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Google Elijah Higgins on where Buckeyes stands after Zach Smith firing - 247Sports
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Elijah Higgins on where Buckeyes stands after Zach Smith firing - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Elijah Higgins on where Buckeyes stands after Zach Smith firing
247Sports
Entering this week, the Wolverines sat one spot ahead of Ohio State, despite having five more verbal pledges than the Buckeyes. That changed on Monday afternoon, though, when Jim Harbaugh's program lost one of their top-rated recruits in the class, ...
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via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Elijah Higgins on where Buckeyes stands after Zach Smith firing
247Sports
Entering this week, the Wolverines sat one spot ahead of Ohio State, despite having five more verbal pledges than the Buckeyes. That changed on Monday afternoon, though, when Jim Harbaugh's program lost one of their top-rated recruits in the class, ...
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Google Zach Smith's attorney issues a statement on his client's firing - 247Sports
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Zach Smith's attorney issues a statement on his client's firing - 247Sports
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Zach Smith's attorney issues a statement on his client's firing
247Sports
When the Buckeyes were struggling offensively, they went inside to their big man and he got the job done. "We knew he was going," Penn said on Sunday. "We weren't shooting the ball very well from the outside. When you have a guy like him on the inside, ...
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via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Zach Smith's attorney issues a statement on his client's firing
247Sports
When the Buckeyes were struggling offensively, they went inside to their big man and he got the job done. "We knew he was going," Penn said on Sunday. "We weren't shooting the ball very well from the outside. When you have a guy like him on the inside, ...
and more »
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Google Ohio State Buckeyes fire assistant Zach Smith after ex-wife granted protection order - ESPN
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Ohio State Buckeyes fire assistant Zach Smith after ex-wife granted protection order - ESPN
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ESPN
Ohio State Buckeyes fire assistant Zach Smith after ex-wife granted protection order
ESPN
Ohio State Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer fired assistant Zach Smith on Monday, days after an Ohio judge deemed him an imminent danger to his ex-wife. Smith was charged with criminal trespassing after dropping his children off at the home of his ex-wife, ...
Ohio State WR commit Garrett Wilson still 'SOLID' to Buckeyes despite Zach Smith's terminationBurnt Orange Nation
Zach Smith fired by Ohio State: Buckeyes football newscleveland.com
Ohio State fires WR coach Zach Smith247Sports
247Sports -Eleven Warriors -Facebook
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via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
ESPN
Ohio State Buckeyes fire assistant Zach Smith after ex-wife granted protection order
ESPN
Ohio State Buckeyes coach Urban Meyer fired assistant Zach Smith on Monday, days after an Ohio judge deemed him an imminent danger to his ex-wife. Smith was charged with criminal trespassing after dropping his children off at the home of his ex-wife, ...
Ohio State WR commit Garrett Wilson still 'SOLID' to Buckeyes despite Zach Smith's terminationBurnt Orange Nation
Zach Smith fired by Ohio State: Buckeyes football newscleveland.com
Ohio State fires WR coach Zach Smith247Sports
247Sports -Eleven Warriors -Facebook
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Google What's happening with Sullinger, big men for Scarlet & Gray? - 247Sports
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What's happening with Sullinger, big men for Scarlet & Gray? - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
What's happening with Sullinger, big men for Scarlet & Gray?
247Sports
When the Buckeyes were struggling offensively, they went inside to their big man and he got the job done. "We knew he was going," Penn said on Sunday. "We weren't shooting the ball very well from the outside. When you have a guy like him on the inside, ...
and more »
Continue reading...
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
What's happening with Sullinger, big men for Scarlet & Gray?
247Sports
When the Buckeyes were struggling offensively, they went inside to their big man and he got the job done. "We knew he was going," Penn said on Sunday. "We weren't shooting the ball very well from the outside. When you have a guy like him on the inside, ...
and more »
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LGHL How does Zach Smith’s departure impact recruiting?
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How does Zach Smith’s departure impact recruiting?
Patrick Mayhorn via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The proprietor of Zone 6 had become known for his recruiting acumen. So, what’s next?
The creator and proprietor of #Zone6, the nickname for Ohio State wide receivers, is no longer on staff, as of Monday evening.
Zach Smith, one of the longest tenured coaches on staff, was hired back in 2012, as Urban Meyer brought him over from Florida, where he had been a graduate assistant. His departure isn’t surprising considering the charges against him, and after those 2009 (and other) allegations were unearthed, it was really only a matter of time.
With Smith no longer on staff, there are some questions, with the biggest obviously being about his replacement (we’ll have more on that soon), but there are certainly other’s to talk about as well, including the loss of his impact on the field and in recruiting.
The on the field question can be answered pretty concisely. There are reasons that Ohio State struggled to pass so much in the past few years, and many of them can be chalked up to Zach Smith. There was plenty of complaint about his coaching, and most of those complaints were warranted. “Zone Six” was a frequent point of contention, and that may no longer be the case with Smith gone.
His recruiting impact is a bit more complicated.
Smith was widely considered to be one of the best recruiters on staff, and it may be that recruiting ability that kept him employed for so long. He was able to relate to recruits, drum up hype on social media, and his connections to Florida proved valuable quite a few times. Is he replaceable? Sure. Will it be easy? Probably not.
Good recruiters don’t just grow on trees, and the coaching carousel is mostly at rest, seeing as it’s currently late July. However, this is Ohio State football, which means if they want to pick off an up and comer from a G5 school (like Kenny Guiton from Houston), it probably wouldn’t be too much of an issue.
While it shouldn’t be an issue in the long run, this may have an impact on the 2019 and 2020 classes, because Ohio State has been looking to add quite a few receivers in both classes. We’ll start with 2019, and the one receiver already committed to Ohio State, Texas five-star Garrett Wilson.
Wilson has stated several times since the firing that he’s solid to Ohio State, and there’s no reason to think that isn’t true. Wilson loves Ohio State, and committed for the program, not the coach.
A hot topic of discussion after, and leading up to, this firing has been the St. Louis receiver duo of Marcus Washington and Jameson Williams. While Smith was Washington’s primary recruiter, I don’t think this impacts him either. Ohio State has plenty of coaches capable of recruiting Missouri, and Washington already has a relationship with expected interim receivers coach Brian Hartline. He’s set to commit August 7th, and I expect Ohio State will still be the pick.
Williams is a bit more of a question mark. I don’t think his recruitment is ending any time soon, and this may (not saying it will for sure) allow other schools to get back in. However, like Washington, Williams knows and likes Hartline, so the connection is still there. This wasn’t a sure thing with Smith, and it isn’t a lost cause without him. My pick is still on Ohio State.
Elijah Higgins is the last 2019 receiver worth talking about here, and I think his recruitment remains the same. He’s friends with Garrett Wilson, and his primary recruiter is Ryan Day. If he comes to Ohio State, it’ll be due in large part to those relationships. He certainly talked to and knew Smith, but I think he likes Ohio State just fine with or without him.
2020 may see a bit more blowback from this. Rakim Jarrett is set to visit this weekend, and most of his contact had been with Smith. He’s not committing any time soon, so Ohio State will have a chance to build a new connection, but this certainly isn’t good news on the Jarrett front.
Ultimately, while football is important, and recruiting is certainly important, this firing was necessary, from whatever perspective you look at it from. Smith was accused of some pretty upsetting stuff (on multiple occasions), and having him on staff moving forward would’ve been a black eye for a program that has been extremely clean under Urban Meyer.
Continue reading...
Patrick Mayhorn via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The proprietor of Zone 6 had become known for his recruiting acumen. So, what’s next?
The creator and proprietor of #Zone6, the nickname for Ohio State wide receivers, is no longer on staff, as of Monday evening.
Zach Smith, one of the longest tenured coaches on staff, was hired back in 2012, as Urban Meyer brought him over from Florida, where he had been a graduate assistant. His departure isn’t surprising considering the charges against him, and after those 2009 (and other) allegations were unearthed, it was really only a matter of time.
With Smith no longer on staff, there are some questions, with the biggest obviously being about his replacement (we’ll have more on that soon), but there are certainly other’s to talk about as well, including the loss of his impact on the field and in recruiting.
The on the field question can be answered pretty concisely. There are reasons that Ohio State struggled to pass so much in the past few years, and many of them can be chalked up to Zach Smith. There was plenty of complaint about his coaching, and most of those complaints were warranted. “Zone Six” was a frequent point of contention, and that may no longer be the case with Smith gone.
His recruiting impact is a bit more complicated.
Smith was widely considered to be one of the best recruiters on staff, and it may be that recruiting ability that kept him employed for so long. He was able to relate to recruits, drum up hype on social media, and his connections to Florida proved valuable quite a few times. Is he replaceable? Sure. Will it be easy? Probably not.
Good recruiters don’t just grow on trees, and the coaching carousel is mostly at rest, seeing as it’s currently late July. However, this is Ohio State football, which means if they want to pick off an up and comer from a G5 school (like Kenny Guiton from Houston), it probably wouldn’t be too much of an issue.
While it shouldn’t be an issue in the long run, this may have an impact on the 2019 and 2020 classes, because Ohio State has been looking to add quite a few receivers in both classes. We’ll start with 2019, and the one receiver already committed to Ohio State, Texas five-star Garrett Wilson.
Wilson has stated several times since the firing that he’s solid to Ohio State, and there’s no reason to think that isn’t true. Wilson loves Ohio State, and committed for the program, not the coach.
A hot topic of discussion after, and leading up to, this firing has been the St. Louis receiver duo of Marcus Washington and Jameson Williams. While Smith was Washington’s primary recruiter, I don’t think this impacts him either. Ohio State has plenty of coaches capable of recruiting Missouri, and Washington already has a relationship with expected interim receivers coach Brian Hartline. He’s set to commit August 7th, and I expect Ohio State will still be the pick.
Williams is a bit more of a question mark. I don’t think his recruitment is ending any time soon, and this may (not saying it will for sure) allow other schools to get back in. However, like Washington, Williams knows and likes Hartline, so the connection is still there. This wasn’t a sure thing with Smith, and it isn’t a lost cause without him. My pick is still on Ohio State.
Elijah Higgins is the last 2019 receiver worth talking about here, and I think his recruitment remains the same. He’s friends with Garrett Wilson, and his primary recruiter is Ryan Day. If he comes to Ohio State, it’ll be due in large part to those relationships. He certainly talked to and knew Smith, but I think he likes Ohio State just fine with or without him.
2020 may see a bit more blowback from this. Rakim Jarrett is set to visit this weekend, and most of his contact had been with Smith. He’s not committing any time soon, so Ohio State will have a chance to build a new connection, but this certainly isn’t good news on the Jarrett front.
Ultimately, while football is important, and recruiting is certainly important, this firing was necessary, from whatever perspective you look at it from. Smith was accused of some pretty upsetting stuff (on multiple occasions), and having him on staff moving forward would’ve been a black eye for a program that has been extremely clean under Urban Meyer.
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LGHL Ohio State WR coach Zach Smith fired after domestic violence allegations surface
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Ohio State WR coach Zach Smith fired after domestic violence allegations surface
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
After reports last week about a trespassing charge for Smith, more information has come to light.
Ohio State wide receivers coach Zach Smith — grandson of OSU legend Earle Bruce — was fired on Monday, after being served papers on Friday for a protection order by his ex-wife, Courtney Smith.
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has announced the termination of wide receiver’s coach Zach Smith.
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) July 23, 2018
Details of the protection order were released early Monday in a report posted on Facebook by Brett McMurphy.
The ruling states: “the court finds that (Courtney Smith) is in immediate and present danger of domestic violence and for good cause the following temporary orders are necessary to protect the persons named (Courtney Smith and her children Cameron, 8, and Quinn, 6) in this order from domestic violence.”
The civil protection order is for five years, according to McMurphy, unless a judge reverses the decision at a scheduled hearing on Aug. 3.
This news comes a week after Smith was charged with a misdemeanor for criminal trespassing, when the OSU recruiter dropped off their son at Courtney’s home versus a pre-arranged public place — a violation of a previous criminal trespass warning.
Smith’s attorney Bradley Koffel recently told the Columbus Dispath, “He didn’t do anything illegal and now it’s coming out that he’s some sort of wife-beater, trespasser, whatever.”
Those allegations aren’t just out of thin air, however. This is not the first domestic violence accusation against Smith, who was previously arrested for aggravated battery in 2009 — while he was still an assistant for the University of Florida — against Courtney, when she was 8-10 weeks pregnant.
Despite the arrest, Courtney didn’t press charges, and the matter was dropped, but the details provided by McMurphy from the police report are still jarring.
On June 21, 2009, according to a Gainesville (Fla.) Police Incident report, Courtney, then 24, stated her husband Zach, then 25, “picked her up by grabbing her T-shirt and threw her against the bedroom wall located upstairs in their apartment.”
Courtney told officers Zach arrived at the residence “with an unknown female co-worker that he was partying with” and Courtney “refused to have the unknown female, who Zach kept referring to as ‘baby,’ spend the night at their residence.”
Courtney stated “a verbal argument took place over the female and questions of infidelity arose. Courtney stated Zach was intoxicated and she took the female to her house. … Courtney stated when she returned to her residence, a heated argument ensued in the upstairs bedroom. Courtney stated she tried to get Zach out of her bed, which he refused and then forcefully grabbed her.”
The report said “Zach advised (officers) he works for UF Florida Gators as an assistant coach for the football team. Zach stated that he brought the female (co-worker) home because she was upset from breaking up with her boyfriend. … Zach stated that Courtney yelled at him and denied picking her up and throwing her into a wall. Zach had a visible red mark on his right bicep that he claimed was a result of breaking up a fight downtown at a club.
“(The officers) observed that Courtney’s shirt had been stretched just above her right breast. Courtney’s account of the incident was consistent with the redness to Zach’s right bicep because she advised that she attempted to hit him while he was picking her up.
“From the statements made on scene, (the officers) determined Zach was the primary aggressor.” He was then handcuffed and arrested.
McMurphy also reported on yet another domestic violence charge against Smith from back in 2015.
Ohio State WR coach Zach Smith was fired 50 minutes after I reported another domestic violence charge against Smith, this one from 2015 https://t.co/fcxi8GKyeI
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 23, 2018
Smith worked under Meyer at UF from 2005-09, and then joined the Buckeye staff in 2012.
Continue reading...
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
After reports last week about a trespassing charge for Smith, more information has come to light.
Ohio State wide receivers coach Zach Smith — grandson of OSU legend Earle Bruce — was fired on Monday, after being served papers on Friday for a protection order by his ex-wife, Courtney Smith.
Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer has announced the termination of wide receiver’s coach Zach Smith.
— Ari Wasserman (@AriWasserman) July 23, 2018
Details of the protection order were released early Monday in a report posted on Facebook by Brett McMurphy.
The ruling states: “the court finds that (Courtney Smith) is in immediate and present danger of domestic violence and for good cause the following temporary orders are necessary to protect the persons named (Courtney Smith and her children Cameron, 8, and Quinn, 6) in this order from domestic violence.”
The civil protection order is for five years, according to McMurphy, unless a judge reverses the decision at a scheduled hearing on Aug. 3.
This news comes a week after Smith was charged with a misdemeanor for criminal trespassing, when the OSU recruiter dropped off their son at Courtney’s home versus a pre-arranged public place — a violation of a previous criminal trespass warning.
Smith’s attorney Bradley Koffel recently told the Columbus Dispath, “He didn’t do anything illegal and now it’s coming out that he’s some sort of wife-beater, trespasser, whatever.”
Those allegations aren’t just out of thin air, however. This is not the first domestic violence accusation against Smith, who was previously arrested for aggravated battery in 2009 — while he was still an assistant for the University of Florida — against Courtney, when she was 8-10 weeks pregnant.
Despite the arrest, Courtney didn’t press charges, and the matter was dropped, but the details provided by McMurphy from the police report are still jarring.
On June 21, 2009, according to a Gainesville (Fla.) Police Incident report, Courtney, then 24, stated her husband Zach, then 25, “picked her up by grabbing her T-shirt and threw her against the bedroom wall located upstairs in their apartment.”
Courtney told officers Zach arrived at the residence “with an unknown female co-worker that he was partying with” and Courtney “refused to have the unknown female, who Zach kept referring to as ‘baby,’ spend the night at their residence.”
Courtney stated “a verbal argument took place over the female and questions of infidelity arose. Courtney stated Zach was intoxicated and she took the female to her house. … Courtney stated when she returned to her residence, a heated argument ensued in the upstairs bedroom. Courtney stated she tried to get Zach out of her bed, which he refused and then forcefully grabbed her.”
The report said “Zach advised (officers) he works for UF Florida Gators as an assistant coach for the football team. Zach stated that he brought the female (co-worker) home because she was upset from breaking up with her boyfriend. … Zach stated that Courtney yelled at him and denied picking her up and throwing her into a wall. Zach had a visible red mark on his right bicep that he claimed was a result of breaking up a fight downtown at a club.
“(The officers) observed that Courtney’s shirt had been stretched just above her right breast. Courtney’s account of the incident was consistent with the redness to Zach’s right bicep because she advised that she attempted to hit him while he was picking her up.
“From the statements made on scene, (the officers) determined Zach was the primary aggressor.” He was then handcuffed and arrested.
McMurphy also reported on yet another domestic violence charge against Smith from back in 2015.
Ohio State WR coach Zach Smith was fired 50 minutes after I reported another domestic violence charge against Smith, this one from 2015 https://t.co/fcxi8GKyeI
— Brett McMurphy (@Brett_McMurphy) July 23, 2018
Smith worked under Meyer at UF from 2005-09, and then joined the Buckeye staff in 2012.
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Google Ohio State WR commit Garrett Wilson still 'SOLID' to Buckeyes despite Zach Smith's...
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Ohio State WR commit Garrett Wilson still 'SOLID' to Buckeyes despite Zach Smith's termination - Burnt Orange Nation
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Ohio State WR commit Garrett Wilson still 'SOLID' to Buckeyes despite Zach Smith's termination
Burnt Orange Nation
On Monday, it was announced that the Ohio State Buckeyes have terminated wide receivers coach Zach Smith just days after a domestic violence civil protection order was filed against him on July 20. However, the news won't impact the recruitment of ...
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via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".
Ohio State WR commit Garrett Wilson still 'SOLID' to Buckeyes despite Zach Smith's termination
Burnt Orange Nation
On Monday, it was announced that the Ohio State Buckeyes have terminated wide receivers coach Zach Smith just days after a domestic violence civil protection order was filed against him on July 20. However, the news won't impact the recruitment of ...
Continue reading...
LGHL The Big Ten might actually be the most stacked conference this year
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The Big Ten might actually be the most stacked conference this year
Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Yes, even the West.
“Coaches will always say that their conference is the best in the country this time of year, but it’s pretty easy to tell if they actually mean it. The Big Ten coaches might actually mean it this year.”
-Barrett Sallee, CBS Sports
The SEC, ACC and Big 12 have all had their shots at the mic in recent weeks in their respective conference media days. Now, it is the Big Ten’s turn in the spotlight (Pac-12 media days, for good measure, start Wednesday). It’s a little surprise that Ohio State is a hot topic of conversation, given its top-five finish last season despite being snubbed from the College Football Playoff. However, it’s not just Ohio State on top this season, and the Big Ten as a whole looks to shine heading into 2018. Michigan State, Penn State and Michigan round out the top-four in the Big Ten East, according to Cleveland.com’s preseason poll. In the West, Wisconsin, Iowa and Northwestern lead the way, but Nebraska, led by first-year head coach Scott Frost, could prove to be a challenger as well.
On an individual level, the quarterback position is the most obvious topic of conversation surrounding Ohio State. With J.T. Barrett gone, the offense is now Dwayne Haskins’ to run. Though he has had limited playing time to this point, expectations are high. In fact, he is listed as a top-five candidate on Cleveland.com’s Preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year poll (J.K. Dobbins is No. 3 behind Penn State’s Trace McSorley and Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor). In his short experience, Haskins has already shown outstanding leadership ability, stepping in for Barrett to complete a comeback win against Michigan.
While he will likely not be the centerpiece of Urban Meyer’s offense come the fall--that role belongs to Dobbins--Haskins offers a chance to revitalize an Ohio State passing game that has struggled to find its identity in recent seasons. How Meyer chooses to use Haskins to improve in this area will be a critical question leading into the start of the season.
“Last season, Ohio State was among the nation’s biggest surprise stories and finished in second place, one game out of first.”
-Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
On the plus side, it looks like next season could be another Cinderella story for Ohio State basketball. Unfortunately, that’s because Chris Holtmann’s squad isn’t getting a high vote of confidence from Jon Rothstein’s offseason Big Ten Power Rankings for CBS Sports.
The basketball insider has the Buckeyes slotted to finish 10th in the conference. This projection is coming off a season in which Ohio State miraculously rose almost all the way to the top of the conference, finishing second in the Big Ten and earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015. Holtmann, in his first season in Columbus, earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors, while Keita Bates-Diop garnered Player of the Year honors. Michigan State, Michigan and Nebraska took the top spots in Rothstein’s projections. Only Penn State, Illinois, Northwestern and Rutgers are expected to finish behind.
Unfortunately, Bates-Diop has moved on to the NBA, and Holtmann, despite bringing on a number of outstanding recruits in the 2019 class, is now a known entity within the conference. Statistically, the Buckeyes lose more than half their scoring from last season with the graduation of Bates-Diop, Jae’Sean Tate and Kam Williams.
Ohio State has a lot of hope for the future, but it won’t arrive until 2019. D.J Carton, a point guard from Bettendorf, Iowa, is listed as the No. 22 recruit in his class. Holtmann also signed Alonzo Gaffney, the No. 7 small forward nationally.
This season, the Buckeyes will be without the veteran talent of Bates-Diop, Tate and Williams, who each were with the program for four seasons. However, a number of newcomers, including Duane Washington, Justin Ahrens and transfer Keyshawn Woods, could make an immediate impact on the team. Kyle Young, who averaged under nine minutes per game last season, could have a breakout year come this fall.
“With 13.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in his first two years, Bosa has solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in college football and someone who could be in the conversation for No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.”
-Bill Landis, Cleveland.com
On a team with talent at every position group, it can be hard to stand out from the pack. At Ohio State, however, that collective strength seems to elevate everyone’s status. That case was clear last season at the stacked defensive end position. While the line as a whole was celebrated, Tyquan Lewis, Jalyn Holmes and Sam Hubbard all garnered individual recognition throughout the season and were taken within the first four rounds of the NFL Draft this spring, but the loudest conversation surrounded the most junior member of the unit: Nick Bosa. Now, Bosa himself looks to lead another highly touted unit as Chase Young and Jonathon Cooper, who have already shown glimmers of what they can do, join the rotation.
With so much veteran talent around last season (and limited playing time with such a constant rotation), Bosa’s massive impact was still somewhat muted. This season, however, it is clear that he is the leader of the defense and, in many ways, the best player on the team. Though the newcomers to the line are extremely talented, they are still somewhat green, and Bosa will have the opportunity to be on the field for more snaps than he was last season.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this season will almost assuredly be Bosa’s last in Columbus. He earned first team All-American honors last season and was second in the conference with 8.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. Following this season, he will be well-positioned for the top spot in the 2019 NFL Draft. On a national scale, however, he will have some serious competition. Clemson’s defensive line, already well regarded last season, collectively returned for another season. Individuals on the line, namely Clelin Ferrell, would have been top picks in 2018. However, Bosa has continued to get better with age, and this season could even eclipse his brother in his impact on the team to show his NFL potential.
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Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Yes, even the West.
“Coaches will always say that their conference is the best in the country this time of year, but it’s pretty easy to tell if they actually mean it. The Big Ten coaches might actually mean it this year.”
-Barrett Sallee, CBS Sports
The SEC, ACC and Big 12 have all had their shots at the mic in recent weeks in their respective conference media days. Now, it is the Big Ten’s turn in the spotlight (Pac-12 media days, for good measure, start Wednesday). It’s a little surprise that Ohio State is a hot topic of conversation, given its top-five finish last season despite being snubbed from the College Football Playoff. However, it’s not just Ohio State on top this season, and the Big Ten as a whole looks to shine heading into 2018. Michigan State, Penn State and Michigan round out the top-four in the Big Ten East, according to Cleveland.com’s preseason poll. In the West, Wisconsin, Iowa and Northwestern lead the way, but Nebraska, led by first-year head coach Scott Frost, could prove to be a challenger as well.
On an individual level, the quarterback position is the most obvious topic of conversation surrounding Ohio State. With J.T. Barrett gone, the offense is now Dwayne Haskins’ to run. Though he has had limited playing time to this point, expectations are high. In fact, he is listed as a top-five candidate on Cleveland.com’s Preseason Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year poll (J.K. Dobbins is No. 3 behind Penn State’s Trace McSorley and Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor). In his short experience, Haskins has already shown outstanding leadership ability, stepping in for Barrett to complete a comeback win against Michigan.
While he will likely not be the centerpiece of Urban Meyer’s offense come the fall--that role belongs to Dobbins--Haskins offers a chance to revitalize an Ohio State passing game that has struggled to find its identity in recent seasons. How Meyer chooses to use Haskins to improve in this area will be a critical question leading into the start of the season.
“Last season, Ohio State was among the nation’s biggest surprise stories and finished in second place, one game out of first.”
-Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch
On the plus side, it looks like next season could be another Cinderella story for Ohio State basketball. Unfortunately, that’s because Chris Holtmann’s squad isn’t getting a high vote of confidence from Jon Rothstein’s offseason Big Ten Power Rankings for CBS Sports.
The basketball insider has the Buckeyes slotted to finish 10th in the conference. This projection is coming off a season in which Ohio State miraculously rose almost all the way to the top of the conference, finishing second in the Big Ten and earning a bid to the NCAA Tournament for the first time since 2015. Holtmann, in his first season in Columbus, earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors, while Keita Bates-Diop garnered Player of the Year honors. Michigan State, Michigan and Nebraska took the top spots in Rothstein’s projections. Only Penn State, Illinois, Northwestern and Rutgers are expected to finish behind.
Unfortunately, Bates-Diop has moved on to the NBA, and Holtmann, despite bringing on a number of outstanding recruits in the 2019 class, is now a known entity within the conference. Statistically, the Buckeyes lose more than half their scoring from last season with the graduation of Bates-Diop, Jae’Sean Tate and Kam Williams.
Ohio State has a lot of hope for the future, but it won’t arrive until 2019. D.J Carton, a point guard from Bettendorf, Iowa, is listed as the No. 22 recruit in his class. Holtmann also signed Alonzo Gaffney, the No. 7 small forward nationally.
This season, the Buckeyes will be without the veteran talent of Bates-Diop, Tate and Williams, who each were with the program for four seasons. However, a number of newcomers, including Duane Washington, Justin Ahrens and transfer Keyshawn Woods, could make an immediate impact on the team. Kyle Young, who averaged under nine minutes per game last season, could have a breakout year come this fall.
“With 13.5 sacks and 23 tackles for loss in his first two years, Bosa has solidified himself as one of the top defensive players in college football and someone who could be in the conversation for No. 1 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft.”
-Bill Landis, Cleveland.com
On a team with talent at every position group, it can be hard to stand out from the pack. At Ohio State, however, that collective strength seems to elevate everyone’s status. That case was clear last season at the stacked defensive end position. While the line as a whole was celebrated, Tyquan Lewis, Jalyn Holmes and Sam Hubbard all garnered individual recognition throughout the season and were taken within the first four rounds of the NFL Draft this spring, but the loudest conversation surrounded the most junior member of the unit: Nick Bosa. Now, Bosa himself looks to lead another highly touted unit as Chase Young and Jonathon Cooper, who have already shown glimmers of what they can do, join the rotation.
With so much veteran talent around last season (and limited playing time with such a constant rotation), Bosa’s massive impact was still somewhat muted. This season, however, it is clear that he is the leader of the defense and, in many ways, the best player on the team. Though the newcomers to the line are extremely talented, they are still somewhat green, and Bosa will have the opportunity to be on the field for more snaps than he was last season.
Barring any unforeseen circumstances, this season will almost assuredly be Bosa’s last in Columbus. He earned first team All-American honors last season and was second in the conference with 8.5 sacks and 16 tackles for loss. Following this season, he will be well-positioned for the top spot in the 2019 NFL Draft. On a national scale, however, he will have some serious competition. Clemson’s defensive line, already well regarded last season, collectively returned for another season. Individuals on the line, namely Clelin Ferrell, would have been top picks in 2018. However, Bosa has continued to get better with age, and this season could even eclipse his brother in his impact on the team to show his NFL potential.
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Zach Smith fired by Ohio State: Buckeyes football news
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CHICAGO -- Ohio State announced the firing of receivers coach Zach Smith on Monday night. Smith, who had been on Urban Meyer's staff since 2012, had an order or protection filed against him by his ex-wife in Delaware County, Ohio last Friday. Reports ...
Domestic violence suit ordered against Ohio State assistant247Sports
Ohio State assistant coach Zach Smith's ex-wife files domestic violence protection orderCincinnati.com
Ohio State Wide Receivers Coach Zach Smith FiredEleven Warriors
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Zach Smith fired by Ohio State: Buckeyes football news
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CHICAGO -- Ohio State announced the firing of receivers coach Zach Smith on Monday night. Smith, who had been on Urban Meyer's staff since 2012, had an order or protection filed against him by his ex-wife in Delaware County, Ohio last Friday. Reports ...
Domestic violence suit ordered against Ohio State assistant247Sports
Ohio State assistant coach Zach Smith's ex-wife files domestic violence protection orderCincinnati.com
Ohio State Wide Receivers Coach Zach Smith FiredEleven Warriors
The Spun (blog) -OSU - The Lantern -Facebook
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Google Both Buckeye LB commits make prestigious award list - 247Sports
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Both Buckeye LB commits make prestigious award list - 247Sports
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Both Buckeye LB commits make prestigious award list
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The Buckeyes have two class of 2019 linebacker commitments, Cade Stover from Mansfield (Ohio) Lexington and Kane Patterson from Nashville (Tenn.) C.P.A. And both have been included on the The Butkus Award 2018 High School Watchlist. Former Ohio ...
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Both Buckeye LB commits make prestigious award list
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The Buckeyes have two class of 2019 linebacker commitments, Cade Stover from Mansfield (Ohio) Lexington and Kane Patterson from Nashville (Tenn.) C.P.A. And both have been included on the The Butkus Award 2018 High School Watchlist. Former Ohio ...
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Google Son of legendary Dallas Cowboy has Ohio State as a top choice - 247Sports
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Son of legendary Dallas Cowboy has Ohio State as a top choice - 247Sports
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Son of legendary Dallas Cowboy has Ohio State as a top choice
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When the Buckeyes were struggling offensively, they went inside to their big man and he got the job done. "We knew he was going," Penn said on Sunday. "We weren't shooting the ball very well from the outside. When you have a guy like him on the inside, ...
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Son of legendary Dallas Cowboy has Ohio State as a top choice
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When the Buckeyes were struggling offensively, they went inside to their big man and he got the job done. "We knew he was going," Penn said on Sunday. "We weren't shooting the ball very well from the outside. When you have a guy like him on the inside, ...
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Better Know a Buckeye: Chris Olave Turned Down Chip Kelly to Move from Southern California to Columbus for College
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Ohio State discovered Chris Olave late into the recruiting cycle. The Buckeyes don't scan the West Coast for talent as hard as it recruits areas closer to Ohio, or the South, more broadly. It would explain why he didn't appear on Ohio State's radar as ...
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Better Know a Buckeye: Chris Olave Turned Down Chip Kelly to Move from Southern California to Columbus for College
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Ohio State discovered Chris Olave late into the recruiting cycle. The Buckeyes don't scan the West Coast for talent as hard as it recruits areas closer to Ohio, or the South, more broadly. It would explain why he didn't appear on Ohio State's radar as ...
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Google Michigan commit flips to Stanford, Buckeyes back on top in B1G - 247Sports
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Michigan commit flips to Stanford, Buckeyes back on top in B1G - 247Sports
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Michigan commit flips to Stanford, Buckeyes back on top in B1G
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Entering this week, the Wolverines sat one spot ahead of Ohio State, despite having five more verbal pledges than the Buckeyes. That changed on Monday afternoon, though, when Jim Harbaugh's program lost one of their top-rated recruits in the class, ...
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Michigan commit flips to Stanford, Buckeyes back on top in B1G
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Entering this week, the Wolverines sat one spot ahead of Ohio State, despite having five more verbal pledges than the Buckeyes. That changed on Monday afternoon, though, when Jim Harbaugh's program lost one of their top-rated recruits in the class, ...
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Dwayne Haskins named Buckeyes starting quarterback
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On CBS Sports HQ, college football writer Chip Patterson joins Dalen Cuff to break down what can we expect from Dwayne Haskins this season with Ohio State. Watch your Team Videos ▽. Please log in or register to view your favorite teams video. Watch ...
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Dwayne Haskins named Buckeyes starting quarterback
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247Sports Crystal Ball Forecast: Texas talent to the Buckeyes
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Added my 247Sports Crystal Ball to the fray regarding Odessa (Texas) Permian athlete Peyton Powell in favor of Ohio State. An... To read this article and more, subscribe now —. 7-Day Free Trial. Get access to this article and all of the in-depth ...
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247Sports Crystal Ball Forecast: Texas talent to the Buckeyes
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Breaking down mid-point rankings for Ohio State 2019 commits
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Edit; Slot to 247Sports Home; Slot to Ohio State Buckeyes Newsletter; Slot to Ohio State Links. There has been a lot of chatter lately regarding 2019 recruiting rankings, as multiple outlets have updated their evaluations of talent... To read this ...
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Breaking down mid-point rankings for Ohio State 2019 commits
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Edit; Slot to 247Sports Home; Slot to Ohio State Buckeyes Newsletter; Slot to Ohio State Links. There has been a lot of chatter lately regarding 2019 recruiting rankings, as multiple outlets have updated their evaluations of talent... To read this ...
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Ohio State men's basketball | Buckeyes 10th in national Big Ten preseason prediction
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The first national predictions for the 2018-19 Big Ten men's basketball season are out, and they don't forecast great things for Chris Holtmann's second season at Ohio State. In his offseason Big Ten power rankings, CBS Sports college basketball ...
Big Ten writers pick Buckeyes over Badgers for title, but just barelyMinneapolis Star Tribune
Badgers, Buckeyes picked to meet for Big Ten football title one more time in IndyMilwaukee Journal Sentinel
Overreaction Monday: Badgers, Buckeyes Favorites With Big Ten MediaBlack Heart Gold Pants
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Ohio State men's basketball | Buckeyes 10th in national Big Ten preseason prediction
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The first national predictions for the 2018-19 Big Ten men's basketball season are out, and they don't forecast great things for Chris Holtmann's second season at Ohio State. In his offseason Big Ten power rankings, CBS Sports college basketball ...
Big Ten writers pick Buckeyes over Badgers for title, but just barelyMinneapolis Star Tribune
Badgers, Buckeyes picked to meet for Big Ten football title one more time in IndyMilwaukee Journal Sentinel
Overreaction Monday: Badgers, Buckeyes Favorites With Big Ten MediaBlack Heart Gold Pants
UPI.com -NJ.com -cleveland.com -cleveland.com
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Google Bucknuts Brackets: No. 5 Braxton Miller vs No. 12 Michael Thomas - 247Sports
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Bucknuts Brackets: No. 5 Braxton Miller vs No. 12 Michael Thomas
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Braxton Miller was already a household name within Buckeye Nation before he ever enrolled at Ohio State. A four-year starter at Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne, Miller was ranked as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 29 overall recruit in the ...
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Bucknuts Brackets: No. 5 Braxton Miller vs No. 12 Michael Thomas
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Braxton Miller was already a household name within Buckeye Nation before he ever enrolled at Ohio State. A four-year starter at Huber Heights (Ohio) Wayne, Miller was ranked as the No. 2 dual-threat quarterback and the No. 29 overall recruit in the ...
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Domestic violence suit ordered against Ohio State assistant
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Smith, a graduate of Dublin Coffman High School, was a graduate assistant for Meyer during his time at the University of Florida before he was hired as the Buckeyes' wide receivers coach in 2012. He is a 2007 graduate of the University of Florida with ...
Domestic Violence Protection Order Filed Against Ohio State Assistant CoachThe Spun (blog)
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Domestic violence suit ordered against Ohio State assistant
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Smith, a graduate of Dublin Coffman High School, was a graduate assistant for Meyer during his time at the University of Florida before he was hired as the Buckeyes' wide receivers coach in 2012. He is a 2007 graduate of the University of Florida with ...
Domestic Violence Protection Order Filed Against Ohio State Assistant CoachThe Spun (blog)
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Google Domestic violence suit ordered against Ohio State assistant - 247Sports
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Domestic violence suit ordered against Ohio State assistant
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Smith, a graduate of Dublin Coffman High School, was a graduate assistant for Meyer during his time at the University of Florida before he was hired as the Buckeyes' wide receivers coach in 2012. He is a 2007 graduate of the University of Florida with ...
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Domestic violence suit ordered against Ohio State assistant
247Sports
Smith, a graduate of Dublin Coffman High School, was a graduate assistant for Meyer during his time at the University of Florida before he was hired as the Buckeyes' wide receivers coach in 2012. He is a 2007 graduate of the University of Florida with ...
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Google Skull Session: A Buckeye Basketball Bash, Darron Lee's Time to Shine and Terrelle Pryor's...
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Skull Session: A Buckeye Basketball Bash, Darron Lee's Time to Shine and Terrelle Pryor's Pro Bowl Push
Eleven Warriors
Folks, (talking about) football is finally here. Today is the start of Big Ten media days. The four Buckeyes in attendance won't take the podium until Tuesday, but as always, we've got you covered from start to finish anyway. Be sure to follow @11w, ...
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Skull Session: A Buckeye Basketball Bash, Darron Lee's Time to Shine and Terrelle Pryor's Pro Bowl Push
Eleven Warriors
Folks, (talking about) football is finally here. Today is the start of Big Ten media days. The four Buckeyes in attendance won't take the podium until Tuesday, but as always, we've got you covered from start to finish anyway. Be sure to follow @11w, ...
Continue reading...