Archives for August 2015

Over the last few weeks we here at MotSaG have been interviewing and and testing many applicants to help our site grow and get to where it belongs. Today is a great day for not only the site but for our fans and readers as well. With the hiring of these new writers what we hope to do is up our daily content. Men of The Scarlet and Gray has been around for over nine years and we hope to be here for nine more. In order to do that we needed to make sure our content is not only frequent but also of high quality. So without waiting any longer let’s meet the newest MotSaGers…

Richard Tongahan Jr

Richard is a humble and proud member of The Buckeye Nation. I have been proudly serving our great nation and have put in 10 years and counting. I love the Buckeyes and have been a dedicated fan since 2005. my fondest memory was last years title run. I am originally from Guam and I have a beautiful with of 10 years, two lovely daughters and a son on the way. I love hearing that Buckeye Swag song at the end of games and I am looking forward to our teams future. Go Bucks!

Twitter- @Tongaricious
Facebook- Richard Tongahan Jr

Justin Golba

Even though I grew up in Maryland, I have always had scarlet and gray in my blood due to my father being an OSU alum. I currently attend Kent State University but still rep OSU proudly. My favorite buckeye of all time is Brian Hartline and my favorite moment as a fan is when number one ranked OSU beat the number 2 ranked TTUN and the game that won Troy Smith the Heisman that year.

Twitter- @justin_golba
Facebook- Justin Golba

Mark Prine

The year is 2005 and I am a seventh grader at Dunbar Middle School in Mobile, Alabama. Like many young boys I was an avid sports fan and I looked forward to Saturday mornings in the fall, so I could wake up bright and early; just to watch college game day and see who was playing who. There was a team from Ohio that I wasn’t very familiar with, that played smash mouth football and hard nose defense(which Iove). Guys with names like James Laurinaitis, Ross Homan, Thaddeus Gibson, Doug Worthington and Vernon Gholston were always flying around like mad men with reckless abandon. To me it was perfect football and that was all I need to know. The Ohio State was officially “my team” which I love.

Twitter- @marksamuelprine
Facebook- Mark Prine

Andy Urbanski

Andy was born and raised in the great state of Ohio and graduated from THE university in 2013. Buckeye fan his entire life, Andy decided to give this whole writing thing a shot for the first time (Fisher College of Business Kid) and the Buckeyes are about the only thing he believes worth writing about. Andy’s a fan of bourbon and beers, so his posts may or may not be written under the influence. Cheers and Go Bucks

Twitter- @PBR_Pounder
Facebook- Andy Urbanski

Bobby Hall

It’s hard to remember when the Buckeyes became such a big part of my life. It’s easy to say that they have turned into a borderline addiction. I grew up in the Dover – New Philadelphia area of Ohio where being an Ohio State fan is not a choice…it’s a must!

In 2013, I graduated from Muskingum University and have since been in the heavy equipment sales industry . The territory I am responsible for is in eastern ohio along the ohio river. There is no question though, besides my wife and beautiful baby girl, OSU football is my passion!

Twitter- @BubHall7
Facebook- Bobby Hall

Brad Pettiford

A native of Toledo, Ohio, Brad graduated from Miami University in 2009 with a bachelor’s degree in marketing, before earning a master’s degree in sport management from Ohio State. He has worked in the communications/PR field for more than seven years, with three years dedicated to athletic communications. Before transitioning to corporate communications, Brad was an SID at the University of Toledo. He now lives in the Metro Detroit area and is a proud ambassador of Buckeye Nation in The State Up North.

Twitter- @bradpettiford23
Facebook- Brad Pettiford

Phil Schoch

Phil escaped the hard scrabble streets of Minster, Ohio in 1990 to pursue the Buckeye dream. After maxing out his Freshman Forgiveness, he hung up his black British Knights and bib-overall shorts (one flap down), got serious and got diploma’d as a Buckeye on St. Patrick’s Day, 1995. He later swiped a Master’s Degree from Ashland University in 2000. He has spent the last twenty years of his alleged adulthood as a middle school teacher. He now drives a mini van, lives in Worthington and coaches 1st grade soccer, basketball and baseball.

When asked about the most important week of the year, he responded, “I went school during the Copper years. Those were bitter, gray holidays and winters. I still get paranoid in November. My guts churn endlessly during Michigan Week. I know the ghost of 2-10-1 lurks. I know the demon of Michigan 1969 is poised, perhaps wearing khaki.”

Twitter- @osuphil95
Facebook- Phil Schoch

Joston Da Grava

Joston was late to the game in becoming a Buckeye fan. Growing up near Pittsburgh in the early 90’s there were only three things: Steeler football, Penguin hockey, and that thing once known as Pirate baseball. It wasn’t until after watching the national championship win over Miami in 2003 that Joston became enamored with the Scarlet and Gray. After moving to Columbus to attend OSU, the veins that had once been full of black and gold now ran rampant with the colors of the Buckeyes. When asked by his Pittsburghian father how such a change could have occurred so quickly, his response was simple: “It is one thing to be a fan. It is a far different thing to be a member.” During his four years at Ohio State Joston never missed a game and rarely missed a moment. He is proud to say that he has been in the murky waters of Mirror Lake four times and never regrets it for a moment. He believes there is no better tradition in the sport of football than the Dotting of the ‘i’ and will fight any man, woman, or child who dare to challenge that belief. Joston graduated from Ohio State in 2009 with his now wife Michele. They live in northeast Ohio where they impatiently await the arrival of their first little Buckeye at the end of 2015.

Twitter- @jtdagrava
Facebook- Joston Da Grava

Parker Eads

Been bred into a buckeye since birth but born in Virginia. Currently a senior at Emory & Henry College and studying mass communications. I’ve got a record of 2-0 in attendance at national championship games (’02,’15). I carry a lucky buckeye in my pocket all day and every day for good luck. Lastly, I hope to one day cover the Buckeyes in some way or perhaps work for the university.

Twitter- @1flybuckeye
Facebook- Parker Eads

Ray Casola

Been a die hard Buckeye fan since the day I was born! My favorite Buckeye memory was the 1997 Rose Bowl win over Arizona St. That game forever stamped my love for not just Ohio State football, but football in general. I am an alum of St. Edward High School where I played football and also coached for two years. Along with St. Eds, I also spent 6 years coaching at Elyria Catholic high school so my love for football at all levels runs deep. As a Cleveland Browns season ticket holder, I clearly have a good sense of humor. I also believe the best answer to a question you don’t know the answer to is always “Because I couldn’t go for three”.

Twitter- @rayrayc3
Facebook- Ray Casola

We are so freaking close, a week from Saturday (technically there is an awesome FCS game this weekend),  the only reason we live begins. Now is the time to start making plans. Yes, NOW.

If you wake up next Saturday without a game plan, it’ll be 7:00PM before you know it and you’ll have an empty stomach and worst of all, be sober.

But have no fear, I am here to help. The key is to stay at the peak of football enjoyment for as long as possible. Ladies and gentlemen, follow my schedule and you will be peaking all over yourself  for well over ten hours.

 

8 AM-Step 1:

Don’t worry about setting an alarm, a true fan will always have an internal clock that wakes them up at 7:59 on gameday.

To start the day off right after waking-you must sit up in bed and stare at your significant other (or pet) as they sleep. I mean you need to really to leer bigtime to build up the adrenaline. Once you hit the perfect amount of potential energy your partner will be awoken by your silent excitement.

Maintain composure and eye contact and whisper, “It’s gameday bitch.” If you pulled it off right, you’ll get an eye roll or the occasional, “I hate football season” before they head back to dreamland.

You are now ready for phase 2.

8:30 AM- Step 2:

Don’t shower yet, that’s ridiculous.

It’s time for breakfast. You can have whatever you usually do but I prefer to go with a Diet Mt. Dew and mini sausage sandwiches. You must keep adding fuel to the fire in order to peak at the right time and nothing does that better than a #DMD.

9:00 AM- Step 3:

It’s time to head to the store. Some people will do this Friday but I say do it in the morning because it’s the last time you will legally be allowed to drive for the day when using my program.

Purchase: A case of light beer, a 6 pack of Fall Seasonal Craft Beer,10 dollar bottle of cheap whiskey, toilet paper, AA batteries and chicken wings.

Your trip is complete and you now have all the supplies to make it through the first Saturday of the year.

Once you get home- grab a craft beer and mow your lawn.

I hate yardwork more than anybody but there is something absolutely magical about doing it on the morning of a CFS (College Football Saturday).

*Note. If you live in an apartment/rent go cut your moms grass. She misses you.

 

10:00 AM- Step 4

It’s now time to watch the preview shows. This is the longest part of the day and will seemingly last for 10 hours if you don’t do it right.

Tips:

1. If a touching/heartfelt story is about to be shown, light up the ole xbox and play some NCAA 14. Compassion kills a good peak.
2. During commercials study your playbook. You should know the number of every single sports channel by heart. Use a dry erase board if you are having difficulty.
3. Drink every time an analyst says these words: upset, cannon, speed, revenge, edge and big mac daddy.
4. If your wife/partner tells you to do some chores-tell them to shut up.

 

12:00 PM- Step 5

(You should now be finished with the fall seasonal 6 pack.)

The games have now begun!

It’s lite beer the rest of the day for you, don’t want to end up peaking over a bathroom toilet before the afternoon games.

Using your knowledge of the channels you studied, it’s time to go to work. If you’re good enough you will not witness one commercial for the day.

You will have to tier the games in order to see more of the best games.. Tier 1’s should be on your tv for approximately 60% of the day, only switching for commercials, halftime and when some gutless kid is faking an injury.

The noon games on September 5^th are gross so you’ll have to make due with these matchups:

Colgate at Navy, CBSSN

Illinois State at Iowa, BTN

Louisiana-Monroe at Georgia, SEC

South Dakota State at Kansas, FSN

Stanford at Northwestern, ESPN

 

Stanford @ Northwestern should be decent if you’re into #Nerdball.

 

2:30 PM- Step 6

It is now time to eat the chicken wings. Chicken wings are the only acceptable meal while watching football. I don’t like it but rules are rules.

 

3:30 PM- Step 7

A ton of action here, it’s time to set up your rotation for the 3:30 matchups.

If you have been following my path, it should now be time to switch the dead batteries in the remote for the ones you bought earlier.

Auburn vs. Louisville, CBS, in Atlanta

BYU at Nebraska, ABC

Florida Atlantic at Tulsa, CBSSN

Virginia at UCLA, FOX

UTEP at Arkansas, ESPNU

 

3:50 PM- Step 8

The afternoon games have all kicked off and now it’s time for you to doze off.

The manly equation of chicken wings + 14 beers have wore you out.

Don’t be ashamed, a well timed nap is key to lasting the day. Go turn the sound down on the television and lay horizontally on the couch smiling at the players in the first quarter of their game knowing you will wake up to some wonderful surprises.

 

5:50 PM- Step 9

Your internal football clock will not let you sleep for over two hours during gameday;  this has been proven by science.

It’s an awesome feeling waking up at the end of the 3^rd/start of the 4^th quarter of a game you basically just started watching. You just fast forwarded real life and that should feel empowering.

It’s time to start drinking again. I suggest a whiskey and coke to lube up the engines a little.

Your peaking should be at its highest peak during the final hour of the 3:30 games.

 

7:15 PM- Step 10

Wow! What a ride that was. Louisville beat Auburn? That’s crazy.

Pick your evening lineup now.

Georgia Southern at West Virginia, FSN, 7:30

New Mexico State at Florida, SEC, 7:30

Texas at Notre Dame, NBC, 7:30

UNLV at Northern Illinois, CBSSN, 7:30

Alabama vs. Wisconsin, ABC, 8 in Arlington, Texas

Eastern Washington at Oregon, Pac-12, 8

Texas State at Florida State, ESPNews, 8

 

It’s also time for your first bathroom break of the day. A #DMD, 20 beers and a whiskey-coke will put some pressure on you. Since there was no time for potty breaks in the first 9 steps, you have to let it all out at once. The extra toilet paper you bought will come in handy.

You should also be arguing with people on your favorite college football message board while you are exiting the chicken and booze. This is an important step and really adds to your gameday fire.

If you’re an expert, you should be visiting the opponents of your favorite teams board to  explain to them why that holding call was correct or incorrect in the third quarter and how it did or didn’t decide the outcome.

 

10:15 PM- Step 11

You’ve been peaking for a solid three hours, it’s time to settle down-Heat up the leftover chicken wings and enjoy a late dinner.

Mississippi State at Southern Miss, FS1, 10:30

Arkansas State at USC, Pac-12, 11

After you finish eating it’s time to honor your team’s victory (if applicable) with a shot of whiskey.

If your team lost, it’s time to drown your sorrows with a shot of whiskey.

 

10:45 PM- Step 12

That second helping of chicken wings sure filled you up. Your body has given up on you, your wife has locked herself in her room, it’s time to give up on the day and go to bed…

Wrong!

There’s  two beers left in the fridge and you will use every last bit of juice you have in you to stay up and watch the last few games. The second wind is coming and you will embrace it like you have never embraced anything in your sad life!

Hop on the toilet (for the second time), vomit if you have to, but when you step out of that bathroom know that you have two more hours of peaking left. This is also a good time to squeeze in a quick shower because you certainly stink.

Just think about Monday you, and how they wish they were in your place right now. You think Monday you would even think of going to bed yet? Grab those two beers and a #DMD and plant your fat butt in front of the tv and keep living life…

 

You will know that you completed my 12 step program if you wake up in your backyard with your pants hanging from a tree for some reason.

Your wife will have certainly locked you out of your house but it’s kind of fun trying to find a way in.

This will be the only free schedule I provide all year. To continue the service you can attend one of my free weekly classes I offer at the Y on Tuesdays, September-December (with a $5.00 cover charge and $6 speaking fee)

****FYI: For you West Coasters, I do offer a Pacific Time Schedule via email for a one-time fee of $10.99, twice a month.

 

See you a week from Saturday ¯\_(ツ)_/¯

When looking at the first game of the year it is not too difficult to come up with story lines. Revenge is on every ones mind. So when I sat down with Justin Clark of @GobblerTown we discussed all the story lines and tidbits for the game in Blacksburg. Here is the link to my answering the questions for them. Below is their answers to my questions.

Jeremiah- Looking at Techs offense they were 96th in the country last year in scoring. How do they plan on improving on that?

Justin- To first understand how Virginia Tech will improve offensively this season you first have to understand where this offense has come from over the past two years. Certainly, offensive coordinator Scot Loeffler has taken some heat over the past two seasons for our offense being inept at times (Wake Forest last season is a good example) but he hasn’t had much to work with.

The offensive output during our first two games of last season really showed what this unit is capable of doing when the unit is fully healthy. Unfortunately, after beating Ohio State, quarterback Michael Brewer spent the rest of the year nursing several injuries, our most effective runner in Shai McKenzie tore his ACL, our backup running back Marshawn Williams tore his ACL, our top offensive lineman broke his ankle, and we lost one of our most experienced receiver in Josh Stanford because he simply left the team.

While Tech’s rankings were horrid by the end of the year, there’s still plenty of potential on this offense, especially when you look at how many freshmen played last season. In fact, every person who scored a touchdown last year returns this season. So, just by experience, the Virginia Tech offense should be better in 2015.

Jeremiah- How many starters is Tech returning on Offense and Defense? Which new starter on both offense and defense should OSU fans get to know about now?

Justin- The pre-season magazines will say we return eight starters on offense, eight on defense, and both special teams guys. But, that’s a little misleading.

First, our starting right tackle Wade Hanson started three games last season filling in for an injured Jonathan McLaughlin. So, he’s not exactly a newcomer on the offensive line. The same can be said for JC Coleman, who’s a fourth year senior with nine career starts under his belt. Really, the only new starter on offense is Eric Gallo, who is our new starting center.

Defensively, the same is true mainly due to the injuries we suffered down the stretch. Andrew Motuapuaka isn’t listed as a returning starter but he started three games last season in substitute for Chase Williams, who suffered a knee sprain. Donovan Riley is likely to be our new starting rover but he started seven games at cornerback last season and was the one who helped clinch the win in Columbus with his 4th quarter interception that he promptly returned for a touchdown. On the whole, this defense will be the most experienced unit we’ve had since Tech finished first in the country in total defense back in 2007.

As for a new name to know, I think there are a few on both sides. Offensively, you may see the Hokies use incoming freshman quarterback Dwayne Lawson briefly in our Wild Turkey package. Lawson is a phenomenal prospect and a terrific, high football IQ guy that’s going to play this season. At tight end, you’ll see Tech use redshirt sophomore Kalvin Cline. He did extremely well as a true freshman two years ago but missed all of last year due to injury.

Defensively, Mook Reynolds is a guy you’ll see and hear about. He’s going to be Virginia Tech’s next great defensive back. Right now, he’s penciled in as the backup at field corner behind Brandon Facyson. But, he’ll likely see some snaps at some point in the game.

Jeremiah- Virginia Techs defense is great every year. Your DBs are arguably the best group in CFB. What can you tell us about the LBers and DLmen?

Justin- When Virginia Tech has produced great defenses in the past, we’ve been able to go at least eight deep on the defensive line. I think the Hokies are back to having that kind of depth this season. Our entire starting defensive line that wrecked havoc against Ohio State last season returns with Dadi Nicolas and Ken Ekanem anchoring our defensive end spots. Nicolas gets all of the praise as a potential first round pick but Ekanem actually led our teams in sacks last season, coming on big-time at the end of the year. Of course, our defensive tackles are fantastic with Luther Maddy back after missing the final 9 games in 2014 due to injury and Corey Marshall will join him again in the starting lineup. The backups are a little green at defensive end but I love the potential Seth Dooley and Vinny Mihota have in our system. Tech will be able to pull from three or four backup defensive tackles, including Nigel Williams who started nine games and registered 4.5 sacks in relief of Maddy.

Linebacker could be our weakness but it depends on how Andrew Motuapuaka plays in the middle. He’s just a sophomore and he appeared a little overmatched when he started last season. Miami made it a point to run straight at him and the results worked in their favor, whipping us 30-6 on Thursday night. If I were Ohio State, I would make Motuapuaka work in the middle. If he plays well and doesn’t prove to be a weakness then this defense is going to be the stingiest unit we’ve had in years. If he struggles then it could really drag the entire unit down. Otherwise, I’m confident in our other two guys. Deon Clarke is a fifth year senior at our “backer” position and Ronny Vandyke is a talented senior who will start at our WHIP linebacker position.

Jeremiah- I know there have been some off the field issues for some VT players this off-season. Shai Mckenzie comes to mind. Any news on his status or anyone else as to who may be suspended?

Justin- To be honest, I don’t think McKenzie missing the Ohio State game is the worst thing in the world. I was sort of hoping they would suspend him for the year just so we could redshirt him. McKenzie tore his ACL as a senior in high school then re-tore it again last season. Ideally, I’d like to give him a year to recover.

Other than CJ Reavis, who was penciled in as our starting rover before being expelled a few weeks ago, the Hokies should have everyone available to start come Labor Day. The only other player who may be a little iffy is running back Marshawn Williams, who was very limited yesterday in practice as he too continues to recover from ACL surgery.

Jeremiah- What should traveling OSU fans expect from their visit to Blacksburg and any traditions they should take in or places to eat that are must dos?

Justin- Blacksburg is truly an awesome place on gamedays. I would highly recommend going to TOTS (Top Of The Stairs) and getting a Rail before the game. It’s their signature mixed drink with a shit ton of alcohol. For food, I would highly recommend Mike’s for great burgers, Cabo Fish Taco if you love seafood, Big Al’s for great drinks and bar food, or River Mill if you’re looking for just a nice sit-down place with an eclectic menu. Seriously, just pick a joint off Main Street and you’ll be fine.

After the game, go to CookOut off Main Street for the best cheap southern fast food you can get. Five bucks gets you a double cheeseburger, fries, onion rings, and a large drink. Can’t beat it at 2 a.m.

Lastly, try to make your way to the stadium about 45 minutes prior to kickoff. If you wait to long, the gates can get a little backed up and you don’t want to miss Virginia Tech running onto the field to Enter Sandman. It’s truly one of the most exciting entrances in sports.

Jeremiah- What is the feel of Tech fans do they believe they can pull off another upset of Ohio State? Are they worried OSU may blow them out?

Justin- I haven’t polled the posters over on my site yet but I think there’s a quiet confidence with our fanbase. Obviously, Ohio State fans are confident heading into this game and they should be after the season they had a year ago. But, it’s a new year and the best time to pull an upset is early in the year when neither team has fully installed their offense and mistakes are more likely to occur. So, this game does favor the Hokies in that regard.

Combine that with Ohio State’s suspensions and I’m feeling fairly optimistic heading into this game. Ohio State isn’t going to come in and win this by 40. If the Buckeyes win by 10, it will be something to celebrate. I truly feel this is going to be a three point, down to the wire kind of game.

Jeremiah- Is Frank Beamer on the hot seat? Is he close to retiring? Could this be his swan song season?

Justin- The feeling around Blacksburg is that Beamer will likely stay through 2016, which was the end date of his original contract before we extended to 2019 solely for recruiting purposes. Beamer had throat surgery in the off-season and from what I’ve been able to gather, it was fairly extensive. So much so that his voice is notably different this pre-season. He’s also lost a lot of weight, perhaps doctor mandated, so his health is definitely something that may play a role.

But, I don’t believe he’s on the hot seat. The reason for our recent swoon is talent driven not coaching driven, at least not anymore. Our last two recruiting classes have been very good and thus you’re going to see a much better, much deeper Virginia Tech team these next two years.

Jeremiah- How do you see this game going? Score prediction?

Justin- I’m confident that the Hokies can hang in there and keep it close. But, in rewatching last year’s game it amazed me how many chances Ohio State squandered as well as how many 3rd and longs Virginia Tech converted. I don’t see either of those two things happening again this year. The Buckeyes will be ready for Tech’s offense and whoever starts at quarterback for Ohio State will be better prepared for the Hokie’s defense.

That said, there are three things that make me optimistic as a Virginia Tech fan

1.) Our offensive line will be drastically improved this season. I think on every single offensive snap last year, our center and our left guard were pushed into the backfield. Thankfully, Wyatt Teller emerged as our top offensive line prospect at the end of last year and he is now our starter at left guard. Eric Gallo at center is a future all-conference player as well. I have a lot of confidence in our starting five up front, especially with no Joey Bosa on the other side.

2.) Our running game should be better. JC Coleman ran for over 450 yards in the final five games of last season. That won’t compare well to Ezekiel Elliot but it was a major step forward for our running game that has stalled since David Wilson left for the NFL. This also proved that our offensive line got better at the end of last year.

3.) I have a lot of confidence in Bud Foster to design a gameplan that eliminates Ezekiel Elliot from the equation. Stopping the run is always the first order of our defense. If Elliot runs for over 100 yards then odds are the Buckeyes will win. If not, then Tech’s chances increase dramatically.

Of course, despite all of that I just see Ohio State, like so many great teams throughout the years, finding a way. It probably won’t be pretty if you’re a Buckeye fan and at the end you may drop to your knees and thank whatever deity you believe in. But, I’m taking the Buckeyes 24-20.

“You’ve gotta have some youth in there, and that’s Zach, I’ve known Zach since he played for me at Bowling Green, and he’s taken over the recruiting coordinator spot for us, because of his social networking stuff that goes on. I’m an old guy that doesn’t understand it.” said Urban Meyer on Ohio State’s Media Day on Sunday (Aug. 16th)

Zach Smith, the WR coach, and the leader of Zone6 is the youngest member of the recruiting staff, and subsequently the member that can best connect with the culture of the young players and recruits. Take a quick look at his Twitter page and you will understand why he makes a great fit.

Now I can flame @Austin_Mack10 publicly!!! #NoChill #Savage #FutureZone6

— Zach Smith #Zone6 (@CoachZachSmith) August 21, 2015

You already know #Zone6 welcomes that South Fla #Fire 🔥🔥🔥 Welcome @quick_tg6 to the Crew 😈🅾💯 pic.twitter.com/g06QpVbRcl

— Zach Smith #Zone6 (@CoachZachSmith) August 17, 2015

😂😂😂😂 U mad bro?? #LevelsToThis #IfTheyAintHatingYouAintPoppin pic.twitter.com/QhnJceNL4W

— Zach Smith #Zone6 (@CoachZachSmith) June 7, 2015

Since being hired in 2012, Zach Smith has been one of the best recruiters in the nation; with the ability to go all along the east coast and SEC country, more specifically in Southern Florida. He has been very important in the recruitment and signing of James Clark, Corey Smith, Terry McLaurin, Jalyn Holmes, Johnnie Dixon, Noah Brown, KJ Hill, and Torrance Gibson. These players were some of the highest, and most recruited players in the country. Along with the popularity of the Ohio State brand and Urban Meyer, Zach Smith has been able to go, build a relationship, and get these players committed. After a down year for Smith in 2013, and a challenge from Urban Meyer, Zach Smith was even named B1G recruiter of the year in 2014.

One of the most popular stories of Zach Smith’s recruiting was that of defensive end Jalyn Holmes. “One day I was with Jalyn Holmes, and he was recruiting Jalyn Holmes, and I’m in the house with him, and I see Jalyn Holmes walking around with an IPAD,” Urban Meyer recalled at Media Days. “and he was face-timing Zach’s kids. I say ‘What you doing?’ I look over and I see his kids in this video on you know, whatever that IPAD is, so I said ‘That’s a first.'”

Zach is one of the best at building relationships with recruits. When you hear about recruits face-timing Zach’s kids, you know Zach is doing something right. Urban definitely realizes that, and that’s the main reason he replaced TE coach Tim Hinton with Zach Smith. Hinton is a good coach, and a good recruiter, but being one of the older members of the staff, it was simply more difficult for him to understand the culture the the recruits are comfortable with. Obviously, Jalyn went on to sign with the Buckeyes in the class of 2014, and is now one of the candidates to replace Joey Bosa in the opener against Virginia Tech.

“Just relevant things that are culturally applicable to kids are important. And, whether being in touch with that or not, you don’t have to like what they like, but you should be knowledgeable of what they like. So, I like to keep in touch with that culture because it’s relevant, and it’s important.” said Zach at media days. For Zach, that partially goes back to the fact that in order to be successful, you have to adjust to what’s needed, but also, he likes it. “Some of it’s enjoyable to me, I mean, the last thing I would ever be is fake with a kid or recruit, but it’s probably why I can relate to the kids.” Zach also admitted

“A year ago there was a song by Meek Mill that was called ‘Levels to This’, and I used to say it to recruits all the time, and they would always be like ‘Man who is this dude?’. We would win a game, and I would be like ‘There’s levels to this, I’m trying to tell you.'” Again, that’s what sets Zach apart from other coaches. With his knowledge and plenty of use on social media, especially twitter, he is exposed to all this stuff that the recruits like. “He was easy to talk to because him being young, he knew certain slangs, he wasn’t trying to be cool,” Jalyn Holmes told Northeast Ohio Media Group about his recruitment. “When you know it’s real, it’s important. You can talk about things other than football with him, and that’s how you build a personal relationship with somebody. We were so close, I’d call him at 1 a.m. and have a conversation with him for two hours. He was that close. I felt that even if I didn’t come here, we would still talk.”

 

Like you read earlier, Zach preaches being real and authentic. That’s another reason why he is great for this new recruiting coordinator job. “I went down and watched Johnnie Dixon practice a couple times and told him, ‘That was awful,’” Zach Smith said after they had signed Johnnie. “We talked about it, but the kid at the end of the day went home and said ‘That guy’s going to make me better and he’s real.’” I’m not saying Tim Hinton and the other coaches aren’t genuine with recruits, because they definitely are, but Coach Zach Smith lives it out. He knows that he would rather be given the truth that have people treat them like an all-powerful being, so that’s how he treats the recruits. He knows being truthful is the best way to start and continue a relationship.

Obviously, this move requires a great deal of trust for Zach Smith. He has shown that he is able to step up to the challenge. After a poor year of recruiting, and some disappointment from Urban, Zach Smith went out and became B1G recruiter of the year. His WR core was extremely thin, and one of the weaker units of the team. He went and made them one of the deepest and most skilled units of the team. One way you can see this trust, is if you just look at his roster. When asked about if the H-Backs will meet with the RB room too, a source said that Coach Smith has been with Urban long enough, that anything that involves the player getting the ball, Zach can coach them up to where they need to be.

 

So, as the new recruiting coordinator, look for Zach Smith to be very successful. With his ability to stay up to date with things going on in social media, and being able to connect with recruits, the future recruiting classes could be better than ever. Look for him and the rest of the staff to be able to keep the 2016 recruiting class and beyond in the near future to stay near the top, if not #1, and watch for him to keep Zone6 as successful as ever.

This week we will be presenting to our readers a bunch of posts from potential writers for MotSaG. All of these guys have applied to write for us and were given an assignment to perform. This particular post is brought to you by Brad Pettiford. So leave some feedback on your thoughts and opinions. Thanks

Ohio State football fans have been blessed with a lot of good fortune in recent years, as the Buckeyes have enjoyed tremendous recruiting success, tons of national exposure, an abundance of All-Americans and Heisman hopefuls, and an undisputed national championship. On the heels of last season’s legendary title run, and with all signs pointing toward a successful 2015 campaign, OSU fans can continue to count their blessings. But make no mistake – there is one segment of Buckeye Nation that has been blessed with far less: those of us who have the misfortune of calling The State Up North “home”.

Sure, the state of Michigan has beautiful bodies of water and great tourist attractions, but is there a bigger buzzkill than trying to enjoy Ohio State’s thrilling gauntlet run through Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon while the only topic of discussion in local media revolves around some Khaki Crusader? I obviously understand the TV and radio business enough to know the importance of media outlets speaking to their audience – as seemingly 99 percent of Michiganders root for U-M or Michigan State – but that doesn’t make it more bearable.
As the season-opening kickoff in Blacksburg, Virginia draws nearer by the day, and a lucky group of Ohio State fans have the luxury of being immersed in pro-Buckeye talk on their local airwaves, I’d like to provide updates on the chatter going on up north.

Blue is Back!

In the history of the world, have this many chickens ever been counted before they’ve hatched? I didn’t know it was possible for the fan base of a team that has been irrelevant from a championship-contending perspective for a decade to so quickly flip a switch and beat their chests again.

While the constant Jim Harbaugh “will he return, or won’t he” coverage during Ohio State’s title run was gut-wrenchingly annoying, it has only amplified throughout the offseason. Michigan airwaves have covered Harbaugh from a myriad of angles – his heroic roadside rescue of highway commuters; the humane capture and harmless release of a mouse from a Michigan restaurant; the rationalization of his shirtless prancing during a satellite camp in Alabama; the defense of his ultra-awkward phone conversion with former ESPN personality Colin Cowherd. I feel like the list could go on and on. I’m just ready for all the “Most Interesting Man in College Football” talk to subside and for conversation to focus on actual football.

But now – following a 5-7 season, mind you – the hiring of one man has led to conversation about another 10-Year War, Woody vs. Bo 2.0, and the return of the greatest rivalry in college football. While those things all sound neat, and would make the matchup more interesting in the years to come, these expectations aren’t based on anything of substance.

Michigan fans and the media are already including Harbaugh in discussions of the elite college football coaches in the country for the 2015 season, when he hasn’t done anything at Michigan yet. Harbaugh disciples point to the ascension of the Stanford football program during his tenure, often pointing to the 2007 upset over USC as 41-point underdogs as reasoning for why Harbaugh will lead Michigan to many victories over Ohio State. People call into sports radio programs, and when asked my Michigan will have 10+ wins this upcoming season, they’re response is simply, “Harbaugh.” I go to work and hear from Michigan fans about how young the Wolverines were last year, and how with another year of experience and the return of an already solid defense, U-M will defeat the Buckeyes in the Big House.

I get it – Michigan fans are excited about their new coach. I remember how energized and optimistic when Ohio State officially announced the hiring of Urban Meyer in November 2011. Then OSU backed up expectations on the field as, Meyer led the Buckeyes to a perfect 12-0 record. Michigan fans have a right to be excited about a new coach with the perception and football pedigree of Jim Harbaugh; I just wish they’d let him coach a real game with the Block M on his hat before boldly proclaiming that the Michigan football program is back.

Beware of Sparty

Make no mistake – I am fully confident in Ohio State’s ability to run the table in the regular season and repeat as Big Ten champions, but I would urge Buckeye fans to remain vigilant of the very real threat that is coming out of East Lansing. On paper, Michigan State appears to be sitting in the same seat that Ohio State was sitting in just one year ago, which makes them incredibly dangerous in my eyes.

Think about how closely the story lines parallel one another. MSU entered the 2014 season as the perceived “bad boys” of the Big Ten, following a conference championship and being discussed as the team with the best chance to represent the Big Ten in the College Football Playoff; OSU entered the season angry and focused, motivated to retake their spot as Big Ten champions. This year, Ohio State enters the season with a lot of hype – and deservedly so – but the Spartans are guaranteed to enter Ohio Stadium with a revenge-minded intensity that the Buckeyes must match and surpass.

Under Mark Dantonio, Michigan State has thrived in the underdog role, finding great success while playing with the proverbial chip on their shoulders. It can be argued that the great expectations heaped upon them by the media last season were their downfall – that playing as “favorites” took away from their “us against the world” mantra. That certainly won’t be an issue this year, as all the talk is centered on Ohio State’s first-world depth chart problems, their heavy presence in the preseason Heisman odds, and discussions of a repeat national championship.
A lot has been said about Ohio State’s success in an underdog role under Urban Meyer’s watch – which ultimately improved to a 6-0 mark following wins over Alabama, Oregon, and Wisconsin (who was actually favored due to the forced insertion of inexperienced Cardale Jones into the starting role). But, through no fault of their own, the Ohio State’s success in 2014 and the hype surrounding their returning talent has coincidentally helped Michigan State return to their own comfort zone. How will the Buckeyes perform as they’ve been forced outside of their preferred underdog role big games? Will they be able to push an agenda to prove something to the world when no one actually doubts them?

As the college football season gets closer by the day, there are a lot of things to get excited about regarding the 2015 Buckeyes. Those of us stranded in The State Up North will just have to rely on OSU fan sites and televised Buckeye games to survive the misery of living behind enemy lines.

This week we will be presenting to our readers a bunch of posts from potential writers for MotSaG. All of these guys have applied to write for us and were given an assignment to perform. This particular post is brought to you by Raymond Casola. So leave some feedback on your thoughts and opinions. Thanks

Aside from the quarterback position, it is no secret that the only positions to be picked number one overall in the NFL draft since 1997 have been defensive end and offensive tackle. Football games are just simply won and lost at the line of scrimmage, and Coach Urban Meyer has made recruiting the offensive and defensive lines his number one priority during is tenure at Ohio State. Thankfully, for us Buckeye fans, he has done nothing short of knocking it out of the park when it comes to bringing in top level talent at defensive end these last three years. When it comes to sheer talent and athleticism at defensive end, the term “embarrassment of riches” comes to mind when describing the 2015 version of these buckeye pass rushers. However, with all of the talent and athleticism this group brings, they bring even more inexperience. Next to Joey Bosa, this group of defensive ends has made a grand total of ZERO whopping starts in their short Buckeye careers. Will this worry some fans? Possibly, but one thing I know for sure is that no one can become great at anything until they have been given their first opportunity to do so. Without further ado, let’s introduce to 2015 Buckeye Defensive Ends.

Joey Bosa- Jr. 6’6 275

What he brings to the table: This is the kind defensive end that comes around once every decade, if you are lucky. Earlier I referenced the terms sheer talent and athleticism, and Joey Bosa’s skill set totally personify that. We are talking about a guy that stands 6’6 275 and can do standing backflips for fun just because he feels like it. When it comes to his play on the field, there are two things that set Joey apart from the rest of the ends on this team, and in the country for that matter. His strength allows him to engage with offensive linemen, lock out his arms and simply move them out of the way without even using a swim, rip, or spin move. What is just as incredible is that he is does a great job at using said moves when he needs too. The second thing that sets Joey apart is his motor. The kid plays at 100 miles per hour every single snap. He is relentless and aggressive when the lights come on and Alabama and Oregon took note of this because this is also Joeys only major downfall to his game. While those two qualities make so many highlight real plays for Joey, they also causes Joey to over rush the pocket at times and create a larger window for quarterbacks to step up into. Joey’s over aggressiveness came into play against Alabama and Oregon more than a few times. In today’s college game with all of the spread offenses, so many teams rely on “reading” defensive linemen in the running game. “Well” Alabama and Oregon both decided, “either we can try and block this monster of a human being or we can not block him at all, read him and hope his aggressive tendencies cause him to chase the guy without the ball.” It worked on more than a handful of plays for both of those teams. Obviously, we are the national champs and this clearly wasn’t that large of an issue but is an issue none the less.

2015 Outlook: Unfortunately, Mr. Shoulder Shrug himself got into a bit of trouble to start out this season. Joey is suspended for the teams opener at Virginia Tech due to violating team rules but suspensions aside, I do not expect him to miss a beat come week two against the mighty Hawaii Rainbow Warriors. I do not expect to see a crazy jump in his statistics because the target on his back will be larger than ever. Either way, Joey will come back to be a leader for this defense and this team and I would be shocked if he was anything less than a top five pick in this coming years NFL draft.

Tyquan Lewis- RSo. 6’4 260

What he brings to the table: This is where the fun begins. Tyquan is a kid who has been in the program for 2 full years now. He finished the year stronger than most people might realize as he logged 25 snaps in the national championship game against Oregon. Defensive line coach Larry Johnson and other defensive teammates can not stop mentioning Tyquan’s name during interviews. If there is one thing I have learned over the years about following college football it is that there are only two groups of people that really know whats going on behind closed practice doors. That is the coaches and the players. Besides, Urban Meyer himself has come out and said that Tyquan has one of open spots locked down. Tyquan was a great 235lb pass rusher coming out of high school. Now at a thick 260lbs, he is ideal to man the defensive end spot next to Joey considering he also has the most in game experience of the remaining candidates. This is the kind of kid that i think has a really good next 2 years.

2015 Outlook: A lot will be asked of Tyquan without Joey Bosa in the lineup for week one. After Virginia Tech however, the non conference schedule is a cake walk. This is going to allow Tyquan to get used to playing 50+ snaps a game and hopefully slide into B1G season full of confidence. Hey, if Urban Meyer is in this kids corner, is anyone not named Urban Meyer qualified to disagree? I think not.

Sam Hubbard- RFr. 6’5 265

What he brings to the table: Three years ago, Sam Hubbard was a 6’4 215 lb Notre Dame Lacrosse commit who could run like a deer and was also playing safety for Cincinnati Moeller High School. Fast forward three years and he is now playing defensive end at Ohio State standing 6’5 and tipping the scales at 265 lbs. Did I mention yet that he can still run like a deer? People started using the word freak to describe people because of guys like Sam Hubbard. It is virtually impossible to break Sam’s game down as a defensive end because he has never played one down of the position in a real game. If coaches and players can not stop talking about you then you are doing something to get noticed. I sometimes feel like someone is actually paying Urban Meyer to talk about Sam Hubbard in interviews because I can not really remember that last interview I saw where Sam’s names was not dropped. This kid brings a different kind of athleticism to this position. The kind that gets us football junkies on the edge of our seats waiting for the season to start because we can not help but want to see just how good this kid could possibly end up being. All this excitement and you still realize this kid has not played one single down of football since the 2013 Ohio state championship football game. We should all probably hold our horses on crowning him the next big thing, but as a Buckeye fan I can’t help but get excited about the “what-if” potential.

2015 Outlook: I think Sam is one of two guys along with Jalyn Holmes (who I will talk about next) that steps in for the suspended Joey Bosa. When it comes to plain old athleticism, I don’t think we lose as much as people think with Bosa being out that first week. Replacing the two full years of playing under the bright lights that Joey possess is going to be the biggest obstacle that Sam is going to have to over come. In this situation I am a supreme optimist and think that Sam is just a rare talent that shines and will force the coaches to find him as many snaps as they can as the season progresses.

Jalyn Holmes- So. 6’5 265

What he brings to the table: Jalyn was the first big time recruiting pick up for wide receiver coach Zach Smith. A consensus four star prospect and top 100 player out of Virginia, Jalyn is a big time athlete who also played receiver in high school. There is starting to be a little bit of a trend here. Tall, athletic enough to be a legitimate receiver in high school and is now a 265lb defensive end. He has all the tools to be a big time pass rusher for years to come. He is long and athletic and has added plenty of weight during his year in Columbus. I honestly was waiting for him to break out last year but he couldn’t seem to take many snaps from former Purdue transfer Rashad Frazier. Not all freshman progress at the same rate and when Jalyn did play he showed enough to make me realize i should probably stay on the bandwagon.

2015 Outlook: Jalyn and Sam Hubbard are the two guys who keep having their names thrown around to start in Joey Bosa’s place week one. A big part of me says that Jalyn has played defensive end his whole life and that alone should give him the leg up on Sam to earn the starting job. The other part of me says that if he can not take snaps away from Rashad Frazier then how is he going to keep an athletic freak like Sam Hubbard on the bench. Either way, Larry Johnson has made it incredibly clear that there needs to be a rotation of ten defensive lineman playing every game in order to keep fresh legs on the field. Jalyn is absolutely one of those ten and I expect him to show that this year.

Darius Slade- RFr. 6’4 255

What he brings to the table: Darius is a kid who kind of came out of nowhere to end up in Ohio States class in 2014. His cousin is former Penn St. player Jared Odrick who played for defensive line coach Larry Johnson during his coaching tenure in Happy Valley. Something tells me that this fact might have helped the Buckeyes earn the last minute commitment. He redshirted last season but actually made a lot of waves during bowl practices. The offensive lineman consistently had great things to say about how he was progressing and after a solid redshirt year, I expect Darius to get a lot of snaps in some early non-conference games and earn his way into the serious rotation.

2015 Outlook: Darius is my sleeper pick for the year. Something tells me that barring any injuries, this is a kid that could jump onto the scene and take some snaps away from Tyquan Lewis should he underperform. That is not going to be easy by any means but this is just a gut feeling I have. I trust that when our Slobs go out of their way to talk up Darius that he is ready to make some noise in 2015.

Jashon Cornell- Fr. 6’3 265

What he brings to the table: Little-known fact about Jashon Cornell that many people might have forgotten: in the first releases of the scouting services top 100 players for the class of 2015, Jashon was the consensus number one player in the country. No, not just defensive lineman, but the number one overall player at any position. Jashon is someone who I can see sliding inside to play the three technique eventually. At 6’3 and already 265, he is bound to put on some more weight working under strength coach Mickey Marotti. He actually reminds me a lot of former Buckeye Michael Bennett in the sense that once he puts on 20lbs I don’t believe he will lose much athleticism and he has a similar motor to that of Bennett.

2015 Outlook: I think Jashon plays this year and does not take a redshirt. I am not sure exactly how much he plays due to the depth we have a defensive end but I believe a move inside is going to be inevitable and he will excel in the same ways Michael Bennett did in this defense.

Dylan Thompson- RFr. 6’5 275

What he brings to the table: Dylan is the least talked about name in this group. Seemed to be off to a good start in fall camp last year before injuring his knee and having to sit out for the season. A mountain of a man who won 3 state championships in high school and had 17 sacks as a senior. I never expect an Urban Meyer recruit to redshirt and if it were not for his injury, he may not have.

2015 Outlook: My assumption is that if Dylan were to be 100% healthy, he would spend the year on scout team and hope to crack the lineup in some mop up time during the out of conference schedule. Regardless, it is going to be an uphill battle getting back from his injury let alone cracking the two deep lineup with as much talent as we have at defensive end on the this roster.

Dre’Mont Jones- Fr. 6’3 280

What he brings to the table: As hard as is it for a former St. Edward Eagle to write nice things about a St. Ignatius Wildcat, it is impossible not to in this case. This kid was a blast to watch play the last two years on the gridiron and the hardwood. Crazy athlete that does not look like he is carrying around the 280 lbs that he is listed at. Another kid that will almost assuredly end up inside with his kind of size and still being just a freshman. Had he not torn ligaments in his knee during basketball season, he could have made an impact on this team with Jashon this year as a freshman

2015 Outlook: Dre’Mont is 100% a redshirt because of the knee injury. It is unfortunate because i really don’t feel like waiting a whole year to see him in Scarlet and Gray.

2015 Depth Chart:

DE 1. Joey Bosa
2. Sam Hubbard/Jalyn Holmes

DE 1.Tyquan Lewis
2. Darius Slade
3. Jashon Cornell

Odd man out:
-Dylan Thompson

Redshirt:
-Dre’Mont Jones

This week we will be presenting to our readers a bunch of posts from potential writers for MotSaG. All of these guys have applied to write for us and were given an assignment to perform. This particular post is brought to you by Andrew Urbanski. So leave some feedback on your thoughts and opinions. Thanks

Looking back on Urban Meyer’s Monday afternoon press conference after the debacle that was the Virginia Tech game makes sense now. The head coach of the Buckeyes kept the mood light while cracking jokes with members of the local media and overall was in a shockingly upbeat mood. Everyone in attendance seemed to be caught off guard, expecting a surly head coach after an upset loss at home to an unranked opponent. Where was the coach who retired due to stress at Florida? Where was the guy eating pizza alone in the bowels of Lucas Oil Stadium? Did he know then what we all know now?

The Slobs, as they are affectionately known, have gone through one hell of a transformation since that gruesome late summer night in The Horseshoe. Seven sacks (six on 11 snaps!!), countless pressures and three interceptions were all that most people would take away from the loss to Virginia Tech. Despite the abysmal performance, Urban remained wholeheartedly positive and stuck with his young and inexperienced big boys upfront. Many of the questions he faced after the loss were directed towards the interior of his offensive line and their struggles against VT’s vaunted and unexpected bear front. Urban stayed true to form; “I have a lot of confidence that some of these young people (on the offensive line), now they’re veteran guys, that are going to get better and better each week.” Most fans and journalists alike took that as typical coach speak – don’t throw anyone under the bus, improve, don’t overreact, be positive blah blah blah. Looking back now, that statement would prove to be prophetic. The unit did in fact improve each week, leading the way up front for the explosive Buckeye offense to average over 270 rush yards and 6.4 ypc during the final 8 games of their historic national title run. Those numbers include an astronomical 565 yards on the ground during the inaugural College Football Playoffs against the top two ranked teams in the country. How was Ed Warinner able to use his wizard like sorcery (again) to turn the Buckeye offensive line into one of the most dominating units in the country? The key was the transformation that took place along the interior of that line with Billy Price, Jacoby Boren and Pat Elflein.

These three were not highly celebrated coming out of high school, unlike many of their counterparts on the offensive line. All three hail from the great state of Ohio, but only Billy Price garnered 4-star status by any of the recruiting services. Boren was oft labeled as undersized and not strong enough to compete at the highest of levels. Elflein was the lowest rated recruit at his position under Urban Meyer. In fact, Elflein has Kyle Kalis to thank for even being enrolled at The Ohio State University. Elflein was rated near the 1000th player in his class. He was only offered after Kalis flipped from the good guys to the bad guys. Billy Price was always known for his strength, but perhaps better known for his prowess on the other side of the ball, where he shined in high school and many saw him starting for the Buckeyes. After September 7th 2014, the fears of many Buckeye fans were realized. The re-built offensive line under Ed Warinner was leaky. It was disorganized. Confused. Lacked depth. Urban Meyer knew it would take time. Warinner knew it would take time. Even the players themselves knew the task of replacing one of the best offensive lines in football would be a process. Not many expected the transformation to happen so quickly.

Fast forward to Fall Camp 2015 and Pat Elflein is a First Team All-Big Ten performer and attracting the attention of many NFL scouts. Jacoby Boren has been labeled as one of Urban’s favorite players on the team and an unquestioned leader upfront. Billy Price may have taken the furthest strides of any offensive lineman last season. He was abused during that Virginia Tech game, often looking like a defensive tackle filling in across the line of scrimmage. By the time the college football playoffs had begun he was a new player. Price now understands how to utilize his herculean strength to move and turn defenders in the run game and how to remain stout against the interior pass rush he struggled with early in the season. These three epitomize the term “Slobs”. They embrace the dirty work, and whoever starts at QB for the Buckeyes this year will undoubtedly give them the appreciation they deserve.

Quick Hits: Individual Interior OL Highlights

Boren (Sr.): When Urban first met the youngest Boren he thought maybe he could be a blocking fullback. Let’s just say Urban had his doubts based on Boren’s squatty stature and slight frame. Hell, you couldn’t blame him. Boren is one of the smaller O-lineman you will see at the power five level. He is listed on the official roster at 6’2 285 (realistically he plays around 6 even) but his low center of gravity and bulldog like mentality allow him to match up against the much larger nose tackles lined up across him. He also may be one of the smartest players on the team, as he is a two-time Big Ten Distinguished Scholar for having a GPA above 3.70 for the prior academic year. After the Sugar Bowl, Urban was showering Jacoby with praise, “He’s tough, a very good player. Great leader, great team guy. I love Jacoby.” No longer a fullback, huh coach?

Elflein (rJr.): Only member of the Slobs to garner 1st Team All-Big Ten honors. Stepped in admirably for Marcus Hall during the end of the 2013 regular season against Michigan and in the B1G Title game against the Spartans. Good size for a guard and moves extremely well while packing a punch at the point of attack. The most consistent of the interior lineman – he rarely makes mistakes. Buckeyes will pull Elflein regularly to get him to the next level and take advantage of his surprising athleticism. Ranked as the number one OG in his class according to nfldraftscout.com, he may have a decision to make at the conclusion of the season.

Price (rSo.): He skrong. Price is the strongest player on the team and the most improved of the o-line group since the loss to VT. His bench maxes at nearly 500lbs and he’s done 34 reps of 225, which would have placed him 6th at this year’s NFL Combine. Oh yea – he’s only going to be a sophomore. Great size for a guard at 6’4 315. Developed into a Freshman All-American by the time the season concluded. Price will be playing on Sundays if he progresses at his current rate. (5th among OG in his class according to nfldraftscout.com)

Lisle (rSo.): Make or break season for Lisle. Entering his third season with the Buckeyes, Lisle has yet to make any significant impact. Started out at Tackle and has a fantastic frame at 6’7 and 310 allowing him to be one of the more versatile players along the line. He has not seen any game action but was able to receive a load of reps this spring at RG while Elflein was nursing an injury. Lisle will be pushed by the freshman below him for time and this is his year to prove he belongs.

Knox (rFr.): The consensus four-star out of the Lone star state battled through injuries during his freshman campaign resulting in a redshirt year. Reportedly he was having a solid spring before he was again slowed by injuries, and is just now nearing 100%. Has all the talent in the world to succeed, just needs to find a way to stay healthy and remain aggressive in practice. Big opportunity for him this fall camp to impress the coaches.

Burrell (Fr.): Last but certainly not least we have the top-100 recruit out of Virginia. The Buckeyes recruited Burrell extremely hard and it’s easy to see why. Big and athletic frame at 6’4 300, he has already lost some 20lbs since stepping foot on campus this summer which has allowed him to gain quickness off the snap and increased stamina. Most of the o-line recruits in Burrell’s class (Feder, Prince, Bowen, and maybe even Schmidt) project early on at Tackle, so I see a great opportunity here for early playing time. I would be shocked if Burrell redshirted and wouldn’t be surprised to see him push Lisle/Knox for a spot in the two-deep. My prediction: You see Burrell a good amount this season.

Predicting the 3-Deep Left Tackle Left Guard Center Right Guard Right Tackle T. Decker B. Price J. Boren P. Elflein C. Farris J. Jones D. Knox P. Elflein E. Lisle I. Prince K. Trout M. Burrell B. Price M. Burrell B. Taylor

Redshirts
K. Feder, G. Schmidt, B. Bowen