Keith Byars, Jim Otis, Chris Ward named to 2018 College Football Hall of Fame ballot
Luke Zimmermann via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


With 75 of the best in college football history on this year’s Hall of Fame ballot, there’s certainly some steep competition, but 3 all-time Ohio State greats were named to Hall’s 2018 ballot on Thursday. The results will be announced January 8, 2018 in the lead up to the 2018 College Football Playoff Championship Game. With a cap of just three nominees per school for the national ballot, the three who made the cut for OSU this time are running backs Keith Byars and Jim Otis and tackle Chris Ward.

It’s practically a crime Byars isn’t already inducted. The seventh all-time leading rusher at OSU was a unanimous All-American and famously finished as the Heisman Trophy runner-up in 1984. He still holds a school all-purpose yards record of 2,441 today.

Otis might be less familiar to younger readers but was a key cog on the great 1968 national championship team. He too was a consensus All-American and is one of only four Buckeyes to lead his teams in rushing three different seasons.

Ward helped lift OSU to four straight Big Ten titles helping Archie Griffin become a two-time Heisman Trophy winner in the process. The tackle was also a two-time All-American.

Given that the voting results seem almost at random each year, it’s tough to predict how the vote will break. Should any Buckeyes reach the necessary threshold, they’d join 25 other Ohio State all-time greats in the College Football Hall of Fame.

Continue reading...

Heat Check: Two Top Targets Set to Announce Decisions as Buckeyes Inch Closer to Nation's No. 1 Class - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Heat Check: Two Top Targets Set to Announce Decisions as Buckeyes Inch Closer to Nation's No. 1 Class
Eleven Warriors
The Buckeyes landed just one commitment, but it was a big one as Dallas Gant – who previously was No. 4 on our board – made things official on May 16. The four-star gave Ohio State its first linebacker pledge for the class, and the Toledo native checks ...
Game time announced for Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan WolverinesDayton Daily News
Camp season is coming247Sports
How Ohio State changed its wide receiver recruiting philosophyLandof10.com
Scout -Land-Grant Holy Land -GBMWolverine
all 44 news articles »

Continue reading...

Best of Week 5: Never underestimate the Northwestern-Wisconsin rivalry
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

There isn’t an abundance of pizzazz on a six-game slate this week that includes a Friday night tilt pitting Nebraska at Illinois. The unquestioned top game is Northwestern at Wisconsin in a game between arguably the top two teams in the Big Ten West.

Continue reading...

Camp season is coming - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Camp season is coming
247Sports
As always, throughout the month of June, Ohio State will host a number of camps for top high school prospects to come and strut their stuff in front of the staff, trying to grab the Buckeyes' attention and land an offer from one of college football's ...
Game time announced for Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan WolverinesDayton Daily News
Heat Check: Two Top Targets Set to Announce Decisions as Buckeyes Inch Closer to Nation's No. 1 ClassEleven Warriors
How Ohio State changed its wide receiver recruiting philosophyLandof10.com
Scout -Land-Grant Holy Land -GBMWolverine
all 44 news articles »

Continue reading...

Former Buckeyes golfer gets shot at the Memorial Tournament - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Former Buckeyes golfer gets shot at the Memorial Tournament
247Sports
Every spring, the countries best golfers flock to Columbus, OH to take part in the Memorial Tournament put on by the Golden Bear, Jack Nicklaus, in the suburb of Dublin. But it's not all about the best of the best. This year, former Ohio State golfer ...


Continue reading...

Why Ohio State isn't playing Penn State at night, a Buckeye golfer gets a shot at The Memorial and more - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Why Ohio State isn't playing Penn State at night, a Buckeye golfer gets a shot at The Memorial and more
Landof10.com
In case you missed Wednesday's news, the Buckeyes and Nittany Lions will be kicking off at 3:30 p.m. because FOX has the rights to both that game and the World Series. Game 4 is scheduled for same day, and one channel obviously can't show both in ...
Game time announced for Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan WolverinesDayton Daily News
Ohio State Buckeyes football has a colorful history with Michigan on ...247Sports
Ohio State-Michigan, Penn State game times confirmed for FOXLand-Grant Holy Land
GBMWolverine -OSU - The Lantern -Scout
all 34 news articles »

Continue reading...

From Gorman to Ohio State, the challenges Tate Martell faced - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


From Gorman to Ohio State, the challenges Tate Martell faced
247Sports
... of Ohio State's 2017 recruiting class, a head start that will likely be invaluable as they progress into their freshmen seasons. What's next for the Buckeyes? Make sure you're in the loop -- take five seconds to sign up for our FREE Buckeyes ...


Continue reading...

Ohio State throws an offer to 2019 WR Theo Wease
Bret Favachio via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeyes are trying to plant even more flags in the Lone Star State.

Wease hauls in Buckeye offer


Make no mistake, Ohio State has a primary focus on this year’s recruiting class. However, the Buckeyes are also on the prowl for their first addition in next year’s cycle. On Wednesday, the Scarlet and Gray pinpointed a prospect from the Lone Star State as one they would love to have in Columbus, Ohio when he has to put ink to the paper.

That guy is '19 wide receiver Theo Wease from Allen (TX).


Wease is a 6-foot-3, 189-pounder that makes his plays for Allen (TX) and has already reeled in 30 offers because of it. The early grade on Wease via 247Sports pegs him as a current four-star prospect. To add to that, 247Sports also lists Wease as the nation’s 32nd best player in the entire class and just two spots below '19 WR Jashawn Sheffield, who is another Buckeye target, as the seventh best pass catcher.

As for what the Ohio State offer means to Wease, he didn't hold back when he sat down with 247Sports' Bill Kurelic.


The good news didn't stop their. Wease would go on to tell Kurelic that he's planning on checking out Ohio State in July and also take in the Buckeyes matchup against Oklahoma, another top competitor for his services, early in the season.

Lastly, after picking up this latest offer from Ohio State, their was some movement on Wease's 247Sports Crystal Ball. Coming into Wednesday, it was the Sooners who were the projected landing spot for the talented receiver from Texas. But before the night concluded, it was the Buckeyes who grabbed three new predictions in this battle and as of today, they are the new favorite.

More OSU targets heading to Beaverton


Ohio State already has a host of commits set to participate in the annual "The Opening" event in Oregon. Buckeye commits Sevyn Banks, Brenton Cox, Jaelen Gill, Josh Proctor, Taron Vincent and Jaiden Woodbey are the names for the time being set to showcase their talents on the gridiron.

Not to be forgotten, major Ohio State targets like cornerback Tyson Campbell, offensive tackle Jackson Carman, cornerback Anthony Cook, cornerback Houston Griffith, defensive end KJ Henry, linebacker Teradja Mitchell, defensive end Micah Parsons, tight end Jeremy Ruckert and defensive end Tyreke Smith are also slated to be at “The Opening.”

However, on Wednesday, we learned that some new names will be added to the bunch. But this time around, it’s of the underclassmen variety.

Of the six newest additions to the event, the names that should stand out to Ohio State recruiting followers would be DT Jowon Briggs of Walnut Hills (OH), OT Devontae Dobbs of Belleville (MI); and Ohio State's top target in the 2019 class, defensive end Zach Harrison of Olentangy (OH).

We’ll see what these star-studded recruits can do at the end of June.

Continue reading...

Ex-Ohio State Buckeyes and a Cleveland Brown urge Ohio justice reform - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ex-Ohio State Buckeyes and a Cleveland Brown urge Ohio justice reform
cleveland.com
Former Buckeyes Malcolm Jenkins, Raekwon McMillan and Chris "Beanie" Wells have signed a letter to Ohio senators in support of the Targeted Community Alternatives to Prison plan. So, too, has Ibraheim Campbell, a defensive back at Northwestern ...


Continue reading...

DeMarvion Overshown, University of Texas


Good for Herman. As I said a few posts back - this dude is a baller.

Final thoughts on Ohio State and Amari Burney, Jake Kradel picks Pitt, and more Buckeyes recruiting news - Landof10.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Final thoughts on Ohio State and Amari Burney, Jake Kradel picks Pitt, and more Buckeyes recruiting news
Landof10.com
10-ranked safety per 247Sports, Burney visited Ohio State on April 15 for the Buckeyes spring game and — despite two safeties already committed to Greg Schiano and Urban Meyer — interest has remained strong on both sides. On Tuesday, SEC Country's ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Super Texas WR says Ohio State stands out 'for sure' after offer - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Super Texas WR says Ohio State stands out 'for sure' after offer
247Sports
During the first part of May the Buckeyes stopped at Allen (Texas) to check on 2019 wide receiver Theo Wease. Today they were back in touch with Wease with very good news. “Yes I did,” Wease responded when asked if he had just heard from and received ...
Breaking down Ohio State's chances of going undefeated, Noah Spence shines in NFL, and moreLandof10.com
Ranking Ohio State's Best Offensive Linemen Of The Urban Meyer EraScout
Wiltfong's Weekly Buzz: Texas back to being 'Texas'247Sports
cleveland.com
all 11 news articles »

Continue reading...

OSU learns start times for Army, Maryland, Penn State, Michigan - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


OSU learns start times for Army, Maryland, Penn State, Michigan
247Sports
... Ohio State's home games with Army (Sept. 16) and Maryland (Oct. 7, Homecoming). Start times for the Penn State, Michigan games also set. Steve Helwagen - 79 minutes ago; 14; Tools. Edit; Slot to 247Sports Home; Slot to Ohio State Buckeyes ...

and more »

Continue reading...

Kam Williams didn’t need help in deciding to return to Ohio State
Harry Lyles Jr. via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


He made the decision by himself, which was an easy one.

“The recent struggles of the Ohio State men’s basketball team created concern, but Kam Williams’ decision to return for his senior season was his and his alone.”

- Adam Jardy, The Columbus Dispatch


Williams’ father confirmed to the Dispatch that Kam decided to come back to school on his own. It shouldn’t be a surprise, but the state of the program was a concern. “The fact that he’s got to be there, we did talk about what was going on and a lot of it was unknown,” Williams’ dad told Jardy. “I didn’t know what was coming up next or what was going on. Having said that, I wouldn’t like any kid or anybody to be labeled as a quitter. When you start something, I want you to finish it and finish it strong.”

Williams’ return gives the Buckeyes 10 players on the roster for next season. Williams’ numbers dropped in the 2016-17 season but hopefully he, along with the rest of the program can get things right sooner rather than later. One thing that sounds promising, is how the agents were impressed with his work ethic. “One thing they were impressed about was whenever they would call (Kam) he would always tell them his schedule,” his father said. “He would say, ‘I’ve got this to do, I’m in the gym at this time, you can reach me at this time.’ He’s a very regimented person. You can’t just pick up the phone and try to reach him.”

“With [Ezekiel] Elliott back on the field this week for the Dallas Cowboys' organized team activities, he is sure to draw more attention Wednesday with the media on hand.”

- Todd Archer, ESPN


Ezekiel Elliott was in a car accident last week, putting a scare into everybody in the Cowboys’ organization. Thankfully it wasn’t serious, and now that he’s back on the field Wednesday, all eyes will be on him.

Zeke rushed for 1,631 yards last season, the most in the NFL, and oh so close to breaking Eric Dickerson’s rookie record. He may have had the record, had he played in the team’s final regular season game.

According to Archer, “Elliott believes he can be a better second-level runner in 2017. He also wants to be involved more in the passing game after he caught 32 passes for 363 yards and a touchdown last season.” That would be lethal for the Cowboys, who were already efficient on offense next season, despite having a pair of rookies in Zeke and Dak Prescott at two of the most important positions on the offense.

“In terms of football development, wide receiver Michael Thomas has been a step ahead of cornerback Marshon Lattimore for years.”

- Josh Katzenstein, NOLA.com


Michael Thomas has another friendly Buckeye face on the Saints roster going into 2017, after the team took Marshon Lattimore in the NFL Draft. He’ll now be trying to catch up to his former teammate, getting used to the speed of the NFL game.

“I'm excited for him,” Thomas told Katzenstein. “As long as he just works his technique and listens to a great coach like Aaron Glenn and then the other guys in the room (like) Delvin Breaux, there's a lot of talent in there and those guys could help him develop even faster.”

Of course, Thomas is happy to be continuing his relationship with Lattimore. It also sounds like they’ll use that to help each other improve on the football field. “It's great, we kind of came up together, so we've been in conflict together,” Thomas said. “So, we're kind of able to push each other if we're down in games and situations and kind of bring that other mentality out of someone just because we've been through so many situations together.”

STICK TO SPORTS

• PlayStation U.S. boss reflects on birth and rebirth of PlayStation
• NASA is flying a probe to the Sun named after the man who changed our understanding of stars
• Waze’s carpooling app might start showing ads

Continue reading...

Elite Ohioans, Buckeye targets called up to The Opening finals - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Elite Ohioans, Buckeye targets called up to The Opening finals
247Sports
Elite Ohioans, Buckeye targets called up to The Opening finals. Two elite Ohio class of 2019 prospects and two out-of-state Buckeye targets have received great news from The Opening. Bill Kurelic - 49 minutes ago; 2; Tools. Edit; Slot to 247Sports Home ...


Continue reading...

Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes to face Gonzaga in the Phil Knight Invitational on Thanksgiving Day - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State basketball: Buckeyes to face Gonzaga in the Phil Knight Invitational on Thanksgiving Day
cleveland.com
The other teams in Ohio State's tournament region are Stanford, Florida, Duke, Texas, Butler and Portland State. Regardless of Ohio State's success in the tournament, it is guaranteed three marquee nonconference matchups. The Buckeyes' second game will ...
OSU to face Gonzaga in PK80 Invitational opener247Sports
Gonzaga will face Ohio State in Phil Knight Invitational openerThe Spokesman-Review
Ohio State to face Gonzaga at Phil Knight PK80 2017 basketball tournamentLand-Grant Holy Land
Scout -Eleven Warriors
all 52 news articles »

Continue reading...

Game time announced for Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines - Dayton Daily News
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Game time announced for Ohio State Buckeyes vs. Michigan Wolverines
Dayton Daily News
Ohio State's J.T. Barrett carries the flag onto the field before a game against Tulsa on Saturday, Sept. 10, 2016, at Ohio Stadium in Columbus. David Jablonski/Staff. Story Highlights; Seven games on schedule still without times. 0. Share. Facebook Twitter
The history of Ohio State-Michigan on television247Sports
Ohio State-Michigan, Penn State game times confirmed for FOXLand-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State Football: Four More Game Times AnnouncedScout
EndZoneScore -Eleven Warriors
all 52 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ohio State-Michigan, Penn State game times confirmed for FOX
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


2 other OSU games this fall's times were announced.

Ohio State released some more scheduling details for the 2017 football season, including kick-off times and TV networks for a couple more games this fall.

The Buckeyes’ home game against Army, Sept. 16 will kick-off at 4:30 p.m. on FOX. A month later, the 2017 Homecoming game, Oct. 16, against Maryland will fill the afternoon slot, at either 3:30 or 4:00 p.m., with the TV network still to be determined.

2017 will mark one of the few times in recent years that Ohio State won’t host Penn State under the lights. Instead, the Nittany Lions will face the Buckeyes in The ‘Shoe at 3:30 p.m. on FOX.

Lastly, in keeping with one of the more well-known college football traditions, Ohio State will face-off against That Team Up North at 12 noon on Saturday, November 25, in the wildly anticipated rivalry game.

About half of Ohio State’s schedule this fall has been announced, with only one home night game as of now against Oklahoma. The Buckeyes don’t currently host any noon kick-offs, but are still waiting for game times against UNLV, Michigan State and Illinois.

Continue reading...

Cincinnati isn’t really about to become a recruiting threat to Ohio State, right?
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Bearcats are making some moves on the recruiting trail.

You know the teams Ohio State typically battles with on the recruiting trail, especially for players in the Midwest: Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State. Even sometimes Michigan State. Then there are the other major national programs, like Alabama, USC, Clemson, Florida State, and Texas. With Ohio State going after the very best of the best across the country, it makes sense they’ll regularly go against the top programs in the country.

Conspicuously absent from that list? Any other in-state school. Like say, Cincinnati.

The Buckeyes dominate in-state recruiting unlike nearly any other program in the country. They don’t share Ohio with another power program, and outside of Notre Dame’s efforts at parochial high schools, it is rare that an in-state kid that Ohio State really wants goes anywhere else, let alone to another Ohio school. Even LSU, who dominates their state like OSU does, loses a kid to Alabama occasionally.

But that might be changing.

Cincinnati is doing some work on the recruiting trail this season. If you hadn’t noticed, the Bearcats have the highest ranked class in the AAC right now, and the second highest ranked in all of the Group of 5, with their 37th overall ranking just trailing BYU, who has more commits. Cincinnati isn’t just ranked highly because of high volume. Their 2018 class currently has just seven verbals. But all seven are at least three-star players, and two, tight end Josh Whyle and defensive end Malik Vann, are four-star kids. And both are from Ohio.

Whyle didn’t have an Ohio State offer, but lots of Big Ten programs, along with schools like Tennessee and TCU, had offered. Vann didn’t either, but Alabama reportedly had offered, along with other Big Ten programs. They’re both solid players who are more than good enough to play for programs a bit higher profile than Cincinnati.

But the Bearcats are trending towards a few other Ohio targets. Four-star defensive tackle Aeneas Hawkins is a player that Ohio State does seem to want. They’ve offered, and defensive line coach Larry Johnson went through the trouble of making a detailed, personalized recruiting plan for him. But based on the 247Sports Crystal Ball, Cincinnati is actually the favorite for Hawkins right now. Seven of the last eight predictions have been for the Bearcats. Hawkins has a family connection to Cincinnati (his dad played there), and he plays for Cincinnati Moeller. That the Bearcats could get momentum in this race isn’t out of left field.

Christopher Oats, a four-star linebacker out of Winton Woods, also has an Ohio State offer, and the Buckeyes remain the CB favorite. But three of the last four CB predictions from recruiting expert have Oats headed to Cincinnati instead. It’s clear the Bearcats have some momentum here.

So what’s going on here?

On one hand, there’s only so much space at Ohio State, and the Buckeyes are going hard after elite, five-star caliber players at nearly every position. That may mean that lower four-star kids who might have been Buckeye locks under say, Jim Tressel, may not be recruited quite as hard under Urban Meyer. That would open up spots for a Cincinnati, or a Kentucky, or a Michigan State, to make up ground. Sometimes Ohio State is able to swoop in later in the recruiting cycle and still win those battles. But maybe not forever.

But there’s other factors to consider, too. Cincinnati’s new coach is, of course, former Ohio State assistant (and one time head coach) Luke Fickell, one of the best recruiters on Ohio State’s staff. Fickell can sell that he’s trying to build a culture similar to what made Ohio State successful, but with a much less crowded depth chart to recruits. A low four-star kid will have a much easier path to starting for the Bearcats after all, and making an impact in the AAC.

There’s a long way to go in this 2018 recruiting class. But this is a storyline worth monitoring, especially as Ohio State looks to bring in more Ohio kids after a particularly small group last cycle. Ohio State currently has just two commitments from Ohio players in 2018, and while they’re favored in at least three more, a very large and deep Ohio class doesn’t look as likely. As Ohio State basketball recently learned, that can have potentially dangerous side effects later on.

Is Cincinnati going to beat Ohio State for the truly elite kids in Ohio? Almost certainly not, even if they’re from Cincinnati. But could they start creeping up and grabbing kids that Ohio State would like by making them a bigger recruiting priority? That’s certainly possible, especially if the Bearcats are able to string together some early success, and Ohio State continues to look nationally.

And while that might be kinda bad news for Ohio State, it’s really bad news for programs like Michigan State, Northwestern, Iowa and Indiana, schools that really need to be able to come to Ohio and recruit very good kids that don’t end up in Columbus. The more of those that leave the conference, the worst their depth gets.

It is very early, but those early returns are positive for Cincinnati. If this continues, recruiting in the southeast part of the state could get a bit harder for the Buckeyes in the future.

Continue reading...

OSU to face Gonzaga in PK80 Invitational opener - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


OSU to face Gonzaga in PK80 Invitational opener
247Sports
The Buckeyes are one of 16 teams participating in two eight-team tournaments at the event. The other teams in Ohio State's (Motion) bracket include: Butler, Duke, Florida, Portland State, Stanford and Texas. The other bracket (Victory) features ...
Ohio State to face Gonzaga at Phil Knight PK80 2017 basketball tournamentLand-Grant Holy Land
Ohio State Set To Play Gonzaga In Phil Knight InvitationalScout
Gonzaga will face Ohio State in Phil Knight Invitational openerThe Spokesman-Review
Eleven Warriors
all 43 news articles »

Continue reading...

The third starter a year ago, OSU is excited for Denzel Ward - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


The third starter a year ago, OSU is excited for Denzel Ward
247Sports
Ward is unquestionably the Buckeyes No. 1 corner after spring practice and there's a lot expected of him given the recent legacy at the position under Coombs that has seen a corner selected in each of the last four NFL Drafts, four in the first round ...


Continue reading...

Ohio State to face Gonzaga at Phil Knight PK80 2017 basketball tournament
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ohio State’s non-conference schedule certainly won’t be easy.

ESPN has released the brackets for the Phil Knight Invitational, and the Ohio State Buckeyes will face the Gonzaga Bulldogs in their opening round game. This year will mark Knight’s 80th birthday, for which the tournament will celebrate as PK80.

The Buckeyes will be guaranteed three games in the PK80. Their second game will be against either Stanford or Florida, and the third game will come from a group of Duke, Portland State, Butler or Texas.



The other half of the bracket will include UNC, Portland, Arkansas, Oklahoma, Georgetown, Michigan State, UConn and Oregon:



Gonzaga, of course, was this close to winning the national title last season. While they’re replacing many important players from that team, like point guard and former Ohio State target Nigel Williams-Goss and likely lotto pick Zach Collins, the Bulldogs will be a very tough test for Ohio State.

The good news is that Ohio State will get plenty of chances to grab some RPI boosts. Everybody on this side of the bracket, save Portland State, should be a solid team next season. If the Buckeyes can grab a name win or two, they’ll be in much better shape heading into the season. But if Buckeye fans were hoping for a deep run in this tournament, the draw didn’t do them any favors.

The Buckeyes will also play UNC in New Orleans this season, and play non-conference games against Miami (OH), The Citadel, Robert Morris and William & Mary. Other non-conference games have yet to be announced.

The full bracket, and more PK80 information, can be found here.

Continue reading...