Ohio State with three players named as Walter Camp semifinalists

The Walter Camp Award announced its twenty semifinalists Thursday and Ohio State has three players that made the cut.

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The Walter Camp Award narrowed its list down to twenty semifinalists Thursday. The award, similar to the Heisman and Maxwell, honors the best college football player annually and has been handed out since 1967.

Ohio State has some great representation, joining just Clemson with three players listed in the twenty announced today by the Walter Camp Foundation.

The three that made the cut are players you can probably guess. Quarterback Justin Fields, running back J.K. Dobbins, and defensive end Chase Young are all moving on with a shot at taking the hardware home.

Five finalists will be named on Dec. 5, and the winner will be announced on ESPN SportsCenter on Thursday, December 12.

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The only other Ohio State players to win the award were Archie Griffin in 1974 and ’75, Eddie George in 1995, and Troy Smith in 2006.

Three Ohio State players included in latest Todd McShay 2020 Top 32 NFL Draft rankings

ESPN’s Todd McShay has updated his top 32 players for the 2020 NFL Draft, and three of them belong to Ohio State.

By all accounts and measures, the Ohio State football team is having a season for the ages. It has arguably the best player in college football wrecking offensive game plans from the defensive end spot, and one of the best quarterback and running backs in the country.

And that’s before we even start talking about the seasoned and talented guys in the secondary and wide-receiver position. With all that talent, you’re sure to hear some names called early during the 2020 NFL Draft.

But don’t just believe our word, how about one of the most respected and knowledgeable guys on this sort of thing, ESPN’s NFL Draft expert, Todd McShay. He just released his latest ranking of the top 32 players (subscription required) in the 2020 draft (or the entire first round) and there are three Ohio State players included.

Defensive end Chase Young is labeled as the overall top prospect, cornerback Jeffrey Okudah is No. 4, and running back J.K. Dobbins has moved up into the No. 23 spot. That means McShay now believes he’s the second-best running back available behind Georgia’s D’Andre Swift and ahead of Wisconsin’s Jonathan Taylor.

Here’s what McShay has to say about all three:

No. 1 Chase Young

Despite missing the last two games, Young has 13.5 sacks (No. 2 in the country), 15.5 tackles for loss (tied for seventh) and five forced fumbles (second). Let those numbers sink in for a minute. He has quickness and above-average bend, and he flashes the ability to convert speed to power, though he still has room for a little improvement getting off blocks. He best fits as a 4-3 defensive end, but he has experience dropping into coverage and could end up converting to a 3-4 outside linebacker role. He has been nothing short of dominant this season, head and shoulders above the rest of the edge rushers in the class.

No. 2 Jeff Okudah

A big, long corner, Okudah has smooth hips and quick feet. He occasionally lunges, but he also shows the ability to recover quickly in press coverage with his athleticism. He has tools to become a No. 1 corner. I love his versatility, as he lines up on both sides and in the slot while helping out in run defense. In 10 games, Okudah has hauled in three interceptions — including a highlight-reel-worthy snag — and he has 22 tackles, a forced fumble and four passes broken up.

No. 23 J.K. Dobbins

Dobbins has above-average balance and core strength. He shows average quickness through the hole and he builds to above-average playing speed. Dobbins is a little tight and isn’t an ankle-breaker in space, but he’s shifty between the tackles. As a pass-catcher, he flashes soft hands and is efficient after the catch. Through 10 games, Dobbins is fifth in the nation in rushing yards (1,289) with a 7.0-per-carry clip, and he has run it into the end zone 13 times.

Ohio State DE Chase Young named a finalist for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy

The Ohio State football star defensive end Chase Young has been named one of five finalists for the Bronco Nagurski Trophy.

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Chase Young, the third-year defensive end from the Ohio State University, has been named a finalist for the Bronko Nagurski Trophy, an award given annually to the nation’s top defender.

Young may not be just the top defender in the nation this year, but he certainly has a claim to be one of the most dominant collegiate defensive ends of all time.

The projected top-three pick is just 0.5 away from the single-season sack record at Ohio State. It’s also important to note he’s been suspended for the past two games which he easily could’ve amassed several more sacks.

That said, Ohio State announced early today on Twitter that Young’s one of five finalists for the trophy.

It’s fully expected that Young wins this award, and as you can see in the graphic, the Ohio State defense as a whole has been one of the most impressive in the country.

Watch what Penn State head coach James Franklin said about Ohio State ahead of the game Saturday

Penn State head coach James Franklin met with the media during his weekly press conference to preview Ohio State. Find out what he said.

Ohio State is all set to host a top ten Penn State team this Saturday in Columbus. It’s the biggest game to date with a ton on the line. If the Buckeyes can win, they will clinch the Big Ten East Division and keep things between the guardrails for a Big Ten Championship and appearance in the College Football Playoff.

There’s no doubt Nittany Lion head coach James Franklin knows the challenge ahead of his team as it prepares to game plan and find a way to knock off perhaps the most dominant and complete team in the country.

But under Franklin, the last three games between the two have been decided by five total points, so if anyone program has the confidence and ability to pull of the upset, it’s the Penn State program.

He made himself available to the media Tuesday to preview the game and we have all of those comments for you thanks to the Penn State Football Facebook page.

Click on the below and listen to Franklin rattle off several Ohio State players that jump out on film, talk about the injury status of star wide-receiver K.J. Hamler, his relationship with Ryan Day, and more. He, like many, had some very complimentary things to say about this Buckeye team — calling it perhaps the best he’s seen on tape since he’s been at Penn State.

As a warning though, if you know anything about Franklin, he does like to hear himself talk. There’s some good stuff in here though.

https://www.facebook.com/PSUFball/videos/730634534124758/

 

2020 NFL mock draft: Updated 3-round projections after Week 11

See how Tua Tagovailoa’s season-ending injury impacts Luke Easterling’s latest three-round projections for the 2020 NFL draft

We’re halfway through November, which means while the NFL playoff picture is starting to come into clearer focus, so is the top of the board for next year’s NFL draft.

While the league’s worst teams are jockeying for position at the top of the first round, the nation’s top college prospects are trying to take advantage of key opportunities in big games down the stretch.

Here’s an updated look at how the first three rounds of the 2020 NFL draft could shake out, using the latest updated order after Week 11 games:

1. Cincinnati Bengals | Joe Burrow | QB | LSU

For the longest time now, it’s seemed Tua Tagovailoa was written into this spot with permanent marker. But Burrow’s performance so far this season has launched him into the No. 1 overall conversation, while a hip injury has ended Tagovailoa’s season. Burrow looks like the real deal in every way.

2. Washington Redskins | Chase Young | EDGE | Ohio State

Another franchise in disarray, Washington needs to add as much talent as possible, regardless of position. They already have their quarterback of the future in Dwayne Haskins, so they need impact players elsewhere on both sides of the ball. Young is a monster of a pass rusher with all size, athleticism and technique to be a dominant player at the next level.

3. New York Giants | Jerry Jeudy | WR | Alabama

Offensive tackle is a bigger need and a more premium position, but GM Dave Gettleman has proven he’s willing to go for the dynamic playmaker over the pick that seems to make more sense. Jeudy is an explosive pass-catcher and the most polished route-runner in college football.

4. Miami Dolphins | Tua Tagovailoa | QB | Alabama

After his season-ending hip injury, Tagovailoa is obviously the biggest wild-card in this year’s class. He’s since had successful surgery, and is expected to make a full recovery. That being the case, I’m leaving him in this spot for now. If his recovery has any setbacks that cause him to miss key workouts leading up to the draft, his stock could still take a hit.

5. New York Jets | Andrew Thomas | OT | Georgia

If Sam Darnold is ever going to develop into the franchise quarterback the Jets drafted him to be, he’ll need a franchise left tackle to keep him upright. Thomas is the best of a deep class, and would be an immediate upgrade for New York.

Ohio State vs. Penn State 2019 football Preview And Prediction

Ohio State is all set to host a big one against a top ten Penn State squad on Saturday and we’ve got your preview and prediction.

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Records

Ohio State (10-0), Penn State (9-1)

Broadcast, TV, Game Time

Date: Saturday, November 23
Game Time: Noon ET
Network: FOX
Venue: Ohio Stadium – Capacity: 104,944
All-Time Series: Ohio State leads 19-14
Last Meeting: Ohio State defeated Penn State 27-26 in 2018


All the games matter, it’s what makes college football so special, but some games matter just a little more. For Ohio State, it’s been business as usual for the first ten games of the season, but now the real fun begins.

Penn State comes to town on Saturday for another highly touted matchup which will basically decide the Big Ten East champion. With a win, the Buckeyes clinch the division crown. Should the Nittany Lions pull the upset,  they’d still need to take care of Rutgers in the season finale which wouldn’t be much of a problem.

Penn State has become somewhat of a secondary rivalry to TTUN and has provided much more drama in the past few seasons than the Maize and Blue. In 2016, it was PSU pulling the upset with a blocked field goal in the final moments of the game. The 2017 and 2018 editions saw two of the most epic comebacks in Buckeye history.

The stakes are high once again this year. So much so, ESPN’s College Game Day will be in town, along with FOX’s Big Noon Kick crew and BTN’s Tailgate pregame show. You know something special is in the air when all three converge on the same scene.

Will the Buckeye’s finally be tested or steamroll another opponent on their way to the College Football Playoff? Let’s take a closer look.

Next … The game plan

Giants select Chase Young in latest Sports Illustrated mock draft

In their latest 2020 mock draft, Sports Illustrated has the New York Giants selecting Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young.

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The New York Giants would select No. 3 overall in the 2020 NFL Draft if the regular season were end today. They also have roughly a 10% chance to land the No. 1 overall pick, but the highest odds have them remaining at No. 3.

Based on the current draft order, Sports Illustrated released their latest mock draft on Wednesday and had Big Blue making a substantial improvement with the selection of Ohio State edge rusher Chase Young.

3. New York Giants: Chase Young, EDGE, Ohio State

Despite serving a two-game suspension for accepting a loan, Young remains the top prospect on my big board as well as the vast majority of draft analyst big boards. Dave Gettleman passed on Kentucky’s Josh Allen in the 2019 draft due to his “full-blown love” for Daniel Jones, but he gets a do-over this year as Chase Young falls into his lap.

Building upon his productivity down the stretch last season with Nick Bosa sidelined, Young has been absolutely dominant this season with 13.5 sacks in just eight games. The Giants rank just 26 in team pass rush win rate and their most productive pass-rusher (Markus Golden, 6.5 sacks) is slated to become an unrestricted free agent next offseason.

The Giants land a much-needed defensive playmaker in this scenario with the Cincinnati Bengals selecting LSU quarterback Joe Burrow and the Washington Redskins selecting Georgia offensive tackle Andrew Thomas, who could be another top target for Big Blue.

The top five rounds out with Alabama quarterback Tua Tagovailoa going to the Miami Dolphins at No. 4 overall and Alabama wide receiver Jerry Jeudy going to the New York Jets at No. 5 overall.

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Chase Young suspension officially two games – back for Penn State

Ohio State defensive end Chase Young will sit a total of two games, will be back for Penn State per a release from the University.

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Great news, Buckeye fans, Chase Young has been freed! We now know that his suspension for borrowing money from a family friend to fly his girlfriend to the Rose Bowl will be two games.

It was confirmed that Young did pay the entire loan back and that he was cooperative with the NCAA investigation, but rules are rules and so a two game suspension seems fair as the current set of rules are written.

With the NCAA looking to allow student athletes to be paid for their name and likeness, this may not be an issue in the future, but for now we can live with the best defensive player in the country missing Maryland and Rutgers. A rested Young will look to reign fire on Penn State and Michigan.

Of course, not everyone is happy about Chase Young only getting a two game suspension. Former Wolverine, Desmond Howard weighed in on the situation and lets just say, he’s not all that happy.

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Regardless of how you feel, Chase Young will be back for Penn State and beyond as the Buckeyes look to capture a Big Ten and National Championship.

Here is the statement and release from Ohio State.

The NCAA has concluded its review of The Ohio State University Department of Athletics’ reinstatement request for student-athlete Chase Young, and it has determined that Young should be withheld from playing in one additional game before being eligible to resume competition. Young was withheld from Ohio State’s Nov. 9 game against Maryland while the department looked into and reported a possible NCAA issue from 2018. Young will also miss Ohio State’s Nov. 16 game against Rutgers in Piscataway, N.J.

“I want to thank and express my sincere gratitude to university staff members who worked so diligently and expertly to learn and understand the facts, and then to report these facts to the NCAA as part of our request to have Chase reinstated,” Gene Smith, Ohio State Senior Vice President and Wolfe Foundation Endowed Athletics Director, said. “This is the example of the culture of compliance we have at Ohio State.

“I also want to commend Chase Young and let him know how proud we are of him. He took responsibility for his actions, cooperated throughout the process and understood and accepted that there would be consequences. He’s a team captain and a leader and most importantly, a Buckeye. He wanted nothing more than an opportunity to play again and we’re pleased that he’ll get that chance.”

Ohio State had requested immediate reinstatement on behalf of Young in its formal report to the NCAA.

 “I appreciate the expediency to which the NCAA reviewed and responded to our request for reinstatement,” Smith said. “We felt that based on the circumstances, the NCAA would use its leadership capacity to take an understanding approach on behalf of all student-athletes who find themselves in a similar position, and it certainly did just that.”