Josh Dooley
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You’re Nuts: Buckeye Heroes - Who will be the unsung hero of the 2024 Buckeyes?
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Predicting an under-the-radar player that will have a big impact this season for Ohio State.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State heroes. Whether they are the biggest names in Buckeye athletic history, or underappreciated icons; perhaps even players who made major impacts off the field. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Buckeye Heroes” articles here.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
This week is all about heroes here at LGHL, and no, I am not referring to the Marvel variety. If I was, I would be arguing that Gambit is clearly and obviously the best of the bunch... But enough about X-Men and/or the failed Channing Tatum spin-off.
Back to the point, this week is specifically about Buckeye Heroes. And rather than debating Archie Griffin versus Eddie George, A.J. Hawk versus James Laurinaitis, or Kyle McCord versus... Just kidding... Gene and I decided to look into our respective crystal balls and at least attempt to predict the future. As in future, 2024-25 Buckeye Heroes.
But even that wasn’t quite good enough or specific enough for Gene. Ever the alternative thinker, he was not content to just say “I believe that Emeka Egbuka or Denzel Burke will be a hero on the gridiron this season.” So he suggested going the “unsung” route, which is right up my alley. Because, ya know, I did spend two consecutive summers writing about Forgotten Buckeyes.
Without further ado, I have a hunch that Josh Simmons is going to be one of Ohio State football’s unsung heroes this season. Which might sound crazy given the way last season ended, but hear me out:
Not only is Simmons seemingly cemented (barring injury, knock on wood) as OSU’s starting left tackle and blindside protector, but he might also be the team’s only offensive lineman capable of playing the position at even a respectable level. I mean, seriously, we haven’t seen another Buckeye take a meaningful snap at LT since the former San Diego State Aztec stepped on campus, which makes Simmons a very important piece of this season’s puzzle.
However, availability alone does not make one heroic. So it’s good – for the sake of my argument – that Simmons also played much better during the second half of last season. Sure, there was the Missouri game and the occasional penalty here or there, but for the most part, he was solid down the stretch. In fact, Simmons finished with the highest pass blocking grade among Ohio State’s OL starters, and he did not allow a single sack during the regular season. That ain’t nothin’, folks.
So now we’re talking about a player with experience, who got better and became more valuable as last season progressed. And I think Simmons will only continue that upward trajectory in 2024. Because remember, he was a summer transfer prior to last season. He got to Columbus in May and was immediately asked to change positions.
Simmons’ first start at OSU was his first collegiate start at left tackle. He was then forced to learn on the fly, against the likes of Notre Dame, Penn State, and Wisconsin... No easy task! But once Simmons settled in and November arrived, he began playing at a much higher level.
Now, am I predicting an All-American season for/from Simmons? No, not quite. I’m not willing to go that far. But I do think that he will become a steadying presence and a solid performer for the Buckeyes, as well as an All-Big Ten candidate. If Simmons does all of those things – and avoids the disaster moments – then I would/will feel comfortable calling him an unsung hero at season’s end.
My choice may not be as ‘unsung’ as it is unheralded or under-appreciated, but since this topic was my idea I can make my own rules! Along that vein, my choice for this exercise is cornerback Davison Igbinosun.
Much of the hype this offseason surrounding Ohio State’s defense has been about its loaded secondary. The addition of Caleb Downs was certainly an unexpected splash, and returning stars like Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock and Lathan Ransom make this group one of if not the best in the country. However, the guy that gets lost in the shuffle a bit is Igbinosun, and his performance this season is going to be pivotal to the success of the defense as a whole.
Igbinosun was an iron man for the Buckeyes in 2023, playing by far the most snaps of any player in the secondary at 769, the second-most being Josh Proctor (627) followed by Burke (616). He finished the season third on the team with 59 tackles to go along with 1.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. Per PFF, he allowed 36 receptions on 70 targets as the most targeted DB on the team, allowing less than 10 yards per catch and five touchdowns.
Life as a cornerback is tough, especially if you're opposite stars like Burke and Hancock. Add Downs to the mix and a healthy Ransom, and we’re likely to see a ton of targets come Igbinosun’s way. I believe Igbinosun got a bit of a bad rap last year as a guy who is penalty-prone and lacking in coverage, and while he will have to cut down on the flags this season, I really like his physical style of play. His willingness to get down and dirty is what made him one of the team’s best open field tacklers, and I want to see that continue.
We know what we are getting from the other guys in this room, but for Ohio State’s secondary to truly be the elite of the elite, it will need a big year from Igbinosun — one that I think he can deliver. With another year of development with Tim Walton under his belt, the former freshman All-American at Ole Miss is only going to get better heading into his junior campaign. Igbinosun will also be able to take some chances this year if he wants to with the talented group of safeties behind him, whether that be to blitz the quarterback or to make a play on the ball.
Igbinosun is going to give up some yardage and probably a few scores, as even the best corners do on occasion, but he isn’t just going to be the “safe” option for opposing quarterbacks to look toward. He likely won’t lead the team in interceptions or be the star player of any given matchup, but Igbinosun is going to be the unsung hero for an Ohio State secondary that is going to fully embody its ‘BIA’ monicker.
Continue reading...
Josh Dooley via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Photo by Ian Johnson/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images
Predicting an under-the-radar player that will have a big impact this season for Ohio State.
From now until preseason camp starts in August, Land-Grant Holy Land will be writing articles around a different theme every week. This week is all about Ohio State heroes. Whether they are the biggest names in Buckeye athletic history, or underappreciated icons; perhaps even players who made major impacts off the field. You can catch up on all of the Theme Week content here and all of our ”Buckeye Heroes” articles here.
Everybody knows that one of the best parts of being a sports fan is debating and dissecting the most (and least) important questions in the sporting world with your friends. So, we’re bringing that to the pages of LGHL with our favorite head-to-head column: You’re Nuts.
In You’re Nuts, two LGHL staff members will take differing sides of one question and argue their opinions passionately. Then, in the end, it’s up to you to determine who’s right and who’s nuts.
This week’s topic: Who will be the unsung hero of the 2024 Buckeyes?
Josh’s Take
This week is all about heroes here at LGHL, and no, I am not referring to the Marvel variety. If I was, I would be arguing that Gambit is clearly and obviously the best of the bunch... But enough about X-Men and/or the failed Channing Tatum spin-off.
Back to the point, this week is specifically about Buckeye Heroes. And rather than debating Archie Griffin versus Eddie George, A.J. Hawk versus James Laurinaitis, or Kyle McCord versus... Just kidding... Gene and I decided to look into our respective crystal balls and at least attempt to predict the future. As in future, 2024-25 Buckeye Heroes.
But even that wasn’t quite good enough or specific enough for Gene. Ever the alternative thinker, he was not content to just say “I believe that Emeka Egbuka or Denzel Burke will be a hero on the gridiron this season.” So he suggested going the “unsung” route, which is right up my alley. Because, ya know, I did spend two consecutive summers writing about Forgotten Buckeyes.
Without further ado, I have a hunch that Josh Simmons is going to be one of Ohio State football’s unsung heroes this season. Which might sound crazy given the way last season ended, but hear me out:
Not only is Simmons seemingly cemented (barring injury, knock on wood) as OSU’s starting left tackle and blindside protector, but he might also be the team’s only offensive lineman capable of playing the position at even a respectable level. I mean, seriously, we haven’t seen another Buckeye take a meaningful snap at LT since the former San Diego State Aztec stepped on campus, which makes Simmons a very important piece of this season’s puzzle.
However, availability alone does not make one heroic. So it’s good – for the sake of my argument – that Simmons also played much better during the second half of last season. Sure, there was the Missouri game and the occasional penalty here or there, but for the most part, he was solid down the stretch. In fact, Simmons finished with the highest pass blocking grade among Ohio State’s OL starters, and he did not allow a single sack during the regular season. That ain’t nothin’, folks.
So now we’re talking about a player with experience, who got better and became more valuable as last season progressed. And I think Simmons will only continue that upward trajectory in 2024. Because remember, he was a summer transfer prior to last season. He got to Columbus in May and was immediately asked to change positions.
Simmons’ first start at OSU was his first collegiate start at left tackle. He was then forced to learn on the fly, against the likes of Notre Dame, Penn State, and Wisconsin... No easy task! But once Simmons settled in and November arrived, he began playing at a much higher level.
Now, am I predicting an All-American season for/from Simmons? No, not quite. I’m not willing to go that far. But I do think that he will become a steadying presence and a solid performer for the Buckeyes, as well as an All-Big Ten candidate. If Simmons does all of those things – and avoids the disaster moments – then I would/will feel comfortable calling him an unsung hero at season’s end.
Gene’s Take
My choice may not be as ‘unsung’ as it is unheralded or under-appreciated, but since this topic was my idea I can make my own rules! Along that vein, my choice for this exercise is cornerback Davison Igbinosun.
Much of the hype this offseason surrounding Ohio State’s defense has been about its loaded secondary. The addition of Caleb Downs was certainly an unexpected splash, and returning stars like Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock and Lathan Ransom make this group one of if not the best in the country. However, the guy that gets lost in the shuffle a bit is Igbinosun, and his performance this season is going to be pivotal to the success of the defense as a whole.
Igbinosun was an iron man for the Buckeyes in 2023, playing by far the most snaps of any player in the secondary at 769, the second-most being Josh Proctor (627) followed by Burke (616). He finished the season third on the team with 59 tackles to go along with 1.5 tackles for loss, five pass breakups and two fumble recoveries. Per PFF, he allowed 36 receptions on 70 targets as the most targeted DB on the team, allowing less than 10 yards per catch and five touchdowns.
Life as a cornerback is tough, especially if you're opposite stars like Burke and Hancock. Add Downs to the mix and a healthy Ransom, and we’re likely to see a ton of targets come Igbinosun’s way. I believe Igbinosun got a bit of a bad rap last year as a guy who is penalty-prone and lacking in coverage, and while he will have to cut down on the flags this season, I really like his physical style of play. His willingness to get down and dirty is what made him one of the team’s best open field tacklers, and I want to see that continue.
We know what we are getting from the other guys in this room, but for Ohio State’s secondary to truly be the elite of the elite, it will need a big year from Igbinosun — one that I think he can deliver. With another year of development with Tim Walton under his belt, the former freshman All-American at Ole Miss is only going to get better heading into his junior campaign. Igbinosun will also be able to take some chances this year if he wants to with the talented group of safeties behind him, whether that be to blitz the quarterback or to make a play on the ball.
Igbinosun is going to give up some yardage and probably a few scores, as even the best corners do on occasion, but he isn’t just going to be the “safe” option for opposing quarterbacks to look toward. He likely won’t lead the team in interceptions or be the star player of any given matchup, but Igbinosun is going to be the unsung hero for an Ohio State secondary that is going to fully embody its ‘BIA’ monicker.
Continue reading...