You’re Nuts: Which Ohio State football player would you want to see play a different sport?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Justin Edmonds/Getty Images

Your (almost) daily dose of good-natured, Ohio State banter.

Football players are some of the best athletes in the world, so it’s only natural to think they would be able to excel at other sports. Not like we haven’t seen football players try their hand at basketball, baseball, track, as well as numerous other sports over the years. We even saw Deion Sanders and Bo Jackson play both football and baseball. Who knows, if Jackson’s body had held up, we might have seen Bo put up Hall of Fame careers in both sports.

These days it is pretty rare to see some play both football and another sport in college. You’ll have a few that also play basketball, but it is really tough for college football players to also play college basketball now, since often times a college football team’s season isn’t done until late December or early January. With no downtime to recover from the physical toll from football, a lot of programs are reluctant to allow a player to go straight into the middle of a college basketball season. You’ll likely see this type of scenario play out in the next few years at Ohio State, since the Buckeyes landed Sonny Styles, who is one of the best players in the state at both football and basketball.

Since we have to fill a few months before football season gets back underway, we figured today was a good day to let our imaginations run wild. Ohio State has had some tremendous football players come to Columbus in all shapes and sizes. There are some sports that would be perfect for some Buckeyes if they weren’t able to play football. Then there are other players we would want to see play a certain sport just because it would be hilarious. There really are no wrong answers here.

Today’s question: Which Ohio State football player would you want to see play a different sport?

We’d love to hear your choices. Either respond to us on Twitter at @Landgrant33 or leave your choice in the comments.

Brett’s answer: Garrett Wilson - Soccer


There was so much about Garrett Wilson that was fun to watch during his three years with the Buckeyes. At the top of the list is Wilson’s footwork. It was a privilege to watch the work Wilson would do to get open, using his feet along with changes in direction and timing to find the open spots in the defense. Then there was the way that Wilson would contort his body to find a way to make a tough catch.

Even though Wilson didn’t run quite as fast as teammate Chris Olave at the NFL Combine, there’s no denying that Wilson has speed to burn. What would really make Wilson a problem on the pitch for opponents is his quick acceleration. Wilson has a number of different gears which would make it tough for opponents to get a read on him.

Another reason I would love to see Garrett Wilson play soccer is because of how effective he is in the air. We saw countless times how Wilson would jump to get the football, and it looked like he would make the catch with ease. Now imagine Wilson taking to the sky in the box to get to a header that he would put past the goalkeeper. Even though Wilson might not have the most size, he knows how to maximize his abilities.

With the way Columbus Crew SC has been playing over the last two years, they might have missed out on something special by not seeing what Wilson could bring to the pitch. If the Crew couldn’t have found a place for Wilson, you know that FC Cincinnati certainly could have since that soccer team is sadder than a bowl of Skyline.

Meredith’s answer: Chase Young - Hoops... or Hockey


When it comes to this topic, there are definitely some cop outs, like Chris Olave running track (of course he did - he’s so fast!) or Nate Ebner playing rugby (since it’s so random that he did that anyway).

As a result, I’m going to go with Chase Young here. Young is an incredible athlete who played quarterback, tight end and other positions in high school before moving to defensive end, where he’s obviously thrived. His outright athleticism means he could probably be passable at most team sports, but in particular those that require the agility and ball-hunting capabilities that makes him a great defensive player.

In particular, Young’s size and strength would make him an outstanding basketball player, though at just 6-foot-5, he might lack the height to be, say, an NBA-level big man. This particular sport makes sense since Young’s father and sister played college hoops, and Chase himself played in high school. However, as his high school, DeMatha, happened to be a basketball powerhouse, Young was competing for playing time with future NBA prospects like Markelle Fultz — the No. 1-overall pick in the 2017 NBA Draft. There’s also the potential that his aggression on the court could put him in foul trouble, so as entertaining as he might be on the hardcourt, he might only be good for a half.

Which brings us to hockey. Young moves with such grace and precision on the football field, and we have to imagine that if he was able to skate (something I can’t verify), he would bring the aggression and handling skills that would make him a standout on the ice.

The specific image of Young as an enforcer makes me smile — no one would be getting to the goal.

Continue reading...

Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: Ryan Day lands another five-star QB, the latest on OSU recruiting
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Five-star 2024 QB Dylan Raiola | Mike Roach, 247Sports

The Buckeyes’ 2024 class gets off to a massive start.

The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast ‘Hangout in the Holy Land’ is here! Join LGHL’s co-managing editor Gene Ross alongside his co-host Josh Dooley as they cover everything from football to basketball to recruiting and more!

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio


On this week’s episode, the guys dive into all of the latest on Ohio State recruiting. They get things started by taking a look at all of the latest Crystal Ball predictions in favor of the Buckeyes in the 2023 class, including the big names you should be keeping an eye on this summer. They also discuss the latest Ohio State commitment — a five-star quarterback in the 2024 class. They finish things up with some analysis on how the change in philosophy for the Buckeyes’ offense has led to the recent run of success on both the recruiting trail and in the NFL Draft on that side of the ball.

“Hangout in the Holy Land” is will now return to one episode a week during the offseason, dropping every Wednesday (don’t hold us to that). Be sure to download and listen in wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple to let us know your thoughts and how we can make things even better!

You can also follow us on Twitter @HolyLandPod, where we will want to hear from you guys even more! If there’s anything you’d like us to talk about on the show, @ us and let us know!

As always, Go Bucks.


Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @HolyLandPod

Connect with Gene:
Twitter: @Gene_Ross23

Connect with Josh
Twitter: @jdooleybuckeye

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Forgotten Buckeyes: Bobby Hoying took a while to get going at OSU, but put up more prolific numbers than you might remember
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Hoying finished his Ohio State career as one of the most prolific passers in program history

This is the ongoing series where we re-remember lesser known Buckeye heroes.

Shortly after I began contributing to Land Grant Holy Land, I realized that I was already struggling to come up with good content for the offseason/summer months. Hell of a start, right? But unfortunately, once the NFL Draft takes place, the content well tends to dry up unless you’ve already dialed in on one of the spring sports or the NBA Draft (but as Buckeye hoops fans... you get it). Ohio State football and basketball – our most popular topics – are still part of the news cycle, but they have taken a back seat. And recruiting... well, there are people at LGHL who do a hell of a job covering it, so I wasn’t about to swim with those sharks.

I needed to think outside the box. I thought: Football is months away, basketball is months away, recruiting is speculative and subject to change... many of the topics being covered now revolve around future events or predictions. But what about former players? And I’m not talking recent or soon-to-be draftees, because those athletes are still being talked or written about.

I am referring to unheralded and underappreciated Buckeyes from decades ago, that have been forgotten by some (or most) since they last donned the scarlet and gray. And there it was: Forgotten Buckeyes. Other OSU fans and media types have taken a similar approach to recognition, but this is my personal way of appreciating those who left an indelible mark at Ohio State.

Welcome to Volume II.

Bobby Hoying | Quarterback (1992-1995)


Hoying was a classic pocket passer who got better each and every year in Columbus

The headline for this piece does a great job of ruining the bit, but I’ll ask anyway: Quickly, and without looking, can you name the last quarterback to hold Ohio State’s single-season record for passing touchdowns for more than a decade? From 1995 until 2006, when his record was broken by Heisman Trophy winner, Troy Smith? Well, like I said, the headline plays spoiler here, but I don’t know how many people would have guessed Bobby Hoying under different circumstances. And that is a shame, because Hoying was actually OSU’s most prolific passer of the 1990’s.

You might be wondering: Did I forget about Joe Germaine? The answer is no, not at all. Germaine did break Hoying’s single-season yardage record – and he was definitely the more accomplished quarterback in terms of individual honors, team success, bowl victories, etc. – but it was Hoying who put up greater career totals. And you can argue opportunity, attempts, or whatever else you want, but the stats are the stats, and he (Hoying) still holds a place in the top-5 of many passing categories for Ohio State. Pretty damn prolific, if I do say so myself.

Hoying committed to OSU after an outstanding high school career, during which he won (Ohio) state titles in both football and basketball. He even earned the title of Ohio’s Mr. Football in 1990, despite playing for tiny St. Henry High School (near the Indiana border). But his prep titles and individual honors meant nothing once he arrived in Columbus. Hoying would have to earn playing time, and his ability to do so was not a foregone conclusion.

The John Cooper-led Buckeyes were no juggernaut during the early ‘90s, but at least they had depth at the quarterback position in 1991 (or so they thought). Kent Graham and Kirk Herbstreit were the veterans, and chomping at the bit behind them was a highly-touted recruit from the 1990 class named Joe Pickens. Hoying was no better than fourth on depth chart, so he ended up taking a redshirt as a freshman. Maybe they should have let the kid play? Because unfortunately for Ohio State, said depth actually turned out to be a dearth of QB talent, and the 1991 team was unable to do much in the passing game. Actually, that would be putting it mildly. OSU quarterbacks couldn’t hit water from a boat in 1991.

Graham and Pickens graduated and/or transferred after Hoying’s redshirt season, but Herbstreit was still around, and the future ESPN star was eventually named the full-time starter for the 1992 season. Hoying appeared in seven games, attempting 14 passes and throwing a single touchdown. Funny enough, he actually accounted for 20 percent of Ohio State’s passing touchdowns that season. That’s right, the Buckeyes threw five touchdowns all year! Herbstreit threw four, on 264 passing attempts. How times have changed. Despite the lack of a passing game, OSU went 8-3-1 in 1992, laying the groundwork for a nice little run under Cooper. Hoying wound up being a big part of the program’s success.

Hoying became the starter in 1993, but he did not monopolize the QB position. Bret Powers was brought in from Arizona State (Cooper’s previous employer), and he appeared in all 12 games as the backup. The QB timeshare is something Buckeye fans grew accustomed to seeing from Coop, whether we liked it or not (we did not). Hoying struggled at times – which young quarterbacks are known to do – and it was Powers who had the higher completion percentage, but the Ohio kid held down the job. Both signal callers were supported by a strong run game and an opportunistic defense (18 INT), and the team finished with a 10-1-1 record.

Finally, in 1994, Hoying had the quarterback position to himself — for the most part. Because he just couldn’t help himself, Cooper deployed a young Stanley Jackson as a runner, but the gadget QB only attempted 28 passes. The Buckeyes opened up the offense just a little bit, allowing Hoying to attempt over 300 passes. He was flanked by skills players such as Eddie George, Joey Galloway, and Dimitrious Stanley, and it was his first real opportunity to let it loose and deliver on some of the promise he had shown in high school.

George was the clear star, but Hoying passed for over 2,300 yards and 19 touchdowns — the highest total by an OSU QB since 1985. Nobody was talking about Ohio State as having an air raid offense, but there were the makings of an explosive unit. The team took a step back record-wise, finishing 9-4, but there was optimism for Hoying and his teammates moving forward.

As a redshirt senior, Hoying took a blowtorch to the Ohio State record books in 1995. His numbers might look pedestrian now, but this was not your Ryan Day-coached offense. Passing was not as prevalent, and the veteran QB had to share the rock with his Heisman-winning running back. In total, Hoying set double-digit school records in ‘95. Among them were new single-season marks in passing yards (3,269), touchdowns (29), and completion percentage (61.9). Hoying, George, and Terry Glenn formed a dangerous offensive trio, and all of the sudden, Cooper’s Buckeyes went from a 9-4 team to a championship contender. They reeled off 11-straight victories and rose to No. 2 in the rankings.

Unfortunately, Hoying’s college career and the Buckeyes’ 1995 season ended with back-to-back losses. TTUN put a nail in the coffin of Ohio State’s championship hopes with a home victory in The Game, and the team then went out with a whimper (14 points scored) against Peyton Manning-led Tennessee in the Citrus Bowl. Hoying’s teams went 38-10-2 during his career, but only 1-2- in bowl games and 1-3 against the Wolverines. The quarterback did earn a First Team All-Big Ten nod for his final season, but I’m sure he would have traded the individual accolade(s) for another shot at team glory.

After leaving OSU, Hoying found varying degrees of success in different walks of life. He spent six years in the NFL, primarily as a backup. He passed for 2,544 yards and 11 TD in his professional career, which ended after the 2001 season. Hoying then went into real estate, where he has done quite well for himself in the Columbus area. He helped form Crawford Hoying, one of the premier real estate developers in central Ohio. Hoying still plays an active role in guiding the company’s new developments, and he is also very active in the local community. Buckeye fans could bump into the former quarterback at any number of events around town.

Now more commonly referred to as Bob, Hoying was elected into the Ohio State Athletics Hall of Fame in 2008. His name is still scattered throughout the school’s record books, and the 1995 team will likely be remembered as one of OSU’s better non-championship winning teams. Hoying himself is often overlooked — especially now that J.T. Barrett, Dwayne Haskins, Justin Fields, and others have put up ridiculous stats — but the prep legend and first 3,000-yard passer at Ohio State deserves praise for helping to modernize the game in Columbus.

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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for May 11, 2022
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.

Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.

You’re welcome!

For your Earholes...


Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio

Buckeyes are BOOOOOOMing...


BOOOOOM! Five-star 2024 quarterback Dylan Raiola commits to Ohio State
Shane Bailey, Land-Grant Holy Land

LFG!!!


What Dylan Raiola’s Commitment Means for Ohio State’s 2024 Recruiting Class
Garrick Hodge, Elven Warriors

Ohio State Commitment Evaluation: Dylan Raiola, Chandler (Ariz.)
Mark Porter, Bucknuts

What Dylan Raiola’s commitment means to Ohio State football: Buckeyes Recruiting
Stephen Means, cleveland.com

In Dylan Railoa, Ryan Day and Ohio State add to stockpile of elite QBs
Brandon Huffman, 247Sports

Succession: Ohio State’s future plan for quarterback
Colin Gay, Scarlet and Gray Report

Counting down the top QBs Ohio State has landed in the modern rankings era, and where Raiola ranks
Bill Kurelic, Bucknuts


Dylan Raiola Continues Ryan Day’s Absurd Quarterback Recruiting Stretch, Becomes Fifth Top-50 Prospect Since 2020 Class
Kevin Harrish, Eleven Warriors

Commitment from Dylan Raiola keeps up Ohio State QB recruiting run
Joey Kaufman, The Columbus Dispatch

Diving inside personality, pedigree of Ohio State QB commit Dylan Raiola
Zack Carpenter, Scarlet and Gray Report

The Hurry-Up: Dylan Raiola’s Presence Will Only Help Ohio State Wide Receiver Recruiting Moving Forward
Garrick Hodge, Eleven Warriors

On the Gridiron


Column: Brandon Inniss and Carnell Tate aside, Ohio State is also in the mix for other top pass-catchers
Bret Favachio, Land-Grant Holy Land

Defensive early enrollees ‘really made progress’ during spring for Buckeyes (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Ohio State’s 2022 Run Defense Must Improve on Last Season’s Struggles When It Mattered Most
Chris Lauderback, Eleven Warriors

You seem to be forgetting a certain Scarlet and Gray running back


In 2-deep: Projecting Ohio State’s depth chart on offense
Dave Biddle, Bucknuts

Progress Report: Evaluating Ohio State special teams after spring camp (paywall)
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Former Ohio State DL Cameron Heyward named PFWA Good Guy Award winner
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

On the Hardwood


Column: Seth Towns deserves to end his collegiate career on a high note
Connor Lemons, Land-Grant Holy Land

E.J. and Malaki are going combining.

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Where does the Emmert-less NCAA go from here?
David M. Wheeler, Land-Grant Holy Land

Men’s Lacrosse: Inacio and Reid Selected in Premier Lacrosse League Draft
Ohio State Athletics

Rest in peace, Cap.


Women’s Golf: Day 2 — Buckeyes Tied for 6th at 2022 NCAA Ann Arbor Regional
Ohio State Athletics

Ohio State softball gears up for Big Ten Tournament
Megan Husslein, Land-Grant Holy Land

Senior associate AD Jocelyn Gates will be leaving Ohio State
Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch

And now for something completely different


I just want anything approaching coherence on this multiverse stuff:


Continue reading...

Mike80 said:

17. Craig Walkup is in the Hizzzouzzzzze!!!

Too bad this thread is apparently down the memory hole...I ran across this moron on Facebook...and yes he's still a moron...

Click to expand...

Damn....

Exactly 2 years later, another Facebook interaction. Yes he's still a moron.

Login to view embedded media
Ohio State’s recruiting class of 2016 officially ended its run in Columbus when Demario McCall played his sixth and final season with the Buckeyes this past fall.

While his lengthy career never blossomed into what many believed it could become when he arrived at Ohio State as the No. 44 overall prospect in the 2016 class, there were plenty of other players in his class – which was ranked as the fourth-best class in the country at the time – who went on to play major roles for the Buckeyes.

Although it did not spawn quite as many marquee players as the 2017 class that directly followed it – a class that still has one of its members on the Buckeyes’ 2022 roster (Jerron Cage) – the class of 2016 made a significant impact at Ohio State nonetheless, highlighted by a pair of superstars who would become first-round NFL draft picks in just three years as well as nine other players who became multi-year starters for the Buckeyes, including three multi-year captains.

Out of the 24 total scholarship players who signed with the Buckeyes in 2016, exactly half of them became starters for Ohio State while three of them had lengthy careers as backups. The other nine left the team to either transfer elsewhere or stop playing football altogether before exhausting their collegiate eligibility.

Now that all 24 members of the 2016 class have completed their Ohio State careers, it’s time to take a look back at how each of them fared in Columbus and what they’ve done since.

TWO SUPERSTARS

QB DWAYNE HASKINS
While Haskins was only a one-year starter at Ohio State, his lone season leading the Buckeyes’ offense was one of the greatest individual seasons in OSU history.

Haskins completed 70 percent of his passing attempts for 4,831 yards and 50 touchdowns – both school records – and finished third in the Heisman Trophy race while winning the Silver Football and Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year honors and leading the Buckeyes to a 13-1 record with a Big Ten championship and a Rose Bowl win in 2018.

A different kind of quarterback than just about every other quarterback Urban Meyer recruited during his seven-year tenure, in that he did almost all of his damage with his arm rather than with his legs, Haskins was selected with the No. 15 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, becoming Ohio State’s first Round 1 pick at quarterback since Art Schlichter in 1982. And by redefining Ohio State’s offense as one in which pass-first quarterbacks could thrive, he set the stage for the run of elite quarterbacks that appears set to continue at Ohio State for years to come.

DE NICK BOSA
The lone five-star recruit in Ohio State’s class of 2018, Bosa became exactly the kind of player he was expected to be when he arrived at OSU as the eighth-ranked overall player in his class, though his Buckeye career might always be remembered most as a case of what could have been.

Bosa made an immediate impact as a true freshman, recording 29 total tackles with seven tackles for loss and five sacks even though he never started a game. He established himself as one of college football’s elite defenders as a sophomore in 2017, when he recorded 16 tackles for loss with 8.5 sacks and earned first-team All-American and Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year honors even though he was still only a part-time starter.

He got off to a spectacular start in 2018, recording six tackles for loss with four sacks in just two-and-a-half games, but his season and Ohio State career ended prematurely when he suffered a core muscle injury in the Buckeyes’ third game of the year against TCU. That kept Bosa from making as big of a mark at Ohio State as he could have, but that didn’t stop him from being selected with the No. 2 overall pick in the 2019 NFL draft, and he’s continued to be a dominant force for the San Francisco 49ers, earning first-team All-NFL honors in 2021.

NINE MULTI-YEAR STARTERS
.
.
.
continued

Here's a 2019 article re-ranking the 2016 classes:

Re-Ranking the Recruiting Classes of 2016: Who Really Had a Top-10 Haul?

2. Ohio State

Original rank: 4
Record since 2016: 37–5
Conference titles: 2
College Football Playoff appearances: 1
New Year’s Six bowl appearances: 3
National titles: 0

Major contributors: DE Nick Bosa, DE Jonathan Cooper, WR Austin Mack, QB Dwayne Haskins, WR Binjimen Victor, C Michael Jordan, OG Malcolm Pridgeon, TE Luke Farrell, LB Tuf Borland, S Jordan Fuller, P Drue Chrisman.

This class includes a Heisman Trophy finalist (Haskins) who shattered Big Ten passing records, and it may wind up containing a No. 1 pick in the NFL draft (Bosa). It also includes some critical role players and a specialist (Chrisman) who was truly special at times in ’18.

Entire article: https://www.si.com/college/2019/02/28/signing-day-2016-recruiting-rankings-alabama-oklahoma

Four-star corner has Ohio State in top schools
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


2023 four-star CB Sharif Denson via Andrew Ivins/247Sports

The Buckeyes made the cut for a 2023 four-star cornerback and offered its first wide receiver in the 2025 class.

Ohio State began the week hitting the recruiting trail head first. On Monday, the Buckeyes found themselves in the top five schools for a four-star cornerback and also offered their first wide receiver in the 2025 class. They also landed a five-star QB in 2024.

Four-star CB has Ohio State in top-5


Ohio State has been making the cut for plenty of targets as of late. The program was listed on a handful of top schools list this past weekend, and the trend continued into Monday as one of the programs top defensive targets listed the Buckeyes in his top schools.

2023 Four-star CB Sharif Denson (Jacksonville, FL / Bartram Trail) listed the Buckeyes in his top schools.


Denson revealed a top five schools of Ohio State, Florida State, Florida, South Carolina and Texas A&M.

The blue-chip prospect is obviously familiar with the Buckeyes. Denson last visited with Ohio State April 1-3 with multiple of his South Florida Express teammates. The visit appeared to go as well as planned, as shortly following the visit, Denson announced he was ready to drop a top schools list.

Denson spoke with Chris Boyle of staugustine.com regarding his top schools and his recruitment and mentioned that he is, “A Florida boy - born and raised,” but that after making visits to schools outside of Florida, that might have to change.

Denson’s willingness to leave Florida certainly helps Ohio State chances, and the unofficial visit went as well as possible, as the Buckeyes made his top schools list. However, the Buckeyes will need to get him on campus for an official visit if they are going to steal from the sunshine state. Denson does not yet have any official visits planned, but look for all of the above teams to receive one sometime this summer or next season. He will also look to take his time, looking to be a mid-year enrollee.

The blue-chip prospect also spoke with Boyle about each of his five finalists. When speaking about Ohio State, he had the following to say:


Denson is viewed as a four-star prospect by 247Sports and is listed as the No. 56 prospect out of Florida and is the No. 30 CB.

Ohio State offers 2025 WR


It is not news that Ohio State has been successful at the wide receiver position since bringing on Brian Hartline. Under Hartline, the Buckeyes have successfully recruited top prospects, got on-field production from those kids, and found ways to send the young men to the NFL as top picks.

Hartline’s ability to locate special talents at WR early and build relationships is uncanny - and he may have done it again.

On Monday, Ohio State offered its first WR target in the 2025 recruiting class in Dakroien Moore (Duncanville, TX / Duncanville.)


Moore is certainly in the beginning stages of his recruitment, but it has been anything but slow. The blue-chip WR has already earned close to two-dozen offers from programs like Arizona, Baylor, Florida, Kansas, Oklahoma, Ole Miss, Pitt, Texas, Texas A&M, Texas Tech, USC, etc.

There is obviously plenty of time left in Moore’s recruitment, and many more schools will throw their hat in the ring for his services by the time he is ready to commit. Ohio State will continue to build a relationship with Moore and get him on campus multiple times in the coming years.

Quick Hits

• Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye visited with 2023 four-star OT and Ohio State verbal commitment Luke Montgomery Monday. Montgomery committed the Buckeyes Feb. 17 and has sense become an avid recruiter for the Buckeyes.

• On Monday night, Ohio State landed a commitment from 2024 five-star quarterback Dylan Raiola. The No. 8 player in the country overall and the No. 3 QB in the class per the 247Sports Composite, Raiola checks in as the top overall player by 247Sports’ own rankings. He is quite an impressive first get for the Buckeyes’ 2024 group, and yet another massive quarterback prospect to join the program under Ryan Day.

Continue reading...

BOOOOOM! Five-star 2024 quarterback Dylan Raiola commits to Ohio State
Shane Bailey via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here



Ryan Day and Ohio State continue their roll on the recruiting trail with another elite QB.

In his time with Ohio State, Ryan Day has become one of the most beloved coaches amongst big-time quarterback prospects, landing C.J. Stroud, Quinn Ewers, Kyle McCord, and Devin Brown.

On Monday, Day and the Buckeyes earned the commitment of their latest top-line QB recruit in Dylan Raiola, the No. 3 QB in the class of 2024 according to 247Sports Composite Rankings. The 6-foot-3, 225-pound signal-caller from Chandler, Ariz. announced his pledge to play at Ohio State on his birthday, and it seems like Buckeye Nation was the one getting the gift.


The Buckeyes beat out USC, Nebraska, Bama, Georgia, Oregon, and essentially every school in the country for his commitment. The five-star prospect is currently the eighth-rated player in the Composite rankings, but 247Sports’s in-house rankings have him as their top overall prospect.

Raiola becomes the first prospect in OSU’s 2024 class, but absolutely sets them up for a lot of success in the cycle. Landing a major QB early in the process is a massive boon for programs as they can use that commitment as a way to recruit other top talent. Even with just one player in the class, Raiola moves OSU to the No. 5 spot in the national recruiting rankings.

The son of former Nebraska and Detroit Lions offensive lineman Domenic Raiola, the NFL bloodline is apparent when watching Dylan’s film. Raiola is one of the best QB prospects that I have gotten to watch on tape and is somebody that Buckeye fans should be very, very excited about playing in Columbus.

Getting a player like Raiola this early in the process is a huge bonus for the Buckeyes' shot at securing the No. 1 class in 2024; as you can see, he’s already pretty close with fellow five-star recruit KJ Bolden. Building a class around one of the best (if not the best) QBs in the class is a recipe for success.


Raiola is a unique quarterback who the Buckeyes chose over an array of other options that were available in 2024. Already standing 6-foot-3 and weighing 225 lbs., Raiola is what you look for in a pro-style prospect.

He transferred to Chandler High School in Arizona for the upcoming season, but previously played for Burleson High School in Texas where he was the Texas District 5-5A-II Offensive MVP as a sophomore, throwing for 3,341 yards while completing 65% of his passes. He also tossed 32 touchdowns to go along with the other stats.

For the running QB crowd, Raiola also tacked on nine rushing TDs, although at only 1.8 yards a carry.

Now I am going to put a huge disclaimer here, I am not saying that he will become these guys, but man does he really make some Matt Stafford/Patrick Mahomes/Aaron Rodgers, backyard, gunslinger type of throws, and I absolutely am here for it.

Just take a look at the clip below for instance:


With the positional talent that the Buckeyes are bringing in, Raiola will have an embarrassment of riches to throw to at wide receiver, and with a strong recruiting start from new offensive line coach Justin Frye, he should have a great offensive line to go with it.

While he clearly still has a lot of development to do, Raiola’s talent is the type that very well could lead him to the top 10 of the NFL Draft in four to five years time, and I could not be more optimistic about the future of the QB position in Columbus with Day leading the team.

By becoming the first commitment in the Buckeyes’ 2024 cycle, Raiola appears to be accepting and welcoming his role in helping lead and building the rest of the class.

There are already rumors of a few 2024 WRs wanting to commit to the class alongside Raiola, but with it still being so far out, Brian Hartline may decide to take a slower approach with his evaluation.

Only time will tell how the OSU staff sorts out its board, but having one of the best players in the country already committed at quarterback is obviously a good start.

Check out Dylan Raiola’s highlights:

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Ohio State softball gears up for Big Ten Tournament
meganhusslein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Katie Good | For The Lantern

The softball Bucks had a great end to their regular season on Sunday, including setting some new records. Now, they get ready for the postseason.

It’s officially the postseason for college softball, AKA one of the most exciting times of the year for the sport! This year in particular, the Buckeyes have had a very successful regular season and look to continue doing damage in the Big Ten and NCAA Tournament.

Ohio State closed out their regular season with a doubleheader sweep against Maryland on Sunday. The women definitely ended their season on a high note, with hits coming from everyone in the lineup and the pitching staff backing them up. Additionally, a couple big records were set, one by ace left-hander Lexie Handley and another by head coach Kelly Kovach Schoenly.


Even though this is her first and only season with the Buckeyes, Handley has certainly made her presence known by leading her team in the circle and carving her name into the history books. She broke Ohio State’s single-season strikeout record that has previously stood for 15 years, since Jamee Juarez set it in 2007. Handley eclipsed the former record of 240 strikeouts by punching out one more than Juarez, finishing with 241— yet she still has the postseason to add to this total.

Handley also became Ohio State’s first 20-game winner since Kim Reeder won 21 in 2009. The single-season wins record is also held by Reeder, who won 26 games in 2008. Sunday marked the fifth game this season that Handley has struck out 13 batters. She ends the regular season going 20-8 with a 2.58 ERA through 192.2 innings pitched.

As for the head honcho, Schoenly won her 300th game at Ohio State in the second game of the doubleheader. She’s the fastest coach in program history to reach that mark, as it took her 486 games. Her career record with the Buckeyes is now 300-185-1, and she’s averaged 33 wins per year in her nine full seasons.


Schoenly gathered a good amount of new players this season, including five who worked their way into the everyday lineup. However, she figured out a game plan that led to a successful season, finishing with a 33-14 overall record and a 13-9 conference record. Ohio State won five of its seven Big Ten weekend series.

The Buckeyes secured the No. 6 seed in the Big Ten Tournament, and will first face off against No. 11 Purdue on Wednesday. Northwestern earned the No. 1 overall seed, followed by Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan and Maryland. The Wildcats (39-9, 19-4 Big Ten) were completely dominant this season, however Illinois and Michigan only have one more win than the Buckeyes.

With the Big Ten being extremely competitive this season, it will be interesting to see how this tournament plays out. Northwestern won the regular season title, but the tournament title is totally up for grabs. The Buckeyes are riding momentum coming off two solid wins against the Terps, so we will see if they can keep it going this week.

Ohio State faces off against the Boilermakers Wednesday at 1:30 p.m. It will be televised on the Big Ten Network and streamed on the Fox Sports app. If they win, they will play Illinois Thursday at the same time and channel.

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You’re Nuts: In honor of Rich Strike, what is your favorite Ohio State comeback?
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Michael Clevenger and Erik Mohn/Courier Journal / USA TODAY NETWORK

The Kentucky Derby winner came from behind for a shocking first place finish.

Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.

In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.

This week’s topic: What is your favorite Ohio State comeback?

Josh’s Take: 2021 Rose Bowl


This weekend’s Kentucky Derby was a reminder that everyone loves a good comeback story in sports, even more so if you own – or have money on – an 80/1 longshot horse. Plenty of people struck it rich with Rich Strike, and the backstory of the horse even making it into the race was great to hear and/or read about. But Gene, now that I got that terrible joke/pun out of the way, I need to confess something.

I don’t get the whole infatuation with the Kentucky Derby or any other horseracing event. Sorry, it’s just not my thing. I appreciate the gambling and the party element, but why is this a must-see sporting event? What do we really know about it, or any of the players involved?

The one owner that I am aware of is basically Ashley Schaeffer from Eastbound & Down, nobody on the planet can name a successful jockey, and the most important “athletes’ or figures involved are horses. They are beautiful, majestic creatures, but I like to get to know my athletes. Or I’ll decide to root for them because they are associated with a school and/or city that means something to me. Tell me why I should ever care about Rich Strike again, and maybe I’ll jump on the horseracing hype train. I can join the others who pretend to care once a year.

Personal feelings about the event aside, Rich Strike’s win was a comeback for the ages, and it got us thinking about great Ohio State comebacks. A number of them came to mind, and I lost the game of rock, paper, scissors for Gene’s entry, so I settled on the most recent one. OSU’s come-from-behind Rose Bowl victory over Utah put a spectacular end to the Buckeyes’ football season, and while it was not part of the College Football Playoff, I do think it is a game we will remember for some time.

Under different circumstances, the 2022 Rose Bowl could have been a snooze-fest. No disrespect to the Utah, but if Ohio State had its full complement of players, the Buckeyes probably would have rolled the Utes. But with a number of high-profile players opting out, OSU found itself in a real battle. C.J. Stroud and Jaxon Smith-Njigba put on a show, under-appreciated players made a few big plays, and the game ended up being one of the most exciting Ohio State victories in recent seasons.

Unlike the Alabama CFP game or a closely-contested version of The Game, The Buckeyes did not have a ton to play for in Pasadena... and it showed early on. They were coming off of a crushing defeat to TTUN, and honestly, my anticipation for the Rose Bowl was not at an all-time high. But my excitement level increased as the game went along, and by the second half, I was on the edge of my seat.

Ohio State’s defense could not stop a nosebleed during the first half, and it seemed like they might actually lose to a tougher-than-nails Utah team. Fortunately, the Buckeyes eventually showed some toughness of their own, and Stroud and Smith-Njigba put on a performance for the ages. Watching the two of them work in perfect harmony was a sight to behold. They were completely unstoppable as a duo, and we may never see another game like it. The aerial display was truly memorable, and the comeback made it that much more special.

But the Stroud-to-JSN connection was just one of the elements that etched this game into my memory — potentially forever. Marvin Harrison Jr.’s breakout was a preview of great things to come, Tommy Eichenberg showed a ton of grit and determination in firing his defense up, and the team as a whole found a toughness that they had not really shown all season. It was not a dominant victory by any means, but it was hard-fought and completely earned.

For what it’s worth, the Rose Bowl also set in motion a series of coaching changes that will hopefully lead to great results in the coming seasons. I don’t want to sit here and say that I will forever remember this game because it was the last one that Kerry Coombs, Al Washington, and others coached at OSU, but I do hope that we look back on it as the beginning of a new, even more successful chapter in Ohio State football history. The end of the season was a necessary evil, but ending it with a victory removes a little bit of the sting.

I’m optimistic that the Rose Bowl was the beginning of something special. The Buckeyes could have folded, and if they did, some would likely be asking questions about Ryan Day and/or the state of the program. But instead, I think we are collectively optimistic about the future. I hope that we will look back at the record-setting comeback as something that propelled this team to even great heights, and it is a game we should all remember for how special it really was.

Gene’s Take: 2015 Sugar Bowl


I’m willing to admit that I got the lucky draw here and won the battle for the rights to get the 2015 Sugar Bowl as my choice, as both Josh and I likely agree that this is our favorite Ohio Sate comeback of all time — or at the very least in recent memory. Not quite as big an underdog as Rich Strike, the Buckeyes were certainly not the favorite as they embarked into SEC territory to take on No. 1 seed Alabama in the inaugural College Football Playoff. While a few comebacks against Michigan and the 2019 B1G Championship also come to mind, this game takes the cake for a number of reasons.

Things started out okay for the Buckeyes but not great, as they got the ball inside the Alabama 5-yard line on their first offensive possession but were unable to finish the drive, settling for a 22-yard field goal. From there things got hairy, as an Ezekiel Elliott fumble led immediately to a 25-yard touchdown run for Derrick Henry as the Tide took the lead. Ohio State again got inside the five but had to settle for a field goal to make it 7-6, and Bama responded with another touchdown to extend their lead to 14-6. A Cardale Jones interception then led to an easy score for the Crimson Tide, and just like that Ohio State trailed 21-6 midway through the third quarter.

That is when things began to take a turn. A long 12-play, 71-yard drive on the Buckeyes’ ensuing possession resulted in an Elliott score as the deficit was cut to 21-13. After forcing an Alabama punt, Ohio State capped off their final drive of the half with a ridiculous trick play touchdown on a pass from Evan Spencer to Michael Thomas in the corner of the end zone. Thomas just barely got the foot inbounds, and all of the sudden the scarlet and grey were down by just one with all of the momentum heading into locker room at halftime.

Ohio State opened the second half with a 47-yard touchdown pass from Jones to Devin Smith, and just a few drives later defensive end Steve Miller picked off a pass from Blake Sims and returned 41 yards to the house for yet another Buckeye touchdown as the script had now fully been flipped, with OSU leading 34-21 near the end of the third quarter. Alabama would not got quietly into the night, however, as they responded with an 84-yard touchdown drive of their own to cut the Ohio State lead to just six points as we neared the start of the fourth quarter.

Both teams went quiet offensively for much of the final frame, but eventually the Buckeyes broke through with the most famous play of that crazy game. Ezekiel Elliott took the ball in the backfield and cut to the left, finding an extra burst of speed as he split the defense down the left sideline with nothing but green grass in site. 85 yards later, Elliott was in the end zone with what would prove to be the deciding touchdown as Ohio State now held a 42-28 lead with just over three minutes remaining. Bama would make one final push, scoring a touchdown to cut it to six yet again, but Sims was intercepted by Tyvis Powell on the final play of the night as the Buckeyes emerged victorious, 42-35, en route to what would become a National Championship at year’s end.

Ohio State at one point trailed 21-6 with not much going right, but things quickly turned around in that second quarter and the trick play at the end of the half set the tone for the rest of the game. The 2015 Sugar Bowl is one that im sure lives at or near the top of the list of favorite games for almost all of Buckeye Nation, especially since that game really felt like the national title as the harder game of the two between the Tide and Oregon, which Ohio State easily rolled in the actually title game. Cardale Jones, Ezekiel Elliott and the entire Buckeye defense put on a show in the heart of SEC territory against the kings of the conference, and it was truly a sight to behold.

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I-70 Football Podcast: 2023 mock draft, players to watch
JordanW330 via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Joseph Cress/Iowa City Press-Citizen / USA TODAY NETWORK

On this episode Dante and Jordan discuss a way too early 2023 Mock Draft, plus which players they’re excited to watch in the 2022 season

Welcome to a new episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s I-70 podcast. On this show we talk all things Big Ten football and basketball. After every week of action, we will get you caught up on all the conference’s games and look ahead at the matchups, storylines, and players that you should be paying attention to in the next week. My name is Jordan Williams, and I am joined by my co-host Dante Morgan.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio


Happy Belated Mother’s Day to all the moms out there, we hope your significant others and sons made you feel special. We start the show discussing buying mom a house when you make it and why we find it funny when players buy their dads a car. Plus, will Primetime stay at Jackson State? and is he getting the credit he deserves for the recognition he’s bringing to HBCUs?

Dane Brugler of The Athletic released his way too early 2023 mock draft and it featured multiple Big Ten players. If a QB needy team has the first pick will C.J. Stroud be the first player off the board? Is Will Levis really an early first-round pick? If so, what does that say for Penn State’s handling of him? Should they have tabbed Levis over Sean Clifford?

One surprise in the mock draft is Ohio State’s senior defensive end Zach Harrison. His production hasn’t matched his five-star status but at 6-foot-6, 260+ pounds he runs a sub 4.5 forty-yard dash and has the measurables for a first-round pick. Can he improve enough in his last season to get his name called on day one?

In their weekly pit stops Dante discusses playoff basketball and why people have different standards for the Boston Celtics and the Milwaukee Bucks’ Jordan wants to know if Bryce Young can do enough to get drafted in the first round? He has the talent but at 6ft, 195 pounds he is shorter and weighs less than just about every current NFL starter.


Connect with us on Twitter:

Jordan: @JordanW330
Dante: @DanteM10216

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Poe McKnoe said:

How bad at life choices do you have to be to harass and provoke Mike Tyson. I’d rather jump into the tiger exhibit at the zoo.

Click to expand...

Just sayin': Yeah, me too. However, I did that once, it's not that big of deal....

The list of graduating Buckeyes includes 14 current and former Buckeye football players: Ryan Batsch (finance), Cameron Brown (human development and family science), Robert Cope (hospitality management), Aaron Cox (food, agricultural and biological engineering), Dominic DiMaccio (consumer and family financial services), Jordan Fuller (marketing), Dallas Gant (finance), Marcus Hooker (human development and family science), Jack Jamieson (logistics management), Javontae Jean-Baptiste (human development and family science), Cade Kacherski (finance), Lloyd McFarquhar (communications), Carlos Snow (sociology) and Taron Vincent (sport industry).

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Well, Cade Kacherski is "going pro", but just not in football....

Wingate1217 said:

I remember my high school played CAPE in the playoffs and we did a good job of containing him…. LoL! He had runs of 1 yard, 3 yards, 3 yards, 1 yard, then an 80 yard run. The whole game was like that a few Carries for little yardage and then a run to the house almost every time. Don’t remember the final score but they won….

Click to expand...

Yep. Lose contain one time and he's gone. Oops

Ex-Michigan State Spartans star Adreian Payne dies in shooting



Former Michigan State star Adreian Payne was shot and killed in Orlando, Florida, early Monday morning, the Orange County Sheriff's Office said.

He was transported to the hospital, where he was pronounced dead. Payne, who was the 15th pick by the Atlanta Hawks in the 2014 NBA draft, was 31.

Per local authorities, a man named Lawrence Dority has been arrested for the shooting on a first-degree murder warrant. Dority stayed on the scene and spoke with police before he was transported to jail.

Entire article: https://www.espn.com/mens-college-b...-spartans-forward-adreian-payne-dies-shooting

R.I.P.

Confusing incompetence with malice.

You’re Nuts: Who will be the “X-factor” on this Ohio State men’s basketball team?
justingolba via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by David K Purdy/Getty Images

Team 124’s roster is locked in. Which player’s performance (or lack thereof) will be the most vital to Ohio State’s success?

With the addition of former Oklahoma State guard Isaac Likekele via transfer, Ohio State’s 2022-2023 roster is now set. Here’s a quick look at what you’ll be seeing on the court come November:

• Seth Towns (F)
• Justice Sueing (F)
• Kalen Etzler (F)
• Zed Key (C)
• Gene Brown (F)
• Roddy Gayle (G)
• Bruce Thornton (G)
• Bowen Hardman (G)
• Brice Sensabaugh (F)
• Felix Okpara (C)
• Isaac Likekele (G)
• Tanner Holden (G)
• Sean McNeil (G)

It’s an intriguing roster with a ton of new faces and quite a bit of versatility. The starting lineup you see in early November won’t be the same in early December, and it certainly won’t be the same in early March. It’ll be interesting to see how the minutes get broken down — who forces Holtmann’s hand with their play, who fades towards the back of the rotation, etc.

But first, let’s backtrack. Last week, Connor and Justin drafted their own Ohio State teams made up exclusively of Buckeyes since the year 2000 — and then we asked you to vote. Justin’s team won overwhelmingly with 73% of the vote, giving him another win and bringing him closer and closer to Connor’s 21 wins.


After 48 weeks:

Connor- 21
Justin- 19
Other- 6

(There have been two ties)


This week, Connor and Justin took a look at the roster and picked one player and anointed them as Ohio State’s X-factor. Here is the definition of X-factor from the Merriam-Webster dictionary:

“X-factor: a circumstance, quality, or person that has a strong but unpredictable influence”

So essentially, a player whose productivity is unknown, but whose performance will have a very strong influence on the team’s success. With about six months until the season starts, here’s who we went with:

Today’s question: Who will be the “x-factor” on this Ohio State men’s basketball team?

Connor: Zed Key

Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Ohio State was 12th in the Big Ten in rebounds per game last season, in front of only Minnesota and Nebraska — who combined for eight conference wins. They were also 12lfth in offensive rebounding and 10th in defensive rebounding. Last season’s team was bad on the glass all-around, and it was painfully obvious on some nights.

And with three of Ohio State’s four leading rebounders gone (E.J. Liddell, Kyle Young, Malaki Branham), I really expected the Buckeyes to pick up at least one post player in the transfer portal. They did not, instead opting for a true shooting guard in Sean McNeil and two hybrid guards who could play multiple positions in 6-foot-6 Tanner Holden and 6-foot-5 Isaac Likekele.

Liddell’s absence also means increased pressure and attention to the Buckeyes’ three-point shooting, which at 37.3% was third-best in the Big Ten behind Purdue and Michigan State. Gone are the days of Liddell dribbling into post-ups by himself, forcing double-teams and drawing the defense in.

All of the above adjustment explains why third-year center Zed Key is going to be so crucial for the Buckeyes this season.

Key was one of the more popular targets of Ohio State fans’ frustrations last season, criticizing his shortcomings to do.... well, anything. People were upset he didn’t rebound enough (he averaged 5.6 per game), turned the ball over too often (1.1 turnovers per game), or in general was just too “soft.” Someone told me that Key might be better at power forward rather than focusing on the post, and another commented that Key is “A MAC player at best.”

Key actually improved all of his counting stats from his freshman to sophomore seasons and nearly doubled his minutes. His points (5.2 to 7.8), rebounds (3.4 to 5.6), assists (0.3 to 0.5) and free throw percentage (55% to 58%) all improved. His overall field goal percentage dropped from 61.6% to 56.2%, but part of that has to do with his increased minutes (11.7 minutes as a freshman to 19.8 as a sophomore) and usage (3.2 field goal attempts per game as a freshman to 5.8 as a sophomore).


The Buckeyes need Key to make a similar jump from his sophomore to junior season if they have any hope for competing for a Big Ten title. This Ohio State roster isn’t built to rain down a high volume of three-pointers or dominate the glass. Key needs to lead this team in rebounds and needs to stay out of foul trouble so that he is able to do that.

He also needs to continue to shoot at that same efficient clip (55%-60%) and draw double-teams — something Liddell did often that opened up the floor for others to get open looks. Since this team only has two established perimeter threats (McNeil and Towns) Key’s ability to draw defenders in will be crucial to the Buckeyes’ success scoring the basketball.

If Zed doesn’t take a big step forward this season, everyone else’s job gets considerably harder. His development is the biggest plotline to watch, and that’s why he is Ohio State’s x-factor this season.

Justin: Isaac Likekele

Photo by Peter G. Aiken/Getty Images

First of all, can we talk about this comeback in the polls I am making? Don’t look now, but I think I have a chance at this thing. Of course, we don’t know when this is actually over, so there is that.

This team is truly fascinating and I think will be one of the more interesting teams in the country. I don’t know how good they are going to be, but they will be intriguing.

My pick for the X-factor this season is the final piece to the puzzle. The Buckeyes just two days ago added Oklahoma State guard/forward Isaac Likekele as a grad transfer and the 13th scholarship to the team. Likekele is the most important player on this team to me.

Likekele is everything you look for in a transfer when you have a fairly young team. A four-year starter at a major university, versatile athlete and plays both ways well. Likekele is 6-foot-5, 215 pounds and can play and guard the 1-4 positions. There is a decent chance that he will be the starting point guard for the Buckeyes if they elect to bring Bruce Thornton off the bench, at least to start the season.

Interestingly enough, Likekele is coming off his wort statistical season of his career. He averaged 7.1 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.4 assists per game. For his four-year career, Likekele averaged 8.9 points, 5.5 rebounds and 3.9 assists per game. He also averaged 1.4 steals per game for his career, proving his worth on the defensive end of the floor.

Something the Buckeyes were lacking last season was the Swiss Army Knife. Justice Sueing was thought to be the guy that can fill that role, but he ended up missing all but two games of the season due to injury. Now, Likekele will join Sueing as someone who can fill that role. Also, as mentioned above, he is a guy who can play the 1 through the 4 and can play 30-35 minutes a game if need be. Through all four seasons, he averaged 31.4 minutes per game in Stillwater.

I like the approach the Buckeyes took with this roster. Get some versatile, talented athletes and hand them a basketball and let them go hoop. Likekele’s game is a part of that group.

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Updated the thread title since Jordan Bohannon, with the help of a 6th year due to Covid, now had the B1G career record for 3s. Bohannon had 20 3s in the shortened 2019-20 season, and 91 in his final season that ended recently.

Buck Off Podcast: Offensive line recruiting, Upcoming May Visits, Ryan Day’s program taking shape
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Adam Cairns/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

Justin Frye is building his position group and the guys get deep into some recruiting stuff.

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio


On today’s episode of “Buck Off with Christopher Renne,” Chris and Jordan Williams discuss Ohio State’s huge offensive line recruiting wins by new offensive line coach Justin Frye.

To start the show, the guys get into the commitment of Austin Siereveld and what his commitment really means for the Buckeyes. Then they get into a discussion about what getting the Top-3 in state offensive line means, how this can translate into future recruiting success, and what is next for the offensive line recruiting.

After that, they discuss the incoming May visits from major recruits across the country. We discuss the potential impact of these recruiting weekends including what happens with big names like Brandon Inniss, Carnell Tate, and Tackett Curtis. We also discuss some other big names we’re hoping to see become Buckeyes.

Once they get back from the quick break, one of the guys takes their protective goggles off and takes on the role of full fledge recruiting expert. They discuss some situations and make predictions for potential Buckeye commits. After that, they go through the list of summer enrollees and discuss each players potential Fall impact.

They close out the show discussing if Ryan Day has actually overachieved in his tenure.


Connect with the Show:
Twitter: @BuckOffPod

Connect with Chris Renne:
Twitter: @ChrisRenneCFB

Connect with Jordan Williams
Twitter: @JordanW330

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Why is this News? All the articles and tweets Buckeye fans need for May 6, 2022
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Barbara J. Perenic/Columbus Dispatch / USA TODAY NETWORK

All the Buckeye news thats fit to re-print.

Look, we get it. Your days are busy and you don’t have time to read all of the stories and tweets from the three dozen websites dedicated to covering Ohio State athletics, or the 237 Buckeye beat writers churning out hot takes and #content on a daily basis. But that’s ok, that’s what your friends at Land-Grant Holy Land are here for.

Monday through Friday, we’ll be collecting all of the articles, tweets, features, interviews, videos, podcasts, memes, photos, and whatever else we stumble across on the interwebz and putting them in our daily “Why is this News?” article. That way, you’ll have a one-stop shop for all of the most important Buckeye news, jokes, and analysis.

You’re welcome!

For your Earholes...


Subscribe: RSS | Apple | Spotify | Stitcher | Google Podcasts | iHeart Radio

On the Gridiron


Looking at some of the most notable ‘fives’ from Ohio State sports
Brett Ludwiczak, Land-Grant Holy Land

Ohio State reschedules home-and-home series with Boston College
Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts

It’s absolutely silly that we’re getting games scheduled for 14 years from now.


Ryan Day reflects on 2021, excited to see what C.J. Stroud, receivers can do in 2022
Sam Marsdale, 247Sports

C.J. Stroud’s push for QB1 and 9 more Buckeyes to watch for the 2023 NFL Draft (paywall)
Bill Landis, The Athletic

Column: Justin Frye closes on in-state talent, creates momentum in OL recruiting
Chris Renne, Land-Grant Holy Land

2024 four-star linebacker had ‘excellent’ visit to Ohio State
Charles Doss, Land-Grant Holy Land

This is going to be an absolute shit show.


How Ohio State football is money in, money out
Doug Lesmerises, cleveland.com

Saints WR Chris Olave talks Ohio State NFL pipeline, Michael Thomas after NFL Draft
Brad Crawford, 247Sports

Final thoughts on the 2022 NFL Draft
David M. Wheeler, Land-Grant Holy Land

On the Hardwood


Ohio State’s Isaac Likekele planning to show more for Buckeyes
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Mike Netti promoted to Ohio State assistant coach as staff finalized
Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Outside the Shoe and Schott


Women’s Tennis: Buckeyes Garner Big Ten Accolades
Ohio State Athletics

Men’s Ice Hockey: Three Incoming Buckeyes in NHL Central Scouting Final Rankings
Ohio State Athletics

As both an Ohio State and Cincinnati Reds fan, all I can say is, “I’m sorry.”

And now for something completely different...


Trust me when I tell you that this is a truly special Instagram account:


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Top safety sets official visit with Ohio State, Buckeyes makes the cut for top-10 receiver
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


5-star, Caleb Downs | 247sports

The Buckeyes will host Caleb Downs in June as they look to land the five-star top safety.

Thursday was yet another solid day on the recruiting front for Ohio State. After seeing some more positive momentum for the 2023 class in terms of visit dates being scheduled and making a top schools list, you get the feeling the next couple of months are going to be pretty exciting times for this class and the Buckeyes overall. Without further hesitation, here’s a look at yesterday’s happenings.

Official visit set for nation’s best safety


Ohio State currently has two safeties committed in their 2023 recruiting class. Thanks to commitments from both Cedrick Hawkins and Malik Hartford, position coach Perry Eliano is off to a really solid start in his short time with the Buckeyes on the recruiting trail. Still, with the defense that Coach Knowles runs, Ohio State is still actively pursuing elite safeties to join the fold, and are fortunate enough to be in the mix for some of the top guys this cycle has to offer.

On Thursday, the top target on Ohio State’s board at the safety spot gave the coaching staff some good news for later this summer. The nation’s top safety and the 10th best player overall per 247Sports, Caleb Downs took to his Twitter account to share that his official visit with the Buckeyes was locked in for June 24-26, which is already shaping up to be one of the biggest recruiting weekends of the summer for Ryan Day and his crew. Having Downs on-hand for this visit will be a major opportunity for the Buckeyes, and hopefully can put them over the top as he continues his recruitment process.

At 6-foot, 185 pounds, Downs has every intangible and asset any college program is looking for in their safety prospects. The Georgia native has range, ball skills, and the ability to come downhill in run support with the best of them. At nearly 40 offers to his name from every major program in the country, it’s easy to see why Downs is considered the top player at his position in the 2023 class and a unanimous five-star target.

Getting him back to Columbus is everything the coaching staff wants and certainly the red carpet will be rolled out in full display as they look to land their top guy on the board.

Bucks make the cut for top-10 receiver prospect


If you watched the recent NFL Draft, it didn’t take long for Brian Hartline to further be cemented as the nation’s best receiver coach. His recruiting is off the charts and the development he’s provided has followed suit. Sure, he’s had some incredible players to work with, but nobody can deny what Coach Hart is doing in Columbus for his group of players year in and year out. As long as he’s at Ohio State, the receivers are going to be at or near the top of the college landscape.

In the 2023 class, the Buckeyes currently have one receiver committed in Bryson Rodgers. The first of what could be three to even four receivers in this class, Hartline is very keyed in on a few names right now and looking to be in great position for each of them. Guys such as Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, and Noah Rogers are among the top players in the country at their position, and while none of the three have given the verbal yet, it’s not out of context to believe Ohio State and can land all three of those guys, which would be yet another epic haul.

On Thursday, the Buckeyes did make the cut for another top-10 receiver when the nation’s seventh best player at the position, Jalen Hale, trimmed his list to a top six schools that still remain for his services. The 40th best player nationally has nearly 40 offers so getting down to single digits couldn’t have been easy, but fortunately for the Buckeyes, they join the likes of USC, Alabama, Georgia, Texas A&M, and Texas to still be in the running.

The Texas native does have one Crystal Ball prediction submitted, but that pick is for Oklahoma, and with them not making his top six it’s a little bit more clear that this recruitment is still there for the taking. As mentioned, Ohio State has some other names they have been more closely linked to, but this talent would be too good to pass up if Hale was that serious about what’s going on in Columbus.

Quick Hits

• 2024 Virginia native tight end prospect Luca Puccinelli has plans to get to Columbus and camp at Ohio State on June 6. A 6-foot-7, 225 pound tight-end, Puccinelli is currently the 12th best player at his position per the 247Sports Composite rankings and a three-star prospect. Offers from Virginia Tech and Duke have come so far, but him hitting the camp circuit shows he’s looking to get a little more exposure to his name.

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Looking at some of the most notable ‘fives’ from Ohio State sports
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Photo by Andy Lyons/Getty Images

In honor of Cinco de Mayo, we found some interesting ways in which Ohio State and five have tied together.

Since today is Cinco de Mayo, what better way to celebrate than by looking at some of the best fives in Ohio State history. This doesn’t necessarily mean it is going to be only players that have worn the No. 5 while at Ohio State, it could also be a ranking, number of titles, or really any way that the number five can be shoehorned into anything Ohio State.

If there are any important fives at Ohio State that you feel we have forgot about, hit us up on the Twitter machine at @Landgrant33 or drop your fabulous five tie-ins in the comments.

Football


Braxton Miller

During his first three years at Ohio State, Braxton Miller wore No. 5 for the Buckeyes. Miller threw for over 5,000 yards and 52 touchdowns, while also running for over 3,000 yards and 30 touchdowns while playing quarterback. Miller was a force when Urban Meyer arrived in Columbus in 2012, winning Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year in 2012 and 2013. After missing 2014 due to shoulder surgery, Miller would not only shift to wide receiver, but he would also trade in his No. 5 jersey for the No. 1 jersey.

Raekwon McMillan

For any Ohio State fan that had a No. 5 jersey heading into the 2014 season, Raekwon McMillan made sure that number was put to good use with Miller on the shelf. McMillan made a splash as a freshman for the Buckeyes, totaling 54 tackles in Ohio State’s championship season. The linebacker would go on to even better numbers over the next two years, registering over 100 tackles as a sophomore and junior. McMillan is one of the best defenders over the last decade at Ohio State, and is the last great linebacker the Buckeyes have produced.

Photo by Randy Litzinger/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

Garrett Wilson

The latest No. 5 to star for Ohio State was recently a first round pick in the 2022 NFL Draft. Garrett Wilson is one of the newest members of the New York Jets after being taken with the 10th overall pick in last week’s draft. While at Ohio State, Wilson caught 143 passes for 2,213 yards and 23 touchdowns. In 2020, Wilson became just the second Buckeye to record four-straight games with at least 100 receiving yards.

Title game appearances this century

Between the BCS and CFP, Ohio State has appeared in five title games since 2000. The first came in 2002, when the underdog Buckeyes were able to defeat Miami in overtime in Arizona to shock the college football world. The next two championship game appearances aren’t quite as fun to look back on, with Florida and LSU beating the Buckeyes in 2006 and 2007, respectively.

Set Number: X159161 TK1

The next moment of glory for Ohio State came in the first CFP Championship Game in 2014. The Buckeyes not only shocked Alabama in the semifinal to earn a spot in the title game, Cardale Jones and Ezekiel Elliott powered Ohio State to an easy win over the Ducks. Alabama would get their revenge in 2020, blowing out the Buckeyes in the championship game in a year that was marred by COVID-19.

End of year ranking

Ohio State has finished fifth in the AP rankings on six different occasions. The last time Ohio State was ranked in that spot in the final poll came in 2017 after a Cotton Bowl win over USC. Prior to that, five was a popular spot for Ohio State under Jim Tressel, as the Buckeyes finished the season there in 2007, 2009, and 2010, with the last two seasons ending in BCS bowl game wins. The other two finishes in the fifth spot in the AP Poll came back in 1955 and 1970. Ohio State didn’t play in a bowl game in 1955, and the fell to Stanford 27-17 in the Rose Bowl at the end of the 1970 season.

Basketball


John Havlicek

It didn’t take Hondo long to leave his mark at Ohio State, as he was part of the 1959-60 team that went on to win the national championship. Havlicek averaged 12.2 points per game and 7.3 rebounds per game during that season. The forward would see his numbers increase over the next two years, averaging 17 points per game and 9.7 rebounds per game by the time he left Columbus.

Havlicek would go on to be drafted by the Boston Celtics with the seventh pick in the 1962 NBA Draft, winning eight NBA titles, and making the All-Star team 13 times during his legendary NBA career. Ohio State went on to retire Havlicek’s No. 5, making him one of five Buckeye basketball players to have their jersey retired. The 11 of Jerry Lucas, Evan Turner’s 21, Jim Jackson’s number 22, and Gary Bradds’ 35 are the other numbers of Ohio State men’s basketball players hanging in the rafters at Value City Arena.


5-seed

The five-seed hasn’t been very kind the Ohio State men’s and women’s basketball programs over the years in the NCAA Tournament. The men’s basketball team has only been a five-seed once in the NCAA Tournament. Back in 2018, Ohio State beat South Dakota State 81-73 in the first round of the NCAA Tournament before falling to Gonzaga 90-84 in their next game.

The Ohio State women’s team has been tagged with the five-seed three times in the NCAA Tournament, and each time gone a little farther in the Big Dance than their previous appearance as the five-seed. In 1984, Ohio State fell to Ole Miss 77-55. It would be 31 years until the Buckeyes would make their next trip to the tournament as a five-seed, beating James Madison in the first round in 2015 before dropping a heartbreaker to North Carolina 86-84. Then two years later, Ohio State would beat Western Kentucky and Kentucky before getting smoked by Notre Dame in the Sweet Sixteen.

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Hangout in the Holy Land Podcast: 2022 NFL Draft recap, early preview of 2023 NFL Draft
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

The Buckeyes saw six players taken in this year’s NFL Draft.

The latest episode of Land-Grant Holy Land’s flagship podcast ‘Hangout in the Holy Land’ is here! Join LGHL’s co-managing editor Gene Ross alongside his co-host Josh Dooley as they cover everything from football to basketball to recruiting and more!

Listen to the episode and subscribe:

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On this week’s episode, the guys break down each of the six Buckeyes selected in the 2022 NFL Draft, discussing each player’s fit on their new team as well as how big an impact they can potentially have in the league in their rookie seasons. They then take a quick pit stop to Chicago to complain about the Bears’ apparent hatred of any help for Justin Fields on offense before breaking down some of Ohio State’s biggest prospects ahead of the 2023 NFL Draft.

“Hangout in the Holy Land” is will now return to one episode a week during the offseason, dropping every Wednesday (don’t hold us to that). Be sure to download and listen in wherever you get your podcasts, and leave us a review on Apple to let us know your thoughts and how we can make things even better!

You can also follow us on Twitter @HolyLandPod, where we will want to hear from you guys even more! If there’s anything you’d like us to talk about on the show, @ us and let us know!

As always, Go Bucks.


Connect with the Podcast:
Twitter: @HolyLandPod

Connect with Gene:
Twitter: @Gene_Ross23

Connect with Josh
Twitter: @jdooleybuckeye

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Column: Justin Frye closes on in-state talent, creates momentum in OL recruiting
Chris Renne via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Orlando Ramirez-USA TODAY Sports

Justin Frye came into a challenging situation, but by cleaning up on in-state talent he has built a foundation to take the offensive line to the next level

When it comes to in-state recruiting for the Ohio State Buckeyes, an offer is usually enough to gain a commitment from the best recruits in the state. The Buckeyes have landed the No. 1 recruit in the state every year since 2012 except for 2016 and 2018, according the 247Sports Composite rankings.

The reason those years stand out — besides missing on the best player in the state — is because in both years offensive line coach Greg Studrawa missed on the top linemen in the state who were also the No. 1 players in Ohio. Studrawa lost one of those battles for Tommy Kraemer out Cincinnati Elder, who chose Notre Dame, and the other to Clemson in the recruitment of Jackson Carman. With recruiting being the lifeblood of a program, this puts a clot in the potential ceiling on arguably the most important position group. This is something we are seeing with current depth concerns on the offensive line for the Buckeyes.

When you’re in a talent rich state like Ohio, the emphasis needs to be on building a fence around the border to secure the best players, which should be the utmost of priorities for a position coach. This is especially the case when the state you’re in puts out a high rate of elite players at the position group you coach.

Those two recruiting years makes what happened in recruiting this week that much more important. The Buckeyes received a commitment from the Austin Siereveld out of Lakota East (Middletown, OH). This commitment means that in his first recruiting class, Justin Frye landed the top-three offensive line recruits in the state, building the proverbial recruiting fence. With this hot start, there is a lot to look at when it comes the current state of the offensive line, but for the first time in a while there is major momentum, and the youthfulness of Frye has to be playing a big part in it.

The Buckeyes still have questions left that Frye will be tasked to fix, but his wins recruiting so far have created a lot of momentum for this position group moving forward, including depth, why the recruiting wins stand out and what this means for the position moving forward.

Current Offensive Line Depth


The obvious reason for the importance of recruiting the best in-state offensive linemen is the positional depth. Under Studrawa, the Buckeyes were able to recruit interior offensive linemen at a high clip, and he had quite a few major wins for elite tackles. His best out of state prospect at tackle being Nicholas Petit-Frere, and his best in state prospect being Paris Johnson Jr., who were both top-30 recruits.

The issue isn’t in his wins. The amount of losses began stacking up in his tenure, which is a significant reason a change was needed. After missing on some major tackle recruits in the last few classes, the depth at the tackle positions is not where it needs to be. The combined average player rating for the tackles on the roster who aren’t Paris Johnson Jr. is a 0.88 which is a three-star recruit. Now, Dawand Jones has developed into starter, but that is not always going to happen with every recruit in that range.

This is a significant reason there is concerns when it comes to offensive line depth on the roster. From a recruiting stand point, this means Studrawa was living with secondary options and taking flyers in hopes of elite development of lower ranked in-state prospects. That recipe was not successful as we look at the depth situation that was noted.

In this class, the average player rankings of the in-state offensive linemen is 0.937. This says two things – the talent in Ohio on the offensive line is better than the past two cycles, and Frye did his job establishing a foundation with in-state prospects in this class. By landing one elite tackle prospect in-state, this will allow Frye to reach out more nationally and find the depth this offensive line is currently missing.

Lost Battles In Recent Years


Ohio State does not lose often when it comes to in-state offensive line recruits, but there were some big names over the last half-decade that decided to go elsewhere. In 2016, the Buckeyes lost the top-two in state offensive linemen in Liam Eichenberg and Tommy Kraemer to Notre Dame. This would start a trend of less than acceptable recruiting losses on the offensive line.

Losing an offensive line recruit to Notre Dame isn’t unforgivable given their track record of putting offensive linemen in the NFL, but an unacceptable loss is losing a player to a southern school with no history recruiting in Ohio. This happened when Jackson Carman – a five-star recruit — chose to head to Clemson in 2018. By missing on these players it created an additional need for elite linemen in the following season.

A class with Nicholas Petit-Frere and Jackson Carman looks a lot different depth wise for the Buckeyes. This is why these losses added up, instead of having multiple elite players at the position, Ohio State would be lucky to grab one and hopefully a few players who developed into legitimate starters.

Moving forward, Ohio State won’t win every battle and that shouldn’t be the expectation, but lack of consistent in-state recruiting success is unacceptable. This is why what Frye accomplished in gaining commitments from the top-three in state offensive linemen this week is nothing to scoff at. By doing this, there is less pressure in landing an out of state prospect and more freedom to be selective with who they go after to finalize the 2023 class.

Justin Frye’s Recruiting Success So Far


In Siereveld’s recruitment, the final three teams were Alabama, Notre Dame, and Ohio State. When those two schools are trying to come into your state, that means the player is pretty special. By closing on this recruitment that gives Frye multiple wins over Notre Dame in his short tenure, and establishes him as a serious player in the Midwest. His first three commitments were Carson Hinzmann, Luke Montgomery, and Austin Siereveld — all of which will add immediate depth to a roster in need of it.

In those three battles, Frye beat out schools like Michigan, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Iowa, and Alabama, among others. All five of those schools have a history of sending elite offensive linemen to the NFL, and have all won battles against Ohio State for offensive line recruits. This is no small task, especially with Frye only being hired in January, and by winning these recruiting battles early he can continue to build momentum.

With these wins, Frye showed he has the chops to recruit against some of the larger programs that will be constant challengers when it comes to Ohio talent. The success of fending off other powerhouses is already a significant jump recruiting wise for the Buckeyes. Winning these battles is a way to measure success in the immediate. Frye beat out huge names to secure all three of his 2023 commitments, and that should be something that gets Ohio State fans excited for what’s to come.

Conclusion


Even with the wins so far, the job is not done for Frye, but closing on the top three offensive linemen in-state is an incredible start in his first full recruiting cycle. With the current state of the depth on the line, the interior offensive line is actually in a really steady place. The main concern is tackle depth. Both Dawand Jones and Paris Johnson Jr. are draft eligible this next season, and behind them on the depth chart is little certainty when it comes to who may be next. This has led to many people predicting that Donovan Jackson will move outside next season.

For the players who came in as tackles, not every one of them will share the same success as Dawand Jones – who was a lower-rated recruit that has developed into a potential first round pick. This is why Frye cannot afford to miss in this class. Frye will do his best to help the current players on the roster turn into the next Jones, but the future of the offensive line needs to rely less on long term development and get back to relying on elite recruiting plus development. By recruiting at a high level with in-state recruits, Frye will give himself an opportunity to look at national recruits like Alaus Olinen, Chase Bisontis, and Samson Okunlola. These are the type of players that can potentially replenish the room in one class.

Overall, landing all three Ohio recruits is an incredible start for Frye, especially in comparison to his predecessor who lost the top two offensive line recruits in his first season as the offensive line coach. Moving forward, the question will be if these three recruits are the new ceiling or a potential stepping stone to the level of recruiting we’ve seen at other positions. Time will tell, but the Buckeyes under Frye are off to a great start. Now it’s time for Frye to build on that momentum and take this room to the level expected by the Buckeye faithful.

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2024 four-star linebacker had ‘excellent’ visit to 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


Four-star LB Kristopher Jones | Photo Via Kristopher Jones/@bigkris4422

We caught up with one of the Buckeyes latest visitors. See what the four-star prospect had to say about his time on the OSU campus, and more.

Visitors, visitors, visitors. It seems that almost everyday the Ohio State coaching staff is back at it showing many of the nation's top high school recruits around the historic Columbus campus this spring. One of the latest prospects to have a shot to see what the Buckeyes are putting together was four-star class of 2024 linebacker Kristopher Jones.

“The visit was excellent, and I was amazed at the things Ohio State had to offer,” the Mountain View (VA) standout sophomore stated to Land-Grant Holy Land soon after his trip to OSU last Friday.“I had a chance to take pictures in the uniform and we toured the shoe and the campus as well as the other facilities. Outside of just football, I really liked the Real Life Wednesdays they had for the team. It shows that the program cares about the players' future outside of football and their careers.”


While some of the staff were on the road either tracking down talent or celebrating now-former Ohio State greats such as Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave getting drafted, the 6-foot-2, 205-pound Jones had the chance to meet up with a pair of the Buckeyes' newest hires.

“I spoke with Koy McFarland and coach Matt Guerrieri. Coach Day was in Las Vegas and Coach Knowles was on a recruiting trip in Florida. But Coach G says he loves the way I play and how athletic I am at the linebacker position and wants to see me at a camp which I’ll be going to in June.”

Holding over a dozen scholarship offers at the moment, Jones is starting to focus harder on where he’ll end up calling his home when he moves on to the collegiate level.

“The programs that are really sticking out to me right now are Virginia, Virginia Tech, Penn State, Arizona State, and Notre Dame. As of right now, I’m looking for a school that’s gonna develop me not only on the field but off the field, and somewhere I can grow and hopefully get to the next level.”

So where does OSU fit? Just starting to build their relationship, the Buckeyes have yet to dish out an offer Kristopher’s way, but if they do, it won’t be something that the Virginia native will take very lightly.

“When I would watch college football (growing up),” he said, “Ohio State was one of the schools I would watch. Ohio State is a top program in the Big Ten and I could definitely see myself playing there. If I did get that offer it would really mean a lot to me.”

Check out Jones’ Highlights:

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