Category: Buckeyes Wire

Could Ohio State football be preseason No. 1 next year?

Ohio State’s season may be over this year, but as we look ahead to 2020, it should receive consideration for a preseason No. 1 ranking.

Not that it matters much, but it’s still a sense of pride and fun to talk about what the landscape of college football will look like next season. And yeah, I know we still have the biggest of games to go for this — the 2019 college football season, but we’re still looking ahead to next year because Ohio State’s season is over after a salty Fiesta Bowl.

So, let’s talk about next season shall we? Ohio State has a ton of guys coming back on an offense that was a top five unit in many categories last season. Justin Fields will be a year better behind an offensive line returning three All-Big Ten performers. The wide-receiver room lost three key players for the second-straight year, but the guys that are still around like Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave will combine with arguably the best wide-receiver class to ever walk through the tunnel in Columbus.

Defensively, the line will be young, but talented and deep once again. Linebackers Tuf Borland, Pete Werner, Baron Browning and others remain in the second level to make the front seven awfully appealing. New guys in the back-end of the defense will have to emerge after three starters moved on to the NFL, but the return of Shaun Wade gives the Ohio State coaching staff a key piece to build around.

Needless to say, that’s a lot of talent that should result in a ton of optimism for what the Buckeyes can accomplish next year. So much so, it’s entirely possible that Ohio State can enter the season ranked No. 1 in one of the polls.

The Alabama and Clemson narrative will be there. They both have a ton of talent with a reload at places in need, but you can’t put together too many teams beyond those two that’ll always be put up there until proven differently on a consistent basis.

In fact ‘Bama has to go through a quarterback competition after Tua Tagovailoa declared for the NFL Draft. LSU loses Heisman winner Joe Burrow, Oklahoma also loses Jalen Hurts under center, and the rest of the usual suspects have more holes than what’s going to be visible on the banks of the Olentangy.

The one team that Ohio State will likely be compared to evenly is Clemson. The Tigers might have the slight edge with the return of Trevor Lawrence and a returning young squad across the board, but we’ve already seen the Buckeyes outplay the Tigers and wind up just a wee-bit short because of some bad breaks and missed opportunities.

In an upcoming year in which there is a lot of turnover at the most important position on the football field, both Ohio State and Clemson have Heisman type guys back under center. It’ll likely be between the Buckeyes and Tigers for that preseason numero uno ranking.

Clemson likely gets the nod because of where the program is, but it’ll be a close one, and OSU will undoubtedly get a look at No. 1 by many pollsters.

WATCH: Trio of Ohio State early enrollees show off their new digs

Three of Ohio State football’s 2020 early enrollees took to Twitter to show off their new rooms.

By now, all fourteen of the Ohio State football team’s early enrollees for the 2020 recruiting class have arrived on campus and have found their way to the new housing for the start of college. It’s where they’ll be for the beginning of the next step on their football journey.

If you’ve ever wondered what the living quarters of a big-time college football player looks like, then you are in luck. (Hint: It looks a lot like other students’ rooms do). Three of Ohio State’s more prominent freshman that enrolled early took some time to show off their new digs by way of a video shared by the official Twitter feed of the Ohio State Football.

Get a look at roommates Kourt Williams and C.J. Stroud show off their “west-coast” room, while receiver Julian Fleming shows you what his place looks like. Just click on the below and enjoy.

All we got to say is that one looks much more put together and homely than the other. Someone has got some catching up to do.

Ohio State picked to make 2020 College Football Playoff by 247Sports

Ohio State has been picked to make next season’s College Football Playoff in a very early projection by 247Sports.

There’s only two teams still alive for the 2019 college football season, and it’s the two teams playing for it all in New Orleans this coming Monday. That means every team not named Clemson or LSU are already looking ahead to the 2020 season. You can unfortunately count Ohio State in that population as well after some frustration, disappointment, and a little bit of anger after the Fiesta Bowl.

No matter. Move on we must, so that’s what we’re doing. And when you have as much talent as a team like the Buckeyes have coming back, it at least makes things a little easier.

But, Ohio State fans aren’t the only ones looking forward. Some media outlets like 247Sports are starting to already make some very early predictions for teams that will end up in the College Football Playoff for 2020. And if you’re an OSU fan, then you’ll like what writer Brian Crawford has to say.

According to him, the Buckeyes are destined to travel to a very familiar place. He has them going to the Rose Bowl in one of the two College Football Playoff semifinals. The team he has them facing is a resurgent Florida team led by former Urban Meyer assistant Dan Mullens.

Here’s what Crawford says about the potential of the Rose Bowl matchup.

It’s a bit hazy, sure, but there is a justifiable path to the Playoff for Dan Mullen in Year 3 with the Gators. Let’s say Florida finishes 11-1 during the regular season with its only loss coming to Georgia in Jacksonville — which would include a Top 10 win over LSU in Gainesville. Georgia finishes 11-1 with a loss to Alabama, thus wins the East with the tiebreaker. Then, the Crimson Tide beat the Bulldogs again in Atlanta, ensuring Florida is the SEC’s second-most attractive option for the Playoff committee. Hmm. Keep an eye on Florida quarterback Kyle Trask, who will surge to the front of the Heisman race. The other team here is chalk. Ohio State should field the most talented team nationally next fall with Justin Fields back and a host of playmakers around him.

So who does he have in the other Semifinal? It’s another familiar matchup with Clemson and Alabama in the Sugar Bowl. I feel like we’ve seen that movie and a few sequels before?

If this all comes to fruition, hopefully this time the Buckeyes can be the last team standing.

 

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Boom! Four star Offensive lineman Donovan Jackson picks Ohio State

Texas 4-star offensive lineman Donovan Jackson has verbally committed to Ohio State for the 2021 class.

It all went as expected.

Four-star offensive guard Donovan Jackson from the 2021 class has announced his verbal commitment to Ohio State. He was thought to be a heavy lean as of late for the Buckeyes, and he let the world know today via a live stream at his high school.

According to 247Sports, Jackson is the No. 11 rated offensive guard in the class and 57th overall target. He is listed as the No. 11 rated recruit in the state of Texas. He chose the Buckeyes over the likes of Alabama, Georgia, and Texas.

For Ohio State, it’s another big one. Jackson makes the ninth commitment already for a top-rated 2021 recruiting class.

Former Ohio State RB Mike Weber signed to Chiefs practice squad

Former Ohio State running back Mike Weber has been signed to the Kansas City Chiefs practice squad.

In the category of where are they now, according to our sister site Chiefs Wire, former Ohio State running back Mike Weber has been signed to the team’s practice squad. The news was first relayed by Chiefsdigest.com’s Mike Derrick in a Tweet Wednesday.

If you’re a Buckeye fan, the last thing you likely remember about the Weber is that he left OSU a year early to enter the 2019 NFL Draft, was taken by the Dallas Cowboys in the seventh round, but never really found himself a home in Dallas. He was cut from the official roster by America’s Team on August 31st before being signed onto its practice squad.

Now he’s back with another opportunity by the way of the Kansas City Chiefs. Now, before anyone that’s a Weber fan gets too excited, we all know how hard it is to go from a scout team role to one on the active roster. Let’s not pull any punches here — it’ll take some pretty eye-turning plays or injuries for Weber to get a real crack at playing on Sundays.

Nonetheless, the news of the former Buckeye still remaining in the league with an opportunity is a positive one.

Former Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins needs to impress in year two with Redskins

Former Ohio State and current Washington Redskins quarterback Dwayne Haskins must impress in year two under new head coach Ron Rivera.

In case you’ve been living under a pile of snow (I mean it is Ohio), or you just don’t follow the NFL all that much (I mean it is Ohio). then you likely know the Washington Redskins have hired their new head coach in the form of Ron Rivera.

That means change is in the air in our nation’s capital, and it would behoove Haskins to start showing the promise those before him placed on his shoulders when he was drafted as the No. 15 overall pick in the 2019 NFL Draft. There were rumors that not everyone was sold on him as the face of the franchise at quarterback when he was selected, and with a new head coach now in charge, that likely doesn’t land Haskins on more solid footing.

In fact, maybe on the contrary based on remarks made by Rivera when he met with the media this week during his introductory news conference. The former Carolina Panthers head coach had some good things to say about the former Ohio State QB, but also left the door open to exploring other options.

“He’s going to have to step up and become a leader,” Rivera said. “All the great ones have become leaders and they’ve become leaders whether they’re rookies or they’re 10-, 12-year vets… He can become a franchise-style quarterback. It’s a process, though, I’m not going to say it’s going to happen overnight.”

He went on to assess the quarterback play of all options from last season.

“These are guys that have played quality football, including Dwayne,” said Rivera. “Dwayne has played some pretty good football for the limited times he did play this season. But we’re in a good situation with the three veteran guys, with Dwayne that’s still growing and learning.”

When specifically speaking of the plan for Haskins, Rivera said staying the course is the most important thing right now.

“What we’re trying to do right now is to develop that plan for his development as we go forward,” Rivera said. “There’s a couple good veteran quarterbacks that get some opportunities to play as well. We won’t know until we get ready to open up in September, so until then, everything is just a process. We can’t get ahead of it — we’ve got to stay to the plan and make sure we’re preparing ourselves properly to win football games.”

So, it sounds like there’s some good news and bad news there. Obviously the best of news is that Haskins development and playing time are still there for him to work towards and earn.

But how much of that is his to own and how much of that is what Rivera believes in remains to be seen. One thing is clear, Haskins will need to continue with the improved play and role he had on the team at the tail end of this past season.

Something tells me he’ll rise to the occasion.

Ohio State tight end Rashod Berry to play in NFLPA Collegiate Bowl

Graduating fifth-year senior tight end Rashod Berry has accepted an invite to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl.

Graduating fifth-year senior tight end Rashod Berry has accepted an invite to play in the NFLPA Collegiate Bowl set in the beautiful Pasadena, California. The game is set to take place on January 18 and will have several draft eligible players taking part in an All-Star game format.

Berry began his career on as a defensive lineman but was moved over to the offense when a need presented itself at tight end in 2017. He’s been on the depth chart and a part of game plans the last couple of years, but has been passed by guys like starter Luke Farrell and backup Jeremy Ruckert when it comes to getting the most snaps and targets.

Berry had just two receptions with no touchdowns in 2019, down from nine receptions and two TDs in 2018. Now he’ll get a chance to perform in front of NFL scouts and executives to showcase what he brings to the table at the next level.

Good luck big fella.

Ohio State head coach Chris Holtmann Maryland postgame press conference

Ohio State basketball head coach Chris Holtmann met with the media to discuss the loss to Maryland. Watch his complete comments here.

Ohio State dropped its third decision in a row Tuesday night, getting beat in a physical and defensive-minded Big Ten contest against the Maryland Terrapins. It was a rough night with poor shooting, turnovers and a lack of toughness that has continued to creep into the team culture here as of late.

Head coach Chris Holtmann met with the media after the game in College Park to discuss what happened on the court. You can watch and listen to all of his postgame comments courtesy of Adam Jardy of the Columbus Dispatch. Just click on the below link and have a listen.

Holtmann discusses his team’s shooting woes, shot selection, toughness and more.

Four-star 2020 running back Jahmyr Gibbs to visit Ohio State

Ohio State may not be done with its running back efforts for 2020. Four-star RB Jahmyr Gibbs will visit Columbus on January 17.

Ohio State has put together a consensus top five 2020 recruiting class, but it’s hoping to gain the interest of a kid that would add even more talent at the running back position, a group that didn’t quite pan out like it would have wanted during the early signing period.

Four-star Jahmyr Gibbs is all set to visit Ohio State despite being verbally committed to Georgia Tech as it stands right now. Gibbs has been rising in the running back ratings and beginning to garner more and more attention from big-time programs.

And he is apparently listening.

Gibbs spoke with Eleven Warriors about his recruitment and appears to be open to listening to what Ohio State has to offer. He’s from Georgia, but says that he’ll go where he feels the best fit is.

“(I’m) just gonna go wherever best fits me,” Gibbs told Eleven Warriors. “It’s not (just) the South. It’s wherever fits me.”

So here we go. The Buckeyes lost out on a couple of very high profile running back commits that were thought to be very heavy leans — and even silent commits — when the No. 2 and No. 10 backs (Bijan Robinson and Jaylan Knighton) in the class according to 247Sports went elsewhere and surprised everyone.

Now the Buckeyes are hoping to get in on Gibbs before the February 5 official signing date. There are plans to visit LSU, Georgia Tech and Florida. But first, the No. 16 rated running back in the class will kick the scarlet and gray tires around on January 17.

Ohio State basketball loses to Maryland. Three things we learned.

Ohio State dropped its third-straight when it lost on the road at Maryland. Here’s three things we learned.

The Ohio State basketball team is at a crossroads. It got out of the gate quickly, knocking off the likes of Kentucky and Villanova, but have now hit some major speed bumps as the calendar flips.

The Buckeyes came into the contest against Maryland having lost two-in a row and three of their last five. It didn’t get any better against a long and physical Maryland team either. Ohio State didn’t shoot the ball well, and struggled to match the physicality and defensive pressure of the Terrapins on the road.

As we do always, here’s three things we learned after a third-straight loss, this time to the tune of 67-55.

Next … Confidence shaken

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