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LGHL Ohio State Football Countdown: 36

Ohio State Football Countdown: 36
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Joshua A. Bickel/Columbus Dispatch via Imagn Content Services, LLC

One play or big moment per day as we count down to the start of Ohio State’s 2023 football season.

As we count down to the start of the 2023 season, we will be looking back at one play or big moment in Ohio State history over the past decade or so that corresponds to the remaining days left until Buckeyes take the field against Indiana on Sept. 2. There are 36 days remaining.

Play of the Day: Shaun Wade’s 36-yard pick-six vs. Indiana (2020)​


The 2020 season wasn’t the best of Shaun Wade’s career, but it did include his only collegiate pick-six as he ran this route better than the receiver to intercept a Michael Penix pass and bring it all the way back for a touchdown. The score would prove to be a crucial one, as Ohio State narrowly escaped with a 42-35 victory in a game where they led by as much as 28 points. While this was his lone defensive touchdown of his Buckeye career, Wade picked off a total of six passes during his time in Columbus, and was a pivotal member of the 2019 defense that may have beaten Clemson had Wade not been wrongfully ejected.

Players to Wear the #36 (since 2010): ​

  • Connor Crowell (2011-12)
  • Trey Johnson (2013-14)
  • Zach Turnure (2015-17)
  • K’Vaughan Pope (2018-20)
  • Gabe Powers (2022-present)

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LGHL Buckeyes set to host several big names for Summer Fest, current 2025 QB commit sees massive rankings boost

Buckeyes set to host several big names for Summer Fest, current 2025 QB commit sees massive rankings boost
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

ohio_stadium.0.png


It’s going to be a busy Friday night as the staff plays host to several key targets.

This evening, Ryan Day and crew will host an impressive list of guests for their Summer Fest in the Shoe just ahead of fall camp season. With a solid contingent of in-state and national targets set to make their way to Columbus tonight, let’s take a look at just a few names that will be in attendance.

Top DB in the 2025 class set to see Ohio State​


Ohio State is always looking to load up on elite cornerback targets. With how prominent the passing game is in college football today, bringing in guys to lock it down is pivotal to a team’s success on defense.

In this current 2024 cycle, the Buckeyes have two in the fold already thanks to Bryce West and Miles Lockhart, but are really hoping this weekend ends with a bang when Aaron Scott makes his commitment public. That said, the staff isn’t afraid to look ahead to the 2025 prospects, and on Friday the top of the list will make an appearance.

Taking to Twitter to share his visit plans, Alabama native Na’eem Offord will attend the Summer Fest event tonight. The No. 6 player nationally, Offord is the top-ranked cornerback in the class and the second-best player from Alabama per the 247Sports Composite. The 6-foot-1, 185 pound five-star holds over 30 offers to his name, and while it’s never easy to poach a top cornerback away from SEC country, it’s pretty exciting for Ohio State to be hosting Offord for this event, which counts as an unofficial visit. Paying his own way to attend, clearly there’s mutual interest here.

Already an offer in hand from Ohio State, the Buckeyes will use this chance to further strengthen their relationship, as this is one target worth fighting for as he owns every tool needed to be a crown jewel in any class.

Ohio State University tomorrow ‼️ @OhioStateFB @CoachTimWalton @CoachDuHart pic.twitter.com/DAsED4aDVj

— Na’eem Offord (@OffordNaeem) July 27, 2023
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Four-star LB checks in on the Buckeyes ​


Though the Buckeyes recently lost out on a top linebacker recruit to Notre Dame, it’s important to remember all is not lost at the position in the current cycle. Thanks to current pledge Payton Pierce, Ohio State is still bringing in one of the nation’s best linebackers for this 2024 class, and surely has plans to land another if need be.

Looking ahead to 2025, like the aforementioned cornerback position, the staff is already doing their due diligence with the linebacker spot. Thursday was a solid step in the right direction towards showing this staff has what it takes to land top players at linebacker.

Making the trek from Philly, four-star linebacker Anthony Sacca stopped to check in on Ohio State for an unofficial visit, and his comfort with the Buckeyes has to be pretty strong considering how much he has in common with current players and even Jim Knowles. A product of St. Joseph’s Prep, Sacca attends the same high school as current Buckeyes Marvin Harrison Jr., Kyle McCord, and even Knowles once upon a time.

That familiarity alone of course helps Ohio States’ chances here as they know the program well and have two guys that can not only tell Sacca what it’s like to be a Buckeye at the next level, but seeing two guys flourish in Columbus has to mean something to Sacca as he too could be in their shoes.

The No. 148 player nationally, Sacca is currently the 19th best linebacker in the 2025 class per the 247Sports Composite. A player the staff has already offered, you can bet the easy sell here was using their connections to his home and letting McCord and Harrsion Jr.’s success speak for itself on why coming to Ohio State from St. Joseph’s Prep is an easy decision.

Had a great time in Columbus! pic.twitter.com/Aaip76UuO0

— Anthony Sacca (@saccaanthony) July 27, 2023
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Quick Hits​


Quite the impressive boost, Day and Corey Dennis saw what everybody else seems to be catching onto now, and that’s a dude who has all the skillsets to be a star at the next level. The Buckeyes continue to roll when it comes to landing elite level signal callers.

Truly Blessed ️ #keepworking https://t.co/zYEEACtoJs

— Tavien St. Clair (@TJSaint_1) July 27, 2023
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  • Back to this evening’s Summer Fest, a few in-state prospects will also make their way to Columbus for the festivities. Set to be on-site, three-star linebacker Eli Lee (Akron, Ohio/Archbishop Hoban) will be in attendance. A 6-foot-3, 215 pound athlete, Lee currently holds two offers from UMASS and Iowa State, but would love to hear from his home team as he continues to keep their interest.

In addition to Lee, another Northeast Ohio native will be in the Shoe. Cleveland Glenville product Jameil Hamm is a 6-foot-4, 225 pound edge rusher who currently holds six offers from many of the better MAC schools. Looking to see his recruitment take off even more, earning an invite from the Buckeyes is a step towards that, and where he attends school certainly doesn’t hurt either as the Glenville pipeline looks to be alive and well.

Another linebacker on site tonight, Lakota West product Grant Beerman will make the short trek to campus. A three-star athlete, Beerman currently holds offers from the likes of Duke, Cincinnati, Pitt, Purdue, and a few others, but again, a trip to Columbus always shows interest and the Buckeyes will certainly need multiple linebackers in the 2025 class and wouldn’t have to look far for guys right in their backyard. This visit is just another way for the Buckeyes to keep in communication with a talented in-state prospect.

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LGHL Ohio State Football Countdown: 37

Ohio State Football Countdown: 37
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch

Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

One play or big moment per day as we count down to the start of Ohio State’s 2023 football season.

As we count down to the start of the 2023 season, we will be looking back at one play or big moment in Ohio State history over the past decade or so that corresponds to the remaining days left until Buckeyes take the field against Indiana on Sept. 2. There are 37 days remaining.

Play of the Day: Xavier Johnson’s 37-yard TD vs. Georgia (2022)​


There isn’t much Ohio State fans would like to remember about this game, but that doesn’t take away from a special moment for former walk-on Xavier Johnson, who scored on this 37-yard touchdown against Georgia in the College Football Playoff. Johnson became a Swiss army knife for the Buckeyes in 2022, rushing for 163 yards and catching 13 passes for 151 yards with three total TDs — two of which came in big games against Notre Dame and the Bulldogs. Now a scholarship player since early 2021, Johnson isn’t the most flashy player on the roster, but he is a guy Ohio State should look to get more involved in 2023 as a dependable playmaker with a wide skillset.

Players to Wear the #37 (since 2010): ​

  • Chris Maxwell (2010-11)
  • Spencer DeLande (2011)
  • Joshua Perry (2012-15)
  • Michael Lawless (2016)
  • Derrick Malone (2016-19)
  • Garrison Smith (2021)
  • Kye Stokes (2022-present)

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Google Ohio State offers 2025 Georgia commit, gets ready to host a big time guest this coming weekend - Land Grant Holy Land

Ohio State offers 2025 Georgia commit, gets ready to host a big time guest this coming weekend - Land Grant Holy Land
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

Ohio State offers 2025 Georgia commit, gets ready to host a big time guest this coming weekend Land Grant Holy Land

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LGHL Bold Predictions: Ohio State has an All-American linebacker duo

Bold Predictions: Ohio State has an All-American linebacker duo
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: DEC 31 Semifinal Game Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl

Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It’s Bold Predictions week, and we’re here to settle the debate on who has the best linebacking duo in the country.

From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about making predictions that may or may not be reasonable, in fact, some might say they are bold. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our “Bold Predictions” articles here.

If you’ve read any of my articles this offseason, you know my respect and fandom of Tommy Eichenberg. I am the creator, marketer, and driver of the Tommy Train.

I’m already on record that I think Tommy will post a similar season to last year where he had 120 tackles, 12 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks, and an interception which he returned for a touchdown. I’ve already predicted that he will win the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, and the Linebacker of the Year award. I’m also on record saying that he will win the Butkus Award given to the best linebacker in the country.

All of these are bold predictions but that’s not what this article is about.

Going into the season, Tommy is a household name. He is on all of the preseason watch lists for major defensive awards and is a preseason All-American. While all of that is great, the media is forgetting about Tommy’s running mate Steele Chambers.

Chambers, a converted running back turned linebacker is entering his third season as a full-time linebacker. In just his second season he improved significantly, ending the year second on the team in total tackles with 77. He also posted 6.5 tackles for loss, 2 sacks, 2 interceptions, and returned a fumble for a touchdown. Entering his third season, Steele should be more comfortable at linebacker, and this offseason will have been spent improving his game — specifically inside the tackle box.

Steele would have been expected to be better this season no matter what, but he received a major boost with the hiring of Ohio State legend and eight-year NFL vet James Laurinaitis as the assistant linebackers coach. There are not a ton of former players to learn the intricacies of linebacker from better than Laurinaitis, and Steele has spent all offseason perfecting his craft. Tommy is also a beneficiary of Laurinaitis’s coaching, which is all but guaranteed to make both players take an extra step in their development this season.

While everyone seemingly respects Tommy, Steele is overlooked. According to ON3, Steele and Tommy are the seventh-best linebacking duo in the country and third in the Big Ten behind Clemson, Georgia, Penn State, Michigan, LSU, and North Carolina. In a second On3 article, Tommy was listed as the third-best linebacker in the country behind Harold Perkins and Abdul Carter of LSU and Penn State, respectively.

Perkins and Carter are both very exciting players. They’re very fun to watch and are objectively better athletes, but they are not better at playing linebacker than Tommy. Carter is a glorified pass rusher; This is no shade, he’s just much better at the line of scrimmage. Perkins spent most of his season either spying the quarterback or rushing the passer. While both of those are necessary skills, they are only a small part of the equation and neither player is a complete linebacker. Chambers did not make the list.

You may think this is bold, and honestly, I do not expect the media to be able to accurately identify good linebacking, but if they pay attention to another other than who runs a 4.3 and looks good chasing the quarterback, then Eichenberg and Chambers should both end the season with All-American honors.

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LGHL Former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud agrees to rookie deal with the Houston Texans

Former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud agrees to rookie deal with the Houston Texans
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

NFLPA Rookie Premiere Portrait Session

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

Plus a recap of recent news involving former Buckeyes in the NFL.

NFL training camps are opening up around the country, and we are just a couple weeks away from the start of preseason games. Lately there has been plenty of news involving former Ohio State players, which we’ll try and recap neatly here.

C.J. Stroud - Houston Texans​


After starring for two years at Ohio State, the Houston Texans made quarterback C.J. Stroud the second overall pick in the 2023 NFL Draft back in April. On Tuesday, Stroud and the Texans came to terms on the quarterback’s rookie deal. Stroud’s first professional contract is a four-year, $36.3 million dollar deal. Included in the contract is a $23.38 million dollar signing bonus.

During his time in Columbus, Stroud threw for 8,123 yards, 85 touchdowns, and just 12 interceptions. The 85 touchdowns thrown by Stroud broke the Big Ten record that was previously held by Purdue’s Drew Brees. In his two years as a starter for the Buckeyes, Stroud was invited to New York City as a Heisman Trophy finalist.

Even though Houston general manager says Stroud will be competing with Davis Mills for the starting quarterback job, the Texans would like Stroud to earn the job sooner rather than later, especially after using the second overall pick in the draft on Stroud. In 28 games over the last two seasons for Houston, Mills has thrown for 33 touchdowns and 25 interceptions, but it is obvious that Mills isn’t a franchise quarterback like Stroud has the potential to be.

Along with agreeing to terms with Stroud, the Texans agreed to a contract extension with offensive tackle Tytus Howard, who was their first round pick back in 2019. Houston had already agreed to extensions with offensive tackle Laremy Tunsil and guard Shaq Mason, so when Stroud does become the starter he will be well protected. The first preseason game for Stroud and the Texans will be on August 10th at New England.

Nick Bosa​


While one second overall pick from Ohio State recently signed a contract, another is looking for a big second professional deal. Nick Bosa was selected by the San Francisco 49ers in the 2019 NFL Draft, and has been one of the most dominant defensive players in the game since stepping on the field. Not only has Bosa been selected to the Pro Bowl three times, he was named NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year in 2019, and NFL Defensive Player of the Year in 2022. Last season Bosa recorded a career-high 18.5 sacks.

NFC Divisional Playoffs - Dallas Cowboys v San Francisco 49ers
Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

The next time we see Bosa on the field is unknown, as the defensive end is holding out as he is looking for a big money contract extension. Back in 2020, the Los Angeles Chargers and Joey Bosa agreed to a five year, $135 million dollar contract extension. The younger Bosa will likely be seeking even more money since he has been even more dominant since arriving in the NFL.

With the 49ers seen as one of the favorites in the NFC to make it to the Super Bowl, it’s likely the team and Bosa come to an agreement on an extension before the season begins. The only worry is if the holdout stretches deep into training camp, it could limit the amount of time Bosa is on the field early in the regular season as he works himself into game-shape.

Andrew Norwell​


On Monday the Washington Commanders released former Ohio State offensive lineman Andrew Norwell. The guard went undrafted in the 2014 NFL Draft, signing with the Carolina Panthers as an undrafted free agent. When Norwell hit free agency following the 2017 season, he became the highest-paid guard in the league when he signed a five-year, $66.5 million dollar contract. After signing a two-year deal with Washington in March 2022, Norwell started 16 games for the Commanders last season.

The release of Norwell isn’t much of a surprise, though. Back in May, Norwell was placed on the PUP list back in May because of an elbow injury. It shouldn’t take Norwell too long to find a new home, as he is an experienced lineman that doesn’t make many mistakes. Since entering the league in 2014, Norwell has started 127 games.

Terry McLaurin​


One Washington player that won’t have to worry about latching on with a new team anytime soon is Terry McLaurin. The former Ohio State wide receiver was recently named as the 94th best player in the NFL, as voted on by his peers. “Scary Terry” was selected by Washington in the third round of the 2019 NFL Draft, and didn’t take long to become a force in the league. McLaurin became the first player in league history to catch at least five passes and a touchdown in each of the first three games of his NFL career.

Washington Commanders v San Francisco 49ers
Photo by Thearon W. Henderson/Getty Images

Heading into his fifth season in the NFL, McLaurin has caught 299 passes for 4,281 yards, reaching the end zone 21 times. While other receivers might get more attention, McLaurin has established himself as one of the most consistent receivers in the league. Last year McLaurin earned his first Pro Bowl appearance after catching 77 passes for a career-high 1,191 yards.

Madden NFL 24 ratings​


Last week the player ratings for Madden NFL 24 were revealed. While he just missed out on being rated a 99 in the game, 49ers defensive end Nick Bosa was the top-rated former Buckeye, checking in with a 98 rating. Along with Bosa, four other Ohio State alums received at least a 90 rating in the game. Steelers defensive end Cameron Heyward earned a 93 rating, Terry McLaurin received a 92 rating, Chargers defensive end Joey Bosa was given a 91 rating, and New Orleans defensive back Marshon Lattimore was placed with a 90 overall rating.

The complete list of ratings for Madden NFL 24 can be found here. Madden NFL 24 will be released on August 15th.

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