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LGHL Offensive line continues to be an area of priority in the portal; Jeremiah Smith gets snubbed

Offensive line continues to be an area of priority in the portal; Jeremiah Smith gets snubbed
Caleb Houser
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Syndication: Austin American-Statesman

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images

The Buckeyes continue to pursue top transfer portal offensive linemen.

Under a week until its next playoff game, Ohio State is locked in looking to make the first round performance continue on. A dominant win that is still being talked about, this edition of the Buckeyes has the look of a national title contender. If the staff and players can keep that momentum going, the ultimate goal for this team is not too far fetched.

Also knee deep in the transfer portal recruiting efforts, the Oregon game isn’t the only aspect of the program the staff is monitoring constantly, and specific position groups continue to be a focal point. Maybe not a super newsworthy Thursday, Ohio State has plenty going on.

Offensive line continues to be a portal focus for the Buckeyes


With two major offensive line additions to Ohio State’s 2025 roster via the transfer portal, the Buckeyes have to be pleased with the efforts they’ve spent thus far when it comes to identifying top available players and closing the deal. Having positions open and needing depth, Justin Frye couldn’t strike out this first portal window, and fortunately they haven’t.

Landing both Phillip Daniels and Ethan Onianwa, Ohio State likely has their right and left tackles for the 2025 campaign now in hand. Still, the Buckeyes are looking to keep up their efforts and success, as at least one more addition up front seems to be the goal for this coaching staff.

Likely targeting at a swing position player, the Buckeyes have seen the likes of Tegra Tshabola, Carson Hinzman, Austin Siereveld, and most recently the combination of Luke Montgomery and Joshua Padilla all seem to be options to start, but with how many games it takes to win it all these days, depth is paramount to a team’s success.

Looking at potential candidates, Ohio State has already been in contact with Michigan native and Northwestern transfer product Josh Thompson, and his awaited decision may still be up in the air. Per the On3 expert predictions, Thompson was pegged to the Buckeyes with a slight lead over Auburn. Earlier this week however, Tennessee came in and took the lead.

Thursday saw a lead change once again, and Ohio State appeared to back in favor. A 6-foot-4, 290 pound offensive tackle, Thompson would be another major win for the program who wants nothing more than to have too many good options for five spots. Whether he’s a tackle or potentially a guard, the efforts look to be ongoing. At this time, it still seems as though Auburn or LSU are more likely landing spots for the former Wildcat.

Elsewhere, Ohio State may want to check in with another fellow Big Ten offensive lineman, as Illinois started Zy Crisler listed his name in the transfer portal with a new destination in mind.

A 6-foot-6, 335 pound interior lineman, Crisler has spent the last three years as a starter for the Fighting Illini, and comes off of two honorable mention all-conference worthy seasons. Hailing from Mississippi, it’s in the cards for Crisler to look closer to home for his next school, but playing in the same conference already, Ohio State would make for an easy transition. You’d have to believe the staff will be keeping close tabs to this latest portal entry.

The No. 160 player nationally and the 13th best interior lineman per the 247Sports rankings, it won’t take long for several programs to try and get in the mix. It would be a surprise if Ohio State wasn’t one of them. Focusing on their upcoming quarterfinal game with Oregon, the recruiting efforts may not be the top priority, but if a player such as Crisler is in the portal, the attention has to be paid.

Odds are the Buckeyes will reach out in the near future if they really are looking to continue adding at least one more addition to their offensive line.


Illinois offensive lineman Zy Crisler has entered the transfer portal, @On3sports has learned.

A three-year starter. https://t.co/wMrfFrdlE6 pic.twitter.com/QbdSTN3eIP

— Pete Nakos (@PeteNakos_) December 26, 2024

Quick Hits

  • It wouldn’t be a stretch to say Ohio State freshman receiver Jeremiah Smith is the most talented player on the current roster. It also wouldn’t be a real stretch to say he’s the top receiver in the country, even only at just 19 years of age.

However, apparently it would be a stretch to name him the Shaun Alexander Freshman Football Player of the Year, as Smith was snubbed in favor of Texas defensive end, Colin Simmons. No slight on Simmons, this should only add fuel to the fire for Smith’s continued efforts the rest of this season. Fresh off a two-touchdown performance against Tennessee, Smith now totals 63 receptions for 1,037 yards, and 12 touchdowns on the year.

An incredible freshman debut, Jeremiah Smith is second to nobody. While this award debatably went to the wrong recipient, Smith has at least one more game to show why Ohio State has the best freshman in the country regardless of what anyone says.


Congratulations to Colin Simmons, EDGE, University of Texas! You are the 2024 Shaun Alexander Freshman Football Player of the Year.@ColinSimmons__ joins our awesome family of award-winning athletes.

2018: @Trevorlawrencee
2019: @KENNETHGAINWEL
2020: @will_anderson28pic.twitter.com/307m5E6Tu6

— Shaun Alexander (@shaunalexander) December 26, 2024

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LGHL Santa gifts Ohio State a huge offensive line addition as basketball teams pick up awards

Santa gifts Ohio State a huge offensive line addition as basketball teams pick up awards
Matt Tamanini
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


COLLEGE FOOTBALL: OCT 26 Rice at UConn


All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.

Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.

You’re welcome!


For your Earholes...


Subscribe to the Land-Grant Podcast Network for all of your Ohio State needs
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land


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On the Gridiron


Buckeyes sign former Rice offensive tackle Ethan Onianwa as transfer
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch

This dude’s gonna be fun to watch:


Three Key Questions as Buckeyes move on to rematch in Rose Bowl
Austin Ward, Dotting The Eyes

Buckeyes building confidence after CFP first-round win as Rose Bowl looms
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row


On the Hardwood


Thornton and Mobley Jr. Named Big Ten Players of the Week
Ohio State Athletics

Chance Gray Named to Big Ten Weekly Honor Roll
Ohio State Athletics

Family, consistency and joy: Ohio State’s Ron Stokes reflects them all
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch


And now for something completely different...


"I think the disappointment is for those that want to question whether those teams belong [in the CFP]... We see teams in the Super Bowl that lose by large margins..." - Troy Aikman

"I think what it does is it diminishes the job that the teams that won did." - Joe Buck ️ pic.twitter.com/GKRSk8IZ49

— Awful Announcing (@awfulannouncing) December 24, 2024

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