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LGHL Ohio State is expecting a major BOOM today as 2024 four-star defensive back set to commit

Ohio State is expecting a major BOOM today as 2024 four-star defensive back set to commit
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

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Miles Lockhart | 247Sports

The Buckeyes are hopeful they’ll add 2024 cornerback, Miles Lockhart to their class.

Like everybody else, Ohio State’s staff deserves a little vacation every once in a while, and the Buckeye coaches are enjoying some much-needed time away right now. With the hectic month of June camps now in the rearview mirror, Ryan Day and his crew can sit back for a moment or two and see the fruits of their labor hopefully begin to take hold.

Putting in countless hours of work with official visitors and even evaluations, Ohio State’s June was as busy as could be and the goal is to see some rewards for their efforts. A few instances of good news have already presented themselves and later today could be the next in a line of many more BOOOOOMing good things to come.

Buckeyes looking for another BOOM later today​


It might sound ironic because he’s yet to be committed, but the recruitment of Arizona native Miles Lockhart has been one of the easier processes to follow. The four-star defensive back was offered by Ohio State last June and since then, it’s seemingly been all Buckeyes. The 5-foot-10, 185-pound cornerback has tallied up an impressive offer list with over 20 schools in the mix, and though programs such as Oregon, Wisconsin, Texas A&M, and a host of others fall under that category, OSU has far and away been the heavy favorite throughout.

Simply put, this recruitment has been pretty easy to keep track of because Lockhart hasn’t waivered from his interest in Ohio State. Making it clear publicly numerous times, he’s been vocal that the Buckeyes are the team to beat and he hasn’t been shy about that being the case for some time. Hearing from multiple analysts, this is a recruitment that’s a breath of fresh air for many. Not to place any blame on other top targets, but Lockhart has just been direct in his desires. You can’t fault a kid for wanting to go through the process and even enjoy the attention that recruitment can bring, but Miles certainly has been a welcomed difference.

Announce his commitment in just a few hours, the Buckeyes are the team to beat and it would be a complete shock if Ohio State isn’t the pick here. Tallying up another 247Sports crystal ball prediction last night, every single submission is in favor of the Buckeyes, including many from the top analysts in the country who can be trusted to make the right call.

The No. 365 player nationally, Lockhart is the 33rd-best cornerback in the country and the eighth-best player in Arizona for the 2024 class per the 247Sports Composite grades. Maybe not the highest-ranked cornerback, Ohio State has no trouble with where he’s currently slated as he has long been a priority on the team’s board and should be a major addition to the class when all is said and done. As the second CB in the class — joining Bryce West — there are likely two spots more spots at the position in the Buckeyes’ class, and Ohio State knows exactly who it wants to claim them.

Some advice here, be excited about this commitment if it does come to pass. While some higher-ranked targets are out there and getting close to deciding their own fate, if this does end up going in favor of the Buckeyes, celebrate what is clearly a kid dedicated to the program and doing things the right way. It’s just a matter of time now, but a BOOM should be coming!

Quick Hits: ​

  • Also set to decide later today is 2024 defensive back Jakob Gude. The four-star safety has an impressive offer list of over 20 schools and the Buckeyes are one of them. Though Ohio State has been in the mix down the stretch, Gude is likely headed to UCF as the lone crystal ball prediction favors him heading to Orlando, Florida.

While any offered player is worth watching, Gude would be a pretty big surprise if he chose the Buckeyes. At any rate, Ohio State is still in a good position with some of its top targets at the safety position and will continue to put in the work until at least one is added to the mix.

Blessed to be able to say I’m announcing my commitment tomorrow July 6th

— Jakob Gude (@Jakob6Gude) July 5, 2023
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LGHL No, LSU isn’t better at producing wide receivers than Ohio State football

No, LSU isn’t better at producing wide receivers than Ohio State football
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Purdue v Ohio State

Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images

Don’t let some silly point system make you think otherwise, just use some common sense.

WR Versus

Which CFB team produces better wide receivers: @OhioStateFB vs. @LSUfootball?

LIKE for Ohio State
RT for LSU

: https://t.co/LZdrOkGFOE
: https://t.co/JUk3ZELPiU pic.twitter.com/pDoyMvUHYS

— The Number One College Football Show (@numberoneshow) July 5, 2023
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Hopefully you spent your 4th of July doing better things than trying to process an asinine column that argues LSU is better at producing wide receivers than Ohio State. Then again, it’s not like we haven’t had to deal with clown material from the author. Just remember back to 2021 when it seemed like every Sunday we were raging about the ridiculous rankings that Young gave us as we worked our way through the college football season.

It doesn’t take long to find the first mistake from Young, as he says Michael Jenkins was a fourth round pick in 2004, when he was actually drafted in the first round with the 29th overall pick by the Atlanta Falcons. At least Young didn’t screw up the other Buckeye wide receiver drafted in 2004, as he correctly mentioned that Drew Carter was selected in the fifth round.

Not acknowledging Jenkins as a first round pick skews his point system, which gives schools 15 points for producing a first round pick. Not that it was enough to put Ohio State ahead of LSU, but it is sets the table for how bad this all is.

Sugar Bowl X


There are some receivers on this list that were great at the college level, but their talents didn’t translate at the professional level. Take Josh Reed, who won the Biletnikoff Award and was a second round pick of the Buffalo Bills in the 2003 NFL Draft. As a Bills fan, I watched Reed in the NFL, and he just wasn’t very good. He never caught more than 60 passes, accumulated more than 600 yards receiving in a season, and he only caught 10 career touchdowns. I am well aware that the Bills didn’t have good quarterbacks during that stretch, but Reed was always a player we were expecting more from.

An LSU wide receiver that I totally forgot about was Buster Davis, who was drafted with the 30th overall pick by the Chargers in the 2007 NFL Draft. Then again, it is easy to forget about Davis since he did nothing in the NFL. In 25 games, Davis caught just 51 catches for 558 yards, with two of those catches resulting in touchdowns. At least Dwayne Bowe lived up to the hype when he was selected by the Kansas City Chiefs earlier in the first round of the same draft.

Another suspect first round pick out of LSU was Michael Clayton, who was taken 15th overall in the 2004 NFL Draft by the Tampa Bay Buccaneers. Clayton was outstanding in college, catching 182 passes for 2,582 yards, and 21 touchdowns in three years with the Tigers. Clayton barely surpassed those numbers in the NFL, hauling in 223 passes for 2,955 yards and 10 touchdowns. Clayton had a strong rookie season with Tampa Bay, catching 80 passes for 1,193 yards and seven touchdowns. Following his first campaign at the professional level, Clayton didn’t do much of anything.

Not that Ohio State doesn’t have their own questionable first round picks. Anthony Gonzalez was selected with the last pick of the first round in the 2007 NFL Draft by the Indianapolis Colts. While the former Buckeye was working his way towards becoming a trusted target of Peyton Manning, injuries slowed the momentum and Gonzalez caught just five passes after his first two years in the NFL. Ted Ginn Jr. was taken earlier in the same draft as Gonzalez and was mocked for his lack of production early in his career, but Ginn went on to play in nearly 200 games, and played in a couple Super Bowls.

Cincinnati Bearcats v Ohio State Buckeyes


So where am I going with all this? I just feel like LSU has more forgettable wide receivers that they’re getting credit for than Ohio State does. Do you remember Malachi Dupre? Skyler Green? James Wright? If you do, you need to go and stand over there with the sickos. By comparison, there aren’t nearly as many receivers from Ohio State that don’t end up doing anything in the NFL. Noah Brown was a seventh round pick in the 2017 NFL Draft, and he is still a contributing member of the receiving corps of the Dallas Cowboys.

I certainly will give LSU credit for producing two of the best wide receivers in the NFL right now in Justin Jefferson and Ja’Marr Chase. Ohio State is right there, though. Terry McLaurin has been great for a bad Washington team. Garrett Wilson’s stock will only go up as he has a real quarterback throwing the football to him this year, and we should see Chris Olave get even better this year now that Derek Carr is the quarterback in New Orleans.

All that, and we haven’t even mentioned Jaxon Smith-Njigba, who is a great fit in Seattle, or Marvin Harrison Jr., who is primed to be Ohio State’s first Biletnikoff Award winner since 1995, and will likely be the best receiver out of all those mentioned here.

Everyone is entitled to their own opinions, and I’ve been told a few times that my opinions are terrible. Still, I just don’t get the love for LSU here, even with the point system that is used. The Tigers have put a few more receivers in the NFL, but they also have had more receivers that didn’t do much of anything at the professional level. While some will argue LSU is better at producing wide receivers, I’ll argue that Ohio State is better at producing receivers that are ready to contribute in the pros.

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LGHL Ohio State Football Countdown: 58

Ohio State Football Countdown: 58
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 58 days remaining.

Play of the Day: Marvin Harrison Jr.’s 58-yard TD vs. Indiana (2022)​


The first but certainly not the last time the Route Man will be featured on our Ohio State countdown, this time Marvin Harrison Jr. takes it 58-yards to the crib against Indiana in 2022. Stroud had an easy day picking apart the Hoosier secondary, passing for just under 300 yards and five touchdowns, with Harrison Jr. his favorite target at seven catches for 147 yards and the score. The run game was equally effective, as Miyan Williams and Dallan Hayden combined for 249 yards on the ground and a TD apiece in a 56-14 rout for the home team.

Players to Wear the #58 (since 2010): ​

  • Nick Piening (2010)
  • Joshua Alabi (2015-19)
  • Ty Hamilton (2020-present)

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LGHL Ohio State Football Countdown: 59

Ohio State Football Countdown: 59
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

NCAA FOOTBALL: DEC 06 Big Ten Championship Game - Wisconsin v Ohio State

Photo by Khris Hale/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/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 60 days remaining.

Play of the Day: Ohio State defeats Wisconsin 59-0 in B1G Title (2014)​


In my eyes, there was no other moment I could use to represent 59 days remaining until Ohio State’s season than the Buckeyes’ historic 59-0 beatdown of Wisconsin in the 2014 Big Ten Championship game. Cardale Jones aired it out for 257 yards and three touchdowns while Ezekiel Elliott went off for 220 rushing yards and two scores, including a long 81-yard TD run. Ohio State’s defense was stifling, forcing four turnovers — one of which a Joey Bosa fumble return TD that really put the game on ice before halftime. This was one of the most dominant performances you will see on this type of stage.

Players to Wear the #59 (since 2010): ​

  • Sam Longo (2009-10)
  • Stewart Smith (2010-12)
  • Tyquan Lewis (2013-16)
  • Isaiah Prince (2015-18)
  • Zach Stevenson (2019-21)
  • Darrion Henry-Young (2020-21)
  • Victor Cutler Jr. (present)

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LGHL You’re Nuts: ‘Buckeye Heros’ - Favorite OSU player you saw in-person

You’re Nuts: ‘Buckeye Heros’ - Favorite OSU player you saw in-person
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

NCAA Football: Indiana at Ohio State

Joe Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Which former Buckeye stood out to you the most at the Horseshoe.

From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State heroes. Whether they are the biggest names in Buckeye athletic history or underappreciated icons; perhaps even players who made major impacts off the field. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Buckeye Heroes” articles here.

Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.

In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.

This week’s topic: Favorite Ohio State player you saw in-person

Josh’s Take​


This week’s LGHL content theme is Buckeye Heroes, and I gotta be honest, I had trouble drawing a clear line between ‘Favorite Buckeye’ (not a thing, other than in my head) and the aforementioned theme. That, and ever since I joined LGHL, I have admittedly experienced a bit of trouble... err, frustration... trying to encapsulate the heroics of an athlete like Jesse Owens, Jack Nicklaus, or Archie Griffin.

How am I going to do those men justice? Or women, because Katie Smith is certainly in the Ohio State hero conversation as well. Better writers and better podcasters have already lapped anything I could come up with regarding certain Buckeye Heroes.

Fortunately, Mean Gene threw out a You’re Nuts idea that allowed us to straddle the fence a little bit. And it goes something like this: favorite Buckeye Hero you got to see in person. This is different than simply ‘favorite’ because hero is still the point of emphasis here. Like, even if Dane Sanzenbacher was my favorite Buckeye, it seems like a stretch to call him a hero (no offense to the small slot GOAT). So I had to jump in the way-back machine, and I think I came up with a good one... Or ones.

My favorite Buckeye Hero that I ever saw in person is/was actually a trio of Buckeyes. Sorry Gene, but if you ain’t cheating’, you ain’t tryin’. The heroes I am referring to are A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, and Anthony Schlegel — also known (by me) as the Triumvirate of Tackle.

Hawk, Carpenter, and Schlegel played together for two seasons (2004 and 2005) and formed arguably the greatest Ohio State linebacker trio of all-time. During those two seasons, the long-haired legends combined for 570 tackles, 26 sacks, and 6 interceptions, while wreaking absolute havoc against opposing offense. They also helped Ohio State finished 20th (‘04) and 5th (‘05) nationally in points per game allowed. And I got to witness a bunch of their achievements live and in-person.

I am dating myself a bit, but my freshman year at OSU coincided with that of Hawk and Carpenter (2002). So I got to watch these guys for the entirety of their college careers and form an emotional attachment to them (as players for my team, nothing weird). I attended 20+ games in the student section during their time in Columbus, and watched them grow from special teamers to All-Big Ten and All-American performers. It also helped that they contributed to a national championship team during my freshman year. After that, it became a no-brainer that I was going to root for these guys forever.

Then Schlegel comes along in ‘04, and not only was he (also) a badass LB, but he also had the same sort of attitude and aura as both Hawk and Carpenter. They seemed like three kindred spirits, and they were incredibly easy and fun to root for. The Buckeyes’ record wasn’t great during their time together, but I don’t think that takes away from their hero status as a group.

When I think of all-time teams or groups at OSU, this one comes to mind. And obviously Hawk is the headliner. Because if you (just) want to talk about individual Buckeye Heroes, No. 47 is or should be on every short list. He totaled nearly 400 career tackles in Columbus and was a two-time All-American, among other accolades earned. But Carpenter and Schlegel were studs too! They made heroic plays, even if you do not consider either one to be a singular Buckeye Hero... And let’s not forget Schlegel’s Rock Bottom of an unruly fan in 2014. That right there earned him hero status, and he wasn’t even in uniform.

This LB trio was a ton of fun to watch, and I was fortunate enough to do so on many occasions. They even became a pop culture entity, which only adds to their hero lore. But more (or most?) importantly, Hawk, Carpenter, and Schlegel were great Buckeyes. And that is what this week’s theme is all about.

Gene’s Take​


I thought this would be a great topic for Josh and I to tackle — see what I did there? — because there is no overlap between our time periods at Ohio State, and so it was impossible that we would have to fight over our favorite Buckeye Heroes that we got to witness during our stints in Columbus.

I was fortunate that my freshman year at Ohio State just so happened to be in 2014, when the Buckeyes went on to win a national title despite losing their top two starting quarterbacks. I’m not saying that I brought the team good luck, but all I’m saying is that in my first year on campus Ohio State won it all, and they went 4-0 against Michigan while I was attending the university. Needless to say, they’ve lost two games to the Wolverines since I left, and have yet to win another national championship. Ryan Day, hit my line with some free season tickets so we can get that good juju back flowing!

But I digress.

I had the honor of watching some truly special Buckeyes on the field during my OSU tenure, including the likes of Ezekiel Elliott, J.K. Dobbins, Michael Thomas, Nick and Joey Bosa, Marshon Lattimore, Denzel Ward and the list goes on and on. While the 2015-18 Ohio State teams failed to reach the heights they did in my freshman year, those rosters still contained some great players who have since gone on to make a name for themselves at the next level as well. However, none of those guys were my favorite to watch in-person.

I was close to picking Zeke, as I was there in Indy to watch Ohio State dismantle Wisconsin 59-0 in the 2014 Big Ten Championship, but while the stud running back was a treat to watch week in and week out, it wasn’t quite the same as watching Malik Hooker dominate in the defensive backfield.

It’s easy to stand out as the star running back in an offense that loved to run the ball. It’s not as easy to stand out as a defensive back, especially in the run-heavy Big Ten. Most DBs can be game planned for — simply don’t throw the ball to their side of the field. That wasn’t an option for teams against Hooker, because he was everywhere.

That 2016 season by Hooker was otherworldly. The safety picked off seven passes that year, including three he returned for touchdowns. I can distinctly remember him taking an interception to the house as the rain began to pour against Tulsa early in the year, and I can even more distinctly remember his massive pick-six against Michigan which we scored right in front of my end zone as I stood in awe in Block O South.

Hooker was everything you could ask for from a safety. He was the very definition of a ball hawk, he was a sure-tackler, and it seemed like he was in the area of the play regardless of where the ball wound up. Whether he was jumping into the air to tip a ball back to himself or running the route better than the receiver to pick off a pass on the sideline, Hooker was truly a treat to watch.

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Google Five-star tackle commits to Ohio State Buckeyes - NBC4 WCMH-TV

Five-star tackle commits to Ohio State Buckeyes - NBC4 WCMH-TV
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

  1. Five-star tackle commits to Ohio State Buckeyes NBC4 WCMH-TV
  2. Ohio State football recruiting: Five-star DL Justin Scott commits as Buckeyes add to impressive class CBS Sports
  3. Ohio State recruiting: Buckeyes score huge win, land 5-star DT Justin Scott The Athletic

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Google Ohio State Football: Larry Johnson, his defensive line, and the young guns we would like to see more of in 20… - Land Grant Holy Land

Ohio State Football: Larry Johnson, his defensive line, and the young guns we would like to see more of in 20… - Land Grant Holy Land
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

Ohio State Football: Larry Johnson, his defensive line, and the young guns we would like to see more of in 20… Land Grant Holy Land

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LGHL You’re Nuts: Who was your favorite Ohio State player to wear No. 4?

You’re Nuts: Who was your favorite Ohio State player to wear No. 4?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

USA TODAY Sports Images-Historical

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.

With the Fourth of July being a time for celebration around the country to celebrate independence, today at Land-Grant Holy Land we are celebrating something a little different. Along with the holiday, we figured it would be a great time to celebrate the greats at Ohio State that have donned the number four, since it is the Fourth of July.

Currently, Julian Fleming wears number four for the Ohio State football team. Some of the Buckeyes to recently wear the number are Jordan Fuller and Curtis Samuel. Over on the hardwood, Baylor transfer Dale Bonner will be wearing four for the men’s basketball team, while Jacy Sheldon will be returning for the women’s basketball team after her 2022-23 was limited due to a leg injury.

There are plenty of other great players that have worn number four while wearing the scarlet and gray. Kirk Herbstreit, Ken-Yon Rambo, and Duane Washington Jr. are just a few of the Buckeyes that have found success in Columbus while wearing four. Today we want to know who your favorite number four for the Buckeyes is or was. While we mentioned football and basketball, bonus points go to those who have a favorite Ohio State four from a non-revenue sport.

Today’s question: Who was your favorite Ohio State player to wear number four?​

We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.​

Brett’s answer: Santonio Holmes​


Santonio Holmes will always be one of the Buckeyes I remember fondly since his final year at Ohio State was the first year I lived in Columbus after moving here from Western New York. Holmes had strong seasons in 2003 and 2004 for the Buckeyes, catching seven touchdowns in each of those seasons. The wide receiver from Florida was able to learn from Michael Jenkins as Jenkins’ college career ended after the 2003 season. Then when Holmes became Ohio State’s top receiver in 2004, he was able to pass along his knowledge to Ted Ginn Jr. in the 2004 and 2005 seasons.

In the final year of his college career in 2005, Holmes caught 53 passes for 977 yards and 11 touchdowns. Even after Ohio State has thrown the football more over the last decade, Holmes is still prominent in the top 10 in the school’s receiving totals. The 140 career catches from Holmes ranks 10th, his 2,295 receiving yards rank eighth, and his 25 receiving touchdowns are the fifth-most in school history. It would be interesting to see what totals Holmes would put up if he had arrived in Columbus 10 or 15 years later than he did.

What I loved about Holmes is he seemed to do his best work in the biggest games. He scored touchdowns in wins over Michigan in 2004 and 2005. To close out his college career, in the 2005 Fiesta Bowl against Notre Dame, Holmes caught five passes for 124 yards and a touchdown. And who could forget Super Bowl XLIII, where he made one of the best catches ever seen in the Super Bowl to give the Pittsburgh Steelers a lead late in the game against the Arizona Cardinals. Holmes would go on to earn Super Bowl MVP honors after scoring the game-winning touchdown.

Even though there have been many great receivers to play at Ohio State, Holmes will always be one that I will mention as one of the best Buckeye receivers of all time. There may be wide receivers that put up bigger numbers, but to me, Holmes is one of the receivers that always came up big when the spotlight was the brightest.

Matt’s answer: Aaron Craft​


Your definition of a hero might vary, but to me, a hero is someone who puts his own body and physical well-being on the line, and there is no No. 4 that exemplifies that more than the man, the myth, the legend; Dr. Scrappy himself; the rosey-cheeked assassin, Dr. Aaron Vincent Craft.

Not since the days of Chris Jent was there a player that seemed to enjoy getting floor burns more than Craft. While guys like Andre Wesson and Kyle Young also come to mind in recent years, they all were living in the shadow of Dr. Aaron. Was he ever the most talented player on the court? Probably not, but his effort, energy, and intelligence made him an indispensable part of an incredibly important run in Ohio State men’s basketball history, not to mention the creation of the Ohio State alumni team — now known as Carmen’s Crew — in the annual TBT Tournament.

NCAA Basketball: Michigan State at Ohio State
Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

I feel like Craft is kind of the epitome of what it is to be an Ohio State fan. Everyone else absolutely hates you, even though deep down they wish you were on their team. He was feisty, he was dogged, he was annoying (all three things Ohio State fans have been accused of being), but he was ours. He did the little things that made his teams better.

Will Ohio State ever reach the heights of bluebloods like Duke, North Carolina, Kansas, and Kentucky on a regular basis, probably not. Similarly, Craft was never going to be the best point guard in the country. But he scratched and clawed as much as his body and talents would allow and, if he got the right combinations of shots in, he could take down Goliath. Such is the case for the OSU men’s basketball team.

It is also somewhat similar between the football team and the SEC squads like Alabama and Georgia which have inherent advantages given their geographical proximity to the top high school talent in the country, but the gap is much smaller on the gridiron than it is on the hardwood.

Nonetheless, Aaron Craft is, for all intents and purposes, the quintessential Buckeye. He enjoyed mixing it up with anyone and everyone, regardless of size and skill. He never backed down from a challenge — even in situations when he probably should have — but he also was immensely talented, and intelligent far beyond what most people think an athlete at his level of being capable of.

So, for me, with all due respect to Will Allen, Kurt Coleman, Jordan Fuller, Kirk Herbstreit, Sean McNeil, Ken-Yon Rambo, Curtis Samuel, Ray Small, Chris Vance, and others, Aaron Craft is by far my favorite No. 4 in Scarlet and Gray history.

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Google Ohio State Men's Basketball to Pay Non-Conference Opponents A Combined $455,000 in 2023-24 | Eleven Warriors - Eleven Warriors

Ohio State Men's Basketball to Pay Non-Conference Opponents A Combined $455,000 in 2023-24 | Eleven Warriors - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

Ohio State Men's Basketball to Pay Non-Conference Opponents A Combined $455,000 in 2023-24 | Eleven Warriors Eleven Warriors

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LGHL Buckeye Heroes: From bringing the heat to putting out fires: Antonio Pittman’s post-football heroics

Buckeye Heroes: From bringing the heat to putting out fires: Antonio Pittman’s post-football heroics
JamiJurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

NCAA Football: Michigan at Ohio State

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports

Former Buckeye football player Antonio Pittman has turned to a life of service in his community, making him an unsung hero on and off the field.

From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State heroes. Whether they are the biggest names in Buckeye athletic history, or underappreciated icons; perhaps even players who made major impacts off the field. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Buckeye Heroes” articles here.


Former Ohio State running back Antonio Pittman was arguably underrated during his time as a Buckeye. Despite being a key playmaker for the Buckeyes, Pittman isn’t the flashiest OSU alum and probably wouldn’t be one of the first running backs to come to mind.

Still, between 2004-2006, he maintained an average of more than 5 yards per carry. His career total 2,495 places him 14th on the all-time Ohio State rushing leaders list.

His performance wasn’t solely statistical. Pittman’s big plays often came at key moments that shifted the course of tough games. He scored the winning touchdown against Michigan in 2005 with only 24 seconds remaining in the game. His 60-yard rush on an injured hamstring with 1:46 left in the 2006 Tostitos Fiesta Bowl gave OSU the edge over Notre Dame, ultimately clinching the win.

If Pittman’s name does come to mind when you’re thinking “Leading OSU running backs over the years,” it is probably these plays that stuck with you.

After forgoing his senior season to declare for the NFL Draft, Pittman was taken by the New Orleans Saints in the 4th round. He also went on to play for the St. Louis Rams before being waived in 2009 after a knee injury.

It is here our hero’s journey really begins.

Pittman was undoubtedly a force for the Buckeyes on the field. I would argue that any player who scores the winning touchdown in a Michigan game OR a Bowl Game deserves hero status. Pittman did both.

While his knee injury ultimately ended his football career, for a time, Pittman clung to the hope he might be able to recover. He told the Columbus Dispatch last year that it was during trips to the gym at this time, he met Violet Township fire lieutenant Kevin McFarland.

McFarland went on to recruit Pittman to become a fireman, introducing him to firehouse culture and giving Pittman a window into the possibility of firefighting as a full-time career.

He was sold. Pittman used his NFL earnings to put himself through the Fire Academy.

Now in his sixth year as a full-time firefighter, Pittman has dedicated himself to a life of public service. He joined the Columbus Division of Fire in 2020, and now, he is currently fighting fires in the same community he once lit up scoreboards.

This dedication to serving and giving back to his community doesn’t stop with fighting fires, either. Pittman is passionate about mentoring young children and creating life-changing opportunities for the youth of Columbus.

He and his girlfriend started a charity called Navigating Alternative Success, or NAS for short, to provide after-school programs, mentoring, and resources for college advancement such as tutoring or college application assistance to local youth.

The same drive and determination that drove Pittman to greatness on the field are now being harnessed to improve his community.

It might not be as flashy as football, but Pittman has traded the jersey for the quiet nobility of leading a good life of service. There’s nothing more heroic than that.

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LGHL Buckeye Heroes: Steve Miller gets little recognition, but helped fuel Ohio State football’s last title run

Buckeye Heroes: Steve Miller gets little recognition, but helped fuel Ohio State football’s last title run
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

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Photo by Streeter Lecka/Getty Images

Miller was a career backup until his senior season. But when opportunity finally did present itself, he took full advantage and helped the Scarlet and Gray win a national championship.

From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State heroes. Whether they are the biggest names in Buckeye athletic history, or underappreciated icons; perhaps even players who made major impacts off the field. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Buckeye Heroes” articles here.


Steve Miller was a four-star defensive line recruit and top-100 player coming out of Canton McKinley HS in 2011, earning offers from Notre Dame, Nebraska, and Florida, just to name a few. But he chose to stay home and play for Ohio State, a precedent set by more than a dozen Bulldogs (McKinley’s mascot) before him.

As a big-time contributor for McKinley – one of Ohio’s elite high school football programs – who then committed to play for OSU, Miller was likely hoping to follow in the footsteps of Ray Ellis, Jamar Martin, Kenny Peterson, and Mike Doss, all of whom enjoyed prosperous (to very prosperous) careers as Buckeyes.

Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images

Miller’s collegiate career got off to a rocky start, through absolutely no fault of his own. Shortly before he arrived on campus, Jim Tressel was forced to resign in the wake of TattooGate. The Ohio State football program was suddenly thrust into chaos, Luke Fickell (completely unprepared at the time) took over coaching responsibilities, and the Buckeyes went 6-6 in Miller’s freshman season.

It’s possible that the former Canton McKinley star wanted to hop aboard a jet airliner and be carried far away from Columbus after 2011, but good times were just around the corner. Because like a space cowboy, Urban Meyer rode into town and helped ensure that OSU was not down or struggling for too long. Like a taste of wild mountain honey, the coach helped energize and revitalize the Scarlet and Gray, eventually leading to Miller’s finest moment in the winter time.

Miller played sparingly as a sophomore and junior, in 2012 and 2013 respectively, but surely wanted to fly like an eagle before his Ohio State career came to an end. And in 2014, he was finally given that opportunity. After Noah Spence was suspended, the seldom-used vet competed for and eventually won the Buckeyes’ starting defensive end role opposite Joey Bosa. Meaning that Miller, who had totaled just 16 tackles in his first three seasons combined, was now about to play a large and important role for a loaded team with championship aspirations... Sounds like a good cure for any Mercury blues.

At 6-foot-5, 250+ pounds, Miller was a big, physical presence up front, and he quickly became a solid contributor for Meyer’s 2014-15 squad. Never a stat sheet stuffer, Miller instead did a bunch of dirty work and unselfishly carried out his assignments while fellow defensive linemen Bosa, Adolphus Washington, and Michael Bennett received most of the attention and/or hype.

But that is not to say Miller was some slouch, only on the field to swallow up blocks and be driven into the ground by opposing offensive tackles. No, he totaled 31 tackles in ’14-15, including 2 sacks and 5.5 tackles for loss. Miller also forced a fumble and came up big during what was arguably the Buckeyes’ most important game of the season. That is heroic stuff.

As if anyone reading this really needs a reminder, Ohio State faced No. 1 Alabama in the 2015 Sugar Bowl. The Buckeyes were heavy underdogs and found themselves down 21-6 midway through the second quarter. But by the middle of the third, they had seized momentum. However, that momentum only resulted in a six-point lead (for OSU) with three minutes and change remaining in the penultimate quarter. Looking to draw even or take their own lead, Bama was facing a pivotal 3rd and 7 when Miller made the biggest, most important, most heroic play of his life.

As Crimson Tide quarterback Blake Sims dropped back to pass, and looked to his left side, Miller – who was about as comfortable in pass coverage as you or me – also dropped back, having clearly sniffed out something. He (Miller) sat directly underneath a curl route being run by Bama wideout Amari Cooper, and also within shouting distance of a Tide back Jalston Fowler, who had snuck out of the backfield.

Sims, focused on Cooper and nobody else, did not see Miller underneath and threw it directly into the Ohio State defender’s chest. And the rest, as they say, is history. Big No. 88 rumbled 41 yards for an electrifying pick-six, putting the Buckeyes up 13 points with 15 minutes left in the de facto national championship game.


While Ezekiel Elliott’s 85-yard run ‘through the heart of the south’ has, over time, become of the most memorable, remarkable, well-known, and/or talked about plays in college football history, an argument could be made that it was Miller’s pick-six that sealed both a Sugar Bowl victory and a spot in the national title game for OSU. Because his touchdown gave the Buckeyes their first double-digit lead, in a game they eventually won by just seven. It gave Meyer and company extra breathing room, necessary for when Cardale Jones began to struggle. It may have even opened the door for Elliott to run the ball late in the game.

Above all else, and regardless of which play you remember most fondly, Miller’s TD gave him and his teammates a shot at winning the ultimate prize. And he apparently predicted it, or something like it, prior to the game. Apparently, he was no joker.

Ohio State of course beat Oregon 11 days later, winning the 2014-15 BCS National Championship. Miller did next to nothing in that game, but it didn’t really matter. The TEAM completed their goal together. And in the end, the Bulldog from Canton cemented his legacy as a Buckeye hero. Miller’s name may not be the first, second, or even hundredth one you think of when heroes are brought up, but for his timely and impactful contribution to a title-winning team, it certainly belongs in the conversation.

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LGHL Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: A couple Buckeyes in the NFL gamble and lose, while others are remembered as heroes

Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: A couple Buckeyes in the NFL gamble and lose, while others are remembered as heroes
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

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Photo by Bryan Lynn/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

This week, Josh and Chuck take a look at recent gambling suspensions dished out by the NFL, before switching their attention to Buckeye Heroes and heroic moments.

The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast is here! Join LGHL’s Josh Dooley and Chuck Holmes as they cover Ohio State football, basketball, 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 discuss recent gambling suspensions dished out by the NFL, a few of which affected former Ohio State Buckeyes. Is the league acting in a hypocritical manner? Or are players ignoring fair, established rules? Both guys agree that it doesn't really matter what is fair or unfair, because one group holds disciplinary power.

The hosts then catch you up on some recent recruiting news, including a Buckeye bump for at least one future OSU quarterback.

And it would not be a summer episode without at least some theme-week-related conversation. LGHL’s theme this week is Buckeye Heroes, perfectly timed around the Fourth of July! The guys share their favorite underrated Buckeye Heroes, as well as a few heroic moments.

Plus, a few questions sent in by you, the listener(s).

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

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