Archives for February 2020

Scarlet Seven: Kyle McCord by Zack Downing

Kyle McCord Commitment Pinned Tweet.

Its about that time where we writers struggle to find the proper material to fill the massive void in our lives, but look no further! Today, we will be unveiling something different or familiar (if you’ve seen the previous two articles similar to this) that adds more flare to the Men of the Scarlet and Gray–Q & A sessions!

For our first in hopefully many interviews with Buckeyes commitments and targets, we somehow got a shot with current Buckeye 2021 QB commit Kyle McCord out of St. Joes Prep School in Philadelphia. By sheer luck or the humbleness of this kid, we reached out and got a shot to start with a bang.

Below is the excerpt of the back and fourth between one of our own Zack Downing (Disclaimer: These are mostly direct quotes from the interviewee that have slight edits to them):

ZD: How do you feel about the competition with the other QB’s for next season? What are you looking forward to with that?

KM: I think it’ll be a great opportunity to compete with the other guys and it’ll definitely make me better.

ZD: Who are some names of the recruits you are personally recruiting to join the class of 2021?

KM: Right now guys I’m going after: Evan Pryor, Donovan Edwards, Emeka Egbuka, Troy Stellato and JC Latham.

ZD: What are some of your top Quarterback qualities?

KM: I’d say my top 3 would be leadership, poise and accuracy.

ZD: What do you hope to accomplish as a freshman at Ohio State?

KM: I want to fulfill whatever role the team needs me to play. I’m going to go in and put my head down and compete everyday.

ZD: Who is the toughest defender you have faced in school?

KM: Going against Jeremiah Trotter Jr everyday in practice. He’s one of the best players in the nation.

ZD: How excited were you to find out that Marvin Harrison Jr wanted to join you at OSU?

KM: Marvin and I have been wanting to play in college together before Ohio State had even offered us. So, to be able to know that we are going to play together at the next level, and especially at a school like Ohio State, it’s a pretty cool feeling.

ZD: Lastly, what is some of your interests outside of football?

KM: Outside of football and working out, I really just like to chill out with family. My favorite thing to do with my down time would either be playing basketball or watching documentaries.

Although I didn’t conduct the interview, I can read people easily and know their personality. Kyle McCord, who is likely to be the only signal-caller in the 2021 class is another great addition to the QB room for Coach Day and Coach Dennis to mold and develop. Words are cheap, but McCord will form these words into action and he will shine in any role he is assigned.

Buckeye Nation and all of us at MOTSAG are happy to have such a humble and driven player in the fold. Good luck to you and we cannot wait to have you in the fold, when you make your commitment official!

#GoBucks

Ryan Day extension was a matter of when, not if by Zack Downing

Ryan Day had a better season than I think most fans thought imaginable so it was no surprise that Ohio State officially extended Day through the 2026 season. Day was only making 4.5 million a season on his original contract and after an amazing season that resulted in Ohio States first playoff birth since 2016 and an undefeated regular season most fans assumed if was only a matter of time until the extension was official.

This new contract shows the faith that the Ohio State administration has in Day that he can continue to lead the Buckeyes forward positively on and off the field. It’s also shows that perhaps former HC Urban Meyer knew what he was doing when he suggested Coach Day to be the next head coach of the team.

Not only has Day made huge strides on the field but off the field in the world of recruiting things couldn’t be going better. Ohio State finished with a top 5 class in the nation in 2020. Also 2021 is starting off amazing as Ohio State currently holds the #1 spot in the nation though it’s still a few months until that will be finalized but the future is bright.

Lastly this extension will definitely help to ease the mind of recruits/fans that Day is looking to take the next step to the NFL. I do believe Day would love to coach in the NFL but I also believe he is very happy to be the HC of The Ohio State University for as long as Buckeye Nation wants him.

Buckeye Draft Profiles: Chase Young

Photo by Christian Petersen/Getty Images
Jp Waldron/CSM/Shutterstock

Chase Young, a stud at defensive end has left it all on the field during his time at Ohio State. He has been a force his entire career as a Buckeye, but the 2019 season was a great send off season for him before stepping foot into the pro ranks. Young and his team finished the season with a 13-1 record, but he did a ton of damage to opposing teams and their offensive aspirations. In an era where stats are recorded and scrutinized, Young’s individual stats are impressive. He finished 2019 with 16.5 total sacks (14 solo/5 assisted sacks), averaging 1.38 sacks per game which led the nation. He also led the nation in forced fumbles with 6 for the year. With tackles for loss, he had 21 for the season and averaged 1.8 per game.

Jamie Sabau/Getty Images)

Most draft experts are pegging him as a can’t miss prospect and the former Buckeye is projected as a Top-2 pick for this years NFL Draft. According to Sascha Paruk from SportsBettingDime, “there is no debate about who the first Buckeye off the board will be at the 2020 draft.” Adding, “Chase Young is the consensus best prospect in the class and will only fall from #1 because the Bengals have the #1 pick and need a franchise QB like Joe Burrow.” Paruk also speculated that “IF Chase Young doesn’t go second overall, it will be because Washington trades its pick to another QB-needy team, like the Dolphins or the Chargers.”

Mike Mulholland | MLive.com

For now, Chase Young is mocked to the Washington Redskins but with talks about potential trade down chatter, would make the 2020 NFL Draft more interesting. It makes sense from a re-building standpoint to stockpile picks to accelerate the entire process. The Redskins had a tough time this year finishing 3-13, but they have a few pieces in stock. Former Buckeyes, Dwayne Haskins might be their QB of the future and Terry McLaurin appear to be solid building blocks of the future. Their defense needs some help and Young makes sense, but Okudah does too with an aging Josh Norman. We will never know until Commissioner Goodell unveils the pick to make things official. The ball is in their court and the choice to make the pick or trade down is theirs alone. This draft will definitely be interesting and an exciting one.