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LGHL Softball: Home runs propel Buckeyes to series win over Illinois
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Softball: Home runs propel Buckeyes to series win over Illinois
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
@ohiostatesb Instagram
It was a weekend of the long ball against the Fighting Illini!
Last week Ohio State played five games, including a doubleheader against Penn State and a three-game series against Illinois. During that span, 11 home runs were hit. The team had a .610 slugging percentage and was averaging 8.4 runs per game. The offense certainly was not a problem.
Let’s take a look at the series dub against Illinois this past weekend.
Game 1
This game started off with a bang, as shortstop Kami Kortokrax smacked her sixth home run of the season in the first inning — a solo shot to put the Bucks up early. The next inning, catcher Hannah Church hit a two-run homer of her own, and then the runs would just continue to pile on from there.
Designated player Sam Hackenbracht obviously had to get in on the home run party, a two-run shot in the third to make it 5-0. After a bases loaded walk and a fielding error in the fifth, two more runs were scored before the top of the sixth, where Illinois pitching really struggled. As in, giving up three hits, walking three and hitting one, which resulted in four runs scored, making it 11-0 and the Buckeyes eligible for a run rule.
The pitching stayed strong in the bottom half of the frame, as it had all game to give Ohio State a six-inning win. Allison Smith was simply amazing this weekend, and this was just the beginning. She threw five innings while only surrendering two hits and three walks. Lexi Paulsen pitched the final inning, giving up just one hit and one walk.
This was an all-around amazing start to the series.
Game 2
In the first game of the doubleheader Saturday, the offense once again was not a problem, but the Buckeyes gave up 13 runs and only scored nine, which was a problem.
The first inning was big for both teams, as Kortokrax was the start of the barrage of hits again. Her RBI double, Hackenbracht’s RBI single and a fielder’s choice brought in four runs. As for the pitching, Emily Ruck got roughed up in this game pretty bad. She gave up three runs off five hits in the first inning to give the Illini a solid start.
However, the offense was not backing down as they scored two runs off two hits in the second inning to make it 6-3 Buckeyes. But then the bottom of the third happened, and this is where Ruck truly got shelled. The righty gave up four runs off five hits, putting Illinois ahead 7-6. Interesting to note, all six scoring situations were the result of singles. Ruck did not give up the long ball, which is what she usually struggles with.
Redshirt freshman Kennedy Kay came in for relief and immediately got a double play to end the inning. She gave up a run in the fifth, then Hackenbracht did what she does best and hit a solo homer put the Buckeyes within one.
The bottom of the sixth is when it all fell apart. Kay was pulled after the first batter, and Smith replaced her, only to give up a three-run home run. Next, freshman Julia Miller came in and loaded the bases, then gave up another walk to allow a run. Finally, Paulsen came in for relief and gave up one run, but worked out of the inning. Four pitchers were used and five runs were scored, making it 13-7.
Melina Wilkison hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh to try and get a rally going, but ultimately they fell short, 13-9. This was the first time all season that all five pitchers on the roster were used in the same game.
Game 3
Who else but Wilkison?! The right fielder hit yet another first-inning home run this season to put the Bucks ahead early. First baseman Mariah Rodriguez added one of her own in the third inning. In the fifth inning, Ohio State got crafty with its scoring as Wilkison hit a sacrifice fly, Kortokrax’s ground out allowed a run and Hackenbracht reaching on a throwing error allowed another.
A HBP, double and yet another fielding error costed Illinois four more runs in the sixth, making it 9-0. Its only run was scored in the bottom half of the frame on a wild pitch, but the game ended after the inning because of the run-rule.
Smith shined again in this one, throwing another complete game, only giving up one run on four hits and two walks.
Overall, what a fun weekend for the Buckeyes! Yes, they fell apart for one inning in their loss which costed them, but the truly impressed in their wins. In their two wins, they scored 20 combined runs, hit six home runs and allowed just one run. Smith was the winning pitcher in both Buckeye victories, going 11 innings on the weekend with a 1.27 ERA and .189 batting average against.
After going 4-1 away from home this past week, Ohio State returns to Columbus to begin a seven-game homestand today when it hosts Youngstown State. The game starts at 6 p.m. and will be streamed on BTN+.
Continue reading...
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
@ohiostatesb Instagram
It was a weekend of the long ball against the Fighting Illini!
Last week Ohio State played five games, including a doubleheader against Penn State and a three-game series against Illinois. During that span, 11 home runs were hit. The team had a .610 slugging percentage and was averaging 8.4 runs per game. The offense certainly was not a problem.
Let’s take a look at the series dub against Illinois this past weekend.
Game 1
This game started off with a bang, as shortstop Kami Kortokrax smacked her sixth home run of the season in the first inning — a solo shot to put the Bucks up early. The next inning, catcher Hannah Church hit a two-run homer of her own, and then the runs would just continue to pile on from there.
Designated player Sam Hackenbracht obviously had to get in on the home run party, a two-run shot in the third to make it 5-0. After a bases loaded walk and a fielding error in the fifth, two more runs were scored before the top of the sixth, where Illinois pitching really struggled. As in, giving up three hits, walking three and hitting one, which resulted in four runs scored, making it 11-0 and the Buckeyes eligible for a run rule.
The pitching stayed strong in the bottom half of the frame, as it had all game to give Ohio State a six-inning win. Allison Smith was simply amazing this weekend, and this was just the beginning. She threw five innings while only surrendering two hits and three walks. Lexi Paulsen pitched the final inning, giving up just one hit and one walk.
This was an all-around amazing start to the series.
Game 2
In the first game of the doubleheader Saturday, the offense once again was not a problem, but the Buckeyes gave up 13 runs and only scored nine, which was a problem.
The first inning was big for both teams, as Kortokrax was the start of the barrage of hits again. Her RBI double, Hackenbracht’s RBI single and a fielder’s choice brought in four runs. As for the pitching, Emily Ruck got roughed up in this game pretty bad. She gave up three runs off five hits in the first inning to give the Illini a solid start.
However, the offense was not backing down as they scored two runs off two hits in the second inning to make it 6-3 Buckeyes. But then the bottom of the third happened, and this is where Ruck truly got shelled. The righty gave up four runs off five hits, putting Illinois ahead 7-6. Interesting to note, all six scoring situations were the result of singles. Ruck did not give up the long ball, which is what she usually struggles with.
Redshirt freshman Kennedy Kay came in for relief and immediately got a double play to end the inning. She gave up a run in the fifth, then Hackenbracht did what she does best and hit a solo homer put the Buckeyes within one.
The bottom of the sixth is when it all fell apart. Kay was pulled after the first batter, and Smith replaced her, only to give up a three-run home run. Next, freshman Julia Miller came in and loaded the bases, then gave up another walk to allow a run. Finally, Paulsen came in for relief and gave up one run, but worked out of the inning. Four pitchers were used and five runs were scored, making it 13-7.
Melina Wilkison hit a two-run home run in the top of the seventh to try and get a rally going, but ultimately they fell short, 13-9. This was the first time all season that all five pitchers on the roster were used in the same game.
Game 3
Who else but Wilkison?! The right fielder hit yet another first-inning home run this season to put the Bucks ahead early. First baseman Mariah Rodriguez added one of her own in the third inning. In the fifth inning, Ohio State got crafty with its scoring as Wilkison hit a sacrifice fly, Kortokrax’s ground out allowed a run and Hackenbracht reaching on a throwing error allowed another.
A HBP, double and yet another fielding error costed Illinois four more runs in the sixth, making it 9-0. Its only run was scored in the bottom half of the frame on a wild pitch, but the game ended after the inning because of the run-rule.
Smith shined again in this one, throwing another complete game, only giving up one run on four hits and two walks.
Overall, what a fun weekend for the Buckeyes! Yes, they fell apart for one inning in their loss which costed them, but the truly impressed in their wins. In their two wins, they scored 20 combined runs, hit six home runs and allowed just one run. Smith was the winning pitcher in both Buckeye victories, going 11 innings on the weekend with a 1.27 ERA and .189 batting average against.
After going 4-1 away from home this past week, Ohio State returns to Columbus to begin a seven-game homestand today when it hosts Youngstown State. The game starts at 6 p.m. and will be streamed on BTN+.
Continue reading...
LGHL Ohio State currently has the No. 1 recruiting class in the country
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Ohio State currently has the No. 1 recruiting class in the country
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Following a pair of weekend commitments and a Monday Georgia de-commitment, Ohio State now sits atop the recruiting rankings. The men’s basketball Buckeyes also earn a transfer BOOM!
There may not be a hotter team in the nation than Ohio State when it comes to college football recruiting. Since the turn of the month, the Buckeyes have earned verbal commitments from six of the nation’s top recruits, including a pair that committed this past weekend following the Spring Game.
The Buckeyes now hold 12 commitments in the class, and since April Ohio State has seen five-star wide receiver Mylan Graham, four-star quarterback Air Noland, four-star running back James Peoples, four-star linebacker Payton Pierce, four-star tight end Max LeBlanc, and three-star running back Sam Williams-Dixon all commit to the team.
The weekend additions of both LeBlanc and Williams-Dixon put the Buckeyes at the No. 2 position in the recruiting rankings, trailing only Georgia by 13 points. This didn’t last long though, as the Bulldogs saw five-star tight end Landen Thomas decommit from the team in favor of Florida State. The end result is Ohio State sitting atop the 247Sports’ national rankings and the On3.com recruiting rankings — albeit narrowly.
However, Ohio State will not be able to hold onto the top spot without adding more talent to the class, and the way the current recruits are acting a commitment may not be too far off.
There is no indication who the next commitment could be in the 2024 class, but the Buckeyes have seen their stock increase lately with recruits such as five-star cornerback Charles Lester III, four-star defensive end Booker Pickett Jr., four-star cornerback Corian Gipson and three-star defensive end Darien Mayo. For what it is worth, the Buckeyes are also picking up steam for multiple 2025 recruits as well.
The Ohio State football team is not the only one gaining recruiting momentum, as the men’s basketball Buckeyes are also producing recruiting wins. On Monday, the Buckeyes earned a transfer commitment from former Baylor shooting guard Dale Bonner.
Bonner, who played high school ball for Shaker Heights in Cleveland Ohio, originally played college basketball at the Division II level with Fairmont State. Bonner was unranked coming out of high school and redshirted his freshman year. However, he did not let this adversity get him down.
Instead, Bonner went on to average 17.8 points per game as a redshirt freshman before transferring to Baylor to play at the Division I level. At Baylor, his offensive statistics dropped, as he mainly came off the bench for depth at guard. However, he remained consistent from behind the three-point line and his skill on the defensive side of the ball cannot be argued.
Bonner is not the first transfer the Buckeyes have picked up this offseason, as former Minnesota forward Jamison Battle transferred to Ohio State earlier this month.
Bonner should have one year remaining and it will be interesting to see what kind of a role he can make for himself on a squad that definitely wants to see an improvement upon last season.
For more information on Bonner and what he will be bringing to Ohio State, check out this Twitter thread by Joe Jackson.
Continue reading...
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
Following a pair of weekend commitments and a Monday Georgia de-commitment, Ohio State now sits atop the recruiting rankings. The men’s basketball Buckeyes also earn a transfer BOOM!
There may not be a hotter team in the nation than Ohio State when it comes to college football recruiting. Since the turn of the month, the Buckeyes have earned verbal commitments from six of the nation’s top recruits, including a pair that committed this past weekend following the Spring Game.
The Buckeyes now hold 12 commitments in the class, and since April Ohio State has seen five-star wide receiver Mylan Graham, four-star quarterback Air Noland, four-star running back James Peoples, four-star linebacker Payton Pierce, four-star tight end Max LeBlanc, and three-star running back Sam Williams-Dixon all commit to the team.
The weekend additions of both LeBlanc and Williams-Dixon put the Buckeyes at the No. 2 position in the recruiting rankings, trailing only Georgia by 13 points. This didn’t last long though, as the Bulldogs saw five-star tight end Landen Thomas decommit from the team in favor of Florida State. The end result is Ohio State sitting atop the 247Sports’ national rankings and the On3.com recruiting rankings — albeit narrowly.
However, Ohio State will not be able to hold onto the top spot without adding more talent to the class, and the way the current recruits are acting a commitment may not be too far off.
They don’t even know what we got in store for em bro…
— Devontae Armstrong (@Devontae_440) April 17, 2023
There is no indication who the next commitment could be in the 2024 class, but the Buckeyes have seen their stock increase lately with recruits such as five-star cornerback Charles Lester III, four-star defensive end Booker Pickett Jr., four-star cornerback Corian Gipson and three-star defensive end Darien Mayo. For what it is worth, the Buckeyes are also picking up steam for multiple 2025 recruits as well.
Basketball transfer BOOM!
The Ohio State football team is not the only one gaining recruiting momentum, as the men’s basketball Buckeyes are also producing recruiting wins. On Monday, the Buckeyes earned a transfer commitment from former Baylor shooting guard Dale Bonner.
Bonner, who played high school ball for Shaker Heights in Cleveland Ohio, originally played college basketball at the Division II level with Fairmont State. Bonner was unranked coming out of high school and redshirted his freshman year. However, he did not let this adversity get him down.
Instead, Bonner went on to average 17.8 points per game as a redshirt freshman before transferring to Baylor to play at the Division I level. At Baylor, his offensive statistics dropped, as he mainly came off the bench for depth at guard. However, he remained consistent from behind the three-point line and his skill on the defensive side of the ball cannot be argued.
Bonner is not the first transfer the Buckeyes have picked up this offseason, as former Minnesota forward Jamison Battle transferred to Ohio State earlier this month.
Bonner should have one year remaining and it will be interesting to see what kind of a role he can make for himself on a squad that definitely wants to see an improvement upon last season.
For more information on Bonner and what he will be bringing to Ohio State, check out this Twitter thread by Joe Jackson.
Continue reading...
LGHL You’re Nuts: Which young player impressed you the most during Ohio State’s spring game?
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You’re Nuts: Which young player impressed you the most during 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
Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Many young Bucks got a chance to show their stuff on Saturday.
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 young player impressed you the most during Ohio State’s spring game?
Ohio State held its annual spring game Saturday and uh, I think it’s fair to say that this year’s version was a bit of a snoozer — at least if you’re a fan of points and offense, which have typically been the Buckeyes’ calling card(s) under Ryan Day.
But Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage featured a ton of new faces playing pivotal positions, while most proven commodities observed from the sideline, so the end result and general lack of fireworks should not have come as some huge surprise. OSU also kept everything very vanilla and frankly, very boring.
While there were not a ton of explosive plays during this game, fans still got to see a number of explosive playERs. Specifically, Scarlet and Gray stars of the future, many of whom were suiting up in The Shoe for the first time. And those are the guys we decided to write about for this edition of You’re Nuts — the “youngins” or true breakout candidates.
You, the reader, are probably thinking of a few names right now, which puts you in the same company as Gene and I, the writers (of just this piece, nothing special). My former co-host and I wanted to weigh in with our standout freshman or sophomore from Saturday, and it honestly took me more than one viewing of the spring game to narrow it down. Because despite the sometimes-ugly play and rhythm of the game, I feel like a handful of young guys really did show out. But rules is rules. And you know me, Gene... I had to go with a deep cut.
The young gun who really stood out to me is not even likely to play a ton of meaningful minutes this season. Not if last year’s pecking order remains the same. But depth is a necessity, injuries happen, and Jim Knowles and Larry Johnson love to rotate on the defensive line. So step right up, Hero Kanu!
This second year defensive lineman from California was pushing the pile Saturday, and reminded me of Cam Heyward on more than one occasion. Granted, the latter plays outside and is a bit longer than Kanu, but just from a body composition standpoint, they pop off the screen in a similar manner. At 6-foot-4, 305 pounds, Kanu appeared to be in great physical condition and quite literally stood out among the other, shorter interior defenders.
Kanu was credited with five total tackles on Saturday, with two TFL and one sack. Whether he was going against backups or not, he displayed impressive gap penetration and plenty of speed for a player his size. And I don’t want to keep harping on size, but Kanu is just a monster out there, Gene! At least compared to most of his DL brethren. Mike Hall Jr. and Tyleik Williams are both listed at 6-foot-2, 290ish. Ty Hamilton is 6-foot-3, 295. Kanu has them all beat, and for at least one scrimmage, showed the same sort of versatility those other guys have.
When I say versatility, I am referring to the size, skill and movement required to defend against both the run and the pass. And in Kanu’s case, I believe he’s got “it”. I don’t think he will be reduced to a run-stuffer, which tends to happen to 300+ pounders. But my guy was movin’ during the spring game. He displayed legit speed and/or quickness. Certainly more than I thought he had in him.
Which means I am all-in on the concept of what Kanu could theoretically be: a massive space eater with pass-rushing chops. I know it’s early, and I know he (likely) has a ways to go before he even cracks the gameday rotation, but we’re essentially talking first impressions here — first real playing time in The Shoe for many of these guys. And based solely off Saturday’s spring game, Hero Kanu has all the makings of a future stud.
Like Josh said, this year’s Ohio State spring game was certainly nothing special. Of course, it was great to see the Buckeyes back on the football field for the first time since New Year’s Eve, but there really wasn’t a whole bunch to gleam from it. One of the two quarterbacks in contention did not play, the scheme was very basic on both sides, and the two-hand touch aspect of it makes it feel much less like an actual football game than the scrimmage it truly is.
However, that is not to say there is nothing to take away from the game. I still think it was nice to see a bunch of the young guys making plays on both sides of the ball. On defense, I was excited to see a newcomer like Davison Igbinosun out there as well as of course the former five-stars C.J. Hicks and Sonny Styles. I expect all three of those guys to make a significant impact for Ohio State this upcoming season, but my biggest takeaway came on the offense.
We pretty much know what the starting offense will look like outside of the offensive line, who will almost certainly need to add a transfer tackle when the portal re-opens. Kyle McCord will likely get the nod at quarterback, the same three starters at wide receiver from last year all return, headlined of course by Marvin Harrison Jr., and a hopefully healthy stable of running backs will include all the familiar faces from last season — including Chip Trayanum, who balled out in the spring game after functioning as the Buckeyes’ lead back against Michigan.
Wide receiver is far and away the toughest room to earn playing time in, with Harrison Jr. leading the group alongside Emeka Egbuka, Julian Fleming and Xavier Johnson as the four players who will see the most snaps, and Jayden Ballard certainly in the mix as well. I think this is a pivotal year for the guys from the 2022 recruiting class to make a move or risk being passed up. That stems from what I've heard of and now seen from Carnell Tate.
Tate came to Ohio State as the No. 9 WR prospect in the 2023 class. He was one of the premier players in a stellar recruiting cycle for Brian Hartline that also includes five-star Brandon Inniss (who is not yet on campus), Noah Rogers and Bryson Rodgers. The 6-foot-2 Tate has reportedly been putting on a show during the Buckeyes’ spring practices, and he did so again with three catches for 45 yards — including a long 37-yard TD catch — in the spring game. The aforementioned Rogers had a day as well, with three catches for 64 yards and a long TD of his own.
All this is to say that time is ticking for the receivers from the 2022 cycle. None of the four players at the position among that group are slouches by any means, with Kaleb Brown, Kyion Grayes, Caleb Burton and Kojo Antwi all being four-star prospects and top-150 overall recruits. However, with Tate and Rogers already making a name for themselves and Inniss still to come, they have to make a move on the depth chart soon or risk being passed over entirely — especially with five-stars Jeremiah Smith, who is by all accounts one of the best WR prospects in quiet some time, as well as Mylan Graham coming to town in 2024.
Ohio State will likely need to replace all three starters going into the 2024 season, with Harrison Jr. and Egbuka virtually locks to be first round draft picks and Fleming with a chance to enter that conversation this year. Inniss, Tate and Smith are going to be eyeing those spots, and with the recruiting profiles those three players possess, it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see them as the three starting receivers for the Buckeyes in a year if the 2022 guys don’t make some sort of significant impact soon.
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 Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Many young Bucks got a chance to show their stuff on Saturday.
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 young player impressed you the most during Ohio State’s spring game?
Josh’ Take
Ohio State held its annual spring game Saturday and uh, I think it’s fair to say that this year’s version was a bit of a snoozer — at least if you’re a fan of points and offense, which have typically been the Buckeyes’ calling card(s) under Ryan Day.
But Saturday’s intrasquad scrimmage featured a ton of new faces playing pivotal positions, while most proven commodities observed from the sideline, so the end result and general lack of fireworks should not have come as some huge surprise. OSU also kept everything very vanilla and frankly, very boring.
While there were not a ton of explosive plays during this game, fans still got to see a number of explosive playERs. Specifically, Scarlet and Gray stars of the future, many of whom were suiting up in The Shoe for the first time. And those are the guys we decided to write about for this edition of You’re Nuts — the “youngins” or true breakout candidates.
You, the reader, are probably thinking of a few names right now, which puts you in the same company as Gene and I, the writers (of just this piece, nothing special). My former co-host and I wanted to weigh in with our standout freshman or sophomore from Saturday, and it honestly took me more than one viewing of the spring game to narrow it down. Because despite the sometimes-ugly play and rhythm of the game, I feel like a handful of young guys really did show out. But rules is rules. And you know me, Gene... I had to go with a deep cut.
The young gun who really stood out to me is not even likely to play a ton of meaningful minutes this season. Not if last year’s pecking order remains the same. But depth is a necessity, injuries happen, and Jim Knowles and Larry Johnson love to rotate on the defensive line. So step right up, Hero Kanu!
This second year defensive lineman from California was pushing the pile Saturday, and reminded me of Cam Heyward on more than one occasion. Granted, the latter plays outside and is a bit longer than Kanu, but just from a body composition standpoint, they pop off the screen in a similar manner. At 6-foot-4, 305 pounds, Kanu appeared to be in great physical condition and quite literally stood out among the other, shorter interior defenders.
Kanu was credited with five total tackles on Saturday, with two TFL and one sack. Whether he was going against backups or not, he displayed impressive gap penetration and plenty of speed for a player his size. And I don’t want to keep harping on size, but Kanu is just a monster out there, Gene! At least compared to most of his DL brethren. Mike Hall Jr. and Tyleik Williams are both listed at 6-foot-2, 290ish. Ty Hamilton is 6-foot-3, 295. Kanu has them all beat, and for at least one scrimmage, showed the same sort of versatility those other guys have.
When I say versatility, I am referring to the size, skill and movement required to defend against both the run and the pass. And in Kanu’s case, I believe he’s got “it”. I don’t think he will be reduced to a run-stuffer, which tends to happen to 300+ pounders. But my guy was movin’ during the spring game. He displayed legit speed and/or quickness. Certainly more than I thought he had in him.
Which means I am all-in on the concept of what Kanu could theoretically be: a massive space eater with pass-rushing chops. I know it’s early, and I know he (likely) has a ways to go before he even cracks the gameday rotation, but we’re essentially talking first impressions here — first real playing time in The Shoe for many of these guys. And based solely off Saturday’s spring game, Hero Kanu has all the makings of a future stud.
Gene’s Take
Like Josh said, this year’s Ohio State spring game was certainly nothing special. Of course, it was great to see the Buckeyes back on the football field for the first time since New Year’s Eve, but there really wasn’t a whole bunch to gleam from it. One of the two quarterbacks in contention did not play, the scheme was very basic on both sides, and the two-hand touch aspect of it makes it feel much less like an actual football game than the scrimmage it truly is.
However, that is not to say there is nothing to take away from the game. I still think it was nice to see a bunch of the young guys making plays on both sides of the ball. On defense, I was excited to see a newcomer like Davison Igbinosun out there as well as of course the former five-stars C.J. Hicks and Sonny Styles. I expect all three of those guys to make a significant impact for Ohio State this upcoming season, but my biggest takeaway came on the offense.
We pretty much know what the starting offense will look like outside of the offensive line, who will almost certainly need to add a transfer tackle when the portal re-opens. Kyle McCord will likely get the nod at quarterback, the same three starters at wide receiver from last year all return, headlined of course by Marvin Harrison Jr., and a hopefully healthy stable of running backs will include all the familiar faces from last season — including Chip Trayanum, who balled out in the spring game after functioning as the Buckeyes’ lead back against Michigan.
Wide receiver is far and away the toughest room to earn playing time in, with Harrison Jr. leading the group alongside Emeka Egbuka, Julian Fleming and Xavier Johnson as the four players who will see the most snaps, and Jayden Ballard certainly in the mix as well. I think this is a pivotal year for the guys from the 2022 recruiting class to make a move or risk being passed up. That stems from what I've heard of and now seen from Carnell Tate.
Tate came to Ohio State as the No. 9 WR prospect in the 2023 class. He was one of the premier players in a stellar recruiting cycle for Brian Hartline that also includes five-star Brandon Inniss (who is not yet on campus), Noah Rogers and Bryson Rodgers. The 6-foot-2 Tate has reportedly been putting on a show during the Buckeyes’ spring practices, and he did so again with three catches for 45 yards — including a long 37-yard TD catch — in the spring game. The aforementioned Rogers had a day as well, with three catches for 64 yards and a long TD of his own.
All this is to say that time is ticking for the receivers from the 2022 cycle. None of the four players at the position among that group are slouches by any means, with Kaleb Brown, Kyion Grayes, Caleb Burton and Kojo Antwi all being four-star prospects and top-150 overall recruits. However, with Tate and Rogers already making a name for themselves and Inniss still to come, they have to make a move on the depth chart soon or risk being passed over entirely — especially with five-stars Jeremiah Smith, who is by all accounts one of the best WR prospects in quiet some time, as well as Mylan Graham coming to town in 2024.
Ohio State will likely need to replace all three starters going into the 2024 season, with Harrison Jr. and Egbuka virtually locks to be first round draft picks and Fleming with a chance to enter that conversation this year. Inniss, Tate and Smith are going to be eyeing those spots, and with the recruiting profiles those three players possess, it wouldn’t be at all surprising to see them as the three starting receivers for the Buckeyes in a year if the 2022 guys don’t make some sort of significant impact soon.
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PG Dale Bonner (Official Thread)
- By ScriptOhio
- Buckeye Alumni
- 9 Replies
Ohio State Lands Baylor Transfer Guard Dale Bonner
Ohio State lands its second transfer portal prospect of the past two weeks as former Baylor guard Dale Bonner commits to the Buckeyes.
Former Baylor guard Dale Bonner, a Shaker Heights, Ohio, native who averaged 4.7 points per game in 29 appearances with the Bears in 2022-23, announced that he will join the Buckeye roster for his final year of eligibility in 2023-24.
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The 6-foot-2 guard began his college career at Division II Fairmont State in 2018, where he redshirted as a true freshman and spent the subsequent two seasons before transferring to Baylor in 2021-22. Bonner appeared in 60 games for Baylor over the past two years, starting six of them while averaging 3.9 points and 2.1 assists in 18.3 minutes per game.
Bonner had six games with double-digit scoring numbers this past year. A 44.1% shooter from the floor, Bonner knocked down 37.2% of his 3-point attempts in 2022-23 and hit 74.5% of his free throws. Bonner also averaged 1.2 rebounds per game for the Bears this past season.
