Highlights, stats, of all four Ohio State players from the Reese’s Senior Bowl

Four Ohio State players took part in the on-field action during the Reese’s Senior Bowl. Here are highlights and stats of all four.

In case you missed it, there was a college football game today — well, sort of. It was really a glorified scrimmage for a bunch of seniors, their last opportunity to make a mark and improve their stock for the upcoming 2021 NFL draft. Included among those participating on the field in the Reese’s Senior Bowl were four Ohio State players. Three linebackers, including Tuf Borland, Justin Hilliard, and Baron Browning, as well as defensive end Jonathon Cooper all got a little time to shine.

And each did pretty well with some flashes of some of that skill and effort that made them all an integral part of the Ohio State football team this past season.

So how did each do? Here are some highlights and final stats for each of the four. Each made Buckeye Nation proud in their own way.

All five Ohio State players taking part in the Reese’s Senior Bowl weigh-in numbers, career stats

Five Ohio State football players are a part 0f the Reese’s Senior Bowl this week. Here are their official weigh-in numbers and career stats.

You may have taken a break from the good ‘ole game of American football after Ohio State lost the national championship game to Alabama just over a week ago. And for that, we don’t blame you.

However, the end of the football season never seems to be the end of the football season as we still have the NFL playoffs and the last-ditch senior games for college football like the Reeses’ Senior Bowl.

And it’s that where we step in to remind you that there are five Ohio State football seniors taking part in all the festivities down in the Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama in hopes of improving their NFL draft stock.

Those five players officially weighed in yesterday morning to begin going through workouts. Here are all five and what their weigh-in numbers and season stats look like because we are geeks and like numbers.

Sugar Bowl key matchup: Ohio State linebackers versus Travis Etienne

We look at one of the key matchups for the Sugar Bowl between Ohio State and Clemson. Travis Etienne versus the Ohio State linebackers.

As we work our way through some of the key matchups between Ohio State and Clemson, one that could be bigger than most are expecting is that between Travis Etienne and the Ohio State linebackers. The Buckeyes have not pretty good against the run, and if the team can slow down Trevor Lawrence, Etienne will be the next offensive player the Tigers will lean on.

Etienne is a dynamic running back who has the speed to beat most defensive players to the edge. He has improved his receiving and is a threat to take one “to the house” if he can spring free. Where Etienne has issues is between the tackles, patience, and vision. If a hole opens, Etienne can hit it and go. If a hole takes a moment to develop he can get impatient waiting for something to develop.

Baron Browning and Pete Werner will be tasked with getting to the edges before Etienne. Browning has the ability to get to roam the field but will have to make sure he wraps up Etienne who has good balance to take a hit and keep going. In coverage, Browning matches up best with Etienne in terms of athleticism. Where Browning can struggle is sometimes getting impatient and taking himself out of position.

Ohio State football leads Penn State at half thanks to a quick start
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Werner is more of a hard-hitting linebacker who will have to use scheme to get him to the edge and force Etienne to cut back between the tackles. Werner can play the flats in the zone well if Clemson wants to use Etienne in the screen game. Using him deeper in coverage can be an advantage to Clemson, so finding ways to minimize this mismatch will be key to Ryan Day and staff.

If Ohio State can force Etienne inside, that leaves Tuf Borland with the duty of filling a gap and stopping Etienne. Borland can hit hard but will need to do better wrapping up Etienne who tends to let defensive players not get clean hits on him. Borland has the instincts to find the ball and fill the gap even if he is not the biggest or fastest linebacker.

Of course, we also have to mention Justin Hilliard, who is coming on as of late. He has the skill set and athleticism to play any position and he’s going to flash and be asked to play an important role as well.

Etienne versus the linebackers will help keep Clemson and Trevor Lawrence one dimensional. The key will be keeping Etienne between the tackles and not letting him get his acceleration up. Team tackling will be vital and it all starts with the linebackers wrapping up should Etienne get to the second level.

Ohio State’s bowl history over the past 20 years

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Two Ohio State players accept invite to Senior Bowl

Two Ohio State players have already accepted an invite to the Reese’s Senior Bowl in Mobile, Alabama. They’ve got an opportunity to rise.

Two Ohio State football players have accepted invites to the Reese’s Senior Bowl, a showcase for players who have completed college eligibility. It is held in Mobile, Alabama, and is considered the start of the NFL Draft season.

The bowl is a great way for players to show off their skills against other top draft targets, and while guys at the top of the draft may not play in it, it can help players jump up in the draft.

If you’ll remember, now a superstar receiver with Washington, former Ohio State receiver Terry McLaurin made a name for himself in the game and it began his rise up the draft boards.

Reese’s Senior Bowl has started making announcements today and two Buckeyes were already announced. The first player was linebacker Tuf Borland.

Currently, Borland is a middle-round prospect, but a good showing at the Senior Bowl could certainly help him jump up the draft. He has been quietly good this season and the decision to play in the bowl game should showcase his abilities.

The second player announced was Trey Sermon.

Sermon has not been able to show what many thought he would this season and a trip to the bowl would certainly help his case to be a middle to late-round pick. There will be more to come, but for now, these are the two Buckeyes that have accepted and are headed to Mobile, Alabama.

Go get ’em boys.

Nineteen Buckeyes grade out as Champions against Rutgers

Ohio State announced nineteen players that graded out as champions for the game against Rutgers. It also named its Players of the Game.

After every game of the Ohio State football season, the coaching staff goes back through the tape and grades performances. It’s crucial feedback for development, and the grade all players strive for is to be named champions for the week.

Generally speaking, the more players that receive champion grades, the better the team did, but it doesn’t always correlate.

Ohio State released the names of the champions for the game against Rutgers along with the Players of the Game, and we’re just passing it along. This week, after the 49-27 win against the Scarlet Knights, nineteen players graded out as champions.

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Here is the complete list including Players of the Week:

Offense: RB Master Teague, TE Jeremy Ruckert, TE Luke Farrell, WR Chris Olave, WR Garrett Wilson, WR Jameson Williams, WR Jaxon Smith-Njigba, LT Thayer Munford

Players of the Game: QB Justin Fields and RT Nicholas Petit-Frere

Defense: DT Tommy Togiai, DE Tyler Friday, DE Javontae Jean-Baptiste, DE Jonathon Cooper, LB Justin Hilliard, CB Shaun Wade, CB Sevyn Banks, SAF Josh Proctor

Player of the Game: LB Tuf Borland

Special Teams Player of the Game: LB Tuf Borland

Scout Team Players of the Week: Darrion Henry-Young, Ryan Batsch, Sam Wiglusz, Jakob James

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Five keys to Ohio State winning big over Rutgers

Ohio State is set to host Greg Schiano and the Rutgers Scarlet Knights Saturday night. Here are five keys to winning big in prime time.

Most people think that Ohio State will win easily against Rutgers this week in Columbus. While I believe that is pretty accurate, there are five keys to winning big that will reign supreme over all the other reasons. Rutgers is probably better than most are giving them credit for, but it is still not on the same level as Ohio State.

That’s not saying that head coach Greg Schiano will make a difference in culture — and ultimately — results on the field, it’s simply to early to expect enough momentum to make this that competitive of a game, or so we think.

Still, Ohio State can’t just step off the bus and roll their helmets on the field. Each opponent must be taken seriously, and so it is Saturday night as well. With that in mind, here are five keys to Ohio State winning big over Rutgers.

Key One: Justin Fields playing within the game

Ohio State uses quick start to lead Penn State at halftime

Ohio State leads Penn State at halftime thanks to a stout defense and a quick start on offense.

It’s halftime in Happy Valley and Ohio State leads 21-6 after a bit of a bizarre ending to the half. But more on that later.

Ohio State came out swinging in the first quarter with a huge run on the first play by Garrett Wilson. Chris Olave later made a huge catch of a Justin Fields pass in the endzone for a touchdown to put OSU up by two scores.

Before all the fun tonight, we discussed some keys to the game and one of them was mistakes by Penn State. The first was Franklin going for it on fourth down in his own territory (and losing that battle), and another was mass confusion by the Nittany Lion defense on third down that resulted in a touchdown.

The game flattened out a little early in the second quarter as Penn State settled down on defense. The offense continued to struggle for the Nittany Lions as the playcalling was heavy on getting Sean Clifford going in the run game, both designed and running-for-your-life type of scenarios.

On offense, the Buckeyes seem to want to force the run with the tailbacks, and it is just not consistent yet. Hopefully, we’ll see that heat up in the second half.

The Buckeyes got Trey Sermon and Jeremy Rucker involved in the passing game and scored a third touchdown. The defense held and put Ohio State firmly in control of the game. Adjustments will be made, but the OSU may just have too much.

A strange call at the end of the half gave Penn State a field goal attempt that gave it some momentum heading into the locker room. It was the second questionable call that allowed two field goals and all the scoring for the Nittany Lions in the first half. Something to watch for in the second half.

The offensive line has been fantastic and has controlled the front for Ohio State. Equally impressive has been the defensive line getting off their blocks and controlling the gaps. Tuf Borland has been great in coverage and diagnosing screen passes, which has seemed to throw a wrench in the Penn State game plan.

Hopefully, the momentum Penn State seemed to grab with a field goal courtesy of a very slow clock operator in the stadium won’t parlay to more momentum in the second half. OSU will need to start the second half much like it did the first and put this one away.

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Ohio State players share unifying message in support of university’s COVID-19 efforts

Many Ohio State football players released a unifying message of support on Twitter in relation to OSU’s COVID-19 response and measures.

If you’ve been following the news of the past week, you’ve no doubt seen a group of Pac-12 players unify in concerns about safety precautions taking place during the COVID-19 pandemic and a potential return to play.

Big Ten players also followed suit with a “Unity Proposal” outlining a desire for additional measures and concerns just after the conference released a revised conference-only schedule on Wednesday.

And while that’s all well and good and who can really blame them during these extraordinary times, some Ohio State players responded with their own message in support of the university with what protocols and practices have been put in place in Columbus.

Players like Jonathon Cooper and Tuf Borland began sharing a collaborative statement from many of the Buckeye players that provides overwhelming support and confidence for what is happening within the program when it comes to player safety and measures to keep them safe.

Perhaps one of the most striking parts of the statement comes in fourth paragraph of the crafted response.

“It has been said that college athletes are being “‘exploited'” not only in the stated letter but also in the media,” reads the statement in part. “We recognize that there are risks, but we have all chosen to be here and want the chance to play this fall. We know that there is still a long way to go as plans continue to change everyday, but we have a consistent voice in the discussion.”

You can read the entire statement below, but it is clear that a lot of the Ohio State football players feel empowered on both sides, and that many of them want to compete this fall.

On a Zoom call with reporters on Thursday, Ryan Day reiterated his support for the student-athletes to have a voice in this whole thing, and it appears as though they are doing just that. There are many that don’t feel safe, and that’s okay, but clearly there are some that want to compete in the worst way.

There’s no right or wrong, but the other side of this is that there are many that are looking forward to the season.

 

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Ohio State football names seven captains for 2020 season

The Ohio State football team announced seven captains for the upcoming 2020 season. Justin Fields, Tuf Borland, and others are among them.

Ohio State announced its captains for the 2020 football season on Tuesday via a teleconference call with reporters. Offensive lineman Wyatt Davis, linebacker Tuf Borland, cornerback Shaun Wade, linebacker Justin Hilliard, quarterback Justin Fields, defensive end Jonathon Cooper, and offensive lineman Josh Myers have all been named by their peers as captains for what should be an interesting football season.

For Borland, it’s the third time he’s been named captain, joining former quarterback J.T. Barrett as the only three-time captain in Ohio State history.

Cooper is the other multiple-year captain, having been named twice now. He is back after getting another year of eligibility after redshirting last year. He is expected to be a leader of a young, yet talented defensive line this fall.

The rest of the group are all first-time captains at OSU, an honor that will follow them for the rest of their lives.

We are still waiting for when the season will officially kick (if at all) off after the Big Ten announced a 10-game conference only schedule. According to multiple reports a decision and schedule should be coming in the next day or two, so stay tuned.

 

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Three Ohio State linebackers selected to Butkus preseason watch list

Ohio State linebackers Tuf Borland, Baron Browning, and Pete Werner have all been named to the Butkus Award preseason watch list.

We continue to get the preseason college football watch lists hit the news cycle for all the awards. We’ve already seen several Ohio State players make several of the lists, and now we have three more with the release of the preseason Butkus Award watch list..

Tuf Borland, Baron Browning, and Pete Werner are all a part of the names announced Monday by the Downtown Athletic Club of Orlando to keep an eye on. The Butkus Award goes annually to the best linebacker in the country and has been handed out since 1985.

Here are some brief Bios of each provided by the Ohio State athletic department.

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Ohio State has had two Butkus winners in its history. Andy Katzenmoyer won it in 1997, and James Laurinaitis took it home in 2007.

 

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