honors.
As a result, Peoples racked up nearly 30 offers during the recruiting process from virtually all of the big names in the sport. The 5-foot-10 running back first received his Ohio State offer during a recruiting camp in the summer of 2022, and would eventually choose the Buckeyes a year later out of a group of six finalists that also included Alabama, Oklahoma, Oregon, Texas and TCU. While Peoples grew up in Texas, it likely helped Ohio State’s chances that his father is from Cleveland and his mother is from Youngstown.
Now, Peoples will be thrust immediately in an important role. He obviously isn’t going to be expected to tote the rock 25 times a game or anything like that, but he will be on the field when both of the top two guys could use a breather, and will likely be the main man in mop up duty once games are out of hand. Peoples has been third in line during drills behind Henderson and Judkins during camp, and recently shed his black stripe on Aug. 9, showing that the coaching staff believes in his abilities to play at this level.
“I feel very confident,” Peoples said to the media earlier this month, “Because of the intensity in practices we’ve been through with Coach Lock. I feel like if they call my number, I’ll definitely be ready. [...] I bring an edge to my game. I’m very competitive. I run hard every play. I’m a hard worker.”
Peoples has already shown a little of what he is capable of during Ohio State’s spring game, where he ran for 40 yards and a touchdown on 10 carries while also adding three receptions for 23 yards. The running back seems to clearly understand his role on the team, and will be ready to go when thrust into action — likely as soon as the Buckeyes’ first game on Aug. 31 against Akron.
“[A big role this season] definitely could come. But I just say keeping my head down, working every day and all that’s going to sort itself out,” Peoples said. “I just gotta focus on doing my job, coming to practice every day, putting my best foot forward and doing my assignment. I’m not too worried about kind of like where I’ll fall really right now, but just being the best player that I can be right now and seeing where it goes from there.”
In the era of the 12-team College Football Playoff, depth is going to be more crucial than ever. Ohio State has two of the nation’s best running backs on its roster, but Henderson has had more than his fair share of injury woes in the past, and Judkins would prefer to avoid another 250-plus carries this season to keep a little tread off the tires for the next level. As a result, Peoples will be far more than just a garbage time ball-carrier for the Buckeyes this season, and it sounds like he will be up to the task.
Continue reading...
