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LGHL Ohio State Wrestling: Previewing the 2024 Big Ten Championships
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Ohio State Wrestling: Previewing the 2024 Big Ten Championships
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Ohio State Wrestling - X/Twitter @wrestlingbucks
Despite finishing the regular season ranked No. 6 nationally, OSU sits behind three teams in the loaded Big Ten. Can the Buckeyes make a run at the conference crown this weekend?
When the 2024 Big Ten Championships begin on Saturday, March 9, Ohio State will likely have the fourth or fifth-best odds to win... Despite being ranked sixth in the country! This is because the Big Ten is, and has been, the preeminent conference in college wrestling for decades, with Penn State, Iowa, Minnesota, and Ohio State accounting for all but four of the sport’s national championships since 1994.
Currently, the Big Ten boasts seven of the top 14 teams in the national rankings, with Penn State, Iowa, and Nebraska leading the way. And since all of these teams will obviously be competing in Maryland – the site of the 2024 conference tourney – it goes without saying that OSU faces an uphill battle just to finish inside the top three, something the Buckeyes have not achieved since 2020.
But don’t tell Tom Ryan and Co. that they are longshots to win or even secure a podium finish. Doing so would be an exercise in futility. Not only is this Ohio State squad extremely talented, but they also seem to possess a certain amount of youthful ignorance. Or better yet, fearlessness.
This is the byproduct of several “new” Buckeyes being forced into action, only to come out battle-tested and calloused but otherwise unscathed, and often victorious, as evidenced by OSU’s 15-2 record in duals.
As a result of all the moving, shaking, and injuries, the team’s current lineup features just two regulars from a year ago, one of whom is true sophomore Jesse Mendez. The rest of the lineup is littered with first and second-year grapplers, including two true freshmen and a redshirt freshman in Nick Feldman, who missed all of last season due to injury.
Of course, Ohio State’s vast collection of talent (young or old) is not some rare outlier in the Big Ten. Penn State boasts one of the best rosters ever assembled. Iowa has won 24 national championships since 1975. I could go on and on. But the Buckeyes should still be expected to perform well in College Park, MD.
They have proven themselves time and time again this season – not just against several Big Ten opponents, but also the likes of Virginia Tech and North Carolina State, ranked No. 3 and No. 2 respectively when taken down by OSU.
Here are Ohio State’s expected competitors at the 2024 Big Ten Championships:
Despite wins over No. 1 and No. 4 (nationally, at the time) in the 125-lb weight class, McCrone will enter this tournament as an 8-seed. While both of his top-5 victories were very impressive, neither took place in conference competition. Against ranked Big Ten opponents, McCrone went 1-2 with losses via major decision and pinfall.
Bouzakis will be a 3-seed behind the two Dylans – Ragusin of Michigan and Shawver of Rutgers – who handed him his only conference losses of the season (6-2 in B1G duals). But seeding aside, Bouzakis should be considered a legitimate threat to win 133, thanks to his impressive ability to rack up both points and pins in bunches.
Mendez will be the 2-seed at 141, behind Penn State’s Beau Bartlett, who handed the former his only conference loss of the season — a one-point loss in sudden victory. In addition to Bartlett, Mendez could also face Iowa’s Real Woods and/or Nebraska’s Brock Hardy during this tournament, both of whom (like Bartlett and Mendez) are ranked inside the top-5 nationally. So while Mendez is arguably the Buckeyes’ best shot at winning an individual conference title, the battle at 141 is shaping up to be a bloodbath.
One of Tom Ryan’s few veteran leaders, D’Emilio knows exactly what to expect this weekend. The fifth-year grappler will be making his fourth appearance at the Big Ten Championships, where he is 8-6 overall with two top-5 finishes. D’Emilio will head to Maryland as a 5-seed.
“Mr. Versatility”, Wilcox was the only Buckeye to receive a double-digit seed for this tournament (10). But with a career-high 18 wins on the season already, do not be surprised if Wilcox pulls off an upset or two.
With 10 of his 13 wins this season coming via major decision, tech fall, or pin, Hepner should be viewed as a dangerous 8-seed. In fact, I could see both Hepner and fellow 8-seed McCrone placing much higher than they are currently projected or seeded.
One of two true freshmen in Ohio State’s “starting lineup”, Welsh came on like a freight train after Carson Kharchla’s unfortunate injury, earning himself a 5-seed for this tournament. He quickly racked up 17 wins, and gave the best 174-pounders in the Big Ten all they could handle, dropping matches to conference opponents ranked No. 3, 4, and 1 nationally — by a combined 4 points! If Welsh can score at least one minor upset, look for him to chase a podium finish (top-3).
All gas, no breaks, Rogotzke is always looking to pin somebody. Easier said than done at the Big Ten Championships, but OSU’s other true freshman phenom (rightfully) earned a 4-seed with his late-season performance. Interestingly enough, Rogotzke could end up facing his brother in Maryland, as Roman (Rogotzke) competes at 184 for the Indiana Hoosiers.
Geog went 5-1 in conference duals, earning the 6-seed at 197. And although he has yet to notch a win over a ranked B1G opponent, Geog did defeat Virginia Tech’s Andy Smith early in the season, who was ranked No. 14 at the time. The 197 class is not as stacked as it has been in years past, so perhaps the local, homegrown Buckeye can make a run.
Feldman heads to Maryland as a 2-seed, thanks to his 8-1 Big Ten dual record and a victory over Michigan’s Lucas Davison, who is ranked higher nationally but lost to his Scarlet and Gray rival during the regular season. Conversely, the Buckeye big man is seeded behind Penn State’s Greg Kerkvliet Penn State, who defeated Feldman via major decision in early February. But if the latter finds a way to defeat Kerkvliet – or somehow avoids him – then Feldman could run away with the heavyweight crown.
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
Ohio State Wrestling - X/Twitter @wrestlingbucks
Despite finishing the regular season ranked No. 6 nationally, OSU sits behind three teams in the loaded Big Ten. Can the Buckeyes make a run at the conference crown this weekend?
When the 2024 Big Ten Championships begin on Saturday, March 9, Ohio State will likely have the fourth or fifth-best odds to win... Despite being ranked sixth in the country! This is because the Big Ten is, and has been, the preeminent conference in college wrestling for decades, with Penn State, Iowa, Minnesota, and Ohio State accounting for all but four of the sport’s national championships since 1994.
Currently, the Big Ten boasts seven of the top 14 teams in the national rankings, with Penn State, Iowa, and Nebraska leading the way. And since all of these teams will obviously be competing in Maryland – the site of the 2024 conference tourney – it goes without saying that OSU faces an uphill battle just to finish inside the top three, something the Buckeyes have not achieved since 2020.
But don’t tell Tom Ryan and Co. that they are longshots to win or even secure a podium finish. Doing so would be an exercise in futility. Not only is this Ohio State squad extremely talented, but they also seem to possess a certain amount of youthful ignorance. Or better yet, fearlessness.
This is the byproduct of several “new” Buckeyes being forced into action, only to come out battle-tested and calloused but otherwise unscathed, and often victorious, as evidenced by OSU’s 15-2 record in duals.
As a result of all the moving, shaking, and injuries, the team’s current lineup features just two regulars from a year ago, one of whom is true sophomore Jesse Mendez. The rest of the lineup is littered with first and second-year grapplers, including two true freshmen and a redshirt freshman in Nick Feldman, who missed all of last season due to injury.
Of course, Ohio State’s vast collection of talent (young or old) is not some rare outlier in the Big Ten. Penn State boasts one of the best rosters ever assembled. Iowa has won 24 national championships since 1975. I could go on and on. But the Buckeyes should still be expected to perform well in College Park, MD.
They have proven themselves time and time again this season – not just against several Big Ten opponents, but also the likes of Virginia Tech and North Carolina State, ranked No. 3 and No. 2 respectively when taken down by OSU.
Here are Ohio State’s expected competitors at the 2024 Big Ten Championships:
Brendan McCrone (R-Fr.) – 125 pounds
Despite wins over No. 1 and No. 4 (nationally, at the time) in the 125-lb weight class, McCrone will enter this tournament as an 8-seed. While both of his top-5 victories were very impressive, neither took place in conference competition. Against ranked Big Ten opponents, McCrone went 1-2 with losses via major decision and pinfall.
Nic Bouzakis (R-Fr.) – 133 pounds
Bouzakis will be a 3-seed behind the two Dylans – Ragusin of Michigan and Shawver of Rutgers – who handed him his only conference losses of the season (6-2 in B1G duals). But seeding aside, Bouzakis should be considered a legitimate threat to win 133, thanks to his impressive ability to rack up both points and pins in bunches.
Jess Mendez (So.) – 141 pounds
Mendez will be the 2-seed at 141, behind Penn State’s Beau Bartlett, who handed the former his only conference loss of the season — a one-point loss in sudden victory. In addition to Bartlett, Mendez could also face Iowa’s Real Woods and/or Nebraska’s Brock Hardy during this tournament, both of whom (like Bartlett and Mendez) are ranked inside the top-5 nationally. So while Mendez is arguably the Buckeyes’ best shot at winning an individual conference title, the battle at 141 is shaping up to be a bloodbath.
Dylan D’Emilio (R-Sr.) – 149 pounds
One of Tom Ryan’s few veteran leaders, D’Emilio knows exactly what to expect this weekend. The fifth-year grappler will be making his fourth appearance at the Big Ten Championships, where he is 8-6 overall with two top-5 finishes. D’Emilio will head to Maryland as a 5-seed.
Isaac Wilcox (Sr.) – 157 pounds
“Mr. Versatility”, Wilcox was the only Buckeye to receive a double-digit seed for this tournament (10). But with a career-high 18 wins on the season already, do not be surprised if Wilcox pulls off an upset or two.
Bryce Hepner (R-Jr.) – 165 pounds
With 10 of his 13 wins this season coming via major decision, tech fall, or pin, Hepner should be viewed as a dangerous 8-seed. In fact, I could see both Hepner and fellow 8-seed McCrone placing much higher than they are currently projected or seeded.
Rocco Welsh (Fr.) – 174 pounds
One of two true freshmen in Ohio State’s “starting lineup”, Welsh came on like a freight train after Carson Kharchla’s unfortunate injury, earning himself a 5-seed for this tournament. He quickly racked up 17 wins, and gave the best 174-pounders in the Big Ten all they could handle, dropping matches to conference opponents ranked No. 3, 4, and 1 nationally — by a combined 4 points! If Welsh can score at least one minor upset, look for him to chase a podium finish (top-3).
Ryder Rogotzke (Fr.) – 184 pounds
All gas, no breaks, Rogotzke is always looking to pin somebody. Easier said than done at the Big Ten Championships, but OSU’s other true freshman phenom (rightfully) earned a 4-seed with his late-season performance. Interestingly enough, Rogotzke could end up facing his brother in Maryland, as Roman (Rogotzke) competes at 184 for the Indiana Hoosiers.
Luke Geog (R-Fr.) – 197 pounds
Geog went 5-1 in conference duals, earning the 6-seed at 197. And although he has yet to notch a win over a ranked B1G opponent, Geog did defeat Virginia Tech’s Andy Smith early in the season, who was ranked No. 14 at the time. The 197 class is not as stacked as it has been in years past, so perhaps the local, homegrown Buckeye can make a run.
Nick Feldman (R-Fr.) – 285 pounds/Heavyweight
Feldman heads to Maryland as a 2-seed, thanks to his 8-1 Big Ten dual record and a victory over Michigan’s Lucas Davison, who is ranked higher nationally but lost to his Scarlet and Gray rival during the regular season. Conversely, the Buckeye big man is seeded behind Penn State’s Greg Kerkvliet Penn State, who defeated Feldman via major decision in early February. But if the latter finds a way to defeat Kerkvliet – or somehow avoids him – then Feldman could run away with the heavyweight crown.
Continue reading...
2025 KY DE Javeon Campbell (Kentucky Signee)
- By pnuts34
- Football Recruiting
- 1 Replies
247
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HudL
Class: 2025
Position: DE
School: Frankfort(KY)
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 265lbs
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Rivals
HudL
Class: 2025
Position: DE
School: Frankfort(KY)
Height: 6-foot-6
Weight: 265lbs
Login to view embedded media
LGHL Ohio State’s women’s hockey team battles Minnesota-Duluth on Friday in a WCHA Final Faceoff semifinal
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Ohio State’s women’s hockey team battles Minnesota-Duluth on Friday in a WCHA Final Faceoff semifinal
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Justin Berl/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
The Buckeyes will look to continue their recent dominance over the Bulldogs.
Before the NCAA Tournament begins next week, Ohio State’s women’s hockey team will take the ice in Minneapolis in the WCHA Final Faceoff against Minnesota-Duluth. The winner of the first semifinal between the Buckeyes and the Bulldogs will go on to face the winner of the second semifinal between Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The Buckeyes have made the finals of the annual conference tournament in each of the last four seasons, going on to win the conference title twice.
Ohio State enters the semifinals as the top-ranked team in the country, posting a 31-3 record, outscoring their opponents 179-44. Nadine Muzerall’s team had no issue in the quarterfinals against Bemidji State, outscoring the Beavers 18-1 in the two-game sweep.
The Buckeyes opened up the best-of-three series by scoring three goals in the first 5:48 of Friday’s game. Cayla Barnes and Jenna Buglioni each scored two goals in the blowout victory.
Saturday’s game had a similar start, as Ohio State scored three goals in the first 11:23 of the game. Jennifer Gardiner scored two goals, Buglioni added a goal and an assist, while Joy Dunne and Kiara Zanon each recorded three points. Goaltender Raygan Kirk earned an easy shutout, only having to stop nine shots from Bemidji State, notching her seventh shutout of the season.
In six games this season, Ohio State outscored the Beavers 52-4.
Now Ohio State will turn their attention to Minnesota-Duluth, who the Buckeyes defeated in all four of their meetings during the regular season. Early in the season, Ohio State took on the Bulldogs at their rink, sweeping the two games 5-2 on October 13, followed by a 2-0 win the following day.
In the first meeting of the season between the teams, Hadley Hartmetz was the star, netting her first career hat trick in the victory. In the second game, Emma Peschel and Hannah Bilka scored second-period goals, while Kirk stopped all 16 shots she faced.
The teams met in Columbus in January, with the Buckeyes earning two hard-fought shutout wins on their home ice. Kelsey King, Joy Dunne, and Kenzie Hauswirth scored goals in the 3-0 win on January 19, as Kirk again blanked the Bulldogs. The next day Hannah Bilka’s power play goal at the 15:42 mark of the third period was the only tally in the game. Amanda Thiele was between the pipes for Ohio State in the game, stopping all 18 shots she saw.
Even though Ohio State won all four of the meetings between the teams in the regular season, Minnesota-Duluth isn’t a team the Buckeyes can sleep on. The Bulldogs won 20 games this season, outscoring opponents 88-52.
Reece Hunt is the team’s leading scorer, netting 18 goals and dishing out 16 assists. Hunt was the star of the 5-0 win by the Bulldogs over St. Cloud State in the first game of the WCHA Quarterfinals, scoring a goal and being credited with four assists. Mannon McMahon sits just behind Hunt, scoring 13 goals and tallying 17 assists this season. McMahon scored both goals in the 2-0 win over St. Cloud State on Saturday.
Much like the Buckeyes, Minnesota-Duluth has a duo of goaltenders who have been tough to get pucks past so far this season. Both Eve Garson and Hailey MacLeod have six shutouts this year, and enter the semifinal against the Buckeyes with at least a .950 save percentage. MacLeod has 11 wins on the season, two more than Garson, while her 1.06 goals against average is a little lower than the 1.52 goals against average Garson has posted.
The semifinal battle between Ohio State and Minnesota-Duluth will be the latest in a string of high-profile matchups between the Buckeyes and Bulldogs over the last few years.
Back in 2021, Ohio State beat Minnesota-Duluth 7-2 in the WCHA semifinals and then was beaten by Wisconsin in the conference final. The next season, Ohio State beat the Bulldogs 3-2 in the NCAA Championship Game, clinching the first national title in program history for the Buckeyes. Last season, Ohio State again beat Minnesota-Duluth in the WCHA semis before falling to Minnesota in the conference championship game.
The winner of Friday’s semifinal between the Buckeyes and Bulldogs will go on to meet the winner of the second semifinal on Friday between the Wisconsin Badgers and Minnesota Golden Gophers.
The WCHA Championship Game will take place on Saturday afternoon at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. No matter how the action plays out in the WCHA Final Faceoff, expect Ohio State to be hosting regional action before the semifinals and championship game are held in New Hampshire later in March.
What: No. 1 Ohio State vs. Minnesota-Duluth
Continue reading...
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Justin Berl/NCAA Photos via Getty Images
The Buckeyes will look to continue their recent dominance over the Bulldogs.
Before the NCAA Tournament begins next week, Ohio State’s women’s hockey team will take the ice in Minneapolis in the WCHA Final Faceoff against Minnesota-Duluth. The winner of the first semifinal between the Buckeyes and the Bulldogs will go on to face the winner of the second semifinal between Wisconsin and Minnesota.
The Buckeyes have made the finals of the annual conference tournament in each of the last four seasons, going on to win the conference title twice.
Ohio State enters the semifinals as the top-ranked team in the country, posting a 31-3 record, outscoring their opponents 179-44. Nadine Muzerall’s team had no issue in the quarterfinals against Bemidji State, outscoring the Beavers 18-1 in the two-game sweep.
The Buckeyes opened up the best-of-three series by scoring three goals in the first 5:48 of Friday’s game. Cayla Barnes and Jenna Buglioni each scored two goals in the blowout victory.
Saturday’s game had a similar start, as Ohio State scored three goals in the first 11:23 of the game. Jennifer Gardiner scored two goals, Buglioni added a goal and an assist, while Joy Dunne and Kiara Zanon each recorded three points. Goaltender Raygan Kirk earned an easy shutout, only having to stop nine shots from Bemidji State, notching her seventh shutout of the season.
In six games this season, Ohio State outscored the Beavers 52-4.
Now Ohio State will turn their attention to Minnesota-Duluth, who the Buckeyes defeated in all four of their meetings during the regular season. Early in the season, Ohio State took on the Bulldogs at their rink, sweeping the two games 5-2 on October 13, followed by a 2-0 win the following day.
In the first meeting of the season between the teams, Hadley Hartmetz was the star, netting her first career hat trick in the victory. In the second game, Emma Peschel and Hannah Bilka scored second-period goals, while Kirk stopped all 16 shots she faced.
The teams met in Columbus in January, with the Buckeyes earning two hard-fought shutout wins on their home ice. Kelsey King, Joy Dunne, and Kenzie Hauswirth scored goals in the 3-0 win on January 19, as Kirk again blanked the Bulldogs. The next day Hannah Bilka’s power play goal at the 15:42 mark of the third period was the only tally in the game. Amanda Thiele was between the pipes for Ohio State in the game, stopping all 18 shots she saw.
Even though Ohio State won all four of the meetings between the teams in the regular season, Minnesota-Duluth isn’t a team the Buckeyes can sleep on. The Bulldogs won 20 games this season, outscoring opponents 88-52.
Reece Hunt is the team’s leading scorer, netting 18 goals and dishing out 16 assists. Hunt was the star of the 5-0 win by the Bulldogs over St. Cloud State in the first game of the WCHA Quarterfinals, scoring a goal and being credited with four assists. Mannon McMahon sits just behind Hunt, scoring 13 goals and tallying 17 assists this season. McMahon scored both goals in the 2-0 win over St. Cloud State on Saturday.
Much like the Buckeyes, Minnesota-Duluth has a duo of goaltenders who have been tough to get pucks past so far this season. Both Eve Garson and Hailey MacLeod have six shutouts this year, and enter the semifinal against the Buckeyes with at least a .950 save percentage. MacLeod has 11 wins on the season, two more than Garson, while her 1.06 goals against average is a little lower than the 1.52 goals against average Garson has posted.
The semifinal battle between Ohio State and Minnesota-Duluth will be the latest in a string of high-profile matchups between the Buckeyes and Bulldogs over the last few years.
Back in 2021, Ohio State beat Minnesota-Duluth 7-2 in the WCHA semifinals and then was beaten by Wisconsin in the conference final. The next season, Ohio State beat the Bulldogs 3-2 in the NCAA Championship Game, clinching the first national title in program history for the Buckeyes. Last season, Ohio State again beat Minnesota-Duluth in the WCHA semis before falling to Minnesota in the conference championship game.
The winner of Friday’s semifinal between the Buckeyes and Bulldogs will go on to meet the winner of the second semifinal on Friday between the Wisconsin Badgers and Minnesota Golden Gophers.
The WCHA Championship Game will take place on Saturday afternoon at Ridder Arena in Minneapolis. No matter how the action plays out in the WCHA Final Faceoff, expect Ohio State to be hosting regional action before the semifinals and championship game are held in New Hampshire later in March.
What: No. 1 Ohio State vs. Minnesota-Duluth
Day: Friday, March 8
Time: 2 p.m. ET
TV: B1G+
Continue reading...
2026 AL LB Shadarius Toodle (Auburn Verbal)
- By pnuts34
- Football Recruiting
- 2 Replies
247
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Twitter
HudL
Class: 2026
Position: LB
School: Mobile(AL) Cottage Hill Christian Academy
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 210lbs
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Rivals
HudL
Class: 2026
Position: LB
School: Mobile(AL) Cottage Hill Christian Academy
Height: 6-foot-3
Weight: 210lbs
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LGHL Bucketheads Podcast: Breaking down the Buckeyes’ wins this week, and is it time to talk tournament?
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Bucketheads Podcast: Breaking down the Buckeyes’ wins this week, and is it time to talk tournament?
justingolba 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
Ohio State will need to beat Rutgers on Sunday to have a chance, but if they do, the conversation can get real
“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. Every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in the college hoops world.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On episode 108 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin discuss more Buckeye wins! Ohio State beat Nebraska and Michigan this week, and are now 4-1 in the Jake Diebler era. So, how are they doing it? And what is the Buckeye's realistic path to the NCAA Tournament?
What have been the biggest changes since the coaching change? And what is going on with Michigan right now? And finally, is there any real chance that Diebler can coach his way into the head coaching job next year?
And at the end, we discuss why or why not Jake Diebler should be truly in the running for the head coaching job.
Make sure to like, subscribe, comment, and leave a review on the show!
Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN
Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor
Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba
Continue reading...
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Brooke LaValley / USA TODAY NETWORK
Ohio State will need to beat Rutgers on Sunday to have a chance, but if they do, the conversation can get real
“Bucketheads” is LGHL’s men’s basketball podcast, hosted by Connor Lemons and Justin Golba. Every episode, they give you the latest scoop on the Ohio State Buckeyes and everything else happening in the college hoops world.
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On episode 108 of the Bucketheads Podcast, Connor and Justin discuss more Buckeye wins! Ohio State beat Nebraska and Michigan this week, and are now 4-1 in the Jake Diebler era. So, how are they doing it? And what is the Buckeye's realistic path to the NCAA Tournament?
What have been the biggest changes since the coaching change? And what is going on with Michigan right now? And finally, is there any real chance that Diebler can coach his way into the head coaching job next year?
And at the end, we discuss why or why not Jake Diebler should be truly in the running for the head coaching job.
Make sure to like, subscribe, comment, and leave a review on the show!
Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @BucketheadsLGPN
Connect with Connor:
Twitter: @lemons_connor
Connect with Justin:
Twitter: @justin_golba
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State sends out pair of offers on Wednesday, earns two major Crystal Ball predictions
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- 0 Replies
Ohio State sends out pair of offers on Wednesday, earns two major Crystal Ball predictions
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Buckeyes are staying busy on the recruiting trail, offering multiple new names.
It’s going to be another cycle where the Buckeyes really want to load up on the offensive line, and especially at the tackle position. Having in-state product Carter Lowe already in the fold is a massive win for the staff, but multiple linemen are definitely needed, and that is the goal from here on.
Looking all over to find additional guys that can fill the void, on Wednesday the Buckeyes took to the DMV and sent out their latest offensive line offer in the 2025 class to Joshua Blackston.
A 6-foot-5, 275 pound athlete, Blackston is not currently ranked via 247Sports, but does hold multiple offers to his name. Schools such as Boston College, Cincinnati, Maryland, and Virginia Tech have already entered the mix, but now having Ohio State on his radar likely causes others to follow suit.
Justin Frye has some work to do in his portion of the class, and now there’s another name to add to the list of guys that are potential candidates to help Ohio State reload the tackle position.
It’s pretty impressive to see the coaches still focusing on recruiting even with spring practice officially underway. Not just in the 2025 class, but also on Wednesday the 2026 class saw a new offer when linebacker prospect Shadarius Toodle took to his Twitter account to share that the Buckeyes were the latest program to offer.
An Alabama product, Toodle is a 6-foot-3, 210 pound athlete out of Mobile who currently holds well double-digit offers to his name. An unranked prospect via his 247Sports profile, the offers coming from the likes of Auburn, Baylor, LSU, South Carolina, and now Ohio State should change that theme relatively soon.
The latest linebacker Laurinaitis has sent an offer out to, the next step in really getting to know Toodle is getting him to campus. This quickly, it’s hard to know whether or not he will be able to get up to campus in the near future, but with Ohio State’s success in Alabama recently with the likes of 2025 five-star Na’eem Offord, it looks like the staff is trying to make inroads to a territory that typically has been locked up.
Director of Recruiting for 247Sports, Steve Wiltfong, flipped his Crystal Ball prediction away from Alabama and to Ohio State for five-star wide receiver target, Jaime Ffrench. The No. 16 player nationally and third-best receiver in the class per the 247Sports Composite, the Buckeyes have been all over this since he backed out of his verbal to Alabama, and it really does look like once again Hartline could pull it off.
While Ffrench is plenty to be excited about, Wiltfong took it a step further and also pegged fellow Florida 2025 target Vernell Brown III to also end up a Buckeye. The No. 103 player nationally, he is also the 12th best receiver in the class per the 247Sports Composite.
Already earning the commitment of Jayvan Boggs, it’s pretty impressive to think the Buckeyes could pluck a trio of Florida’s top players all at the receiver position. Having taken the best receiver Florida has to offer in both the last two cycles, why wouldn’t Hartline try his luck again?
There’s plenty of time and effort still to be given, but Ohio State looks to be looking good yet again for the position they’re dominating the most.
Now a five-star product, St. Clair is the sixth ranked player nationally and the second-best signal caller per the 247Sports rankings. With all of the assets he possesses, it’s not hard to see why he was given such an increase in his stock, and certainly it helps other blue-chip prospects see why the Buckeyes have so much going for them in this current cycle.
Continue reading...
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Buckeyes are staying busy on the recruiting trail, offering multiple new names.
It’s going to be another cycle where the Buckeyes really want to load up on the offensive line, and especially at the tackle position. Having in-state product Carter Lowe already in the fold is a massive win for the staff, but multiple linemen are definitely needed, and that is the goal from here on.
Looking all over to find additional guys that can fill the void, on Wednesday the Buckeyes took to the DMV and sent out their latest offensive line offer in the 2025 class to Joshua Blackston.
A 6-foot-5, 275 pound athlete, Blackston is not currently ranked via 247Sports, but does hold multiple offers to his name. Schools such as Boston College, Cincinnati, Maryland, and Virginia Tech have already entered the mix, but now having Ohio State on his radar likely causes others to follow suit.
Justin Frye has some work to do in his portion of the class, and now there’s another name to add to the list of guys that are potential candidates to help Ohio State reload the tackle position.
It’s pretty impressive to see the coaches still focusing on recruiting even with spring practice officially underway. Not just in the 2025 class, but also on Wednesday the 2026 class saw a new offer when linebacker prospect Shadarius Toodle took to his Twitter account to share that the Buckeyes were the latest program to offer.
An Alabama product, Toodle is a 6-foot-3, 210 pound athlete out of Mobile who currently holds well double-digit offers to his name. An unranked prospect via his 247Sports profile, the offers coming from the likes of Auburn, Baylor, LSU, South Carolina, and now Ohio State should change that theme relatively soon.
The latest linebacker Laurinaitis has sent an offer out to, the next step in really getting to know Toodle is getting him to campus. This quickly, it’s hard to know whether or not he will be able to get up to campus in the near future, but with Ohio State’s success in Alabama recently with the likes of 2025 five-star Na’eem Offord, it looks like the staff is trying to make inroads to a territory that typically has been locked up.
Quick Hits
- Probably the most exciting recruiting news that Wednesday presented, the Buckeyes not only landed one major Crystal Ball prediction in their favor, but a second in the 2025 class that would further cement this group as not only one of the best in the country, but one of the best classes Ohio State has ever had.
Director of Recruiting for 247Sports, Steve Wiltfong, flipped his Crystal Ball prediction away from Alabama and to Ohio State for five-star wide receiver target, Jaime Ffrench. The No. 16 player nationally and third-best receiver in the class per the 247Sports Composite, the Buckeyes have been all over this since he backed out of his verbal to Alabama, and it really does look like once again Hartline could pull it off.
While Ffrench is plenty to be excited about, Wiltfong took it a step further and also pegged fellow Florida 2025 target Vernell Brown III to also end up a Buckeye. The No. 103 player nationally, he is also the 12th best receiver in the class per the 247Sports Composite.
Already earning the commitment of Jayvan Boggs, it’s pretty impressive to think the Buckeyes could pluck a trio of Florida’s top players all at the receiver position. Having taken the best receiver Florida has to offer in both the last two cycles, why wouldn’t Hartline try his luck again?
There’s plenty of time and effort still to be given, but Ohio State looks to be looking good yet again for the position they’re dominating the most.
- On Wednesday, 247Sports released their latest recruiting rankings update, with many of Ohio State’s current pledges seeing ratings boosts. None was more significant than 2025 quarterback commit, Tavien St. Clair.
Now a five-star product, St. Clair is the sixth ranked player nationally and the second-best signal caller per the 247Sports rankings. With all of the assets he possesses, it’s not hard to see why he was given such an increase in his stock, and certainly it helps other blue-chip prospects see why the Buckeyes have so much going for them in this current cycle.
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LGHL Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: An Ohio State spring practice draft!
- News
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Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: An Ohio State spring practice draft!
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Hangout Boys also discuss Sunday’s circus in Iowa City, as well as the streaking OSU men’s basketball team...
The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast is here! Join LGHL’s Josh Dooley and Chuck Holmes as they discuss Ohio State football, recruiting, and much, much more! Come for the hot takes, stay for the warm ones.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
On this episode of “Hangout in the Holy Land,” Josh and Chuck share their frustration(s) stemming from Sunday’s women’s basketball game in Iowa City. Admittedly, Ohio State did not do itself any favors against the Iowa Hawkeyes, but there were also several poor calls that went against OSU. As a result, what should have been one of the best CBB games of the season seemed more like an intentional celebration of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark.
On the men’s side, Jake Diebler and the Buckeyes just keep on winning. So much so that Diebler should now be considered the favorite for Ohio State’s permanent HC position... And has he really put the team in a position to make this year’s NCAA Tournament?
Last but certainly not least, with spring (football) practice kicking off in Columbus, the hosts draft OSU’s most interesting players to keep an eye on. You won’t want to miss this segment, as the boys have a few surprises in store.
Please make sure to like, rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast! And as always, Go Bucks!
Connect with the pod
Twitter: @HolyLandPod
Connect with Josh Dooley
Twitter: @jdooleybuckeye
Connect with Chuck Holmes
Twitter: @ctholmes3
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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The Hangout Boys also discuss Sunday’s circus in Iowa City, as well as the streaking OSU men’s basketball team...
The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast is here! Join LGHL’s Josh Dooley and Chuck Holmes as they discuss Ohio State football, recruiting, and much, much more! Come for the hot takes, stay for the warm ones.
Listen to the episode and subscribe:
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On this episode of “Hangout in the Holy Land,” Josh and Chuck share their frustration(s) stemming from Sunday’s women’s basketball game in Iowa City. Admittedly, Ohio State did not do itself any favors against the Iowa Hawkeyes, but there were also several poor calls that went against OSU. As a result, what should have been one of the best CBB games of the season seemed more like an intentional celebration of Iowa’s Caitlin Clark.
On the men’s side, Jake Diebler and the Buckeyes just keep on winning. So much so that Diebler should now be considered the favorite for Ohio State’s permanent HC position... And has he really put the team in a position to make this year’s NCAA Tournament?
Last but certainly not least, with spring (football) practice kicking off in Columbus, the hosts draft OSU’s most interesting players to keep an eye on. You won’t want to miss this segment, as the boys have a few surprises in store.
Please make sure to like, rate, review, and subscribe to the podcast! And as always, Go Bucks!
Connect with the pod
Twitter: @HolyLandPod
Connect with Josh Dooley
Twitter: @jdooleybuckeye
Connect with Chuck Holmes
Twitter: @ctholmes3
Continue reading...
2025 MD OL Joshua Blackston (Rutgers Signee)
- By pnuts34
- Football Recruiting
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247
Rivals
Twitter
HudL
Class: 2025
Position: OL
School: Baltimore(MD) Paul Laurence Dunbar
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 275lbs
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Rivals
HudL
Class: 2025
Position: OL
School: Baltimore(MD) Paul Laurence Dunbar
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 275lbs
Login to view embedded media
