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LGHL 2023 Ohio State recruiting class: The summer arrivals

2023 Ohio State recruiting class: The summer arrivals
Chip.Minnich
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


usa_today_19536537.0.jpg

Lori Schmidt/The Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Several players arrived on campus this summer and are making positive impressions.

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.



Ohio State essentially concluded their 2023 recruiting class on Dec. 22, 2022, when safety Jayden Bonsu was added to the class that was announced to the media and fans (More on Bonsu below). I wrote the term “essentially”, as you will see this freshman group was recently augmented, and has shown signs of contributions for the upcoming 2023 season, as well as seasons to come.

Back in January, I wrote an article about how 11 of the 20 players had already enrolled at Ohio State to participate in spring football drills. This article is going to focus upon those remaining players who made the move to Columbus at the beginning of June, and where things stand with them on the depth chart as we get ever so closer to game week. We will also look into the circumstances of a player who did not sign with Ohio State, but has since been added to the roster for the 2023 season.

Below are a listing of these 10 players from when they gave Ohio State their respective verbal commitments, and try to gauge what impact they may have this upcoming season.


  1. Cedrick Hawkins - Safety

Hawkins gave his verbal commitment to Ohio State on Jan. 1, 2022. I find that somewhat noteworthy, as Hawkins was verbally committing to a staff that was about to undergo dramatic changes on the defensive side of the ball after the 2022 Rose Bowl with the departures of Kerry Coombs and Matt Barnes and the arrivals of Jim Knowles, Tim Walton, and Perry Eliano, and kept his commitment steady until signing day.

Hawkins is wearing No. 26, and could be making his first impressions on the special teams units this upcoming season.

2. Brandon Inniss - Wide Receiver

Inniss gave his verbal commitment to Ohio State on June 21, 2022, and was ranked as the top player in Ohio State’s 2023 recruiting class. Wearing a notable No. 11 jersey that other prominent Ohio State wide receivers have worn throughout their careers, such as Anthony Gonzalez, Austin Mack, and Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Inniss had his black stripe removed from his helmet on Aug. 21.

It is certainly questionable as to how much Inniss will play in 2023 with such a stacked wide receiver room, but it will not be surprising to see Inniss get playing time this season. Inniss ranks as one of my “Players To Watch” for 2023.

3. Calvin Simpson-Hunt - Cornerback

Simpson-Hunt was originally committed to Texas Tech, but switched his commitment to Ohio State on June 30, 2022. Simpson-Hunt was a stellar track performer, having been timed at 10.97 in the 100 meters and a 22.00 in the 200 meters. Like his classmater Cedrick Hawkins, Simpson-Hunt may wind up contributing on special teams initially, especially with that tremendous speed. Simpson-Hunt is wearing No. 15.

4. Jason Moore - Defensive Line

Signed out of powerhouse DeMatha Catholic, Moore gave his verbal commitment to Ohio State on July 10, 2022. Ohio State lists Moore at 6-foot-6 and 295 pounds, and he is wearing the No. 94 jersey this season, the same number popularized by other prominent Ohio State defensive linemen such as Mike Vrabel and Rodney Bailey. Moore could be a redshirt candidate this upcoming season.

5. Arvell Reese - Defensive End

Signed out of Cleveland Glenville, Reese gave his verbal commitment to Ohio State on Aug. 6, 2022. Traditionally, Glenville players who eventually signed with Ohio State have waited until later in the process to give their verbal commitments. Regardless of when it took place, Ohio State coaches were naturally ecstatic to get a player of Reese’s caliber on the roster.

Although recruited as a linebacker, Reese made the move to defensive end in fall camp, and had his black stripe removed on August 22. Reese will be wearing No. 20 this upcoming season.

6. Jayden Bonsu - Safety

Bonsu gave his verbal commitment to Ohio State on Aug. 14, 2022. Drama ensued on the first day of the early signing period when Bonsu had not sent in his letter of intent, which caused a great deal of angst that Bonsu was reconsidering his commitment. Fortunately for Ohio State, Bonsu signed with Ohio State, and he arrived on campus this summer for conditioning and fall camp after a stellar high school career at St. Peter’s Prep in New Jersey.

Bonsu is wearing No. 21 for the upcoming season, and could see his initial contributions on the special teams units, with a possible redshirt year.

7. Kayden McDonald - Defensive Line

McDonald gave his verbal commitment to Ohio State on Halloween, Oct. 31. It would be accurate to say that it was more of a treat than a trick to get a defensive lineman rated as one of the premier players out of the state of Georgia. Even though McDonald arrived on campus this summer, he demonstrated to his teammates and coaches that he is a player that can be counted upon in a game, as illustrated by being the first of the summer enrollees to have his black stripe removed on Aug. 19.

Wearing No. 56, it will bear watching to see what kind of playing time McDonald earns along the defensive line this coming season.

8. Lincoln Kienholz - Quarterback

Originally committed to Washington, Kienholz flipped his verbal commitment to Ohio State on Dec. 14, 2022. Hailing from T.F. Riggs in Pierre, South Dakota, Kienholz also competed on the basketball and baseball teams. While speculation swirls about the 2023 starting quarterback, Ohio State head coach Ryan Day was effusive in his praise for Kienholz as a scout team quarterback in 2023. Kienholz will wear No. 12 and will likely redshirt in 2023.

“I think he can really help us, especially with some of the quarterbacks we see who are more athletic...It’s one thing to have a drill with a quarterback that maybe can’t disconnect, but when you’re reading a defensive end or scrambling and those things – to have somebody who can mimic what the other quarterback will do, that’s really good. It’s different to know the guys in the back end have to cover a little longer, and guys in the front end have to pursue more and cage the pocket. Those are things I think Lincoln can do.”

9. Joshua Mickens - Defensive End

Mickens was originally verballed to LSU, but reopened his commitment and decided to sign with Ohio State on Dec. 21, 2022. Considered the top player in the state of Indiana, Mickens is listed at 6-foot-5, 236 pounds. Mickens could see limited playing time in 2023, and will wear No. 52 for the Buckeyes.

10. Nigel Glover - Linebacker

Glover originally signed with Northwestern, but entered the transfer portal and signed with Ohio State as the Buckeyes were beginning fall camp. A safety in high school from Clayton, Ohio, Glover will play linebacker for Ohio State in the coming seasons. Special teams units seem to be a likely place where Glover will contribute in 2023. Glover will wear No. 37 for the Buckeyes.

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LGHL I-80 Football Show: USC’s defense is still a liability and Penn State is overhyped

I-80 Football Show: USC’s defense is still a liability and Penn State is overhyped
JordanW330
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


NCAA Football: Penn State Spring Game

Matthew OHaren-USA TODAY Sports

It’s time for the championship tier of the 2023 preview and Dante and Jordan are talking about USC and Penn State

Welcome to a new episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s I-80 Football Show. On this show, we talk about all things Big Ten football and basketball from New Jersey to California. With four new teams joining the conference in 2024, we’ll integrate them in the show, getting a head start on the 18-team conference.

After every week of action, we will catch you up on all the conference’s games and look ahead at the matchups, storylines, and players you should be paying attention to next week. My name is Jordan Williams, and I am joined by my co-host Dante Morgan.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:



Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio

Welcome to a new episode of Fans First Football Network’s I-80 Football Show. On this show, we talk about all things Big Ten football and basketball from New Jersey to California. With USC and UCLA joining the conference in 2024 we’ll integrate them in the show getting a head start on the 16-team conference. After every week of action, we will catch you up on all the conference’s games and look ahead at the matchups, storylines, and players you should be paying attention to next week. My name is Jordan Williams, and I am joined by my co-host Dante Morgan.

College Football is officially back! Dante and Jordan prepare for week 0 action talking about what they’re most excited about with football season back! Dante is looking forward to watching all the new quarterbacks across the sport. Jordan can’t wait to see how the PAC-12s final season plays out.

USC and star quarterback Caleb Williams are hoping to win the PAC 12 in its final season and make the playoffs but they may be held back by a porous Alex Grinch defense… again. The guys question if Caleb Williams will be the second person to win two Heisman trophies but Jordan thinks the Heisman Trust is actively rooting against another two-time Heisman winner.

Penn State is one of the most hyped programs in the country with Drew Allar at the helm. Despite being a first-time college starter the Drew Allar expectations are high. Coupled with a dynamic running back duo and multiple freak athletes on defense many believe that this is the year that Penn State breaks through winning the Big Ten and making the playoffs. The guys may not be buying the hype.



Follow the show on YouTube: @JordanW330 and @LandGrantPods

Connect with us on Twitter: Jordan: @JordanW330 and Dante: @DanteM10216

Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio

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LGHL Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for August 25, 2023

Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for August 25, 2023
Matt Tamanini
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


NCAA Football: Peach Bowl-Ohio State at Georgia

Brett Davis-USA TODAY Sports

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: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio


Countdown to Kickoff


Ohio State Football Countdown: 8
Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land


On the Gridiron


Key takeaways from Keenan Bailey, deeper Ohio State tight end room
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes

Buckeyes special teams notebook: new long snapper, returning punter, ongoing kicking battle (paywall)
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row

Jim Knowles Feels Ohio State’s Defensive Ends Are “As Good As Anyone in the Country” Entering 2023
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors

Offensive lineman Tegra Tshabola may not have won the job, but he’s a future star
Jordan Williams, Land-Grant Holy Land

Ohio State’s defensive line wants to ‘run in a pack’ as part of a unit-first approach for more success
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Ohio State football camp concludes: 5 things we know, 3 things we don’t about the Buckeyes (paywall)
Cameron Teague Robinson, The Athletic

Ohio State’s preseason Heisman Trophy favorites
Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land

How Ryan Day has built a vast support staff to compete for titles
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State’s Kyle McCord inks NIL deal with Rhoback, Buckeye fans get special offer
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Introducing the new voice of Ohio Stadium ️
Tom Snyder Fans will soon be getting used to hearing Snyder's voice on Football Saturdays‼️

Join us in giving Tom a warm welcome https://t.co/g3i8VVU9Xv

— Ohio State Buckeyes (@OhioStAthletics) August 24, 2023

Tom Snyder To Be the Voice of Ohio Stadium in 2023
Ohio State Athletics

MC&J: College football’s Week 0 kicks off in Ireland with Navy-Notre Dame
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land


Outside the Shoe and Schott


Why Mia Tuman chose Ohio State volleyball after growing up in a Michigan family
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch

Men’s Soccer: Ohio State Starts Season With a 1-all Draw vs. CSUN
Ohio State Athletics


And now for something completely different...


This is certainly something...

Coach Harbaugh Announces Coaching Duties for First Three Games of 2023.#GoBlue | https://t.co/MefGblhxXO pic.twitter.com/QlRDnaynxs

— Michigan Football (@UMichFootball) August 24, 2023

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LGHL 2024 defensive target breaks down final schools, 2025 DB gets endorsed by OSU staffer

2024 defensive target breaks down final schools, 2025 DB gets endorsed by OSU staffer
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: The Columbus Dispatch

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch via Imagn Content Services, LLC

Recruiting grinds never stop in Columbus with this Ohio State coaching staff.

In just over a week the Buckeyes will take the field versus Indiana to kick off the 2023 campaign. A long offseason, Ohio State has yet to name a starting quarterback, and the questions surrounding the battle give way to one of the more intriguing openers in recent memory.

With a defense that looks to be highly improved and an offensive line that seems to be coming together, the anticipation for how this team will look in just eight days is pretty exciting. Though there’s little time before the official season, recruiting is always in the forefront of this staff, and this week has shown that to be true in multiple ways.

Breaking it down before making the call​


Even with 22 commits and the nation’s second-ranked recruiting class, Ohio State feels like they have work still left to do in the 2024 cycle. With only a few spots left up for grabs, the Buckeyes are looking to fill the needs of certain positions and have some key targets in mind for doing just that.

Looking specifically at the defensive line, it’s been a topic of discussion rather often as of late but for good reason. Landing another five-star in Eddrick Houston this week shows Larry Johnson is still able to reign in the top talents, and the pair of he and Justin Scott anchors what any school in the country would love to have for their defensive line haul in the 2024 recruiting class. That said, at least one and maybe two guys are still desired for this position group, and work won’t stop until that becomes the case.

Earlier this week, four-star defensive lineman Dominick McKinley broke down his final schools with On3 Sports before his coming commitment taking place on Sept. 1. A 6-foot-5, 290 pound athlete, McKinley is currently down to LSU, Oklahoma, Ohio State, Texas, and Texas A&M. The No. 38 player nationally, Dominick checks in as the seventh best player at his position and the top player from Louisiana for the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite.

As it stands right now, Texas owns the lone crystal ball prediction on his 247Sports profile, and while the Buckeyes have had some positive reviews from McKinley himself, it doesn’t look great for Ohio State to land his commitment. Still, if this is a guy the staff wants bad enough, they’ll make every effort possible and will continue to fight even if his decision day goes away from Columbus. Either way, this recruitment will be updated in just the coming week.

5-star DL Dominick McKinley broke down his finalists ahead of his Sept. 1 commitment

The No. 22 recruit will choose between LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas and Texas A&M.

More from @GHamilton_On3 (On3+): https://t.co/ZoozpW1iUx pic.twitter.com/0KOhBb7hZd

— On3 Recruits (@On3Recruits) August 23, 2023

Quick Hits​

  • You can tell a lot about a person by what they share on their social media. When it comes to recruiting and Ohio State, there’s plenty of content to see, but when a coach or staff member endorses a certain prospect it tends to mean a little more.

Yesterday, Director of Player Personnel Mark Pantoni on his Twitter account shared a Tweet posted by 2025 safety, Faheem Delane. The No. 47 player nationally, Delane is the fifth best safety, and the top player in Maryland per the 247Sports Composite.

With nearly 30 offers to his name already, it’s easy to see why Delane is coveted by so many programs and as noted, when an Ohio State staffer and specifically the head of recruiting is willing to endorse a target, certainly it means the Buckeyes will be all over this recruitment.

+1 year pic.twitter.com/ln88ZkPZdd

— Faheem Delane (@faheemdelane) August 24, 2023

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LGHL Ohio State Football Countdown: 8

Ohio State Football Countdown: 8
Gene Ross
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Indiana v Ohio State

Photo by Ben Jackson/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 8 days remaining.


Play of the Day: Kamryn Babb’s 8-yard TD vs. Indiana (2021)


While there have obviously been numerous plays across this countdown that have been more impactful as far as the situation in-game, none have been more emotional than Kamryn Babb’s touchdown against Indiana in 2021. Sometimes sports brings us some truly feel-good moments, and this was exactly that, as Babb — who had to overcome four different ACL injuries during his Ohio State career — finally got back to the field to catch his first career touchdown. You can tell by his reaction and the reaction of his teammates just how special this moment was for everyone involved. This short documentary on the play is a must-watch.


Players to Wear the #8 (since 2010):

  • Dionte Allen (2011)
  • Noah Spence (2012-13)
  • Jeff Green (2013)
  • J.T. Moore (2013)
  • Kevin Niehoff (2014)
  • Gareon Conley (2015-16)
  • Kendall Sheffield (2017-18)
  • Javonte Jean-Baptiste (2019-22)
  • Trey Sermon (2020)
  • Cade Stover (2020-present)
  • Lathan Ransom (present)

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LGHL Ohio State Football Countdown: 9

Ohio State Football Countdown: 9
Gene Ross
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


CFP Semifinal at the Allstate Sugar Bowl - Clemson v Ohio State

Photo by Kevin C. Cox/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 9 days remaining.


Play of the Day: Chris Olave’s 9-yard TD vs. Clemson (2021)


Not long after taking a massive hit from Clemson linebacker James Skalski, who was ejected for targeting on the play, Justin Fields returned to the field and on his first play back delivered a strike to Chris Olave in the corner of the end zone for an easy touchdown. Olave showed off that NFL-level skillset by getting both feet down in bounds as Fields limped his way back to the sideline. This play is so emblematic of both players — Fields for battling through all the body blows he took as a mobile QB and Olave for always finding a way to help out his signal caller by creating separation. There’s a reason both are now playing on Sundays.


Players to Wear the #9 (since 2010):

  • Adam Griffin (2010-12)
  • Verlon Reed (2011-12)
  • J.T. Moore (2013)
  • Tim Scott (2014)
  • Jashon Cornell (2015-19)
  • Binjimen Victor (2016-19)
  • Jack Miller III (2020)
  • Zach Harrison (2020-22)
  • Jayden Ballard (2021-present)

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LGHL In Conversation Podcast: Mike Golic Jr. breaks down Ohio State’s offensive line

In Conversation Podcast: Mike Golic Jr. breaks down Ohio State’s offensive line
Matt Tamanini
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Kyle Robertson/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

GoJo previews the OSU-ND matchup and explains why he doesn’t care about the OSU quarterback battle.

On Land-Grant Holy Land In Conversation, we talk to people in and around Ohio State athletics, and the sporting world at large, to bring you a different insight and perspective to the teams, athletes, and university that you love.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:


Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio


On the show today, Matt Tamanini is in conversation with DraftKings college football analyst, the host of “The GoJo Podcast,” and former Notre Dame offensive lineman Mike Golic Jr. GoJo breaks down the new-look Ohio State offensive line and also discusses the importance of continuity on the o-line. From there, he talks about Ohio State’s quarterback competition, the three teams atop the Big Ten, the Buckeyes’ matchup against Notre Dame, the state of college football, and much more.



Connect with Mike Golic Jr.
Twitter:
@mikegolicjr
The GoJo Podcast: https://dknetwork.draftkings.com/gojo-show
Place Your Wagers with DraftKings SportsBook: https://sportsbook.draftkings.com/leagues/football/

Connect with Matt Tamanini
Twitter:
@BWWMatt

Theme music provided by www.bensound.com


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LGHL Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for August 24, 2023

Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for August 24, 2023
Matt Tamanini
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

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: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio


Countdown to Kickoff


Ohio State Football Countdown: 9
Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land


On the Gridiron


Key Takeaways as Brian Hartline, wide receivers prep for opener
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes

Healthy Emeka Egbuka is ready for an even bigger junior year for the Buckeyes
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Early development of Brandon Inniss reminding Brian Hartline of Chris Olave (paywall)
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row

Ohio State Wide Receiver Julian Fleming Feels Injuries Have Built Him Back Stronger
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors

Absolutely love this:

2023 Recipient, ️
@J5Xavier pic.twitter.com/2MMhdY6bDJ

— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 23, 2023

Ohio State football still undecided on No. 1 kicker headed toward Week 1
Andrew Gillis, cleveland.com

Cade Stover is a modern tight end with an old school mentality
Josh Dooley, Land-Grant Holy Land

Ohio State OL Avery Henry back in hospital with illness, ‘feeling much better’
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch

Malik Hartford ‘on the path,’ pushing for major role in Buckeyes secondary (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Ohio State has 12 players on the 2024 Senior Bowl watch list
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Randy Gradishar one of three Senior Finalists for Pro Football HOF
Rob Oller, The Columbus Dispatch

Are you more concerned about Ohio State’s quarterbacks, offensive line, or safeties?
Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land

A look at Big Ten win totals ahead of the 2023 season
Gene Ross, Land-Grant Holy Land


On the Hardwood


Top-40 guard Dorian Jones being ‘aggressively recruited’ by Buckeyes
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Deshaun Thomas Has “Great Memories” of His Time at Ohio State and Is “Still Getting Buckets” as He Begins His 11th Professional Season
Josh Poloha, Eleven Warriors


Outside the Shoe and Schott


Field Hockey: Three Buckeyes Are Big Ten Preseason Players to Watch
Ohio State Athletics

Men’s Soccer: Captains Selected for 2023 Buckeyes
Ohio State Athletics


And now for something completely different...


The fact that Billy Gunn is still wrestling — even if he apparently is coming out of retirement to do it — is a whole hell of a lot of fun for me.


"One more time! It's all or nothing! Wembley Stadium in front of 80,000" - "Bad Ass" Billy Gunn.

Watch #AEWDynamite Fyter Fest LIVE on TBS!@malakaiblxck | @Brodyxking | @SNM_Buddy | @TheJuliaHart | @Bowens_Official | @PlatinumMax | @RealBillyGunn pic.twitter.com/74LaTCgTde

— All Elite Wrestling (@AEW) August 24, 2023

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LGHL Ohio State’s preseason Heisman Trophy favorites

Ohio State’s preseason Heisman Trophy favorites
Gene Ross
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Syndication: Journal Sentinel

Adam Cairns / Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Where the Vegas odds rank this year’s crop of Buckeyes among Heisman hopefuls.

For the first time in forever, Ohio State comes into the 2023 season with a true quarterback battle. As a result, there are no Buckeyes within the top 10 of betting favorites for this year’s Heisman Trophy, which has become almost exclusively a quarterback award. Six of the last seven honorees have been QBs, with the lone outlier being Alabama wide receiver DeVonta Smith in 2020.

Still, that doesn’t mean there aren’t a handful of Ohio State players that have a chance to win this year’s Heisman Trophy, including whichever guy gets the nod to start at QB. Lets take a look where this year’s crop of Buckeyes stand among preseason Heisman hopefuls.

All odds courtesy of DraftKings Sportsbook.


Ohio State players with Heisman Trophy odds

  • Marvin Harrison Jr. (+2000)
  • Kyle McCord (+2200)
  • Devin Brown (+3500)
  • TreVeyon Henderson (+4000)
  • Emeka Egbuka (+10000)

To nobody’s surprise, the Ohio State player with the best odds to win this year’s Heisman Trophy is none other than Marvin Harrison Jr., as the superstar wide receiver has the best odds in the country of any non-quarterback at +2000. The next two guys are both of the Buckeyes potential starting QBs, with Vegas seemingly believing that Kyle McCord (+2200) will win the job over Devin Brown (+3500). Rounding out the group are TreVeyon Henderson (+4000), who has the second-best odds of any running back behind only Michigan’s Blake Corum and the third-best non-QB odds nationally overall, as well as wide receiver Emeka Egbuka as a longshot.

Overall Top 10: (all are QBs)

  • Caleb Williams - USC (+450)
  • Jayden Daniels - LSU (+1100)
  • Quinn Ewers - Texas (+1300)
  • Carson Beck - Georgia (+1400)
  • Cade Klubnik - Clemson (+1400)
  • Jordan Travis - Florida State (+1400)
  • Drake Maye - North Carolina (+1600)
  • Michael Penix Jr. - Washington (+1600)
  • Sam Hartman - Notre Dame (+1600)
  • Bo Nix - Oregon (+1600)

I wasn’t joking when I said the Heisman Trophy has become a quarterback award, as each of the top 10 betting favorites heading into the season play the position. After taking home the honor last season, Caleb Williams returns once again as the top dog. He will be looking to follow up a 4,500-plus-yard passing output in 2022, wherein he threw 42 touchdowns to just five picks and also ran for another 382 yards and 10 TDs. He will have to do so without last year’s top target Jordan Addison, who was taken in the first round of the 2023 NFL Draft.

As far as value goes here, my eye is drawn to Michael Penix Jr. at Washington. Formerly at Indiana, Penix was finally able to stay healthy in 2022, and did so to the tune of over 4,600 passing yards with 31 TDs to eight INTs in his first season with the Huskies. Kalen DeBoer’s group returns a pair of 1,000-yard receivers in Rome Odunze and Jalen McMillan from an offense that averaged 39.7 points per game and finished second in FBS in total offense at 515.8 yards per game. In a Pac-12 that isn’t exactly known for its defense, Penix is going to put up some big numbers in 2023 on a team that could content for a conference title.

Odds/lines subject to change. T&Cs apply. See draftkings.com/sportsbook for details.

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LGHL Ohio State offers four-star Florida athlete, makes shortlist for four-star defensive lineman

Ohio State offers four-star Florida athlete, makes shortlist for four-star defensive lineman
Caleb Houser
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


11808016.0.jpg


The Buckeyes offer four-star Florida native Dallas Golden.

2025 athlete earns Ohio State offer


Ohio State's 2024 recruiting class is about as impressive as it gets. With five five-star commits and the highest player average in the nation, Ryan Day and his staff are dominating out on the trail. Fortunately, the Buckeyes are still in the mix for multiple guys who are among the best in the country at their respective positions and will decide in the near future.

That said, with a lot of the heavy lifting already done for 2024, this allows the coaches to focus more of their attention on 2025, which will hopefully keep them in a similar situation nationally.

In the 2025 cycle, the staff has already sent out offers to some of their highest targets, but they aren’t done yet. Yesterday, the Buckeye coaches proved that they are still evaluating players by offering their latest target, as shared on social media by Florida native Dallas Golden (Tampa, Fla./Berkeley Prep).

A 6-foot-1, 165-pound athlete, Golden has played all over the field. Taking snaps as a cornerback and safety on defense, Dallas also plays receiver on offense, but has even taken reps at running back and quarterback as well. Seeing that sort of athleticism clearly has the Buckeyes interested, and with 25 offers to his name from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Florida State, and more, Ohio State joins the party a little late, but can definitely make up for lost time.

The No. 172 player nationally, Golden is the 10th-best athlete in the class and the 28th-best player in Florida per the 247Sports Composite grades. Knowing full well how Ohio State tends to fare in Florida, this recruitment will be one worth watching moving forward as the 2025 class will soon be in the spotlight.

Surely additional names and offers will pop up, but Golden being the latest to receive an offer means the next step in this is to get him on campus sooner rather than later if they want a real shot at building a relationship and becoming a major player for his services.


Buckeyes make the cut for 2025 defensive line target


To the satisfaction of all Ohio State fans, the defensive line recruiting has been really solid in the 2024 cycle. Landing two five-stars to anchor the trenches thus far, Larry Johnson — while criticized for losing out on some others — deserves a ton of praise for his work in landing two of the better players in the country. Looking ahead though, the Buckeyes have to keep that momentum as the game is won up front, and having an elite defensive line is critical to a team’s success.

Though the 2024 class is still looking to land at least one to two more guys, the 2025 cycle isn’t stopping its progress as big-time players are already starting to narrow things down. Yesterday, Ohio State saw its name remain in the mix when four-star Trent Wilson (Baltimore, Md./St. Frances Academy) released his latest update by trimming his list of potential schools down to 12.

A 6-foot-3, 270-pound defensive tackle, getting his list down to a dozen schools isn’t exactly “finalists” territory, but with nearly 30 offers, cutting it in half shows that Wilson is serious about the process. Making the cut for Wilson are Georgia, Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, Texas, Miami, USC, Maryland, Rutgers, Texas A&M, Penn State, and Ohio State.

For the Buckeyes specifically, Johnson has always recruited the DMV area well, and with another chance to do just that, the Buckeyes should be all over this one. The No. 71 player nationally, Wilson is the fifth-best player at his position and the second-best player from Maryland according to the 247Sports Composite grades. Certainly, this will be a name to watch moving forward.

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— Trenton Wilson (@iamtrentwilson) August 23, 2023

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