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LGHL Ryan Day still hasn’t made a starting quarterback decision, but the offensive line seems set
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Ryan Day still hasn’t made a starting quarterback decision, but the offensive line seems set
Megan.Husslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Day actually had a lot to say except the one thing we all wanted to hear.
Monday was supposed to be THE day. The day Buckeye fans have been waiting for ever since C.J. Stroud declared for the NFL Draft: Who is the new starting quarterback going to be? Well, turns out no one knows that answer, even still. Here are some overall updates on the team from head coach Ryan Day.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24864437/1482662291.jpg "Ohio State Spring Football Game")
Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images
Day said the staff is split “almost 50/50” on who the new QB1 should be. He loved using the analogy of a racehorse, comparing one to Kyle McCord and Devin Brown, saying how one would pull ahead, and then the other one would get even right alongside him.
“There’s not one that’s won the job and there’s not one that lost the job,” Day said.
He said the entire team and staff is confident in both guys, and the decision might not even be made in time for the Indiana game. A reporter asked if a decision wasn’t made by the end of this week, would both quarterbacks play in the first game of the season? Day responded, “Yeah, that’s fair to say.”
It was brought up how QB battles in the NFL differ from in college, and Day said it was pretty much the same criteria, but in the NFL, 99% of the time the guy who is the larger contract is going to be the starter. Clearly, that is not a problem in college football.
As for how McCord and Brown are progressing, Day said the passing game is improving in terms of decision-making and staying in the pocket. Obviously, these skills are not learned overnight, and playing in games will truly sharpen them, but it sounded like Day likes what he sees in that area.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24864454/1243174585.jpg "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: SEP 10 Arkansas State at Ohio State")
Photo by Frank Jansky/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The starters haven’t been named yet for the offensive line, but there has been some leaders. Day said Josh Simmons at left tackle, Donovan Jackson at left guard, Carson Hinzman is “a little ahead of Vic [Cutler]” at center, Matt Jones at right guard and Josh Fryar at right tackle are his projected (yet undeclared) starters. True freshman Luke Montgomery sounds like he will definitely see some playing time as well.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24864463/1245916217.jpg "COLLEGE FOOTBALL: DEC 31 Semifinal Game Chick-fil-A Peach Bowl")
Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The conversation surrounding the captains was pretty insightful. It was noted how only three were selected this year, whereas in years past there have been double that amount. Day commented on “the gap” that separates those who are voted captains from the other leaders of the team and said the space between Cade Stover and Tommy Eichenberg, then Xavier Johnson, then the rest of the team was substantial.
He said Johnson got the third-most votes, and his being a sixth-year player is huge in terms of leadership and maturity. The fact that he plays offense, defense, and special teams brings a ton of versatility to the team. Johnson was also a walk-on who earned a scholarship and had two huge touchdowns last season, one against Notre Dame and one against Georgia. Day had high praises for the Swiss army knife.
Stay tuned... maybe next week will be the BIG announcement. Or not.
Continue reading...
Megan.Husslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Day actually had a lot to say except the one thing we all wanted to hear.
Monday was supposed to be THE day. The day Buckeye fans have been waiting for ever since C.J. Stroud declared for the NFL Draft: Who is the new starting quarterback going to be? Well, turns out no one knows that answer, even still. Here are some overall updates on the team from head coach Ryan Day.
Quarterback battle
Day said the staff is split “almost 50/50” on who the new QB1 should be. He loved using the analogy of a racehorse, comparing one to Kyle McCord and Devin Brown, saying how one would pull ahead, and then the other one would get even right alongside him.
“There’s not one that’s won the job and there’s not one that lost the job,” Day said.
He said the entire team and staff is confident in both guys, and the decision might not even be made in time for the Indiana game. A reporter asked if a decision wasn’t made by the end of this week, would both quarterbacks play in the first game of the season? Day responded, “Yeah, that’s fair to say.”
It was brought up how QB battles in the NFL differ from in college, and Day said it was pretty much the same criteria, but in the NFL, 99% of the time the guy who is the larger contract is going to be the starter. Clearly, that is not a problem in college football.
As for how McCord and Brown are progressing, Day said the passing game is improving in terms of decision-making and staying in the pocket. Obviously, these skills are not learned overnight, and playing in games will truly sharpen them, but it sounded like Day likes what he sees in that area.
Offensive Line Updates
The starters haven’t been named yet for the offensive line, but there has been some leaders. Day said Josh Simmons at left tackle, Donovan Jackson at left guard, Carson Hinzman is “a little ahead of Vic [Cutler]” at center, Matt Jones at right guard and Josh Fryar at right tackle are his projected (yet undeclared) starters. True freshman Luke Montgomery sounds like he will definitely see some playing time as well.
Captain Talk and Block O Recipient
The conversation surrounding the captains was pretty insightful. It was noted how only three were selected this year, whereas in years past there have been double that amount. Day commented on “the gap” that separates those who are voted captains from the other leaders of the team and said the space between Cade Stover and Tommy Eichenberg, then Xavier Johnson, then the rest of the team was substantial.
He said Johnson got the third-most votes, and his being a sixth-year player is huge in terms of leadership and maturity. The fact that he plays offense, defense, and special teams brings a ton of versatility to the team. Johnson was also a walk-on who earned a scholarship and had two huge touchdowns last season, one against Notre Dame and one against Georgia. Day had high praises for the Swiss army knife.
Random notes
- In fall camp he was surprised by the offensive line’s progress and the depth at defensive end. Jim Knowles said J.T. Tuimoloau, Jack Sawyer, Kenyatta Jackson, and Caden Curry are as good as any DE in the country.
- Wide receiver Carnell Tate continues to impress Day, especially after everything he has gone through. Tate lost his mother earlier this summer in a Chicago shooting. The freshman has exhibited a ton of maturity according to Day.
- The starting kicker has been decided but not announced to the team and therefore the media.
- The defense is more aggressive this season; overall bigger size-wise, and seems to be getting more touches.
- Jim Knowles said Sonny Styles has solidified himself as a starting safety along with Lathan Ransom, but Ja’Had Carter, Josh Proctor, and Malik Hartford are still competing for the other starting spot.
Stay tuned... maybe next week will be the BIG announcement. Or not.
Continue reading...
LGHL You’re Nuts: Which Week 0 college football game are you most excited for?
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You’re Nuts: Which Week 0 college football game are you most excited for?
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The slate doesn’t look all that appetizing, but there are still games to be watched.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
This week’s topic: Which Week 0 game are you most excited for?
Ahem... In a big, booming voice a la The Rock (the entertaining wrestler, not the guy who made Jungle Cruise): Finally! College football has come back... To our sports-viewing lives. And this could not have happened soon enough, Gene, because honestly, I am starting to feel a little weird about betting on the Little League World Series. Not enough to stop, mind you. But it has become quite evident that I need something else to occupy my time and place wagers on. You know how this stuff goes.
So it is great that Week 1 of the CFB season is upon us, but not before... That’s right, Week 0! And I am going to be honest here real quick; I do not understand Week 0. If the powers that be wanted to schedule one or two marquee matchups and make a real spectacle out of it, that would make sense. As it is, we have seven ‘meh’ games to look forward to this weekend, which is too many to make things feel special but not enough to really wet the ol’ whistle. I guess beggars can’t be choosers, though. Right?
None of this weekend’s games are truly spectacular or special, but still, college football is back. And to celebrate and/or ring in the new season, Gene and I decided to write about which Week 0 game has us most excited for the return of this glorious, glorious sport (and season).
For me, this was an easy one. I am most excited about Navy vs. Notre Dame, a re-scheduled game from the pandemic being played in Dublin, Ireland. And I will be absolutely dialed in for several reasons.
First and foremost is the pageantry of it. A matchup between historic ND and the freaking US Naval Academy, in one of the most beautiful places on Earth!? Are you kidding me? How could one not romanticize this occasion? It also helps that I have a wee bit or Irish in me as well, which makes the event even more special. And let’s not forget that last year’s Aer Lingus Classic was Nebraska vs. Northwestern. So to go from Scott Frost and Pat Fitzgerald to pretty much anything/anybody else is just a massive, massive win for all.
Another reason I am excited about this game is that I actually enjoy watching Navy football. Call me a sicko if you want, but the triple option is a thing of beauty. I love it with all my heart. It (triple option) is fun to watch because it is incredibly sophisticated and complex, in my opinion. I mean, multiple reads of the opposing defensive line and linebackers are not easy to pull off in what equates to the blink of an eye.
But Navy is and pretty much always has been very effective with their version of the triple option. The offense might look different in 2023, with Ken Niumatalolo no longer in the fold, but I would guess that this specialized rushing attack will still be the Midshipmen’s bread and butter.
And of course, the most intriguing aspect of this game is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. You know ‘em, I know ‘em, and the Ohio State Buckeyes know ‘em. The two teams will face each other again in late September, so as a Buckeye fan, Week 0 is a nice little preview of the enemy. Of particular interest to me is new ND quarterback Sam Hartman. The former Wake Forest signal caller threw the ball all over the yard for the Demon Deacons, but this ND team is and has been lacking proven weapons on the outside. Will he infuse new life into their passing game?
On the other side of the ball, the Fighting Irish return a bunch of players from a unit that ranked No. 22 in total defense last season (YPG allowed). But Marcus Freeman’s squad also lost Isaiah Foskey and Brandon Joseph, two former All-Americans. So will others step up? Is old friend Javontae Jean-Baptiste going to come back and haunt OSU? I doubt it! But we will see – or begin to see – this freaking Saturday!
It’s so close I can taste it, Gene. Come 2:30 ET on Saturday afternoon, I might find myself chugging Guinness and diving into a Shepherd’s pie. And it’s all because of Navy vs. Notre Dame.
I thought this would be a fun topic to tackle with Josh being that college football is upon us — sort of. Week 0 is here, and I thought to myself, “wow, there has to be at least one or two fun games to dive into this week! Any college football is good college football!”
And then I looked at the slate.
Navy vs. Notre Dame is likely the most intriguing option on the board. Not only is it the first game of the day, making it the first official game of the 2023 season, but it will take place in Ireland, adding an extra level of fun to the opener. Will the game be close on the field? Probably not, as the Fighting Irish are favored by nearly three touchdowns. However, service academies do tend to keep things relatively interesting, and if nothing else it will give us a glimpse at what Notre Dame is bringing to the table this year before their matchup with Ohio State.
There are a couple of real stinkers on this list, too. FIU vs. Louisiana Tech as the night cap? I’ll pass on that one (still probably a good chance I catch a few snaps). Hawaii vs. Vanderbilt in a battle between two of the worst programs in their own respective divisions? Think I'm good there too.
Then there are a few potentially fun games between lesser brand names. UTEP vs. Jacksonville State at 5:30 p.m. ET should be a pretty evenly matched football game, with the Miners currently listed as a one-point favorite on the road. Ohio vs. San Diego state could be interesting as well, and there’s nobody stopping you from rooting on the in-state Bobcats as 2.5-point underdogs. UMass vs. New Mexico State? ...it exists!
The game I'm most interested in is ironically probably going to be one of if not the biggest blowout of the day, and that is of course San Jose State hitting the road to face off against USC.
The Trojans are obviously interesting to Ohio State and the rest of the Big Ten as they will be joining the conference next season, but for now they enter the year as the Pac-12 title favorites. It’s easy to see why too, as Caleb Williams returns as one of the nation’s best quarterbacks. Do I think that Lincoln Riley runs a Mickey Mouse offense that makes all of his QBs look better than they are and leads to inflated stats and boosted Heisman Trophy campaigns? Yes, yes I do, but there is no denying that Williams is talented.
He should have little issue picking apart the Spartan defense this weekend, but I’ll be interested to see who steps up in that USC wide receiver core with Jordan Addison off to the NFL. They do return both Tahj Washington and Mario Williams from last season, but Arizona transfer Dorian Singer may come in and steal the spotlight. Guys like Zachariah Branch, Raleek Brown and Duce Robinson will also provide receiving threats from all over the field.
The offense should pick up right where it left off, but the real spotlight will be on that Alex Grinch led defense. It seemed very odd that Riley willingly brought one of the nation’s worst defensive coordinators with him from Oklahoma to the West Coast, but he got exactly what he bargained for when the Trojans ranked 94th nationally in scoring defense. This unit has a bunch of talent, and added even more with Georgia transfer Bear Alexander to join returnees Calen Bullock and Eric Gentry. Still, I will not trust a defense coached by Grinch until I see it.
We likely won’t learn all that much about USC in a game they should win rather handily, as they’re favored by more than 30 points. Still, it will be a first-look at this years’ College Football Playoff hopeful Trojan squad that Ohio State could very well see on the schedule before next year if the two teams were to meet in the postseason.
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Robin Alam/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
The slate doesn’t look all that appetizing, but there are still games to be watched.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
This week’s topic: Which Week 0 game are you most excited for?
Josh’s Take
Ahem... In a big, booming voice a la The Rock (the entertaining wrestler, not the guy who made Jungle Cruise): Finally! College football has come back... To our sports-viewing lives. And this could not have happened soon enough, Gene, because honestly, I am starting to feel a little weird about betting on the Little League World Series. Not enough to stop, mind you. But it has become quite evident that I need something else to occupy my time and place wagers on. You know how this stuff goes.
So it is great that Week 1 of the CFB season is upon us, but not before... That’s right, Week 0! And I am going to be honest here real quick; I do not understand Week 0. If the powers that be wanted to schedule one or two marquee matchups and make a real spectacle out of it, that would make sense. As it is, we have seven ‘meh’ games to look forward to this weekend, which is too many to make things feel special but not enough to really wet the ol’ whistle. I guess beggars can’t be choosers, though. Right?
None of this weekend’s games are truly spectacular or special, but still, college football is back. And to celebrate and/or ring in the new season, Gene and I decided to write about which Week 0 game has us most excited for the return of this glorious, glorious sport (and season).
For me, this was an easy one. I am most excited about Navy vs. Notre Dame, a re-scheduled game from the pandemic being played in Dublin, Ireland. And I will be absolutely dialed in for several reasons.
First and foremost is the pageantry of it. A matchup between historic ND and the freaking US Naval Academy, in one of the most beautiful places on Earth!? Are you kidding me? How could one not romanticize this occasion? It also helps that I have a wee bit or Irish in me as well, which makes the event even more special. And let’s not forget that last year’s Aer Lingus Classic was Nebraska vs. Northwestern. So to go from Scott Frost and Pat Fitzgerald to pretty much anything/anybody else is just a massive, massive win for all.
Another reason I am excited about this game is that I actually enjoy watching Navy football. Call me a sicko if you want, but the triple option is a thing of beauty. I love it with all my heart. It (triple option) is fun to watch because it is incredibly sophisticated and complex, in my opinion. I mean, multiple reads of the opposing defensive line and linebackers are not easy to pull off in what equates to the blink of an eye.
But Navy is and pretty much always has been very effective with their version of the triple option. The offense might look different in 2023, with Ken Niumatalolo no longer in the fold, but I would guess that this specialized rushing attack will still be the Midshipmen’s bread and butter.
And of course, the most intriguing aspect of this game is the Notre Dame Fighting Irish. You know ‘em, I know ‘em, and the Ohio State Buckeyes know ‘em. The two teams will face each other again in late September, so as a Buckeye fan, Week 0 is a nice little preview of the enemy. Of particular interest to me is new ND quarterback Sam Hartman. The former Wake Forest signal caller threw the ball all over the yard for the Demon Deacons, but this ND team is and has been lacking proven weapons on the outside. Will he infuse new life into their passing game?
On the other side of the ball, the Fighting Irish return a bunch of players from a unit that ranked No. 22 in total defense last season (YPG allowed). But Marcus Freeman’s squad also lost Isaiah Foskey and Brandon Joseph, two former All-Americans. So will others step up? Is old friend Javontae Jean-Baptiste going to come back and haunt OSU? I doubt it! But we will see – or begin to see – this freaking Saturday!
It’s so close I can taste it, Gene. Come 2:30 ET on Saturday afternoon, I might find myself chugging Guinness and diving into a Shepherd’s pie. And it’s all because of Navy vs. Notre Dame.
Gene’s Take
I thought this would be a fun topic to tackle with Josh being that college football is upon us — sort of. Week 0 is here, and I thought to myself, “wow, there has to be at least one or two fun games to dive into this week! Any college football is good college football!”
And then I looked at the slate.
Navy vs. Notre Dame is likely the most intriguing option on the board. Not only is it the first game of the day, making it the first official game of the 2023 season, but it will take place in Ireland, adding an extra level of fun to the opener. Will the game be close on the field? Probably not, as the Fighting Irish are favored by nearly three touchdowns. However, service academies do tend to keep things relatively interesting, and if nothing else it will give us a glimpse at what Notre Dame is bringing to the table this year before their matchup with Ohio State.
There are a couple of real stinkers on this list, too. FIU vs. Louisiana Tech as the night cap? I’ll pass on that one (still probably a good chance I catch a few snaps). Hawaii vs. Vanderbilt in a battle between two of the worst programs in their own respective divisions? Think I'm good there too.
Then there are a few potentially fun games between lesser brand names. UTEP vs. Jacksonville State at 5:30 p.m. ET should be a pretty evenly matched football game, with the Miners currently listed as a one-point favorite on the road. Ohio vs. San Diego state could be interesting as well, and there’s nobody stopping you from rooting on the in-state Bobcats as 2.5-point underdogs. UMass vs. New Mexico State? ...it exists!
The game I'm most interested in is ironically probably going to be one of if not the biggest blowout of the day, and that is of course San Jose State hitting the road to face off against USC.
The Trojans are obviously interesting to Ohio State and the rest of the Big Ten as they will be joining the conference next season, but for now they enter the year as the Pac-12 title favorites. It’s easy to see why too, as Caleb Williams returns as one of the nation’s best quarterbacks. Do I think that Lincoln Riley runs a Mickey Mouse offense that makes all of his QBs look better than they are and leads to inflated stats and boosted Heisman Trophy campaigns? Yes, yes I do, but there is no denying that Williams is talented.
He should have little issue picking apart the Spartan defense this weekend, but I’ll be interested to see who steps up in that USC wide receiver core with Jordan Addison off to the NFL. They do return both Tahj Washington and Mario Williams from last season, but Arizona transfer Dorian Singer may come in and steal the spotlight. Guys like Zachariah Branch, Raleek Brown and Duce Robinson will also provide receiving threats from all over the field.
The offense should pick up right where it left off, but the real spotlight will be on that Alex Grinch led defense. It seemed very odd that Riley willingly brought one of the nation’s worst defensive coordinators with him from Oklahoma to the West Coast, but he got exactly what he bargained for when the Trojans ranked 94th nationally in scoring defense. This unit has a bunch of talent, and added even more with Georgia transfer Bear Alexander to join returnees Calen Bullock and Eric Gentry. Still, I will not trust a defense coached by Grinch until I see it.
We likely won’t learn all that much about USC in a game they should win rather handily, as they’re favored by more than 30 points. Still, it will be a first-look at this years’ College Football Playoff hopeful Trojan squad that Ohio State could very well see on the schedule before next year if the two teams were to meet in the postseason.
Continue reading...
LGHL Player to Watch: Chip Trayanum has earned more carries in 2023
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Player to Watch: Chip Trayanum has earned more carries in 2023
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
Ohio State is stacked at running back when everyone is healthy, but Trayanum might get more snaps even if the injury bug doesn’t bite as often in 2023.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Indiana.
Arizona State transfer Chip Trayanum has been an intriguing player since his arrival in Columbus. His player bio on the official Ohio State athletics website calls him “one of the strongest and fastest players on the team,” and he has split time between running back and linebacker.
He arrived with the expectations of playing linebacker, earning the right to remove the black stripe from his helmet last August in the run-up to the 2022 season. He began the season as a backup linebacker, providing depth at the position. He managed eight solo tackles and five assists on the year in limited action. That included a season-high three tackles (all solo stops) against Michigan State.
But a series of injuries to OSU running backs changed the plan. TreVeyon Henderson, Miyan Williams, and Dallan Hayden all sustained knocks to varying degrees during the year. Some played hurt while others had to sit out. Seemingly a different player saw the bulk of the carries each week.
Trayanum’s first carry as a Buckeye came on Oct. 22 in a 54-10 dismantling of Iowa in Ohio Stadium. He only toted the rock once, but he gained nine yards on the play. He didn’t log another rushing attempt until the Michigan game on Nov. 26. Despite being pressed into a more prominent role on the big stage, Trayanum acquitted himself well, rushing for 83 yards on just 14 carries — a respectable 5.93 yards-per-carry average. He also had a reception for 14 yards.
All told, Trayanum’s versatility got him on the field in nearly every way possible in 2022. He saw 46 snaps on offense, 36 on defense, and 154 on special teams. The coaching staff must have liked what they saw in Trayanum at running back.
The Akron native excelled at running back in the 2023 Ohio State Spring Game, rushing for 110 yards — including a 65-yard touchdown — on just eight carries. He also caught two passes for 15 more yards. He showed good patience to allow a hole to open on the touchdown.
Trayanum even threw a pass in the Spring Game, completing it for seven yards to quarterback Chad Ray.
With his speed, strength and size (5-foot-11, 233 pounds), Trayanum has the tools to fill in on either side of the ball, but with the injury history of the guys in front of him on the depth chart, it’s a luxury for Ohio State to have someone who racked up 691 yards in 13 games spread across his first two seasons in college at Arizona State.
But, more than that, Ryan Day has a guy who is pushing for more snaps at running back. Those snaps will be difficult to come by if Henderson and Williams stay healthy, although Trayanum will still likely see more second-half carries this season.
And if the injury bug does strike again, Ohio State might not see the running game fall off much.
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
Ohio State is stacked at running back when everyone is healthy, but Trayanum might get more snaps even if the injury bug doesn’t bite as often in 2023.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Indiana.
Arizona State transfer Chip Trayanum has been an intriguing player since his arrival in Columbus. His player bio on the official Ohio State athletics website calls him “one of the strongest and fastest players on the team,” and he has split time between running back and linebacker.
He arrived with the expectations of playing linebacker, earning the right to remove the black stripe from his helmet last August in the run-up to the 2022 season. He began the season as a backup linebacker, providing depth at the position. He managed eight solo tackles and five assists on the year in limited action. That included a season-high three tackles (all solo stops) against Michigan State.
But a series of injuries to OSU running backs changed the plan. TreVeyon Henderson, Miyan Williams, and Dallan Hayden all sustained knocks to varying degrees during the year. Some played hurt while others had to sit out. Seemingly a different player saw the bulk of the carries each week.
Trayanum’s first carry as a Buckeye came on Oct. 22 in a 54-10 dismantling of Iowa in Ohio Stadium. He only toted the rock once, but he gained nine yards on the play. He didn’t log another rushing attempt until the Michigan game on Nov. 26. Despite being pressed into a more prominent role on the big stage, Trayanum acquitted himself well, rushing for 83 yards on just 14 carries — a respectable 5.93 yards-per-carry average. He also had a reception for 14 yards.
All told, Trayanum’s versatility got him on the field in nearly every way possible in 2022. He saw 46 snaps on offense, 36 on defense, and 154 on special teams. The coaching staff must have liked what they saw in Trayanum at running back.
The Akron native excelled at running back in the 2023 Ohio State Spring Game, rushing for 110 yards — including a 65-yard touchdown — on just eight carries. He also caught two passes for 15 more yards. He showed good patience to allow a hole to open on the touchdown.
Trayanum even threw a pass in the Spring Game, completing it for seven yards to quarterback Chad Ray.
With his speed, strength and size (5-foot-11, 233 pounds), Trayanum has the tools to fill in on either side of the ball, but with the injury history of the guys in front of him on the depth chart, it’s a luxury for Ohio State to have someone who racked up 691 yards in 13 games spread across his first two seasons in college at Arizona State.
But, more than that, Ryan Day has a guy who is pushing for more snaps at running back. Those snaps will be difficult to come by if Henderson and Williams stay healthy, although Trayanum will still likely see more second-half carries this season.
And if the injury bug does strike again, Ohio State might not see the running game fall off much.
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LGHL Ohio State hoping for five-star BOOOOOM on Tuesday
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Ohio State hoping for five-star BOOOOOM on Tuesday
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Five-star 2024 DL Eddrick Houston | Andrew Ivins, 247Sports
A five-star defensive lineman is set to make his commitment this week, and the Buckeyes might be atop his list.
It has been eight whole days since Ohio State last earned a commitment in its 2024 class, and ever so unfortunately for Buckeye Nation, they might have to wait one MORE day for another one.
All sarcasm aside, Ryan Day and position coach Larry Johnson have been waiting to add a stud defensive end in this cycle. They’ve managed to reel in a big fish up the middle in five-star Justin Scott, but they still await an elite edge rusher to join him. Luckily, there seems to be a real good chance that one will finally be coming their way this week.
Five-star edge rusher Eddrick Houston is scheduled to make his commitment on Tuesday. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Georgia native will be choosing between Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and USC, having made official visits to all five schools.
Houston is currently ranked as the No. 4 DL and No. 23 overall player per the 247Sports Composite. Taking snaps at both defensive end and tight end for a Buford team that went 11-1 in Georgia’s highest classification, Houston was named to the MaxPreps Junior All-American second team after registering 64 tackles, 11 TFLs, 10 sacks and 15 QB pressures. A multi-sport athlete, Houston also competes in wrestling as well as track and field.
Here is some of what 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins had to say of Houston’s abilities:
As things currently stand, Ohio State appears to be the frontrunner to land Houston’s commitment. They own both of the Crystal Ball predictions on 247Sports, from trusted sources nonetheless in Steve Wiltfong and Bill Kurelic, and On3 gives the Buckeyes an 88.1% chance to earn his verbal. If it is in fact Ohio State that gets the nod, it sounds as though Larry Johnson will be a big reason why.
As is always the case with college football recruiting, nothing is set in stone just yet, but there seems to be enough reason to have some cautious optimism here that Houston ends up in Columbus.
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Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Five-star 2024 DL Eddrick Houston | Andrew Ivins, 247Sports
A five-star defensive lineman is set to make his commitment this week, and the Buckeyes might be atop his list.
It has been eight whole days since Ohio State last earned a commitment in its 2024 class, and ever so unfortunately for Buckeye Nation, they might have to wait one MORE day for another one.
All sarcasm aside, Ryan Day and position coach Larry Johnson have been waiting to add a stud defensive end in this cycle. They’ve managed to reel in a big fish up the middle in five-star Justin Scott, but they still await an elite edge rusher to join him. Luckily, there seems to be a real good chance that one will finally be coming their way this week.
Five-star edge rusher Eddrick Houston is scheduled to make his commitment on Tuesday. The 6-foot-3, 265-pound Georgia native will be choosing between Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson, Georgia and USC, having made official visits to all five schools.
Houston is currently ranked as the No. 4 DL and No. 23 overall player per the 247Sports Composite. Taking snaps at both defensive end and tight end for a Buford team that went 11-1 in Georgia’s highest classification, Houston was named to the MaxPreps Junior All-American second team after registering 64 tackles, 11 TFLs, 10 sacks and 15 QB pressures. A multi-sport athlete, Houston also competes in wrestling as well as track and field.
Here is some of what 247Sports director of scouting Andrew Ivins had to say of Houston’s abilities:
As things currently stand, Ohio State appears to be the frontrunner to land Houston’s commitment. They own both of the Crystal Ball predictions on 247Sports, from trusted sources nonetheless in Steve Wiltfong and Bill Kurelic, and On3 gives the Buckeyes an 88.1% chance to earn his verbal. If it is in fact Ohio State that gets the nod, it sounds as though Larry Johnson will be a big reason why.
As is always the case with college football recruiting, nothing is set in stone just yet, but there seems to be enough reason to have some cautious optimism here that Houston ends up in Columbus.
Quick Hits
- Another 2024 prospect set to make his commitment this week is four-star safety Zaquan Patterson. Hailing out of Hollywood, FL, Patterson comes in as the nation’s No. 3 safety and the No. 77 player in the class overall. With a top school’s list of Auburn, Florida State, Miami, Michigan and Ohio State, one of these programs will be getting a great player when Patterson makes his decision on Saturday. While there are no Crystal Balls currently logged, signs seem to be pointing to Patterson staying at home to play for Florida State, but as previously stated, anything is possible.
- Exhibit No. 2823472394723 why five-star Ohio State wide receiver commit Jeremiah Smith isn’t going anywhere. Sorry, Noles fans.
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LGHL Know Your Buckeyes: Offense (Part 1)
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Know Your Buckeyes: Offense (Part 1)
ReeceComfort via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
A look at Ohio State’s offensive depth chart heading into the 2023 season.
There is perhaps not a more exciting time of year than when the leaves start changing color, the temperature drops, holiday fever grows stronger and best of all: football season kicks off. At least in Columbus, football means more than anywhere else. Wake up on Sunday morning, and you’ll quickly know whether or not Saturday was a good day for Ohio State fans.
As with every season, going undefeated, winning the Big Ten, and competing for National Championships as a College Football Playoff team is the only reasonable standard, and people expect nothing less. The bar is set high. The hype and buildup around Ohio Stadium and the Woody Hayes Athletic Center this fall are uniquely strong, given the past two years' lack of success against Michigan.
All eyes are on Ryan Day as he looks to avoid going 1-3 against Jim Harbaugh in The Game this November. Meanwhile, more eyes have been set on the Ohio State offense, as they are staring down at what may be one of the better offenses the Buckeyes have had in a very long time.
That being said, let’s examine the current offensive depth chart as we draw closer to Week One of the 2023 Season.
Analysis:
After CJ Stroud departed for the NFL, it left some big shoes to fill and an immediate battle at the most important position on the field. McCord, meanwhile, carries the most experience, as he sat behind Stroud for two seasons and played sparingly in games where the scoreboard indicated a blowout.
A five-star recruit out of New Jersey, McCord certainly has plenty of potential and talent on his side — although, as of right now, there's hardly any meaningful playing time to speak of. He brings a very pass-heavy approach with decent rushing mobility. Accuracy will be his biggest question mark, but make no mistake: that may not be too much of an issue considering Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Julian Fleming, and Cade Stover are only a small handful of the many delicious appetizers lined up at skill positions.
While McCord would appear to be the next in line, Devin Brown is certainly not a name to look over either. A highly coveted four-star recruit out of high school, there has always been speculation that Brown could eventually one day start. Known for throwing on the move and having great rushing ability, Brown may very well mimic the mobile quarterbacks from years past. The bigger question is if his passing game has matured enough to be considered startable.
Like McCord, having the best weapons and receiving cast in the country by a large margin doesn’t hurt. If the first guy somehow (barring a surprising development) doesn’t translate his star rating to star numbers on the field, Brown will undoubtedly get the nod and play off a relatively shorter leash on McCord.
Tristan Gebbia slots in as the third string after spending four years at Oregon State. He should provide solid depth behind McCord and Brown in the case of an injury. As for Kienholz, he won’t see any playing time anytime soon unless in massive blowout situations.
All in all, this is to be deemed a good problem and not a bad one. Whoever wins the starting job should do more than well enough to run this offense, helping maintain its very high expectations.
Analysis:
Only second to Michigan’s running back room in the country, this is an exceptional group of rushers who could pop off at any given moment. Putting all bias aside, it’s really hard to top a tandem such as this one when fully healthy.
Miyan Williams sits at the top of the depth chart as the likely 1A to TreVeyon Henderson’s 1B (or vice versa). Williams is well-built and can bully defenders up the middle and through the gaps. He brings a very physical element to his running style, something that proves to be valuable in great rushing attacks. Playing in place of Henderson sidelined in 2022 was instrumental to William’s pedigree and value to the team.
Henderson, meanwhile, is an extremely talented rusher who has shown flashes of an early-round NFL draft pick. His biggest struggle was staying healthy and being on the field. Last year was a disappointment considering the massive numbers he put up in 2021. Needless to say, everyone knows what he’s capable of, so as long as he stays off the sidelines, the sky is the limit for him and the offense in front of him.
Some sleeper names to keep an eye out for are Dallan Hayden and Evan Pryor.
Hayden filled in for Henderson and Williams in Week 11 on the road versus Maryland, rushing for 146 yards and three touchdowns, immediately making a name for himself for next year’s running back pecking order. And the week prior against Indiana, Hayden rushed for 102 yards and a score. This dude can play, but it's a matter if he’ll receive playing time in 2023.
As for Pryor, he was generating a lot of excitement during the 2022 training camp, but unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury. Now healthy heading into 2023, expect Pryor to establish himself down the line when given the chance. Many Buckeye fans like him, and it’d come as no surprise if he worked his way onto the field this season.
Analysis:
It goes without saying, but this is the best wide receiver room in the country. Possibly not one, not two, but three receivers from this group can be high NFL draft picks next spring.
Marvin Harrison is projected to go top five overall, and his stat line backs that up. Emeka Egbuka, while not quite in the same stratosphere as “Route Man Marv” most definitely is in a tier of his right own now in college football and the likely No. 2 WR in the 2024 NFL Draft right after Harrison Jr. Raking in 1,151 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022, Egbuka proved to be the 9th best receiver in the country from a statistical perspective.
Julian Fleming isn’t the most talked about receiver on the depth chart, but he displayed strong ability as a third wide receiver behind Harrison Jr. and Egbuka. Going into his senior year, Fleming topped off the 2022 season with 500 yards and six touchdowns. It’s very possible he can push for more in his final season of eligibility.
There are so many quality mouths to feed that it becomes exhaustive to write up on every single one of them. Carnell Tate, a five-star recruit, sits behind Harrison Jr. and is in line to potentially contribute sooner rather than later. Jayden Ballard and Xaxier Johnson both made some noise in specific portions of the year while buried on the depth chart.
Digressing, you can’t go wrong with any of the weapons listed above. It’s more like a next-man-up mentality for Ohio State’s “Wide Receiver U’, who continually churns out the NFL’s best receivers.
Analysis:
To everyone’s surprise, Cade Stover opted to return for his 5th year of eligibility. While on the field, Stover was consistently establishing his presence in 2022, and is a reliable security blanket for whoever wins outright at quarterback. He was unfortunately injured during the College Football Playoff semifinal versus Georgia, but when healthy, Stover brings an undervalued role to the offense through blocking and spelling the top receiving targets when double-covered.
Joe Royer and Gee Scott Jr. have been around for a minute, mainly sitting behind Stover and playing in garbage time of blowouts. If needed, they’ll be fine backups filling in.
Jelani Thurman, meanwhile, is starring down the barrel of taking over the TE1 spot in 2024. A prized four-star recruit in the class of 2023, expectations are super high for Thurman now and in the future. A name to watch for the long term.
Analysis:
With the departures of Paris Johnson Jr., Luke Wyper, and Dawand Jones, the offensive line once again became a question mark. Although not of significant concern, there are several spots along the line needing to be filled. As training camp wears on, clarity has started to emerge.
It seems all but certain at this point that Josh Fryar, Donovan Jackson, and Matthew Jones are penciled in as starters. All three are returnees proving to be key components.
San Diego State transfer Josh Simmons appears to be pulling away and impressing coaches throughout camp thus far, increasing his odds of beating out Tegra Tshabola. Carson Hinzman may very well have an easy path to playing time at center, given the lack of threatening competition behind him. Despite being just a sophomore, Hinzman by far is the best talent under center on the roster.
Luke Montgomery, Austin Siereveld, and other notable prominent underclassmen linemen will be vying for starting roles in 2024, as several guys potentially in Jones, Jackson, and Fryar could all declare for the NFL Draft next spring. Expect them to eventually slide in as starters, but for now, Ohio State boasts of a very solid offensive line unit finally coming together two weeks before kickoff.
Continue reading...
ReeceComfort via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
A look at Ohio State’s offensive depth chart heading into the 2023 season.
There is perhaps not a more exciting time of year than when the leaves start changing color, the temperature drops, holiday fever grows stronger and best of all: football season kicks off. At least in Columbus, football means more than anywhere else. Wake up on Sunday morning, and you’ll quickly know whether or not Saturday was a good day for Ohio State fans.
As with every season, going undefeated, winning the Big Ten, and competing for National Championships as a College Football Playoff team is the only reasonable standard, and people expect nothing less. The bar is set high. The hype and buildup around Ohio Stadium and the Woody Hayes Athletic Center this fall are uniquely strong, given the past two years' lack of success against Michigan.
All eyes are on Ryan Day as he looks to avoid going 1-3 against Jim Harbaugh in The Game this November. Meanwhile, more eyes have been set on the Ohio State offense, as they are staring down at what may be one of the better offenses the Buckeyes have had in a very long time.
That being said, let’s examine the current offensive depth chart as we draw closer to Week One of the 2023 Season.
Quarterback
- Kyle McCord - Junior
- Devin Brown - Sophomore
- Tristan Gebbia - Senior/Transfer
- Lincoln Kienholz - Freshman
Analysis:
After CJ Stroud departed for the NFL, it left some big shoes to fill and an immediate battle at the most important position on the field. McCord, meanwhile, carries the most experience, as he sat behind Stroud for two seasons and played sparingly in games where the scoreboard indicated a blowout.
A five-star recruit out of New Jersey, McCord certainly has plenty of potential and talent on his side — although, as of right now, there's hardly any meaningful playing time to speak of. He brings a very pass-heavy approach with decent rushing mobility. Accuracy will be his biggest question mark, but make no mistake: that may not be too much of an issue considering Marvin Harrison Jr., Emeka Egbuka, Julian Fleming, and Cade Stover are only a small handful of the many delicious appetizers lined up at skill positions.
While McCord would appear to be the next in line, Devin Brown is certainly not a name to look over either. A highly coveted four-star recruit out of high school, there has always been speculation that Brown could eventually one day start. Known for throwing on the move and having great rushing ability, Brown may very well mimic the mobile quarterbacks from years past. The bigger question is if his passing game has matured enough to be considered startable.
Like McCord, having the best weapons and receiving cast in the country by a large margin doesn’t hurt. If the first guy somehow (barring a surprising development) doesn’t translate his star rating to star numbers on the field, Brown will undoubtedly get the nod and play off a relatively shorter leash on McCord.
Tristan Gebbia slots in as the third string after spending four years at Oregon State. He should provide solid depth behind McCord and Brown in the case of an injury. As for Kienholz, he won’t see any playing time anytime soon unless in massive blowout situations.
All in all, this is to be deemed a good problem and not a bad one. Whoever wins the starting job should do more than well enough to run this offense, helping maintain its very high expectations.
Running Back
- Miyan Williams - Senior
- TreVeyon Henderson - Junior
- Dallan Hayden - Sophomore
- Chip Trayanum - Junior/Transfer
- Evan Pryor - Sophomore
Analysis:
Only second to Michigan’s running back room in the country, this is an exceptional group of rushers who could pop off at any given moment. Putting all bias aside, it’s really hard to top a tandem such as this one when fully healthy.
Miyan Williams sits at the top of the depth chart as the likely 1A to TreVeyon Henderson’s 1B (or vice versa). Williams is well-built and can bully defenders up the middle and through the gaps. He brings a very physical element to his running style, something that proves to be valuable in great rushing attacks. Playing in place of Henderson sidelined in 2022 was instrumental to William’s pedigree and value to the team.
Henderson, meanwhile, is an extremely talented rusher who has shown flashes of an early-round NFL draft pick. His biggest struggle was staying healthy and being on the field. Last year was a disappointment considering the massive numbers he put up in 2021. Needless to say, everyone knows what he’s capable of, so as long as he stays off the sidelines, the sky is the limit for him and the offense in front of him.
Some sleeper names to keep an eye out for are Dallan Hayden and Evan Pryor.
Hayden filled in for Henderson and Williams in Week 11 on the road versus Maryland, rushing for 146 yards and three touchdowns, immediately making a name for himself for next year’s running back pecking order. And the week prior against Indiana, Hayden rushed for 102 yards and a score. This dude can play, but it's a matter if he’ll receive playing time in 2023.
As for Pryor, he was generating a lot of excitement during the 2022 training camp, but unfortunately suffered a season-ending injury. Now healthy heading into 2023, expect Pryor to establish himself down the line when given the chance. Many Buckeye fans like him, and it’d come as no surprise if he worked his way onto the field this season.
Wide Receiver
- Marvin Harrison Jr. - Junior
- Julian Fleming - Senior
- Ekeka Egbuka - Junior
- Carnell Tate - Freshman
- Jayden Ballard - Sophomore
- Xavier Johnson - Graduate
Others Worth Mentioning
- Kojo Antwi - Sophomore
- Noah Rogers - Freshman
- Brandon Inniss - Freshman
Analysis:
It goes without saying, but this is the best wide receiver room in the country. Possibly not one, not two, but three receivers from this group can be high NFL draft picks next spring.
Marvin Harrison is projected to go top five overall, and his stat line backs that up. Emeka Egbuka, while not quite in the same stratosphere as “Route Man Marv” most definitely is in a tier of his right own now in college football and the likely No. 2 WR in the 2024 NFL Draft right after Harrison Jr. Raking in 1,151 receiving yards and 10 touchdowns in 2022, Egbuka proved to be the 9th best receiver in the country from a statistical perspective.
Julian Fleming isn’t the most talked about receiver on the depth chart, but he displayed strong ability as a third wide receiver behind Harrison Jr. and Egbuka. Going into his senior year, Fleming topped off the 2022 season with 500 yards and six touchdowns. It’s very possible he can push for more in his final season of eligibility.
There are so many quality mouths to feed that it becomes exhaustive to write up on every single one of them. Carnell Tate, a five-star recruit, sits behind Harrison Jr. and is in line to potentially contribute sooner rather than later. Jayden Ballard and Xaxier Johnson both made some noise in specific portions of the year while buried on the depth chart.
Digressing, you can’t go wrong with any of the weapons listed above. It’s more like a next-man-up mentality for Ohio State’s “Wide Receiver U’, who continually churns out the NFL’s best receivers.
Tight End
- Cade Stover - Senior
- Joe Royer - Junior
- Gee Scott Jr. - Senior
- Jelani Thurman - Freshman
Analysis:
To everyone’s surprise, Cade Stover opted to return for his 5th year of eligibility. While on the field, Stover was consistently establishing his presence in 2022, and is a reliable security blanket for whoever wins outright at quarterback. He was unfortunately injured during the College Football Playoff semifinal versus Georgia, but when healthy, Stover brings an undervalued role to the offense through blocking and spelling the top receiving targets when double-covered.
Joe Royer and Gee Scott Jr. have been around for a minute, mainly sitting behind Stover and playing in garbage time of blowouts. If needed, they’ll be fine backups filling in.
Jelani Thurman, meanwhile, is starring down the barrel of taking over the TE1 spot in 2024. A prized four-star recruit in the class of 2023, expectations are super high for Thurman now and in the future. A name to watch for the long term.
Offensive Line
- Left Tackle: Josh Fryar - Senior, George Fitzpatrick - Sophomore
- Left Guard: Donovan Jackson - Junior, Victor Cutler - Grad
- Center: Carson Hinzman - Sophomore, Jakob James - Senior
- Right Guard: Matthew Jones - Grad, Enokk Vimahi- Senior
- Correct Tackle: Tegra Tshabola - Freshman, Josh Simmons - Junior
Others Worth Mentioning
- Luke Montgomery. - Freshman
- Austin Siereveld - Freshman
- Joshua Padilla - Freshman
- Toby Wilson - Junior
- Zen Michalski - Junior
Analysis:
With the departures of Paris Johnson Jr., Luke Wyper, and Dawand Jones, the offensive line once again became a question mark. Although not of significant concern, there are several spots along the line needing to be filled. As training camp wears on, clarity has started to emerge.
It seems all but certain at this point that Josh Fryar, Donovan Jackson, and Matthew Jones are penciled in as starters. All three are returnees proving to be key components.
San Diego State transfer Josh Simmons appears to be pulling away and impressing coaches throughout camp thus far, increasing his odds of beating out Tegra Tshabola. Carson Hinzman may very well have an easy path to playing time at center, given the lack of threatening competition behind him. Despite being just a sophomore, Hinzman by far is the best talent under center on the roster.
Luke Montgomery, Austin Siereveld, and other notable prominent underclassmen linemen will be vying for starting roles in 2024, as several guys potentially in Jones, Jackson, and Fryar could all declare for the NFL Draft next spring. Expect them to eventually slide in as starters, but for now, Ohio State boasts of a very solid offensive line unit finally coming together two weeks before kickoff.
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LGHL Ohio State Football Countdown: 12
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Ohio State Football Countdown: 12
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
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 12 days remaining.
There’s a reason that nobody is surprised how well Garrett Wilson’s game has translated to the NFL. Maybe one of the best wide receivers in Ohio State history from a pure talent perspective, Wilson did a little bit of everything for the Buckeyes, including this catch that would’ve counted for six on Sundays as well. This 12-yard touchdown was part of a monster four-score day for Wilson, who took a 51-yard end around to the house in addition to his three receiving TDs. In total, the star WR put up 177 yards from scrimmage as he helped Ohio State beat Purdue, 59-31.
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Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Emilee Chinn/Getty Images
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 12 days remaining.
Play of the Day: Garrett Wilson’s 12-yard TD vs. Purdue (2021)
There’s a reason that nobody is surprised how well Garrett Wilson’s game has translated to the NFL. Maybe one of the best wide receivers in Ohio State history from a pure talent perspective, Wilson did a little bit of everything for the Buckeyes, including this catch that would’ve counted for six on Sundays as well. This 12-yard touchdown was part of a monster four-score day for Wilson, who took a 51-yard end around to the house in addition to his three receiving TDs. In total, the star WR put up 177 yards from scrimmage as he helped Ohio State beat Purdue, 59-31.
Players to Wear the #12 (since 2010):
- Doran Grant (2011-14)
- Cardale Jones (2012-15)
- Denzel Ward (2015-17)
- Brendan Skalitzky (2016)
- Matthew Baldwin (2017-18)
- Sevyn Banks (2018-19)
- Gunnar Hoak (2019-20)
- Lathan Ransom (2020-22) - now wearing No. 8 per OSU roster
- Caleb Burton (2022)
- Lincoln Kienholz (present)
- Ryan Turner (present)
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LGHL Ohio State running back Evan Pryor is ready to get back on the field following 2022 injury
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Ohio State running back Evan Pryor is ready to get back on the field following 2022 injury
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Pryor missed all of last season with an ACL injury last August
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Indiana.
There has been a lot of discussion about the Ohio State running back room coming into the season and the talent that has accumulated at the position. While the Buckeyes are hoping to get TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams healthy for the season, they are getting another potential contributor back as well.
Evan Pryor.
Pryor recorded 21 carries for 98 yards and one touchdown in four games during his freshman season in 2021 and the expectations were rising for the back heading into his sophomore season. However, just over a year ago to the day, Pryor suffered a knee injury that ended up being a torn ACL, causing him to miss the entire 2022-23 season.
Pryor came into Ohio State as a top-100 recruit in the 2021 recruiting class, the same class as Henderson. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound running back from William Amos Hough High School in Cornelius, N.C. had a great offseason following his freshman year, but all of that momentum was derailed by the injury.
Now, Pryor is working his way into an increasingly crowded room that has five guys all ready to contribute. Reports out of fall camp have indicated that Pryor is healthy and showing signs of the promise that we saw early in his career. However, the physical return isn’t the only key aspect of returning from a serious injury. Part of being able to come back completely is maintaining confidence in yourself and your body and staying positive, something Pryor has apparently been able to do.
“Obviously, when someone’s out, it’s kind of like out of sight, out of mind for some people. Not for me and this building,” running back coach Tony Alford said. “But his demeanor has been fantastic from all indicators. He’s done everything he’s supposed to do to get himself back in order to play, and I’m so excited about where he’s going.”
When looking back at last season, one has to wonder what Pryor might have been able to contribute to the Buckeyes with Henderson and Williams dealing with injuries. Chip Trayanum and Dallas Hayden stepped up to fill in the gaps in the backfield and performed well, but Pryor was expected to be the third running back on the depth chart before his injury, so what could he have accomplished in 2022?
As Buckeye fans saw last season, you can never have enough depth, especially at running back, which is undoubtedly the most physical of all skill positions. So, it should benefit the Buckeyes to have a healthy Pryor back in that rotation.
As a reminder, since we have yet to really see Pryor show off his abilities on the field, it might be helpful to remember what the expectations were for him when he came to Columbus.
“He has a compact build that has begun to fill out late in his high school career. Has the frame to carry over 210 pounds at the college level,” 247Sports Charles Powers wrote. “He has shown very good speed on the track, with track-verified 100-meter times in the 10.8-second range entering his junior season. He is a loose runner with a natural gait and lean body. Has the ability to change directions without losing much speed and shows high-level lateral agility. Looks like one of the better pass-catching running backs in the 2021 cycle. Productive and skilled in the passing game on Friday nights and in the 7-on-7 setting. Will need to keep showing high-level production consistency as a runner on a snap-to-snap basis. Projects as a multi-year starter at the Power Five level with the upside of developing into an early to mid-round NFL Draft pick.”
Pryor is now presumably fully healthy and he is ready to show that he can be the productive back for the Buckeyes everyone has wanted him to be. Don’t be surprised if you hear his name a lot this season.
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justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK
Pryor missed all of last season with an ACL injury last August
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Indiana.
There has been a lot of discussion about the Ohio State running back room coming into the season and the talent that has accumulated at the position. While the Buckeyes are hoping to get TreVeyon Henderson and Miyan Williams healthy for the season, they are getting another potential contributor back as well.
Evan Pryor.
Pryor recorded 21 carries for 98 yards and one touchdown in four games during his freshman season in 2021 and the expectations were rising for the back heading into his sophomore season. However, just over a year ago to the day, Pryor suffered a knee injury that ended up being a torn ACL, causing him to miss the entire 2022-23 season.
Pryor came into Ohio State as a top-100 recruit in the 2021 recruiting class, the same class as Henderson. The 5-foot-10, 190-pound running back from William Amos Hough High School in Cornelius, N.C. had a great offseason following his freshman year, but all of that momentum was derailed by the injury.
Now, Pryor is working his way into an increasingly crowded room that has five guys all ready to contribute. Reports out of fall camp have indicated that Pryor is healthy and showing signs of the promise that we saw early in his career. However, the physical return isn’t the only key aspect of returning from a serious injury. Part of being able to come back completely is maintaining confidence in yourself and your body and staying positive, something Pryor has apparently been able to do.
“Obviously, when someone’s out, it’s kind of like out of sight, out of mind for some people. Not for me and this building,” running back coach Tony Alford said. “But his demeanor has been fantastic from all indicators. He’s done everything he’s supposed to do to get himself back in order to play, and I’m so excited about where he’s going.”
When looking back at last season, one has to wonder what Pryor might have been able to contribute to the Buckeyes with Henderson and Williams dealing with injuries. Chip Trayanum and Dallas Hayden stepped up to fill in the gaps in the backfield and performed well, but Pryor was expected to be the third running back on the depth chart before his injury, so what could he have accomplished in 2022?
As Buckeye fans saw last season, you can never have enough depth, especially at running back, which is undoubtedly the most physical of all skill positions. So, it should benefit the Buckeyes to have a healthy Pryor back in that rotation.
As a reminder, since we have yet to really see Pryor show off his abilities on the field, it might be helpful to remember what the expectations were for him when he came to Columbus.
“He has a compact build that has begun to fill out late in his high school career. Has the frame to carry over 210 pounds at the college level,” 247Sports Charles Powers wrote. “He has shown very good speed on the track, with track-verified 100-meter times in the 10.8-second range entering his junior season. He is a loose runner with a natural gait and lean body. Has the ability to change directions without losing much speed and shows high-level lateral agility. Looks like one of the better pass-catching running backs in the 2021 cycle. Productive and skilled in the passing game on Friday nights and in the 7-on-7 setting. Will need to keep showing high-level production consistency as a runner on a snap-to-snap basis. Projects as a multi-year starter at the Power Five level with the upside of developing into an early to mid-round NFL Draft pick.”
Pryor is now presumably fully healthy and he is ready to show that he can be the productive back for the Buckeyes everyone has wanted him to be. Don’t be surprised if you hear his name a lot this season.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State Football Countdown: 13
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Ohio State Football Countdown: 13
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images
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 13 days remaining.
Cade Stover has been at Ohio State since 2019, so it is odd to think that his first career touchdown came against Wisconsin in September of 2022. This was one of two receiving TDs for the Buckeye tight end on the day, as he caught four balls in total for 51 yards and the two scores. After just five catches for 76 yards in his OSU tenure heading into 2022 (all of which came in 2021), Stover earned an increased role in Ryan Days offense last season, totaling 36 catches for 406 yards and five TDs. He obviously isn’t going to put up numbers like Brian Hartline’s stable of five-star wide receivers, but Stover will continue to work his way into the game plan in 2023.
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Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Gaelen Morse/Getty Images
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 13 days remaining.
Play of the Day: Cade Stover’s 13-yard TD vs. Wisconsin (2022)
Cade Stover has been at Ohio State since 2019, so it is odd to think that his first career touchdown came against Wisconsin in September of 2022. This was one of two receiving TDs for the Buckeye tight end on the day, as he caught four balls in total for 51 yards and the two scores. After just five catches for 76 yards in his OSU tenure heading into 2022 (all of which came in 2021), Stover earned an increased role in Ryan Days offense last season, totaling 36 catches for 406 yards and five TDs. He obviously isn’t going to put up numbers like Brian Hartline’s stable of five-star wide receivers, but Stover will continue to work his way into the game plan in 2023.
Players to Wear the #13 (since 2010):
- Julian Vann (2010-11)
- Eli Apple (2013-15)
- Stephen Collier (2014-16)
- Rashod Berry (2016-19)
- Trevon Forte (2017)
- Jordan Hancock (2021)
- Tyreke Johnson (2018-21)
- Cameron Martinez (2020-22)
- Kaleb Brown (2022)
- Tristan Gebbia (present)
- Kye Stokes (present)
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LGHL Player to Watch: Donovan Jackson takes the leadership reins of the Ohio State offensive line
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Player to Watch: Donovan Jackson takes the leadership reins of the Ohio State offensive line
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 Ben Jackson/Getty Images
After starting 13 games last year, Jackson will take on more responsibility this year on an offensive line that will be replacing three starters.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Indiana.
Ohio State doesn’t just have to break in a new starting quarterback this year, they also have to answer the question of who will be protecting the new man lining up under center. The Buckeyes will have three new starters on the offensive line after Paris Johnson Jr., Dawand Jones and Luke Wypler moved on to the NFL. One name that has the look of the next Ohio State offensive lineman to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft is Donovan Jackson, who started 13 games at left guard last season.
Not only was Jackson a five-star recruit out of Texas, he was the top-ranked player in the state, the No. 1 guard in the country, and the highest-rated offensive lineman in Ohio State’s 2021 recruiting class. Jackson was named to the All-USA High School preseason team, and finished out his high school career by playing in the Army All-American Bowl. The mammoth offensive lineman didn’t take long to get on the field in the scarlet and gray, appearing in 13 games as a freshman.
/cdn.vox-cdn.com/uploads/chorus_asset/file/24860697/1441258816.jpg "Indiana v Ohio State")
Photo by Ben Jackson/Getty Images
Last year saw Jackson take the next step in his development, earning a starting spot on the line. By the end of the season, Jackson tied Johnson and Wypler with 827 snaps played. The play by the sophomore didn’t go unrecognized, as he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the media, and was voted to the second-team by the coaches. Ohio State’s offensive line ended up giving up just 12 sacks, which were seventh-fewest in the nation, as well as 50 tackles for loss, which were sixth-fewest.
Even though Jackson received praise for his play last year, 2023 is the season where the spotlight is shining bright on him. With the loss of 60 percent of the starters from last year’s offensive line, Jackson is now seen as the leader of the group. Being an upperclassman with starting experience will see the new starters of the unit look to him through the season since he has already been in the trenches for some huge games for the Buckeyes.
Jackson will face a different challenge than he did last year. Ohio State’s offensive line had the luxury of a majority of their starters from the 2021 offensive line returning, as well as quarterback C.J. Stroud coming back for his second season as starter for the Buckeyes. This year might see a bit more growing pains, since there will not only be three new starters on the line, but a new quarterback will be starting for Ohio State as well.
Luckily for Jackson and the rest of the offense, they have some time to gel before the first true test for the Buckeyes comes near the end of September, when they head to South Bend for a showdown with Notre Dame.
Heading into his junior season, Jackson is already in the mix for a number of individual awards. Jackson has been included on watch lists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, the Lombardi Award, and for the Outland Trophy. It’s unlikely that Jackson will win the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which is given to the top Division I offensive player from Texas that exhibits the characteristics that define the Texas running back, since all the winners of the award since its creation in 2013 have been either at quarterback or running back. J.K. Dobbins won the award in 2019, and is the only Buckeye to earn the honor.
The awards that feel a little more obtainable for Jackson are the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy. The Lombardi Award is given to either a down lineman or linebacker. Ohio State has a strong history with the Lombardi Award, as Jim Stillwagon won the first Lombardi Award in 1970, and the school has won the Lombardi Award six times, with the latest winner being A.J. Hawk in 2005. Orlando Pace is the only two-time recipient of the award, winning in 1995 and 1996.
The Outland Trophy is awarded annually to the best interior lineman in college football. Much like the Lombardi Award, Ohio State has won the Outland a number of times. Jim Parker was the first Buckeye to win the award in 1956. Three other Ohio State linemen that won the Lombardi were also named Outland Trophy winners. Stillwagon won in 1970, John Hicks in 1973, and Pace was the last Buckeye winner in 1996.
If Jackson is able to take on more of a leadership role and play like he did in 2022, the Ohio State offense should be able to provide some comfort for the new Buckeye starting quarterback, and field one of the most prolific offenses in the country. While it would be great to see Jackson return to Columbus for another season in 2024, it is looking likely that he will be the fourth Ohio State offensive lineman to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2016.
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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 Ben Jackson/Getty Images
After starting 13 games last year, Jackson will take on more responsibility this year on an offensive line that will be replacing three starters.
Every day from now until the start of the season, Land-Grant Holy Land is highlighting Ohio State football players that you should be watching this season. Check out all of our ”Player to Watch” articles to get ready for the season opener against Indiana.
Ohio State doesn’t just have to break in a new starting quarterback this year, they also have to answer the question of who will be protecting the new man lining up under center. The Buckeyes will have three new starters on the offensive line after Paris Johnson Jr., Dawand Jones and Luke Wypler moved on to the NFL. One name that has the look of the next Ohio State offensive lineman to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft is Donovan Jackson, who started 13 games at left guard last season.
Not only was Jackson a five-star recruit out of Texas, he was the top-ranked player in the state, the No. 1 guard in the country, and the highest-rated offensive lineman in Ohio State’s 2021 recruiting class. Jackson was named to the All-USA High School preseason team, and finished out his high school career by playing in the Army All-American Bowl. The mammoth offensive lineman didn’t take long to get on the field in the scarlet and gray, appearing in 13 games as a freshman.
Last year saw Jackson take the next step in his development, earning a starting spot on the line. By the end of the season, Jackson tied Johnson and Wypler with 827 snaps played. The play by the sophomore didn’t go unrecognized, as he earned first-team All-Big Ten honors from the media, and was voted to the second-team by the coaches. Ohio State’s offensive line ended up giving up just 12 sacks, which were seventh-fewest in the nation, as well as 50 tackles for loss, which were sixth-fewest.
Even though Jackson received praise for his play last year, 2023 is the season where the spotlight is shining bright on him. With the loss of 60 percent of the starters from last year’s offensive line, Jackson is now seen as the leader of the group. Being an upperclassman with starting experience will see the new starters of the unit look to him through the season since he has already been in the trenches for some huge games for the Buckeyes.
Jackson will face a different challenge than he did last year. Ohio State’s offensive line had the luxury of a majority of their starters from the 2021 offensive line returning, as well as quarterback C.J. Stroud coming back for his second season as starter for the Buckeyes. This year might see a bit more growing pains, since there will not only be three new starters on the line, but a new quarterback will be starting for Ohio State as well.
Luckily for Jackson and the rest of the offense, they have some time to gel before the first true test for the Buckeyes comes near the end of September, when they head to South Bend for a showdown with Notre Dame.
Heading into his junior season, Jackson is already in the mix for a number of individual awards. Jackson has been included on watch lists for the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, the Lombardi Award, and for the Outland Trophy. It’s unlikely that Jackson will win the Earl Campbell Tyler Rose Award, which is given to the top Division I offensive player from Texas that exhibits the characteristics that define the Texas running back, since all the winners of the award since its creation in 2013 have been either at quarterback or running back. J.K. Dobbins won the award in 2019, and is the only Buckeye to earn the honor.
The awards that feel a little more obtainable for Jackson are the Lombardi Award and the Outland Trophy. The Lombardi Award is given to either a down lineman or linebacker. Ohio State has a strong history with the Lombardi Award, as Jim Stillwagon won the first Lombardi Award in 1970, and the school has won the Lombardi Award six times, with the latest winner being A.J. Hawk in 2005. Orlando Pace is the only two-time recipient of the award, winning in 1995 and 1996.
The Outland Trophy is awarded annually to the best interior lineman in college football. Much like the Lombardi Award, Ohio State has won the Outland a number of times. Jim Parker was the first Buckeye to win the award in 1956. Three other Ohio State linemen that won the Lombardi were also named Outland Trophy winners. Stillwagon won in 1970, John Hicks in 1973, and Pace was the last Buckeye winner in 1996.
If Jackson is able to take on more of a leadership role and play like he did in 2022, the Ohio State offense should be able to provide some comfort for the new Buckeye starting quarterback, and field one of the most prolific offenses in the country. While it would be great to see Jackson return to Columbus for another season in 2024, it is looking likely that he will be the fourth Ohio State offensive lineman to be selected in the first round of the NFL Draft since 2016.
Continue reading...
