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LGHL You’re Nuts: What former Ohio State player suffered an injury in the NFL that hit you hardest?

You’re Nuts: What former Ohio State player suffered an injury in the NFL that hit you hardest?
Brett Ludwiczak
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


New Orleans Saints v Atlanta Falcons

Photo by Todd Kirkland/Getty Images

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

Injuries are unfortunately a part of football. Sometimes we see injuries from hard contact because players have gotten bigger, faster, and stronger over the years. Other times contact isn’t needed for an injury to occur. Whether an injury happens from contact or not, it doesn’t make it any less devastating for an injured player, especially if it ends up being an injury that sidelines a player for an extended amount of time.

On Sunday afternoon, news broke that former Ohio State running back J.K. Dobbins was feared to have suffered a torn Achilles tendon in the first half against the Houston Texans. The injury speculation was later confirmed, and Dobbins will miss the rest of the 2023 NFL season, which will mark the second time in three seasons that he has suffered a significant injury. Gone is the hope that Dobbins could earn a lucrative second contract in the NFL since now he is going to be deemed as an injury risk.

As much as it hurts to think back on this topic, today we are looking at former Ohio State players who have suffered injuries in the NFL. We want to know which injury or series of injuries that a Buckeye has suffered at the professional level that hit you the hardest. Maybe your favorite NFL team drafted a Buckeye and that player suffered an injury, derailing what they could have been. Or it could be a player who just had some terrible injury luck in the league.

Today’s question: What former Ohio State player suffered an injury in the NFL that hit you hardest?

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


Brett’s answer: Michael Thomas


I still find it wild that Urban Meyer had Michael Thomas at wide receiver and it felt like he didn’t know how to use the future NFL star. Not that it hurt the Buckeyes since they went on to win the 2014 national title with Thomas starting, it just felt like the nephew of Keyshawn Johnson should have caught more than 110 passes in 2014 and 2015 before moving on to the NFL. Had Thomas been able to showcase his skills a little more, he likely would have been a first-round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft.

Even though he wasn’t a first-rounder, Thomas did land in a perfect situation in New Orleans, as he had future Hall of Fame quarterback Drew Brees throwing him the football. Thomas caught 92 balls in his rookie season and would catch at least 100 passes in each of the next three seasons. The 2019 season for Thomas was legendary. Not only did he sign a 5-year, $100 million contract prior to the season, he caught an NFL record 149 passes, and was named NFL Offensive Player of the Year.

Since the end of the 2019 season, Thomas has played in 11 games, catching 61 passes. The injury issues started in the first week of the 2020 season when he suffered a high-ankle sprain and snowballed from there. Thomas missed the whole 2021 season and only played in the first three games of the 2022 season. Had Thomas not missed so much time due to his ankle injuries, it would have been interesting to see what kind of stats he could have amassed, and where he would sit on the NFL’s all-time stat lists when his career comes to a close.


Matt’s answer: Ryan Shazier


I think for many Buckeye fans, the injury that jumps to mind is that of former Ohio State and Pittsburgh Steeler linebacker Ryan Shazier. In nearly four full seasons as an NFL player, Shazier made two Pro Bowls and wracked up 299 tackles, before his career was tragically cut short when Pittsburgh was playing the Cincinnati Bengals on Dec. 4. 2017. Following a brutal head-on tackle, Shazier was left motionless on the turf.

In the coming days, he underwent spinal stabilization surgery and after two seasons of being on Pittsburgh’s Physically Unable to Perform list, he retired in 2020.

There are all of the on-field reasons that you can be disappointed by the end of Shazier’s career. He was one of the best linebackers in the game and was selected as a top-50 player in the NFL for the 2018 season. He seemed to be in the perfect franchise for his style of play and appeared to be well on his way to a long and successful NFL career.

But the impact from the football side of Shazier’s injury pales in comparison to the real-life effects. At the time of his injury, Buckeye fans, myself included, were rightly terrified about what this meant for Ryan’s life moving forward. Initially unable to move his legs, the prognosis was terrifying for fans who had come to love Shazier as not only a menacing football player but also a fun, loveable addition to whichever team he was on.

To see any athlete at the peak of their powers rendered motionless on the field is horrible. Knowing that in a moment, someone who trained and sacrificed and thrived could have it all taken away is difficult enough, but when it is an athlete that you have grown to care about from afar, as both a player and a person, it hits differently. Ryan Shazier was — and still is — a member of our Buckeye family, and while that sounds strange and borderline unhealthily parasocial, it’s true.

Not all Buckeyes become beloved, but those that do are so fully embraced by the fandom that we feel joy at their successes and pain for their failures. But Shazier’s injury was something so much more emotional than a thrown interception in the Super Bowl or a missed three-pointer in the NBA Finals.

That is why it has been so rewarding and heartening to see Shazier’s slow, but steady, rehabilitation from his appearance at the 2018 NFL Draft to his serving as an honorary captain at Ohio State’s Spring Game, just five months after the injury.

It'll be tough to top this @B1Gfootball spring moment.

So great to see former @OhioStateFB star LB @RyanShazier back in Columbus. pic.twitter.com/LFGdVFpzEy

— Big Ten Network (@BigTenNetwork) April 14, 2018

Witnessing horrible injuries like Ryan Shazier’s can shake you to your core, I know it did mine. Fortunately, through the skill of his medical professionals and Ryan’s strength of body and spirit, not only has he had a tremendous recovery, but he is also doing what he can to help others who have been through experiences similar to his.

I am proud to consider myself a Ryan Shazier fan, not only for what he did on the field before his injury but also for what he has done off of it after.


Steel City Greats was developed through my personal experience of dealing with the severe pain of my spinal cord injury, followed by the intense rehab that went along with it.

Life changing is an understatement. https://t.co/YnHcaWgvgj pic.twitter.com/mIrsuLDjZg

— Ryan Shazier (@RyanShazier) August 28, 2023

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LGHL Ohio State commit lands in top 5 of 2026 recruiting class

Ohio State commit lands in top 5 of 2026 recruiting class
Matt Tamanini
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


chris_henry_jr_no_4_prospect.0.jpeg

Mick Walker | 247Sports

Tony Alford pushing for in-state running back to commit

Ohio State commit Chris Henry Jr. Lands in Rivals’ Top 5

2026 Top Ten REVEAL

At No. 4 is Ohio State ( @OhioSt_Rivals ) commit CHRIS HENRY JR. (@ChrisHenryJr)

"Henry showed this summer at the Elite 11 that his upside is through the roof and he already has the physical tools to be a contributor at the highest level"

See… pic.twitter.com/KmL6MH7pk1

— Rivals (@Rivals) September 12, 2023

Six weeks ago when Chris Henry Jr. committed to the Buckeyes, everyone knew that he was an elite wide receiver. While rankings weren’t available for the 2026 class just yet, it was widely expected that the son of the late Wester Virginia and Cincinnati Bengal wide receiver would be one of the top players in his class.

Since then, he has been slotted in as the No. 8 player in 247Sports’ rankings, and on Tuesday, Rivals announced that he was the No. 4 player in the country on their initial 2026 list.

Just a sophomore at Cincinnati’s Withrow High School, Henry already stands 6-foot-5 and weighs 185 pounds. After the passing of his father, Henry was adopted by his dad’s WVU teammate and best friend Adam “Pacman” Jones. While Jones and the elder Henry never played together for the Bengals, since Pacman played the bulk of his career in Cincinnati, Henry Jr. has grown up in the backyard of the Buckeyes; which might just be what helps Brian Hartline continue his WR-recruiting dominance.

“The Cincinnati (Ohio) Withrow standout has length, speed, athleticism, body control and great hands to go up and high point the football,” Rival’s recruiting director Adam Gorney wrote of Henry. “He makes catching a football look easy.”


Tony Alford Tells Marquise Davis He Should Commit Soon


From one top in-state player hailing from the southwest corner of Ohio to one in the northeast portion of the state, on Tuesday, Rival’s Jeremy Birmingham shared some insight into the recruitment of 2025 Cleveland Heights running back Marquise Davis.

The 6-foot-1, 205-pound junior attended OSU’s home opener against Youngstown State and reportedly spent most of his time with RB coach Tony Alford, who made it very clear that he believes that Davis should make being on campus a far more frequent — even permanent — thing.

“He told me that hopefully I’ll become a Buckeye soon,” Davis told Birm. “And that I should come around more often.”

Davis is the No. 142 player in the 2025 cycle according to 247Sports Composite Ratings, he is the No. 14 running back and No. 5 player from Ohio.


Quick Hits


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LGHL Cover Six: Is Denzel Burke back to All-American status?

Cover Six: Is Denzel Burke back to All-American status?
JordanW330
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 09 Youngstown State at Ohio State

Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Ohio State easily beat Youngstown State as their defense continues to show improvement.

In football terms, Cover Six is a zone coverage that combines Cover Four and Cover Two. While on the field it is designed to negate the deep pass while offering extra support underneath to protect against the run, in this case, Cover Six is a weekly column focused on Ohio State’s defense under coordinator Jim Knowles. Every week, it will cover six aspects of the defense’s performance, including big moments, key stats, film analysis, and areas in need of improvement. Join me as I follow the defense as it tries to bring back the Silver Bullets swagger that we know and love!

Cover 1: Denzel Burke, All American?


One of the biggest questions for this defense coming into 2023 was the performance of the secondary. All spring and summer we’ve heard reports that the secondary was playing better, getting more hands-on passes, and making it tough for the wide receivers. Denzel Burke’s name was brought up the most.

Burke is the leader of the room and the corners go as he goes. Burke burst on the scene having a borderline dominant year, but last season he dealt with injuries and struggled early. Despite getting better, it was hard to get the taste of the first few games out of our mouths as fans.

So far this season, Denzel has been excellent. Against Youngstown State Burke was targeted five times and didn’t allow a catch, plus added a pass breakup and had the first interception by an Ohio State corner since 2021. If Burke keeps playing like this he could end up on a few All-American teams and hear his name called in the NFL Draft. Before we go there though, let’s see how he performs against the Western Kentucky passing attack.


Cover 2: To be or not to be, that is the question…


To be aggressive or not to be, that is the question that Jim Knowles is asking himself when he creates the game plan for the Ohio State defense. In his first season, Knowles was aggressive choosing to blitz and try to create havoc for the opposing offense. It worked at times, but against Michigan and Georgia, it hurt the Buckeyes and ultimately contributed to losses. When asked about his defenses recording three tackles for loss against Youngstown State, Knowles had this to say;

“I’ve adjusted. When you’re at places where you need to live in that world, feast or famine type of world where you’re trying to make sure you take a lot of chances, do a lot of different things to somehow gain the advantage – I think I’ve adjusted my philosophy here. We have different players, and my job is to make sure we win the game, not get the TFLs. And a lot of times, I think the best philosophy here is to let the guys play.”

Knowles adjusted because he was burnt after becoming too aggressive in their biggest games last season. So the question is, can Ohio State reach its goals without being a disruptive defense that is at the top of the country in sacks and tackles for loss? Knowles seems to believe so, but here’s hoping he hasn’t overcorrected.


Cover 3: How many times do I have to teach you this lesson, old man


Let me start by saying this: Larry Johnson is a legend. For much of his career, he has been one of, if not the best defensive line coach in the country. All that being said, I’m not sure Johnson is a top-10 defensive line coach in the country at this point.

He hasn’t produced a top defensive line since Chase Young left despite still maintaining a high level of talent. While he has landed five-star talents like Jack Sawyer and JT Tuimoloau, he has yet to develop them into top-tier players. They’re talented and sometimes that talent shows up, but they haven’t been consistent nor have they shown an ability to generate pressure or sack the quarterback.

All of this is bad enough on its own, but when you include the fact that Johnson is openly feuding with his defensive coordinator’s scheme and he has used a questionable defensive line rotation for the past few years, it may be time for Johnson to hang up his whistle.

Against Youngstown State, Johnson decided not to start Mike Hall Jr., who easily has the most talent at defensive tackle. Also despite the lack of sack production from Jack and JT, he has barely played Kenyatta Jackson and has only used Caden Curry sparingly. Johnson may have lost his fastball.

It happens to the best coaches, but with all of the young talent in the room the defensive line room needs to be much better and it just hasn’t been. Johnson hasn’t learned from the mistakes of the last few seasons, and he still refuses to play young talent even if they show more than their older players in front of them. I’m not sure what else Johnson is looking for from players, but I know that this room needs to perform better or Ohio State will continue to be behind the top programs and will risk losing big games.



Cover 4: Jack Sawyer, you gotta be quicker than that


Jack Sawyer entered Ohio State with HUGE expectations. He was a local five-star product from Pickerington who many thought was going to be the next Nick or Joey Bosa-level talent on the defensive line. Sawyer has not lived up to that hype, and it’s not clear why.

Depending on who you ask, some may blame strength and conditioning coordinator Mick Marotti for putting too much weight on Sawyer. Others will say it’s defensive coordinator Jim Knowles’ fault for asking him to play the Jack position and stunting his development. His own position coach has all but said that publicly. Regardless of the reason, Sawyer has not lived up to the hype, and Saturday against Youngstown State showed that over and over again.

While re-watching the game, I couldn’t help but notice one thing — Sawyer is super slow off the ball. There are multiple occasions when Sawyer has barely left his stance while the rest of the defensive line is already engaged. Sawyer needs to play better, and it would help if he got involved in the action on time.


Cover 5: The Importance of Simulated Pressures


Earlier we discussed how Knowles has decided to tone down his aggressiveness and let his players play. When you have the talent that Ohio State does, it makes sense to let your talented players make plays, but that doesn’t mean you let them just sit there and cover blades of grass.

One way to confuse offenses without putting yourself into bad positions is to run simulated pressures. Simulated pressures are plays where the defense threatens with blitzes, but still only sends four pass rushers. A well-run simulated pressure confuses the offense because players who expect to rush the passer end up dropping into coverage, and other players engage in pass rushing from various spots on the field. This allows you to still keep seven players to defend the pass, but also get free rushers.

In this play below, Ohio State runs a great simulated pressure. They line up with six players at the line of scrimmage, showing blitz, At the snap they blitz both linebackers Steele Chambers and Tommy Eichenberg up the middle. Instead of blitzing straight up, they cross the linebackers, which messes with the interior offensive line blocking rules. Defensive ends Jack and JT both fake a pass rush and ultimately drop into coverage, while the defensive tackles slant outside to keep the quarterback in the pocket.

This pressure confuses the offensive line, and the announcers claim Ohio State sent more than four rushers, which is the purpose of this call. Eichenberg and Chambers immediately get into the quarterback’s face, forcing him to bail out of the pocket. Ohio State ran these types of pressure multiple times this game, including on Burke’s interception.


Cover 6: Knowles, No More Safeties in the Slot


Ohio State allowed one touchdown against Western Kentucky. This touchdown was scored after safety Cam Martinez got beat deep on a slot fade for 36 yards that gave Youngstown State the ball on the Ohio State 20-yard line. Six plays later, quarterback Mitch Davidson ran into the end zone for the Penguins’ first and only touchdown.

Throughout the game, Knowles mixed up who played in the slot between more traditional safeties and cornerback Jordan Hancock. Martinez has given up big plays in two of the last three games he’s played and is a liability in man coverage. Ohio State believes that they have three starting-level corners in Burke, Davison Igbinosun, and Hancock. If you’re only going to play two corners at a time, Hancock should be playing in the slot instead of Martinez, Ja’Had Carter, or any of the other Ohio State safeties not named Sonny Styles.

Western Kentucky is going to spread out Ohio State and pass the ball. Hancock needs to get all of those snaps if the Buckeyes want to continue limiting big plays in the passing game.



Follow The I-80 Football Show on YouTube: @JordanW330 or @LandGrantPods

Subscribe to the podcast: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio

Connect with me on Twitter: @JordanW330

Follow I-80 Football Show on Instagram: @I80FootballShow

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LGHL Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for September 12, 2023

Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for September 12, 2023
Matt Tamanini
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Youngstown State v Ohio State

Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images

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!


For your Earholes...


Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio


On the Gridiron


Ohio State names four players of the game following Youngstown State win
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

Snap Counts: Devin Brown Plays Slightly More than Kyle McCord as 56 Ohio State Players See Action Against Youngstown State
Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors

Five Questions as Buckeyes shift gears for Western Kentucky
Austin Ward, Dotting the Eyes

Ohio State CB Denzel Burke in Week 2:

5 Times Targeted
Zero Yards Allowed
1 INT | 1 PBU
0.0 Passer Rating Allowed pic.twitter.com/H0ObMBe2Ak

— PFF College (@PFF_College) September 11, 2023

Should TreVeyon Henderson or Chip Trayanum be Ohio State’s RB1? Does it even matter
Megan Husslein, Land-Grant Holy Land

Ohio State defense responds after slow start in home opener but still not satisfied (paywall)
Andy Backstrom, Lettermen Row

Dawand Jones expected to start at right tackle for Browns in Week 2
Colin Gay, The Columbus Dispatch

@itscadendavis
Ohio State football grey unis vs michigan state / insta-itscadendavis #foryoupage #foryou #fyp #ohiostatefootball #ohiostate #ohio

♬ original sound - Caden Davis

Grumpy Old Buckeye: Ohio State vs. Youngstown State
Michael Citro, Land-Grant Holy Land


On the Hardwood


How did Ohio State official visit surprise Jayden Quaintance’s family?
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch


Outside the Shoe and Schott


Women’s Ice Hockey: Ohio State Earns Top Honors in WHCA Preseason Voting
Ohio State Athletics

Women’s Golf: McGinty Named to ANNIKA Award Watch List
Ohio State Athletics


And now for something completely different...


GARRETT WILSON IS THAT DUDE!

GARRETT WILSON IS NOT HUMAN. pic.twitter.com/87CE646Gz8

— SB Nation (@SBNation) September 12, 2023

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LGHL LGHL Asks: Which Buckeye has most impressed you through two games?

LGHL Asks: Which Buckeye has most impressed you through two games?
Matt Tamanini
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Youngstown State v Ohio State

Photo by Lauren Leigh Bacho/Getty Images

You ask, we answer. Sometimes we ask, others answer. And then other times, we ask, we answer.

Throughout the
Ohio State football season, we will be asking and answering questions about the team, college football, and anything else on our collective minds of varying degrees of importance. If you have a question that you would like to ask, you can tweet us @LandGrant33 or if you need more than 280 characters, send an email HERE.

I think that it is fair to say that no matter how you think the team has done thus far in the season, it probably hasn’t completely lived up to expectations. However, that doesn’t mean that a) there have not been bright spots and b) that there isn’t a chance (or even likelihood) for things to improve as early as this weekend.

So, in this week’s Buckeye fan survey, we are asking you about those two very things. As always, scroll down and pick your answers, and if there’s an option that we are missing throw it into the comments below.


Question 1: What player has most impressed you through two games?


In an effort to start things off positively, we ask you to pick one of seven players as the one who has impressed you the most. If you have someone else in mind, please feel free to throw their name in the comments at the bottom of the page.

We gave you the option of Denzel Burke, Michael Hall Jr., Marvin Harrison Jr., TreVeyon Henderson, Kyle McCord, Sonny Styles, and Chip Trayanum, and I think that there is an argument to be made for each and every one of them, especially when you factor in the varying levels of expectations that were swirling for them.

I have a lot of reservations about this team still, but if they can find a way to maximize the performance of these guys, I think that they very well might be able to make up for at least some of the significant issues we’ve seen along the lines through two games.


Question 2: What is the one thing you want to see most against Western Kentucky?


Given some of the shortcomings that Ohio State players and coaches have admitted to having against Indiana and Youngstown State, this week’s contest against the Hilltoppers of Western Kentucky will be vitally important as the Buckeyes attempt to work out whatever kinks they can before heading to South Bend to take on the Fighting Irish on Sept. 23.

So, as they get ready to welcome in Western Kentucky, what would you most like to see the Buckeyes accomplish in Week 3. We included options from the offense doing a better job getting the ball to all of its playmakers to the secondary continuing its shutdown play against a prolific passing attack.

And while I think those are worthy things to aspire to, personally I want to see improvement across both lines — especially the offensive. That was my biggest concern coming into the season and remains so. However, everything coming out of camp led us to believe that the defensive was going to be blowing up practically every play. But, while the d-line has been more or less solid, it has not been especially disruptive. So, I will be paying close attention to the trenches this week.

If your biggest hope isn’t included in the survey below, go ahead and hit the comments.


Share your thoughts here:


Throughout the year we ask questions of the most plugged-in Ohio State fans and fans across the country. Sign up here to participate in the weekly emailed surveys.

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LGHL Uncut Podcast: Day says Ohio State officially has a QB, but also has third-down issues

Uncut Podcast: Day says Ohio State officially has a QB, but also has third-down issues
Matt Tamanini
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Screenshot_2023_09_12_at_1.29.45_PM.0.png


Jim Knowles also discusses the unique challenge his defense will face in Western Kentucky this weekend.

Throughout the year, the Land-Grant Podcast Network will be bringing you uncut audio primarily from Ohio State press conferences, but also from individual interview sessions.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:



Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio

On today’s episode of “Land-Grant Uncut,” we are bringing you unedited audio from Ohio State head football coach Ryan Day and defensive coordinator Jim Knowles from their respective Tuesday, Sept. 12 press conferences. While it wasn’t the very first question that he was asked (as he assumed it would be), Day did confirm that Kyle McCord would be the team’s starting quarterback moving forward while still hoping to get Devin Brown in the game.

Day also addressed concerns with the offensive line’s performance in run blocking, the number of plays his offense has been able to run so far this season, and making sure that all of the offense’s weapons — Marvin Harrison Jr., TreVeyon Henderson, etc. — are getting enough touches.

Knowles addressed concerns about the defense’s ability to rush the passer, what Western Kentucky’s pass-happy offense will mean for the OSU secondary, and more.

Watch the full press conference on Ohio State’s official Facebook Page: Login to view embedded media


Contact Matt Tamanini
Twitter:
@BWWMatt

Music by: www.bensound.com


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