How to watch former Ohio State stars in Week 1 of the NFL preseason
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Football is officially back...well, preseason football at least.

Last night, the NFL preseason kicked off with the Carolina Panthers taking on the Houston Texans. There were several former Ohio State studs taking part in the first contest of the year, including Braxton Miller and Kurt Coleman, with the rest of the NFL Buckeyes getting ready to suit up throughout the weekend.

The Panthers came away with the first preseason win of the season (27-17), but they did so without rookie offensive weapon Curtis Samuel. The former H-back, and current wide receiver, has been sidelined for all but one training camp practice and was forced to miss the Week 1 game as well.

Samuel isn’t the only Buckeye for Carolina though, Kurt Coleman snagged the start and a tackle, and Andrew Norwell also was in the starting lineup. On the other side of the ball, Texans’ wideout Braxton Miller made his way onto the first-team — likely enabled by position-mate Will Fuller breaking his collarbone — and saw three receptions for 10 yards.

Here’s a breakdown of when to catch all of the Buckeyes in the NFL for this weekend’s Week 1 preseason slate of games.


*Denotes rookie drafted in 2017

Things to watch for Thursday:


For the first slate of games Thursday, something to keep an eye on will be Raekwon McMillan taking reps with the first-team for Miami. He’s been dubbed the starter during training camp, but this is where he’ll cement his position on the depth chart. Likewise for Pat Elflein with the Vikings, the rookie is competing for the starting center spot and could gain a leg-up with a solid Week 1 performance.

Punter extraordinaire Cameron Johnston is the only other rookie suiting up on Thursday, but unlike his former teammates, Johnston signed with the Eagles as an undrafted free agent, and his spot on the final 53-man roster — or even on the practice squad -- could largely depend on how he makes it through the preseason.

Terrelle Pryor Sr. is looking to earn himself a big-money, longterm deal with Washington -- or any team — after this season, and his success will be largely connected to the success of another former Big Ten quarterback, Kirk Cousins. Thursday night’s game will be the first time the two will have a chance to evaluate their progress against actual opposition.

Things to watch for Friday:


Cam Heyward is back for the Steelers after missing most of the second-half of last season. He was a big contributor on the sideline, and his teammates will be eager to get him back in the fold.

Similarly, Mike Nugent never got to finish the 2016 regular season, as the Bengals released him in mid-December. After going unsigned through free agency and OTAs, he finally signed with the Giants at the beginning of training camp.


*Denotes rookie drafted in 2017

Things to watch for Saturday:


Another batch of rookies will suit up on Saturday for their first set of snaps as NFL players. Noah Brown saw some action during last week’s Hall of Fame game, a contest in which the Cowboys rested most of their starters, including Zeke. Gareon Conley is another rookie playing Saturday, but he’ll take snaps in the late-game on the West Coast. Conley is expected to make Oakland’s starting roster right away, and has already impressed his coaches.

Second-year player Jalin Marshall is playing for his job at this point. Helping him, has been the litany of injuries that the Jets’ wide receivers have faced over the past few months. Marshall faces a four game suspension to start the season for violating the NFL’s PED policy, so showing improvement from his rookie campaign during the preseason will be paramount to him making the final 53-man roster.


*Denotes rookie drafted in 2017

Things to watch for Sunday:


Sunday’s two televised matchups will be great watches for Buckeye fans. The first involves so many former Silver Bullets for the Colts that you might feel like you’re actually watching the Ohio State defense. The team has made several Buckeye acquisitions during free agency to boost its front seven and secondary. There will be a lot of familiar names called during the first game on Sunday.

The second game features last year’s Defensive Rookie of the Year (Bosa), the legend known as 12-gauge (Jones), and a special teams demon (Perry). This will be a big game to see where Cardale Jones fits in the depth chart, at No. 2 or 3, and will give Joshua Perry a chance to earn some additional snaps on defense, in addition to special teams. Joey Bosa is the given starter, and nothing is going to change that, but he’s worth watching for his shrug moniker alone. ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

Continue reading...

Are Jerome Baker, Dante Booker, Chris Worley as good as Buckeyes' defensive line? Ohio State football analysis (video) - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Are Jerome Baker, Dante Booker, Chris Worley as good as Buckeyes' defensive line? Ohio State football analysis (video)
cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano recently said that the Buckeyes' defensive line was better than any line he coached in his career, including his time in the NFL. But could the Buckeyes' starting linebacker trio of Jerome ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Buckeyes push defending champs aside - The Daily Courier
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes push defending champs aside
The Daily Courier
Defending Big Ten champion Penn State returns a Heisman Trophy candidate at running back and a record-setting quarterback, and the Nittany Lions generally are regarded as one of the 10 best teams in the country. They're not even picked to win their ...
Big Ten championship odds 2017: Who's next after Ohio State?SB Nation
Michigan State at Ohio StateEleven Warriors

all 39 news articles »

Continue reading...

BM5: Wiltfong on Babb's future, Cook and Texas threat - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BM5: Wiltfong on Babb's future, Cook and Texas threat
247Sports
As Texas and Tom Herman blossom on the recruiting front and now have the No. 2 class behind the Buckeyes, what does it mean for Ohio State's pursuit of 5-star corner and Lone Star State resident Anthony Cook? With Aeneas Hawkins headed elsewhere, ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Ohio State recruiting is (still) red hot heading into the 2017 season
Colton Denning via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Recapping a big week in Ohio State recruiting news on our latest podcast.

Ohio State has had a busy August on the recruiting trail.

In the past week alone, the Buckeyes have gotten the commitments of 2018 linebacker K’Vaughan Pope and 2019 offensive lineman Doug Nester, plus a decommitment in the form of 2018 defensive end Andrew Chatfield. While Chatfield’s decision is obviously a bummer, the Buckeyes are still red hot on the recruiting trail, and you shouldn’t expect that to change any time soon.

On this episode of The Hangout in the Holyland, Landgrant contributor Patrick Mayhorn joins the show to break down all the recent Ohio State recruiting news, including:

• What type of linebacker Ohio State is getting in Pope, and why his commitment is rock solid.
• The Buckeyes’ recruiting presence in Washington, D.C., Maryland, and Virginia.
• Nester’s skillset and place as a leader in Ohio State’s 2019 class.
• Why Chatfield’s decommitment was expected.
• Whether Ohio State can finish with the highest ranked class of all-time, names in the 2018 class still on the Buckeyes’ radar, and more!

You can find the podcast on our iTunes page, and we encourage reviews, comments, criticisms, etc. to help us deliver the best possible audio product. The more we hear from you, the better we can make it. We’re also on Soundcloud, and you can subscribe via RSS on your Android and Windows Phone devices here.

Continue reading...

was browsing rotoworld this morning and this clown came up

Final destination - El Paso

http://www.rotoworld.com/player/cfb/135000/logan-tuley-tillman

Ex-Michigan and Akron T Logan Tuley-Tillman will play at UTEP in 2017 after transferring as a graduate.

Tuley-Tillman started all 12 games for Akron. His time at Michigan was far less positive as it led to a dismissal after being initially charged with three felony counts. Expect to see Tuley-Tillman in the starting lineup for the Miners. Aug 10 - 10:05 AM

Click to expand...

We can watch him get ran over by Oklahoma in week 1

Buckeyes push defending champs aside - Prescott Daily Courier
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes push defending champs aside
Prescott Daily Courier
Defending Big Ten champion Penn State returns a Heisman Trophy candidate at running back and a record-setting quarterback, and the Nittany Lions generally are regarded as one of the 10 best teams in the country. They're not even picked to win their ...
Big Ten championship odds 2017: Who's next after Ohio State?SB Nation
Big Ten 2017 College Football Betting Preview: Ohio State Clear Odds FavoriteBleacher Report

all 56 news articles »

Continue reading...

Kam Williams invites LeBron James to play with the Buckeyes - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Kam Williams invites LeBron James to play with the Buckeyes
247Sports
The Cleveland Cavaliers' superstar lost in the NBA Finals to the Golden State Warriors once again and, as is often the case for the greats when losing in the Finals, immediately got back to work. Then LeBron found out that teammate Kyrie Irving wants ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Buckeyes line ready to prove itself - The Daily Times
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes line ready to prove itself
The Daily Times
A chip on the shoulder may help make the Buckeyes linemen play nastier this season. Or at least motivated to prove they're not the team's weakest link. The unit absorbed a good amount of criticism last season when the passing game broke down against ...


Continue reading...

So, how were the Boundary Waters? I've always wanted to go.

Buckeyes' D-line depth will ease sting of suspension - Ashland Times Gazette (subscription)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes' D-line depth will ease sting of suspension
Ashland Times Gazette (subscription)
COLUMBUS -- Ohio State defensive tackle Michael Hill will be suspended for the season opener and possibly "a few games" after that, according to coach Urban Meyer, but he indicated that's where the depth of the 2017 Buckeyes' defensive front will come ...


Continue reading...

Ohio State has the attention of 4-star OT Bryan Hudson
Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Could the Buckeyes be on the mind of another highly touted offensive tackle for 2019?


While the 2018 recruiting class is at the forefront for the Buckeyes, the coaching staff in Columbus is already building relationships and getting offers out for next year’s cycle. One name to keep an eye on going forward would be ‘19 OT Bryan Hudson of Scott County (GA).

Hudson is a 6'5, 292-pounder that has already garnered an offer from Ohio State. In addition to the offer from the Scarlet and Gray, the sixth-highest-graded Bluegrass State prospect in his class has also snatched up opportunities from 13 programs including Alabama, Florida, LSU, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, and more. With that being said, Hudson opened up about the Buckeyes’ standing in his recruitment.

In a brief interview with 247Sports’ Bill Kurelic, Hudson revealed that Ohio State was one of the programs that has his attention at this time.


While Hudson did mention three other programs, the Buckeyes should undoubtedly be confident in their position for the time being. At this moment, Hudson has two 247Sports Crystal Ball predictions: one in favor of Ohio State and the other going to the in-state Kentucky Wildcats. The interesting thing about that is Kentucky wasn’t mentioned to Kurelic from the Georgetown native. Who knows if that means the in-state program is not in play; in fact, I would doubt that is the case. But he did specifically mention the Buckeyes, so that’s definitely a good sign.

If Ohio State is ultimately able to land the four-star prospect, he would be paired with ‘19 OT Doug Nester of Spring Valley (WV), who committed to Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes five days ago.

That would be a tremendous haul amongst the offensive line, make no mistake about it. Hudson is currently graded as the 217th overall player in the class and the 26th-best offensive tackle. Ohio State is also focused on guys like Devontae Dobbs of Belleville (MI), who recently visited for Friday Night Lights in July, and Quinn Carroll of Edina Senior (MN) at the position.

Former Buckeye target set to decide


Just about a year ago, Ohio State dropped an offer to '18 DT Aeneas Hawkins of Archbishop Moeller (OH), and would subsequently become the favorite for the Queen City standout.

However, despite a few stops in Columbus for unofficial visits, it was evident that the Buckeyes did not make a major push for the 6'3, 295-pounder. Hawkins, who is a low four-star prospect for now, still had plenty of great options on his plate.

The class's 23rd-highest-graded defensive tackle has compiled an offer sheet that consists of over two dozen programs. After sorting through offers from the likes of Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Ohio State, Penn State, USC, and more, Hawkins finally has narrowed it down to two schools: The Nittany Lions and the hometown Cincinnati Bearcats. A decision is coming in just a few hours.


With that being said, despite the fact that his father played at Clifton at Cincinnati, it looks like the Buckeyes will have to duke it out with Hawkins a few times on the next level. Right now, the 247Sports Crystal Ball currently favors Penn State.

We will see if the decision to not make a move on Hawkins comes back to bite Ohio State. Either way, the Buckeyes will take their chances, as five-star DT Taron Vincent of IMG Academy (FL) is already in the fold, and someone like Tommy Togiai of Highland (ID) may potentially join him.

Continue reading...

OSU's Rising Receiving Stars: Binjimen Victor, KJ Hill - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


OSU's Rising Receiving Stars: Binjimen Victor, KJ Hill
247Sports
With his size and speed, Victor could be a prime candidate to get deep for the Buckeyes. The deep ball was in short supply for OSU in 2016. “It's very important,” Victor said. “That's what we worked on all summer with me, J.T. (Barrett) and the receivers.

and more »

Continue reading...

Kurelic: Young stud thinking Buckeyes; flip target; center - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Kurelic: Young stud thinking Buckeyes; flip target; center
247Sports
Good evening Bucknuts subscribers! There is plenty going on with Ohio State football recruiting so let's get started! I will of course have plenty more throughout the night and tomorrow. 1) Damascus (Md.) 2020 defensive lineman Bryan Bresee made the ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Texas 5-star WR likes Ohio State, Longhorns pushing for Anthony Cook, and more - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Texas 5-star WR likes Ohio State, Longhorns pushing for Anthony Cook, and more
Landof10.com
In fact, old pal Tom Herman and his Texas Longhorns, with the Tuesday addition of 4-star tight end Malcolm Epps, have moved ahead of Mark Richt's Hurricanes and now are sitting directly behind the Buckeyes with the second-ranked class in the nation.

and more »

Continue reading...

The Football Fever: Barrett on SI cover, analyst Ben Buchanan on the 2017 Buckeyes - ABC6OnYourSide.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


The Football Fever: Barrett on SI cover, analyst Ben Buchanan on the 2017 Buckeyes
ABC6OnYourSide.com
The former Buckeye punter fielding several questions for our Sunday sitdown that will air Sunday night on FOX-28 and ABC-6 at 10 and 11 respectively. Tonight, Buchanan handles a pair of questions including "What's the vibe you're getting about this ...


Continue reading...

Ohio State receiver Johnnie Dixon is ready to live up to expectations
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Also, Dabo’s giving the Buckeyes plenty of bulletin board material.

“For the first time in his Ohio State career, Dixon is able to stack good practice and scrimmage performances on top of each other. It’s another indicator that a player who always had outstanding ability also appears to have reliability.”

- Tim May, Columbus Dispatch


Ohio State’s wide receivers have a lot to prove. Johnnie Dixon has a lot to prove. The West Palm Beach-native came to Columbus as a top recruit in 2014 with sky-high expectations, but has never been able to get healthy enough to be a consistent contributor on the field.

Following the Fiesta Bowl loss to Clemson in January, Dixon considered ending his playing career because of chronic knee pain. However, after sitting down with head coach Urban Meyer, receivers coach Zach Smith, and the team’s medical staff, he decided that he was going to accept the pain and try to play through.

Now on the other side of that decision, Dixon is establishing himself as one of the Buckeyes’ most exciting playmakers during camp. Reports indicate that he is showing the explosion that has alluded him in years past, and May reports that the staff is getting ready to make the call to his family, letting them know that Dixon is going to be a starting receiver for the Ohio State Buckeyes.

Ohio State’s WRs, affectionately known as Zone 6, have been a point of concern for OSU fans for a few years. Despite seemingly top-line talent, the wide receiver corps hasn’t been able to recreate the big-play ability that helped the Buckeyes earn the first CFP title following the 2014 season. However, this season with Dixon, Binjimen Victor, Terry McLaurin, Austin Mack, and others (not to mention Parris Campbell who moved from WR to H-back in the off-season), new offensive coordinators Kevin Wilson and Ryan Day should have plenty of weapons to rebuild the passing game around.

If J.T. Barrett is able to reestablish the team’s vertical passing game, it will give running backs Mike Weber and Demario McCall much more room to operate around the line of scrimmage, and hopefully more opportunities to put points on the board.

“The Buckeyes are replacing three starting defensive backs for the second straight season. Expect junior cornerback Denzel Ward to take full advantage of his newfound playing time and set the tone for the secondary.”

- Sports Illustrated Staff


The best and brightest over at Sports Illustrated have released their preseason Top 25, and Ohio State comes in at No. 3. With Alabama (natch) and Florida State in the top two spots, the SI crew thinks that cornerback Denzel Ward will be a major factor in getting the Buckeyes back to the College Football Playoff.

Given his productivity as a rotational player last season, with OSU losing three defensive backs to the first round of the NFL Draft, Ward is now the de facto leader in the secondary. As the article notes, it doesn’t hurt to be playing behind a dominant front seven either.

In addition to Ward, there are four SI Top 100 players suiting up for the Buckeyes in quarterback Barrett, defensive ends Tyquan Lewis and Nick Bosa, and center Billy Price. Alabama has nine such players, FSU has six, as does No. 5 Southern California. The fourth-ranked Oklahoma State Cowboys are the only top-five team to have fewer than the Buckeyes, coming in with just two.

OSU is one of four Big Ten teams to make the Top 25. Penn State comes in at No. 8 on SI’s list, with Michigan at 11 and Wisconsin at 12.

“And then we get ready to play Ohio State and I start watching the tape, I watch every single game, and I go in and tell our guys. I’m like, 'Boys, these guys are in trouble.'”

- Dabo Swinney, via Alex Kirshner, SBNation


Urban Meyer better make some room on the bulletin board at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center, because Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney is not only continuing to rub salt in the Buckeyes’ wounds following the embarrassing 31-0 Fiesta Bowl blowout, but he’s also taking the entire Big Ten Conference to task.

Swinney has never been one to mince words, and in a radio interview on WCCP in South Carolina earlier this week, he took the opportunity to pump up his conference at the expense of the Big Ten.

He continued in the interview, “I mean, I've watched the whole league. I've gone through the whole league both sides. These guys are in trouble. And that's exactly what happened. Again, that’s a credit to our league.”

To be fair, Ohio State was completely outmatched and out-coached in last season’s College Football Playoff Semifinal, but football starts anew in 22 days, and time will tell if the Buckeyes get an opportunity to redeem themselves against the Tigers and/or the ACC.

STICK TO SPORTS

• Disney is pulling its shows and movies from Netflix, and launching its own streaming service.
• Calm down: we’re (probably) not about to go to war with North Korea
• A cannabis company bought a California town to build a pot tourist destination.
• The FDA has reservations about the meatless Impossible Burger’s “secret ingredient.”
• Bill Murray finally saw “Groundhog Day: The Musical,” and he sobbed.

Continue reading...

10 most important Ohio State Buckeyes in 2017: No. 1 J.T. Barrett
Christopher Jason via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The fate of the 2017 Ohio State season rests on the quarterback’s shoulders.

When looking at the 2017 depth chart compared to the 2016 depth chart, there are noticeable holes, but the team is in a much better place now than it was entering the 2016 season after a mass exodus of NFL departures and graduation. Using key departures, spotlighting players at important positions, leadership qualities, and recognizing the depth at each position (sorry defensive line), we came up with the 10 most important players on the team. They may not be the most heralded players, or even the most talented, but they will be vital to this team’s on-field success.

No. 1: J.T. Barrett


Position: Quarterback

2016 stats: 61.5 completion percentage, 2,555 yards passing, 24 TD 7 INT; 845 yards rushing, 4.1 yards per carry, 9 rushing touchdowns

J.T. Barrett’s career at Ohio State has been the definition of a roller coaster. As a redshirt freshman, he took over for an injured Braxton Miller just weeks before the season opener, and guided the Buckeyes to an 11-1 record before breaking his leg in the season finale. He received Heisman consideration when he threw for 34 touchdowns, completed 64.6 percent of his passes and rushed for 938 yards.

After Cardale Jones led the team on a heroic run through the inaugural College Football Playoff, the two opened the 2015 season in a highly competitive — and disastrous — quarterback battle that ultimately led to the team’s downfall. Jones was named the starter, but the coaching staff decided to carousel them around based on situation and performance, which led to neither of them ever gaining confidence and a serious regression for Barrett. Barrett finished his redshirt sophomore season with 11 touchdown passes, a 63.3 completion percentage and 727 yards on the ground.

With Jones no longer in the picture in 2016, the reins were handed back over to Barrett. The quarterback seemed to take another step-back, looking frazzled in the pocket and inaccurate as a passer. He had a shaky offensive line in front of him, inconsistent and poor play calling, but also had serious accuracy problems in the intermediate and deep game. For the second season in a row, his completion percentage dipped — down to 61.5 percent — and his yards per carry dipped almost two full yards, down to 4.1 yards per carry. Overall, last season had its highs (vs. Oklahoma) and its lows (vs. Penn State and vs. Clemson), which made for a very frustrating season.

With the departure of Ed Warinner and Tim Beck and the additions of spread offense-guru Kevin Wilson, along with former San Francisco 49ers quarterback coach Ryan Day, Barrett should be put in a better place to succeed and his mechanics should improve. Wilson is looking to attack the middle of the field on short stuff, while testing the perimeter with the deep ball. Based on his history and the spring game, Wilson will incorporate high-percentage throws, including screens, which will take pressure off the quarterback and get him into rhythm.

In reality, Barrett has been a roller coaster since his redshirt freshman season under Tom Herman, and with a legitimate offensive coordinator back in the booth, Barrett could and should have a season reminiscent of his 2014 campaign. Will Barrett’s completion percentage regress for the third straight season? Or will the passing game get back to where it once was under Barrett? When the passing game gets rolling, the offense is borderline unstoppable.

The other nine players on the list are extremely important to Ohio State’s success in 2017, but ultimately, the season rests on J.T. Barrett’s right shoulder.

Previous:

• No. 10 Sean Nuernberger
• No. 9 Parris Campbell
• No. 8 Jerome Baker
• No. 7 Mike Weber
• No. 6 Binjimen Victor
• No. 5 Jordan Fuller
• No. 4 Denzel Ward
• No. 3 Billy Price
• No. 2 Isaiah Prince

Continue reading...

buckeyebri said:

Of course one could just use the "How does work make you feel today" thread to talk about work related feelings, but hey this is what happens when you let people in for the low introductory price of $49.99.

Click to expand...

Damn right! Getting suckered for the full $77.99 taught me responsibility.

Big Ten champ Penn State is overshadowed by Buckeyes, again - Meadville Tribune
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Big Ten champ Penn State is overshadowed by Buckeyes, again
Meadville Tribune
You can be sure Urban Meyer will have the Buckeyes on a redemption tour after they lost 31-0 to Clemson in the College Football Playoff semifinals. Penn State also feels it has something to prove. The Nittany Lions beat Ohio State and won the ...
Big Ten 2017 College Football Betting Preview: Ohio State Clear ...Bleacher Report

all 8 news articles »

Continue reading...

Four Weddings and a Funeral - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Four Weddings and a Funeral
Eleven Warriors
It is reasonable under Urban Meyer. It was the same under Jim Tressel, who went 6/6 over his final seasons in Columbus with no worse than a share of a Big Ten title. John Cooper made the Buckeyes national, annually relevant - and got close enough ...

and more »

Continue reading...

3 numbers suggest Ohio State's offense is in for a huge season - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


3 numbers suggest Ohio State's offense is in for a huge season
Landof10.com
With Kevin Wilson calling plays and with J.T. Barrett having a multitude of options to utilize, Ohio State's offense should be terrific in 2017.
Ohio State Safety Erick Smith Still Battling For Starting Spot Entering Senior YearEleven Warriors
Freshman Dobbins making his move at Buckeyes training camp ...Sentinel-Tribune
Which Buckeye receiver will emerge, which freshmen make the depth chart? Ohio State football podcastcleveland.com
Waiting For Next Year
all 12 news articles »

Continue reading...

dduplicate

ESPN analytics call Ohio State, not Alabama, most likely team to make College Football Playoff - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


ESPN analytics call Ohio State, not Alabama, most likely team to make College Football Playoff
Landof10.com
ESPN cites Ohio State's 15 returning starters, including Big Teb preseason honorees J.T. Barrett and Tyqan Lewis, and easier schedule (52nd hardest as opposed to Alabama's 11th hardest) as the primary reasons to take the Buckeyes over the Tide.

and more »

Continue reading...

Several former Ohio State stars facing make-or-break NFL seasons
Kyle Sumner McKinnon via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Quite a few former Ohio State standouts could be on their way out of the pros.

Every player in the NFL has to come to grips with their football mortality at some point.

Former Ohio State Buckeyes are no different.

The Scarlet and Gray’s presence in the pros has never been greater, but that doesn’t mean they’re meant to last. According to The Wall Street Journal, the average length of an NFL career is now less than three years.

With more than a handful of OSU alumni having reached a career crossroads, it might not be long before their time in the league is over.

Is it curtains for these former Buckeyes? Let’s take a look.

Tyvis Powell


An undrafted free agent in 2015, Tyvis Powell has been with three teams as a pro.

Powell’s only ever made one official 53-man roster and is still in search of a long-term home in the NFL. While it’s taken the ball-hawking safety some time to adjust, it seems like his patience is finally paying off.

He’s enjoying a solid training camp with the Indianapolis Colts and has been making plays at both safety and cornerback.

Should Powell make the final cut, he’ll join former OSU standouts Johnathan Hankins, John Simon, Jack Mewhort, and rookie Malik Hooker.

And who wouldn’t love to see that? You go, Tyvis.

Doran Grant


He might’ve been selected in the fourth round of the 2015 NFL Draft, but Doran Grant hasn’t come close to meeting those expectations.

Like Powell, Grant has had a difficult time transitioning to the next level and has made one lone final roster. He bounced around a couple practice squads before landing with the Jacksonville Jaguars.


The 24-year-old cornerback has turned heads in training camp, though, and has noticeably improved in coverage.

Grant needs to consistently prove himself as a reliable cover man if he wants to continue his NFL career.

Michael Bennett


If you thought Michael Bennett was going be a star in the pros, you’re not alone.

Bennett was a dominant force in the trenches for the Buckeyes and has looked anything but in the league.

He probably won’t ever duplicate his collegiate production. His smaller size and lack of a three-down skillset make him an ideal career backup . Considering the depth of the Jaguars defensive line, Bennett should fit in nicely behind Malik Jackson and Sheldon Day.

I’m not sure how much longer he has left in the NFL. Although Bennett has reportedly been impressive in training camp, he’ll really have to battle every year to make an active roster.

No player can sustain that.

Jeff Heuerman


Denver Broncos President of Football Operations and general manager John Elway said it best when describing how important this year is to Jeff Heuerman.


The ACL injury the former Buckeye tight end was dealt with as a rookie clearly set him back, but it sounds like he’s turning a corner.

Heuerman was a quietly athletic, reliable pass-catcher at OSU and it’ll take more of the same if he is to remain a Bronco, let alone a pro football player.

We’ll just have to wait and see.

Jalin Marshall


Coming off a mediocre rookie campaign, Jalin Marshall was already was on thin ice with the New York Jets.

A four-game suspension for PED use to start the 2017 season made things even worse.

Marshall, who went undrafted, showed flashes in Year 1 for the Jets. As the team’s fourth wideout in rotation and return specialist, he compiled 748 all-purpose yards and two touchdowns.


New York is longing for guys to step up at receiver, so it’s entirely possible for Marshall to become a legit contributor on a talent-stricken offense.

But I can say with full confidence that he would’ve been cut had the Jets’ top wideout Quincy Enunwa not suffered a season-ending neck injury this week.

What a difference another year in school could’ve made.

Curtis Grant


Remember this guy?

An unsung leader of OSU’s national championship run in 2015, Curtis Grant has yet to establish any footing in the NFL. He’s been with five different teams and is now a member of the New York Giants, hoping to appear in his first ever regular season game in 2017.

Grant is a linebacker by trade, but his only path to making the Giants active roster is through special teams.

Continue reading...