24 Club: Sam Willaman, a winner who followed a legend
Jim Baird via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Case Western Reserve University Archives
Willaman led the Buckeyes to five consecutive winning seasons, one of the best runs of any coach for OSU at the time

There have been 24 head coaches in the history of Ohio State football. Each has a story and legacy. This offseason, Land-Grant Holy Land’s new series 24 Club will help you get to know the coaches from past and present who built the program. Today we look at Ohio State’s 13th coach Sam Willaman, who stepped in after a legend and delivered five consecutive winning seasons.


Name: Sam Willaman
Seasons Coached: Five (1929-1933)
Overall Record: 26-10-5

Where Does He Rank in the 24 Club?
Overall Wins: No. 9 out of 24 OSU Coaches
Winning Percentage: No. 13 out of 24 OSU Coaches


After 16 seasons, John Wilce stepped aside as Ohio State head coach. Before Wilce, Ohio State was a mid-tier power in the Ohio Athletic Conference. After Wilce, the Buckeyes had a string of Big Ten championships, victories over Michigan and a new Ohio Stadium. It’s never easy to replace a legend — but stepping into those shoes was Sam Willaman. Willaman was selected by Wilce to be his successor — and for good reason.

Willaman played for the Buckeyes, including for Wilce’s first Ohio State team in 1913. After a successful stint as head coach at Iowa State, he served as Wilce’s lead assistant coach. But the move to Willaman almost didn’t happen. The Buckeyes heard through the grapevine that Knute Rockne, the famed coach of Notre Dame, was interested in coaching in the Big Ten. Athletic Director Lynn St. John approached Rockne — and there appeared to be serious interest among both parties. But Rockne re-signed with Notre Dame, and the Buckeyes turned to Willaman.

Willaman led the Buckeyes to five straight winning seasons — tying Wilce for the most successful consecutive winning seasons of any coach in OSU history. The run saw a 2-3 record against Michigan — becoming only the second OSU coach (after Wilce) to beat the Wolverines. Willaman’s 1933 team was his best — finishing 7-1, but suffering a setback against the eventual undefeated national champion Wolverines. OSU finished second in the Big Ten. At the end of the season, Willaman resigned amid calls from the fans who were dissatisfied with the dry spell of Big Ten championships. The Buckeyes would win zero conference championships under Willaman — and had not claimed a conference title since 1920, before Ohio Stadium was built.

Willaman was a successful coach but stepped into a challenging situation following up his legendary predecessor. The program and its fans had high expectations. A string of winning seasons wasn’t going to be good enough. Championships were now the markers for success. The Buckeyes had Ohio Stadium — it was time to find a coach who could deliver some new banners to hang there.

The man the Buckeyes turned to next would do just that.

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Ohio State in touch with Georgia power forward
Charles Doss via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Photo by Gregory Shamus/Getty Images
The basketball Buckeyes are looking to put together another solid recruiting class.

Chris Holtmann and the basketball Buckeyes already hold an early verbal pledge from three-star Cincinnati Princeton shooting guard Bowen Hardman, and are still searching the recruiting trail rather hard for more talented class of 2022 recruits to bring to Columbus.

Now able to contact prospects from the junior class, the Buckeyes have been in touch with a long list of standouts from across the country. Making Georgia just one of their top priorities during the process, one of Ohio State’s assistants broke bread with a Peach State power forward.

“I talked to coach Pedon. We only texted that first night when college coaches can text us, and we talked to on the phone.” 6-foot-8, 190-pound Grayson High junior Chauncey Wiggins stated to Land-Grant Holy Land.

“They said they want to build a relationship with my family and me and they said Ohio State is a very special place and we want to show you why.” Wiggins continued.

Yet to lock in a scholarship from the Buckeyes, Wiggins does hold offers from a solid bunch of college programs. Auburn, Clemson, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Iowa State, Ole Miss, and Vanderbilt are just a few of the schools trying to add him to their future roster.

Although he doesn’t have a Ohio State offer on the table at the moment, Wigginis has definitely noticed what Holtman, Pedon, and crew are putting together in the Big Ten Conference.

“I think of they get people to the NBA, like D’Angelo Russell. I also think they’re a nice school, and play very good defense too.” He, said.

Battling a stress fracture in his foot, Wiggins might’ve missed some time on the court last season as a sophomore, but shined when he was on it. Suiting up for Eastside High before transferring to Grayson, he reportedly averaged over 12 points, and nearly eight rebounds a contest for the Eagles.

Quick Hits

• Ohio State has been in contact with 7-foot-1 big man Jake Martin. Martin, a newly classified 2022 prospect, is starting to gain major college attention. Not just OSU, but Georgia, Marquette, and TCU are some of the schools showing interest in Martin, who averaged 17 points and 12 rebounds last season at Whitewater High (WI).
• Five-star class of 2021 center Chet Holmgren released his leader list on Friday. Trimming this down from over 25 offers, Holmgren will call either Ohio State, North Carolina, Michigan, Gonzaga, Georgetown, Memphis, or Minnesota home. Want to know more on Holmgren’s top programs? Land-Grant Holy Land has you covered.

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Podcast: I Want to Go Back - John Wilce’s Buckeyes Defend Newly Opened Ohio Stadium
Jim Baird via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Ohio Stadium dedication game program, October 21, 1922. | Ohio State University
Relive the greatest stories from Ohio State football history in Season 2 of Land-Grant Holy Land’s exclusive podcast series.

Ohio State football has an unrivaled tradition and history. Now, it’s time to relive those epic moments once more. Each Monday over the next eight weeks, you can listen to Season 2 of I Want to Go Back — Land-Grant Holy Land’s exclusive podcast series that brings to life the greatest lost stories from Ohio State football history. This season, we’ll go back to OSU’s rise to power in the early days of the Big Ten Conference.

On this week’s episode — John Wilce’s Buckeyes Defend Newly Opened Ohio Stadium


As he had done countless times before, OSU coach John Wilce walked onto a football field. Wilce was already a legend. Now in 1922, he entered his 10th season leading the Buckeye program — and what a run it had been. He coached Ohio State to conference championships in 1916 and 1917 under the dashing and dazzling runs of All-American halfback Chic Harley. Wilce’s team was doing more than winning Big Ten Championships, they were breaking curses. The jinx that had plagued the Buckeyes — a 0-13-2 record against the Wolverines — ended in Ann Arbor in 1919 as Harley raced into the endzone and the history books, sparking the rivalry to come.

Wilce proved that he was building a program that transcended an individual player. With Harley graduated, halfback Pete Stinchcomb picked up the torch and illuminated the path forward to capture another championship in 1920 and the Buckeyes first ever trip to the Rose Bowl. The grandstands of Ohio Field — where the men of scarlet and gray were now so dominant — overflowed. With ticket demand soaring — and more than a million dollars of public funding raised — a new stadium would be built. Steel was erected, concrete poured, and the clang of work shadowed over the 1921 season.

The work was done in 1922. A new stadium stood. Now, Wilce’s Buckeyes took the field against the Wolverines for the dedication game to defend their new home. The game and the seasons to follow would test Wilce and the Ohio State program like never before.

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Ohio State makes cut for five-star center Chet Holmgren
Connor Lemons via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Photo courtesy of 247 Sports
The No. 3 player in the 2021 class included the Buckeyes alongside Minnesota, Michigan, and four others.

Buckeye basketball news has been tough to come by lately, but Friday night was the start to an especially sweet weekend for Chris Holtmann and Co., as five-star center Chet Holmgren included Ohio State in his final seven schools. The announcement, sent out on Twitter, included the Buckeyes alongside rival Michigan, Minnesota, North Carolina, Gonzaga, Georgetown, and Memphis. Holmgren’s father, Dave, played for Minnesota in the 1980’s. Purdue and Texas were also thought to be in the mix, but were not included.


Holmgren, who stands 7 feet tall and weights 190 pounds, is the top-ranked post player in the 2021 recruiting class, the top player in Minnesota, and the third-ranked player in the 2021 class, according to 247Sports.

The Minneapolis, Minnesota native has been offered scholarships from 29 schools representing all five power conferences, including an offer from Ohio State in June of 2019. He took an official visit to Columbus on September 21, 2019, taking in the Ohio State vs Miami (OH) football game in the shoe.


Holmgren is considered one of the most unique prospects of the past decade, as he already possesses an above average outside shot in addition to elite shot blocking and rebounding ability. Obviously, he will get a bit bigger in order to hang tough with college post players, but 247Sports projects his ceiling as a potential NBA lottery pick.

Ohio State currently has the seventh-ranked recruiting class in 2021, with commitments from four-star guard Meechie Johnson and four-star wing Kalen Etzler. With Kyle Young entering his final season and Kaleb Wesson having left for the NBA, there will be an obvious need for post players, and Holmgren would be the biggest BOOM for Holtmann during his Ohio State tenure if he’s able to lock it down.

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Buckeye Bits: BIA making changes, OSU becoming QBU, basketball changes
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Photo by Jason Mowry/Icon Sportswire/Corbis/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
All of the latest Ohio State news from around the beat and beyond.

Another “work” week is now behind us, and we are now one week closer to what we currently expect to be the start of college football practices. Will the July 13 start of “fall” camps hold? Who knows, but today in Buckeye Bits, we wrap up the week with all the OSU news that’s fit to print.

From around Land-Grant Holy Land...


Ohio State’s 2021 DB crew may be reorganizing itself

Caleb Houser, LGHL

My favorite thing about this 2021 recruiting class for the Buckeyes is how they all have adopted the mentality that they are going to be an extension of the team’s recruiting efforts.

10 players to watch in TBT 2020

Connor Lemons, LGHL

This is a great list of players to pay attention to when TBT starts up next week. As Connor says in the article, it isn’t necessarily the best players in the tournament, but the ones that should be amongst the most exciting to watch.

Get your Ohio State face coverings today!

Tia Johnston, LGHL

If you’re gonna wear a mask (and you SHOULD wear a mask), if should be an Ohio State mask!

Trey Sermon could “swing the 2020 college football season”

Tia Johnston, LGHL

I don’t think that Ohio State has to have an All-Big Ten level running back to win the conference and to contend for the national title, but if Trey Sermon could turn himself into that, it would certainly help his new team’s efforts.

From around the gridiron...


Could Ohio State football add another defensive back to its 2021 recruiting class?

Stephen Means, cleveland.com

Earlier this week, Ohio State had its first decommitment of the 2021 class as Devonta Smith decided to explore other options, reportedly heading to join Alabama at some point in the near future.

Despite Smith just being a three-star prospect, I think it would be foolish to believe that the loss won’t hurt OSU’s secondary. If you are decommiting from Ohio State to eventually accept an offer from ‘Bama, chances are that there are other reasons why you haven’t been awarded a fourth star yet.

But, while Smith’s departure does create a hole for Kerry Coombs and company, if the Buckeyes decide to add another DB this cycle, chances are that they will be holding out for a stud. While Means runs through some options, I also think that it is important to remember that there is a long time to go until Signing Days in December and February, and that we are likely to see far more turbulence than normal as prospects contend with the repercussions that the pandemic has on recruiting.

I’ll put the over/under on first team selections at 9.5. What do you have?


Retracing the Steps that have Ryan Day Seeking to Make Ohio State the Next QBU

Colin Hass-Hill, Eleven Warriors

We all know that OSU is DBU, DLU, RBU, and WRU, but based on Ryan Day’s three years in Columbus, it looks like it is not out of the realm of possibilities that within a few more years that OSU could be QBU as well.

J.T. Barrett was already well on his way to cementing himself as an Ohio State and Big Ten legend by the time that Day got to town, but his new position coach’s hand certainly helped his development during his senior year. And then we saw what one year under Day’s tutelage did for Dwayne Haskins, and we are all anxiously awaiting year two for Justin Fields in the system.

With C.J. Stroud, Jack Miller, Kyle McCord already set for the next round of Buckeye QBs, it’s exciting to think what Day will be able to accomplish with OSU QBs of the future.

Morehouse might be the first, but they won’t be the last.


Jeff Hafley Staying in Touch with Ryan Day, Former Ohio State Players as He Navigates Unusual First Offseason as Boston College’s Head Coach

Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors

I’m not going to lie, when it was announced that Jeff Hafley was leaving Ohio State to take over the program at Boston College, I was surprised. I knew that he would be a head coach fairly soon, but after watching how he spoke about his relationship with Ryan Day, I thought he’d be around at least for one more season, and if we got lucky, a third.

However, now that he is at BC, it tracks that he is still relying on his old friend to help him through what has to be an incredibly bizarre first six months on the job.

Just in case you had lost count.

From around the hardwood...


To-Do List: What Each Ohio State Basketball Player has to Accomplish in the Offseason

Colin Hass-Hill, Eleven Warriors

Whenever the Ohio State men’s basketball team takes to the floor for its next season, it’s going to look quite a bit different. For the first time since 2015, there won’t be a single Wesson on the team, and for the first time since 2016, there won’t be two Wessons on the team.

However, between a recent rash of transfers, the additions of Seth Towns, Justice Sueig, and Abel Porter, and a theoretically healthy Musa Jallow, this will be a much different Buckeye squad than what we saw when the season was abruptly ended earlier this year.

Despite these changes, Chris Holtmann’s squad has a lot of potential to continue to program’s progress to the upper echelons of college basketball.

New rule for the 2020 TBT (apparently): Every team must have at least one former Buckeye.

From everywhere else...


A Look at How Buckeyes are Aiding COVID-19 Relief Efforts

Ohio State Athletics

From former Buckeyes being spokespeople for educational programs to NFL stars raising money for important charities; from players speaking out in support of front line workers to alums providing aid to patients, the Ohio State family has gone above and beyond in providing help to those who need it during the coronavirus crisis.

Just be careful where you throw your cap and mortar board, don’t want to break a window or ceiling fan or anything.

And now for something completely different...


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If tOSU played against teams in the NFL, this is what the *newly expanded 57-man roster checks out going into training camp.

QB Justin Fields/Dwayne Haskins/Cardale
RB Zeke Elliott/JK Dobbins/Carlos Hyde
HB Curtis Samuel/Paris Campbell/Garrett Wilson
WR Terry McLaurin/Devin Smith/Ted Ginn
WR Michael Thomas/Chris Olave/Noah Brown/
TE Jeff Heureman/Nick Vannett/Jeremy Ruckert
LT Taylor Decker/Thayer Munford
LG Andrew Norwell/Pat Elflein
C Corey Linsley/Billy Price
RG Michael Jordan/Wyatt Davis
RT Jamarco Jones/Isaiah Prince

DE Joey Bosa/Chase Young/Tyquan Lewis
DT Cam Heyward/Dremont Jones
DT Jon Hankins/Adolphus Washington
DE Nick Bosa/Sam Hubbard/John Simon
OLB Malik Harrison/Darron Lee
MLB Raekwon McMillan/Tuf Borland
OLB Jerome Baker/Pete Werner
CB Marshon Lattimore/Gareon Conley
CB Brad Roby/Jeff Okudah
NB Denzel Ward/Shaun Wade
S Malik Hooker/Jordan Fuller
S Vonn Bell/Malcolm Jenkins
ST Nate Ebner
K Blake Haubiel
p Drue chrisman
pup: Ryan Shazier

practice squad: Braxton Miller, Mike Weber, KJ Hill, Jalyn Holmes, Jonah Jackson, DaVon Hamilton, Kendal Sheffield, Eli Apple

Other training camp bodies: JT Barrett, Rod Smith, Jashon Cornell, Josh Meyers,
Brandon Bowen, Rashod Berry, Johnny Dixon, Ben Victor, Cam Johnston, Josh Perry, Jalin Marshall, Tyvis Powell, Marcus Baugh, Chris Worley, Damon Arnette, Cam Brown

Head coach: Urban Meyer
QB coach/co-oc: Ryan Day
O coordinator: Kevin Wilson
D Coordinator: Luke Fickell
Running backs: Tony Alford
Receivers: Brian Hartline
DLine: Larry Johnson
Secondary:Kerry coombs
Linebackers: Al Washington
Senior advisor: Jim Tressel

That’s right, I’m pleased to present to you the most noteworthy recruiting busts since 2001. More points awarded the higher the recruits rankings. The # at the end is what the player’s rank was for their position that year. Reasons for inclusion range from injuries, crimes leading to expulsion, lackluster play, early transferring, etc. please list any glaring omissions.

QB Justin Zwick 02’ five star #2
TB Lydell Ross 04’ 5 star
HB Jamaal Berry 09’ 4 star #4
WR Torrance Gibson 15’ 4star #7(ATH)
WR Ray Small 06’ 4 star #8
WR Lamar flash Thomas 08’ 4 star #4
TE Louis Irizarry 03’ 5 star #3
LT Kyle Mitchum 04’ 4 star #4
LG Connor Smith 06’ 4 star #4
C Brian Bobek 11’ 4 star #2
RG Matt Burrell 15’ 4 star #7
RT Evan Lisle 13’ 4 star #6

DE Robert Rose 06’ 5 star #2
DT Tommy Schutt 12’ 4 star #8
DT Melvin Fellows 09’ 4 star #7
DE Se’von Pittman 12’ 4 star #8
OLB Dorian Bell 09’ 5 star #2
MLB Mike D’Andrea 02’ 5 star #1
OLB Mike Mitchell 13’ 4 star #5
CB Armani Reeves 12’ 4 star #8
CB Eric Glover-Williams 15’ 4 star #9
CB Corey Pittsburgh brown 09’ 4 star
S Jamario O’Neal 05’ 5 star #3
S Eugene Clifford 08’ 5 star #1

Honorable mentions:RB Brian Snead #3, QB Tate Martell #2, RB Maurice Hall, S Erick Smith #6, DE Noah Spence #1, RB Bri’onte Dunn #8, Mark Johnson #8, LB Trey Johnson #2, DE Kenny Hayes #9, WR Trevon Grimes #5,CB Darius Hiley #9, G Tyler Gerald #7, WR James Louis #13, LB Kyle Berger #14, T Kyle Dodson #20, CB Amir Riep #26, LB Nick Conner #8, DT Willie Mobley #13, WR James Jackson #35, OLB Ejuan Price #13, T Kyle Trout #19, Freddie Lenix #17, DE Keith Wells #11, WR Duron Carter #11, LB Storm Klein #15, LB Scott McVey #10, LB Jordan Whiting #23, S Ron Tanner #18, DerJuan Gambrell #20, LB Connor Crowell #21, LB Cam Williams #17, LB David Perkins #18, G Joey O’ Connor #8, DT Michael Hill#16 OLB Dante Booker #4, WR L’christian Smith #15, S Isaiah Pryor #8

ESPN profile
Rivals profile


Height 6-11
Weight 240
High School Hargrave Military Academy (HS)
Home Town Chatham VA
Class 2021

• Regis Monahan

Football (1932-34)
Regis Monahan, a Pittsburgh native, played for the Buckeyes from 1932-34 as a guard and tackle while also doubling as a kicker. In 1934, he was a team captain and First Team All-American while helping Ohio State win a share of its first Big Ten title in 14 years. Monahan also famously appeared on the front of a Wheaties box in 1935.

With Monahan leading the way on the line, Ohio State went 18-3-3 from 1932-34 and had one of the nation’s most explosive offenses his senior year in 1934. That Buckeye team compiled 267 points in just eight games and scored 30 or more points five times. He went on to the play four professional seasons with the Detroit Lions from 1935-38 and was part of the Lions’ 1935 NFL championship team.

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FOOTBALL: OHIO STATE’S CULTURE EXPANDED TO RECRUITS THROUGH CREATIVE MEDIA DIRECTOR


Zach Swartz has been with Ohio State football since 2016. He is currently the director of creative media and post production for the football program.

After a 29-23 loss to Clemson in the 2019 College Football Playoff Semifinals, the most recent chapter in Ohio State football history came to a heartbreaking conclusion.

The metaphorical page is immediately turned, however. Players either prepare for their next journey outside of college or start training for next season. Coaches look ahead to the future.

Zach Swartz stays busy too.

Swartz, the director of creative media for Ohio State football, is the creator of most of the team’s social media presence since his arrival in 2016. His role entails creating content for recruiting, promoting Ohio State’s brand and motivating current players.

Running one of the largest social media brands in college football wasn’t always the goal for the Pickerington, Ohio, native. He graduated from Ohio University in 2010 with a journalism degree but decided writing wasn’t the career for him.

Through a connection back home with Jeff Long, former University of Arkansas athletic director, Swartz took a job opening out of college with the Razorbacks in what was called “new media” at the time.

“I did a little bit of running the Facebook account, a little bit on the website and a little bit of live blogging, which isn’t even a thing anymore,” Swartz said.

An opportunity arose when ESPN launched a new branch station, the SEC Network, in 2014. Swartz said that Arkansas, along with other Southeastern Conference members, was given resources to produce high-end video production along with tools for social media growth.

Swartz took advantage of the resources, producing a variety of SEC Network broadcasts. He said that the evolution of media was exciting, but came with some complications.

“This was a challenge because a lot of times, you’re able to look up and see how someone does a specific job,” Swartz said. “I really didn’t have that.”

After spending six years at Arkansas continuing to grow his skills and expand his role, a job opening was posted at Ohio State. He said he knew it was time to go home.

The interview process was standard on all fronts except one: Former Ohio State football coach Urban Meyer was present.

“He looked at me and said: ‘Are you the best in the country? Can you be the best in the country?’” Swartz said. “I had no idea if I actually was the best in the country, but at that point, you kind of have to say, ‘Yeah,’ and say it confidently.”

After getting the job, Swartz didn’t waste any time making good on his promise to Meyer.

He created an account solely for Ohio State football on Twitter and continued to focus on growth for the team’s Instagram and Facebook pages.

Swartz’s role includes more than expanding Ohio State’s brand, though. One of the main focuses for him and his staff is aiding the recruiting process.

Swartz meets with recruits, attempting to build personal relationships with each prospective player. The goal is to figure out their interests, whether it’s the music they listen to or their favorite NBA player.

“We’re just a vehicle to show the culture,” Swartz said. “The coaches, players here make the culture. As the recruits come in and meet with coaches and build their relationships with the coaches, they know what this program really is. It’s our job to get it out there and show it.”

Chris Charizopoulos, director of creative design and branding for Ohio State football and member of Swartz’s creative team, said it’s refreshing to work directly with someone like Swartz on a day-to-day basis.

“I admire how Zach is able to take his experience with the program and utilize resources, connect our ideas in our office to coaches and staff, and help bring them to life,” Charizopoulos said.

Charizopoulos also admired Swartz’s extensive experience, along with his ability to develop fresh ideas.

“I like to lean on Zach’s experience with the program because he’s been around for a long time. He’s been able to see a lot, try a lot out and at the same time, I like the idea of us working on bringing new things to the table, new fresh ideas, being a little ambitious and challenging each other to find those opportunities,” Charizopoulos said.

Looking ahead to the future, Swartz said he wants to focus on being a service provider for the players.

“My goal right now, professionally, is to get to know the student-athletes as best as I can to be able to prepare them for the life after and to also give them the tools they need right now to prepare them for everything that’s going on,” Swartz said.

Entire article: https://www.thelantern.com/2020/06/...-to-recruits-through-creative-media-director/

ZACH SWARTZ
DIRECTOR, CREATIVE MEDIA & POST PRODUCTION

Zach Swartz has been with the Ohio State football program since 2016 and is currently the program’s Director of Creative Media and Post Production. In that role, he is responsible for the production of internal motivational video content and also directs a four-person creative team responsible for all video and graphic design content for recruiting purposes.

Swartz and his team manage all Ohio State football social media platforms, which include Twitter, Facebook, Instagram, Snapchat and Tic Toc. They also develop branding strategies in collaboration with current and prospective student-athletes.

From 2010-16, Swarrtz served in a variety of creative roles at the University of Arkansas. He started as a graduate assistant for RazorVision and eventually became the senior production manager for videoboards and content.

Swartz earned his bachelor’s degree in journalism from Ohio University in 2010 and a M.Ed. in recreation and sport management from Arkansas in 2012.

Entire article: https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/staff/zach-swartz/

Good article on one of those "behind the scenes" guys in the football program that most of us have never heard of.

Buckeye Bits: Former Buckeyes on CFB HoF ballot, QB success under Ryan Day, TBT bracket announced, more
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Photo by Danny Moloshok/Getty Images
All of the latest Ohio State news from around the beat and beyond.

Welcome to Buckeye Bits on this fine Tuesday evening. All of the major sports — outside of Major League Baseball (thanks a lot, ownership) — seem to be on track to get back up and running sometime in the near future. When it comes to college football, players have returned to campus and are taking part in voluntary workouts, where strength coach Mickey Marotti is making sure everyone gets back to game speed at a safe pace.


We’ll hopefully get to see our Buckeyes on the field as expected, but until then all we can really do is wait and see. With that being said, let’s catch up on all the latest headlines from all around the Ohio State beat.

From around Land-Grant Holy Land...

• Basketball Buckeyes pick up steam on recruiting trail
  (Dan Hessler, LGHL)

Chris Holtmann has seen a lot of player movement in his short time at Ohio State, forcing him to put in a little bit of overtime when it comes to recruiting. On Monday, he and the rest of the Buckeyes staff spoke with a bunch of the nation’s top prospects as the team looks to rebuild its roster for the coming seasons (and hopefully finds a way to actually keep guys around).

• John Richards went from OSU coach to hated foe
  (Jim Baird, LGHL)

Ohio State and its 11th head coach in program history went through the equivalent of a bad breakup — one where you block your ex on all social media and refuse to attend any social gatherings where they may show up. John Richards left the Buckeyes after one season, and after losing to OSU as the head coach at Wisconsin, refused to schedule Ohio State for the remainder of his tenure.

• Madden NFL 21 trailer features Chase Young
  (Tia Johnston, LGHL)

Unfortunately there still isn't a new NCAA Football video game on the shelves right now, but fortunately for fans of Ohio State, there are a ton of former Buckeyes in the pros that you can play with in Madden. The newest edition of the game comes out this August, and the first trailer shows Chase Young beating up on some NFC East opponents — a precursor of what's to come in real life.

• Play Like a Girl podcast: Systemic racism in college football
  (Tia and Meredith, LGHL)

The Black Lives Matter movement and the protests that accompany them have really opened peoples’ eyes to the race issues in our current society. Sports are not exempt from these issues, and as we have now seen on more than a few occasions, just because a majority of the athletes in a sport like football are black does not mean they still don't struggle with the hardships of racial discrimination.

• Yesterday’s Buckeye Bits
  (Tia Johnston, LGHL)

Check out yesterday’s Buckeye Bits for all of Monday’s biggest headlines, including Ezekiel Elliott tasing positive for coronavirus (he’s fine), a big Ohio State tight end target committing to Tennessee, and a better description of what was actually involved in the waiver OSU football players were asked to sign upon their return to campus.

From around the gridiron...

• Mike Doss, James Laurinaitis, Chris Ward on CFB Hall of Fame ballot
  (Nathan Baird, Cleveland.com)

The latest ballot for the College Football Hall of Fame went out on Tuesday, and on the 78-man list were three former Buckeyes: Mike Doss, James Laurinaitis, and Chris Ward. The selections will be announced sometime in early 2021, and only first-team All-Americans are eligible after 10 full seasons have passed since then end of their college careers. The full ballot can be viewed here.

• Is this good? I feel like this is good. Also, of course Iowa is leading in the tight end department (and I'm kind of shocked Wisconsin isn’t leading in offensive line).

• Ohio State hasn’t exactly been known for it’s quarterback play over the course of program history, but that is changing under Ryan Day. According to 247Sports, the Buckeyes are second in the country to only Oklahoma in producing NFL talent at the QB position over the last five years, and they’ll certainly be adding another one with Justin Fields in 2021.

• Buckeyes deep enough that Fab Four receivers don't need to be rushed
  (Austin Ward, Lettermen Row)

It’s been well documented that Ohio State brought in a ridiculous haul of wide receiver talent in the 2020 class, headlined by five-stars in Julian Fleming and Jaxon Smith-Njigba. While any of the four incoming freshman are likely good enough to start, it isn’t the end of the world if they aren’t ready right out of the gate, as the Buckeyes have some incredible depth at the position this season.

• On Tuesday, Ohio State announced its athletics Hall of Fame Class of 2020, and on it were two former members of the Buckeyes football program. Aaron Brown, a three-year starter at nose tackle for OSU and a letterman from 1974 through 1977, and Regis Monahan, a team captain at guard in 1934, were the lone football players to be inducted in the newest class. He is joined by Francis Schmidt, who coached Ohio State from 1934-1940 and was the originator of the gold pants tradition for beating Michigan.

From around the hardwood...

• The TBT announced its official field of 24 for the tournament which will take place in Columbus beginning July 4 and going through July 14. Making the cut are three teams with Ohio State ties: Carmen’s Crew, Big X and the Red Scare (Dayton). Ironically, this trio of squads will all be competing on the same side of the bracket, with Carmen’s Crew facing the winner of Big X vs. Red Scare in the quarterfinals.

• Also included in Ohio State’s Hall of Fame Class of 2020 is former women’s basketball star Samantha Prahalis. Ranking in the top 10 in program history in nearly every statistical category, Prahalis still holds the record for career assists in the Big Ten with 901, and is one of just three players in NCAA history with 2,000 career points and 900 career assists. Prahalis was a two-time All-American, and was named the 2012 Big Ten Player of the Year.

From everywhere else...

• In the latest rankings by U.S. News and World Report, Nationwide Children's Hospital came in at No. 8 overall among the top children’s hospitals in the nation. It was one of two Ohio hospitals to make the top 10, with Cincinnati Children’s Hospital Medical Center coming in at No. 3.

• Brian Hartline is subscribing to the look good, play good mentality and he and his kids get haircuts after not being able to do so for a while as a result of the pandemic.

• Ohio State is always on the forefront of the latest technologies, and that is no different when it comes to COVID-19 testing. Researchers are working on a cheap and easy test for the virus that would require just a simple breathalyzer test and could give results within 15 seconds.

Continue reading...

Madden NFL 21 trailer features Chase Young
Tia Johnston via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Chase Young in Madden 21 | EA Sports
The new Madden NFL 21 game released its trailer today, and fans are underwhelmed

As someone who knows jack squat about video games, (actually, I take that back— I am impeccable at Mario Kart), today I will attempt to write about the newest, most highly anticipated video game on the market: Madden NFL 21.

You see, I don’t really have a choice, because not only did Madden drop the game’s trailer this morning, it also just so happens to be Video Game week at SB Nation. (Maybe they did that on purpose?)

Let me start by saying I am no stranger to the Madden video game series. My husband has played the game at least once a day since I met him five years go. I know how the game works. I’ve seen and heard the incredibly realistic graphics and announcing. I know that players and teams have ratings and whatnot. I do not know how to play, but I know what the game looks like, which makes me feel qualified to continue.

Firstly, let’s localize the game for you, a loyal Ohio State fan who’s probably here to read Ohio State content.

In the trailer, former Ohio State and current Washington Redskins defensive end Chase Young is prominently shown sacking Dallas Cowboys quarterback Dak Prescott and tackling Philadelphia Eagles running back Miles Sanders. EA Sports knows what’s coming from the Redskins rookie this year.


You can check out the full trailer below, where you will notice former Ohio State/LSU and current Cincinnati Bengals quarterback Joe Burrow got a bit of screen time as well:


Go Bucks.

Now as for the game itself, apparently the above trailer is leaving fans feeling “underwhelmed.” Here’s what Jordan Heck of Sporting News had to say:


I’m going to be honest with you. Since I have never actually played the game, I do not know what the different features mean or how they are different to Madden NFL 20. For example, the four new features that Madden emphasized in the trailer that Heck mentions above include:

• Ball carrier skill stick
• New pass-rush control
• Realistic open-field tackling
• User controlled celebrations

If these are new updates, I’m confused as to how people even played the previous versions of Madden without a ball carrier skill stick, open-field tackling and a pass-rush control? I mean, all of those things sound pretty integral for a football video game.

“Since EA Sports didn’t expand on what that means in the trailer, fans were left wondering if the developers even made any changes at all... Most of them provided the same criticism you get every year which is something along the lines of, ‘Madden is just a $60 roster update,’” Heck writes.


Upon further research, EA also provided details on a new “game mode” coming to Madden 21:


Okay, that sounds pretty cool.

According to Tyler Conway of Bleacher Report, “...there will also be more than 50 new Superstar X-Factor abilities, Live Playbooks 2.0, and a new season of Ultimate Team content.”

Okay, I have no idea what that means.

EA also announced improvements in how the game looks, including updated graphics (which is pretty amazing considering I already do a double take to check whether or not its real football on our TV) and “in the overall authenticity and presentation with new on field camera shots and improved player awareness of their positioning and surroundings on the field.”

Does this mean my husband will stop yelling at his players for doing things he didn’t tell them to do with his controller? I hope so.

Anyway, as much as all you Madden fans are complaining about the changes—or lack therof—to the game, I know for a fact that you’re all going to pay the $60 regardless. I know this because I am married to a Madden fan.

The game arrives on PS4, Xbox One and PC on August 28th for the general public, but if you pre-order it now, or if you’re apart of some VIP, all-access, premier something or other, you can play three days early beginning on August 25th.

For more in-depth and sensical information on release dates and the game itself, check out this article from Forbes.

Continue reading...

Play Like a Girl podcast: Systemic racism in college football
Tia Johnston via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Ohio State Athletics’ Kneel For Nine Protest | Ohio State Football via Twitter | @OhioStateFB
Because its real, and something needs to change

On LGHL’s podcast Play Like a Girl, Tia and Meredith talk everything from Ohio State football to all the happenings in the sports world today.

Tia and Meredith discuss the systemic racism in college football that still exists today, including some ugly stats involving Black student-athletes’ graduation rates in the Power Five and how the system is failing said athletes; lack of representation in coaching staffs; college athletes are treated like gladiators; the NCAA’s hand in the issue, and more.

They end the show shouting out those using their platforms for good, including former Ohio State safety Malcolm Jenkins, former Ohio State wide receiver Michael Thomas and Michigan head coach Jim Harbaugh (yes, you read that right.)

Check out the podcast below, and make sure to subscribe wherever you get your podcasts:

Continue reading...

24 Club: John Richards went from revered OSU coach to a hated foe
Jim Baird via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Jeff Hanisch-USA TODAY Sports
Richards quit after a year as head coach of the Buckeyes, and year’s later threatened to resign as Wisconsin’s head coach if OSU was ever scheduled.

There have been 24 head coaches in the history of Ohio State football. Each has a story and legacy. This offseason, Land-Grant Holy Land’s new series 24 Club will help you get to know the coaches from past and present who built the program. Today we look at the 11th head coach in OSU football history, John Richards, who wound up as one of the most despised opposing coaches in the early days of the program.


Name: John Richards
Seasons Coached: One (1912)
Overall Record: 6-3

Where Does He Rank in the 24 Club?
Overall Wins: Tied No. 18 out of 24 OSU Coaches
Winning Percentage: No. 16 out of 24 OSU Coaches


It was 1912 and Ohio State was looking for coaching stability. OSU was on its third coaching search in three years. Coach Howard Jones left after a single season in 1910, and coach Harry Vaughan quit to go to law school after 1911. Despite the volatility in the coaching ranks, OSU was winning, and the Buckeyes were also rising up the conference ranks.

Ohio State had been a member of the Ohio Athletic Conference, which featured the best teams in the state of Ohio. After a series of moves, OSU successfully was approved to be the newest member of the powerful Western Conference, the forerunner of today’s Big Ten. The Western Conference would welcome the Buckeyes into their ranks starting in 1913. That left OSU with one year to prepare. The 1912 season would be that final tune-up season before the Buckeyes made the jump to join the Western Conference.

Ohio State hired one of the nation’s top coaches to lead the program — John Richards. Richards coached the Wisconsin Badgers to a 5-1-1 mark the previous season. He also played college football for the Badgers, and was twice named captain. When Colliers — a leading national magazine — named it’s top head football coaches in America based on the job they did the previous year, Amos Alonzo Stagg was number one and John Richards was number two. Richards had proven he could win in the Western Conference, and looked to be just the coach the Buckeyes needed.

Richards’ 1912 Ohio State team finished with a 6-3 mark and the program’s second Ohio Athletic Conference championship. But Richards shocked Ohio State — he quit after a single season to pursue a job opportunity in Chicago outside the coaching ranks. OSU was stunned. They had turned to Richard’s to guide them into play in the Western Conference, and now — just as with the two coaches that proceeded him — he had left after a single season at the helm.

But Richards wasn’t yet done infuriating OSU. Year’s later, he would return to coach Wisconsin. In 1920 his Badgers suffered a last second loss at OSU. After the loss, Richards publicly criticized Ohio State as treating his team unprofessionally and said he would resign as head coach if the Buckeyes were ever on Wisconsin’s schedule again. The Lantern, Ohio State’s student newspaper, didn’t take that comment lightly, and wrote:


Ohio State and Wisconsin would not play again for a decade. By that time, Richards had retired for good from the coaching ranks.

Continue reading...

Basketball Buckeyes pick up steam on recruiting trail
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Joseph Maiorana-USA TODAY Sports
Ohio State basketball’s program spoke with several recruits in the past couple days.

Monday was a whirlwind for the 2022 college basketball recruiting class. Almost all of the nation’s top prospects heard from college basketball coaches from across the country. Chris Holtmann and Ohio State was not going to miss out on such a busy day.

Below is a handful of recruits in the 2022 recruiting class that the Buckeyes’ staff has spoken with in the past couple days. It is unknown if any scholarships have been offered, but expect a few to be announced in the coming days.

Four-star SG Roddy Gayle Jr.


Hometown: Youngstown, NY/Lewiston Porter Senior

Class: 2022

Size: 6-foot-4, 160 lbs.

247Sports Ranking: No. 9 SG/No. 44 overall

Four-star PG Paul McMillan


Hometown: Cincinnati, OH/Woodward Career Technical

Class: 2022

Size: 6-foot-1, 170 lbs.

247Sports Ranking: No. 10 PG/No. 47 overall

Four-star CG Jameel Brown


Hometown: Haverford, PA/Haverford School

Class: 2022

Size: 6-foot-4, 145 lbs.

247Sports Ranking: No. 6 CG/No. 71 overall

Four-star SF Prince Aligbe


Hometown: Minneapolis, MN/Minnehaha Academy

Class: 2022

Size: 6-foot-6, 185 lbs.

247Sports Ranking: No. 16 SF/No. 58 overall

Four-star SG Chance Westry


Hometown: Camp Hill, PA/Trinity

Class: 2022

Size: 6-foot-4, 190 lbs.

247Sports Ranking: No. 7 SG/No. 27 overall

Four-star SG Dillon Hunter


Hometown: Atlanta, GA/Westlake

Class: 2022

Size: 6-foot-3, 170 lbs.

247Sports Ranking: No. 8 SG/ No. 32 overall

Four-star C Dereck Lively II


Hometown: Bellefonte, PA/Westtown School

Class: 2022

Size: 6-foot-11, 200 lbs.

247Sports Ranking: No. 4 C/No. 40 overall

Four-star SF Ty Rodgers


Hometown: Grand Blanc, MI/Grand Blanc Community

Class: 2022

Size: 6-foot-4, 180lbs.

247Sports Ranking: No. 18 SF/No. 65 overall

Four-star SF Camden Heide


Hometown: Minneapolis, MN/Wayzata

Class: 2022

Size: 6-foot-5, 180 lbs.

247Sports Ranking: No.7 SF/No. 29 overall

SF Josiah Harris


Hometown: Cleveland, OH/Richmond Heights

Class: 2022

Size: 6-foot-5, 180 lbs.

247Sports Ranking: N/A

Quick Hits:

• The nation’s No. 1 tight end prospect and Ohio State target Hudson Wolfe committed elsewhere Monday, spurning the Buckeyes in favor of Tennessee.

• Ohio State five-star DE verbal commit Jack Sawyer spoke with Bleacher Report about Ohio State and his path to becoming the Buckeyes’ next great defensive end.

Continue reading...

I kind of know about the torrents BP provides which is awesome. I just looked through that thread in the torrents forum so that seems the best bet for solving my issue. That said...

I normally keep the entire previous season on my DVR until the following season begins, but my DVR died a few months ago. I can easily go back and search for full games for TOSU all the way back to 2001 for full games on YouTube for example. But there is nothing for the 2019 season at all except the Clemson game. Does anyone happen to know why this is the case? Is there some legal thing I'm not aware of or I'm crap at searching for things (very likely) or....?

Some of these are a little outdated, but still good:

Ohio State Football: 10 Ways You Know You're a Buckeyes Fan
March 25, 2012
https://bleacherreport.com/articles...ootball-10-ways-you-know-youre-a-buckeyes-fan

Ohio State Football: 10 Ways You Know You're a Buckeye Fan
March 24, 2013
https://bleacherreport.com/articles/1579665-ohio-state-football-10-ways-you-know-youre-a-buckeye-fan

Ohio State Football: 13 Ways You Know You're a Buckeyes Fan
August 6, 2013
https://bleacherreport.com/articles...ootball-13-ways-you-know-youre-a-buckeyes-fan

15 Things That All Die-Hard Ohio State Buckeyes Fans Know
August 23, 2013
https://thespun.com/big-ten/ohio-st...at-all-die-hard-ohio-state-buckeyes-fans-know

20 Signs You Grew Up A Buckeye Fan
September 12, 2017
https://www.society19.com/signs-you-grew-up-a-buckeye-fan/

Athletics Director Ed Weaver and Varsity “O” President Ralph Waldo helped establish The Ohio State University Athletics Hall of Fame. The first 23 members were inducted in September, 1977. The first class of women athletes were inducted in 1993.

The first 23 members of the Varsity "O" Hall of Fame were inducted in September, 1977. These are the names of those charter inductees:

• Howard "Hopalong" Cassady — football, baseball
• Paul Ebert — basketball, baseball
• Wes Fesler — football, basketball, baseball, football coach
• Ernie Godfrey — football, basketball, football coach
• Chic Harley — football, basketball, baseball, track & field
• John Havlicek — basketball, baseball
• Les Horvath — football
• Jimmy Hull — basketball
• Vic Janowicz — football
• Ford Konno — swimming
• Jerry Lucas — basketball
• Johnny Miner — basketball
• Jack Nicklaus — golf
• Jesse Owens — track & field
• Jim Parker — football
• Al Patnik — diving
• Mike Peppe — swimming/diving coach
• George Simpson — track & field
• Bill Smith — swimming
• Larry Snyder — track
• Lynn St. John — athletic director
• John Wilce — football coach
• Bill Willis — football, track & field

Hall of Fame Constitution and By-laws:
Purpose: To pay tribute and extend recognition to those individuals who through the years have contributed to the honor and fame of The Ohio State University in the field of athletics, and who have continued to demonstrate, in their daily lives, the values learned in intercollegiate athletics.

Eligibility: No athlete shall be considered for recognition for at least five years after the graduation of his or her class. An athlete must have earned a minimum of one Varsity “O” letter. However, exceptions can be made for outstanding athletes who competed before their sport was recognized by the University. A coach or member of the Athletic Department must have served the University for at least 15 years.

Qualifications and criteria shall be based on the candidate’s participation while attending The Ohio State University and shall include accomplishments after leaving the University. The record of the individual considered shall be so outstanding that there is no question as to the qualifications necessary for induction. Consideration shall also be given for personal conduct in life and personal contributions to the high ideals of intercollegiate athletics. The selection shall be on merit only and never of a political nature.

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I’m not very good at math, and apparently neither is the Kansas football program. Or PR, for that matter.

In early November of 2018, Kansas announced that David Beaty would be fired as head football coach upon the conclusion of that regular season. At the time, athletic director Jeff Long stated that the university would honor the terms of Beaty’s contract, which included a $3 million buyout payable over a six-month period.

Click to expand...

For whatever reason when colleges fire their coach they really don't want to honor the buyout provisions in the contract. The end result usually is that the school loses the case and the lawyers just get rich.

Here's a good S/I article on that subject; and yes, it is the same Jeff Long (i.e. Petrino & Bielema at Arkansas)......

Bret Bielema's $7 Million Lawsuit a Further Consequence of Arkansas's Money Mess

https://www.si.com/college/2020/06/12/bret-bielema-arkansas-lawsuit

Buckeye Bits: Cam Martinez as a two-way player, Meyer picks Lawrence over Fields, NBA Draft in October, more
Gene Ross via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Mark J. Rebilas-USA TODAY Sports
All of the latest Ohio State news from around the beat and beyond

Welcome to Buckeye Bits — our daily news roundup on everything happening at Ohio State and around the sports world. We’ve been without sporting events for quite some time now, and while things like the KBO and the Bundesliga have attempted to fill the void, its just not quite the same as the action we have been stripped of these past few months. With that being said, its looking like there is a ton of positive momentum for these sports to return, especially so when it comes to college football.

Without further ado, let’s check out today’s headlines.

From around Land-Grant Holy Land...

• Two Ohio State targets expected to commit in June
  (Tia Johnston, LGHL)

Despite already having the nation’s top class, Ohio State is still in on some of the top remaining unsigned prospects in the country. A pair of four-star recruits plan on making their college decision sometime later this month, and both of them have included the Buckeyes among their top schools. Definitely something to keep an eye on.

• Trey Sermon’s move to Ohio State the most impactful transfer of 2020
  (Brett Ludwiczak, LGHL)

A bunch of college football players traded in their jerseys for one of a different color this offseason, and maybe none of these transfers will have a bigger impact on the landscape of the sport as a whole than Trey Sermon’s move to Ohio State. With a beat up running back room, Sermon adds much needed depth and experience to the roster.

• How will Ohio State replace the production of Chase Young?
  (Gene Ross, LGHL)

One of the biggest hurdles Ohio State faces heading into 2020 is replacing a ton of star power on defense. No star shined brighter in 2019 than Chase Young, and now Ryan Day and his staff must find a way to replace his massive production by use of a committee of talented pass rushers.

• Yesterday’s Buckeye Bits
  (Tia Johnston, LGHL)

Ohio State announced it’s new university president on Wednesday, C.J. Saunders and Tuf Borland spoke out in support of social justice, and much, much more in yesterday’s news roundup.

From around the gridiron...

• Jack Miller not shying away from competition for Buckeyes
  (Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row)

Ohio State QB Jack Miller has weathered a ton of adversity before even stepping foot on campus. Committing to the Buckeyes back in the summer of 2018, he watched his school go through a huge coaching change, watched his recruiting ranking slip due to injuries in his last two high school seasons, and then saw OSU recruit another QB with a higher rating in his same class. Still, Miller did not waiver in his commitment, and now he is ready to fight for the backup job behind Justin Fields this season.

• Two-way athlete Cameron Martinez “mainly preparing” to play defense
  (Colin Hass-Hill, Eleven Warriors)

Ohio State hasn’t had too many players adept at playing both sides of the ball. Guys like Zach Boren, who played both fullback and linebacker, and most notably Chris Gamble, who played both wide receiver and corner, are the guys who first come to mind. Cam Martinez could be the next guy in line to hear his name called on both offense and defense, however the former high school QB is mostly preparing to be a defensive back at the next level.

• The top two QBs in college football in 2020 are pretty obvious: it’s Justin Fields and Trevor Lawrence. The order in which you rank those two, however, are very much up in the air. The Fox CFB guys ranked their preseason top five QBs heading into the season, and both the fans and Reggie Bush had Fields as their No. 1. Everyone else had Trevor Lawrence, including former OSU head coach Urban Meyer.

• Ohio State doesn’t have any plans to test all of its student athletes for COVID-19 upon their return to campus, but maybe they should re-consider given what’s going on in the south.

• If Chase Young says he ready, he ready.

From around the hardwood...

• David Lighty signs two-year contract extension with ASVEL
  (Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts)

As Murphy explains, it’s rare that basketball players remain on one team for long periods of time in the pros, let alone overseas. That has not been the case for former Ohio State small forward David Lighty, who just signed a contract extension with AVSEL Basketball in Lyon, France, keeping him with the team through 2024. Having played for AVSEL since 2017, Lighty was originally a member of the “Thad Five” in the famed Buckeye recruiting class of 2006.

• It looks like former Ohio State forward Kaleb Wesson will have to continue to wait to hear his name called in the 2020 NBA Draft, as the league has pushed the Draft Lottery to Aug. 25 and the draft itself to Oct. 15, according to NBA insider Adrian Wojnarowski.

From everywhere else...

• Ohio State student-athletes from across multiple sports continue to speak out for social justice and racial equality as the country as a whole fights for change.

• If you ever wondered why players seem to like Ryan Day so much, this is why.

• The NBA is BACK.

• While I have a ton of questions as to why a punter would declare early for the NFL Draft, it will be interesting to see if this sets a precedent for student-athletes moving forward. The NBA and college basketball already allow players to test the draft market and then return to school, could the NFL and college football be next?

Continue reading...

Trey Sermon's transfer to Ohio State is the most impactful transfer of 2020
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Kevin Jairaj-USA TODAY Sports
Injuries to Master Teague and Marcus Crowley forced Ohio State to look to the transfer portal to address the depth at the position. Head coach Ryan Day didn't disappoint, bringing in Oklahoma running back Trey Sermon.


Last year Ohio State made the biggest splash in the transfer market when they were able to bring in Georgia quarterback Justin Fields to replace Dwayne Haskins. Now, Fox's lead commentator Joel Klatt believes the Buckeyes have secured the most impactful transfer in the country for the second year in a row.

With the injury to Master Teague, Ryan Day knew Ohio State had to somehow address the running back position. The second-year head coach didn't waste much time in shoring up the position, gaining the transfer commitment of Oklahoma running back Trey Sermon.

Following the loss of J.K. Dobbins to the NFL, there was already questions about what the running back position would look like in 2020 in Columbus. Teague rushed for nearly 800 yards in 2019 but the Tennessee product struggled to find traction late in the year, rushing for just 45 yards on 21 carries against Penn State, Michigan, and Clemson.

The addition of Sermon means that Teague doesn't have to rush back from the Achilles injury he suffered in spring practice. As if the injury to Teague wasn't enough to deal with, backup Marcus Crowley is also recovering from injury after suffering a torn ACL in the win over Marylnd. Had the Buckeyes not been able to add Sermon, Ohio State might have entered preseason camp with Steele Chambers as the only healthy running back with experience. Chambers carried the football 19 times in 2019.

Enter Trey Sermon, who rushed for over 2,000 yards and 21 touchdowns in three seasons with the Sooners. Sermon's best season came in 2018, when he rushed for 947 yards and 13 touchdowns as he lined up in the backfield with eventual Heisman Trophy winner Kyler Murray.

Last year Sermon wasn't able to replicate his 2018 performance, but a lot of that had to do with the addition of Alabama transfer quarterback Jalen Hurts, who carried the football 233 times. When Hurts wasn't running the football, Kennedy Brooks saw the bulk of the carries, rushing 151 times for 1,011 yards and six touchdowns. It also didn't help that Sermon missed the last five games of the year due to a knee injury, but he likely wasn't going to be the feature back even if healthy.

With Brooks returning, Sermon knew he was going to have to go elsewhere in 2020 if he wanted to make an impact. Oklahoma also has Rhamondre Stevenson on the roster but the junior is currently suspended. Stevenson ran for 515 yards and six touchdowns in 2019. The Sooners have appealed the NCAA's suspension of Stevenson that was announced before the Peach Bowl loss to LSU, so they are doing everything they can to bring Stevenson back on the field.

As soon as Sermon announced he was entering the transfer portal, Ohio State seemed like a perfect fit. The Buckeyes desperately needed experience at running back, which Sermon has plenty of. Sermon played with two Heisman Trophy winners and a Heisman Trophy finalist in his three years in Norman while the Sooners made the College Football Playoff in all three of those seasons.

With receivers like Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Julian Fleming, it's no secret that Justin Fields will look to pass first, but the addition of Sermon will force opponents to also respect the run. Sermon won't put up numbers like Dobbins did last seasons but his skillset will keep defenses from loading up against the pass. It also won't hurt that Sermon will be running behind an offensive line that returns three talented starters.

When looking at how the Sermon transfer stacks up against other players who entered the transfer portal and are immediately eligible, it's hard to find a transfer that could be more impactful. The transfer of quarterback Jamie Newman from Wake Forest to Georgia is big, but after watching the offense of the Bulldogs recently, I'm not convinced Kirby Smart and his coaching staff will properly utilize Newman.

K.J. Costello moving from Stanford to Mississippi State, D'Eriq King's transfer from Houston to Miami, and Keytayon Thompson heading to Virginia from Mississippi State are all moves that will pay dividends, but it's hard to see them impacting the national title race like the addition of Sermon to the Buckeyes will.

With Sermon in the mix, not only will Ohio State have confidence they'll be able to run the football, they also won't have to rush Teague and Crowley back, which could see Ohio State's opponents having to deal with some fresh legs later in the season. There's no question this was another masterful move in the transfer window by Ryan Day.

Continue reading...

Two Ohio State targets expected to commit in June
Tia Johnston via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Photo by Jamie Sabau/Getty Images
The Buckeyes are in an especially good position to land a 2021 four-star tight end later this month

After what has been a relatively slow week in the world of Ohio State recruiting, we finally have some potential BOOMs to look forward to. Two Ohio State 2021 targets are expected to commit in the coming weeks.

A four-star tight end


Hudson Wolfe from Savannah (Tenn.) Hardin County is deciding between Ohio State, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Alabama and Georgia, and he told 247Sports Tennessee insider Ryan Callahan that his decision will be announced soon.

“A date is not necessarily set in stone, but I’m kind of pushing myself for June 13th,” Wolfe told Callahan. “It’s probably going to be right around then. It’s just the five. We’re going to pick from that (group).”

The Buckeyes already have a top tight end committed to the 2021 class in Sam Hart from Aurora (Col.) Cherokee Trail, who committed in December. The Ohio State recruiting staff has made it known that they are aiming for a two top tight ends when all is said and done with the 2021 class, and Wolfe has been their No. 1 choice to go with Hart for a long time.

While Wolfe told Callahan that he “doesn’t have a school set yet” and that he’s “still kind of going back and forth between a couple,” 247Sports’ Crystal Ball favors him going to Ohio State (75%).

“Ohio State is going to win games in the next four years,” Wolfe told Callahan. “I think they’ll do really well. Their development up there is pretty high, pretty top-notch. And then the recruiting class that they’re putting together — I mean, I’m sure you’ve seen it. It’s very, very (good).”

Wolfe is the No. 225 overall prospect and No. 9 tight end in the 2021 class, according to the 247Sports Composite rankings.

And a four-star cornerback


Jaylin Davies from Santa Ana (Calif.) Mater Dei announced his Top 4 on May 16—Ohio State, Arizona State, USC and Oregon. On Wednesday afternoon, he announced that he would be making his decision on June 19.


While defensive backs coach Kerry Coombs has been actively recruiting him for awhile, Davies has yet to meet head coach Ryan Day in person, according to Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts.

“Me and coach Coombs speak everyday,” Davies told Kurelic awhile back. “It’s going good. He also speaks with my family so our relationship has grown. I can’t wait to meet him as well as coach (Corey) Dennis and (Ryan) Day - the whole staff in person.”

Davies was planning on visiting Ohio State in April, which obviously did not end up happening. He has been quoted saying that meeting the coaching staff and visiting the facility in person is important to both him and his parents. That, and the fact that he is heavily favorited to choose Oregon (92.9%) by 247Sports’ Crystal Ball with a high confidence meter (7), shouldn’t make you feel optimistic about Davies committing to Ohio State. But hey, crazier things have happened.

Davies is the No. 139 overall prospect and No. 12 cornerback in the country, according to 247Sports Composite rankings.

Quick Hits:

• Four-star outside linebacker Jalon Walker told Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts that he and Al Washington have a “great relationship.” Walker is the country’s No. 176 overall class of 2022 prospect, the No. 15 outside linebacker and the No. 7 prospect in North Carolina. He currently holds at least 17 offers, including the likes of Auburn, Clemson, Texas and others.

Continue reading...

Buckeye Bits: Kristina M. Johnson is the 16th president of Ohio State, C.J. Saunders using his platform to take action, more
Tia Johnston via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

osu.edu
All of the latest Ohio State news from around the beat and beyond

Welcome back to Buckeye Bits, where we catch you up on all of the news, updates, tweets and analyses circulating around the Ohio State beat and elsewhere. The world is in a heavy state at the moment, so I’m going to begin today’s Bits with one of Lori Schmidt’s infamous #UnderYourHat questions.


Now more than ever, it’s beyond important that each and every one of us use our voices, our platforms and our actions—no matter how small they might be— to fight for black lives. It’s also important to check in with yourself and others during this time, because fighting through this is deep, exhausting, and hard. But most importantly, it’s crucial.

If you’re having trouble figuring out how to make an impact, or whether you even can, here’s my favorite answer to Lori’s question.


“Do for one what you wish you could do for all.”

Now for today’s headlines.

From around Land-Grant Holy Land...


How will Ohio State replace the production of Chase Young?

Gene Ross, LGHL

It sounds impossible, because it probably is. That’s not to say Ohio State’s defensive line isn’t talented, its just not... 16.5 sacks-talented.

Ohio State offers a trio of tight ends on Tuesday

Gene Ross, LGHL

Ohio State’s recruiting staff had quite a busy day yesterday, especially tight ends coach Kevin Wilson. In about a one hour span on Tuesday, three 2022 tight ends announced via Twitter that they had received an offer from Ohio State. Gene has more on that in this morning’s State Secrets.

Play Like a Girl podcast (written edition): A tribute to Phyllis George

Meredith Hein and Tia Johnston, LGHL

Sportscaster legend and pioneer Phyllis George passed away on May 14, and in honor of her memory, Meredith and I recap her legacy and the incredible impact she made for women in sports.

Buckeye Bits: Ohio State players/staff speak up, how the Bucks can contend for a title, the next great OSU RB, more

Gene Ross, LGHL

Yesterday’s Buckeye Bits, because yesterday was filled to the brim with newsworthy stuff you may have missed.

From around the gridiron...


Emergence of Ohio State’s third-year players will determine whether Ohio State has a national title-worthy team

Colin Hass-Hill, Eleven Warriors

With guys like Justin Fields, Chris Olave, Josh Proctor, Taron Vincent, and many more, its safe to say that Ohio State’s destiny is up to the third-years. As Hass-Hill wrote, these players made up the best recruiting class Ohio State has ever signed. Now they have to show us why.


C.J. Saunders, Buckeyes are working, protesting, kneeling for change

Austin Ward, Lettermen Row

Four hours after being released from his overnight stay in the Franklin County Jail, Saunders was putting tape down to mark spots for social distancing, making sure student-athletes from dozens of sports were wearing masks and then ultimately delivering some brief remarks from the back of a pickup truck, writes Ward.

Saunders describes his experience in jail, along with his thoughts on the protesting, the anti-racism movement, what he and his teammates have been doing and plan to do with their platforms and more in the link above.


Urban Meyer, TreVeyon Henderson tackle social issues, protests

Tim May, Lettermen Row

On this week’s Tim May podcast, Urban Meyer and Ohio State running back commitment TreVeyon Henderson discuss the ongoing protests, what coaches can do for their players, Henderson’s personal experience with racial profiling, and much more.


Ohio State football defense has much to prove to pull off LSU’s national championship run: Buckeye Take

Nathan Baird, Cleveland.com

Ohio State has a very serious shot at a national title this season (what’s new?), however the Buckeyes’ defense is going to have to step up to make that happen. This year’s group—sans Chase Young, Jeff Okudah, Damon Arnette, and Malik Harrison—has a lot to prove before it can call itself as good as the one LSU put on the field in 2019, writes Baird.


Gunnar Hoak ready for backup opportunity for Buckeyes

Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Quarterbacks C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller have received most of the attention in regards to who will be backing up Justin Fields, but Holbrook believes—due to the two freshmen’s lack of reps and Hoak’s knowledge of the playbook—that Hoak is more than ready to be QB2 this season.


Ohio State, you’re doing amazing, sweetie.


Meanwhile, at Clemson...

From everywhere else...


New prez


The Ohio State University Board of Trustees appointed Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, as the 16th president in university history. Johnson has served as chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY) since 2017 and brings more than 30 years of experience as an academic, business and policy leader, Ohio State wrote in its press release.

Johnson said Ohio State has always been a special place for her, due to the fact that her grandfather graduated from OSU in 1896 and played right guard for the Buckeyes.

She will begin her tenure as Ohio State president on September 1, 2020.


Proud to be an Ohio State alum


Ohio State student-athletes, staff and OSU police came together in front of the ‘Shoe for a “Kneel for Nine” demonstration. Organized by student-athletes, the group knelt for nine minutes in remembrance of George Floyd, who’s neck was under a Minneapolis police officer’s knee for around nine minutes.


Back to school!


You know what that means don’t you?


The NBA is back!


According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:


MLS is back!


The MLSPA have voted on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement and approved a return-to-play plan. The approval of the proposal avoids a lockout that had been threatened by MLS.

“MLS Players today ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, which will run through the 2025 season,” the MLSPA said in a statement. “Today’s vote also finalizes a plan to resume the 2020 season and provides players with certainty for the months ahead. It allows our members to move forward and continue to compete in the game they love.”

The approval now opens the door for the league to return to the field in June with a World Cup-style tournament to be held at the Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World. The teams are expected to arrive in Orlando, Florida, in three weeks, according to ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle.

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