Ohio State’s surplus of defensive line talent results in heavy competition for playing time
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeye coaching staff will have to find creative ways to utilize all the talent on the defensive line.

“If you’ve shown you are capable of playing to the level we expect, we’ll try to find a way to get you on the field, no question.”

-Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson via Tim May, The Columbus Dispatch


Ohio State once again has one of the best defensive lines in the country, and it has only gotten stronger from what was seen in 2016. Not only do the Buckeyes have starters Tyquan Lewis, Jalyn Holmes, and Sam Hubbard returning, but they have added highly-touted recruit Chase Young into the fold. Sophomore Nick Bosa is primed for a big season as he is fully recovered from the torn ACL he suffered in his senior year of high school. All of this talent, and the likes of Dre’Mont Jones, Jashon Cornell, and Jonathon Cooper haven’t even been mentioned.

With all the talent Ohio State has amassed, there are only so many snaps to go around. Luckily the Ohio State coaching staff has a plan that helps not only the team, but the players as well. The end result is, while the defensive linemen might not be on the field quite as much to stuff the stat sheet, they are getting quality film out there, which will be examined by NFL scouts. With the surplus of game-changing defensive ends Ohio State has, there is a possibility the Buckeyes could use four ends at times with Jones in the middle of the defensive line. The Buckeyes will have to get creative to try and find exactly what works to maximize the talent they are putting on the field, but if Urban Meyer and his coaching staff find the right mixture, it’ll make for a long year for opposing Big Ten quarterbacks.


It isn’t very often that Urban Meyer’s teams lose a bowl game, but when they do, something special happens the next season. In 2007, Florida lost the Capital One Bowl to Michigan. The next season the Gators won the national title. In 2013, Ohio State lost the Orange Bowl to Clemson. The following season the Buckeyes won the national title. Now with the Buckeyes having lost last year’s Fiesta Bowl to Clemson, it isn’t out of the question that Meyer could make it a third national title following a loss in a bowl game the previous season.

The reason that there could be something to Urban Meyer’s teams losing a bowl game the previous season and following it up with a national title is the bowl game loss forces Meyer to change some of what wasn’t working, along with demanding more accountability from not only his players, but also his coaching staff.

Following the Orange Bowl loss to Clemson, Meyer shook up his defensive coaching staff — since it obviously wasn’t getting the job done. Following the 2016 Fiesta Bowl loss to Clemson, Meyer again made some changes, this time bringing in offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson and quarterbacks coach Ryan Day to revive a struggling offense. Meyer is keeping this stat close to the vest though, as defensive lineman Tyquan Lewis said he has never heard of the stat. If Ohio State goes on to win the national title this year, the correlation between bowl game loss the previous season and national title the next year will likely be talked about a lot more.

“I think at times we got away from (our tempo) and that’s part of who we are. The program or organizations (Wilson and Day have) been at, they’ve also been a part of that (tempo). So they’re just going to enhance that.”

-Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett via Jacob Myers, The Lantern


There wasn’t a huge statistical drop-off from J.T. Barrett’s 2014 and 2016 seasons, but there was a very noticeable change in how Barrett was asked to run the offense. Even though he was thrust into the starter’s role as a redshirt freshman with the injury to Braxton Miller, Barrett was able to rely on weapons like Ezekiel Elliott on the ground and Michael Thomas and Devin Smith through the air. The 2016 Buckeye offense had a quality running back in Mike Weber for Barrett to lean on, but the quarterback certainly didn’t receive nearly as much production through the air.

What made the 2014 Ohio State offense so successful was the tempo they used to keep their opponents on their heels. Following their title season, Tom Herman left to become the head coach at Houston, and since then the offense hasn’t been quite the same. Now with Ed Warinner and Tim Beck gone, new hires Kevin Wilson and Ryan Day should be able to reintroduce some tempo into the offense, which should help the Ohio State offense return to some of the successes they found in 2014. If Barrett and the Buckeyes can adapt to what Wilson and Day are trying to do with the offense, Ohio State could see their season end much like their 2014 season did.

“I never say never. If the opportunity comes, that’s something to definitely look into.”

-Former Ohio State running back Daniel “Boom” Herron via John Vargo, Tribune Chronicle


With his NFL playing career looking like it is over, former Ohio State running Daniel “Boom” Herron is now giving back to the area where he grew up. Recently Herron helped out at a benefit basketball camp for a four-year old in the Warren area who has leukemia. With his hometown being such a tight-knit community, it wasn’t something that Herron wanted to miss, as the benefit was to help pay for his son’s friend’s medical bills.

Herron was cut by the Buffalo Bills in early September last year, and since then has moved back to Warren, and started his own business, Boom Herron Logistic Services. Herron is still hoping to make a return to the NFL, but as time passes it seems less and less likely that he’ll get that call. While Herron might not return to the active roster, he would be open to getting into coaching if he was asked. Even though Herron misses playing football, he feels lucky to have gotten the opportunity to get as far as he has and achieve what he did at Ohio State and in the NFL.

STICK TO SPORTS

• The Dublin Irish Festival gets underway tomorrow.
• The Columbus Blue Jackets and BrewDog have teamed up.
• A statewide sales-tax holiday is set for this weekend to help save on back-to-school supplies.
• The vacant Longaberger basket-shaped building in Newark has been vandalized.
• In honor of National IPA Day, here are some of the best IPAs out there.

Continue reading...

ESPN’s ‘College GameDay’ will open the season with Ohio State at Indiana
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeyes will start the year on a big stage.

Not only is football just a few short weeks away, but the Ohio State season opener has been taken to the next level. As if playing the season opener against Big Ten competition (Indiana) and on the road weren’t enough, it’s been announced that ESPN’s flagship show, College GameDay, will be on location in Bloomington for the first football game of the 2017 college season.

ESPN’s pregame show will open the year with a special Thursday night broadcast for one of the most anticipated college openers in recent years. One of the hosts, Rece Davis reportedly leaked the news that having the first show in 2017 in Indiana was in the works on “The Bob Valvano Show” on ESPN 680 in Louisville, according to Crimson Quarry.

This won’t be the first (or last) time that the Buckeyes get some airtime ahead of a big game, but this is the first time in many years that they’ve opened their schedule with a conference opponent.

Continue reading...

10 most important Ohio State Buckeyes in 2017: No. 2 Isaiah Prince
Christopher Jason via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Keeping your quarterback upright is always important.

When looking at the 2017 depth chart compared to the 2016 depth chart, there are noticeable holes, but the team is in a much better place now than it was entering the 2016 season after a mass exodus of NFL departures and graduation. Using key departures, spotlighting players at important positions, leadership qualities, and recognizing the depth at each position, we came up with the 10 most important players on the team. They may not be the most heralded players, or even the best players, but they will be vital to this team’s on-field success.

No. 2: Isaiah Prince


Position: Right tackle

2016 stats: Per Pro Football Focus, Isaiah Prince allowed 45 total pressures

As mentioned in our No. 3 article, the offensive line was the clear weak-link of the 2016 Ohio State Buckeyes. For a team that recruits at the level that Ohio State does, it’s borderline inexcusable for the offensive line to allow the quarterback to get pressured, hit and sacked as many times as they allowed in 2016 — and it’s safe to say that Isaiah Prince was the most inconsistent of the bunch.

The guys at Pro Football Focus had this to say about the right tackle, “RT Isaiah Prince has been slightly better in terms of run blocking, but has given up 45 total pressures, ranking him dead last in the country in pass blocking efficiency out of 174 tackles who have played at least 50 percent of their teams’ snaps.”

There were many reasons why the Buckeyes faltered against Penn State last season, but the offensive line was the key factor in their lone, regular season loss. Out of J.T. Barrett’s 51 dropbacks, I charted a whopping 26 pressures, seven hits and a six sacks allowed. Price himself accounted for 19 (!) pressures, four hits and three sacks allowed. He clearly was not up to “slob” standard as a true sophomore.



There were numerous plays, drives and games throughout the season where Prince was the clear weak-link on the offensive line. However, there is a lot of optimism surrounding the right tackle for the 2017 season.

“His technique is perfect almost every time,” said defensive end Jalyn Holmes. “You can tell that he worked on that. He took it personal in the offseason. He had a great winter. He had a great offseason workouts and you can tell that he’s growing up and he’s working on his craft. He’s becoming a pro.”

New offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson went on to say that, “we need to put him in better situations.” Which will most certainly include screens, draws and quick hitters that were oddly left out of the playbook last season — even with the offensive line struggling to pass protect. Maybe they’ll even help him with speed rushers by keeping in a tight end or running back to his side.


With a great offseason under his belt, a new play caller at the helm, plus four of the five offensive linemen returning, it’s safe to say that Isaiah Prince will have a much better season in 2017. If Prince and the offensive line can do their jobs up to the expected Ohio State standard, there’s no reason why they shouldn’t be a top offense in the country.

The size and talent is there for Prince, and now it’s time to put it all together.

Previous:

• No. 10 Sean Nuernberger
• No. 9 Parris Campbell
• No. 8 Jerome Baker
• No. 7 Mike Weber
• No. 6 Binjimen Victor
• No. 5 Jordan Fuller
• No. 4 Denzel Ward
• No. 3 Billy Price

Continue reading...

10 most important Ohio State Buckeyes in 2017: No. 2 Isaiah Prince - Land-Grant Holy Land
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


10 most important Ohio State Buckeyes in 2017: No. 2 Isaiah Prince
Land-Grant Holy Land
3 article, the offensive line was the clear weak-link of the 2016 Ohio State Buckeyes. For a team that recruits at the level that Ohio State does, it's borderline inexcusable for the offensive line to allow the quarterback to get pressured, hit and ...


Continue reading...

Coaches pick Alabama at No. 1 to kick off 2017 season - ESPN
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Coaches pick Alabama at No. 1 to kick off 2017 season
ESPN
The Alabama Crimson Tide may be starting the season as the No. 1 team in the preseason coaches' Top 25 poll, but it won't take long for that ranking to be tested. The No. 3 Florida State Seminoles will be lying in wait as the two programs will face off ...
Ohio State Buckeyes ranked No. 2 in Preseason Coaches PollNBC4i.com
Ohio State football ranked No. 2 in 2017 preseason coaches poll, four weeks before its season openercleveland.com
Ohio State ranks 2nd in 2017 preseason Amway Coaches PollWKYC-TV
USA TODAY -Centre Daily Times -Land-Grant Holy Land
all 166 news articles »

Continue reading...

Chris Ash is working hard to catch Rutgers up to Ohio State and the rest of the Big Ten
Colton Denning via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Our 2017 Opponent Preview Series Podcasts continue with a preview of the Scarlet Knights.

By any definition, Rutgers was bad in 2016. The Scarlet Knights finished 2-10 in Head Coach Chris Ash’s first season, were winless in Big Ten play, and were outscored 224-0 in four games against Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, and Penn State. At 114th in S&P+, Rutgers finished behind powerhouses like San Jose State, Georgia State, and a 4-8 Bowling Green team Ohio State beat 77-0.

(Luckily for Jim Delany, the checks are still cashing.)

While Ash went from one end of the college football spectrum to another, in leaving Columbus for Piscataway last season, he’s been on the grind to transform the program, and there are signs of progress.

Rutgers’ 2017 recruiting class was among the highest rated in school history, and new practice facilities are on the way, as Ash tries to catch up —both on the field, and off— with other teams in the Big Ten East.

On this episode of The Hangout in the Holyland, On the Banks’ Aaron Breitman joins the show to talk about expectations for Ash in his second year, and why there is optimism for the program despite a dreadful 2016.

Aaron breaks down everything about the Scarlet Knights this season, including:

• Why restoring pride on the field is so important.
• Where the offense stands after a disastrous 2016.
• Hiring Jerry Kill as Offensive Coordinator, and whether his style fits with what Ash wants to do.
• A pretty solid defense that may actually win them some games!
• Needing major improvement from their special teams, and the return of all-world return man, Janarion Grant.
• Rutgers’ place in the Big Ten, building towards 2018, and more!

You can find the podcast on our iTunes page, and we encourage reviews, comments, criticisms, etc. to help us deliver the best possible audio product. The more we hear from you, the better we can make it. We’re also on Soundcloud, and you can subscribe via RSS on your Android and Windows Phone devices here.

Continue reading...

Ohio State Buckeyes ranked No. 2 in Preseason Coaches Poll - NBC4i.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Buckeyes ranked No. 2 in Preseason Coaches Poll
NBC4i.com
COLUMBUS (WCMH/AP) — The Ohio State University Buckeyes are starting the season ranked second, according to the Amway Coaches Poll. The Buckeyes are ranked behind the Alabama Crimson Tide, but ahead of Florida State. “QB J.T. Barrett and RB ...
Coaches pick Alabama at No. 1 to kick off 2017 seasonESPN
Ohio State ranks 2nd in 2017 preseason Amway Coaches PollWKYC-TV
Ohio State football ranked No. 2 in 2017 preseason coaches poll, four weeks before its season openercleveland.com
Bleacher Report -Centre Daily Times -NewsOK.com
all 93 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ohio State starts the season ranked No. 2 in the Coaches Poll Top 25
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Buckeyes one of four Big Ten teams in the Top-10.

This afternoon, the Amway Coaches Poll announced it’s preseason college football rankings, and while it was no surprise to see the Alabama Crimson Tide in the poll’s top spot, it was nice to see the familiar Scarlet and Gray occupying the No. 2 slot. The Buckeyes received 1,512 points, behind only the Tide’s 1,603. Rounding out the top-five are Florida State (1,434), Southern California (1,415), and the defending national champions, the Clemson Tigers (1,367).

Just on the outside, Ohio State’s Big Ten East brethren, the Penn State Nittany Lions came in at 6th, with Michigan and Wisconsin at 9th and 10th respectively. OSU’s Week Two opponent, the Oklahoma Sooners, will enter the season ranked No. 8.

Other Big Ten teams receiving votes were Northwestern, Nebraska, Minnesota, Michigan State, and Maryland.

The panel of coaches participating in the poll is selected at random based off “coaches who have indicated to the American Football Coaches Association their willingness to participate.” From there, every coach submits a weekly Top-25 ballot, with a first-place vote worth 25 points, and a 25th-place vote worth one point.

The biggest risers from the year-end poll in January were the Georgia Bulldogs, who climbed from 36th to 15th. The furthest fallers were the Virginia Tech Hokies, who dropped from 16th to 22nd.

Ohio State will kick off their season by taking on conference foe Indiana on Thursday, August 31st in Bloomington. The game will kick off on ABC at 8/7 p.m. CT.

Continue reading...

No. 2 Ohio State paces four Big Ten teams in top 10 of preseason Coaches poll
BTN.com staff via Big Ten Network

The preseason Amway Coaches Poll came out Thursday, and the Big Ten has four teams ranked in the top 10. No. 2 Ohio State leads the way, while reigning Big Ten champ Penn State comes in at No. 6. No. 9 Michigan and No. 10 Wisconsin round out the top 10.

Continue reading...

BM5: 'They get the right kind of guys' - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BM5: 'They get the right kind of guys'
247Sports
What's next for the Buckeyes? Make sure you're in the loop -- take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Buckeyes newsletter now! FOR YOUR LISTENING PLEASURE. The BM5 is available on iTunes and more: * Click here to listen to the show via iTunes.

and more »

Continue reading...

Will Ohio State get good news today from 4-star LB K’Vaughan Pope?
Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeyes are hopeful they've done enough to lock up the next great OSU linebacker.

Announcement day for Pope


The day has arrived for ‘18 LB K’Vaughan Pope, the nation's seventh-best inside linebacker, from Dinwiddie County (VA). The 6'2, 210-pounder will finally sort through an offer sheet that features over a dozen programs to select the one school that he will attend for the next 3-4 years.

Despite not the highest number of offers in the world, the four-star prospect has an impressive group of schools that gave him opportunities at the next level. Throughout his recruitment, Pope has secured offers from Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, and more. With that being said, it seems that this the battle for his commitment may only feature two schools and that might even be pushing it.

It’s widely expected that the Buckeyes are the beneficiary of Pope’s announcement that will take place later today. The Scarlet and Gray are the current 247Sports Crystal Ball leader for Pope with 93% of the predictions. The other 7% would go to Florida. But I would consider Georgia to be the only other possibility here and that’s simply because he set his announcement date just days after making an unofficial visit to the Bulldogs' campus.

What I really think happened? I believe that was the time that Ohio State got in touch with the 168th-overall player in the class and relayed to him that he had the green light to make his pledge. I fully expect that to be the case today as well. Pope should certainly be a Buckeye by day’s end and if so, he will extend the class to 17 members.

A Pope addition for Ohio State would pair him with Dallas Gant and Teradja Mitchell — another fellow Virginian — at the linebacker position. The commitment of Pope would also further boost the Buckeyes' lead over Miami (FL) for the top ranked recruiting class in the country.

Jones reveals official offer


As of August 1st at midnight, programs were able to send out official offers to 2018 prospects. So, if you scrolled through your Twitter account within the last couple of days, you have probably saw a good amount of prospects revealing some impressive edits that are official offers.

You may have seen guys like Sevyn Banks, Andrew Chatfield, Dallas Gant, Emory Jones, Teradja Mitchell, defensive end target Jayson Oweh, defensive end target Micah Parsons, Josh Proctor, and Jaiden Woodbey show off their offers from Ohio State. But on Wednesday it was ‘18 OG Matthew Jones, an Erasmus Hall (NY) standout, who had his turn to show off his offer from the Scarlet and Gray.


Jones is obviously someone that Buckeye Nation should be excited about as far as what he could bring to Columbus when he touches down on campus. The mammoth 6'4, 315-pounder is a high four-star prospect and is the third-best offensive guard in the class. Not to be forgotten, Jones also holds the 57th-highest grade of any player in the class and is the second-best player in the state of New York right behind ‘18 TE Jeremy Ruckert, who is also committed to the Scarlet and Gray.

Smith headed to Polynesian Bowl


While there is some current confusion on when ‘18 WR L’Christian “Blue” Smith of Wayne (OH) will announce his collegiate commitment between Kentucky and Ohio State, the top-tier Ohio talent did make one commitment on Wednesday. The 6'6, 210-pounder pledged to participate in the Polynesian Bowl that will take place at Aloha Stadium in Hawaii on January 20th, 2018.


The Polynesian Bowl is currently securing an impressive amount of talent to participate in the event. From an Ohio State perspective, names other than Smith that will be playing include: commits Jeremy Ruckert and Brian Snead and targets Micah Parsons, Tommy Togiai, and Solomon Tuliaupupu.

Continue reading...

'It's critical' for Ohio State to improve the Schott atmosphere - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


'It's critical' for Ohio State to improve the Schott atmosphere
247Sports
COLUMBUS – Have you been to a home Ohio State basketball game in the last few years? If so, you know that an atmosphere that was once a driving force behind Buckeye success and hostile for visiting teams has disappeared. If not, you aren't alone.
Men's Basketball: Ohio State and coach Chris Holtmann have “not seriously considered” a JaQuan Lyle returnOSU - The Lantern
Ohio State men's basketball | Chris Holtmann learning about new teamThe Columbus Dispatch
JaQuan Lyle Not Expected to Return to Ohio State BasketballEleven Warriors
Landof10.com -Scout
all 26 news articles »

Continue reading...

Hoosiers open fall camp, continue building toward Buckeyes - Hoosier Sports Report (registration)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Hoosiers open fall camp, continue building toward Buckeyes
Hoosier Sports Report (registration)
There are now 29 days until the Hoosiers open the 2017 season against the Big Ten-favorite Buckeyes, and IU coach Tom Allen walked away from his first practice of the month pleased with what he saw. “Typical first day,” Allen said in a video posted to ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Buckeyes, actresses have danced in 'Jerry's World' - Canton Repository
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes, actresses have danced in 'Jerry's World'
Canton Repository
Jerry Jones, Owner, President and General Manager of the Dallas Cowboys, speaks to Colleen Baker at the 102nd Canton Regional Chamber of Commerce Dinner at the Canton Civic Center. Colleen is the wife of David Baker, President and Executive ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Blue Smith recruitment gets stranger still, Ohio State LB class update and more - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Blue Smith recruitment gets stranger still, Ohio State LB class update and more
Landof10.com
Ohio State fans can't imagine a scenario where a football player from Ohio actually chooses Kentucky over the Buckeyes, but as long as the Wildcats keep chipping away in the state the way they have through the years, it's going to happen eventually.


Continue reading...

Hoosiers open fall camp, continue building toward Buckeyes - Hoosier Sports Report (registration)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Hoosiers open fall camp, continue building toward Buckeyes
Hoosier Sports Report (registration)
There are now 29 days until the Hoosiers open the 2017 season against the Big Ten-favorite Buckeyes, and IU coach Tom Allen walked away from his first practice of the month pleased with what he saw. “Typical first day,” Allen said in a video posted to ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Is there a new/updated site that shows views based on seat? Looking at tickets for the OU game for my nephew and I and I would hate to spend a fortune and have an obstructed view. I've in B deck a few times before but I can't remember which seats are affected by the pillars. Section 18B Row 7 - this would put me in front of the pillars and thus not obstructed would it not?

Disregard.

http://ohiostatefb.io-media.com/web/index.html#

Does the Ohio State football team lack depth?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Also, Buckeye alums fall short in The Basketball Tournament.

“Urban Meyer, who's signed seven five-star prospects in the last three years and two top-five classes in 2016 and 2017, rejects the premise that Ohio State is a deep team.”

- Bill Landis, cleveland.com


LOL, ok, Urbz. Look, I get it. Meyer is a master at motivating his team; he does have a degree in psychology after all. However, for him to say that a team coming off back-to-back, top-five recruiting classes doesn’t have depth strains credulity. Are there positions that could use a few more talented bodies (cough, cough WR), as Meyer maintains? Of course. But, the number of players ready to contribute in significant ways on the field is as impressive as it has ever been during Meyer’s tenure in Columbus.

As Landis notes, “There is a difference between depth of experience and depth of talent.”

Clearly, as long as the coaching staff continues to recruit like they have been, there will always been plenty of the latter, but, in many ways, that positive begets the negative with the former.

If you always have talented options waiting in the wings, that is going to keep the window closed in most cases for younger players to get on the field early, but that doesn’t mean that there is no depth; ask Malik Hooker. After just one year of playing time at OSU, he was the Indianapolis Colts’ first-round draft-pick this year.

So, perhaps Meyer defines depth differently than I do, or maybe this is another motivational tactic in the “Next Man Up” mantra. Either way, while the coaching staff might have to rely on some players with minimal on-field experience, it is hard to imagine that a team with this much talent will ever truly be lacking in depth.

“There was minimal separation between the two teams throughout the contest... Both regulation and the first overtime included blown last-second opportunities, with Scarlet & Gray getting a shot near the rim that should have won it in regulation.”

- Tyler Conway, Bleacher Report


Last night, Scarlet & Gray, a team primarily consisting of former Ohio State basketball players, fell in heart-breaking fashion during the semifinals of the fourth-annual The Basketball Tournament. In a roller-coaster game, the OSU alums were edged out by Team Challenge ALS, 88-83 in double-overtime, ending their quest for TBT’s $2 million prize.

Back-and-forth all game, David Lighty missed a layup, on a seemingly broken play at the end of regulation, that would have given the former Buckeyes the victory. However, S&G had to play both overtime periods without its only true point-guard, Aaron Craft, who fouled out in the last few seconds on the second half, barely undercutting Team Challenge ALS’s Casper Ware while he was taking a three.

Ware led all scorers with 28 while Jared Sullinger was tops for the OSU alums. He went for 26 points and 10 rebounds, making a strong case throughout the tournament that he deserves another shot in the NBA.

Team Challenge ALS, which will donate $250,000 to Ice Bucket Challenge creator Pete Frates if they win, and will take on two-time defending champion Overseas Elite in Thursday’s championship game. The contest will be broadcast on ESPN at 7:00 p.m. ET.

“Pryor will have to prove that his 1,000-plus yard season wasn’t just a fluke, but rather a solid foundation from which to build. He’s got all the intangibles teams want to see: size, speed, and versatility. But can he replicate his production from 2016?”

- Alexis Chassen, SBNation


Nothing about Terrelle Pryor’s transition from quarterback to receiver makes sense. First, how does a player taken in the supplemental draft play quarterback for three seasons, bounce around to three other teams, and then decide that he is willing to make a positional change when signed by his fifth team in four years? That should be a recipe for failure.

However, in 2016, the former Ohio State quarterback put up 1,007 yards as a WR in his second season in Cleveland, driving up his contract demands. Pryor is now playing in Washington on a one-year, $6 million contract that includes additional incentives.

With all that in mind, as Chassen points out, one of biggest surprises about Pryor’s transformation into a reliable NFL receiver is that not one, but two coaching staffs have seen enough in him to be willing to invest time and money into a player that is still a work-in-progress.

NFL coaches and front offices are notoriously hesitant to do anything that might end up being a waste of time and money, and projects are usually reserved for late-round draft picks, not players in their third or fifth year in the league. However, TP’s blend of size and athleticism makes him the rare exception. And, if he is able to prove that his 2016 production was no fluke, then he’s in for an even bigger payday come season’s end.

STICK TO SPORTS

• Answers to the questions about the upcoming solar eclipse you’re too embarrassed to ask.
• Polygon’s guide to fall entertainment and gaming.
• Don’t text and walk in Honolulu, you will be fined.
• Podcasting giant Gimlet Media, closes out fundraising round with a $15 million investment.
• Cast announced for “Harry Potter and the Cursed Child” on Broadway.

Continue reading...

Stacked Buckeyes ready to rumba - The Daily Iowan
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Stacked Buckeyes ready to rumba
The Daily Iowan
After suffering a rare 31-0 loss in the College Football Playoffs at the hands of Clemson, the Buckeyes will try to bounce back in a way reminiscent of the 2014 season, in which they took home the National Championship. Still, even with suffering ...


Continue reading...

Buckeyes on the move for top young in-state recruit - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes on the move for top young in-state recruit
247Sports
Buckeyes on the move for top young in-state recruit. The potential No. 1 young prospect in Ohio seems to be gaining when it comes to the Buckeyes. Bill Kurelic - 22 minutes ago; 1; Tools. Edit; Slot to 247Sports Home; Slot to Ohio State Buckeyes ...


Continue reading...

Top 5 Ohio State players primed to breakout in 2017
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


The next batch of breakout stars are ready to shine.

Players can breakout at any time in college football.

And few schools understand that better than Ohio State.

Last season alone, OSU saw Malik Hooker, Marshon Lattimore, Mike Weber and others rise from obscurity only to become some of the most important Buckeyes on the team.

So you can be rest assured that there’ll be more like Hooker and Co. to come this year.

Prior to the start of the 2016 season, I predicted Hooker, Weber, Noah Brown, Sam Hubbard, and Chris Worley would breakout. Brown fell off a bit after his four touchdown performance against Oklahoma, but the rest panned out nicely.

Here again are five breakout candidates to keep an eye on as we inch closer to the Buckeyes season opener.

No. 5: Dante Booker


We’ve been hearing for the past three seasons just how great Dante Booker can be. While he hasn’t lived up to the hype yet, it’s not for lack of trying.

Booker had a chance to step in as one of the Buckeyes starting outside linebackers in 2016, but a Week 1 injury derailed his promising debut campaign. Entering his senior season, a healthy Booker is primed to become OSU’s latest one-year wonder.

New linebackers coach Billy Davis said as much in the spring.


If the Silver Bullets want to meet expectations, Booker has to maintain good health alongside Worley and Jerome Baker.

No. 4: Nick Bosa


I don’t want to hear about how Nick Bosa already had his breakout season as a freshman in 2016.

It’s just not true. Five sacks and 29 tackles – no matter the team – is not breaking out.


While the younger Bosa exceeded expectations and put up some nice numbers on a stacked defensive line, a legitimate breakout year has yet to come. His time to shine is on the horizon, though, based on the path Nick’s older brother Joey took at OSU.

A Scarlet and Gray all-timer, Joey Bosa broke out as a sophomore, compiling 13.5 sacks, 21.5 tackles for a loss, and four forced fumbles. He absolutely wrecked opposing offenses and I wouldn’t be surprised if his 6-foot-4, 270-pound sibling followed suit this year.

Now, Nick Bosa won’t start the season, but he should see an expanded role on an opportunistic defense.

No. 3: Demario McCall


Only one other Buckeye on this list has been hyped up more than Demario McCall, and even then it’s close.

Fresh off a year of seasoning, McCall is set to be OSU’s next big thing at running back. The 5-foot-9, 195-pounder is a speed-demon and is as explosive a runner as we’ve seen in recent memory in Columbus.

Garbage time or not, McCall made the most of his 53 offensive touches in 2016, tallying 354 yards and four touchdowns.


Although some believe McCall – who prefers it – may remain at tailback alongside Weber and J.K. Dobbins, he’ll still likely split time with Paris Campbell at H-Back.

Regardless of where he lines up, McCall’s a homerun threat and a potential X-Factor for the Buckeyes.

No. 2: Denzel Ward


After watching Hooker, Lattimore and Gareon Conley – former teammates in the Buckeye secondary – all get selected in the first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, Denzel Ward figures to be next in line.

Ward’s a strong cover man and is every bit as athletic as Lattimore and Conley. He was also just as valuable to OSU’s defense last season, logging 468 total snaps.

Our very own Christopher Jason summed up Ward’s quietly dominant 2016 campaign.


Don’t be the fan that gets caught off guard by Ward’s play when Week 1 hits.

No. 1: Binjimen Victor


Hype and Binijimen Victor have become synonymous with each other.

Victor saw little of the field in 2016, but that definitely won’t be the case this year. The lanky wideout is a sharp route-runner, can win any 50-50 ball, and has the athletic ability to really take over games.

He’s also a legit No. 1 receiver and a reliable go-to target for J.T. Barrett, who struggled with accuracy issues for much of last season. It was obvious in the spring game that Victor had made significant progress towards being OSU’s top pass-catcher.


It’ll be fun to see what Victor can do in the Buckeyes revamped Kevin Wilson-led unit.

If he can consistently create separation and prove his value as a downfield threat, there’s no telling how good their offense can be.

Continue reading...

Buddy of mine found a mini replica of the sears trophy in 2003 complete with a Waterford crystal football. He's been looking for a replica of this since 2014. He paid 150 in 2003 for the crystal ball trophy. Doubt this one will stay up on eBay very long. Once the NCAA finds out they will shut it down.

Tyquan Lewis: Ohio State defense wants to be 'best ever' - MyDaytonDailyNews
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Tyquan Lewis: Ohio State defense wants to be 'best ever'
MyDaytonDailyNews
Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Tyquan Lewis has goals bigger than a Big Ten championship or national championship. He looks around him and unlimited potential on defense, especially with one of the deepest defensive lines in college football.

and more »

Continue reading...

BH: New Day for QBs | Pipeline briefly interrupted - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BH: New Day for QBs | Pipeline briefly interrupted
247Sports
STA has a few players in that class the Buckeyes will take a look at, including a guy likely at the top of their list in LB Jahmar Brown. But another player they'll be looking at and offered early is RB Daniel Carter. "I talked to them when I was there ...
Recent recruiting predictions show Ohio State gaining ground for 4-star point guardLand-Grant Holy Land

all 2 news articles »

Continue reading...

Buckeyes rushing to get ready for '17 - SalemNews.net
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes rushing to get ready for '17
SalemNews.net
This season, the Buckeyes open on Aug. 31 against Indiana at Bloomington, then come back for the home opener nine days later against Oklahoma. “We are not playing preseason games,” Meyer said Monday, referring to the usual early home games against ...


Continue reading...