Welcome into Real Pod Wednesdays.
Dan Hope joined by Andy Anders as we are now less than one week away from the start
of Ohio State football spring practice.
Andy, are you excited to see the Buckeyes on the practice field again?
Oh, absolutely, Dan.
I mean, I've been raving about what this defense could be.
I think everyone's excited about what this defense could be, and I'm excited to see
them get out there and challenge this offense to get better, especially the
offensive line.
I think there's a number of interesting storylines, a number of interesting
position battles here as we enter the spring.
And, you know, I'm just excited as always to get out and watch some football, you
know, as you know, it's been a.
A few weeks since the Super Bowl now, I'm already starting to miss it again, you
know?
So I'm excited to get back out there.
Yes, certainly a no shortage of intrigue going into the spring.
And I think a lot of that has to do with the moves Ohio State made over the past
couple of months to bolster its roster for the 2024 season.
And that certainly starts with the six players that Ohio State has added through
the transfer portal.
Those being former Alabama safety, Caleb Downs, former Kansas state quarterback,
Will Howard, former Ole Miss running back, Quinshawn Judkins, former Alabama center,
Seth McLaughlin.
former Ohio tight end, Will Casmeric and former Alabama quarterback Julian Sayen.
All six of those guys are going to be going through spring practices and we
expect,
at least four of them, maybe to be starters
in, in Caleb downs, Will Howard, Seth McLaughlin, Quinchon Judkins might not
necessarily be a starter at running back, but I think it really doesn't.
matter, whether Trevion Henderson or Quinshawn Judkins is the starting running
back.
They're both going to play a lot.
So I consider them co -starters at that running back position.
Will Cass Marrick certainly has a chance to be that starting tight end as well.
And then Julian Sain is going to be as interesting as any of them because that,
that backup quarterback competition is going to be very interesting.
I don't think that I have personally covered a spring practice where a team
had.
five quarterbacks going through spring practice in terms of scholarship
quarterbacks.
So that's going to be very interesting to see how Ohio state manages that situation
at quarterback, because for starters, you, you have a new presumed starter and Will
Howard who has not been with the team.
So you have to make sure you give him enough reps to get him ready for his first
season as a Buckeye.
But then you also have.
four other quarterbacks who are going to be competing and they're going to want a
chance to prove themselves.
And you have to strike the right balance between making sure you give Will Howard
and the guys who are maybe most likely to play this season enough reps while also
trying to keep as many quarterbacks as possible happy knowing that there's
another transfer window to come at the end of spring.
And that any of those quarterbacks who don't like where they stand on the depth
chart at the end of spring may potentially be inclined to look elsewhere after the
spring.
Yeah.
And not the only position where that could happen for Ohio state, certainly, but
certainly the number one position you look at for that, you know, when you talk
about, you know, where's Devin Brown going to stand after this spring?
Where's Lincoln Keenholds going to stand?
Where's, you know, all these players that, you know, there's, there's a lot of
talent, obviously in that quarterback room and a lot of guys vying for spots, just
how quickly do.
Julian saying, do air Nolan take to the offense and how quickly can they challenge
for the backup spot behind Will Howard?
And I think obviously that readiness, that like push that they have is going to
dictate some of how those reps are split up.
If Julian saying, or, Aaron Nolan perhaps, or one of the younger guys is ultimately
going to win the role.
I think you probably defer to giving them more reps if it's close because you know,
Devin, it's.
Devin's now in year three here.
You know, he's behind Will Howard.
If you're trying to keep him around another year, maybe, but I, it really
feels like they're gearing up for either saying or Nolan to be the quarterback next
year.
Right.
So it just, it feels like this is a situation where Devin Brown, if he's not a
cut above where air Nolan and Julian saying are as first year quarterbacks,
then, there might not be a lot of reason to,
him a lot of reps unless again, you know, you're expecting him to be that second
team guy clearly, or even in the competition for next year, perhaps if he's
going to stick around for another
that's the backup quarterback shot, but there's also plenty of starting spots that
are going to be in contention for this spring.
I think the number one, that I'm interested in,
no one's surprise is the offensive line battles.
You know, I, uh,
Love me some offensive line talk.
We got a lot of intrigue on that right side.
That's really where it is pretty solidified.
Donovan Jackson is going to be starting once again at left guard.
That's obvious.
Seth McLaughlin brought in to play center.
while there's the potential for him to move to guard if they needed it, I think
really he was brought in after what happened with Carson Hensman in the Cotton
Bowl.
to shore up that spot and provide some stability on the interior of the line.
Josh Simmons at left tackle seems like a lock.
I know he had some, some bumpy spots in the last season, but he got better as the
year went on.
We've talked about this at length.
That right side is really where the intrigue is.
And does Josh Fryer ultimately end up at right guard or right tackle.
And then that will influence the competition.
Whoever starts alongside of him.
that's Luke Montgomery or Tegra Shibola.
And on the flip side, it could also be who's ready and where more out of Tegra
and Luke.
We expect Luke, Luke to be more of a tackle right now, although he could slide
inside.
Tegra's more of a guard that we think, but you know, there there's basically who is
ready where is also going to influence.
I think where Josh Fryer ultimately ends up there's kind of a.
you know, a symbiotic relationship there of what's Josh's best position, but what
is where Ohio State needs.
And so those two young guys are the main guys to watch.
But, you know, also maybe Enoch from Mahi surprises us and getting involved in that
right guard competition.
Maybe George Fitzpatrick or some other name emerges out of nowhere or
Zinmaholski.
There's there's guys that there's guys that have that are veterans too in that
room that could contend.
But I think right now we're both expecting it to mainly boil down to those three on
the right side.
Josh Fryer starting somewhere and then how do Tegra, Shebola and Luke Montgomery fit
in alongside.
Yeah.
I mean, I think that if you're Justin Fry, it makes sense to give a lot of guys,
first team reps on that offensive line this spring because last year wasn't good
enough for starting five last year wasn't good enough.
So, I mean, I think you should approach the offensive line going into spring is
it's a competition across the board that everybody has to go out there and earn
their jobs because no one on that offensive line played well enough last
year.
to be above reproach.
So would I be very surprised if Donovan Jackson is not the starting left guard?
Yes, I would.
But I do think that you should go into spring treating it like it's a competition
across the board and everybody has to go earn their jobs because it was the weakest
position group on the team last year.
On paper, it looks like the weakest position group on the team again this
year.
And so you have to challenge those guys to make it.
So they are not the weakness, you know, that's, that's, I think is, you you said
you're interested in it, but everyone should be interested in it because I think
that is the most important position battle this spring.
We'll get into a few others, but I think we'd probably both agree at all the others
that it's like, we're pretty confident, you know, however those battles go, that
Ohio state is going to be in pretty good shape at all those positions.
The offensive line is the one where.
I think this spring, it's not just about determining who's best among the guys
currently on the roster.
It's about determining whether Ohio state has the five plus guys that it needs.
And if it doesn't, then we would expect Ohio state to be aggressive and trying to
bring in more offensive line talent in the post spring transfer window.
So I think that's job number one on the offensive line is do we have five guys?
You know, ideally do we have six, seven, eight guys?
Cause if, if you don't have six, seven, eight guys, then you still need to look in
the transfer portal post spring to add more depth there.
But first and foremost, you got to make sure you have five guys on, on that
offensive line.
And I think that's going to be a very interesting competition this spring,
particularly, like you said, on the right side, because you know, I,
I don't, I wouldn't go as far as you to say Josh Simmons has a lock to start at
left tackle, but I do believe that he will ultimately be the left tackle barring an
elite left tackle entering the transfer window post spring and Ohio state bringing
that guy in, in which case then maybe you would move Josh Simmons over to right
tackle.
But as of now, you could pencil in Josh Simmons at left tackle.
I agree with you that I believe sec McLaughlin was brought in to be the
starting center and.
That doesn't mean that he won't be pushed by the likes of a Carson Hinsman or even a
Joshua Padilla this spring, but I it's, it's his job to lose.
He was brought in to be the starting center.
So it's his job to lose those two spots on the right side to me are very interesting
because I don't, I don't think that the right tackle job should necessarily be
treated as Josh Friar's job to lose it.
It might be because he was the starter all of last season.
But I think there were enough lapses in past protection there that he has a lot to
prove if he's going to win that job.
And he has, if they decided to move him to right guard, then he has a lot to prove
there too, because he, you know, he has played a little bit of guard.
You know, he did have a Michigan game two years ago.
You know, when he initially came into Ohio state, the thinking was that, you guard
was probably where he was going to end up.
And so.
I believe he's capable of playing guards.
You believe he's capable of playing guard, but that's not always a seamless
transition.
Like it's very easy to just say, kick the guy inside the guard, but until he
actually plays it on a regular basis, we really don't know how good of a guard Josh
Breyer will actually be.
And so I believe that they should give him a significant amount of reps at guard this
year to see how well can he play that position and is, is.
First and foremost, is that a better position for Josh Friar?
And then secondly, if it is, is he the best option at that position?
And I lean toward that ultimately being the way things play out, but yeah, there's
15 practices in the spring, 25 practices in a preseason.
I think that's some, we we've seen it plenty of times where Ohio state has one
idea for the offensive line in the spring and then things change come August.
So certainly possible that happens again.
this year, but I am interested to see just how much do they move him around.
And the same is true for Luke and Tegra.
I think you could move all three of those guys in between positions because I'm, I
don't know that they're sure yet which position is best for those guys.
I mean, we have talked about Luke being a tackle and Tegra being a guard, but I, I
know that they have looked at Tegra at tackle and Luke at guard as well.
So I think.
any combination of those three guys on those two spots is feasible.
If I was to predict right now, my prediction would be that Josh Fryer will
be the starting right guard and Luke Montgomery will be the starting right
tackle.
But I would not be shocked if Luke Montgomery was the starting right guard
and Josh Fryer was the starting right tackle.
And I would also not be shocked if Tegra Shabola ends up starting at either of
those spots.
And I would also not be shocked if Ohio -
If a transfer to be named later ends up being the starter at one of those spots.
But I think this spring is going to be a very important time for particularly the
right side of that offensive line to where Ohio State certainly hopes that it comes
out of that spring game in April, feeling good about two starters on that side of
the ball.
And if it doesn't, then they're going to have to be aggressive in the post spring
transfer window.
I think even back when we talked to Ryan Day last, it was interesting to hear him
dwell on the, on that right side and kind of where it is.
And you look at, you know, the overall message in certain parts of that press
conference was that Ohio state believes it currently has with the transfers.
It's already added a national title roster, a national championship caliber
roster.
So I think it speaks a lot to me that yes, they took a big swing at Kayden Proctor.
You talk about.
one of the, if not the best tackles in the portal.
Um, when Nick Saban left Alabama, retired from Alabama.
Um, but outside of that, there wasn't really a heavy pursuit at tackle for a lot
of guys.
It felt like from Ohio state.
Um, and I think that maybe kind of gives speaks a little bit to maybe some
confidence they have either in Luke or, some other tackle.
Josh taking the next step.
What I want to see them do frankly this spring to me, Josh Friar has one glaring
weakness as a tackle and that is it gets true speed rushers.
Take whoever your best speed guy is, whether that's JT or Kenyatta.
It's probably one of those two in this spring practice and line them up against
Josh on a day to day basis and see if he can handle it.
And if he can't, and I don't think it's, you know, it's, it's not going to be a
mental thing with Josh.
It's not going to be a for a lock back trying with Josh.
It's just, does he actually have the feet?
And I don't, I don't personally think he does for the true elite speed rushers.
Um, and that's again, no knock on him.
And that's why I think guard makes a lot of sense for him.
He had a ton of punch in the run game.
He's got the strength and the base to move bigger guys on the interior.
I mean, he's, he w he never started, but he played garden the past for Ohio state
just as a depth guy.
And so I, I think that that's why we've talked about.
guard making sense for Josh.
And so how does he handle those true speed guys?
That's the number one question for me as to whether or not he's viable long term at
that right tackle spot.
And if he can't, then you really need to go toward that move of taking him and
making him a guard.
And like you said, it's easier said than done, right?
It's a new position.
there's no guarantee it's going to be a seamless switch if they do that.
Um, but also, you know, I think there's a quiet confidence in what they might have
with Luke Montgomery.
Even I know he didn't play as much in the back half of last year, but there were
maybe some, maybe some things behind the scenes health wise.
I don't know.
in any case, he, to me,
the talent that they have there is real and a guy that can also slide anywhere.
Like you said, I mean, when they brought him in, they said the feeling once he
could play all five positions at some point.
But right now, I think I would go with what you project as well.
Friar at right guard, Montgomery at right tackle or my picks.
But we'll learn plenty this spring.
Hopefully, Ohio State will learn plenty this spring.
And then I think what they'd.
Then do in the transfer portal after the spring whether or not they go and pursue
more offensive linemen will be very telling about their confidence in how
things stand now now I think for kind of a more I don't know.
This is a position battle that to me isn't as important but it is because you have
two five -star guys right Sonny Styles CJ Hicks
that have all the hype in the world behind them.
And it's okay.
When are they going to play like that five star rating?
Both of them entering their third seasons at Ohio State.
Now, Sonny showed some really good things at times last year, just playing around
the box, whether, you know, mostly in that nickel roll, when he moved back to deep
safety, had some struggles down the stretch, replacing Latham Ransom at that
bandit spot.
But, you know, we've talked about him a ton this off season about trying to find
the best fit in this defense.
We think it's at will linebacker, but kind of as the same thing with Josh prior this,
it's, it's not as see, it's not a seamless transition to go from safety to linebacker
always.
and you know, CJ Hicks, I think, you know, James Lauren, I, as you wrote a story,
this, you wrote a story.
CJ Hicks is someone that they still really believe in his potential and has a really
high ceiling.
it just needs to get to a certain place.
I think mentally and.
how he sees the game.
But that to me outside the offensive line, that's the next position battle you look
at this spring is that that will linebacker spot and you know, maybe Gabe
Powers and our Arbel Reese get involved there too.
It's kind of James James alluded to when we spoke to him last.
Yeah.
I mean, you mentioned at the top of a show about how good this defense can be.
This is really the only real position battle on the defense this spring because
the defensive line, I think is pretty much set.
Jack Sawyer, JT Tua -Moloa are going to be the starting defensive ends.
Tylee Williams and Ty Hamilton are going to be the starting defensive tackles.
Cody Simon is the only linebacker on the roster who's started a game at linebacker.
So he's going to be that middle linebacker in the middle of a defense.
Ohio state returns all free starting cornerbacks from last year.
Denzel Burke, Davis and Nick Binoza and Jordan Hancock.
Lathan ransom returns is that starting strong safety.
And then we know Caleb downs is going to be an immediate starter at that free
safety spot.
So that will linebacker position is really the only true position battle on the
defense this spring.
And like you said, it's a very interesting one because of the guys who are in it and
that Sunny styles and CJ hex, you know, when they came on campus two years ago,
the thinking was, you know,
This year was going to be, you know, their year.
I mean, they'd be going off to the NFL as first round picks a year from now.
And instead, neither one of them is even a guaranteed starter going into this season.
And part of that just has to do with the fact that this defense is loaded.
Ohio state has a ton of seniors back on this defense.
And so, you know, if, if, you know, lay off and ransom had left to.
the NFL, then we're probably not having this conversation right now.
We're probably talking about Sonny Styles being the starting strong safety and CJ
Hicks being the starting will linebacker.
But because there's really only one spot in the lineup for those guys, it's going
to be a very interesting, uh, competition this spring.
And, you know, we don't really know what we're, I think when we're sitting here a
week from now talking about what we saw at the first practice of the spring, we're
going to have a better idea of how.
true a competition.
This really is because if if they believe Sonny Styles is a linebacker should be a
linebacker, that's his best position.
Then I would ultimately predict that Sonny Styles will be the starting will
linebacker because this is a guy who started every game, but one last year.
He's shown a lot of good things there.
There has to be a role for Sonny Styles in this defense.
Now, what will that look like?
That's the big question.
be more of a situational role where he comes in as a Sam linebacker and free
linebacker packages, or as a third safety and free safety packages.
There's a way to get him involved, even if he's not a starter.
And I think the same is true for CJ Hicks.
I think either way you have to find roles for both of these guys, but most
importantly, you have to have someone at that will linebacker spot.
who you know you can rely on on every down.
And I think Sonny Stiles' skill set there is very intriguing because I think if he
can make that transition, which like you said, it's not a seamless transition.
I think the biggest question would be is, okay, as a guy who's lining up in the box
on every play, how well is he gonna handle having to shed blocks all the time, having
to fill those gaps in the run game?
It's different doing that as a linebacker than it is as a box safety.
So that, that would be the big question there.
But I think the athleticism he brings to that position is ideal for what Ohio state
wants and a will linebacker, which is really a sideline to sideline position.
You want a guy who could make plays all over the field.
And when we talked about it so much last year that like, I thought they should have
used Sonny as a situational linebacker and coverage situations, because I thought he
would.
provide an upgrade in that regard over steel chambers and Tommy Eichenberg.
And, you know, then, you know, Lathan got her and, you any idea of that kind of got
shelved because they needed Sonny at that strong safety spot.
But I think that what he can bring in coverage at that linebacker position could
be a very good thing for Ohio state.
And so as we sit here going into spring practice, my prediction is that Sonny
Styles.
will be Ohio State starting will linebacker, but I'm certainly not counting
out CJ Hicks in that competition because you know, CJ Hicks is a guy who was a top
10 overall prospect in his class, a guy who has, you know, all the physical tools
to be an elite linebacker.
We just haven't seen it yet.
So it's hard to say where exactly he is in his development.
And it's been clear, I think.
From what we've heard from Jim Knowles and even what we've heard from James
Laurenitis last week, but they still need to see more from CJ hex.
James Laurenitis said, I think this is going to be a big spring for CJ hex, but
he did mention the word consistency multiple times.
And so I think, you know, I think CJ does have a very real chance if he can go and
put it all together this spring and play the way they want him to play on a day -to
-day basis.
that he absolutely can earn a starting job on this defense.
But, you know, I, I, I'm sure there's listeners out there who feel like, you
know, the only reason CJ hasn't played is because he was behind steel and Tommy and
Cody.
And that's part of it, but they've also made it clear through their comments that
they did not feel that CJ was ready.
to play a lot of snaps last year.
If they had felt that he was ready to be a regular in that rotation at linebacker,
then they probably would have worked him in there.
They didn't feel that he was quite to that point yet.
So he has to prove that he can be at that point this year.
And, and there's certainly a world in which both Sonny and CJ play a lot at that
spot.
And maybe there is some.
different situations where you want CJ on the field versus where you want Sonny on
the field.
But again, kind of like we talked about in the offensive line, but most important
thing is making sure you have, you're starting 11, the guys you know, you really
can count on.
And so at least one guy has to emerge at that will linebacker spot this year.
And, and I think, you know, with Sonny and CJ, you have two guys who are not sure
things in terms of.
what they can be as a will linebacker, but both of them have a ton of upside.
It's an excellent point, you make about, know, CJ and pushing and, not just being
blocked by having more experienced guys in front of them.
And I'll add this, I think we've seen the Jim Knowles system the last two years.
I don't think there's ever been really a case where he played someone just because
they were the more veteran guy.
He plays and this defense has played consistently, certainly in the back seven,
the
best player, regardless of age, regardless of class, where they are.
So I think if CJ had shown what he needed to had proven what he needed to, to get
more reps, I think it would have happened this year.
and I think also people saw the couple of place he got in and the cotton bowl didn't
go so well for CJ.
you kind of saw where he was deficient.
He just didn't, he looked a step behind.
And I think that's.
Again, the biggest areas he needs to take a jump is seeing the game, learning the
game, all the non -physical parts of playing linebacker because he has those
great physical tools.
I think another thing, you know, mentioning talking about different,
different defensive package.
Another thing that I'm curious about is, is there a way if CJ and Sonny take the
steps you need them to, is there a way to get them both on the field at the same
time?
I think a couple options for that could look like.
Um, you put sunny at will linebacker and you put CJ Hicks resurrect the Jack
position and, and just have a pass rush specialist coverage down package where you
have sunny at will linebacker CJ at that Jack spot and then three down lineman.
Um, and you could do that against like a pure spread team or like a third long type
of package that that could be interesting, I think, because I think CJ brings some
things as an edge rusher that are interesting.
The other.
idea that's kind of floated around in my head is maybe a kind of four, three almost
package where against heavier running teams where CJ is at the wheel.
And then Sonny is at a Sam linebacker kind of spot.
You take Jordan Hancock off the field just for a matchup thing against those teams
that like to run 12 personnel and kind of pound your face a little bit all about
Michigan.
so I think those are also two interesting schemes that enter my head as.
we sort of prognosticate how this could all play out and where they could find
playing time.
Um, but again, it's, uh, to me, it's about CJ taking that next step in the staff
finding what's the best fit of Sonny Styles and how can we maximize what he
does well on the football field?
moving on in, in terms of these position battles, I think the third wide receiver
battle is one that's fun just cause it's, it's like, which young five star is going
to.
take the mantle here.
It seems pretty clear.
Obviously, Emeka is going to be one of your starting receivers coming back for
his fourth year and a guy who should be one of the best receivers in the country.
You have Carnell Tate in year two.
it seems to be emerging as that clear wide receiver to after, how much he was used as
a freshman.
I and then it's going to be a competition probably between Brandon Ennis and
Jeremiah Smith, a former five star.
coming up into his true sophomore season and the best receiver prospect, that a lot
of people have ever seen in Jeremiah Smith coming in as a freshman, already making
waves, already impressing Will Howard.
Does he end up finding a starting spot in year one is a very fun storyline to follow
with this team.
I think he's going to play no matter what.
There's no question, even if he's not a starter, he he'll rotate in.
much like Carnell did this year, even when he wasn't a starter, Carnell still got
playing time.
But does he actually win a starting spot in year one, I think is going to be a very
fun storyline to follow.
I think in either case, we have a lot of confidence in this receivers room under
Brian Hartline as we have for a while.
Yeah, this is another one again, you know, five star versus five star.
I think both these guys are going to play either way.
You know, I expect that the wide receiver rotation will probably be, very much a
four man rotation, much like a lot of what we saw this past year, which, you know,
like you said, I think, a Mecca is going to be a guy that as long as he's healthy,
he's almost never going to leave the field.
Cornell.
I mean, this is a guy that people said last year was fervor ahead of Marvin
Harrison Jr.
as a freshman.
And Marvin Harrison Jr.
Was one of the best players in the country as a sophomore.
So if that's true, then you'd have to think carnell Tate is going to be a staple
of this receiver rotation too.
You know, I think one of the questions here is going to be where exactly do they
want to line up a mecca the most?
Because I think Jeremiah is more of an outside guy in Innis is more of a slot
guy.
And so if you keep a Mecca in the slot, primarily.
Then I think Jeremiah might be the better fit for that lineup.
If you decide you want to move a Mecca outside and.
Innis might be the better fit for that lineup.
I think ultimately, I think we're going to see a Mecca move around.
And I think he's going to probably play both spots.
And I think that's going to create opportunities for both Jeremiah and
Brandon Innis to play a lot and have significant roles in this offense.
people who have heard me into podcast over the last couple of years know.
I'm very high on Brandon in us.
Like I think Brandon in us is going to be a really, really good wide receiver at
Ohio state.
I think he has star potential, but Jeremiah Smith is rare.
I mean, Jeremiah Smith, you, we could sit here and say freshmen receivers don't
usually start at Ohio state, but there's nothing ordinary about Jeremiah Smith.
I mean, this guy is the elite of elite when it comes to prospects.
And because of that,
I think it's going to be very hard not to have Jeremiah Smith in the starting lineup
as a true freshman.
I mean, I think, the ceiling for him is so incredibly high in which even in a room
with a Mecca, a Bucca and Cardinal Tate, it's not an outlandish scenario that
Jeremiah Smith could end up becoming Ohio state's best wide receiver this year.
I don't really like putting those expectations on a freshman.
But he is a rare talent.
he is different than your average freshmen.
Now, I think the good thing for Jeremiah is they don't need him to be Superman in
year one because they have a Mecca, a Bucca, they have carnell Tate, they have
Brandon Ennis, there's other guys like, maybe a Jaden Bowers and carve out a role,
you know, Mylon Graham's going to arrive in the summer.
So they don't need Jeremiah Smith to come in and be a superstar right away, but.
he's very capable of being that.
I mean, much like a Caleb downs was at Alabama last year, Jeremiah Smith has that
kind of potential.
And so my guess is on the first day of spring practice, Brandon Innis is probably
going to be running with the ones because I don't think they're going to want to put
Jeremiah Smith out there as a starter on his first ever spring practice.
But my prediction is that Jeremiah Smith.
will be a starter by the time the season rolls around because I think he's just so
talented that if things go the way they're expected to go, he's a guy that they're
just going to have to have on the
for Jeremiah.
It's not just the ridiculous talent.
It's the Polish too.
I mean, he, this is a guy coming into Ohio state so far along in his development.
when you watch the tape, it's not just, I mean, he's ridiculously fast, ridiculously
long.
There's, you know, all those physical attributes, the cuts on the route running
are absolutely filthy, but he's also got elite body control, elite hands.
Elite high pointing skills, ball skills, things that are very developmental in a
receiver.
You play in a hot bed of receiving talent in Florida.
You know, you go and play for the elite seven on seven teams like Jeremiah Smith,
they were South Florida express.
and you get all this development before you arrive on campus.
And now you're working under a guy who has the best track record of developing
receivers in college football right now.
So I think that.
Jeremiah Smith, it's not just for me again, the, those physical attributes, but
it's his, where he's at in his development already coming onto campus that that's why
I think to your point, he could be very well be the starter at that third receiver
spot by the time fall rolls
Whatever position battle that I think we'll be watching this spring is at the
tight end position because Wilcas Marek coming in certainly, I think has a chance
to be that starting tight end.
And if I was forecasting the race right now, I would pick Wilcas Marek to
ultimately be the starting tight end, but it's going to be an interesting
competition because you have G Scott Jr.
Who was the backup tight end last year.
Has been around the program for a long time, you know, made multiple starts last
season, did enough to where Ohio state trusted playing him a lot.
And so you would certainly think that G Scott Jr.
Is going to have a chance to contend for that starting job as well.
And then there's also Jelani Furman who, uh, certainly is a guy who came in last
year with a lot of excitement.
Didn't end up playing much, uh, in the fall, which.
is not really anything new for a freshman tight end.
We don't typically see freshmen tight ends play much at Ohio state, but I certainly
think he has the highest ceiling of any tight end on the roster.
And so he's a guy that if he can make a jump this spring and prove that he's ready
to play a bigger role, that it's certainly possible he could climb as high as the top
of the depth chart there at tight end.
And so.
You know, that's going to be an interesting position battle to watch.
I think another position where multiple guys are going to play because you know,
there's going to be multiple tight end packages as we've seen in Ohio state's
offense in recent years, but certainly they're going to want to see one guy
really seize a hold of that starting job.
And then ideally, you know, all three of those guys are guys that they feel they
can count on to play regularly.
And then.
You know, you could mix all those guys in in different packages.
But, I think, you know, very much a, a three way competition for that starting
job going into the spring.
Absolutely.
And, you I think the different qualities that each of these tight ends bring, when
you talk about what will Casmeric is as a blocker.
And I think that element is we've talked about it as something they've missed, um,
at the tight end position, a guy who can just really provide that blocking support.
I think, you know, Kate Stover had his moments as a blocker last year.
He also had some pretty significant lapses at times and,
I think G Scott Jr.
Has a lot of steps still to take in that area.
Keenan Bailey has done a great job of developing these guys as receivers.
And, you know, we saw Cade Stover put up some record setting numbers for an Ohio
state tight end last year, but they need a little more on the blocking side.
And even on that receiving side, you know, G Scott Jr.
Jelani Thurman, all these guys are on kind of unproven in that regard.
And, you need to see a little more out of G.
just in terms of making plays and being a weapon for the offense.
If he's going to be that guy, if it's Jelani, you know, you like to see Jelani
getting right back to work and he seems pretty dedicated after the cotton bowl.
He was right back on the field.
he started, got taken, got benched right afterward.
And so I'm really interested to see how heavily he ends up competing with G and
maybe even will.
for that starting spot in year two, you know, tight end is such a developmental
position.
We haven't seen a lot of Ohio state tight ends emerge that early on in their
careers.
Uh, but Jelani came in with a major recruiting stock.
He's not someone who converted from another position or had some positional
uncertainty like Kade, like G.
So, you know, I, I'm really curious to follow Jelani's development and then how
that shifts the makeup.
those three at the top of the tight end.
Are there any other players outside of those position battles that we've talked
about that you're really interested in watching this spring and seeing if they
can make a big jump this spring?
I'm interested to see where Ty Hamilton can go in his final year.
I mean, we all know his brother had that big breakout season in year five and, you
know, Ty made more plays last year and had a really good cotton bowl too.
I wanted to point that out.
Ty had made some plays more and more as the year went on after, you know, I
thought he was so, so he did fine and his starting in his spots in 2022.
He took a step last year.
Can he be?
the one technique that I think in some ways this team has still been missing.
Mike Hall and Ty both, you know, rolled in at that one tech spot last year and it
just felt like they were still kind of three techs that, you know, made for fine
one techniques.
But there's still another gear that Ohio State I think can reach at that position.
And when you're talking about building this elite defense, this defense that,
could be not only the best in the country, but maybe one of the best in the recent
history of college football.
You need that.
You need your interior secured.
And what you do in front of Cody Simon at that one tech spot, I think, is very
important with Ty Hamilton.
And I think also it's the depth guys along that defensive line.
We know how much Larry Johnson rolls them sometimes.
Other times, sometimes last season they didn't.
roll guys as much and maybe that was a statement on where some of the depth is
but I think where Kenyatta Jackson jr.
And Kaden curry at maybe being able to spell Jack Sawyer and JT to emo while keep
them fresh in games.
I'm really interested to watch Kaden McDonald because I think he's got all he's
really interesting at that one technique spot and that size and burst combination
that he brings to the table even a guy like hero canoe.
So I think it's a lot of the depth.
On that defensive line, but in particular on that starting unit I'm more I want to
I'm curious to see where Ty Hamilton is at this spring
Yeah, I think, a guy for me that I'm interested to see, can he push those
starters is Jermaine Matthews Jr.
Because we saw whenever he played last year, he did really well.
And I think he's a guy that if, you know, if Denzel had gone on to the NFL, we would
have been talking about Jermaine just sliding in there and being a starter.
And so it's going to be hard for him to take a starting job.
Cause I mean, you've got Denzel who's maybe the best cornerback in the country.
You've got Davison, who was great in his first year at Ohio State.
You've got Jordan Hancock, who's really solidified himself at that nickel spot.
But Jermaine's a guy based on what we saw last year.
It's like he's too talented not to get some playing time, not to find a role for
that guy.
So I'm interested to see, you know, does maybe he make it a four cornerback
rotation?
We didn't see a lot of rotation at corner last year.
Can he kind of force his way into that mix if he can build off of what he showed last
year?
And I mean, that, that whole position group, I mean, they're, they're so loaded
with depth there.
I mean, we saw, you know, Calvin Simpson hunt makes strides last year.
Can he, I don't know how much playing time is going to be available for him this
year, but can he make a push this spring to where you really feel good about that
depth.
Lorenzo styles, Jr.
What are they going to do with him?
Is he a guy maybe at that nickel spot who maybe could back up Jordan Hancock bear?
I think, it's going to be interesting to see, you know, some of that secondary
depth in action, you know, safety as well.
Guys like Malik Hartford.
I mean, we saw him flash last year, probably not going to be a starting job
available for him, but can he continue to make strides to where you feel really good
about him as that next man up?
is there going to be some role for Jahad Carter, a guy who was a free year starter
at Syracuse and now, kind of feels like a forgotten man there in that safety room.
So I think, you know, that secondary is loaded with depth and it's just going to
be interesting to see if.
Guys can carve out roles there behind the starters, because there have been
suggestions.
And this goes back to your defensive line too.
There have been suggestions from Ryan day already that Ohio state.
Maybe isn't going to give those established senior type guys a ton of reps
this spring because they want to preserve those guys for the fall, knowing that you
have the possibility of a 16, 17 game season if you make a deep run in the
college football playoff.
And so I think Ohio state is going to try to limit the reps of some of those guys
that are more established.
And I think it positions like the defensive line and the secondary that's
going to create some opportunities for, some of those young backups who may not
really have a shot to earn a starting job this year, but to at least show that there
are guys who are capable of earning a role this year.
And I think one of our guys that there's mentioning too, who on the other side of
the ball could potentially be a beneficiary of that this spring is Dallin
Hayden.
because you've got to think they're, they're probably, you know, especially if
Trevion with some of his injury history, they're probably going to want to be kind
of cautious with him this spring.
Quintin John Judkins already has a lot of carries on his body from two years at Ole
Miss.
And so can Dallin Hayden show something this spring that gives him an opportunity
to get into that running back rotation too.
Cause he's been kind of a mystery man these, these first two years at Ohio State
to where whenever he plays, he looks good.
But Ohio state continues to pull back on the idea of giving him more playing time.
It seems like whether it's past protection or, fumbles that were, are happening in
practice, that we don't see it.
There's, there's something there that Ohio state has continued to kind of pull back
on the idea of him getting more work.
And so it'll be interesting to see what can he do this spring?
Can he push Ohio state to get.
him more involved this year.
There's only going to be so many carries available for him when you got Travion
Henderson and Quinchon Judkins.
But we've also seen the last couple of years that Ohio State has had to play
depth at running back a lot.
And so there's probably going to come a time this season where Ohio State needs a
running back other than Travion Henderson and Quinchon Judkins to play a significant
role.
And I think this will be a big spring for Dallin Hayden to prove that he should be
that guy.
Speaking of Trevion Henderson, this year's first edition of the Buckeye 20 is going
to be unveiled here pretty soon.
We're not going to give you the full list, not going to go too deep into everything
here, but Trevion Henderson is among the top five.
Just to give you a little sneak peek at things, at the top of the list, I think
Denzel Burke.
Not a surprise when you talk about this team potentially being defensive driven
again.
I think.
even with the addition of Caleb Downs and even with how Jack Sawyer emerged at the
end of last year, we feel that Denzel is the best, kind of the cornerstone of this
defense, cornerstone being a cornerback that can lock down the elite of the elite
receivers.
And we saw it all last year with Denzel when he was healthy.
And then, you know, going down the list here, you've got Trevion Henderson second.
Caleb Downs third, no surprise when you talk about 107 tackles from a freshman
safety in the SEC.
Jack Sawyer at fourth, a huge riser at the end of last season, thought he was the
best defensive player certainly in the Cotton Bowl, but also.
really the last four or five games of the season for Ohio State.
Jack Sawyer kind of emerged as their best defensive player, especially who started
with that Minnesota game that he had.
And then Emeka at number five, which I think it's telling to see Emeka below Jack
and just how much Jack stock has risen.
Emeka obviously had the injury concerns last year, but I think we all expect him
to be one of the best receivers in college football.
So Dan, just thoughts on the top five of the Buckeye 20.
you and I weren't the only ones to vote on the Buckeye 20.
We have about nine staffers who regularly participate and submit ballots as a part
of a Buckeye 20.
But I know that both you and I had Denzel Burke as the number one players on our
list.
So, we are both in agreement there in terms of Denzel.
He was number two on the end of year Buckeye 20 last year behind only Marvin
Harrison Jr.
So.
only natural that he would take over the number one spot.
And for me, that was a debate between Denzel and Caleb downs because Caleb downs
was fantastic at Alabama.
But I ultimately deferred to the guy who's already been at Ohio state and who I
personally believe is one of, if not the best cornerback in the country.
And I think, a lot of times the new shiny toy is always going to get the most hype.
And I think that hype is very deserved.
In Caleb downs his case, but I do feel that Denzel in my mind entering spring is
still the best player on the team.
And so, and my personal ballot, I had Denzel one and Caleb too.
I think you actually had the top three exactly on your ballot as you had Travion
second, Caleb downs third, and no qualms from out of my end.
I had Travion on my top five as well.
I think.
he's a guy that if he can stay healthy, he can be the best running back in college
football.
And I think that's the thing that really stands out when you, when you look at this
list and, you know, when we reveal the top 20 later this week, I think that's the
thing that's really going to stand out is just the amount of talent that they have
on this team.
Because, you're talking about Denzel Burke as a guy who is probably going to be a
preseason all American at corner.
You have Travian Henderson, who's maybe the best running back in the country.
You have Caleb downs who.
be the best safety in the country.
You have Jack Sawyer who if he plays the way he played in those last three games of
last season, he can be an All -American this year.
He can be the best defensive end Ohio State has had since Chase Young and the
Bosa brothers.
And then you have Emeka Ibuka who going into last year, a lot of people considered
to be the second best receiver in college football behind only Marvin Harrison Jr.
And he wasn't able to play up to that level last year because that ankle injury
that kind of derailed his season.
And I think that's why he starts out going into this spring, a few spots lower, but
you know, a Mecca could easily move up that list as the season goes on because,
uh, you know, we've seen a Mecca when he's at his best, he's an elite player.
I think we didn't see as much of it last year, but he's going to be that clear cut
number one guy.
in the wide receiver room this year, at least to start the year because you know,
he's the only returning starter.
And so that's going to give him the opportunity to, certainly have a huge
year, as he comes back for his senior season.
So, you know, that's just the top five.
I mean, we don't even have, Tyler Williams in the top five.
We don't have JT two and Molo while in the top five, we don't have Quinch on Judkins,
a two time all sec running back in the top five.
And so.
I think that's the biggest thing that, just jumps out at you is just how much
high end talent this Ohio state team has, how many potential all Americans this Ohio
state team has.
And, certainly, that Buckeye 20 is going to fluctuate, you know, potentially even,
you know, after the spring before the season starts, based on what we see this
spring, based on wherever there's more roster movement after the spring, but.
You look at it right now, there's a lot of talent on this Ohio State football team,
and that's why this Ohio State team is going to enter the 2024 season with
national championship aspirations.
Yeah, you know, the talent is bountiful and it's clear just how much of it there
is.
And it was hard to make this list as a result of that.
You know, I had a lot of trouble, a lot of fun ranking these guys because there's
just it's a pretty ridiculous roster that they have.
And I think the Buckeye 20 reflects that.
But, you know, kind of pivoting away from football here, the basketball team.
You know we came on the podcast last week.
We it was off that Purdue win All the juice behind the program all the momentum
they kind of lost it pretty quickly after the podcast You know they they lose to
Minnesota and you know, it was the same old story It was defense and rebounding
heard them that was the you know I have that narrative of defense and rebounding
heard Ohio State on the road Wow, what a surprise, you know seven 17th straight
road loss
broke the program record, set a program worse, I guess you could say, as a little
more apt since breaking a record makes it sound like a good thing.
But, you know, I think coming off that none of us were really expecting them to
go on the road and beat Michigan State, particularly in the fashion they did.
12 point second half comeback win, Buzzer Beater from Dale Bonner, who's had his
bevy of struggles this season.
So this was a huge win for the team and
it's good to be talking positive about Ohio state basketball for, for a second
week in a row, Dan.
It feels odd almost.
Yeah, I mean, it's, you know, it's we've seen now, you know, two Sundays in a row,
this Ohio state team and a nationally televised game on CBS has shown up and,
and gotten a big win.
And certainly, this one was a big monkey to get off Ohio states back.
It had been 420 days since Ohio state had won a game in another team's arena.
So, for Ohio state to finally.
get that long awaited road win and to do it in such frilling fashion.
Uh, certainly, those two wins against Michigan state and Purdue are, are two
games that I think are going to stand out as positive memories from this season,
regardless of how this season ends up.
And they're going to be positive memories for Jake Deibler who, has clearly, I
think, given this team a spark, you know, even well, the Minnesota game kind of
looked like some of the same old stuff.
You know, to see this team, again, we talked about it in the Purdue game.
You know, Purdue kept taking shots in the second half and Ohio state with stood that
and they held on and they beat the number two team in the country.
This way it was a little different in the sense that at halftime, I don't think
anybody really would have thought that Ohio state was going to win this game.
They were down by double digits.
It looked like, man, you know, the luster's worn off there.
They're struggling again.
You know, Jameson battles, not playing.
They're just not able to generate enough offense.
And, they were struggling some transition defense.
it didn't look like it was going to be Ohio state's day, but then to come back in
the second half from down 12 points and pull out a win.
Again, we talked about it.
What was one of the biggest problems of the Chris Holtman era?
It was that late game execution.
It was not finding a way to win with the game on the line.
And we've now seen Ohio state do that in two of Jake deblers first free games.
And so it gives you more confidence now for the rest of this season to where, you
know, as we said last week, the, the road to the NCA tournament is still uphill for
this Ohio state basketball team, especially after, you know, suffering
another loss this past week against Minnesota.
But you look at the games that are left on a regular season schedule.
You've got two home games in a row against Nebraska and Michigan.
And then you go on the road at Rutgers.
These are three very winnable games for Ohio state.
And if Ohio state can win those free games.
I think you go into the big 10 tournament with a shot.
it's not going to be guaranteed, but I think if Ohio state can build off this
last win and they can finish for regular season strong here.
I don't think that.
the NCAA tournament is, is, is completely out of reach for this team.
And that's probably not something that we would have predicted a couple of weeks ago
of the way things are trending.
And so you got to give Jake Deibler a lot of credit as the interim coach for getting
this team to start playing at a higher level and to inject some belief back into
Ohio state men's basketball in Columbus.
Yeah, the turnaround under Jake has been stark and the again, it's the aggression
and the depth that they're rolling.
I think, you know, I brought it up last week.
That was his strategy coming into this.
And, you know, it's even if it's not a perfect plan, it's good, better to have a
plan and execute that plan than it is to, you know, not have a plan at all.
There's a clear plan that, you know, and.
for it to work, Ohio State needs depth contributions.
And I think that was, I think the quality of play from the depth pieces was probably
the biggest contrast for me between the Minnesota Michigan State games and
ultimately getting that Michigan State win.
Not only Dale Bonner hitting the game winner, of course, but Devon Royal had a
career outing.
It's a one year career, but he had a career outing against Michigan State, set
a new career high with his points there.
you're going to roll more of those depth pieces, it's so important for their
strategy to get those sorts of contributions.
And their half court defense was a major improvement as well in this game
transition.
He obviously struggled.
I think it was like 22 fast break points off off the top of my head.
But there was it was also Michigan State like.
after makes from Ohio state was constantly running out and threatening.
I mean, that was, you never want to see a team be able to push the pace so
consistently off of made shots like that.
Uh, but they kind of corrected it as the game went on.
And I think the perimeter defense in the half court, especially like after how much
Ohio state has struggled in certain games with perimeter defense, how rough it
looked to start against Michigan state.
They, they allowed Michigan state to start really hot from three in the Michigan
state.
The rest of the game, I believe it was a three for three start in Michigan State
finished like one of their last 13 or something.
Um, this is a half court defense that stepped up when it needed to, to help get
the team back in the game.
and then they got plays from some depth guys when, you know, they were without
their top perimeter threat on their own end.
Circling back to the NCAA discussion on things, I think these three games,
Really the toughest one you look at that's left is this Nebraska game that's coming
up on Thursday.
This is a team that beat you in Lincoln earlier this year, 83 -69, but also
Nebraska has struggled on the road.
That's the flip side of it is that now you are facing a team that is, they've
basically been a two different teams is what I'm trying to say.
on the road versus at home.
Two and seven on the road this year is Nebraska.
And so that's a situation you can take advantage of.
They probably need that loud environment too in the shot, hopefully, to kind of
fuel them and take advantage of that situation.
I think
off of that, then the Michigan game, and Michigan's really been struggling lately.
You've just got to handle business in that one and then go back on the road.
All of a sudden, you're at,
19 wins coming out of the regular season.
What we said was four or five last week has become three of three this week.
And then you win two tournament games.
You're at 21 wins.
You have three quad one wins already.
I think the NCAA tournament resume is really starting to build for this team.
And the bubble isn't as tough as in other years when you kind of look around college
basketball, there may be a little window of opportunity for that.
So I think all the credit again to Jake Diebler and what he and his staff have
done since Chris Holtman's termination to get this team back to a place where it is
competing for and looks like it has a legitimate shot to get to the NCAA
tournament.
I think I've never really had higher hopes for them to make the tourney this year
than since the big losing stretch under Holtman started.
I'm actually kind of starting.
I'm not like, it's not, I'm not predicting it yet, Dan, but it's a, it's a real
possibility in my.
Yeah, there's a realistic path.
And I mean, that's honestly, as a couple of weeks ago, that's probably about as
much as you could have asked for at this point, that this team would have something
to play for at this point.
And so, you know, we will see how it ultimately plays out over the next few
weeks.
Certainly, you know, they have to finish strong.
I mean, even, even one loss in those last three regular season games could be very
damaging to Ohio State's hopes.
And I think would really put them in a position where they would have to make a
deep run in the NC or in the big 10 tournament in order to make the NCAA
tournament.
But, they've turned things, you know, you, you think back to last year, they've at
least been able to turn things around earlier this year to give themselves a
chance.
You know, we saw last year, they made a nice run into big 10 tournament, but it
was, it was just too late.
You know, this year they've, they've managed to turn things around just early
enough.
That they're not completely out of it yet.
And ultimately, you know, it's what Gene Smith fought when he, when he made the
decision to fire Chris Holtman and Jake promote Jake Deibler, he fought that could
give Ohio state a spark, could give them a chance to be more competitive down the
stretch.
And so far that that has come to fruition.
And so we will see again, two huge home games for Ohio state against Nebraska and
Michigan this week.
I think.
It's not a stretch to save it.
Those are must win games for this team.
And so, uh, we will see if Ohio state can ultimately get it done there.
Of course, you know, the question that continues to loom over all of this is the
future of the program beyond this season and whether what Jake Deibler is doing
right now could give him a shot to be the permanent head coach, after this season.
And, you know, we polled our readers on that.
on 11 warriors .com and you know, it's, it's a little bit interesting.
I think, as of Sunday evening, a few hours after the game, it was 51 % yes, 49 % no.
Uh, as of Monday afternoon, you know, a little more time made for people to come
off the wind.
It's 49 % yes, 51 % no.
So just slightly against the idea of,
Promoting Jake Deibler to the permanent head coach.
And I think that almost 50 50 split kind of speaks to, you know, the arguments for
and against it for, you know, Jake Deibler, because, we are seeing, him get
more out of this team than Chris Holtman was getting out of it.
He is somebody that I think is, really well liked by the players at Ohio state.
I think he's well liked by, others around the program,
boosters who support Ohio state basketball.
And so I think, with every win, there's going to be more and more of a push for
Jake deep blur to get real consideration for that job.
On the other hand, Ross Bjork, the incoming athletic director at Ohio state,
he did an interview with the Columbus dispatch last week.
And one of the things he said in that interview was that quote, experience in
the chair matters in terms
a new head coach and Jake Dibler has never been a full -time head coach before.
So I think that speaks to some of what we talked about last week that even if we see
this team go on a really strong run here at the end of the season, is that enough
for Ohio state to hire someone who has never been a full -time head coach before,
or is Ross Bjork going to.
to make a bigger swing and it would still appear as of now that Ross Bjork wants to
make a bigger swing.
our own, Garret Hodge actually, you know, heard on Monday, from a source that, Sean
Miller is viewed in coaching circles as a front runner for this job.
I know that Adam Jardy has also reported that, dusty may from Florida Atlantic.
has been in contact with Ohio State, though, uh, there is some word out there
that he wants the Indiana job and that he might be waiting for that job to open up
as he is in Indiana alumnus.
And so, it does seem like Ohio state is certainly looking for someone who has more
experience as an actual head coach than Jake DeBlois.
I think we both like Dusty have always liked Dusty May for this job, but I think,
you know, Mike Woodson's likely on his way out there at Indiana.
I think that's where he's going to ultimately end up in that case.
You know, assuming Indiana also wants him, but I don't know why you wouldn't.
I mean, he's one of the biggest rising stars in the profession right now.
I some other updates there, you know, Greg McDermott, who was kind of my top
candidate at the start of this.
It looks like Creighton is preparing to offer him a big contract extension similar
to Lamont Paris, who we discussed before as being in the same boat with South
Carolina.
So really Sean Miller is, it makes sense that he is kind of emerging as the front
runner here.
I know there might be some mixed emotions around that name for Ohio state fans, but
he obviously has track record.
has experience, has some of those things that Ross Bjork said in that dispatch
interview he's looking for, at this position.
I think one, one candid date that I think has definitely emerged in this race that
doesn't have that experience is Chris Jent, uh, who we've discussed previously
being an NBA assistant for a long time, but not really ever filling a head
coaching role except for in the G league.
So,
As much as he's expressed interest in returning to his alma mater to, to be the
head coach, he doesn't have that cache, that resume that a Sean Miller would, uh,
or a dusty may, if he does ultimately end up being in the interested in the Ohio
state job, with what's going on in Indiana and how that plays out.
in terms of Jake debler,
I still think they need to at least get to the Sweet 16 or maybe if you had a miracle
run to win the Big Ten tournament, something like that for him to really be a
true candidate in that search.
I said Final Four last week.
That was a little outlandish, I think, like you had said.
If he makes the Final Four, I think that he's getting the job.
think especially with Bjork's comments.
He's gonna need something of that sort of achievement level to get his name in the
hat.
it feels to me like a lot of signs are starting to point towards Sean Miller here
based on the fact that, you know, dusty may could be, you have a guy at Indiana,
if they fire Mike Woodson based on the fact that, you know, Greg, Greg Durment
Lamont, Paris.
seem more likely to stay where they currently are.
The fact that Jay Wright has said he is definitely done coaching and he's not
interested in the job.
It feels like if they're going to go get a sitting head coach from another school
that Sean Miller might be the guy that makes the most sense in terms of having
the resume that Ohio state could be looking for and him also being someone
who's probably wants the job.
I think there's other guys that Ohio state might want that may not necessarily be
inclined to leave their current jobs for Ohio state.
I think there's a good chance that Sean Miller would be inclined to make that
move, to go to a school that has more resources and give him the opportunity to,
you know, build, you know, an elite program.
You know, I know there's been kind of mixed feelings among people out there
about whether Sean Miller would be the right fit for this job.
I mean, obviously there's the well publicized stuff that happened in Arizona,
the whole FBI case and his involvement in that.
You know, my feeling is I don't think that's going to deter Ross Bjork because
Ross Bjork has not been someone who has been risk averse as an athletic director
and.
The stuff that they got in trouble for is basically legal now.
I mean, especially after what happened on Friday with the NCAAs ban on.
And the use of NIL and recruiting basically being struck down.
Like, this idea of like players being able to get paid to go play for schools.
Like we're, we're pretty much there at this point, especially if, if.
the States of Tennessee and Virginia end up winning that lawsuit against VNCA.
And so I think that kind of takes down one barrier from a potential Sean Miller hire.
The other thing you could point to is Xavier's not very good this year.
Like Xavier has a losing record right now.
And so do you really want to hire a guy whose current team is not performing well?
Like is that really.
The best hire, I think that is a valid concern, but I also think, you know, you
look at his track record at Arizona, you know, he's shown that he can build elite
teams.
He's shown that he can recruit at a very high level and he already has those ties
to the state of Ohio to where, you know, Ohio state really needs to be going out
and getting the best players in Ohio and these upcoming classes.
And he already has a head start on that from his recruiting at Xavier.
And so I think those are reasons why he is an appealing potential candidate to be
Ohio state's next head coach.
Yeah, you know, I think a lot of me does question if it's the best fit when you
have a sport like basketball.
We talked about it last week.
You can cast such a wet wide net in this coaching search.
And I mean, look, it's Ross Bjork doesn't officially arrive until Friday.
And that's when things will really heat up with this.
And I think there's going to be a lot more developments over the next few weeks
before we really find out for.
sure who the emerging candidates are.
But, you know, I do think that I'd like to see, you know, if Sean Miller's the guy
exactly what the vision is there.
I'd be very curious to see what that looks like.
And like you said, probably a good thing that, you know, programs are going to have
a lot more freedom in terms of NIL inducements, those kinds of things.
Given you know his his his background, you know not that you expect him to get caught
with his hand in the cooking jar so to speak twice but We'll see how that all
plays out and I think it's also a very telling hire for Bjork if that is the
direction he ultimately goes that like you said he's Not gonna play that risk
aversion strategy.
He's gonna be willing to try and find the guy that
He feels gives the team the best chance to win the program, the best chance longterm.
Uh, and so, you know, as this all plays out in the background of Ohio state
season, um, just a very, interesting search that's going on.
And I, it's curious to see who's emerged in the search here.
Um, the early preliminary discussions that Ohio state is having with some of these
candidates.
Now, another team we got to give a shout out to too, is the women's team again.
their role has continued 14 consecutive wins clinched the number one seed in the
Big Ten tournament and a share of the regular season title.
This this women's team is you know they continue to be among the best in the
country and you know plenty of reason for fans to get excited and they have been you
know multiple times now this season Ohio State's open in the upper bowl the shot to
let more fans in.
It's it's really fun to see this much juice behind Ohio State women's basketball
damn.
Yeah.
I mean to open it up now three times, because of ticket demand for Ohio state
women's basketball.
I think he's a really encouraging sign for that program.
You know, because the first time that Ohio state had to open up a upper bowl was
because of Caitlin Clark and is because of a hype around her.
But I think now you're seeing more interest in Ohio state women's basketball
just for Ohio state women's basketball, for people who want to watch.
the Buckeyes who recognize that this team is really, really good and that they
should be paying attention to it.
And, uh, certainly, uh, a good week.
If you, if you haven't been paying attention to Ohio state women's
basketball, this is a good week to start because, uh, they have a rematch with
Michigan coming up tonight at 7.
P.
M.
On Peacock.
Michigan is the last team that beat Ohio state.
That was all the way back in December.
Ohio state has won its first 14 games of 2024.
And if Ohio state wins tonight, and which will also be its home finale, Ohio state
would clinch the outright big 10 title.
Ohio state has already clinched the number one seed in a big 10 tournament, but
there's still a scenario if Ohio state was to lose its last two games in a regular
season where it could end up as a shared regular season title.
But if Ohio state beats Michigan tonight, Ohio state would then clinch.
the big 10 regular season championship before it's rematch with Iowa, who it
plays on Sunday at Iowa city, Caitlin Clark's final regular season home game at
Iowa.
Caitlin Clark could also potentially break Pete Marovitch's NCAA scoring record of
that game.
So there is unquestionably going to be a lot of eyeballs on that game.
Certainly going to be a tough game for the Buckeyes to go win and what's
Undoubtedly going to be a sold out packed arena there in Iowa city.
That's going to be a tough challenge, but the way these Buckeyes are playing right
now, uh, certainly, uh, they, they are capable of, of beating anybody in winning
any game.
So it has been a lot of, a lot of fun to watch them.
And you know, interesting thing too.
We were talking about Sean Miller, Sean Miller and Kevin McGuff actually coached.
Together at Xavier, Kevin McGuff was there with the women's team and Sean Miller was
there with the men's team at the same time during Sean Miller's first stint at
Xavier.
So that's a little fun fact too, that if Sean Miller ends up emerging as the next
Ohio State men's basketball coach, but he would already have a connection there on
campus with the women's basketball coach.
Very funny how that works out, Dan.
A small world we live in, you could say.
Or a small coaching world, at least.
Those two could end up being the men's and women's coaches at two different
universities.
I'm just really excited.
You're on the front lines covering this women's team a little more than I am.
I'm excited to just sit back and watch them again tonight.
Really, just take in Cody McMahon, J .C.
Sheldon and the whole gang.
That's going to be a fun game.
And I'm excited to see it.
NFL scouting combine coming up in Indianapolis.
By the time you're listening to this, I am already in Indianapolis covering the
combine.
So looking forward to bringing lots of coverage to 11 warriors over the next few
days.
Eight Ohio state players in total are participating in the NFL scouting combine.
Marvin Harrison, Jr.
Mayan Williams, Cade Stover, Matt Jones, Mike Hall, Steel Chambers.
Tommy Eichenberg, Josh Proctor.
We did get the news on Monday that Marvin Harrison Jr.
Will not work out at the combine.
No surprise there.
I mean, you could basically look at any mock draft right now and pretty much all
of them have Marvin Harrison Jr.
As the first non quarterback off the board.
And so there was nothing to gain for Marvin Harrison Jr.
By working out at the combine.
It's disappointing because it would have been fun to see how fast he could run the
40, but
You know, based on what Albert Brea reported on Monday, he hasn't even been
training for any of the combine drills.
He's been focusing solely on becoming a better football player.
And because that's what's ultimately going to matter for him.
He doesn't need to do the combine drills to boost his draft stock.
His draft stocks already pretty much as high as it's going to be.
And you wouldn't expect that any NFL team is going to hold this against him because
everybody knows, I mean, everybody knows he's a freak.
Just, just watch his film for the last two years.
You don't need pro day numbers to know that Marvin Harrison Jr.
Is an unbelievable talent.
And so I really don't think it matters, but he's not doing the combine workouts in
terms of his draft stock.
Everybody already knows that he's an extremely hard worker and somebody is very
dedicated to his craft.
And so, uh, I don't think it's going to hurt him at all to not work out at the
combine.
I really don't think there was much that he could have done to help himself by
working out at the combine.
So really the most important thing for him.
At the combine, he's just going there, meeting with teams so that they can get to
know him and the teams that might be considering using a top pick on him, uh,
can, you really get to know more of who he is as a person.
And that's really the most important thing for Marvin Harrison jr.
To accomplish this week, but all of the other Buckeyes at the combine have plenty
to gain because Marvin's the only guy who's currently projected as a first round
pick for Ohio state.
And so any of those other seven guys.
could potentially, you know, really help themselves with a strong showing at the
combine.
Andy, who are one or two guys on that list who you're intrigued to see how they
perform this week?
Mike Hall is probably the top one and especially coming off of how he did, you
know, boosting his draft stock since the year ended.
I think that he's a guy that to me always had the talent to be a fantastic three
tech in the NFL.
And so I think a really good combine could help boost his draft stock even more here
coming out of the.
coming out of the 2023 season.
Josh Proctor's a guy, you know, you know how much I've loved covering Josh's story
and his six years here.
He's a guy that's fighting just to get drafted right now, but I think he has a
lot of physical attributes that scouts might be a little surprised to see just
how well he tests.
I think he's going to test better than certain people expect.
And that could help.
get him in sort of that day three discussion of being a sixth or seventh
round guy.
So I'd say Mike Hall and Josh Proctor are probably the two that I think could really
serve to boost their stock by testing well at the comp.
Yeah, I agree with both those guys.
I think they're both going to test well.
And I think Josh, I think Josh has a chance to go a little higher than that.
I really do.
I think he could be a four for fifth round guy.
And I think some of that is going to depend on how this week goes for him.
Number one for him, probably the most important thing is going to be the medical
exams because he did have an injury history at Ohio state.
So I think him passing all those medical tests is probably step number one for
Josh.
And then if he can follow that up.
with, you know, really showing some great physical attributes in, in the combine
testing.
I think he's certainly someone who can elevate his draft stock this week.
I also think it's a big week for the two linebackers.
I think particularly Tommy Eichenberg, I think he's a guy that I go into the
combine not knowing what he's going to run in that 40 yard dash.
And I think that I think for him, that could be very important for him now.
You know, he is coming off an injury, at the end of the season, the arm injury he
was dealing with.
So.
Don't know if he plans to do a full workout in Indianapolis.
We'll find that out, this week.
you would imagine that, you know, he's not going to be doing a bench press coming off
of an arm injury, but you know, could potentially do some of the on field stuff.
And I, I think he's somebody that needs to test well, whether it's at the combine or
a pro day, he's someone who's kind of on that fringe of maybe he's a day to pick.
Maybe he's a day free pick.
I think a lot of that is going to depend on how well he performs in that pre -draft
athletic testing.
And then Steel Chambers is a guy who I think is very much on that bubble of where
maybe he gets drafted.
Maybe he's more likely to be an undrafted free agent right now, but he's another guy
that I think should test well.
I think he's a guy who's, you know, maybe still has some growth to do as a
linebacker because he made a mid -career position switch at Ohio state.
But the reason why he was able to.
become a starting linebacker at Ohio State is because he has very good physical
attributes.
And so I think if he can test well, he's somebody that certainly can improve his
chances of being selected in those late rounds of a draft.
Yeah, Myann Williams is a guy who's going to be fighting just to get drafted in the
seventh round.
This will be an important combine to see if he can maybe get a look from some
teams, even maybe set himself up for an undrafted free agent signing.
Obviously, the senior season didn't go, or redshirt junior season didn't go the way
he wanted it to with
the injury issues, but also just not really ever finding a consistent role
behind Trevion Henderson and in Ohio State's backfield this after, you really
they were a one -two punch for much of 2022.
So, and also injuries dating back to that 2022 season.
This is a guy who will, the medical test will be important, much like with Proctor.
And if he can test well, maybe help boost his stock a little bit just to get in
contention.
to be drafted or even to sign a an undrafted free agent deal.
Yeah.
And, you certainly, you know, Kate Stover, I think is also going to be a guy to watch
this week.
Another guy where, I don't know exactly how fast he's going to run, but the faster
he runs, the more, you know, that's going to help his draft stock.
Another guy that's, that had dealt with some injuries late in the season.
So, you know, could he wait until Ohio State's pro data workout?
Uh, we'll see what he ultimately decides there.
But I think, all in all, a lot of interesting storylines there.
for Ohio State's prospects of the combine this week, maybe not the Marvin Harrison
jr show, which you know, people would have loved to see being at Lucas oil stadium in
Indianapolis.
I'm sure for him just to be back there is going to be cool for him.
He talked about how badly he wanted to play in the big 10 championship game.
He never got that opportunity, but this will be an opportunity for him to spend
some time in the building where his dad became a star.
And so.
Uh, again, a lot more combine coverage to come over the course of the week on 11
warriors .com.
And we will be back next week to talk about what we saw, uh, not only at the
combine, but what we saw at Ohio state's first spring practice of the year, because
by this time next week, Ohio state's first spring practice will be in the books.
Of course, another big week ahead for Ohio state's basketball programs as well.
So we will have plenty to talk about on next week's RealPod Wednesdays, and we
hope that you will join us again then.