Category: Buckeyes Wire

Ohio State’s Jake Diebler hires coach who just helped former team make Final Four

A big-time hire for the Buckeyes. #GoBucks

Now that the college basketball season has completed, you can expect many more coaching changes, and Ohio State is in on the action.

Before Monday night’s NCAA Championship game, the Buckeyes announced the hiring of [autotag]Joel Justus[/autotag] as the associate head coach. He had just helped NC State make a run to the Final Four, which proceeded stops at Arizona State, Kentucky, and Elon.

Justus was instrumental in the Wildcats impressive recruiting classes in 2017 and 2020, and also got tutelage from Bobby Hurley at ASU and coached former Buckeyes Alonzo Gaffney and Luther Muhammad.

Head coach Jake Diebler has known Justus for some time and “his vision for building a program and developing a winning culture is something I (Diebler) was lookin for,” as he said in the press release.

It will be interesting how Justus will recruit for the Buckeyes, as the program has done well in this department, but could make a leap unto the upper-echelon under his guidance.

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Black Stripe Alert! Freshman phenom Julian Sayin loses black stripe

So you’re “Sayin” he’s pretty good! #GoBucks

They say this kid is pretty good. Freshman phenom Julian Sayin has lost his black stripe and is officially a member of the brotherhood. Sayin originally committed to Alabama but in the wake of Nick Saban’s unexpected retirement, the five-star quarterback entered the transfer portal and chose Ohio State.

Sayin was ranked as the No. 3 overall quarterback in the 2024 class according to 247Sports composite rankings. Some saw the move as a shock as the Buckeyes already had Air Noland who was ranked as the No. 7 overall QB. From all accounts, the Carlsbad, California native is fitting in just fine in Columbus and many who have eyes on the ground say he could be pushing for playing time early.

We’d be shocked if he gets the nod over Will Howard or Devin Brown this season, but next year… look out. This young man is looking to make a name for himself in Scarlet and Gray.

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Ohio State football to lose running back to transfer portal

A blow to the Buckeyes running back depth. #GoBucks

After two seasons of odd usage, it seems like Ohio State football finally had a good plan in place for running back [autotag]Dallan Hayden[/autotag].

Unfortunately, none of those plans will come to fruition as according to Matt Zenitz of 247Sports, the back will enter the transfer portal. The timing is surprising, as it seemed like Hayden would bide his time, waiting for an opportunity.

Now that opportunity will be at another school. During his two seasons in Columbus, Hayden ran for 663 yards with 6 touchdowns on 130 carries. Although the depth at the position takes a blow, the Buckeyes are still in a great spot with TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins.

You now have to expect that freshman James Peoples will get more opportunities along with potentially another first-year player in Sam Williams-Dixon. There could be another addition via the portal as well, to get some veteran depth.

We wish Hayden the best looking for his next football home.

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Report: Ohio State to host 2025 5-star Texas linebacker

A couple of big visits on tap for the Buckeyes

The James Laurinaitis effect is once again having a positive impact on Ohio State football recruiting.

We have recently seen it with the commitment of Florida linebacker, Tarvos Alford. It is happening again with Texas linebacker, [autotag]Johan Williams[/autotag]. According to a report by On3’s Steve Wiltfong, the 6-foot, 3-inch, 203-pound prospect will take a visit to Columbus next weekend with an official visit to come in June.

Williams is an elite prospect, a 5-star according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings as the No. 13 overall player and top linebacker in the country. It won’t be easy for the Buckeyes to lure him north, but anytime multiple visits are set up, it’s a great sign.

With two commits at the position, Alford and Eli Lee, adding Williams would be the icing on the cake.

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Black Stripe Alert! Will Smith Jr. sheds black stripe

Following in dad’s footsteps. #GoBucks

The son of a former Buckeye great has lost his black stripe. Will Smith Jr. was officially welcomed to the “Brotherhood” on Friday afternoon. It took Smith a little longer than most as he’s been on campus for over a year now, but it’s clear that the young man is headed in the right direction. Injuries may have slowed Smith just a bit last year, however, he now seems to be healthy and looking to find ways to contribute.

Hailing from Dublin, Ohio, Smith is the son of former All-American Will Smith. The defensive end starred for OSU in the early 2000s and helped lead the Bucks to the 2002 national championship over Miami. Dad also played with the New Orleans Saints before tragically losing his life in a road rage shooting in 2016.

Smith was ranked as the No. 20 defensive lineman in the 2023 class according to 247Sports.

The Buckeyes are in the middle of spring practice as they head toward the annual Scarlet and Gray game that will be aired on Fox on April 13.

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Zed Key enters transfer portal after four years with Ohio State

Zed Key looks to raise the roof elsewhere next season. #GoBucks

After spending the last four years in Columbus, Zed Key announced he will enter the transfer portal and spend his remaining year of eligibility raising the roof elsewhere. Key confirmed his decision with a heartfelt post on social media thanking Ohio State fans everywhere.

Key became a fan favorite coming off the bench as a freshman and earning a starting spot the following two years. Injuries plagued the OSU center in the latter half of his junior season which opened the door for Felix Okpara. Key saw his minutes decrease in his senior season averaging just over 15 minutes per game while adding 6.6 points per contest along with 4.1 rebounds.

He gave Buckeye fans some memorable moments over his four years, but maybe none more than his 20-point performance early in his sophomore season in a win over No. 1 Duke at the Shott. Ohio State beat the Blue Devils by a score of 71-66 behind Key’s performance.

With his departure, new head coach Jake Diebler will be left with just two centers on the roster in Okpara and Austin Parks. Key becomes the fourth member of the basketball team to enter the transfer portal joining Roddy Gayle Jr, Scotty Middleton, and Bowen Hardman.

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Bronny James to enter transfer portal and NBA draft

Official word from Bronny himself. #GoBucks

There’s been speculation over the last few days, and on Friday we heard from the son of King James himself confirming that the son of the world famous basketball star will enter the transfer portal and the NBA draft.

Bronny James, shared a post on his Instagram account confirming the move.“I’ve had a year with some ups and downs but all added to growth for me as a man, student and athlete,” Bronny wrote in the post. “Thank you to USC for an amazing Freshman year, and as always thankful for my family, friends, doctors, athletic trainers and fans for their support.”

James came to USC with a ton of hype because of a combination of his rise up the recruiting rankings and the fact that he’s the son of one of the best basketball players to ever play the game. He’s had to navigate heart health issues and now a change in head coach with the Trojans’ program, and the move was an expected one.

He averaged 4.8 points, 2.8 rebounds and 2.1 assists, and shot 36.6% from the field and 26.7% on 3-pointers in 25 games this season in Los Angeles. We’ll now be on watch to see if James stays in the NBA draft to join his dad in the league, or remains in college and heads to another destination.

https://www.instagram.com/bronny/p/C5YlKKJR6FB/

Of course, with it being the son of LeBron, his name will be linked with Ohio State until a decision is made.

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Former Ohio State quarterback Justin Fields will change his numbers with Pittsburgh

Goodbye to JF1 #GoBucks

For years, former Ohio State quarterback, [autotag]Justin Fields[/autotag], has worn the jersey No. 1, but that will change in his first season with the Pittsburgh Steelers.

JF1 will be no more, as Fields will now don the No. 2 with his new organization. Typically when a player goes to a new team and wants his old number, there is an exchange with the current wearer of the jersey.

No one is actually wearing the No. 1 for the Steelers, as the last player to wear that number was quarterback Anthony Wright in 1999. Previously it was Hall of Fame kicker, Gary Anderson, who had the distinction of wearing it, but the list of wearers is short. Pittsburgh all-time has had just six players wear the number.

It could be that Fields chose the number due to the Steelers being his second team or the tradition behind it. Surely we will find out the reason, but for now, we know that Fields will wear No. 2 this season.

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Ohio State receiver Carnell Tate signs NIL deal with hometown MLB team

One of the more unique NIL deals around. Congrats Carnell! #GoBucks

In the era of name, image and likeness, many collegiate players have been taking advantage to multiple opportunities that have presented themselves, and Ohio State football wide receiver, [autotag]Carnell Tate,[/autotag] is no different.

The rising-sophomore finished his high school career in Florida, but is an Illinois native. That fact he went to Marist High School, which is on the south side of Chicago, and gave the Chicago White Sox incentive to reach out to Tate about an NIL deal.

That all came to fruition as it was announced on Thursday that the Sox have partnered up with Tate, along with multiple other local collegiate stars as CHISOX Athlete Class of 2024.

The deal includes the opportunity to throw out the first pitch of a game, a photoshoot at Guaranteed Rate Field, and more.

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Caleb Downs reaffirms his committment to Ohio State

I’m here. #GoBucks

Caleb Downs entered the transfer portal after a stellar freshman season at Alabama and after Nick Saban unexpectedly decided to call it a career. Just a few short days later, Downs committed to, and enrolled at, Ohio State. But this is a new world of college athletics where players have the freedom to move on at any moment.

After former Alabama teammate, Kayden Proctor, transferred to Iowa and then a short time later transferred back to the Crimson Tide, many wondered if the same thing might happen with Downs. Speculation is always running wild and it didn’t help that Downs didn’t really comment on the subject. Was he pondering doing the same thing? Just the thought had Buckeye fans on edge.

However, Caleb Downs seems to have put all those rumors to bed. Recently, Downs was asked if Proctor returning to Tuscaloosa had him contemplating his future. His simple answer … “I’m here.” In so many words, Downs said he didn’t feel the need to address the issue because he was still practicing with the team and going about his business on the field and in the classroom.

You can see part of the interview below as Downs articulates his thoughts.

In other parts of the interview, Downs talks about his love for Columbus and the overall atmosphere. With the transfer portal always in the back of fans’ minds, hearing straight from the source that he is “here” certainly helps calm some anxieties.

Who can blame people for being a bit anxious in this ever-shifting landscape? For now, there looks to be no reason to worry and fans will be excited to see Downs in Scarlet and Gray next fall.

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