Archives for September 2021

Ryan Day: C.J Stroud to rest this week (Shoulder) – Meet Kyle McCord

Ohio State fans will get their first look at former 5-star recruit Kyle McCord this weekend against Akron.

C.J. Stroud has started the first three games for the Buckeyes but will rest his shoulder and will only be used in an “emergency” capacity this Saturday vs the Zips via The Ryan Day Show podcast.

Ohio State will have both Kyle McCord and Jack Miller available at QB.

McCord, true freshman, enrolled in Columbus back in January and this Saturday will be his first live action for the Buckeyes.

He is from Philadelphia 

McCord, along with Buckeye teammate Marvin Harrison Jr. led St. Joseph Prep to three straight PIAA state titles in Pennsylvania. 

McCord won the starting quarterback job as just a sophomore and passed for 2,883 yards and 38 touchdowns.

As a junior, McCord faced an injury that was disclosed, and he missed four weeks — but he still threw for 2,399 yards and 31 touchdowns.

McCord was an absolute stud his senior year of high school leading St. Joseph Prep to another state championship and in that game, McCord completed 21-for-28 passes for 337 yards and 4 TDs. (Before that game he threw for 6 touchdowns in the 6A semifinal)

According to (Ohio State Buckeyes) McCord ended his high school career with 6,887 and 88 passing touchdowns — setting league and city records.

— He also went on to receive an All-American Bowl and Elite 11 Finals invite. 

He was a 5-star recruit

According to 247Sports Composite rankings, McCord was a 5-star ranked the #28 prospect in the country and the #6 ranked QB.

McCord chose the Buckeyes over Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, Texas A&M and many more.

True freshman Denzel Burke, the real deal

It’s not often you see a true freshman come into Ohio State and get a start at the defensive back position — injuries, and other off-the-field things can allow this to happen — but for Denzel Burke it was deserved this summer.

Burke was a four star recruit in Ohio State’s 2021 class and is looking like a ‘steal’ for this Buckeyes secondary.

Ohio State’s defensive coordinator Kerry Coombs met with the media this week and was asked if he ever imagined starting a true freshman at cornerback, and before the question was even finished Coombs said “no, no.”

Coombs went on to says he likes his corners to have a bit more experience before starting in a Big Ten game, but due to the absence of Cam Brown and Sevyn Banks, the Buckeyes needed someone to step up.

Burke took the field in Minneapolis Thursday night and did just that — he led the Buckeyes in pass breakups (3). — According to PFF/Eleven Warriors he also tied senior safety Josh Proctor for the most snaps among the Ohio State defensive backs Thursday night.

The typical true freshman would be nervous out there, but nothing fazed Burke and he was the only cornerback on the Buckeyes defense to earn a champion grade from the coaches on Monday.

Not only have the coaches been impressed with what he’s been able to bring to the team, the players have taken note of Burke’s abilities all summer long.

Wide receiver Chris Olave met with the media and said he’s a “huge fan” of Burke and said the true freshman is “one of the top guys we have at the cornerback position.”

“He’s a pro to me. In camp he’s running with the first team, he’s batting me and Garrett, talking mess, playing with his swag,” Olave said.

“He’s going to be great, so I can’t wait to see that.”

The Buckeyes have had some great defensive backs enter the NFL the past few seasons with names like Denzel Ward, Marshon Lattimore, Jeff Okudah, Bradley Roby, Damon Arnette, Eli Apple, Kendall Sheffield, and Shaun Wade

It seems like the freshman from Scottsdale, AZ is heading towards that path.

The Clash In C’bus

Photo Credit: @CFBONFOX

After a Covid ravaged season in 2020, the Buckeyes will host their first home game of the season against an Oregon team that squeaked by Fresno State in week 1. The Buckeyes on the other hand utilized Coach Days’ knack for engineering second half adjustments to defeat Minnesota on the road by double-digits. This game was supposed to be the second leg of a home-and-home but with Covid, both parties were restricted to only conference games during the regular season.

In a showdown between two of Nike’s favorites teams in terms of uniform combinations, the 3rd ranked Buckeyes will face the 12th ranked Ducks at home. Will there be a special jersey combination for this week? While it is doubtful, one could hope but this game will be a spectacle to see from start to finish.

Both teams are 1-0 and are looking to make it to 2-0, but both are young and are unproven at this post of the 2021 season. Both teams must figure it out quickly on defense because both offenses have talent that could put up points in a hurry.

Ohio State has a new toy at QB in CJ Stroud, a redshirt freshman. They have stars that share the backfield with him in Miyann “Chop” Williams, Master Teague III, Treyveon Henderson, and Evan Pryor (who we didn’t see yet). They have a wall of pancake with Petit-Frere, Munford, Miller or Wypler (if Miller cannot go), Johnson Jr and Jones. Beyond the line, WR’s Olave, Wilson, Smith-Njigba, and TE Ruckert are the available pass catchers.

For Oregon, Anthony Johnson is their starting QB and he has CJ Verdell and Travis Dye to form a trio of game breaking speedsters in the backfield. On the perimeter he has Johnny Johnson and Micah Pittman to throw to. Oregon has a three new starters along the offensive line and with Penei Sewell departing for the draft, they sit 52nd overall in sacks allowed per NCAA.com, giving up 3 sacks for a total loss of 11 yards.

On defense, the Buckeyes started slow but the defense is young and inexperienced, and we’re also without a few starters at cornerback. No excuses but they’re still green. Linebacker is the same but the trenches contain the difference-makers. Smith, Harrison, Vincent, and Garrett are the disrupters that have yet to make it to the opposing quarterback consistently. They have one sack from the group but they could feast in week two.

Oregon will return their two players at corner in DJ James and Jamal Hill. They have McKinley and Stephens and that adds more depth to the secondary. The talent in the front seven is young but there are questions and rumors about who is available and who isn’t. Kayvon Thibodeaux, a presumptive first round talent and #1 overall NFL prospect siffeeed a sprained ankle and might now suit up in week two. Justin Flowe has fans panicking over rumors that he broke his foot and is out for the season.

Here are my five bold prediction for Saturday:

  1. CJ Stroud will have at least 210 yards passing with at least 3 TD’s.
  2. Williams has another 100 yard rushing game with other backs chipping in for a 190+ yard 2 TD day.
  3. Defense shuts Oregon down on offense and holds them to under 20 points.
  4. Buckeyes gather a fumble, an interception, at least 2 sacks, and a defensive score.
  5. Ruckert-focused game plan with at least 4 catches, 45 yards and a score.

Final Score: 45-17

#GoBucks