MGMT said:

Brock, lock and drop it?

Ok, you guys have a nice weekend.

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I laughed, but hopefully the drop it part doesn't stick.

ScriptOhio said:

James Laurinaitis is raving about a rising Ohio State football defender that looks to be climbing the depth chart

A former high profile recruit looks like he could be trending toward a breakout season with Ohio State. Buckeyes linebackers coach James Laurinaitis revealed strong progress for the defender.

atozsports.com

James Laurinaitis is raving about a rising Ohio State football defender that looks to be climbing the depth chart​

A former high profile recruit looks like he could be trending toward a breakout season with Ohio State. Buckeyes linebackers coach James Laurinaitis revealed strong progress for the defender.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to potentially have double-digit players drafted once again in the 2026 NFL Draft later this month. With that being said, the Buckeyes will have new faces stepping into bigger roles, and they’ll reload in Columbus in typical fashion.

One former high-profile linebacker recruit looks like he could be stepping into an important role for the first time. Ohio State will wrap up spring ball in a couple of weeks and one second-year defender looks poised to leap.

James Laurinaitis singles out TJ Alford as a rising player on the Ohio State defense ​

“TJ has grown so much from last season,” Laurinaitis told the media on Thursday. “He got so much better from fall camp to when we were in the postseason. There’s been a maturity, I think TJ learned a lot about himself through that season. There’s been a maturity in the offseason. There’s been a seriousness of trying to find a way to get on the field and have a role, which is a phenomenal job.

“He had a really strong start to this spring, so I expect to see a lot of football out of TJ Alford come this fall if everything keeps projecting, you know, trending the way it’s gone. He takes coaching, and he works at it. And it is hard without showing you, like, side-by-side clips of some of our stuff, but it’s gotten so much better. And the future is just really bright for TJ.”

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Really excited to hear this for TJ and our defense. With some good weight on the frame (the only thing that held me back from saying he would play right away here) and a better understanding of the defense, he could be a candidate for big newcomer impact on defense.

So, am I to assume that a '5*' has transferred to tOSU? Or am I a victim (once more) of 'click-bait'?

Maybe alot more cheese?

Wow. Great news. Also am happy that Day is letting his son choose his own way. Don't know if RJ has as much talent of Sayin or others on tOSU roster, but wouldn't be surprised if he goes to another major and does well. Until his team tees it up against the Buckeyes that is....

Maybe don't know what to watch on TV, etc. Was in C'bus during this, and didn't have a clue it was one. Actually get the idea I get better tOSU news here on BP and other forums than do in Buckeye Town.

Gotta happen. This year's OL is top heavy with upperclassmen. Ergo, much talent and experience walking out the door at the end of this season. Sooo, need to get some of the young 'uns ready to step up next year. Or get more than several snaps in garbage time. OL unique in that much is made of 'cohesion' - which to my way of thinking, is like basketball, in switching one's man when unexpected twists, switches happen in front of you. Personally, I'd be watching my own opponent, and probably whiffing on what else is going on around me. Cannot do that, gotta have one eye on opponent, one eye on the opponent to the left of me, and the third eye on the opponent to my right. That sort of behavior is needed to be successful on the OL. Anyway, nothing novel, but real time experience is needed with various players. I'd like to see a report on OL play during the spring practices outsiders (ie press) are allow to see. Especially the write-up including how our current and future stars are looking......anyway, thanks in advance.

James Laurinaitis is raving about a rising Ohio State football defender that looks to be climbing the depth chart​

A former high profile recruit looks like he could be trending toward a breakout season with Ohio State. Buckeyes linebackers coach James Laurinaitis revealed strong progress for the defender.



The Ohio State Buckeyes are set to potentially have double-digit players drafted once again in the 2026 NFL Draft later this month. With that being said, the Buckeyes will have new faces stepping into bigger roles, and they’ll reload in Columbus in typical fashion.

One former high-profile linebacker recruit looks like he could be stepping into an important role for the first time. Ohio State will wrap up spring ball in a couple of weeks and one second-year defender looks poised to leap.

James Laurinaitis singles out TJ Alford as a rising player on the Ohio State defense ​

“TJ has grown so much from last season,” Laurinaitis told the media on Thursday. “He got so much better from fall camp to when we were in the postseason. There’s been a maturity, I think TJ learned a lot about himself through that season. There’s been a maturity in the offseason. There’s been a seriousness of trying to find a way to get on the field and have a role, which is a phenomenal job.

“He had a really strong start to this spring, so I expect to see a lot of football out of TJ Alford come this fall if everything keeps projecting, you know, trending the way it’s gone. He takes coaching, and he works at it. And it is hard without showing you, like, side-by-side clips of some of our stuff, but it’s gotten so much better. And the future is just really bright for TJ.”

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Ohio State football newcomer who starred at another Big Ten program confirmed suspicion about his decision to become a Buckeye​

Ohio State went out and got a stud linebacker from Wisconsin from the transfer portal, and now former Badger Christian Alliegro is opening up about the decision.



The transfer portal was very active for the Ohio State Buckeyes and one of their moves was adding a key Big Ten defender.

With Arvell Reese and Sonny Styles heading to the NFL, Ohio State needed to add experience at the linebacker position. They did just that by adding former Wisconsin standout Christian Alliegro into the mix.

Ohio State’s Christian Alliegro gets honest about his transfer decision across the Big Ten ​

“I think ultimately I just wanted to come somewhere that can help me get to the next level,” Alliegro said on his decision to transfer to Columbus. “Obviously, Ohio State has the best players and the best coaches to do that [with], so it’s kind of a no-brainer.”

“Obviously, it was tough because I had such a great time in Wisconsin,” Alliegro admitted. “But I think I understood ultimately what was best for me and my career for the future. It was tough to leave, but ultimately I had to do what’s best for me.”

Playing under former Ohio State coach Luke Fickell at Wisconsin, Alliegro made 53 tackles, eight tackles for loss, and four sacks in 10 games last season. A year before as a sophomore, the 6-foot-4, 241-pound linebacker made 66 tackles and three sacks.

Aliegro is going to give Ohio State some pass-rush help from the linebacker position in a similar way Reese did last season. The Buckeyes will have Payton Pierce, Riley Pettijohn, Garrett Stover, and TJ Alford in the rotation at linebacker in some order along with Alliegro.

In what will be a one-year run in Columbus, Alliegro has a great chance to have a special season in Matt Patricia’s disguising defense.

Just sayin': Click on the link to see the entire interview.

Ohio State football player got very honest about Ryan Day‘s NFL addition to the Buckeyes’ coaching staff​

Ryan Day made a big decision to bring Arthur Smith to Columbus, and players are speaking out on how things are going with the new hire.



Ryan Day runs the Ohio State Buckeyes football program like it’s the NFL in many ways and when you look at the coaching staff you’ll get the same feeling. After a successful year with Matt Patricia as the defensive coordinator last season, Day added an NFL offensive mind to the staff this offseason.

When Brian Hartline left for Columbus, the belief was that Day might go to the NFL to bring in a coordinator. That’s what the Buckeyes did with former Pittsburgh Steelers OC Arthur Smith, and the move has been well accepted across the board to this point.

Key Ohio State offensive player gets real about Buckeyes OC Arthur Smith​

“He’s a great coach, and just being able to listen to him and how he runs his offense and knowing that he’s been at every single level,” Roberts stated. “He’s such a smart guy that he comes over in our [drills] and teaches us and helps with our footwork and some of our routes just because he’s been through the game for so long.

“But listening to his offense and being in it for a couple of weeks now, I really enjoy it. I love it. I love his offense, and I know it’ll help me for the next level.”

Bringing in a veteran play caller allows Day to be in the CEO role, which he hasn’t been in since the 2024 national championship season. Ohio State should be able to blend together some of Smith’s run and passing concepts with the spread passing game Day has typically had. Bringing those two together should bring an explosive offense led by Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith.

Roberts’ comments show Smith has already come in and taken command of the players. When you have NFL head coaching experience and make the switch to the college level, players will naturally gravitate toward the coach. We’re talking about a team full of players at Ohio State who have aspirations of playing in the NFL.

Someone like Roberts has a chance to be the team’s top tight end with Max Klare and Will Kacmarek off to the NFL. Roberts played in 13 games as a true freshman and caught four passes for 30 yards. Ohio State went out and added Hunter Welcing and Mason Williams in the transfer portal, but Roberts is the most experienced player who returned.

Smith’s arrival has players excited to play for him, and while we don’t have a whole lot to go off of yet, the early signs are encouraging around Day’s key hire.

Just sayin': Click on the link to see video of entire interview.

Now to another gem from Clark’s interview: Who is the most badass player Ryan Day has ever coached?

“It’s hard for me to say one person because there’s been a lot of tough guys,” Day said.

Still, he gave the nod to a pair of Buckeyes: offensive lineman Josh Myers (now with the New York Jets) and linebacker Tommy Eichenberg (now with the Las Vegas Raiders).

“I remember getting ready to play in the national championship game in 2020 with Josh Myers, and he had a needle about this long (holds hands up) that he shot into his foot because he had turf toe,” Day said. “He was literally biting a towel because he had to take the shot. He played that whole game with it and then later had to have surgery because he couldn’t let his brothers down.”

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