Michigan St reigns as NCAA men’s basketball tourney champions for the first time since 2000
Zack 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

Final Four Matchups:

1 Kansas vs. 1 Dayton-Dayton 86-80: Dayton takes down Kansas in a back and fourth matchup that featured a few ESPN top 10 Obi Toppin Dunks.

1 Gonzaga vs. 3 Michigan St.- Michigan St 79-75 (OT): Cassius Winston and Xavier Tillman provide 50 of the 79 points scored to lead MSU to the title game.

Championship Game:

1 Dayton vs. 3 Michigan St.- Michigan St 81-79: Tom Izzo captures his first National Title since 2000 behind All American Cassius Winston.

I just wanted to say thank you to all of you who have voted on the polls and have followed along with us on the site!




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Buckeye Bits: ‘The Spot Game’ reairs tonight, next stud offensive guard, Braxton Miller should have been paid
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
All the latest Ohio State news from around the beat and beyond.

As you may have heard, tonight (Thursday, April 30) at 7 p.m. ET, ESPN is re-airing the 2016 double-overtime game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Michigan Wolverines. If you don’t remember which game that was, it was the one that ended like this...


And made Jim Harbaugh go like this...



And gave birth to the greatest shirt in LGHL history...



Since we literally have nothing else to do tonight, we will be “live”-tweeting the game over on Twitter @Landgrant33. Join us, won’t you?

From around Land-Grant Holy Land...


SB Nation Jersey Week: A needed change to The Game

by Brett Ludwiczak

Look, I’m not going to lie to you, there are few things that I care about less than college football uniforms. Yes, Ohio State’s jerseys are — and forever will be — better than everyone else’s, but beyond that, I just can’t force myself to get worked up about them. However, since this is SB Nation’s “Jersey Week,” and I know a lot of people do care about jerseys, you should read what Brett has to say about the scarlet and gray and maize and blue worn (or not worn) for The Game.

What names could still be BOOMing in Ohio State’s 2021 recruiting class?

by me

In this article, I went through the prospects that Bill “Bank” Greene from 247Sports believes will round out the 2021 football recruiting class for the Buckeyes, and talked about what type of impact I think that the NCAA’s rule changes when it comes to the compensation for name, image, and likeness could potentially have on recruiting.

Podcast: ESPN hosed us again, but LGHL breaks down 2016’s ‘Spot Game’

by me, Tia Johnston, and special guest Lori Schmidt

So, you know how ESPN is re-airing the 2016 Spot Game tonight? Well, they were supposed to do it a few weeks ago, but bumped it for a re-run of their H.O.R.S.E. quarterfinals (Mike Conley Jr. is the ). However, in anticipation for that initial airing, I chatted with our co-managing editor Tia Johnston and Columbus sports reporting legend Lori Schmidt about the game from out own unique perspectives.

From around the gridiron...


Next Man Up: How Buckeyes replace Branden Bowen on offensive line

by Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

With Jonah Jackson and Branden Bowen now members of the Detroit Lions and Carolina Panthers respectively, Ryan Day and Greg Studrawa need to find two new offensive guard starters before the next college football season kicks off (whenever that might be).

Harry Miller is believed to already be slotted in to Jackson’s left guard spot, but Bowen’s spot seems to still be up for grabs, especially since there was very little accomplished during the very abbreviated spring practice. Fans (and presumably coaches) have been waiting for former five-star prospect Nicholas Petit-Frere to claim a starting job, but he hasn’t been able to do it in his first two seasons in Columbus. He will now have to battle sophomore mountain of a man Dawand Jones and true-freshman phenom Paris Johnson.

Coach Stud has done an impressive job reloading his offensive lines in recent years, so I have confidence that he will find the right player to plug the hole, but it would be really nice if one of these fine young men could take the job early on in camp so that the entire line can make up for lost time from the spring and get as many reps as possible as a cohesive unit.

A look at Ohio State’s linebacker room, commitments and targets for the 2021 recruiting cycle

by Wyatt Crosher, Buckeye Sports Bulletin

Real talk? The Ohio State linebackers have been forced to dig themselves out of a hole since Billy “Best Man” Davis was finally fired following the 2018 season. New position Al Washington has done a great job in his year+ on campus, but the LBs still don’t have the athleticism that the position should have at Ohio State.

I don’t know how long Washington will be content to stay a position coach (even if it is in his hometown) before he gets snatched away to be a defensive coordinator elsewhere (unless Greg Mattison retires first). But, this year — both on the field and in recruiting — should tell us a lot about what the position holds in the future.

Does anyone know if this is good?


I’m sorry, I haven’t had to do much math during quarantine. Can you tell me if this is good?


‘Let’s do this correctly’: One-time transfer eligibility reform changes course (paywalled)

by Nicole Auerbach, The Athletic

There are a lot of people out there in the social media streets trying to make arguments for why giving transfer waivers is bad, but all of their arguments come down to them knowing what’s best for individual adult humans more so than said individual adult humans know for themselves.

It’s dumb, it’s reductive, and it betrays what these people really think of the student-athletes. Players should be allowed to transfer — at least once — without penalty, pandemic or not.

Dude can still fly.

From days gone by...


Over on the tweeter machine, OSU ran through one of the most memorable games in Buckeye football history today; the 1997 Rose Bowl.

They could have done a better job of threading the tweets, but they went through the game with dozens of clips, stats, and information. If you want to relive the game, don’t remember it clearly, or weren’t even born yet, this is a great way to get caught up on one of the most exciting games of the John Cooper era.


Look, he might not play a saxophone, but Kenny Guiton is, was, and always will be the only Kenny G in my heart.

From around the hardwood...


Former Ohio State basketball players recall financial restrictions

By Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch

Look, I know that there are a lot of opinions out there on the issue of paying players or allowing them to be paid for the use of their name, image, and likeness (more on that in a minute), but if nothing could convince you that something needs to change, it should be that mortal enemies Evan “The Villain” Turner and Mark “The Shark” Titus both found themselves in similar situations in college, being hugely popular Ohio State basketball players, but not allowed to capitalize on it.

One was the National Player of the Year and the other was a walk-on who wrote a funny blog, but both had to pass on a lot of money that rightfully should have been headed their way.

After committing earlier this month, Jimmy Sotos officially signed with Ohio State’s men’s basketball team on Thursday. He will have to sit out the coming season (will there be a season?) and he will be eligible to play in the fall of 2021.

From everywhere else...


Braxton Miller is the perfect example of an Ohio State Buckeye who deserved endorsement money

by Doug Lesmerises, cleveland.com

Like Turner and Titus above, Braxton Miller would have made a lot of money if he had been able to be compensated while he was in Columbus, and he should have made every penny that he could have, because those years were the absolute height of his money making potential.

Yes, Miller played in the NFL, but as Doug Lesmerises points out, other than Terrelle Pryor, no former OSU quarterbacks from the Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer eras have been able to turn collegiate stardom into major money at the pro level. Now, don’t get me wrong, making more than one million dollars as a professional football player is awesome, but can you imagine how much money Troy Smith, J.T. Barrett, or Cardale Jones could have made during their Buckeye careers?

They earned generational, life-changing money and they should have received it.

What to know about the NCAA Board of Governors’ Recommendations for name, image and likeness reform

by Colin Hass-Hill, Eleven Warriors

If you aren’t exactly sure what all of the proposed rule changes and timetables mean, Colin Hass-Hill from over at 11W did a good job of breaking it down.

And now for something completely different...


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SB Nation Jersey Week: A needed change to The Game
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 Joe Robbins/Getty Images
The annual battle between Ohio State and Michigan is already iconic, but one change could take it to a whole new level.

Since it is “Jersey Week” at SB Nation, I have a real bone to pick when it comes to one of the biggest games of the year. I could rail against Ohio State’s alternate jerseys, but I’m going to go a little different route for this one.

Don’t get me wrong, I hate a lot of the alternate jerseys because I think Ohio State’s uniforms are something that doesn’t need to be messed with. I get why they have introduced some alternate uniforms, since they not only want to sell more jerseys, but recruits also like them. But, I’m closing in on 35 and I’ve been in the “get off my lawn” stage of my life for quite some time now.

Anyway, back to the true problem at hand. Why don't Ohio State and Michigan both wear their home uniforms for The Game? Scarlet against blue. Good versus evil. It may way too much sense for the rivalry to have not done this before, but for unknown reasons we haven’t seen the rivals battle each other in their home uniforms yet. It’s a crime.

Photo by Sean M. Haffey/Getty Images

There was a NCAA rule that said road teams had to play in white jerseys, but one moment almost 12 years ago changed all that. In 2008, USC head coach Pete Carroll sent his team out in their home uniforms to take on UCLA at the Rose Bowl, costing the Trojans a timeout. UCLA immediately took a timeout to even things out. A couple months later the NCAA passed a rule allowing teams of contrasting colors to both wear their home uniforms.

While seeing USC and UCLA battling in their home uniforms is quite a sight, even more stunning would be to see the Buckeyes and Wolverines square off in their home kits. Why Ohio State and Michigan haven’t already started playing The Game in their home jerseys is beyond me. The Game is already iconic, but it would be taken to a whole different level if we saw scarlet jerseys on one side of the field and Michigan’s blue uniforms on the other sideline in late November in either The Horseshoe or The Big House.

Photo by Scott W. Grau/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

It’s not like the two teams have exactly stuck to strict uniform rules lately during the rivalry either. Alternate jerseys have become more prevalent, especially on Ohio State’s side. The Buckeyes have trotted out a number of alternate jerseys over the last decade. The white uniforms with black lettering the Buckeyes wore in 2017 were hideous. If Ohio State can wear something like that, there is absolutely no reason why both teams can’t wear their home jerseys for a game.

I know both teams have to agree to it, and while I’m sure Jim Harbaugh would find a way to cry about it, I’m sure it could be something that the rest of his team could talk him in to.

Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports

Look at how good these colors look on the basketball court, and now just think of how hard everyone would mark out when Ohio State takes the field in late November at Ohio Stadium as the number one team in the country in their iconic scarlet uniforms just a few moments after Michigan ran out onto the field to a chorus of boos in their classic blue uniforms. As if tensions wouldn’t have already been sky-high, this would take it to another level.

All I need these two rivals is to wear their home uniforms once for The Game and I feel like it would be so visually spectacular that you’d see the home uniforms turn into a tradition going forward. The rivalry has tried the rest when it comes to jerseys, now it is time for them to try the best.

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What names could still be BOOMing in Ohio State’s 2021 recruiting class?
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports
Also, how will the rule changes around name, image, and likeness impact recruiting?

Who’s next?


Over at 247Sports, Bill Greene took a stab at what players he thinks will end up rounding out the Buckeyes’ currently top-ranked 2021 football recruiting class. In addition to the 17 players already pledged to join the Ohio State Buckeyes, Greene believes that five-star wide receiver Emeka Egbuka will join the class, as will four-star defensive tackle Tywone Malone.

He also predicts that four-star offensive tackle JC Latham will join the Bucks, and that four-star offensive guard Jager Burton could come along as well, but Greene is not yet sold on that one.

On the defensive side of the ball, Greene said, “I feel REALLY GOOD on that pick,“ in reference to the No. 2 player in the country, five-star defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau joining the Buckeyes in 2021. He also thinks that Al Washington could flip five-star linebacker Raesjon Davis from LSU, but isn’t ready to crystal ball it yet. However, Greene has CBed Davis’ high school teammate, four-star cornerback Jaylin Davis to the Buckeyes, so perhaps that could help persuade Davis to make the jump.

Greene also thinks that four-star safety Derrick Davis Jr. will eventually choose between OSU and Penn State, but he’s not yet leaning one way or the other.

Greene does add that because of the odd, coronavirus-impacted recruiting that there could be more decommitments in the fall than normal, so we shouldn’t get too attached to all of these players just yet.

Recruiting in the new normal


The biggest news in all of sports on Wednesday was the recommendations that came down from the NCAA’s working group on name, image, and likeness compensation for student-athletes. While there is still a long way to go before I will ever believe that the NCAA will ever allow something so logical and equitable to happen, Cleveland.com’s Doug Lesmerises looked into how the opportunity for future college football players to be paid for various purposes might impact Ohio State’s recruiting.

He notes that if the current plan remains on track, it would go into effect at the start of the 2021-22 academic year, meaning that everybody in OSU’s top-rated recruiting class would benefit from the rule change for their entire career. Lesmerises and Eleven Warriors’ Colin Hass-Hill noticed that Ohio State’s football coaching staff — led by assistant athletic director for player personnel Mark Pantoni — were already trumpeting the fact that there is no better place for big-time recruits to play than Columbus if they want to have the best shot to make the NFL and the chance to make some money while in school.


Lesmerises gets into the potential impact that the new policy could have in recruiting, but while most people tend to see this as just another way for the rich to get richer, there is another potential outcome that is just as likely. Of course all systems in our society are slanted towards the rich and powerful, so I certainly don’t anticipate this hurting Ohio State, but I could see smaller schools — be they Power Fives or otherwise — benefiting from the new system than they are now.

If a stud-player knows that he’s going to be gone after three years anyway, but is going to have to sit or split time for two seasons at Ohio State or Alabama — forgoing potential endorsement deals — might it be better to go to a Maryland or Georgia Tech or Arizona State where you can make a name (and money) for yourself right away while you are bidding your time before heading off to the NFL? Time will tell, but I’m not convinced that this will be simply another feather reserved exclusively for the caps of the already bluest bloods.

Another offer extended


On Wednesday, Ohio State offered a scholarship to 2022 Virginia offensive lineman Zach Rice. The 6-foot-6, 278-pounder from Lynchburg’s Liberty Christian Academy doesn’t yet have a composite grade, as those won’t become available until at least this summer, but 247Sports has him as a high three-star prospect, the 30th OL in the country, and the 13th player in his state.

In addition to the Buckeyes, Rice also holds offers from Georgia, Florida, LSU, Michigan, Michigan State, Oregon, Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech, and other.

The best recruiters aren’t always coaches


On Wednesday, former Florida commit turned newly pledged Tennessee defensive back Kamar Wilcoxson claimed that he was going to be the No. 1 recruiter in the country this season. However, Buckeye commit Jaylen Johnson begged to differ; even using head coach Ryan Day as a reference for being the best recruiter in college football.

Johnson followed that up with a tweet highlighting OSU’s top-rated 2021 class and asking the important question, “Who wouldn’t want to join this class[?]”

Quick Hits


On Wednesday, Bill Kuerlic posted an article in which he spoke with 2022 top-100 player, four-star Texas running back Jadarian Price in which the high school sophomore said of OSU, “It is a great school that I am still interested in and excited to look into a visit on their campus. And maybe even a rivalry game in the fall.” Good job not mentioning the rival by name, Jadarian.

Kuerlic also ran through a slew of names that appear to have been added to Ohio State’s target list. Get to know these names now, because at the rate they have been coming, some of them might start BOOMing sooner rather than later.

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Buckeye Bits: NCAA supports a rule change to allow student-athletes to get paid, Tom Brady shows support for the Bucks, more
Tia Johnston via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Photo via Twitter @Brutus_Buckeye | Hat via Fanatics.com
All the latest Ohio State news from around the beat and beyond.

Good evening, friends. Here’s your Ohio State news of the day, but first:


It was only a matter of time before he switched sides, right? Anyway, let’s jump into the all the bits and pieces from around the Ohio State beat. The Buckeye bits, if you will.

From around Land-Grant Holy Land...


Ohio State 2020 NFL Draft tracker

Gene Ross & Tia Johnston, LGHL

A lot of Buckeyes were picked up by NFL teams over the weekend. So many, in fact, that it’s hard to remember where they all went. Check out our draft tracker for live updates and blurbs on each NFL-bound Buckeye.

What Dobbins, Hamilton, Jackson, Harrison bring to their respective NFL teams

Tia Johnston, LGHL

Speaking of those aforementioned NFL-bound Buckeyes, I wrote about how the second- and third-rounders will likely be utilized by their respective teams.

Ohio State mixing it up with 2022 four-star RB

Gene Ross, LGHL

Check out the next episode of Ohio State’s Recruiting Adventures, which involves the No. 14 RB and and No. 110 player overall in the 2022 cycle, along with updates on some of the top 2021 recruits and where they currently stand.

SB Nation Jersey Week: Ohio State’s best fits

Gene Ross, LGHL

It’s Jersey Week over at the mothership (SBNation.com) so we’re celebrating by naming the single greatest alternate uniform worn by the Ohio State football team. Any guesses? Be sure to let Gene know in the comments if you agree or if your an anti-alternate-jersey guy.

From around the gridiron...


New NCAA football game unlikely as NCAA working group deems group licenses “unworkable in college athletics”

Kevin Harrish, Eleven Warriors

The NCAA Board of Governors’ supported a rule change to allow student-athletes to get paid for their name, image and likeness—more on that later.

However, despite rumblings of the NCAA football video game making a comeback, the group specifically said that group licenses for video games are “unworkable in college sports because of the absence of a recognized bargaining agent to manage the terms of group NIL use on behalf of the student-athletes.”

If you’re like me and have absolutely no clue what a recognized bargaining agent is, you’re probably thinking “why can’t you just...go get a recognized bargaining agent?”

To which the NCAA would respond: “There are legal hurdles to such activity that preclude it as a realistic option for implementation at this time.”

Translation: The process is much more complex than just “going and getting a recognized bargaining agent.”

Still, the NCAA did say that “further exploration of these concepts will require clarity from Congress..” So, fear not. Your NCAA CFB video game dreams hopes aren’t dead...yet.


Real Life Wednesdays brought to you by Nick Bosa, Corey Linsley, Ryan Shazier, and Chase Young.


All of which probably know a thing or two about having what it takes to make it in the league. I don’t know though.


Projecting Buckeyes who could declare early for 2021 NFL Draft

Austin Ward, Lettermen Row

We’ve all seen the way-too-early 2021 NFL Mock Drafts floating around. Justin Fields is projected to go second or third overall, followed by Shaun Wade going thirteenth or so, and Wyatt Davis close behind. However, what about the not-so-obvious players who could declare early at the end of next season?

Ward predicts a number of players, from the you’d-be-stupid-not-to-declare-Buckeyes to the “Buckeyes who could explode and surprise.”


Talented young receivers still finding ways to develop for Buckeyes

Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Also from Lettermen Row, Holbrook takes a look at the early-enrollee wide receiver group, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Julian Fleming, Gee Scott and Mookie Cooper, and how they’re battling for playing time from home.

While WR coach Brian Hartline is still unsure as to how well each receiver can play in a collegiate atmosphere, the three spring practices they did have seemed to give him more insight into the group’s abilities than you’d think.


The New No. 0 jersey is up for grabs, who’s going to snag it?

Kevin Harrish, Eleven Warriors

ICYMI, the NCAA passed a rule change allowing the No. 0 to be a jersey number.

I’m not sure who’s going to snag it, but if it ends up being Sevyn Banks I will riot the streets.

From around the hardwood...


Ohio State basketball’s Kaleb Wesson, C.J. Walker and Alonzo Gaffney among early entrants for NBA Draft 2020

Stephen Means, Cleveland.com

The NBA released its list of early entry candidates for the 2020 NBA Draft, and the list includes Gaffney, Walker and Wesson. And before you freak out, Walker is still expected to return for his fifth-year senior season as the Buckeyes’ starting point guard.


FYI

From everywhere else...


A cliff notes explainer on the NCAA’s landmark announcement

Chris Hummer, Bucknuts

The NCAA Board of Governors’ supported a rule change to allow student-athletes to get paid for their name, image and likeness via a number of ways, including sponsorships, apparel and social media.

Took long enough.

However, there are about one bajillion disclaimers to the rule change and another bajillion questions left unanswered, so Hummer explained it in a cliff notes style, sans all the legal gibberish.

All I know is, Ohio State’s football recruiting staff is already on it.


Roger Goodell is slowly but surely becoming an...okay guy?


The salary he speaks of is in the $40 million ballpark, and will presumably ensure NFL employees keep their jobs, or avoid furloughs and pay cuts.


The Patriots are going to purposefully blow this season to get Trevor Lawrence at No. 1 overall. You heard it here first.


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SB Nation Jersey Week: Ohio State’s best fits
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Photo by Don Juan Moore/Getty Images
The Buckeyes uniforms are classic, but they also have some great variations

For some reason or another, alternate jerseys are a touchy subject in college football — especially among the older generations. At a program as storied and prestigious as Ohio State, the everyday uniforms are classic.

Everyone loves to see that silver Buckeye helmet with its singular red stripe, bordered by stripes of white and black and surrounded by green buckeye leaf stickers. The home fans get to see the team’s scarlet jerseys, with sleeves mirroring the stripes of the helmet and gray pants that do that same. When you picture Ohio State football, this is the image that comes to mind.

The most historic college football teams all have their signature look. Notre Dame has their shiny gold helmets. USC has its nameless cardinal jerseys with gold stripes on the shoulder. Alabama’s helmets are crimson, with just the player’s number and a singular stripe in white. Even Michigan, as ugly as they may seem to those in Columbus, has their own maize and blue helmets iconic of that program.

While these looks are all classic, and have gone mostly unchanged throughout the history of these programs, that doesn’t mean it isn’t okay to mix it up sometimes. Ohio State isn’t making any drastic altercations to its existing uniforms, but it has experimented with using alternate jerseys at least once a year in the past few seasons. Some people are opposed to this notion — I am not one of them.

Now, not all of the Buckeyes’ alternates are great. Personally, I was not a huge fan of the “Land of the Wolves” uniforms they wore against Penn State in 2017 — however, the actual game played in them was a classic. While I like the idea of alternates, I do think the iconic OSU helmet should remain the same, and the home jerseys should remain predominantly scarlet.

That being said, most of Ohio State’s alternates are actually throwbacks to Buckeye teams of the past, making it a bit easier to accept for those jersey purists. Which brings us to the best jerseys in the team’s repertoire:

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images

For the National Championship run during the 2014-15 season, Ohio State featured alternate uniforms in both of its College Football Playoff games. Against Alabama in the Sugar Bowl, it was the road version of the “Nike Diamond Quest” edition unis, which were white with scarlet and gray shoulder stripes. These were a clean look, but they couldn’t even compare to the jerseys the team would wear in the title game against Oregon.

The Buckeyes got to wear their home jerseys at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, TX. But it wasn’t just any home jersey, as Ohio State’s greatest alternate made its first ever appearance against the Ducks. At its core, it is incredibly similar to the team’s everyday uniforms, and those who don't watch OSU play regularly may not even notice it is any different. However, the jerseys featured grey and white shoulder stripes and black numbers on the shoulders, an ode to the 1968 Buckeyes that defeated USC in the Rose Bowl to secure a national title.



While a switch-up from the team’s usual apparel, this is an alternate jersey that I feel like everyone can get behind. It appeases both sides of the opinion pool. Those in favor of mixing it up every now and then get a jersey that is a bit different from the team’s usual look, and those in favor of keeping history can’t argue with honoring one of the great Ohio State teams of the past. Plus, every other part of the uniform remains the same, including that always recognizable Buckeye helmet.



Ohio State has brought these uniforms back numerous times, including most recently in the Fiesta Bowl this past season against Clemson. While there is nothing wrong with the Buckeyes’ normal scarlet home jerseys, I think that these are the team’s best look. They are not crazy different, and are an easy way to incorporate more of the program’s secondary gray into the uniform. Every time I see them, I picture Ezekiel Elliott running over Oregon en route to a national title.

Let us know how you feel about Ohio State wearing alternate jerseys. Do you love it? Do you hate it? Could you not care less as long as the team gets a W? Cast your vote!

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Jaxbuck said:

screw that.

I've got 4 more years until I get my pension.

Finally get back some of the money I've been paying in all these years.

Click to expand...

Just to warn you, it won't be as much as you deserve, just based on your profile pic alone. I think I joined 15 years ago, and still compare all of them to that. And finding better than that is 1 thing we can't blame on a virus

Happy for this kid! Stay home and do well, young man, you are not wrong!!

Watching the replay on ESPN tonight I'm impressed as hell that the Buckeyes won this game. Offense struggled all day, defense made some plays, and it ended with another W over TTUN.

I was frustrated as hell watching it as it happened, but I'm enjoying that we're going to win this shit show in the end.

Dayton wins the Natty!
Scott 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

MOTSAG Pretend March Madness: Final Four Scott Style
The Final Four is set and three of the four teams are perennial powers that shocked nobody by advancing: Kansas, Gonzaga, and Michigan State.Then there was the Atlantic 10 Engine That Could, the Dayton Flyers. Always a top 25-30 team in attendance, one of the winningest teams in the NCAA in the 1960s, and the team that’s hosted the most NCAA Men’s Tournament games, Dayton, despite losing just twice — in overtime on neutral courts – was a prohibitive underdog in a rematch with another No. 1 seed, Kansas. The Jayhawks were one of two teams to beat Dayton during the regular season, with Colorado being the other.
The second matchup features Gonzaga and Sparty.

No. 1 Dayton 76, No. 1 Kansas 72: This game was just as exciting as the first meeting early in the season. Neither team could build more than a five-point lead. Kansas tried to neutralize Obi Toppin by bringing double-team help from weird angles, hoping he wouldn’t be able to kick the ball out to the open player.
But Toppin, a likely NBA lottery pick, showed that he’s more than highlight-reel dunks and silky smooth three-point chucks. He continued to find the open man, but the Flyers struggled from long range early on, looking like Shaq at the free throw line.
Clank.
Clank.
Clank.
Clank.
Meanwhile, Kansas couldn’t solve Dayton’s ball-hawking defense, turning the ball over 8 times in its first 10 possessions.
However after the under 12 media timeout, both teams made adjustments and Kansas enjoyed a 30-28 lead at halftime.
Both teams scrapped their first-half game plan in the second half and Toppin and Udoka Azubuike took over. Topping scored 20 of his team-high 25 points in the second half, while Azubuike scored all 17 of his in the second, many times going one-on-one at both ends.
Dayton tried to pull away midway through as a Jalen Crutcher three pointer gave Dayton a 50-45 lead. Kansas went on a 10-0 run in about a minute to open a 55-50 lead before Dayton eventually tied it two minutes later.
From there, the teams traded baskets, misses and turnovers, heading into the final four minutes tied 70-70.
Dayton came out of the final timeout with possession and ran the picket fence to get Toppin a three pointer. Azubuike made a layup at the other end and was fouled, but he missed the free throw keeping the score at 73-72.
That remained the score until Trey Landers buried a three pointer as the shot clock was about to expire with 14 seconds left in the game. Kansas, without any timeouts, rushed the ball up the court and got two shots off, neither of which went in and time expired sending the Flyers to their first championship game since 1967.

No. 1 Gonzaga 87, No. 3 Michigan State 44
Nobody was shocked to see Michigan State in another Final Four, the school’s ninth under Tom Izzo. But everyone had to be shocked at how easily the Bulldogs dismantled Sparty. Gonzaga jumped out to a 19-2 lead, forcing turnover after turnover, totally befuddling Michigan State.
At one point, Izzo looked over at Gonzaga Coach Mark Few and shrugged his shoulders and laughed.
Gonzaga led 42-20 at halftime and continued to sizzle in the second half, making 65 percent of its shots while turning the ball over once.
Izzo was so frustrated with his team that at the under 12 timeout, he sent his five starters to the locker room and was heard telling them not to come out until they were ready to play. Five minutes later they returned and did play better, but by then they trailed by 40. In keeping with the regular season theme, six Bulldogs scored in double figures, led by Joel Ayayi’s 15. Cassius Winston scored 20 to lead Michigan State.

Championship
Dayton 70, Gonzaga 65, OT
Dayton wins its first NCAA Men’s Tournament title by outscoring Gonzaga 5-0 in the overtime period. Gonzaga discovered that there is stoppin’ Toppin, holding him to 11 points. But the Bulldogs couldn’t figure out Crutcher and Landers, who combined for 42 points and Dayton received great support from the rest of the roster.
Ayayi again led Gonzaga in scoring, pouring in 20 points, while Filip Petrusev added 15. But the Bulldogs struggled with consistency the entire game, turning the ball over 20 times and making just 38 percent of its shots.
Dayton wasn’t that great either, committing 17 turnovers and shooting just 65 percent from the free throw line.
Leading 34-31 at halftime, Dayton started the second half on a 10-2 run to open up an 11-point lead, but Gonzaga battled back by intentionally putting Dayton at the free throw line and converting second-chance opportunities at the other end.
Gonzaga took a 45-44 lead with 11 minutes left and neither team led by more than four the rest of regulation. Both teams had chances to win the game in the final minute, but Dayton missed three free throws and Gonzaga missed a three pointer and a somewhat-uncontested layup.
Crutcher made a three pointer to start overtime and then made a pair of free throws with 10 seconds left to ice the title.




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MOTSAG Pretend March Madness: Elite Eight (West Region)
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 all but eight teams remaining in the NCAA Men’s Basketball Tournament, the top two seeded teams out west remain in the fight. This has been a long hard road and with both teams overcoming two scrappy teams, do they still have gas remaining in the tank?

In a duel of two great programs, it is just mere minutes away from tip-off. The #1 Gonzaga Bulldogs and the #2 San Diego State Aztecs have locked onto each other in what could shape up to be a heated contest with the last two teams in the west.

Just moments before the tip-off, you can feel the tension and the anticipation in the air. With a trip to the Final Four at stake both teams cautiously approach this contest and we are off! The Aztecs gain control of the opening tip-off and the game gets underway. Malachi Flynn wastes no time and gets the initial bucket off of a hard screen from Wetzell. Not to be outdone, Petrusev penetrates the paint and kicks it out to Woolridge at the top of the key for two.

The opening half said a lot about both teams. Both started on fire until about 8 minutes before the half. After that it was all Gonzaga before going into halftime. At the half the Bulldogs are up 54-47. They rode a 7-0 run before the halftime buzzer and they kept control with pesky defense and well-timed buckets to keep the Aztecs at bay.

During the half, the Aztec coach is livid and gives out one of the most fiery speeches of the tournament and his team responded. Coming out of the locker room, the Aztec’s went 5-6 from three and they gained the lead after some stellar defense of their own. Aztecs lead 66-68 before the Bulldogs call a timeout. The well-timed break led to crucial adjustments on Gonzaga’s end that focused on shutting down and doubling Flynn to get the ball out of his hands.

Initially, it had worked out and it forced the Aztecs into a couple of turnovers and eventually a key backcourt violation. Flynn, visibly flustered called a timeout with 3 minutes left in regulation being down 77-70. In clutch fashion, his coaching staff drew some plays up and they executed it resulting in a 7-0 run to tie the game at 77 a piece. Shell-shocked, Gonzaga calls their last timeout with a little over a minute remaining in the game.

The coach drew up an isolation play to send the Aztecs packing in the waning minutes of the game. With 25 seconds left, Woolridge takes it down to under 10 seconds. He takes a pick from Petrusev, he loses his defender in the process and shoots a two at the top of the key… clang… in and out of the basket. Overtime ball for all the marbles!

From the initial portions of overtime, both teams are exhausted and it shows. Hunched over and visibly tired, both teams set-up for the additional minutes. This time Gonzaga controls the ball first. Petrusev wastes no time and knocks down a three in the face of Flynn to put the Bulldogs up 80-77. Flynn responds with a barrage of buckets–a layup and a three of his own to put the Aztecs up 82-80. Back-and-fourth both teams try to start a run, but focused defense is played on both sides.

The last two minute stretch was crucial and neither team was pulling away. With the game tied, yet again at 91 a piece. Neither team has buckled so far. Both a playing fierce defense and their offensive firepower hasn’t shied away. In the highest scoring game of the tournament, Petrusev takes the ball away from Flynn in the waning seconds and with 5 seconds remaining, he chucks it from half court with a prayer. It comes clean off his hands and it looks like it has a chance. The prayer was answered and he connects with the half-court heave to advance 94-92. Bulldogs advance in a thriller.




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MOTSAG Pretend March Madness Elite 8/ Final 4 matchups (South Region)
Zack 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

Welcome back to the South Region! Today we have the final 4 teams battling it out where 2 will make it to the Elite 8 of the Tournament. Will 2 B1G teams make it out of this Region? Who will be the South Regions Final 4 representative? Below are the matchups with the final results:

• 1 Baylor vs. 5 Ohio State: Ohio State 78-77-Ohio State keeps the magic alive and pulls the upset over the #1 seeded Baylor. 3 pt shooting and just enough defense get the job done.
• 3 Michigan State vs. 2 Creighton: Michigan State 75-68- Michigan State ends the Creighton run with the more tournament experienced lineup. Izzo back to the Elite 8 (has to be some kind of record right?)

To go to the Final 4:

• 5 Ohio State vs. 3 Michigan State: Michigan State 81-75- Unfortunately Ohio State’s run comes to an end here to the more experienced team . The Buckeyes only trailed by 3 and needed a stop to potentially tie the game. Cassius Winston hit a dagger 3 at the end of the shot clock to put the game out of reach in the final seconds.

South Region Final 4 team: 3 Michigan State

Tune in Next week as we send 2 teams to the championship game and as usual we would love your feedback!




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MOTSAG Pretend March Madness: East Sweet 16 and Elite 8
Scott 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

Dayton was one of the country’s biggest surprises this basketball season. And it continued that not-really-a-Cinderella story in the Pretend March Madness as Obi Toppin was simply unstoppable in the Sweet 16 and Elite 8.

No. 1 Dayton 101, No. 12 Richmond 75 The only reason Richmond scored that much was because Dayton played most of its subs late and the Spiders scored a ton of garbage buckets. Toppin scored 41 points and Jalen Crutcher added 25 and 14 assists for the Flyers. Everyone on the UD roster played and everyone scored at least one basket. Dayton began the game on a 21-1 run and led 61-20 at halftime. Blake Francis scored 22 for the Spiders.

No. 2 Florida State 67, No. 3 Villanova 60 Villanova gave Dayton a blueprint for slowing down the athletic Seminoles by displaying a patient offense and zone defense that was tough to penetrate. But Florida State found just enough offense to win while the Wildcats struggled down the stretch. Trent Forrest scored 17 points for the Seminoles, while Justin Moore had 14 for the Wildcats.
Just like the committee drew it up, the two seeds advanced to the East Region final.

No. 1 Dayton 77, No. 2 Florida State 72 Madison Square Garden was transformed into the University of Dayton Arena East as Flyer Faithful packed the place. And they weren’t disappointed. With 10 seconds left and Dayton leading by three, Toppin grabbed a loose ball and led a fast break that ended with an emphatic 360-degree dunk, sealing the Flyers first trip to the Final Four since 1967. Toppin finished with 22 points, 10 rebounds and five posterizing dunks, earning a standing ovation from dunkmasters Michael Jordan and Dominique Wilkins, who were in attendance. After playing to a 32-32 first-half tie, Dayton opened a 10-point lead midway through the second half. But Forrest led the Seminoles back, tying the game with a three pointer with four minutes left. The teams seemingly traded makes and misses until Trey Landers made a three pointer to give Dayton a 75-72 lead with 30 seconds left.




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MOTSAG Pretend March Madness: West Region, Third Round
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 the Sweet 16 completed only the Elite 8 remain. This is the part of the tournament where teams ride the momentum that they have built up in order to advance to the Final Four. In the West Region, only Gonzaga, Yale, BYU and San Diego State remain.

The top two seeds in the bracket remain on a collision course to advance and the lone double-digit seed Yale at #12 continues their storybook run into history. Can they upset the #1 Gonzaga Bulldogs? Or will they fall to a more talented and superior team? In the second matchup #2 San Diego State will face #6 BYU in order to advance further. Both teams are geared up and ready for the upcoming challenges.

First up, #1 Gonzaga versus #12 Yale. This contest was a surprising one as Yale comes out with their hair on fire. Eric Monroe leads the team in assists as he continues to find his shooters as they stay hot in the first half. Petrusev and Wooolridge weather the storm as they fight their way back just before halftime. With solid defense they go into the half down by six points with a little bit of momentum.

Going into the second half Gonzaga caught fire and never looked back. Yale did all they could to keep it close, but a barrage of three’s later, the other Bulldogs found themselves on the ropes. Monroe led a valiant charge, but the defense clamped on him and forced him into turnover after turnover. Atkinson was also wiped out of the game plan whenever he touched the ball, a second defender would double him and force a pass under duress. Gonzaga advances 71-64.

Next up, #2 San Diego State faces off against BYU and this was a game of the back and fourth variety! Jake Toolson led the charge with TJ Haws feeding him in both, space and in traffic. Turning great defense into offense, they got a little bit ahead of the slow starting Aztec team. In a game of runs, Malachi Flynn and Yanni Wetzell ignited the offense with a little defense to offense to ease make it a contest. In a barrage of well-timed blocks and timely three pointers they overtake the lead momentarily. Haws playing the role of the spoiler broke the 10-0 run with a feed to Toolson in the paint for an and-one play.

Momentum began to swell in BYU’s favor until a misplaced pass came on the heels of BYU’s 7-0 run where Flynn took it coast-to-coast for a layup the other way. Another crucial possession for BYU ended up becoming another key error on a charging call that went against them with the game being close at 56-57 with them having the lead. Wetzell inbounded the ball during the waning minutes of the contest. The clock is in the final 24 seconds of the game and Flynn brings it down. 5…4…3…a well timed pick on Haws and a clutch three from Flynn… San Diego State advances 59-57 in a heartbreaker for BYU.




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Ohio State mixing it up with 2022 four-star RB
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Four-star RB Kaytron Allen | via @kaytron_allen on Twitter
The Buckeyes plan to Zoom with the IMG product on Thursday

With a number of former Buckeyes off to the NFL, the roster building process at Ohio State continues. The recruiting game never stops — even for a pandemic — and although many restrictions apply, there are few who have adapted to the changes better than the staff in Columbus.

OSU is continuing to put together its 2021 class that ranks No. 1 in the country, but have also began putting in a ton of work in the 2022 cycle. Ryan Day and his colleagues are making sure the Buckeyes are one of the most talented teams in the nation for years to come, and that begins with recruiting.

Keeping tabs on 2022 RB


Tony Alford caught a lot of flack in the 2020 cycle when the team missed out on all of its top targets at the running back position. So what did he do to make up for it? Well, just haul in two of the nation’s top RBs in 2021 in five-star TreVeyon Henderson and four-star Evan Pryor — both ranked in the top-five at their position.

While the results in this current cycle for Alford are certainly impressive, it doesn’t mean he can sit back and rest on his laurels. Recruiting at a position as important as RB must be constant, and the team must always have high-caliber talent and depth in the backfield. Luckily, he and the staff are doing some early heavy lifting in the 2022 class.

Four-star RB Kaytron Allen spoke with the Buckeyes on Monday. Allen, currently listed as the No. 14 RB and No. 110 player overall in the cycle, already holds 15 scholarship offers, including one from Ohio State. Alford and the staff are clearly keeping a close eye on the IMG Academy product, and the two parties have plans to hop on Zoom together this Thursday, according to Bill Kurelic of 247Sports.

Allen is one of seven running backs already to receive an offer from Ohio State in the 2022 class. It is unclear how much mutual interest currently exists between he and the program, but with the pipeline the Buckeyes have built between themselves and the Florida prep school, they likely have an early leg up on the competition.

The best of the rest


It’s tough to ask for a lot more from Ohio State’s 2021 class, but when you've done this well this early on, you can start to get a little picky. The Buckeyes have a whopping 17 commits in the class, including three consensus five-star recruits and 12 guys in the top 108 nationally. That being said, there are some obvious guys still on OSU’s roster that should be top priorities moving forward.

As Jeremy Birmingham of Lettermen Row laid out, two of the biggest pieces at this point are five-star DT J.T. Tuimoloau and five-star OT JC Latham. Tuimoloau is one of two huge recruits out of the state of Washington that Ohio State is currently involved with — the other being five-star WR Emeka Egbuka. As the nation’s No. 1 recruit in the 247Sports rankings, Tuimoloau would be a massive addition to fill a need at defensive tackle.

Latham is the other top priority, as the nation’s No. 1 OT and No. 3 recruit overall is seemingly trending towards the Buckeyes as is. With Thayer Munford on the way out and other guys looking at upcoming draft eligibility, OSU would love to add another incredibly talented offensive tackle to the fold.

While Ohio State would obviously love to land all three of these five-star recruits, which isn’t out of the question by any means, Egbuka comes in third in this trio given the Buckeyes’ depth at wide receiver. That being said, the nation’s No. 1 WR has been trending toward OSU as of late, garnering 92 percent of the 12 currently submitted Crystal Ball predictions.

Quick Hits

• Michigan was able to secure a commitment from an Ohio wide receiver on Monday, as three-star prospect Markus Allen chose to continue his playing career with the Wolverines. The No. 20 player from the Buckeye State, and the No. 83 WR in the country, chose UM over his 29 other offers, which included programs like Cincinnati, Michigan State, Purdue and Wisconsin. Allen did not have an offer from Ohio State.

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Buckeye Bits: Chase Young favored to win NFL DROY, Kyle Young talks rehab from home, more
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Matthew Emmons-USA TODAY Sports
All the latest Ohio State news from around the beat and beyond.

Now a few days removed from the NFL Draft, the sports world returns to its unfortunate barren state. As we near the summer months, better times appear to be on the horizon — or at the very least some nicer weather. There is still hope that sports will return in the near future, albeit likely without fans in attendance, but anything is better than nothing. During times like these, all we can can do is try to remain positive.

On a brighter note, Ohio State athletics are still hot in the news. Former players are getting acclimated to their new NFL teams, current players in both basketball and football continue to prep for their upcoming seasons, and everyone is looking to maintain the focus in a period of Facetime and Zoom calls. Let’s take a look at all the news around the Buckeye beat.

From around Land-Grant Holy Land...

• ICYMI: Yesterday’s Buckeye Bits
  (Tia Johnston, LGHL)

Yesterday’s news roundup was full of NFL Draft reactions, including those singing the praise of what Ohio State has been able to do in terms of churning out NFL talent and which Buckeyes are primed to be first round picks in next year’s draft.

• OSU could be in for another BOOMing week
  (Dan Hessler, LGHL)

Twitter is always the land of speculation and overreaction, however in the football recruiting world, smoke will usually lead you to fire. A top Ohio State target hinted that a commitment could be on the way, and it should spell good news for the Buckeyes.

• 24 Club: Edwin Sweetland
  (Jim Baird, LGHL)

Continuing our series looking back at all 24 previous Ohio State head coaches, this week we discuss Edwin Sweetland, who led his Buckeye team to their first ever score against the Michigan Wolverines.

• ICYMI: Can Ohio State’s UDFAs make it happen in the NFL?
  (Gene Ross, LGHL)

Going undrafted doesn’t necessarily mean the end of the road for a career in professional football, but it does make life a bit harder. Which UDFA Buckeyes have the best chance at success at the next level?

• How Ohio State’s second/third round picks fit with their NFL teams
  (Tia Johnston, LGHL)

Obviously all the first round picks are destined for starting jobs in the league, but what about all the Buckeyes taken in day two? Tia breaks down each player’s position on their new roster and how they fit with the team’s plans.

From around the gridiron...

• Way-too-early 2021 NFL Mock Draft: First round predictions
  (Charles Power, 247Sports)

If you thought the end of the 2020 NFL Draft meant the end of mock draft szn, think again. There have been a flood of very early 2021 mock drafts to hit the internet in the past few days, and the latest by 247Sports’ Charles Power has four Buckeyes being taken in the first round. The highest overall pick was, unsurprisingly, Justin Fields, going No. 3 overall to the Carolina Panthers.

• Buckeyes top-ranked 2021 class still has major needs
  (Birm, Lettermen Row)

Ohio State has dominated the recruiting game in 2021 thus far, but that doesn’t mean they can just sit back and relax. There are still a number of very important targets still on the board, including a pair of five-star recruits from Washington and another in Florida.

• Chase Young favored to win NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year
  (Nathan Baird, Cleveland.com)

I know, I know. BIG shocker here. The best player in the draft is favored to win NFL DROY. Former Buckeyes are certainly not new to this award, as an Ohio State product has taken home the honor in three of the last four seasons. Young is the favorite at 2/1, and Okudah has the fifth-best odds at 16/1.

• Michigan football players work out in shadow of Ohio Stadium
  (Kevin Harrish, Eleven Warriors)

For the first time in the last decade, a Michigan Wolverine did something productive in Columbus. Redshirt freshman linebacker Joey Velazquez and sophomore tight end Erick All Jr. decided to train on the Lincoln Turf fields on Ohio State’s campus, clearly wishing they played football at a school that actually won.

• Predicting Big Ten win totals: Ohio State leads again in 2020
  (Tom Fornelli, CBS Sports)

Fornelli took on the daunting task of predicting the outcome of every single Big Ten matchup this coming season, and has Ohio State leading the pack at 11-1. The lone loss coming on the road at Penn State, the Buckeyes are predicted to beat every other team on their schedule. Fornelli has both Michigan and Penn State finishing 9-3, with the Wolverines losing to Washington, Minnesota and OSU and the Nittany Lions falling to VT, UM and Nebraska.

From around the hardwood...


Ohio State forward Kyle Young got on video call with BTN’s Andy Katz to discuss his current situation. The two talked about Young’s injury rehab, how he prepares for the upcoming season from home, and what he thinks about the Buckeyes’ roster in 2020.

• Update on the recruitment of Malaki Branham
  (Steve Helwagen, 247Sports)

Ohio State is still very much in the mix for 2021 shooting guard Malaki Branham. The nation's No. 4 SG, Branham hails out of St. Vincent-St. Mary, a school you may recognize (duh) as the former high school of one Lebron James. Xavier and Louisville are fighting for the 6-foot-4 guard themselves, but the Buckeyes are currently the team to beat according to Helwagen.

From everywhere else...


Ohio governor Mike DeWine has done a tremendous job handling the COVID-19 pandemic, and as a result the state will slowly begin its re-opening process next week. Retail stores will be allowed to open their doors on May 12, and though masks will not be mandated for customers, they are strongly recommended.

Wear a mask. Keep you and your loved ones safe. There is literally no reason not to.


We’ve had to adapt to this new virtual way of life, but we know we’re all in this together.


The good people over at Threes, one of the many local bars at Ohio State, have put together a virtual bar crawl for the seniors that are missing out on the annual event. The time lapse video makes stops at each of the bars that would usually be involved, with some kind messages from the miscellaneous staffs along the way.


Former Ohio State linebacker Malik Harrison appears to have found his new number in the pros, moving up one spot from his college number of 39 to his new No. 40 with the Baltimore Ravens.

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What Dobbins, Hamilton, Jackson, Harrison bring to their respective NFL teams
Tia Johnston via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Photo by Alika Jenner/Getty Images
Ohio State’s second and third-rounders are set to make massive impacts for their new teams.

Ten Ohio State Buckeyes heard their names called by Roger Goodell during the 2020 NFL Draft, while five were picked up by teams as undrafted free agents.

It’s a pretty safe bet that Chase Young, Jeff Okudah and Damon Arnette— the three Buckeyes who were picked up in the first round— will win the starting job right off the bat. I wrote about how they’ll each make an impact on their respective defenses, here.

But once we get into the second and third rounds, it’s a little unclearer how badly teams actually need the players they draft. (Re: Philadelphia drafts a quarterback in the second round). In other words, these players may have to compete for the starting job, or may only make the roster for depth-related reasons.

However, it’s looking like the Ohio State second and third-rounders landed in just the right spots— for teams who would be foolish not to start them in the season opener. Here’s how each of those guys will impact their respective teams who were lucky enough to snag them when they did.

J.K. Dobbins

Pick: No. 55

Team: Baltimore Ravens

Photo by Amal Saeed—The Lantern | Edit by Gene Ross—LGHL

It was pretty surprising to see Dobbins go this late in the draft as the fifth running back off the board, considering many had mocked him as a late first, early second-rounder. The junior running back finished his last season at Ohio State with 2,003 yards rushing—a school record— and 21 touchdowns, along with 247 yards receiving and two touchdown receptions.


But the question is, why did the Ravens — who set the NFL’s single-season rushing record in 2019 — use a second-round pick on a running back?

The team signed running back Mark Ingram to a contract in the spring of 2019 and then picked up RB Justice Hill in the fourth-round of the 2019 draft a month later. Ingram carried the ball 202 times last season, Gus Edwards carried 133 times, quarterback Lamar Jackson rushed the ball 176 times and Hill had 58—producing a total of 3,296 rushing yards.

As Andrew Gillis of NBC Sports wrote, sure, the team would probably like to cut down on Jackson’s 176 carries, but Ingram, Edwards, and Hill are more than capable of taking the load off their quarterback.

However, if you look a little closer, Ingram just turned 30 (which is like 80 in running back years) and Edwards will become a free agent next offseason.

You don’t draft a running back in the second round to have him warm the bench. They’ll likely use Dobbins to take the load off of both Jackson and Ingram, which isn’t great news for Edwards or Hill’s chances at making the 53-man roster come training camp, according to Gillis.

“Dobbins’ addition likely means the introduction of more rotation in the backfield, as well as the potential for two-back sets that don’t include fullback Patrick Ricard,” Gillis wrote.

If Dobbins wins the starting job in 2021, the Ravens may even release Ingram, saving them $5 million against the cap.

All in all, Dobbins was a wise choice for Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta, who couldn’t believe Dobbins was still available at pick No. 55.

“We’re a team that likes to run the football. Having running backs is really, really important,” DeCosta said. “This was a guy that’s, in my opinion, one of the very best in college football this year. He’s going to be a dangerous player for us and give us the depth to do what we like to do.”

DaVon Hamilton

Pick: No. 73

Team: Jacksonville Jaguars

Photo by Adam Lacy/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images

As our Gene Ross wrote, “while guys like Young get all the glory off the edge, it is players like Hamilton charged with doing the dirty work up the middle...Defensive tackles don’t usually stuff the stat sheet, mostly tasked with stuffing the run up the middle and applying pressure to the pocket. While Hamilton excelled at both of these, he also showed flashes as a pass-rusher, actually finishing second on the team in 2019 with six sacks.”


So, how will the Jags utilize their new 6-foot-4, 310-pound interior lineman?

“Getting someone who can control the line of scrimmage and keep the linebackers clean is pivotal in a team’s ability to stop the run, something the Jaguars struggle mightily with last season,” wrote Demetrius Harvey of Big Cat Country.

Enter: DaVon Hamilton

“He is a big guy,” Jaguars head coach Doug Marrone said. “We think he is going to get a lot better even though he is really good right now. You can see him on the move. He has such great strength at the holding point. I think he is going to really help us on the inside.”

Jaguars Director of College Scouting Mark Ellenz said the Jaguars see Hamilton as more than a run-stuffer, but that that’s unquestionably his strongest attribute. The Jaguars entered the draft focused on improving their subpar run defense, John Oehser of Jaguars.com wrote.

“He’s able to get upfield and penetrate,” Ellenz said. “He can also push the pocket. We don’t see him as a one-dimensional guy, but the run-stuffing part of his game is primary.”

Jonah Jackson

Pick: No. 75

Team: Detroit Lions

Photo by Rich Graessle/Icon Sportswire—Getty Images | Edit by Gene Ross— LGHL

Before transferring to Ohio State for the 2019 season, Jonah Jackson attended Rutgers, where he played center and right guard from 2016 to 2018. Despite being named a team captain in 2018, and being a part of an O-line ranked No. 19 in the nation, he decided to transfer.

As the starting left guard at Ohio State for just one season, he earned third-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten honors. His pass protection was second to none, and with his experience playing both guard positions as well as center, it’s easy to see why the Lions traded up 10 spots to select Jackson.


“Going into this offseason, it was painfully clear that the right guard position was the biggest liability on Detroit’s roster. On top of that, their situation at left guard wasn’t ideal either,” writes Max Gerber of Lions Wire. “Drafting Jackson, who can play either guard spot and center, can be plugged into any of those roles, and start for Detroit.”

However, Jackson does have some competition for the job at right guard. He’ll be expected to compete for the spot with veterans Kenny Wiggins and Oday Aboushi, although “both players are career reserves who aren’t really long-term answers for a team that keeps saying its serious about rebuilding its wayward running game,” wrote Kyle Meinke of MLive.com.

The Lions return their starting center Frank Ragnow along with the left side of their line. They also added right tackle Halapoulivaati Vaitai in free agency. So, the multifaceted Jackson will more than likely find his home at right guard in Detroit.

Malik Harrison

Pick: No. 98

Team: Baltimore Ravens

Greg Bartram-USA TODAY Sports

Joining Dobbins in Baltimore is third-team All-American and first-team All-Big Ten linebacker Malik Harrison, who served as Ohio State’s best linebacker for the last few seasons. Harrison led the team with 75 total tackles, and racked up 16.5 tackles for loss, 3.5 sacks and four pass breakups.


“After losing C.J. Mosley to free agency a year ago and Josh Bynes and Patrick Onwuasor this offseason, Baltimore needed to rebuild its inside linebacker corps from the ground up. This is where Patrick Queen and Malik Harrison come in,” writes Dustin Cox of Baltimore Beatdown.

Almost exactly 24 hours after drafting LSU star linebacker Patrick Queen in the first round with the 28th pick, the Ravens took Harrison in the third. According to Cox, Queen and Harrison are bound to be “Baltimore’s next deadly duo.”

With Queen’s speed and Harrison’s physicality, the Ravens have got themselves a two-headed monster.

“The two linebackers should feed off of each other and quickly make an impact behind the behemoth of a defensive line that the Ravens have built up front with Brandon Williams, Calais Campbell, and Derek Wolfe,” Cox wrote. “Queen and Harrison will go together like peanut butter and jelly for years to come in Baltimore.”

Ravens general manager Eric DeCosta attributes Harrison’s NFL-readiness to the success of Ohio State’s program and experience in big games, saying he can “really get acclimated quickly” and that he “looks like an NFL linebacker.”

“Malik is different,” DeCosta said. “He’s a big guy. You don’t get a lot of big linebackers anymore in college football. He’s almost 250 pounds, he has long arms, he takes guys on really, really well, he’s really strong in the box, and he can run.”

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24 Club: Edwin Sweetland’s Buckeyes were the first OSU team to ever score against Michigan
Jim Baird via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

1898 Cornell Rowing team photo of Sweetland
Sweetland played under Pop Warner and coached the first Buckeye squad to ever score against the Wolverines.

There have been 24 head coaches in the history of Ohio State football. Each has a story and legacy. This offseason, Land-Grant Holy Land’s new series 24 Club will help you get to know the coaches from past and present who built the program. Today we look at Edwin Sweetland, whose team became the first-ever OSU squad to score against Michigan.


Name: Edwin Sweetland
Seasons Coached: Two (1904-1905)
Overall Record: 14-7-2
Where Does He Rank in the 24 Club?
Overall Wins: Tied No. 16 out of 24 OSU Coaches
Winning Percentage: No. 17 out of 24 OSU Coaches


OSU football was moving up in the world. As members of the Ohio Athletic Conference, the Buckeyes now lined up against the best teams in Ohio. The football program looked a lot different entering the 1904 season than it did just a couple years earlier. John Eckstorm took over as OSU head coach in 1899 after two back to back losing years. Then, OSU turned a corner — rolling off five-straight winning seasons under Eckstorm and his successor Perry Hale.

Edwin Sweetland stepped into the top job next. Sweetland had already learned from some of the game’s best — he was coached by Pop Warner as a tackle at Cornell.

The Lantern
Ohio State head Edwin Sweetland’s first game — a 34-0 victory over Otterbein — recapped in the September 28, 1904 edition of The Lantern.

Sweetland was walking into a tough situation. OSU’s schedule for the 1904 season was one of the most challenging the program had seen in its 15-year history. It included home tilts against national powers like Michigan and the Carlisle Indian Industrial School, as well as road trips to Indiana and the always pesky Oberlin. Sweetland was a quiet presence and quickly won the respect of the players as they prepped for the season. A Sept. 21, 1904 edition of The Lantern took in the scene as Sweetland prepared the Buckeyes for opening day:


At first acquaintance (Sweetland) impresses one as a thorough gentleman, and as the acquaintance ripens the impression increases. On the field he is quiet, but forceful, wasting few words and making each one count. He does not believe that personal abuse is the best plan of getting work out of his men, but that quiet instruction is the only correct way for a gentleman to deal with gentlemen. Sweetland’s genial personality cannot fail to have a great effect on the work of the team.



OSU finished the 1904 season 6-5. What was the highlight of the year? The Buckeyes scored against Michigan to take a 6-5 lead in the second half. It was the first time any Buckeye team had scored against the Wolverines. Ever. Michigan had outscored the Buckeyes 177-0 in the five previous meetings. Even so, it was a moral victory — the Wolverines would run off 26 unanswered and win 31-6. OSU fared better in season two under Sweetland, finishing 8-2-2 in 1905. Amid a strong campaign, they fell to Michigan 40-0 — thereby returning to the tradition of Ohio State teams being shut out by the Wolverines.

Under Sweetland, OSU continued to establish itself as one of the best teams in Ohio. The Buckeyes now regularly played and beat their peers in the Ohio Athletic Conference, finishing second in 1904 and 1905. When it came to playing up against competition — Michigan or even Indiana — OSU didn’t yet have what it took to spring the upset.

But winning was now a habit. The Buckeyes seemed on the verge of something special. It was time to take the next step — not only winning, but winning championships.

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Ohio State could be in for another BOOMing week
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
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Five-star offensive tackle JC Latham | Andrew Ivins, 247Sports
The nation’s top offensive tackle could be nearing his decision, which should be good news for the Buckeyes

The last few months have been kind to Ohio State’s football program in terms of recruiting. The Buckeyes 2021 class has vaulted to the top of the class rankings, and to be frank, no other program is even close to Ohio State’s level. And this was all the case before the 2020 NFL Draft, which saw a handful of Buckeyes successfully make the transition to professional ball, including the top three picks all being on Ohio State’s roster at one point.

Giving OSU even more ammunition doesn’t even feel fair at this point. However, that is a problem for every other team. The Buckeyes are hoping the weekend’s success will help them win the remaining recruiting battles they are facing — one of which could be coming to an end soon.

Five-star OT target JC Latham (Bradenton, FL/IMG Academy) posted a somewhat cryptic tweet Monday morning, and it could be good news for the Buckeyes.


Now it needs to be stated up front, nowhere in Latham’s tweet does he say he is going to be announcing his decision, let alone when. However, in college football recruiting, where there is smoke, there is usually fire.

Latham has long been associated with the Ohio State program, and as of recent, the Buckeyes have become the overwhelming favorite to earn his commitment. The 247Sports Crystal Ball Predictions all favor the Buckeyes, including the most highly respected recruiting analysts. Currently, all 11 CBs for Latham are for OSU, including lead expert Bill Kurelic and 247Sports director of football recruiting Steve Wiltfong.

But again, there are no certainties in college football recruiting. However, if Latham is going to be making his decision soon, it would come as a big shock if the Buckeyes were not the selection. That is not to say there is a lack of competition for Latham though. Back in January, the offensive lineman released a top ten of Ohio State, LSU, Michigan, Oklahoma, Alabama, Georgia, Penn State, Texas A&M, Florida State and Miami. Since then, the Buckeyes have done a tremendous job of separating themselves from the field.

Latham would make for a terrific addition alongside already Ohio State OL verbal commits Donovan Jackson and Ben Christman. Rated as a five-star prospect in 247Sports’ own rankings, he currently stands as the No. 1 offensive tackle in the nation, and the No. 3 player in the class overall.

Quick Hits:

• Four-star OT target David Davidkov committed to Big Ten foe Iowa over Ohio State and others on Monday. The Buckeyes had looked to be a long shot candidate in the recruitment of the nation’s No. 18 OT, with the race really coming down to Michigan and the Hawkeyes.

• Ohio State 2021 safety target and Florida decommit Kamar Wilcoxson has once again spurned the Buckeyes in favor of an SEC team, this time choosing Tennessee. With OSU holding five verbal commits from defensive backs in this class already, the room is starting to get a bit crowded. Wilcoxson seemed to be high on Ohio State, but it could have become a numbers game.

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