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LGHL Player to Watch: Caden Curry looking to turn flashes into consistency in 2023
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Player to Watch: Caden Curry looking to turn flashes into consistency in 2023
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images
Unfairly labeled a ‘tweener’ and overshadowed by certain peers in his recruiting class, Curry beat most to the punch and saw the field early in Columbus. With a year of solid experience now under his belt, he will look to establish his name as one of the household variety.
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 Indiana.
Coming out of Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Indiana, defensive lineman Caden Curry was the 13th highest ranked player in Ohio State’s 2022 recruiting class (4th in team rankings). And despite being the equivalent of the ‘bee’s knees’ in the Hoosier State and a top-150 player nationally, there were some who pegged him as the ‘other’ pass rusher in OSU’s class, because he was ranked well behind Omari Abor and Kenyatta Jackson.
The latter two were prospects out of Texas and Florida, respectively, which may have given them a slight, slight edge in terms of profile and/or visibility. But I am in no way stating or even suggesting that their rankings were artificially inflated... My actual suggestion is that Curry’s ranking may have been adversely affected by not playing in a traditional high school football hotbed.
Regardless of where he came from or how he got to Columbus, Curry officially joined the Buckeyes in January of 2022, arriving on campus as one of eleven early enrollees. He was one of six such enrollees on the defensive side of the ball, a group that did not include Abor or Jackson. And although early enrollment is certainly no requirement or predictor of immediate success, it may have given Curry a leg up over his peers. Because not only did Curry see the field early, but he also did so (relatively) often.
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Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
After making his Ohio State debut on special teams against Notre Dame (Week 1), Curry played 12 impactful snaps against Arkansas State in Week 2. In the blink of an eye, seeing his first ‘real’ action, he totaled four tackles, including one for loss. He then played a season-high 18 snaps against Toledo (Wk 3), before averaging approximately 10 defensive snaps per game against Wisconsin, Rutgers, Michigan State, and Iowa. That is real experience against real Big Ten teams, even if OSU did beat all of them by infinity.
Curry primarily saw action during the second half (‘garbage time’) of these early-season games, but he was at least part of the Buckeyes’ defensive line rotation. He also continued to earn playing time on special teams, which is rare for a defensive end and certainly not nothin’. However, his defensive reps dwindled away as the 2022 season progressed, to the point where he played a total of just five in Ohio State’s last six games. Whether it was Curry hitting the freshman wall or something else, his breakout against Arkansas State became a bit of a distant memory by season’s end.
Still, Curry gained valuable experience, flashed high-end potential at times, and played the third most snaps of any OSU freshman defender. His pass rushing peers, Abor and Jackson, played a combined 33, although the former battled injury and the latter was adding weight to his impressive but slim(mer) frame. Again, no knock on either, as I expect both to contribute and/or even flourish in Columbus very soon. Just pointing out that Curry outperformed expectations.
Now heading into the 2023 season, Jackson is being hyped up thanks to his impressive spring (rightfully so), and Abor is seemingly healthy. So there is a world in which Curry takes a back seat – again – to his class of ’22 peers. But I do not see that happening. Not with the latter’s experience, versatility, and incredibly high motor. Not to mention the fact that he was able to make a difference on special teams while also adding 15 or so pounds to his compact frame.
Simply put: Curry is a freaking athlete. And he showed against both Arkansas State and Iowa that he can play a very disruptive brand of football.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24835060/usa_today_19278466.jpg)
Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK
With Jack Sawyer moving to defensive end full-time, there may be fewer reps to go around at that position, but Curry should begin the season no lower than second on the Buckeyes’ depth chart, backing up either Sawyer or J.T. Tuimoloau. At 260 or so pounds, Curry could also be used in a pinch at defensive tackle, which is why some have referred to him as a tweener.
But I think Curry’s perceived ‘tweenerness’ could work to his advantage. The sophomore from Indiana could theoretically be moved around as a versatile chess piece, earning snaps at multiple positions. Since Curry does not profile as a Bosa-esque pass-rushing specialist or a space-eating interior monster a la Johnathan Hankins, he may ultimately develop into a very useful and dangerous jack of all trades. And forget about master of none, because Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles wants versatility. Actually, he needs it to maximize his defense’s potential.
Caden Curry is not yet a household name, but it may just be a matter of time. His early experience and versatility should lead to plenty of opportunities and/or playing time in 2023 and beyond. And Buckeye fans will surely be watching to see if he can build on an unexpectedly impactful freshman season.
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
Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images
Unfairly labeled a ‘tweener’ and overshadowed by certain peers in his recruiting class, Curry beat most to the punch and saw the field early in Columbus. With a year of solid experience now under his belt, he will look to establish his name as one of the household variety.
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 Indiana.
Coming out of Center Grove High School in Greenwood, Indiana, defensive lineman Caden Curry was the 13th highest ranked player in Ohio State’s 2022 recruiting class (4th in team rankings). And despite being the equivalent of the ‘bee’s knees’ in the Hoosier State and a top-150 player nationally, there were some who pegged him as the ‘other’ pass rusher in OSU’s class, because he was ranked well behind Omari Abor and Kenyatta Jackson.
The latter two were prospects out of Texas and Florida, respectively, which may have given them a slight, slight edge in terms of profile and/or visibility. But I am in no way stating or even suggesting that their rankings were artificially inflated... My actual suggestion is that Curry’s ranking may have been adversely affected by not playing in a traditional high school football hotbed.
Regardless of where he came from or how he got to Columbus, Curry officially joined the Buckeyes in January of 2022, arriving on campus as one of eleven early enrollees. He was one of six such enrollees on the defensive side of the ball, a group that did not include Abor or Jackson. And although early enrollment is certainly no requirement or predictor of immediate success, it may have given Curry a leg up over his peers. Because not only did Curry see the field early, but he also did so (relatively) often.
After making his Ohio State debut on special teams against Notre Dame (Week 1), Curry played 12 impactful snaps against Arkansas State in Week 2. In the blink of an eye, seeing his first ‘real’ action, he totaled four tackles, including one for loss. He then played a season-high 18 snaps against Toledo (Wk 3), before averaging approximately 10 defensive snaps per game against Wisconsin, Rutgers, Michigan State, and Iowa. That is real experience against real Big Ten teams, even if OSU did beat all of them by infinity.
Curry primarily saw action during the second half (‘garbage time’) of these early-season games, but he was at least part of the Buckeyes’ defensive line rotation. He also continued to earn playing time on special teams, which is rare for a defensive end and certainly not nothin’. However, his defensive reps dwindled away as the 2022 season progressed, to the point where he played a total of just five in Ohio State’s last six games. Whether it was Curry hitting the freshman wall or something else, his breakout against Arkansas State became a bit of a distant memory by season’s end.
Still, Curry gained valuable experience, flashed high-end potential at times, and played the third most snaps of any OSU freshman defender. His pass rushing peers, Abor and Jackson, played a combined 33, although the former battled injury and the latter was adding weight to his impressive but slim(mer) frame. Again, no knock on either, as I expect both to contribute and/or even flourish in Columbus very soon. Just pointing out that Curry outperformed expectations.
Now heading into the 2023 season, Jackson is being hyped up thanks to his impressive spring (rightfully so), and Abor is seemingly healthy. So there is a world in which Curry takes a back seat – again – to his class of ’22 peers. But I do not see that happening. Not with the latter’s experience, versatility, and incredibly high motor. Not to mention the fact that he was able to make a difference on special teams while also adding 15 or so pounds to his compact frame.
Simply put: Curry is a freaking athlete. And he showed against both Arkansas State and Iowa that he can play a very disruptive brand of football.
With Jack Sawyer moving to defensive end full-time, there may be fewer reps to go around at that position, but Curry should begin the season no lower than second on the Buckeyes’ depth chart, backing up either Sawyer or J.T. Tuimoloau. At 260 or so pounds, Curry could also be used in a pinch at defensive tackle, which is why some have referred to him as a tweener.
But I think Curry’s perceived ‘tweenerness’ could work to his advantage. The sophomore from Indiana could theoretically be moved around as a versatile chess piece, earning snaps at multiple positions. Since Curry does not profile as a Bosa-esque pass-rushing specialist or a space-eating interior monster a la Johnathan Hankins, he may ultimately develop into a very useful and dangerous jack of all trades. And forget about master of none, because Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles wants versatility. Actually, he needs it to maximize his defense’s potential.
Caden Curry is not yet a household name, but it may just be a matter of time. His early experience and versatility should lead to plenty of opportunities and/or playing time in 2023 and beyond. And Buckeye fans will surely be watching to see if he can build on an unexpectedly impactful freshman season.
Continue reading...
LGHL Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: The Big Ten expands... Again. Plus, a look at conference bottom feeders.
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Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: The Big Ten expands... Again. Plus, a look at conference bottom feeders.
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Josh and Chuck are back, this time to deliver a eulogy for the Big Ten as we know knew it.
The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast is here! Join LGHL’s Josh Dooley and Chuck Holmes as they discuss Ohio State football, recruiting, and much, much more! Come for the hot takes, stay for the warm ones.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
On this episode of Hangout in the Holy Land, Josh and Chuck pour one out for the ‘real’ Big Ten conference. With realignment and expansion happening at break-neck speed, the guys understand why it had to happen, but don’t love the fact that it did.
The hosts then discuss questions and concerns arising from this most recent Big Ten expansion. Such as: Did Ohio State’s path to a (any) future championship become more difficult? How is it all going to work? And is Puerto Rico the next expansion target?
And finally, a look at Big Ten bottom feeders. These (football) teams are predicted and projected to finish at the back of the pack in 2023, but could any of them surprise? Spoiler alert: The answer is no.
Please make sure to like, rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast! And as always, Go Bucks!
Connect with the pod
Twitter: @HolyLandPod
Connect with Josh Dooley
Twitter: @jdooleybuckeye
Connect with Chuck Holmes
Twitter: @ctholmes3
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
Photo by Jeffrey Brown/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Josh and Chuck are back, this time to deliver a eulogy for the Big Ten as we know knew it.
The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast is here! Join LGHL’s Josh Dooley and Chuck Holmes as they discuss Ohio State football, recruiting, and much, much more! Come for the hot takes, stay for the warm ones.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On this episode of Hangout in the Holy Land, Josh and Chuck pour one out for the ‘real’ Big Ten conference. With realignment and expansion happening at break-neck speed, the guys understand why it had to happen, but don’t love the fact that it did.
The hosts then discuss questions and concerns arising from this most recent Big Ten expansion. Such as: Did Ohio State’s path to a (any) future championship become more difficult? How is it all going to work? And is Puerto Rico the next expansion target?
And finally, a look at Big Ten bottom feeders. These (football) teams are predicted and projected to finish at the back of the pack in 2023, but could any of them surprise? Spoiler alert: The answer is no.
Please make sure to like, rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast! And as always, Go Bucks!
Connect with the pod
Twitter: @HolyLandPod
Connect with Josh Dooley
Twitter: @jdooleybuckeye
Connect with Chuck Holmes
Twitter: @ctholmes3
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State picks up crystal ball for third top-100 wide receiver in 2024 class
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Ohio State picks up crystal ball for third top-100 wide receiver in 2024 class
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
247Sports
Also, five-star EDGE rusher includes Buckeyes in finalists.
Ryan Day and his staff might be focusing on their current team’s fall camp right now, but that doesn’t mean that recruiting is not marching forward unabated. On Tuesday, the team picked up a crystal ball for a 2024 player they have been waiting on for quite a while and were named a finalist for a prospect who will undoubtedly be one of the most sought-after players in the 2025 cycle. Decision day us also nearing for one of the best 2024 basketball players in the state of Ohio. Check it all out below.
While most of the time, fans have to weather the ups and downs of outrageous fortune when following recruiting, when it comes to the wide receiver position for Ohio State, that is usually pretty smooth sailing; that has not always been the case with Jeremiah McClellan.
Even though the No. 108 player in the country according to 247Sports’ Composite Ratings (also the No. 18 receiver and fourth-best player from the Show Me State) has long been considered an Ohio State lean (two crystal balls were made for the Buckeyes in early April), there has seemingly been a bit of drama in recent weeks, which we discussed on our recruiting podcast last week.
McClellan is from Christian Brothers College in St. Louis, the same high school that produced current Buckeye cornerback Cameron Brown and former OSU WR Kamryn Babb, and rumors had begun circulating in recent weeks indicating that Oregon had been putting on the full-court press to land McClellan, who is the No. 91 player in 247’s individual rankings.
Ohio State’s WR coach and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline already has two receivers in his 2024 class — five-stars Jeremiah Smith and Mylan Graham — so the Ducks were reportedly telling McClellan that he was their top guy, unlike what he would be with the Buckeyes.
Then, on the heels of those rumors, word got out that his home-state Missouri Tigers were looking to make a major NIL push to keep the receiver home. However, both the efforts of Oregon and Mizzou are not having the desired effect as on Tuesday, 247Sports’ national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu submitted a crystal ball in favor of the Buckeyes, joining 247’s director of football recruiting Steve Wiltfong and the dean of Ohio State recruiting coverage Bill Kurelic.
While this certainly doesn’t guarantee that McClellan will become a Buckeye, it does make it more likely that Hartline will close his class landing his three top targets. McClellan is scheduled to make his announcement this coming Sunday, Aug. 13.
Unsurprisingly for someone this talked and at such an in-demand position, Mathis’ final dozen is littered with the best programs in the eastern half of the country, with one more extremely traditional Big Ten school joining the mix as well. In addition to Ohio State, making the cut is Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and USC.
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
247Sports
Also, five-star EDGE rusher includes Buckeyes in finalists.
Ryan Day and his staff might be focusing on their current team’s fall camp right now, but that doesn’t mean that recruiting is not marching forward unabated. On Tuesday, the team picked up a crystal ball for a 2024 player they have been waiting on for quite a while and were named a finalist for a prospect who will undoubtedly be one of the most sought-after players in the 2025 cycle. Decision day us also nearing for one of the best 2024 basketball players in the state of Ohio. Check it all out below.
Major Crystal Ball Logged for Ohio State in Top-100 Receiver’s Recruitment
While most of the time, fans have to weather the ups and downs of outrageous fortune when following recruiting, when it comes to the wide receiver position for Ohio State, that is usually pretty smooth sailing; that has not always been the case with Jeremiah McClellan.
Even though the No. 108 player in the country according to 247Sports’ Composite Ratings (also the No. 18 receiver and fourth-best player from the Show Me State) has long been considered an Ohio State lean (two crystal balls were made for the Buckeyes in early April), there has seemingly been a bit of drama in recent weeks, which we discussed on our recruiting podcast last week.
McClellan is from Christian Brothers College in St. Louis, the same high school that produced current Buckeye cornerback Cameron Brown and former OSU WR Kamryn Babb, and rumors had begun circulating in recent weeks indicating that Oregon had been putting on the full-court press to land McClellan, who is the No. 91 player in 247’s individual rankings.
Ohio State’s WR coach and offensive coordinator Brian Hartline already has two receivers in his 2024 class — five-stars Jeremiah Smith and Mylan Graham — so the Ducks were reportedly telling McClellan that he was their top guy, unlike what he would be with the Buckeyes.
Then, on the heels of those rumors, word got out that his home-state Missouri Tigers were looking to make a major NIL push to keep the receiver home. However, both the efforts of Oregon and Mizzou are not having the desired effect as on Tuesday, 247Sports’ national recruiting analyst Allen Trieu submitted a crystal ball in favor of the Buckeyes, joining 247’s director of football recruiting Steve Wiltfong and the dean of Ohio State recruiting coverage Bill Kurelic.
While this certainly doesn’t guarantee that McClellan will become a Buckeye, it does make it more likely that Hartline will close his class landing his three top targets. McClellan is scheduled to make his announcement this coming Sunday, Aug. 13.
Quick Hits:
- Even though the football Buckeyes are still working on players for their 2024 class, things are already moving quickly for the 2025 cycle as well. Yesterday, EDGE rusher Zahir Mathis included OSU in his top 12 schools. The Philadelphia native is currently rated as the No. 42 player nationally according to 247Sports’ Composite Ratings and is pegged as the No. 5 defensive end and top player from the Keystone State.
Unsurprisingly for someone this talked and at such an in-demand position, Mathis’ final dozen is littered with the best programs in the eastern half of the country, with one more extremely traditional Big Ten school joining the mix as well. In addition to Ohio State, making the cut is Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Penn State, Ohio State, South Carolina, Tennessee, Texas A&M, and USC.
- The Ohio State men’s basketball team is hoping to land its next commitment in the 2024 class as Ottawa, Ohio’s Colin White told 247Sports yesterday that he will make his decision “in the next week or two.” The 6-foot-6 small forward is the No. 152 player in the class and No. 5 player in Ohio according to the 247 Composite — he is No. 114 by 247’s individual rankings. In addition to the Buckeyes, White is down to Butler, Cincinnati, Northwestern, and TCU.
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LGHL Ohio State Football Countdown: 24
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Ohio State Football Countdown: 24
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
One play or big moment per day as we count down to the start of Ohio State’s 2023 football season.
As we count down to the start of the 2023 season, we will be looking back at one play or big moment in Ohio State history over the past decade or so that corresponds to the remaining days left until Buckeyes take the field against Indiana on Sept. 2. There are 24 days remaining.
We’ve already discussed how valuable Xavier Johnson was for Ohio State last season for a previous play during this countdown, but here we are again with the X-man making a huge play for the Buckeyes in yet another big game. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba going down early with an injury, OSU needed someone in that wide receiver room to step up. In a position group loaded with former five-stars, not many expected it to be the former walk-on, but it was Johnson’s 24-yard TD in the 3rd quarter that gave Ohio State a lead that it would not relinquish. I have high hopes for the walking Swiss Army Knife to do even more in 2023.
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
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
One play or big moment per day as we count down to the start of Ohio State’s 2023 football season.
As we count down to the start of the 2023 season, we will be looking back at one play or big moment in Ohio State history over the past decade or so that corresponds to the remaining days left until Buckeyes take the field against Indiana on Sept. 2. There are 24 days remaining.
Play of the Day: Xavier Johnson’s 24-yard TD vs. Notre Dame (2022)
We’ve already discussed how valuable Xavier Johnson was for Ohio State last season for a previous play during this countdown, but here we are again with the X-man making a huge play for the Buckeyes in yet another big game. With Jaxon Smith-Njigba going down early with an injury, OSU needed someone in that wide receiver room to step up. In a position group loaded with former five-stars, not many expected it to be the former walk-on, but it was Johnson’s 24-yard TD in the 3rd quarter that gave Ohio State a lead that it would not relinquish. I have high hopes for the walking Swiss Army Knife to do even more in 2023.
Players to Wear the #24 (since 2010):
- Rod Smith (2010)
- Drew Basil (2010-13)
- Guy Ferrelli (2014)
- Malik Hooker (2014-16)
- Rashod Berry (2015)
- Kierre Hawkins (2016)
- Shaun Wade (2017-20)
- Marcus Crowley (2019-21)
- Jantzen Dunn (2021-22)
- Nolan Baudo (present)
- Jermaine Mathews Jr. (present)
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