Can Tulsa beat Ohio State football? A 2 percent chance the Buckeyes could lose - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Can Tulsa beat Ohio State football? A 2 percent chance the Buckeyes could lose
cleveland.com
The Buckeyes will be coming off a home game against Bowling Green. Chances to beat Ohio State: 2 percent. Tulsa has lost its last 12 games against ranked opponents, and is 3-18 in its last 21 road openers. Yet two percent is a high number considering ...
No FNL for No. 1 D-tackle, but Buckeyes remain in good shape247Sports.com
Around the Oval: Ohio State Dominates Michigan in Director's Cup and Buckeyes Compete in Olympic TrialsEleven Warriors
College Football 2016 Preview: Ohio State BuckeyesAllMediaNY
247Sports -Columbus Dispatch -isportsweb.com (blog)
all 24 news articles »

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Ten Questions With Ohio State Women’s Ice Hockey Coach – Jenny Potter
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


This past Friday (July 1st) I had the pleasure of talking with The Ohio State University Women’s Ice Hockey Head Coach – Jenny Potter. She is quite the decorated athlete (of which you will learn more of as we move along). I enjoyed the short time that I spent with her and I know without question all of Buckeye Nation will enjoy our conversation as well. So shall we move along?

tBBC: Coming from a small town in Minnesota, Edina; which I do understand that Minnesota is huge on hockey – but how did hockey come to you – or was it you to hockey?

Coach Potter: It was a little bit of both. As you mentioned I grew up in small town Minnesota. My Dad and my Mom use to just take me down to the rink and we would play around some and eventually hockey would happen. My Dad and Mom were always into exercising. This was such a natural way for us to do that and have fun. I now know that in Columbus it is a little different. I don’t mind when it’s warmer. But I do miss the colder winters so that I can get out and play some. I notice that when it’s colder a lot of kids get out on the rinks, the frozen ponds, and so on, and just have fun. That’s what hockey is – a lot of fun.

tBBC: You have won All-American Honors in all four years of College. With the University of Minnesota Duluth you won a NCAA Title in 2003. Your amazing accolades don’t stop there … You are a Minnesota Duluth Athletic Hall of Fame Inductee and a three-time Patty Kazmaier Award Finalist; you are the Bulldogs’ all time leading scorer and share the NCAA record for goals in a game with six. In the 1999-00 season you led the nation in scoring; you were named the Western Collegiate Hockey Association’s Player of the Year, of which you also received in the 2002-03 season… You are the 2nd youngest player to ever make Team USA – Gold came your way in the 1998 Olympics, Silver in the 2002 and 2010 Olympics and the Bronze in 2006. In 2010 you led the US in scoring and became the first Olympic player to net hat tricks in back to back games while also setting a US single-game record with five points. I am talking to a true legend here aren’t I! Is there any special award, event, or notice that stands out the most to you – that you are the proudest of?

Coach Potter: The accomplishments are what kept driving me. I always had challenged myself to become the best player that I was capable of being. Chasing that first Gold Medal in ’98 – that is something I will never forget. That is something pretty special. Winning a National Championship is also super special – and not only did we win a National Championship but we won it in double overtime and in Duluth Minnesota. So that was like icing on the cake. Those are two very special moments but then again being part of an Olympics Gold winning Team is what it is about. I think that everyone that competes tries for the Gold Medal. There are not many who walk away with a medal, let alone a Gold one. So that is the one thing that is special to have. Not many people have that opportunity. I think of that.

tBBC: Do you stay in touch with Maria Rooth, Hanne Sikio, Erika Holst, Brittany Ralph, Navada Russell, and Tuula Puputti? (Members of the NCAA 2003 Champions University of Minnesota at Duluth)

Coach Potter: They are all from different countries and so the experience of all these different cultures … is wonderful. I try to stay in touch … I cannot say that I have been the best at it – especially with staying in touch with my family and all that I have going on now, it sometimes is not easy. But when I do see them in International events we do chat and catch up. I will be going to an International event in Finland and I will see Tuula Puputti there, not sure if anyone else on that list will be there. I did see Erika Holst last year and we chatted. It is a small world and as long as those players are still involved in Women’s Ice Hockey and keep elevating its values and the sport itself we will be in touch. It’s the circles and we will cross paths. I wish I could say I am better at staying in touch with some of the great people in my past, but I could certainly be better.

tBBC: As a coach for the Trinity College Bantams you led them to their first conference championship (NESCAC) and their second NCAA tournament berth in program history, as the squad concluded the 2014-15 season with a 18-7-2 record. You have coached High School too. Now you are in Columbus. When you move to different levels is there an adjustment in coaching that transpires or does the basic philosophy always remain the same?

Coach Potter: I think the philosophy is always the same. It’s like all sports. You teach. I think I am setting such a high bar. I think it is always a plus to have an idea of what you can accomplish and just by being myself, that person who has that drive of competitiveness, and now being a Coach, I know that edge they have and that they want, even though they do not know it exists within themselves. To me coaching is coaching – it doesn’t matter if you are teaching High School kids or College aged players. You know they want to be hockey players or they wouldn’t be there and it’s my job to find their special skills or talents and to teach to the level they can reach.

tBBC: I feel that everyone at The Ohio State University, students, professors, coaches, every employee, no matter the job, have a special spot on campus they yearn for either quiet time or positive interaction. Do you have such a spot on The Ohio State University’s campus and if so where is it?

Coach Potter: Personally? I like the Oval. I like the outdoors. I love the quiet it offers. I enjoy just walking around so that would definitely be the place. Some might say Mirror Lake, but, you know, I come from the ‘Land of 10,000 Lakes’! So, yeah, The Oval!

tBBC: You are now a member of The Ohio State University and undoubtedly you have heard of the names, the stories – is there any special athlete you are most fond of that once called OSU home?

Coach Potter: One of the most well known would be Jesse Owens. I mean all that he accomplished as an athlete and a person, especially in the era that he did it – the controversies he faced. For sure he is the first name that comes to my mind of one, if not, the best that came from this University. As a hockey player I often lean towards thinking of hockey greats, of which OSU has had. Then of course the other sports! This university with their tradition and power they generate has many great athletes’ alumni. But I would have to say Jesse Owens is the commanding leader.

tBBC: How big is it in the loss of Julia McKinnon and Cara Zubko and who can we look forward to this coming season that will have us raising the rafters?

Coach Potter: Yeah definitely a big loss – those two – great players, great athletes. Hopefully we can fill their shoes the best we can. We have Jincy Dunne who got injured last year and we are looking forward to her coming back. She has fantastic potential, a true impact player with the ability to be a superstar in this league. There’s also Kassidy Sauve who will be able to stop some goals for us. These two are essential in our filling in the puzzle pieces for next season.

tBBC: Is there anyone who shared some valuable advice to you in your past that to this day you treasure, what is this wondrous advice … and if you like you can share with us from whom?

Coach Potter: Wow! I have had a lot of wonderful advice from so many. You gonna make me think one out, huh? I have had so many great people in my life that offered great advice at the time in my life when it was needed. I guess my Dad. He was there throughout. He helped me get where I wanted to be. He was such a huge and important part of all of this. The little things that he taught me that stuck with me. My husband too – he helped me to maintain who I am and in excelling and becoming even better; even in coaching just watching him and how he does things, handles things. It is so valuable. Often the best advice isn’t always words of wisdom but witnessing someone’s actions. You see in that a truth. The way they handle themselves is important. My Dad use to always tell me when I was trying harder and harder, the competitiveness level I was in was big, he use to always tell me that you never stay the same. You either get better or you get worse. In other words never become complacent. Even with the Gold Medal in the Olympics there’s always something else chasing you. Never give up. You must continue for that next plateau. You must always move forward, not stay in place, or move backwards. No on wins in that.

tBBC: What advice do you give young athletes when they clearly seek what you have obtained. After all you’ve been there, tasting the victories, and you understand the hard work and dedication to get to the level where you have been. Is there anything special you pass onto them that holds strong when they listen to you?

Coach Potter: I don’t know how much they listen to me. It is human nature, I think, to voice something from the heart, and to go towards things that you are good at. But to get to the things that you want there is always something you must get past that you don’t like. It’s like asking players how many of you like doing pull-ups? Not many hands come up. Then when you see this you ask how many of them can do a pull-up? Again not many hands come up. I feel like they have to learn to love what they don’t and become the best at that before you can be the best at what you do love – which is hockey here – that we are speaking of. I tell athletes to do the tough work, work hard at it. Then the sport you are going out for will benefit from your accomplishments – from the things you never dreamed you were capable of doing. It makes you the best at what you do. I tell them that there’s no substitute for hard work. Work hard at everything that you do. Because in that – you’ll become great at something … it may not be hockey but it may be something you do in school, or something else. You must give it your all. Giving fifty-percent in anything does nothing for you. You will never know the answer to how good you really are.

tBBC: I know you are a Bulldog … but you are a Buckeye now too. Can you share with us what it means to you to be a member of one of the most loyal and intense sports nations in all of America?

Coach Potter: I enjoy it – getting to know all of the traditions. I remember some of it from my WCHA days, but now really being a part of campus and seeing it from more of an insider’s perspective I enjoy the things about the school, the extended family atmosphere, the community. The Buckeyes do all of this. It is so wonderful; we are all one big family. And when you go anywhere you have your traditions and you are a part of this family forever – so it is something really special. I have enjoyed my experiences and look forward to much more.

Once again I’d like to thank Coach Potter for the time she allowed me. I found her refreshing, forthright, and inspirational. Once our conversation ended and I sat quietly in my room to my own thoughts – I was ready to tackle the world. Coach Potter is a fantastic motivational teacher. The Ohio State University Athletic Department knew what they were doing in landing Coach Potter for their Women’s Ice Hockey Program – getting an up-and-coming future Coach that will deliver wins for a School that is used to them. Get ready Buckeye Nation – Coach Potter is the real deal. Great things are soon to happen in Columbus.

The post Ten Questions With Ohio State Women’s Ice Hockey Coach – Jenny Potter appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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Ohio State in prime position for 2018's No. 1 DT
Dan Hessler via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Buckeyes looking for a big BOOM to start the 2018 recruiting class

For Ohio State, it has been an extremely exciting off-season. Buckeye Nation has been able to watch Urban Meyer put together what could become the best recruiting class in Ohio State history. However, things have slowed down recently with the dead period being in place.

Yesterday was Independence Day and many recruits spent the day with their families and friends, as they should. There was some news to that came arose from the remnants of the fireworks, however.

Buckeyes in the mix for 2018 DT


Five-star defensive tackle Taron Vincent (Bradenton, FL / IMG Academy) spoke with Bill Kurelic of BuckNuts yesterday and reaffirmed his interest in the Buckeyes. The top rated DT of the 2018 class included Ohio State in his list of top schools, along with Florida State and UCLA.

Vincent, only a sophomore in high school, has expressed interest in the Buckeyes since they presented him with a scholarship offer. Since then, he has visited campus three times, with the most recent being last month. While the 6-foot-2, 285-pound DT attended Ohio State's annual Friday Night Light's camp last year, he informed Kurelic that he didn't think he would be able to find time to attend this year.

Vincent's inability to attend the camp this year has no reflection on the Buckeyes potential to land the top 15 player in his class. Currently, 247Sports sees Ohio State as the sure-fire candidate to land Vincent, as 8 out of 8 of its crystal ball predictions favor the Buckeyes.

Five-star WR picks Clemson over Ohio State and others


Five-star wide receiver Tee Higgins (Oak Ridge, TN / Oak Ridge) announced his commitment to the Clemson Tigers yesterday.

Higgins had listed his top ten schools back in May, which included Ohio State, Michigan, Florida State, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Georgia Alabama, LSU and Ole Miss.

Missing out on the No. 3 WR in the class of 2017 is a definite loss for Ohio State. However, Urban Meyer has the Buckeyes in the thick of things for multiple WRs in this class, including three five-stars.

Donovan Peoples-Jones (Detroit, MI / Cass Technical), Trevon Grimes (Fort Lauderdale, FL / St. Thomas Aquinas) and Tyjon Lindsey (Corona, CA / Centennial) are all high on Ohio State – creating a chance for the Buckeyes to potentially land all three. Realistic expectations would be for the Buckeyes to land two of these three, with Grimes and Lindsey being the most likely.

Grimes has listed Ohio State as his favorite for the majority of his recruitment while Lindsey has become a much more practical since the recent commitment from Tate Martell (Las Vegas, NV / Bishop Gorman). The two were teammates in high school before Lindsey left for Centennial.

Quick Hit


Former Buckeye star RB, Ezekiel Elliott announced that he will be in attendance for this years The Opening Finals held at the Nike headquarters in Oregon. Five-star RB Cam Akers (Clinton, MS / Clinton) will be participating in the prestigious camp this year and it will be interesting to see if the crop-top hero can persuade Akers to join Buckeye Nation.

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Can Bowling Green beat Ohio State? A 1 percent chance the Buckeyes could lose - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Can Bowling Green beat Ohio State? A 1 percent chance the Buckeyes could lose
cleveland.com
How they could compete with Ohio State: Let's not forget that Ohio State is replacing the vast majority of its contributors from a year ago, and the Buckeyes don't always come out and play well in early season day games. How could the Falcons come in ...

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Ohio State football players learn the true meaning of freedom
Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Urban Meyer is continuing to teach his players the importance of freedom by honoring those who have served.

"We have some incredible people on our team, as most places have, and I don’t think you realize the depth until you ask for this kind of assignment. They opened their hearts to something as serious as this, and I was blown away."

-Urban Meyer, via Jesse Temple, ESPN


As a continuation of "Patriot Week" at Ohio State in May, which aimed to teach members of the football team real-life lessons about their freedom, head coach Urban Meyer is seeking ways to help others beyond the team itself. As a result, Meyer and the team reached out personally to the families of deceased servicemembers through a letter writing campaign. To make the process even more personal, Ohio State staff worked to match the players on the team with the families based on their own hometown. Defensive end Tracy Sprinkle, for example, was matched with fellow Elyria native Army Sgt. Daniel M. Shepherd, who was killed in action in Iraq in 2004. Meyer said that he will continue to incorporate the letter writing campaign into his "Real Life Wednesday" sessions, and that many of the players have found the sessions in preparation for Memorial Day to be extremely impactful. In his letter to the family of Marine Staff Sgt. Mark A. Wojciechowski, who died in Iraq in 2009, Hilliard wrote "From now on, everytime I hear the national anthem before a game, I will think of your son, and be thankful for every selfless hero who has put others before themselves in making an extreme sacrifice for the people of this country. Though I have never met your family, I will keep you in my thoughts and prayers for the rest of my life."

"Defending national champion Alabama has 10 of the 17 first-place votes and goes into the season as the clear No. 1."



-Steve Helwagen, 247Sports


With seemingly innumerable preseason polls available, all with different standings, 247sports compiled 17 of the most prominent polls currently available to produce a composite ranking of college football teams as they currently stand prior to the start of the 2016 season. Having lost two-thirds of its starters to the NFL Draft, the Ohio State Buckeyes are sitting at the No. 7 spot in the consensus poll, though they are as high as No. 3 in others. Michigan comes in at No. 5, but Ohio State ranked higher in four of five major preseason magazines. With the consensus poll, the Big Ten Championship would pit Iowa (No. 15) against Michigan. However, the Big Ten race will ultimately come down to Jim Harbaugh’s first trip to Columbus Nov. 26.

In terms of the College Football Playoff, the top-four teams are: Alabama, Clemson, Oklahoma and Florida State. Ohio State and Tennessee (No. 8) are currently matched in the Cotton Bowl Jan. 2 as highly-ranked at-large bids.

While several teams, including Clemson, Oklahoma, Florida State, LSU and Tennessee, each received at least one first place vote, Alabama is the clear-cut favorite at the top spot. Following the trend of recent years, the SEC also seems to be the preseason’s favorite conference, with six teams in the top 25 and three in the top 10. The Big Ten, tied with the ACC and Big 12, has four ranked teams (Michigan, Ohio State, Iowa and No. 14 Michigan State).

"Head coach Tom Ryan and his grappling Buckeyes have embraced the challenge of being a contender in the most grueling conference in any collegiate sport."

-Joe Dexter, the Buckeye Battle Cry


Just a year removed from the first NCAA crown in program history, the Ohio State wrestling team is not letting up on its slate for the 2016-17 season. Despite its schedule last year, Ohio State still managed a third-place finish in both the Big Ten Tournament and NCAA Tournament as the team continued to improve over the course of the season. With so many tough opponents heading into this season, it will be a similar learning curve for the young but talented squad.

Already forced to contend with some of the most prominent wrestling programs in the country, such as Penn State and Iowa, the Buckeyes will also have to face Missouri, who upset Ohio State last season in Columbia. While the Buckeyes will have to travel to Wisconsin, Iowa and Nebraska, the latter two of whom finished in the top-10 of last year’s NCAA Tournament, Ohio State will face Northwestern, Rutgers, Illinois and Penn State at home. Ohio State is not scheduled to face Michigan in dual meets this season.

Despite the loss of key seniors, including Hunter Stieber and Johnni DiJulius, Ohio State returns six starters from last season, including junior Kyle Snyder, who is competing in the Rio Olympics later this summer. Snyder entered last season planning to redshirt in preparation for the Olympics, but returned to the Ohio State squad following the start of the team’s conference matches, ultimately earning a national title at the 285-pound weight class. After a third-place finish at Germany’s Grand Prix over the weekend, Snyder will head to Rio to compete in the 97 kg freestyle class. Beyond Snyder, the Buckeyes are inundated with young talent, including sophomore Myles Martin, who won the first national championship for a true freshman in program history at the 174-pound weight class. Ohio State also returns 2014-15 NCAA champion Nathan Tomasello at the 125-pound weight class.

STICK TO SPORTS

• This military tribute at Fort Bragg was awesome
• Check out the Big Ten mascots’ tribute to the Star Spangled Banner
• Who is Ohio State’s biggest celebrity fan? Check here to find out
• And the winner of the Nathan’s Hot Dog Eating Contest is...

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Mega Menu Search Box - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Mega Menu Search Box
Eleven Warriors
They also had two second place and two third place finishes. Michigan's highest ranking of the season was Women's Water Polo in fourth place. While Michigan may have an impressive number of team finishes in the top 20, the Buckeyes have six top three ...


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Ohio State Buckeyes of Past and Present React to Kevin Durant Joining the Golden State Warriors - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Buckeyes of Past and Present React to Kevin Durant Joining the Golden State Warriors
Eleven Warriors
The United States of America turned 240-years-old on Monday morning, yet it's free agent NBA forward Kevin Durant that stole the show. Durant, who played his entire NBA career with the Oklahoma Thunder, the team that drafted him in 2007 when it was ...

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No FNL for No. 1 D-tackle, but Buckeyes remain in good shape - 247Sports.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


No FNL for No. 1 D-tackle, but Buckeyes remain in good shape
247Sports.com
The country's No. 1 class of 2018 defensive tackle, Taron Vincent from Bradenton (Fla.) IMG, worked out at one of the Buckeyes' 1-Day Position Camps in mid-June. As one would expect, Vincent spent quite a bit of time with Ohio State defensive line ...
College Football 2016 Preview: Ohio State BuckeyesAllMediaNY
Inexperienced Ohio State Football still the Big Ten favoriteisportsweb.com (blog)
Ohio State football | Players like flotation tank as way to relax, heal fasterColumbus Dispatch
Eleven Warriors -Land-Grant Holy Land -247Sports
all 14 news articles »

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Can Bowling Green beat Ohio State? A 1 percent chance the Buckeyes could lose - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Can Bowling Green beat Ohio State? A 1 percent chance the Buckeyes could lose
cleveland.com
How they could compete with Ohio State: Let's not forget that Ohio State is replacing the vast majority of their contributors from a year ago, and the Buckeyes don't always come out and play well in early season day games. How could the Falcons come in ...

and more »

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Single Game Ohio State Football Tickets on Sale July 11
Joe Dexter via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Tickets for individual games at Ohio Stadium in 2016, will go on sale early next week.

According to a release from the Ohio State Athletics:

• Bowling Green and Tulsa – $70
• Rutgers and Indiana – $80
• Northwestern – $90
• Nebraska – $135
• Michigan – $195

The Buckeyes finished second in attendance in 2015, averaging 107,244 fans per game at Ohio Stadium. Over the seven game home schedule, Ohio State tallied 750,705 fans making their way to Columbus to witness a home game.



The post Single Game Ohio State Football Tickets on Sale July 11 appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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TBBC Roundtable: What Does Independence Day Mean To Me
WVaBuckeye via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


TBBC wants to wish everyone a very Happy Independence Day and hope it’s the most enjoyable day possible. We like roundtables around these parts and sometimes like to express our own feelings, shocking I know, but we have a great love for our country and the freedoms we have because of the brave who have fought and lost for us.


Some of here are veterans, some of us have serious ties and memories to those who did serve and to some it’s a special birthday. Thank you for taking the time to read one of the more powerful articles put together here in a while. Have a great day

What Does Independence Day Mean to Me?


Joe – I have never been a big fan of fireworks. They will never be my thing. Independence though, will always be my everything. From being able to raise a family through the freedom of my beliefs, to my god given right to make fun of That Team up North.

I am blessed to practice the freedom bestowed upon me to pursue happiness. I cherish the groundwork that, even when challenged, allows my country to stand tall.
Most importantly, I’m reminded of the great unity of Independence that is found in the roots of this country. I praise those before us that come together in times of tribulation and struggle to defend this land. And I hope that we as a country — a power beyond measure in this world — find those values in a growing time of disdain between our citizens.
The United States of America is the land of the free and the home of the brave. Today, I encourage you to remember that while freedom is a god-given right, It’s also a privilege.
If we’re united, we can stand together against the transgressions our nation faces every single day. Does that mean we have to agree on every single thing? Absolutely not.
The birth of our nation should serve as a reminder though that if we’re not united as a nation, we will not stand as the greatest nation ever known to mankind. What makes this country great isn’t just the ideals that have been in place since 1776.
It’s the power of a united people.
Without that core strength — split by only empowering what we believe without being willing to open discourse — divided we will fall.
That unfortunate truth is self-evident.
The first step in taking our country back, is remembering and respecting the core values of what makes this country great. Not just from the first person perspective, but that those rights are equal for those around us as well
Michael – 4th of July means family, fun, food, and fireworks. It’s a time to celebrate this great country we all live in. It means freedom and to thank all the men and women who died bringing and defending that freedom. I love this country and I love celebrating the 4th of July. My home town does as well. For a very small town it has a big parade and one of the best firework shows around the area. It’s so good in fact, a town that has a population of just 4,000 gets crowds as big as 30,000 for the show. Happy 4th of July everyone!!
Scott – I’m old fashioned when it comes to holidays. I like them for what they mean, not all the pomp and circumstance.
While I love fireworks and festivals, for me, July 4 is a day to remember and recognize all the freedoms we earned by leaving the tyranny of England and becoming an independent country
JC – Independence Day to me is the representation of all that we are. I am not punished because of my faith, my politics, or my strong disdain for TTUN. I love America. I love the idea that I can strongly protest anything and only be branded by the opposition as a”whatever” is encouragement to continue.
There just isn’t anywhere on the face of this earth like America. And just as important there’s no where like The Ohio State University.
Patrick – I’m like everyone else in some regards when it comes to the 4th and what it means to my freedoms and remembering the birth of our country, but the 4th of July holds a special meaning to me in a bigger way than just that.
Many of you know that I have a disabled brother, but what many of you don’t know, is how much this kid means to me or the involvement in which I have in his life. My brother Blake was born on the 4th of July, 1978. Blake is non verbal and autistic and has cerebral palsy. Blake requires daily personal care and it is very involved. Blake is my best friend and my brother. Blake comes to my house on Friday nights and stays till dad comes to pick him up on Monday morning to take him to work.
I have chosen to take over Blake’s care full time when my parents can no longer do it and it’s a labor of love I can’t wait to do. Blake also has a love for Ohio State that probably tops many of us in this forum. Blake is perpetual motion most of the day but when a Buckeyes game is on, he sits and watches and cheers. He’ll even stop and watch if a replay is on Big Ten Network.
The two biggest highlights of Blake’s year is when he gets to compete in the state of Ohio state Special Olympic Summer and Winter Games held on the campus of The Ohio State University. Almost every piece of clothing he owns is OSU gear and his room at my house is donned in pictures and posters of Ohio State. Blake LOVES to get on YouTube and look up videos of his favorite thing and with out hesitation, the very FIRST thing you will always hear when he gets on the computer are the campus chimes of Carmen, OH.
When Blake and I are traveling, many times he’ll sign “hot dog” and “Coke” and point in the direction we travel down 71 south to Columbus to ask me if we’re going to a Bucks game. Having a sibling that’s disabled often reminds me to sit back and remember and experience the simple things in life, like a hot dog and a coke at a Buckeyes game. Happy 4th to everyone and happy 38th birthday to my brother Blake!!

Brandon – Independence Day is a time to celebrate our freedom. We celebrate this by spending time with family and friends, we cook things on the grill, and we watch fireworks. It is a joyous occasion where it is not uncommon for a community of absolute strangers to come together to celebrate. Outside of these fun activities, there is another whole side of the 4th of July which I implore you to think about.During the American Revolution, there were 217,000 individuals who put their country’s best interest ahead of their own and battled for our freedom. Since then, over 40 million individuals have stepped up to the challenge and fought for our freedom. Over 656,000 of those brave souls have lost their lives so that we can celebrate this day together.

We have over 23 million veterans living among us. It could be yourself…it could be your neighbor…it could be your family member but seek them out and thank them. It doesn’t have to be Memorial Day or Veterans Day to do this. I am lucky enough to be friends with many service members from all of the branches. I myself am a veteran who deployed three times. My wife is an active duty service member who has deployed twice. I have friends who have been wounded…I have friends who have died…I thank each and every one of them for their service and for allowing me the opportunity to celebrate this day with family and friends.

Charles – Like many others have said, Independence Day means the celebration of our freedom and that I am lucky to live in the US. Of course we tend to celebrate these things by spending time with friends and family grilling out, drinking beer, and watching fireworks and that is appropriate because these are things we are able to do because we live in this country and I mean that not only in terms of our freedom to do so but that we live in a country where we have the economic opportunities to do these kind of things.

Of course we should also take time to think about those who have made our freedom possible and this country so great. This tends to be focused on remembering and honoring the veterans who sacrificed to preserve our freedom and we should do this but we should also remember all the others who have contributed to the country over the years, to make the US great and worth protecting.
Living in Australia for three years (this is actually my first Fourth of July in the US since 2011) helped give me a different perspective on the US, both good and bad. While the are many great things about the US, there are also things that could be better (I’d love to have Australia’s gun laws and health care system more like theirs) but in the end, I’m grateful and lucky to be an American. My time abroad gave me a chance to think about what makes America great and while there are a lot of little things, there are two big ones that stand out:
1. Freedom of speech. This is something that we all talk about and say we appreciate but it is also something we tend to take for granted. While we know that there are many countries that don’t have freedom of speech for their citizens, we tend to assume that this a common thing about western democracies. While most western countries have some form of freedom of speech, many of them are not as expansive or as well protected as it is in the US. For example, the Australian constitution does not mention freedom of speech, it is just another law that can easily be changed by the government and they have placed significant restrictions on it by banning offensive speech. While we all appreciate our freedom of speech, it is important to understand how crucial it is to making our country great. Where would the US be if people in the past couldn’t speak out and protest against injustices that were being done, whether by the government or society?
2. The fact that we are a giant melting pot. The US is a diverse nation made up of people whose families originated from all over the world. These people came to the US and contributed their skills to help build this country. The importance of being a melting pot seems to have been forgotten by many lately who seek to keep certain groups out or to insist that those who come here entirely assimilate to our way of life without adding anything from where they come from. The purpose and strength of being a melting pot is that people who come here do become Americans and part of our country but in doing so add bits of themselves and where they come from to our society. Just look at how we celebrate the Fourth of July, fireworks originated in China, beer originated in the ancient Middle East and was popularized by the Germans, hot dogs originated in Germany, and grilling meat predated Europeans arriving in North America and was common amongst numerous native groups throughout the Americas.
I hope everyone has a good Fourth of July and takes some time to think about what this day means to them.
WVa – There isn’t much that I can say that hasn’t been said above. What this day means to me is truly what it is for. I myself have served my country, was involved in a bombing by terrorist and yet that isn’t a drop in the bucket compared to what others have been through.
I lost a friend in the bombing and he left behind a wife and child. There is rarely a week or days that go by I don’t think about him and them. He saved several of my shipmates from the destruction from the grenades used and sacrificed all for me and others. He didn’t throw himself on the grenade, but if he hadn’t been setting where he was, several others would be lost.
We live in the greatest country in the world and we have the freedoms we have because of people like Ron Strong and thousands of others who have fought and lost. Today is special to me because I get to enjoy the day with my family because of what it stands for. I hope everybody has a blessed day and enjoys it with those you love!


God Bless The U.S.A.

The post TBBC Roundtable: What Does Independence Day Mean To Me appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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Dienhart: Big Ten East linebacker unit rankings
Tom Dienhart, BTN.com Senior Writer via Big Ten Network

Linebackers need to be a special breed of crazy and talent, willing to take on big offensive linemen and fullbacks with power while also having the speed to chase down running backs. And no school in the East has a better collection of LBs than Michigan State. [ MORE: East OL | East receiving corps | East backfields | East DL | East predictions ] Here’s my ranking of Big Ten East linebacking units. 1. Michigan State. Lots of talent in East Lansing. Senior Riley Bullough will be one of the Big Ten’s best. He is Mr. Spartan, a true

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Ohio State football has a shot at winning multiple awards this season
Meredith Hein via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


They still have a lot to prove, but several Buckeyes have a good shot at winning national awards come the end of the 2016 season.

Coming off a 12-1 season, capped with a traditional beat-down over Michigan, a Fiesta Bowl win over Notre Dame and a historic draft class, the Ohio State Buckeyes face a tough road ahead in terms of rebuilding what has proven to be one of the most talented teams in program history, having lost three-fourths of the starters on both sides of the ball.

However, talent in Columbus is still high, and the Buckeyes should not be counted out from major college football awards for the 2016 season. Those who have opted to return to the team either by their own volition or because they are not eligible for the draft still have a lot to prove before they can hoist their respective trophies, but Ohio State has more than a few team members whose names should appear on watchlists over the coming months as kickoff for the 2016 season approaches.

Ohio State players are not likely to be in the running for many of the skill position awards, such as the Doak Walker (outstanding running back), Biletnikoff (outstanding receiver) and Mackey (outstanding tight end) awards, but should be frontrunners for others, such as the Butkus (outstanding linebacker), Davey O’Brien (outstanding quarterback) and, of course, the Home Depot Award for coach of the year.

Heisman Memorial Trophy


While two of the three Heisman finalists from 2015 are back in school this season, quarterback J.T. Barrett is in prime position to compete for college football’s most prestigious honor.

Christian McCaffrey, coming off a monster, 2,019-yard season at Stanford, could be hardpressed to repeat his historic performance, given that the Stanford offense lost its quarterback and four offensive linemen, including Outland Trophy winner Joshua Garnett, to graduation. Historically, only two running backs have had multiple 2,000 yard seasons since 1956 (Ron Dayne and Troy Davis). With so many missing pieces, McCaffrey might be better positioned for a senior Heisman campaign, should he choose to return to Stanford after next season.

Deshaun Watson, however, is the consensus front-runner for this year’s Heisman. With Clemson returning the majority of its offensive firepower, Watson is poised for a repeat performance of last season. However, having lost the majority of its key pieces on defense, Clemson will have a tough road ahead to make it back to the College Football Playoff, which could prove to be a determining factor in Watson’s Heisman campaign.

The question for Barrett is how he will manage to maintain a high level of performance without running back Ezekiel Elliott to balance the passing attack, and without standout receiver Michael Thomas as his downfield threat. Running backs Mike Weber and Bri’onte Dunn, as well as receivers Noah Brown and Corey Smith, will need to step up to provide the assist.

Barrett is poised for a Heisman run this season--his first where he is the known starter since the spring, and where he has been fully-healthy to compete in drills. He has already proven his intangible leadership skills, having been elected a captain as a sophomore on the bench, and earned back his starting job last season by demonstrating a top performance. While last season may have been a little rough, Barrett maintained over a 60 percent completion percentage and ended the season with 11 touchdowns each on the ground and through the air. While Barrett is currently an outside shot, his Heisman hopes ride on the success of Ohio State as a whole. If the Buckeyes make the College Football Playoff, you can bet that Barrett will have a seat in New York.

Beyond the Heisman, Barrett is also a logical candidate for the Walter Camp and Maxwell awards, which honor outstanding players, and the Davey O’Brien Award for the nation’s best quarterback.

Dick Butkus Award (outstanding linebacker)


Perhaps the clearest-cut contender for national awards this coming season for the Buckeyes is junior linebacker Raekwon McMillan. After playing in all fifteen games as a freshman during the Buckeyes’ national championship season, McMillon went on to record 57 solo tackles during his sophomore campaign. Already named a captain for the 2016 season, all eyes are on the former five-star recruit to lead the team on the defensive side of the ball. Barring injury, McMillan should have competitive statistics in 2016 by virtue of the fact that he is Ohio State’s middle linebacker. At the end of the season, he will likely be at worst statistically on par with other candidates, and his reputation will make him a finalist. Any defining performances beyond that will earn him the award.

In addition to the Butkus Award, McMillan is already on early watch lists for the Lott IMPACT Trophy (outstanding defensive player), and is a likely candidate for the Bednarik and Nagurski awards, which also honor outstanding defensive players.

Home Depot Trophy (Coach of the Year)


While this award is nearly impossible to forecast given that it seems to inevitably go to either the coach of the best team in the country or the coach whose team far exceeded expectations, no list of candidates would be complete without Urban Meyer’s name. Ohio State has to overcome the loss of 16 starters, including the likes of Ezekiel Elliott, Joey Bosa, Taylor Decker, Eli Apple and Darron Lee, all of whom went in the first round of this year’s NFL Draft.

If Meyer is able to make the College Football Playoff given this severe loss of talent, he will will be able to check both boxes of being one of the nation’s best team and overcoming improbable odds. Meyer also has the opportunity to go head-to-head against Bob Stoops and Jim Harbaugh--two coaches who are also undoubtedly on the short list for this award--which will help to set him apart. Like Barrett, Meyer’s chances of winning this award are predicated on the success of the Buckeyes as a whole.

Rimington Trophy (outstanding center)


With Pat Elflein moving positions prior to the 2016 season, he might not be as effective at center as he was at right guard last year. Combined with the fact that the leading candidates for these awards are often identified prior to the season, Elflein might not even be in the running since voters may not realize he has switched positions. The center position is also not statistically based compared to the many stats available on skill position and defensive players, so nothing will jump out on paper about his performance. Consequently, award winners often win based on reputation over the course of their careers rather than on one particularly great season. Consider the fact that all three finalists last year were seniors. However, this dynamic could work in Elflein’s favor, as the field is now wide open.

Outland Trophy (outstanding interior lineman)


With a move to center, Pat Elflein will not be eligible for this award. However, as one of two returning lineman at Ohio State, left guard Billy Price could have an outside shot at the Outland. A two-year starter, Price has not gotten the recognition of the likes of Taylor Decker or Pat Elflein, though he was named a freshman All-American during his first season. Widely praised as one of the strongest guys on the team, Price could be an influencer at the guard position in 2016.

Ray Guy Award (outstanding punter)


Despite two returning finalists from last season in Colorado State’s Hayden Hunter and San Jose State’s Michael Carrizosa, Ohio State’s resident Australian rugby punter Cameron Johnston could easily be in the mix come the fall. A three-year starter for the Buckeyes, Johnston has averaged nearly 45 yards per punt, and has been famously reliable for flipping field position, downing an inordinate amount of punts inside the opponent’s 20. While he will not be the favorite heading into the 2016 season, Johnston already has the credibility to be considered. He was one of 10 semifinalists last year, and was named by the Ray Guy Award Player of the Week following his performance against Illinois.

Dark Horses



Jim Thorpe Award (outstanding defensive back)


Reigning winner Desmond King from Iowa is the clear favorite for next year’s award, but Ohio State’s Gareon Conley should not be discounted from the discussion. Having spent last season playing opposite Eli Apple, Conley was often looked at as the "weak side" corner, but the former three-star recruit improved greatly over the course of the season, and could be a surprise candidate for this year’s Thorpe Award.

Vince Lombardi/Rotary Award (outstanding lineman)


While the Lombardi Award has tended to favor defensive linemen over offensive linemen as of late, Pat Elflein could have a shot with an outstanding season at center. If he can prove his versatility, he may be able to show that he truly is the best all-around lineman in college football.

Ted Hendricks Award (defensive end of the year)


Though entering his first year as a full-time starter, sophomore defensive end Sam Hubbard has already garnered significant experience at the position, having filled in for Joey Bosa on several occasions last season. Hubbard could certainly be considered for this award, but it would require a Bosa-like impact from the outset.

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Top Ohio State target will name leaders at The Opening
Charles Doss via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Jamyest Williams will let the world know who is leading in his recruitment

With the dead period now in play it was a relatively quiet weekend for the Ohio State Buckeyes on the recruiting trail, but that will soon change.

Later this week a long list of future and potential Buckeyes will head to Oregon to participate in The Opening. A now annual event held on the grounds of the Nike headquarters, the elite camp puts top prospects against each other in a matter of different drills.

With all the hype surrounding the event, news is going to break. On Sunday the cat was let out of the bag that one of the top remaining targets on the Ohio State class of 2017 big board will announce his college leaders sometime over the next few days.

“I’m releasing a top five. I may do it as soon as I touch down (in Oregon),” said Jamyest Williams (Lawrenceville, GA / Grayson High School), a four-star cornerback, to Bleacher Report.

Racking up nearly 50 scholarship offers throughout the process, the 5-foot-9, 170-pound standout has more than his fair share of college coaches trying to bring him into the fold. Not just Ohio State, but solid college football programs such as Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, South Carolina and Tennessee have gave Williams, who last visited OSU in May, a chance to suit up for their squad.

“I’m looking for a place that will prepare me and get me to work at my best potential,” Williams added.

Who will make the cut for the four-star defensive back? You won’t have to wait much longer to find out.

Eskridge names top 10


Ohio State is yet to lock up its first 2018 pledge, but find themselves in the thick of things with many of the most sought after prospects the class has to offer.

To kick the Independence Day weekend off, four-star athlete Jermaine Eskridge (Tampa, FL / Jefferson) let the world know on Friday afternoon that he currently has 10 programs sticking out among the over 40 schools that have offered him a scholarship to date.


Ohio State, Notre Dame, Oregon, Alabama, Georgia, Miami, Florida, Florida State, Michigan State and USC are one step closer to landing the 6-foot-3, 185-pound former University of Kentucky commit.

Eskridge hasn’t seen the field very much after most of his sophomore season at Jefferson High due to a eligibility issue after transferring schools, but is still ranked among the top 150 recruits for 2018. Per the 247Sports Composite, Jermaine is at the moment looked as the seventh athlete, and 131st overall prospect in the junior class.

Quick Hits

• Per Bill Kurelic of Bucknuts, 2018 tight end Jeremy Ruckert will make the trek from Lindenhurst, New York to visit Ohio State for their Friday Night Lights camp on July 22. Ruckert, a four-star recruit, currently holds offers from the likes of OSU, Alabama, Florida and Florida State.
• Dayton Wayne class of 2018 standout Alex Reigelsperger will also be on hand for the Buckeyes Friday Night Lights camp later this month. Kentucky, Iowa, Pittsburgh and Rutgers are just a few of the schools to offer a scholarship to the underrated defensive end.

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College Football 2016 Preview: Ohio State Buckeyes - AllMediaNY
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


College Football 2016 Preview: Ohio State Buckeyes
AllMediaNY
Now that those “big picture” reasons are on the table, let's dive in to the personnel for the Buckeyes. Ohio State is replacing sixteen starters after mass defections due to graduation and early entry into the NFL Draft. While that would spell doom for ...
Inexperienced Ohio State Football still the Big Ten favoriteisportsweb.com (blog)
Ohio State football | Players like flotation tank as way to relax, heal fasterColumbus Dispatch
100 Teams in 100 Days: Fans Want Woody Hayes Out After Another 3-Loss Season in 1953Eleven Warriors
The Buckeye Battle Cry -247Sports
all 6 news articles »

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Ohio State releases 2016-17 Wrestling Schedule
Joe Dexter via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Head Coach Tom Ryan and his grappling Buckeyes have embraced the challenge of being a contender in the most grueling conference in any collegiate sport.

That wont change next season, as the Buckeyes prepare for another high-level season in the Big Ten Conference and against familiar non-conference foes.

Ryan announced the complete schedule on Thursday.

The Buckeyes feature six starters, four NCAA All-Americans and three NCAA Champions returning for the 2016-17 campaign. They’ll need that firepower for a dual schedule that includes five teams that finished in the top 10 at the NCAA Championships.

After wrestle-offs on October 20, the exhibition NWCA All-Star Classic that is bound to feature a couple Buckeyes in Cleveland on November 5.

From there, Ohio State will feature some it’s young and unattached wrestlers at the Eastern Michigan Open the following day. Ypsilanti continues to be a strong proven ground for incoming freshman who could contend later in the NCAA Tournament.

Last season, Ohio State had seven champions and 12 total placers — including Myles Martin, Micah Jordan, Jake Ryan and Cody Burcher.

Then freshman Ke-Shawn Hayes finished second at the open. He is projected to start for Ohio State in 2016.

The following weekend, The Buckeyes will open up the team dual season at the Journeyman/ASICS Northeast Duals in Troy, New York.

An event that features 20 teams from across the country. Each team will compete in three duals. Team pairings will be announced at a later date.

The team schedule continues throughout November with a trip to Tempe to take on Zeke Jones and the Arizona State Sun Devils on the 18th.

They’ll also compete in a tri-meet against Kent State and Cleveland State in Kent on the 22nd.

From there, they’ll open up the second month of the season at the most prestigious individual tournament of the year — The Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational December 2-3. Lightweights Micah Jordan and Nate Tomasello will look to defend their championships from a year ago.

The Buckeyes will open their home slate on December 9 against the defending MAC champion Missouri Tigers — who boast four NCAA All-Americans of their own from a year ago. The Tigers defeated Ohio State 26-17 a year ago and holds a 10-5 series advantage in the all-time series.

On the Big Ten slate is nine duals, including two home match ups on the road.

The Bucks will open up the conference slate in Cleveland against Northwestern and the new leadership head coach Matt Storniolo — who served as the interim head coach later in the season.

The meet will take place at Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy on December 16. The prep home of Nathan Tomasello, who took home four Ohio High School Athletic Association state championships during his time there.

After heading on the road to face Wisconsin on January 6, The Buckeyes will host three straight matches in January. Rutgers and Illinois will make their way to Columbus on the 8th and 15th.

Kyle Snyder will then witness his team host Maryland on January 22 in his home state at Good Counsel High School in Olney, Maryland.

The prep program that witnessed Snyder go 179-0 during his three seasons of high school wrestling.

The Buckeyes will wrap up January with one of the prime matches of Big Ten competition in 2016 — a trip to Iowa City to face the Hawkeyes on either the 27th or 29th.

They’ll then need to turnaround a week later and host Penn State, who is considered by many to yet again be the title favorite in 2016-17.

The last time Penn State made their way to St. John Arena, Ohio State picked up their biggest upset win in program history, defeating the Nittany Lions 22-15.

The Big Ten regular season wraps ups with Ohio State hosting Nebraska on February 10 and a trip to Minnesota two days later.

Here is a look at the full schedule:
Thurs. Oct. 20: Wrestle-Offs | Columbus, Ohio | Time: TBA
Sat. Nov. 5: NWCA All-Star Classic | Cleveland, Ohio | Time: TBA
Sun. Nov. 6: at Eastern Michigan Open | Ypsilanti, Mich. | Time: All day
Sat. Nov. 12: at Journeyman/ASICS Northeast Duals | Troy, NY | Time: TBA
Fri. Nov. 18: at Arizona State | Tempe, Ariz. | Time: TBA
Tues. Nov. 22: at Kent State/Cleveland State | Kent, Ohio | Time: 7 p.m.
Fri.-Sat. Dec. 2-3 | at Cliff Keen Las Vegas Invitational | Las Vegas, Nev. | Time: All day
Fri. Dec. 9: vs. Missouri | Columbus, Ohio | Time: 7 p.m.
Fri. Dec. 16: vs. Northwestern | Cleveland, Ohio (Cuyahoga Valley Christian Academy) | Time: 7 p.m.
Fri. Jan. 6: at Wisconsin | Madison, Wisc. | Time: 7 p.m.
Sun. Jan. 8: vs. Rutgers | Columbus, Ohio | Time: 2 p.m.
Sun. Jan. 15: vs. Illinois | Columbus, Ohio | Time: 2 p.m.
Sun. Jan. 22: vs. Maryland | Olney, Md. (Good Counsel High School) | Time: TBA
Fri. Jan. 27 or Sunday, Jan. 29: at Iowa | Iowa City, Iowa | Time: TBA
Fri. Feb. 3 or Sunday Feb. 5: vs. Penn State | Columbus, Ohio | Time: TBA
Fri. Feb. 10: at Nebraska | Lincoln, Neb. | Time: 7 p.m.
Sun. Feb. 12: at Minnesota | Minneapolis, Minn. | Time: TBA
Sat. Feb. 18 or Sun. Feb. 19: NWCA National Dual Series | Site: TBA | Time: TBA
Sat. March 4-Sun. March 5 | Big Ten Championships | Bloomington, Ind. | Time: All day
Thurs. March 16-Sat. March 18 | NCAA Championships | St. Louis, Mo. | Time: All day

The post Ohio State releases 2016-17 Wrestling Schedule appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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Ten Buckeyes earn Athlon All-Big Ten Honors - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ten Buckeyes earn Athlon All-Big Ten Honors
247Sports
Pre-season teams don't matter as it only truly matters what happens on the field, not off it, when push comes to shove. But it's always nice to get recognition coming into the next season, and 10 Buckeyes were fortunate enough to do just that with the ...
Meet the Real Ultimate Warrior, Ohio State's Pat ElfleinLand-Grant Holy Land

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Meet the Real Ultimate Warrior, Ohio State’s Pat Elflein
Ian Hartitz via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


It won’t be long till Pat Elflein is the ‘center’ of attention this fall

With so few returning offensive starters on the 2016 Ohio State Buckeyes, the recurring optimistic take of the offseason has been to compare this year’s squad to the immortal 2014 National Champions. While the preseason need to replace over half of the offense is of course a striking similarity, this is about as far as I’m willing to go in comparing the 2014 and 2016 Buckeyes.

Sticking to offense, the main reason why it’s not fair to compare the two teams is mostly due to where the returning production is coming from. While the 2014 team brought back a loaded group of receivers and tight ends, four new offensive line starters, combined with a brand new backfield, proved to be too steep of an early season hurdle. However, an early season loss to Virginia Tech wasn’t enough to stop the Buckeyes’ championship aspirations, but as fans found out in 2015: one loss is often one too many.

This year’s Ohio State Buckeyes offense returns quarterback J.T Barrett, guard Billy Price, and guard (now center) Pat Elflein. There’s been a lot of talk about Barrett’s return and his contention for the 2016 Heisman, but let’s stop for a second and check on the fifth year senior and one of three 2016 team captains: Pat Elflein.

“I look at that thing (picture of Elflein) when I've gotta get the warrior in me...I always take a peek at that thing.” - Tom Phillips, Head Football Coach at Pickerington North High School who coached Elflein for four years.


This might be the best quote ever from a high school football coach given to a former player. Phillips literally looks at a picture of Elflein when he needs to ‘get the warrior’ in him.

If you are a little confused about what it means to ‘get the warrior in you’, watch the pulling right guard in the below clip and see if you’re ready to run through a brick wall or not afterwards.


Pat Elflein might as well buy this wallet because I’m certain even Jules Winnfield wouldn’t dare cross Elflein on the gridiron. At 6’3 300 lbs, Elflein possesses great size for an interior lineman, and as a former 3-star recruit, he also possesses the right ‘no one believed in me so now I’m going to destroy everyone’ kind of attitude that coaches love to see in their linemen.

So is Elflein the physical but technically unsound offensive lineman hoping to increase their draft stock by staying in college for an extra year? Not exactly. In reality, anything else the 2015 Second Team AP All-American achieves at Ohio State is icing on the cake. Looking back a year from now, the real surprise of the 2016 offseason may be why not enough people saw the return of Pat Elflein as the return of one of the best linemen in America.

“There are not a lot of dominant offensive linemen around the country and Elflein has a strong case as the nation’s best. His two-year overall grade of +44.0 leads all Power-5 linemen, showing strength as a run blocker where he ranked 15th in the nation in 2014 and 18th last season.” - Pro Football Focus


As the above analysis and previous video indicates, Elflein is a freight train as a run blocker. In an Ohio State offense that seamlessly switches between zone and power based run schemes, Elflein’s ability to pull through holes and open lanes for runners has been second to none.

While Elflein’s pass blocking ability isn’t quite as great as his run blocking, Elflein has displayed the type of on the fly thinking and producing that will become an every play necessity at the center position. While sliding just one spot over on the offensive line may not seem like a ton of change, the center of the offensive line is regularly asked to set the protection and identify any blitzes the defense could be scheming. This is easier said than done when the end result of any designed play involves moving very large, very talented men down the football field.



Ohio State’s offensive line deservedly received a ton of credit against Alabama for the way they opened up running lanes for Ezekiel Elliott, but perhaps more impressive was the amount of time the line regularly gave Cardale Jones to throw. Sure, Jones had to take off on his fair share of scrambles, but he typically had a pocket to step into, and when the offensive game plan was essentially asking Jones to make 1-2 reads and then run, you can’t ask for much more from your offensive line.



At the snap Elflein gets in his pass set and identifies the Alabama three technique as his immediate threat. Luckily for Elflein, center Jacoby Boren made a nice adjustment before the snap to slide the Ohio State line to the right to handle the blitzing linebacker.

Because of the slide, left guard Billy Price knows he’s responsible for the Alabama defensive tackle on his side of the line, and Boren comes to his right to help Elflein on a double team until the blitzing linebacker becomes a threat.



Elflein and Boren’s double-team is picture perfect, as not only is the Alabama defender completely neutralized, but Jones has a deep pocket to step up into as he continues to look downfield. Additionally, Elflein keeps his body free enough to easily disengage and pick up the blitzing linebacker.



While Jones may have scrambled a bit earlier here than he needed to, Elflein and Boren execute their assignments to perfection. Elflein slides off the Bama defensive lineman right onto the blitzing linebacker to completely snuff out the blitz attempt.

Jones’ nimble feet resulted in a Buckeyes’ first down, but that wouldn’t have been possible if it wasn’t for Elflein and company identifying the blitz pre-snap, and then executing.

"I love Ohio State, I love the coaches, I want to graduate...There are still some things I want to accomplish here, as a team make another run for it, we definitely have the potential to do that again. I want to play for Ohio State again, play center." - Pat Elflein on why he chose to return to Ohio State for another year.


Now for the elephant in the room: why did Elflein decide to return to school if he is so damn good? The answer can be explained in part by Elflein’s quote above, and also through looking at past NFL Drafts.

The general consensus around Elflein’s return seemed to be that Elflein is hoping to improve his draft position by switching to center. At first I was skeptical, Travis Frederick was the last center drafted in the first round and that was back in 2013. Should a college center really expect to be drafted higher than a college guard? The answer, is yes!



While more total guards have been drafted than centers, that’s more of a case of there being two guards per offensive line compared to only one center. It’d be shocking to see Elflein evaluated as anything less than a top center/guard prospect, and this bodes very well for his draft stock. With a 10 and 11 percent selection rate in the first and second rounds respectively, the best centers have consistently been picked higher in the draft compared to the best guards.

Another factor that is harder to measure is the fact that many of the draft’s highly selected guards are seen as future tackles. Zach Martin out of Notre Dame is one example who ended up being so good at guard that the Cowboys have left him there, but NFL teams recognize the need for quality tackles over quality guards. Look no further than the Chicago Bears attempting to transition two-time Pro Bowl guard Kyle Long to tackle last season.

There are a ton of questions for the 2016 Ohio State offense. Who will emerge as the primary running back? Who will J.T Barrett be throwing the ball to? What we do know is that the Buckeyes’ two best offensive players will be touching the football on nearly every snap of the 2016 season, and when one of those players is the human tank Pat Elflein, well, that should be enough to ‘get the warrior’ in 100,000 strong in Columbus every Saturday of this fall.

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The Opening: Buckeye Commits, Targets Set to Invade Oregon for Nike's Premier High School Football Event - Eleven Warriors
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


The Opening: Buckeye Commits, Targets Set to Invade Oregon for Nike's Premier High School Football Event
Eleven Warriors
He played an integral part in the Buckeyes' landing five-star offensive lineman Wyatt Davis and hasn't been shy about who else he's focusing on. Since coaches aren't allowed at the event, it's safe to assume they've been in the ears of some of their ...


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Inexperienced Ohio State still the Big Ten favorite - isportsweb.com (blog)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Inexperienced Ohio State still the Big Ten favorite
isportsweb.com (blog)
The 2016 NFL Draft was kind to the Ohio State Buckeyes; perhaps a little too kind. After just the first round, five Buckeyes had already been taken from Urban Meyer. Six rounds later, after the dust had cleared, Ohio State had seen 12 players leave the ...
100 Teams in 100 Days: Fans Want Woody Hayes Out After Another 3-Loss Season in 1953Eleven Warriors
12 Top OSU 2017 & 2018 recruiting battles, Kurelic predictions247Sports

all 3 news articles »

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Former Buckeyes, Conley and Turner, score big free agent NBA deals - ABC6OnYourSide.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Former Buckeyes, Conley and Turner, score big free agent NBA deals
ABC6OnYourSide.com
MEMPHIS -- (AP) A person with direct knowledge of the negotiations tells The Associated Press that Mike Conley is staying with the Memphis Grizzlies after agreeing to a five-year, $153 million deal. The person spoke on condition of anonymity Friday ...
Mike Conley, former Ohio State Buckeye, to sign richest NBA deal ever with Memphis Grizzliescleveland.com
Conley and Turner cash in with new salary capOSU - The Lantern
Former Ohio State guard Mike Conley to get richest contract in NBA historyLand-Grant Holy Land

all 361 news articles »

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Pair of Buckeyes Get Brinks Trucks for Fourth of July
Shannon Sommers via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


There was a ton of money thrown around to NBA players on the first day of free agency in 2016. A pair of former Thad Matta players were involved in the free agent frenzy.

Pair of Buckeyes Get Brinks Trucks for Fourth of July​

Former Buckeye point guard Mike Conley agreed to stay with the Memphis Grizzles, the team that drafted him in 2007. The contract Conley received was $153 million for five years. Yes you read that right, he will average almost $31 million a year for the next five years guaranteed. That is more than Lebron James (you might have heard of him) has made from the NBA his entire career.

Mike is averaging 44% from the field and little over 37% behind the arch. His career average of 13.6 points along with 5.6 assists per game. Conley has also been named to the NBA All-Defensive Second Team in 2013 while also taking home the NBA Sportsmanship Award in 2014, 2016.

The former Buckeye played for Thad Matta in 2006/2007 — helping take the Scarlet and Gray to the National Championship game in 2007 before losing to Florida.

The second former Buckeye star to get a very nice contract was former National Player of the Year (2010) Evan Turner. Turner agreed to a contract with the Portland Trailblazers for four years at $70 million. He will be leaving former Buckeye Jared Sullinger who he has recently played with in Boston.

Evan was drafted by Philadelphia 76ers in 2010. He has also spent time with the Indiana Pacers along with the Boston Celtics the team he is leaving.

Its great seeing former Buckeyes cash in. The question that needs to be asked, do they get the same calls along with mail asking for more donations?

There is a new athlete facility planned for the campus.



The post Pair of Buckeyes Get Brinks Trucks for Fourth of July appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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Pair of Buckeyes Get Brinks Trucks for Fourth of July - The Buckeye Battle Cry
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Pair of Buckeyes Get Brinks Trucks for Fourth of July
The Buckeye Battle Cry
Former Buckeye point guard Mike Conley agreed to stay with the Memphis Grizzles, the team that drafted him in 2007. The contract Conley received was $153 million for five years. Yes you read that right, he will average almost $31 million a year for the ...


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Ohio State football | Five-star offensive lineman commits to Buckeyes - Columbus Dispatch
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State football | Five-star offensive lineman commits to Buckeyes
Columbus Dispatch
The Ohio State 2017 football recruiting class gained a third five-star prospect when offensive lineman Wyatt Davis of Bellflower (St. John Bosco), Calif., committed the Buckeyes on Friday afternoon. Davis, 6 feet 3, 328 pounds, is considered the ...
He's No. 1: Buckeyes ranked high because of their QBBucyrus Telegraph Forum
Wyatt Davis commitment adds another 5-star to Buckeyes recruiting class: Ohio State football recruitingcleveland.com
Buckeyes working on best class in 247Sports History247Sports.com
Campus Insiders -Eleven Warriors -Bleacher Report
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Big Ten Top 5 Pre-Season Kickers and Punters
Shannon Sommers via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Imagine this.

You have on you favorite college football jersey on, maybe enjoying an adult beverage or two while your sitting back on your sofa or recliner. You hit the button on the remote then you see it, college football is here!

Well we aren’t there just yet but each week that passes is a week closer.

Here is what we will do to fill that lonely gap for you. Want to be the one with all the info when your chatting with your friends or look smart while at the water cooler? You came to the right place my friends.

I will do a weekly post on the top 5 position player or groups in the Big Ten conference, today will be the kickers also punters.




Kickers

Number 5



Ryan Santoso (6-6,250) Minnesota

Santoso played in 13 games last season. Going 17/21 for 81.8% on his field goals. He was a perfect 31/31 on his PAT. Ryan went 7/11 on anything over 40 yards his longest being a 50 yard field goal.

The interesting thing will be what head coach Tracy Claeys actually does with Santoso. There is talk of moving him to punter with him just doing the longer field goals.



Number 4



Michael Geiger (5-8,183) Michigan State

Last season Geiger went 12/19 with 51/53 PAT. Entering his senior season for the Spartans he has a 71.9 field goal percentage.

Geiger longest field goal was 47 yards but who could forget his 41 yard filed goal to knock the Buckeyes out of the playoff picture.



Number 3

Kenny Allen (6-3,210) Michigan

Allen became the full-time kicker last season. Having gone 18/22 (81.8) with 46/46 PAT’s.

The Wolverines are counting on another big season from their kicker.





Number 2

Drew Brown (5-11,195) Nebraska

Drew was second-team all Big Ten last season for his performance. He went 21/27 (77.8%) along with being 95 percent for his PAT (44/46). When you go 13/17 on anything over 40 yards you have a really good leg.

Brown will be a huge asset for the Cornhuskers in close games.



Number 1

Griffin Oakes (5-10,200) Indiana

Oakes was the Bakken-Andersen Big Ten kicker of the year. Scoring 125 points for his 24/29 (82.8%) plus going 53/57 (93%) on PAT’s. His longest was 51 yards so he has a strong leg as well.

The Hoosiers really rely on him with their offense that seems so high powered at times.



Punters

Number 5

Daniel Pasquariello (6-1,208) Penn State

The Nittany Lion junior punter averaged close to 40 yards a punt. His longest was 60 yards. 12 of his 58 punts was inside of the 20 yard line.

Pasquariello will need to improve on getting the ball inside of the 20 this next season for Penn State.



Number 4

Joe Schopper (6-0,193) Purdue

Schopper punted for an average of 40.2 yards last season with 20 of his 58 punts going inside the 20. Joe’s longest was 69 yards.

The Boilermakers will definitely need his booming leg again in 2016.





Number 3

Jake Hartbarger (6-4,207) Michigan State

Jake is going into his second year as the Spartans punter. Last season he placed 21 of his 57 punts inside the 20 for an average of 42.7 yards. Longest was 61 yards.

Hopefully the Spartans wont have to abuse him this season like they did in the Alabama game last year.





Number 2

Sam Foltz (6-2,205) Nebraska

The Cornhuskers punter was the Eddelman-Fields Big Ten punter of the year for his performance last season. 15 of his 56 punts went inside the 20. He averaged 44.2 yards with 16 of those being 50 yards or more.





Number 1

Cameron Johnston (5-11,195) Ohio State

54 percent of Cameron’s punts over last three years have landed inside the 20. Last season Johnston booted the ball for an average of 43.9 yards. His longest was 67 yards.

He has shown the Buckeyes how valuable he is with his almost pinpoint accuracy.









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