2016 Spring Game Recruiting Primer
Ben Van Ooyen via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Ohio State is set to host its annual spring game this Saturday at the Shoe, and with it comes a chance for the Buckeyes and their coaches to put on their recruiting hats and show a plethora of prospects why Ohio State is the place to play college ball. During last year’s spring game weekend, the Buckeyes landed five commitments from Tuf Borland, Jack Wohlabaugh, and Malik Barrow for 2016 and Marcus Williamson and Todd Sibley for 2017. Urban Meyer and company hope to secure some verbals this weekend as well. Let’s look at who is visiting campus over the next few days and how I think their recruitment will shake out.

The following seven players are all attending as commitments of the Ohio State University, and they’ll be some of the most important recruiting tools the team has this weekend as they try to convince their buddies to play football for the Buckeyes. Danny Clark and Todd Sibley have already become vocal leaders of the 2017 recruiting class, and both of them will be eager to show their peers what Ohio State is all about. There’s a possible kink in Sibley’s future in Columbus, but hopefully it doesn’t dampen his enthusiasm for the program this weekend.

Name Year Position Commitment Status
Josh Myers 2017 OT Ohio State Commit
Jake Moretti 2017 OT Ohio State Commit
Brendan White 2017 S/WR Ohio State Commit
Todd Sibley 2017 RB Ohio State Commit
Marcus Williamson 2017 DB Ohio State Commit
Jerron Cage 2017 DT Ohio State Commit
Danny Clark 2017 QB Ohio State Commit
Blake Haubeil 2017 K Ohio State Commit

The guys below are also visiting this weekend, but they have yet to commit to the Buckeyes. I’ll continue to update the list as I learn more.

Name From Year Offered Position Commitment Status
Najee Harris California 2017 Yes RB Alabama Commit
Kellen Mond Texas 2017 No QB Baylor Commit
Jaylen Harris Ohio 2017 Yes WR Uncommitted
Dalyn Wade-Perry New Jersey 2017 Yes DT Uncommitted
Joel Honigford Ohio 2017 No OT Uncommitted
Darius Stills West Virginia 2017 No DE Uncommitted
Howard Watkins Ohio 2017 No DT Uncommitted
Jackson Carman Ohio 2018 Yes OT Uncommitted
Malik Vann Ohio 2018 No LB Uncommitted
Shaquon Anderson-Butts Pennsylvania 2018 No WR Uncommitted
Dante Stills West Virginia 2018 No DT Uncommitted
Alex Reigelsperger Ohio 2018 No DE Uncommitted
Aeneas Hawkins Ohio 2018 No DT Uncommitted
Jaelen Gill Ohio 2018 Yes RB Uncommitted
Xavier Henderson Ohio 2018 No ATH Uncommitted
Trenton Gillison Ohio 2018 No TE Uncommitted
Tadas Tatarunas Ohio 2018 No QB Uncommitted

One of the key visitors this weekend is Najee Harris, who, like Cam Akers once was, is currently committed to Alabama. Akers visited last month and came away impressed, and the staff hopes to make the same impression on Harris this weekend. Whether or not the Buckeyes will be able to steal either of these backs from the mighty Crimson Tide is yet to be seen, but Urban will go down swinging. Late Thursday night, word got out that Ohio State may have asked Todd Sibley to greyshirt next year, so it seems the Buckeyes feel confident they will land at least one of the 5-star backs. Adding Harris or Akers, along with JK Dobbins, forces Ohio State to push Sibley to 2018. If that’s the case, it wouldn’t surprise me if Sibley starts looking elsewhere to play his college football.

Kellen Mond is the other interesting prospect visiting this weekend. He’s currently committed to the Baylor Bears, but he’s still shopping around and finds himself at Ohio State this weekend. The Buckeyes haven’t extended an offer to him yet, but that could change this weekend. Mond has family in Ohio, so an offer from Ohio State might change his mind. He currently does not hold an offer from the Buckeyes, but that may change this weekend. Tate Martell, another quarterback prospect promised to a Texas school, visited recently and also has family in the state. Unless Texas A&M announces a big coaching change, I see Martell sticking with the Aggies, but I can see Mond becoming the second quarterback to join the 2017 class. Only time will tell.

Watch for possible commitments this weekend from Jaylen Harris and Jackson Carman. Harris is a wide receiver out of Cleveland Heights who’s had his eye on Ohio State some time, and Carman is a big offensive tackle from Fairfield, Ohio, who could get things started for the 2018 class. I don’t see the Buckeyes netting anywhere close to last year’s five commitments, but I can see one or two coming out of this weekend, especially if the Buckeyes extend an offer to a few of its top prospects.

The players who aren’t attending the spring game are probably more interesting than those who are. Trevon Grimes, the five-star wideout from St. Thomas Aquinas, has been high on the Buckeyes since his offer, but he hasn’t made a return trip to Columbus since last July. He’s visited Florida, Miami, and Florida State this year, and this has many fans worried he’ll stay down south. I think Grimes will visit Ohio State again at some point, and I’m still confident he ends up a Buckeye. Jeffrey Okudah would have been a great visitor to get on campus for the spring game, but he’s staying home in Texas this week. The Buckeyes need to get Okudah back on campus if they want to remain in the game for his talents. Amir Riep (visiting LSU), Donovan Peoples-Jones (visiting ND), and Darnay Holmes would’ve also been nice to see this weekend. I still see Riep becoming a Buckeye when he makes his choice in July. Peoples-Jones is going to be a hard pull from Michigan, but he did visit last week at least. I think Darnay Holmes will probably stay out west however. The saga of Shaun Wade continues as well, as he has stated that he is 100% committed to the Buckeyes, yet he continues to take visits like the one to USC this weekend.

The kids in the 2018 class still have a lot of time to decide on their college futures, but a few of them will be visiting the Buckeyes this weekend. Jaelen Gill visited USC and UCLA recently, but he’s been a frequent visitor to Ohio State, and all signs point to him donning the scarlet and grey. Maybe he pulls the trigger this weekend and becomes the leader of the 2018 class, but I think he’ll take a little more time to make his decision. I already mentioned Jackson Carman, whom I’ve pegged for a possible commitment this weekend. He currently holds a 100% Crystal Ball prediction to Ohio State, and he recently visited campus right after trips to Michigan and Michigan State. Other than Gill and Carman, none of the other visiting 2018 recruits currently hold offers from the Buckeyes. Most of them are from Ohio and probably grew up dreaming about playing football for the Buckeyes, so don’t be surprised if one of them gets an offer this weekend and commits.

The spring game always brings a lot of top talent to the Horseshoe, and this year is no different. With 100,000 fans expected to show up for a glorified practice, I expect the recruits to get a good idea of the electric atmosphere they have to look forward to. Recent stars like Zeke Elliott, Michael Thomas, and Cardale Jones will also be in attendance, so these recruits are going to get the full Buckeye experience.

* I will continue to monitor the recruits attending and update the list as necessary.






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Ezekiel Elliott says he’d take nothing but Ohio State stars in 2016 NFL Draft
Luke Zimmermann via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Even Zeke doesn't want to play for the Browns.

With the NFL Draft just two two short weeks away, the time is now for former Ohio State stars like Ezekiel Elliott to put on the full court media press.

Besides meeting with and working out for prospective employers, a cadre of former Buckeyes have also been doing the whole sports media scene.

Former OSU running back Zeke Elliott took ESPN's Bristol campus by storm Friday, guesting on the ESPN family of networks.

When asked to use ESPN's touchscreen draft board, the running-back-affectionately-known-as-EzE, don't exactly shy away from taking his friends and former teammates:


Sorry, Cardale. Maybe you can be selected at pick #10.

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Players to watch in the 2016 Ohio State spring game
Christopher Jason via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The spring game MVP is not always a good title to have, but this year could be a different story.

Every spring, there is an under-the-radar offensive playmaker who turns heads during the annual spring game. Some never flash during the regular season, such as Taurian Washington and some become great, such as Michael Thomas. With the Buckeyes losing five of their top six leading receivers and their leading rusher, this year's spring game MVP has a better chance to take his spring success into the fall.

Unlike last season, there will be major competition at the offensive skill positions for playing time, and Urban Meyer knows it, "the value this year is greater probably than our four years here to see how these young players respond."

Saturday will be the first time that most of these highly touted true or redshirt freshman have gotten significant snaps in front of a packed Ohio Stadium. Let's see who has a chance to build a legacy like Michael Thomas, rather than just be known as a spring game star.

Torrance Gibson: The high school star quarterback turned wide receiver has the tools to shine on Saturday. He has a mix of size, 6'4, 205 lbs, and straight-line track speed that can take the top off the defense. His size and leaping ability allows him to go up and get his hands on jump balls, which will help him excel on the goalline and in traffic. There are roughly nine outside receivers who are vying for two spots and Gibson's size and pure athletic ability could put him over the top. Now it is time for the Florida native to put on a show in front of 100,000 Buckeye fans.

Mike Weber: Out of this group of spotlighted players, Weber has the least amount of competition to see the field, and he is projected to either split carries or start outright at running back.

The former Cass Tech star had an up-and-down freshman campaign, where he felt betrayed by the Stan Drayton departure, then he tore his meniscus after a solid fall camp, while tweeting out a couple of mysterious subtweets that could have been directed towards his college choice. But now with Ezekiel Elliott out of the picture, Weber has a chance to grab the reigns as a redshirt freshman from senior Bri'onte Dunn and solidify himself as the number one back in Meyer's power running scheme. A solid spring game from Weber could give him the edge in this positional battle, heading into the fall.

K.J. Hill: Last season as a true-freshman, Hill was seen on the weekly depth chart. However, he did not get a chance to see the field as a receiver. Hill made a couple of highlight-reel catches in fall camp and he was the third player of last year's class to get his black stripe removed. He mostly practiced and was placed on the outside receiver depth chart, but he possesses good quickness and he has sparingly practiced at H-back. If the logjam at the X or Z prove too much for Hill, he might have a chance to see some time at H-back with Dontre Wilson's lingering foot issue and Curtis Samuel's versatility, which could sometimes place him at running back. Hill is electric with the ball in his hands, which should show on Saturday on quick hitters, such as screens and slants.

Austin Mack: Mack enrolled early in the winter as Urban Meyer's most collegiate-ready wideout that he has recruited at Ohio State, and he made his mark early. The Fort Wayne, IN product made a very early impact this spring and he made such an impact on the coaches that his black stripe was removed, which has never been done this early.

The 6'2, 205 pound wideout arrived at Ohio State with confidence and swagger that was apparent on day one. "I asked what position he plays and he said 'X' [receiver]," starting quarterback J.T. Barrett recalled of a conversation with Mack. "In our offense at X, you've got to be a Mike Thomas, you've got to be a dog. There's a reason why his Twitter handle is @CantGuardMike. That wasn't an accident, it was on purpose. So it's one of those deals of go get a spot, because in the spring that's when you go win a job."

Mack has most certainly turned the heads of his coaches and fellow players in practice, but he has yet to play in front of 100,000 at the ‘Shoe. If Mack can perform at a high level on Saturday, he could be a top candidate to replace Mike Thomas at the X.

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Ohio State Athletics: Maurice Clarett, Shawn Springs And Other Former Buckeyes Talk Paying College Athletes - Scout
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Athletics: Maurice Clarett, Shawn Springs And Other Former Buckeyes Talk Paying College Athletes
Scout
While the topic of whether or not college athletes should be paid and if so, how is a complicated ones the former Buckeyes participating -- a group that included former Ohio State and NBA player Lawrence Funderburke, former Buckeye defensive tackle ...


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Everything you need to know about the 2016 Ohio State spring game
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


It may be April, but there is actual Buckeye football happening Saturday.

It's here! It may only be a scrimmage between Team Scarlet and Team Gray, but it's the first taste of football in 2016 for the Buckeyes since the Fiesta Bowl and the first chance to see many of the young new players. With so many weapons headed to the NFL this year, there will be a lot of starting roles that need filled, and some of those could be snagged during the spring game.

Head coach Urban Meyer made a plea to Buckeye Nation to fill The 'Shoe with 100,000 fans during this year's spring game. He wants to see how young players react to such a large crowd, and see who might really stand out in the fall.

The Ohio State community will also be honoring former Buckeye legend Will Smith, following his tragic death earlier in the week. There will be a moment of silence in his name, and the players will all be sporting helmet decals in honor of Smith.

What is the Ohio State spring game?


The 2016 LiFE Sports Spring Game, presented by Nationwide, is the annual intrasquad scrimmage between Team Scarlet and Team Gray held at Ohio Stadium, and is set for Saturday, April 16 at 1:30 p.m, and should last about an hour and a half (shorter than a regular season game).

As is tradition, the spring game will be preceded by the "Showdown at the Shoe," the Ohio State men's lacrosse match against rival Michigan. The lacrosse game starts at 11 a.m. and fans are admitted with spring game tickets.

Children ages 6 and under are free in the general admission sections only; everyone in club level seating is required to have a ticket. Current OSU students get in free with a valid Buck-ID, and should enter the stadium through Gate 26.

How similar will this be to a real game?


It definitely isn't your standard football game. There are similarities, in that they will play four quarters of football -- but they're only 10 minutes each -- with clock stoppages allowed in the first-half and utilizing a running clock in the second-half. It may not be a regular-season game, but with Buckeye fans filling The 'Shoe and cheering at the top of their lungs, it certainly feels like fall football.

Urban Meyer likes to take advantage of the unique environment the spring game provides, and is known to make kickers re-try field goal attempts, gradually moving the ball back to test their maximum range. He also likes to try people at different positions, and get players out of their comfort zone in front of a jam-packed stadium. For him, this is when young talent sinks or swims.

How can I watch the spring game?


The Big Ten Network will be broadcasting the spring game Saturday, and will be re-airing the competition eight times through April 21st. The game will also be available for streaming online (and on your tablet and smartphones) on BTN2Go.

You can find BTN on Time Warner Columbus/Delaware on Channel 1333 HD/58 SD, on WOW! at channels 219 HD/87 SD, nationally on DirecTV on channel 610, on DISH on channel 405/410, and on AT&T U-verse channel 1650HD/650.

Former Buckeyes Bobby Carpenter and Glen Mason will be in the booth providing commentary for the game, along with Kevin Kugler doing the play-by-play.

It's not too late to decide to make your way to campus to enjoy the beautiful Columbus weather -- it's actually supposed to be a perfect spring day, with mostly sunny skies and a high of 70 degrees. With free parking and $5 general admission tickets ($15 for club seats), there's no reason not to get out and support the team.

Are there any other game-day activities?


This will be one of the last times to see many of the NFL-bound Buckeyes before they make their way to the Pros. Halftime will be a show on Saturday, with Cardale Jones and J.T. Barrett facing off in one last quarterback skill challenge for old-times sake.

During Student Appreciation Day a few weeks back, several students raced for the title of "Fastest Student" and the winner will be crowned during halftime of the spring game. The students participating will be coached by NFL prospects Vonn Bell, Eli Apple, Darron Lee, Jalin Marshall, Tyvis Powell and Ezekiel Elliott.

There will also be an offensive line and defensive line catch-a-punt competition, with Buckeye legends Anthony Schlegel, Kirk Barton, Jimmy Cordle, Bobby Carpenter and Jack Mewhort.

What are the rosters for each team?


You can find the full rosters and coaches for Team Scarlet, lead by Greg Schiano, and Team Gray, lead by Tony Alford, right here.

What are the anticipated position battles?


With fan-favorite Ezekiel Elliott heading for the NFL, there is a big hole in the depth chart at running back. Meyer noted that during spring practice, backs Bri'onte Dunn and freshman Mike Weber are neck-in-neck for the starting role, and the head coach doesn't anticipate naming a starter much earlier than the beginning of the season.

J.T. Barrett is the known starter at quarterback heading into the 2016 season, but there is a competition for his No. 2. Barrett will take a few snaps during the spring game, but Meyer and his staff are more interested in seeing how freshman Joe Burrow handles a large home-crowd versus former No. 2 Stephen Collier. Collier has slipped to the back of the depth chart, season after season, despite often favorable spring practices.

With 22 former Buckeyes now vying for a spot in the League, there is competition at almost every position on the field; the team only returned six starters -- three on either side of the ball. This is the youngest group of players that Meyer has ever had in the spring, and he fully intends on making use of the unique environment for his evaluations.

Have a specific question?


Ask us in the comments or on Twitter or Facebook. We'll get you squared away and update what we have accordingly.

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Ohio State 2016 spring game rosters released
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


Lots of interesting, young matchups in this year's spring game.

As of April 12th, Ohio State had sold more than 77,000 tickets to the spring game, according to the Dispatch, and looked to be on pace to break the attendance record -- currently set by Ohio State in 2015. Those tickets don't include students, since they get in for free with their OSU ID, or tickets used for recruits, sponsors, etc, so the ticket office anticipates stopping sales when they hit 90,000. With the weather expected to be excellent, and Urban Meyer vying to fill Ohio Stadium with 100,000 fans, the young Buckeyes should have a great environment on Saturday.

Below are the rosters, via Ohio State. There is very little cemented on the depth chart this spring, with so many players leaving for the NFL. Roster moves will be made following Saturday's performances, and some young players might find themselves among the starting lineup.

SCARLET TEAM Roster​

2016 LiFESPORTS Spring Game, Presented by Nationwide​

Scarlet Team Head Coach: Greg Schiano

Assistant Coaches: Larry Johnson, Ed Warinner, Tim Beck

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wg. Cl./Elg. Hometown/High School (Last School)
2 Dontre Wilson*** H-B 5-10 195 Sr./Sr. DeSoto, Texas/DeSoto
3 Damon Arnette CB 6-0 191 So./Fr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla. / St. Thomas Aquinas
4 Curtis Samuel** H-B 5-11 200 Jr./Jr. Brooklyn, N.Y./Erasmus
5 Johnnie Dixon WR 5-11 194 Jr./So. West Palm Beach, Fla./Dwyer
9 Jashon Cornell DT 6-3 265 So./Fr. St. Paul, Minn. / Cretin-Derham Hall
11 Austin Mack WR 6-2 210 Fr./Fr. Fort Wayne, Ind. / Bishop Luers
13 Stephen Collier QB 6-4 225 Jr./So. Leesburg, Ga./Lee County
13 Rashod Berry DE 6-4 245 So./Fr. Lorain, Ohio / Lorain
14 Joshua Norwood CB 5-10 175 So./Fr. Valdosta, Ga. / Valdosta
16 J.T. Barrett** QB 6-2 225 Sr./Jr. Wichita Falls, Texas/Rider
16 Cam Burrows** SAF 6-0 208 Sr./Jr. Trotwood, Ohio/Trotwood Madison
17 Jerome Baker* LB 6-1 215 So./So. Cleveland, Ohio / St. Benedictine
17 C.J. Saunders CB 5-11 173 So./So. Dublin, Ohio / Coffman
19 Eric Glover-Williams SAF 5-9 175 So./So. Canton, Ohio / McKinley
19 Joe Ramstetter WR 6-3 225 Sr./Sr. Cincinnati, Ohio/Elder
20 Khaleed Franklin SAF 6-1 215 Sr./Sr. Columbus, Ohio/Beechcroft
20 Mike Weber RB 5-10 215 So./Fr. Detroit, Mich. / Cass Tech
21 Parris Campbell* WR 6-1 205 Jr./So. Akron, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary
21 Trevon Forte CB 5-8 175 Jr./Jr. Youngstown, Ohio/Cardinal Mooney
25 Logan Kelleher CB 5-10 195 Jr./Jr. Cincinnati, Ohio / Moeller
26 Jarrod Barnes SAF 5-11 193 Gr./Sr. Westerville, Ohio/Westerville South
26 Patrick Wise RB 5-10 205 Jr./Jr. Warren, Ohio / Warren G. Harding
29 Alex Craft P/K 6-1 220 Fr./Fr. Kettering, Ohio / Archbishop Alter
30 Jared Drake LB 6-0 220 So./So. Westerville, Ohio / Westerville
30 Tyler Durbin K 6-3 200 Sr./Sr. Fairfax, Va. / Lake Braddock
35 Alex Backenstoe RB 6-1 205 Jr./So. Hilliard, Ohio / Davidson
36 Zach Turnure LB 6-1 235 Sr./Sr. St. Louis, Mo./CBC
38 Craig Fada*** LB 6-1 230 5th/Sr. Columbus,Ohio/Bishop Watterson
42 Darius Slade* DE 6-4 255 Jr./So. Montclair, N.J. / Montclair
44 Aaron Mawhirter LS 6-1 230 Sr./Sr. Sandusky, Ohio/Perkins
44 Guy Ferrelli TE 6-1 245 Sr./Sr. Columbus, Ohio/Bishop Ready
46 CinQuan Haney SAF 6-1 200 Sr./Sr. Dayton, Ohio / Chaminade-Julianne
48 Joe Burger*** LB 6-2 230 5th/Sr. Cincinnati, Ohio/LaSalle
49 Liam McCullough LS 6-2 210 So./Fr. Columbus, Ohio / Worthington Kilbourne
54 Billy Price** OG 6-4 315 Sr./Jr. Austintown, Ohio/Fitch
55 Malik Barrow DT 6-3 287 Fr./Fr. Tampa, Fla. / Catholic & IMG Academy
57 Robert Landers DT 6-1 290 So./Fr. Dayton, Ohio / Huber Heights
58 Joshua Alabi DT 6-5 295 So./Fr. Detroit, Mich. / Cass Tech
59 Isaiah Prince* OT 6-7 305 So./So. Greenbelt, Md. / Eleanor Roosevelt
60 Blake Pfenning OL 6-5 305 So./So. Wapakoneta, Ohio / Wapakoneta
65 Pat Elflein*** OC 6-3 300 5th/Sr. Pickerington, Ohio/North
67 Grant Schmidt OL 6-6 300 So./Fr. Sioux Falls, S.D. / Roosevelt
70 Curtis Henry DE 6-0 280 Jr./Jr. Cleveland, Ohio / Glenville
72 Tyler Gerald OL 6-5 330 Fr./Fr. Portsmouth, Ohio / East & IMG Academy
73 Michael Jordan OG 6-7 316 Fr./Fr. Canton, Mich. / Plymouth
74 Jamarco Jones** OT 6-5 310 Jr./Jr. Chicago, Ill. / De La Salle
77 Kevin Feder OT 6-9 305 So./Fr. Ramsey, N.J. / Don Boscoe Prep
78 Demetrius Knox* OG 6-4 305 Jr./So. Fort Worth, Texas / All Saints Episcopal
79 Brady Taylor OC 6-5 300 Jr./So. Columbus, Ohio / Bishop Ready
80 Noah Brown* WR 6-2 222 Jr./So. Flanders, N.J. / Pope John XXIII
82 James Clark* WR 5-10 185 Sr./Jr. New Smyrna Beach, Fla./New Smyrna Beach
85 Marcus Baugh** TE 6-5 255 Sr./Jr. Riverside, Calif./J.W. North
91 Philip Silverman TE 6-0 230 So./So. Cincinnati, Ohio / Sycamore
94 Dylan Thompson DT 6-5 275 Jr./So. Lombard, Ill. / Montini Catholic
95 Cameron Johnston*** P 5-11 195 Sr./Sr. Geelong, Australia/St. Joseph's
96 Sean Nuernberger** K 6-1 220 Jr./Jr. Buckner, Ky./Oldham County H.S.
98 Dominic Garris K 5-11 180 Jr./Jr. Lancaster, Ohio / Bloom Carroll

GRAY TEAM Roster​

2016 LiFESPORTS Spring Game, Presented by Nationwide​

Gray Team Head Coach: Tony Alford

Assistant Coaches: Zach Smith, Kerry Coombs, Greg Studrawa, Luke Fickell

No. Name Pos. Ht. Wg. Cl./Elg. Hometown/High School (Last School)
1 Erick Smith* SAF 6-0 202 Jr./Jr. Cleveland, Ohio / Glenville
2 Marshon Lattimore* CB 6-0 195 Jr./So. Cleveland, Ohio / Glenville
3 Antonio Williams RB 5-11 215 Fr./Fr. New London, N.C. / North Stanly
5 Raekwon McMillan** LB 6-2 240 Jr./Jr. Hinesville, Ga./Liberty County
6 Torrance Gibson WR 6-4 205 So./Fr. Plantation, Fla. / American Heritage
6 Sam Hubbard* DE 6-5 265 Jr./So. Cincinnati, Ohio / Archbishop Moeller
7 Damon Webb** SAF 5-11 193 Jr./Jr. Detroit, Mich. / Cass Tech
8 Gareon Conley** CB 6-0 195 Sr./Jr. Massillon, Ohio/Washington
10 Joe Burrow QB 6-3 208 So./Fr. The Plains, Ohio / Athens
10 Jalyn Holmes** DE 6-5 265 Jr./Jr. Norfolk, Va. / Lake Taylor
11 Justin Cook QB 6-3 225 Jr./Jr. Philadelphia, Pa./Western Reserve Academy
12 Denzel Ward* CB 5-11 180 So./So. Macedonia, Ohio / Nordonia
14 K.J. Hill WR 6-0 195 So./Fr. North Little Rock, Ark. / North Little Rock
15 Cameron Howard DB 6-1 203 Sr./Sr. Columbus, Ohio / Gahanna
18 Jonathan Cooper DE 6-3 235 Fr./Fr. Gahanna, Ohio / Lincoln
18 Michael Lawless SAF 6-2 210 Sr./Sr. Dover, Ohio/Tuscarawas Central Catholic
23 Devlin McDaniel WR 5-11 195 Sr./Sr. Marion, Ohio/Marion Pleasant
24 Malik Hooker* SAF 6-2 205 Jr./So. New Castle, Pa. / New Castle
25 Bri'onte Dunn*** RB 6-0 215 5th/Sr. Canton, Ohio/GlenOak
28 Michael Cibene SAF 6-0 185 Sr./Sr. Fort Lauderdale, Fla./Pine Crest
29 Alex Craft P/K 6-1 220 Fr./Fr. Kettering, Ohio / Archbishop Alter
30 Tyler Durbin K 6-3 200 Sr./Sr. Fairfax, Va. / Lake Braddock
32 Tuf Borland LB 6-1 228 Fr./Fr. Bolingbrook, Ill. / Bolingbrook
32 Elijaah Goins CB 6-1 195 Sr./Sr. Concord, N.C./ Cox Mill
33 Dante Booker** LB 6-3 233 Jr./Jr. Akron, Ohio / St. Vincent-St. Mary
33 Austin Clutter WR 6-0 195 So./So. Geneva, Ohio / Geneva
34 Nick Conner LB 6-3 230 So./Fr. Dublin, Ohio / Scioto
35 Chris Worley** LB 6-2 225 Sr./Jr. Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville
37 Derrick Malone TE 6-4 245 So./So. Dayton, Ohio / Thurgood Marshall
44 Aaron Mawhirter LS 6-1 230 Sr./Sr. Sandusky, Ohio/Perkins
46 Ke'Von Huguely RB 5-9 180 So./So. Dayton, Ohio/Meadowdale
47 Justin Hilliard LB 6-1 230 So./Fr. Cincinnati, Ohio / St. Xavier H.S.
49 Liam McCullough LS 6-2 210 So./Fr. Columbus, Ohio / Worthington Kilbourne
52 Donovan Munger** DT 6-4 300 Sr./Jr. Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights
53 Davon Hamilton DT 6-4 300 So./Fr. Pickerington, Ohio / Pickerington Central
56 Matthew Burrell OG 6-4 300 So./Fr. Woodbridge, Va. / Hylton
59 Tyquan Lewis** DE 6-4 260 Sr./Jr. Tarboro, N.C./Tarboro
62 Aaron Parry* OC 6-5 275 Sr./Sr. Zanesville, Ohio/Bishop Rosecrans
63 Kevin Woidke OL 6-6 310 So./So. Cleveland, Ohio / St. Ignatius
69 Brandon Pahl OL 6-2 295 So./So. Cutler, Ohio/Warren
71 Kyle Trout OL 6-6 310 Jr./So. Lancaster, Ohio/Lancaster
75 Evan Lisle* OG 6-6 305 Sr./Jr. Centerville, Ohio/Centerville
76 Branden Bowen OT 6-7 320 So./Fr. Draper, Utah / Corner Canyon
77 Michael Hill* DT 6-3 295 Sr./Jr. Pendleton, S.C./Pendleton
83 Terry McLaurin* WR 6-1 200 Jr./So. Indianapolis, Ind. / Cathedral
84 Corey Smith* WR 6-1 195 6th/Sr Akron, Ohio/Buchtel & East Mississippi C.C.
86 Dre'Mont Jones DT 6-3 280 So./Fr. Cleveland, Ohio / St. Ignatius
87 Alex Stump WR 6-3 202 So./Fr. Avon, Ohio / St. Edward
88 A.J. Alexander TE 6-2 235 So./Fr. Burke, Va. / Lake Braddock
93 Tracy Sprinkle* DT 6-3 290 Sr./Jr. Elyria, Ohio/Elyria
95 Cameron Johnston*** P 5-11 195 Sr./Sr. Geelong, Australia/St. Joseph's
96 Sean Nuernberger** K 6-1 220 Jr./Jr. Buckner, Ky./Oldham County H.S.
98 Dominic Garris K 5-11 180 Jr./Jr. Lancaster, Ohio / Bloom Carroll

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Script Ohio: Ohio State Spring Game Preview and Roundtable
Joe Dexter via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Joe Dexter and Clair Crawford are joined by Shannon Sommers and Chuck Strawn to discuss all things spring game and what fans should expect on Saturday at Ohio Stadium.

The post Script Ohio: Ohio State Spring Game Preview and Roundtable appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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Ohio State baseball to welcome Rutgers to Columbus for the first time in Big Ten play
Ben Martens via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeyes host the Scarlet Knights in an extremely important Big Ten series.

The Ohio State baseball team is playing just its third Big Ten series of the season, yet it feels like a must-sweep situation. The Buckeyes are currently 2-4 in conference play, good for a tie for 10th place, and have a tough schedule the final month of the season that includes trips to Illinois and Minnesota and home series against Iowa and Michigan. Without a sweep this weekend against visiting Rutgers, Ohio State's chances of securing a berth in the Big Ten tournament will take a serious hit.

It's not all doom and gloom for the Buckeyes, but last weekend's sweep at the hands of Maryland put a spotlight on many of the things that have caused the team to struggle throughout the season. Failure to take advantage of opportunities with timely hitting, defensive miscues that lead to unearned runs, and a bullpen that has been inconsistent in holding leads proved to be Ohio State's undoing against the Terrapins, and could keep the team from the Big Ten tournament if they continue.

The one constant from the Buckeyes in 2016 has been how solid the starting rotation has performed, and last weekend was a good example. Tanner Tully, John Havird, and Ryan Feltner, who filled in for the injured Adam Niemeyer, allowed just three earned runs and notched a 4-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio in 20.1 innings of work.

That sort of pitching should be good enough to win at least one ballgame, but the Ohio State bats were stymied to the tune of a collective .140 batting average and 23 strikeouts.

The Buckeyes still lead the Big Ten in doubles, home runs, and runs batted in despite the ineptitude in College Park, and this weekend's opponent, Rutgers, ranks near the bottom of the conference in a plethora of pitching statistics.

Ohio State has a chance to put up runs in bunches and get itself back on track against the Scarlet Knights, and needs to seize the opportunity, lest the uphill battle to reach Omaha and a sixth consecutive conference tournament appearance becomes too steep.

Rutgers Scarlet Knights (15-17, 2-4 in Big Ten play)


Rutgers may be the black hole of the Big Ten when it comes to football and men's basketball, but the baseball program appears to be in capable hands under third year head coach Joe Litterio. The team is averaging just under six runs per game, has a veteran core, and has held its own against some top-notch competition this season.

At the plate, senior catcher R.J. Devish leads the way, the fourth-leading hitter in the conference with a .406 average. Devish also leads the Big Ten with a .540 on-base percentage from his leadoff spot and is second with 17 stolen bases.

In the middle of the lineup, senior first baseman Chris Suseck and junior right fielder Rob Marcinczyk pace the production. Marcinczyk leads the Scarlet Knights with eight doubles, two triples, four home runs, 26 RBIs, and a .463 slugging percentage out of the cleanup spot. Suseck, who generally hits third in the order, is hitting .297 with a pair of homers and 25 runs driven in.

The weekend rotation also features some experience, with senior lefty Howie Brey enjoying his best collegiate season as the Friday starter. Brey is 3-3 with a 2.82 earned run average, limits the opposition to a .248 average, and has an impressive 5.33-to-1 strikeout-to-walk ratio.

Following Brey are a couple of big right-handers in junior Kyle Driscoll and sophomore John O'Reilly. Driscoll, who stands 6-foot-7 and weighs 240 pounds, is 3-3 and also limits opponents to a .248 batting average. Where the Toms River, New Jersey native has struggled is in issuing 33 walks in 40.1 innings, nearly as many free passes as strikeouts.

O'Reilly, no slouch himself at 6-foot-5, threw 60 innings as a freshman last season, and is in his first full season as a member of the rotation. In 40 innings, he is 0-2 and has been hit around to the tune of a .289 opposition average and a 5.40 ERA.

The lefty-righty combo of Max Hermann and Reed Shuttle have been Litterio's most trusted relievers, with each already having made over ten appearances and saving three games.

Game times and probable pitching matchups


Friday, April 15th, 6:35 p.m. ET (streaming live on BTN Plus)

Tully (4-2, 2.49 ERA) vs. Brey (3-3, 2.82)

Saturday, April 16th, 3:05 p.m. ET

Havird (2-1, 3.21) vs. Driscoll (3-3, 4.02)

Sunday, April 17th, 1:05 p.m. ET (streaming live on BTN Plus)

TBD vs. O'Reilly (0-2, 5.40)

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OSUWBB: Ameryst Alston Selected in WNBA Draft
Charles via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


While it doesn’t get the same amount of hype and attention as the NFL draft, the WNBA draft is still a big deal for senior women’s basketball players each year as they wait to see if they hear their name called, allowing them to continue to play the game they loved. Yesterday was the 2016 draft and Ohio State senior Ameryst Alston was one of those eagerly waiting to hear her name called. While she had to wait a bit, her patience paid off as she heard her name called as the last pick in the second round, 24th overall, as she was selected by the New York Liberty (above image courtesy of Ohio State athletics).

The New York Liberty won the East Division last year and made it to the semifinals of the playoffs before falling to Indiana two games to one in a best of three series. The Liberty are coached by Bill Laimbeer who has won 3 WNBA titles and been named WNBA coach of the year twice; Laimbeer is also famous for having been an All-Star with the Detroit Pistons whose jersey was retired in the Motor City. Alston will not be the only Buckeye in New York as OSU legend Katie Smith is an assistant coach for the Liberty.

New York features a solid front court with center Tina Charles and forward Swin Cash but are weaker in the backcourt with Epiphanny Prince, former Rutgers star, the only guard averaging double figures in scoring and one of only two guards averaging more than 20 minutes per game on the court. This suggests that there will be plenty of opportunity for Alston to see playing time and make an ipact and the solid Liberty front court should mean that opposing defense focus on her less than they did at Ohio State.

Alston is the 12th Buckeye to be drafted into the WNBA and the first since Tayler Hill in 2013. Hill currently plays for the Washington Mystics where she has emerged as a consistent outside threat. The other Buckeye currently playing in the WNBA is OSU great Jantel Lavender who was an All-Star with Los Angeles Sparks last season.

The post OSUWBB: Ameryst Alston Selected in WNBA Draft appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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Ohio State Buckeyes spring game preview - ESPN (blog)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State Buckeyes spring game preview
ESPN (blog)
Why to watch: Even with all the roster turnover, the Buckeyes are still among the betting favorites to get back to the College Football Playoff and compete for a national title. And though most of the established stars may be gone, there are plenty in ...
Ohio State spring football: Buckeyes defensive depth chartcleveland.com
College Football: Guide to Ohio State Buckeyes spring gameDayton Daily News
Spring Game: Several Ohio State Buckeyes look to make impressionMyDaytonDailyNews
247Sports -Columbus Dispatch (blog) -Campus Sports
all 40 news articles »

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Heard Around the ‘Shoe – 4-15-2016
Ben Van Ooyen via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

Ezekiel Elliott on Mike and Mike this morning:





Spring Game News & Notes:












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


(photo courtesy of www.davidmadison.photoshelter.com)

In with spring comes the fresh air of blossoming flowers, slight refreshing breezes, and the lung curling exercises generated by fans at Track and Field events. Fans of Track and Field are a rare breed, not quite as we envision football, basketball, even baseball fans. There is an involvement that often seems scattered until the action begins. I personally am a fan of Track and Field, so I feel I speak from experience.

This week for Making the List as I was trolling my notebook and the internet in search for the one worthy Buckeye that I could bring some homage to for their past and current greatness in my own little way – even if briefly – I came across the obvious person.

Stephanie Hightower was a four-time All-American and 15-time Big Ten Champion when she lettered at Ohio State from 1977-80. Hightower went undefeated in four years of Big Ten competition in her storming towards conference, NCAA, and National Championship titles. Her undefeated streak ran from 1977-80 in the 60-meter dash, 60 meter hurdles and the 100-meter hurdles. Furthermore, Hightower held 11 Big Ten and Ohio State records and set a world record in the 60-yard hurdles before being named to the 1980 U.S. Olympic Team in the 100m hurdles.

In what should have been a fitting conclusion – the Olympics – such an honored and earned position would simply not be. In 1980 The United States boycotted the games which were being held in Moscow for the Soviet Union’s invasion of Afghanistan. Hightower would miss out on the 1984 Olympics as she would be the odd person out in a four-way tie at the Olympic Trials. The photo finish of her race is the closest elite race in history. The photo of this race would be used later for instruction in the usage of photo finish devices.

Stephanie’s indoor 55-meter hurdles still stand as the best in the Buckeyes record books with a time of 7:47 – holding strong since 1980. Her Indoor 60-meter hurdles back in 1979 at 8.17 come in 4th best on the Buckeyes record books.

Following her track career, Hightower has maintained a recognized professional career which includes noted leadership roles in the Columbus community. In 2011, Hightower was named president and CEO of the Columbus Urban League and prior to that position was vice president for Institutional Advancement at Columbus College of Art and Design. Hightower also served on the Columbus City School Board for eight years.

Maintaining an active role in U.S. Track and Field, Hightower was named president in 2008 and was the team leader for the U.S. Track and Field team at the 2004 Athens Olympic Games.

I also feel a need to mention that she is the niece of Buckeye and NFL legend Paul Warfield.

I am proud to include Stephanie Hightower in my growing tributes of Making the List. The purpose I hope that I display in my choices is that of a great athlete from our beloved community of The Ohio State University. It is important too to take into account many other factors – which include contributions once the spotlight has been lowered. In the case of Stephanie Hightower I cannot think of any other Buckeye who has quietly gave of herself back to the Columbus community more than she has. Stephanie is a great Buckeye this simply cannot ever be questioned. What makes Stephanie’s overdue notice even more appealing, at least to me, is the undoubted humility we would witness if she would be standing before us and we told her what a great Buckeye she was – because – ultimately – what is of importance to Stephanie is fairness and justice in our community.

The post Making The List: Stephanie Hightower appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.

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2016 Ohio State Spring Football Preview: Youth Will Be Served, Early And Often – Safety Preview
Chip Minnich via our good friends at Men of the Scarlet and Gray
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here

“Almost everything that is great has been done by youth…” ~ Benjamin Disraeli

Ohio State began spring football practice on March 8th. Heading into the 2016 college football season, Ohio State will have 44 players on its roster designated as either a redshirt freshman (21 of the 25 players signed in February 2015), or a true freshman. For a roster that can have only 85 scholarship players, Ohio State will have around 52% of its roster with no playing time experience. As former Ohio State Head Coach John Cooper used to say, “If a dog is going to bite you, it will bite you as a pup.”.

For the next several weeks, I will be writing position group previews, leading up to the Ohio State Spring Football Game in Ohio Stadium on April 16th, 2016. These position groups will be ranked, from least to most concern, as I perceive them. It is entirely possible that my concerns, as well as the coaching staff’s concerns, will be reevaluated after the spring game.

1st – Safety

Players Lost – Tyvis Powell, Vonn Bell. Both players had eligibility remaining, and both decided to forego a final year as Buckeyes to enter the 2016 NFL Draft. Say what you want about either player, but Powell and Bell were steady veteran players at the last line of defense.

Returning Players/Incoming Players – Malik Hooker (Redshirt Sophomore), Damon Webb (Junior), Erick Smith (Junior), Cam Burrows (Redshirt Junior), Eric Glover-Williams (Sophomore).

A few things to keep in mind as it relates to this position group…

· Damon Webb has been moved to safety this spring, after primarily playing as the nickel cornerback. This may be a move to get the talented Webb on the field by new secondary coach Greg Schiano.

· Webb’s move may also be a concession to the fact that both Erick Smith and Cam Burrows, both with playing experience, are still recovering from injuries that derailed their respective 2015 seasons.

· The same could be said for Eric Glover-Williams, who has seen time at safety this spring. Glover-Williams is listed at 5’9″, 175 lbs., which may be better suited for cornerback.

· If there is anyone who seems to be a lock to start at safety in 2016, it is redshirt sophomore Malik Hooker. Hooker has never started, but played more and more in spot duty in 2015.

· Reinforcements are on the way, but will not arrive until the summer. Players such as Jahsen Wint, Rodjay Burns, and Jordan Fuller may all get long looks at safety during fall camp. The point I am making is all of these players are true freshmen, and untested on the college level.

These questions, among others, have been on my mind, as Ohio State concludes spring practice with the Ohio State Spring Game on April 16th. Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer hopes to have at least 100,000 fans in Ohio Stadium. Let’s not disappoint him, Buckeye fans.






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Buckeyes In The NFL Draft: NFC West - Eleven Warriors (blog)
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes In The NFL Draft: NFC West
Eleven Warriors (blog)
In 1936 the NFL held its first draft. Two Buckeyes were selected and thus began the 80 year relationship of Ohio State providing talented players to the NFL machine. This series will break down all eight NFL divisions and the teams that drafted the 416 ...
Ohio State's Vonn Bell in the 2016 NFL Draft: When did our Buckeyes experts ring the bell?cleveland.com
Ohio State draft class 'built to be best ever'247Sports

all 7 news articles »

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Ohio State's Powell dishes on Buckeyes mates Bell and Jones - MyAJC
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State's Powell dishes on Buckeyes mates Bell and Jones
MyAJC
16, 2015, file photo, Ohio State safety Tyvis Powell speaks to reporters during the university's NCAA college football media day in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defensive back Tyvis Powell is one of about a dozen Buckeyes likely to turn the NFL draft on ...

and more »

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Ohio State's Powell dishes on Buckeyes mates Bell and Jones - MyStatesman.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Ohio State's Powell dishes on Buckeyes mates Bell and Jones
MyStatesman.com
16, 2015, file photo, Ohio State safety Tyvis Powell speaks to reporters during the university's NCAA college football media day in Columbus, Ohio. Ohio State defensive back Tyvis Powell is one of about a dozen Buckeyes likely to turn the NFL draft on ...


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Top RB set to visit Ohio State for spring game
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 the eve of Ohio State's 2016 Spring football game, many of the country's top prospects have made their way to Columbus to see the Buckeyes in action.

This weekend marks the highlight of the Spring for Ohio State football. Saturday, Urban Meyer and staff will get to see the Buckeyes play in the annual Scarlet versus Gray game which will show the team's progress up to date. Besides seeing how the Buckeyes play in front of a large crowd for a glorified practice, spring games allow recruits to visit various campuses. The same is true for Ohio State, who will host several of the nation's best this weekend.

Harris invades OSU


Ohio State's running back situation for the class of 2017 is certainly one that brings excitement. With commitments from Todd Sibley (Akron, Ohio / Archbishop Hoban) and J.K. Dobbins (La Grange, Texas / La Grange) already in the fold, Ohio State is still at work. Yesterday, the country's top ranked running back in the 2017 class according to 247sports, 5-star Najee Harris (Antioch, Calif. / Antioch) arrived in Columbus for his unofficial visit to Ohio State.

Harris is currently committed to the Alabama Crimson Tide, but long wanted to visit Ohio State and see what the Buckeyes have to offer. Harris will be in town for the weekend and will attend the spring football game.

Upon Harris' arrival, his first stop was to the Woody Hayes football facility where he was able to meet with the staff and see the sights. With a player of Najee's caliber on campus, it certainly brings attention. While there hasn't been news of Harris being unhappy with Alabama, this visit shows how highly he thinks of Ohio State.

Wade-Perry heading to Columbus


Last night, via his twitter account, 2017 defensive tackle prospect, Dylan Wade-Perry (Englewood, N.J. / Pope John XXIII) announced he would be heading to Ohio State over the weekend. Wade-Perry, a 6-foot-3, 330-pound defensive tackle, is considered to be the tenth best prospect in the Garden State for the class of 2017, according to 247sports.

The 3-star holds offers from over twenty schools including the likes of Stanford, Alabama, Notre Dame, Penn State and Ohio State. As things stand now, Stanford is the favorite to land his pledge according to the 247sports crystal ball predictions, but having Dylan on campus this weekend is certainly a step in the right direction if Ohio State wants to be a player for his services.

Local Prospect heading to campus


For Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes, it's never too early to start recruiting into future. 2017 may be the current class of most importance, but Ohio State is wasting no time in recruiting for 2018 class as well. Local prospect, Xavier Henderson (Pickerington, Ohio / Pickerington Central) will make the short trek to campus Saturday for the spring football game as reported by 247sports analyst Alex Gleitman.

Henderson is a 6-foot-1, 185-pound athlete and while he does not hold an early ranking on the recruiting sites, he holds five scholarship offers with two full football seasons still to play in his prep career. Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Toledo, Miami (OH), and Eastern Kentucky are the first to throw their hat into the ring for Henderson, but a visit to Ohio State should certainly see his name gain even more exposure in the near future.

Micah Clark names top 5


Yesterday, Micah Clark (Holmdel, N.J. / St. John Vianney Regional), a prospect who was thought to be high on Ohio State, announced his top five schools. The Buckeyes, however, were not one of them.

Clark, a 4-star offensive tackle from the Garden State is a 6-foot-5, 280-pound stud that ranks out as the top overall prospect in the state of New Jersey according to 247sports.

As of right now, the Buckeyes do hold predictions on the 247sports crystal ball chart, but now that looks to not be a sign of importance. Urban Meyer will certainly do what it takes to regain a relationship with Clark if desired, but only time will tell.


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Six Big Ten players selected in WNBA Draft
Sean Merriman, BTN.com web editor via Big Ten Network

The 2016 WNBA Draft took place Thursday night. A total of six Big Ten players heard their names called, highlighted by three selections in the first round. Here is a look at every Big Ten player selected and where they were drafted. FIRST ROUND 4. Rachel Banham (Minnesota), Connecticut Sun https://mobile.twitter.com/GopherWBB/status/720756442181951488?p=v 5. Aerial Powers (Michigan State), Dallas Wings https://mobile.twitter.com/MSU_WBasketball/status/720758246932410369?p=v 7. Kahleah Copper (Rutgers), Washington Mystics https://mobile.twitter.com/RutgersWBB/status/720765069118849024?p=v SECOND ROUND 1. Rachel Hollivay (Rutgers), Atlanta Dream https://mobile.twitter.com/RutgersWBB/status/720769679199977473?p=v 9. Brene Moseley (Maryland), Indiana Fever https://mobile.twitter.com/umdwbb/status/720782668762361856?p=v 12. Ameryst Alston (Ohio State), New York Liberty https://mobile.twitter.com/OhioState_WBB/status/720774103951675393?p=vFiled under: Uncategorized Tagged: WNBA

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New York Liberty take Ameryst Alston in 2016 WNBA Draft
Ben Martens via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Buckeye guard will be taking her talents to the next level.

Another Buckeye is going pro. On Thursday night, Ohio State's Ameryst Alston was selected No. 24 in the WNBA Draft by the New York Liberty. The fourth-leading scorer in program history, Alston joins Tayler Hill and Jantel Lavender as former Buckeyes in the league.

As a senior, the former two-time Ms. Ohio and Canton McKinley high school standout averaged 18.3 points per game and was named first-team All-Big Ten for the third consecutive season. In four years, Alston amassed 2,165 points for a 16.2 scoring average.

Her career ended on a bit of a sour note, though, as a wrist injury in the conference tournament quarterfinals against Rutgers limited her throughout the postseason. Ohio State was eliminated from the NCAA tournament, where it was a No. 3 seed, by Tennessee in the Sweet 16.

Alston and fellow senior Cait Craft were vitally important to the program, easing the transition from former head coach Jim Foster to current head man Kevin McGuff, and providing leadership for a young, rebuilding program.

National Player of the Year Breanna Stewart, fresh off leading Connecticut to its fourth consecutive national championship, was drafted first overall by the Seattle Storm. Stewart's UConn teammates, Moriah Jefferson and Morgan Tuck, went second and third.

The 20th season of the WNBA will get underway on Saturday, May 14th. Alston's Liberty will be going against the Washington Mystics at the Verizon Center in the nation's capital.

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Raiders double up Buckeyes - Daily Sentinel
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Raiders double up Buckeyes
Daily Sentinel
That's because the Raiders returned to the diamond, and rallied from a 2-0 deficit to Nelsonville-York to double up the visiting Buckeyes 4-2 in a Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division tilt at Cheshire Field. The Raiders last played on Wednesday, April 6 ...

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Buckeyes get latest pair of gold pants - 247Sports
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes get latest pair of gold pants
247Sports
There is a long time tradition in which Ohio State players and coaches receive a pair of gold pants when they beat Michigan, better known around the Woody Hayes Athletic Center as "the team up north". What's next for the Buckeyes? Make sure you're in ...

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Buckeyes in New York OH - IO! - Patch.com
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Buckeyes in New York OH - IO!
Patch.com
Buckeyes in New York OH - IO! Ohio Governor and presidential candidate, John Kasich took a break from trying to eat everything in New York and ran into Ohio State Buckeye great, Braxton Miller. Both Kasich and Miller have big dates coming up -- Kasich ...

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Urban Meyer clarifies Monday's comments on 2 new NCAA rules
Brett Ludwiczak via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here


The Ohio State head coach isn't happy with what was passed on satellite camps and unlimited electronic communication, but he doesn't blame the NCAA.

"I actually saw some of the comments where it said: 'Meyer blasts the NCAA.' I've never blasted the NCAA in my life. The NCAA is us. I'm not sure people get that. It's the member institutions."

- Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer via Dave Biddle, Bucknuts.com


A few days have passed since the NCAA announced a ban on satellite camps, as well as enacting unlimited electronic communication between coaches and recruits, and Urban Meyer is still upset about the rulings by the NCAA. While the head coach's stance on the issues hasn't changed, Thursday he clarified how his comments have been interpreted by many. Meyer wanted to get across that he wasn't blasting the NCAA as a whole, but he was more upset with those who made the decision on the basis that unlimited electronic communication would be easier to monitor. For the last few years Meyer has been a proponent for restrictions on unlimited text messaging, and he feels the best interests of the student-athletes weren't taken into account.

The other ruling on Monday which got under the collar of Meyer was the banning of satellite camps. This is another area where Meyer feels the NCAA isn't acting in regards to the best interests of the student-athletes. After attending a recent high school coaches meeting, Meyer's feelings against the ban of satellite camps have gotten even stronger. The satellite camps had allowed for players to showcase their skills more, and while their performances might not have garnered offers from Ohio State, it could lead to offers from some of the MAC schools, or other schools around Ohio.

"I feel linebackers are changing in the league, to be honest - a lot smaller. There aren't real too many bigger guys. The game is getting faster and you need guys to cover. You're starting to see that change a lot in the league."

- Ohio State linebacker Darron Lee via Chris Brown, BuffaloBills.com


After playing quarterback in high school, Darron Lee was moved to linebacker when he came to Ohio State in 2013. After redshirting that year, followed by starting for the Buckeyes for two seasons, now Lee is just a couple weeks away from being a first round pick in the 2016 NFL Draft. Lee burst onto the scene by recording 16.5 tackles for loss for Ohio State in 2014. Since then what has helped Lee to rocket up the draft boards of many teams is his speed, which was shown at the NFL combine when he ran a 4.47 40-yard dash.

Even though he is a little undersized from your prototypical NFL linebacker of past years, the rise of Lee on teams draft boards shows just how the linebacker position in changing in the league. Instead of teams targeting a linebacker with size who will make big hits in run defense, now linebackers who have the speed to be cover tight ends and running backs in the passing game are more in demand. Even though Lee is still learning all the nuances of being a linebacker, his speed helps to make up for any mistakes he makes while learning on the job. No matter where he gets drafted in a couple weeks, it shouldn't take too long to make a big impact in the NFL.

"Dante Booker has kind of solidified himself there, as has Chris Worley."

- Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer on the outside linebacker positions via Bill Landis, Cleveland.com


There is still over four months before Ohio State kicks off their 2016 season, but it looks like a few of the positions on the defense are starting to take shape. While plenty could change between now and when the Buckeyes take the field against Bowling Green, it sounds like Dante Booker and Chris Worley are the early leaders to take over the outside linebacker positions. Early returns have Booker taking over the spot that is open following the graduation of Joshua Perry, while Worley is holding off Jerome Baker for the spot that came open with Darron Lee declaring early for the NFL Draft.

The linebacker position wasn't the only Meyer touched on, as he had rave reviews for Dre'Mont Jones, who is moving from defensive end to defensive tackle. Last year Jones wasn't able to take for the field for the Buckeyes due to recovering from a torn ACL he suffered in high school, but he was at least able to participate in Ohio State's bowl practices.

There are plenty of other position battles heading into Saturday's spring game, with Meyer noting the defensive backfield, offensive guard, running back, and wide receiver as areas that'll have his attention on Saturday. Those position battle won't be decided with what happens at the spring game, but it certainly give some players a leg up heading into preseason practices.


"It's so much different than what it was. Knowing the system, knowing how things work, knowing our players, it's incredible. I can focus a lot more on getting better and understanding them and coaching the quarterbacks. Last year I was like, 'What's that?' and trying to learn all the stuff on the fly. It was extremely difficult."

- Ohio State quarterbacks coach Tim Beck via Bill Rabinowitz, The Columbus Dispatch


To say Tim Beck had a rough first year in Columbus might be an understatement. After coming over from Nebraska to replace Tom Herman, Beck was given the final decision on play-calling from the press box. In their first 10 games of the season, the Buckeyes scored at least 28 points nine times, but something still felt a little bit off. Then the loss to Michigan State happened, where Ohio State inexplicably only was given 12 carries. After the game co-offensive coordinator Ed Warinner moved to the press box and took over play-calling duties against Michigan and Notre Dame, where the Buckeyes scored a combined 86 points.

At the beginning of his second year on Urban Meyer's staff, Beck is a lot more comfortable with his role. Not only did Beck have to handle the play-calling duties last year, but he was also the quarterbacks coach, which had Cardale Jones, J.T. Barrett, and Braxton Miller all vying for the starting position. With Miller and Jones moving on to the NFL, this year should be a little easier for Beck since Barrett is the clear-cut starter. The hiring of Greg Studrawa as offensive line coach will also allow Warinner to permanently move to the press box to handle play-calling. All of that should take some of the pressure off of Beck and allow him to help Ohio State's offense to get back on track, and make another run at the College Football Playoff.

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Raiders double up Buckeyes - Gallipolis Daily Tribune
via Google News using key phrase "Buckeyes".


Raiders double up Buckeyes
Gallipolis Daily Tribune
That's because the Raiders returned to the diamond, and rallied from a 2-0 deficit to Nelsonville-York to double up the visiting Buckeyes 4-2 in a Tri-Valley Conference Ohio Division tilt at Cheshire Field. The Raiders last played on Wednesday, April 6 ...

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Audio: Big Ten Spring Football Teleconferences – East Division
BTN.com staff via Big Ten Network

On Thursday, the East Division football head coaches and one player from each team joined the Big Ten teleconference to take questions from the media. We’ve posted the audio for each school on the call here:Filed under: Audio Tagged: Teleconferences

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