Tag: Steele Chambers

Detroit Lions to sign Steele Chambers as undrafted free agent

Chambers will be invited to a camp to show what he can do. #GoBucks

We continue to keep an eye on the news that comes out with former Ohio State players signing as undrafted free agents after the conclusion of the 2024 NFL draft, one in which just four Buckeyes heard their name called.

The latest is some sourcing that linebacker Steele Chambers will be signing up in enemy territory with the Detroit Lions as an UFA.

Chambers didn’t have the same production in 2023 that we saw previous, but he still has the skills and ability to play in today’s defensive schemes in the NFL. He can run and defend in space, and those are desired traits in the NFL these days.

Though many mock drafts had Chambers going in the later rounds, he didn’t ultimately get the call and will now have to work his way through the hard way, as an invite with a contract to rookie camp.

We’ll keep an eye on how Chambers does in Detroit and what’s next for his career.

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

Saints linked to a 2024 draft linebacker at Ohio State pro day

The Saints were linked to a 2024 draft linebacker at Ohio State’s pro day. Steele Chambers could be a good pick to help replace Zack Baun:

Here’s an interesting draft prospect. The New Orleans Saints had dinner with Ohio State linebacker Steele Chambers before his pro day workout on Wednesday, per Sportskeeda’s Tony Pauline. New Orleans signed free agent linebacker Willie Gay to push Pete Werner for snaps but they could use more help with multiple players hitting free agency.

So what’s the story here? Chambers doesn’t fit the athletic thresholds the Saints have maintained at the position. He weighed in at 6-foot-flat and just 226 pounds with 30.5-inch arms at the NFL Scouting Combine, posting pedestrian numbers in the jumps and agility drills, without timing the 40-yard dash until his pro day (where he was clocked in the 4.6 to 4.65 range by scouts in attendance, per 11 Warriors’ Dan Hope). As fate would have it, Buckeyes linebackers coach James Laurinaitis, who briefly played for the Saints, conducted drills for Chambers at the school’s pro day.

While those numbers aren’t strong enough to get him drafted by the Saints early on, they shouldn’t eliminate him altogether. Chambers is projected to be picked in the the last few rounds of the 2024 NFL draft, and that’s generally where teams like New Orleans start to make exceptions for players they like who don’t hit their athletic targets in these drills.

And there’s a lot to like with Chambers. He’s only played linebacker for three years after spending his first two seasons in Columbus at running back, but he’s already totaled more than 1,700 career snaps across 39 games on defense. He has some ball skills with four career interceptions.

Importantly for the Saints, Chambers has played plenty of snaps on special teams. He’s ran with the return and coverage squads on both punts and kickoffs as well as the field goal block team. Zack Baun was a key player on special teams for New Orleans and they need to replace him, among others, in that capacity. Nephi Sewell won’t be ready for training camp after suffering a torn ACL in December, and other special teamers like Andrew Dowell, Ty Summers, and Ryan Connelly are all free agents. Maybe Chambers can win a role in the kicking game before developing into a quality backup. We’ll see where he ends up in April’s draft.

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2024 NFL draft: 6 defensive players for Chargers to watch at East-West Shrine Bowl

Here are six defensive players to keep an eye on for the Chargers at the East-West Shrine Bowl.

Draft season kicks into high gear next week, with both the East-West Shrine Bowl and Reese’s Senior Bowl scheduled to be played in the following days. These events are widely regarded as the official beginning of draft season for NFL teams and media.

Here are six defensive players to keep an eye on for the Chargers in Frisco, TX.

Ohio State loses linebacker to NFL who could have returned for another season

Good luck Steele!

It’s not just the transfer portal where Ohio State football is losing players to, the NFL draft is grabbing them as well.

On Tuesday afternoon, senior linebacker [autotag]Steele Chambers[/autotag] decided to forgo his remaining season of eligibility and enter the draft according to his instagram. He spend five seasons in Columbus, improving his tackles in each of them. What didn’t improve was his impact plays, as this past season he failed to register a sack although he did pick off a pass.

With Chambers leaving, it makes two major contributors to the linebacker room, along with Tommy Eichenberg, leaving the program. The Buckeyes expect to have Cody Simon returning, so the cupboard isn’t bare.

We wish Steele the best at the next level.

Contact/Follow @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter), and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes, and opinion. Follow Michael Chen on X.

Ohio State statistical leaders through three games

These guys in particular could be a problem Saturday.

I admit that I probably should leave something like this to the folks overs at Buckeyes Wire. Then again, that’s the whole idea behind the College Wire sites. Every site has something unique to offer, and Fighting Irish Wire is no exception. We encourage you to check out all sites to get your college sports fix, particularly at this time of year when college football is reigning supreme throughout the land.

Now that the shameless plugging is out of the way, let’s talk about why you really clicked on this link. You want to see which Ohio State players are most likely to give Notre Dame problems in one of the most anticipated college football games of the year. These are the players who are most likely to stop a resurgent start to the season for the Irish in its tracks. You probably will see a few of them in the NFL soon.

If you aren’t familiar with these Buckeyes yet, get yourself familiar with them right now:

Pair of Ohio State linebackers make Butkus preseason watch list

You have to think Tommy Eichenberg has a good shot at this one. #GoBucks

One of the most prestigious college football awards is the Butkus Award, presented annually to the best linebacker in the country. Ohio State has had two players honored by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando since the award’s inception in 1985, and it has a chance at adding to that in 2023.

Andy Katzenmoyer won the Butkus in 1997, and then James Laurinaitis added the award to his very full trophy case for his exploits on the field in 2007.

This year, Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers will be looking to make it a third Buckeye after they both appeared on the Butkus preseason watch list on Thursday.

We’ll continue to keep you up to speed on the Buckeyes that make all of the preseason college football award watch lists as they are made available.

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

Five Ohio State defenders poised for a breakout 2023 season

Who makes the leap for the Buckeye defense this year? #GoBucks

After looking at which [autotag]Ohio State football[/autotag] offensive players are primed for a breakout, it is time to give the other side of the ball the same treatment.

There are questions on this side of the ball for the Buckeyes, but they still return major contributors like defensive end J.T. Tuimoloua, and linebackers Tommy Eichenberg and [autotag]Steele Chambers[/autotag].

Defensive coordinator [autotag]Jim Knowles[/autotag] is entering his second year at the position and there should be a jump in production from players for multiple reasons, such as experience in the system. Find out which five players I believe are going to explode on the scene in 2023.

Top three outside linebackers in the Big Ten in 2023

Steele Chamber makes our list of top outside linebackers #GoBucks #B1G

We recently discussed that the Big Ten was full of elite inside linebackers, but the outside linebacker position was a bit more scarce for talent. Ohio State has another stud that should continue to ride the momentum of their impressive 2022 season into 2023 and the Penn State Nittany Lions have another dynamic linebacker and another young back waiting to explode this season as well.

It is comforting that we have dove into defensive end, defensive tackle, inside linebacker and now outside linebacker and a Buckeye has made every single list, but it is also interesting that there have been so many Penn State representatives as well. Let’s dive into the top three outside linebackers in the Big Ten.

Two Ohio State players injured and out for rest of spring practice

Out for spring, but should be back for preseason camp. #GoBucks

We hate to see it, but injuries are part of the game. With only a week until the annual spring game, Ohio State will be without starting linebacker Steele Chambers and jack-of-all-trades, Xavier Johnson, the rest of the way.

Chambers was seen using crutches and Johnson was in a walking boot toward the end of the week. Ryan Day confirmed the news but with a silver lining. Day believes both players will be ready to go heading into the season.

Speaking on the injury to Chambers, Day had this to say.

“He’ll be back. He’ll have a procedure done and should have a pretty good summer.” – Ryan Day on Steele Chambers injury

With both starting linebackers out for the spring now, several backups will get a chance to shine and show their worth. … Most notably five-star recruit C.J. Hicks. However, it also opens the door for guys such as Gabe Powers and Reid Carrico.

As for Johnson, it sounds like his injury is a little more severe, but nothing to worry about.

“Xavier is probably a little bit longer, but still, we’ll have him for the summer. It’s not going to be something that’s going to affect him in the preseason.” – Ryan Day speaking on Xavier Johnson’s injury

It’s good to hear that neither injury looks to be long term. Both Chambers and Johnson played pivotal roles in the Buckeye’s run to the College Football Playoff last season. Chambers had the second most tackles on the team with 77 and Johnson had explosive plays in key moments while contributing three touchdowns.

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Current Ohio State outside linebackers and their 247Sports rankings

Current Ohio State Outside Linebackers and their 247Sports rankings #GoBucks

The Ohio State football team has eight linebackers on scholarship, but six of these prospects arrived on campus with bonafide outside linebacker designated rankings on 247Sports. Now the Ohio State scheme only has two linebackers and the rotation for both is likely going to be fluid, but to keep things simple I just wanted to recap the six that were rated as outside backers.

The star of the outside group is Steele Chambers who was debating whether or not to declare for the NFL, but has elected to return in an attempt to raise his draft stock. The funny part is that Chambers was actually recruited as a running back before making the positional switch two seasons ago, but it’s time to dive into what this unit was ranked.