Tee-k Kelly Awarded All-America Status
Ken via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


(Image and announcement courtesy of Ohio State Athletics Dept)

Here’s a bit of more food news for Buckeye Golf. Senior Tee-k Kelly has been named All-America Honorable Mention by the Golf Coaches of America (GCAA)!

If you clicked on the first link (above) you saw where Tee-k led the team in rounds played and in scoring. This, to me, was a “two season” season for Tee-k. The Fall/early Spring portion of the golf schedule was “blah”, at best. In 6 events, he had 1 Top 10 and another Top 20 finish. His average finish during this stretch was 38th, averaging 8.6 over par per event.

But, beginning with his win at the Lone Star Invitational, his average finish was 15th, averaging 2 over par per event. That is an impressive improvement. In six rounds in the NCAA’s, Tee-k averaged almost 1/2 stroke under par per round. That’s some pretty serious golf played under pretty serious circumstances.

Tee-k’s play to close the season provided the “stabilization” of consistently good upperclassman play that, I’m sure, first year coaches Jay Moseley and Brad Smith appreciated. Again, congratulations to Tee-k Kelly for being recognized for his accomplishments.

The post Tee-k Kelly Awarded All-America Status appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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Ohio State’s JaQuan Lyle takes on talent at CP3 camp, and looks good doing it
Geoff Hammersley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


JaQuan Lyle has been doing some work this off-season

JaQuan Lyle goes 1v1 against some of basketball’s top talents


After missing the NCAA Tournament this past season, things had to change for the Buckeyes. Look no further than sophomore JaQuan Lyle, who took to the CP3 camp to show off what he has done this offseason.


Rodger Bohn, writer for Slam Magazine, also noted that Lyle went up against former Hoosier star and now current Oklahoma City Thunder member Victor Oladipo, as well Kentucky Wildcat freshman Malik Monk.


This is what you want to see from the probable go-to guy this season: slimming down, working out against the best and preparing for another season for the always physical Big Ten season.

We’ll see what improvements Lyle has made/will make this summer as soon as the season starts. The non-conference slate for the Buckeyes include Providence, Virginia, Connecticut and UCLA.

“We’re disappointed he’s not here,”


– Tim Shoemaker (Eleven Warriors), as San Diego Chargers GM Tom Telesco describes what it feels like when Joey Bosa hasn’t showed up to camp

It’s that time during camp workouts when GMs, coaches and player personnel breakdown what they’ve seen from the latest crop of NFL draftees.

This season, the Buckeyes fielded practically half a team worth of talent. The notable members being defensive end Joey Bosa and running back Ezekiel Elliott.

For the Chargers, Bosa hasn’t shown up to camp yet, as he is holding out due to contract negotiations. Telesco said that camp is part of a “learning process for all players”. While the former Buckeye All-American hasn’t suited up yet in a Chargers uniform, quarterback Phillip Rivers said that using their No.3 pick on Bosa was the right choice.

Some people on Twitter dot com want Bosa signed ASAP.


Down in Dallas, the Elliott hype train is set to max speed. In an article written by The Washington Post, Elliott agreed that the hype “is everywhere”.

The hero in a half shirt has stunned the Cowboys this offseason. From making ankle breaking touchdown rushes to avoiding the rookie hazing culture, Elliott is seen as the running back answer the Cowboys have been desperately looking for since the departure of Emmitt Smith.

As camps unfold stick to Land-Grant Holy Land for all of your past and current Buckeyes on the gridiron. Speaking of gridiron, the future of Ohio State is looking bright, too.

Ohio State and Alabama jostle for No.1 recruiting class for 2017


The college football recruiting rankings for 2017 have the making for an epic battle between the Buckeyes and the Crimson Tide.

A few weeks ago, 247Sports had the Buckeyes ahead of the 2015 Sugar Bowl runner-ups, however, things have changed within the past few days. Bama was able to secure a 4-star commit, and overtook the Buckeyes by a score of 254.86 to 253.95 for the top spot.

Friday night (June 24), 5-star offensive guard Wyatt Davis (Bellflower, CA / St. John Bosco) will make his announcement on where he will attend college. Naturally, Ohio State and Alabama are in the running for the California native. A Buckeye commit from Davis would certainly put the scarlet and gray back into their No.1 throne.


Stay tuned to Land-Grant Holy Land, as we’ll have updates on the Davis announcement.

STICK TO SPORTS


• The United Kingdom are taking their talents out of the European Union, and the E.U. wants them out ASAP.

• Tanger Outlets opens in Columbus. In other news, expect Sunbury, Ohio to be a parking lot.

• Fresh off an NBA Championship, the Cleveland Cavaliers drafted Kay Felder – the closest thing we have to a human pogo stick.

• Chicago man with the last name Gambles wins the lottery (again).

• The story of James Conner and the battle to get back on the football field

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Floods turn PGA Tour course into a river just weeks before tournament



Watson shared a video of the raging flood that has taken over the course, turning it into a massive stream. This is supposed to be a fairway.

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He also tweeted a photo of the first hole from the tee box.



bubba watson
✔@bubbawatson
1st hole tee shoot not so easy right now!!#GreenbrierClassic2Weeks #GladIGotNewJeep
4:42 PM - 23 Jun 2016

The Greenbrier Classic is scheduled to be held from July 4-10, which is just two weeks away. With all the damage that has been done to the course and the resort, as well, it's going to take a lot of work to get it ready for a PGA Tour event in short time.

Entire article: http://www.foxsports.com/golf/story/pga-tour-bubba-watson-greenbrier-classic-floods-river-062416

Now that is what I'd call a "world class water hazard"....

BH: The Wyatt Davis effect; Stoney 2.0 - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BH: The Wyatt Davis effect; Stoney 2.0
247Sports
With that in mind, it's no surprise that even though Dublin (OH) Coffman WR/TE Caleb Stoneburner, brother of former OSU TE Jake Stoneburner, had a great camp last Friday in Columbus, that many are dismissing him as a possibility for the Buckeyes.
Ohio State looks to secure 5-star offensive guardLand-Grant Holy Land
Wyatt Davis could give Ohio State top recruiting class ... again247Sports.com
Skull Session: Ohio State's Financial Incentive To Schedule Big Out-of-Conference Games, Nick Bosa Tabbed as Top ...Eleven Warriors
Campus Insiders -cleveland.com -247Sports
all 16 news articles »

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Mount Zion Buckeyes 4-H club - Bucyrus Telegraph Forum
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Mount Zion Buckeyes 4-H club
Bucyrus Telegraph Forum
BUCYRUS - Mount Zion Buckeyes 4-H club recently had a meeting. The meeting started with Lyndie Williams leading the pledges. President Kenzie Kent took roll call and Kelsie Williams gave her secretary's report. Kent discussed new business which ...


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What If Lebron Had Been A Buckeye?
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


I must confess I love fantasy pieces. I am not necessarily speaking of ‘Star Wars’ and space adventures or some of the gothic stuff, or even comic books. I am speaking of sports fantasy. Every year I envision the Buckeyes winning the National Title in football, basketball (Men’s and Women’s), rugby, track and field… and the list goes on. Unfortunately such quests fall short most often and it leaves me sad momentarily before I recognize that the fine line of creativity swung my mind into that burdensome arena called ‘make-believe.’

I have written a couple pieces for tBBC that have satisfied my fantasy cravings – there was the vision of the Buckeyes repeating as the National Champions in Football for 2015. Then there was the Tebow piece (I apologize for that) … now I have the craving again. After The Cavaliers’ ended Cleveland’s long suffering (52 years without a sports championship) and LeBron exhibited his superiority in a game with exceptional talent – now standing as the King of the World; I found myself drifting – arriving back into the 2003-04 season. There was a player for The Ohio State University – certainly a one-and-done – named LeBron James.

LeBron’s freshmen year would have been 2003-04. That year the Buckeyes finished 14-16 under Head Coach Jim O’Brien. With LeBron on the roster losses in that year to San Francisco (76-65), San Diego State (83-61), and Texas Tech (80-72) and Conference play with a record of 6-10 would not have been.

LeBron would have been at forward. He would have most likely bumped out Matt Sylvester who as a sophomore in this season averaged 3.1 points per game with a 1.4 rebounding average per game. Velimir Radinovic at seven-foot – certainly would be at center, averaging 10.3 points per game and snagging an average of six boards per game. Other compliments would certainly have been big man sophomore Terence Dials at the other forward position who at 6-9 had 10.4 points per game with a 6.6 rebounding average per game. JJ Sullinger was also in his sophomore year along with Matt Sylvester (perhaps serving as the sixth man). Ivan Harris was also on the team – and leading scorer Tony Stockman was there too (13.6 per game).

During his rookie season in the NBA, LeBron averaged 20.9 points per game against professional athletes, most of which were considerably older than him. It would have been insane to witness what he would have been capable of doing in one year against less-talented college basketball players. The depleted talent pool – I can only imagine would have had him in the 26.0 to 28.4 points per game range.

Looking over the 2003-04 Buckeye schedule and the results I see the Buckeyes record with LeBron improving from the gloomy 14-16 that it was to 24-6. By reviewing the schedule and the final results of the season I used a rather unscientific method to determine a LeBron presence for the Buckeyes. If he averaged 24 or 25 points per game – in some games adding more – in others less – and with a deduction of what Matt Sylvester attributed in those losses I came up with an extra ten games in the winning column – seven of which were Big Ten games. I did take a little extra liberty for the January 10th game against Penn State who beat the pants off the Buckeyes 64-47. I simply do not see the Nittany Lions beating a LeBron Buckeye squad. So with my mathematical virtuoso-license approach, as I previously mentioned, the Buckeyes would have been 24-6 overall and 13-3 in Conference. They would have been ranked high – for certain, and the NCAA’s? We can only imagine!



Even without ever officially playing for the Ohio State Buckeyes, LeBron James has made his presence felt at the university. For years, the Buckeye basketball team wore uniforms that were branded by LeBron’s Nike division. He has his own locker in the Ohio State basketball locker room, which is huge tool for recruiting. King James has been seen cheering court side at the 2011 Duke vs. Ohio State basketball game with his buddy Dwayne Wade, and on the sideline at many big Buckeye football games, most recently the National Championship of 2014. A partner in the Beats by Dre headphone company, LeBron gave each player on the Buckeye football team their own pair as a gift before the title game. Not to worry! He had his legal team make “sure” there was no NCAA violation in his gift giving.



The whole notion that if the one-and-done rule had been enacted just one year before would have resulted in LeBron James wearing a Scarlet and Gray uniform is both alluring and a wonderful fantasy. The year just “may” have been as I have dreamed in that devious “what-if” journey. At this stage (2016) it would only be bragging rights that the King was a Buckeye; because right now he is unquestionably the King of the World.

His return to Cleveland is what fantasy stories are all about and winning the title that he promised is what makes the fairy-tale so commanding … and as a Knicks fan I can only look on in my awe-struck ways with a tinge of jealousy. But all the same, I am happy for Cleveland.

On to my next project … The Movie … what shall we call it? King James? Perhaps!

You know no one can play LeBron like LeBron … so who do we get for Dan Gilbert? Do I hear Kevin Costner?

The post What If Lebron Had Been A Buckeye? appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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Ohio State's Path To The College Football Playoff - Campus Insiders
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State's Path To The College Football Playoff
Campus Insiders
Had Michigan not gagged away the Michigan State game, and/or had the Buckeyes not forgotten about the run against the Spartans – more on that in a moment – the Buckeyes would've gone on to play Iowa in the Big Ten championship, they would've won, ...
Big Ten strikes it rich with new TV deal247Sports

all 20 news articles »

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Making The List: William “Bill” Smith
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


There are many routes we could take this week for Making the List. But summer’s sweltering heat has me thinking of a pool, or more specifically, swimming. I previously mentioned two Great Buckeyes in the swimmers category, Yoshi Oyakawa, and legendary coach Mike Pepe. I do know that the Buckeyes had many great swimmers in their history, and I should acknowledge them, one which was William “Bill” Smith. Bill swam for The Ohio State University in 1943, interrupted by WWII; he’d come back and swim for the Buckeyes in 1947-49.

At the age of 11 he suffered from typhoid. His father began to take him to the beach to swim in hopes of his boy recovering. He would do this for years thereafter – improving each day; religiously going to the beach, with or without his father, to aid in building his strength.

He would meet up with the legendary Coach Soichi Sakamoto – and the rest is history.

Bill headed to The Ohio State University in 1942, just as the USA was entering into WWII for the bombing of Pearl Harbor, near his home in Hawaii. He was not initially eligible to participate in NCAA sports as a freshman, yet he still succeeded at setting seven world records and two American records at AAU events. While at OSU, his teammates called him “The Whale” because of his size – weighing in at 215 pounds.

Smith’s swimming career at OSU was cut short by World War II as he would enter the U.S. Navy – serving four years. When he returned to The Ohio State University, there was speculation as to how well he would do returning to a sport that required tremendous practice and deduction – given the long absence from the water. In 1948, though, Smith would be heading to the 1948 London Olympic Games, where he won gold medals in the 400-meter freestyle race and the 4×200-meter freestyle relay. After his victories, University of Michigan Swim Coach Matt Mann was quoted as saying “Some guys can swim the greatest race of his life but ‘Smitty’ will always do just a little better.”

By the time Smith earned his degree in Education in 1950, he had captured seven NCAA titles and 15 AAU Championships. Smith was selected for The Ohio State University Athletic Hall of Fame in 1977 and named The Ohio State University Swimmer of the Century in 2001.

The determination and dedication that Bill Smith displayed throughout his life is enviable. It was not only in his love for the sport of swimming and diving that generated his masterful talents, but that of life. He once replied many years after retiring competitively from the sport he so loved, “Life is like a swim. You hit an unwelcoming wave, or just have an off day. What makes the two the same is how you face that snag. You buckle up, take a deep breath, and jump back into the pool, be it water or life, and just do it. You will never fail with this idea etched in your heart, mind, and soul. God will assure you of that. When life is easy there’s nothing to smile about. When there are snags to overcome the smiles are real and broader” William “Bill” Smith is a rare Buckeye. He was determined, dedicated, and the best at his sport. What made him rare was that he probably did not even know just how great he was. He was just “Bill”.

The post Making The List: William “Bill” Smith appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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

The personnel losses at Ohio State were significant after 2015. Heading the list of key departures: running back Ezekiel Elliott. How will the Buckeyes replace him? Michigan State can sympathize, as it has lost all-time great quarterback Connor Cook. Relax. Each school appears to have answers in its backfield. [ MORE: Big Ten East OL | Big Ten East receiving corps | Big Ten East predictions ] Here is a ranking of the Big Ten East offensive backfields. 1. Ohio State. It was a huge loss with RB Ezekiel Elliott declaring for the draft and going fourth overall. Who will

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Who are the 14 biggest X factors in the Big Ten? - ESPN
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Who are the 14 biggest X factors in the Big Ten?
ESPN
Thanks to the Buckeyes' wealth of passers in 2015, the former five-star quarterback prospect redshirted last year, then made the full-time switch to wideout. And with the departure of last season's leading wide receiver trio -- Michael Thomas, Jalin ...

and more »

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Pre-Fall Outlook: Ohio State Running Backs
Brandon Zimmerman via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


It’s really no big deal at all. The Buckeyes just have to replace a guy who averaged 2,062 rushing and receiving yards during his two years as starter. No really trust me, it’s not a big deal they just have to replace a guy who scored 41 touchdowns over those two years. That’s not really that good is it? I know what you’re thinking, J.T. Barrett will be fine without a guy back there known as the best blocking running back ever and an offensive line with four guys starting for the first time or starting at a new position. Okay, maybe we should worry a little.

No matter how much you try to convince yourself, Ezekiel Elliott is no longer on the Buckeyes. He will go down as one of the greatest players to ever wear a Buckeye uniform but it is time to move on. The Buckeyes have some very talented players chomping at the bit to take his spot but no one should expect the second-coming of Zeke or even Carlos Hyde for that matter.

In February, I took a look at the four guys who I think had the best chance to take over for Zeke. Since then, it has essentially came down to a two horse race between redshirt senior Bri’onte Dunn and redshirt freshman Mike Weber. The elder statesman of the backfield, Dunn came to Ohio State as a highly touted prospect. As a true freshman in 2012, Dunn received carries in three games and had his best game against Illinois when he carried the ball 13 times for 73 yards and a touchdown. After showing promise, he has not came close to that many carries in a game since


Will the senior Bri’onte Dunn finally get his shot? (AP Photo/Jay LaPrete, File)


and has yet to take that giant leap forward that many expected. In his defense, sitting behind two greats like Carlos Hyde and Zeke did not exactly give him the opportunity to succeed.

The other main vying for the starting job, Mike Weber came to Ohio State and immediately impressed the coaching staff last year. It was expected he would be the primary back-up to Zeke until he tore his meniscus and missed the entire season. After spending a year rehabbing and learning the nuances of the offense, Weber looks poised to challenge for the starting running back job. In the spring game, while Dunn sat out with an ankle injury, Weber flashed his skill running for 38 yards and two touchdowns.

Outside of Dunn and Weber, there are three guys who may work their way into consideration to receive carries. Junior Curtis Samuel has impressed Buckeye Nation at every opportunity and originally came to Ohio State as a running back but has spent a majority of the last year playing wide receiver in an attempt to get him touches. In February, I actually predicted Samuel would be the starting running back. During his freshman year in 2014 when Samuel primarily played running back, he racked up 383 rushing yards on 58 carries for an eye-opening 6.6 yards per carry average. No matter where he winds up, Samuel will be a major part of the offense this year.

Senior Dontre Wilson is in the same boat at Samuel. Technically, he is considered a wide receiver but you can bet that he will receive carries this year in some capacity. As many of you can remember, Wilson took Buckeye Nation by storm when he arrived to campus as a freshman. Before playing a down, Wilson had already been declared the next Percy Harvin and the best offensive weapon on the team. He wound up combining for 460 yards from scrimmage


This is a big fall for Mike Weber.


his first year on campus, which is very good for a freshman on a championship caliber team, but people were still disappointed in him because of the hype surrounding him. This year, Wilson has a chance to quiet the naysayers and show his potential at running back, wide receiver, and returner.

The final guy making a play for the starting running back gig is true freshman Antonio Williams. As I talked about in February, I really do not foresee Williams seeing the playing field this year barring any significant injuries in front of him. This is not a knock on his skillset, I just think the coaching staff would rather give carries to the quartet of Dunn, Weber, Samuel, and Wilson before burning a redshirt on Williams for a small handful of carries. Williams was an early-enrollee and had the benefit of showcasing his stuff during the spring while Dunn, Samuel, and Wilson nursed injuries. In the spring game, Williams ran the ball seven times for 29 yards.



Pre-Spring Predicted Depth Chart Pre-Fall Predicted Depth Chart
1. Curtis Samuel Bri’onte Dunn
2. Mike Weber Mike Weber
3. Bri’onte Dunn Curtis Samuel

I really am really torn with this. I am still not entirely losing hope Samuel will move back to running back as I think he is the most dynamic option back there but right now all indication is he will be a wide receiver. I realize I am pretty much the only person still throwing Samuel in with this bunch but I just have a feeling he will be a major part of the running game. I’m just going to leave this highlight video here of Samuel as a freshman running back:


Out of Dunn and Weber, I went with Dunn simply because he has showed promise in the past and the coaching staff has had a tendency to give the edge to the seniors at some points. With all the battles going into fall camp, this is the one I am the most excited about. Any of those five players I have mentioned could play a huge role in the backfield so I won’t be surprised if any of them are lined up in the backfield on the first snap against Bowling Green.

The post Pre-Fall Outlook: Ohio State Running Backs appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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It May Be Wild When The Northwestern Wildcats Play At Ohio Stadium
chipminnich via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


It is with great pride that this article marks my debut as an editor for The Buckeye Battle Cry. For those of you who do not know me, I am a young loner on a crusade to champion the cause of the innocent, the helpless, the powerless, in a world of criminals who operate above the law…No, that was Michael Knight of Knight Rider. My name is Chip Minnich, a long-time Ohio State fan, eager and happy to continue the great work that is being done here at The Buckeye Battle Cry. Please feel free to follow me on Twitter @ChipMinnich. #GoBucks!

*****

“ Hell, there are no rules here – we’re trying to accomplish something…” ~ Thomas Edison
Leave it to Thomas Edison, an Ohioan and considered “The Father Of Invention”, to appropriately summarize the goals for the 2016 Ohio State football team. No rules – just accomplish something.
“Something” is a pretty vague and open concept. Considering how much talent Ohio State lost to graduation and the NFL Draft, considering how I have written throughout spring practice about how 44 players on Ohio State’s roster are either redshirt freshmen or true freshmen…Damn right, Mr. Edison. There are no rules. Ohio State fans are just looking to see what this team can accomplish against a much tougher schedule in 2016 than 2015, with tremendously talented, yet inexperienced, players.
**
Northwestern Wildcats (Game 8)
2016 OSU Opponent Ranking: 6 out of 12
Players Recruited By Ohio State: DE Ifeadi Odenigbo was for certain. DL Ben Oxley claimed to have an Ohio State offer, but I did not see that on any of the recruiting sites I visited. Oxley does hail from my hometown of Avon Lake, which is a plus in my book.
Game Date: October 29, 2016
Kickoff Time: 5:30pm EST, telecast TBD on ABC, ESPN, or ESPN2
Location: Ohio Stadium
Rationale For The Ranking: Northwestern makes its first trip into Ohio Stadium since 2007, when Jim Tressel was the head coach for the Buckeyes, Todd Boeckman was the starting quarterback for the Buckeyes, and virtually everyone on both teams were still in grade school. Ohio State played at Northwestern in 2013, when Carlos Hyde came back from a three game suspension to score three touchdowns and rush for 168 yards in a 40-30 victory.
Here’s a better reason why I think Ohio State needs to be on their toes for this one – Ohio State will be coming off two road games at night (at Wisconsin, at Penn State), while Northwestern will have played a home game versus Indiana the week before. This is the kind of game that Ohio State cannot afford to be complacent about, as Northwestern won ten games in 2015. Pat Fitzgerald will have the Wildcats thinking upset.
Prediction: Ohio State will be excited to be playing in front of the home crowd for the first time in weeks. While not a traditional “night game”, the sun will have set by the time this game concludes. Considering this is Halloween weekend, the fans will be in good form for this one. As long as Ohio State comes into this game in the right frame of mind, after two potentially challenging road games, look for the Buckeyes to finish up October on a winning note.
Previous Rankings (as posted at Men of the Scarlet and Gray):
7 – Nebraska
8 – at Maryland
9 – Indiana
10- Rutgers
11- Bowling Green
12- Tulsa

The post It May Be Wild When The Northwestern Wildcats Play At Ohio Stadium appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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Ohio State looks to secure 5-star offensive guard
Caleb Houser via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


On Friday evening, Wyatt Davis will tell the world where he is playing college football. His decision could give the Buckeyes the No.1 ranked recruiting class (again)

Camp season is still underway for the Ohio State staff. Urban Meyer and co. have been the host and guest for many camps this summer and much is yet to come in the next few weeks before the 2016 Buckeye squad gets underway. With recruiting still at the forefront of the summer months, look for work to be done to the 2017 class and preparation for the 2018 class to continue.

Davis sized boom coming?


Wyatt Davis (Bellflower, CA / St. John Bosco) visited Columbus, Ohio and the Buckeyes last weekend for the first time. While the visit seemed to go well, yesterday may have been confirmation enough that Davis was totally sold on Ohio State. Less than a full week from his visit, Wyatt announced yesterday that his commitment would be public as of today at 6:00 p.m. ET. The 5-star and No.1 offensive guard in the 2017 class stands at 6-foot-5, 310 pounds and seems to be down to Ohio State, Notre Dame and Alabama in his final three schools.


While we will know for sure this evening on Wyatt's decision, social media went crazy yesterday as the 247sports crystal ball saw sixteen predictions in Ohio State's favor in one day. Obviously, with basically every expert in on the same school for Wyatt's destination, something is certainly trending well for the Buckeyes. Look for Ohio State to land yet again another 5-star prospect for the 2017 class.

The work being done by Urban Meyer and staff for this class and on the West Coast is certainly incredible.

Martell's big board


Ohio State landed their guy at quarterback two weeks ago when Tate Martell (Las Vegas, NV / Bishop Gorman) gave his pledge to the Buckeyes. Since then, the nation's top dual threat quarterback in 2017 has done nothing but promote his Buckeyes as a recruiter.

While Ohio State's staff has already assembled a historical class in terms of talent, Tate decided to take things in his own hands and go after many of Ohio State's top targets still available. In recruiting, relationships are extremely important, but when talent is on stock as it is in the 2017 class for the Buckeyes, it seems that the rich only get richer.

To see who Tate is heavily recruiting you can take a look at the tweet he sent out yesterday. Luckily for both Buckeye fans and Tate, Urban Meyer and Ohio State leads for many of the names on his board.


It's a great time to be an Ohio State fan.

Back to first place?


It was cemented in place for what seemed like forever that Ohio State was the nation's top ranked 2017 recruiting class. According to 247sports, however, Alabama took over the top spot and passed Ohio State – just barely, though.

However, with several top prospects still highly considering Ohio State and many having the Buckeyes as their leader, Urban Meyer's 2017 class may be back in first place as soon as later today. Haskell Garrett (Las Vegas, NV / Bishop Gorman), one piece to the incredible 2017 class surely believes his Buckeyes are soon to be back on top.

Okudah in Norman


The nation's top safety, Jeffrey Okudah (Grand Prairie, TX / South Grand Prairie) has thought to have been an Ohio State lean for some time now as he has said over and over that the Buckeyes are his top school. While Ohio State has done an excellent job on Okudah (and may end up landing his services in the 2017 class), he is currently in Norman, Okla. checking out what the Sooners have to offer. While this nearly just an unofficial visit, Okudah was just in Columbus visiting Ohio State not even a week ago. As Jeffrey takes his time in selecting his school of choice, Ohio State is sitting very well for yet another 5-star top prospect.


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WNBA's 20th Season Honoring The 20 Best – Including The Buckeyes Very Own Katie Smith - The Buckeye Battle Cry
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


WNBA's 20th Season Honoring The 20 Best – Including The Buckeyes Very Own Katie Smith
The Buckeye Battle Cry
She helped lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten championship and the NCAA title game her freshman year. During her career at OSU, Smith broke the Big Ten scoring record for points scored in a career, in men's or women's basketball. She earned two Big Ten ...


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Spectacular finish? Martell shows Buckeye recruiting hit list - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Spectacular finish? Martell shows Buckeye recruiting hit list
247Sports
All signs point to the Buckeyes landing a major commitment on Friday when offensive lineman Wyatt Davis announces his commitment. Providing Davis announces he is a Buckeye commitment, Ohio State quarterback commitment Tate Martell can wipe a ...
Ohio State close to another five-star commit? Top OG Wyatt Davis set to announce Fridaycleveland.com
5-Star OG Wyatt Davis Sets Announcement Date, Time//Campus Insiders

all 9 news articles »

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Which current or future Ohio State basketball player could be the next taken in the NBA Draft?
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


This will mark just the second year since 2007 in which Ohio State didn't have at least one player taken in the NBA Draft.

"I knew it was gonna be a growing process. I didn't expect to be a one-and-done D'Angelo-type player. I knew I was gonna have to put work in. I made improvement from freshman year to sophomore year and I'm hoping next year can be bigger (growth) than that."

- Ohio State junior forward Keita Bates-Diop via Bill Landis, Cleveland.com


The 2016 NBA Draft will take place tonight and it'll be one of the few years during Thad Matta's tenure in which he hasn't had one of his players drafted. Ohio State had at least one player drafted every year from 2007-2013, and after no Buckeyes were drafted in 2014, D'Angelo Russell was taken with the second overall pick last year. Trevor Thompson declared for this year's NBA Draft but decided to return to school after testing the waters. Had he not returned to Ohio State, it wasn't likely that Thompson would have been drafted, but at least he learned which areas he needs to improve on. Now the biggest question is which Buckeye will be the next one to be drafted?

As of now the best hope for the next Ohio State player to be drafted seems to be junior Keita Bates-Diop. Right now Bates-Diop is projected as a second round pick in next year's draft, as he has some of the traits which could catch the eye of NBA scouts. A strong junior season could help to boost Bates-Diop's draft stock. At times during his freshman season JaQuan Lyle showed flashes of NBA potential, but he still needs another year or two or work and growth to possibly grow into someone who could be drafted. Should those two fail to get drafted, it could be a few more years before the Buckeyes have another player drafted, as those on their way into Columbus could use a few years of work before they are NBA-ready.

"The Ohio State women's basketball tam has released its non-conference schedule for the 2016-17 season. The 13-game non-conference schedule features nine home games and matchups with perennial powers UConn and South Carolina."

- The Ohio State University Department of Athletics


After opening last season with a 88-80 loss to South Carolina in Columbia, Ohio State's women's basketball team will open their 2016-17 season in Columbus against the Gamecocks on November 14th. Following the season opener, Ohio State will host Cleveland State on November 16th and LIU-Brooklyn on November 19th before heading to Florida for the Gulf Coast Showcase. The Buckeyes will play host Florida Gulf Coast on November 25th, and their matchups the following two days will depend on how the rest of the bracket shakes out.

The biggest matchup of Ohio State's non-conference schedule will come on December 19th when they travel to Hartford to take on defending four-time national champion UConn. Last year the Buckeyes fell to the Huskies 100-56 in Columbus in the second game of the season. Over the past three seasons UConn has gone 116-1, with the only loss coming to Stanford in November 2014. Earlier it had been announced that Ohio State would host Miami in the ACC/Big Ten Challenge on December 1st. Aside from the matchup against Cleveland State, the only other non-conference matchup against an in-state foe will come on December 4th. Last year Ohio State topped the Bearcats 105-76 in Cincinnati, and the Buckeyes are 17-4 all-time against Cincinnati.

"The defending national champion Ohio State men's volleyball program added to its 2016-17 arsenal, welcoming in an eight-member freshman class. The group consists of student-athletes from five different states, including a pair of native Buckeyes."

- The Ohio State University Department of Athletics


Following winning a national title, Ohio State's men's volleyball team has some big expectations going forward. The Buckeyes took a big step to future success by announcing their latest recruiting class. Two Ohio natives are among the group of eight players, with one of those being Dejon Clark of Pickerington. Clark is the 2016 Ohio Player of the Year runner-up, and was named to the All-Ohio First Team. Joining Clark is fellow Buckeye Jason Bruggeman, who will come to Columbus from Moeller High in Cincinnati. Bruggeman lettered for Moeller in three seasons, and he was named Division-I All-Ohio honorable mention.

This year's Ohio State recruiting class will feature three AVCA First Team High School Senior All-Americans. Two of those All-Americans, Resse Devilbiss and Andrew Hillman, will come to Columbus from Pennsylvania. The third All-American is Jake Hanes from Illinois. St. Louis University High School will provide Ohio State with two players in the future, with both Paul Henken and Shawn Hughes deciding to spend their college years in Columbus. Rounding out this year's Ohio State recruiting class is Tyler Alter, who was a First Team All-California Interscholastic Federation performer.


"Any athlete wants to be on the biggest stage of his sport. It doesn't get bigger than the Olympic Games. I get chills thinking about it."

- Sean Melton, 2016 Big Ten gymnast of the year via Todd Jones, The Columbus Dispatch


With the men's gymnastics U.S. Olympic Trials getting underway tonight in St. Louis, there will be a couple Buckeyes vying for spots on the squad. Sean Melton just finished up his sophomore season at Ohio State, and was named the 2016 Big Ten gymnast of the year. There will be 18 gymnast competing this week. The scores from this week's trials will be combined with results from the P&G Championships that were held three weeks ago. The top two finishers in the all-around will receive automatic qualification to the Olympic team as long as they are among the top three in half of the six events. The other three spots on the squad of five will be determined by a committee. Melton is currently tied for fifth in the all-around, and has placed in the top 10 in five of the six events.

Melton's training partner, 27-year old Ohio State graduate Brandon Wynn, will also be looking to earn his spot in Rio de Janeiro. Wynn narrowly missed out on making the 2012 men's gymnastics team, but has been a member of the national team in three world championships. Wynn's speciality is on the rings, where he has won four U.S. championships, and has been runner-up twice. Wynn finished second in the rings at the 2012 U.S. Olympics Trials, but missed out after finished ninth in the all-around. This weekend Wynn has plenty of ground to make up, as he sits 19th after the P&G Championships.

STICK TO SPORTS

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• ComFest 2016 takes place this weekend in Goodale Park.
• If done the right way, Matthew McConaughey would be interested in bringing Rust Cohle back.
• A game about nothing? Doom 2 gets a Seinfeld makeover.

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If Urban Meyer left Ohio State, where could the Buckeyes turn for a head coach? - Land-Grant Holy Land
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


If Urban Meyer left Ohio State, where could the Buckeyes turn for a head coach?
Land-Grant Holy Land
Certainly Ohio State football would be one of the most attractive positions in all of college football, with all of the history and resources that come with it, so the Buckeyes could be choosy. But the program would probably want somebody who has at ...
Predicting Ohio State's complete 2017 recruiting class: Can Urban Meyer assemble the best Buckeyes class ever?cleveland.com
Kurelic: Another major Crystal Ball pick for the Buckeyes247Sports
Ohio State takes on Cavs' championship parade247Sports.com
Comcast SportsNet Chicago -BuckeyeGrove.com (subscription) -Bleacher Report
all 34 news articles »

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The best Big Ten pick at every first round NBA Draft position
Sean Merriman, BTN.com web editor via Big Ten Network

It’s NBA Draft time! The 2016 NBA Draft is set to get underway at 7 p.m. ET on Thursday at the Barclays Center in New York. Several Big Ten players are expected to hear their name called Thursday night. But before the 2016 draft arrives, let’s have a little NBA Draft fun. I did some research and took a look back at the best Big Ten player to be selected in every spot in the first round, 1-30. Did I miss one? Tweet me your opinions, @BTNSean. 1. Magic Johnson, Michigan State NBA team: Los Angeles Lakers Year: 1979 College

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If Urban Meyer left Ohio State, where could the Buckeyes turn for a head coach?
Matt Brown via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Let’s get one thing clear. We do not believe Urban Meyer is leaving Ohio State in the near future. We do not believe there is a reason to think a Meyer departure is imminent, or even especially likely, within the next two years. I think I speak for everybody who writes for this website when I say that I hope Urban Meyer coaches Ohio State for many, many more years to come. Do not let the existence of this article lead you to think otherwise.

However, nobody coaches forever, and “lifers” at one job, even a job as prestigious and coveted as Ohio State, are harder and harder to come by. The odds that Meyer sticks around Ohio State for another 15 years are probably not that good. Eventually, somebody else is going to coach Ohio State. Maybe even sooner than we think.

It’s not hard to think of a hypothetical candidate list for Ohio State basketball, but with football, it’s a little bit trickier. Certainly Ohio State football would be one of the most attractive positions in all of college football, with all of the history and resources that come with it, so the Buckeyes could be choosy. But the program would probably want somebody who has at least some connection to the midwest and Ohio, if not Ohio State specifically.

So, in a hypothetical world where Urban Meyer decides he wants to spend more time with his family, or try the NFL, or shoot, pursue his real lifelong passion of becoming an astronaut, who are some names the Buckeyes might look toward? Let’s take a look.

Tom Herman—Head coach, Houston


Let’s get the obvious answer out of the way first. Ohio ties? Tom Herman was born in Cincinnati and not only coached at Ohio State, but won a national title as an offensive coordinator. Successful head coach? He grabbed the national spotlight after a hugely successful first year at Houston, and thanks to his recruiting prowess, the Cougars seem primed to make another run at an AAC title and New Years Bowl bid. He has an excellent record in developing offenses, he’s young, interesting, and would be a huge splash hire.

The question, of course, is if Ohio State would be able to get him. There’s a non-trivial chance Herman is coaching the Texas Longhorns in a year or two if things don’t improve in a hurry for Charlie Strong, and Herman will be at the top of every power program’s wish list for the foreseeable future. For as big a job as Ohio State is, getting a Texas guy (Herman spent years coaching all over the state) to leave Texas for the Buckeyes would be difficult.

Bob Stoops—Head coach, Oklahoma


Stoops won a national championship at Oklahoma, and “big game” disparagement aside, has been very successful with the Sooners. But a perceived dip in Oklahoma’s most recent fortunes, coupled with the inevitable cabin fever that comes with being at one place for so long, has always led to speculation that maybe he’d be interested in another gig, perhaps the NFL. Stoops, a native of Youngstown and a former Kent State assistant, could be an attractive choice as a Buckeye successor.

Mark Dantonio—Head coach, Michigan State


Mark Dantonio is rarely mentioned as a possible Buckeye successor, which is probably another sign of the DISRESPECKT that perpetually clouds Michigan State (and I’m sure suits him just fine). But maybe he should be!

Dantonio isn’t especially young (he’s 60, and has had health problems before), and might be difficult to extract from a very comfortable situation at Michigan State, but in the unlikely event Ohio State needed a coach soon, he’d probably be worth a call. He’s built Michigan State into a playoff-caliber power, and knows talent evaluation and the midwest as well as anyone. He was also an assistant at Ohio and Akron, and of course, Ohio State’s defensive coordinator under Tressell, where he won a national title.

Pat Narduzzi—Head coach, Pitt


If you liked all the good things about Dantonio, but wanted somebody a bit younger, Narduzzi would appear to be a good match. He wouldn’t be a splashy, sexy hire, but he was an outstanding DC at Michigan State, and could have a very strong season at Pitt this season. Narduzzi is a Youngstown State graduate, coached at Miami (OH), was a DC at Cincinnati, and has held his own against Urban Meyer on the recruiting trail in Ohio. Narduzzi could have a lot of options in the future if he does well at Pitt, including at a place like Ohio State.

Chris Ash--Head coach, Rutgers


This is a bit of a projection. Ash was a successful assistant just about everywhere he went, from Wisconsin to Arkansas, and helped rebuild Ohio State’s defense back into championship caliber. He wasn’t necessarily the biggest recruiter on the staff, but he built a reputation as an exceptional teacher.

He’s at one of the hardest jobs in the Big Ten, if now the Power Five, at Rutgers right now. But if he’s successful, a bump back up to Columbus isn’t impossible.

Greg Schiano—Defensive Coordinator, Ohio State


This would not be my first choice, but it’s feasible enough that it should be discussed. Schiano hasn’t coached a game yet for the Buckeyes, but he was a good enough coach at Rutgers to help them sign blue-chip recruits and establish national relevancy. Reports about his unsuccessful NFL tenure and challenging personality might rub some people the wrong way, but his ability as a football coach isn’t disputed. Schiano isn’t likely to be an Ohio State DC for very long at all...somebody will come calling for his services as a headman. Would it be Ohio State?

Matt Campbell—Head coach, Iowa State


So this is also a bit of a projection, operating on the assumption that Ohio State doesn’t actually need a coach for a long time. Somebody like Campbell might be a great option then. He’s got tons of Ohio ties, from his playing and coaching career at Mt.Union, and subsequent stops at Bowling Green and Toledo, where he became a very successful head coach. Iowa State is a hard job, but he’s already established recruiting momentum. The Buckeyes have had success hiring coaches with Iowa State experience before. Maybe, several years down the line, they’ll look smart doing that again.

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Predicting Ohio State's complete 2017 recruiting class: Can Urban Meyer assemble the best Buckeyes class ever? - cleveland.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Predicting Ohio State's complete 2017 recruiting class: Can Urban Meyer assemble the best Buckeyes class ever?
cleveland.com
Bishop Gorman: The grayshirt rumors with Clark exist because of Martell, who committed to the Buckeyes earlier this month. Though Martell decommitted from two other programs, it's safe to think he'll eventually sign with the Buckeyes. Ohio State's ...
Kurelic: Another major Crystal Ball pick for the Buckeyes247Sports
Ohio State takes on Cavs' championship parade247Sports.com
If Urban Meyer left Ohio State, where could the Buckeyes turn for a head coach?Land-Grant Holy Land
Comcast SportsNet Chicago -BuckeyeGrove.com (subscription) -Columbus Dispatch
all 31 news articles »

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WNBA’s 20th Season Honoring The 20 Best – Including The Buckeyes Very Own Katie Smith
jcollingsworth via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Ohio State great Katie Smith has been named one of the top 20 players in WNBA history.

“The 20 women honored today are an extraordinarily accomplished group both on and off the basketball court,” said WNBA President Lisa Borders. “On the court, they represent the absolute best in women’s professional basketball and are in so many ways larger than life. Off the court, they represent their teams, hometowns and communities in which they live and work with the utmost professionalism. And most importantly, they represent the hopes and dreams of generations of young girls all over the world – the future of the WNBA.”

The names to be honored are: The WNBA Top 20@20 presented by Verizon includes nine current players: Seimone Augustus, Sue Bird, Swin Cash, Tamika Catchings, Maya Moore, Candace Parker, Cappie Pondexter, Diana Taurasi and Lindsay Whalen. Eleven former players are also among the honorees: Cynthia Cooper, Yolanda Griffith, Becky Hammon, Lauren Jackson, Lisa Leslie, Deanna Nolan, Ticha Penicheiro, Katie Smith, Sheryl Swoopes, Tina Thompson and Teresa Weatherspoon.

Let’s talk Katie!

I personally had the pleasure of including Katie in my weekly feature Making the List. Katie’s influential reach in The Ohio State University and the basketball program is tremendous and quite worthy of proclamation. I also reached out to the New Liberty a spell back asking if Katie (an assistant coach) would be willing to participate in my Ten Questions section. She was more than willing and respectful enough to assure that I received her responses in a timely manner. On a personal note I am grateful to Katie Smith and wish her all the blessings that she receives – and has earned.

Let’s now talk Katie and the WNBA…


PHOENIX – SEPTEMBER 13: Katie Smith #30 of the Detroit Shock argues a call to an official during Game 4 of the WNBA Finals against the Phoenix Mercury on September 13, 2007 at US Airways Center in Phoenix, Arizona. NOTE TO USER: User expressly acknowledges and agrees that, by downloading and or using this Photograph, User is consenting to the terms and conditions of the Getty Images License Agreement. (Photo by Domenic Centofanti/Getty Images)


In 2005, she became the first American female basketball player to score 5,000 total points in a professional career.
On August 16, 2007 she became the first professional women’s basketball player to score 6,000 career points (ABL and WNBA combined). At the end of her career in 2013 Katie had a total of 7,885 professional career points, including 1,433 from the ABL and 6,452 from the WNBA.

From 1999 to 2005 Smith played for the Minnesota Lynx, where her outside shooting was the central focus of the Lynx and their “high-powered” offense. On July 30, 2005, Smith was traded to the Detroit Shock.

In 2006, Smith became the first WNBA player to win All Star games as a member of both the Eastern and Western Conference teams. She also became the only player to get championship rings in both the ABL and WNBA – winning her WNBA ring with the Shock.
Smith won the MVP trophy in the 2008 WNBA Finals in the defeat of the San Antonio Silver Stars 3–0.

On March 16, 2010, Katie Smith moved on – signing with the Washington Mystics as a free agent.

On April 29, 2011, Smith was acquired by the Seattle Storm in a three-team trade with the Washington Mystics and Indiana Fever. At the 2011 WNBA All-Star Game, she was announced as one of the Top 15 players in the fifteen-year history of the WNBA – as voted by fans.

On September 11, 2011 Katie Smith became the third player to score 6,000 points in her WNBA career.

In 2013 Smith was picked up by the New York Liberty and announced that the 2013 season would be her last; following the end of the Liberty’s season, she was named one of the team’s assistant coaches.

Just to back-track some let’s remind everyone of Katie’s importance with The Ohio State University:

Katie Smith roamed the Oval and dominated the basketball court in Columbus from 1992 to 1996. She helped lead the Buckeyes to a Big Ten championship and the NCAA title game her freshman year. During her career at OSU, Smith broke the Big Ten scoring record for points scored in a career, in men’s or women’s basketball. She earned two Big Ten Conference players of the year awards as a senior: the conferences’ own award and the Chicago Tribune Silver Basketball. She was first female Buckeye athlete to have her number retired. … And was inducted into The Ohio State Varsity O Hall of Fame in October of 2001.

I could add charts with all of her numbers and percentages providing evidence of her greatness and why the WNBA is honoring Katie as one of the Best in their first 20 years. But, clearly, such a thing is completely unnecessary. For all of us who have seen her play – be it in Columbus, or in the WNBA – there is no need for documentation as evidence. Katie Smith is and always will be one of the greatest basketball players ever. Just know how lucky we were to have her as a Buckeye. Her father is an Ohio University alumni … God wouldn’t that have been horrible if she had been a Bobcat?

Katie – you deserve all the wonderful attention that comes your way. Congratulations!

The post WNBA’s 20th Season Honoring The 20 Best – Including The Buckeyes Very Own Katie Smith appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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Former Ohio State CB Eli Apple has his mom drop him off for his first day of practice
Harry Lyles Jr. via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Some things never change.

Remember the good old days when your mom would take you to school or practice when you were younger, and you couldn’t do it yourself? For Eli Apple, former Ohio State cornerback and now New York Giant, this situation is still valid.

He’s already had several weeks of practices behind him, but Annie Apple—the best mom in football—posted a pair of videos on Twitter where she was still taking her son to practice. She was eating it up, and Eli was trying to play it cool.


You know how moms can be:


Annie Apple is going to be in the spotlight more regularly come the NFL season, when she’ll start working with ESPN’s Sunday NFL Countdown. She should be able to provide a unique perspective that we haven’t seen on the show, specifically with topics outside of football.

But it’s great to see mother-son relationships like the one between Eli and Annie Apple. It should be fun to see what these two do during the 2016 NFL season.

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BH: DT recruiting heats up; Calling BS? - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


BH: DT recruiting heats up; Calling BS?
247Sports
** Who will be final DT in class? … The Buckeyes are hosting Norfolk (Va.) Lake Taylor defensive lineman Darnell Ewell on a visit today. Ewell is one of a number of defensive tackles the Ohio State staff has offered a scholarship to. And there ...


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Script Ohio: The game of football can learn from the Kosta Karageorge tragedy
Joe Dexter via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Clair Crawford and Joe Dexter discuss a recent profile of Buckeye Kosta Karageorge written in the New York Times and how the game of football can learn from the tragedy.

For more Ohio State Buckeyes podcasts, follow us on Twitter: @BuckeyesRadio

The post Script Ohio: The game of football can learn from the Kosta Karageorge tragedy appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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