Pedon pleased to be back in hometown, coaching for Holtmann - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Pedon pleased to be back in hometown, coaching for Holtmann
247Sports
But when he made basketball his career, he put being a Buckeye fan on the back burner. “As you go through your professional career and go through this, you become separated from this a little bit,” he said. “You become focused on the day to day and ...


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After a season of inconsistency, Ohio State’s wide receivers are regaining their confidence
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


A couple new coaches and an increased emphasis on the deep pass are helping.

“Swagger is coming back to our offense I feel like. When we make a big play it’s not just, ‘Oh, it’s another play.’ The offense, we stop practice and it gets hype in here because we make big plays, because those are game-changing plays.”

-Ohio State wide receiver Terry McLaurin via Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts


Last year there was very little swagger from the Ohio State passing game, which was led in receptions by former running back Curtis Samuel. With the introduction of offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson, and quarterbacks coach Ryan Day, the Ohio State wide receivers are starting to get some of that swagger back. Last year’s wide receivers struggled to find any consistency, which allowed for Ohio State’s opponents to focus more of their resources on slowing down the strong running game of the Buckeyes.

What is allowing Ohio State’s wide receivers to gain a little more confidence, is Urban Meyer identifying the deep pass as an area in which the Buckeyes need to find more success. When Ohio State is able to hit the deep pass, it gets everybody on the offense a little more excited, which could allow for the offense to open up more and perform more at the level that Meyer knows they can. With most of last year’s production in the passing game moving on to the NFL, it is ramping up the competition among the wide receivers to try and impress the coaches and earn more playing time. Even though there is plenty of youth and inexperience among the wide receivers, it is hard to see this group struggling as much as they did last season.


As mediocre as Ohio State’s wide receivers were last season, they would have been even worse had it not been for the work Noah Brown did. Brown hauled in 32 passes for 402 yards and seven touchdowns, with four of those touchdowns coming in the early season win over Oklahoma. The season from Brown was promising after he suffered a leg injury during fall camp the previous year, which caused him to miss the whole 2015 season.

When Brown declared for the NFL Draft, many were surprised that he wasn’t returning to Columbus, but considering the size and skills he possesses, it’s easy to see why Brown wanted to head to the pros sooner rather than later. With being a seventh-round pick in the NFL Draft, Brown won’t be expected to make a huge impact right away. Instead it will give the big wide receiver time to learn from Dez Bryant, and become comfortable with quarterback Dak Prescott. Also, it helps that there is some familiarity on offense with former teammate Ezekiel Elliott already having established himself with the Cowboys. If Dallas gives Brown time to grow and develop, the late pick of Brown in the draft will look like a steal.


Ohio State’s women’s basketball team found out who their opponent for this year’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge will be, as they’ll travel to Durham to take on Duke on November 30th. This will be just the second meeting ever between the programs, with Duke winning the other matchup 83-67 in Durham in the 2009 ACC/Big Ten Challenge. The previous loss to Duke has been one of many for the Buckeyes over the past decade in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge, as Ohio State has posted just a 2-8 record in the yearly challenge, and has lost five straight games after winning in 2010 and 2011.

After seeing both conferences win seven games in 2014 and 2015, the ACC took home last year’s ACC/Big Ten Challenge, winning nine of the 14 games. After missing the NCAA Tournament in the 2015-16 season, Duke rebounded last year with a 28-6 record, and made it to the Second Round of the NCAA Tournament. Ohio State was able to post a 26-8 record last year, making to the Sweet 16 before losing to Notre Dame. Before the addition of the game against Duke, Ohio State already had a tough non-conference scheduled planned, with the Buckeyes playing both Stanford and UConn in Columbus, both of whom made the Final Four last season.

“Ohio State standout guard Kelsey Mitchell has been invited to try out for the USA Basketball Women’s Under-23 National Team this summer.”

-Mike Dyer, WCPO Cincinnati


Kelsey Mitchell will have a busy summer as she heads into her senior season at Ohio State; she has been invited to try out for the USA Basketball Women’s Under-23 National Team at the end of July in Colorado Springs. The training camp will determine the 12-member U.S. roster for the Four Nations Tournament in mid-August. Teams from the United States, Canada, Australia, and Japan will compete at the tournament in Tokyo.

Mitchell has already solidified her spot as one of the best players in program history, and now has her sights set on a number of records, as well as trying to put Ohio State in the mix for a national title in her final season in Columbus. Ohio State has made Sweet 16 appearances in each of the last two seasons, marking the first time since the 1988 and 1989 NCAA Tournaments in which Ohio State has made back-to-back Sweet 16 appearances. Mitchell is not only just under 1,000 points away for the NCAA scoring record, but has also made at least one three-pointer in 57 straight games, with the all-time recording currently sitting at 80 consecutive games. Also, Mitchell has already been named an All-American three times in her Ohio State career, and is trying to become the first Buckeye to be named an All-American in four seasons.

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• No surprise here: Columbus drivers are some of the worst in the country.
• More redevelopment is planned near Ohio State’s campus.
• If you dress up like a cow on Cow Appreciation Day next month, Chick-fil-A is going to give you a free meal.
• Columbus has a few new bus tours starting next month.
• One of the main Fast & Furious characters could be done unless changes are made.

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Kyle Snyder named Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Kyle Snyder named Big Ten Male Athlete of the Year
247Sports
"Snyder is the fifth Buckeye to win Male Athlete of the Year accolades. Snyder capped off his junior season with a 17-0 record and claimed his second consecutive Big Ten and NCAA titles at heavyweight. In August, the Woodbine, Md., native became the ...


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Ohio State associate coach Mark Strobel leaves Buckeyes for same job at Wisconsin - USCHO
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State associate coach Mark Strobel leaves Buckeyes for same job at Wisconsin
USCHO
Strobel had previously been in the same role at Ohio State since the summer of 2015. “[Wisconsin is] where my heart has always been,” Strobel said in a news release. Strobel fills the void created June 13 when Don Granato left to become an NHL ...


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3-star RB Master Teague III is ready to be a leader at Ohio State
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


The one-cut back from Tennessee is excited to make his mark in the Buckeye backfield.

After watching Master Teague III practice in person for the first time in June, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer decided to offer the three-star running back a scholarship. Teague committed two days later, but it was the relationship he'd been building months prior with Meyer and running backs coach Tony Alford that helped solidify his decision.

The Tennessee native received more than 20 scholarship offers, passing on other collegiate heavyweights such as of Auburn, Georgia, and Tennessee. Teague spoke with us about his recruitment, how he's improving his game, and what he'll bring to the table as a future Buckeye.

(Note: Remarks lightly edited for clarity.)

Land-Grant Holy Land: Urban Meyer almost immediately offered you a scholarship after seeing you practice in person for the first time in June. You committed to OSU just two days later. What made you decide so quickly after being offered?

Master Teague III: A lot of people don’t know, but we’ve been building a relationship with them for a while since before the start of the year. I’ve been calling them and we’ve been building a relationship. I’d been on a couple visits before they actually offered and we already knew what the program had to offer. We looked at all the schools and just felt like it’d be the best fit for me.

LGHL: You’re one of the best running backs in the country and you’re joining a program that knows how to get the most out of the position. What will you bring to the table as a Buckeye?

Teague: Being a leader on the team and working hard in everything I do. I’m a north and south runner, and will get to the end zone as fast as I can. I’m aggressive and there won’t be a lot of juking around, I’ll just try to get to the end zone.

LGHL: What schools were you leaning towards committing with before OSU offered you?

Teague: In the beginning, it was Auburn, and then Georgia kind of came to the front. I started thinking about them a lot, but then OSU just pulled to the front.

LGHL: It seemed like your relationship with Urban Meyer and Tony Alford was a key piece in your final decision. How important was it to build that relationship with both coaches?

Teague: I think it’s important to build relationships. I’ve been building a relationship with them, more so Coach Alford, but I’ve been talking to Coach Meyer, as well. I feel comfortable talking with him and we talk just about every week. I think Coach Alford will push me more to become a better player. I think he’ll be a great coach and mentor for me going forward.

LGHL: Your current high school coach, David Watson, told me that your parents are really excited about all of this. How much did your parents mean to you during your recruitment?

Teague: They were a big help. A lot of times, recruits don’t have a lot of help from their parents or they don’t have a parent to help them, but mine were all in. My dad went to every visit, but my whole family mostly went to all the visits. They’ve been guiding me, taking a good look at my relationships and how everything’s been going. I’m very grateful for them.

LGHL: Having committed, what’s your schedule look like this summer?

Teague: Right now, I’m just working out with my team and training with my trainer. I’m doing an online class, just in case I want to graduate early. I’ve been training mostly, but I’ll go to Friday Night Lights in July. I’m working on getting better at my catching and my cutting, and just getting conditioned.

LGHL: You were born and raised in Tennessee, so you’ll be leaving your stomping grounds pretty soon. What about living in a new city are you most looking forward to?

Teague: Just the experience overall. I haven’t really thought about it too much, but I’m just looking forward to going up there and experiencing the town and what college life will be like. We know some people around the area, so if I have time, I’ll visit them. I’m looking forward to it.

LGHL: Did you have any favorite football players growing up? Anyone you model your game after?

Teague: I like Bo Jackson, but right now, it’s Leonard Fournette and Adrian Peterson. I just think they’re great, really athletic, and powerful. They’re great overall running backs.

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Dienhart: Ranking the Big Ten East schedules
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

The Big Ten East will be a gauntlet, as usual. Which teams have the most difficult path in 2017?

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Ohio State Women's Basketball: Buckeyes Set To Take On Duke In Big Ten/ACC Challenge - Scout
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Women's Basketball: Buckeyes Set To Take On Duke In Big Ten/ACC Challenge
Scout
The Ohio State women's upcoming basketball schedule already features two powerhouse programs in its opening weekend, and the Buckeyes are adding a third big name opponent to the first month of its season. The Buckeyes are set to travel to Durham, ...


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Pro ready | Seventh heaven - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Pro ready | Seventh heaven
247Sports
It's unknown if Oweh will land in Columbus, but even if he doesn't, it's good that the Buckeyes made in-roads at Blair, as there could be another hoops player following Oweh's path to football that could be worth looking at in the 2019 class. "Blair ...


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BM5: The Opening = Ohio State talent show - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BM5: The Opening = Ohio State talent show
247Sports
Ohio State leads the way when it comes to committed prospects and many of the Buckeyes' remaining targets will also be on display. We bring in opinion holder extraordinaire Alex Gleitman all the way from Phil Jackson's former city of employment to ...

and more »

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A crazy week for players ends in the right coach for Ohio State - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


A crazy week for players ends in the right coach for Ohio State
247Sports
The media scrambled for any news we could find on who would be Matta's replacement, while Buckeye Nation just wanted to know who would be the next coach. Perhaps, though, it was the most confusing for the players, the ones Matta recruited and who ...

and more »

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Inside Ohio State's success recruiting Brooklyn, Buckeyes' basketball schedule will get better and more - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Inside Ohio State's success recruiting Brooklyn, Buckeyes' basketball schedule will get better and more
Landof10.com
We hope you'll start your day with us here at Landof10.com as we work to prepare you for everything you need to know — Monday through Friday — around the world of Ohio State sports. Whether it's football, basketball, wrestling, hockey, baseball or ...


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Elite 2019 OL has Ohio State high on his list of schools
Austin Kemp via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Wright just came away with a Buckeye offer a couple weeks ago.

The No. 1 running back in the country, and long time Ohio State target Zamir White committed to Georgia on Tuesday. The writing was on the wall that this announcement would be for the Bulldogs after Ohio State picked up a commitment from Master Teague earlier this month. Where do the Buckeyes go from here? It’s thought that the coaching staff will continue to chase White all the way till signing day, but if it came down to it, they are thrilled to be bringing in the duo of Teague and Brian Snead. Don’t expect a whole lot of action from this position group moving forward unless one of the previously mentioned names decides to jump ship.

On the bright side


247Sports’ Bill Kurelic has reported that Ohio State is near the top of the list for 2019 offensive lineman Darnell Wright. Wright is a West Virginia native who has really seen his recruitment take off since February. He’s a monstrous 6-foot-6, 290 pounds and is rated a top 10 player at his position. Wright recently camped at Ohio State and came away with an offer. Ohio State will continue to pursue Wright heading into his junior season as he looks to be one of the best offensive tackles in the country.

Down to three


2018 defensive end Jayson Oweh (Blairstown, NJ /Blair Academy) is reportedly down to three schools and is focusing on Ohio State, Penn State and Notre Dame. Oweh, a four-star DE, recently visited earlier this month and has prototype size at 6-foot-5, 240 pounds. Greg Schiano and Larry Johnson have taken the lead on this recruitment, but it still looks as if Penn State is the leader in this one. Watch for the Buckeyes to make a big push this summer in hopes of getting Oweh on board sometime this coming fall.


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Buckeyes, Bulldogs go after different kind of title - Longview News-Journal
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes, Bulldogs go after different kind of title
Longview News-Journal
"It's always good when you get to compete against good teams in a competitive atmosphere," said Buckeye offensive coordinator Alan Metzel. "Anytime we compete it's a bonus. We want to put ourselves in a position to be better for the upcoming season.


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I'm sure Nutria is glad to not see ubet around here anymore tonight.

Tough loss.

Ohio State moves on from Zamir White, 2019 QB puzzle solved Sooner than later, official visit for Jayson Oweh - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State moves on from Zamir White, 2019 QB puzzle solved Sooner than later, official visit for Jayson Oweh
Landof10.com
Though Ohio State was in this race as recently as three weeks ago, the Buckeyes were nothing more than a hat on the table at Scotland County High School in Laurinburg, N.C., on Tuesday. Ohio State, as we talked about last night, saw the writing on the ...
Myerberg: Buckeyes strengths and weaknesses for 2017247Sports
Jerome Hunter has Buckeyes, Michigan, Indiana among 5 finalists: Ohio State basketball recruitingcleveland.com
Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes host two 2018 blue-chippersThe Columbus Dispatch
Land-Grant Holy Land -Eleven Warriors -Rivals.com (press release)
all 39 news articles »

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Great beef cutting video.

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Myerberg: Buckeyes strengths and weaknesses for 2017 - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Myerberg: Buckeyes strengths and weaknesses for 2017
247Sports
There will be much attention paid to the remaking of the Buckeyes' offense. But one of the greatest reasons to expect another Playoff run from this team is the production to be found from a defensive line that's not just the nation's best but — on ...
Jerome Hunter has Buckeyes, Michigan, Indiana among 5 finalists: Ohio State basketball recruitingcleveland.com
Final thoughts on Zamir White and Ohio State, Holtmann chases in-state star, and moreLandof10.com
Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes host two 2018 blue-chippersThe Columbus Dispatch
Land-Grant Holy Land -Eleven Warriors -Rivals.com (press release)
all 35 news articles »

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Ohio State’s Tracy Sprinkle looks to bounce back after injury
Ian Cuevas via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


After suffering a season-ending injury in 2016, Sprinkle seems primed for a big season.

“As far as doing drills and running and anything in the weight room, it’s very good. But we haven’t put the pads on and gotten physical yet.”

- Tracy Sprinkle via Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch


Only into the first game of the 2016 season, Ohio State defensive lineman Tracy Sprinkle suffered a torn right patellar tendon against Bowling Green which would sideline him for the rest of the season. Just like that, a promising candidate for a breakout year was taken off of the field. But now, Sprinkle says he’s back to “95 percent” health, with the five percent only coming from the unknown. Having yet to take the field with pads and get in the trenches once again, there’s still a feeling out process to be had with his knee. Until he feels that contact, he might not trust his knee to not fold under any real pressure.

Though he went down in his first career start for the Buckeyes, Sprinkle should still be plenty active this season in his senior year. Defensive line coach Larry Johnson has already made it a point to say that Sprinkle will be vital to the line’s success in both stopping the run and getting to the quarterback. With Sprinkle healthy and given one more shot at making an impact, it’s not hard to imagine a season where Sprinkle is successful with his teammates giving him support.

“[Big Ten Ultimate Road Trip] Week 1 (Aug. 31/Sept. 2) -- Ohio State at Indiana”

- Dan Murphy, ESPN


It might seem like football season is still a ways off. And all things relative, it still kind of is. But we’re about to be entering July, and that means only about two more months until play kicks off. For the Buckeyes, they get the early game of opening weekend, starting against Indiana on a Thursday. And that’s the site of Dan Murphy’s pick for the Big Ten Ultimate Road Trip. With Ohio State playing in Bloomington, there are several reasons to tune in other than the Buckeyes back to being on the gridiron.

First, there’s the new offense to look forward to. J.T. Barrett is back at quarterback and Mike Weber still leads the charge at running back. But the real difference is likely going to be from a passing game standpoint, where new offensive coordinator Kevin Wilson has been preparing this team all offseason to make vast improvements from last season. Then, Wilson himself is making his debut as the offensive coordinator for the Buckeyes at the place he was the head coach of for several seasons with the Hoosiers. In all, it should be considered must-watch TV when Aug. 31 rolls around.

“He [J.T. Barrett] had more carries than Weber did last year (205 to 182 for Weber). That's 16 per game. In 2014 with Elliott, Barrett had 171 carries in 12 games, about 14 a game.”

- Steve Helwagen, Bucknuts


Over the past several seasons at Ohio State a frequent point of discussion and debate has been how many carries the quarterback should be held to per game. Urban Meyer’s teams have almost always featured many quarterback runs and it’s been an integral part of his offense during all of his coaching stops. Here in Columbus, we’ve seen what Braxton Miller, J.T. Barrett, and Cardale Jones have been capable of when running the football, it opens up the defense for attacking through the air. But when two of those quarterbacks faced several injuries because of their running ability, often times the coaching staff has had to limit the amount of times they run the ball with the quarterback.

So now the question entering 2017 is how much should Barrett run the ball during games? As you can see in the quote above, Barrett had more carries than the running back, Mike Weber, did and Steve Helwagen would like to cut that down this season if possible. The magic number in question might be 10 for Helwagen but what does the Ohio State coaching staff think? It will be up to Urban Meyer and Kevin Wilson to make the final call, but it could be worth watching as the season progresses. In previous seasons, the team gets more reliant on the quarterback running the ball the later the Buckeyes get into the season.

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• SpaceX is even landing rockets in augmented reality.
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247 - BREAKING: Cruickshank is Badger

How long will Urban Meyer stay at Ohio State?
Colton Denning via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Our latest podcast debates whether this is Meyer’s last coaching stop, and more.

It’s hard to believe that the 2017 season will be Urban Meyer’s sixth as the Head Coach at Ohio State, isn’t it? At the conclusion of this season, Meyer will have spent as many seasons coaching the Buckeyes as he did in Gainesville at the University of Florida, which was his longest tenured job up to this point. But how long will he stay in Columbus?

On this episode of The Hangout in the Holyland, Matt Brown and Colton Denning discuss and debate how much longer Meyer will coach the Buckeyes, whether Columbus will be his last coaching stop, and if the NFL is a possibility. They also talk about hypothetical replacements, whether they need to have ties to the state of Ohio, and if the national recruiting brand that Meyer’s built can last through a coaching transition.

There’s actually a new head coach on campus to discuss—basketball’s Chris Holtmann— and the guys offer some opinions on the early returns on his hire, and the difference in his recruiting strategy compared to Thad Matta.

You can find the podcast on our iTunes page, and we strongly 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.

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Introducing LGHL’s new leadership
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The baton has officially been passed.

A few weeks back, our fearless leader Luke Zimmerman gave up his reign and our Co-Captain Matt Brown was looking to do the same. After an exhaustive search for the next heir-apparent(s), we, Alexis Chassen and Geoff Hammersley, have been named the new Co-Editors in Chief.

If our bylines look familiar, it’s because we’ve both been with LGHL for years, and have shown dedication to different aspects of the site. Together, we will expand on the existing recruiting coverage, provide more on-site coverage for different events, and promise to continue making TTUN fans #madonline.

We are still committed to keeping the things around that everyone loves, SS, WITN and all the breaking news. But, we also have some really exciting ideas about expanding our Ohio State coverage to some under-covered sports, as well as ramping up our multi-media platforms, bringing you even more podcasts and videos on varying topics.

Is there something you’ve wanted to see from LGHL? Please let us know, as we start planning for football season and the future of the site!

A bit about Alexis


I’ve been with Land-Grant Holy Land since 2014, first as a contributor and then as the Deputy Managing Editor. In addition to my love of all things Ohio State and Ohio State football, I’ve contributed to SB Nation’s NFL coverage as well as the occasional post about the Philadelphia Eagles (don’t @ me) for Bleeding Green Nation.

I could not be more excited to be working alongside Geoff as the new Co-Editors in Chief! Seriously, as excited as when The Spot was GOOD...so, so good. Born and raised in Columbus, I graduated Ohio State in 2009 and continue to stay close to the university — both in proximity and community.

A bit about Geoff


Since my start with the greatest Ohio State blog on the Internet in March 2016, I’ve held the role as copy editor for State Secrets (SS), and as a writer for Fridays ‘Why Is This News’. On top of that, I dabble in video editing for the SB Nation college sites, with a majority of the videos I make showing up on the Land-Grant Holy Land Facebook page.

Like Kevin Durant, I’m from the Washington D.C. area – growing up in the great state of Maryland. Fun Fact: I went to the same high school as a few of the members from Good Charlotte (remember them?). But, like most of you all reading, I am a Buckeye. While I was at Ohio State, I was the president of the sports student radio organization for two years, before graduating in 2016.

I look forward to working with Alexis in bringing the best Ohio State content possible to Land-Grant Holy Land.

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Country's No. 1 RB Zamir White commits to Georgia - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Country's No. 1 RB Zamir White commits to Georgia
247Sports
White visited Ohio State on multiple occasions including most recently for the Buckeyes' spring game the weekend of April 15. He had established an outstanding relationship with Buckeye running backs coach Tony Alford. Zamir White is the No. 1 running ...
5-star RB Zamir White commits to Georgia over Ohio State, Clemson and othersLandof10.com
Zamir White, a five-star RB and Ohio State target, announces commitment to Georgiacleveland.com

all 56 news articles »

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Thanks for everything, LGHL
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


It’s time for some new blood at Land-Grant Holy Land.

You’d think I would have had long enough to think of a good punchy lede for this sort of thing, right? But let’s just cut through all the stuff you’d probably skip anyway, and get to the important part.

Last month, LGHL’s founder, Luke Zimmermann, hung up his blogging spikes to pursue a new opportunity. I’ve been more or less running the site with him over the last few years, and the keys to the car were turned over to me.

But that was never meant to be a permanent move. This was to be a caretaker administration. And now, we’ve found the new heads of LGHL. It’s time for me to step away as well.

I’m stepping down from whatever the hell my job title is this days on this website. EIC? Managing Editor? Guy who makes the typos on the Twitter account? Your new site managers will be Alexis Chassen, and Geoff Hammersley. I’ll leave it to them to more formally introduce themselves, and their vision.

I’ve been doing LGHL in some capacity since it was formed, over five years ago. That’s longer than I’ve done basically anything in my life. It’s longer than I’ve been married (I got hitched a few weeks after the site launched, and even scheduled a post to go up during my honeymoon). It’s longer than I’ve lived anywhere as an adult. It’s longer than I’ve held any job. It’s a long time.

Helping grow LGHL from nothing, a site with a funny name, microscopic budget compared to our competitors, and with almost all senior editors living outside Ohio, into one of the largest blogs writing about the school, and one that has influenced countless others, has been one of my great professional accomplishments. No matter where you read about Ohio State, I feel confident in stating that LGHL has made your experience better. I hope that continues to be the case.

But it also takes a lot of time. Time that I can’t as readily give, now that my day job at SB Nation has become more complicated and demanding. And this site is too important to me to let it grow stale because I can’t keep giving what I used to, back when life was simpler.

This isn’t the last time you’ll see my byline on this website. I’m still working at SB Nation, and during the season, or maybe even the offseason, you may still see an occasional column, or news hit if everybody else is tied up.

But the direction, managerial voice, and soul of the site? It’s time for somebody else to have a turn.

Thanks for reading and following along. I owe my career to all of you. And hopefully, I’ll head to Ohio this season, and can thank many of you in person.

Please welcome our new editors, and some new voices and faces you may see on the site from time to time. I’m sure this place will be in great hands.

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BH: White out | Big on Banks - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BH: White out | Big on Banks
247Sports
In checking with sources inside the WHAC, it appears the Buckeyes definitely will recruit Jackson again. The Scarlet and Gray would like to add another defensive tackle to the Class of 2018 next to Taron Vincent, and Jackson is a guy who would be seen ...


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3 former Ohio State players make the NFL’s ‘Top 100 Players of 2017’
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Some of the league’s most formidable players hail from Ohio State.

Just months away from the 2017 NFL Season, NFL Network has been rolling out the Top 100 Players of 2017 over the past several weeks. Counting down from 100, over 900 players voted in this year’s poll — surpassing voter counts for previous years. The results show that some of the players expected to have the best 2017 seasons are straight out of Ohio State, and go a long way to making Buckeye Nation look good on Sundays.

7. Ezekiel Elliott


Mere spots away from NFL legends like Tom Brady and Julio Jones, it only took one season for Zeke’s peers to consider him a Top 10 talent among the entire league. It’s something Urban Meyer foresaw in the young man from St. Louis, and promised the Elliott family that coming to Ohio State would prepare the running back for success.

It’s no surprise that the Buckeye would rank highly heading into his second year. He broke both franchise and league records throughout the season, was voted to the Pro Bowl, made a run in the playoffs, and was runner up to teammate Dak Prescott for Offensive Rookie of the Year. He didn’t come away with a Super Bowl ring just yet, but he and Dak are building something special in Dallas, and Zeke is hungry for another championship opportunity.



Elliott is fun. Whether he’s wearing a crop top shirt to the NFL Draft, or jumping into the Salvation Army cauldron to celebrate a touchdown, Zeke is quickly becoming a fan favorite. His jersey sales are among the most popular in the league, and with his current momentum, he could have a career that lands him in the NFL Hall of Fame when his career is over.

90. Malcolm Jenkins


The Philadelphia Eagles’ secondary is one of the younger position groups on the team, but with Jenkins in the locker room, they have one of the most respected leaders showing them the way. Jenkins had a career-best season, during his eighth year in the league, and doesn’t show any signs of slowing down -- in fact, he just keeps getting better.



There were talks during free agency that the Eagles were looking to trade Jenkins for a wide receiver. General Manager Howie Roseman addressed the rumors, claiming the team dutifully listens to any offer presented, but that the team ultimately wouldn’t make a trade that would hurt the team. Jenkins has become an interception magnet, but better yet, is returning them for touchdowns. He’s had more Pick 6s (4) during his three years with the Eagles than he did in five seasons with the Saints (2).


In addition to what he’s brought to the field and in the locker room, Jenkins has been a pillar in the community. He, along with other NFL players, met with leaders in Washington to discuss criminal justice reform and stepped in to help a youth league that got cancelled when they stood up for social justice.

100. Joey Bosa


Barely breaking onto the list is the first Buckeye drafted in 2016 at No. 3. Bosa’s beginning with the Los Angeles Chargers was tense, thanks to contract negotiations played out in the media, but, with just a few games under his belt, fans quickly bought in.

Some of Bosa’s teammates were surprised that he barely cracked the list, with cornerback Jason Verrett saying, “He balled out and was obviously the rookie of the year. I think he should have been higher, so I’m pretty sure he’s going to be more motivated. But he’s a rookie. Not many rookies get that kind of (respect) to be on the list at all. I salute him. I have much respect for him.”

The former Buckeye finished the season tied for No. 13 in sacks in the league, leading all other rookies by more than 2.5, and was ceremoniously voted Defensive Rookie of the Year. Bosa claimed 48 total tackles, 45 pressures, 19 tackles for loss, 15 QB hits, two passes defensed and one forced fumble in his rookie season.



He gave a big nod to Ohio State during the Chargers game in Cleveland, throwing up the O-H-I-O following a big hit on quarterback Robert Griffin III.


Heading into his second year, he ruffled a few feathers early on by skipping voluntary workouts, instead working out with his own set of trainers. Fans were slow to give him grief given the immense leg up he gives the Chargers’ defense; plus, the Buckeye was committed to participating in minicamp and OTAs just weeks later.


And even though it’s nice to see a few Buckeyes in the Top 100 ahead of the season, even current players aren’t too affected by being on, or being left off, the list. League and fan favorite J.J. Watt was voted in at No. 35 heading into the season, and didn’t exactly agree with the placement since he spent last season on IR.


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