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tOSU Football Walk Ons (Official Thread)
- By ScriptOhio
- Buckeye Football
- 88 Replies
DIANTÉ GRIFFIN, THE GRANDSON OF OHIO STATE LEGEND ARCHIE GRIFFIN, COMMITS TO OHIO STATE AS PREFERRED WALK-ON
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Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...iffin-commits-to-ohio-state-as-preferred-walk
Dianté Griffin Returns to Ohio Stadium for “Full Circle” Moment After Transferring to Ball State
Archie Griffin will have rooting interests on both sides as Ohio State hosts Ball State in its season opener on Saturday.Griffin will be rooting for Ohio State to win, of course, as the Buckeye legend still deeply loves his alma mater more than 50 years after winning his second Heisman Trophy. But he’ll also be cheering for his grandson to play well in Ohio Stadium.
Those rooting interests were one and the same for the past four years. Dianté Griffin was a walk-on cornerback for Ohio State from 2022-25. Griffin entered the transfer portal for his final year of college football, however, seeking an opportunity to be a scholarship player. That opportunity just so happened to come from Ohio State’s season-opening opponent.
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As such, Dianté Griffin will begin his new chapter at Ball State playing in the same stadium where he played his home games for the last four years, and where he became an Ohio State graduate in May.
“It’s a surreal moment. Full circle,” Dianté told Eleven Warriors when asked about returning to the Shoe. “I never thought I would be playing at Ohio Stadium after my Senior Day against Rutgers last year again.”
Still proud to be a Buckeye
Dianté has only good things to say when reflecting on his time as a Buckeye. While he played only three snaps on special teams over four seasons, he’s proud that he was part of a national championship team and of the work that he put in behind the scenes.“People always see the guys that are out there going to war, but they don't always recognize the people that were going to war behind the scenes throughout the week, putting in that real pain in practice. But we got our credit in the Woody, and that's really all that matters,” Dianté said. “During that time, you put so much into the moment to be a part of the team and be a part of the success, and it just feels like it all pays off.”
Dianté says his favorite part of being a Buckeye was the connections he made with his former Ohio State teammates and coaches over the last four years. He’s excited to reunite with many of them this weekend, particularly the Buckeyes’ returning defensive backs and Ohio State secondary coach Tim Walton.
“All my BIA brothers, man, they're always checking in on me, I'm checking in on them,” Dianté said. “Inky Jones, Jaylen McClain, Leroy Roker, Jermaine (Mathews Jr.), they're my brothers, man. And Coach Walt, he really helped me. I came in with Coach Walt, my first year was his first year as well, so we did a lot together. So it's going to be nice seeing all them boys.”
As the seventh different member of his family to play for Ohio State, also joining his father (Andre Griffin), uncle (Adam Griffin), great uncles (Ray Griffin and Duncan Griffin) and his other grandfather (Dave Reynolds), Dianté is proud to be an Ohio State graduate and that he was able to continue his family’s legacy as a Buckeye.
“It means the world to me personally,” Griffin said. “All my family members on my mother and my father's side all graduated from Ohio State. I grew up being a Buckeye fan, I was a Buckeye for life. And when I got the opportunity to continue my athletic career and my academic career at Ohio State, I took that on and did the work for me to finish and get my degree.”
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Just sayin': In case you wondered......Diante’s father, Andre Griffin, played running back for the Buckeyes from 1998-2001, while his uncle, Adam Griffin, was a defensive back at Ohio State from 2010-13 before a shoulder injury ended his career. While neither had the same impact on their field as Archie, they both found success after college, as Andre went into coaching and Adam went into the financial sector.
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Tampa Bay Rays (official thread)
- By ScriptOhio
- Professional Baseball
- 98 Replies
Rays reach $2.3 billion deal for new stadium in Tampa with eyes on opening for 2029 season
The new ballpark will replace Tropicana Field, which has been the Rays' home stadium since their 1998 debut
www.cbssports.com
Rays reach $2.3 billion deal for new stadium in Tampa with eyes on opening for 2029 season
The new ballpark will replace Tropicana Field, which has been the Rays' home stadium since their 1998 debut
The Tampa Bay Rays have a deal in place for a new $2.3 billion stadium and surrounding development to be built in Tampa, ideally in time for the 2029 season. The agreement means that the Rays, barring the unforeseen, will remain in the Tampa-St. Petersburg area for at least decades to come.
On Friday, Hillsborough County commissioners voted by a 5-2 count to approve a package of county funding. This comes the day after the Tampa City Council voted 4-3 to approve its share of funding for the project. In all, the city of Tampa is contributing roughly $80 million in public funding, and the county of Hillsborough will contribute almost $800 million. The remaining $1.4 billion or so and any cost overruns will be privately financed. The new complex will be located near Hillsborough College's Dale Mabry campus.
Major League Baseball commissioner Rob Manfred released a statement through the league following the county commissioners' vote on Friday.
"This is a great day for Tampa Bay Rays fans, the entire Tampa Bay region and Major League Baseball. I want to thank the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners, the Tampa City Council and everyone who worked tirelessly to develop a plan that reflects the interests and priorities of the community while securing a state-of-the-art ballpark and a strong, long-term future for the Rays in Tampa Bay.
"I also congratulate Patrick Zalupski and his partners for their tremendous efforts to make this new ballpark a reality, and I look forward to working with them as they build on the organization's success and deepen its connection with fans throughout the region.
"This agreement represents an important investment in the future of Tampa Bay and provides a tremendous foundation for the Rays and Major League Baseball to continue thriving in this community for generations to come."
Rays CEO Ken Babby also released a statement through the club:
"The Tampa Bay Rays enthusiastically thank and applaud the Hillsborough County Board of County Commissioners for making history. By virtue of its approval of a county investment in partnership with the Rays and the City of Tampa, today our entire region can celebrate the coming of a privately financed and mixed-use neighborhood, a reinvented Hillsborough College campus, and a new ballpark that secures the long-term future of Major League Baseball here in Tampa Bay.
"With deep gratitude, we commend Hillsborough County Chair Ken Hagan and his fellow elected officials for their vision and support. We are also grateful to Dr. Ken Atwater, President of Hillsborough College, who has been an inspiration throughout this journey. We all have more work ahead, but there is no question our partnership will ensure a cohesive and successful process.
"Above all, we now look forward to celebrating before breaking ground with Hillsborough County an the City of Tampa on a future that has long been doubted, but will indeed happen. By making the Forever Home a reality, the Rays are now home forever in Tampa Bay."
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OL Mason Wilhelm (Official Thread)
- By ScriptOhio
- Buckeye Football
- 29 Replies
Better Know a Buckeye: Ohio State Legacy Mason Wilhelm Rounds Out Buckeyes’ 2026 Class on Interior Offensive Line
Better Know A Buckeye is our look at every member of Ohio State’s 2026 recruiting class and how they became Buckeyes as they prepare to begin their OSU careers this fall.
The son of Matt Wilhelm, a former Buckeye linebacker who won a national championship at Ohio State in 2002, Mason Wilhelm is the final installment of this series for the 2026 class.
Depth Chart Outlook
With four starting offensive linemen back from last season and plenty of depth behind them, Wilhelm is unlikely to see significant playing time as a freshman.Having practiced at both center and guard in his first offseason at Ohio State, Wilhelm could provide valuable depth on the interior offensive line next season, when Luke Montgomery, Carson Hinzman and Austin Siereveld could all be in the NFL. His best shot of earning a starting role will likely come as an upperclassman.
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