pnuts34 said:

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Read more at: https://www.kentucky.com/sports/col...-football/article316048430.html#storylink=cpy
Four-star UK QB signee now says his top goal is to sign pro baseball contract

Matt Ponatoski, a Moeller High School football and baseball standout who committed to play quarterback for the Kentucky Wildcats, said the MLB draft in July remains his first option.

“Option 1A is to go be a (MLB) draft pick and go get drafted and go be in an organization at 18 rather than go to college and be in an organization at 21, which is not a bad option either. I want to be drafted. That’s 1A for sure.”

And the chances that he never makes it to campus appear to be increasing. “I think people who don’t talk to me face to face might get an idea that I want to go play college football,” four-star quarterback signee Matt Ponatoski said in an appearance on Overslotbaseball.com podcast that published over the weekend. “I do, but that’s option 1B.

In February, UK baseball coach Nick Mingione said his staff had already coordinated with the new football staff to develop a plan for Ponatoski to play both sports in college. At the time, Baseball America ranked him as the 56th-best 2026 draft prospect, but those rankings have slipped over the course of his senior season. Now, Baseball America ranks him as the 55th-best high school prospect in the draft, but outside the top 100 eligible players at No. 139.

dragurd said:

He mentioned he was offered 10 mill to transfer and somewhere I saw he made 2.5 or something last year. While I don't think OSU matched you'd think they would have to at least up their present number.

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Just sayin': I know that you can't always believe what is reported; however, here is what was reported....

Ohio State Splashes $5M on Jeremiah Smith; Forces Program to Extend Roster Value to $43.5M​

The Ohio State Buckeyes put together a reported $5 million package to keep star wide receiver Jeremiah Smith in Columbus. It shows how far programs are now willing to go in the NIL era. Smith’s reported package became one major piece of a much costlier Ohio State roster, which is now valued at nearly $43.5 million.

Think of a team like a family budget, where the entire Ohio State roster cost around $35 million last year. When rival schools wave $10 million offers to poach your best player, securing Smith sets a new baseline for everyone else. This dynamic forced the Buckeyes to stretch their total roster value to nearly $43.5 million just to keep their championship core intact.

At this point, the WR is a favorite to win the Heisman Trophy. He recorded 1,243 receiving yards and 12 touchdowns in 13 games. He became one of the few Buckeyes to cement 1000 yards in 2 back-to-back seasons. However, the youngster still displays loyalty towards his team and aims to win a College Football Playoff national championship with the Buckeyes. One of the main schools rumored to be hellbent on making Smith jump ship is the WR’s hometown, Miami.

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BuckBackHome said:

Is his high school team still in the state tournament?

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Yes, they play again on Thursday

Wonder how much of that settlement was paid for by an insurance policy, and how much from the coffers of the university.

pnuts34 said:

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#1 with a silver bullet!

247
On3
Twitter
HudL



Class: 2028
Position: OL
School: West Des Moines (IA) Dowling Catholic
Height: 6'6"
Weight: 305 lbs

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Decent article re:JK: https://www.denverpost.com/2026/06/08/broncos-jk-dobbins-haters-payton/

Current Ohio State Golfer Vaughn Harber Qualifies for U.S. Open at Shinnecock Hills​

Harber, who just completed his sophomore year at Ohio State, will make his first career major championship start after an impressive showing at the Lakes in Westerville. He opened with a 3-under 67 and followed it with a 2-under 68 to force a three-man playoff for the final qualifying spot. Harber then won the playoff, punching his ticket to the first U.S. Open appearance of his career.

calibuck said:

And I would said, what did you expect? He's a Xichigan puke.

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"B-b-b-b-ut.... Tom Brady!!!"
- *ichigan fan

Agree. The SEC took in Texas and Oklahoma, and are chagrined that they're (well, Texas maybe) tearing it up. Kinda puts a kink in the SEC uberall approach. B10 took in Nebraska, and they're struggling to stay mid-league, and Penn St, while was an independent, is struggling to stay in upper third of B10. Oregon and USC remain to be seen, but only Oregon has shown a glimmer of being outstanding in league. And suspect that is directly correlated to the advent of NIL, and the 'Nike money' that is the ability to buy talent. Oregon (the state) doesn't have the HS infra-structure to compete with great players. Still, wistfully, wish had taken Stanford, and see the Director's Cup reside with B10 on it.....

Probably a faster way onto the field. Merely my opinion, could see that happening. Maybe a connection to Franklin, hard to tell. Anyway, this young man made a decision best for him, so good luck to him. tOSU will survive this, as we have so many others, and remained as strong as they come. Could recite a number of stale platitudes here, but you guys can probably recite them better than I. Good luck to him.

Mike80 said:

This is the first All Star game I really remember watching....baseball was peak back then...

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Back in the old days if you lived on the west coast and the game was being played on the east coast you had to settle for listening to the game on the radio because the local channels wouldn't pre empt scheduled programing for a baseball game. Up until the 80's I listened to most all star games on the radio. The first I remember watching on TV was the 1984 all star game in SF when Huey Lewis and the New sand the national anthem.

buckeyebri said:

Had to laugh at this. My wife was cleaning the windows last weekend and I was going to help her pull the top ones down and open them in. She proceeded to tell me that the bottom window had to be shut according to the instructions to open the top one in. Responded that the bottom window had to be opened in for the top one to come down and open in. I showed her it was physically impossible to do what the instructions she found on the internet said. But the instructions say this is how it works. I said okay and went outside to do something else. Low and behold I see her do exactly what I said a little later.

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Women, you gotta love them

Still too young. Bulls legend.

Was funny on the mic too.

DubCoffman62 said:

Florida woman mauled to death by dogs that had allegedly terrorized neighborhood, owner charged in killing

A Florida woman was mauled to death by two pit bulls that neighbors say terrorized their community, leading to the dogs' owner being arrested.

www.yahoo.com

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I hope the owner gets convicted of at least involuntary manslaughter

What will Qua Russaw’s role look like in Ohio State’s 2026 defense?​

The former five-star transfer may not enter the season as a full time starter, but his versatility as a pass rusher, edge setter, and hybrid defender could make him one of the Buckeyes’ most important rotational pieces in 2026.

When Ohio State rebuilt its defense this offseason, the Buckeyes were not simply looking for depth in the portal. They were looking for players capable of changing games and maybe even seasons. That is why Qua Russaw’s arrival from Alabama has become one of the most fascinating storylines on the roster.

Russaw enters Columbus carrying one of the most unique resumes on the team. He was a consensus five-star recruit, a top-20 national prospect, and one of the crown jewels of Alabama’s 2024 recruiting class. He was also a player whose college career never quite unfolded the way many expected in Tuscaloosa.

Between injuries, coaching changes, and a crowded depth chart filled to the brim with NFL talent, Russaw flashed his immense upside but never fully established himself as a featured player.

Now he arrives at Ohio State at exactly the right time for him and the Buckeyes. Ohio State does not need him to be a savior. They need him to become a weapon. If spring practice was any indication, that may be exactly how Matt Patricia plans to use him.

The role fits his skill set perfectly​

The most important thing to understand about Russaw is that he is not a traditional defensive end. At roughly 6-foot-3 and 245 pounds, he possesses the size to play on the edge, but his athletic profile is much closer to a hybrid defender than a strictly hand in the dirt pass rusher.

His burst, pursuit speed, change of direction, and ability to impact plays all over the field. Those traits showed up throughout his time at Alabama, and through spring practies at Ohio State.

While his statistical production never exploded, Russaw demonstrated the ability to rush off the edge, set the edge against the run, chase plays from the backside, and even drop into coverage when asked. During his Alabama career he appeared in over 25 games, recording tackles across multiple defensive roles while showcasing the versatility that made him such a coveted recruit.

That versatility is exactly why Ohio State pursued him. Matt Patricia’s defenses have historically valued players who can create uncertainty. Defenders who force offenses to identify where pressure is coming from before the snap, and players who can align in multiple locations without substituting personnel.

Russaw checks every box.He can rush standing up. He can play as an outside linebacker. He can attack from wider alignments. He can stunt inside, and he can even drop into coverage occasionally. Few edge defenders on Ohio State’s roster bring that combination of athleticism and flexibility.

Russaw’s role may ultimately be larger than his actual snap count.

The third down package could be where he becomes dangerous​

The biggest reason Buckeye fans should be excited is what Russaw potentially allows Ohio State to do on passing downs.
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Ohio State transfer has a clear path to be one of Matt Patricia's favorites​

Ohio State Buckeyes defensive coordinator Matt Patricia may find Alabama Crimson Tide EDGE transfer Qua Russaw becoming one of his favorite players at his disposal during the 2026 college football season.

As Land-Grant Holy Land's Cole Van Wiechen notes, Russaw's versatility will allow Patricia the chance to get creative on third-down situations, potentially unlocking three-EDGE sets that opposing quarterbacks and play-callers struggle to predict.

"On obvious passing downs, Ohio State could deploy packages featuring Jackson, Atkinson or Grady, Eddrick Houston, and Russaw all on the field simultaneously, and that is where things become really interesting. Because, unlike many edge rushers, Russaw’s presence creates uncertainty before the snap," Van Wiechen wrote.

"He might rush. He might drop. He might loop inside. He might attack from a wide-nine alignment. Offenses cannot simply identify him and assume where he will be coming from. Those players tend to become coordinators’ favorites."

Ohio State DL coach Larry Johnson has commented on Russaw's strength and drive to play hard this spring. Johnson sounds confident that Russaw can set the edge and get to the backfield effectively because of his physical traits.

“He is very physically strong. He’s strong at the point of attack with his hands and body. It’s just amazing that a guy at 245 pounds can set the edge, and he brings great speed to the table…. I think the thing that jumps off the videotape is how hard he plays. And he really has the physical strength, and I think that’s the key to it," Johnson said.

With the physical and mental profile to succeed, Russaw may find himself caught up in a culture that could get more out of him than the one he's coming from. Tuscaloosa stopped being an elite spot for his position during his sophomore season, though.

Kalen DeBoer and Kane Wommack may have held Qua Russaw back

While Kane Wommack utilizes a similar 4-2-5 scheme to Patricia, utilizing "wolf" and "bandit" positions, there is a world of difference for a player's development between the Crimson Tide and Buckeyes.

It's all cultural. And it may have more to do with Kalen DeBoer's failure to inspire an accountable and violent attack. DeBoer is finesse over strength, and for the edge-rushing spot, especially coming from the Nick Saban era, that was not good for Russaw. Bringing a versatile and violent approach to the game will yield him much more success in Central Ohio.

If nothing else, Russaw will be surrounded by more talent this season than he's had since 2023, when he was teammates with Dallas Turner and Chris Braswell. Kenyatta Jackson Jr. is easily the best EDGE since that pair that Russaw will share a position group with.
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One way or the other it’s a lot of shit to stir up as someone who’s accomplished next to nothing at this level

calibuck said:

From the above picture, did Jimmy's big brother get a sex change operation? Or is merely missing from the picture at tOSU?

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Half brother, if I recall correctly