Off work-today, very bored, put this together because I was interested to see the recruiting class groupings by position. The groupings and my thoughts:

QB:
5* Kyle McCord - #28 OVR (21)
5* Air Noland - #29 OVR (24)
4* Devin Brown - #43 OVR (22)
4* Lincoln Keinholz - #190 OVR (23)

RB:
5* TreVeyon Henderson - #23 OVR (21)
4* Evan Pryor - #83 OVR (21)
4* James Peoples - #86 OVR (24)
4* Jordan Lyle - #147 OVR (24)
4* Dallan Hayden - #282 OVR (22)
3* Sam Williams-Dixon - #597 OVR (24)

TE:
4* Jelani Thurman - #104 OVR (23)
4* Max LeBlanc - #262 OVR (24)
4* Sam Hart - #388 OVR (21)
4* Bennett Christian - #408 OVR (22)
4* Damarion Witten - #443 OVR (24)

WR:
5* Jeremiah Smith - #1 OVR (24)
5* Emeka Egbuka - #10 OVR (21)
5* Mylan Graham - #18 OVR (24)
5* Brandon Innis - #35 OVR (23)
4* Noah Rogers - #53 OVR (23)
4* Carnell Tate - #59 OVR (23)
4* Jeremiah McClellan - #63 OVR (24)
4* Kyion Grayes - #88 OVR (22)
4* Marvin Harrison Jr - #97 OVR (21)
4* Jadyn Ballard - #99 OVR (21)
4* Kojo Antwi - #151 OVR (22)
4* Bryson Rodgers - #357 OVR (23)

OT:
4* Luke Montgomery - #92 OVR (23)
4* Tegra Tshabola - #104 OVR (22)
4* Ian Moore - #135 OVR (24)
4* George Fitzpatrick - #244 OVR (22)
4* Zen Michalski - #306 OVR (21)
4* Josh Simmons - #342 OVR (21) *T*
4* Deonte Armstrong - #416 OVR (24)
3* Avery Henry - #501 OVR (23)

IOL:
5* Donovan Jackson - #19 OVR (21)
4* Carson Hinzmann - #177 OVR (22)
4* Joshua Padilla - #228 OVR (23)
4* Austin Siereveld - #300 OVR (23)
4* Devontae Armstrong - #454 OVR (24)

———————————————————————

DT:
5* Justin Scott - #12 OVR (24)
4* Michael Hall - #53 OVR (21)
4* Tywone Malone - #63 OVR (21) *T*
4* Jason Moore - #67 OVR (23)
4* Hero Kanu - #129 OVR (22)
4* Tyleik Williams - #166 OVR (21)
4* Will Smith Jr - #245 OVR (23)
4* Kayden McDonald - #261 OVR (23)
3* Eric Mensah - #821 OVR (24)

DE:
5* JT Tuimoloau - #4 OVR (21)
5* Jack Sawyer - #5 OVR (21)
5* Eddrick Houston - #23 OVR (24)
4* Kenyatta Jackson - #60 OVR (22)
4* Omari Abor - #63 OVR (22)
4* Joshua Mickens - #119 OVR (23)
4* Caden Curry - #123 OVR (22)
4* Arvelle Reese - #211 OVR (23)

LB:
5* CJ Hicks - #7 OVR (22)
4* Reid Carrico - #87 OVR (21)
4* Gabe Powers - #101 OVR (22)
4* Garrett Stover - #130 OVR (24)
4* Payton Pierce - #215 OVR (24)
4* Nigel Glover - #335 OVR (23)

CB:
4* Aaron Scott Jr - #46 OVR (24)
4* Jermaine Matthews - #51 OVR (23)
4* Bryce West - #56 OVR (24)
4* Calvin Simpson-Hunt - #62 OVR (23)
4* Jordan Hancock - #73 OVR (21)
4* Lorenzo Styles Jr - #115 OVR (21) *T*
4* Davison Igbinosun - #162 OVR (22)
4* Jyaire Brown - #192 OVR (22)
4* Denzel Burke - #199 OVR (21)
4* Ryan Turner - #341 OVR (22)
4* Miles Lockhart - #355 OVR (24)

S:
5* Sonny Styles - #12 OVR (22)
4* Malik Hartford - #151 OVR (23)
4* Jaylen McClain - #255 OVR (24)
4* Jayden Bonsu - #274 OVR (23)
4* Kye Stokes - #351 OVR (22)
4* Cedrick Hawkins - #357 OVR (23)
3* Leroy Roker - #1155 OVR (24)


Overachievers:

• Marvin Harrison Jr (21) - LOL at him barely being top 100
• Denzel Burke (21)
• Josh Simmons (21) - Might be controversial but I like how he has developed this year
• Tyleik Williams (21)

Possible Imminent Overachievers:
(Relative to recruiting rankings)

• Dallan Hayden (22)
• Austin Siereveld (23) - Getting along alot of buzz early in his career from the beat and guys inside the program
• Kayden McDonald (23) - Lots of positive buzz
• Kye Stokes (22) - Flashed early then a bit of a lull, sounds like he’s putting it together again

On-Track to Meet Expectations Soon:
(This category for me is guys who will be KEY contributors next year and are on a steady positive track)

• Sonny Styles (22)
• Malik Hartford (23)
• Tate/Innis (23)
• Carson Hinzmann (22)
• Jermaine Matthews (23)
• Kenyatta Jackson (22)
• Caden Curry (22)
• Hero Kanu (22)

Step-Up Time/Possible Under-Achievers/Danger-Zone:
(Guys who just haven’t really gotten to play yet, and seem to be in a bit of danger of possibly getting jumped in playing-time or falling through the cracks)

• Sam Hart (21) - Patrick Gurd getting those snaps is a little worrisome too me about Hart’s role
• Grayes/Antwi (22) - Just might also get jumped by UBER talented 2024 guys, already jumped by the 23 class
• Tegra Tshabola (22) - Think he gots lost in the shuffle at OT, could reverse this in a big way if moved to guard next season
• Zen Michalski (21) - Jumped by Luke Montgomery already, seems like he’ll need to take a big leap to ever start here
• Tywone Malone (21) - He’ll have a big opportunity next year, plenty of talent, just haven’t seen it yet
• Omari Abor (22) - Not really on him, injuries hurting him, but danger of slipping to the end of the depth chart next year
• Reid Carrico (21) - Just kinda disappeared since he’s been here except on special teams, odd for a top 100 prospect
• Jyaire Brown (22) - Has looked solid, but jumped by Matthews & CSH is gonna make a push, moving to CS might help?

Questionable: None
Out: Burke, Grayes, Jason Moore, Lathan, Royer, Miyan.

Availability Report is confirmed by the Buckeyes, and Denzel Burke is OUT. Don't know if this is related to the issue he just came back from last week or not, but we'll work to find out more. This stretches the depth a bit more for Ohio State in the secondary obviously with Lathan Ransom also out, so we'll see what Knowles comes up with in terms of rotation and personnel.

Coach Holtmann talking about the start of the season: Men's Team
Coach McGuff interview: Women's team

• I haven't seen any of the ladies' interviews posted anywhere yet.
• Will focus on half-court defense getting better this year
• Another focus will be on rebounding (there were times when tOSU players just looked at the ball and never moved to grab it, lol)

Why does Josh Proctor have no Buckeye Leafs on his helmet? At the 2:52 mark in the second quarter, just noticed that.

Give me sign ideas for Fox's Big Ten Noon Kickoff please.

I would just like to throw out some appreciation for Austin’s weekly reenactment of Henry Hill’s long shot from Goodfellas. Trading out the back house of the Copacabana for the bowels the stadium du jour. The only thing that would make it better, especially at Rutgers, is “Then He Kissed Me” playing in the background.

In all seriousness I really appreciate this segment and getting a chance to see more behind the scenes.

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Ladies fall to USC.


#1 LSU fell too. Should be an exciting year.

I've seen a few comments related to the tiebreaker for the Big Ten East, so I thought this would help.

B1G Tiebreaker Link

scUM is pretty much screwed unless they win out. It's a toss up between PSU and us, but it's close.
There is a very real possibility that even if we all have one loss they'll be a tiebreaker after this tiebreaker LOL

Link here
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You can enter "1" for a win in a particular game on the bottom on the left hand side, but make sure you put a "0" on the right hand side or vice versa
I'm assuming Iowa and Wisconsin win out, Northwestern doesn't win a game, and Nebraska doesn't win a game.
Have fun and let me know if I screwed up, but the bottom line is we need to root hard for Wisconsin to win out and hope that Illinois, Iowa, and Northwestern continue to lose.

I have mixed feelings going to the PSU / scUM game on Saturday.
If PSU beats scUM and we lose to scUM, it's likely (right now) that PSU gets to the championship game.
I'll be rooting for PSU in person on Saturday to beat scUM, but if PSU loses, it's all or nothing for us in Ann Arbor...

This thing needs to stay down until after signing day

BIG visit for the Buckeyes. Seaton has been looking forward to this one.

@Bill Landis on the speculation by Doug on TPD that next year’s game could be at Wrigley, and your comment about the players running into a wall, yes dimensions are tight, but is not as bad as it was a few years back when the field was literally too short. (How did the Bears used to play there?) They fixed that by moving dugouts and making some of the stands along the 3rd base side removable. You can see the layout in this picture.

I would try to go if they play there. Of note, Murphy’s Bleacher Bums, which you can see outside the stadium in right/center reported selling more beer than they ever have on a Saturday, which I find remarkable knowing what goes on around the park for baseball games.

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Hopefully Parker Fleming is next.

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The Big Ten broadcast partners will be using a six-day window, but the Buckeyes know for sure it will NOT be a night game against the Gophers. The matchup will start at either noon or 3:30/4 pending other outcomes this week.
I was told on Saturday that Ohio State was anticipating it being the afternoon window, and I had either forgotten or ignored that it still had to play a conference opponent on BTN. So, that's who has the call and why those are the options for the final home game of the year.

This tweet is about CJ, but there were similar games that we all remember during Dwayne and Justin. When’s the last time there was a game like that? Competitive games are great too, but once in a while it’s fun to watch a game where you just shake your head and marvel…even laugh. This isn’t about Kyle…it’s about play calling. They scored over 70 twice in 2019! That would never happen now no matter who they play. Seems like now it’s all: Show this… don’t show this….prove this (we’re tough!)…have to get better at this…… In addition to it not being as fun to watch (boring offense at some point could impact recruiting?), not having some games that are over by halftime is taking a wear and tear on the players and not giving good game experience to backups. Instead of all the overthinking on play calling, would love to see more of “what’s the best possible play here? Run that! Let it rip”

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I think he does the best job of hitting the hole but the offensive line usually doesn’t create a lot of holes. I think we should unredshirt him at least for the PSU game

New season, and a new vision for what is to come by the Lake in future years.

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For reference, here is a great look at the upcoming roster and organizational depth chart:

In addition to freshmen that have not played many games, are they thinking about redshirting more veteran players like Hayden, Royer, J Brown, Carter, Stokes, etc?

With a healthy Trey and looks to be an improving offensive line play, could it be? If our offense can figure out a way to put all 4 quarters together and with our defense this team could have something!!!

The 3 R's along with computer skills should be the emphasis in the early grades.

Going out on a limb they avoided the Scum vs PSU Game. Did they do it to protect Desmond from being run out of town? This is a much bigger game than Georgia versus Ole Miss in Athens.

The argument against them is entirely about schedule. But they've looked dominant and complete in every game. They've played their style and are playing backups in the 4th with regularity. Which is exactly what an elite team would do against this schedule.


Other teams have better wins, but also have a game that makes you go "huh?". Michigan doesn't. If there's a weakness - nobody's gotten close to exploiting it. I think it might be their year.

ND shitting the bed vs shitty Clemson.

Hey @Bill Landis — great article as always. Appreciate you rewatching so fast and fairly reviewing/altering your initial thoughts on McCord based on your rewatch. I hope you’re able to obtain the ALL-22 of Ohio State regularly because I think it would be awesome for coverage with your critical eye and analytic mind.