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LGHL Ohio State’s athletic revenue leads country at $280M; Men’s basketball drops 13th-straight road game
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State’s athletic revenue leads country at $280M; Men’s basketball drops 13th-straight road game
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
FRED SQUILLANTE / 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!
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
Ohio State football: C.J. Stroud earns Rookie of the Year, Browns OL Dawand Jones named to all-rookie team
Raymond Lucas Jr., 247Sports
We new C.J. was a lock, but I love seeing this one too:
Four Buckeyes Land on ESPN’s Way-Too-Early 2024 College Football All-America Team, Most of Any School
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
You’re Nuts: Which college football player would be your dream transfer portal target for Ohio State?
Brett Ludwiczak and Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State’s road struggles continue, falling to Nebraska 83-69
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State has no answers for Nebraska’s Rienk Mast: 5 takeaways
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Quick Takes: Buckeyes do themselves no favors in latest road loss at Nebraska (paywall)
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
For Ohio State men’s basketball, it’s time to conquer road woes or watch this season slip away
Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State women’s overtime upset over Iowa draws a record breaking number of viewers
Brianna Mac Kay, The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State women’s basketball commit Jaloni Cambridge selected to McDonald’s All-American Team
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
OSU athletics tops nation with $280 million revenue in ‘23 fiscal year
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
Men’s Volleyball: Pasteur Earns MIVA, AVCA POW Honors
Ohio State Athletics
Women’s Gymnastics: Harris and Hodges Earn B1G Weekly Awards
Ohio State Athletics
Here’s me on a local Minnesota TV station talking about sports broadcasting rights.
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
FRED SQUILLANTE / 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!
For your Earholes...
Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio
On the Gridiron
Ohio State football: C.J. Stroud earns Rookie of the Year, Browns OL Dawand Jones named to all-rookie team
Raymond Lucas Jr., 247Sports
We new C.J. was a lock, but I love seeing this one too:
Four Buckeyes Land on ESPN’s Way-Too-Early 2024 College Football All-America Team, Most of Any School
Andy Anders, Eleven Warriors
You’re Nuts: Which college football player would be your dream transfer portal target for Ohio State?
Brett Ludwiczak and Matt Tamanini, Land-Grant Holy Land
On the Hardwood
Ohio State’s road struggles continue, falling to Nebraska 83-69
Justin Golba, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State has no answers for Nebraska’s Rienk Mast: 5 takeaways
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
Quick Takes: Buckeyes do themselves no favors in latest road loss at Nebraska (paywall)
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts
For Ohio State men’s basketball, it’s time to conquer road woes or watch this season slip away
Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State women’s overtime upset over Iowa draws a record breaking number of viewers
Brianna Mac Kay, The Columbus Dispatch
Ohio State women’s basketball commit Jaloni Cambridge selected to McDonald’s All-American Team
Thomas Costello, Land-Grant Holy Land
Outside the Shoe and Schott
OSU athletics tops nation with $280 million revenue in ‘23 fiscal year
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch
Men’s Volleyball: Pasteur Earns MIVA, AVCA POW Honors
Ohio State Athletics
Women’s Gymnastics: Harris and Hodges Earn B1G Weekly Awards
Ohio State Athletics
And now for something completely different...
Here’s me on a local Minnesota TV station talking about sports broadcasting rights.
Continue reading...
2025 GA DL Isaiah Gibson (Georgia Signee)
- By brodybuck21
- Football Recruiting
- 11 Replies
247
Rivals
HUDL
ON3
Class: 2025 (high school)
Position: Defensive Line
School: Warner Robins (GA) Warner Robins
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 250 lbs
Login to view embedded media
Rivals
HUDL
ON3
Class: 2025 (high school)
Position: Defensive Line
School: Warner Robins (GA) Warner Robins
Height: 6-foot-5
Weight: 250 lbs
Login to view embedded media
LGHL Ohio State’s road struggles continue, falling to Nebraska 83-69
- News
- 0 Replies
Ohio State’s road struggles continue, falling to Nebraska 83-69
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
The Buckeyes started strong, but struggled to knock down shots and could not overcome a career game from Rienk Mast
On Tuesday night, the Ohio State Men’s Basketball (13-6, 3-5) team fell to the Nebraska Cornhuskers (15-5, 5-4) 83-69 in Lincoln. Rienk Mast recorded 34 points and nine rebounds as the Huskers went ahead late in the first half and never looked back. This is the best 20-game start for the Huskers since 1990-91.
Ohio State got off to a hot start, knocking down its first four field goals and taking a 9-7 lead into the first media timeout. The Buckeyes started hot from the field, going 8-for-14, 2-for-3. However, they missed eight of its next nine shots but still led 26-23 with six minutes left in the half.
Nebraska started connecting from behind the arc, with Rienk Mast knocking down 3-of-4 three-pointers and recording 13 first-half points. He was averaging 12.5 points per game.
At the half, Nebraska led Ohio State 43-35 after a Bruce Thornton jumper was followed up by a Brice Williams tip-in. Mast led Nebraska with 13 points, and Brice Williams added nine points for the Huskers.
For Ohio State, Bruce Thornton led the way with 11 points, and Evan Mahaffey had six points. Jamison Battle recorded five points and five rebounds.
Nebraska scored to start the second half to give them a 10-point lead, but back-to-back three-pointers from Bruce Thornton and Jamison Battle cut the Husker lead to four.
After some back-and-forth basketball, the Buckeyes and Huskers got back-to-back three-pointers from C.J. Wilcher and Mast, and Nebraska led 57-47 with 12 minutes remaining.
After two free throws from Eli Rice, the Huskers took a 59-47 lead. Mast knocked down two more three-pointers, and the Huskers started to pull away, leading 65-49. The two three-pointers gave Mast six on the night, his previous high being four. He was 6-for-7 from three.
The Buckeye's struggles continued from the field, as they brought in Bowen Hardman, who has only played 12 minutes this season, to try and provide some spark off the bench. He did knock down two three-pointers on five attempts.
The Buckeyes fell 83-69 as they could never close the gap.
The difficulty the Buckeyes have had winning away from Columbus has been well-documented. The Buckeyes lost 12 straight road games entering this contest in Lincoln, and their last road win came on Jan. 1, 2023, at Northwestern, a game they won easily.
On the other hand, Nebraska has played its best basketball at home, earning wins over Purdue, Michigan State, Indiana, and Northwestern in conference play.
Evan Mahaffey, a sophomore transfer from Penn State, has been a starter all season for the Buckeyes, and while he has been great on defense, he has yet to really make an impact on the offense end. That changed Saturday against his former school on Saturday when he recorded 16 points and five rebounds and was the leading scorer in’ the Buckeyes' 79-67 win.
If Mahaffey can turn into an eight to ten-point scorer a game, that could be the scoring help they need from a fourth option.
The Buckeye's top freshman, Scotty Middleton, missed the Buckeye's win over Penn State due to a suspension for a violation of team rules. The suspension’s length was unknown at the time, but it ended up being just one game. Middleton is averaging 4.7 points per game and 1.8 rebounds per game in 16.8 minutes per game.
Nebraska has shot the three-ball well all season, and this one was no different. The Huskers shot 5-for-9 from three during its 30-13 run in the first half. Through the first 30 minutes of the game, the Huskers shot 10-for-22 from three, while the Buckeyes were 4-for-13 from three-point range through the same time period.
Rienk Mast, a graduate senior transfer from Bradley, has had a great season for the Huskers, averaging 12.5 points per game and 8.4 rebounds per game. However, he had a career game against Ohio State, knocking down six three-pointers and scoring 28 points through the first 31 minutes of the game.
Sophomore guard Bowen Hardman, who has only played in six games this season for 12 minutes, entered the game with six minutes left and the Buckeyes down by 16. Hardman immediately shot five three-pointers, going 3-for-6 from the field and recording eight points.
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
Dylan Widger-USA TODAY Sports
The Buckeyes started strong, but struggled to knock down shots and could not overcome a career game from Rienk Mast
On Tuesday night, the Ohio State Men’s Basketball (13-6, 3-5) team fell to the Nebraska Cornhuskers (15-5, 5-4) 83-69 in Lincoln. Rienk Mast recorded 34 points and nine rebounds as the Huskers went ahead late in the first half and never looked back. This is the best 20-game start for the Huskers since 1990-91.
Ohio State got off to a hot start, knocking down its first four field goals and taking a 9-7 lead into the first media timeout. The Buckeyes started hot from the field, going 8-for-14, 2-for-3. However, they missed eight of its next nine shots but still led 26-23 with six minutes left in the half.
Nebraska started connecting from behind the arc, with Rienk Mast knocking down 3-of-4 three-pointers and recording 13 first-half points. He was averaging 12.5 points per game.
At the half, Nebraska led Ohio State 43-35 after a Bruce Thornton jumper was followed up by a Brice Williams tip-in. Mast led Nebraska with 13 points, and Brice Williams added nine points for the Huskers.
For Ohio State, Bruce Thornton led the way with 11 points, and Evan Mahaffey had six points. Jamison Battle recorded five points and five rebounds.
Nebraska scored to start the second half to give them a 10-point lead, but back-to-back three-pointers from Bruce Thornton and Jamison Battle cut the Husker lead to four.
After some back-and-forth basketball, the Buckeyes and Huskers got back-to-back three-pointers from C.J. Wilcher and Mast, and Nebraska led 57-47 with 12 minutes remaining.
After two free throws from Eli Rice, the Huskers took a 59-47 lead. Mast knocked down two more three-pointers, and the Huskers started to pull away, leading 65-49. The two three-pointers gave Mast six on the night, his previous high being four. He was 6-for-7 from three.
The Buckeye's struggles continued from the field, as they brought in Bowen Hardman, who has only played 12 minutes this season, to try and provide some spark off the bench. He did knock down two three-pointers on five attempts.
The Buckeyes fell 83-69 as they could never close the gap.
Road Woes
The difficulty the Buckeyes have had winning away from Columbus has been well-documented. The Buckeyes lost 12 straight road games entering this contest in Lincoln, and their last road win came on Jan. 1, 2023, at Northwestern, a game they won easily.
On the other hand, Nebraska has played its best basketball at home, earning wins over Purdue, Michigan State, Indiana, and Northwestern in conference play.
Evan Mahaffey gets comfortable
Evan Mahaffey, a sophomore transfer from Penn State, has been a starter all season for the Buckeyes, and while he has been great on defense, he has yet to really make an impact on the offense end. That changed Saturday against his former school on Saturday when he recorded 16 points and five rebounds and was the leading scorer in’ the Buckeyes' 79-67 win.
If Mahaffey can turn into an eight to ten-point scorer a game, that could be the scoring help they need from a fourth option.
Scotty Middleton returns
The Buckeye's top freshman, Scotty Middleton, missed the Buckeye's win over Penn State due to a suspension for a violation of team rules. The suspension’s length was unknown at the time, but it ended up being just one game. Middleton is averaging 4.7 points per game and 1.8 rebounds per game in 16.8 minutes per game.
Hot shooting Huskers
Nebraska has shot the three-ball well all season, and this one was no different. The Huskers shot 5-for-9 from three during its 30-13 run in the first half. Through the first 30 minutes of the game, the Huskers shot 10-for-22 from three, while the Buckeyes were 4-for-13 from three-point range through the same time period.
Career game from Rienk Mast
Rienk Mast, a graduate senior transfer from Bradley, has had a great season for the Huskers, averaging 12.5 points per game and 8.4 rebounds per game. However, he had a career game against Ohio State, knocking down six three-pointers and scoring 28 points through the first 31 minutes of the game.
Bowen Hardman sees the floor
Sophomore guard Bowen Hardman, who has only played in six games this season for 12 minutes, entered the game with six minutes left and the Buckeyes down by 16. Hardman immediately shot five three-pointers, going 3-for-6 from the field and recording eight points.
Continue reading...
LGHL How Julian Sayin’s commitment could impact the future of Ohio State’s quarterbacks room
- News
- 0 Replies
How Julian Sayin’s commitment could impact the future of Ohio State’s quarterbacks room
Michael Citro 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 commitment of the top-rated quarterback in the 2024 class is sure to have some ripple effects.
The Buckeyes landed a huge commitment over the weekend with the transfer of quarterback Julian Sayin, who had originally signed to play at Alabama. With Nick Saban’s retirement, Sayin entered the transfer portal and will be a Buckeye.
The top-rated quarterback in the 2024 class, Sayin arrives to find his position group full of talent. He joins fourth-rated 2024 quarterback Air Noland, returners Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz, and Kansas State transfer Will Howard.
Ryan Day obviously wants to find the best quarterback to run his offense, and adding Sayin is sure to have at least a few ripple effects.
Howard seems likely to be the starter in 2024. He had options and chose to transfer to Ohio State, so that would indicate he’s the man to beat for the job, especially with his experience advantage.
Howard posted similar numbers at Kansas State to what Kyle McCord produced at Ohio State last year, but the transfer will now have a much better supporting cast. Because Howard only has one year of eligibility, his arrival alone was not likely to send anyone into the transfer portal.
But Sayin’s arrival changes the future landscape of Day’s quarterback room. That’s not a reason not to gladly accept his commitment. After all, a great quarterback can elevate a team and help it reach greater heights. But with five quarterbacks now in the group, snaps for some of them will be hard to come by for a while.
The most obvious future ramification comes down to Sayin vs. Noland in terms of who can gain an advantage over the other incoming freshman. It’s unlikely both Sayin and Noland finish their careers at Ohio State. One of them will likely depart to become the leader somewhere else — assuming, of course, that both young signal callers adapt to the college game and excel.
That probably won’t happen this spring, and both will likely redshirt while Howard leads the Buckeyes in 2024.
Brown seems the likely candidate to become the primary backup in 2024, and the favorite to become QB1 in 2025, but there are no guarantees there. With the pedigrees that Sayin and Noland arrive with, it wouldn’t be the biggest shock if both quickly rose up the depth chart and started pressing Brown and Kienholz.
While that may not happen during the upcoming spring, it will be interesting to see if both Brown and Kienholz stay in Columbus when the transfer portal opens again.
Day would no doubt like them both to return, giving him some coverage in case something happens to Howard (again, assuming he wins the starting job over Brown). Neither has much experience, but they’ve both been in the program and have a leg up on the freshmen. Both are likely to play in the second halves of blowout games, earning more experience in 2024 and getting chances to make their case for a post-Howard world.
But there is a possibility that Brown or Kienholz (or even both) will transfer out after the spring. The latter scenario would be less than ideal, leaving Ohio State with a pair of true freshmen backing up Howard. If Brown does transfer out, Howard had better stay healthy and Day must accelerate the learning curve of his freshmen. If Kienholz leaves, things look a little less bleak if something happens to the winner of the Howard/Brown battle.
Looking ahead a couple of years, after Howard has left the program, it seems unlikely that both Brown and Kienholz will be here, and even less likely that both Sayin and Noland will still be Buckeyes. This is the age of the portal, and the landscape can change quickly. That will require Ohio State to continue recruiting the position well, and perhaps Day will have to revisit the portal for depth.
Any way you look at it, it’s a great “problem” to have. Too much talent? There’s no such thing.
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
Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
The commitment of the top-rated quarterback in the 2024 class is sure to have some ripple effects.
The Buckeyes landed a huge commitment over the weekend with the transfer of quarterback Julian Sayin, who had originally signed to play at Alabama. With Nick Saban’s retirement, Sayin entered the transfer portal and will be a Buckeye.
The top-rated quarterback in the 2024 class, Sayin arrives to find his position group full of talent. He joins fourth-rated 2024 quarterback Air Noland, returners Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz, and Kansas State transfer Will Howard.
Ryan Day obviously wants to find the best quarterback to run his offense, and adding Sayin is sure to have at least a few ripple effects.
Howard seems likely to be the starter in 2024. He had options and chose to transfer to Ohio State, so that would indicate he’s the man to beat for the job, especially with his experience advantage.
Howard posted similar numbers at Kansas State to what Kyle McCord produced at Ohio State last year, but the transfer will now have a much better supporting cast. Because Howard only has one year of eligibility, his arrival alone was not likely to send anyone into the transfer portal.
But Sayin’s arrival changes the future landscape of Day’s quarterback room. That’s not a reason not to gladly accept his commitment. After all, a great quarterback can elevate a team and help it reach greater heights. But with five quarterbacks now in the group, snaps for some of them will be hard to come by for a while.
The most obvious future ramification comes down to Sayin vs. Noland in terms of who can gain an advantage over the other incoming freshman. It’s unlikely both Sayin and Noland finish their careers at Ohio State. One of them will likely depart to become the leader somewhere else — assuming, of course, that both young signal callers adapt to the college game and excel.
That probably won’t happen this spring, and both will likely redshirt while Howard leads the Buckeyes in 2024.
Brown seems the likely candidate to become the primary backup in 2024, and the favorite to become QB1 in 2025, but there are no guarantees there. With the pedigrees that Sayin and Noland arrive with, it wouldn’t be the biggest shock if both quickly rose up the depth chart and started pressing Brown and Kienholz.
While that may not happen during the upcoming spring, it will be interesting to see if both Brown and Kienholz stay in Columbus when the transfer portal opens again.
Day would no doubt like them both to return, giving him some coverage in case something happens to Howard (again, assuming he wins the starting job over Brown). Neither has much experience, but they’ve both been in the program and have a leg up on the freshmen. Both are likely to play in the second halves of blowout games, earning more experience in 2024 and getting chances to make their case for a post-Howard world.
But there is a possibility that Brown or Kienholz (or even both) will transfer out after the spring. The latter scenario would be less than ideal, leaving Ohio State with a pair of true freshmen backing up Howard. If Brown does transfer out, Howard had better stay healthy and Day must accelerate the learning curve of his freshmen. If Kienholz leaves, things look a little less bleak if something happens to the winner of the Howard/Brown battle.
Looking ahead a couple of years, after Howard has left the program, it seems unlikely that both Brown and Kienholz will be here, and even less likely that both Sayin and Noland will still be Buckeyes. This is the age of the portal, and the landscape can change quickly. That will require Ohio State to continue recruiting the position well, and perhaps Day will have to revisit the portal for depth.
Any way you look at it, it’s a great “problem” to have. Too much talent? There’s no such thing.
Continue reading...
LGHL You’re Nuts: Which college football player would be your dream transfer portal target for Ohio State?
- News
- 0 Replies
You’re Nuts: Which college football player would be your dream transfer portal target for Ohio State?
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 Matthew Holst/Getty Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
The introduction of the transfer portal has drastically changed college athletics. Just look at the last three weeks for Ryan Day. The Ohio State head coach felt his seat start to get warmer after the Buckeyes looked totally inept in the Cotton Bowl against Missouri. Then Day not only puts together a massive haul in the transfer portal, he also brings in Bill O’Brien to take over as offensive coordinator for Ohio State. Not that Day won’t have a ton of pressure on him in 2024, he has just been able to make a string of smart moves to try and stack the deck in his favor.
What a last couple weeks it has been for Ohio State football in the transfer portal. The Buckeyes found a replacement for quarterback Kyle McCord, bringing in Kansas State quarterback Will Howard. Then Ohio State made a splash just as Michigan was winning the national title last Monday by receiving the commitment of Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins. Just a few days later, Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement, paving the way for safety Caleb Downs and five-star freshman quarterback Julian Sayin to decide their future would be brightest in Columbus.
Since it’s a long offseason, today we figured we’d have a bit of fun with the transfer portal. Because Ohio State has been killing it in the portal lately, why not get greedy? What if you had the power to bring any player in college football to Columbus via the transfer portal to play for the Buckeyes? Who would you take? Would it be a player for a position of need for Ohio State? Or would it be one of the most exciting players in the country at a position of strength for the Buckeyes?
Cade Stover was one of the best tight ends in school history, becoming just the only other tight end aside from John Frank to record at least 1,000 receiving yards during their Ohio State career. “Farmer Gronk” is now off to the NFL, leaving a big hole at tight end. With Emeka Egbuka injured for a chunk of the season, Stover was the second option in the passing game behind Marvin Harrison Jr. Stover finished the 2023 season with 41 catches for 576 yards and five touchdown receptions.
As if losing a receiver the caliber of Harrison isn’t going to be hard enough for Ohio State, the Buckeyes will also have to try and fill the void left by Stover. Unlike at wide receiver, where Ohio State already has talents like Carnell Tate and incoming freshman Jeremiah Smith to try and replace Harrison, the outlook isn’t quite as clear at tight end. That’s why in a perfect world where Ohio State could bring in any player they wanted, I have the perfect option for them in the transfer portal at tight end.
The 2023 season for Luke Lachey was one to forget. The Iowa tight end was injured three games into the season, finishing the year with just 10 catches for 131 yards. Lachey entered 2023 coming off a sophomore year that saw him haul in 28 passes for 398 yards and four touchdowns. In the Hawkeye offense, 28 receptions might as well be 50-60 catches in a normal offense. Plus, Lachey will definitely have something to prove in 2024 after his junior season was cut short because of injury.
As if bringing in one of the top tight ends in the country wouldn’t be a huge get for Ryan Day and the Buckeyes, another reason my dream transfer portal target this year for Ohio State would be Lachey is because it would be a tremendous story. The father of the Iowa tight end is former Buckeye offensive lineman Jim Lachey, who teams with Paul Keels on the school’s radio broadcasts of the game. The additions of Howard, Downs, Judkins, and others has been great, but if Ohio State found a way to bring in Lachey it would really hit a lot of fans in the feels.
Since this is ostensibly an exercise in greed, untethered to reality, I would love for the Buckeyes to secure the services of Miami Hurricane offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. The reasons are obvious; despite the incredible run in the transfer portal and retaining players from last year, the offensive line is still the one position with significant question marks. The Buckeyes added erstwhile Alabama starting center Seth McLaughlin, but otherwise, they have stood firm at o-line, having missed out on a homesick Kayden Proctor who left Tuscaloosa for his hometown Iowa Hawkeyes.
Bringing in Mauigoa would be an immediate line-changing move. Not only was the Bradenton, Florida native a top-10 player in the 2023 class, but he proved how good he could be by being named to numerous freshman All-America lists. He played right tackle for the Canes this season — Proctor was the LT on most freshman AA lists — so he could easily slide into that position for OSU, assuming Ryan Day, Bill O’Brien, Brian Hartline, and Justin Frye are comfortable leaving Josh Simmons on the left side; he started the season looking a little overwhelmed making the jump from San Diego State, but he finished the year as arguably the team’s best offensive lineman.
That would give you a starting offensive line of Simmons at LT, Donovan Jackson at left guard, McLaughlin at center, Josh Fryar at right guard, and Mauigoa at right tackle. While I still might have questions about some of those spots and wouldn’t mind further upgrades, bringing in another lock-down tackle would sure make me feel more comfortable about what Will Howard and the offense could do in 2024.
Of course, the added benefit of bringing in a player like Mauigoa is that you would have him for two seasons. Like Caleb Downs — another freshman All-American — he would almost certainly make an immediate impact, but would be on hand for two years. If he and Simmons didn’t flip sides in 2024, Mauigoa could easily move to the blindside for his junior campaign.
The Buckeyes are unlikely to add another offensive lineman from the transfer portal before the start of spring practice, but they could afterward — as they did last year. But they will assuredly give Luke Montgomery and Tegra Tshabola a chance to solidify starting spots on the line before the team decides if they need to go into the portal once more before the season starts.
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 Matthew Holst/Getty Images
Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.
The introduction of the transfer portal has drastically changed college athletics. Just look at the last three weeks for Ryan Day. The Ohio State head coach felt his seat start to get warmer after the Buckeyes looked totally inept in the Cotton Bowl against Missouri. Then Day not only puts together a massive haul in the transfer portal, he also brings in Bill O’Brien to take over as offensive coordinator for Ohio State. Not that Day won’t have a ton of pressure on him in 2024, he has just been able to make a string of smart moves to try and stack the deck in his favor.
What a last couple weeks it has been for Ohio State football in the transfer portal. The Buckeyes found a replacement for quarterback Kyle McCord, bringing in Kansas State quarterback Will Howard. Then Ohio State made a splash just as Michigan was winning the national title last Monday by receiving the commitment of Ole Miss running back Quinshon Judkins. Just a few days later, Alabama head coach Nick Saban announced his retirement, paving the way for safety Caleb Downs and five-star freshman quarterback Julian Sayin to decide their future would be brightest in Columbus.
Since it’s a long offseason, today we figured we’d have a bit of fun with the transfer portal. Because Ohio State has been killing it in the portal lately, why not get greedy? What if you had the power to bring any player in college football to Columbus via the transfer portal to play for the Buckeyes? Who would you take? Would it be a player for a position of need for Ohio State? Or would it be one of the most exciting players in the country at a position of strength for the Buckeyes?
Today’s question: Which college football player would be your dream target for Ohio State in the transfer portal?
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: Luke Lachey
Cade Stover was one of the best tight ends in school history, becoming just the only other tight end aside from John Frank to record at least 1,000 receiving yards during their Ohio State career. “Farmer Gronk” is now off to the NFL, leaving a big hole at tight end. With Emeka Egbuka injured for a chunk of the season, Stover was the second option in the passing game behind Marvin Harrison Jr. Stover finished the 2023 season with 41 catches for 576 yards and five touchdown receptions.
As if losing a receiver the caliber of Harrison isn’t going to be hard enough for Ohio State, the Buckeyes will also have to try and fill the void left by Stover. Unlike at wide receiver, where Ohio State already has talents like Carnell Tate and incoming freshman Jeremiah Smith to try and replace Harrison, the outlook isn’t quite as clear at tight end. That’s why in a perfect world where Ohio State could bring in any player they wanted, I have the perfect option for them in the transfer portal at tight end.
The 2023 season for Luke Lachey was one to forget. The Iowa tight end was injured three games into the season, finishing the year with just 10 catches for 131 yards. Lachey entered 2023 coming off a sophomore year that saw him haul in 28 passes for 398 yards and four touchdowns. In the Hawkeye offense, 28 receptions might as well be 50-60 catches in a normal offense. Plus, Lachey will definitely have something to prove in 2024 after his junior season was cut short because of injury.
As if bringing in one of the top tight ends in the country wouldn’t be a huge get for Ryan Day and the Buckeyes, another reason my dream transfer portal target this year for Ohio State would be Lachey is because it would be a tremendous story. The father of the Iowa tight end is former Buckeye offensive lineman Jim Lachey, who teams with Paul Keels on the school’s radio broadcasts of the game. The additions of Howard, Downs, Judkins, and others has been great, but if Ohio State found a way to bring in Lachey it would really hit a lot of fans in the feels.
Matt’s answer: Francis Mauigoa
Since this is ostensibly an exercise in greed, untethered to reality, I would love for the Buckeyes to secure the services of Miami Hurricane offensive tackle Francis Mauigoa. The reasons are obvious; despite the incredible run in the transfer portal and retaining players from last year, the offensive line is still the one position with significant question marks. The Buckeyes added erstwhile Alabama starting center Seth McLaughlin, but otherwise, they have stood firm at o-line, having missed out on a homesick Kayden Proctor who left Tuscaloosa for his hometown Iowa Hawkeyes.
Bringing in Mauigoa would be an immediate line-changing move. Not only was the Bradenton, Florida native a top-10 player in the 2023 class, but he proved how good he could be by being named to numerous freshman All-America lists. He played right tackle for the Canes this season — Proctor was the LT on most freshman AA lists — so he could easily slide into that position for OSU, assuming Ryan Day, Bill O’Brien, Brian Hartline, and Justin Frye are comfortable leaving Josh Simmons on the left side; he started the season looking a little overwhelmed making the jump from San Diego State, but he finished the year as arguably the team’s best offensive lineman.
That would give you a starting offensive line of Simmons at LT, Donovan Jackson at left guard, McLaughlin at center, Josh Fryar at right guard, and Mauigoa at right tackle. While I still might have questions about some of those spots and wouldn’t mind further upgrades, bringing in another lock-down tackle would sure make me feel more comfortable about what Will Howard and the offense could do in 2024.
Of course, the added benefit of bringing in a player like Mauigoa is that you would have him for two seasons. Like Caleb Downs — another freshman All-American — he would almost certainly make an immediate impact, but would be on hand for two years. If he and Simmons didn’t flip sides in 2024, Mauigoa could easily move to the blindside for his junior campaign.
The Buckeyes are unlikely to add another offensive lineman from the transfer portal before the start of spring practice, but they could afterward — as they did last year. But they will assuredly give Luke Montgomery and Tegra Tshabola a chance to solidify starting spots on the line before the team decides if they need to go into the portal once more before the season starts.
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LGHL Ohio State women’s basketball commit Jaloni Cambridge selected to McDonald’s All-American Team
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Ohio State women’s basketball commit Jaloni Cambridge selected to McDonald’s All-American Team
ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo from Montverde Academy | MVASports.com
Verbal commit slated to be 14th Buckeye represented at the annual amateur basketball showcase
Tuesday, the annual roster for the McDonald’s All-American team features an upcoming Ohio State women’s basketball freshman. After three of the 2024 incoming class were nominated, guard Jaloni Cambridge made the cut for one of the final 24 spots, according to MaxPreps.
On Dec. 29, 2023, the Buckeyes earned the verbal commitment of the No. 1 point guard, and No. 3 overall ranked, of the 2024 recruiting class. Also, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame named Cambridge a part of its midseason girls team of the year. On top of all that, Cambridge is now set to be the 14th McDonald’s All-American in the scarlet and gray women’s program history.
Cambridge ends a five-year run of no Ohio State recruits represented in the annual basketball showcase, featuring the best amateur players in the country on one team before heading off to college. The last was in 2019, with Canton McKinley (Canton, Ohio) guard Kierstan Bell. The guard ultimately transferred to Florida Gulf Coast University after one season and currently plays for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA.
Once Cambridge becomes a signed commit, she’ll follow Buckeyes legends whose names are littered throughout the Buckeyes’ history books who also played in the McDonald’s game. Players like guard Kelsey Mitchell, guard Samantha Prahalis and forward Jantel Lavender. Each leaving an impact in the program and at the professional level.
Included in the initial list of over 350 nominees were two signed 2024 commits: Forward Ella Hobbs of North Carolina and guard Ava Watson of Georgia.
This year's McDonald’s All-American Game airs April 2, 2024, live on ESPN2. Cambridge and the group of All-Americans play the 2024 edition of the showcase at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
At the event will be three-point shooting, slam dunk and team shooting events. While the 5-foot-7 Cambridge likely won’t be in the slam dunk contest, three women have won the event in the past, like Tennessee Volunteers and WNBA legend Candace Parker. The shooting event features girls and boys playing alongside past McDonald’s All-Americans.
The game is the feature event of the weekend. It pits the 24 girls against each other in an East vs. West format. At the end of the weekend, an MVP is named from the game.
Since the McDonald’s All-American event started, for boys in 1978 and girls in 2002, Columbus hosted once, in 2010. That was the lone year any Buckeye, man or woman, won a share of the MVP award. That was forward Jared Sullinger, who coincidentally enough won it in his hometown in 2010.
However, head coach Kevin McGuff’s Buckeyes have played against former MVP winners from the illustrious event. Former Columbus-area forward Jordan Horston won in 2019 before playing with the Tennessee Volunteers for four seasons. This year, Ohio State faced the 2023 Co-MVP in USC guard JuJu Watkins.
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ThomasCostello via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo from Montverde Academy | MVASports.com
Verbal commit slated to be 14th Buckeye represented at the annual amateur basketball showcase
Tuesday, the annual roster for the McDonald’s All-American team features an upcoming Ohio State women’s basketball freshman. After three of the 2024 incoming class were nominated, guard Jaloni Cambridge made the cut for one of the final 24 spots, according to MaxPreps.
On Dec. 29, 2023, the Buckeyes earned the verbal commitment of the No. 1 point guard, and No. 3 overall ranked, of the 2024 recruiting class. Also, the Naismith Basketball Hall of Fame named Cambridge a part of its midseason girls team of the year. On top of all that, Cambridge is now set to be the 14th McDonald’s All-American in the scarlet and gray women’s program history.
Cambridge ends a five-year run of no Ohio State recruits represented in the annual basketball showcase, featuring the best amateur players in the country on one team before heading off to college. The last was in 2019, with Canton McKinley (Canton, Ohio) guard Kierstan Bell. The guard ultimately transferred to Florida Gulf Coast University after one season and currently plays for the Las Vegas Aces in the WNBA.
Once Cambridge becomes a signed commit, she’ll follow Buckeyes legends whose names are littered throughout the Buckeyes’ history books who also played in the McDonald’s game. Players like guard Kelsey Mitchell, guard Samantha Prahalis and forward Jantel Lavender. Each leaving an impact in the program and at the professional level.
Included in the initial list of over 350 nominees were two signed 2024 commits: Forward Ella Hobbs of North Carolina and guard Ava Watson of Georgia.
This year's McDonald’s All-American Game airs April 2, 2024, live on ESPN2. Cambridge and the group of All-Americans play the 2024 edition of the showcase at the Toyota Center in Houston, Texas.
At the event will be three-point shooting, slam dunk and team shooting events. While the 5-foot-7 Cambridge likely won’t be in the slam dunk contest, three women have won the event in the past, like Tennessee Volunteers and WNBA legend Candace Parker. The shooting event features girls and boys playing alongside past McDonald’s All-Americans.
The game is the feature event of the weekend. It pits the 24 girls against each other in an East vs. West format. At the end of the weekend, an MVP is named from the game.
Since the McDonald’s All-American event started, for boys in 1978 and girls in 2002, Columbus hosted once, in 2010. That was the lone year any Buckeye, man or woman, won a share of the MVP award. That was forward Jared Sullinger, who coincidentally enough won it in his hometown in 2010.
However, head coach Kevin McGuff’s Buckeyes have played against former MVP winners from the illustrious event. Former Columbus-area forward Jordan Horston won in 2019 before playing with the Tennessee Volunteers for four seasons. This year, Ohio State faced the 2023 Co-MVP in USC guard JuJu Watkins.
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