Tag: Brian Hartline

Eagles have interest in Ohio State head coach Ryan Day

The Philadelphia Eagles are reportedly interested in Ohio State head coach Ryan Day

The Philadelphia Eagles head coaching search is heating up another big name has surfaced after John Clark reported that Ryan Day is drawing interest.

Day coached at Temple in 2006 and 2012 and with the Eagles in 2015. In his one season with the Philadelphia, Day served as quarterbacks coach under Chip Kelly.

Earlier in January, ESPN’s Adam Schefter reported that Day is “not interested” in taking any NFL interviews at this time.

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What the commitment of Emeka Egbuka means for Ohio State

Ohio State recruiting continues to be on fire. Here’s what the commitment of the best receiver in the 2021 class means for the Buckeyes.

The No. 1 receiver in the class of 2021, Emeka Egbuka, has committed to Ryan Day and the Ohio State Buckeyes. Egbuka has long been crystal balled for Ohio State and the top-rated receiver made it official on Friday evening.

Egbuka took an official visit to Oklahoma recently, which led some to believe that Ohio State’s crystal ball was starting to look a little cloudy. But even after the visit to Norman, the recruiting gurus still felt confident that he’d ultimately pick the Buckeyes.

This is another big win for Ryan Day and especially wide receiver position coach, Brian Hartline. Hartline has been nabbing some of the nation’s best talent at the receiver position over the past several years. This marks two years in a row that the No. 1 rated receiver has picked Columbus to call home. Ohio State freshmen, Julian Flemming was the No. 1 receiver in the 2020 class.

It feels like Ohio State is becoming wide receiver U. Egbuka gives the Buckeyes another receiver who should be able to contribute right away. Chris Olave will most likely leave for the NFL after this season, but the cupboard will be anything but bare.

Egbuka will join the likes of Flemming, Garrett Wilson, Jackson Smith-Njigba, as well as fellow Washington state native, Gee Scott Jr. That is an absolute embarrassment of riches at the wideout position. And it doesn’t even count the verbal commitment Ohio State received from the nation’s top-rated 2022 receiver, Caleb Burton.

When you combine the talent at wide receiver along with the four and five-star quarterback prospects coming to Columbus, the Buckeye’s could be onto something special. The days of three yards and a cloud of dust at Ohio State are long gone. Woody is probably rolling over in his grave knowing OSU is becoming one of college football’s premier air attacks… but it might just be to get a better view of the action.

 

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WATCH: Ohio State assistant Brian Hartline, wide-receivers meet with media

Ohio State assistant coach Brian Hartline and some of his receivers met with the media on a Zoom call today to talk the upcoming season.

During this pandemic world of college football media coverage, we’ve been resigned to being a part of Zoom calls with players and coaches as opposed to in-person interviews at the Woody.

The latest media session took place Tuesday around mid-day at Ohio State and involved wide receivers coach Brian Hartline and some of the OSU receivers. And in case you missed any of the interview, we’ve got the entire session thanks to the Ohio State Buckeyes Twitter account and OhioStateBuckeyes.com

Click on the below and watch as Hartline and the receivers discuss this year’s culture, how hard-working Justin Fields is, the interception against Clemson, the versatility in the room, and so much more.

Of all the position groups for Ohio State this fall, the receivers might be the most special and explosive. Ther’es youth there, but it’ll be fun to see how all of those weapons line up when the season is unwrapped in late October.

Ohio State football coaches react on Twitter to parent letter to Big Ten

The Ohio State football coaches offered support on Twitter for a letter the players’ parents sent to the Big Ten and commish Kevin Warren.

The parents of Big Ten football players are getting restless. So far, the parents of Ohio State, Iowa, Nebraska, and Penn State have all sent letters to the Big Ten offices looking for answers to questions that have gone unaddressed with the postponement of the fall football season.

Clearly, the group of player parents aren’t happy about their sons not getting a chance to play the game they’ve worked so hard to prepare for, but it’s more than that.

It’s a recurring theme. The Big Ten and commissioner Kevin Warren have yet to address questions posed head-on, and instead have used generalities and no comment types of responses in the face of a situation that calls for direct dialogue.

In the case of Ohio State, it’s clear all of the administrators are aligned in wanting to play, but it has also stood with the Big Ten in a statement. And in case you wondered, yes, it’s okay to support the conference but still want to play the game that’s so much a part of the fabric of the O-H-I-O.

Despite somewhat toeing the company line, many of the Ohio State coaches have come out in support of the letter the parents sent to Warren and the Big Ten Saturday using the hashtag #Fight.

Here’s a look at some of the responses from the OSU coaching staff.

Next … Ohio State football coaches respond

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WATCH: Brian Hartline recounts Jim Tressel’s ability to remember names

Jim Tressel doesn’t forget names. Ohio State’s Brian Hartline tells a fantastic story of him remembering a name from a meeting years prior.

Sometimes you run across a story that you have a hard time believing, but knowing the person that Jim Tressel is, it’s actually not that hard to fathom.

Former Ohio State wide receiver and current assistant coach Brian Hartline took some time to talk with CBS Sports’ Barton Simmons last week, and he had a story to tell about the “senator.” Remember, Hartline played under Tressel from 2006 to 2008, so he was pretty close to the sweater vest for three years.

Hartline recalled introducing his new girlfriend and father to Tressel at one of the OSU spring games, only to be befuddled and amazed at the same time. That’s because when Hartline went to introduce his girlfriend’s dad by name Tressel already knew it, but not for the reason you’d think.

It was really no reason at all. To hear Hartline tell it, the dad was just … a dad, yet Tressel remembered meeting him at some function years before and still remembered and recalled his name without anyone reminding him. The girlfriend’s father was also a bit taken aback. When Hartline went to inquire about the weird exchange, Tressel had some words we can all live by.

“Hart (Hartline), the moment you start putting other people’s importance before yours, you’ll remember their name too.”

You can watch Hartline tell the quick story for yourself by clicking on the below video shared to Twitter by Barton Simmons.

That’s pretty amazing, but I can believe it. I began covering Ohio State football just a few years ago, after Tressel left. However, being a fan and knowing how to find his email address at Ohio State at the time, I emailed him on probably three occasions. He answered them all.

And that, is how you put others ahead of yourself. You live it daily.

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Ohio State assistant Brian Hartline doesn’t think he’d crack lineup of today’s Buckeye receiving corps

Could receiver coach BriantHartline, who is just five years removed from the NFL, play for the Buckeyes today? He doesn’t think so.

Brian Hartline has been one incredible addition to an elite Ohio State coaching staff.

While he inherited an elite group of receivers that feated K.J. Hill and Parris Campbell in 2018, his first season as the full-time positional coach, Hartline — a former NFL receiver himself — has taken the unit to the next level.

With Chris Olave, Garrett Wilson, and Hill last season, the Buckeyes receivers were among the best in the nation, and much of their success can be attributed to Hartline.

The 33-year-old had a seven-year NFL career. Having played his last snaps for the Cleveland Browns in 2015, Hartline transitioned to coaching.

Hartline has turned into one of the hottest recruiters in the country, and a lot of the prospects are headed to his wide-receiver room in Columbus. With recruits like Garrett Wilson and Julian Fleming, does Hartline think he could still manage to play with the future NFL stars?

He doesn’t even think he’d make the top six according to the most recent episode of 247Sports’ Social Distancing with Barton Simmons.

“I’m not going to make the top six,” Hartline said with a laugh. “These guys in the room are ballers, man. So I’m going to keep my movements to a five-yard space, and I’m going to make sure they can see the movements and how we want to be excelling, re-excelling and that’s about it.”

Hartline was modest. While he may not have the quickness and may not be in shape enough to take them on now, give him a few months of preparing, and there’s no doubt in my mind he could be close to their level.

In two of his five seasons with the Dolphins, Hartline notched over 1,000 yards. That’s not an accomplishment that most in the league ever tough so it does show just how impressive Hartline the NFL player was.

For now, let’s just hope he can continue to pass down the lessons he’s learned to the next generation.

 

Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on Twitter, and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion.

We have a forum and message board now. Get in on the conversation about Ohio State athletics by joining the Buckeyes Wire Forum.

247 Sports updated its recruiting rankings, and Ohio State’s 2021 class is insane

Ohio State’s 2021 recruiting class is shaping up to be incredible. Ryan Day is keeping up the momentum.

Everyone has known for a while that Ohio State is the early leader to take home the 2021 recruiting title. Ryan Day and his crew have been excellent recruiters, quickly quelling one of the biggest fears surrounding Urban Meyer’s departure. It’s still early, of course, and there’s a ton of recruiting to be done before December. Whether it ends up as No. 1 overall or not, though, this Ohio State class will be one to remember.

Recruiting rankings services (well, the good ones, at least) don’t just give players a ranking then go home. They keep up with them, keep watching film, look at what coaches are talking to and about players, and overall try to keep every player and every ranking as accurate as possible. Therefore, individual players’ rankings will be updated from time to time, especially this far out from National Signing Day.

Well, 247 Sports updated its rankings this morning, and Ohio State’s class already looks like a monster one.

The players in Ohio State’s class so far have an average rating of 95.37. That’s an insane number, which likely will drop just a tad as the class fills out. (Clemson actually has a 95.38 average so far, but that class has only ten recruits, and none below a 4-star ranking. Ohio State, meanwhile, already has three 3-star players, which brings the average down a tad.) Still, it’s a really good insane number to have so far.

With just 17 commitments so far (plus a punter from Australia), the Buckeyes still have plenty of spaces to add more big names to this class. With a total of 296 quality points so far, this year’s Ohio State class already sits in what would have been a Top 5 class this past year. (Ohio State had the No. 5 class in 2020 with 295.08 quality points, and that had 25 recruits.) This recruiting class is already insane, and with months to go, it has room to get even better.

Maybe that’s the Buckeyes own three of the top four spots (and five of the top 12) in 247’s rankings of recruiting assistants. It’s certainly well-deserved.

Chargers WR K.J. Hill credits Brian Hartline on preparation as a pro

Chargers wide receiver K.J. Hill gives his position coach plenty of credit for his development the past two seasons.

Former NFL wide receiver and current wideout coach for the Ohio State Buckeyes – Brian Hartline – has had a huge impact on the positional group as a whole since taking over in 2018. But he’s also had an influence on the success of the individuals that he’s coached.

Parris Campbell, who was drafted by the Colts in the second-round and Terry McLaurin, a third-round selection by the Redskins in the 2019 NFL Draft were just a pair of reflections of Hartline’s expertise.

This year, K.J.Hill joined the crop of receivers who attributed their progress to Hartline. After leading the team in receptions (57) and posting a career-high in touchdowns (10) in 2019, Hill was drafted by the Chargers in the seventh-round of the 2020 NFL Draft.

Known for his smooth route-running ability and ball skills, Hill finished as Ohio State’s all-time leader in receptions (201), with 2,332 receiving yards and 20 touchdowns.

In a league where getting open is an absolute must, Hill checks the boxes. Who was the one that taught him the finer details of the position? Hartline. But it was more than just that. Not only did he aide in his development as a receiver, but he helped prepare him for the next level.

“Working with Coach Hartline was the biggest thing I had going for me,” Hill said, per Ric Serritella. He taught me how to be a pro. It was not even from route running. He taught me things like accountability, being a great practice player.

He would just tell us sometimes in practice, like ‘Those things will get you cut in the league.’ So I feel like I got a jump on everybody just because he was my position coach.”

Hartline played for the Buckeyes from 2005-2008. Following his collegiate career, he played in the NFL with the Dolphins from 2009 to 2014 and the Browns in 2015 before retiring.

Now that Hill won’t have Hartline for his guidance on a daily basis, that doesn’t mean he won’t receive the proper mentorship. Keenan Allen, who Hill compares his game to, will be there to show him the ropes.

“I’m a route technician,” said Hill, adding that he used to watch tape of Allen while he was in college.

Even though he was selected in the last round, Hill has the talent and skillset to play a vital role as early as his rookie season. He has the opportunity to win the WR3 job to play alongside Allen, Mike Williams and Hunter Henry in Year 1 and become a major contributor for years to come.

Ohio State assistant Brian Hartline was reportedly pursued by this NFL Team in January

According to a report from Sports Illustrated, Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline was pursued by the NFL in January.

Some things fly a little under the radar, and we have one for you that didn’t get a whole lot of play. It’s no secret that Ohio State wide receivers coach Brian Hartline is a rising young star in the coaching profession. He’s had a hand in developing some pretty special receivers in his short time in Columbus, and is worth his weight in gold with recruiting — recently being named 247Sports recruiter of the year.

But according to a report by Sports Illustrated, the Philadelphia Eagles looked at hiring Hartline away from Ohio State in January. It’s no secret that other college programs and even NFL teams will continue to be interested in the OSU assistant coach with what he’s done already, but we heard nothing about this at the turn of the year.

Here’s what Albert Breer says in his MMQ Column about the whole thing.

USC OC Graham Harrell was one college coach the Eagles looked at hiring in January. Here’s another: Ohio State receivers coach Brian Hartline. Philly pursued the ex-NFL receiver to help with the team’s passing game and coach its wideouts, which is another sign of how the Eagles looked at trying to add some outside-the-NFL influence to their mix. Hartline wound up deciding to remain in Columbus in 2020, but Philly wasn’t the only team to show interest in this rising coaching star, and this isn’t the first year it’s happened. The Colts, for one, looked hard at Hartline a couple years ago, too.

Success breeds opportunity. One of the things head coach Ryan Day will have to deal with is managing his coaching staff with all the job offers and movement that’s sure to occur as long as he continues to field teams capable of winning a national title.

We’ve already seen Jeff Hafley move on after one year, and the interest in Hartline isn’t going to go anywhere. Eventually you have to believe the former NFL receiver will move on to bigger and better things, but right now Ohio State is lucky to have him bringing in the groceries and making a gourmet dinner out of the wide-receiving prospects.

 

247 Sports names Brian Hartline National Recruiter of the Year

Brian Hartline has been pivotal in OSU’s dominance, and he’s earning recognition, being named 247 Sports’ National Recruiter of the Year.

Brian Hartline has been pivotal in Ohio State’s offensive dominance, and he’s finally earning recognition, being named 247 Sports’ National Recruiter of the Year.

Hartline is the team’s wide receivers coach and has been a crucial part of creating a flawless offensive strategy. However, he’s set them up for success before they even take the field.

A former NFL player himself, Hartline has become a leader in the locker room.

Having been influential in recruiting Julian Fleming, the nation’s top wide receiver in the Class of 2020, Hartline is now a critical member of the team’s pitch to recruits, having also helped recruit quarterback CJ Stroud and other blue-chip receivers.

Jaxon Smith-Njigba and Gee Scott Jr., to go along with Julian Fleming, makeup three of the team’s top five inbound recruits. Hartline was the main contact for all three.

That said, he’s certainly deserving of the award.

Hartline edged Clemson’s Todd Bates and Alabama’s Karl Scott in the official rankings for 247 Sports’ Recruiter of the Year.