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LGHL Can Ohio State re-open former Florida pipeline with top-ranked 2026 athlete?
- News
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Can Ohio State re-open former Florida pipeline with top-ranked 2026 athlete?
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Justice Fitzpatrick | 247Sports
Ohio State has offered, but can they get in the mix for Justice Fitzpatrick?
Fort Lauderdale’s St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida is one of the more well-known prep football programs in the country year after year, and a school that has national status each season. Ohio State is no stranger to this South Florida powerhouse, but it has been a while since the Buckeyes were able to profit off of their recruiting pipeline.
The same school that gave Ohio State Joey and Nick Bosa and Damon Arnette, the Buckeyes were also fortunate to land Trevon Grimes from STA before he elected to return closer to home. Again, it has been a few cycles now since Ohio State landed a player with St. Thomas Aquinas ties, and that’s not for a lack of trying.
Top targets such as Jordan Battle are the first to come to mind when it came down to Ohio State and Alabama on National Signing Day in 2019, but there’s plenty of other names that the Buckeyes have been after, further proving this school as one of the more impressive recruiting grounds the country has to offer. Ohio State would love to re-open the pipeline that has been kind to the program in the past, but less so as of late.
Knowing the talent St. Thomas Aquinas produces each recruiting class, Ohio State isn’t going to stop looking around any time soon. With a staff that dominates in the state of Florida on the recruiting trail, it makes sense to keep trying their luck at STA, and in the 2026 class there’s already one player the Buckeyes have offered.
Four-star athlete Justice Fitzpatrick was offered way back in January 2023, so the Buckeyes have been in on this prospect for some time now. A 6-foot-1, 185 pound two-way player, Fitzpatrick is currently the No. 35 player nationally and the third-best cornerback in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite. Lining up at receiver for St. Thomas Aquinas as well, Fitzpatrick is as polished as they come — though he most likely translates to the defensive side of the ball at the next level.
With 30 offers to his name from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Oregon, USC, and plenty more notable programs, Fitzpatrick is going to be pursued by seemingly every top school in the country. Ohio State is banking on the fact that they were one of the first to throw their name into the mix, but getting him to campus is the goal moving forward if they are to have a real chance.
From watching just a glimpse of his film, the athleticism is clearly there, but it’s the football IQ that really takes precedence. Regardless of the coverage, Fitzpatrick does his job and does it well. Whether it’s a man coverage look where he’s locked in on the outside receiver or in cover three and four where he can’t be beat deep, Justice is in the right spots. His footwork and ability to flip his hips and run tells you the cross-training and playing receiver definitely helps him as a defensive player.
Set for what should be another strong campaign as just a high school junior this fall, the recruiting process should really start to ramp up. Even with all those offers under his belt already, the 2026 cycle soon becoming the primary one has to correlate with Fitzpatrick getting more into the thick of things with who to visit and who is considered a top school.
Ohio State is likely to make the cut as they tend to do for most top players they offer, but if the Buckeyes want any chance at getting back in at St. Thomas Aquinas for the foreseeable future, it likely starts with paying close attention to Fitzpatrick and the rest of the players the prestigious prep power has to offer.
Continue reading...
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Justice Fitzpatrick | 247Sports
Ohio State has offered, but can they get in the mix for Justice Fitzpatrick?
Fort Lauderdale’s St. Thomas Aquinas in Florida is one of the more well-known prep football programs in the country year after year, and a school that has national status each season. Ohio State is no stranger to this South Florida powerhouse, but it has been a while since the Buckeyes were able to profit off of their recruiting pipeline.
The same school that gave Ohio State Joey and Nick Bosa and Damon Arnette, the Buckeyes were also fortunate to land Trevon Grimes from STA before he elected to return closer to home. Again, it has been a few cycles now since Ohio State landed a player with St. Thomas Aquinas ties, and that’s not for a lack of trying.
Top targets such as Jordan Battle are the first to come to mind when it came down to Ohio State and Alabama on National Signing Day in 2019, but there’s plenty of other names that the Buckeyes have been after, further proving this school as one of the more impressive recruiting grounds the country has to offer. Ohio State would love to re-open the pipeline that has been kind to the program in the past, but less so as of late.
Knowing the talent St. Thomas Aquinas produces each recruiting class, Ohio State isn’t going to stop looking around any time soon. With a staff that dominates in the state of Florida on the recruiting trail, it makes sense to keep trying their luck at STA, and in the 2026 class there’s already one player the Buckeyes have offered.
Four-star athlete Justice Fitzpatrick was offered way back in January 2023, so the Buckeyes have been in on this prospect for some time now. A 6-foot-1, 185 pound two-way player, Fitzpatrick is currently the No. 35 player nationally and the third-best cornerback in the 2026 class per the 247Sports Composite. Lining up at receiver for St. Thomas Aquinas as well, Fitzpatrick is as polished as they come — though he most likely translates to the defensive side of the ball at the next level.
With 30 offers to his name from the likes of Alabama, Auburn, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Oregon, USC, and plenty more notable programs, Fitzpatrick is going to be pursued by seemingly every top school in the country. Ohio State is banking on the fact that they were one of the first to throw their name into the mix, but getting him to campus is the goal moving forward if they are to have a real chance.
From watching just a glimpse of his film, the athleticism is clearly there, but it’s the football IQ that really takes precedence. Regardless of the coverage, Fitzpatrick does his job and does it well. Whether it’s a man coverage look where he’s locked in on the outside receiver or in cover three and four where he can’t be beat deep, Justice is in the right spots. His footwork and ability to flip his hips and run tells you the cross-training and playing receiver definitely helps him as a defensive player.
Set for what should be another strong campaign as just a high school junior this fall, the recruiting process should really start to ramp up. Even with all those offers under his belt already, the 2026 cycle soon becoming the primary one has to correlate with Fitzpatrick getting more into the thick of things with who to visit and who is considered a top school.
Ohio State is likely to make the cut as they tend to do for most top players they offer, but if the Buckeyes want any chance at getting back in at St. Thomas Aquinas for the foreseeable future, it likely starts with paying close attention to Fitzpatrick and the rest of the players the prestigious prep power has to offer.
Continue reading...
Florida International University (FIU) Panthers (Official Thread)
- By ScriptOhio
- College Football
- 1 Replies
'Pitbull Stadium' comes to Miami as recording sensation, FIU agree to wide-ranging five-year, $6 million deal
The international recording artist will pay $1.2 million per year to FIU for the stadium naming rights
www.cbssports.com
'Pitbull Stadium' comes to Miami as recording sensation, FIU agree to wide-ranging five-year, $6 million deal
The international recording artist will pay $1.2 million per year to FIU for the stadium naming rights
FIU has reached an agreement with recording artist Pitbull for naming rights to its football stadium in Miami. Pitbull will pay the university $1.2 million per year over the next five years as the venue will be called "Pitbull Stadium." He will also have an option to renew the agreement for an additional five years.
This is believed to be the first naming rights agreement of its kind between a musician and a football stadium. Pitbull is often associated with the city of Miami -- going as far as nicknaming himself "Mr. 305" in reference to the Miami area code -- which makes a partnership between him and the only FBS team to play in Miami city limits a logical one.
FIU has been searching for relevance in the highly competitive market since adopting an FBS football program in 2005. In 20 years, the Panthers have only four seasons where they finished above .500. However, coach Mike MacIntyre has been creative in finding ways to bring any level of excitement to the program. Last season, the Panthers released universally beloved "Miami Vice" inspired uniforms, which they donned in their game against UTEP. The program is 8-16 in two seasons under MacIntyre.
As part of the deal, Pitbull will create an anthem for FIU athletics, post on social media about FIU 12 times per year and appear at one fundraising event. In return, Pitbull will get fee-free use of the stadium for 10 days per year with a number of tickets put aside for FIU students. He also gets the right to designate a performer at halftime or postgame of a home game if he wishes.
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continued
OK, is it a good deal or bad deal?
LGHL No Fall Weddings: Breaking down Ohio State’s schedule and predicting CFP teams
- News
- 0 Replies
No Fall Weddings: Breaking down Ohio State’s schedule and predicting CFP teams
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Is Michigan or Penn State the Big Ten’s third CFP entrant?
Every week during the college football season, Matt Tamanini and Jami Jurich will be getting into all things Ohio State, previewing the weekend’s slate, unveiling their individual CFP rankings, and picking Heisman contenders on “No Fall Weddings.”
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
On the first episode of “No Fall Weddings” of the 2024 college football season, Jami Jurich and Matt Tamanini take stock of how things are looking for the Ohio State Buckeyes after a pretty quiet summer and an encouraging first four preseason practices. Unsurprisingly, both have the Bucks atop the Big Ten this season, but as they discuss the rest of the conference and their College Football Playoff predictions, they begin to differ elsewhere.
Jami and Matt both run through the 12 teams that they expect to make the CFP this season and wrap up the show with recommendations of non-college football things to watch this week.
Connect with Jami Jurich:
Twitter: @JamiJurich
Connect with Matt Tamanini:
Online Portfolio: https://authory.com/MattTamanini
Theme music provided by audiio.com
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
Robert Goddin-USA TODAY Sports
Is Michigan or Penn State the Big Ten’s third CFP entrant?
Every week during the college football season, Matt Tamanini and Jami Jurich will be getting into all things Ohio State, previewing the weekend’s slate, unveiling their individual CFP rankings, and picking Heisman contenders on “No Fall Weddings.”
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | iHeart Radio
On the first episode of “No Fall Weddings” of the 2024 college football season, Jami Jurich and Matt Tamanini take stock of how things are looking for the Ohio State Buckeyes after a pretty quiet summer and an encouraging first four preseason practices. Unsurprisingly, both have the Bucks atop the Big Ten this season, but as they discuss the rest of the conference and their College Football Playoff predictions, they begin to differ elsewhere.
Jami and Matt both run through the 12 teams that they expect to make the CFP this season and wrap up the show with recommendations of non-college football things to watch this week.
Connect with Jami Jurich:
Twitter: @JamiJurich
Connect with Matt Tamanini:
Online Portfolio: https://authory.com/MattTamanini
Theme music provided by audiio.com
Continue reading...
