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LGHL 4-star DE Ani Izuchukwu set to visit Ohio State this weekend

4-star DE Ani Izuchukwu set to visit Ohio State this weekend
Bret Favachio
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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The Buckeyes are hoping to beat out the Crimson Tide for their next great pass-rusher.

Izuchukwu set to visit


For Ohio State and every other program in the country, the recruiting focus is primarily set on this year's recruiting class. However, that doesn’t mean the Buckeye coaching staff isn’t putting together massive amounts of effort toward next year's cycle.

Right now, ‘19 OT Doug Nester of Spring Valley (WV) is already a pledge to the Scarlet and Gray. The high four-star prospect committed to Ohio State back in August and definitely got the ball rolling on what is expected to be yet another impressive Urban Meyer haul.

This weekend, the Buckeyes will have an opportunity to impress yet another highly-touted prospect in hopes of ultimately bringing them to Columbus. According to Andrew Lind of Eleven Warriors, ‘19 DE Ani Izuchukwu of Davidson Academy (TN) is scheduled to take an unofficial visit to Ohio State to check out the battle in The ‘Shoe against in-conference foe Maryland.

Izuchukwu is a 6'4, 230-pounder that has compiled over a dozen offers in his recruitment thus far. Ohio State, who offered back in April, is one of a few major programs hoping to land the Volunteer state standout. Alabama, Clemson, LSU, Michigan, and Tennessee are amongst the others.

As of now, Izuchukwu is currently projected on the 247Sports Crystal Ball to wind up in Tuscaloosa donning the Crimson and White for Nick Saban. The Nashville native is fresh off of a visit to the Alabama campus this past weekend as he watched them roll over Ole Miss by a final score of 66-3. We will see if the Buckeyes can give the Terrapins a similar beatdown come Saturday.

Izuchukwu is currently listed as a four-star prospect in his class. Additionally, he is pegged as the 175th-best player for next year's cycle. Not to be forgotten, Izichukwu is also the 11th-best weak-side defensive end in the country, for the time being, and the seventh-best player from the state of Tennessee.

Chatfield still in play?


Sticking to the defensive end position, a name that may be familiar to Buckeye fans across the country is ‘18 DE Andrew Chatfield of American Heritage High School in Fort Lauderdale, Florida.

Chatfield, a four-star prospect, was once committed to Ohio State. The 6'2, 221-pounder originally made his pledge to the Buckeyes back in June of this year. However, just days after making that verbal commitment, Chatfield decided to camp at Miami (FL). A little over one month later, he would then make a stop in Gainesville to participate in a camp with the Gators.

Chatter on whether Chatfield would ultimately be a member of the Buckeyes class began to grow louder and louder. Just one week into the month of August, Chatfield announced that he was backing off of his pledge to Ohio State and re-opening his recruitment.

That brings us to today, and Chatfield has yet to give his pledge to any other program. In fact, it almost seemed like a matter of time until Florida received a commitment from 16th highest-graded weak-side defensive end in the class. As you can see, that has yet to happen. So, could the Buckeyes actually still be in play for the one-time pledge?

In a piece by Landof10.com’s Jeremy Birmingham, Chatfield is quoted telling Sam Speigelman of SEC Country that “they’re still open” to having him. Birmingham says that an official visit to Ohio State has been talked about and I would imagine that unless that happens, the possibility of Chatfield being a Buckeye is slim.

It was also revealed in the piece by Birmingham that Florida, LSU, Ohio State, Oklahoma, and Oregon are the programs who communicate most with the Sunshine State prospect.

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Google Of Buckeyes and Butternuts: 29 States with Weird Nicknames for Their Residents - Mental Floss

Of Buckeyes and Butternuts: 29 States with Weird Nicknames for Their Residents - Mental Floss
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Of Buckeyes and Butternuts: 29 States with Weird Nicknames for Their Residents
Mental Floss
Tracing a word's origin and evolution can yield fascinating historical insights—and the weird nicknames used in some states to describe their residents are no exception. In the Mental Floss video above, host John Green explains the probable ...


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Google Buckeyes' Weber getting back on field - Akron Beacon Journal

Buckeyes' Weber getting back on field - Akron Beacon Journal
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes' Weber getting back on field
Akron Beacon Journal
Weber, the leading returning rusher for the Ohio State Buckeyes entering the 2017 season, lost his starting job to freshman J.K. Dobbins because of a preseason hamstring injury. Coach Urban Meyer even got a question about Pipp when Dobbins broke an ...
Will Ohio State's defense let down the offense? Buckeyes football analysiscleveland.com
More on Ohio State and Emory Jones, familiar DE still talking with BuckeyesLandof10.com
Ohio State Football: 4 Predictions for the Buckeyes in OctoberScarlet and Game
The Columbus Dispatch -247Sports
all 45 news articles »


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Google More on Ohio State and Emory Jones, familiar DE still talking with Buckeyes - Landof10.com

More on Ohio State and Emory Jones, familiar DE still talking with Buckeyes - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


More on Ohio State and Emory Jones, familiar DE still talking with Buckeyes
Landof10.com
I realize that we've been talking a lot about Ohio State commit Emory Jones lately, but I think most people reading this understand that he's a pretty important piece of the Buckeyes' top-ranked recruiting class, and realize that I'm kind of obligated ...
Will Ohio State's defense let down the offense? Buckeyes football analysiscleveland.com
Ohio State Football: 4 Predictions for the Buckeyes in OctoberScarlet and Game
Ohio State football | Jack Looks Back: '57 Buckeyes celebrate 60th anniversary of national titleThe Columbus Dispatch
247Sports -Youngstown Vindicator
all 46 news articles »


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Google Ohio State Football: Buckeyes set for trap game at home vs. Terps? - Scarlet and Game

Ohio State Football: Buckeyes set for trap game at home vs. Terps? - Scarlet and Game
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Football: Buckeyes set for trap game at home vs. Terps?
Scarlet and Game
Rolling over their last 3 opponents by a combined 148-28 margin, No. 10 Ohio State sets sights on Maryland. While the Buckeyes steamrolled the Terrapins last season, the 2017 pairing seems much more daunting. This time last season if I told you there ...
Terrapins QB set to start against BuckeyesYoungstown Vindicator
Know The Enemy: Maryland247Sports

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Google Ohio State podcast: Buckeyes basketball delivers on promise to beef up schedule - Landof10.com

Ohio State podcast: Buckeyes basketball delivers on promise to beef up schedule - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State podcast: Buckeyes basketball delivers on promise to beef up schedule
Landof10.com
Ohio State basketball coach Chris Holtmann has delivered on a pledge to beef up the Buckeyes' schedule. Ryan Ginn/Land of 10. Kyle Lamb · @kylamb8. Posted 3 hours ago. COLUMBUS, Ohio — Get your Ohio State football fix on Inside the Shoe, brought ...
Who are the champions? Ohio State football's consistently best playerscleveland.com
UC Bearcats to open renovated Fifth Third Arena vs. Ohio State Buckeyes in 2018Cincinnati.com
Depth Chart: Maryland - Plenty of changes for the Buckeyes247Sports
The Columbus Dispatch -Inside the Hall -MyDaytonDailyNews
all 130 news articles »


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LGHL Yes, it’s been against weak competition, but Ohio State’s offense really is improving

Yes, it’s been against weak competition, but Ohio State’s offense really is improving
Matt Tamanini
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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Hear me out, this is more than just seeing the team through Scarlet and Gray colored glasses.

“Ticked off J.T. Barrett is the best J.T. Barrett and he's the reason you're reading this. It's about the pass game again. The improved pass game again. Please don't throw things.”

- Doug Lesmerises, Cleveland.com


Buckeye fans, perhaps more than most other fandoms, tend to be divided into two distinct camps, the “Glass Full” side and the “Glass Empty” side; the proverbial “halves” tend to be few and far between with our bunch.

So, it is no surprise that following Ohio State’s embarrassing beat-down at the hands of the Oklahoma Sooners in Columbus last month, that many fans moved to the doom-and-gloom side of the continuum. However, as Lesmerises points out, there are reasons to be optimistic about the Buckeyes’ offense, beyond the fact that they’ve feasted on lesser opponents.


After some early-season struggles, J.T. Barrett appears to have straightened out his issues in the downfield passing game pic.twitter.com/yCQnTBqc5Z

— CFB Film Room (@CFBFilmRoom) October 4, 2017

As CFB Film Room points out in the graph above, not only has quarterback J.T. Barrett improved his downfield passing throughout the season, he has done so dramatically. And while many of those naysayers will point to the defensive deficiencies of Army, UNLV, and Rutgers, Lesmerises brings up a good point.

He said, “A year ago, the pass game seemed much more the same from week to week, and all that changed was whether the opposing defense was lousy or not.”

That is likely where the most optimism comes from for the OSU offense, the fact that new offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson and quarterback coach Ryan Day have been able to make adjustments on a week-to-week basis, adding in new elements and concepts, that can (hopefully) be the foundation of an effective, diverse offensive gameplan when the back-loaded schedule kicks in on Oct. 28 against the No. 4 Penn State Nittany Lions.

So, while there will still be plenty to be concerned about until Barrett and company can do it against the likes of PSU, Michigan, and a potential Big Ten Championship game opponent, you don’t need Scarlet and Gray-colored glasses to feel good about the Buckeyes’ prospects.

“It took a scholarship slot that suddenly came open, when blue-chip prospect Dwayne Haskins flipped his commitment from Maryland to Ohio State, to send Terrapins offensive coordinator Walt Bell to Indianapolis to try to convince Bortenschlager to consider jumping to Maryland.”

- Roman Stubbs, The Washington Post


While the jokes about Max Bortenschlager’s last name sounding like an exotic dish you would order at Schmidt’s in German Village are funny, after losing their top two quarterbacks to injury, the Maryland Terrapins are now being led by a QB who only ended up in College Park because OSU’s QB2 didn’t.

Despite the unusual route from decommitting from Buffalo to starting for Maryland against Ohio State, Bortenschlager has an uphill battle against the Buckeyes this weekend. He went 18-28 for 154 yards passing in their win over Minnesota last Saturday, but Greg Schiano and Larry Johnson are likely to turn up the pressure on him to force the inexperienced signal-caller into difficult situations this week.

Bortenschlager was not sacked on Saturday, nor did he commit a turnover, and he marched the Terps down the field on an eight-play, 74-yard drive to beat the Gophers. While I’m not sure that he will be able to do anything similar against the Buckeyes, he is a quarterback coming into the biggest game of his young career with a decent helping of momentum.

“I thought about letting this Detroit Free Press column about Michigan State becoming a bigger rival to Michigan than Ohio State pass, but I just couldn’t do it.

This is not only a laughable premise now but doesn’t figure to age well because Michigan State’s time as a national powerhouse is probably over. ”


- Marcus Hartman, Dayton Daily News


Look, I get it. Being called “little brother” all of the time is annoying, but with the Michigan State Spartans sliding back in the pack of the Big Ten, claiming that they, in fact, are Michigan’s biggest rival is a bit ridiculous. It screams of sports media trolling, looking to espouse the hottest take possible solely for clicks and the inevitable “Ratio.”

While beating the Maize and Blue is certainly the cure for all Buckeye ills, I am not one that feels like OSU’s success needs to always be defined in relation to UM’s. Also, given the Buckeyes’ record against TTUN over the past decade-and-a-half, I don’t feel the need to punch down at either the Wolverines or the Spartans, especially while the latter has fallen on hard times (I’m still grateful to Mark Dantonio for the 2002 title, after all).

So, I will just say this; Keep trying Sparty.

STICK TO SPORTS


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LGHL Ohio State releases hype trailer for Maryland

Ohio State releases hype trailer for Maryland
Geoff Hammersley
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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Going into homecoming weekend, this week’s trailer has a theme of: earn respect, be feared.

Once again, the creative minds behind the Ohio State hype videos have released their latest trailer for this week’s game against the Maryland Terrapins.

The trailer begins with a quick pan of OSU helmets, while three questions being asked to the team offscreen. As this is happening, the video cuts to players getting ready, then taking the field.

After that, Urban Meyer’s voice is heard, with him saying, “2017 Ohio State Buckeyes, what are we.” In between him describing what the Buckeyes are, highlights from previous games flash on the screen—with an emphasis on quarterback hits and big plays against last week’s opponent, the Rutgers Scarlet Knights.

This Saturday, Ohio State faces UMD for a 4 p.m. kickoff inside Ohio Stadium. The game will be broadcast on Fox, with Gus Johnson, Joel Klatt and Jenny Taft on the call.

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Google Kyle Young has tonsils removed, will miss 'significant time' - 247Sports

Kyle Young has tonsils removed, will miss 'significant time' - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Kyle Young has tonsils removed, will miss 'significant time'
247Sports
He was originally committed to Butler, but flipped to the Buckeyes in late July following Holtmann, who was the Bulldogs' head coach prior to coming to Columbus. Given Ohio State's lack of depth, the team could use Young, for an additional practice ...
Kyle Young out 'a few weeks' after tonsil surgery: Ohio State basketball newscleveland.com

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Google Anthony Cook-Ohio State buzz, Brandon Smith to visit Columbus, Buckeyes cross state lines...

Anthony Cook-Ohio State buzz, Brandon Smith to visit Columbus, Buckeyes cross state lines for latest offer - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Anthony Cook-Ohio State buzz, Brandon Smith to visit Columbus, Buckeyes cross state lines for latest offer
Landof10.com
After an early September visit to Texas — and watching the host Longhorns lose to Maryland 51-41 — things were going in a pretty good direction for the Buckeyes and 5-star cornerback Anthony Cook. Ohio State has been the presumptive — and declared ...
Jordan Fuller starting, Erick Smith removed, more changes to Ohio State's depth chart: Buckeyes football newscleveland.com
UC Bearcats to open renovated Fifth Third Arena vs. Ohio State Buckeyes in 2018Cincinnati.com
Depth Chart: Maryland - Plenty of changes for the Buckeyes247Sports
The Columbus Dispatch -Inside the Hall -MyDaytonDailyNews
all 130 news articles »


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BTN Crispin: How early start to Big Ten play impacts preparation

Crispin: How early start to Big Ten play impacts preparation
Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor via Big Ten Network

College basketball season is officially upon us. To some, the start of the season came in the form of the FBI’s investigation into the numerous improprieties, which will affect the game for years to come. For coaches and players, particularly those in the Big Ten this year, the season started a long time ago. With an early start to conference play this season – Dec. 1, to be exact – let’s get ahead of the conversation and think about how this changes the approach, on a day-to-day basis. My initial thought is that the shift in the start of conference
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Google Basketball Buckeyes to open against Cincinnati in 2018 and 2019 - Waiting For Next Year

Basketball Buckeyes to open against Cincinnati in 2018 and 2019 - Waiting For Next Year
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Basketball Buckeyes to open against Cincinnati in 2018 and 2019
Waiting For Next Year
It may be college football season, but it doesn't mean that we can't talk about a little college basketball as well. From the moment Chris Holtmann was named the head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes men's basketball team, he vowed that he wanted his ...

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Google Will Ohio State's defense let down the offense? Buckeyes football analysis - cleveland.com

Will Ohio State's defense let down the offense? Buckeyes football analysis - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Will Ohio State's defense let down the offense? Buckeyes football analysis
cleveland.com
For this Buckeyes team, the conversation around the offense dominates all things. That's been the case going on three seasons now. Struggles in the passing game and with play calling in 2015 and 2016 put Ohio State in the position of having a great, ...
Basketball Buckeyes to open against Cincinnati in 2018 and 2019Waiting For Next Year

all 2 news articles »


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LGHL Urban Meyer had zero 1,000-yard rushers before Ohio State. Now, J.K. Dobbins could be his 7th.

Urban Meyer had zero 1,000-yard rushers before Ohio State. Now, J.K. Dobbins could be his 7th.
Kyle Sumner McKinnon
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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Each of Meyer’s first five seasons in Columbus have included at least one 1,000-yard rusher.

If there was one concern with Urban Meyer when he signed on to become the next head coach of the Ohio State Buckeyes, it was that no team of his ever had a 1,000-yard rusher.

That’s kind of a thing in Columbus. Especially when your program is built on the legs of prolific runners. Archie Griffin, Eddie George, Beanie Wells, and more recently Ezekiel Elliott, just to name a few.

But any doubts surrounding Meyer’s ability to coach runner were quickly put to rest.

Each of his first five seasons at OSU have included a 1,000-yard rusher. He’s coached six total, with Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde both crossing the mark in 2013.

Here’s a full list of the Buckeyes that’ve ran for at least 1,000 yards with Meyer at the helm.


At the pace freshman phenom J.K. Dobbins is going, Meyer will tally his seventh consecutive 1,000-yard rusher this season.

Dobbins has churned out 573 yards and three touchdowns, averaging 7.6 yards per carry. He racked up 205 yards of offense Week 1 in Bloomington and had a 172-yard, two-touchdown performance against Army.

Despite the extra rest that the coaching staff is giving him – coupled with the return of Mike Weber – he’ll still likely to break 1,000 yards.


#Buckeyes stud RB J.K. Dobbins goes over 100 yards on the day thanks to this 52-yard touchdown run! #OSU leads 24-7 #GoBucks pic.twitter.com/j5pnh5jfyk

— Tino Bovenzi (@TinoBovenzi) September 16, 2017

In 10 seasons of coaching before OSU – at Bowling Green, Utah, and Florida – the closest thing Meyer had to a big-time runner was Utah’s Brandon Warfield.

He totaled 976 yards on the ground during the 2003 season. Tim Tebow was the only other player to reach 900 rushing yards under Meyer.

And you would’ve thought Tebow had surpassed 1,000 yards at Florida, but he never really came close. As a starter, Tebow finished his Heisman Trophy winning campaign in 2007 with 895 rushing yards, 2008 with 673 yards, and 2009 with 910 yards.

Below is a chart of Meyer’s top three rushers throughout his coaching career.


Dobbins is on track to join Meyer’s short list of 1,000-yard tailbacks.

And at this rate, he’ll breeze past that mark next year, too. Maybe Weber can get himself up to snuff and we’ll see two 1,000-yarders. Who knows? We’ll save that conversation for another day.

What we do know is that Meyer has adapted beautifully to Big Ten football. Guys like Miller and Elliott have powered the Buckeyes’ impressive five-year run.

Now it’s Dobbins turn.

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Venzell Boulware (OL Tennessee, transfer to ???)

https://www.saturdaydownsouth.com/t...venzell-boulware-announces-decision-transfer/

Tennessee offensive lineman Venzell Boulware announces his decision to transfer

Tennessee is coming off the worst loss in the history of Neyland Stadium after the 41-0 humiliation at the hands of SEC East foe Georgia. Making matters worse? One of the team’s offensive linemen has just announced he will leave the program.

Backup guard Venzell Boulware announced Monday morning he will leave the team following the program’s 3-2 start to the season. The Vols are currently on a bye week and are set to host South Carolina looking to avenge last seaosn’s loss to the Gamecocks.

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Google Ohio State football | Jack Looks Back: '57 Buckeyes celebrate 60th anniversary of national...

Ohio State football | Jack Looks Back: '57 Buckeyes celebrate 60th anniversary of national title - The Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football | Jack Looks Back: '57 Buckeyes celebrate 60th anniversary of national title
The Columbus Dispatch
OSU football team starting-line-up on Main Street at Disneyland, December 22, 1957, before their Rose Bowl game against Oregon. Linemen, L to R, are Leo Brown, Jim Marshall, Aurelius Thomas, Bob White, Bill Jabko, Rusty Bowermaster and Jim Huston.


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Google BM5: Should there be limit on B1G road night games per year? - 247Sports

BM5: Should there be limit on B1G road night games per year? - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BM5: Should there be limit on B1G road night games per year?
247Sports
Every team treats playing the Buckeyes as their personal Super Bowl, but should this be permitted without any restrictions? Also, OSU head coach Urban Meyer says the Buckeyes basically have two starting running backs with J.K. Dobbins and Mike Weber.
Ohio State Working on Dual Running Back Packages With JK Dobbins, Mike WeberEleven Warriors

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LGHL Bovada: Ohio State has third best odds at winning national title

Bovada: Ohio State has third best odds at winning national title
Geoff Hammersley
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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On the Heisman odds list: Barrett holds 33-to-1 odds, Dobbins back on board with 50-to-1 odds.

After a Week 5 shut out win on the road against the Rutgers Scarlet Knights, the Ohio State Buckeyes go into homecoming weekend with 9-to-1 odds at winning the national championship, according to Bovada.

Those odds are the third best in college football, as the Alabama Crimson Tide and Clemson Tigers lead the way heading into Week 6. Nick Saban’s Tide have 7-to-5 odds; the reigning national champions hold 15-to-4 odds at repeating.

The big wins from ‘Bama and Clemson in Week 5 moved their odds up a tad bit. However, for the rest of the teams with the 11 best odds, their odds dipped. Even in victory, the likes of Ohio State, Penn State, Wisconsin and Georgia saw their odds get longer.

USC, who lost to the Washington State Cougars on Friday night, had one of the bigger drop of odds, going from 15-to-2 last week, to 14-to-1 this week.

From Monday afternoon to Tuesday evening, there wasn’t much fluidity amongst the teams with the 11 best odds.

Below are the odds for those teams heading into Week 6.


On the Heisman circuit, Saquon Barkley put together another dazzling performance on Saturday afternoon. He returned a kickoff for a touchdown, and helped Penn State throttle the Indiana Hoosiers, 45-14.

Barkley is the leader in the Heisman race, with odds currently sitting at 5-to-4. Oklahoma quarterback Baker Mayfield is right behind him with 9-to-4 odds.

For the second straight week, Buckeye QB J.T. Barrett is holding at 33-to-1 odds at bringing home the Heisman. Running back J.K. Dobbins is back on the board this week, with odds at 50-to-1.

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LGHL 4-star 2019 Ohio State target may make another visit to Columbus

4-star 2019 Ohio State target may make another visit to Columbus
Geoff Hammersley
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


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The Buckeyes also made some moves in the 2018 class, securing a commitment from a preferred walk-on.

As we hit hump day, we’re just a few short days away from the Ohio State Buckeyes taking the field again inside Ohio Stadium. With the Maryland Terrapins coming to town for a 4 p.m. contest, the Buckeyes have an up-and-coming program on their slate this homecoming weekend.

That game is on Saturday, though. Recruiting, on the other hand, never stops. One in-state prospect accepted a preferred walk-on spot, while another made his preferred walk-on offer known on social media. But before we reach those two, a four-star athlete talked about returning for an OSU visit.

The New Jersey Rocket coming back to Columbus?


Ronnie Hickman, a four-star athlete from New Jersey, already has an offer from Ohio State. According to an article by Bill Kurelic of 247sports, his father says they are trying to make their way from New Jersey for a Saturday game in The ‘Shoe. Hickman has made one trip to Columbus for the spring game.

A member of the 2019 recruiting class, Hickman is graded as the second-best prospect in the Garden State, according to 247sports. Additionally, the 247sports composite has the 6'1 native of Wayne, N.J., as the seventh-best athlete in his class.

Ohio State has some stiff competition for the athlete, as the likes of Michigan, Penn State, Maryland, and Boston College have already made offers. While 2019 National Signing Day is a ways away, creating the rapport now is paramount.

Good news, though: According to that article from Kurelic, Ohio State has been a school that Hickman has liked since “he was little.”

We’ll keep you posted on any updates with Hickman and the return visit to Ohio State.

Like father, like son


Cade Kacherski (Dublin, OH/Dublin Jerome) was the one to accept the preferred walk-on role with the team. Kacherski is a linebacker, and stands at 6'3, 190 pounds; he is also slated as a member of the 2018 class, according to MaxPreps.

This season, Dublin Jerome is off to a 4-2 (3-0 conference) start, and are fresh off a 33-32 win against Thomas Worthington.

Kacherski won’t be the first in his family to spend his time at Ohio State. His father, John Kacherski, played for the Buckeyes from 1987-1991, according to 247sports. In 1991, with John Cooper as the coach, John played in 13 games as a linebacker and recorded one interception, according to sportsreference.com.

After Ohio State, the elder Kacherski had a short stint in the NFL with the Denver Broncos.

Now with Urban Meyer as the coach, will the younger Kacherski work his way up to the NFL like his father? Only time will tell.

A Buckeye offer


The other Ohio product to pick up a preferred walk-on spot with the Buckeyes is 2018 prospect Jack Jamieson. Jamieson, a center/guard, comes from Cleveland’s St. Ignatius High School.

Jamieson divulged on Twitter that he had a preferred walk-on offer.


Very excited to say that I have received a preferred walk-on offer to The Ohio State University! pic.twitter.com/xVQv17I1Lv

— Jack Jamieson (@JackJamieson16) October 2, 2017

With the help of the 6'2, 285-pound senior, St. Ignatius is off to a 6-0 start to their season. According to MaxPreps, they are the second-best team in the state of Ohio.

You can check out highlight clips of Jamieson at MaxPreps by clicking here.

Locke to Florida


As mentioned in yesterday’s recruiting roundup from Dan Hessler, four-star shooting guard Noah Locke made his decision on Tuesday evening on where he will be taking his talents to for college basketball.

The Owings Mills, Md., native made his decision: the Florida Gators.


CHOMP CHOMP!! #COMMITTED #BLESSED #P&C pic.twitter.com/KgBBvazvwk

— Noah Locke (@noah_nikeisme) October 3, 2017

While Ohio State did make an offer to the SG, they were an outsider. Florida and Michigan were two of the main contenders to get the commitment from Locke, and as mentioned, Gainesville, Fla., will be where Locke spends his time on the college circuit.

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Google Jordan Fuller starting, Erick Smith removed, more changes to Ohio State's depth chart:...

Jordan Fuller starting, Erick Smith removed, more changes to Ohio State's depth chart: Buckeyes football news - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Jordan Fuller starting, Erick Smith removed, more changes to Ohio State's depth chart: Buckeyes football news
cleveland.com
He's been removed from the depth chart as well, with no starter named at his spot. * Kicker Sean Nuernberger is now the top guy at kickoff specialist, replacing freshman Blake Haubeil. Ohio State's full depth chart for Saturday is below. The Buckeyes ...

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Google OSU legacy Kacherski commits to Buckeyes as preferred walk-on - 247Sports

OSU legacy Kacherski commits to Buckeyes as preferred walk-on - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


OSU legacy Kacherski commits to Buckeyes as preferred walk-on
247Sports
The Buckeyes currently have 18 commitments in a 2018 recruiting class that is expected to number between 23 and 25 come National Signing Day. It is the country's No. 1 recruiting class in the 247Sports Composite recruiting rankings. With five to seven ...


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LGHL Ohio State has little room for error in pursuit of College Football Playoff

Ohio State has little room for error in pursuit of College Football Playoff
Ian Cuevas
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


usa_today_10319488.0.jpg

With the early loss to Oklahoma, anything less than perfection will cost the Buckeyes a chance at playing in the Rose Bowl or Sugar Bowl semifinals

“[Teams with no margin for error] 1. Ohio State (4-1): The Buckeyes are favored by FPI to win each of their remaining games, but the Oct. 28 matchup against Penn State looms the largest. The Buckeyes lost this game last season and still finished in the top four, but that wouldn't happen this time because of their Week 2 loss to Oklahoma.”

- Heather Dinich, ESPN


It’s not really a secret at this point: Ohio State can’t afford another loss this season if the Buckeyes expect to make the College Football Playoff. After the home loss to the Oklahoma Sooners, Urban Meyer has turned his team around on offense (albeit against much weaker teams) and have now got their eyes sight on Maryland and Nebraska. But a couple of weeks from now, Penn State comes into town with an opportunity for Ohio State to prove that they’ve grown since Week 2. They’ll have their work cut out for them, too, since the Nittany Lions have looked great every week and have Heisman contender Saquon Barkley at running back doing it all.

Every win from here on is a must-win for the Buckeyes, and if they want to rise in the rankings they have to take advantage of when they play teams like Penn State or Michigan.

“I thought to myself last year (at Butler) that I might have made a mistake by doing it, but it ended up allowing us to have a four-seed in the NCAA Tournament. It was all a byproduct of the non-conference schedule.”

- Chris Holtmann via Bill Landis, Cleveland.com


One of the knocks on Thad Matta and Ohio State basketball, especially towards the end of Matta’s tenure, was that the Buckeyes hardly had any important or big-name programs for non-conference games. New head coach Chris Holtmann has mentioned several times that he’d like for that to change in a hurry. And avoiding marquee non-conference matchups were even more obvious when it came to scheduling teams from within the state of Ohio such as Xavier, Dayton, Cincinnati, and even Akron. With the recent scheduling of the Bearcats, however, it appears that is all behind Gene Smith and Ohio State.

From his time with Butler, Holtmann knows the importance of a strong non-conference schedule, particularly when it pertains to being selected for the NCAA tournament. Of course, one could argue that Matta simply felt his teams wouldn’t have much success against top competition and even though it hurt their strength of schedule, would rather have wins over teams that don’t put up much of a fight than the alternative.

“We don't condone that. And I had a little chat with him. But you guys probably know Terry. He's everything you want. And don't do that. But there was a cheap shot on him early in the game, bad one. A tough guy like that, it carried with him for a while.”

- Urban Meyer via Doug Lesmerises, Cleveland.com


Remember that great block from Terry McLaurin against Rutgers that was eventually flagged (twice)? Urban Meyer still does, and he wasn’t a fan of the way McLaurin conducted himself during and after the play. There was a penalty for the over aggressive block but also a penalty for standing over the player and letting him hear about it. Meyer made sure McLaurin knew that it wasn’t okay. Still, Meyer was pleased with the overall effort and even graded the wide receiver as a champion this week— McLaurin hauled in five receptions for 51 yards.

Since McLaurin is collectively considered the best blocker among the wide receivers, it was all right to let this one slide, but Meyer made it a point to say that in the future this kind of play and the extra curricular activity afterwards wouldn’t fly.

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