-
New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.
LGHL Welcome back, old friend: Meechie Johnson announces he will transfer back to Ohio State
- News
- 0 Replies
Welcome back, old friend: Meechie Johnson announces he will transfer back to Ohio State
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland kid is back to use his last year of college eligibility where it all started — at Ohio State.
Guess who’s back. Back again. Meechie’s back. Tell a —
Okay, you get it.
The Ohio State men’s basketball team made a big splash in the transfer portal today when former Buckeye guard Meechie Johnson announced that he will transfer from South Carolina back to Ohio State. Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound guard from Cleveland, played at Ohio State from 2020-2022, appearing in 43 games and starting five of them. Johnson will have one year of eligibility remaining.
“I am a lifelong Buckeye.” Johnson said in his announcement, which he posted on Instagram and Twitter on Tuesday night. “It was my dream to be a Buckeye since I was a little kid. My story didn’t go exactly as planned, but that’s life. I’m blessed to be able to have this opportunity to get back to where I belong and still have at least the ending I’ve always dreamed about, and I wouldn’t pass that up for anything.”
Johnson averaged 3.2 points and 1.1 rebounds per game in two seasons at Ohio State, the first of which was a mid-season call-up from high school. In November 2020, Johnson announced that he was re-classifying from the 2021 class to 2020 and would enroll at Ohio State for spring semester 2021. That turned out to be a pivotal move for the Buckeyes, as weeks later starting point guard CJ Walker tore ligaments in his hand, and backup point guard Jimmy Sotos suffered a season-ending shoulder injury one month later. This all came after Utah State transfer guard Abel Porter medically retired from basketball at the beginning of the 2020-2021 season.
Following his second season in Columbus, Johnson entered the transfer portal and wound up at South Carolina, playing for Findlay-native Lamont Paris and the Gamecocks. Johnson earned All-SEC honors this past season, averaging a team-high 14.1 points per game and leading the Gamecocks back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.
While his shooting percentages and overall efficiency didn’t change much when he moved from Columbus to Columbia, Johnson was given the chance to fail, flourish, and not look over his shoulder wondering if he will continue to get opportunities. Meechie shot 31.9% overall at Ohio State and 34.4% from three-point range. In two seasons at South Carolina, he shot 38.1% overall and 32.% from three-point range. His minutes per game more than doubled when he transferred to South Carolina.
If Johnson’s stats from last year (14.1 PPG, 39.9% FG, 32.1% 3PT, 78.8% FT) were translated to this year’s Ohio State team, he would rank third in points per game, eighth in field goal percentage, fourth in three-point field goal percentage, and fifth in free throw percentage.
With Bruce Thornton and Roddy Gayle both (assumedly) returning for their junior seasons, adding Johnson to the group creates a jam of minutes at the guard spots, but also the opportunity to aggressively rotate in and out, as Jake Diebler has been very vocal about doing since taking over. Both Thornton and Gayle may see their minutes tick down a bit, but it is likely Johnson who will see the most pronounced decrease in his role from the one he had at South Carolina, where he averaged 31.1 minutes per game during his two seasons.
There will be times Diebler has all three guards on the court, with Gayle playing a pseudo-three in a small ball lineup — like they did this season with Dale Bonner occasionally. There will also be moments where two of the three are playing and the third guard sits. If Johnson is fine playing closer to 20 minutes than 30, the added depth would give Ohio State one of the deepest and most talented backcourts in the nation.
While Johnson can be inefficient at times, he’s also shown the ability to single-handedly take over games when needed. Sort of like Duane Washington Jr. from 2018-2021, Johnson has games where he takes bad shots and misses some of them, but he also had performances at South Carolina where he refused to miss and put the team on his back in the closing minutes to deliver wins. Meechie showed promise at Ohio State but was a streaky, inefficient scorer his first two seasons, and extrapolated that out in a larger role at South Carolina.
Johnson was the No. 133 recruit in the class of 2020, the No. 23 point guard in the class, and the third-highest ranked player in Ohio that cycle. He attended Garfield Heights High School in Cleveland. He is also the cousin of 2026 five-star guard Marcus Johnson, who has visited Ohio State multiple times already and is very much on the Buckeyes’ radar.
Jake Diebler and staff likely aren’t done in the transfer portal, and the current players on the roster still could leave if they wish. Ohio State likely needs to add a more efficient three-point shooter this summer to offset the loss of Battle, as well as someone bigger who can play small forward and/or power forward, where Ohio State currently has a clear hole in the roster.
Continue reading...
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Steven Branscombe-USA TODAY Sports
The Cleveland kid is back to use his last year of college eligibility where it all started — at Ohio State.
Guess who’s back. Back again. Meechie’s back. Tell a —
Okay, you get it.
The Ohio State men’s basketball team made a big splash in the transfer portal today when former Buckeye guard Meechie Johnson announced that he will transfer from South Carolina back to Ohio State. Johnson, a 6-foot-2, 185-pound guard from Cleveland, played at Ohio State from 2020-2022, appearing in 43 games and starting five of them. Johnson will have one year of eligibility remaining.
“I am a lifelong Buckeye.” Johnson said in his announcement, which he posted on Instagram and Twitter on Tuesday night. “It was my dream to be a Buckeye since I was a little kid. My story didn’t go exactly as planned, but that’s life. I’m blessed to be able to have this opportunity to get back to where I belong and still have at least the ending I’ve always dreamed about, and I wouldn’t pass that up for anything.”
Johnson averaged 3.2 points and 1.1 rebounds per game in two seasons at Ohio State, the first of which was a mid-season call-up from high school. In November 2020, Johnson announced that he was re-classifying from the 2021 class to 2020 and would enroll at Ohio State for spring semester 2021. That turned out to be a pivotal move for the Buckeyes, as weeks later starting point guard CJ Walker tore ligaments in his hand, and backup point guard Jimmy Sotos suffered a season-ending shoulder injury one month later. This all came after Utah State transfer guard Abel Porter medically retired from basketball at the beginning of the 2020-2021 season.
Following his second season in Columbus, Johnson entered the transfer portal and wound up at South Carolina, playing for Findlay-native Lamont Paris and the Gamecocks. Johnson earned All-SEC honors this past season, averaging a team-high 14.1 points per game and leading the Gamecocks back to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2017.
While his shooting percentages and overall efficiency didn’t change much when he moved from Columbus to Columbia, Johnson was given the chance to fail, flourish, and not look over his shoulder wondering if he will continue to get opportunities. Meechie shot 31.9% overall at Ohio State and 34.4% from three-point range. In two seasons at South Carolina, he shot 38.1% overall and 32.% from three-point range. His minutes per game more than doubled when he transferred to South Carolina.
If Johnson’s stats from last year (14.1 PPG, 39.9% FG, 32.1% 3PT, 78.8% FT) were translated to this year’s Ohio State team, he would rank third in points per game, eighth in field goal percentage, fourth in three-point field goal percentage, and fifth in free throw percentage.
With Bruce Thornton and Roddy Gayle both (assumedly) returning for their junior seasons, adding Johnson to the group creates a jam of minutes at the guard spots, but also the opportunity to aggressively rotate in and out, as Jake Diebler has been very vocal about doing since taking over. Both Thornton and Gayle may see their minutes tick down a bit, but it is likely Johnson who will see the most pronounced decrease in his role from the one he had at South Carolina, where he averaged 31.1 minutes per game during his two seasons.
There will be times Diebler has all three guards on the court, with Gayle playing a pseudo-three in a small ball lineup — like they did this season with Dale Bonner occasionally. There will also be moments where two of the three are playing and the third guard sits. If Johnson is fine playing closer to 20 minutes than 30, the added depth would give Ohio State one of the deepest and most talented backcourts in the nation.
While Johnson can be inefficient at times, he’s also shown the ability to single-handedly take over games when needed. Sort of like Duane Washington Jr. from 2018-2021, Johnson has games where he takes bad shots and misses some of them, but he also had performances at South Carolina where he refused to miss and put the team on his back in the closing minutes to deliver wins. Meechie showed promise at Ohio State but was a streaky, inefficient scorer his first two seasons, and extrapolated that out in a larger role at South Carolina.
Johnson was the No. 133 recruit in the class of 2020, the No. 23 point guard in the class, and the third-highest ranked player in Ohio that cycle. He attended Garfield Heights High School in Cleveland. He is also the cousin of 2026 five-star guard Marcus Johnson, who has visited Ohio State multiple times already and is very much on the Buckeyes’ radar.
Jake Diebler and staff likely aren’t done in the transfer portal, and the current players on the roster still could leave if they wish. Ohio State likely needs to add a more efficient three-point shooter this summer to offset the loss of Battle, as well as someone bigger who can play small forward and/or power forward, where Ohio State currently has a clear hole in the roster.
Continue reading...
LGHL Carlos Locklyn named new running backs coach; Scotty Middleton enters the portal
- News
- 0 Replies
Carlos Locklyn named new running backs coach; Scotty Middleton enters the portal
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Brooke LaValley / 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!
Ohio State hires Oregon’s Carlos Locklyn as running backs coach
Joey Kaufman and Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
Analyzing impact as Carlos Locklyn hired to coach running backs (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
5 things to know about Carlos Locklyn: OSU expected running backs coach
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Top RB’s react to Locklyn hiring and what it means for Ohio State running back recruiting
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts
Ohio State notebook: O-line working to find best five midway through spring (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes
Luke Montgomery making move into ‘best five’ conversation on Buckeyes offensive line (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Seth McLaughlin “Head Over Heels” Happy to Be at Ohio State, Developing Command as Buckeyes’ Potential Starting Center
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
After a disappointing 2023 season, Josh Fryar has put his head down and gone to work this offseason
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Few surprises so far among spring black stripe removals for Ohio State
Michael Citro, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State freshman guard Scotty Middleton enters transfer portal after one season
Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land
Starting center Felix Okpara to return to Ohio State for junior season
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State women’s basketball assistant coach Wesley Brooks hired to lead Utah State
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Softball: Ohio State snaps Northwestern’s 11-game win streak with HUGE win on Sunday
Megan Husslein, Land-Grant Holy Land
Men’s Gymnastics: Thackston and Snyder Win Big Ten Weekly Awards
Ohio State Athletics
Now this is a big transfer portal move.
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Brooke LaValley / 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!
On the Gridiron
Ohio State hires Oregon’s Carlos Locklyn as running backs coach
Joey Kaufman and Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
Analyzing impact as Carlos Locklyn hired to coach running backs (paywall)
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes
5 things to know about Carlos Locklyn: OSU expected running backs coach
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch
Top RB’s react to Locklyn hiring and what it means for Ohio State running back recruiting
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts
Ohio State notebook: O-line working to find best five midway through spring (paywall)
Bill Landis, Dotting the Eyes
Luke Montgomery making move into ‘best five’ conversation on Buckeyes offensive line (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Seth McLaughlin “Head Over Heels” Happy to Be at Ohio State, Developing Command as Buckeyes’ Potential Starting Center
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
After a disappointing 2023 season, Josh Fryar has put his head down and gone to work this offseason
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
Few surprises so far among spring black stripe removals for Ohio State
Michael Citro, Land-Grant Holy Land
On the Hardwood
Ohio State freshman guard Scotty Middleton enters transfer portal after one season
Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land
Starting center Felix Okpara to return to Ohio State for junior season
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State women’s basketball assistant coach Wesley Brooks hired to lead Utah State
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Outside the Shoe and Schott
Softball: Ohio State snaps Northwestern’s 11-game win streak with HUGE win on Sunday
Megan Husslein, Land-Grant Holy Land
Men’s Gymnastics: Thackston and Snyder Win Big Ten Weekly Awards
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
Now this is a big transfer portal move.
Continue reading...
LGHL You’re Nuts: Which Ohio State player are we hoping to hear/see more of this offseason?
- News
- 0 Replies
You’re Nuts: Which Ohio State player are we hoping to hear/see more of this offseason?
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Which potentially under-the-radar Buckeyes could be crucial to the team’s success in 2024?
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.
Ohio State football is now a little more than halfway though its spring session (practices), and it’s starting to feel real, folks. Granted, we’re still months away from games being played, but it seems like Buckeye football is actually on the horizon. The 2024 roster is beginning to take shape, and position battles are heating up... until the next transfer portal opens, I guess.
Sorry, sorry. That was uncalled for.
Regardless, OSU’s annual Student Appreciation Day practice always sort of feels like the first “event” of the offseason. Then it’s the spring game. Then it’s fans getting angry at the fall depth chart. And then boom, we’re there! So yeah, I guess what I’m trying to say is that Akron is right around the corner.
Obviously, I am being a bit facetious, but groundwork is being laid. Depth charts are being written down. Likely in pencil, but you get my point. Even though it is “just” spring, there is still a keep up or get left behind mentality.
And thus far, we have heard about several Buckeyes who are at least keeping up, if not surging ahead of their teammates and/or position-mates. Players like Luke Montgomery and Jeremiah Smith, both of whom seem to have risen to – or near – the top of the depth chart at their position(s).
The same could be said about transfers Will Howard, Seth McLaughlin and Caleb Downs. Although, that was sort of a foregone conclusion, right? Like, if the latter showed up in Columbus and started running with the twos, it would have been the shock of the century.
Conversely, it seems like the noise surrounding certain other players has been quiet or minimal. Not so much that it has become concerning or disheartening, but enough that Gene and I have taken notice. So that’s what we chose to tackle for today’s edition of You’re Nuts: Which Ohio State player are we hoping to hear more about (or see more of) as the offseason progresses?
For me, this was a very easy choice/decision to make. Because I have talked about this guy every couple of months since he committed to OSU. I’ve referred to him as a sleeper, a breakout candidate, a potential starter, a future star, you name it. And yet, here we are in April of his second (off)season, and Jelani Thurman appears to be no higher than third on the Buckeyes’ depth chart at tight end... Big-time disappointment for yours truly.
Thurman’s name continues to be whispered in the dark corners of Ohio State fanworld that nobody talks about, but that’s about it. I am hearing the names of Gee Scott Jr., Will Kacmarek, and even Bennett Christian far more often this spring. And that’s a problem, folks! At least for me it is.
I have been conducting the Thurman hype train for over a year because I thought (still do) that he would introduce a new element to the Buckeyes’ TE room. That element being dirty, filthy, freakish athleticism. Sort of what we thought we might see from Scott Jr. after his conversion to the TE position. Only Thurman has three inches and 15-20 pounds on Scott Jr.! So if I can make a basketball comp real quick: Imagine a long, twitchy power forward-type running around out there for OSU – a la Rickey Dudley.
But any hype around Thurman seems to be very subdued this spring. Ryan Day recently went out of his way to praise Scott Jr., while Kacmarek and Christian have received attention for their arrival and/or re-joining of the team, respectively. Thurman, meanwhile, is starting to feel like the Jayden Ballard of TEs: A crazy athlete who just can’t climb up the depth chart.
Fortunately, there is still plenty of time for Thurman to make an impact and a name for himself. And I believe that he will. But time is of the essence, even in March and April.
It is also entirely possible (likely) that I am unaware of the Ohio State coaches’ true feelings towards or about their true sophomore TE. It’s not like we heard a ton about Cade Stover before his breakout, so maybe the same thing will happen with Thurman. Maybe his blocking will catch up with that of the others. If that happens, watch out. Because Thurman is in another stratosphere when it comes to pure athleticism.
But again, his (Thurman’s) spring has been very quiet. At some point, he needs to go out and prove that he is a better, more explosive option. So I am holding out hope that he performs well in the Buckeyes’ spring game, which will then allow me to grease the wheels on Thurman Express. Whoo, whoo, here we come... Hopefully.
The old adage is that games are won in the trenches, and Ohio State has found out the hard way over the past few years that it hasn’t been good enough on either line to achieve its ultimate goals.
So much of this offseason has focused on the offensive line, where it does seem like Justin Frye and the Buckeyes are focusing on getting better. The left side of the front is virtually set, with Justin Simmons, Donovan Jackson and Alabama transfer Seth McLaughlin locking down the three spots from left tackle to center. On the right side, it seems as though Josh Fryar will return as the starting right tackle, and Luke Montgomery is pushing for the job at right guard.
Of course, there still exists a chance Ohio State looks to the portal in the spring window if an upgrade presents itself, but for now it seems like the coaching staff is confident in the group it has out there to get the job done.
That being said, while the offensive line will be of the utmost importance in 2024, especially for a team that will likely look to run the ball quite often, my focus here is actually going to be on the other half of the trenches: the defensive line.
It is no secret that Ohio State’s defensive line has not been good enough in recent seasons. The Buckeyes finished in the bottom half of the Big Ten in sacks last year, ranking 10th in the conference and 64th in FBS with 28 total sacks. Considering the talent on the roster, including a pair of former five-star defensive ends in Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau in addition to guys like Mike Hall Jr. and Tyleik Williams up the middle, that just isn’t going to cut it.
Perhaps a big reason for the lackluster sack numbers was the over-reliance on those aforementioned players. Tuimoloau paced the defensive end position with 673 snaps, followed by Sawyer with 605. Behind them, Kenyatta Jackson trailed way behind at 176 snaps, Caden Curry played 166 snaps, and nobody else on the team played more than 63 (Mitchell Melton). The snap counts were similar at defensive tackle, albeit spread among three guys — Williams (642), Hall (419) and Ty Hamilton (343) — but nobody else played more than 90 snaps (Hero Kanu).
Fans complained in 2022 that Larry Johnson was rotating his defensive linemen too much and taking his best players off the field far too often, and he overcorrected by virtually never rotating in 2023. While guys like Sawyer and Tuimoloau were still effective late in the year, including a three-sack performance by Sawyer in the Cotton Bowl, they almost definitely could have performed better down the stretch — they had just one combined sack against Michigan — had they gotten to take a breather once and awhile.
It isn’t like the Buckeyes are hurting for talent off the edge, and it is for that reason why I want to see more out of guys like Kenyatta Jackson and Caden Curry this offseason.
Both Curry and Jackson came to Ohio State in the 2022 class as top-150 national prospects, with Curry the No. 13 DE and No. 123 player overall and Jackson the No. 5 DE and No. 60 prospect nationally. The pair of edge rushers have both flashed in their very limited opportunities. Curry has totaled two sacks and five tackles for loss in his first two seasons as a reserve, while Jackson has added 1.5 sacks and a pair of TFLs. It is clear that both guys can play, and they should see the field more in 2024.
Obviously you want your best players on the field in the biggest moments. On a critical third down against teams like Oregon and Michigan this upcoming season, you want healthy and well-rested Tuimoloau and Sawyer coming off each edge. However, there is also no need for those two to be logging 40 or 50-plus snaps against teams that Ohio State should beat rather handily.
The Buckeyes have at least four guys who should see the field often at defensive end this year, and that isn’t even including five-star freshman Eddrick Houston or a guy like Mitchell Melton, who should also get into the mix a bit. I want to see more from both Curry and Jackson this offseason, as I think Ohio State will need its defensive line to have more success this season to add to what should be a dominant secondary in the chase for a Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff berth.
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Which potentially under-the-radar Buckeyes could be crucial to the team’s success in 2024?
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: Which Ohio State player are we hoping to hear/see more of this offseason?
Josh’s Take
Ohio State football is now a little more than halfway though its spring session (practices), and it’s starting to feel real, folks. Granted, we’re still months away from games being played, but it seems like Buckeye football is actually on the horizon. The 2024 roster is beginning to take shape, and position battles are heating up... until the next transfer portal opens, I guess.
Sorry, sorry. That was uncalled for.
Regardless, OSU’s annual Student Appreciation Day practice always sort of feels like the first “event” of the offseason. Then it’s the spring game. Then it’s fans getting angry at the fall depth chart. And then boom, we’re there! So yeah, I guess what I’m trying to say is that Akron is right around the corner.
Obviously, I am being a bit facetious, but groundwork is being laid. Depth charts are being written down. Likely in pencil, but you get my point. Even though it is “just” spring, there is still a keep up or get left behind mentality.
And thus far, we have heard about several Buckeyes who are at least keeping up, if not surging ahead of their teammates and/or position-mates. Players like Luke Montgomery and Jeremiah Smith, both of whom seem to have risen to – or near – the top of the depth chart at their position(s).
The same could be said about transfers Will Howard, Seth McLaughlin and Caleb Downs. Although, that was sort of a foregone conclusion, right? Like, if the latter showed up in Columbus and started running with the twos, it would have been the shock of the century.
Conversely, it seems like the noise surrounding certain other players has been quiet or minimal. Not so much that it has become concerning or disheartening, but enough that Gene and I have taken notice. So that’s what we chose to tackle for today’s edition of You’re Nuts: Which Ohio State player are we hoping to hear more about (or see more of) as the offseason progresses?
For me, this was a very easy choice/decision to make. Because I have talked about this guy every couple of months since he committed to OSU. I’ve referred to him as a sleeper, a breakout candidate, a potential starter, a future star, you name it. And yet, here we are in April of his second (off)season, and Jelani Thurman appears to be no higher than third on the Buckeyes’ depth chart at tight end... Big-time disappointment for yours truly.
Thurman’s name continues to be whispered in the dark corners of Ohio State fanworld that nobody talks about, but that’s about it. I am hearing the names of Gee Scott Jr., Will Kacmarek, and even Bennett Christian far more often this spring. And that’s a problem, folks! At least for me it is.
I have been conducting the Thurman hype train for over a year because I thought (still do) that he would introduce a new element to the Buckeyes’ TE room. That element being dirty, filthy, freakish athleticism. Sort of what we thought we might see from Scott Jr. after his conversion to the TE position. Only Thurman has three inches and 15-20 pounds on Scott Jr.! So if I can make a basketball comp real quick: Imagine a long, twitchy power forward-type running around out there for OSU – a la Rickey Dudley.
But any hype around Thurman seems to be very subdued this spring. Ryan Day recently went out of his way to praise Scott Jr., while Kacmarek and Christian have received attention for their arrival and/or re-joining of the team, respectively. Thurman, meanwhile, is starting to feel like the Jayden Ballard of TEs: A crazy athlete who just can’t climb up the depth chart.
Fortunately, there is still plenty of time for Thurman to make an impact and a name for himself. And I believe that he will. But time is of the essence, even in March and April.
It is also entirely possible (likely) that I am unaware of the Ohio State coaches’ true feelings towards or about their true sophomore TE. It’s not like we heard a ton about Cade Stover before his breakout, so maybe the same thing will happen with Thurman. Maybe his blocking will catch up with that of the others. If that happens, watch out. Because Thurman is in another stratosphere when it comes to pure athleticism.
But again, his (Thurman’s) spring has been very quiet. At some point, he needs to go out and prove that he is a better, more explosive option. So I am holding out hope that he performs well in the Buckeyes’ spring game, which will then allow me to grease the wheels on Thurman Express. Whoo, whoo, here we come... Hopefully.
Gene’s Take
The old adage is that games are won in the trenches, and Ohio State has found out the hard way over the past few years that it hasn’t been good enough on either line to achieve its ultimate goals.
So much of this offseason has focused on the offensive line, where it does seem like Justin Frye and the Buckeyes are focusing on getting better. The left side of the front is virtually set, with Justin Simmons, Donovan Jackson and Alabama transfer Seth McLaughlin locking down the three spots from left tackle to center. On the right side, it seems as though Josh Fryar will return as the starting right tackle, and Luke Montgomery is pushing for the job at right guard.
Of course, there still exists a chance Ohio State looks to the portal in the spring window if an upgrade presents itself, but for now it seems like the coaching staff is confident in the group it has out there to get the job done.
That being said, while the offensive line will be of the utmost importance in 2024, especially for a team that will likely look to run the ball quite often, my focus here is actually going to be on the other half of the trenches: the defensive line.
It is no secret that Ohio State’s defensive line has not been good enough in recent seasons. The Buckeyes finished in the bottom half of the Big Ten in sacks last year, ranking 10th in the conference and 64th in FBS with 28 total sacks. Considering the talent on the roster, including a pair of former five-star defensive ends in Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau in addition to guys like Mike Hall Jr. and Tyleik Williams up the middle, that just isn’t going to cut it.
Perhaps a big reason for the lackluster sack numbers was the over-reliance on those aforementioned players. Tuimoloau paced the defensive end position with 673 snaps, followed by Sawyer with 605. Behind them, Kenyatta Jackson trailed way behind at 176 snaps, Caden Curry played 166 snaps, and nobody else on the team played more than 63 (Mitchell Melton). The snap counts were similar at defensive tackle, albeit spread among three guys — Williams (642), Hall (419) and Ty Hamilton (343) — but nobody else played more than 90 snaps (Hero Kanu).
Fans complained in 2022 that Larry Johnson was rotating his defensive linemen too much and taking his best players off the field far too often, and he overcorrected by virtually never rotating in 2023. While guys like Sawyer and Tuimoloau were still effective late in the year, including a three-sack performance by Sawyer in the Cotton Bowl, they almost definitely could have performed better down the stretch — they had just one combined sack against Michigan — had they gotten to take a breather once and awhile.
It isn’t like the Buckeyes are hurting for talent off the edge, and it is for that reason why I want to see more out of guys like Kenyatta Jackson and Caden Curry this offseason.
Both Curry and Jackson came to Ohio State in the 2022 class as top-150 national prospects, with Curry the No. 13 DE and No. 123 player overall and Jackson the No. 5 DE and No. 60 prospect nationally. The pair of edge rushers have both flashed in their very limited opportunities. Curry has totaled two sacks and five tackles for loss in his first two seasons as a reserve, while Jackson has added 1.5 sacks and a pair of TFLs. It is clear that both guys can play, and they should see the field more in 2024.
Obviously you want your best players on the field in the biggest moments. On a critical third down against teams like Oregon and Michigan this upcoming season, you want healthy and well-rested Tuimoloau and Sawyer coming off each edge. However, there is also no need for those two to be logging 40 or 50-plus snaps against teams that Ohio State should beat rather handily.
The Buckeyes have at least four guys who should see the field often at defensive end this year, and that isn’t even including five-star freshman Eddrick Houston or a guy like Mitchell Melton, who should also get into the mix a bit. I want to see more from both Curry and Jackson this offseason, as I think Ohio State will need its defensive line to have more success this season to add to what should be a dominant secondary in the chase for a Big Ten title and a College Football Playoff berth.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State spring sport storylines other than football you should be following
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State spring sport storylines other than football you should be following
Jami Jurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
@OhioStateMVB Twitter
Buckeye news updates on the No. 1 men’s tennis team, No. 12 women’s rowing team and more.
Whether you’re looking to get on the tennis train, take a few laps around the track, or root, root, root for the Buckeyes’ baseball and softball teams, here at LGHL, we’re keeping you up-to-date on what’s happening with all your Buckeye sports teams.
After Georgetown swept the Buckeyes in OSU’s home-opening series, the Buckeyes are back at .500 after winning this weekend’s series against Purdue to open Big Ten play for the year.
The Boilermakers (17-12, 2-4) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in game one of the series before the Buckeyes put up eight unanswered runs for a dominant 8-2 win Friday. Landon Beidelschies pitched for the Buckeyes, and center fielder Josh Stevenson and designated hitter Nick Giamarusti combined for seven of the Buckeyes’ 15 hits.
Saturday’s battle was a little tighter, with the Buckeyes scoring first but ultimately heading into the ninth down by one run. Down to their last out, a walk-off three-run homer from outfielder Trey Lipsey sealed the Buckeyes’ 12-10 win, securing their edge in the series.
The Boilermakers found their answer on Sunday, however, holding the Buckeyes to one run (off an RBI double from catcher Matthew Graveline) en route to a 7-1 Purdue victory.
Next up, Ohio State hits the road to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln this Friday through Sunday.
The Buckeye softball team (19-12, 2-4) had a big week, winning their home field debut against Dayton, 6-2, on Wednesday before hosting Northwestern to open Big Ten play.
Northwestern (19-8) came to Columbus on a nine-game win streak, one that would grow into an eleven-game win streak before being snapped by the Buckeyes in the final game of the series.
The Wildcats dominated Friday’s game, winning 10-0. OSU wasn’t without opportunities, but a number of stranded runners kept the final score lopsided in Northwestern’s favor.
Saturday looked to be more of the same, as Northwestern led 5-0 by halfway through three. OSU didn’t log a hit until the fifth inning, at which point the score had reached 7-0 in Northwestern’s favor. But the Buckeyes weren’t going down without a fight, tallying seven runs in the seventh and falling just shy, ultimately losing 9-7.
It was a tough loss, but one that said much of this Buckeye team. They are not afraid to fight back, and they’re not to be counted out until it’s over.
It seemingly lit a fire under them heading into Sunday, when dominant pitching from Emily Ruck led to a 6-0 shutout—Northwestern’s first conference loss of the season. Ruck struck out eight, a season-high.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25366841/OSUSball.jpeg)
@OhioStateSB Twitter
The common thread between Saturday’s loss and Sunday’s win was that the Buckeyes bats were late to wake up (perhaps too late in Saturday’s case). The floodgates didn’t open until the fifth inning, with the Buckeyes posting all of their runs in the fifth or later. Those runs included a grand slam from infielder Kami Kortokrax, along with solo home runs from Destinee Noury and Sam Hackenbracht.
The Buckeyes had a doubleheader against Penn State scheduled for Apr. 1 that was postponed due to rain. A make-up date has not yet been scheduled. They’ll head to Minneapolis to face Minnesota in a three-game series this Friday through Sunday.
Both the men’s and women’s golf teams had the week off from competition, but there was still reason to celebrate in Buckeye Nation.
Renee Powell, the legendary Buckeye women’s golf alumna, was named as one of five Cleveland honorees of the 2024 Legends and Legacy Community Award, given to individuals who provide invaluable service to their community.
Powell, who played for OSU in the 60s and was the first Black student-athlete to lead a major university golf team, was the second Black woman to play on the LPGA tour. Since 1995, she has been the head pro of her family’s golf course, Clearview Golf Club. She was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2017.
On the course, the men’s next outing will come in mid-April, when they host the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate tournament in Columbus.
The women’s regular season comes to a close in Columbus on April 13-14, when they host the Therese Hession Buckeye Invitational at the OSU Scarlet Course.
Last week, both the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams earned their first conference wins this season, both against the No. 19 teams.
The women (7-4, 1-3) hosted No. 19 Penn State, rallying from an 8-2 deficit and scoring four goals in the game’s final three minutes to beat the Nittany Lions, 9-8. Three of those final four goals came from freshman Kate Tyack, who has started in the last three games. Regan Alexander, the Buckeyes’ goalie, posted 11 saves, including six in the fourth quarter, to help secure the win.
Next up, the women will head out on a three-game road stretch, starting with Cincinnati this Friday.
The men (6-5, 1-1) took down No. 19 Rutgers on the road in New Jersey, 14-8. They never trailed, in what turned out to be a dominant victory for the men.
Alex Marinier had a record day, with a career-high five goals and five points in the Buckeye victory. The Buckeyes also excelled defensively, holding Rutgers to its second-lowest scoring game of the year, and doing a great job forcing turnovers from the Scarlet Knights.
Next, the men will look to see if they can continue the momentum when they face No. 12 Maryland on the road in College Park, MAryland this coming Saturday.
The Ohio State Track & Field team did double duty this weekend, with athletes competing at both the Raleigh Relays at NC State and the Texas Relays at the University of Texas last weekend.
Performances of note in North Carolina include the women’s 4x100 relay team of Fatouma Conde, Nya Bussey, Sydney Bryant, and Leah Bertrand, who finished the finals race as runners-up and posted their season-best time of 43.79. Conde was joined by Columba Effiong, Chanler Robinson, and Bryannia Murphy in the 4x400 relay finals, in which they finished third with a season-best time of 3:35.88.
Janela Spencer boasted a top-10 finish in the women’s 100m hurdles, finishing sixth with a time of 13.17 in the finals.
Faith Bender won the women’s discus in Raleigh, with a best throw of 53.90m, while Carlos Aviles was the men’s discus runner-up with a best throw of 54.53m.
But perhaps the most impressive Raleigh showing came from Daniella Santos and Andrea Kuhn, who broke the program record in the 10,000m, the same record they broke last season. Their times are more than 17 seconds faster than any other woman in Buckeye history in the event.
Over in Texas, Evan Johnson led the Buckeye men in the hammer throw, with a personal-best throw of 58.19m.
Up next for the Buckeyes, they head to South Carolina for a meet this coming Saturday.
The No. 12 Ohio State women’s rowing team hosted the Big Ten/ACC Duals in Columbus last weekend, facing off against No. 9 Michigan, No. 11 Virginia, and No. 15 Duke.
While the weather tried to interfere with the fun, delaying the morning session, ultimately it was the Buckeyes’ 1V4 that came out ahead, sweeping its races against Duke and Virginia. The 1V8 team split its races, defeating Duke in the morning before falling to Virginia in the afternoon.
Up next, they’ll host the OSU Regatta in Columbus this coming Saturday.
The No. 9 men’s volleyball team (17-8, 10-5) ended its road season in MIVA play with a 3-1 loss at Lindenwood last weekend.
Shane Wetzel led Ohio State with 14 kills and 7 digs. In the first set, Lindenwood jumped out to an early lead before the Buckeyes came alive to pull within one. From there, OSU kept it close, but eventually fell, 25-23, with the win coming on an Ohio State error.
The second set again saw Lindenwood with an early lead, though the Buckeyes eventually took the lead at 12-11. From there, the set went back and forth, with OSU again falling by a score of 25-23.
The third set went better for the Buckeyes when they turned the tables and jumped out to a 4-2 lead themselves. OSU took the set, 25-20.
Ohio State led 5-2 in the fourth set, but Lindenwood pulled ahead and ultimately did enough to break the Buckeyes’ momentum. The Lions took the win, 25-21 for the match victory.
Now, OSU is gearing up for its final two matches of the regular season—both at home. First up, they’ll face McKendree on Thursday. They’ll turn around to play again Friday against Maryville, marking OSU’s Senior Night game.
The No. 12 Ohio State women’s tennis team (12-6, 5-1) is heating up, shutting out Rutgers, 4-0, in Columbus this past weekend to mark the Buckeyes’ fifth consecutive win.
It was the Buckeyes’ seventh shutout this year, propelled by singles victories from Shelly Bereznyak, Luciana Perry, and Akanksha Bhan, the latter two of whom also won in doubles. Sydni Ratliff and Audrey Spencer also posted doubles victories for the Buckeyes.
Next up, they hit the road, facing Penn State Wednesday in Happy Valley.
On the men’s side, the No. 1 team in the country remains undefeated in the conference after sweeping Purdue, 4-0, on Friday and Indiana, 7-0, on Sunday.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/25366842/GKBNkf_WgAAgPh7.jpeg)
@OhioStateMTen Twitter
The Buckeyes are now 22-1 on the season, with both Jack Anthrop and Alexander Bernard remaining undefeated in singles.
In doubles play, a victory from Robert Cash and Bryce Nakashima brought Cash within four wins of Peter Kobelt’s program-record 139 career doubles wins.
They too will head to Happy Valley, where they will face Penn State on Friday afternoon.
Continue reading...
Jami Jurich via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
@OhioStateMVB Twitter
Buckeye news updates on the No. 1 men’s tennis team, No. 12 women’s rowing team and more.
Whether you’re looking to get on the tennis train, take a few laps around the track, or root, root, root for the Buckeyes’ baseball and softball teams, here at LGHL, we’re keeping you up-to-date on what’s happening with all your Buckeye sports teams.
Baseball
After Georgetown swept the Buckeyes in OSU’s home-opening series, the Buckeyes are back at .500 after winning this weekend’s series against Purdue to open Big Ten play for the year.
The Boilermakers (17-12, 2-4) jumped out to an early 2-0 lead in game one of the series before the Buckeyes put up eight unanswered runs for a dominant 8-2 win Friday. Landon Beidelschies pitched for the Buckeyes, and center fielder Josh Stevenson and designated hitter Nick Giamarusti combined for seven of the Buckeyes’ 15 hits.
Saturday’s battle was a little tighter, with the Buckeyes scoring first but ultimately heading into the ninth down by one run. Down to their last out, a walk-off three-run homer from outfielder Trey Lipsey sealed the Buckeyes’ 12-10 win, securing their edge in the series.
The Boilermakers found their answer on Sunday, however, holding the Buckeyes to one run (off an RBI double from catcher Matthew Graveline) en route to a 7-1 Purdue victory.
Next up, Ohio State hits the road to take on the Nebraska Cornhuskers in Lincoln this Friday through Sunday.
Softball
The Buckeye softball team (19-12, 2-4) had a big week, winning their home field debut against Dayton, 6-2, on Wednesday before hosting Northwestern to open Big Ten play.
Northwestern (19-8) came to Columbus on a nine-game win streak, one that would grow into an eleven-game win streak before being snapped by the Buckeyes in the final game of the series.
The Wildcats dominated Friday’s game, winning 10-0. OSU wasn’t without opportunities, but a number of stranded runners kept the final score lopsided in Northwestern’s favor.
Saturday looked to be more of the same, as Northwestern led 5-0 by halfway through three. OSU didn’t log a hit until the fifth inning, at which point the score had reached 7-0 in Northwestern’s favor. But the Buckeyes weren’t going down without a fight, tallying seven runs in the seventh and falling just shy, ultimately losing 9-7.
It was a tough loss, but one that said much of this Buckeye team. They are not afraid to fight back, and they’re not to be counted out until it’s over.
It seemingly lit a fire under them heading into Sunday, when dominant pitching from Emily Ruck led to a 6-0 shutout—Northwestern’s first conference loss of the season. Ruck struck out eight, a season-high.
The common thread between Saturday’s loss and Sunday’s win was that the Buckeyes bats were late to wake up (perhaps too late in Saturday’s case). The floodgates didn’t open until the fifth inning, with the Buckeyes posting all of their runs in the fifth or later. Those runs included a grand slam from infielder Kami Kortokrax, along with solo home runs from Destinee Noury and Sam Hackenbracht.
The Buckeyes had a doubleheader against Penn State scheduled for Apr. 1 that was postponed due to rain. A make-up date has not yet been scheduled. They’ll head to Minneapolis to face Minnesota in a three-game series this Friday through Sunday.
Golf
Both the men’s and women’s golf teams had the week off from competition, but there was still reason to celebrate in Buckeye Nation.
Renee Powell, the legendary Buckeye women’s golf alumna, was named as one of five Cleveland honorees of the 2024 Legends and Legacy Community Award, given to individuals who provide invaluable service to their community.
Powell, who played for OSU in the 60s and was the first Black student-athlete to lead a major university golf team, was the second Black woman to play on the LPGA tour. Since 1995, she has been the head pro of her family’s golf course, Clearview Golf Club. She was inducted into the PGA of America Hall of Fame in 2017.
On the course, the men’s next outing will come in mid-April, when they host the Robert Kepler Intercollegiate tournament in Columbus.
The women’s regular season comes to a close in Columbus on April 13-14, when they host the Therese Hession Buckeye Invitational at the OSU Scarlet Course.
Lacrosse
Last week, both the men’s and women’s lacrosse teams earned their first conference wins this season, both against the No. 19 teams.
The women (7-4, 1-3) hosted No. 19 Penn State, rallying from an 8-2 deficit and scoring four goals in the game’s final three minutes to beat the Nittany Lions, 9-8. Three of those final four goals came from freshman Kate Tyack, who has started in the last three games. Regan Alexander, the Buckeyes’ goalie, posted 11 saves, including six in the fourth quarter, to help secure the win.
Next up, the women will head out on a three-game road stretch, starting with Cincinnati this Friday.
The men (6-5, 1-1) took down No. 19 Rutgers on the road in New Jersey, 14-8. They never trailed, in what turned out to be a dominant victory for the men.
Alex Marinier had a record day, with a career-high five goals and five points in the Buckeye victory. The Buckeyes also excelled defensively, holding Rutgers to its second-lowest scoring game of the year, and doing a great job forcing turnovers from the Scarlet Knights.
Next, the men will look to see if they can continue the momentum when they face No. 12 Maryland on the road in College Park, MAryland this coming Saturday.
Track & Field
The Ohio State Track & Field team did double duty this weekend, with athletes competing at both the Raleigh Relays at NC State and the Texas Relays at the University of Texas last weekend.
Performances of note in North Carolina include the women’s 4x100 relay team of Fatouma Conde, Nya Bussey, Sydney Bryant, and Leah Bertrand, who finished the finals race as runners-up and posted their season-best time of 43.79. Conde was joined by Columba Effiong, Chanler Robinson, and Bryannia Murphy in the 4x400 relay finals, in which they finished third with a season-best time of 3:35.88.
Janela Spencer boasted a top-10 finish in the women’s 100m hurdles, finishing sixth with a time of 13.17 in the finals.
Faith Bender won the women’s discus in Raleigh, with a best throw of 53.90m, while Carlos Aviles was the men’s discus runner-up with a best throw of 54.53m.
But perhaps the most impressive Raleigh showing came from Daniella Santos and Andrea Kuhn, who broke the program record in the 10,000m, the same record they broke last season. Their times are more than 17 seconds faster than any other woman in Buckeye history in the event.
Over in Texas, Evan Johnson led the Buckeye men in the hammer throw, with a personal-best throw of 58.19m.
Up next for the Buckeyes, they head to South Carolina for a meet this coming Saturday.
Rowing
The No. 12 Ohio State women’s rowing team hosted the Big Ten/ACC Duals in Columbus last weekend, facing off against No. 9 Michigan, No. 11 Virginia, and No. 15 Duke.
While the weather tried to interfere with the fun, delaying the morning session, ultimately it was the Buckeyes’ 1V4 that came out ahead, sweeping its races against Duke and Virginia. The 1V8 team split its races, defeating Duke in the morning before falling to Virginia in the afternoon.
Up next, they’ll host the OSU Regatta in Columbus this coming Saturday.
Men’s Volleyball
The No. 9 men’s volleyball team (17-8, 10-5) ended its road season in MIVA play with a 3-1 loss at Lindenwood last weekend.
Shane Wetzel led Ohio State with 14 kills and 7 digs. In the first set, Lindenwood jumped out to an early lead before the Buckeyes came alive to pull within one. From there, OSU kept it close, but eventually fell, 25-23, with the win coming on an Ohio State error.
The second set again saw Lindenwood with an early lead, though the Buckeyes eventually took the lead at 12-11. From there, the set went back and forth, with OSU again falling by a score of 25-23.
The third set went better for the Buckeyes when they turned the tables and jumped out to a 4-2 lead themselves. OSU took the set, 25-20.
Ohio State led 5-2 in the fourth set, but Lindenwood pulled ahead and ultimately did enough to break the Buckeyes’ momentum. The Lions took the win, 25-21 for the match victory.
Now, OSU is gearing up for its final two matches of the regular season—both at home. First up, they’ll face McKendree on Thursday. They’ll turn around to play again Friday against Maryville, marking OSU’s Senior Night game.
Tennis
The No. 12 Ohio State women’s tennis team (12-6, 5-1) is heating up, shutting out Rutgers, 4-0, in Columbus this past weekend to mark the Buckeyes’ fifth consecutive win.
It was the Buckeyes’ seventh shutout this year, propelled by singles victories from Shelly Bereznyak, Luciana Perry, and Akanksha Bhan, the latter two of whom also won in doubles. Sydni Ratliff and Audrey Spencer also posted doubles victories for the Buckeyes.
Next up, they hit the road, facing Penn State Wednesday in Happy Valley.
On the men’s side, the No. 1 team in the country remains undefeated in the conference after sweeping Purdue, 4-0, on Friday and Indiana, 7-0, on Sunday.
The Buckeyes are now 22-1 on the season, with both Jack Anthrop and Alexander Bernard remaining undefeated in singles.
In doubles play, a victory from Robert Cash and Bryce Nakashima brought Cash within four wins of Peter Kobelt’s program-record 139 career doubles wins.
They too will head to Happy Valley, where they will face Penn State on Friday afternoon.
Continue reading...
LGHL Softball: Ohio State snaps Northwestern’s 11-game win streak with HUGE win on Sunday
- News
- 0 Replies
Softball: Ohio State snaps Northwestern’s 11-game win streak with HUGE win on Sunday
Megan.Husslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
@OhioStateSB Twitter
It was a very impressive bounce-back game to avoid the sweep.
What a weekend it was for Ohio State softball! After getting shutout in the first game, falling short after a massive comeback Saturday and finishing strong with a shutout of their own on Sunday, the Bucks definitely ended on a high note.
Let’s get the bad news over with first. On Friday, Northwestern was simply the better team, as they won 10-0. Their ace, Ashley Miller, limited the Buckeyes to just four hits. After scoring five runs through the first six innings, the Wildcats piled on in the seventh to score another five runs and take the series opener.
Saturday’s loss was even worse in the fact that Ohio State had an amazing seventh inning comeback, but that ultimately was not enough. It was 9-0 entering the final inning, and the Buckeyes were not about to go down easy.
With bases loaded and nobody out, the Buckeyes scored their first run when Sam Hackenbracht was hit by a pitch. One batter later, McKenzie Bump’s three-run double in the left centerfield gap cut the NU lead to 9-4.
After a Tegan Cortelletti double, Taylor Heckman ripped a pitch over the centerfield fence for a three-run home run, making the score 9-7. Jasmyn Burns walked following the Wildcats opting for a pitching change, but the Buckeyes could not push any more runs across as they suffered their second-straight loss.
Now for the game we’ve all been waiting for: Sunday’s big-time victory!
Senior Emily Ruck pitched a complete game shutout, only giving up six hits while striking out eight. This was an extremely impressive performance from Ruck, as Northwestern has some very good hitters, including Kansas Robinson, who is second in the Big Ten in batting average with .488.
It was a pitcher’s duel until the fifth inning, as Ruck was battling against Miller, who entered the game with a 0.78 ERA, which was the best in the conference.
All runs in the game were scored via the home run, including a grand slam off the bat of shortstop Kami Kortokrax, which made for a very exciting game. In the sixth inning, Destinee Noury and Sam Hackenbracht each hit solo homers of their own to stretch the lead to 6-0.
Hackenbracht’s home run was the 42nd of her career, good for fourth-place all time on the Ohio State home run list.
Ruck closed out the seventh with no problem, and the Buckeyes won the game 6-0. All in all, this was a great momentum builder for them. Defeating the best pitcher in the Big Ten, and shutting out a solid offensive team in the Wildcats, is a huge win.
Ohio State was supposed to host a doubleheader against Penn State — the best team in the Big Ten — on Tuesday, but that was cancelled due to inclement weather. Instead, their next games will come over the weekend as they travel to Minneapolis to face Minnesota.
Continue reading...
Megan.Husslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
@OhioStateSB Twitter
It was a very impressive bounce-back game to avoid the sweep.
What a weekend it was for Ohio State softball! After getting shutout in the first game, falling short after a massive comeback Saturday and finishing strong with a shutout of their own on Sunday, the Bucks definitely ended on a high note.
Let’s get the bad news over with first. On Friday, Northwestern was simply the better team, as they won 10-0. Their ace, Ashley Miller, limited the Buckeyes to just four hits. After scoring five runs through the first six innings, the Wildcats piled on in the seventh to score another five runs and take the series opener.
Saturday’s loss was even worse in the fact that Ohio State had an amazing seventh inning comeback, but that ultimately was not enough. It was 9-0 entering the final inning, and the Buckeyes were not about to go down easy.
With bases loaded and nobody out, the Buckeyes scored their first run when Sam Hackenbracht was hit by a pitch. One batter later, McKenzie Bump’s three-run double in the left centerfield gap cut the NU lead to 9-4.
After a Tegan Cortelletti double, Taylor Heckman ripped a pitch over the centerfield fence for a three-run home run, making the score 9-7. Jasmyn Burns walked following the Wildcats opting for a pitching change, but the Buckeyes could not push any more runs across as they suffered their second-straight loss.
Now for the game we’ve all been waiting for: Sunday’s big-time victory!
Senior Emily Ruck pitched a complete game shutout, only giving up six hits while striking out eight. This was an extremely impressive performance from Ruck, as Northwestern has some very good hitters, including Kansas Robinson, who is second in the Big Ten in batting average with .488.
It was a pitcher’s duel until the fifth inning, as Ruck was battling against Miller, who entered the game with a 0.78 ERA, which was the best in the conference.
All runs in the game were scored via the home run, including a grand slam off the bat of shortstop Kami Kortokrax, which made for a very exciting game. In the sixth inning, Destinee Noury and Sam Hackenbracht each hit solo homers of their own to stretch the lead to 6-0.
Hackenbracht’s home run was the 42nd of her career, good for fourth-place all time on the Ohio State home run list.
Ruck closed out the seventh with no problem, and the Buckeyes won the game 6-0. All in all, this was a great momentum builder for them. Defeating the best pitcher in the Big Ten, and shutting out a solid offensive team in the Wildcats, is a huge win.
Ohio State was supposed to host a doubleheader against Penn State — the best team in the Big Ten — on Tuesday, but that was cancelled due to inclement weather. Instead, their next games will come over the weekend as they travel to Minneapolis to face Minnesota.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State freshman guard Scotty Middleton enters transfer portal after one season
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State freshman guard Scotty Middleton enters transfer portal after one season
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
The freshman guard passed up blue bloods like Kansas and UConn to play at Ohio State, but after one uneven season, he has opted to transfer elsewhere.
After a freshman season that saw him start the year as a projected first-rounder in the 2024 NBA Draft but wind up only scoring in double-digits two times all season, freshman guard Scotty Middleton has decided to enter the transfer portal. Middleton will also enter the NBA Draft, while maintaining his eligibility for next season. Chris Holtmann’s abrupt firing on February 14 may have had an impact on Middleton’s decision, despite the athletic department hoping that hiring Jake Diebler full-time would keep the core of the team together.
Middleton also missed the final three games of the season due to a family emergency at home in Florida. Middleton allegedly returned to the team the day before Ohio State’s season-ending loss to Georgia, but was not on the bench for any NIT games.
The 6-foot-6, 190-pound guard began the year as one of the first players off the bench for Chris Holtmann, but his minutes dried up in the middle of Big Ten play. In Chris Holtmann’s final six games, Middleton averaged 9.3 minutes and 1.2 points per game. The opportunity for minutes was there, but the gradual improvements of Evan Mahaffey and Devin Royal ate into Middleton’s opportunities.
Middleton became more of a key fixture in the rotation after Holtmann’s firing, as then-interim head coach Jake Diebler began relying on his bench more in key stretches. Middleton played a combined 10 minutes in Holtmann’s final three games as head coach. Once Diebler was elevated, Middleton immediately played more, logging 15 or more minutes in five of the next six games.
Middleton was the No. 50 recruit in the class of 2023, the No. 10 small forward in the class and the No. 4 player in the state of Kansas. His relationships with Holtmann and Jake Diebler led him to Ohio State over established blue bloods like Kansas and UConn, who were both interested in Middleton.
On the season, Middleton averaged 4.4 points and 1.4 rebounds per game while shooting 39.8% overall and 45.2% from three. He missed two games with lower leg/ankle injuries, and was suspended for Ohio State’s January 20 game against Penn State due to a “violation of team rules.”
Roster changes were bound to happen when Gene Smith fired Holtmann, but it was assumed that Diebler’s relationship with Middleton would keep him in Columbus for at least another year. Clearly, there were factors at play other than the coaching staff that ultimately led Middleton to look elsewhere.
Good luck to Scotty wherever he winds up!
Continue reading...
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
The freshman guard passed up blue bloods like Kansas and UConn to play at Ohio State, but after one uneven season, he has opted to transfer elsewhere.
After a freshman season that saw him start the year as a projected first-rounder in the 2024 NBA Draft but wind up only scoring in double-digits two times all season, freshman guard Scotty Middleton has decided to enter the transfer portal. Middleton will also enter the NBA Draft, while maintaining his eligibility for next season. Chris Holtmann’s abrupt firing on February 14 may have had an impact on Middleton’s decision, despite the athletic department hoping that hiring Jake Diebler full-time would keep the core of the team together.
Middleton also missed the final three games of the season due to a family emergency at home in Florida. Middleton allegedly returned to the team the day before Ohio State’s season-ending loss to Georgia, but was not on the bench for any NIT games.
The 6-foot-6, 190-pound guard began the year as one of the first players off the bench for Chris Holtmann, but his minutes dried up in the middle of Big Ten play. In Chris Holtmann’s final six games, Middleton averaged 9.3 minutes and 1.2 points per game. The opportunity for minutes was there, but the gradual improvements of Evan Mahaffey and Devin Royal ate into Middleton’s opportunities.
Middleton became more of a key fixture in the rotation after Holtmann’s firing, as then-interim head coach Jake Diebler began relying on his bench more in key stretches. Middleton played a combined 10 minutes in Holtmann’s final three games as head coach. Once Diebler was elevated, Middleton immediately played more, logging 15 or more minutes in five of the next six games.
Middleton was the No. 50 recruit in the class of 2023, the No. 10 small forward in the class and the No. 4 player in the state of Kansas. His relationships with Holtmann and Jake Diebler led him to Ohio State over established blue bloods like Kansas and UConn, who were both interested in Middleton.
On the season, Middleton averaged 4.4 points and 1.4 rebounds per game while shooting 39.8% overall and 45.2% from three. He missed two games with lower leg/ankle injuries, and was suspended for Ohio State’s January 20 game against Penn State due to a “violation of team rules.”
Roster changes were bound to happen when Gene Smith fired Holtmann, but it was assumed that Diebler’s relationship with Middleton would keep him in Columbus for at least another year. Clearly, there were factors at play other than the coaching staff that ultimately led Middleton to look elsewhere.
Good luck to Scotty wherever he winds up!
Continue reading...
2026 NC LB Thomas Davis Jr. (Notre Dame Verbal)
- By pnuts34
- Football Recruiting
- 5 Replies
247
Rivals
Twitter
HudL
Class: 2026
Position: LB
School: Matthews(NC) Weddington
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 215lbs
Login to view embedded media
Rivals
HudL
Class: 2026
Position: LB
School: Matthews(NC) Weddington
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 215lbs
Login to view embedded media
2026 NC DL Andrew Harris (Verbal Offer)
- By pnuts34
- Football Recruiting
- 0 Replies
Rivals
Twitter
HudL
Class: 2026
School: Matthews(NC) Weddington
Position: DL
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 220lbs
Login to view embedded media
HudL
Class: 2026
School: Matthews(NC) Weddington
Position: DL
Height: 6-foot-2
Weight: 220lbs
Login to view embedded media
2026 NC DL Aiden Harris (Verbal Offer)
- By pnuts34
- Football Recruiting
- 13 Replies
247
Rivals
Twitter
HudL
Class: 2026
Position: DL
School: Matthews(NC) Weddington
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 240lbs
Login to view embedded media
Rivals
HudL
Class: 2026
Position: DL
School: Matthews(NC) Weddington
Height: 6-foot-4
Weight: 240lbs
Login to view embedded media
LGHL Ohio State trending for a four-star RB, makes top schools for multiple targets
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State trending for a four-star RB, makes top schools for multiple targets
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
2025 four-star RB Jordon Davison via Greg Biggins, 247Sports
The Buckeyes also offered another handful of prospects.
Ohio State kicked off the start of April with a bang when it comes to recruiting. The Buckeyes had a big weekend, which consisted of spring practices and both official and unofficial visits. The huge recruiting weekend was a success for the Buckeyes, as the team earned a total of four verbal commitments over the course of the past few days.
The Ohio State coaching staff carried the momentum from the weekend into this new week, as the team had another busy recruiting day, including news that the Buckeyes are now trending for one of the top running backs in the country.
On3’s new VP of National College Football Recruiting and Transfer Portal and former 247Sports Director of Recruiting, Steve Wiltfong, cast a prediction in favor of Ohio State for 2025 four-star running back Jordon Davison (Santa Ana, CA / Mater Dei).
Davison visited with Ohio State last week, and by all accounts the visit went as well as possible. The timing of the news also coincides with the Buckeyes working to replace former RB coach Tony Alford, who is now coaching the position at Michigan. Once Ohio State announces Alford’s replacement, the Buckeyes will hope to gain even more of a relationship with Davison and will likely up their contact with him even more.
[Editors Note: Ohio State has since announced the hiring of former Oregon running backs coach Carlos Locklyn as its new RB coach]
Davison is the No. 7 RB in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 83 overall prospect. He is also the No. 8 recruit from the talent-rich state of California.
The Ohio State coaching staff saw the hard work it put into recruiting this spring payoff this past weekend, earning four verbal commitments. The work continued to payoff Monday, as the team made the cut for two of their targets in the 2025 class.
The Buckeyes first learned they made the top schools for 2025 four-star defensive line target Trent Wilson (Upper Marlboro, MD / Dr. Henry Wise). Wilson, who holds more than 30 offers, narrowed down his list of suitors to just four including Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Penn State.
Wilson has plans to take official visits with all four of his finalists, and his visit to Ohio State is scheduled for the end of May. While he has not hinted at a leader of the pack of his top four schools, the announcement is coming off a weekend visit with the Buckeyes that appears to have gone as well as possible.
Penn State and Ohio State may hold the best odds at this point in his recruitment, but nothing will be solidified until all of his official visits have been completed this summer.
Wilson is the No. 18 DL prospect in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and he is the No. 141 overall prospect. He is also the No. 3 recruit out of Maryland.
Ohio State also made the cut for 2025 three-star edge target Javeon Campbell (Frankfort, KY / Western Hills). Campbell is not as far along in his recruitment as the aforementioned Wilson, only narrowing his list of suitors down to nine. Ohio State was one of the finalists alongside Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Notre Dame, LSU, Kentucky and Georgia.
While he may only be a three-star prospect, his list of top schools is obviously impressive.
Of Campbell’s top schools, he has so far scheduled upcoming official visits with only Ohio State, Alabama, Kentucky and Georgia. More visits may be scheduled in the future, but if not this is a good indicator at the schools leading for his recruitment.
Campbell is the No. 48 DL prospect in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 430 overall prospect. He is also the No. 3 recruit out of Kentucky.
The Buckeyes weren’t resting on their laurels following the successful recruiting weekend, as the Ohio State coaching staff traveled across the nation to offer more blue-chip talents in both the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes.
Below are some of the recruits who took to social media on Monday to show off their official scholarship offers, including a pair of twin brothers — something Ohio State is used to after earning commitments in 2024 from offensive line twin brothers Deontae and Devontae Armstrong.
Four-star LB Thomas Davis
Class: 2026
Hometown: Matthews, NC / Weddington
Size: 6-foot-2 / 205 lbs.
DL Drew Harris
Class: 2026
Hometown: Matthews, NC / Wedington
Size: 6-foot-2 / 225 lbs.
DL Aiden Harris
Class: 2026
Hometown: Matthews, NC / Weddington
Size: 6-foot-3 / 240 lbs.
WR Mikkel Skinner
Class: 2025
Hometown: Greer, SC / Riverside
Size: 6-foot-3 / 210 lbs.
Monday morning following his visit to Columbus, Haddad decommitted from Wisconsin. Additionally, 247Sports Ohio State Recruiting Insider, Bill Kurelic, placed a Crystal Ball Prediction in for Haddad in favor of the Buckeyes. This is far from a guarantee, but Haddad is definitely trending in the right direction for the Buckeyes.
Haddad is the No. 37 ATH in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 527 overall prospect. He is also the No. 16 recruit from Ohio.
Continue reading...
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
2025 four-star RB Jordon Davison via Greg Biggins, 247Sports
The Buckeyes also offered another handful of prospects.
Ohio State kicked off the start of April with a bang when it comes to recruiting. The Buckeyes had a big weekend, which consisted of spring practices and both official and unofficial visits. The huge recruiting weekend was a success for the Buckeyes, as the team earned a total of four verbal commitments over the course of the past few days.
The Ohio State coaching staff carried the momentum from the weekend into this new week, as the team had another busy recruiting day, including news that the Buckeyes are now trending for one of the top running backs in the country.
On3’s new VP of National College Football Recruiting and Transfer Portal and former 247Sports Director of Recruiting, Steve Wiltfong, cast a prediction in favor of Ohio State for 2025 four-star running back Jordon Davison (Santa Ana, CA / Mater Dei).
Davison visited with Ohio State last week, and by all accounts the visit went as well as possible. The timing of the news also coincides with the Buckeyes working to replace former RB coach Tony Alford, who is now coaching the position at Michigan. Once Ohio State announces Alford’s replacement, the Buckeyes will hope to gain even more of a relationship with Davison and will likely up their contact with him even more.
[Editors Note: Ohio State has since announced the hiring of former Oregon running backs coach Carlos Locklyn as its new RB coach]
Davison is the No. 7 RB in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 83 overall prospect. He is also the No. 8 recruit from the talent-rich state of California.
Ohio State makes multiple top schools lists
The Ohio State coaching staff saw the hard work it put into recruiting this spring payoff this past weekend, earning four verbal commitments. The work continued to payoff Monday, as the team made the cut for two of their targets in the 2025 class.
The Buckeyes first learned they made the top schools for 2025 four-star defensive line target Trent Wilson (Upper Marlboro, MD / Dr. Henry Wise). Wilson, who holds more than 30 offers, narrowed down his list of suitors to just four including Ohio State, Oklahoma, Texas A&M and Penn State.
Wilson has plans to take official visits with all four of his finalists, and his visit to Ohio State is scheduled for the end of May. While he has not hinted at a leader of the pack of his top four schools, the announcement is coming off a weekend visit with the Buckeyes that appears to have gone as well as possible.
Penn State and Ohio State may hold the best odds at this point in his recruitment, but nothing will be solidified until all of his official visits have been completed this summer.
Wilson is the No. 18 DL prospect in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and he is the No. 141 overall prospect. He is also the No. 3 recruit out of Maryland.
Ohio State also made the cut for 2025 three-star edge target Javeon Campbell (Frankfort, KY / Western Hills). Campbell is not as far along in his recruitment as the aforementioned Wilson, only narrowing his list of suitors down to nine. Ohio State was one of the finalists alongside Florida, Alabama, Auburn, Miami, Notre Dame, LSU, Kentucky and Georgia.
While he may only be a three-star prospect, his list of top schools is obviously impressive.
Of Campbell’s top schools, he has so far scheduled upcoming official visits with only Ohio State, Alabama, Kentucky and Georgia. More visits may be scheduled in the future, but if not this is a good indicator at the schools leading for his recruitment.
Campbell is the No. 48 DL prospect in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 430 overall prospect. He is also the No. 3 recruit out of Kentucky.
Ohio State dishes out multiple offers
The Buckeyes weren’t resting on their laurels following the successful recruiting weekend, as the Ohio State coaching staff traveled across the nation to offer more blue-chip talents in both the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes.
Below are some of the recruits who took to social media on Monday to show off their official scholarship offers, including a pair of twin brothers — something Ohio State is used to after earning commitments in 2024 from offensive line twin brothers Deontae and Devontae Armstrong.
Four-star LB Thomas Davis
Class: 2026
Hometown: Matthews, NC / Weddington
Size: 6-foot-2 / 205 lbs.
DL Drew Harris
Class: 2026
Hometown: Matthews, NC / Wedington
Size: 6-foot-2 / 225 lbs.
DL Aiden Harris
Class: 2026
Hometown: Matthews, NC / Weddington
Size: 6-foot-3 / 240 lbs.
WR Mikkel Skinner
Class: 2025
Hometown: Greer, SC / Riverside
Size: 6-foot-3 / 210 lbs.
Quick Hits
- Ohio State safety target and former Wisconsin commit Cody Haddad (Cleveland, OH / St. Ignatius) visited with the Buckeyes this past weekend, and the visit has led to major updates in his recruitment.
Monday morning following his visit to Columbus, Haddad decommitted from Wisconsin. Additionally, 247Sports Ohio State Recruiting Insider, Bill Kurelic, placed a Crystal Ball Prediction in for Haddad in favor of the Buckeyes. This is far from a guarantee, but Haddad is definitely trending in the right direction for the Buckeyes.
Haddad is the No. 37 ATH in the 247Sports Composite Rankings and is the No. 527 overall prospect. He is also the No. 16 recruit from Ohio.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State women's basketball assistant coach Wesley Brooks hired to lead Utah State
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State women's basketball assistant coach Wesley Brooks hired to lead Utah State
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Angie Greenwood - Undrafted
The three-year assistant for head coach Kevin McGuff departs Columbus to lead his own program.
Monday night, as the women's basketball world focused on two blockbuster Elite Eight games, Utah State was announcing its next head coach. After three seasons with the Ohio State women's basketball program, assistant coach Wesley Brooks has left the Buckeyes to take over the head spot with the Utah State Aggies program.
At the Mountain West Tournament, former Utah State head coach Kayla Ard made headlines when she stepped up to the press conference table and let the media know that she was let go from the Aggies program. Now, three weeks later, the Buckeyes’ former assistant fills Ard’s place.
Not only does Brooks have experience coaching in that part of the country, but there is also a fairly substantial connection between Utah State and Ohio State. Brooks was hired by the Aggies’ new Athletic Director Diana Sabau who previously served as the deputy commissioner of the Big Ten Conference and the senior deputy athletic director at Ohio State.
Although there was no overlap between Sabau and Brooks at Ohio State, the connections in Columbus are impossible to overlook.
In 2021, Brooks joined Ohio State following an impressive career as an assistant. It began with the West Virginia Mountaineers, where Brooks served as a graduate assistant. Following his stint with the Mountaineers, Brooks spent time with Robert Morris, Texas Southern and North Texas.
Then, Brooks joined the Utah Utes’ coaching staff for two seasons. As an assistant, the Utes won 34 games in two seasons, along with two WNIT appearances. Before joining Ohio State though, Brooks spent time with the Buckeyes’ rivals up in Michigan.
Brooks assisted head coach Kim Barnes Arico for four seasons with the Maize and Blue; in those four seasons, the Wolverines made three NCAA Tournaments and were likely to make a fourth if the 2020 postseason hadn’t been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Assisting at Michigan, the Wolverines made the Sweet 16, which was the furthest the program had ever advanced in March Madness. Then, with the Scarlet and Gray, Brooks helped the Buckeyes reach achievements it had not touched since the early 1990s.
Joining head coach Kevin McGuff’s staff for the 2019-20 season, Brooks became a coach who was on the road more than any other member of the staff. On the court, Ohio State won a Big Ten regular season title, on its way to the first of two straight runs late into the NCAA Tournament. Last season, Ohio State didn’t win any conference hardware but made it to the Elite Eight.
For the Buckeyes this season, Brooks continued being on the bench each game, and also on the road as one of the team’s lead recruiters. Ohio State won the Big Ten regular-season title outright and at the same time added a strong group of recruits.
The incoming 2024 class features five freshmen, including the No. 1 point guard in the nation, McDonald’s All-American guard Jaloni Cambridge.
Now, Brooks is starting his own program in the Mountain West. The Utah State Aggies haven’t made the NCAA Tournament in program history, and have just two winning seasons in the past 20 years. Brooks now has the opportunity to build his own program and legacy as the eighth head coach in Aggies women’s basketball history.
Continue reading...
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Angie Greenwood - Undrafted
The three-year assistant for head coach Kevin McGuff departs Columbus to lead his own program.
Monday night, as the women's basketball world focused on two blockbuster Elite Eight games, Utah State was announcing its next head coach. After three seasons with the Ohio State women's basketball program, assistant coach Wesley Brooks has left the Buckeyes to take over the head spot with the Utah State Aggies program.
!
Welcome our newest head coach, @coachwesbball!
https://t.co/gAgiyD0Vfi#AggiesAllTheWay pic.twitter.com/Ndull7bJB7
— USU Women's Hoops (@USUWBasketball) April 1, 2024
At the Mountain West Tournament, former Utah State head coach Kayla Ard made headlines when she stepped up to the press conference table and let the media know that she was let go from the Aggies program. Now, three weeks later, the Buckeyes’ former assistant fills Ard’s place.
Not only does Brooks have experience coaching in that part of the country, but there is also a fairly substantial connection between Utah State and Ohio State. Brooks was hired by the Aggies’ new Athletic Director Diana Sabau who previously served as the deputy commissioner of the Big Ten Conference and the senior deputy athletic director at Ohio State.
Although there was no overlap between Sabau and Brooks at Ohio State, the connections in Columbus are impossible to overlook.
In 2021, Brooks joined Ohio State following an impressive career as an assistant. It began with the West Virginia Mountaineers, where Brooks served as a graduate assistant. Following his stint with the Mountaineers, Brooks spent time with Robert Morris, Texas Southern and North Texas.
Then, Brooks joined the Utah Utes’ coaching staff for two seasons. As an assistant, the Utes won 34 games in two seasons, along with two WNIT appearances. Before joining Ohio State though, Brooks spent time with the Buckeyes’ rivals up in Michigan.
Brooks assisted head coach Kim Barnes Arico for four seasons with the Maize and Blue; in those four seasons, the Wolverines made three NCAA Tournaments and were likely to make a fourth if the 2020 postseason hadn’t been canceled due to the COVID-19 pandemic.
Assisting at Michigan, the Wolverines made the Sweet 16, which was the furthest the program had ever advanced in March Madness. Then, with the Scarlet and Gray, Brooks helped the Buckeyes reach achievements it had not touched since the early 1990s.
Joining head coach Kevin McGuff’s staff for the 2019-20 season, Brooks became a coach who was on the road more than any other member of the staff. On the court, Ohio State won a Big Ten regular season title, on its way to the first of two straight runs late into the NCAA Tournament. Last season, Ohio State didn’t win any conference hardware but made it to the Elite Eight.
For the Buckeyes this season, Brooks continued being on the bench each game, and also on the road as one of the team’s lead recruiters. Ohio State won the Big Ten regular-season title outright and at the same time added a strong group of recruits.
The incoming 2024 class features five freshmen, including the No. 1 point guard in the nation, McDonald’s All-American guard Jaloni Cambridge.
Now, Brooks is starting his own program in the Mountain West. The Utah State Aggies haven’t made the NCAA Tournament in program history, and have just two winning seasons in the past 20 years. Brooks now has the opportunity to build his own program and legacy as the eighth head coach in Aggies women’s basketball history.
Continue reading...
LGHL Few surprises so far among spring black stripe removals for Ohio State
- News
- 0 Replies
Few surprises so far among spring black stripe removals for Ohio State
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images
The new Buckeyes who have officially had their helmet stripes removed so far are the ones you’d expect.
Through Student Appreciation Day on Saturday, six new Buckeyes have traded in their black helmet stripes for scarlet ones, continuing the tradition Urban Meyer made famous at Ohio State. Young men who arrive on campus have been issued helmets with black stripes, and have to earn their way to “official” Buckeye status by proving themselves to the group.
Of the six who have had their stripes removed so far this spring, four are transfers and one is prized five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who has been turning heads since his arrival.
Smith was the first to see his black stripe removed back on March 21. Having only taken part in four practices in the spring at that point, the true freshman set a new record for the fastest to shed the stripe, besting last year’s freshman phenom, Carnell Tate, who did it after five spring practices.
The second to lose his stripe was perhaps the most surprising of the six so far. Redshirt freshman and preferred walk-on receiver Brennen Schramm had his black stripe removed the same day as Smith. Schramm, an all-state player from Medina, Ohio in 2021 and 2022, isn’t a big name, but he racked up more than 3,000 yards receiving in high school, playing with current Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. Schramm eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in each of his final two seasons.
The next four to lose their stripes were all transfer players. The trend was started by safety Caleb Downs and running back Quinshon Judkins on March 26. Neither is even mildly surprising.
Downs was a freshman All-American at Alabama and the top portal player, finishing the 2023 season with more than 100 tackles to his credit — enough to lead the Crimson Tide in that category by 40 (!) tackles over second place. Judkins, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher who transferred in from Ole Miss, was the first SEC player since Herschel Walker 15 or more rushing touchdowns in his first two seasons. He’s only the third player in Ole Miss history to rack up consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Neither Downs nor Judkins are surprising candidates to lose their stripes early. The two who followed them are hardly shocking either.
Quarterback Will Howard and center Seth McLaughlin each had their stripes removed on Saturday, continuing this spring’s pattern of either nobody having their stripes removed or two guys earning the milestone.
Howard shedding his stripe might bring a little calm to an Ohio State fanbase that has quickly become used to high-level quarterback play, but seemed unsure about the Kansas State transfer. Although Howard didn’t have nearly the supporting cast that Kyle McCord had last year, the grad transfer put up similar numbers, with the added bonus that he has shown a willingness to go and get the tough yards with his legs when necessary.
An upgrade in talent around him and the combined tutelage of Ryan Day and Chip Kelly should improve Howard’s stats, and him becoming one of the first players to earn his stripe removal is a good sign.
McLaughlin, an Alabama transfer like Downs and quarterback Julian Sayin — who could see his stripe removed soon based on reports of his progress out of spring camp — is another unsurprising black stripe removal candidate. Like Howard’s, McLaughlin’s transfer drew mixed reviews online from Buckeye fans, who remembered a poor snap costing Alabama a scoring chance in the College Football Playoff against the hated Wolverines.
By coming in and working hard to get his stripe removed quickly, McLaughlin showed that he may yet win over his critics among the OSU faithful.
What does all of the above mean? In the grand scheme of things: not much. It simply means that the players one would reasonably expect to be impressing early are doing so. The four transfers and Smith are all projected to see a lot of snaps in 2024. As such, it’s encouraging that they have showed up and quickly put in the work to earn their way into becoming full-blooded Buckeyes.
Conversely, it doesn’t mean players who have yet to shed their stripes won’t have an impact this fall. It simply means they’ve got some work to do.
So, who’s next?
Julian Sayin seems to be getting close based on reports out of camp. The freshman is turning heads and seems to already be pushing the veterans, if not outright passing some of them. Fellow freshman quarterback Air Noland may not be next, but he could see his stripe removed this spring as well, although he’s not drawing as rave reviews as other signal callers in camp just yet.
Continue reading...
Michael Citro via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Jason Mowry/Getty Images
The new Buckeyes who have officially had their helmet stripes removed so far are the ones you’d expect.
Through Student Appreciation Day on Saturday, six new Buckeyes have traded in their black helmet stripes for scarlet ones, continuing the tradition Urban Meyer made famous at Ohio State. Young men who arrive on campus have been issued helmets with black stripes, and have to earn their way to “official” Buckeye status by proving themselves to the group.
Of the six who have had their stripes removed so far this spring, four are transfers and one is prized five-star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, who has been turning heads since his arrival.
Smith was the first to see his black stripe removed back on March 21. Having only taken part in four practices in the spring at that point, the true freshman set a new record for the fastest to shed the stripe, besting last year’s freshman phenom, Carnell Tate, who did it after five spring practices.
The second to lose his stripe was perhaps the most surprising of the six so far. Redshirt freshman and preferred walk-on receiver Brennen Schramm had his black stripe removed the same day as Smith. Schramm, an all-state player from Medina, Ohio in 2021 and 2022, isn’t a big name, but he racked up more than 3,000 yards receiving in high school, playing with current Penn State quarterback Drew Allar. Schramm eclipsed the 1,000-yard receiving mark in each of his final two seasons.
The next four to lose their stripes were all transfer players. The trend was started by safety Caleb Downs and running back Quinshon Judkins on March 26. Neither is even mildly surprising.
Downs was a freshman All-American at Alabama and the top portal player, finishing the 2023 season with more than 100 tackles to his credit — enough to lead the Crimson Tide in that category by 40 (!) tackles over second place. Judkins, a two-time 1,000-yard rusher who transferred in from Ole Miss, was the first SEC player since Herschel Walker 15 or more rushing touchdowns in his first two seasons. He’s only the third player in Ole Miss history to rack up consecutive 1,000-yard seasons.
Neither Downs nor Judkins are surprising candidates to lose their stripes early. The two who followed them are hardly shocking either.
Quarterback Will Howard and center Seth McLaughlin each had their stripes removed on Saturday, continuing this spring’s pattern of either nobody having their stripes removed or two guys earning the milestone.
Howard shedding his stripe might bring a little calm to an Ohio State fanbase that has quickly become used to high-level quarterback play, but seemed unsure about the Kansas State transfer. Although Howard didn’t have nearly the supporting cast that Kyle McCord had last year, the grad transfer put up similar numbers, with the added bonus that he has shown a willingness to go and get the tough yards with his legs when necessary.
An upgrade in talent around him and the combined tutelage of Ryan Day and Chip Kelly should improve Howard’s stats, and him becoming one of the first players to earn his stripe removal is a good sign.
McLaughlin, an Alabama transfer like Downs and quarterback Julian Sayin — who could see his stripe removed soon based on reports of his progress out of spring camp — is another unsurprising black stripe removal candidate. Like Howard’s, McLaughlin’s transfer drew mixed reviews online from Buckeye fans, who remembered a poor snap costing Alabama a scoring chance in the College Football Playoff against the hated Wolverines.
By coming in and working hard to get his stripe removed quickly, McLaughlin showed that he may yet win over his critics among the OSU faithful.
What does all of the above mean? In the grand scheme of things: not much. It simply means that the players one would reasonably expect to be impressing early are doing so. The four transfers and Smith are all projected to see a lot of snaps in 2024. As such, it’s encouraging that they have showed up and quickly put in the work to earn their way into becoming full-blooded Buckeyes.
Conversely, it doesn’t mean players who have yet to shed their stripes won’t have an impact this fall. It simply means they’ve got some work to do.
So, who’s next?
Julian Sayin seems to be getting close based on reports out of camp. The freshman is turning heads and seems to already be pushing the veterans, if not outright passing some of them. Fellow freshman quarterback Air Noland may not be next, but he could see his stripe removed this spring as well, although he’s not drawing as rave reviews as other signal callers in camp just yet.
Continue reading...
