National Signing Day 2017: LB Pete Werner signs with Ohio State
Charles Doss via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The four-star standout is officially a Buckeye.

The wait is finally over for four-star linebacker Pete Werner. Verbally committing to Ohio State in December, the one-time Notre Dame pledge is now officially a Buckeye after signing his national letter of intent with the Big Ten powerhouse earlier this morning.

Putting pen to paper, Werner will team back up with another Indianapolis Cathedral standout on the Ohio State roster next season. Showcasing his speed, current Buckeye wide receiver and special teams terror Terry McLaurin was named Mr. Football for the state of Indiana during his time with the Irish.

Werner wasn’t penciled into the Buckeyes’ class early on, but it didn’t take him very long to jump on his chance to play for Urban Meyer and crew. Making the trip to the Columbus campus for Ohio State’s come from behind victory over arch-rival Michigan, he announced his plans to play for OSU nearly two weeks later during his official visit.

Although Ohio State looks to replace Raekwon McMillan, the defensive unit returns numerous linebackers next season. Much like the aforementioned McLaurin and other young Buckeyes have done in the past, Werner will more than likely have to crack the lineup on special teams before seeing significant time in the rotation at his natural position.

While redshirting during his first season with the Buckeyes isn’t out of the question, the 6’3, 220-pound Werner has shown it’s hard to keep him off the field during his time on the high school level. Considered the 14th-best outside linebacker and 273rd overall prospect in the class of 2017, according to the 247Sports Composite, Werner racked up more than 100 career tackles and six forced fumbles for the Irish.

Scouting Report

Highlights

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National Signing Day 2017: CB Kendall Sheffield signs with Ohio State
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 former Alabama cornerback could start immediately for the Buckeyes.

When it was needed most, Ohio State went somewhere that they have gone just a few times before since the hiring of head coach Urban Meyer. That's the JUCO route, as '17 CB Kendall Sheffield of Blinn College (TX) has put pen to paper and is now officially a member of the Buckeyes.

Sheffield had an unconventional path that ultimately led him to commit to Ohio State less than one month ago. The 6'0, 185-pounder signed to Alabama out of high school. Sheffield would depart from the Crimson Tide after his redshirt freshman season and take his talents to Texas to suit up for the Buccaneers.

First things first: it is important to clarify that Sheffield was not pushed out of the door in Tuscaloosa nor was he a problem amongst the football program — at least that's how Nick Saban relayed the message. According to AL.com, Saban told reporters that they would be "happy to have him back" and continued by saying "we enjoy having him a part of the team."

From my perspective, this seems to be a situation in which Sheffield was hopeful to play a bigger role at Alabama when arriving on campus. Now, after spending one year at a junior college, Sheffield will have a tremendous opportunity to step in right away as a Buckeye and potentially start for Greg Schiano and Kerry Coombs' defense.

Ohio State will be without Gareon Conley, Malik Hooker, and Marshon Lattimore this upcoming season, as that trio is headed to the NFL. That leaves a void at a few spots in the back end that the Buckeyes have to fill, and Sheffield may be the answer to one of those vacancies.

Sheffield has plenty of talent and his offer sheet backs it up. The Lonestar State prospect acquired offers from Ohio State, TCU, Texas, Texas A&M, and USC while at Blinn College. Combine that with the fact that Alabama, Florida, Florida State, Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Penn State, and many more wanted him out of high school, and the proof is obvious.

Sheffield will join the program as the third best JUCO prospect in the country, the best CB at that level, and the very best JUCO player from Texas, according to the 247Sports Composite. Now, he will head to Columbus with his four-star grade and being highly regarded at Blinn College in his rear view but opportunity right in arms reach. The newest Buckeye will have three years to play two for Ohio State and it might not be very long before Sheffield is making plays on the back end for the Scarlet and Gray.

Scouting Report

Highlights

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Men's basketball | Maryland 77, Ohio State 71: Buckeyes falter in second half - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Men's basketball | Maryland 77, Ohio State 71: Buckeyes falter in second half
Columbus Dispatch
17 Terrapins have that hasn't been afforded to the Buckeyes for two seasons, and it made a difference. With Ohio State starting point guard JaQuan Lyle on the bench for the final 12:12 and a patchwork lineup of reserves and starters playing with effort ...
Ohio State vs. Maryland 2017 final score: Maryland holds off Buckeyes, 77-71Land-Grant Holy Land
Thad Matta's Buckeyes nipped at home by Maryland, 77-71ABC6OnYourSide.com
Buckeyes Fall to Terps, 77-71FOXSports.com
UMTerps.com -247Sports -BuckeyeGrove.com (subscription)
all 146 news articles »

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National Signing Day 2017: Get free Ohio State recruiting text updates
Luke Zimmermann via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Get the latest Ohio State football recruiting news all NSD 2017 long with 100% FREE text message updates.

The road to a second Urban Meyer national championship starts on the recruiting trail. On the heels of five previously outstanding National Signing Days, Meyer and the Buckeye recruiting think tank look to up the ante with perhaps the best signing day in Ohio State history.

We know much of today's news happens while you're at work or in class, but don't worry: We can keep you posted all day long with 100% free (text message and data charges apply) Ohio State recruiting updates.

We're excited for the fourth straight year to bring you free, up to the minute Ohio State football recruiting updates all National Signing Day 2017 long. If you've signed up in years past, you're ready to rock. If you're new to the NSD festivities, just follow the instructions below and you'll be golden.

How do I sign up for free Ohio State recruiting text messages?

Text GOBUCKS to 84483

Do I need to register again if I registered last year or the year before?

No. You are already in the system. But if you unsubscribed, you will need to register again.

How many texts can I expect on National Signing Day 2017?

No more than 25-30. We will notify you when a Ohio State commitment/target signs his National Letter of Intent, and of any major developments in or around Ohio State recruiting today.

So is this FREE or what?

It is just like receiving a normal text message from a friend or family member. Standard text message and data rates apply.

Will any party receive unsolicited messages ("SPAM") on their mobile phones?

No! Our service enforces a ZERO SPAM policy, which clearly prohibits unsolicited messages, and does not sell the contact information of its subscribers to its sponsors or third party marketers. They cannot afford to ruin the credibility of their company, nor the industry. Therefore you will never receive advertisement messages from this service.

How Do I cancel/unsubscribe after National Signing Day 2017?

Simply text "STOP" to 84483

Go Bucks.

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Ohio State football recruiting: National Signing Day 2017 commits, signings, news
Luke Zimmermann via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Urban Meyer's sixth NSD is set to be Ohio State's best ever. Follow along with Land-Grant Holy Land from the first fax all the way until Meyer's press conference.

It's National Signing Day! The recruiting madness that surrounds this day has already started and there is already movement on the recruiting front. It’s time to relax, if you can, and watch the final touches of Ohio State’s 2017 recruiting class be laid on.

If you’re confused about the process, here's a short breakdown: each athlete will hold letter of intents from schools they've been recruited by. Once their final decision is made, they will sign their name with the respective school they selected. After that, the athlete and their families will fax their NLOI in and from that point on, they are officially a college football player.

For 2017, Ohio State's class is just about wrapped up. The Buckeyes hit the recruiting trail hard early and that calls for minimal to moderate drama that could unfold today. However, there are a couple prospects that the Buckeyes are chasing to close out the cycle.

The names to pay attention to today are Thayer Munford, Marvin Wilson and Jay Tufele. Ohio State has continued to stay in the game for each. How will things shake out?

Who


Thayer Munford (6'6/320) OL - Washington High School, OH

Marvin Wilson (6'4/330) DT - Episcopal H.S., TX

Jay Tufele (6'3/300) DT - Bingham H.S., UT

How to watch


ESPNU - ESPNU will begin their Signing Day coverage at 8 a.m. eastern time and will for three hours. It will then pick up again from 5 p.m. ET and run to 7 p.m. ET. The program "ESPNU Signing Day Special" will feature multiple announcements from some of the top remaining prospects in the country and break downs of which conference and which teams had the most success. Typically, ESPNU is the go-to station for this event and it doesn't seem like it'll be different this year.

Big Ten Network - BTN will be airing a program called "B1G Football and Beyond." It will air at 9 a.m. eastern time and will have updates on every Big Ten team and how they fared on National Signing Day. You won't find as much national coverage on this one, as you might expect, but rather a solid breakdown of the Big Ten Conference. The program will run to 5 p.m. ET.

CBS Sports Network - CBSSN will launch their coverage beginning at 10 a.m. ET and it will run for two hours. Like ESPNU, CBS Sports Network will offer live announcements and breakdowns of each recruiting class on a national scale. The program is called “National Signing Day.”

Predictions


Thayer Munford - Munford is one of the top rated in-state players left in Ohio and has a chance to fill a void which was created when Jake Moretti decommitted months ago. Ohio State has kept Munford warm throughout this process and with a visit to Columbus just a couple weeks ago, Munford is all but locked up to Ohio State. Coach Greg Studrawa pushed for Munford down the stretch and he’ll get his man. Pick: Ohio State

Marvin Wilson - Wilson is one of the most dominant high school players left in the country who has not made a decision. He's a big and physical and could immediately challenge for playing time if he winds up in Columbus. Ohio State has stayed in this one throughout this process, but it may not be enough to match his relationships with other coaches. Pick: FSU

Jay Tufele - Like talked about above, Ohio State has stayed one of the top teams throughouts Tufele’s process. Larry Johnson has built a great relationship with the four-star from Utah. However, even with the great recruiting efforts, the home-state team will be tough to beat. Pick: Utah

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National Signing Day 2017: News, TV schedule and more for Ohio State
Austin Kemp via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Find out how you can follow all the action.

It's National Signing Day! The recruiting madness that surrounds this day has already started and there is already movement on the recruiting front. It’s time to relax, if you can, and watch the final touches of Ohio State’s 2017 recruiting class be laid on.

If you’re confused about the process, here's a short breakdown: each athlete will hold letter of intents from schools they've been recruited by. Once their final decision is made, they will sign their name with the respective school they selected. After that, the athlete and their families will fax their NLOI in and from that point on, they are officially a college football player.

For 2017, Ohio State's class is just about wrapped up. The Buckeyes hit the recruiting trail hard early and that calls for minimal to moderate drama that could unfold today. However, there are a couple prospects that the Buckeyes are chasing to close out the cycle.

The names to pay attention to today are Thayer Munford, Marvin Wilson and Jay Tufele. Ohio State has continued to stay in the game for each. How will things shake out?

Who


Thayer Munford (6'6/320) OL - Washington High School, OH

Marvin Wilson (6'4/330) DT - Episcopal H.S., TX

Jay Tufele (6'3/300) DT - Bingham H.S., UT

How to watch


ESPNU - ESPNU will begin their Signing Day coverage at 8 a.m. eastern time and will for three hours. It will then pick up again from 5 p.m. ET and run to 7 p.m. ET. The program "ESPNU Signing Day Special" will feature multiple announcements from some of the top remaining prospects in the country and break downs of which conference and which teams had the most success. Typically, ESPNU is the go-to station for this event and it doesn't seem like it'll be different this year.

Big Ten Network - BTN will be airing a program called "B1G Football and Beyond." It will air at 9 a.m. eastern time and will have updates on every Big Ten team and how they fared on National Signing Day. You won't find as much national coverage on this one, as you might expect, but rather a solid breakdown of the Big Ten Conference. The program will run to 5 p.m. ET.

CBS Sports Network - CBSSN will launch their coverage beginning at 10 a.m. ET and it will run for two hours. Like ESPNU, CBS Sports Network will offer live announcements and breakdowns of each recruiting class on a national scale. The program is called “National Signing Day.”

Predictions


Thayer Munford - Munford is one of the top rated in-state players left in Ohio and has a chance to fill a void which was created when Jake Moretti decommitted months ago. Ohio State has kept Munford warm throughout this process and with a visit to Columbus just a couple weeks ago, Munford is all but locked up to Ohio State. Coach Greg Studrawa pushed for Munford down the stretch and he’ll get his man. Pick: Ohio State

Marvin Wilson - Wilson is one of the most dominant high school players left in the country who has not made a decision. He's a big and physical and could immediately challenge for playing time if he winds up in Columbus. Ohio State has stayed in this one throughout this process, but it may not be enough to match his relationships with other coaches. Pick: FSU

Jay Tufele - Like talked about above, Ohio State has stayed one of the top teams throughouts Tufele’s process. Larry Johnson has built a great relationship with the four-star from Utah. However, even with the great recruiting efforts, the home-state team will be tough to beat. Pick: Utah

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Thad Matta's Buckeyes nipped at home by Maryland, 77-71 - ABC6OnYourSide.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Thad Matta's Buckeyes nipped at home by Maryland, 77-71
ABC6OnYourSide.com
COLUMBUS -- (AP) Justin Jackson had 22 points and 12 rebounds as No. 17 Maryland held off Ohio State down the stretch to win 77-71 on Tuesday night. The Buckeyes pulled within one point four times in the second half but the Terps always had an ...
Ohio State vs. Maryland 2017 final score: Maryland holds off Buckeyes, 77-71Land-Grant Holy Land
3-star Clemson recruit from Ohio throws shade at Buckeyes247Sports
Buckeyes Fall to Terps, 77-71FOXSports.com
UMTerps.com -BuckeyeGrove.com (subscription) -Columbus Dispatch
all 122 news articles »

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Brent Musburger Recalls Holy Buckeye During Ohio State-Maryland Game, Forgets Drew Brees Was Already in NFL - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Brent Musburger Recalls Holy Buckeye During Ohio State-Maryland Game, Forgets Drew Brees Was Already in NFL
Eleven Warriors
One of the most recognizable voices in college sports history, Brent Musburger is set to call his final game on ESPN on Tuesday night. The legendary broadcaster is in Lexington, Kentucky, ready to work the Wildcats' matchup against Georgia at Rupp ...


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Final thoughts on Ohio State targets Marvin Wilson and Thayer Munford, the joy of a 'stress-free' signing day and more - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Final thoughts on Ohio State targets Marvin Wilson and Thayer Munford, the joy of a 'stress-free' signing day and more
Landof10.com
It's easy to find reasons that Wilson should pick the Buckeyes, but as we learned last year with Rashard Lawrence, some recruitments don't boil down to what makes “sense.” Here's what I wrote about Lawrence last year, and much of it also rings true for ...
The Hurry Up: Final Thoughts on Marvin Wilson, Jay Tufele and Thayer Munford Ahead of National Signing DayEleven Warriors
Watch: Ohio State Target Marvin Wilson's HighlightsScout

all 17 news articles »

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Justin Jackson, No. 17 Maryland hold off Ohio State
Brent Yarina, BTN.com Senior Editor via Big Ten Network

Justin Jackson had 22 points and 12 rebounds as No. 17 Maryland held off Ohio State down the stretch to win 77-71 on Tuesday night.

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Ohio State vs. Maryland 2017 final score: Maryland holds off Buckeyes, 77-71
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 lose 11th of last 12 against ranked opponents.

On Tuesday night, the Ohio State Buckeyes (13-10, 3-7) suffered their 10th loss of the season, falling to the No. 17 Maryland Terrapins, 77-71. Despite impressive efforts from junior Jae’Sean Tate and senior Marc Loving, the Buckeyes lost their 11th game in the last 12 against ranked opponents.

After Maryland raced out to an early lead, the Buckeye defense closed the gap, forcing five turnovers in the first eight minutes. After turning over junior guard Melo Trimble, OSU forward Tate threaded the needle to a streaking Kam Williams who laid it up to give OSU their first lead of the game at 16-15.

While Tate got the assist on that bucket, he was the Buckeyes’ best weapon against Maryland, especially early on. With a spinning bunny from the block at the 9:29 mark, Tate scored 11 of the team’s first 21 points.

With just over three minutes remaining in first half, and the score tied at 31, Terp junior guard Jared Nickens hit a three-pointer and was fouled in the act by Loving. After a timeout, Nickens completed the rare four-point play.

As the half ran down, the teams exchanged buckets, and Maryland ended the first 20 minutes on a 7-0 run to take a 42-36 lead into the locker room. In the first half, Trimble, Maryland’s best player, had more turnovers (3) than points (2), but freshman forward Justin Jackson picked up the slack with 13 points and four rebounds.

For the Buckeyes, Tate had 13 points at the break, while Thompson had five points and five rebounds, and sophomore guard JaQuan Lyle chipped in with five points and five assists.

Freshman Micah Potter began the season as a member of the Buckeyes’ starting lineup, and it was only an injury that allowed junior Trevor Thompson to take over the starting spot. However, after being one of OSU’s most consistent players, Thompson went scoreless and fouled out on Saturday against Iowa, so head coach Thad Matta decided to shake up the starting rotation and reinsert Potter. Thompson was the first player off the bench.

The Buckeyes opened the second half giving up an easy layup, and Matta called an immediate timeout for the sole purpose of lighting up his team for the full 75 seconds.

After a mostly status quo first nine minutes of the half, a 7-0 Buckeye run, capped by a Tate steal that led to a transition C.J. Jackson corner-three, cut the Terp lead to 58-55 with 10:38 remaining in regulation.

On the verge of his eighth double-double of the season, Thompson had to come out of the game with an apparent knee injury after missing a layup on offense, and his man, junior forward Michal Cekovksy, raced down the floor for a fast break dunk. Thompson did not return, and finished with nine points and nine rebounds in 21 minutes of action.

After the timeout, the Buckeyes got back-to-back baskets, including Loving’s fourth three-pointer of the game, to cut the Maryland lead to 64-63. Loving finished the game with 18 points. Tate ended the game with 20, and Williams added 10.

With just under three minutes remaining, the Buckeyes went small with neither Thompson or Potter on the floor. After Loving was turned away in the lane, the Buckeyes were bailed out by Maryland’s Anthony Cowan who committed a foul with 2 seconds left on the shot clock, leading to Jackson hitting two free-throws and bringing the score to 70-69 in favor of the Terps. However, Maryland never gave up the lead from there.

The Buckeyes will be back in action this Saturday in Ann Arbor, taking on the Wolverines at 6:00 p.m. EST. The game will be broadcast on ESPN2.

Three things we learned:


1) Jea’Sean Tate still has something to play for. Many Buckeye fans have questioned the effort of this year’s team, but it is clear that Jea’Sean Tate has no intention of allowing his heart to be called into question.

He is the unquestioned leader of the team statistically; 14 points per game (1st on the team), 6.3 rebounds per game (2nd on the team), 23 steals (2nd on the team); but he is also routinely the first player back on defense, or leading the break on offense. Despite being an undersized power forward at 6’4, Tate has proven himself to be a force in the paint and shows no qualms about giving up his body for a loose ball.

Whether it is because he is still hoping to turn the season around, or if he is playing to enhance his pro potential, Tate is the most consistent bright spot on the team. If he had played on one of Matta’s more star-led teams, it is easy to imagine Tate’s motor being the engine that drove OSU to a Big Ten or even National Championship.

2) There’s no reason for Trevor Thompson to not be in the starting lineup. Look, I know that he had a horrendous game against Iowa on Saturday, but besides Tate, Trevor Thompson has been the best player that the Buckeyes have had since beginning Big Ten play.

Not only is he averaging 10.5 points and 9.2 rebounds per game, but he is also the third best free throw shooter on the team at 72.5%. But, statistics aside, most importantly, he has been an active, energetic presence down low. Something that the Buckeyes just don’t have in Micah Potter or elsewhere on the roster.

His propensity to get into foul trouble is obviously always going to be a concern, but other than disciplinary reasons not withstanding, there is no on-court reason for the team’s best big man to not be a part of the starting lineup every game.

3) This Ohio State team can beat (and lose to) any team in the Big Ten. Unless the Buckeyes see marked improvement, this season will most likely end up being the worst in Matta’s 13 years in Columbus. However, many times this year, Ohio State has played well against their best opponents, only to falter down the stretch; see Virginia, UCLA, and now Maryland.

Similarly, the Buckeyes seem to play their worst against lower rated opponents; see Florida Atlantic and UNC Asheville.

Whether that is being short one quality contributor, or not having a leader who is able to drag his teammates to respectability, one thing is for sure, the Buckeyes are almost always going to be in close games. While that fact can lead to a tremendous amount of excitement for a team, more often than not this season, it has led to disappointment for the Buckeyes.

At this point, the only logical option that OSU has to make the NCAA tournament is the long-shot of winning the Big Ten Tournament. However unlikely that may be, at least Buckeye fans can take solace in knowing that their team has a good chance of hanging with whomever they match up against.

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Ohio State vs. Maryland 2017 final score: Maryland holds off Buckeyes, 77-71 - Land-Grant Holy Land
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State vs. Maryland 2017 final score: Maryland holds off Buckeyes, 77-71
Land-Grant Holy Land
On Tuesday night, the Ohio State Buckeyes (13-10, 3-7) suffered their 10th loss of the season, falling to the No. 17 Maryland Terrapins, 77-71. Despite impressive efforts from junior Jae'Sean Tate and senior Marc Loving, the Buckeyes lost their 11th ...
#17 Terps Set for Battle with Buckeyes TuesdayUMTerps.com
Buckeyes battle but fall to No. 17 Maryland, 77-71247Sports
Ohio State basketball vs. No. 17 Maryland preview: TV info, key players, stats, predictioncleveland.com
Eleven Warriors -OSU - The Lantern -Landof10.com
all 101 news articles »

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Ohio State Football: Is Marvin Wilson Going To Be The Next Buckeye? - Factory Of Sadness
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Football: Is Marvin Wilson Going To Be The Next Buckeye?
Factory Of Sadness
This year's recruiting class for the Ohio State Buckeyes is loaded. With or without undeclared Texas defensive lineman Marvin Wilson, Ohio State is in great shape. The man of the hour has a higher ceiling than former Ohio State defensive lineman and ...
Final thoughts on Ohio State targets Marvin Wilson and Thayer Munford, the joy of a 'stress-free' signing day and moreLandof10.com
The Hurry Up: Final Thoughts on Marvin Wilson, Jay Tufele and Thayer Munford Ahead of National Signing DayEleven Warriors

all 12 news articles »

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Top 20 most important Buckeyes: No. 3 Marshon Lattimore - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Top 20 most important Buckeyes: No. 3 Marshon Lattimore
247Sports
The four-star cornerback out of the Buckeyes' Cleveland Glenville pipeline hoped to be the next big thing in Columbus following in the steps of Troy Smith, Ted Ginn Jr. Christian Bryant and Donte Whitner, to name a few. Instead, Lattimore, the sixth ...

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Ohio State has dominated the Big Ten in recruiting and this year will be the same
Ian Cuevas via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Urban Meyer and co. have recruited at a phenomenal level, unmatched by just about everyone.

“Together, Michigan and Ohio State have received more ESPN 300 commitments (76) than all other Big Ten schools combined (63) since Harbaugh arrived in Ann Arbor. Those two are the only schools from the conference to sign a top-10 class during that span.”

- Jason Starrett, ESPN


With National Signing Day upon us, it’s as good a time as any to realize just how dominate Urban Meyer and Ohio State have been when recruiting. As the quote above says, the Buckeyes, along with Michigan have shared 76 commitments ranked in the ESPN 300, which is more than all of the other teams in the conference combined (63). That is a truly amazing statistic considering the amount of teams in the Big Ten. But it’s been true for the past decade or so as well, as the two powerhouse teams have continually dominated both on the field and off of it.

Even as other Big Ten teams have improved over time, especially in recruiting, Meyer and Jim Harbaugh have done their best to make sure Ohio State and Michigan are always at the top. In fact, the last time a team that wasn’t the Buckeyes or Wolverines signed a top 10 recruiting class according to ESPN’s rankings was Penn State in 2006. The 2017 recruiting cycle already has another top 10 class finish likely for both Ohio State and Michigan.

“There's no substitute for talent, and it's nearly impossible to win a national title without recruiting at the level Meyer, Harbaugh and Franklin are reaching. But there's also still room in the Big Ten for developmental programs and for coaches who know how to find the right needs for their own styles, regardless of the star ratings.”

- Brian Bennett, ESPN


Staying with the recruiting theme, another interesting point to the conversation, especially in the Big Ten, are the teams that succeed despite not being one of the top recruiters. The example immediately used is Penn State. The 2016 Big Ten champions also took down USC in the Rose Bowl with a quarterback who garnered MVP honors in the Big Ten championship game against Wisconsin. That same quarterback, Trace McSorley, was rated as a three-star prospect in most recruiting rankings when he was originally committed to Vanderbilt. Not to mention that most teams saw him as a future safety at the college level. Stories like McSorley happen every now and again and it’s even common in the Big Ten.

Michigan State, Wisconsin, Iowa, and even Penn State to some degree have all had their shining moments in the Big Ten over the past decade or so and all of them really haven’t come close to anything considered dominant in terms of recruiting. Yet the teams they put out on the field have won Big Ten championships and have competed on a national stage for BCS bowls and College Football Playoff games alike. It’s one of the more interesting parts about recruiting, and it’s something to keep in mind with National Signing Day tomorrow.

“You hope that there is a certain standard that guys are going to hold themselves and their teammates to. This team has had a tendency to go back and we start over. That has been one of the challenges with this group of continuing to demand as much as we possibly can. We have played some excellent basketball.”

- Thad Matta via Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch


Ohio State’s basketball team has had plenty of ups and downs this season. They’ve shown flashes of being able to play excellent defense and are 11-2 in games in which they’ve held teams to no more than 70 points. But the inconsistency of the Buckeyes has hurt them in the long run, dropping games to a team like Iowa, in a game that Thad Matta’s team was beaten by a comfortable margin. The Hawkeyes scored 85 points that day and that was without their best offensive player on the court. It seems at times that Ohio State just isn’t in sync with each other when playing and it shows quite often.

Now the Buckeyes have another game to host against a 17th-ranked Maryland team that won’t be looking to give away a win easily. For Ohio State to succeed the players will need to be on the same page, communicating at all times and showing the cohesiveness of a winning team. They’ve done it before and have a chance to do it again with the season starting to dwindle down.

STICK TO SPORTS:

• Here’s how to talk about recruiting if you only know Mario Kart terms.
• Everything that’s coming to Netflix in February is on this list.
• These folks played a real-life Zelda adventure and Ganondorf won.

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Top 20 most important Buckeyes: No. 3 Marshon Lattimore - CBS sports.com (blog)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Top 20 most important Buckeyes: No. 3 Marshon Lattimore
CBS sports.com (blog)
The college football season has come to a close. As part of our year-end review of Ohio State's 2016 season, we will be counting down the 20 most important contributors to the Buckeyes this year. We will release one per day until we reach the top spot.
What To Watch: Buckeyes host No. 17 Maryland247Sports

all 2 news articles »

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Dienhart: Big Ten’s early MVP? It’s Wisconsin’s Ethan Happ
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

Let me be the first to apologize to Purdue’s Caleb Swanigan. Also, no offense to Iowa’s Peter Jok. And, I hope Maryland’s Melo Trimble understands. But as the calendar is about to flip to February, there is no Big Ten player more valuable, versatile and dynamic than Wisconsin’s Ethan Happ.

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Fax or fiction: Do recruits still commit by fax machine on Signing Day?
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

Leading up to eight hours of live National Singing Day coverage on BTN?BTn2Go starting at 9 a.m. ET Wed., Feb. 1, BTN.com's Tom Dienhart looked for answer to this question: Why does anyone use the fax machine?

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Former Buckeyes to sign autographs at Lima Mall - Lima Ohio
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Former Buckeyes to sign autographs at Lima Mall
Lima Ohio
Autograph session, former OSU football players Kato Mitchell, James Cotton, Thad Gibson, Marcus Hall and Donald Washington, 1-7 p.m., Feb. 4, Lima Mall, 2400 Elida Road, Lima. Autographs, $15 each or $70 for all five players. Tickets required: ...


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So Buckeye Planet - who do you like in the Big Game?

Gameline: Pats -3
O/U: 54
ML: ATL +130

This game would come out, and fights would soon follow. Good times with the family.

Our guide to National Signing Day around the Big Ten
BTN.com staff via Big Ten Network

Need information on National Signing Day? We'll get you to the right place, player and team with this Big Ten guide.

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