Observations and Video from Ohio State’s First Spring Practice of 2026​

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Buckeyes passing the eye test​

• We’ll start with Jeremiah Smith, who once again looks even bigger and stronger than he did a year ago. He has nothing to prove this spring, but it’s clear from his physical appearance alone that he’s been putting in work in winter workouts. During one rep in the red zone, Smith truck-sticked Jaylen McClain on a block – drawing an offensive pass interference penalty, but showing his power.
• De’zie Jones’ quickness stood out as he went through receiver drills and returned punts alongside Smith and Brandon Inniss. The redshirt freshman didn’t play any snaps during an injury-plagued first year as a Buckeye in 2025, but could be an up-and-coming receiver to watch this year, as Ryan Day said in January that Jones impressed during Ohio State’s practices for the College Football Playoff, in which he simulated Miami receiver Malachi Toney on the scout team.
• Simply put, Chris Henry Jr. does not look like someone who should still be a senior in high school. He’s got room to build on his frame at listed measurables of 6-foot-5 and 195 pounds, yet still stood out physically more than any receiver not named Jeremiah Smith.
• Anthony “Turbo” Rogers lived up to his nickname. Leading the running back line in individual drills with Bo Jackson and Isaiah West recovering from offseason shoulder surgeries, the redshirt freshman’s explosiveness off the handoff stood out in comparison to his peers.
• Florida transfer Ja’Kobi Jackson, listed at 5-foot-11 and 218 pounds, stood out as the most physically built running back.
• Sophomore cornerback Devin Sanchez looks like he’s developed significantly, both physically and technically, since last year. Looking bigger than he was a year ago, Sanchez was dominant in coverage during red zone passing drills, forcing incompletions with tight coverage on multiple passing attempts.
• James Smith, who’s listed at 6-foot-2 and 314 pounds, looks the part of a defensive tackle who’s been a starter at Alabama. The former five-star recruit immediately stood out as one of the Buckeyes’ most physically imposing defensive linemen.
• Freshman linebacker Braxton Rembert flashed in coverage during red zone work, forcing incompletions on back-to-back plays with tight coverage on tight ends Nate Roberts and Nick Lautar.
• Cincere Johnson is another freshman who doesn’t look like he should still be in high school. Wearing No. 20, it was easy to mistake the new linebacker for fellow Glenville product Arvell Reese. He showed well in coverage, forcing an incompletion with tight coverage on a route over the middle by Brandon Inniss.
• Sophomore linebacker TJ Alford started the red zone passing period with a nice pass breakup over the middle, swatting down a pass intended for tight end Max LeBlanc.
• Transfer linebacker Christian Alliegro made a pass breakup in coverage vs. freshman wide receiver Jerquaden Guilford..

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Presser Bullets: Ryan Day Says Austin Siereveld and Phillip Daniels Remain at Tackle, Julian Sayin’s Legs Need to Become An “X-Factor​

• Ohio State sees Legend Bey as someone who can play both running back and wide receiver. Day says Bey reminds him of Curtis Samuel and Xavier Johnson.
• Day says Ohio State wants to create more turnovers on defense this year.
• Ian Moore will practice at both offensive tackle and guard this spring, Day said. Austin Siereveld will practice primarily at tackle. Phillip Daniels is just a tackle for now, but “it’s worth a discussion for sure” whether he could play guard.
• Bennett Christian and Riley Pettijohn are both out for spring practices due to injuries. Joshua Padilla will be limited this spring due to injury.
• Day believes having Arthur Smith as offensive coordinator and Matt Patricia as defensive coordinator allows Ohio State to run its program like an NFL team. He believes that gives the Buckeyes an advantage in recruiting.
• On Matt Patricia’s decision to stay at Ohio State over NFL offers: “Ohio State’s a great place to be ... his family loves it here. The community has embraced them, which is important. ... I think he would tell you it’s a great place to go to work every day. Does he have options, did he have options? Yes. But I think he’s found a lot of joy in working with the guys here.”
• Julian Sayin’s ability to process information stood out to Arthur Smith immediately, Day said.
• Day used a Mario Bros. comparison with his team, telling the players that they all have to “level up” this offseason.
• Day said that while Sayin has shown his passing ability, he has to be able to make an impact with his legs when appropriate. “That’s the X-factor that has to show up this year. He knows that.”
• The first day at running back “was a little rough” with Bo Jackson and Isaiah West sidelined by injuries, Day said.
• Day said tight end Max LeBlanc has “had a really good offseason.”
• Transfer wide receiver Devin McCuin and Kyle Parker both looked like pros on day one, Day said.
• “Offensive line is as deep as we’ve been just in terms of being able to put guys on the field,” Day said.
• There’s a lot to be determined on the defensive linemen with so many new faces, Day said.
• Day likes the depth the Buckeyes have in the secondary, though he noted Caleb Downs, Davison Igbinosun and Lorenzo Styles Jr. leave big shoes to fill.
• Arthur Smith will not be one of Ohio State’s 10 assistant coaches who travel for recruiting, at least not initially. Matt Patricia will still go on the road recruiting.
• Day said he felt the Buckeyes were a little too young last year. That, along with the number of early NFL draft entries Ohio State had, prompted the Buckeyes to add more veteran transfers this offseason.
• Day said Mickey Marotti runs the best strength and conditioning program in America. Day praised Marotti for his work this offseason and said he’s been very impressed with his players’ physical development since December.

Just sayin': Click on the link for entire press conference.

Former Ohio State Captain, Super Bowl Champion Fullback Matt Snell Dies at 84​

An Ohio State and New York Jets legend died Tuesday at 84 years old.

Matt Snell, who was Ohio State’s team MVP, leading rusher and a team captain in 1963, died Tuesday at 84 years old.

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Snell played for the Buckeyes from 1961-63, lining up on both sides of the ball as a fullback/halfback on offense and as a defensive end on defense. He earned team MVP honors in 1963 after leading the Buckeyes with 491 rushing yards and five touchdowns, and was named to Ohio State’s All-Century Team in 2000 as a defensive end.

The New York Jets selected Snell with the No. 4 overall pick in the 1964 AFL draft. A native of North Hempstead, New York, Snell played for the Jets from 1964-70. A three-time AFL All-Star who ran for 4,285 yards and 60 touchdowns across seven seasons, Snell is best known for his performance in Super Bowl III, where he ran for 121 yards and a touchdown to lead the Jets to a 16-7 victory over the Baltimore Colts.

R.I.P.

Jaxbuck said:

The original singers name was not "The hill.com"

They didn't even have internet back then. Couldn't have been named dotcom

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Maybe they were visionaries

Sources: Jets get their QB, trade with Raiders for Geno Smith​

After a nine-year separation, the New York Jets and quarterback Geno Smith are together again.

Instead of waiting for him to be released, the Jets traded for Smith on Tuesday, sources told ESPN's Adam Schefter. The Jets are sending a 2026 sixth-round pick to the Las Vegas Raiders in exchange for Smith and a 2026 seventh-rounder, sources told Schefter.

Smith was in the Jets' facility Tuesday morning and passed a physical, a source said.

Just sayin': Just how good is Geno Smith you ask? Last year at this time the Seahawks traded their 3 year starting QB (Geno Smith) to the Raiders. This past season the Seahawks won the SuperBowl and the Raiders have the 1st draft pick.....

Tomateaux Quinoa Gumbeaux said:

View attachment 86333

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The original singers name was not "The hill.com"

They didn't even have internet back then. Couldn't have been named dotcom

Herb Kirkstreit said:

@Jaxbuck my deepest condolences

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Fiendish Joe Cool....

iambrutus said:

She is retiring in a few months and I can't say that i'm going to miss her

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I'm guessing she's not hot?

buckeyemania11 said:

Pitt with a put back with .7 seconds left to upset Stanford in the opening round of the ACC tourney. CBS had Stanford in the last 4 in and Lunardi had them in the first 4 out. They are eliminated now with this loss

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That's funny because just yesterday ESPN CBB commentators were hyping up Stanford and saying they could make a run in the ACC tourney, upset Virginia and make the tournament.

pnuts34 said:

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How bitter is Jim knowles right now. After he left to PSU cause he wanted more pay

8-5 now, still only 1 out for Kent State

Led Kent State 5-3 going into the 9th

It's now 5-5 and there's still no outs in the top of the 9th for Kent State. This program

gmen6981 said:

Jeebus. And the hits just keep coming. WTF has been going on with the Trustees and Administration?
We sit here and make fun of TCUN for all of their issues when it looks like we are living in a big glass house.

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The trustees are dominated by Wexner cronies. The Chair is literally his personal lawyer, and Slapshot was brought in to be a puppet for Wexner...to block any investigation into his knowledge of the Strauss debacle, to keep his name slapped on everything and to allow his "wife's" continued meddling in the medical center. This will not be a good hiring process. No a-list type of candidates that we could have attracted four years ago will be interested.

At least Slapshot wasn't here long enough to do any real damage to admissions, research or fundraising.

Starting to look like Slapshot was using university money to prop up his girlfriend's podcast. Fucking bum.

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