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LGHL Column: The Ohio State spring game doesn’t move the needle for me

Column: The Ohio State spring game doesn’t move the needle for me
Brett Ludwiczak 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

Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

With the college football season still over four months away, it’s hard to care about a scrimmage.

We live in a time where everybody has to have an opinion or a take on everything immediately. The way we consume information and communicate with others is so much different from even 20 years ago. Twitter, Facebook, and other social media platforms have made it so we can react immediately to everything that happens in the world, and share our opinions on anything.

Not that I’m ridiculously old, but I remember the days where I found out sports information from the newspaper, radio, or ESPN. Much like how you used to have to wait to find out if you had snow days in school by listening to the radio or watching the scroll on the morning news, I remember when I tracked scores by watching the scroll on ESPN and other sports networks. Now you can watch games live on your phone.

While the access to information and a platform to express your thoughts and opinions can be a gift, it can also be a curse. Now it feels like you have to have an instant reaction to everything. I’m certainly guilty of this. I remember when I was tweeting constantly about pretty much anything. I will say though, over the last few years I’ve found myself tweeting less and less. It has nothing to do with Elon Musk buying Twitter or anything like that, I guess I’m just tired of always having to be on edge, which is what it feels like you have to be when logging on.

I guess these days I feel like if I’m going to let something really get to me, it better be pretty important. That’s why I could really care less about what we saw in the spring game on Saturday. I know it was a beautiful day in Columbus on Saturday for families to get down to Ohio Stadium, Archie Griffin scored a touchdown, and some players got some cardio. Other than that, I’m not ready to proclaim Ryan Day is on the hot seat, or the Buckeyes are winning the national title this season based on what we saw in the scrimmage.

Syndication: The Columbus Dispatch
Joseph Scheller/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Don’t get me wrong, there are reasons why I think the spring game is important. A big reason is because once the spring game arrives, it feels like it is actually spring here in Ohio. Of course I say that, and a couple days later it was 40 degrees and sleeting here in Columbus. Also, the spring game is a great opportunity for families to get to Ohio Stadium for a little football, since the university is making it increasingly difficult for families to go to regular season games with the prices of tickets going up.

Other than those reasons, there isn’t anything else about the spring game that I feel is important. If you want to dissect every throw Kyle McCord made on Saturday, then have at it. I just don’t see the value in doing so. McCord didn’t have a number of skill position players at his disposal that will be available for the season opener at Indiana. Plus, McCord didn’t have to worry about getting hit on Saturday, and it’s not like he had to worry about out-dueling Devin Brown, who missed the spring game due to finger surgery.

Anybody who says they know either side of the football is better or worse than last year is lying. I’m certainly hoping the defense is better than what we saw at times last year, and it likely will be with some of the personnel changes on and off the field. We just won’t know for sure until at least a few weeks into the season. The good news for the defense is they get to practice against one of the best offenses in the country. Iron sharpens iron.

All this to say, I love Ohio State football, but I can’t get worked up about it all year round. Much like how I haven’t cared to watch any XFL or USFL action, I need a break from football after the college football season and the NFL playoffs are over. After going all-in on football from August until February, I need to take some time off or else I’m seriously going to be burnt out on football.

Last month I was at Ledo’s on the Saturday Ohio State beat UConn in the NCAA women’s basketball tournament and somebody asked me how I thought the Bills were looking this year since they knew I was a Buffalo fan. I just shook my head and said “I have no idea since it’s March”. Free agency had just started and the NFL Draft was still a month away, so I honestly have no idea, and I’m not ready to dive into what their season might look like.

In a way it’s the same way I think of Ohio State’s spring camp and the spring game. We don’t know how Ohio State is going to look this year, and we aren’t going to know for months. I know it’s fun to speculate, but there’s too much else going on for me to think about it for more than five seconds. Give me the NBA and NHL playoffs, a few golf major tournaments, and other events around the sporting world instead of months of going over the same questions about this year’s Buckeye team.

One thing you can be sure of is when we hit late August, I’ll be ready to run through walls ahead of Ohio State hopefully making another run to the College Football Playoff. Go Bucks!

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LGHL 2024’s top offensive tackle prospect sets Ohio State official visit, 2025 in-state native sees a rankings boost

2024’s top offensive tackle prospect sets Ohio State official visit, 2025 in-state native sees a 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

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The Buckeyes are doing their best to land multiple top targets from Mater Dei in the 2024 class.

Top offensive tackle target sets OSU visit plans​


It was just yesterday that 2024 cornerback target Zabien Brown was an important topic of discussion, as the Mater Dei product kept Ohio State in the mix with his latest recruiting update. The California prep powerhouse is one of the top schools in the country year in and year out, so it’s not a shock by any means to see the steady amount of talent coming forth each year. Ohio State is doing their best to land Brown for their 2024 class as one of their more important defensive targets, but the Buckeyes are also hoping for more than just one Mater Dei product this cycle to end up in their class.

The top offensive tackle in the country, Brandon Baker is the No. 23 player nationally per the 247Sports rankings and the top player in California as well for this class. At 6-foot-5, 285 pounds, Baker already has impressive size, but it’s everything else that helps make up his five-star status. Nearly 30 offers to his name shows just how highly regarded he is, and with Georgia, Michigan, Oregon, Notre Dame, USC, Oklahoma, and so many more being some of the top suitors, it’s evident why this is one of those crown jewel types of recruitments considering how important his positional value is.

In regard to Ohio State, and like the aforementioned Brown, the Buckeyes are very much in on Baker as they try to really make their way into the Mater Dei program. Taking to Twitter on Wednesday to announce some of the latest recruiting news, Baker has an official visit to Ohio State set for June 9 and staying through June 11. A multi-day stay in Columbus, the interesting feat here is that this visit will take place just a week before teammate Zabien Brown will arrive on campus. It may not be a positive or negative that he will be without his teammate on his official visit, but having Baker on site for one of five officials is a huge deal as position coach Justin Frye tries to finish his 2024 haul off.

As they have the last couple of years, Ohio State has banked on in-state talent to really reload the offensive line.

Still, that elite national tackle prospect to join the Buckeyes has yet to be seen under Frye’s leadership. No knock at all on the Ohio natives, it will still would be great to see the Buckeyes have a national win on the recruiting trail like they do with so many other position groups. It won’t be easy to land Baker’s commitment, but it does certainly look like the interest is there from these Mater Dei studs and that would be a massive win for Ohio State as they look to put their footprint in California once again. These summer visits are so crucial to the 2024 class as a whole.

Until this visit, the Buckeye staff and players alike will continue their recruiting efforts of Baker and others, as his tweet alone saw several of the current commits shooting their shot and peer recruiting and showing their support of him and Ohio State.

Ohio St. OV June 9-11… ?

— Brandon Baker (@BrandonBaker73) April 19, 2023
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Quick Hits​

  • Not a done deal yet, Ohio State still has some pretty favorable odds at landing two major in-state talents to bolster their defensive secondary of the future. Both Aaron Scott and Bryce West continue to be themes surrounding 2024 recruiting, and it does help that these talented prospects are right within their own border. In the 2025 class, Ohio is once again producing some elite defensive back talent that the Buckeyes will look to keep home.

Clayton, Ohio native Dorian Brew is a 6-foot-2, 185 pound athlete in the 2025 class who plays receiver, but is listed as a cornerback on his 247Sports profile. The No. 34 player nationally, Brew is the third best corner in the country and the top player in Ohio per the 247Sports Composite. The latest recruiting update by 247Sports yesterday put him into the top 20 players, and while rankings aren’t everything, this is a recruitment Ohio State doesn’t want to get away.

Knowing the need to add corners every year, the Buckeyes will really have to get after this one to keep him home. Per the Crystal Ball, there’s two early submissions for Notre Dame, but with both of those coming from Irish analysts, it’s too early to really say Notre Dame is the clear frontrunner.

Ohio is producing some great talent currently and keeping them home will always be a top priority for Ryan Day and his staff as far as recruiting strategy goes. As mentioned, it’s never a done deal by any means, but the Buckeyes are surely working and this rankings update shows a little inside scoop as to why the work is being done this hard.

Blessed to be top 25 @247Sports @AllenTrieu pic.twitter.com/vRSsOJCTcd

— Dorian Brew (@BrewDorian15) April 19, 2023
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LGHL The Bengals and Browns should target these Buckeyes in the 2023 NFL Draft

The Bengals and Browns should target these Buckeyes in the 2023 NFL 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

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Photo by Joe Robbins/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Each Ohio team has a unique set of needs. So which now-former Ohio State players are realistic options to consider in the upcoming draft?

The Cincinnati Bengals should attempt to trade up for C.J. Stroud and trade Joe Burrow before he signs a record-breaking contract extension. Do I have your attention? Good, let’s talk 2023 NFL Draft and possible landing spots for now-former Buckeyes... Although, once a Buckeye, always a Buckeye, am I right?

For the record, there is no validity or truth to the statement/opinion above. I am a Bengals fan and would be elated if “Joe Cool” is the team’s franchise quarterback for 15 years. Hell, make it 20, as I’ll gladly sign up for the Tom Brady experience right here and now.

Also, as great as I believe Stroud will eventually be, NFL teams are very hesitant to swap a proven commodity for a complete unknown. And QB seems to be the one position where money is not an object, provided said QB is elite.

But both the Bengals and Cleveland Browns do have team needs, many of which they will look to address by acquiring cheap, young talent in the upcoming draft. In all likelihood, Stroud, Jaxson Smith-Njigba, and Paris Johnson Jr. will be off the board before either Ohio team is on the clock, but that still leaves a handful of Scarlet and Gray draftees to choose from, beginning (presumably) with Cincinnati’s pick at No. 28 overall.

Remember, Cleveland traded their 2023 first-round pick – and organizational dignity – in the Deshaun Watson deal. They then traded their second-round pick for a slot receiver who failed to reach 500 yards (in 16 games) last season, but that’s too good a deal to pass up, right?

Not every Buckeye fills an immediate need for either of these professional teams, nor would they be a realistic option at certain points throughout the draft. Dawand Jones, for example, projects as a right tackle. The Browns have two-time All-Pro Jack Conklin at that position, on a recently signed $60 million dollar contract. Even if Jones were available when the team finally picks at No. 74 overall, “Big Thanos” does not make a ton sense. Let’s see who does, and where.

Cincinnati Bengals ​

Team needs: Right tackle, tight end, secondary​

Current picks (overall): 28, 60, 92, 131, 163, 206, 246​

Photo by Michael Owens/Getty Images

Each team will have additional needs, but I am only going to settle on a few. The Bengals have appeared in back-to-back AFC Championship games and have a talented young core. But they also lost four important players to free agency, creating a void at key positions. Fortunately, there are a few former Buckeyes who could replace the departed (via FA) and potentially even contribute right away.

Dawand Jones — Right tackle

How about that for foreshadowing? Jones plays a huge position of need, despite Cincinnati having Jonah Williams, La’el Collins, Cody Ford, and others currently on the roster. Williams recently requested a trade, Collins tore his ACL in December of last year, and Ford is simply not good.

The 6-foot-8, 370+ pound Jones has not really worked out for NFL teams but is still expected to go somewhere in the first 40 picks. At No. 28, the Bengals could land a cheap strong side protector for Burrow and add yet another Buckeye to their squad.

Zach Harrison — Defensive end

Defensive end is less of a need for Cincinnati, but I find it hard to justify another Ohio State player being targeted (at the positions above) before Harrison. The Bengals have two solid ends in Trey Hendrickson and Sam Hubbard, another former Buckeye. They have also invested in the position with recent draft picks. But if Harrison is available at No. 92, his selection would be a no-brainer in my book.

He does not provide the speed Cincinnati needs off the edge, but does offer a well-rounded skillset. I could see him developing into a longer version of Hubbard.

Ronnie Hickman, Safety

Admittedly, I was not enamored with Hickman’s play in 2022. But I am willing to believe that his dip in production was the result of playing in a new defense which did not showcase his strengths. Hickman is never going to be a sticky cover safety. He is more of a see ball, get ball player, who I think could become a useful Von Bell-type in the right situation... Look at me just using OSU comps all over the place.

Lou Anarumo, who coached Bell in Cincy and is the Bengals’ defensive coordinator, is also a wizard who has gotten the best out of many defensive backs during his coaching career. If Hickman were on the board at No. 131, I think Sweet Lou could get some use out of him in the Queen City.

Cleveland Browns ​

Team needs: Defensive line, linebacker, Chubb insurance​

Current picks (overall): 74, 98, 111, 126, 142, 144, 190, 229​

Photo by Kevin Sabitus/Getty Images

I am not as familiar with the Browns as I am the Bengals, but I know enough to tell you their defense stunk last year. But then again, so did the Buckeyes’ when it mattered most. Which means Cleveland’s most glaring weaknesses do not match up with the strengths of this 2023 Ohio State draft class. But we’re going to give this a shot anyway.

Zach Harrison — Defensive end

Drafting Harrison with pick No. 74 would not be the wisest decision in my book, but I am looking for guys who could provide solid value for the Browns. The team has thus far not re-signed Jadeveon Clowney, instead opting to move forward with Ogbannia Okoronkwo as their starting DE opposite Myles Garrett.

Okoronkwo is 6-foot-2, 250 pounds, played primarily outside linebacker prior to 2022, and has a total of 9.5 sacks in four professional seasons. He may ultimately flourish as a late bloomer, but Harrison would give Cleveland a traditional DE body type to try and develop.

Luke Wypler — Center

Center is not a need listed above, but the Browns’ current starter is a former guard who had multiple void years added to his recent contract extension. This means the team could get out from under his deal rather cheaply in the future. Or they could choose to draft and stockpile depth, which is where Wypler comes in.

I have seen the former Ohio State center mocked as high as 65, which seems ludicrous. But at No. 98 he makes a great deal of sense. Wypler’s addition would give Cleveland depth along their solid yet costly offensive line.

Cam Brown — Cornerback

Hear. Me. Out... The Browns have to good-to-great starting corners. Martin Emerson Jr. is a solid young third. But the rest of the team’s CB situation leaves a ton to be desired. Brown could add depth while also learning from BIA brother Denzel Ward. At the very least, he brings solid experience and special teams potential. No risk with pick No. 229.

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LGHL You’re Nuts: With the spring game over, what are you most looking forward to before football season?

You’re Nuts: With the spring game over, what are you most looking forward to before football season?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

The Memorial Tournament presented by Workday

Photo by Amy Lemus/NurPhoto via Getty Images

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

The weather on Saturday in Columbus was perfect for the 75,000+ that were in attendance for Ohio State’s spring game. For many in the Buckeye State, it feels like the spring game signifies the start of spring in Ohio, even though the official start of spring is usually around a month before the exhibition that wraps up Ohio State’s spring practices.

Now that spring practices have concluded, there isn’t much Ohio State action to keep an eye on before the college football season kicks off. There is still baseball, softball, lacrosse, and some other sports to keep an eye on, but those sports don’t move the needle quite like football or basketball does in Columbus. Luckily there are plenty of concerts, sporting events, or other attractions on the schedule throughout the summer in Columbus and throughout Ohio to keep people busy and their minds off the college football season for at least a little bit.

Whether you are in Columbus, or elsewhere, today we want to know what you are most looking forward to now that the spring game is over, and we have over four months until the college football season kicks off. The answer doesn’t have to be about Ohio State sports. it could be about a vacation, concert, or any other event that is on your schedule over the next few months.

Today’s question: With the spring game over, what are you most looking forward to before we get to football season? ​

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: The Memorial ​


While it feels like it isn’t really spring until the Ohio State spring game is played, the Memorial Tournament in early June feels like it ushers in the start of summer. Jack Nicklaus’ tournament isn’t a major, but it is seen as an important tune-up for the US Open, which takes place a couple weeks later. There is usually a stacked field at Muirfield, with most of the top-ranked golfers in the world teeing it up at “Jack’s Place”.

I’m a little more excited for this year’s tournament than in years past since I have hospitality tickets for Thursday. Even though I’ve lived in Columbus for over 15 years, somehow I’ve never made it up to Muirfield for the tournament. I’ve kicked around the idea for quite some time, but usually either I’ve had to work or other things have come up and kept me from getting there. Then there have been a few years where it felt like it would be pointless to try and get up there because there was rain in the forecast.

There are certainly other events throughout the summer that I’m excited for. Our dynasty fantasy football league is planning on doing our draft at the end of August in Minneapolis. I know I’ll be hitting up a few Clippers game during the season, as well as a Crew match or two. Plus. there are undoubtedly going to be concerts and some other excursions that will pop up, but I know I’m most excited to head to Muirfield to catch some PGA action on the course for the first time.

Matt’s answer: “Secret Invasion” on Disney+​


Forgive me as I go way off the sports board for this one, but I’m forgoing the MLB season, the NBA and NHL playoffs, even my beloved TBT with the return of Carmen’s Crew, and instead diving into one of my other passions, the Marvel Cinematic Universe. Coming up on June 21 (just five days before my birthday) will be the latest superhero streaming series on Disney+.

I have been in on the MCU since Day 1, but even I can admit that the last few years of Marvel programming have been something short of stellar — while I enjoyed “Ant-Man and the Wasp: Quantumania” more than most everyone else did, I realize that it was far from perfect, and everyone’s mileage will vary from project to project.

One of the major issues with the current Marvel strategy is to essentially make everything fit into the same cookie-cutter formats. The same visual template is used in everything, the same story structure is repeated in every movie, every series has a lull in the middle, the dialogue all feels the same no matter who is saying it.

While there are always exceptions — for better or for worse, like “Eternals” (which was meh) and “Ms. Marvel” (which I thought was incredibly fun and creative, but still lagged in the middle) — in my mind, the MCU is at its best when it varies its approach to its stories, letting the content dictate form, rather than the other way around.

That’s why I’m so excited for “Secret Invasion.” Like all Marvel properties, it has an insanely talented cast, featuring MCU stalwarts Samuel L. Jackson, Cobie Smulders, Don Cheadle, and Martin Freeman, joined by Ben Mendelsohn returning from “Captain Marvel.” Then, the series will welcome some of the best actors in the world to the party in Olivia Colman, Emilia Clarke, and Kingsley Ben-Adir. Throw in appearances by Dermot Mulroney, Christopher McDonald, Katie Finneran, and more, and you know this will be at least incredibly well-acted.

But what’s so intriguing about the show is that it feels like a throwback to the Phase 1 and 2 eras where each property had a completely different vibe. The international (and interplanetary) intrigue of the trailer harkens back to the days of “Winter Soldier.” The series appears to be a taught thriller that will break the mold from what we have seen over the last few years from the MCU.

Like, watch this trailer, how can you not be pumped up for this show?


Might I be getting my hopes up, yet again, for an incredible MCU title only to be disappointed? Perhaps, but I continue to believe that it is better to get your hopes up for things that you love only to be disappointed, than to never get excited about anything ever again.

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Google Ohio State WR target Jeremiah McClellan says he’s a mixture of Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr.: Buckeyes - cleveland.com

Ohio State WR target Jeremiah McClellan says he’s a mixture of Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr.: Buckeyes - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".

Ohio State WR target Jeremiah McClellan says he’s a mixture of Emeka Egbuka and Marvin Harrison Jr.: Buckeyes cleveland.com

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LGHL Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: Stock up, stock down for young Buckeyes who took part in Ohio State’s spring game

Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: Stock up, stock down for young Buckeyes who took part in Ohio State’s spring game
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

usa_today_20469587.0.jpg

Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

On this episode, Josh and Chuck discuss OSU’s annual spring game, focusing on young(er) players who either stood out or clearly need more time.

The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast is here! Join LGHL’s Josh Dooley and Chuck Holmes as they cover Ohio State football, basketball, 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 | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio​


On this episode of Hangout in the Holy Land, Josh and Chuck discuss Ohio State’s annual spring game, while trying not to overreact to a less-than-inspiring offensive performance. They reveal whether they are hopeful, concerned, or completely unaffected by the intrasquad scrimmage, before pivoting to individual performances.

Of particular interest to the guys was the play and performance of many young Buckeyes: The incoming freshmen, the five-star sophomores, and the players who are only considered “young” in terms of starter snaps and game experience. Looking at you, Kyle McCord.

Which players saw their respective stocks rise? Which ones should have investors nervous? And does Josh actually know anything about the stock market, or did he spend this entire episode trying to figure out why Carnell Tate is being compared to tech stocks in the 1990’s?

To close this episode out, Josh gives a quick recruiting update, Chuck claims Stock Up Draft victory, and the guys preview next week’s show.

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

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