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pnuts34 said:

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I'd be afraid hearing the McDonald grunt coming at me lolz.

DEVELOPED HERE. Downs is one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class, just like Nick Bosa in the 2019 class and Cameron Heyward in the 2011 class. While Downs must wait another year to make his professional debut, Bosa and Heyward have been kicking it in the league for a long time — especially Heyward, who will enter his 15th NFL season this fall.


Fowler also ranked the top defensive tackles in the NFL this week. He listed Heyward No. 10 behind Dexter Lawrence (New York Giants), Chris Jones (Kansas City Chiefs), Jalen Carter (Philadelphia Eagles), Jeffery Simmons (Tennessee Titans), Quinnen Williams (New York Jets), Leonard Williams (Seattle Seahawks), Nnamdi Madubuike (Baltimore Ravens), DeForest Buckner (Indianapolis Colts) and Vita Vea (Tampa Bay Bucaneers).

Heyward fueled his own Steeler legend with an age-35 performance that included a first-team All-Pro berth. Fighting off inevitable decline, Heyward produced 8 sacks, 20 quarterback hits and a league-high 8 batted passes. The difference from a down 2023 campaign was simple.
"He was healthier," an AFC executive said. "Got past the nagging injuries from 2023 and performed back up to his standard. He's been good for a long time."
Opposing quarterbacks posted a 1.0 QBR on dropbacks when Heyward applied the first pressure. Translation: When he got deep into the backfield, he made the play, forcing 17 incompletions on the year.

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DEVELOPED HERE. Downs is one of the top prospects in the 2026 NFL Draft class, just like Nick Bosa in the 2019 class and Cameron Heyward in the 2011 class. While Downs must wait another year to make his professional debut, Bosa and Heyward have been kicking it in the league for a long time — especially Heyward, who will enter his 15th NFL season this fall.

This week, ESPN’s Jeremy Fowler ranked Bosa as the No. 5 edge rusher in the NFL behind Myles Garrett (Cleveland Browns), T.J. Watt (Pittsburgh Steelers), Micah Parsons (Dallas Cowboys) and Maxx Crosby (Las Vegas Raiders). He ranked Bosa ahead of Trey Hendrickson (Cincinnati Bengals), Aidan Hutchinson (Detroit Lions), Will Anderson Jr. (Houston Texans), Danielle Hunter (Houston Texans) and Jared Verse (Los Angeles Rams).

Bosa is an eye-test pass rusher. While his 19.5 sacks over the past two seasons represent mild production for a top-five pass rusher, Bosa's disruption is obvious.
"His leverage, explosiveness, power and polished rush arsenal are unmatched," an NFL personnel director said. "He has the same rush moves as [brother] Joey Bosa but with better play strength to win in a variety of ways."
And Bosa posted a 22.2% pass rush win rate, up nearly four points from the previous year. His 0.70 "get-off" in 2024 was the quickest in his career and tied Garrett for the best of the season.
Since 2021, Bosa has generated 121 quick pressures (under 2.5 seconds), the fifth most in the NFL during that span. Four NFL players have at least 60 sacks and 10 fumbles since 2019 — Watt, Garrett, Bosa and Hendrickson.

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“IT WAS A BLESSING.” Cleveland.com’s Stefan Krajisnik took readers inside Caleb Downs’ offseason as an EA Sports College Football 26 (deluxe edition) cover star and “his drive for more with Ohio State football.”

There was much to appreciate in the article, which details Downs’ passion for golf, his claim that Sonny Styles is the team’s biggest trash talker and more. The main appeal, however, was Downs’ appearance with Ryan Day and Jeremiah Smith on the College Football 26 cover.


“At the end of the day, in 15-20 years, I can tell my son, tell my daughter, that’s your dad on the cover of a video game,” Downs told Krajisnik. “That’s something a lot of people can’t say.”

Regarding his experience traveling with Day and Smith to Pasadena for the cover shoot inside Rose Bowl Stadium, Downs said it was something of a dream come true.

“It was a blessing just because we had been through a whole season together,” Downs said. “Our relationships have all grown. To all be in that situation, it’s surreal.”

I can imagine. What an honor!

“A TRUE BLUE-CHIP TALENT.” Downs’ name appeared in more than one article on Thursday, as The Athletic’s Dane Brugler ranked the unanimous All-American the No. 1 defensive underclassman prospect in the 2026 NFL Draft class.

Here’s what Brugler wrote about Downs:

Arguably America’s best draft-eligible prospect this season regardless of position, Downs made national headlines after a stellar freshman year at Alabama by heading north to Ohio State. His arrival was as-advertised, as Downs’ versatility on the back end — playing either safety spot, corner, slot or rush linebacker — unlocked what turned into a national championship defense.
Downs could be a bit bigger, but his football instincts — especially in run support — are the best of any defensive back in college football. A fierce hitter who can cover anything sideline to sideline while adding value in the kick return game, Downs is a true blue-chip talent who’s reminiscent of a cross between Budda Baker and Minkah Fitzpatrick. Despite his position, he will be in the mix as a top-three prospect in the 2026 draft class.

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BigWoof31 said:

How is this allowed?
I’m not trolling, but why is the network negotiating with the visiting team? Shouldn’t this be done with the home teams network?

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Because the contract between the schools specified an August 30 (Saturday) date. A change to Sunday would require a change to the contract and both schools would have to agree.

BigWoof31 said:

I might be slightly biased

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I'll allow it in this case.

GeorgiaBuck2 said:

The 2022 WR class was terrible lol.

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That class didn't have a chance though. Besides almost all of them constantly being injured, they were sandwiched between 2 amazing WR classes in 2021(Egbuka and MHjr) and 2023(Tate, Inniss and Rodgers). And then on top of that, if any of them had even stayed until their 3rd years, they would have to compete against one of the greatest HS WRs ever in JJ Smith in 2024 along with Mylan Graham. That was a throwaway class.

Bestbuck36 said:

When LBs crossed the LOS to make tackles for the Bucks

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When offensive football was so simple a good LB could play his reads and do so.

buckeyemania11 said:

If their QB can stay healthy they should compete for a spot on the Big 12 title game this year. Thanks to the boost they got from the transfer portal.

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Yeah, the Big 12 is not much better than the Mountain West, MAC or Sun Belt

NJ-Buckeye said:

I am not an advocate for destroying the long term of the Cavs for a one-year one-time shot at winning it all.. and paying LBJ $50M+
If he wants to do something crazy like rip up that contract that can keep Cavs intact and he'd have his best shot at one final ring... I'm in..

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Same. If he gets a buyout and wants to win a title, I'd be more than happy to have him back for as long as he wants to suit up.

AKAK said:

Yeah and I think there are still a wide array of things to be concerned about but this was nothing like the friendly tune ups. Blech

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It'll be tough/fun to gauge the team before the WC. Hope the federation has some solid tune up fixtures, I'm still optimistic with the A squad.

"The government is going to help"

One of two things is happening: 1) the CFB powers that be have finally paid enough money into the lobbyists to buy some legislation OR 2) said lobbyists are just taking the money and the politicians are making it look just credible enough to keep the con going.


I'm going to go with the second option.

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Just sayin': Urban is just 61 years old today.

Ohio State Punter Nick McLarty More Physically, Emotionally Prepared in Second Season After Arrival From Australia​

By Andy Anders on July 10, 2025 at 11:51 am @andyanders55

• OSU Football

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Nick McLarty’s first year in America didn’t go as planned.
When the 6-foot-7 Australian with a leg more powerful than a crocodile’s bite came to Ohio State, the expectation was that he’d start as a freshman. Ryan Day named him the team’s top punter before the Buckeyes’ Week 1 game against Akron.
But consistency issues and the culture shock of the college game kept McLarty on the bench for all but two of Ohio State’s 49 punts in 2024. Walk-on and fellow Aussie Joe McGuire won the starting punter job and booted the other 47.
McLarty could have been discouraged, embittered. Instead, he chose introspection and a growth mindset.
“There was expectations with coming in and playing and starting, and I know stuff got said and it was awesome for me and it was awesome back home, but the harsh reality was I wasn't ready,” McLarty said in April. “I think now it's a stepping stone to see how far I can push myself and I think this year is a great opportunity to see how far I can take it.”

McGuire returns alongside McLarty in 2025, but with the lessons he learned from last year and an offseason he’s attacked with fervor, McLarty hopes to challenge his close friend to be Ohio State’s punter.
“I don't think I was emotionally ready, I don't think I was physically ready,” McLarty said. “I think being able to see the back end of the season and what it took from the team and especially someone like Joe, he had to step up. And he was ready for it obviously, but he had to take on the responsibility of what Jesse (Mirco) left and all that sort of stuff. So yeah, it's a great opportunity with what we have this year, healthy competition, which is always nice as well.”
When McLarty arrived in Columbus last summer, he brought with him tape of punts with hangtimes and distances reminiscent of Buckeye greats like Tom Tupa, Andy Groom or Cam Johnston, the latter another Australian.

McLarty flexed that muscle occasionally in preseason camp during practices open to the media, the best of his punts easily clearing the best of his counterparts. But there were also plenty of mishits mixed in, exaggerated by the power in his right cleat. The operational speed required to ensure that his punts weren’t blocked was a major adjustment from Australian rules to American football.
“Physically, the big issue for me was speed, operation time,” McLarty said. “Joe did a phenomenal job at the expectations of getting that lower. And a big thing for us is not getting blocked, we haven't been blocked in four years, five years. So for me to come in and change what I was doing and speed it up, there was a real sort of personal conflict where I wanted to be the best punter I could possibly be, but that was conflicting with the speeds they wanted.”
Nearly 10,000 miles separated McLarty from his home in Melbourne. He was adjusting to a new country, new customs, finding new friends, all as a first-time college student, while grappling with the on-field pressures he faced as an Ohio State football player.
“It was definitely an emotional toll,” McLarty said. “Without your family, it's definitely hard. Time zone differences don't also help the situation. At that time, it was 16 hours, so I would wake up and they would be going to sleep or vice versa. So it was definitely emotional, and the actual stress of trying to keep up with what they wanted also was a mental toll. Fortunately, I had a lovely lady called Nicole Kraft, who was one of my teachers, and she got me in contact with some pretty cool people. So I worked with some sports psychologists and all that sort of stuff to work on that mental side, which was far more important for me than the actual physical side.”
“I don't think I was emotionally ready, I don't think I was physically ready.”– Nick McLarty
McLarty’s two punts last season averaged just 32.5 yards, although he felt gamedays were the least of the pressures he faced. He played before large stadiums in Australian rules football and had his mental mettle tested by his coaches in practice.
“It actually didn't feel that bad because the pressure that they put you under in practice is so much more intense than what it is on the field (in a game) and they're trying to put you in the worst possible situation in practice,” McLarty said. “So when it comes time to perform in-game, you do your job. That's the blessing about being at a school like Ohio State, everyone around you, scout team, those that are on your team and against you are the best players in the country.”
McGuire, for his part, averaged 42.1 yards per punt in 2024 and bashed a 51-yard boot in the College Football Playoff national championship game against Notre Dame. He enters his junior season, presenting a significant hurdle to playing time for McLarty over the next two years.

It left McLarty with a choice this offseason: Either stick it out with the Buckeyes or transfer somewhere else with a better guarantee of playing time. He chose to bite down on his mouth guard and stay the course.
“I just sort of had to change my mindset and think about truly what I wanted to be,” McLarty said. “If I wanted to be at a school like Ohio State, which had high expectations, or go somewhere else. But with that, I just had to commit to it. So I just had to work with Coach (Rob) Keys. John Ferlmann, our long snapper, I live with him now, but we work every night to make sure that what we're doing is game-like and making sure that the speeds that we go out in practice are faster than what it is in-game.”

BUCK3YE5 said:

Sidenote: I would pay money for someone to cut a single video together of the highlights from all the games of OSU kicking NDs ass (90s-present).

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Going to change team name to The Reds because “suck” doesn’t do it justice.

What an epic shitshow.