Season Preview: Rutgers @ Ohio State
Richard Tongohan via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here



In week 2, the Buckeyes will square off against a team led by a former coach in Chris Ash. It has been two seasons since he left and he has gone up against his former team twice and they have yet to get on the scoreboard. The past two years have been miserable for the Scarlet Knight as they were blown out both times, by a very wide margin and in embarrassing fashion.

Teams would often tip their hat to the other team, but being on the opposite end of a 56-0, 58-0 beatdown in consecutive years? Things need to change and they need to try to put some points on the board.

So what will this years edition be like? Will it be the same old stagnant offense getting dismantled by another dangerous defense? Or will they make it a little more competitive and interesting?

No one really knows and since it is college football, anything can happen, but unless drastic changes are made, it is not looking too good at this point, if I am being honest and objective. Since Coach Ash took over, he has gone 0-2 against his former team which is respectable despite being throttled both times, but that is the least of his worries because he has yet to post a winning season and he is 6-18. He needs to win a few more games or he will feel the pressure.

The biggest question remains with the offense who finished 128th in total offense, 86th in rushing offense, and 124th in passing offense. Last year, the Buckeyes were 9th in the nation in total defense, 6th in rushing defense, and 30th in passing defense, which gave offenses fits. This years defense will undoubtedly be just as dangerous and relentless as last years, but they do have new starters at a few positions. The unfortunate thing is they still have no idea who will lead the offense at Quarterback, which goes in Ohio State’s favor.

Rutgers will have their leading receiving threat at Tight End in Jerome Washington. They also return a pair of defenders, Trevor Morris (leading tackler) and Jawuan Harris (interception leader), which is helpful. They have a star in the making in Jonathan Hilliman, who is projected to be the starting Running Back after Gus Edwards left. A committee is also another option at the position because they have a ton of talent there.

The O-Line is also solid, with a pair of new Guards that are wedged in between experienced players with experience and a few starts. Will it help against another Bosa brother led defensive front? We will see what happens. I feel like this game will be another massacre and it’ll get ugly quick. The defense will keep them in check as the offense puts on a show with their shiny new toy at Quarterback.

Prediction:

Like I said a little bit ago, it’ll be a massacre. The Rutgers are the away team after all, and they go into the Shoe with a purpose that quickly disappears after a few turnovers–and poof! Thier will is gone. The D-Line will prove to be too much for whoever is the starting QB and the defense scores at least once and collects a minimum of 4 sacks.

Haskins lights up the scoreboard as well. He will tear it up with 4 passing TD’s while his Running Backs pound the will out of the defense for a combined total of 145 yards and a TD. This game will be put out of reach quick and the starters will use this as a tune-up for the neutral site game at AT&T Stadium. Rest or go pedal-to-the-metal, it’ll be helpful if the offense runs efficiently.

Final: Ohio State defeats Rutgers 55-6










Continue reading...

Ohio State leads the country in elite wins over the past 5 years
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Will somebody, anybody, please give the 2002 national champions the respect that they deserve?

“Coming up with lots of wins always matters, but pulling off the massive victory over the top team in the big game can define a season... As you’ll notice, it’s really, really hard to get a win over a great team – that’s why they’re Elite Wins.”

- Pete Fiutak, CollegeFootballNews.com


In Fiutak’s article, he analyzes the number of “elite” wins that each team in the 11 FBS conferences have had over the past five years. He defines an elite win as “a victory over an FBS team that finished with two losses or fewer, or on the road or in a bowl game against a team that lost three games.”

He also adds an extra half of a win to a team’s total if they get a road win over a team that finished with two or fewer losses on the season.

Now that you understand Fiutak’s methodology, let’s get to the real reason that I’m bringing this up; Ohio State has the most elite wins over the past five years of any team in the country. The Buckeyes’ 12 elite W's are four more than Michigan State, the second in the Big Ten, and 12 more— count them, 12 more— than the Michigan Wolverines.

The only other teams with double-digit elite victories over the time period are Clemson (10) and Oklahoma (10), both of whom claimed one of their wins over the Buckeyes. So, OSU should get credit for at least an extra half win for contributing to those totals too!

Obviously, Alabama only having 8.5 elite wins doesn’t negate the domination that they’ve shown over college football during this five-year time period, but it does show that not only is Ohio State winning a lot— they have 61 total victories over those five years—, but they are also doing it against consistently good competition, both in a very deep Big Ten and in aggressive non-conference scheduling.

With 12 of the Buckeyes’ 61 wins from the past five years being of the elite variety (for 19.67 percent), that means that they average between two and three elite wins per year. So, looking at Ohio State’s 2018 schedule, you have to wonder where those wins could come from.

To me, it looks most likely that OSU’s best options this season would be to pull off the road victory in Happy Valley in late-September, beat the Spartans in East Lansing in November, and then see what happens in any potential postseason game(s).

Since these contests would all be on the road or in a bowl game, the Buckeyes would have the benefit of an elite win being counted against a team that finished with three losses, making it easier for their opponent to qualify.

Of course, there is a chance that TTUN could come into Columbus with one or no losses, allowing Ohio State to pick up an elite win at home, but despite Shea Patterson’s arrival in Ann Arbor, Harbaugh’s squad is going to have to prove that they deserve this consideration first.

“No one would label the 2002 Buckeyes dominant, despite five wins by 24 points or more and a defense that allowed only 64 points in the second half all season.”

- ESPN.com staff


By now, you’ve probably seen the ESPN article that attempts to rank all of the college football national champions from the past 20 years. If you haven’t, don’t worry about it, it’s garbage.

Ohio State has won two national titles during this two-decade period; the most recent, capping off the 2014 season, was judged by The Worldwide Leader’s expert panel as being the 14th best team on the list. I would gladly fight somebody about that ranking, but what really gets my goat is that Ohio State’s first national championship of the post-Woody Hayes era ranks 21st... out of 21.

Now, I will be the first to admit that the Jim Tressel style of football left a lot of be desired when it came to aesthetic appeal. Despite putting up a ton of wins, very rarely did I truly enjoy a game that he coached while rocking the scarlet and gray sweater vest. More often than not, it was nerve-racking to watch. Tressel’s teams often found ways to ignore their talent and make things more difficult than they needed to be.

That being typed, the panel’s determination basically seems to be that these Buckeyes weren’t flashy enough on offense. Adam Rittenberg finished the blurb on the team saying, “This was a team that simply knew how to win, style points be damned.”

So, let me get this straight, style points are more important than their five wins by 24 points or more. Style points are more important that allowing an average of 4.5 points per game in the second half all season. Style points are more important than the 27 NFL draft picks from that squad (not to mention even more unsigned free agents).

Look, I might be a little extra sensitive about this one, since this was my senior year at OSU, and I was in Sun Devil Stadium for the Fiesta Bowl, but it boggles my mind that 16 years later, this collection of historic winners is still not getting any respect from anyone outside of Buckeye Nation.

“Anyone following Ohio State football and basketball players on social media may have seen them tweeting out the hashtag “#SetTheExpectation” on Tuesday.”

- Tim Bielik, cleveland.com


If you follow Ohio State recruiting, you know that one of the reasons that continually gets mentioned when top-tier recruits commit to come to Columbus is Urban Meyer’s Real Life Wednesdays. And, recently, OSU basketball coach Chris Holtmann said that his staff was developing a similar program called Beyond Hoops.

This emphasis on more than just the athlete half of “student-athlete” has proven to be incredibly important to the individual programs, yes, but even more so to the players themselves.

That continued on Tuesday as Brenda Tracy came and spoke to the OSU football and both men’s and women’s basketball teams. Tracy describes herself as a gang rape survivor. Two of her four assailants were college football players at Oregon State, who were ultimately suspended a single game suspension for their actions.


Tracy now uses her experiences to talk to high school and college athletes about her “Set the Expectation” pledge. Her goal is to educate athletes “about consent and healthy relationships,” as well as to make sure that they understand that sexual assault, domestic violence, and other similar crimes are never acceptable, no matter your status in a community.

Tracy spoke to the teams the day after Ohio State wide receivers coach Zach Smith was fired over concerns about domestic violence allegations from his ex-wife. So, while the impact of her first-person presentation obviously already fit well into the normal “Real Life” programming that the teams do, it likely hit even closer to home this week.

STICK TO SPORTS

• ‘NBA Live 19’ will have the option to create a female player for the first time ever.
• Remember the Snapple Lady? Here’s how Snapple conquered the ’90s.
• This century’s longest lunar eclipse is on Friday — will you be able to see it?
• Teen Titans Go! to the Movies is a candy-colored cure for superhero movie fatigue.
• The New York Times’ theatre critic is taking criticism for what some claim is a transphobic review.

Continue reading...

Buckeyes, benches and bears, oh my - Sentinel-Tribune
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes, benches and bears, oh my
Sentinel-Tribune
Beach said, of course, he will have his usual assortment of bears, benches and Buckeye creations, and many other surprises along the way. Beach also said his work truck, which doubles as his stage for the show will have a new look. He's added an awning ...


Continue reading...

Ohio State Basketball: Why you shouldn't underestimate the Buckeyes - Busting Brackets
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Basketball: Why you shouldn't underestimate the Buckeyes
Busting Brackets
Ohio State basketball lost a fair amount of talent this offseason but it is not time to count them out yet. Here's why you shouldn't underestimate the Buckeyes. Ohio State basketball vastly exceeded expectations in Year 1 under head coach Chris Holtmann.
The change in basketball has forced a change in Kaleb Wesson247Sports

all 2 news articles »

Continue reading...

The change in basketball has forced a change in Kaleb Wesson - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


The change in basketball has forced a change in Kaleb Wesson
247Sports
Sullinger played for the Buckeyes for two seasons before a five-year career in the NBA and, most recently, a stint in the Chinese Basketball Association. Wesson is preparing for his second season with the Scarlet and Gray after making the All-Big Ten ...


Continue reading...

What does Cormontae Hamilton bring to Ohio State?
Patrick Mayhorn via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeyes have their 2019 tight end, even if you would know it by looking at him.

Ohio State’s newest recruiting pipeline is one that not many could’ve predicted. While they do still make inroads in Ohio, Texas, Florida, and the other traditional power states, there’s been a rise of Buckeye recruits coming from the south, by way of Tennessee. From Max Wray in 2018, his brother Jake in 2020, and Kane Patterson in 2019, the Buckeyes are paying more attention to the Volunteer State than ever before.

They cemented that minutes ago, as they landed a commitment from Memphis tight end Cormontae Hamilton. Hamilton, a Whitehaven High School captain, picked up an offer last month at OSU’s Friday Night Lights camp, and has been in constant contact with the Buckeyes ever since. The interest was mutual between both parties, obviously.

The Ohio State offer was the last one Hamilton needed. He was sold on Ohio State, and with the green light from Ohio State, it was only a matter of time before Hamilton joined the fray. What is Ohio State getting in the Tennessee tight end?

On the field


Cormontae is a bit of an unusual player. At 6-foot-1, 256 pounds, you’d expect him to be an old-fashioned middle linebacker, or a defensive end. His film proves however, that despite his strange frame, he’s a tight end, and a very good one. With his measurements, you’d expect Hamilton to be a bit chunky, but he really isn’t.

He’s well built, in good shape, and honestly, he just looks like a big wide receiver. The thing about Hamilton is that no matter how unusual to see a player of his size play like he does, that is just how he is made. He’s naturally big, and while he’s not as tall as a traditional tight end, it really doesn’t seem to hurt him that much.

His size actually seems to be an advantage. He’s extremely strong for how young he is, and he’s able to play physically against linebackers, something a lot of tight ends are afraid to do. He knows how to use his arms subtly to get separation, and his football IQ is through the roof. Throw in his surprising speed, and Hamilton is an extremely difficult player to guard, because you pretty much have to have a freak athlete at linebacker to cover him.

On top of his speed and strength, Hamilton has fantastic body control. He knows exactly where he is relative to the field and defenders, and contorts himself to make catches cleanly while avoiding contact that could pop the ball out. This also helps him when running after the catch, because he’s got great balance, and can run right through defensive backs.

As a blocker, Hamilton is about as good as you’ll get from a high school tight end. He’s willing and capable to block anyone he’s asked to, including defensive ends, outside linebackers, and even blitzing defensive backs. He looks like a seasoned veteran dealing with a variety of pass and run rush moves, and will be a great asset to Ohio State’s running game as well as their passing attack.

Hamilton will need to improve his route tree in Columbus. It’s pretty basic right now, and if there’s one thing I think he really needs to work on, it’s footwork. That applies to blocking as well, as he will need to widen his stance and block more with his legs and his arms at the next level.

For those wondering what he’ll do in college, I’ll direct you towards NC State’s Jaylen Samuels, now of the Pittsburgh Steelers. Hamilton is a bit bigger, and a little less fast, but I think he could be used in a pretty similar way. There are two definitions of h-back in college football, with the first being a quick, small guy (think Curtis Samuel/ Percy Harvin), and the second looking a lot like Hamilton.

In the class


Hamilton is the 15th member of Ohio State’s 2019 class. He’s the first and probably the only tight end, because Ohio State really doesn’t need anymore right now. They landed two in 2018, and have a few top targets in 2020. It’s a relatively week year for tight ends, so I imagine they’ll finish up the position here with Hamilton, though they may still look to add Brenton Strange.

Hamilton’s commitment puts Ohio State at sixth in the nation, just barely leaping over LSU, and sitting four points behind Georgia. I don’t think Ohio State is landing the number one class in 2019, but this commitment will help them move closer to the top. Despite his current low rankings, I think Hamilton could be in for a jump following his senior season. He’s a tough player to evaluate, but he’s very, very talented.

You can view Hamilton’s fantastic film below, and read more about his commitment here.

Continue reading...

Buckeyes land 15th commitment in class of 2019 - Dayton Daily News
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes land 15th commitment in class of 2019
Dayton Daily News
The Ohio State Buckeyes received their 15th commitment from a member of the class of 2019 on Friday. » RECRUITING SUMMARY: Buckeyes building strong 2019, 2020 classes. Cormontae Hamilton, a 6-foot-1, 256-pound tight end from Whitehaven High ...
2002 Buckeyes ranked worst national title team in last 20 years247Sports
2020 4-star running back Darvon Hubbard commits to Ohio State: What it means for the Buckeyescleveland.com
Ohio State lands in 5-star's top 10Land-Grant Holy Land
Lettermen Row -ESPN
all 65 news articles »

Continue reading...

Rare neutral site game vs. TCU proves lucrative for Ohio State - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Rare neutral site game vs. TCU proves lucrative for Ohio State
247Sports
Ohio State will dip its toe into the lucrative college football neutral site business this season as the Buckeyes face TCU Sept. 15 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. In 2012, Ohio State and TCU reached terms on a home-and-home series that would have ...


Continue reading...

Ohio State gets commitment from 3-star tight end Cormontae Hamilton
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeyes add another member to their 2019 recruiting class.

The football commitments keep rolling in for the Ohio State Buckeyes, as on Friday afternoon, three-star Tennessee tight end Cormontae Hamilton declared that he was “100% committed” to becoming a Buckeye.


Hamilton is currently slotted as the 22nd player in the Volunteer State as he heads into his senior year, and the 30th best TE in the country, according to 247 Sports’ composite rankings. In addition to the Buckeyes, Hamilton held offers from Alabama, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Louisville, Michigan, and more.

Hamilton is the 15th member of Ohio State’s 2019 class. It had been a while since they added a commitment, but with so few spots left (roughly eight after this commit), every commitment is crucial, and has to be thought over thoroughly. He’ll almost certainly be the only tight end in the class, as Ohio State doesn’t have a great need for them in the 2019 cycle.

Ultimately, it came down to Hamilton or Brenton Strange, to fill the tight end spot, and Ohio state chose Hamilton.

We will have more on what this commitment means to Ohio State and their 2019 class shortly.

Take a peek at what Hamilton can can do on the field:

Continue reading...

Skip Bayless details why the 2014 Ohio State Buckeyes were the best college football team in the last 20 years - FOXSports.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Skip Bayless details why the 2014 Ohio State Buckeyes were the best college football team in the last 20 years
FOXSports.com
MIAMI (July 27, 2018) – FOX Sports Florida, the statewide television home of the Miami Marlins, will premiere an all-new episode of “Inside the Marlins” this Sunday, July 29, upon conclusion of Miami's game against the Washington Nationals. Join host ...


Continue reading...

BREAKING: Cormontae Hamilton commits to Ohio State - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BREAKING: Cormontae Hamilton commits to Ohio State
247Sports
Memphis (Tenn.) Whitehaven tight end Cormontae Hamilton had his mind set on making it to Friday Night Lights and earning a scholarship offer from the Buckeyes. He made the trip alone and rode on a Greyhound bus both to Columbus and back home.


Continue reading...

Team Scarlet & Gray returns to TBT action with Oden, without Sullinger, Mullens
Matt Tamanini via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The OSU alumni team will look a little different this weekend.

If you didn’t know any better, you might think that the 2018 edition of Team Scarlet & Gray playing in The Basketball Tournament was actually angling for their own version of “Hard Knocks” or “Last Chance U,” because it’s been a little bit of a soap opera for the former Buckeyes.

While the Midwest’s top-seeded squad won its first two games last weekend, the team that head coach Scoonie Penn fields tonight in the Super 16 will look considerably different.


Despite back-and-forth rumors, the star of the tournament thus far, Jared Sullinger, will miss the game against the No. 12 Primetime Players because he is getting married. In an interview on Columbus radio station 105.7 The Zone on Thursday, Penn seemed to leave the door open for Sully’s return on Sunday— should they advance— but was less than 100 percent confident in that option.


However, Sullinger won’t be the only former-Buckeye big-man not suiting up tonight, as Byron Mullens has withdrawn from the team, following a 14-point, five rebound performance in 10 minutes of work in Saturday’s opening-round game.

Citing a disagreement when it came to his cut of the potential $2 million top prize, on Thursday, Mullens said on Instagram that continuing to play would not be worth the risk of injury.


Fortunately for S&G, they won’t be completely without a big man for the weekend, as former No. 1 overall NBA Draft pick Greg Oden will be joining the team, according to Penn. While he is not expected to play anywhere near the minutes that Sullinger did, Oden has been playing quite a bit of basketball in the past year as a student assistant/manager for Chris Holtmann’s Ohio State team. Rumor has it that he is quite the beast in the manager vs. manager pick-up games.

On The Zone, Penn said that he anticipated Scarlet & Gray playing more “small ball,” at least while Sully is out.

How’d we get here?


Sullinger has been an absolute monster in the first two rounds of TBT, putting up a combined 48 points and 26 rebounds, including a ridiculous 28 and 20 performance in the second round.

However, with Sully tying the knot, Scarlet & Gray is going to have to find production elsewhere, and it could come from any host of other players. Everybody’s favorite gym rat, Aaron Craft, turned in 12 points, five assists, and a pair of steals in the second round victory over the No. 9 Matadors, while David Lighty put up 15, four, and three of his own in the game.

In the first contest of the tournament, it was a pair of non-Buckeyes who were the best Robins to Sully’s Batman. Former Nittany Lion Talor Battle contributed 16 points, six boards, and four assists against the No. 16 West Virginia Wildcats, while Columbus native and Norther Illinois alum Leon Rodgers went for 11 points of his own.

I’m not holding my breath that Oden will be enough of a stopgap on his own to keep the Scarlet & Gray alive until Sully returns. However, if he can provided enough of an inside presence to create space for the likes of Jon Diebler, Lighty, Battle, et al., we should see the former Buckeyes make a return trip to the semifinals.

Who’s next?


The former Buckeyes’ Super 16 opponent will be the Primetime Players, a veteran group from North Carolina that has played more than 500 games together over the years. While they were bounced in the first and second rounds of the 2016 and 2017 TBTs, they did make it to the Round of 16 in the inaugural 2015 event.

In this year’s first round, the Players defeated the Bradley alumni team, Always a Brave, 68-64, thanks to an 18-point comeback. Then, in the second round, they upset the No. 4 Big X, a team made up of Big Ten alums, including Andrew Dakich.

With the score tied at 67, Terell Smith hit a three-pointer to reach the Elam Ending target of 70 (more on that below). Smith put up 30 points in the game, to bring his TBT 2018 total to 46. Chris Moore also adds to the team’s scoring, averaging 15 a game thus far.

Check out highlights of their second round game from last weekend:

What’s up with this “Elam Ending” thing?


After experimenting with it in last year’s play-in games, this year’s TBT is using a unique way to end games that will cut down on the increasingly abused, always annoying “Hack-a-Whomever” strategy that prolongs the game.

Here’s how it works:

How to watch

No. 1 Scarlet & Gray vs. No. 12 Primetime Players


Time: 9 p.m. ET

TV: ESPN | Online: Watch ESPN

Continue reading...

Buckeyes getting visit from top 50 prospect this weekend - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes getting visit from top 50 prospect this weekend
247Sports
The 2002 Ohio State season is remembered as magical by Buckeye players and fans alike. The Scarlet and Gray began the year ranked 13th in the AP Poll and projected by the media to finish second in the Big Ten. Yet Jim Tressel's team went undefeated in ...


Continue reading...

Ohio State lands in 5-star’s top 10
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeyes make the cut for an elite 2018 lineman.

It’s been a whirlwind of a week for the Ohio State Buckeyes football program. Not to rehash every detail, but even in the midst of firing a coach and naming a new one as an interim, the Buckeyes landed their 2020 top running back target—further proving that even when a negative headline hits, recruiting still remains one of the greatest strengths of the coaching staff.

On the brink of what is easily the biggest recruiting weekend left until the season begins, the staff will quickly refocus all of their attention to their visitors. With many top prospects coming to campus, Urban Meyer and the rest of his elite recruiting staff will look to continue to put their best foot forward. With some visitors already in attendance for the weekend, these next two days could be very big for the Bucks.

Is OSU right for Wright?


It’s been a pretty drama-free recruiting cycle for Ohio State. With this class, the solid members haven’t wavered. One recruitment, though, that has been a bit of a roller coaster is with five-star offensive tackle and West Virginia native Darnell Wright. Not only is he the second best offensive tackle in the 2019 class, he’s also listed as West Virginia’s top prospect. Not news to any Ohio State recruiting follower: Wright’s talent. Also not news: the bit of wavering between his relationship with the Buckeyes.

Thought to be a heavy Ohio State favorite at one point, Wright at The Opening in Texas came forward with the rumors swirling that there may be some bad blood between him and current Ohio State pledge Doug Nester—another West Virginian. A rivalry between the two is mainly due to their being from the same city, but also from rival schools during their prep seasons. If that’s the sole reason for Wright to not come to Ohio State, you’d have to think that reasoning is just not acceptable, but since The Opening and weeks to follow, Wright may once again be becoming more interested in the Buckeyes, and the relationship with Nester may not be as serious as you’d think. For Buckeye fans, we’re hoping that’s the case and Meyer can pull both the No. 1 and No. 2 ranked players from their neighbors to the east.


Yesterday, via his Twitter account, Wright announced his final top 10 schools. Unaware if he will trim it down even further in the months to come, it’s still impressive for these schools to make the cut considering he has a pretty impressive list of offers. On the list included Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Miami, North Carolina, Penn State, USC, Tennessee and Ohio State.

A trip to Columbus is sure to happen; and if the Buckeyes knock the visit out of the park, they may be able to hold off the SEC for this prospect. Ohio State is currently the overwhelming favorite on the 247sports crystal ball predictions and they’d love to turn that crystal ball into reality.

Coming from out west


As previously mentioned, Ohio State is set to play host to several of their top recruiting targets this weekend. The visitor list is more than impressive and last night started it off with a bang. Ferndale, Washington native Geirean Hatchett, the nation’s seventh best offensive guard prospect in the 2020 class made his way to campus. The 6-foot-5, 275-pound prospect is a top 250 player in his class, the fourth best player in Washington state, and also a composite four-star status player.

While the Buckeyes already hold a commitment from the third best guard in the 2020 class in Luke Wypler and also (most likely) lead for the nation’s best guard in Justin Rogers, it’s easy to tell how well the Buckeyes are not only recruiting, but also putting a serious focus on the offensive line. They may get the two aforementioned players, but they certainly won’t stop recruiting top elite linemen—and Hatchett is easily fitting of that bill.


Looking as if he’s enjoying his time on campus, one of the most telling aspects of this weekend is current commit Paris Johnson also pictured in Hatchett’s tweet. A true leader of the class already, this Cincinnati star is taking matters into his own hands to deliver what Buckeye Nation really wants: a top national class for both Meyer and Ohio State.

Well on their way, Johnson and a host of other already in the fold will be making their voices heard not only this weekend, but until National Signing Day 2020. That should have every one of us very excited for what could be possible in the next major haul of Ohio State talent.

Quick Hits:

• 6-foot-4 2020 receiver, Devell Washington (Bay City, Michigan) will be on campus today at Ohio State. The Michigan native will visit the Wolverines tomorrow, but is currently pegged as a Michigan State lean.
• Rakim Jarrett, the ninth best 2020 receiver from Washington, D.C. will be on Ohio State’s campus both today and tomorrow. A big time visit, this weekend could even possibly be commit watch time for the heavy Ohio State favorite.

Continue reading...

BuckeyeXtra Football podcast | An upheaval in the Buckeyes coaching staff - The Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BuckeyeXtra Football podcast | An upheaval in the Buckeyes coaching staff
The Columbus Dispatch
Dispatch Ohio State football beat writers Bill Rabinowitz and Tim May on the upheaval in the Buckeyes coaching staff just days from the opening of preseason camp, and some thoughts about the Big Ten after the annual conference media days in Chicago.


Continue reading...

2002 Buckeyes ranked worst national title team in last 20 years - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


2002 Buckeyes ranked worst national title team in last 20 years
247Sports
The 2002 Ohio State season is remembered as magical by Buckeye players and fans alike. The Scarlet and Gray began the year ranked 13th in the AP Poll and projected by the media to finish second in the Big Ten. Yet Jim Tressel's team went undefeated in ...
Ohio State lands sixth recruit in 2020 classDayton Daily News
2020 4-star running back Darvon Hubbard commits to Ohio State: What it means for the Buckeyescleveland.com
Dotting the 'Eyes: Ohio State impressed Walter Rouse, Paris Johnson honoredLettermen Row
Chat Sports
all 39 news articles »

Continue reading...

At the Ohio State Fair? Look for a record-setting 350-pound buckeye - ThisWeek Community News
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


At the Ohio State Fair? Look for a record-setting 350-pound buckeye
ThisWeek Community News
Buckeyes are big in Ohio, but none is bigger than the one at the Ohio State Fair. The buckeye made by Marsha's Homemade Buckeyes from Perrysburg has set the record for the world's largest buckeye, weighing in just shy of 350 pounds, fair spokesperson ...


Continue reading...

There have been quite a few national championship teams the Buckeyes have faced over the years and some other really good ones. What was the best team Ohio State ever faced?

5-star offensive tackle Darnell Wright puts Ohio State in his top 10: Buckeyes football recruiting - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


5-star offensive tackle Darnell Wright puts Ohio State in his top 10: Buckeyes football recruiting
cleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Ohio State's 2019 class could still use some more depth on the offensive line. The top uncommitted lineman in the country, five-star tackle Darnell Wright from West Virginia, put out his list of his top 10 schools on Thursday. Ohio ...
Buckeyes In Top Group for 5-Star OT Darnell WrightThe Ozone

all 6 news articles »

Continue reading...

BuckeyeXtra Football podcast | An upheaval in the Buckeyes coaching staff - The Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BuckeyeXtra Football podcast | An upheaval in the Buckeyes coaching staff
The Columbus Dispatch
Dispatch Ohio State football beat writers Bill Rabinowitz and Tim May on the upheaval in the Buckeyes coaching staff just days from the opening of preseason camp, and some thoughts about the Big Ten after the annual conference media days in Chicago.


Continue reading...

Bucknuts Brackets: No. 3 Ryan Shazier vs No. 19 Raekwon McMillan - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Bucknuts Brackets: No. 3 Ryan Shazier vs No. 19 Raekwon McMillan
247Sports
Shazier became a starter for the Buckeyes as a sophomore under Meyer and was a terror for Big Ten offenses. He led the conference with 17 tackles for loss and finished second in the league with 115 total tackles. He tied for fourth in the Big Ten with ...


Continue reading...

Buckeyes name Brian Hartline interim WR coach for 2018 season - ESPN
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes name Brian Hartline interim WR coach for 2018 season
ESPN
Hartline, a former Buckeyes wide receiver who played seven NFL seasons, had been serving as a quality control coach for the team, working with the receivers. The team also elevated Corey Dennis to an enhanced quality control position, where he will ...
Brian Hartline named interim Ohio State receivers coach: Buckeyes football newscleveland.com
They noted the irony of Ohio State welcoming in Brenda Tracy to speak with to the OSU football and basketball ...247Sports
Ohio State names interim wide receivers coachWHIO

all 13 news articles »

Continue reading...

Ohio State names Hartline interim WR coach - ESPN (press release) (blog)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State names Hartline interim WR coach
ESPN (press release) (blog)
Hartline, a former Buckeyes wide receiver who played seven NFL seasons, had been serving as a quality control coach for the team, working with the receivers. The team also elevated Corey Dennis to an enhanced quality control position, where he will ...
BH: Even faster than last year? | Life of Brian247Sports
Meyer says assistant's firing best for BuckeyesMartins Ferry Times Leader
Meyer says assistant's firing best thing for Buckeyes | College ...South Bend Tribune
Lettermen Row
all 39 news articles »

Continue reading...

Brian Hartline to serve as Ohio State’s interim WR coach
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The former Buckeye and NFL receiver is taking over ‘Zone 6’ for the time being.

With news on Monday night that Ohio State football has parted ways with wide receiver coach Zach Smith following several disturbing allegations of domestic violence, the team has announced that former Buckeye and Quality Control Coach Brian Hartline will fill that role on an interim basis.


Hartline was added to the Ohio State staff in 2017 as an assistant, after spending seven seasons in the NFL. Since joining the coaching staff in Columbus, he’s been involved in the team’s recruiting efforts, and should be able to seamlessly slip into Smith’s role — albeit to a smaller extent — without causing too many hiccups with prospects.


The new leader of Zone 6 made his way back to OSU after being waived by the Cleveland Browns after one season. Despite his short stint in Cleveland, it came following six fairly successful seasons with the Dolphins. He finished his career with 4,766 yards on 344 receptions and 14 touchdowns.

There was a bit of drama surrounding his final year with the Browns, when Hartline was pretty candid about his feelings toward fellow Buckeye (and 2008 teammate) Terrelle Pryor Sr. and the QB-turned-receiver’s potential.

“You’re trying to tell me with a guy that had suspect personality characteristics, I’m going to go ahead and hand you a bunch of money, then you’re going to work harder?” Hartline said, according to ESPN. “Uh, I think I’m going to bet against that if I’m a betting man.”

It’s curious that Hartline would be so critical of someone with Pryor’s obvious athleticism. Even if Pryor hadn’t proven himself as a wide receiver, it’s silly to say that he didn’t have potential. Especially from someone who played with him for a season at Ohio State.

Hartline was a wideout in Columbus from 2005 to 2008, and in his final year, was the recipient of 21 passes thrown by Pryor, good for 479 yards and four touchdowns. It will now be incumbent on the former OSU standout to prove that he can translate his obvious first-hand knowledge of how to play the position to the next generation of Buckeye pass-catchers.


It was also announced that Corey Dennis was promoted to senior quality control coach working with wide receivers and quarterbacks. Dennis played in the defensive secondary and on special teams at Georgia Tech, and joined the OSU coaching staff as a graduate assistant in 2015. He is married to Urban Meyer’s daughter, Nikki.

Continue reading...

Brian Hartline named interim Ohio State receivers coach: Buckeyes football news - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Brian Hartline named interim Ohio State receivers coach: Buckeyes football news
cleveland.com
Brian Hartline named interim Ohio State receivers coach: Buckeyes football news. Updated July 26, 2018 at 9:44 AM ; Posted July 26, 2018 at 9:31 AM. Former Ohio State receiver Brian Hartline has been named the Buckeyes' interim receivers coach ...
Brian Hartline named Ohio State's interim WR coach247Sports

all 5 news articles »

Continue reading...