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LGHL The 2011 Sugar Bowl saw Ohio State finally earn a win over a team from the SEC
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The 2011 Sugar Bowl saw Ohio State finally earn a win over a team from the SEC
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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images
In this edition of a random Ohio State football bowl victory we’ll dive into the 2011 Sugar Bowl. Even though it was vacated, Buckeye fans will never forget the battle against Arkansas.
For the longest time Ohio State couldn’t shake the criticism that they couldn’t beat a team from the SEC. Funny how the narrative has changed in the last 15 years, as now the Buckeyes hold big wins over Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas.
Back in 2010, things were a lot different, as scars from losses in the BCS National Championship Game to Florida and LSU in back-to-back years were still fresh. Entering the 2010 season, Ohio State was 0-9 in bowl games against SEC teams. Their last win against an SEC team came all the way back in 1988 against LSU, and even that victory was vacated.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25977441/95523568.jpg "Rose Bowl - Ohio State v Oregon")
Photo by Kevork Djansezian/Getty Images
Expectations were high in Columbus for the Buckeyes after Jim Tressel’s team capped off their 2009 season with a 26-17 win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl to finish the season 11-2. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor was returning to Ohio State, leading to the Buckeyes entering the season ranked number two in the country.
In their second game of the season, Ohio State and No. 12 Miami squared off in a marquee game at Ohio State, with the Buckeyes winning 36-24.
The national championship hopes of the Buckeyes took a major hit in October when they suffered their first loss of the season, falling 31-18 to Wisconsin in Madison. Ohio State would rally to finish the regular season with just the one setback, closing out their schedule with a 20-17 win at Iowa, followed by a 37-7 thumping of Michigan at home.
With an 11-1 record, the Buckeyes were primed to play in another BCS bowl.
When the bowl games were set in early December, it was announced that Ohio State would take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl. New Orleans hadn’t been especially kind to the Buckeyes in the past, as not only were they just 1-3 in past Sugar Bowl appearances, Ohio State also lost the BCS National Championship Game to LSU in New Orleans.
The matchup with the Razorbacks would be the first between the two programs, and it remains the only time the teams have squared off.
As if Ohio State didn’t have enough to deal with heading into the game with their poor history against SEC teams, just before Christmas there was even more to worry about. Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams, and Solomon Thomas were all found to have traded autographs for tattoos.
Despite the infractions, the players were allowed to play in the Sugar Bowl, as instead they would be punished by being suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season.
Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino had the Razorback football program on the rise entering the 2010 season. In 2009, Petrino’s squad finished the season with an overtime win over East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl to finish 8-5. Expectations were even higher entering his third season in Fayetteville, with the Razorbacks ranked 17th to start the year.
Both of the losses Arkansas suffered in the season came to top-10 teams. In September, Alabama escaped Fayetteville with a 24-20 win, and a month later the Razorbacks lost a wild game to seventh-ranked Auburn 65-43 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Arkansas closed out the regular season with a 38-31 win in double overtime at No. 22 Mississippi State, followed by a 31-23 win in Little Rock over LSU, who was ranked sixth at the time.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25977442/107927991.jpg "Allstate Sugar Bowl - Ohio State v Arkansas")
Photo by Chris Graythen/Getty Images
What was scariest about the Arkansas team entering this game was their offense. Ryan Mallett started his college career at Michigan before transferring to Arkansas back in the day when there was no transfer portal and players had to sit out a year when they changed schools.
Mallett did suit up once against the Buckeyes, but only threw three passes in the 2007 game against Ohio State. In the 2010 regular season, Mallett threw for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns with a group that saw five receivers catch at least 30 passes.
Ohio State didn’t take long to get going after Arkansas’ first possession where Mallett threw three incomplete passes before the Razorbacks punted. Pryor was on his way into the end zone on a rush from over 30 yards out before he fumbled at the three-yard-line.
Luckily for Ohio State wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher jumped on the football in the end zone to give the Buckeyes the early lead. Arkansas would find their bearings and respond within two minutes when Mallett found receiver Joe Adams for a nine yard touchdown to tie the score.
The Buckeyes would strike back just over two minutes when Dan Herron rushed for a nine-yard score. The touchdown would kick off a 21-0 run by Ohio State, with Sanzenbacher hauling in a 15-yard touchdown reception at the 9:53 mark of the second quarter, followed by a DeVier Posey 43-yard touchdown catch two minutes before halftime. Arkansas would put three points on the scoreboard before halftime when Zach Hocker hit a 20-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
Hocker would score the first points of the second half just over five minutes into the third quarter when his 46-yard kick went through the uprights. Ohio State would match the score when Devin Barclay hit from the same distance at 4:10 of the quarter. The field goal would be the last points the Buckeyes would put on the scoreboard, but at the time Ohio State fans had to be feeling good with an 18-point lead.
The good vibes wouldn’t last too long, though. Mallett found Jarius Wright from 22 yards out, followed by adding a two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 31-21 with 58 seconds left in the quarter.
Buckeye Nation would get even more nervous early in the fourth quarter when Jake Bequette tackled running back Dan Herron in the end zone for a safety to make it a one-score game. Hocker would connect on his third field goal of the night just three minutes later to make it a 31-26 game.
By this time the Buckeyes were on their heels and it looked like they were on the verge of choking away the game. Things got even worse when Herron was stopped on fourth down at Ohio State’s 37 with just under six minutes to go.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25977443/107873187.jpg "Allstate Sugar Bowl - Ohio State v Arkansas")
Photo by Kevin C. Cox/Getty Images
Even though momentum was clearly on the side of the Razorbacks, Arkansas wasted their great field position on the next drive, losing seven yards and being forced to punt. While Ohio State was able to bleed about three minutes off the clock when they got the football, Ben Buchanan’s punt was blocked by the Razorbacks, giving Arkansas the football inside the Buckeye 20.
After throwing an incompletion on first down, Mallett’s next pass was intercepted by Solomon Thomas of all people to seal the game for Ohio State and finally earn the Buckeyes a win against a team from the SEC.
The Sugar Bowl win was the last good feeling for Ohio State football for a while. In late May, Jim Tressel resigned, leading to co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell being named interim head coach for the 2011 season. Pryor would never play another snap for the Buckeyes, instead opting to enter the NFL’s Supplemental Draft.
At least with Pryor having moved on, Braxton Miller was able to see the field earlier than he had anticipated, setting the table for him to lead Ohio State at quarterback during Urban Meyer’s first two years as head coach. The Buckeyes would finish the 2011 season 6-7 under Fickell, losing the Gator Bowl to Florida.
Arkansas would have a more enjoyable 2011 season than Ohio State did, posting an 11-2 season that was capped off with a 29-16 win over Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl. The Razorbacks would run into controversy of their own following the 2011 season when Bobby Petrino’s motorcycle ride with a former Arkansas volleyball player that he hired for a position within the football program went wrong.
Who can ever forget the road rash/neck brace photos of Petrino just days following the crash? Since Petrino’s firing, Arkansas has failed to win more than nine games in a season.
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 Chris Graythen/Getty Images
In this edition of a random Ohio State football bowl victory we’ll dive into the 2011 Sugar Bowl. Even though it was vacated, Buckeye fans will never forget the battle against Arkansas.
For the longest time Ohio State couldn’t shake the criticism that they couldn’t beat a team from the SEC. Funny how the narrative has changed in the last 15 years, as now the Buckeyes hold big wins over Alabama, Tennessee, and Texas.
Back in 2010, things were a lot different, as scars from losses in the BCS National Championship Game to Florida and LSU in back-to-back years were still fresh. Entering the 2010 season, Ohio State was 0-9 in bowl games against SEC teams. Their last win against an SEC team came all the way back in 1988 against LSU, and even that victory was vacated.
Expectations were high in Columbus for the Buckeyes after Jim Tressel’s team capped off their 2009 season with a 26-17 win over Oregon in the Rose Bowl to finish the season 11-2. Quarterback Terrelle Pryor was returning to Ohio State, leading to the Buckeyes entering the season ranked number two in the country.
In their second game of the season, Ohio State and No. 12 Miami squared off in a marquee game at Ohio State, with the Buckeyes winning 36-24.
The national championship hopes of the Buckeyes took a major hit in October when they suffered their first loss of the season, falling 31-18 to Wisconsin in Madison. Ohio State would rally to finish the regular season with just the one setback, closing out their schedule with a 20-17 win at Iowa, followed by a 37-7 thumping of Michigan at home.
With an 11-1 record, the Buckeyes were primed to play in another BCS bowl.
When the bowl games were set in early December, it was announced that Ohio State would take on the Arkansas Razorbacks in the Sugar Bowl. New Orleans hadn’t been especially kind to the Buckeyes in the past, as not only were they just 1-3 in past Sugar Bowl appearances, Ohio State also lost the BCS National Championship Game to LSU in New Orleans.
The matchup with the Razorbacks would be the first between the two programs, and it remains the only time the teams have squared off.
As if Ohio State didn’t have enough to deal with heading into the game with their poor history against SEC teams, just before Christmas there was even more to worry about. Terrelle Pryor, Dan Herron, DeVier Posey, Mike Adams, and Solomon Thomas were all found to have traded autographs for tattoos.
Despite the infractions, the players were allowed to play in the Sugar Bowl, as instead they would be punished by being suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season.
Arkansas head coach Bobby Petrino had the Razorback football program on the rise entering the 2010 season. In 2009, Petrino’s squad finished the season with an overtime win over East Carolina in the Liberty Bowl to finish 8-5. Expectations were even higher entering his third season in Fayetteville, with the Razorbacks ranked 17th to start the year.
Both of the losses Arkansas suffered in the season came to top-10 teams. In September, Alabama escaped Fayetteville with a 24-20 win, and a month later the Razorbacks lost a wild game to seventh-ranked Auburn 65-43 at Jordan-Hare Stadium. Arkansas closed out the regular season with a 38-31 win in double overtime at No. 22 Mississippi State, followed by a 31-23 win in Little Rock over LSU, who was ranked sixth at the time.
What was scariest about the Arkansas team entering this game was their offense. Ryan Mallett started his college career at Michigan before transferring to Arkansas back in the day when there was no transfer portal and players had to sit out a year when they changed schools.
Mallett did suit up once against the Buckeyes, but only threw three passes in the 2007 game against Ohio State. In the 2010 regular season, Mallett threw for over 3,500 yards and 30 touchdowns with a group that saw five receivers catch at least 30 passes.
Ohio State didn’t take long to get going after Arkansas’ first possession where Mallett threw three incomplete passes before the Razorbacks punted. Pryor was on his way into the end zone on a rush from over 30 yards out before he fumbled at the three-yard-line.
Luckily for Ohio State wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher jumped on the football in the end zone to give the Buckeyes the early lead. Arkansas would find their bearings and respond within two minutes when Mallett found receiver Joe Adams for a nine yard touchdown to tie the score.
The Buckeyes would strike back just over two minutes when Dan Herron rushed for a nine-yard score. The touchdown would kick off a 21-0 run by Ohio State, with Sanzenbacher hauling in a 15-yard touchdown reception at the 9:53 mark of the second quarter, followed by a DeVier Posey 43-yard touchdown catch two minutes before halftime. Arkansas would put three points on the scoreboard before halftime when Zach Hocker hit a 20-yard field goal as time expired in the first half.
Hocker would score the first points of the second half just over five minutes into the third quarter when his 46-yard kick went through the uprights. Ohio State would match the score when Devin Barclay hit from the same distance at 4:10 of the quarter. The field goal would be the last points the Buckeyes would put on the scoreboard, but at the time Ohio State fans had to be feeling good with an 18-point lead.
The good vibes wouldn’t last too long, though. Mallett found Jarius Wright from 22 yards out, followed by adding a two-point conversion to cut the deficit to 31-21 with 58 seconds left in the quarter.
Buckeye Nation would get even more nervous early in the fourth quarter when Jake Bequette tackled running back Dan Herron in the end zone for a safety to make it a one-score game. Hocker would connect on his third field goal of the night just three minutes later to make it a 31-26 game.
By this time the Buckeyes were on their heels and it looked like they were on the verge of choking away the game. Things got even worse when Herron was stopped on fourth down at Ohio State’s 37 with just under six minutes to go.
Even though momentum was clearly on the side of the Razorbacks, Arkansas wasted their great field position on the next drive, losing seven yards and being forced to punt. While Ohio State was able to bleed about three minutes off the clock when they got the football, Ben Buchanan’s punt was blocked by the Razorbacks, giving Arkansas the football inside the Buckeye 20.
After throwing an incompletion on first down, Mallett’s next pass was intercepted by Solomon Thomas of all people to seal the game for Ohio State and finally earn the Buckeyes a win against a team from the SEC.
The Sugar Bowl win was the last good feeling for Ohio State football for a while. In late May, Jim Tressel resigned, leading to co-defensive coordinator Luke Fickell being named interim head coach for the 2011 season. Pryor would never play another snap for the Buckeyes, instead opting to enter the NFL’s Supplemental Draft.
At least with Pryor having moved on, Braxton Miller was able to see the field earlier than he had anticipated, setting the table for him to lead Ohio State at quarterback during Urban Meyer’s first two years as head coach. The Buckeyes would finish the 2011 season 6-7 under Fickell, losing the Gator Bowl to Florida.
Arkansas would have a more enjoyable 2011 season than Ohio State did, posting an 11-2 season that was capped off with a 29-16 win over Kansas State in the Cotton Bowl. The Razorbacks would run into controversy of their own following the 2011 season when Bobby Petrino’s motorcycle ride with a former Arkansas volleyball player that he hired for a position within the football program went wrong.
Who can ever forget the road rash/neck brace photos of Petrino just days following the crash? Since Petrino’s firing, Arkansas has failed to win more than nine games in a season.
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2027 IL LB Roman Igwebuike (Verbal Offer)
- By pnuts34
- Football Recruiting
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247
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HudL
Class: 2027
Position: LB
School: Chicago(IL) Mt. Carmel
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 220lbs
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Rivals
HudL
Class: 2027
Position: LB
School: Chicago(IL) Mt. Carmel
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 220lbs
Login to view embedded media
LGHL Bucketheads Podcast: Will star transfer Darrion Williams end up in Columbus?
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Bucketheads Podcast: Will star transfer Darrion Williams end up in Columbus?
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Plus, we have the Buckeyes Big Ten opponents, which includes a home and home with Michigan
“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On episode 158, Justin and Connor are back, and we officially have an Ohio State men’s basketball schedule... kind of.
The Buckeyes’ 2025-26 conference opponents have been announced, and Ohio State will face Wisconsin, Penn State, and That Team Up North twice. We break down the full list of opponents and discuss where the Buckeyes got lucky and unlucky.
Then, we discuss Sean Stewart hitting the transfer portal at the last hour, making that five Buckeyes to transfer out. To close, we talk about the reports that star transfer Darrion Williams is heavily considering the Buckeyes if he returns to college basketball. Do they have a legitimate shot?
Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review!
Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN
Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor
Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba
Continue reading...
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Eakin Howard-Imagn Images
Plus, we have the Buckeyes Big Ten opponents, which includes a home and home with Michigan
“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. In every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in college hoops.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On episode 158, Justin and Connor are back, and we officially have an Ohio State men’s basketball schedule... kind of.
The Buckeyes’ 2025-26 conference opponents have been announced, and Ohio State will face Wisconsin, Penn State, and That Team Up North twice. We break down the full list of opponents and discuss where the Buckeyes got lucky and unlucky.
Then, we discuss Sean Stewart hitting the transfer portal at the last hour, making that five Buckeyes to transfer out. To close, we talk about the reports that star transfer Darrion Williams is heavily considering the Buckeyes if he returns to college basketball. Do they have a legitimate shot?
Remember to like and subscribe to the podcast wherever you listen, leave a comment, and review!
Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN
Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor
Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State dishes out new offers on Wednesday, top receiver target in 2026 class sets commitment date
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State dishes out new offers on Wednesday, top receiver target in 2026 class sets commitment date
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Ohio State was busy on Wednesday handing out multiple new offers to new names on the recruiting trail.
Ohio State has its coaching staff all over the country, and these last few weeks are showing the sort of momentum this program has fresh off a national championship. Always a recruiting machine, the Buckeyes seem to have their efforts as high as ever, and while many of these treks are to see top targets, the coaches are finding new guys to offer as well.
Plenty of new names to discuss, here’s some of the latest offers courtesy of Ohio State’s coaching staff.
Chance Gilbert (Sharpsburg, Georgia/East Coweta)
One of the premier recruiting grounds in the country, Georgia is churning out division one talent at an incredible rate. Regardless of class, position, or school, the Peach State is showing their depth, and yesterday the Buckeyes sent out a 2027 offer to a big time safety prospect.
A 5-foot- 11, 175 pound athlete, Chance Gilbert is the No. 84 player nationally and the seventh best safety per the 247Sports Composite. Nearly 20 offers to his name from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, and a host of others, the Buckeyes are a little later to the mix, but are taking care of the safety position in a major way.
Roman Igwebuike (Chicago, Illinois/Mount Carmel)
Staying on the defensive side of the ball, linebackers coach James Laurinaitis is continuing to raise the bar with his room and that’s off the field as well. Recruiting at a stellar clip, the Buckeyes are seeing yet another alum boost their position group in multiple ways and looking ahead to the 2027 class on Wednesday found another linebacker earning the nod from Ohio State.
An impressive 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Roman Igwebuike is the No. 202 player nationally and 14th ranked linebacker per the 247Sports Composite. Adding Ohio State to his list, the Buckeyes join schools such as Auburn, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee, USC, and more to offer.
A true thumper with the size to back up his physicality, the Buckeyes love having larger linebackers to man the middle of their defense and this latest prospect fits that mold rather well.
Kameron McGee (Chicago, Illinois/Brother Rice)
Another Chicago native earning an Ohio State offer yesterday, the Buckeyes made way to Brother Rice as well to give 6-foot-3, 235 pound athlete Kameron McGee the latest and good news regarding his recruitment.
Double-digit offers to his name from the likes of Iowa, Michigan State, Missouri, North Carolina, and USC already in the fold, the Buckeyes are arguably the biggest brand to now have their name in the mix which should catch McGee’s attention rather quickly.
Unranked right now via his 247Sports profile, McGee is only a high school freshman so other big name programs are sure to follow suit in the near future. Seeing a college-ready frame like his with three years still of prep football to develop, it’s pretty safe to assume his ranking once available will be among the best in the country.
Brian Swanson (Dallas, Texas/South Oak Cliff)
Moving to the offensive side of the ball now, Ohio State’s 2026 class up front is really starting to take shape under Tyler Bowen’s leadership, but there’s never a time where it’s too early to look ahead and the Buckeyes made that the case Wednesday when they offered 2027 prospect, Brian Swanson.
A 6-foot-5, 295 pound offensive tackle, Swanson is currently the No. 161 player nationally and 14th best tackle per the 247Sports grades. 20-plus offers to his name and from some major programs, Ohio State joins the likes of Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and plenty of others to be in on his future commitment.
Always a major position of need regardless of cycle, Ohio State will stay on this recruitment for the long haul and if their fortune continues in Texas, Swanson may just be a legitimate option.
Brian Hartline is up to his usual antics boasting three receiver commits already in the 2026 class. Chris Henry Jr. leads the way as the highest graded player in Ohio State’s class thus far, and the Buckeyes are in great shape already, but it does look as if the goal all along has been to take four receivers knowing how quickly Ohio State sends their guys to the NFL.
Interestingly enough, the Buckeyes and Hartline haven’t had to look too far from Henry Jr. as they too are in the mix for his current teammate at Mater Dei, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. The No. 107 player nationally and the 15th best receiver per the 247Sports Composite, Dixon-Wyatt has offers from every major program there is and the Buckeyes sit among the top schools he’s been down to.
The real news here however is Wednesday’s update that he will make his college decision this coming Sunday via 247Sports. Deciding between five schools, Kayden has it down to Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, and USC. For the Buckeyes, they have a few things going for them that very well could put them over the top.
The obvious is Hartline and his track record, but in addition Henry Jr. being a current teammate certainly doesn’t hurt. It’s going to be an anticipated commitment regardless but seeing the several pro-Ohio State posts yesterday from the likes of Jeremiah Smith and others does give some sort of belief that the Buckeyes really do have a shot at double-dipping here.
Thankfully, the wait will soon be over.
Continue reading...
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK via Imagn Images
Ohio State was busy on Wednesday handing out multiple new offers to new names on the recruiting trail.
Ohio State has its coaching staff all over the country, and these last few weeks are showing the sort of momentum this program has fresh off a national championship. Always a recruiting machine, the Buckeyes seem to have their efforts as high as ever, and while many of these treks are to see top targets, the coaches are finding new guys to offer as well.
Plenty of new names to discuss, here’s some of the latest offers courtesy of Ohio State’s coaching staff.
Chance Gilbert (Sharpsburg, Georgia/East Coweta)
One of the premier recruiting grounds in the country, Georgia is churning out division one talent at an incredible rate. Regardless of class, position, or school, the Peach State is showing their depth, and yesterday the Buckeyes sent out a 2027 offer to a big time safety prospect.
A 5-foot- 11, 175 pound athlete, Chance Gilbert is the No. 84 player nationally and the seventh best safety per the 247Sports Composite. Nearly 20 offers to his name from the likes of Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, and a host of others, the Buckeyes are a little later to the mix, but are taking care of the safety position in a major way.
Roman Igwebuike (Chicago, Illinois/Mount Carmel)
Staying on the defensive side of the ball, linebackers coach James Laurinaitis is continuing to raise the bar with his room and that’s off the field as well. Recruiting at a stellar clip, the Buckeyes are seeing yet another alum boost their position group in multiple ways and looking ahead to the 2027 class on Wednesday found another linebacker earning the nod from Ohio State.
An impressive 6-foot-3, 220 pounds, Roman Igwebuike is the No. 202 player nationally and 14th ranked linebacker per the 247Sports Composite. Adding Ohio State to his list, the Buckeyes join schools such as Auburn, Illinois, Michigan, Missouri, Tennessee, USC, and more to offer.
A true thumper with the size to back up his physicality, the Buckeyes love having larger linebackers to man the middle of their defense and this latest prospect fits that mold rather well.
Kameron McGee (Chicago, Illinois/Brother Rice)
Another Chicago native earning an Ohio State offer yesterday, the Buckeyes made way to Brother Rice as well to give 6-foot-3, 235 pound athlete Kameron McGee the latest and good news regarding his recruitment.
Double-digit offers to his name from the likes of Iowa, Michigan State, Missouri, North Carolina, and USC already in the fold, the Buckeyes are arguably the biggest brand to now have their name in the mix which should catch McGee’s attention rather quickly.
Unranked right now via his 247Sports profile, McGee is only a high school freshman so other big name programs are sure to follow suit in the near future. Seeing a college-ready frame like his with three years still of prep football to develop, it’s pretty safe to assume his ranking once available will be among the best in the country.
Brian Swanson (Dallas, Texas/South Oak Cliff)
Moving to the offensive side of the ball now, Ohio State’s 2026 class up front is really starting to take shape under Tyler Bowen’s leadership, but there’s never a time where it’s too early to look ahead and the Buckeyes made that the case Wednesday when they offered 2027 prospect, Brian Swanson.
A 6-foot-5, 295 pound offensive tackle, Swanson is currently the No. 161 player nationally and 14th best tackle per the 247Sports grades. 20-plus offers to his name and from some major programs, Ohio State joins the likes of Alabama, Florida, Michigan, Oregon, Texas, and plenty of others to be in on his future commitment.
Always a major position of need regardless of cycle, Ohio State will stay on this recruitment for the long haul and if their fortune continues in Texas, Swanson may just be a legitimate option.
Commitment date set for top receiver target
Brian Hartline is up to his usual antics boasting three receiver commits already in the 2026 class. Chris Henry Jr. leads the way as the highest graded player in Ohio State’s class thus far, and the Buckeyes are in great shape already, but it does look as if the goal all along has been to take four receivers knowing how quickly Ohio State sends their guys to the NFL.
Interestingly enough, the Buckeyes and Hartline haven’t had to look too far from Henry Jr. as they too are in the mix for his current teammate at Mater Dei, Kayden Dixon-Wyatt. The No. 107 player nationally and the 15th best receiver per the 247Sports Composite, Dixon-Wyatt has offers from every major program there is and the Buckeyes sit among the top schools he’s been down to.
The real news here however is Wednesday’s update that he will make his college decision this coming Sunday via 247Sports. Deciding between five schools, Kayden has it down to Alabama, Ohio State, Oregon, Texas, and USC. For the Buckeyes, they have a few things going for them that very well could put them over the top.
The obvious is Hartline and his track record, but in addition Henry Jr. being a current teammate certainly doesn’t hurt. It’s going to be an anticipated commitment regardless but seeing the several pro-Ohio State posts yesterday from the likes of Jeremiah Smith and others does give some sort of belief that the Buckeyes really do have a shot at double-dipping here.
Thankfully, the wait will soon be over.
How many times I have to say this:
If you’re serious about football and play wide receiver it’s only one place you go honestly… https://t.co/yvM78wRu52
— COACH DIRT (@_CoachDirt) April 30, 2025
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