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2021 OH DB A.J. Kirk (MSU Verbal)
- By ScriptOhio
- Football Recruiting
- 19 Replies
THE HURRY-UP: STRIKING BALANCE BETWEEN WANTING END TO DEAD PERIOD AND HAVING HEALTHY SEASON IN TITLE PURSUIT, JANTZEN DUNN TO RETURN FROM INJURY, A.J. KIRK LANDS WITH SPARTANS
Kirk was extended an Ohio State offer in the summer of 2019, but the Buckeyes stopped recruiting him by the winter of 2019-20, which we reported in February.
A three-star safety, Kirk is now playing his senior season for Archbishop Hoban after previously playing at Dublin Coffman.
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...period-and-having-healthy-season-jantzen-dunn
Kirk was extended an Ohio State offer in the summer of 2019, but the Buckeyes stopped recruiting him by the winter of 2019-20, which we reported in February.
A three-star safety, Kirk is now playing his senior season for Archbishop Hoban after previously playing at Dublin Coffman.
Entire article: https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio...period-and-having-healthy-season-jantzen-dunn
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MotS&G #MOTSAGRising Depth Chart Preview: Wide Receivers
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#MOTSAGRising Depth Chart Preview: Wide Receivers
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Alrighty folks–it’s Zone 6 time and I am on deck with the preview at the Wide Receiver position! This is by far my favorite position to cover and I am gushing over the fact that I get to do this. Not only does this room have a superior Coach in Brian Hartline, he has also amassed a ton of talented players that will make noise in this very moment or later down the road. Sure, there will be injuries and attrition, but being able to polish their skills over the course of their time with Coach Hartline–its only a matter of time until they are unleashed.
Wide Receivers: Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Mookie Cooper, Julian Fleming, Gee Scott Jr, Demario McCall, Ellijah Gardiner, Jaylen Harris, Kamryn Babb, Jameson Williams, Sam Wiglusz, Alec Taylor, Austin Kutscher, Marvin Davies, Chris Booker
As I stated earlier, there is a ton of talent in this group, and by me leaving out a couple of talented players from this depth chart. At WR-X Garrett Wilson is the leading candidate that could move into the H-Back position if needed. Behind him is talented freshman Gee Scott Jr and Jameson Williams. The next person would be Jaylen Harris as the fourth player in line. This is a group of players that excels at making tough, contested catches routinely with the added ability to gain separation from defenders. Wilson has been a star and he can definitely groom Scott, Williams, and Harris to take their game up a notch.
At the WR-Z it is Chris Olave taking the lead once again with Julian Fleming and Kamryn Babb behind him. The fourth in this group would be Ellijah Gardiner. Olave returns to close his career out on a high note after the end of the Fiesta Bowl. He will lead by example in an effort to win it all this season and he will mentor Fleming, Babb and Harris in the process–like what Wilson is doing. Pay particular attention to Babb to come back strong after injury-plagued seasons. He is another talented player that has been buried by injuries and was left behind with the stockpile of talent at the position. I have a good feeling that he would have a Johnny Dixon type of end to his career–so watch out for him.
Finally, at the H-Back position, Jaxon Smith-Njigba will get the first shot as the new H-Back. Behind him is another talented freshman in Mookie Cooper and Redshirt Senior Demario McCall. Depending on what the offense wants to do, I could see Wilson or Olave filling in at this position to give others a shot at the X and Y positions, but for now, Smith-Njigba and Cooper will get the first shot at it.
This collection of talent is great and I think they’ll put up some Madden stats up if used properly. They will run a balanced offensive attack, but I expect big things from Zone 6 for years to come. There is a lot of potential and I cannot wait for them to unleash it.
#GoBucks
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Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Alrighty folks–it’s Zone 6 time and I am on deck with the preview at the Wide Receiver position! This is by far my favorite position to cover and I am gushing over the fact that I get to do this. Not only does this room have a superior Coach in Brian Hartline, he has also amassed a ton of talented players that will make noise in this very moment or later down the road. Sure, there will be injuries and attrition, but being able to polish their skills over the course of their time with Coach Hartline–its only a matter of time until they are unleashed.
Wide Receivers: Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Mookie Cooper, Julian Fleming, Gee Scott Jr, Demario McCall, Ellijah Gardiner, Jaylen Harris, Kamryn Babb, Jameson Williams, Sam Wiglusz, Alec Taylor, Austin Kutscher, Marvin Davies, Chris Booker
- WR-X: Garrett Wilson, Gee Scott Jr, Jameson Williams
- WR-Z: Chris Olave, Julian Fleming, Kamryn Babb
- H-B: Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Mookie Cooper, Demario McCall
As I stated earlier, there is a ton of talent in this group, and by me leaving out a couple of talented players from this depth chart. At WR-X Garrett Wilson is the leading candidate that could move into the H-Back position if needed. Behind him is talented freshman Gee Scott Jr and Jameson Williams. The next person would be Jaylen Harris as the fourth player in line. This is a group of players that excels at making tough, contested catches routinely with the added ability to gain separation from defenders. Wilson has been a star and he can definitely groom Scott, Williams, and Harris to take their game up a notch.
At the WR-Z it is Chris Olave taking the lead once again with Julian Fleming and Kamryn Babb behind him. The fourth in this group would be Ellijah Gardiner. Olave returns to close his career out on a high note after the end of the Fiesta Bowl. He will lead by example in an effort to win it all this season and he will mentor Fleming, Babb and Harris in the process–like what Wilson is doing. Pay particular attention to Babb to come back strong after injury-plagued seasons. He is another talented player that has been buried by injuries and was left behind with the stockpile of talent at the position. I have a good feeling that he would have a Johnny Dixon type of end to his career–so watch out for him.
Finally, at the H-Back position, Jaxon Smith-Njigba will get the first shot as the new H-Back. Behind him is another talented freshman in Mookie Cooper and Redshirt Senior Demario McCall. Depending on what the offense wants to do, I could see Wilson or Olave filling in at this position to give others a shot at the X and Y positions, but for now, Smith-Njigba and Cooper will get the first shot at it.
This collection of talent is great and I think they’ll put up some Madden stats up if used properly. They will run a balanced offensive attack, but I expect big things from Zone 6 for years to come. There is a lot of potential and I cannot wait for them to unleash it.
#GoBucks
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MotS&G #MOTSAGRising: Depth Review; Running Backs
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#MOTSAGRising: Depth Review; Running Backs
Chris via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
With just a Saturday and a wake up call before Ohio State Football returns against Nebraska in The Shoe, we take a look at the positions depth and make some “minor” predictions. I tackle the running backs today.
There was one thing pundits could knock Urban Meyer for and it had to do with not ever having a 1,000 yard rusher at the running back position. Carlos Hyde erased that distinction and there’s been a star RB in Columbus every year since. Add Tony Alford as the position coach in 2015 and the Buckeyes have been one of the best rushing teams in the country.
Now he and head coach Ryan Day have some decisions to make this season after the 1-2 punch they posses in returning letter-man Master Teague III(135 for 789 and 4 TD’s) and graduate transfer Trey Sermon(Oklahoma over 2,000 total yards in 3 seasons). The latest is that both backs will share the duties this season while watching in awe of Justin Fields.
After those two and the moving of Demario McCall to wide-out everyone’s guess is as good as mine! However, I have my hunches that we will see plenty of Marcus Crowley and Steele Chambers this season as we did last.
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Chris via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
With just a Saturday and a wake up call before Ohio State Football returns against Nebraska in The Shoe, we take a look at the positions depth and make some “minor” predictions. I tackle the running backs today.
There was one thing pundits could knock Urban Meyer for and it had to do with not ever having a 1,000 yard rusher at the running back position. Carlos Hyde erased that distinction and there’s been a star RB in Columbus every year since. Add Tony Alford as the position coach in 2015 and the Buckeyes have been one of the best rushing teams in the country.
Now he and head coach Ryan Day have some decisions to make this season after the 1-2 punch they posses in returning letter-man Master Teague III(135 for 789 and 4 TD’s) and graduate transfer Trey Sermon(Oklahoma over 2,000 total yards in 3 seasons). The latest is that both backs will share the duties this season while watching in awe of Justin Fields.
After those two and the moving of Demario McCall to wide-out everyone’s guess is as good as mine! However, I have my hunches that we will see plenty of Marcus Crowley and Steele Chambers this season as we did last.
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MotS&G Quarterbacks
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Quarterbacks
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
With two Saturday’s left before the opening game of the season, we here at The Men of the Scarlet and Gray are getting antsy–and I am especially excited to provide more content to all the people that have supported us amid the content drought.
With the season fast approaching (finally!), I will be starting out with the basics–talking about our beloved Buckeyes. Today’s content will feature our projected two-deep of the offense and a combination of writing styles between Chris and me over the next couple of weeks. This roster is definitely packed full of talent, but we will make it work. Here we go Buckeye Nation.
Quarterbacks: Justin Fields, Gunnar Hoak, C.J. Stroud, Jack Miller III, Jagger LaRoe, Danny Vanatsky, J.P. Andrade
The QB1 throne belongs to Fields and we can all expect a Heisman type of season from him this year. The heirs to the throne are the pair of C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller III, but QB2 duties would most likely be entrusted to Hoak, due to his in-game experience (for now at least). QB3/3A would fit Stroud and Miller. They are talented and they are the future along with 2021 stud Kyle McCord. Don’t be surprised if either Stroud or Miller overtake Hoak mid-season. The rest of the group are scout team personnel. This is not to devalue their talent, but they are not going to be leaned upon. Looks for the trio of LaRoe, Vanatsky, and Andrade to pull scout team duties.
Why?
Justin Fields is without a doubt the starter of this prolific Buckeye offense. He is a polished product and with his historic numbers in 2019–he will be looking to cap off his Buckeye career with the accolades and a natty. After he left 2019 behind, he has all the motivation in the world and he will lead this deadly offense to the promised land. With weapons at every level this offense is going to be fun to watch with Fields leading the charge!
Hoak at the backup slot is highly dependent on how Stroud and/or Miller perform in camp over the next two weeks. He is a safe pick, but it could change if either perform well. I can see all three getting in-game experience IF Fields and company are blowing out Nebraska, but we will see. I’d love to get a glimpse of the future, but I won’t be mad if Fields pads his stats for a Heisman run.
Continue reading...
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
With two Saturday’s left before the opening game of the season, we here at The Men of the Scarlet and Gray are getting antsy–and I am especially excited to provide more content to all the people that have supported us amid the content drought.
With the season fast approaching (finally!), I will be starting out with the basics–talking about our beloved Buckeyes. Today’s content will feature our projected two-deep of the offense and a combination of writing styles between Chris and me over the next couple of weeks. This roster is definitely packed full of talent, but we will make it work. Here we go Buckeye Nation.
Quarterbacks: Justin Fields, Gunnar Hoak, C.J. Stroud, Jack Miller III, Jagger LaRoe, Danny Vanatsky, J.P. Andrade
- QB1: Justin Fields
- QB2: Gunnar Hoak
The QB1 throne belongs to Fields and we can all expect a Heisman type of season from him this year. The heirs to the throne are the pair of C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller III, but QB2 duties would most likely be entrusted to Hoak, due to his in-game experience (for now at least). QB3/3A would fit Stroud and Miller. They are talented and they are the future along with 2021 stud Kyle McCord. Don’t be surprised if either Stroud or Miller overtake Hoak mid-season. The rest of the group are scout team personnel. This is not to devalue their talent, but they are not going to be leaned upon. Looks for the trio of LaRoe, Vanatsky, and Andrade to pull scout team duties.
Why?
Justin Fields is without a doubt the starter of this prolific Buckeye offense. He is a polished product and with his historic numbers in 2019–he will be looking to cap off his Buckeye career with the accolades and a natty. After he left 2019 behind, he has all the motivation in the world and he will lead this deadly offense to the promised land. With weapons at every level this offense is going to be fun to watch with Fields leading the charge!
Hoak at the backup slot is highly dependent on how Stroud and/or Miller perform in camp over the next two weeks. He is a safe pick, but it could change if either perform well. I can see all three getting in-game experience IF Fields and company are blowing out Nebraska, but we will see. I’d love to get a glimpse of the future, but I won’t be mad if Fields pads his stats for a Heisman run.
Continue reading...
MotS&G MOTSAG Roundtable: Buckeye Football Expectations
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MOTSAG Roundtable: Buckeye Football Expectations
Chris via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
When I migrated over to MOTSAG after TWSS with my buddy Scott, I brought some “baggage” with me. I have always liked roundtables and have enjoyed the interactions we have with the fans because of the answers our guys provide. Zack, Richard and I spin our thoughts on some simple questions you will get to answer on Twitter.
As it shall be . . , https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/schedule/
Sit back, “pop a top” and let us know what you think!
Who do you believe had the best offseason considering all of the COVID issues they had. Explain why this player exceeded your expectations.
Zack – It would easily be Justin Fields and not to beat a dead horse, but the kid is flat out impressive the way he handled everything, and he never wavered from Ohio State. He also attempted to unify all the players, and he received almost 300 thousand signatures to show how much the fans and players wanted B1G 10 football and he didn’t have to do any of this he could’ve left and trained on his own for the draft but he never did because he loves this university so that was very impressive to me.
Richard – Justin Fields, hands down. He became the face of the team and was a vocal leader in the quest to get the season back for us while working on his craft. Overall, he’s improved and I feel something special is coming this season.
Chris – I am with Richard, Justin Fields has gone all out in bringing B1G back to us fans. His leadership has grown by leaps and bounds and might be the difference between a los in the Fiesta Bowl last year and winning it all this year.
What defensive player is going to shock the world and why?
Zack – Zach Harrison – I honestly feel like last year he only scratched the surface of what he will be when his development is complete. It would not shock me if he had 10 sacks even in a shortened season, he is that talented.
Richard – Josh Proctor. That hit on Jack Coan sold me on his potential and the expectation for the 2020 season. Working behind Fuller, he learned alot and he will apply it this season. I fully expect him to be the enforcer on a stingy defense.
Chris – I am rolling with Tommy Togiai simply because it’s his time to shine. He will show people why he has been high on my list since day one!
What offensive player is going to shock the world and why?
Zack – Master Teague – the guy has put in the work to get back and he was very impressive in the time he was able to play last year
Richard – FroZone 6. The combined talent of Smith-Njigba, Scott, Fleming and Cooper has a ton of potential and it adds needed depth to a position that gets developed and heads off to the pros. Pick your poison. Each is capable and with Olave and Wilson garnering the attention of opposing defenses, one or all of these players will shock the world with a highlight play in crunch time.
Chris – I am going to roll with Paris Johnson on the OL, the true frosh is a beast and will work himself into the two deep quickly and push for playing time. He has a nastiness that most frosh don’t bring to the table.
What will be the average score during the season, and will it be because Coombs and Johnson are back together or because Ryan Day wants to hang a hundred on everybody?
Zack – With the offensive firepower we have I think 50 plus points per game is very attainable.
Richard – Fields, Sermon, Olave, Wilson and Ruckert are names you need to pay attention to. Smith-Njigba, Cooper, Scott and Fleming are stars in the wings. Anyone not mentioned, they are still potent offensive threats, at all skill positions. I think an average of 52 points per game.
Chris – As scary as the output of last years offense was 46.9 which was a new record breaking the one set in 2013. This group will leave having one that may be unbreakable and finish in the high 50’s. Sadly this season will forever have a COVID * beside it but it’s scary to think how many points they may score overall!
What is your prediction for the season and will there be games lost due to COVID?
Zack – If there is anything I have learned during this pandemic it is that this team is very close to one another and truly love each other so if there is any games lost to covid it wont be because we didn’t follow the protocols. Ohio State will be 9-0 when its all said and done this schedule is super favorable and we drew no top teams from cross conference.
Richard – The schedule pans out for the Buckeyes and I think an undefeated season lies ahead. Penn State without the whiteout, at MSU, at Illinois and at Maryland is doable. TTUN at home will be fun. 8-0 with a chance to make it to the big tourney.
Chris – I rarely make predictions about the Buckeyes but I think this shortened season will be a walk. They have had the Clemson game on their minds for a very long time and look forward to exorcising those demons this season. I think the B1G will stay in their bubbles and finish the season without losing players or games to COVID. They had a great plan before all things were cancelled.
Continue reading...
Chris via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
When I migrated over to MOTSAG after TWSS with my buddy Scott, I brought some “baggage” with me. I have always liked roundtables and have enjoyed the interactions we have with the fans because of the answers our guys provide. Zack, Richard and I spin our thoughts on some simple questions you will get to answer on Twitter.
As it shall be . . , https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/sports/m-footbl/schedule/
Sit back, “pop a top” and let us know what you think!
Who do you believe had the best offseason considering all of the COVID issues they had. Explain why this player exceeded your expectations.
Zack – It would easily be Justin Fields and not to beat a dead horse, but the kid is flat out impressive the way he handled everything, and he never wavered from Ohio State. He also attempted to unify all the players, and he received almost 300 thousand signatures to show how much the fans and players wanted B1G 10 football and he didn’t have to do any of this he could’ve left and trained on his own for the draft but he never did because he loves this university so that was very impressive to me.
Richard – Justin Fields, hands down. He became the face of the team and was a vocal leader in the quest to get the season back for us while working on his craft. Overall, he’s improved and I feel something special is coming this season.
Chris – I am with Richard, Justin Fields has gone all out in bringing B1G back to us fans. His leadership has grown by leaps and bounds and might be the difference between a los in the Fiesta Bowl last year and winning it all this year.
What defensive player is going to shock the world and why?
Zack – Zach Harrison – I honestly feel like last year he only scratched the surface of what he will be when his development is complete. It would not shock me if he had 10 sacks even in a shortened season, he is that talented.
Richard – Josh Proctor. That hit on Jack Coan sold me on his potential and the expectation for the 2020 season. Working behind Fuller, he learned alot and he will apply it this season. I fully expect him to be the enforcer on a stingy defense.
Chris – I am rolling with Tommy Togiai simply because it’s his time to shine. He will show people why he has been high on my list since day one!
What offensive player is going to shock the world and why?
Zack – Master Teague – the guy has put in the work to get back and he was very impressive in the time he was able to play last year
Richard – FroZone 6. The combined talent of Smith-Njigba, Scott, Fleming and Cooper has a ton of potential and it adds needed depth to a position that gets developed and heads off to the pros. Pick your poison. Each is capable and with Olave and Wilson garnering the attention of opposing defenses, one or all of these players will shock the world with a highlight play in crunch time.
Chris – I am going to roll with Paris Johnson on the OL, the true frosh is a beast and will work himself into the two deep quickly and push for playing time. He has a nastiness that most frosh don’t bring to the table.
What will be the average score during the season, and will it be because Coombs and Johnson are back together or because Ryan Day wants to hang a hundred on everybody?
Zack – With the offensive firepower we have I think 50 plus points per game is very attainable.
Richard – Fields, Sermon, Olave, Wilson and Ruckert are names you need to pay attention to. Smith-Njigba, Cooper, Scott and Fleming are stars in the wings. Anyone not mentioned, they are still potent offensive threats, at all skill positions. I think an average of 52 points per game.
Chris – As scary as the output of last years offense was 46.9 which was a new record breaking the one set in 2013. This group will leave having one that may be unbreakable and finish in the high 50’s. Sadly this season will forever have a COVID * beside it but it’s scary to think how many points they may score overall!
What is your prediction for the season and will there be games lost due to COVID?
Zack – If there is anything I have learned during this pandemic it is that this team is very close to one another and truly love each other so if there is any games lost to covid it wont be because we didn’t follow the protocols. Ohio State will be 9-0 when its all said and done this schedule is super favorable and we drew no top teams from cross conference.
Richard – The schedule pans out for the Buckeyes and I think an undefeated season lies ahead. Penn State without the whiteout, at MSU, at Illinois and at Maryland is doable. TTUN at home will be fun. 8-0 with a chance to make it to the big tourney.
Chris – I rarely make predictions about the Buckeyes but I think this shortened season will be a walk. They have had the Clemson game on their minds for a very long time and look forward to exorcising those demons this season. I think the B1G will stay in their bubbles and finish the season without losing players or games to COVID. They had a great plan before all things were cancelled.
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LGHL Column: Five players to be excited about getting more playing time for Ohio State
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Column: Five players to be excited about getting more playing time for Ohio State
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Rick Osentoski-USA TODAY Sports
When you have 10 players get drafted, there are going to be opportunities for new guys to step up. These are the guys to watch out for.
On Friday, I wrote about how it hadn’t yet felt like college football season to me, since Ohio State was still two Saturdays away from kicking off, but man, this past week of games was great. There was a good helping of chaos with a couple of other close calls mixed in as well, and now that there is just one Saturday between us and the Buckeyes being on the field, I am now officially excited.
So, with this newly found excitement in mind, I decided to look at the five players that I am most excited to see get some more playing time this season. Of course we’re all pumped to watch Justin Fields, Shaun Wade, Chris Olave, and the other returning stars, but as has been preached at OSU for generations, the Buckeyes don’t replace, they reload.
With 10 players from the 2019 roster drafted into the NFL, there are now plenty of opportunities for young (and not so young) guys to step up and claim spots in hopes of becoming the next Buckeye to leave his mark on this storied program.
There are a lot of players to be excited about from this year’s roster, but these are my five favorites in single-digit, numerical order; you can also vote for your favorite of the five in the poll below.
Teradja Mitchell | LB | No. 3
I know that this statement will anger some of you, so I’m just going to get it out of the way now: Tuf Borland will be Ohio State’s starter at middle linebacker for the entire season (and likely next season as well), barring some sort of unforeseen injury — and even then, he’d probably find a way to play after having a leg amputated anyway.
However, as we have seen in recent years, when it comes to linebackers, starting does not necessarily guarantee a stranglehold on playing time. Though Borland started the entire 2019 season at Mike, his back-up, Baron Browning, ended up on the field for a significant number of snaps as well, as evidenced by Eleven Warriors’ season total snap count.
By 11W’s count, Borland ended the Fiesta Bowl with 425 plays, while Browning had 368, despite missing two games due to injury. That means that the starter, Borland, averaged 30.36 plays per game, while the reserve, Browning, averaged 30.67. And while the assumption might be that most of Browning’s plays came in garbage time, that’s not really the case, as after the first series, Tuf and Baron more or less rotated for the duration.
With Browning being moved over to the Sam linebacker position for the fall in conjunction with Pete Werner moving to Will, that means that there’s an opening to play behind/alongside Borland, and I think that Teradja Mitchell has earned the opportunity to split time in the middle of Ohio State’s defense.
The Virginia native came to Columbus as the No. 44 player in the 2018 recruiting class, and has patiently waited his turn to get on to the field consistently, and as far as I’m concerned, he’s past due to get that opportunity. The OSU linebackers have been a sore spot ever since Billy “Best Man” Davis decimated the previously iconic position group.
But, under new LB coach Al Washington’s leadership the Silver Bullets are returning to form, and I think that Mitchell can absolutely be a part of that resurgence this year. He is an incredibly athletic and intelligent player, and I am excited to see what he can do with an increased role on the defense this fall.
Garrett Wilson | WR | No. 5
Garrett Wilson had a pretty strong true-freshman season for the Buckeyes in 2019, going for 432 yards and 5 touchdowns on the campaign (fourth best on the team in both categories). But, with the departures of Binjimen Victor, Austin Mack, and especially K.J. Hill, Wilson is poised for a breakout season this fall.
The 6-foot wide receiver was a backup on the outside last season, but with Hill now playing for the Los Angeles Chargers, Ryan Day and Brian Hartline need a talented, sure-handed pass-catcher to play in the slot, and all indications seem to point to that being Wilson.
While Chris Olave led the Buckeyes in receiving yards last season by more than 200 (840 to Hill’s 636), it was Hill who led the team in receptions (57 to Olave’s 48). Olave and Jameson Williams (more on him next) will likely be the starting receivers on the outside (imo), and Wilson’s mix of consistency and explosion will have him occupying the middle of the field.
I am excited by what having a receiver of his talent and athleticism coming out of the slot can do for Fields. Wilson will require attention from opposing safeties over the middle, but should also be able to take advantage of the quick-hitting mesh routes that we have seen Buckeye QBs take advantage of in small doses in recent years as well. We don’t yet know if he has the durability and consistency of Hill, but we do know that he is even more dynamic, which is very, very intriguing.
Jameson Williams | WR | No. 6
Now back to the aforementioned Jameson Williams, or Juiceman if you prefer. Williams didn’t get a ton of opportunities in 2019, only catching six balls for 112 yards and a touchdown, but as he showed on his scoring play against the Miami Red Hawks (in a clip package put together by our old friend Colton Denning), his burst is unbelievable.
I think that Williams will end up starting on the outside opposite Olave, but with the way that Hartline has utilized his incredibly talented WR room over the past two seasons, he is likely to have the opportunity to make an impact even if he is technically a reserve.
However, you can’t not be excited by the flashes of speed and athleticism that the Juiceman showed as a true freshman in 2019, and if he is given the chance to take the top off of a defense, he should be in line to turn in even more highlight-reel plays as a sophomore.
Trey Sermon | RB | No. 8
This one is a little different than the previous three. In those cases, I talked about guys who have had handfuls of opportunities, but have been behind more veteran Buckeyes since arriving in Columbus. However, with Trey Sermon, he is not only completely new to Ohio State, but he’s also had more chances to shine having already wracked up over 2,000 rushing yards as a member of the Oklahoma Sooners.
What I am most excited to see is how he will fare in a much different offense, and much different conference than he has played in before. At 6-foot-1, he’s a fairly tall back, and as his position coach Tony Alford has noted in recent press availabilities, he still has a tendency to run a bit too vertically.
Since we know that everyone in the Big 12 is allergic to playing defense, I am a little concerned about whether Sermon is ready for the physicality that he is going to come up against in the Big Ten — albeit in a shortened season without any crossovers against the toughest B1G West defenses.
If he is able to get his pads low, as Alford wants, I think that his experience and athleticism could provide an interesting addition to the offense. As I’ve said before, I don’t think that the Buckeyes have to have a stud running back to reach their championship goals this season, but if Sermon is able to provide a dynamic option out of the backfield, that can only help to open things up for Fields and the receivers.
Zach Harrison | DE | No. 9
I do not envy Zach Harrison. As if being the 12th ranked player in the 2019 recruiting class wasn’t enough to generate sky-high expectations for a sophomore defensive end, he is also now expected to step up and be the next link in OSU’s chain of dominant DEs that started in 2013 with Joey Bosa, transitioned to Nick Bosa in 2016, and continued unbroken with Chase Young last season.
As a freshman, Harrison notched 5.5 tackles for loss, including 3.5 sacks, and earned the start opposite Young in the Fiesta Bowl after Jonathon Cooper decided to sit out the postseason in order to maintain his redshirt.
Though no depth chart as officially been unveiled yet, because of the unquestioned potential that he displayed in 2019, it is widely assumed that Harrison will be starting opposite Cooper this season, and that has to excite all Buckeye fans.
Harrison has the potential to be an absolutely game-changing, offense-exploding force on the defensive line; heck, there’s a reason that they call him “Sack” Harrison beyond the fact that it rhymes with his first name.
I certainly don’t want to put the pressure of living up to the Bosas and Young’s legacy as a first-time starter on anybody, but if anyone can do it, I certainly think that Harrison can.
After some unexpected start and stops, I am back to posting a column every single day from preseason camp until whenever Ohio State’s football season ends. Some days they will be longer and in depth, some days they will be short and sweet. Let me know what you think of this one, and what you’d like to see me discuss in the comments or on Twitter. Go Bucks!
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
When you have 10 players get drafted, there are going to be opportunities for new guys to step up. These are the guys to watch out for.
On Friday, I wrote about how it hadn’t yet felt like college football season to me, since Ohio State was still two Saturdays away from kicking off, but man, this past week of games was great. There was a good helping of chaos with a couple of other close calls mixed in as well, and now that there is just one Saturday between us and the Buckeyes being on the field, I am now officially excited.
So, with this newly found excitement in mind, I decided to look at the five players that I am most excited to see get some more playing time this season. Of course we’re all pumped to watch Justin Fields, Shaun Wade, Chris Olave, and the other returning stars, but as has been preached at OSU for generations, the Buckeyes don’t replace, they reload.
With 10 players from the 2019 roster drafted into the NFL, there are now plenty of opportunities for young (and not so young) guys to step up and claim spots in hopes of becoming the next Buckeye to leave his mark on this storied program.
There are a lot of players to be excited about from this year’s roster, but these are my five favorites in single-digit, numerical order; you can also vote for your favorite of the five in the poll below.
Teradja Mitchell | LB | No. 3
I know that this statement will anger some of you, so I’m just going to get it out of the way now: Tuf Borland will be Ohio State’s starter at middle linebacker for the entire season (and likely next season as well), barring some sort of unforeseen injury — and even then, he’d probably find a way to play after having a leg amputated anyway.
However, as we have seen in recent years, when it comes to linebackers, starting does not necessarily guarantee a stranglehold on playing time. Though Borland started the entire 2019 season at Mike, his back-up, Baron Browning, ended up on the field for a significant number of snaps as well, as evidenced by Eleven Warriors’ season total snap count.
By 11W’s count, Borland ended the Fiesta Bowl with 425 plays, while Browning had 368, despite missing two games due to injury. That means that the starter, Borland, averaged 30.36 plays per game, while the reserve, Browning, averaged 30.67. And while the assumption might be that most of Browning’s plays came in garbage time, that’s not really the case, as after the first series, Tuf and Baron more or less rotated for the duration.
With Browning being moved over to the Sam linebacker position for the fall in conjunction with Pete Werner moving to Will, that means that there’s an opening to play behind/alongside Borland, and I think that Teradja Mitchell has earned the opportunity to split time in the middle of Ohio State’s defense.
The Virginia native came to Columbus as the No. 44 player in the 2018 recruiting class, and has patiently waited his turn to get on to the field consistently, and as far as I’m concerned, he’s past due to get that opportunity. The OSU linebackers have been a sore spot ever since Billy “Best Man” Davis decimated the previously iconic position group.
But, under new LB coach Al Washington’s leadership the Silver Bullets are returning to form, and I think that Mitchell can absolutely be a part of that resurgence this year. He is an incredibly athletic and intelligent player, and I am excited to see what he can do with an increased role on the defense this fall.
Garrett Wilson | WR | No. 5
Garrett Wilson had a pretty strong true-freshman season for the Buckeyes in 2019, going for 432 yards and 5 touchdowns on the campaign (fourth best on the team in both categories). But, with the departures of Binjimen Victor, Austin Mack, and especially K.J. Hill, Wilson is poised for a breakout season this fall.
The 6-foot wide receiver was a backup on the outside last season, but with Hill now playing for the Los Angeles Chargers, Ryan Day and Brian Hartline need a talented, sure-handed pass-catcher to play in the slot, and all indications seem to point to that being Wilson.
While Chris Olave led the Buckeyes in receiving yards last season by more than 200 (840 to Hill’s 636), it was Hill who led the team in receptions (57 to Olave’s 48). Olave and Jameson Williams (more on him next) will likely be the starting receivers on the outside (imo), and Wilson’s mix of consistency and explosion will have him occupying the middle of the field.
I am excited by what having a receiver of his talent and athleticism coming out of the slot can do for Fields. Wilson will require attention from opposing safeties over the middle, but should also be able to take advantage of the quick-hitting mesh routes that we have seen Buckeye QBs take advantage of in small doses in recent years as well. We don’t yet know if he has the durability and consistency of Hill, but we do know that he is even more dynamic, which is very, very intriguing.
Jameson Williams | WR | No. 6
Now back to the aforementioned Jameson Williams, or Juiceman if you prefer. Williams didn’t get a ton of opportunities in 2019, only catching six balls for 112 yards and a touchdown, but as he showed on his scoring play against the Miami Red Hawks (in a clip package put together by our old friend Colton Denning), his burst is unbelievable.
I think that Williams will end up starting on the outside opposite Olave, but with the way that Hartline has utilized his incredibly talented WR room over the past two seasons, he is likely to have the opportunity to make an impact even if he is technically a reserve.
However, you can’t not be excited by the flashes of speed and athleticism that the Juiceman showed as a true freshman in 2019, and if he is given the chance to take the top off of a defense, he should be in line to turn in even more highlight-reel plays as a sophomore.
Trey Sermon | RB | No. 8
This one is a little different than the previous three. In those cases, I talked about guys who have had handfuls of opportunities, but have been behind more veteran Buckeyes since arriving in Columbus. However, with Trey Sermon, he is not only completely new to Ohio State, but he’s also had more chances to shine having already wracked up over 2,000 rushing yards as a member of the Oklahoma Sooners.
What I am most excited to see is how he will fare in a much different offense, and much different conference than he has played in before. At 6-foot-1, he’s a fairly tall back, and as his position coach Tony Alford has noted in recent press availabilities, he still has a tendency to run a bit too vertically.
Since we know that everyone in the Big 12 is allergic to playing defense, I am a little concerned about whether Sermon is ready for the physicality that he is going to come up against in the Big Ten — albeit in a shortened season without any crossovers against the toughest B1G West defenses.
If he is able to get his pads low, as Alford wants, I think that his experience and athleticism could provide an interesting addition to the offense. As I’ve said before, I don’t think that the Buckeyes have to have a stud running back to reach their championship goals this season, but if Sermon is able to provide a dynamic option out of the backfield, that can only help to open things up for Fields and the receivers.
Zach Harrison | DE | No. 9
I do not envy Zach Harrison. As if being the 12th ranked player in the 2019 recruiting class wasn’t enough to generate sky-high expectations for a sophomore defensive end, he is also now expected to step up and be the next link in OSU’s chain of dominant DEs that started in 2013 with Joey Bosa, transitioned to Nick Bosa in 2016, and continued unbroken with Chase Young last season.
As a freshman, Harrison notched 5.5 tackles for loss, including 3.5 sacks, and earned the start opposite Young in the Fiesta Bowl after Jonathon Cooper decided to sit out the postseason in order to maintain his redshirt.
Though no depth chart as officially been unveiled yet, because of the unquestioned potential that he displayed in 2019, it is widely assumed that Harrison will be starting opposite Cooper this season, and that has to excite all Buckeye fans.
Harrison has the potential to be an absolutely game-changing, offense-exploding force on the defensive line; heck, there’s a reason that they call him “Sack” Harrison beyond the fact that it rhymes with his first name.
I certainly don’t want to put the pressure of living up to the Bosas and Young’s legacy as a first-time starter on anybody, but if anyone can do it, I certainly think that Harrison can.
After some unexpected start and stops, I am back to posting a column every single day from preseason camp until whenever Ohio State’s football season ends. Some days they will be longer and in depth, some days they will be short and sweet. Let me know what you think of this one, and what you’d like to see me discuss in the comments or on Twitter. Go Bucks!
Continue reading...
LGHL Column: Jonathon Cooper wearing Ohio State’s Block ‘0’ is a perfect metaphor for 2020
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Column: Jonathon Cooper wearing Ohio State’s Block ‘0’ is a perfect metaphor for 2020
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Jonathon Cooper | The Ohio State University Athletic Department
Couldn’t happen to a more deserving guy.
Jonathon Cooper’s Ohio State career hasn’t exactly gone according to plan. When the Gahanna native got to Ohio State in 2016, he was the No. 33 player in the country, just on the cusp of being a five-star prospect. Playing behind and alongside Nick Bosa and Chase Young, Cooper has made plays, but has yet to become the dominant defensive end that was expected when he was being recruited.
After becoming a starter for the first time in 2018, he was named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, and was primed to have a breakout senior season last fall when he was named a team captain for the first time. However, in preseason practice, Cooper suffered an ankle injury that took most of his 2019 season. He played in four contests, but ultimately decided to skip OSU’s postseason games in order to redshirt and maintain his eligibility for one more complete campaign.
Then, the world — and college football — was hit by a global pandemic, and it became a real possibility that his final collegiate season would either have to come in 2021, or Cooper would need to accept that his injury-shortened 2019 was his last go-around with the Buckeyes.
However, Cooper kept working, and as the B1G went back and forth on whether or not a season would actually happen, he continued to exemplify the commitment and perseverance that has become synonymous with his name across Buckeye Nation. Named a captain for the second-straight season, with games on the horizon, Cooper is now ready to leave his mark as the undisputed leader on a young, and reloaded, defensive line.
However, before the Buckeyes take on Nebraska on Oct. 24, after a full-team scrimmage in Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Cooper earned an honor that feels perfectly made for both him and this point in history. In February, the NCAA announced that football teams would be allowed to use the number 0 on jerseys, so Ryan Day and his coaching staff came up with a way to make it a meaningful, career-defining honor.
Each year, the OSU coaching staff will select one player to wear their new Block “0” jersey, in honor of legendary Ohio State defensive tackle Bill Willis. The College and Pro Football Hall of Famer won a national title with OSU in 1942 and broke the color barrier in modern professional football in 1946; his No. 99 was retired at Ohio State in 2007, just weeks before his death.
The recipient of the new Block “0” jersey will be a player who best exemplifies Willis’ fundamental traits of toughness, accountability, and fight. This year, for the very first time, that player will be Cooper, and that couldn’t be more perfect.
“Jonathon Cooper represents everything that an Ohio State football player should be,” Day said. “He’s tough. He’s accountable. He loves this university and this state. He’s someone who continually embodies our culture of ‘fight.’ And that’s in everything that he does, on and off the field. I’m proud of Coop; he’s the perfect person to wear the Block ‘0’ for the first time.”
Come on, you can’t tell me that you don’t get choked up watching this presentation, can you?
️ "I'm gonna make sure I'm at my very best every time I put this on." - @JonathonCooper7 on being the first-ever recipient of the Block 0 jersey.#GoBuckeyes #Fight pic.twitter.com/WXhfzG4qFN
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 10, 2020
For practically each and every one of us, 2020 has been unforeseeably difficult. From a year’s worth of dreams left unrealized, to opportunities that never came to fruition; from losses large and small, to monumental challenges on both personal and societal levels; 2020 has required all of us to take stock of what’s important and to continue to fight and persevere and be accountable in ways that we likely never even knew that we were capable of before we were forced to confront unparalleled frustration, fear, and disappointment.
Cooper has undoubtedly been through all of these emotions and has fought through to be in a position to leave his mark at Ohio State, just as Willis did before him.
“This honor stands out from the rest,” said Cooper. “Being a captain, all the great things that have happened here at Ohio State, this one stands out a lot more to me personally. It doesn’t just represent me, it represents a great man, a great player who played here. I know when I put that jersey on I’m representing him and I have to go out there and be my very best, and I have to do that every single day. This one really means a lot to me.”
This year and this pandemic have forced all of us to find ways to reinvent ourselves, to meet the challenges placed in our paths, and to accept the unforeseen detours and to make them part of our own unique journeys. Cooper has proven that he is capable of doing all of those things throughout his Ohio State career, and he has already been rewarded for his patience and perseverance; I can only hope that we all will be as well.
After some unexpected start and stops, I am back to posting a column every single day from preseason camp until whenever Ohio State’s football season ends. Some days they will be longer and in depth, some days they will be short and sweet. Let me know what you think of this one, and what you’d like to see me discuss in the comments or on Twitter. Go Bucks!
Continue reading...
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Couldn’t happen to a more deserving guy.
Jonathon Cooper’s Ohio State career hasn’t exactly gone according to plan. When the Gahanna native got to Ohio State in 2016, he was the No. 33 player in the country, just on the cusp of being a five-star prospect. Playing behind and alongside Nick Bosa and Chase Young, Cooper has made plays, but has yet to become the dominant defensive end that was expected when he was being recruited.
After becoming a starter for the first time in 2018, he was named an All-Big Ten Honorable Mention, and was primed to have a breakout senior season last fall when he was named a team captain for the first time. However, in preseason practice, Cooper suffered an ankle injury that took most of his 2019 season. He played in four contests, but ultimately decided to skip OSU’s postseason games in order to redshirt and maintain his eligibility for one more complete campaign.
Then, the world — and college football — was hit by a global pandemic, and it became a real possibility that his final collegiate season would either have to come in 2021, or Cooper would need to accept that his injury-shortened 2019 was his last go-around with the Buckeyes.
However, Cooper kept working, and as the B1G went back and forth on whether or not a season would actually happen, he continued to exemplify the commitment and perseverance that has become synonymous with his name across Buckeye Nation. Named a captain for the second-straight season, with games on the horizon, Cooper is now ready to leave his mark as the undisputed leader on a young, and reloaded, defensive line.
However, before the Buckeyes take on Nebraska on Oct. 24, after a full-team scrimmage in Ohio Stadium on Saturday, Cooper earned an honor that feels perfectly made for both him and this point in history. In February, the NCAA announced that football teams would be allowed to use the number 0 on jerseys, so Ryan Day and his coaching staff came up with a way to make it a meaningful, career-defining honor.
Each year, the OSU coaching staff will select one player to wear their new Block “0” jersey, in honor of legendary Ohio State defensive tackle Bill Willis. The College and Pro Football Hall of Famer won a national title with OSU in 1942 and broke the color barrier in modern professional football in 1946; his No. 99 was retired at Ohio State in 2007, just weeks before his death.
The recipient of the new Block “0” jersey will be a player who best exemplifies Willis’ fundamental traits of toughness, accountability, and fight. This year, for the very first time, that player will be Cooper, and that couldn’t be more perfect.
“Jonathon Cooper represents everything that an Ohio State football player should be,” Day said. “He’s tough. He’s accountable. He loves this university and this state. He’s someone who continually embodies our culture of ‘fight.’ And that’s in everything that he does, on and off the field. I’m proud of Coop; he’s the perfect person to wear the Block ‘0’ for the first time.”
Come on, you can’t tell me that you don’t get choked up watching this presentation, can you?
️ "I'm gonna make sure I'm at my very best every time I put this on." - @JonathonCooper7 on being the first-ever recipient of the Block 0 jersey.#GoBuckeyes #Fight pic.twitter.com/WXhfzG4qFN
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) October 10, 2020
For practically each and every one of us, 2020 has been unforeseeably difficult. From a year’s worth of dreams left unrealized, to opportunities that never came to fruition; from losses large and small, to monumental challenges on both personal and societal levels; 2020 has required all of us to take stock of what’s important and to continue to fight and persevere and be accountable in ways that we likely never even knew that we were capable of before we were forced to confront unparalleled frustration, fear, and disappointment.
Cooper has undoubtedly been through all of these emotions and has fought through to be in a position to leave his mark at Ohio State, just as Willis did before him.
“This honor stands out from the rest,” said Cooper. “Being a captain, all the great things that have happened here at Ohio State, this one stands out a lot more to me personally. It doesn’t just represent me, it represents a great man, a great player who played here. I know when I put that jersey on I’m representing him and I have to go out there and be my very best, and I have to do that every single day. This one really means a lot to me.”
This year and this pandemic have forced all of us to find ways to reinvent ourselves, to meet the challenges placed in our paths, and to accept the unforeseen detours and to make them part of our own unique journeys. Cooper has proven that he is capable of doing all of those things throughout his Ohio State career, and he has already been rewarded for his patience and perseverance; I can only hope that we all will be as well.
After some unexpected start and stops, I am back to posting a column every single day from preseason camp until whenever Ohio State’s football season ends. Some days they will be longer and in depth, some days they will be short and sweet. Let me know what you think of this one, and what you’d like to see me discuss in the comments or on Twitter. Go Bucks!
Continue reading...
