Category: Buckeyes Wire

Browns reportedly have strong interest in former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer

Per a report from Bruce Feldman of the athletic, sources have informed him that the Browns have very high interest in Urban Meyer.

It’s the gift that just keeps giving, even after the Christmas season has passed.

According to a report from Bruce Feldman of The Athletic, the Cleveland Browns have a strong desire to try and sway former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer to come out of retirement and head up the much-maligned organization. This is according to sources Feldman has been in contact with.

There were of course sources stating as much a couple of weeks back as well, but now that Freddie Kitchens has been fired, and the Browns and GM John Dorsey have parted ways, it appears as though things are beginning to heat up again in the Cleveland front office.

Meyer has been out of coaching since announcing his retirement after the Michigan game in 2018. Since then he has had his hand in several off the field projects and jobs ranging from being an analyst on FOX’s Big Noon Kickoff Show, to helping to open a new restaurant in Columbus.

It’s clear Meyer’s name will continue to surface with high profile job opening, but as we’ve said all along, what is unclear is whether or not his health and desire will allow the stars to align with anything.

We’ll be on top of this news if anything further comes of it.

Re-visiting our five preseason bold predictions for Ohio State in 2019

We made five preseason bold predictions for the 2019 Ohio State football season. Here’s a look at how we did when all the dust settled.

Sadly, the 2019 football season for Ohio State has come to an end. It is one that started with some pretty modest expectations — at least from the national media. In the end, it was one for the ages, but one that feels like it finished before it should have in a College Football Playoff semifinal loss.

We started the year banging out five preseason bold predictions for this team and we figured it would be worth re-visiting now that the season is over. We did the same thing at mid-season, and now we can look back and see exactly how we did.

So here it is — we are holding ourselves accountable by time re-visiting our five bold predictions for 2019. As you’ll see though, we did pretty good. Tell your friends because it’s unlikely we are this spot on like this ever again.

Next … Prediction No. 1

Pages: Page 1, Page 2, Page 3, Page 4, Page 5, Page 6

Report: Ohio State expected to name Corey Dennis QB coach to replace Yurcich

Reports have surfaced that the Ohio State football program expects to elevate Corey Dennis to its cavant quarterbacks coach position.

Now that Ohio State finished achingly short of its goal of getting to New Orleans, there are some housekeeping items that now can be addressed. The Buckeyes still have to replace departed co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach Jeff Halfey, but it also must do something to fill the void of quarterbacks coach and passing game coordinator Mike Yurcich who accepted the offensive coordinator position at Texas.

We’re still waiting on the big hire on the defense, but today, according to information provided by Pete Thamel of Yahoo! Sports, Ohio State is expected to name current senior quality control coach Corey Dennis its new quarterbacks coach.

Dennis has a great reputation in the quarterbacks room already and has been heavily involved through the last few years. He is the husband of Urban Meyer’s daughter, Nicki Meyer Dennis.

The news was a welcomed one from former players and those within the program, and will provide some stability and continuity with what’s already taking place in Columbus.

Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah declares for NFL Draft

Ohio State cornerback Jeff Okudah has made it official by declaring for the 2020 NFL Draft in a letter to his lost mother.

Now that Ohio State’s season has come to an end — and it sure feels like prematurely — we’re starting to get answers on some of the early departures for the upcoming 2020 NFL Draft. Running back J.K. Dobbins already declared, and now — as expected — cornerback Jeff Okudah has also decided to forego his senior season and enter the draft.

Okudah is arguably the best defensive back in the entire country, and the clear No. 1 corner on Ohio State’s team. He can come up in run support, but is a lock-down guy that was pitted against the opposing team’s best receiver on a weekly basis.

He didn’t disappoint.

The stats don’t jump off the page at you this year, but that’s because not many teams threw the ball in his direction. In big games though you could see his value. He showed up big time in the Fiesta Bowl.

Okudah declared for the draft in a touching letter to his mom appearing in the Player’s Tribune whom he lost to cancer after enrolling at Ohio State in 2017.

He projects as a top five pick in this year’s NFL Draft.

With the loss to Clemson, Ohio State football has dropped back below Michigan in all-time winning percentage

With the loss to Clemson in the Fiesta Bowl, Ohio State football has once again fallen behind Michigan for best winning percentage all-time.

Michigan fans once again have what they’ll probably consider the ultimate trump card over Ohio State. Up until the Buckeyes beat the Wolverines once again this year, they had trailed Michigan in all-time win percentage in college football. The Wolverines were No. 1, the Buckeyes No. 2.

But, once all the smoke cleared on another blowout, Ohio State had barely overtaken That School Up North in overall winning percentage to overtake the No. 1 spot (Boise State hasn’t played enough seasons and Yale is no longer in FBS).

However, with the loss to Clemson Saturday night (hugs all around), OSU has now fallen back behind Michigan just barely, and are now once again No. 2 behind its arch-rival. The Buckeyes are now 924-326-53 (.7294) to the Wolverines 962-345-36 (.7297). It’s a razor thin margin, but a margin nonetheless.

But never fear Buckeye fans. Michigan has the daunting task of trying to beat Alabama on New Year’s Day. If it loses, Ohio State will again be on top through the offseason.

Ah yes … bragging rights.

Ohio State basketball is beginning to show a troubling trend

The Ohio State basketball team has been great in 2019, but when it does struggle, there’s one stat that continues to plague the team.

The Ohio State basketball team has had a fantastic start to the 2019-2020 campaign, but there are some signs of cracks in all the fun here as of late. The Buckeyes have lost two of the last four games, and have come back down to Earth just a wee-bit.

But why? Both losses were to teams that Ohio State has more talent than and should have no problem beating by simply taking care of business. The problem is that OSU hasn’t taken care of business at times, and there’s one troubling stat that seems to continue to cause issues.

It’s the turnover bug.

It was something the Buckeyes had issues with last year too, but that was thought to be because they lacked a true point guard. With two true point guards on the squad this year — and good ones at that — it was supposed to be a much improved area this year.

And at times it has been, but in spots in other games, and in contests OSU hasn’t been able to pull out, there have been a significant lack of focus on taking care of the basketball.

The issue arose again on Sunday when Ohio State lost to a rough and tumble West Virginia squad. It had 22 total turnovers, far too many to expect to win against teams that have close to, equal, or perceived more talent.

There have been other times too. The Buckeyes were extremely careless with the ball against North Carolina in the first half and led by only one point going into the locker room. Once they clamped down on making careless errors, OSU pulled away easily.

Ohio State has the talent and pieces to do big things this season. It can score from multiple spots, plays outstanding defense, can shoot, and has a great coaching staff.

But, if the turnovers don’t get better, we could see a season of promise derailed at the most inopportune time, like say — March.

Watch: Former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer, proud of Ryan Day

Ryan Day sat with Urban Meyer and the BTN crew after the loss in the Fiesta Bowl. Meyer showed a lot of pride with his comments.

The days are slowly ticking by on a loss that will forever haunt an Ohio State team that had the goods to win it all in 2019. The Buckeyes outplayed defensing national champion Clemson for large portions of the Fiesta Bowl Saturday night, but couldn’t seem to catch a break — ultimately falling when Justin Fields’ pass in the end zone was picked off with 37 seconds left on the clock.

There’s no doubt the loss still stings for new head coach Ryan Day, and it’ll take some significant time to get over it. Still, he handled himself with class afterwards and now it’s time to focus on recruiting and working on next year’s run towards big things.

There’s one guy in Day’s corner though at all times, and it’s former Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer. Day sat down with the crew of the Big Ten Network after the game Saturday to dissect a little of what we saw Saturday night, and Meyer sat to his left.

If was a rather far-reaching interview, but at the end Meyer consoles Day and swells with pride on what he and the team did this year.

“I know I’m working at BTN right now, but I’m proud of you, brother,” said Meyer. “And I’m proud of Ohio State football, the way they played, the way they scrapped. And that was a hell of a team, hell of a year and you come back, have a great team coming back, and the future’s bright. Recruiting is strong at Ohio State. You’ve got a great head football coach and his staff.”

Those are really strong, personal and attention grabbing words from Urban Meyer. You can watch the entire interview thanks to the video shared by the Twitter feed of BTN.

Ohio State DB Shaun Wade to make decision on NFL Saturday

Ohio State cornerback Shaun Wade will be making his decision on his NFL plans on Saturday. Will he stay or forego his senior year?

The Ohio State secondary was a much improved one in 2019 compared to what we saw just a season ago in 2018. It helped turn a defense that struggled with the big play become a top five national unit this season.

But as good as that sounds, there is a lot to work to do next year because the Buckeyes are staring down the barrel at potentially losing all four members of the back-end. Safety Jordan Fuller and cornerback Damon Arnette are graduating, and it’s likely a lock that Jeff Okudah declares for the draft as the best corner prospect in the class if he comes out early.

But that’s not all. The other corner, Shaun Wade, is also contemplating an early jump to the NFL. He’s just a sophomore, but was red-shirted his freshman year, so he’s three years removed from graduating high school and thus, also eligible to enter the draft.

There’s really been no tea leaves to read on whether Wade would make the jump or stay in school, but it was clear Ohio State wasn’t as great of a defense when he was out of the game. He’s still a little raw but he’s extremely skilled.

So, the question remains — will Wade leave early or come back?

We won’t have to wait long, because he’ll be making his decision via live stream on Letterman Row this coming Saturday at Noon. He (or someone close to him) is dubbing it “The Decision.”

It would obviously be great news if Wade were to come back for one more season at Ohio State. Not only could he use a little more seasoning as the unquestionable No. 1 guy at the corner position, but it would help ease some of the new starters into the rotation for whatever new assistant coach comes to work with the secondary.

So tune in. We’ll have reaction to whatever his decision is when it’s made known.

Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence, Fiesta Bowl against Ohio State was most physical game he’s been a part of

Clemson QB Trevor Lawrence spoke to the media two days after the Fiesta Bowl and gave Ohio State credit for a tough and physical game.

Clemson quarterback Trevor Lawrence has been in a big game or two, even at his young age. Just a sophomore, Lawrence has played the likes of Texas A&M, Florida State, Notre Dame, and of course Alabama. That’s not to mention rivalry games with South Carolina and a whole host of ACC teams over the past two seasons.

But Saturday against Ohio State was different according to Lawrence. While appearing with the media two days after the thrilling Fiesta Bowl Saturday, the Tigers’ quarterback said that playing the Buckeyes was the most physical game he’s been a part of to date.

“It’s a good feeling when you wake up and feel that way. A bunch of guys felt that way. Hats off to Ohio State, that game was so tough.”

That is especially notable when you think about all the athletes, physicality, and talent on Alabama’s team last year. Clemson took the Tide behind the woodshed for a national championship, but that doesn’t take away from the collection of bad intentions a Nick Saban led team has.

So, yeah — it was a bitter and disappointing loss Saturday night, but Ohio State players and fans should be proud that the team showed up and gave Clemson all it could handle and then some.

How Ohio State players reacted on Twitter to the loss in the Fiesta Bowl

Many Ohio State football players took to Twitter to either thank everyone for the magical ride, or to tee up momentum for next year.

Is it too early still?

Many Ohio State fans are still licking their wounds after the bizarre, chaotic, heart-pumping affair in the Playstation Fiesta Bowl Saturday night. The dust is beginning to settle, but the loss still hurts and feels much like a missed opportunity.

I’ve been around long enough to experience painful losses, and this one should have been in the win column. It stings more than getting wiped off the map 31-0 like what happened in 2016. Never in covering OSU football have I ever left a game as disappointed and surprised a game wasn’t won that what I experienced from the press box Saturday.

But I digress …

But there’s some good that can come of that, and it’s in the way of adding fuel and momentum to what will take place in 2020. In fact, many of the current players took to Twitter to let their thought be known about the next run Ohio State is looking to make next year. Others that are moving on from the program simply expressed grattitude.

Here’s a look at some of the best Twitter responses in-line from a sampling of players.

Justin Fields:

Running back J.K. Dobbins:

Defensive tackle Taron Vincent:

Star wide-receiver, sophomore Chris Olave:

Freshman wide-receiver Garrett Wilson:

Linebacker Baron Browning:

Wide-receiver Binjimen Victor:

Wide-receiver Austin Mack:

Offensive lineman Branden Bowen:

Cornerback Jeff Okudah:

Safety Jordan Fuller:

I’m sure there are others, and there’s no doubt other teams that do this, but it’s just another bit of evidence on how tight this team was and will likely remain as time goes by. The 2019 Buckeyes may not have won a national title, but it very well could — maybe should — have.

It’ll still be remembered as the years go by.