Tag: Larry Johnson

Knicks fans loved alumni like Carmelo Anthony celebrating a playoff win at Madison Square Garden

This was an AWESOME atmosphere in New York.

During New York’s comeback victory against the Philadelphia 76ers on Monday night, some of the greatest Knicks of all time attended.

A few of the most legendary players to ever suit up in the history of the franchise all went to Madison Square Garden for Game 2 of the opening round against the 76ers in the Eastern Conference postseason.

That includes Carmelo Anthony, John Starks, Latrell Sprewell, Larry Johnson, Tim Thomas, and more. All of these New York legends helped create an amazing playoff atmosphere on Monday night.

Their presence helped get the fans excited but the former players, who created an Alumni Row of sorts, seemed thrilled as well.

Folks seemed genuinely thrilled to have these familiar faces back in the building.

Some of the best moments from New York

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Ohio State football coach Larry Johnson responds to negative recruiting against him

LJ keeps it real with recruits. #GoBucks

It has been a common theme for Ohio State football recruiting opponents to use defensive line coach, [autotag]Larry Johnson[/autotag]’s age, and potential retirement as a negative recruiting ploy.

As we all have seen, Johnson hasn’t retired and doesn’t plan on going anywhere aside from the Woody Hayes Athletic Center for the time being. The Hall of Fame coach met with the media on Tuesday and the throng asked him about others teams selling recruits false information.

Johnson spoke about telling the truth to recruits, he’s chasing greatness with his players, not money. He’s not going to lure a prospect to Columbus and then retire, that is not his style.

It’s great to see Johnson being adamant about staying in Columbus, coaching the Buckeye defensive line and developing young ment.

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Report: Ohio State 5-star defensive end visiting other schools

Not great news for the Bucks

It has been a rough early finish for Ohio State and its 2024 recruiting class 5-star prospects.

We have already seen defensive tackle Justin Scott flip to Miami, while wide receiver Jeremiah Smith, continues to take visits. You can now add defensive end [autotag]Eddrick Houston[/autotag] to that list.

According to 247Sports Steve Wiltfong, the No. 26 prospect in the country according to the 247Sports Composite Rankings, is taking official visits this weekend to Clemson and Alabama. There are rumors surrounding the status of defensive line coach [autotag]Larry Johnson[/autotag] and a potential retirement, which could be the reason why Houston could be wavering on his verbal pledge.

Nothing concrete has been announced about Johnson’s future, so Houston could just be covering his bases. Either way, this is something to monitor as the early signing period is quickly approaching, starting on Tuesday the 20th.

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Social media reactions to Ohio State missing out on 5-star Dylan Stewart

Not great, Bob #GoBucks

The 2024 [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] football class was supposed to bring in multiple high-level defensive ends after missing out on their top targets in the 2023 cycle.

Once again, that has not happened as on Tuesday, the Buckeyes missed out on yet another top target, this time Washington, D.C. defensive end [autotag]Dylan Stewart[/autotag], who choose South Carolina over Ohio State.

It’s another bad look for defensive line coach [autotag]Larry Johnson[/autotag], who, although has a 5-star commit in Justin Scott, has missed out on many of his top targets at edge rusher. Let’s take a look at some of the X, the website formerly known as Twitter, reactions to Ohio State missing out on Stewart.

How good is Ohio State’s 2024 defensive line? 247Sports has an answer

Just how good is Larry Johnson’s group? #GoBucks

Entering the 2023 season, [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] is one of just a few schools that should contend for one of the four [autotag]College Football Playoff [/autotag] berths.

One of the reasons why is due to the talent that the Buckeyes return on their defensive line, the group coached by legend, [autotag]Larry Johnson[/autotag]. Multiple contributors headlined by [autotag]Mike Hall[/autotag], [autotag]J.T. Tuimoloau[/autotag], and [autotag]Jack Sawyer[/autotag] make up one of the best groups in the country, but how good are they?

Brad Crawford of 247Sports tried to answer that question by ranking the top 10 defensive lines across the country and came to the conclusion that the Buckeyes group trails just one other, Georgia’s.

The rationale is fairly simple, Crawford believes that “this unit could go next level and potentially be tops in the country if Hall and Sawyer continue their development as every-down threats.”

There will be two factors for that statement to come true. With Hall, it’s all about his health. If the big defensive tackle can stay on the field, he’s a true difference maker (see above).

For Sawyer, it’s about remembering who he was in high school. Playing the Jack position last year wasn’t the best idea, because he was a square peg trying to fit into a round hole. Sawyer’s move back to defensive end hopefully unlocks his 5-star potential (see below).

If both of those things happen, then Crawford is spot on with his assessment that the Buckeyes have one of the best defensive lines units in the country.

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BOOM! Ohio State adds 2024 5-star Illinois defensive tackle

A big BOOM on Sunday evening! #GoBucks

Fireworks for the [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] football team didn’t need to wait until Tuesday; they happened Sunday night.

Illinois five-star defensive tackle [autotag]Justin Scott[/autotag] made up his mind and selected the Buckeyes. Many thought Ohio State was running third for the 6-foot, 4-inch, 310-pound pass rusher. But OSU must have made quite the impression last time he was on campus.

Scott is an elite prospect. He is the No. 3 defensive tackle and No. 14 player overall on the 247Sports composite. The Buckeyes beat Miami (Florida) and Michigan to add yet another top-level recruit from the Land of Lincoln.

His pledge gives the 2024 Ohio State recruiting class 17 commitments, and it remains No. 2 on the 247Sports team composite.

This recruiting win is a massive one, especially considering how the Buckeyes finished last cycle missing on their top targets. Scott gives defensive line coach [autotag]Larry Johnson[/autotag] an impact defensive tackle to terrorize opposing quarterbacks.

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Ohio State 2024 Illinois defensive end target to announce commitment on Monday

Is a BOOM coming Monday?!? #GoBucks

The dominoes of the official visit season are starting to fall and [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] is looking to capitalize on its efforts during that time.

One of the priority prospects is Illinois 2024 defensive end [autotag]Marquise Lightfoot[/autotag]. The 6-foot, 5-inch, 225 pound edge rusher officially visited Columbus in early July and then he trimmed his list down with Ohio State making the cut.

Nothing has changed in that regard, as all of them are still favoring the Buckeyes and Lightfoot now has decided when he will make his verbal commitment this coming Monday and choose from six different schools.

The No. 68 overall player and 6th ranked edge defender told me earlier this year that the draw to Ohio State had a lot to do with defensive line coach [autotag]Larry Johnson[/autotag].

If Lightfoot commits to the Buckeyes, they will add an extremely high-level pass rusher and keep the Illinois to Columbus pipeline open. He’ll be choosing between OSU, Alabama, Illinois, Georgia, Miami (FL), and USC.

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Georgia 2024 5-star defensive lineman crystal balled to Ohio State

Big if true #GoBucks

One of the best prospects in the country was visiting [autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] this weekend, 2024 Georgia defensive end [autotag]Eddrick Houston[/autotag].

The 6-foot, 3-inch and 255 pound pass rusher already seemed to be favoring the Buckeyes but his official looks to have really put Ohio State in the drivers seat in his recruitment.

247Sports Ohio State insider Bill Kurelic followed suit from a week ago and joined Steve Wiltfong in predicting that Houston will commit to the Buckeyes.

Houston is rated as the 4th best defensive end and 19th overall player in the 2024 recruiting class according to the 247Sports composite rankings. He is set to make his verbal commitment on August 22nd.

Houston still currently has a visit to Alabama on his schedule but Kurelic goes on to say that it might not happen. If he is indeed correct in the trip getting canceled along with Houston’s impending verbal, it would be a massive recruiting win for defensive line coach [autotag]Larry Johnson[/autotag] and head coach [autotag]Ryan Day[/autotag].

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Ohio State offers top 2025 Pennsylvania defensive lineman

The Buckeyes are going after a top 2025 defensive lineman #GoBucks

[autotag]Ohio State[/autotag] is always looking for the best talent in its  region and has found a 2025 prospect from Pennsylvania that fits the mold.

Defensive lineman [autotag]Maxwell Roy[/autotag], who stands 6 feet, 4 inches and weighs 265 pounds, was offered by the Buckeyes’ staff on Monday morning. The huge lineman already holds 13 other offers, including USC, Penn State and Georgia.

Roy is ranked the No. 20 defensive lineman and the 185th overall player in the country according to the 247Sports composite. He has not made many college visits to this point, but that will change in the coming months as his recruitment heats up.

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It seems defensive line coach [autotag]Larry Johnson[/autotag] is behind Roy’s recruitment. In the 2025 class, the Buckeyes have one commitment, cornerback Jontae Gilbert.

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Penn State’s all-time first-round NFL draft picks

Every Penn State football player ever drafted in the first round of the NFL draft in school history.

In the history of the NFL draft, only a handful of schools have had more players drafted by NFL franchises than Penn State. The Nittany Lions have sent over 360 players through the NFL draft over the years, and that number continues to climb every year. And when it comes to first-round picks, Penn State has had a solid number of those as well, including some top draft picks.

Lenny Moore, arguably the best player in Penn State football history, is appropriately the first player in program history to be selected by an NFL franchise in the NFL draft. Since then, Penn State players have been selected in the first round numerous times through the decades with players like Shane Conlan, Blair Thomas, Ki-Jana Carter, LaVar Arrington, Saquon Barkley, and Micah Parsons.

Here is a look at every first-round NFL draft pick in Penn State history, starting with the first.