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Welcome into Real Pod Wednesdays.

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Dan Hope joined by Andy Anders as we are
now less than one week away from the start

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of Ohio State football spring practice.

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Andy, are you excited to see the Buckeyes
on the practice field again?

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Oh, absolutely, Dan.

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I mean, I've been raving about what this
defense could be.

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I think everyone's excited about what this
defense could be, and I'm excited to see

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them get out there and challenge this
offense to get better, especially the

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offensive line.

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I think there's a number of interesting
storylines, a number of interesting

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position battles here as we enter the
spring.

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And, you know, I'm just excited as always
to get out and watch some football, you

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know, as you know, it's been a.

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A few weeks since the Super Bowl now, I'm
already starting to miss it again, you

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know?

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So I'm excited to get back out there.

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Yes, certainly a no shortage of intrigue
going into the spring.

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And I think a lot of that has to do with
the moves Ohio State made over the past

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couple of months to bolster its roster for
the 2024 season.

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And that certainly starts with the six
players that Ohio State has added through

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the transfer portal.

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Those being former Alabama safety, Caleb
Downs, former Kansas state quarterback,

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Will Howard, former Ole Miss running back,
Quinshawn Judkins, former Alabama center,

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Seth McLaughlin.

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former Ohio tight end, Will Casmeric and
former Alabama quarterback Julian Sayen.

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All six of those guys are going to be
going through spring practices and we

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expect,

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at least four of them, maybe to be
starters

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in, in Caleb downs, Will Howard, Seth
McLaughlin, Quinchon Judkins might not

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necessarily be a starter at running back,
but I think it really doesn't.

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matter, whether Trevion Henderson or
Quinshawn Judkins is the starting running

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back.

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They're both going to play a lot.

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So I consider them co -starters at that
running back position.

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Will Cass Marrick certainly has a chance
to be that starting tight end as well.

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And then Julian Sain is going to be as
interesting as any of them because that,

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that backup quarterback competition is
going to be very interesting.

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I don't think that I have personally
covered a spring practice where a team

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had.

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five quarterbacks going through spring
practice in terms of scholarship

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quarterbacks.

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So that's going to be very interesting to
see how Ohio state manages that situation

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at quarterback, because for starters, you,
you have a new presumed starter and Will

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Howard who has not been with the team.

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So you have to make sure you give him
enough reps to get him ready for his first

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season as a Buckeye.

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But then you also have.

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four other quarterbacks who are going to
be competing and they're going to want a

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chance to prove themselves.

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And you have to strike the right balance
between making sure you give Will Howard

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and the guys who are maybe most likely to
play this season enough reps while also

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trying to keep as many quarterbacks as
possible happy knowing that there's

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another transfer window to come at the end
of spring.

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And that any of those quarterbacks who
don't like where they stand on the depth

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chart at the end of spring may potentially
be inclined to look elsewhere after the

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spring.

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Yeah.

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And not the only position where that could
happen for Ohio state, certainly, but

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certainly the number one position you look
at for that, you know, when you talk

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about, you know, where's Devin Brown going
to stand after this spring?

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Where's Lincoln Keenholds going to stand?

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Where's, you know, all these players that,
you know, there's, there's a lot of

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talent, obviously in that quarterback room
and a lot of guys vying for spots, just

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how quickly do.

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Julian saying, do air Nolan take to the
offense and how quickly can they challenge

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for the backup spot behind Will Howard?

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And I think obviously that readiness, that
like push that they have is going to

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dictate some of how those reps are split
up.

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If Julian saying, or, Aaron Nolan perhaps,
or one of the younger guys is ultimately

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going to win the role.

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I think you probably defer to giving them
more reps if it's close because you know,

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Devin, it's.

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Devin's now in year three here.

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You know, he's behind Will Howard.

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If you're trying to keep him around
another year, maybe, but I, it really

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feels like they're gearing up for either
saying or Nolan to be the quarterback next

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year.

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Right.

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So it just, it feels like this is a
situation where Devin Brown, if he's not a

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cut above where air Nolan and Julian
saying are as first year quarterbacks,

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then, there might not be a lot of reason
to,

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him a lot of reps unless again, you know,
you're expecting him to be that second

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team guy clearly, or even in the
competition for next year, perhaps if he's

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going to stick around for another

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that's the backup quarterback shot, but
there's also plenty of starting spots that

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are going to be in contention for this
spring.

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I think the number one, that I'm
interested in,

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no one's surprise is the offensive line
battles.

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You know, I, uh,

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Love me some offensive line talk.

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We got a lot of intrigue on that right
side.

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That's really where it is pretty
solidified.

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Donovan Jackson is going to be starting
once again at left guard.

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That's obvious.

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Seth McLaughlin brought in to play center.

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while there's the potential for him to
move to guard if they needed it, I think

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really he was brought in after what
happened with Carson Hensman in the Cotton

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Bowl.

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to shore up that spot and provide some
stability on the interior of the line.

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Josh Simmons at left tackle seems like a
lock.

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I know he had some, some bumpy spots in
the last season, but he got better as the

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year went on.

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We've talked about this at length.

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That right side is really where the
intrigue is.

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And does Josh Fryer ultimately end up at
right guard or right tackle.

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And then that will influence the
competition.

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Whoever starts alongside of him.

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that's Luke Montgomery or Tegra Shibola.

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And on the flip side, it could also be
who's ready and where more out of Tegra

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and Luke.

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We expect Luke, Luke to be more of a
tackle right now, although he could slide

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inside.

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Tegra's more of a guard that we think, but
you know, there there's basically who is

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ready where is also going to influence.

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I think where Josh Fryer ultimately ends
up there's kind of a.

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you know, a symbiotic relationship there
of what's Josh's best position, but what

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is where Ohio State needs.

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And so those two young guys are the main
guys to watch.

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But, you know, also maybe Enoch from Mahi
surprises us and getting involved in that

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right guard competition.

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Maybe George Fitzpatrick or some other
name emerges out of nowhere or

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Zinmaholski.

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There's there's guys that there's guys
that have that are veterans too in that

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room that could contend.

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But I think right now we're both expecting
it to mainly boil down to those three on

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the right side.

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Josh Fryer starting somewhere and then how
do Tegra, Shebola and Luke Montgomery fit

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in alongside.

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Yeah.

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I mean, I think that if you're Justin Fry,
it makes sense to give a lot of guys,

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first team reps on that offensive line
this spring because last year wasn't good

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enough for starting five last year wasn't
good enough.

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So, I mean, I think you should approach
the offensive line going into spring is

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it's a competition across the board that
everybody has to go out there and earn

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their jobs because no one on that
offensive line played well enough last

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year.

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to be above reproach.

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So would I be very surprised if Donovan
Jackson is not the starting left guard?

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Yes, I would.

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But I do think that you should go into
spring treating it like it's a competition

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across the board and everybody has to go
earn their jobs because it was the weakest

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position group on the team last year.

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On paper, it looks like the weakest
position group on the team again this

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year.

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And so you have to challenge those guys to
make it.

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So they are not the weakness, you know,
that's, that's, I think is, you you said

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you're interested in it, but everyone
should be interested in it because I think

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that is the most important position battle
this spring.

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We'll get into a few others, but I think
we'd probably both agree at all the others

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that it's like, we're pretty confident,
you know, however those battles go, that

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Ohio state is going to be in pretty good
shape at all those positions.

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The offensive line is the one where.

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I think this spring, it's not just about
determining who's best among the guys

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currently on the roster.

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It's about determining whether Ohio state
has the five plus guys that it needs.

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And if it doesn't, then we would expect
Ohio state to be aggressive and trying to

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bring in more offensive line talent in the
post spring transfer window.

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So I think that's job number one on the
offensive line is do we have five guys?

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You know, ideally do we have six, seven,
eight guys?

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Cause if, if you don't have six, seven,
eight guys, then you still need to look in

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the transfer portal post spring to add
more depth there.

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But first and foremost, you got to make
sure you have five guys on, on that

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offensive line.

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And I think that's going to be a very
interesting competition this spring,

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particularly, like you said, on the right
side, because you know, I,

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I don't, I wouldn't go as far as you to
say Josh Simmons has a lock to start at

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left tackle, but I do believe that he will
ultimately be the left tackle barring an

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elite left tackle entering the transfer
window post spring and Ohio state bringing

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that guy in, in which case then maybe you
would move Josh Simmons over to right

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tackle.

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But as of now, you could pencil in Josh
Simmons at left tackle.

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I agree with you that I believe sec
McLaughlin was brought in to be the

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starting center and.

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That doesn't mean that he won't be pushed
by the likes of a Carson Hinsman or even a

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Joshua Padilla this spring, but I it's,
it's his job to lose.

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He was brought in to be the starting
center.

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So it's his job to lose those two spots on
the right side to me are very interesting

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because I don't, I don't think that the
right tackle job should necessarily be

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treated as Josh Friar's job to lose it.

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It might be because he was the starter all
of last season.

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But I think there were enough lapses in
past protection there that he has a lot to

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prove if he's going to win that job.

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And he has, if they decided to move him to
right guard, then he has a lot to prove

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there too, because he, you know, he has
played a little bit of guard.

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You know, he did have a Michigan game two
years ago.

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You know, when he initially came into Ohio
state, the thinking was that, you guard

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was probably where he was going to end up.

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And so.

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I believe he's capable of playing guards.

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You believe he's capable of playing guard,
but that's not always a seamless

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transition.

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Like it's very easy to just say, kick the
guy inside the guard, but until he

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actually plays it on a regular basis, we
really don't know how good of a guard Josh

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Breyer will actually be.

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And so I believe that they should give him
a significant amount of reps at guard this

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year to see how well can he play that
position and is, is.

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First and foremost, is that a better
position for Josh Friar?

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And then secondly, if it is, is he the
best option at that position?

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And I lean toward that ultimately being
the way things play out, but yeah, there's

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15 practices in the spring, 25 practices
in a preseason.

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I think that's some, we we've seen it
plenty of times where Ohio state has one

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idea for the offensive line in the spring
and then things change come August.

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So certainly possible that happens again.

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this year, but I am interested to see just
how much do they move him around.

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And the same is true for Luke and Tegra.

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I think you could move all three of those
guys in between positions because I'm, I

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don't know that they're sure yet which
position is best for those guys.

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I mean, we have talked about Luke being a
tackle and Tegra being a guard, but I, I

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know that they have looked at Tegra at
tackle and Luke at guard as well.

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So I think.

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any combination of those three guys on
those two spots is feasible.

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If I was to predict right now, my
prediction would be that Josh Fryer will

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be the starting right guard and Luke
Montgomery will be the starting right

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tackle.

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But I would not be shocked if Luke
Montgomery was the starting right guard

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and Josh Fryer was the starting right
tackle.

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And I would also not be shocked if Tegra
Shabola ends up starting at either of

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those spots.

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And I would also not be shocked if Ohio -

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If a transfer to be named later ends up
being the starter at one of those spots.

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But I think this spring is going to be a
very important time for particularly the

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right side of that offensive line to where
Ohio State certainly hopes that it comes

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out of that spring game in April, feeling
good about two starters on that side of

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the ball.

225
00:13:10,251 --> 00:13:14,551
And if it doesn't, then they're going to
have to be aggressive in the post spring

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00:13:14,551 --> 00:13:15,585
transfer window.

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00:13:15,874 --> 00:13:20,034
I think even back when we talked to Ryan
Day last, it was interesting to hear him

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00:13:20,034 --> 00:13:22,874
dwell on the, on that right side and kind
of where it is.

229
00:13:22,874 --> 00:13:27,324
And you look at, you know, the overall
message in certain parts of that press

230
00:13:27,324 --> 00:13:31,614
conference was that Ohio state believes it
currently has with the transfers.

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00:13:31,614 --> 00:13:36,994
It's already added a national title
roster, a national championship caliber

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00:13:36,994 --> 00:13:37,714
roster.

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00:13:37,714 --> 00:13:43,334
So I think it speaks a lot to me that yes,
they took a big swing at Kayden Proctor.

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00:13:43,334 --> 00:13:44,066
You talk about.

235
00:13:44,066 --> 00:13:46,626
one of the, if not the best tackles in the
portal.

236
00:13:46,626 --> 00:13:51,346
Um, when Nick Saban left Alabama, retired
from Alabama.

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00:13:51,346 --> 00:13:57,856
Um, but outside of that, there wasn't
really a heavy pursuit at tackle for a lot

238
00:13:57,856 --> 00:13:58,366
of guys.

239
00:13:58,366 --> 00:14:00,366
It felt like from Ohio state.

240
00:14:00,366 --> 00:14:06,616
Um, and I think that maybe kind of gives
speaks a little bit to maybe some

241
00:14:06,616 --> 00:14:11,656
confidence they have either in Luke or,
some other tackle.

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00:14:11,938 --> 00:14:13,388
Josh taking the next step.

243
00:14:13,388 --> 00:14:18,718
What I want to see them do frankly this
spring to me, Josh Friar has one glaring

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00:14:18,718 --> 00:14:22,018
weakness as a tackle and that is it gets
true speed rushers.

245
00:14:22,018 --> 00:14:25,728
Take whoever your best speed guy is,
whether that's JT or Kenyatta.

246
00:14:25,728 --> 00:14:29,808
It's probably one of those two in this
spring practice and line them up against

247
00:14:29,808 --> 00:14:33,348
Josh on a day to day basis and see if he
can handle it.

248
00:14:33,348 --> 00:14:37,538
And if he can't, and I don't think it's,
you know, it's, it's not going to be a

249
00:14:37,538 --> 00:14:38,478
mental thing with Josh.

250
00:14:38,478 --> 00:14:41,218
It's not going to be a for a lock back
trying with Josh.

251
00:14:41,218 --> 00:14:44,238
It's just, does he actually have the feet?

252
00:14:44,238 --> 00:14:48,538
And I don't, I don't personally think he
does for the true elite speed rushers.

253
00:14:48,538 --> 00:14:50,688
Um, and that's again, no knock on him.

254
00:14:50,688 --> 00:14:52,998
And that's why I think guard makes a lot
of sense for him.

255
00:14:52,998 --> 00:14:55,198
He had a ton of punch in the run game.

256
00:14:55,198 --> 00:14:59,388
He's got the strength and the base to move
bigger guys on the interior.

257
00:14:59,388 --> 00:15:03,458
I mean, he's, he w he never started, but
he played garden the past for Ohio state

258
00:15:03,458 --> 00:15:04,448
just as a depth guy.

259
00:15:04,448 --> 00:15:09,826
And so I, I think that that's why we've
talked about.

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00:15:09,826 --> 00:15:11,706
guard making sense for Josh.

261
00:15:11,706 --> 00:15:17,026
And so how does he handle those true speed
guys?

262
00:15:17,026 --> 00:15:21,786
That's the number one question for me as
to whether or not he's viable long term at

263
00:15:21,786 --> 00:15:22,896
that right tackle spot.

264
00:15:22,896 --> 00:15:30,966
And if he can't, then you really need to
go toward that move of taking him and

265
00:15:30,966 --> 00:15:33,306
making him a guard.

266
00:15:33,306 --> 00:15:36,146
And like you said, it's easier said than
done, right?

267
00:15:36,146 --> 00:15:40,032
It's a new position.

268
00:15:40,032 --> 00:15:43,402
there's no guarantee it's going to be a
seamless switch if they do that.

269
00:15:43,402 --> 00:15:49,272
Um, but also, you know, I think there's a
quiet confidence in what they might have

270
00:15:49,272 --> 00:15:50,442
with Luke Montgomery.

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00:15:50,442 --> 00:15:54,202
Even I know he didn't play as much in the
back half of last year, but there were

272
00:15:54,202 --> 00:15:57,422
maybe some, maybe some things behind the
scenes health wise.

273
00:15:57,422 --> 00:15:58,862
I don't know.

274
00:15:58,862 --> 00:16:01,730
in any case, he, to me,

275
00:16:01,730 --> 00:16:06,500
the talent that they have there is real
and a guy that can also slide anywhere.

276
00:16:06,500 --> 00:16:10,200
Like you said, I mean, when they brought
him in, they said the feeling once he

277
00:16:10,200 --> 00:16:12,470
could play all five positions at some
point.

278
00:16:12,470 --> 00:16:18,170
But right now, I think I would go with
what you project as well.

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00:16:18,170 --> 00:16:21,570
Friar at right guard, Montgomery at right
tackle or my picks.

280
00:16:21,570 --> 00:16:24,190
But we'll learn plenty this spring.

281
00:16:24,190 --> 00:16:26,260
Hopefully, Ohio State will learn plenty
this spring.

282
00:16:26,260 --> 00:16:27,798
And then I think what they'd.

283
00:16:27,798 --> 00:16:32,358
Then do in the transfer portal after the
spring whether or not they go and pursue

284
00:16:32,358 --> 00:16:37,458
more offensive linemen will be very
telling about their confidence in how

285
00:16:37,458 --> 00:16:43,278
things stand now now I think for kind of a
more I don't know.

286
00:16:43,278 --> 00:16:51,228
This is a position battle that to me isn't
as important but it is because you have

287
00:16:51,228 --> 00:16:54,946
two five -star guys right Sonny Styles CJ
Hicks

288
00:16:54,946 --> 00:16:57,336
that have all the hype in the world behind
them.

289
00:16:57,336 --> 00:16:58,766
And it's okay.

290
00:16:58,766 --> 00:17:02,226
When are they going to play like that five
star rating?

291
00:17:02,226 --> 00:17:05,286
Both of them entering their third seasons
at Ohio State.

292
00:17:05,286 --> 00:17:09,116
Now, Sonny showed some really good things
at times last year, just playing around

293
00:17:09,116 --> 00:17:12,656
the box, whether, you know, mostly in that
nickel roll, when he moved back to deep

294
00:17:12,656 --> 00:17:15,956
safety, had some struggles down the
stretch, replacing Latham Ransom at that

295
00:17:15,956 --> 00:17:18,086
bandit spot.

296
00:17:18,086 --> 00:17:21,956
But, you know, we've talked about him a
ton this off season about trying to find

297
00:17:21,956 --> 00:17:23,618
the best fit in this defense.

298
00:17:23,618 --> 00:17:29,718
We think it's at will linebacker, but kind
of as the same thing with Josh prior this,

299
00:17:29,718 --> 00:17:33,468
it's, it's not as see, it's not a seamless
transition to go from safety to linebacker

300
00:17:33,468 --> 00:17:34,818
always.

301
00:17:34,818 --> 00:17:39,948
and you know, CJ Hicks, I think, you know,
James Lauren, I, as you wrote a story,

302
00:17:39,948 --> 00:17:41,318
this, you wrote a story.

303
00:17:41,318 --> 00:17:46,488
CJ Hicks is someone that they still really
believe in his potential and has a really

304
00:17:46,488 --> 00:17:47,978
high ceiling.

305
00:17:47,978 --> 00:17:50,608
it just needs to get to a certain place.

306
00:17:50,608 --> 00:17:52,218
I think mentally and.

307
00:17:52,218 --> 00:17:54,318
how he sees the game.

308
00:17:54,318 --> 00:18:00,178
But that to me outside the offensive line,
that's the next position battle you look

309
00:18:00,178 --> 00:18:03,678
at this spring is that that will
linebacker spot and you know, maybe Gabe

310
00:18:03,678 --> 00:18:06,078
Powers and our Arbel Reese get involved
there too.

311
00:18:06,078 --> 00:18:09,700
It's kind of James James alluded to when
we spoke to him last.

312
00:18:09,943 --> 00:18:10,163
Yeah.

313
00:18:10,163 --> 00:18:14,483
I mean, you mentioned at the top of a show
about how good this defense can be.

314
00:18:14,483 --> 00:18:18,803
This is really the only real position
battle on the defense this spring because

315
00:18:18,803 --> 00:18:21,823
the defensive line, I think is pretty much
set.

316
00:18:21,823 --> 00:18:25,303
Jack Sawyer, JT Tua -Moloa are going to be
the starting defensive ends.

317
00:18:25,303 --> 00:18:28,543
Tylee Williams and Ty Hamilton are going
to be the starting defensive tackles.

318
00:18:28,543 --> 00:18:32,973
Cody Simon is the only linebacker on the
roster who's started a game at linebacker.

319
00:18:32,973 --> 00:18:36,227
So he's going to be that middle linebacker
in the middle of a defense.

320
00:18:36,343 --> 00:18:39,293
Ohio state returns all free starting
cornerbacks from last year.

321
00:18:39,293 --> 00:18:42,403
Denzel Burke, Davis and Nick Binoza and
Jordan Hancock.

322
00:18:42,423 --> 00:18:44,663
Lathan ransom returns is that starting
strong safety.

323
00:18:44,663 --> 00:18:47,433
And then we know Caleb downs is going to
be an immediate starter at that free

324
00:18:47,433 --> 00:18:48,283
safety spot.

325
00:18:48,283 --> 00:18:54,213
So that will linebacker position is really
the only true position battle on the

326
00:18:54,213 --> 00:18:55,203
defense this spring.

327
00:18:55,203 --> 00:19:00,253
And like you said, it's a very interesting
one because of the guys who are in it and

328
00:19:00,253 --> 00:19:04,603
that Sunny styles and CJ hex, you know,
when they came on campus two years ago,

329
00:19:04,603 --> 00:19:06,327
the thinking was, you know,

330
00:19:06,327 --> 00:19:08,897
This year was going to be, you know, their
year.

331
00:19:08,897 --> 00:19:12,627
I mean, they'd be going off to the NFL as
first round picks a year from now.

332
00:19:12,627 --> 00:19:19,087
And instead, neither one of them is even a
guaranteed starter going into this season.

333
00:19:19,087 --> 00:19:22,907
And part of that just has to do with the
fact that this defense is loaded.

334
00:19:22,907 --> 00:19:27,127
Ohio state has a ton of seniors back on
this defense.

335
00:19:27,127 --> 00:19:32,569
And so, you know, if, if, you know, lay
off and ransom had left to.

336
00:19:32,759 --> 00:19:35,759
the NFL, then we're probably not having
this conversation right now.

337
00:19:35,759 --> 00:19:39,839
We're probably talking about Sonny Styles
being the starting strong safety and CJ

338
00:19:39,839 --> 00:19:41,699
Hicks being the starting will linebacker.

339
00:19:41,699 --> 00:19:46,809
But because there's really only one spot
in the lineup for those guys, it's going

340
00:19:46,809 --> 00:19:50,939
to be a very interesting, uh, competition
this spring.

341
00:19:50,939 --> 00:19:55,149
And, you know, we don't really know what
we're, I think when we're sitting here a

342
00:19:55,149 --> 00:19:59,019
week from now talking about what we saw at
the first practice of the spring, we're

343
00:19:59,019 --> 00:20:01,847
going to have a better idea of how.

344
00:20:01,847 --> 00:20:03,047
true a competition.

345
00:20:03,047 --> 00:20:10,587
This really is because if if they believe
Sonny Styles is a linebacker should be a

346
00:20:10,587 --> 00:20:12,587
linebacker, that's his best position.

347
00:20:12,587 --> 00:20:16,207
Then I would ultimately predict that Sonny
Styles will be the starting will

348
00:20:16,207 --> 00:20:20,237
linebacker because this is a guy who
started every game, but one last year.

349
00:20:20,237 --> 00:20:22,577
He's shown a lot of good things there.

350
00:20:22,577 --> 00:20:27,147
There has to be a role for Sonny Styles in
this defense.

351
00:20:27,147 --> 00:20:28,867
Now, what will that look like?

352
00:20:28,867 --> 00:20:30,366
That's the big question.

353
00:20:30,740 --> 00:20:35,310
be more of a situational role where he
comes in as a Sam linebacker and free

354
00:20:35,310 --> 00:20:39,680
linebacker packages, or as a third safety
and free safety packages.

355
00:20:39,680 --> 00:20:44,250
There's a way to get him involved, even if
he's not a starter.

356
00:20:44,250 --> 00:20:46,360
And I think the same is true for CJ Hicks.

357
00:20:46,360 --> 00:20:53,760
I think either way you have to find roles
for both of these guys, but most

358
00:20:53,760 --> 00:20:58,412
importantly, you have to have someone at
that will linebacker spot.

359
00:20:58,412 --> 00:21:02,592
who you know you can rely on on every
down.

360
00:21:03,012 --> 00:21:09,362
And I think Sonny Stiles' skill set there
is very intriguing because I think if he

361
00:21:09,362 --> 00:21:13,762
can make that transition, which like you
said, it's not a seamless transition.

362
00:21:13,762 --> 00:21:17,962
I think the biggest question would be is,
okay, as a guy who's lining up in the box

363
00:21:17,962 --> 00:21:23,562
on every play, how well is he gonna handle
having to shed blocks all the time, having

364
00:21:23,562 --> 00:21:26,192
to fill those gaps in the run game?

365
00:21:26,444 --> 00:21:30,044
It's different doing that as a linebacker
than it is as a box safety.

366
00:21:30,044 --> 00:21:32,524
So that, that would be the big question
there.

367
00:21:32,524 --> 00:21:37,914
But I think the athleticism he brings to
that position is ideal for what Ohio state

368
00:21:37,914 --> 00:21:42,284
wants and a will linebacker, which is
really a sideline to sideline position.

369
00:21:42,284 --> 00:21:45,044
You want a guy who could make plays all
over the field.

370
00:21:45,224 --> 00:21:49,484
And when we talked about it so much last
year that like, I thought they should have

371
00:21:49,484 --> 00:21:55,114
used Sonny as a situational linebacker and
coverage situations, because I thought he

372
00:21:55,114 --> 00:21:55,532
would.

373
00:21:55,532 --> 00:22:01,132
provide an upgrade in that regard over
steel chambers and Tommy Eichenberg.

374
00:22:01,132 --> 00:22:06,122
And, you know, then, you know, Lathan got
her and, you any idea of that kind of got

375
00:22:06,122 --> 00:22:09,492
shelved because they needed Sonny at that
strong safety spot.

376
00:22:09,512 --> 00:22:16,242
But I think that what he can bring in
coverage at that linebacker position could

377
00:22:16,242 --> 00:22:18,612
be a very good thing for Ohio state.

378
00:22:18,612 --> 00:22:22,992
And so as we sit here going into spring
practice, my prediction is that Sonny

379
00:22:22,992 --> 00:22:23,820
Styles.

380
00:22:23,820 --> 00:22:28,640
will be Ohio State starting will
linebacker, but I'm certainly not counting

381
00:22:28,640 --> 00:22:33,500
out CJ Hicks in that competition because
you know, CJ Hicks is a guy who was a top

382
00:22:33,500 --> 00:22:39,080
10 overall prospect in his class, a guy
who has, you know, all the physical tools

383
00:22:39,080 --> 00:22:42,110
to be an elite linebacker.

384
00:22:42,110 --> 00:22:43,720
We just haven't seen it yet.

385
00:22:43,720 --> 00:22:47,970
So it's hard to say where exactly he is in
his development.

386
00:22:47,970 --> 00:22:50,114
And it's been clear, I think.

387
00:22:50,188 --> 00:22:53,148
From what we've heard from Jim Knowles and
even what we've heard from James

388
00:22:53,148 --> 00:22:58,248
Laurenitis last week, but they still need
to see more from CJ hex.

389
00:22:58,248 --> 00:23:02,168
James Laurenitis said, I think this is
going to be a big spring for CJ hex, but

390
00:23:02,168 --> 00:23:05,168
he did mention the word consistency
multiple times.

391
00:23:05,168 --> 00:23:11,568
And so I think, you know, I think CJ does
have a very real chance if he can go and

392
00:23:11,568 --> 00:23:15,468
put it all together this spring and play
the way they want him to play on a day -to

393
00:23:15,468 --> 00:23:16,236
-day basis.

394
00:23:16,236 --> 00:23:20,876
that he absolutely can earn a starting job
on this defense.

395
00:23:20,956 --> 00:23:26,316
But, you know, I, I, I'm sure there's
listeners out there who feel like, you

396
00:23:26,316 --> 00:23:32,736
know, the only reason CJ hasn't played is
because he was behind steel and Tommy and

397
00:23:32,736 --> 00:23:33,216
Cody.

398
00:23:33,216 --> 00:23:39,536
And that's part of it, but they've also
made it clear through their comments that

399
00:23:39,536 --> 00:23:43,404
they did not feel that CJ was ready.

400
00:23:43,404 --> 00:23:45,204
to play a lot of snaps last year.

401
00:23:45,204 --> 00:23:51,384
If they had felt that he was ready to be a
regular in that rotation at linebacker,

402
00:23:51,384 --> 00:23:54,524
then they probably would have worked him
in there.

403
00:23:54,524 --> 00:23:57,724
They didn't feel that he was quite to that
point yet.

404
00:23:57,724 --> 00:24:03,764
So he has to prove that he can be at that
point this year.

405
00:24:03,764 --> 00:24:09,524
And, and there's certainly a world in
which both Sonny and CJ play a lot at that

406
00:24:09,524 --> 00:24:09,874
spot.

407
00:24:09,874 --> 00:24:12,000
And maybe there is some.

408
00:24:12,022 --> 00:24:17,012
different situations where you want CJ on
the field versus where you want Sonny on

409
00:24:17,012 --> 00:24:17,672
the field.

410
00:24:17,672 --> 00:24:21,812
But again, kind of like we talked about in
the offensive line, but most important

411
00:24:21,812 --> 00:24:27,172
thing is making sure you have, you're
starting 11, the guys you know, you really

412
00:24:27,172 --> 00:24:28,472
can count on.

413
00:24:28,472 --> 00:24:34,532
And so at least one guy has to emerge at
that will linebacker spot this year.

414
00:24:34,532 --> 00:24:39,822
And, and I think, you know, with Sonny and
CJ, you have two guys who are not sure

415
00:24:39,822 --> 00:24:41,356
things in terms of.

416
00:24:41,356 --> 00:24:46,551
what they can be as a will linebacker, but
both of them have a ton of upside.

417
00:24:46,551 --> 00:24:53,861
It's an excellent point, you make about,
know, CJ and pushing and, not just being

418
00:24:53,861 --> 00:24:56,141
blocked by having more experienced guys in
front of them.

419
00:24:56,141 --> 00:25:01,331
And I'll add this, I think we've seen the
Jim Knowles system the last two years.

420
00:25:01,331 --> 00:25:06,411
I don't think there's ever been really a
case where he played someone just because

421
00:25:06,411 --> 00:25:08,531
they were the more veteran guy.

422
00:25:08,531 --> 00:25:15,191
He plays and this defense has played
consistently, certainly in the back seven,

423
00:25:15,231 --> 00:25:15,831
the

424
00:25:15,831 --> 00:25:23,071
best player, regardless of age, regardless
of class, where they are.

425
00:25:23,071 --> 00:25:28,871
So I think if CJ had shown what he needed
to had proven what he needed to, to get

426
00:25:28,871 --> 00:25:32,011
more reps, I think it would have happened
this year.

427
00:25:32,011 --> 00:25:36,661
and I think also people saw the couple of
place he got in and the cotton bowl didn't

428
00:25:36,661 --> 00:25:38,931
go so well for CJ.

429
00:25:38,931 --> 00:25:40,801
you kind of saw where he was deficient.

430
00:25:40,801 --> 00:25:43,351
He just didn't, he looked a step behind.

431
00:25:43,351 --> 00:25:44,943
And I think that's.

432
00:25:45,055 --> 00:25:50,035
Again, the biggest areas he needs to take
a jump is seeing the game, learning the

433
00:25:50,035 --> 00:25:56,075
game, all the non -physical parts of
playing linebacker because he has those

434
00:25:56,075 --> 00:25:57,455
great physical tools.

435
00:25:57,455 --> 00:26:00,065
I think another thing, you know,
mentioning talking about different,

436
00:26:00,065 --> 00:26:01,355
different defensive package.

437
00:26:01,355 --> 00:26:06,225
Another thing that I'm curious about is,
is there a way if CJ and Sonny take the

438
00:26:06,225 --> 00:26:09,355
steps you need them to, is there a way to
get them both on the field at the same

439
00:26:09,355 --> 00:26:09,755
time?

440
00:26:09,755 --> 00:26:13,271
I think a couple options for that could
look like.

441
00:26:13,271 --> 00:26:17,551
Um, you put sunny at will linebacker and
you put CJ Hicks resurrect the Jack

442
00:26:17,551 --> 00:26:23,301
position and, and just have a pass rush
specialist coverage down package where you

443
00:26:23,301 --> 00:26:29,211
have sunny at will linebacker CJ at that
Jack spot and then three down lineman.

444
00:26:29,211 --> 00:26:33,451
Um, and you could do that against like a
pure spread team or like a third long type

445
00:26:33,451 --> 00:26:37,461
of package that that could be interesting,
I think, because I think CJ brings some

446
00:26:37,461 --> 00:26:39,451
things as an edge rusher that are
interesting.

447
00:26:39,451 --> 00:26:40,951
The other.

448
00:26:40,951 --> 00:26:46,091
idea that's kind of floated around in my
head is maybe a kind of four, three almost

449
00:26:46,091 --> 00:26:50,081
package where against heavier running
teams where CJ is at the wheel.

450
00:26:50,081 --> 00:26:52,731
And then Sonny is at a Sam linebacker kind
of spot.

451
00:26:52,731 --> 00:26:57,701
You take Jordan Hancock off the field just
for a matchup thing against those teams

452
00:26:57,701 --> 00:27:02,811
that like to run 12 personnel and kind of
pound your face a little bit all about

453
00:27:02,811 --> 00:27:04,831
Michigan.

454
00:27:04,831 --> 00:27:09,983
so I think those are also two interesting
schemes that enter my head as.

455
00:27:09,983 --> 00:27:14,633
we sort of prognosticate how this could
all play out and where they could find

456
00:27:14,633 --> 00:27:15,643
playing time.

457
00:27:15,643 --> 00:27:20,473
Um, but again, it's, uh, to me, it's about
CJ taking that next step in the staff

458
00:27:20,473 --> 00:27:25,653
finding what's the best fit of Sonny
Styles and how can we maximize what he

459
00:27:25,653 --> 00:27:29,493
does well on the football field?

460
00:27:29,493 --> 00:27:33,303
moving on in, in terms of these position
battles, I think the third wide receiver

461
00:27:33,303 --> 00:27:37,713
battle is one that's fun just cause it's,
it's like, which young five star is going

462
00:27:37,713 --> 00:27:38,103
to.

463
00:27:38,103 --> 00:27:39,603
take the mantle here.

464
00:27:39,603 --> 00:27:41,323
It seems pretty clear.

465
00:27:41,323 --> 00:27:44,893
Obviously, Emeka is going to be one of
your starting receivers coming back for

466
00:27:44,893 --> 00:27:49,583
his fourth year and a guy who should be
one of the best receivers in the country.

467
00:27:49,743 --> 00:27:53,743
You have Carnell Tate in year two.

468
00:27:53,743 --> 00:27:59,123
it seems to be emerging as that clear wide
receiver to after, how much he was used as

469
00:27:59,123 --> 00:27:59,903
a freshman.

470
00:27:59,903 --> 00:28:04,753
I and then it's going to be a competition
probably between Brandon Ennis and

471
00:28:04,753 --> 00:28:07,831
Jeremiah Smith, a former five star.

472
00:28:07,831 --> 00:28:12,421
coming up into his true sophomore season
and the best receiver prospect, that a lot

473
00:28:12,421 --> 00:28:17,181
of people have ever seen in Jeremiah Smith
coming in as a freshman, already making

474
00:28:17,181 --> 00:28:19,411
waves, already impressing Will Howard.

475
00:28:19,411 --> 00:28:26,161
Does he end up finding a starting spot in
year one is a very fun storyline to follow

476
00:28:26,161 --> 00:28:26,821
with this team.

477
00:28:26,821 --> 00:28:28,811
I think he's going to play no matter what.

478
00:28:28,811 --> 00:28:33,975
There's no question, even if he's not a
starter, he he'll rotate in.

479
00:28:33,975 --> 00:28:38,245
much like Carnell did this year, even when
he wasn't a starter, Carnell still got

480
00:28:38,245 --> 00:28:39,475
playing time.

481
00:28:39,475 --> 00:28:44,355
But does he actually win a starting spot
in year one, I think is going to be a very

482
00:28:44,355 --> 00:28:45,915
fun storyline to follow.

483
00:28:45,915 --> 00:28:50,355
I think in either case, we have a lot of
confidence in this receivers room under

484
00:28:50,355 --> 00:28:52,591
Brian Hartline as we have for a while.

485
00:28:53,260 --> 00:28:56,840
Yeah, this is another one again, you know,
five star versus five star.

486
00:28:56,840 --> 00:29:00,170
I think both these guys are going to play
either way.

487
00:29:00,170 --> 00:29:05,650
You know, I expect that the wide receiver
rotation will probably be, very much a

488
00:29:05,650 --> 00:29:10,100
four man rotation, much like a lot of what
we saw this past year, which, you know,

489
00:29:10,100 --> 00:29:13,700
like you said, I think, a Mecca is going
to be a guy that as long as he's healthy,

490
00:29:13,700 --> 00:29:16,120
he's almost never going to leave the
field.

491
00:29:16,120 --> 00:29:16,740
Cornell.

492
00:29:16,740 --> 00:29:20,550
I mean, this is a guy that people said
last year was fervor ahead of Marvin

493
00:29:20,550 --> 00:29:21,420
Harrison Jr.

494
00:29:21,420 --> 00:29:22,348
as a freshman.

495
00:29:22,348 --> 00:29:23,908
And Marvin Harrison Jr.

496
00:29:23,908 --> 00:29:26,368
Was one of the best players in the country
as a sophomore.

497
00:29:26,368 --> 00:29:31,308
So if that's true, then you'd have to
think carnell Tate is going to be a staple

498
00:29:31,308 --> 00:29:34,138
of this receiver rotation too.

499
00:29:34,138 --> 00:29:39,468
You know, I think one of the questions
here is going to be where exactly do they

500
00:29:39,468 --> 00:29:41,488
want to line up a mecca the most?

501
00:29:41,488 --> 00:29:45,858
Because I think Jeremiah is more of an
outside guy in Innis is more of a slot

502
00:29:45,858 --> 00:29:46,428
guy.

503
00:29:46,428 --> 00:29:50,668
And so if you keep a Mecca in the slot,
primarily.

504
00:29:50,668 --> 00:29:54,608
Then I think Jeremiah might be the better
fit for that lineup.

505
00:29:54,608 --> 00:29:59,008
If you decide you want to move a Mecca
outside and.

506
00:29:59,008 --> 00:30:01,558
Innis might be the better fit for that
lineup.

507
00:30:01,558 --> 00:30:04,298
I think ultimately, I think we're going to
see a Mecca move around.

508
00:30:04,298 --> 00:30:06,738
And I think he's going to probably play
both spots.

509
00:30:06,738 --> 00:30:10,808
And I think that's going to create
opportunities for both Jeremiah and

510
00:30:10,808 --> 00:30:17,388
Brandon Innis to play a lot and have
significant roles in this offense.

511
00:30:17,388 --> 00:30:20,300
people who have heard me into podcast over
the last couple of years know.

512
00:30:20,300 --> 00:30:21,810
I'm very high on Brandon in us.

513
00:30:21,810 --> 00:30:27,330
Like I think Brandon in us is going to be
a really, really good wide receiver at

514
00:30:27,330 --> 00:30:28,100
Ohio state.

515
00:30:28,100 --> 00:30:33,360
I think he has star potential, but
Jeremiah Smith is rare.

516
00:30:33,360 --> 00:30:37,560
I mean, Jeremiah Smith, you, we could sit
here and say freshmen receivers don't

517
00:30:37,560 --> 00:30:42,140
usually start at Ohio state, but there's
nothing ordinary about Jeremiah Smith.

518
00:30:42,140 --> 00:30:47,610
I mean, this guy is the elite of elite
when it comes to prospects.

519
00:30:47,610 --> 00:30:50,108
And because of that,

520
00:30:50,156 --> 00:30:54,536
I think it's going to be very hard not to
have Jeremiah Smith in the starting lineup

521
00:30:54,536 --> 00:30:55,936
as a true freshman.

522
00:30:55,936 --> 00:31:04,016
I mean, I think, the ceiling for him is so
incredibly high in which even in a room

523
00:31:04,016 --> 00:31:10,136
with a Mecca, a Bucca and Cardinal Tate,
it's not an outlandish scenario that

524
00:31:10,136 --> 00:31:13,976
Jeremiah Smith could end up becoming Ohio
state's best wide receiver this year.

525
00:31:13,976 --> 00:31:18,668
I don't really like putting those
expectations on a freshman.

526
00:31:18,668 --> 00:31:21,668
But he is a rare talent.

527
00:31:21,668 --> 00:31:25,648
he is different than your average
freshmen.

528
00:31:25,648 --> 00:31:31,338
Now, I think the good thing for Jeremiah
is they don't need him to be Superman in

529
00:31:31,338 --> 00:31:35,488
year one because they have a Mecca, a
Bucca, they have carnell Tate, they have

530
00:31:35,488 --> 00:31:40,278
Brandon Ennis, there's other guys like,
maybe a Jaden Bowers and carve out a role,

531
00:31:40,278 --> 00:31:42,788
you know, Mylon Graham's going to arrive
in the summer.

532
00:31:42,888 --> 00:31:49,448
So they don't need Jeremiah Smith to come
in and be a superstar right away, but.

533
00:31:49,448 --> 00:31:51,728
he's very capable of being that.

534
00:31:51,728 --> 00:31:56,338
I mean, much like a Caleb downs was at
Alabama last year, Jeremiah Smith has that

535
00:31:56,338 --> 00:31:58,368
kind of potential.

536
00:31:58,368 --> 00:32:04,668
And so my guess is on the first day of
spring practice, Brandon Innis is probably

537
00:32:04,668 --> 00:32:08,168
going to be running with the ones because
I don't think they're going to want to put

538
00:32:08,168 --> 00:32:12,688
Jeremiah Smith out there as a starter on
his first ever spring practice.

539
00:32:13,128 --> 00:32:16,350
But my prediction is that Jeremiah Smith.

540
00:32:16,350 --> 00:32:20,790
will be a starter by the time the season
rolls around because I think he's just so

541
00:32:20,790 --> 00:32:27,300
talented that if things go the way they're
expected to go, he's a guy that they're

542
00:32:27,300 --> 00:32:28,591
just going to have to have on the

543
00:32:28,620 --> 00:32:29,480
for Jeremiah.

544
00:32:29,480 --> 00:32:31,060
It's not just the ridiculous talent.

545
00:32:31,060 --> 00:32:32,180
It's the Polish too.

546
00:32:32,180 --> 00:32:40,110
I mean, he, this is a guy coming into Ohio
state so far along in his development.

547
00:32:40,110 --> 00:32:45,100
when you watch the tape, it's not just, I
mean, he's ridiculously fast, ridiculously

548
00:32:45,100 --> 00:32:45,740
long.

549
00:32:45,740 --> 00:32:50,100
There's, you know, all those physical
attributes, the cuts on the route running

550
00:32:50,100 --> 00:32:56,860
are absolutely filthy, but he's also got
elite body control, elite hands.

551
00:32:56,860 --> 00:33:04,570
Elite high pointing skills, ball skills,
things that are very developmental in a

552
00:33:04,570 --> 00:33:04,900
receiver.

553
00:33:04,900 --> 00:33:08,480
You play in a hot bed of receiving talent
in Florida.

554
00:33:08,480 --> 00:33:12,830
You know, you go and play for the elite
seven on seven teams like Jeremiah Smith,

555
00:33:12,830 --> 00:33:14,450
they were South Florida express.

556
00:33:14,450 --> 00:33:18,300
and you get all this development before
you arrive on campus.

557
00:33:18,300 --> 00:33:22,260
And now you're working under a guy who has
the best track record of developing

558
00:33:22,260 --> 00:33:24,760
receivers in college football right now.

559
00:33:24,760 --> 00:33:27,098
So I think that.

560
00:33:27,440 --> 00:33:32,250
Jeremiah Smith, it's not just for me
again, the, those physical attributes, but

561
00:33:32,250 --> 00:33:38,320
it's his, where he's at in his development
already coming onto campus that that's why

562
00:33:38,320 --> 00:33:43,770
I think to your point, he could be very
well be the starter at that third receiver

563
00:33:43,770 --> 00:33:46,020
spot by the time fall rolls

564
00:33:46,248 --> 00:33:50,098
Whatever position battle that I think
we'll be watching this spring is at the

565
00:33:50,098 --> 00:33:56,388
tight end position because Wilcas Marek
coming in certainly, I think has a chance

566
00:33:56,388 --> 00:33:58,828
to be that starting tight end.

567
00:33:58,828 --> 00:34:04,848
And if I was forecasting the race right
now, I would pick Wilcas Marek to

568
00:34:04,848 --> 00:34:08,198
ultimately be the starting tight end, but
it's going to be an interesting

569
00:34:08,198 --> 00:34:11,268
competition because you have G Scott Jr.

570
00:34:11,268 --> 00:34:14,304
Who was the backup tight end last year.

571
00:34:14,304 --> 00:34:18,674
Has been around the program for a long
time, you know, made multiple starts last

572
00:34:18,674 --> 00:34:23,144
season, did enough to where Ohio state
trusted playing him a lot.

573
00:34:23,144 --> 00:34:26,434
And so you would certainly think that G
Scott Jr.

574
00:34:26,434 --> 00:34:33,504
Is going to have a chance to contend for
that starting job as well.

575
00:34:33,504 --> 00:34:38,064
And then there's also Jelani Furman who,
uh, certainly is a guy who came in last

576
00:34:38,064 --> 00:34:40,744
year with a lot of excitement.

577
00:34:40,744 --> 00:34:44,448
Didn't end up playing much, uh, in the
fall, which.

578
00:34:44,448 --> 00:34:48,038
is not really anything new for a freshman
tight end.

579
00:34:48,038 --> 00:34:53,758
We don't typically see freshmen tight ends
play much at Ohio state, but I certainly

580
00:34:53,758 --> 00:34:58,068
think he has the highest ceiling of any
tight end on the roster.

581
00:34:58,068 --> 00:35:03,468
And so he's a guy that if he can make a
jump this spring and prove that he's ready

582
00:35:03,468 --> 00:35:10,088
to play a bigger role, that it's certainly
possible he could climb as high as the top

583
00:35:10,088 --> 00:35:12,608
of the depth chart there at tight end.

584
00:35:12,608 --> 00:35:13,268
And so.

585
00:35:13,268 --> 00:35:16,048
You know, that's going to be an
interesting position battle to watch.

586
00:35:16,048 --> 00:35:20,538
I think another position where multiple
guys are going to play because you know,

587
00:35:20,538 --> 00:35:27,208
there's going to be multiple tight end
packages as we've seen in Ohio state's

588
00:35:27,208 --> 00:35:32,408
offense in recent years, but certainly
they're going to want to see one guy

589
00:35:32,408 --> 00:35:35,608
really seize a hold of that starting job.

590
00:35:35,608 --> 00:35:40,468
And then ideally, you know, all three of
those guys are guys that they feel they

591
00:35:40,468 --> 00:35:42,568
can count on to play regularly.

592
00:35:42,588 --> 00:35:43,296
And then.

593
00:35:43,296 --> 00:35:46,916
You know, you could mix all those guys in
in different packages.

594
00:35:46,916 --> 00:35:52,636
But, I think, you know, very much a, a
three way competition for that starting

595
00:35:52,636 --> 00:35:54,891
job going into the spring.

596
00:35:54,891 --> 00:35:55,771
Absolutely.

597
00:35:55,771 --> 00:36:01,831
And, you I think the different qualities
that each of these tight ends bring, when

598
00:36:01,831 --> 00:36:06,471
you talk about what will Casmeric is as a
blocker.

599
00:36:06,471 --> 00:36:11,201
And I think that element is we've talked
about it as something they've missed, um,

600
00:36:11,201 --> 00:36:16,531
at the tight end position, a guy who can
just really provide that blocking support.

601
00:36:16,531 --> 00:36:19,721
I think, you know, Kate Stover had his
moments as a blocker last year.

602
00:36:19,721 --> 00:36:24,075
He also had some pretty significant lapses
at times and,

603
00:36:24,075 --> 00:36:25,195
I think G Scott Jr.

604
00:36:25,195 --> 00:36:28,075
Has a lot of steps still to take in that
area.

605
00:36:28,095 --> 00:36:31,735
Keenan Bailey has done a great job of
developing these guys as receivers.

606
00:36:31,735 --> 00:36:34,995
And, you know, we saw Cade Stover put up
some record setting numbers for an Ohio

607
00:36:34,995 --> 00:36:40,415
state tight end last year, but they need a
little more on the blocking side.

608
00:36:40,415 --> 00:36:44,165
And even on that receiving side, you know,
G Scott Jr.

609
00:36:44,165 --> 00:36:48,485
Jelani Thurman, all these guys are on kind
of unproven in that regard.

610
00:36:48,485 --> 00:36:53,483
And, you need to see a little more out of
G.

611
00:36:53,483 --> 00:36:57,833
just in terms of making plays and being a
weapon for the offense.

612
00:36:57,833 --> 00:37:03,123
If he's going to be that guy, if it's
Jelani, you know, you like to see Jelani

613
00:37:03,123 --> 00:37:07,123
getting right back to work and he seems
pretty dedicated after the cotton bowl.

614
00:37:07,123 --> 00:37:09,833
He was right back on the field.

615
00:37:09,833 --> 00:37:13,283
he started, got taken, got benched right
afterward.

616
00:37:13,283 --> 00:37:21,193
And so I'm really interested to see how
heavily he ends up competing with G and

617
00:37:21,193 --> 00:37:22,411
maybe even will.

618
00:37:22,411 --> 00:37:26,221
for that starting spot in year two, you
know, tight end is such a developmental

619
00:37:26,221 --> 00:37:27,091
position.

620
00:37:27,091 --> 00:37:31,471
We haven't seen a lot of Ohio state tight
ends emerge that early on in their

621
00:37:31,471 --> 00:37:32,391
careers.

622
00:37:32,391 --> 00:37:35,511
Uh, but Jelani came in with a major
recruiting stock.

623
00:37:35,511 --> 00:37:39,951
He's not someone who converted from
another position or had some positional

624
00:37:39,951 --> 00:37:42,371
uncertainty like Kade, like G.

625
00:37:42,371 --> 00:37:48,671
So, you know, I, I'm really curious to
follow Jelani's development and then how

626
00:37:48,671 --> 00:37:51,243
that shifts the makeup.

627
00:37:51,243 --> 00:37:53,603
those three at the top of the tight end.

628
00:37:54,069 --> 00:37:58,389
Are there any other players outside of
those position battles that we've talked

629
00:37:58,389 --> 00:38:03,489
about that you're really interested in
watching this spring and seeing if they

630
00:38:03,489 --> 00:38:06,176
can make a big jump this spring?

631
00:38:06,176 --> 00:38:09,776
I'm interested to see where Ty Hamilton
can go in his final year.

632
00:38:09,776 --> 00:38:15,336
I mean, we all know his brother had that
big breakout season in year five and, you

633
00:38:15,336 --> 00:38:20,776
know, Ty made more plays last year and had
a really good cotton bowl too.

634
00:38:20,776 --> 00:38:22,156
I wanted to point that out.

635
00:38:22,156 --> 00:38:26,006
Ty had made some plays more and more as
the year went on after, you know, I

636
00:38:26,006 --> 00:38:31,116
thought he was so, so he did fine and his
starting in his spots in 2022.

637
00:38:31,116 --> 00:38:32,616
He took a step last year.

638
00:38:32,616 --> 00:38:34,016
Can he be?

639
00:38:34,016 --> 00:38:39,576
the one technique that I think in some
ways this team has still been missing.

640
00:38:39,576 --> 00:38:45,526
Mike Hall and Ty both, you know, rolled in
at that one tech spot last year and it

641
00:38:45,526 --> 00:38:50,376
just felt like they were still kind of
three techs that, you know, made for fine

642
00:38:50,376 --> 00:38:52,676
one techniques.

643
00:38:52,676 --> 00:38:59,006
But there's still another gear that Ohio
State I think can reach at that position.

644
00:38:59,006 --> 00:39:03,648
And when you're talking about building
this elite defense, this defense that,

645
00:39:03,648 --> 00:39:07,838
could be not only the best in the country,
but maybe one of the best in the recent

646
00:39:07,838 --> 00:39:10,688
history of college football.

647
00:39:10,688 --> 00:39:12,108
You need that.

648
00:39:12,108 --> 00:39:15,068
You need your interior secured.

649
00:39:15,228 --> 00:39:19,688
And what you do in front of Cody Simon at
that one tech spot, I think, is very

650
00:39:19,688 --> 00:39:21,348
important with Ty Hamilton.

651
00:39:21,348 --> 00:39:25,288
And I think also it's the depth guys along
that defensive line.

652
00:39:25,288 --> 00:39:28,508
We know how much Larry Johnson rolls them
sometimes.

653
00:39:28,508 --> 00:39:31,452
Other times, sometimes last season they
didn't.

654
00:39:31,452 --> 00:39:34,932
roll guys as much and maybe that was a
statement on where some of the depth is

655
00:39:34,932 --> 00:39:37,382
but I think where Kenyatta Jackson jr.

656
00:39:37,382 --> 00:39:42,322
And Kaden curry at maybe being able to
spell Jack Sawyer and JT to emo while keep

657
00:39:42,322 --> 00:39:43,652
them fresh in games.

658
00:39:43,652 --> 00:39:48,052
I'm really interested to watch Kaden
McDonald because I think he's got all he's

659
00:39:48,052 --> 00:39:53,892
really interesting at that one technique
spot and that size and burst combination

660
00:39:53,892 --> 00:39:57,432
that he brings to the table even a guy
like hero canoe.

661
00:39:57,652 --> 00:39:59,698
So I think it's a lot of the depth.

662
00:39:59,698 --> 00:40:04,658
On that defensive line, but in particular
on that starting unit I'm more I want to

663
00:40:04,658 --> 00:40:07,928
I'm curious to see where Ty Hamilton is at
this spring

664
00:40:08,149 --> 00:40:12,729
Yeah, I think, a guy for me that I'm
interested to see, can he push those

665
00:40:12,729 --> 00:40:14,809
starters is Jermaine Matthews Jr.

666
00:40:14,809 --> 00:40:19,449
Because we saw whenever he played last
year, he did really well.

667
00:40:19,449 --> 00:40:23,519
And I think he's a guy that if, you know,
if Denzel had gone on to the NFL, we would

668
00:40:23,519 --> 00:40:27,209
have been talking about Jermaine just
sliding in there and being a starter.

669
00:40:27,209 --> 00:40:30,919
And so it's going to be hard for him to
take a starting job.

670
00:40:30,919 --> 00:40:34,645
Cause I mean, you've got Denzel who's
maybe the best cornerback in the country.

671
00:40:34,645 --> 00:40:38,175
You've got Davison, who was great in his
first year at Ohio State.

672
00:40:38,175 --> 00:40:43,085
You've got Jordan Hancock, who's really
solidified himself at that nickel spot.

673
00:40:43,085 --> 00:40:47,365
But Jermaine's a guy based on what we saw
last year.

674
00:40:47,365 --> 00:40:53,575
It's like he's too talented not to get
some playing time, not to find a role for

675
00:40:53,575 --> 00:40:54,225
that guy.

676
00:40:54,225 --> 00:40:59,965
So I'm interested to see, you know, does
maybe he make it a four cornerback

677
00:40:59,965 --> 00:41:00,445
rotation?

678
00:41:00,445 --> 00:41:03,189
We didn't see a lot of rotation at corner
last year.

679
00:41:03,189 --> 00:41:10,209
Can he kind of force his way into that mix
if he can build off of what he showed last

680
00:41:10,209 --> 00:41:10,419
year?

681
00:41:10,419 --> 00:41:13,639
And I mean, that, that whole position
group, I mean, they're, they're so loaded

682
00:41:13,639 --> 00:41:14,589
with depth there.

683
00:41:14,589 --> 00:41:17,679
I mean, we saw, you know, Calvin Simpson
hunt makes strides last year.

684
00:41:17,679 --> 00:41:21,799
Can he, I don't know how much playing time
is going to be available for him this

685
00:41:21,799 --> 00:41:27,279
year, but can he make a push this spring
to where you really feel good about that

686
00:41:27,279 --> 00:41:27,709
depth.

687
00:41:27,709 --> 00:41:28,779
Lorenzo styles, Jr.

688
00:41:28,779 --> 00:41:30,159
What are they going to do with him?

689
00:41:30,159 --> 00:41:36,089
Is he a guy maybe at that nickel spot who
maybe could back up Jordan Hancock bear?

690
00:41:36,089 --> 00:41:40,599
I think, it's going to be interesting to
see, you know, some of that secondary

691
00:41:40,599 --> 00:41:42,839
depth in action, you know, safety as well.

692
00:41:42,839 --> 00:41:44,249
Guys like Malik Hartford.

693
00:41:44,249 --> 00:41:47,999
I mean, we saw him flash last year,
probably not going to be a starting job

694
00:41:47,999 --> 00:41:52,959
available for him, but can he continue to
make strides to where you feel really good

695
00:41:52,959 --> 00:41:55,051
about him as that next man up?

696
00:41:55,577 --> 00:41:58,877
is there going to be some role for Jahad
Carter, a guy who was a free year starter

697
00:41:58,877 --> 00:42:04,257
at Syracuse and now, kind of feels like a
forgotten man there in that safety room.

698
00:42:04,257 --> 00:42:07,537
So I think, you know, that secondary is
loaded with depth and it's just going to

699
00:42:07,537 --> 00:42:09,857
be interesting to see if.

700
00:42:09,857 --> 00:42:15,367
Guys can carve out roles there behind the
starters, because there have been

701
00:42:15,367 --> 00:42:16,317
suggestions.

702
00:42:16,317 --> 00:42:18,657
And this goes back to your defensive line
too.

703
00:42:18,657 --> 00:42:24,441
There have been suggestions from Ryan day
already that Ohio state.

704
00:42:24,441 --> 00:42:31,091
Maybe isn't going to give those
established senior type guys a ton of reps

705
00:42:31,091 --> 00:42:37,741
this spring because they want to preserve
those guys for the fall, knowing that you

706
00:42:37,741 --> 00:42:41,901
have the possibility of a 16, 17 game
season if you make a deep run in the

707
00:42:41,901 --> 00:42:43,521
college football playoff.

708
00:42:43,521 --> 00:42:51,191
And so I think Ohio state is going to try
to limit the reps of some of those guys

709
00:42:51,191 --> 00:42:52,533
that are more established.

710
00:42:52,533 --> 00:42:56,833
And I think it positions like the
defensive line and the secondary that's

711
00:42:56,833 --> 00:43:03,103
going to create some opportunities for,
some of those young backups who may not

712
00:43:03,103 --> 00:43:07,543
really have a shot to earn a starting job
this year, but to at least show that there

713
00:43:07,543 --> 00:43:11,923
are guys who are capable of earning a role
this year.

714
00:43:11,923 --> 00:43:16,563
And I think one of our guys that there's
mentioning too, who on the other side of

715
00:43:16,563 --> 00:43:20,903
the ball could potentially be a
beneficiary of that this spring is Dallin

716
00:43:20,903 --> 00:43:21,333
Hayden.

717
00:43:21,333 --> 00:43:24,933
because you've got to think they're,
they're probably, you know, especially if

718
00:43:24,933 --> 00:43:28,373
Trevion with some of his injury history,
they're probably going to want to be kind

719
00:43:28,373 --> 00:43:30,593
of cautious with him this spring.

720
00:43:30,593 --> 00:43:34,993
Quintin John Judkins already has a lot of
carries on his body from two years at Ole

721
00:43:34,993 --> 00:43:35,633
Miss.

722
00:43:35,633 --> 00:43:42,233
And so can Dallin Hayden show something
this spring that gives him an opportunity

723
00:43:42,233 --> 00:43:44,233
to get into that running back rotation
too.

724
00:43:44,233 --> 00:43:47,713
Cause he's been kind of a mystery man
these, these first two years at Ohio State

725
00:43:47,713 --> 00:43:50,775
to where whenever he plays, he looks good.

726
00:43:50,933 --> 00:43:57,033
But Ohio state continues to pull back on
the idea of giving him more playing time.

727
00:43:57,033 --> 00:44:02,893
It seems like whether it's past protection
or, fumbles that were, are happening in

728
00:44:02,893 --> 00:44:04,023
practice, that we don't see it.

729
00:44:04,023 --> 00:44:08,433
There's, there's something there that Ohio
state has continued to kind of pull back

730
00:44:08,433 --> 00:44:11,783
on the idea of him getting more work.

731
00:44:11,783 --> 00:44:15,933
And so it'll be interesting to see what
can he do this spring?

732
00:44:15,933 --> 00:44:19,573
Can he push Ohio state to get.

733
00:44:19,573 --> 00:44:21,213
him more involved this year.

734
00:44:21,213 --> 00:44:24,643
There's only going to be so many carries
available for him when you got Travion

735
00:44:24,643 --> 00:44:25,993
Henderson and Quinchon Judkins.

736
00:44:25,993 --> 00:44:30,243
But we've also seen the last couple of
years that Ohio State has had to play

737
00:44:30,243 --> 00:44:31,493
depth at running back a lot.

738
00:44:31,493 --> 00:44:36,313
And so there's probably going to come a
time this season where Ohio State needs a

739
00:44:36,313 --> 00:44:40,963
running back other than Travion Henderson
and Quinchon Judkins to play a significant

740
00:44:40,963 --> 00:44:41,593
role.

741
00:44:41,593 --> 00:44:46,193
And I think this will be a big spring for
Dallin Hayden to prove that he should be

742
00:44:46,193 --> 00:44:47,936
that guy.

743
00:44:47,936 --> 00:44:53,156
Speaking of Trevion Henderson, this year's
first edition of the Buckeye 20 is going

744
00:44:53,156 --> 00:44:55,336
to be unveiled here pretty soon.

745
00:44:55,576 --> 00:45:00,056
We're not going to give you the full list,
not going to go too deep into everything

746
00:45:00,056 --> 00:45:04,576
here, but Trevion Henderson is among the
top five.

747
00:45:04,716 --> 00:45:10,576
Just to give you a little sneak peek at
things, at the top of the list, I think

748
00:45:10,576 --> 00:45:11,776
Denzel Burke.

749
00:45:11,776 --> 00:45:15,766
Not a surprise when you talk about this
team potentially being defensive driven

750
00:45:15,766 --> 00:45:16,376
again.

751
00:45:16,376 --> 00:45:17,312
I think.

752
00:45:17,312 --> 00:45:22,082
even with the addition of Caleb Downs and
even with how Jack Sawyer emerged at the

753
00:45:22,082 --> 00:45:28,352
end of last year, we feel that Denzel is
the best, kind of the cornerstone of this

754
00:45:28,352 --> 00:45:35,292
defense, cornerstone being a cornerback
that can lock down the elite of the elite

755
00:45:35,292 --> 00:45:35,802
receivers.

756
00:45:35,802 --> 00:45:40,952
And we saw it all last year with Denzel
when he was healthy.

757
00:45:40,952 --> 00:45:45,024
And then, you know, going down the list
here, you've got Trevion Henderson second.

758
00:45:45,024 --> 00:45:49,824
Caleb Downs third, no surprise when you
talk about 107 tackles from a freshman

759
00:45:49,824 --> 00:45:51,304
safety in the SEC.

760
00:45:51,304 --> 00:45:55,784
Jack Sawyer at fourth, a huge riser at the
end of last season, thought he was the

761
00:45:55,784 --> 00:45:59,146
best defensive player certainly in the
Cotton Bowl, but also.

762
00:45:59,146 --> 00:46:02,446
really the last four or five games of the
season for Ohio State.

763
00:46:02,446 --> 00:46:06,596
Jack Sawyer kind of emerged as their best
defensive player, especially who started

764
00:46:06,596 --> 00:46:08,396
with that Minnesota game that he had.

765
00:46:08,396 --> 00:46:13,616
And then Emeka at number five, which I
think it's telling to see Emeka below Jack

766
00:46:13,616 --> 00:46:16,576
and just how much Jack stock has risen.

767
00:46:17,056 --> 00:46:21,456
Emeka obviously had the injury concerns
last year, but I think we all expect him

768
00:46:21,456 --> 00:46:23,656
to be one of the best receivers in college
football.

769
00:46:23,656 --> 00:46:27,294
So Dan, just thoughts on the top five of
the Buckeye 20.

770
00:46:27,481 --> 00:46:30,831
you and I weren't the only ones to vote on
the Buckeye 20.

771
00:46:30,831 --> 00:46:37,091
We have about nine staffers who regularly
participate and submit ballots as a part

772
00:46:37,091 --> 00:46:38,211
of a Buckeye 20.

773
00:46:38,211 --> 00:46:43,831
But I know that both you and I had Denzel
Burke as the number one players on our

774
00:46:43,831 --> 00:46:44,491
list.

775
00:46:44,491 --> 00:46:49,151
So, we are both in agreement there in
terms of Denzel.

776
00:46:49,151 --> 00:46:53,411
He was number two on the end of year
Buckeye 20 last year behind only Marvin

777
00:46:53,411 --> 00:46:54,151
Harrison Jr.

778
00:46:54,151 --> 00:46:54,591
So.

779
00:46:54,591 --> 00:46:57,411
only natural that he would take over the
number one spot.

780
00:46:57,411 --> 00:47:02,621
And for me, that was a debate between
Denzel and Caleb downs because Caleb downs

781
00:47:02,621 --> 00:47:04,611
was fantastic at Alabama.

782
00:47:04,611 --> 00:47:09,791
But I ultimately deferred to the guy who's
already been at Ohio state and who I

783
00:47:09,791 --> 00:47:16,661
personally believe is one of, if not the
best cornerback in the country.

784
00:47:16,661 --> 00:47:21,441
And I think, a lot of times the new shiny
toy is always going to get the most hype.

785
00:47:21,441 --> 00:47:23,325
And I think that hype is very deserved.

786
00:47:23,325 --> 00:47:31,665
In Caleb downs his case, but I do feel
that Denzel in my mind entering spring is

787
00:47:31,665 --> 00:47:34,915
still the best player on the team.

788
00:47:34,915 --> 00:47:41,115
And so, and my personal ballot, I had
Denzel one and Caleb too.

789
00:47:41,115 --> 00:47:45,835
I think you actually had the top three
exactly on your ballot as you had Travion

790
00:47:45,835 --> 00:47:50,175
second, Caleb downs third, and no qualms
from out of my end.

791
00:47:50,175 --> 00:47:52,455
I had Travion on my top five as well.

792
00:47:52,455 --> 00:47:53,631
I think.

793
00:47:53,631 --> 00:47:59,711
he's a guy that if he can stay healthy, he
can be the best running back in college

794
00:47:59,711 --> 00:48:00,041
football.

795
00:48:00,041 --> 00:48:03,401
And I think that's the thing that really
stands out when you, when you look at this

796
00:48:03,401 --> 00:48:06,931
list and, you know, when we reveal the top
20 later this week, I think that's the

797
00:48:06,931 --> 00:48:10,771
thing that's really going to stand out is
just the amount of talent that they have

798
00:48:10,771 --> 00:48:11,711
on this team.

799
00:48:11,711 --> 00:48:16,531
Because, you're talking about Denzel Burke
as a guy who is probably going to be a

800
00:48:16,531 --> 00:48:18,311
preseason all American at corner.

801
00:48:18,311 --> 00:48:21,851
You have Travian Henderson, who's maybe
the best running back in the country.

802
00:48:21,851 --> 00:48:23,263
You have Caleb downs who.

803
00:48:23,263 --> 00:48:24,903
be the best safety in the country.

804
00:48:24,903 --> 00:48:29,303
You have Jack Sawyer who if he plays the
way he played in those last three games of

805
00:48:29,303 --> 00:48:31,643
last season, he can be an All -American
this year.

806
00:48:31,643 --> 00:48:35,863
He can be the best defensive end Ohio
State has had since Chase Young and the

807
00:48:35,863 --> 00:48:36,683
Bosa brothers.

808
00:48:36,683 --> 00:48:41,963
And then you have Emeka Ibuka who going
into last year, a lot of people considered

809
00:48:41,963 --> 00:48:46,367
to be the second best receiver in college
football behind only Marvin Harrison Jr.

810
00:48:46,367 --> 00:48:50,667
And he wasn't able to play up to that
level last year because that ankle injury

811
00:48:50,667 --> 00:48:52,327
that kind of derailed his season.

812
00:48:52,327 --> 00:48:57,667
And I think that's why he starts out going
into this spring, a few spots lower, but

813
00:48:57,667 --> 00:49:02,027
you know, a Mecca could easily move up
that list as the season goes on because,

814
00:49:02,027 --> 00:49:06,717
uh, you know, we've seen a Mecca when he's
at his best, he's an elite player.

815
00:49:06,717 --> 00:49:13,307
I think we didn't see as much of it last
year, but he's going to be that clear cut

816
00:49:13,307 --> 00:49:15,347
number one guy.

817
00:49:15,347 --> 00:49:19,897
in the wide receiver room this year, at
least to start the year because you know,

818
00:49:19,897 --> 00:49:21,457
he's the only returning starter.

819
00:49:21,457 --> 00:49:27,277
And so that's going to give him the
opportunity to, certainly have a huge

820
00:49:27,277 --> 00:49:31,107
year, as he comes back for his senior
season.

821
00:49:31,107 --> 00:49:33,007
So, you know, that's just the top five.

822
00:49:33,007 --> 00:49:36,837
I mean, we don't even have, Tyler Williams
in the top five.

823
00:49:36,837 --> 00:49:41,267
We don't have JT two and Molo while in the
top five, we don't have Quinch on Judkins,

824
00:49:41,267 --> 00:49:44,497
a two time all sec running back in the top
five.

825
00:49:44,497 --> 00:49:45,311
And so.

826
00:49:45,311 --> 00:49:51,991
I think that's the biggest thing that,
just jumps out at you is just how much

827
00:49:51,991 --> 00:49:57,711
high end talent this Ohio state team has,
how many potential all Americans this Ohio

828
00:49:57,711 --> 00:49:59,751
state team has.

829
00:49:59,891 --> 00:50:04,691
And, certainly, that Buckeye 20 is going
to fluctuate, you know, potentially even,

830
00:50:04,691 --> 00:50:08,821
you know, after the spring before the
season starts, based on what we see this

831
00:50:08,821 --> 00:50:13,887
spring, based on wherever there's more
roster movement after the spring, but.

832
00:50:13,887 --> 00:50:20,517
You look at it right now, there's a lot of
talent on this Ohio State football team,

833
00:50:20,517 --> 00:50:25,647
and that's why this Ohio State team is
going to enter the 2024 season with

834
00:50:25,647 --> 00:50:30,410
national championship aspirations.

835
00:50:30,410 --> 00:50:34,860
Yeah, you know, the talent is bountiful
and it's clear just how much of it there

836
00:50:34,860 --> 00:50:35,430
is.

837
00:50:35,430 --> 00:50:38,690
And it was hard to make this list as a
result of that.

838
00:50:38,690 --> 00:50:43,490
You know, I had a lot of trouble, a lot of
fun ranking these guys because there's

839
00:50:43,490 --> 00:50:47,850
just it's a pretty ridiculous roster that
they have.

840
00:50:47,850 --> 00:50:51,110
And I think the Buckeye 20 reflects that.

841
00:50:51,110 --> 00:50:57,510
But, you know, kind of pivoting away from
football here, the basketball team.

842
00:50:57,510 --> 00:51:00,410
You know we came on the podcast last week.

843
00:51:00,410 --> 00:51:05,750
We it was off that Purdue win All the
juice behind the program all the momentum

844
00:51:05,750 --> 00:51:10,370
they kind of lost it pretty quickly after
the podcast You know they they lose to

845
00:51:10,370 --> 00:51:15,540
Minnesota and you know, it was the same
old story It was defense and rebounding

846
00:51:15,540 --> 00:51:20,210
heard them that was the you know I have
that narrative of defense and rebounding

847
00:51:20,210 --> 00:51:24,230
heard Ohio State on the road Wow, what a
surprise, you know seven 17th straight

848
00:51:24,230 --> 00:51:25,066
road loss

849
00:51:25,066 --> 00:51:29,436
broke the program record, set a program
worse, I guess you could say, as a little

850
00:51:29,436 --> 00:51:33,446
more apt since breaking a record makes it
sound like a good thing.

851
00:51:33,446 --> 00:51:37,556
But, you know, I think coming off that
none of us were really expecting them to

852
00:51:37,556 --> 00:51:42,226
go on the road and beat Michigan State,
particularly in the fashion they did.

853
00:51:42,226 --> 00:51:48,306
12 point second half comeback win, Buzzer
Beater from Dale Bonner, who's had his

854
00:51:48,306 --> 00:51:50,346
bevy of struggles this season.

855
00:51:50,346 --> 00:51:55,542
So this was a huge win for the team and

856
00:51:55,542 --> 00:51:59,872
it's good to be talking positive about
Ohio state basketball for, for a second

857
00:51:59,872 --> 00:52:00,982
week in a row, Dan.

858
00:52:00,982 --> 00:52:03,999
It feels odd almost.

859
00:52:03,999 --> 00:52:09,639
Yeah, I mean, it's, you know, it's we've
seen now, you know, two Sundays in a row,

860
00:52:09,639 --> 00:52:16,359
this Ohio state team and a nationally
televised game on CBS has shown up and,

861
00:52:16,359 --> 00:52:17,699
and gotten a big win.

862
00:52:17,699 --> 00:52:21,669
And certainly, this one was a big monkey
to get off Ohio states back.

863
00:52:21,669 --> 00:52:28,639
It had been 420 days since Ohio state had
won a game in another team's arena.

864
00:52:28,639 --> 00:52:31,615
So, for Ohio state to finally.

865
00:52:31,615 --> 00:52:36,475
get that long awaited road win and to do
it in such frilling fashion.

866
00:52:36,475 --> 00:52:41,595
Uh, certainly, those two wins against
Michigan state and Purdue are, are two

867
00:52:41,595 --> 00:52:46,235
games that I think are going to stand out
as positive memories from this season,

868
00:52:46,235 --> 00:52:50,295
regardless of how this season ends up.

869
00:52:50,295 --> 00:52:54,785
And they're going to be positive memories
for Jake Deibler who, has clearly, I

870
00:52:54,785 --> 00:52:59,535
think, given this team a spark, you know,
even well, the Minnesota game kind of

871
00:52:59,535 --> 00:53:01,183
looked like some of the same old stuff.

872
00:53:01,183 --> 00:53:06,003
You know, to see this team, again, we
talked about it in the Purdue game.

873
00:53:06,003 --> 00:53:11,323
You know, Purdue kept taking shots in the
second half and Ohio state with stood that

874
00:53:11,323 --> 00:53:14,563
and they held on and they beat the number
two team in the country.

875
00:53:14,563 --> 00:53:18,003
This way it was a little different in the
sense that at halftime, I don't think

876
00:53:18,003 --> 00:53:20,533
anybody really would have thought that
Ohio state was going to win this game.

877
00:53:20,533 --> 00:53:22,323
They were down by double digits.

878
00:53:22,323 --> 00:53:26,703
It looked like, man, you know, the
luster's worn off there.

879
00:53:26,703 --> 00:53:28,031
They're struggling again.

880
00:53:28,031 --> 00:53:30,011
You know, Jameson battles, not playing.

881
00:53:30,011 --> 00:53:32,511
They're just not able to generate enough
offense.

882
00:53:32,511 --> 00:53:37,731
And, they were struggling some transition
defense.

883
00:53:37,731 --> 00:53:41,671
it didn't look like it was going to be
Ohio state's day, but then to come back in

884
00:53:41,671 --> 00:53:46,171
the second half from down 12 points and
pull out a win.

885
00:53:46,171 --> 00:53:47,291
Again, we talked about it.

886
00:53:47,291 --> 00:53:50,271
What was one of the biggest problems of
the Chris Holtman era?

887
00:53:50,271 --> 00:53:52,141
It was that late game execution.

888
00:53:52,141 --> 00:53:56,671
It was not finding a way to win with the
game on the line.

889
00:53:56,671 --> 00:54:03,131
And we've now seen Ohio state do that in
two of Jake deblers first free games.

890
00:54:03,131 --> 00:54:09,271
And so it gives you more confidence now
for the rest of this season to where, you

891
00:54:09,271 --> 00:54:14,941
know, as we said last week, the, the road
to the NCA tournament is still uphill for

892
00:54:14,941 --> 00:54:19,001
this Ohio state basketball team,
especially after, you know, suffering

893
00:54:19,001 --> 00:54:21,631
another loss this past week against
Minnesota.

894
00:54:21,631 --> 00:54:25,183
But you look at the games that are left on
a regular season schedule.

895
00:54:25,183 --> 00:54:28,263
You've got two home games in a row against
Nebraska and Michigan.

896
00:54:28,263 --> 00:54:30,523
And then you go on the road at Rutgers.

897
00:54:30,523 --> 00:54:35,703
These are three very winnable games for
Ohio state.

898
00:54:35,703 --> 00:54:39,443
And if Ohio state can win those free
games.

899
00:54:39,903 --> 00:54:44,413
I think you go into the big 10 tournament
with a shot.

900
00:54:44,413 --> 00:54:49,503
it's not going to be guaranteed, but I
think if Ohio state can build off this

901
00:54:49,503 --> 00:54:52,983
last win and they can finish for regular
season strong here.

902
00:54:52,983 --> 00:54:55,999
I don't think that.

903
00:54:55,999 --> 00:54:59,379
the NCAA tournament is, is, is completely
out of reach for this team.

904
00:54:59,379 --> 00:55:03,559
And that's probably not something that we
would have predicted a couple of weeks ago

905
00:55:03,559 --> 00:55:05,139
of the way things are trending.

906
00:55:05,139 --> 00:55:12,549
And so you got to give Jake Deibler a lot
of credit as the interim coach for getting

907
00:55:12,549 --> 00:55:20,269
this team to start playing at a higher
level and to inject some belief back into

908
00:55:20,269 --> 00:55:24,074
Ohio state men's basketball in Columbus.

909
00:55:24,074 --> 00:55:30,434
Yeah, the turnaround under Jake has been
stark and the again, it's the aggression

910
00:55:30,434 --> 00:55:32,144
and the depth that they're rolling.

911
00:55:32,144 --> 00:55:34,234
I think, you know, I brought it up last
week.

912
00:55:34,234 --> 00:55:37,614
That was his strategy coming into this.

913
00:55:37,614 --> 00:55:43,124
And, you know, it's even if it's not a
perfect plan, it's good, better to have a

914
00:55:43,124 --> 00:55:48,194
plan and execute that plan than it is to,
you know, not have a plan at all.

915
00:55:48,194 --> 00:55:51,530
There's a clear plan that, you know, and.

916
00:55:51,530 --> 00:55:54,840
for it to work, Ohio State needs depth
contributions.

917
00:55:54,840 --> 00:56:01,350
And I think that was, I think the quality
of play from the depth pieces was probably

918
00:56:01,350 --> 00:56:05,310
the biggest contrast for me between the
Minnesota Michigan State games and

919
00:56:05,310 --> 00:56:07,200
ultimately getting that Michigan State
win.

920
00:56:07,200 --> 00:56:12,370
Not only Dale Bonner hitting the game
winner, of course, but Devon Royal had a

921
00:56:12,370 --> 00:56:13,910
career outing.

922
00:56:14,070 --> 00:56:18,390
It's a one year career, but he had a
career outing against Michigan State, set

923
00:56:18,390 --> 00:56:20,550
a new career high with his points there.

924
00:56:20,940 --> 00:56:24,410
you're going to roll more of those depth
pieces, it's so important for their

925
00:56:24,410 --> 00:56:27,330
strategy to get those sorts of
contributions.

926
00:56:27,330 --> 00:56:34,224
And their half court defense was a major
improvement as well in this game

927
00:56:34,686 --> 00:56:35,146
transition.

928
00:56:35,146 --> 00:56:36,206
He obviously struggled.

929
00:56:36,206 --> 00:56:39,166
I think it was like 22 fast break points
off off the top of my head.

930
00:56:39,166 --> 00:56:42,120
But there was it was also Michigan State
like.

931
00:56:42,120 --> 00:56:46,100
after makes from Ohio state was constantly
running out and threatening.

932
00:56:46,100 --> 00:56:49,620
I mean, that was, you never want to see a
team be able to push the pace so

933
00:56:49,620 --> 00:56:52,280
consistently off of made shots like that.

934
00:56:52,280 --> 00:56:55,470
Uh, but they kind of corrected it as the
game went on.

935
00:56:55,470 --> 00:57:00,430
And I think the perimeter defense in the
half court, especially like after how much

936
00:57:00,430 --> 00:57:04,730
Ohio state has struggled in certain games
with perimeter defense, how rough it

937
00:57:04,730 --> 00:57:07,020
looked to start against Michigan state.

938
00:57:07,020 --> 00:57:11,000
They, they allowed Michigan state to start
really hot from three in the Michigan

939
00:57:11,000 --> 00:57:11,560
state.

940
00:57:11,560 --> 00:57:14,320
The rest of the game, I believe it was a
three for three start in Michigan State

941
00:57:14,320 --> 00:57:17,640
finished like one of their last 13 or
something.

942
00:57:17,640 --> 00:57:23,680
Um, this is a half court defense that
stepped up when it needed to, to help get

943
00:57:23,680 --> 00:57:25,900
the team back in the game.

944
00:57:25,900 --> 00:57:30,150
and then they got plays from some depth
guys when, you know, they were without

945
00:57:30,150 --> 00:57:32,810
their top perimeter threat on their own
end.

946
00:57:32,810 --> 00:57:41,224
Circling back to the NCAA discussion on
things, I think these three games,

947
00:57:41,224 --> 00:57:45,314
Really the toughest one you look at that's
left is this Nebraska game that's coming

948
00:57:45,314 --> 00:57:46,624
up on Thursday.

949
00:57:46,624 --> 00:57:54,124
This is a team that beat you in Lincoln
earlier this year, 83 -69, but also

950
00:57:54,124 --> 00:57:56,444
Nebraska has struggled on the road.

951
00:57:56,444 --> 00:58:04,164
That's the flip side of it is that now you
are facing a team that is, they've

952
00:58:04,164 --> 00:58:06,920
basically been a two different teams is
what I'm trying to say.

953
00:58:06,920 --> 00:58:08,450
on the road versus at home.

954
00:58:08,450 --> 00:58:11,540
Two and seven on the road this year is
Nebraska.

955
00:58:11,540 --> 00:58:16,360
And so that's a situation you can take
advantage of.

956
00:58:16,420 --> 00:58:21,520
They probably need that loud environment
too in the shot, hopefully, to kind of

957
00:58:21,520 --> 00:58:24,480
fuel them and take advantage of that
situation.

958
00:58:24,480 --> 00:58:25,470
I think

959
00:58:26,044 --> 00:58:30,104
off of that, then the Michigan game, and
Michigan's really been struggling lately.

960
00:58:30,104 --> 00:58:32,994
You've just got to handle business in that
one and then go back on the road.

961
00:58:32,994 --> 00:58:35,302
All of a sudden, you're at,

962
00:58:35,302 --> 00:58:38,182
19 wins coming out of the regular season.

963
00:58:38,682 --> 00:58:41,692
What we said was four or five last week
has become three of three this week.

964
00:58:41,692 --> 00:58:43,272
And then you win two tournament games.

965
00:58:43,272 --> 00:58:44,622
You're at 21 wins.

966
00:58:44,622 --> 00:58:48,422
You have three quad one wins already.

967
00:58:48,422 --> 00:58:53,402
I think the NCAA tournament resume is
really starting to build for this team.

968
00:58:53,402 --> 00:59:00,482
And the bubble isn't as tough as in other
years when you kind of look around college

969
00:59:00,482 --> 00:59:04,998
basketball, there may be a little window
of opportunity for that.

970
00:59:04,998 --> 00:59:10,588
So I think all the credit again to Jake
Diebler and what he and his staff have

971
00:59:10,588 --> 00:59:17,678
done since Chris Holtman's termination to
get this team back to a place where it is

972
00:59:17,678 --> 00:59:23,058
competing for and looks like it has a
legitimate shot to get to the NCAA

973
00:59:23,058 --> 00:59:23,638
tournament.

974
00:59:23,638 --> 00:59:29,518
I think I've never really had higher hopes
for them to make the tourney this year

975
00:59:29,518 --> 00:59:34,418
than since the big losing stretch under
Holtman started.

976
00:59:34,694 --> 00:59:36,814
I'm actually kind of starting.

977
00:59:36,814 --> 00:59:42,974
I'm not like, it's not, I'm not predicting
it yet, Dan, but it's a, it's a real

978
00:59:42,974 --> 00:59:44,478
possibility in my.

979
00:59:45,179 --> 00:59:47,379
Yeah, there's a realistic path.

980
00:59:47,379 --> 00:59:51,789
And I mean, that's honestly, as a couple
of weeks ago, that's probably about as

981
00:59:51,789 --> 00:59:55,369
much as you could have asked for at this
point, that this team would have something

982
00:59:55,369 --> 00:59:57,279
to play for at this point.

983
00:59:57,279 --> 01:00:01,399
And so, you know, we will see how it
ultimately plays out over the next few

984
01:00:01,399 --> 01:00:01,659
weeks.

985
01:00:01,659 --> 01:00:04,389
Certainly, you know, they have to finish
strong.

986
01:00:04,389 --> 01:00:10,739
I mean, even, even one loss in those last
three regular season games could be very

987
01:00:10,739 --> 01:00:12,475
damaging to Ohio State's hopes.

988
01:00:12,475 --> 01:00:16,255
And I think would really put them in a
position where they would have to make a

989
01:00:16,255 --> 01:00:21,685
deep run in the NC or in the big 10
tournament in order to make the NCAA

990
01:00:21,685 --> 01:00:22,475
tournament.

991
01:00:22,475 --> 01:00:27,015
But, they've turned things, you know, you,
you think back to last year, they've at

992
01:00:27,015 --> 01:00:33,155
least been able to turn things around
earlier this year to give themselves a

993
01:00:33,155 --> 01:00:33,375
chance.

994
01:00:33,375 --> 01:00:36,055
You know, we saw last year, they made a
nice run into big 10 tournament, but it

995
01:00:36,055 --> 01:00:37,355
was, it was just too late.

996
01:00:37,355 --> 01:00:41,615
You know, this year they've, they've
managed to turn things around just early

997
01:00:41,615 --> 01:00:42,619
enough.

998
01:00:42,619 --> 01:00:47,059
That they're not completely out of it yet.

999
01:00:47,059 --> 01:00:52,219
And ultimately, you know, it's what Gene
Smith fought when he, when he made the

1000
01:00:52,219 --> 01:00:56,679
decision to fire Chris Holtman and Jake
promote Jake Deibler, he fought that could

1001
01:00:56,679 --> 01:01:00,049
give Ohio state a spark, could give them a
chance to be more competitive down the

1002
01:01:00,049 --> 01:01:00,579
stretch.

1003
01:01:00,579 --> 01:01:03,599
And so far that that has come to fruition.

1004
01:01:03,599 --> 01:01:09,859
And so we will see again, two huge home
games for Ohio state against Nebraska and

1005
01:01:09,859 --> 01:01:11,399
Michigan this week.

1006
01:01:11,399 --> 01:01:11,931
I think.

1007
01:01:11,931 --> 01:01:13,221
It's not a stretch to save it.

1008
01:01:13,221 --> 01:01:15,491
Those are must win games for this team.

1009
01:01:15,491 --> 01:01:21,131
And so, uh, we will see if Ohio state can
ultimately get it done there.

1010
01:01:21,131 --> 01:01:26,611
Of course, you know, the question that
continues to loom over all of this is the

1011
01:01:26,611 --> 01:01:32,111
future of the program beyond this season
and whether what Jake Deibler is doing

1012
01:01:32,111 --> 01:01:39,311
right now could give him a shot to be the
permanent head coach, after this season.

1013
01:01:39,311 --> 01:01:41,979
And, you know, we polled our readers on
that.

1014
01:01:41,979 --> 01:01:45,999
on 11 warriors .com and you know, it's,
it's a little bit interesting.

1015
01:01:45,999 --> 01:01:54,439
I think, as of Sunday evening, a few hours
after the game, it was 51 % yes, 49 % no.

1016
01:01:54,519 --> 01:01:58,399
Uh, as of Monday afternoon, you know, a
little more time made for people to come

1017
01:01:58,399 --> 01:02:00,539
off the wind.

1018
01:02:00,539 --> 01:02:04,519
It's 49 % yes, 51 % no.

1019
01:02:04,519 --> 01:02:11,257
So just slightly against the idea of,

1020
01:02:11,257 --> 01:02:14,577
Promoting Jake Deibler to the permanent
head coach.

1021
01:02:14,577 --> 01:02:21,207
And I think that almost 50 50 split kind
of speaks to, you know, the arguments for

1022
01:02:21,207 --> 01:02:27,427
and against it for, you know, Jake
Deibler, because, we are seeing, him get

1023
01:02:27,427 --> 01:02:31,507
more out of this team than Chris Holtman
was getting out of it.

1024
01:02:31,507 --> 01:02:36,227
He is somebody that I think is, really
well liked by the players at Ohio state.

1025
01:02:36,227 --> 01:02:40,763
I think he's well liked by, others around
the program,

1026
01:02:40,763 --> 01:02:43,123
boosters who support Ohio state
basketball.

1027
01:02:43,123 --> 01:02:49,223
And so I think, with every win, there's
going to be more and more of a push for

1028
01:02:49,223 --> 01:02:53,283
Jake deep blur to get real consideration
for that job.

1029
01:02:53,483 --> 01:02:58,003
On the other hand, Ross Bjork, the
incoming athletic director at Ohio state,

1030
01:02:58,003 --> 01:03:01,223
he did an interview with the Columbus
dispatch last week.

1031
01:03:01,223 --> 01:03:06,183
And one of the things he said in that
interview was that quote, experience in

1032
01:03:06,183 --> 01:03:08,443
the chair matters in terms

1033
01:03:08,791 --> 01:03:12,931
a new head coach and Jake Dibler has never
been a full -time head coach before.

1034
01:03:12,931 --> 01:03:18,761
So I think that speaks to some of what we
talked about last week that even if we see

1035
01:03:18,761 --> 01:03:24,891
this team go on a really strong run here
at the end of the season, is that enough

1036
01:03:24,891 --> 01:03:34,111
for Ohio state to hire someone who has
never been a full -time head coach before,

1037
01:03:34,111 --> 01:03:37,455
or is Ross Bjork going to.

1038
01:03:37,455 --> 01:03:45,415
to make a bigger swing and it would still
appear as of now that Ross Bjork wants to

1039
01:03:45,415 --> 01:03:48,225
make a bigger swing.

1040
01:03:48,225 --> 01:03:55,325
our own, Garret Hodge actually, you know,
heard on Monday, from a source that, Sean

1041
01:03:55,325 --> 01:04:01,295
Miller is viewed in coaching circles as a
front runner for this job.

1042
01:04:01,295 --> 01:04:07,407
I know that Adam Jardy has also reported
that, dusty may from Florida Atlantic.

1043
01:04:07,407 --> 01:04:11,597
has been in contact with Ohio State,
though, uh, there is some word out there

1044
01:04:11,597 --> 01:04:16,507
that he wants the Indiana job and that he
might be waiting for that job to open up

1045
01:04:16,507 --> 01:04:20,247
as he is in Indiana alumnus.

1046
01:04:20,247 --> 01:04:29,277
And so, it does seem like Ohio state is
certainly looking for someone who has more

1047
01:04:29,277 --> 01:04:32,007
experience as an actual head coach than
Jake DeBlois.

1048
01:04:33,848 --> 01:04:39,078
I think we both like Dusty have always
liked Dusty May for this job, but I think,

1049
01:04:39,078 --> 01:04:42,258
you know, Mike Woodson's likely on his way
out there at Indiana.

1050
01:04:42,258 --> 01:04:47,498
I think that's where he's going to
ultimately end up in that case.

1051
01:04:47,498 --> 01:04:51,158
You know, assuming Indiana also wants him,
but I don't know why you wouldn't.

1052
01:04:51,158 --> 01:04:55,610
I mean, he's one of the biggest rising
stars in the profession right now.

1053
01:04:55,610 --> 01:04:59,530
I some other updates there, you know, Greg
McDermott, who was kind of my top

1054
01:04:59,530 --> 01:05:01,090
candidate at the start of this.

1055
01:05:01,090 --> 01:05:05,230
It looks like Creighton is preparing to
offer him a big contract extension similar

1056
01:05:05,230 --> 01:05:09,400
to Lamont Paris, who we discussed before
as being in the same boat with South

1057
01:05:09,400 --> 01:05:10,185
Carolina.

1058
01:05:10,403 --> 01:05:15,183
So really Sean Miller is, it makes sense
that he is kind of emerging as the front

1059
01:05:15,183 --> 01:05:16,023
runner here.

1060
01:05:16,023 --> 01:05:21,183
I know there might be some mixed emotions
around that name for Ohio state fans, but

1061
01:05:21,183 --> 01:05:23,323
he obviously has track record.

1062
01:05:23,323 --> 01:05:27,943
has experience, has some of those things
that Ross Bjork said in that dispatch

1063
01:05:27,943 --> 01:05:31,343
interview he's looking for, at this
position.

1064
01:05:31,343 --> 01:05:39,243
I think one, one candid date that I think
has definitely emerged in this race that

1065
01:05:39,243 --> 01:05:44,363
doesn't have that experience is Chris
Jent, uh, who we've discussed previously

1066
01:05:44,363 --> 01:05:48,883
being an NBA assistant for a long time,
but not really ever filling a head

1067
01:05:48,883 --> 01:05:50,923
coaching role except for in the G league.

1068
01:05:50,923 --> 01:05:52,443
So,

1069
01:05:52,443 --> 01:05:57,013
As much as he's expressed interest in
returning to his alma mater to, to be the

1070
01:05:57,013 --> 01:06:06,163
head coach, he doesn't have that cache,
that resume that a Sean Miller would, uh,

1071
01:06:06,163 --> 01:06:10,213
or a dusty may, if he does ultimately end
up being in the interested in the Ohio

1072
01:06:10,213 --> 01:06:16,223
state job, with what's going on in Indiana
and how that plays out.

1073
01:06:16,223 --> 01:06:19,415
in terms of Jake debler,

1074
01:06:19,415 --> 01:06:25,965
I still think they need to at least get to
the Sweet 16 or maybe if you had a miracle

1075
01:06:25,965 --> 01:06:31,865
run to win the Big Ten tournament,
something like that for him to really be a

1076
01:06:31,865 --> 01:06:34,575
true candidate in that search.

1077
01:06:34,955 --> 01:06:37,395
I said Final Four last week.

1078
01:06:37,395 --> 01:06:39,975
That was a little outlandish, I think,
like you had said.

1079
01:06:39,975 --> 01:06:43,697
If he makes the Final Four, I think that
he's getting the job.

1080
01:06:43,935 --> 01:06:46,175
think especially with Bjork's comments.

1081
01:06:46,175 --> 01:06:53,075
He's gonna need something of that sort of
achievement level to get his name in the

1082
01:06:53,075 --> 01:06:53,603
hat.

1083
01:07:05,604 --> 01:07:11,614
it feels to me like a lot of signs are
starting to point towards Sean Miller here

1084
01:07:11,614 --> 01:07:16,844
based on the fact that, you know, dusty
may could be, you have a guy at Indiana,

1085
01:07:16,844 --> 01:07:20,544
if they fire Mike Woodson based on the
fact that, you know, Greg, Greg Durment

1086
01:07:20,544 --> 01:07:21,664
Lamont, Paris.

1087
01:07:21,664 --> 01:07:24,334
seem more likely to stay where they
currently are.

1088
01:07:24,334 --> 01:07:28,604
The fact that Jay Wright has said he is
definitely done coaching and he's not

1089
01:07:28,604 --> 01:07:30,444
interested in the job.

1090
01:07:30,444 --> 01:07:37,264
It feels like if they're going to go get a
sitting head coach from another school

1091
01:07:37,264 --> 01:07:45,194
that Sean Miller might be the guy that
makes the most sense in terms of having

1092
01:07:45,194 --> 01:07:49,494
the resume that Ohio state could be
looking for and him also being someone

1093
01:07:49,494 --> 01:07:51,732
who's probably wants the job.

1094
01:07:51,732 --> 01:07:56,132
I think there's other guys that Ohio state
might want that may not necessarily be

1095
01:07:56,132 --> 01:07:59,532
inclined to leave their current jobs for
Ohio state.

1096
01:07:59,532 --> 01:08:03,482
I think there's a good chance that Sean
Miller would be inclined to make that

1097
01:08:03,482 --> 01:08:11,202
move, to go to a school that has more
resources and give him the opportunity to,

1098
01:08:11,202 --> 01:08:14,899
you know, build, you know, an elite
program.

1099
01:08:14,899 --> 01:08:18,379
You know, I know there's been kind of
mixed feelings among people out there

1100
01:08:18,379 --> 01:08:22,549
about whether Sean Miller would be the
right fit for this job.

1101
01:08:22,549 --> 01:08:28,539
I mean, obviously there's the well
publicized stuff that happened in Arizona,

1102
01:08:28,539 --> 01:08:33,239
the whole FBI case and his involvement in
that.

1103
01:08:33,239 --> 01:08:37,959
You know, my feeling is I don't think
that's going to deter Ross Bjork because

1104
01:08:37,959 --> 01:08:43,159
Ross Bjork has not been someone who has
been risk averse as an athletic director

1105
01:08:43,159 --> 01:08:44,243
and.

1106
01:08:44,243 --> 01:08:48,363
The stuff that they got in trouble for is
basically legal now.

1107
01:08:48,363 --> 01:08:57,643
I mean, especially after what happened on
Friday with the NCAAs ban on.

1108
01:08:58,163 --> 01:09:02,563
And the use of NIL and recruiting
basically being struck down.

1109
01:09:02,563 --> 01:09:10,003
Like, this idea of like players being able
to get paid to go play for schools.

1110
01:09:10,003 --> 01:09:14,475
Like we're, we're pretty much there at
this point, especially if, if.

1111
01:09:14,483 --> 01:09:18,783
the States of Tennessee and Virginia end
up winning that lawsuit against VNCA.

1112
01:09:18,783 --> 01:09:26,723
And so I think that kind of takes down one
barrier from a potential Sean Miller hire.

1113
01:09:26,723 --> 01:09:29,723
The other thing you could point to is
Xavier's not very good this year.

1114
01:09:29,723 --> 01:09:31,823
Like Xavier has a losing record right now.

1115
01:09:31,823 --> 01:09:38,933
And so do you really want to hire a guy
whose current team is not performing well?

1116
01:09:38,933 --> 01:09:41,075
Like is that really.

1117
01:09:41,075 --> 01:09:47,915
The best hire, I think that is a valid
concern, but I also think, you know, you

1118
01:09:47,915 --> 01:09:54,695
look at his track record at Arizona, you
know, he's shown that he can build elite

1119
01:09:54,695 --> 01:09:55,495
teams.

1120
01:09:55,495 --> 01:10:00,875
He's shown that he can recruit at a very
high level and he already has those ties

1121
01:10:00,875 --> 01:10:06,175
to the state of Ohio to where, you know,
Ohio state really needs to be going out

1122
01:10:06,175 --> 01:10:10,227
and getting the best players in Ohio and
these upcoming classes.

1123
01:10:10,227 --> 01:10:14,107
And he already has a head start on that
from his recruiting at Xavier.

1124
01:10:14,107 --> 01:10:21,417
And so I think those are reasons why he is
an appealing potential candidate to be

1125
01:10:21,417 --> 01:10:22,725
Ohio state's next head coach.

1126
01:10:23,137 --> 01:10:27,827
Yeah, you know, I think a lot of me does
question if it's the best fit when you

1127
01:10:27,827 --> 01:10:29,637
have a sport like basketball.

1128
01:10:29,637 --> 01:10:30,947
We talked about it last week.

1129
01:10:30,947 --> 01:10:35,477
You can cast such a wet wide net in this
coaching search.

1130
01:10:35,477 --> 01:10:39,997
And I mean, look, it's Ross Bjork doesn't
officially arrive until Friday.

1131
01:10:39,997 --> 01:10:43,137
And that's when things will really heat up
with this.

1132
01:10:43,137 --> 01:10:47,057
And I think there's going to be a lot more
developments over the next few weeks

1133
01:10:47,057 --> 01:10:50,547
before we really find out for.

1134
01:10:50,547 --> 01:10:54,217
sure who the emerging candidates are.

1135
01:10:55,317 --> 01:11:04,337
But, you know, I do think that I'd like to
see, you know, if Sean Miller's the guy

1136
01:11:04,337 --> 01:11:07,037
exactly what the vision is there.

1137
01:11:07,037 --> 01:11:10,477
I'd be very curious to see what that looks
like.

1138
01:11:10,757 --> 01:11:15,617
And like you said, probably a good thing
that, you know, programs are going to have

1139
01:11:15,617 --> 01:11:20,301
a lot more freedom in terms of NIL
inducements, those kinds of things.

1140
01:11:20,301 --> 01:11:26,321
Given you know his his his background, you
know not that you expect him to get caught

1141
01:11:26,321 --> 01:11:32,121
with his hand in the cooking jar so to
speak twice but We'll see how that all

1142
01:11:32,121 --> 01:11:37,571
plays out and I think it's also a very
telling hire for Bjork if that is the

1143
01:11:37,571 --> 01:11:42,641
direction he ultimately goes that like you
said he's Not gonna play that risk

1144
01:11:42,641 --> 01:11:43,671
aversion strategy.

1145
01:11:43,671 --> 01:11:46,785
He's gonna be willing to try and find the
guy that

1146
01:11:46,785 --> 01:11:51,185
He feels gives the team the best chance to
win the program, the best chance longterm.

1147
01:11:51,185 --> 01:11:56,435
Uh, and so, you know, as this all plays
out in the background of Ohio state

1148
01:11:56,435 --> 01:12:02,225
season, um, just a very, interesting
search that's going on.

1149
01:12:02,225 --> 01:12:06,725
And I, it's curious to see who's emerged
in the search here.

1150
01:12:06,725 --> 01:12:11,155
Um, the early preliminary discussions that
Ohio state is having with some of these

1151
01:12:11,155 --> 01:12:11,785
candidates.

1152
01:12:11,785 --> 01:12:17,087
Now, another team we got to give a shout
out to too, is the women's team again.

1153
01:12:17,087 --> 01:12:22,037
their role has continued 14 consecutive
wins clinched the number one seed in the

1154
01:12:22,037 --> 01:12:25,057
Big Ten tournament and a share of the
regular season title.

1155
01:12:25,057 --> 01:12:30,257
This this women's team is you know they
continue to be among the best in the

1156
01:12:30,257 --> 01:12:36,257
country and you know plenty of reason for
fans to get excited and they have been you

1157
01:12:36,257 --> 01:12:40,437
know multiple times now this season Ohio
State's open in the upper bowl the shot to

1158
01:12:40,437 --> 01:12:41,897
let more fans in.

1159
01:12:41,897 --> 01:12:45,717
It's it's really fun to see this much
juice behind Ohio State women's basketball

1160
01:12:45,717 --> 01:12:46,427
damn.

1161
01:12:46,920 --> 01:12:47,330
Yeah.

1162
01:12:47,330 --> 01:12:54,210
I mean to open it up now three times,
because of ticket demand for Ohio state

1163
01:12:54,210 --> 01:12:55,850
women's basketball.

1164
01:12:55,850 --> 01:12:58,670
I think he's a really encouraging sign for
that program.

1165
01:12:58,670 --> 01:13:04,430
You know, because the first time that Ohio
state had to open up a upper bowl was

1166
01:13:04,430 --> 01:13:08,010
because of Caitlin Clark and is because of
a hype around her.

1167
01:13:08,010 --> 01:13:12,930
But I think now you're seeing more
interest in Ohio state women's basketball

1168
01:13:12,930 --> 01:13:16,628
just for Ohio state women's basketball,
for people who want to watch.

1169
01:13:16,628 --> 01:13:21,128
the Buckeyes who recognize that this team
is really, really good and that they

1170
01:13:21,128 --> 01:13:22,798
should be paying attention to it.

1171
01:13:22,798 --> 01:13:26,218
And, uh, certainly, uh, a good week.

1172
01:13:26,218 --> 01:13:29,688
If you, if you haven't been paying
attention to Ohio state women's

1173
01:13:29,688 --> 01:13:34,958
basketball, this is a good week to start
because, uh, they have a rematch with

1174
01:13:34,958 --> 01:13:37,918
Michigan coming up tonight at 7.

1175
01:13:37,918 --> 01:13:38,148
P.

1176
01:13:38,148 --> 01:13:38,278
M.

1177
01:13:38,278 --> 01:13:39,278
On Peacock.

1178
01:13:39,278 --> 01:13:41,668
Michigan is the last team that beat Ohio
state.

1179
01:13:41,668 --> 01:13:43,294
That was all the way back in December.

1180
01:13:43,294 --> 01:13:46,534
Ohio state has won its first 14 games of
2024.

1181
01:13:46,534 --> 01:13:51,104
And if Ohio state wins tonight, and which
will also be its home finale, Ohio state

1182
01:13:51,104 --> 01:13:54,974
would clinch the outright big 10 title.

1183
01:13:54,974 --> 01:13:58,984
Ohio state has already clinched the number
one seed in a big 10 tournament, but

1184
01:13:58,984 --> 01:14:02,674
there's still a scenario if Ohio state was
to lose its last two games in a regular

1185
01:14:02,674 --> 01:14:06,214
season where it could end up as a shared
regular season title.

1186
01:14:06,214 --> 01:14:11,766
But if Ohio state beats Michigan tonight,
Ohio state would then clinch.

1187
01:14:11,766 --> 01:14:17,586
the big 10 regular season championship
before it's rematch with Iowa, who it

1188
01:14:17,586 --> 01:14:24,816
plays on Sunday at Iowa city, Caitlin
Clark's final regular season home game at

1189
01:14:24,816 --> 01:14:25,766
Iowa.

1190
01:14:25,926 --> 01:14:30,886
Caitlin Clark could also potentially break
Pete Marovitch's NCAA scoring record of

1191
01:14:30,886 --> 01:14:31,506
that game.

1192
01:14:31,506 --> 01:14:35,926
So there is unquestionably going to be a
lot of eyeballs on that game.

1193
01:14:35,926 --> 01:14:39,890
Certainly going to be a tough game for the
Buckeyes to go win and what's

1194
01:14:39,890 --> 01:14:45,410
Undoubtedly going to be a sold out packed
arena there in Iowa city.

1195
01:14:45,410 --> 01:14:49,640
That's going to be a tough challenge, but
the way these Buckeyes are playing right

1196
01:14:49,640 --> 01:14:55,070
now, uh, certainly, uh, they, they are
capable of, of beating anybody in winning

1197
01:14:55,070 --> 01:14:55,740
any game.

1198
01:14:55,740 --> 01:14:59,990
So it has been a lot of, a lot of fun to
watch them.

1199
01:14:59,990 --> 01:15:03,040
And you know, interesting thing too.

1200
01:15:03,040 --> 01:15:09,422
We were talking about Sean Miller, Sean
Miller and Kevin McGuff actually coached.

1201
01:15:09,526 --> 01:15:16,096
Together at Xavier, Kevin McGuff was there
with the women's team and Sean Miller was

1202
01:15:16,096 --> 01:15:20,956
there with the men's team at the same time
during Sean Miller's first stint at

1203
01:15:20,956 --> 01:15:21,226
Xavier.

1204
01:15:21,226 --> 01:15:27,776
So that's a little fun fact too, that if
Sean Miller ends up emerging as the next

1205
01:15:27,776 --> 01:15:31,756
Ohio State men's basketball coach, but he
would already have a connection there on

1206
01:15:31,756 --> 01:15:35,263
campus with the women's basketball coach.

1207
01:15:35,263 --> 01:15:37,023
Very funny how that works out, Dan.

1208
01:15:37,023 --> 01:15:39,993
A small world we live in, you could say.

1209
01:15:40,593 --> 01:15:43,173
Or a small coaching world, at least.

1210
01:15:43,573 --> 01:15:48,173
Those two could end up being the men's and
women's coaches at two different

1211
01:15:48,173 --> 01:15:49,533
universities.

1212
01:15:49,633 --> 01:15:52,573
I'm just really excited.

1213
01:15:52,573 --> 01:15:56,713
You're on the front lines covering this
women's team a little more than I am.

1214
01:15:56,713 --> 01:16:01,569
I'm excited to just sit back and watch
them again tonight.

1215
01:16:01,569 --> 01:16:04,209
Really, just take in Cody McMahon, J .C.

1216
01:16:04,209 --> 01:16:05,329
Sheldon and the whole gang.

1217
01:16:05,329 --> 01:16:07,669
That's going to be a fun game.

1218
01:16:08,129 --> 01:16:10,617
And I'm excited to see it.

1219
01:16:12,372 --> 01:16:16,312
NFL scouting combine coming up in
Indianapolis.

1220
01:16:16,312 --> 01:16:21,522
By the time you're listening to this, I am
already in Indianapolis covering the

1221
01:16:21,522 --> 01:16:22,182
combine.

1222
01:16:22,182 --> 01:16:28,022
So looking forward to bringing lots of
coverage to 11 warriors over the next few

1223
01:16:28,022 --> 01:16:28,862
days.

1224
01:16:28,862 --> 01:16:34,162
Eight Ohio state players in total are
participating in the NFL scouting combine.

1225
01:16:34,162 --> 01:16:35,642
Marvin Harrison, Jr.

1226
01:16:35,642 --> 01:16:41,462
Mayan Williams, Cade Stover, Matt Jones,
Mike Hall, Steel Chambers.

1227
01:16:41,462 --> 01:16:44,222
Tommy Eichenberg, Josh Proctor.

1228
01:16:44,222 --> 01:16:47,502
We did get the news on Monday that Marvin
Harrison Jr.

1229
01:16:47,502 --> 01:16:50,562
Will not work out at the combine.

1230
01:16:50,562 --> 01:16:52,122
No surprise there.

1231
01:16:52,122 --> 01:16:55,972
I mean, you could basically look at any
mock draft right now and pretty much all

1232
01:16:55,972 --> 01:16:58,192
of them have Marvin Harrison Jr.

1233
01:16:58,192 --> 01:17:01,422
As the first non quarterback off the
board.

1234
01:17:01,422 --> 01:17:05,132
And so there was nothing to gain for
Marvin Harrison Jr.

1235
01:17:05,132 --> 01:17:06,802
By working out at the combine.

1236
01:17:06,802 --> 01:17:10,602
It's disappointing because it would have
been fun to see how fast he could run the

1237
01:17:10,602 --> 01:17:11,638
40, but

1238
01:17:11,638 --> 01:17:14,958
You know, based on what Albert Brea
reported on Monday, he hasn't even been

1239
01:17:14,958 --> 01:17:16,598
training for any of the combine drills.

1240
01:17:16,598 --> 01:17:19,748
He's been focusing solely on becoming a
better football player.

1241
01:17:19,748 --> 01:17:22,478
And because that's what's ultimately going
to matter for him.

1242
01:17:22,478 --> 01:17:26,978
He doesn't need to do the combine drills
to boost his draft stock.

1243
01:17:26,978 --> 01:17:31,298
His draft stocks already pretty much as
high as it's going to be.

1244
01:17:31,298 --> 01:17:35,538
And you wouldn't expect that any NFL team
is going to hold this against him because

1245
01:17:35,538 --> 01:17:38,278
everybody knows, I mean, everybody knows
he's a freak.

1246
01:17:38,278 --> 01:17:40,438
Just, just watch his film for the last two
years.

1247
01:17:40,438 --> 01:17:44,938
You don't need pro day numbers to know
that Marvin Harrison Jr.

1248
01:17:44,938 --> 01:17:46,758
Is an unbelievable talent.

1249
01:17:46,758 --> 01:17:50,808
And so I really don't think it matters,
but he's not doing the combine workouts in

1250
01:17:50,808 --> 01:17:53,218
terms of his draft stock.

1251
01:17:53,218 --> 01:17:56,678
Everybody already knows that he's an
extremely hard worker and somebody is very

1252
01:17:56,678 --> 01:17:58,338
dedicated to his craft.

1253
01:17:58,338 --> 01:18:02,338
And so, uh, I don't think it's going to
hurt him at all to not work out at the

1254
01:18:02,338 --> 01:18:02,648
combine.

1255
01:18:02,648 --> 01:18:06,248
I really don't think there was much that
he could have done to help himself by

1256
01:18:06,248 --> 01:18:07,358
working out at the combine.

1257
01:18:07,358 --> 01:18:09,730
So really the most important thing for
him.

1258
01:18:10,196 --> 01:18:14,706
At the combine, he's just going there,
meeting with teams so that they can get to

1259
01:18:14,706 --> 01:18:18,926
know him and the teams that might be
considering using a top pick on him, uh,

1260
01:18:18,926 --> 01:18:22,256
can, you really get to know more of who he
is as a person.

1261
01:18:22,256 --> 01:18:25,766
And that's really the most important thing
for Marvin Harrison jr.

1262
01:18:25,766 --> 01:18:31,006
To accomplish this week, but all of the
other Buckeyes at the combine have plenty

1263
01:18:31,006 --> 01:18:34,976
to gain because Marvin's the only guy
who's currently projected as a first round

1264
01:18:34,976 --> 01:18:36,126
pick for Ohio state.

1265
01:18:36,126 --> 01:18:39,606
And so any of those other seven guys.

1266
01:18:39,606 --> 01:18:44,586
could potentially, you know, really help
themselves with a strong showing at the

1267
01:18:44,586 --> 01:18:45,666
combine.

1268
01:18:45,746 --> 01:18:50,746
Andy, who are one or two guys on that list
who you're intrigued to see how they

1269
01:18:50,746 --> 01:18:52,026
perform this week?

1270
01:18:52,129 --> 01:18:56,179
Mike Hall is probably the top one and
especially coming off of how he did, you

1271
01:18:56,179 --> 01:19:00,329
know, boosting his draft stock since the
year ended.

1272
01:19:00,329 --> 01:19:07,639
I think that he's a guy that to me always
had the talent to be a fantastic three

1273
01:19:07,639 --> 01:19:09,409
tech in the NFL.

1274
01:19:09,689 --> 01:19:16,069
And so I think a really good combine could
help boost his draft stock even more here

1275
01:19:16,069 --> 01:19:18,195
coming out of the.

1276
01:19:18,497 --> 01:19:21,937
coming out of the 2023 season.

1277
01:19:22,097 --> 01:19:25,727
Josh Proctor's a guy, you know, you know
how much I've loved covering Josh's story

1278
01:19:25,727 --> 01:19:27,517
and his six years here.

1279
01:19:27,517 --> 01:19:31,337
He's a guy that's fighting just to get
drafted right now, but I think he has a

1280
01:19:31,337 --> 01:19:36,337
lot of physical attributes that scouts
might be a little surprised to see just

1281
01:19:36,337 --> 01:19:37,357
how well he tests.

1282
01:19:37,357 --> 01:19:40,177
I think he's going to test better than
certain people expect.

1283
01:19:40,177 --> 01:19:41,345
And that could help.

1284
01:19:41,345 --> 01:19:45,535
get him in sort of that day three
discussion of being a sixth or seventh

1285
01:19:45,535 --> 01:19:46,095
round guy.

1286
01:19:46,095 --> 01:19:50,375
So I'd say Mike Hall and Josh Proctor are
probably the two that I think could really

1287
01:19:50,375 --> 01:19:54,073
serve to boost their stock by testing well
at the comp.

1288
01:19:54,454 --> 01:19:55,774
Yeah, I agree with both those guys.

1289
01:19:55,774 --> 01:19:57,144
I think they're both going to test well.

1290
01:19:57,144 --> 01:20:00,044
And I think Josh, I think Josh has a
chance to go a little higher than that.

1291
01:20:00,044 --> 01:20:00,564
I really do.

1292
01:20:00,564 --> 01:20:02,554
I think he could be a four for fifth round
guy.

1293
01:20:02,554 --> 01:20:06,554
And I think some of that is going to
depend on how this week goes for him.

1294
01:20:06,554 --> 01:20:10,264
Number one for him, probably the most
important thing is going to be the medical

1295
01:20:10,264 --> 01:20:13,544
exams because he did have an injury
history at Ohio state.

1296
01:20:13,544 --> 01:20:18,214
So I think him passing all those medical
tests is probably step number one for

1297
01:20:18,214 --> 01:20:18,854
Josh.

1298
01:20:18,854 --> 01:20:20,694
And then if he can follow that up.

1299
01:20:20,694 --> 01:20:24,554
with, you know, really showing some great
physical attributes in, in the combine

1300
01:20:24,554 --> 01:20:25,254
testing.

1301
01:20:25,254 --> 01:20:30,174
I think he's certainly someone who can
elevate his draft stock this week.

1302
01:20:30,174 --> 01:20:32,494
I also think it's a big week for the two
linebackers.

1303
01:20:32,494 --> 01:20:36,124
I think particularly Tommy Eichenberg, I
think he's a guy that I go into the

1304
01:20:36,124 --> 01:20:40,364
combine not knowing what he's going to run
in that 40 yard dash.

1305
01:20:40,364 --> 01:20:44,494
And I think that I think for him, that
could be very important for him now.

1306
01:20:44,494 --> 01:20:49,104
You know, he is coming off an injury, at
the end of the season, the arm injury he

1307
01:20:49,104 --> 01:20:49,894
was dealing with.

1308
01:20:49,894 --> 01:20:50,358
So.

1309
01:20:50,358 --> 01:20:54,388
Don't know if he plans to do a full
workout in Indianapolis.

1310
01:20:54,388 --> 01:20:57,628
We'll find that out, this week.

1311
01:20:57,628 --> 01:21:01,558
you would imagine that, you know, he's not
going to be doing a bench press coming off

1312
01:21:01,558 --> 01:21:05,028
of an arm injury, but you know, could
potentially do some of the on field stuff.

1313
01:21:05,028 --> 01:21:10,538
And I, I think he's somebody that needs to
test well, whether it's at the combine or

1314
01:21:10,538 --> 01:21:15,098
a pro day, he's someone who's kind of on
that fringe of maybe he's a day to pick.

1315
01:21:15,098 --> 01:21:16,566
Maybe he's a day free pick.

1316
01:21:16,566 --> 01:21:21,816
I think a lot of that is going to depend
on how well he performs in that pre -draft

1317
01:21:21,816 --> 01:21:22,886
athletic testing.

1318
01:21:22,886 --> 01:21:26,986
And then Steel Chambers is a guy who I
think is very much on that bubble of where

1319
01:21:26,986 --> 01:21:28,766
maybe he gets drafted.

1320
01:21:28,766 --> 01:21:32,886
Maybe he's more likely to be an undrafted
free agent right now, but he's another guy

1321
01:21:32,886 --> 01:21:34,606
that I think should test well.

1322
01:21:34,606 --> 01:21:38,746
I think he's a guy who's, you know, maybe
still has some growth to do as a

1323
01:21:38,746 --> 01:21:42,586
linebacker because he made a mid -career
position switch at Ohio state.

1324
01:21:42,586 --> 01:21:44,860
But the reason why he was able to.

1325
01:21:44,860 --> 01:21:48,580
become a starting linebacker at Ohio State
is because he has very good physical

1326
01:21:48,580 --> 01:21:49,140
attributes.

1327
01:21:49,140 --> 01:21:54,400
And so I think if he can test well, he's
somebody that certainly can improve his

1328
01:21:54,400 --> 01:21:59,329
chances of being selected in those late
rounds of a draft.

1329
01:21:59,329 --> 01:22:07,049
Yeah, Myann Williams is a guy who's going
to be fighting just to get drafted in the

1330
01:22:07,049 --> 01:22:07,769
seventh round.

1331
01:22:07,769 --> 01:22:12,639
This will be an important combine to see
if he can maybe get a look from some

1332
01:22:12,639 --> 01:22:17,389
teams, even maybe set himself up for an
undrafted free agent signing.

1333
01:22:18,149 --> 01:22:22,979
Obviously, the senior season didn't go, or
redshirt junior season didn't go the way

1334
01:22:22,979 --> 01:22:26,401
he wanted it to with

1335
01:22:26,401 --> 01:22:30,721
the injury issues, but also just not
really ever finding a consistent role

1336
01:22:30,721 --> 01:22:37,241
behind Trevion Henderson and in Ohio
State's backfield this after, you really

1337
01:22:37,241 --> 01:22:40,301
they were a one -two punch for much of
2022.

1338
01:22:40,321 --> 01:22:44,611
So, and also injuries dating back to that
2022 season.

1339
01:22:44,611 --> 01:22:48,741
This is a guy who will, the medical test
will be important, much like with Proctor.

1340
01:22:48,741 --> 01:22:54,871
And if he can test well, maybe help boost
his stock a little bit just to get in

1341
01:22:54,871 --> 01:22:55,745
contention.

1342
01:22:55,745 --> 01:23:02,518
to be drafted or even to sign a an
undrafted free agent deal.

1343
01:23:02,518 --> 01:23:02,878
Yeah.

1344
01:23:02,878 --> 01:23:06,998
And, you certainly, you know, Kate Stover,
I think is also going to be a guy to watch

1345
01:23:06,998 --> 01:23:07,308
this week.

1346
01:23:07,308 --> 01:23:11,728
Another guy where, I don't know exactly
how fast he's going to run, but the faster

1347
01:23:11,728 --> 01:23:15,518
he runs, the more, you know, that's going
to help his draft stock.

1348
01:23:15,518 --> 01:23:18,978
Another guy that's, that had dealt with
some injuries late in the season.

1349
01:23:18,978 --> 01:23:21,928
So, you know, could he wait until Ohio
State's pro data workout?

1350
01:23:21,928 --> 01:23:25,038
Uh, we'll see what he ultimately decides
there.

1351
01:23:25,038 --> 01:23:29,334
But I think, all in all, a lot of
interesting storylines there.

1352
01:23:29,334 --> 01:23:34,464
for Ohio State's prospects of the combine
this week, maybe not the Marvin Harrison

1353
01:23:34,464 --> 01:23:40,124
jr show, which you know, people would have
loved to see being at Lucas oil stadium in

1354
01:23:40,124 --> 01:23:41,014
Indianapolis.

1355
01:23:41,014 --> 01:23:46,034
I'm sure for him just to be back there is
going to be cool for him.

1356
01:23:46,034 --> 01:23:49,554
He talked about how badly he wanted to
play in the big 10 championship game.

1357
01:23:49,554 --> 01:23:53,424
He never got that opportunity, but this
will be an opportunity for him to spend

1358
01:23:53,424 --> 01:23:58,594
some time in the building where his dad
became a star.

1359
01:23:58,594 --> 01:23:59,222
And so.

1360
01:23:59,222 --> 01:24:04,752
Uh, again, a lot more combine coverage to
come over the course of the week on 11

1361
01:24:04,752 --> 01:24:06,302
warriors .com.

1362
01:24:06,302 --> 01:24:10,742
And we will be back next week to talk
about what we saw, uh, not only at the

1363
01:24:10,742 --> 01:24:16,022
combine, but what we saw at Ohio state's
first spring practice of the year, because

1364
01:24:16,022 --> 01:24:21,482
by this time next week, Ohio state's first
spring practice will be in the books.

1365
01:24:21,482 --> 01:24:26,390
Of course, another big week ahead for Ohio
state's basketball programs as well.

1366
01:24:26,390 --> 01:24:30,940
So we will have plenty to talk about on
next week's RealPod Wednesdays, and we

1367
01:24:30,940 --> 01:24:33,289
hope that you will join us again then.