• New here? Register here now for access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Plus, stay connected and follow BP on Instagram @buckeyeplanet and Facebook.

LGHL Ohio State vs. Minnesota-Duluth 2018 Preview: Time, TV channel and how to watch the Frozen...

Ohio State vs. Minnesota-Duluth 2018 Preview: Time, TV channel and how to watch the Frozen Four online
Matt Torino
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


480100961.jpg.0.jpg

Ohio State hockey will look to advance to the National Championship as they play Minnesota-Duluth in their first Frozen Four since 1998 .

Ohio State hockey has had their best season in 20 years, and it’s fitting that they’ll play the team that eliminated them last season in their quest for a national championship. The Buckeyes take on the University of Minnesota-Duluth on Thursday at 6 p.m. ET, with a trip to the title game on the line to play either Notre Dame or Michigan.

Three out of the four teams in the 2018 Frozen Four in St. Paul, Minnesota hail from the Big Ten, with Ohio State scoring victories over both the Irish and Wolverines at one point this season. The Buckeyes, however, haven’t taken on UMD since last season’s NCAA tournament, where the Bulldogs eliminated the Buckeyes in overtime, 3-2, en route to a national championship game appearance where they fell to Denver.

Denver’s hockey team may ring a bell since they brought nearly everyone not named Will Butcher back for a repeat opportunity, but were flattened by Ohio State in the Midwest Regional final last week. By that logic, Ohio State should be able to win here — but also by that logic, Rutgers has been a transitive basketball national champion in recent years.

Make no mistake, however, the Buckeyes are the favorites coming into this one. OSU is 26-9-5 so far in the 2017-18 season, while Duluth is just 23-16-3 ahead of this rematch. Ohio State has had a +47 goal differential this year while Duluth’s +38 differential comes from a conference that didn’t have three of the final four teams. The team’s shooting percentages are identical at 9.9% each, but Sean Romeo has powered Ohio State to a .928 save percentage, compared to UMD’s .916.

Duluth does hold an advantage in the advanced stats, placing fifth in the nation in even-strength Corsi-percentage at 55.6%, while Ohio State was merely above average at 52.6%. The ultimate difference maker may be OSU’s penalty kill, which ranks number one in the nation at 89.3%, while UMD’s lags behind at 82.6%. Both teams stand at 23.9% on the powerplay.

Ohio State is the favorite in this matchup, but Denver was the favorite last week versus the Buckeyes and we all saw how that turned out. Either way, we’re one round away from an Ohio State-Michigan national title game. (Football would be the only major men’s Michigan program not in a title game this year. Sad!)

How to watch the 2018 Frozen Four: Ohio State vs. Minnesota-Duluth

  • Game time: 6:00 p.m. ET
  • Location: Xcel Energy Center in Saint Paul, MN
  • TV: ESPN2
  • Radio: 1460 AM in Columbus
  • Streaming: WatchESPN

Continue reading...

Google Ohio State spring game 2018: Date, time, TV channel, preview - Landof10.com

Ohio State spring game 2018: Date, time, TV channel, preview - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State spring game 2018: Date, time, TV channel, preview
Landof10.com
QUARTERBACKS — This will mark the first spring game since 2012 without J.T. Barrett on the roster. The game should offer a showcase for quarterbacks Dwayne Haskins, Joe Burrow and Tate Martell as they look to become the Buckeyes' next starting ...

and more »


Continue reading...

LGHL Albany grad transfer Joe Cremo to have visit with Ohio State’s Chris Holtmann, per report

Albany grad transfer Joe Cremo to have visit with Ohio State’s Chris Holtmann, per report
Geoff Hammersley
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


usa_today_10475639.0.jpg

But, the Buckeyes aren’t the only one in the mix.

The transfer market is heating up in college basketball. The Ohio State Buckeyes are looking at that market—and are inching closer and closer to landing a recruit.

Right now, one of the hottest prospects on the transfer list is Albany’s Joe Cremo. Cremo was a 6-foot-4 shooting guard for the Albany Great Danes, and put together 17.8 points per game in his junior season. He is listed as a graduate transfer, so he’ll have an immediate impact for whoever he signs on with.

According to a report from ESPN, Chris Holtmann will be making the trek to Albany to meet with Cremo. That’s the good news; the bad news is that OSU isn’t the only big-name program wanting Cremo’s services.


Albany grad transfer Joe Cremo told ESPN that Chris Holtmann, Greg McDermott, Shaka Smart, Pat Chambers and Steve Wojciechowski will also be visiting him in Albany the next few days.

— Jeff Goodman (@GoodmanESPN) April 5, 2018

Greg McDermott, who came this close to becoming the next head coach of the Buckeyes after the departure of Thad Matta, is meeting with Cremo, too. (For those wondering: McDermott is still at Creighton.)

Shaka Smart, representing the Texas Longhorns, might be the other biggest name from the tweet to have a meeting with Cremo. The Longhorns are coming off a season where they were the No. 10-seed in the NCAA Tournament, but were bounced in the First Round by Nevada.

Pat Chambers is a name that should be familiar to OSU fans, as his Penn State Nittany Lions were the Buckeyes’ kryptonite this past season. Three times PSU knocked off the Bucks—with two of those times coming down to the wire. While Chambers’ didn’t coach his program to the Big Dance, the Nittany Lions did end up with the NIT Championship. Geographically, they would be one of the closest programs to Cremo, if that was a priority. PSU sharpshooter Tony Carr declared for the NBA Draft, so they’ll need someone to put points up on the board.

The last coach mentioned in the tweet is Steve Wojciechowski, the head coach of Marquette. If Cremo wanted coaching from a Mike Krzyzewski disciple, then Woj is the guy. He played at Duke from 1994-98, and was an assistant from 1999-2014. During his time as an assistant to Coach K, the Blue Devils won two national championships.

This is a stacked list of coaches—as well as programs. Ohio State’s strong point right now has to be what they just displayed over the course of the season. They were projected to be at the bottom of the Big Ten, but ended up as the second best team in the conference; additionally, they not only made the NCAA Tournament, but they won a game. Holtmann has proved that he can make a team into a winner almost overnight, and if that’s an important thing to Cremo, then OSU may be the place for him.

We’ll have a lot better picture on where the Buckeyes stand for the graduate transfer as the weekend winds down.

The focus is the Empire State


Cremo is in Upstate New York, but there’s a prospect on the transfer market that played in Manhattan. Guard Kyle Castlin is also a graduate transfer and comes from Columbia University.


Columbia transfer Kyle Castlin met with OSU's Chris Holtmann last week, he tells @247Sports. Richmond's Chris Mooney will be in tomorrow & Xavier's Travis Steele will see him over the weekend.

— Evan Daniels (@EvanDaniels) April 5, 2018

In the tweet, 247sports had the scoop on Castlin meeting with Holtmann last week. Like the case with Cremo, Castlin is spending the weekend meeting with other coaches. Richmond and Xavier are the ones that will meet with the 6-foot-4 guard from Marietta, Georgia.

Remember: While Xavier was a No. 1-seed in this past NCAA Tournament, they are without the head coach that got them there. Chris Mack took the head coach position at Louisville, leaving Travis Steele as the new coach of the Musketeers. That shake-up may play a role in not only the transfer market, but recruiting in Ohio, too. A good litmus test to see that theory is in the recruitment of Castlin.

If anything goes down this weekend, we’ll have you covered.

Continue reading...

Google Buckeyes fill holes in spring - Parkersburg News

Buckeyes fill holes in spring - Parkersburg News
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes fill holes in spring
Parkersburg News
1 question on offense is who will take over at quarterback for J.T. Barrett, with apparently just two candidates that head Buckeye Urban Meyer will have to decide from. The finalists are Joe Burrow, from nearby Athens (Ohio) High School, who “has been ...


Continue reading...

Google Sylvania native Myer embracing Buckeyes' Frozen Four chance - Toledo Blade

Sylvania native Myer embracing Buckeyes' Frozen Four chance - Toledo Blade
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Sylvania native Myer embracing Buckeyes' Frozen Four chance
Toledo Blade
The Buckeyes will take on Minnesota-Duluth in the first of two national semifinals at 6 p.m. Thursday in St. Paul, Minn. The winner of that game will take on the winner of Michigan and Notre Dame, which joined the Big Ten in men's hockey before this ...
Back for more: Buckeyes have unfinished business with Bulldogs at NCAA Frozen FourDuluth News Tribune
It's Miller time for BuckeyesSalemNews.net
Ohio State hockey | Buckeyes primed for Frozen FourThe Columbus Dispatch
SBN College Hockey (blog)
all 64 news articles »


Continue reading...

Google Taver Johnson wants to rotate corners, but needs three starters - 247Sports

Taver Johnson wants to rotate corners, but needs three starters - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Taver Johnson wants to rotate corners, but needs three starters
247Sports
In fact, some may argue the Buckeyes have taken over as Cornerback U in college football with five NFL Draft picks, four in the first round, in the last four years. One thing that made the Scarlet and Gray so successful was the number of talented ...
Taver Johnson Wants Ohio State To Rotate Three Or More Cornerbacks, But The Rotation Remains To Be DeterminedEleven Warriors

all 3 news articles »


Continue reading...

Google Ohio State football: Garrett Wilson recruitment latest battle in simmering feud with Texas...

Ohio State football: Garrett Wilson recruitment latest battle in simmering feud with Texas - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football: Garrett Wilson recruitment latest battle in simmering feud with Texas
Landof10.com
But the Buckeyes do seem to have a few decent tricks up their sleeves — from the 4-star wide receiver's background growing up near Columbus and the fact that his high school quarterback already is enrolled at Ohio State. Maybe his friendship with ...

and more »


Continue reading...

Google As the Frozen Four awaits, Buckeyes' Matthew Weis remains just as valuable off the ice as...

As the Frozen Four awaits, Buckeyes' Matthew Weis remains just as valuable off the ice as on - The Athletic
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


As the Frozen Four awaits, Buckeyes' Matthew Weis remains just as valuable off the ice as on
The Athletic
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Buckeyes were in the middle of their only practice the week before the Big Ten Championship when it happened. The focus was on preparing to beat Notre Dame for the title, but when Matthew Weis fell on the ice, he knew immediately ...


Continue reading...

Google After failing in Fargo, Buckeyes have unfinished business with Bulldogs at NCAA Frozen Four...

After failing in Fargo, Buckeyes have unfinished business with Bulldogs at NCAA Frozen Four - Grand Forks Herald
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


After failing in Fargo, Buckeyes have unfinished business with Bulldogs at NCAA Frozen Four
Grand Forks Herald
The fourth-seeded Buckeyes had rallied in the third period from a 2-0 deficit to force overtime against Minnesota Duluth, which was not only the West Regional's top seed, but the second overall seed in the 16-team NCAA field. Ohio State had more than a ...
Sylvania native Myer embracing Buckeyes' Frozen Four chanceToledo Blade
Ohio State hockey | Buckeyes primed for Frozen FourThe Columbus Dispatch
Frozen Four Preview: Ohio StateSBN College Hockey (blog)

all 59 news articles »


Continue reading...

Google Buckeyes primed for Frozen Four - Record-Courier

Buckeyes primed for Frozen Four - Record-Courier
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes primed for Frozen Four
Record-Courier
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Ohio State hockey team went through a light workout in the Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday afternoon, and coach Steve Rohlik said afterward the Buckeyes will be all hands on deck Thursday when they take on Minnesota-Duluth in an ...

and more »


Continue reading...

Google Ohio State recruiting: JUCO lineman with Ohio roots works for Buckeyes offer - Landof10.com

Ohio State recruiting: JUCO lineman with Ohio roots works for Buckeyes offer - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State recruiting: JUCO lineman with Ohio roots works for Buckeyes offer
Landof10.com
Gamble graduated from high school in 2015 before spending time in the working world, but he couldn't stay away from football. He recently completed his freshman season at Ventura, playing eight games. The work Gamble has put on tape has drawn offers ...
Who will be Ohio State's captains in 2018? Buckeyes football analysiscleveland.com
4-star LB Davis previews OSU, Bama visits, names leaders247Sports
Watch: Ohio State Buckeyes Urban Meyer releases 'Defend your ...247Sports
Toledo Blade -MyDaytonDailyNews
all 66 news articles »


Continue reading...

Google Back for more: Buckeyes have unfinished business with Bulldogs at NCAA Frozen Four - Duluth...

Back for more: Buckeyes have unfinished business with Bulldogs at NCAA Frozen Four - Duluth News Tribune
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Back for more: Buckeyes have unfinished business with Bulldogs at NCAA Frozen Four
Duluth News Tribune
The fourth-seeded Buckeyes had rallied in the third period from a 2-0 deficit to force overtime against Minnesota Duluth, which was not only the West Regional's top seed, but the second overall seed in the 16-team NCAA field. Ohio State had more than a ...
Sylvania native Myer embracing Buckeyes' Frozen Four chanceToledo Blade
Ohio State hockey | Buckeyes primed for Frozen FourThe Columbus Dispatch
Frozen Four Preview: Ohio StateSBN College Hockey (blog)

all 45 news articles »


Continue reading...

Google Buckeyes primed for Frozen Four - The-review

Buckeyes primed for Frozen Four - The-review
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes primed for Frozen Four
The-review
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Ohio State hockey team went through a light workout in the Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday afternoon, and coach Steve Rohlik said afterward the Buckeyes will be all hands on deck Thursday when they take on Minnesota-Duluth in an ...
It's Miller time for Buckeyes | News, Sports, Jobs - Salem NewsSalemNews.net

all 2 news articles »


Continue reading...

Google Ohio State recruiting: JUCO lineman with Ohio roots works for Buckeyes offer - austin360

Ohio State recruiting: JUCO lineman with Ohio roots works for Buckeyes offer - austin360
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State recruiting: JUCO lineman with Ohio roots works for Buckeyes offer
austin360
Recruiting never stops, and if you take a day off, you fall behind. Join us every night for a daily recap of Ohio State recruiting news, insight on what's happening behind the scenes and a glimpse at what's coming next. JUCO lineman with Ohio roots ...


Continue reading...

LGHL Former Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett is looking to prove doubters wrong again

Former Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett is looking to prove doubters wrong again
Matt Tamanini
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


usa_today_10669187.0.jpg

It’s not like he’s ever been overlooked for flashier options before, right?

“He’s also the only three-time captain in OSU history. The next person who is anything less than glowing about his leadership will be the first. But Barrett is the latest case study in how little NFL teams care about any of that.”

-Alex Kirshner, SB Nation


Raise your hand if you expect J.T. Barrett to be a first ballot NFL Hall of Famer. Anyone? Ok, how about raise your hand if you expect J.T. Barrett to be an All-Pro. A starter? Make the league at all? Still not many hands raised?

Well, you may be right, but you also might be providing the most decorated quarterback in Ohio State and Big Ten history with a little extra motivation as he plans to prove people wrong, yet again.

As Kirshner notes in his article, Barrett has been dealing with being overlooked and second-guessed his entire career. Whether it was playing second-fiddle to Cardale Jones following the National Championship, or the avalanche of deafening tweets from Buckeye Nation for Urban Meyer to ride Dwayne Haskins into the postseason last year, Barrett has had to prove himself, to everyone, at every imaginable turn.

And with analysts like ESPN’s Mel Kiper Jr. predicting Barrett will go undrafted, the QB is ready for the challenge, yet again.

“There’s a lot of hype into the draft and workouts and I think that’s very important, but also understand that’s when the work begins,” he said during his NFL Combine media availability. “You’ve got to go out and make sure you make that 53-man roster when the time comes.”

While the NFL Network’s Mike Mayock says that he sees Barrett as “an ideal backup or third quarterback” who can “play in the league for a lot of years,” it’s going to be an uphill climb.

As Kirshner notes, Barrett isn’t being asked to change positions like other “mobile” quarterbacks, mostly because he isn’t as athletically gifted as Lamar Jackson or Quinton Flowers. However, I think it is his ability to run, especially between the tackles, that will allow him to have an opportunity to be a back-up in the NFL.

Is he ever going to be capable of doing what Nick Foles did for the Eagles; come in late in a season and lead a team to a Super Bowl? Unless he significantly improves his down-field passing ability, I doubt it. However, I do think that he is the perfect type of player to have in case of emergencies. Someone reliable enough to come into a game and move the chains— that you don’t have to pay top-tier backup money to.

“On the biggest stage that Ohio State’s charmed men’s basketball season had to offer, guard C.J. Jackson proved himself ready for the spotlight.”

-Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch


With the graduation of Jae’Sean Tate, Kam Williams, and Andrew Dakich— and the NBA declaration of fellow grad Keita Bates-diop— there is a serious leadership vacuum in the upper-classes of Chris Holtmann’s basketball program.

While Holtmann and the Buckeyes’ coaching staff are currently kicking the tires on basically every available transfer option out there, even if they get a player to come in and start right away, he will have to deal with a significant learning-curve in order to integrate into the young program. So naturally, the mantle of team leader will— at least in part— fall to the only returning, contributing senior on OSU’s roster, C.J. Jackson.

A transfer himself, Jackson has been with the team for the past two seasons, and after being temporarily removed from the starting line-up early in the year due to turnover issues, he bounced back to finish the 2017-2018 campaign as the Buckeyes’ second-leading scorer (12.6 points per game), the team’s leader in assists (3.8), and one-tenth of a percent behind Tate in terms of steals per game (1.0).

The only other returners that saw playing time for the Buckeyes that will be upperclassmen this fall are rising-juniors Andre Wesson and Micah Potter. While the elder Wesson’s “moxey” could be important in helping to establish a style of play for the still-young squad to follow, the Buckeyes will need Jackson to step up even more than he did as a junior, if they are going to even come close to replicating this past season’s success; graduate-transfer or not.

So, as Holtmann eventually brings in potential transfers for on-campus visits, keep in mind that no matter who ends up joining the Buckeyes, next year’s squad will likely only go as far as Jackson can lead them.

“Anna Sanford, a senior on the Ohio State women’s tennis team, was named Big Ten Athlete of the Week after posting three wins on court one last weekend.”

-Ohio State Athletics


Now that college basketball has wrapped up for the season, it’s time to turn your Ohio State-loving attention to some of the school’s non-revenue, spring sports. The women’s tennis team is currently ranked 30th nationally, and senior Anna Sanford is climbing up the rankings herself.

Following a straight-set win over then-No. 23 Kate Fahey of Michigan (6-3, 6-3), she also quickly dispatched Michigan State’s Aslina Chun, 6-4, 6-2. Then, along with partner Shiori Fukuda, she knocked off Fahey and Brienne Minor, 7-5, in their doubles match.

The three wins helped Sanford move up to No. 62 in the ITA’s singles rankings and No. 25 in doubles with Fukuda. The Big Ten Athlete of the Week honor comes almost exactly one year after Sanford was similarly honored for the first time.

The women’s tennis team will be back on the court beginning on Friday as they travel to Minnesota on Friday and Wisconsin on Sunday.

Sanford’s younger sister Alle, a freshman at North Carolina, is currently No. 22 in the singles rankings.

STICK TO SPORTS


Continue reading...

Google Will Ohio State continue to rotate three cornerbacks in 2018? Buckeyes football analysis -...

Will Ohio State continue to rotate three cornerbacks in 2018? Buckeyes football analysis - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Will Ohio State continue to rotate three cornerbacks in 2018? Buckeyes football analysis
cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- One of the staples of Ohio State's defense in the past few seasons has been its rotation of three cornerbacks. In 2016, it was Marshon Lattimore, Gareon Conley and Denzel Ward. A year ago, Ward led a rotation with Damon Arnette and ...
Taver Johnson wants to rotate corners, but needs three starters247Sports

all 5 news articles »


Continue reading...

Google Ohio State hockey | Buckeyes primed for Frozen Four - The Columbus Dispatch

Ohio State hockey | Buckeyes primed for Frozen Four - The Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State hockey | Buckeyes primed for Frozen Four
The Columbus Dispatch
ST. PAUL, Minn. — The Ohio State hockey team went through a light workout in the Xcel Energy Center on Wednesday afternoon, and coach Steve Rohlik said afterward the Buckeyes will be all hands on deck Thursday when they take on Minnesota-Duluth in an ...
2018 Frozen Four preview: Players to watch, keys for each teamESPN
Frozen Four: Here's how each team made it to MinnesotaNCAA.com

all 37 news articles »


Continue reading...

Google Recruiting look back at Buckeyes' 2017 spring game - 247Sports

Recruiting look back at Buckeyes' 2017 spring game - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Recruiting look back at Buckeyes' 2017 spring game
247Sports
The Buckeyes will hold their 2018 spring game on Saturday, April 14. And Bucknuts will have wall-to-wall coverage of everything from the game to Buckeye recruiting. That coverage will ramp up even further as the game gets closer. But today Bucknuts ...


Continue reading...

Google Seven Simple Questions: Plenty still to decide for OSU offense - 247Sports

Seven Simple Questions: Plenty still to decide for OSU offense - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Seven Simple Questions: Plenty still to decide for OSU offense
247Sports
We share the key ongoing storylines for the Ohio State offense during spring practice. Coordinator Kevin Wilson and the offensive staff are developing new starters for 2018. Steve Helwagen - 49 minutes ago; 0; Tools. Edit; Slot to 247Sports Home; Slot ...


Continue reading...

Google Who will be Ohio State's captains in 2018? Buckeyes football analysis - cleveland.com

Who will be Ohio State's captains in 2018? Buckeyes football analysis - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Who will be Ohio State's captains in 2018? Buckeyes football analysis
cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State had nine captains in 2017. Parris Campbell and Terry McLaurin are the only two still on the roster heading into 2018. That means there is a lot of turnover in the leadership department for the Buckeyes. When asked on Monday ...
Ohio State recruiting: Buckeyes' linebacker board set to expandLandof10.com
It's Miller time for BuckeyesSalemNews.net
4-star LB Davis previews OSU, Bama visits, names leaders247Sports
247Sports -Toledo Blade -MyDaytonDailyNews
all 72 news articles »


Continue reading...

LGHL What if Ohio State’s spring position battles were decided purely by recruiting rankings?

What if Ohio State’s spring position battles were decided purely by recruiting rankings?
Chad Peltier
via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


usa_today_10013556.0.jpg

The spring game is getting closer and some position battles are coming to an end too. Will the most purely talented players get the jobs?

There are a number of important position battles going on right now in spring practice. But, what would the starting lineup look like if the player with the highest recruiting rating on 247’s Composite just automatically won the job, regardless of their age?

We took a look at the biggest competitions, while including the primary contenders along with any freshmen who might surprise and challenge for a starting spot by fall camp.

Quarterback


Contenders: Joe Burrow (.9003), Dwayne Haskins (.9561), and Tate Martell (.9739)

The biggest position battle of the spring is to replace J.T. Barrett at quarterback. And after 9 practices, it sounds like the Buckeyes are still trying to find a solution. Most assumed that the job was essentially Haskins’ to lose following his impressive extended action against Michigan, but none of the three QBs has been consistent enough from both a performance and leadership perspective. According to Urban Meyer, “You wish someone would take it, but that hasn’t happened.”

But if recruiting rankings determined the battle, Tate Martell, the darkhorse, would be your 2018 starting quarterback. While he’s still the least likely to win the job, it sounds like he’s nevertheless making moves in spring practice: “Tate had a much better day today... He’s got a skill set that’s a little bit JT-ish as far as the quarterback run, he’s just built for that and he actually threw the ball well too.”

There’s even talk of Martell playing a little receiver just to get him on the field sooner.

Tight end


Contenders: Rashod Berry (.8568), Jake Hausmann (.9439), Luke Farrell (.9233), Jeremy Ruckert (.981)

In a year where few had any expectations for Rashod Berry at tight end after his position change, Berry’s six catches for 100 yards and two touchdowns were a nice surprise. But even though he displayed a high level of athleticism, he’s not assured to take over the starting tight end spot vacated by Marcus Baugh. Jake Hausmann and Luke Farrell have received some praise from Urban Meyer this spring, particularly Farrell (“Luke Farrell graded a champion. He’s had as good a week as he’s ever had.”).

But all three tight ends will have to watch out for Jeremy Ruckert when he gets on campus, as he is by far the highest-rated tight end on the team (and the highest rated going back to before Jake Stoneburner). It’s unlikely he would straight-up win the starting tight end job, as the others have benefited from a college weight training program, but Ruckert offers unmatched receiving capabilities that could give him a rotational spot in the offense, maybe as a flexed tight end/receiver early in his career.

Center


Contenders: Brady Taylor (.8618), Josh Myers (.9757), Matt Burrell (.9509), Matthew Jones (.9652)

The next center has a lot to live up to — the last two starters won the Rimington Trophy as the best center in the country. So Brady Taylor, as Billy Price’s backup, understands the expected level of play at the spot.

Taylor was also the lowest-rated recruit of the four players that rotated at the spot during the Buckeyes’ sixth practice. Josh Myers, the borderline five-star who was recruited as a guard, looks like he’s getting a shot as a redshirt freshman. And even if he doesn’t win the job outright this season, Brady Taylor is a redshirt senior, so the team will be looking for another center next season.

Right guard


Contenders: Branden Bowen (.8666) and Demetrius Knox (.9547)

Branden Bowen’s injury and Knox’s solid performance while filling in makes this a competition, but Bowen is still rehabbing this spring. Demetrius Knox would get the nod if the competition were based solely on 247 recruiting ratings.

Defensive Tackle


Contenders: Robert Landers (.8719), Haskell Garrett (.9678), Davon Hamilton (.8457), Malik Barrow (.899), Tommy Togiai (.9721), Antwuan Jackson Jr (.929)

Dre’Mont Jones has one starting spot locked up already and the defensive line positions are generally rotational anyway, but there’s a chance that the immense top-end talent on this year’s defensive line leads to a slimmed-down rotation in order to keep all of that talent on the field.

But like a couple of other positions we’ve covered, the youngest player is actually the highest rated. Tommy Togiai, who is enrolled and participating in spring practice, is the highest rated player of a pretty impressive group. Robert Landers was (is?) penciled in as the starter beside Jones, but he’s the second-lowest rated of the group.

Meyer also singled out Davon Hamilton after the 9th practice too: “Davon Hamilton, you see a heartbeat there, and he’s a big, powerful guy, so he’s had a very good spring so far, defensive end.” Not clear if Hamilton has actually switched to end or if Meyer just misspoke, but either way it’s a positive sign.

Also notable: Antwuan Jackson Jr., the junior college transfer, should be in line for immediate playing time when he gets on campus.

Middle linebacker


Contenders: Tuf Borland (.8933), Baron Browning (.994), Justin Hilliard (.9851)

This is an insanely talented group of contenders. Borland comes back as essentially the returning starter, but is out until September with an Achilles injury. That opened the door (if it wasn’t open already) for Browning and Hilliard, who have both been praised by Meyer this spring: “Baron Browning graded a champion for Friday’s scrimmage, so did -- who else? Hilliard was honorable mention...”

Baron Browning is one of Meyer’s highest rated recruits at Ohio State, period, so he’d get the nod over fellow former five-star Justin Hilliard. It’s hard to see a world where Browning doesn’t start at one of the linebackers spots this fall.

Outside linebacker


Contenders: Malik Harrison (.8568), Dante Booker (.9743), Pete Werner (.8994), Keandre Jones (.9544)

Replacing Chris Worley and Jerome Baker won’t be easy, but the Buckeyes have stockpiled a lot of talent at linebacker. Dante Booker started last season, but a mix of injuries and maybe losing his spot means that starting in 2018 isn’t guaranteed. But he’d be a sure-fire starter at one of the two open outside linebackers spots this fall, along with Keandre Jones, if it were just based on recruiting.

It sounds like the group is playing at a high level so far, according to Meyer: “Actually moved Malik Harrison to Will for a little bit to try that out, Keandre at Sam. That’s one of our better units as far as getting better...and Pete Werner graded champion. So they’re getting better. Really talented guys.”

Continue reading...

Google Ohio State football: Where does Wayne Davis fit best on Buckeyes defense? - Austin...

Ohio State football: Where does Wayne Davis fit best on Buckeyes defense? - Austin American-Statesman
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football: Where does Wayne Davis fit best on Buckeyes defense?
Austin American-Statesman
The Buckeyes actually are in much better shape than they seem to get credit for at linebacker, even after losing Tuf Borland to an Achilles injury that will keep him on the shelf until at least September. Borland was expected to stabilize the unit in ...


Continue reading...

Filter

Back
Top