An Ohio State Sports Blog
Today after practice Coach Meyer talked to the media and discussed several players situations. He made it clear that Blake Thomas, Adam Griffin, and Jamie Woods careers are over. Also discussed some of the players who will be suspended. He went into some depth chart issues and talked about the freshman…
In what seems to have become an epidemic at this point it seems a 3rd Buckeye this week has had their career as a Buckeye football player come to an end. Earlier this week we reported that Adam Griffin and Jamie Wood have had career ending injuries.
Now news is starting to come out that Blake Thomas a Redshirt Freshman from Cleveland, Ohio has also had his career end due to serious Stinger issues and a real threat of paralysis.
After rumors came to light on our friends over at Eleven Warriors Blake Thomas father made a statement on their thread and here is what he had to say…
Unfortunately this is true. Blake has had several severe ‘stingers’ over the past year and when we had a thorough MRI and some other tests done after last Saturdays scrimmage – in which he played very well I might add – they revealed a condition in his neck that is causing nerve damage. With every hit he risks the chance of paralysis in one or both arms. The doctors on the OSU staff – who are absolutely outstanding – told Blake that they could not let him continue due to the high risk. He was/is devastated. He loves his teammates, coaches and OSU. Although he won’t be on the field he will be with his teammates in spirit. Go Bucs!
Obviously this is more sad and unfortunate news and we at MotSaG wish nothing but the best for Blake and his family as they deal with this injury and he gets healthy. Hopefully he will be able to play again but if not this kid will always be a Buckeye.
Good Morning Buckeye Nation.
Bonjour Columbus Dispatch has a report former Buckeye basketball star Deshaun Thomas will be playing overseas for France next season. Thomas who was drafted by the San Antonio Spurs in the second round this last draft wasn’t guaranteed to make the Spurs roster this next season.
“I needed to make a decision,†Thomas said. “In this business, you have to think about family (Thomas has a 17-month-old son). I still could have gone to (training camp) and tried to make the roster, but with my son and a family to provide for, I had to look at that. And developing a year ain’t going to hurt.
“It was kind of tough, because I wanted to make the roster. But if training camp didn’t go well, I’d probably be in the (NBA Development) League, and when you go in the D-League you need another part-time job.”
It was sad to see Deshaun leave the Buckeyes early from a selfish fans point of view but I understand he has to think of his family and I hope his hard work will pay off and we will see him in the NBA very soon. Buckeye Nation is behind you and can’t wait to see you light up the Association.
Challenge Accepted: The Big Ten has announced the times and dates of the 15th annual B1G/ACC Challenge. Ohio State will face Maryland on December 4th at Value City Arena at 7pm.
I can’t believe that the B1G/ACC Challenge actually has the Buckeyes playing the Terps. Why wouldn’t you take Maryland out of this challenge based on them joining the B1G next season and putting Wake Forest in there? I understand they are still currently in the ACC but it just feels weird to me.
Grappling Schedule: The Buckeyes wrestling team has announced the schedule for the 2013-2014 season.
“The schedule this year will challenge and prepare our student-athletes for the brutality of the Big Ten and NCAA tournaments,” Tom Ryan, who is entering his eighth season as head coach of the Buckeyes, said. “We are also proud to bring the National Duals to Columbus for the excitement of the many die-hard wrestling fans in this great wrestling state. We look forward to many great home crowds this season as we were third nationally in home attendance the past two years.”
I’m not going to break down the schedule today, I’m sure our man wrestling guru Garth will be breaking this all down for all of our enjoyment. I can’t match his wrestling intellect so I’m excited to read what he will have for us.
Defeating the U: The Buckeyes women’s soccer team had an exhibition match against Miami last night in Columbus. Freshman forward Nichelle Prince scored the lone goal in the 14th minute to help lead Ohio State in their victory. Prince is one of eight players to hit the field in the Scarlet and Gray for the first time.
The Lady Buckeyes will open the season this next Friday August 23rd at 7pm in Columbus at the Jesse Owens Memorial Field versus Morehead State. Even though last night was just an exhibition beating the U is a great thing just like the football team did in 2002 for a National Championship. Ohio State is currently ranked 23rd in the preseason ranking and should be another exciting year.
Buckeye Back home: Ohio State’s synchronized swim team announced Liz Derr as a volunteer assistant for 2014. Derr who was the head coach at the University of Minnesota synchronized swim team from 2010-2013 returns back to the Buckeyes where she helped the Gray team in the Top 3 twice in the U.S. Collegiate National Championships.
It’s always good to see former Buckeyes come back home and being a part of Buckeye Nation and helping them become greater. Welcome back Liz glad to have you here.
State Park Runners: The Buckeye long distance runners spent 3 days in Hocking Hills State Park getting themselves in shape for the season getting ready to start.
“This was a great way for us to begin our preparations for the upcoming cross country season,” said Brice Allen, associate head coach for Ohio State men’s track and field. “We will get back at it again tomorrow and start up again with two-a-days on Monday.”
I miss the days of being able to run and enjoying beautiful sites like the ones the cross country teams get to enjoy.
All-American: National Collegiate Writers have picked a Buckeye as an All-American. Sophomore right hander Trace Dempsey was picked for the honor. Dempsey who went 3-0 with a 1.02 ERA with 17 saves in 32 appearances this last season.
Is it me or does All-American and Buckeye seem to go hand and hand. Always great to see Ohio State athletes earning this honor congrates to Trace Dempsey.
Sad Fan: A buddy of mine who is a Michigan fan thought it would be funny to send me this.
I asked him if he was mad cause Michigan grads weren’t smart enough to even work at McD’s!! (Still awaiting his answer)
Until Next time Buckeye Nation…
The news about the arrest of Bradley Roby last came as a shock and scary moment for Buckeye fans and the team I am sure. His case has been quiet in the past few weeks until today. When news came out about the charges being reduced and possible end in sight.
Late tonight word from Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch has come out that the entire incident has been caught on tape.
Here is a few snippets from the story…
Video of an incident outside a Bloomington, Ind., bar involving Ohio State’s Bradley Roby appears to be instrumental in the Monroe County prosecutor’s decision earlier today to offer a diversion program that could result in the case against the cornerback being dismissed.
The Dispatch tonight obtained a supplemental police report, which is based on a police officer’s description of the video. That report contradicts the description in the original police report that caused Roby to be charged with misdemeanor battery and portrays Roby as more victim than perpetrator.
also…
Sources indicate that the prosecutor’s office did not receive the video until this week. The office downgraded the charge yesterday morning to disorderly conduct, a class B misdemeanor. Battery is a class A misdemeanor.
This afternoon, the prosecutor’s officer announced the offer of a diversion program. There is no word whether Roby would accept that program, though a deputy prosecutor said a receipt had been posted of payment for it.
and this is what the video shows…
The video appears to be the cause for the change. Officer Jordan Hasler, the second police officer to arrive at the scene, wrote in the supplemental report that he was shown video by the bar manager. Hasler wrote that the video showed Dunnkirk employees carrying Roby down stairs and out of the bar in what appeared to be a shoulder lock while grabbing his legs and lower torso.
Outside the bar, Hasler wrote, video showed Roby being pushed three times by the bar’s security guards, the third time resulting in Roby being driven back 2-3 feet.
After that, the report states, Roby “lunged†at one of the security guards, who handcuffed Roby.
The first police officer on the scene, Ryan McClain, had asked Dunnkirk personnel if there were video of the incident and was told there wasn’t. Why Hasler was shown the video after McClain was told it did not exist is not clear.
McClain’s original police report was based on eyewitness accounts that portrayed Roby as the aggressor.That version of events alleged that Roby was removed from the bar and told not to return. When he attempted to walk back in and was stopped by the bar’s security detail, he hit one of the men, Jonathan King, in the chest and ripped King’s shirt, according to the report.
That caused McClain to arrest Roby and charge him with battery. Roby told McClain that the security personnel shoved him multiple times and handcuffed him, causing pain to his wrists and lip and small cuts on his forehead and right arm.
You Can read the entire article at the Columbus Dispatch.
From this description you can garner that Roby will take Diversion which means all the charges will be dropped. He will face even less punishment than I thought earlier today in my opinion. This case should have never even been a case.
Buckeyes Gone From Last Year
Johnathan Hankins– Along with John Simon, ‘Big Hank’ lead the defense and was an absolute menace to opposing offenses. I was personally pretty disappointed when he chose to forgo his senior season and enter the NFL Draft, but I knew he was ready for the pros. Hankins was picked by the New York Giants at no. 17 in the second round of the draft, where he’ll join fellow Buckeye Jim Cordle. I look forward to watching Hank on Sundays and continuing to develop into a great pro defensive line.
Garrett Goebel – Goebel was probably one of the most overlooked players on defense the last two seasons for the Buckeyes. This tends to happen when you play alongside a legend like John Simon and a future second round draft pick in Johnathan Hankins. Goebel wasn’t a flashy player, but he always brought consistency and a solid presence on the line. He started every game his junior and senior seasons, racking up nine tackles for loss and two sacks over that time frame. Goebel signed as an undrafted free agent in April with the St. Louis Rams, where he’s currently fighting for a roster spot.
So Who Will Replace Them?
Michael Bennett– Michael Bennett is a name you should hear a lot this season. With the defensive line losing all four of its starters and Bennett being the most experienced among the returnees, a lot of will be expected out of him. While he has played in 21 games over his career, the junior has only started one game and that was when Simon was out against the school up north. Bennett has 28 career tackles, six for a loss, along with four sacks. Among returning players, Bennett is only second to Ryan Shazier in career sacks.
Bennett is an OSU Scholar Athlete majoring in consumer and family financial services. The junior is from Centerville, Ohio where he played for Centerville High School. Bennett was named a Division I all-Ohio performer and played in the U.S. Army All-American Bowl. Bennett was also a track and field athlete.
Tommy Schutt– Along with Bennett, a lot is expected out of Schutt. Schutt is only a sophomore, but still saw a good amount of playing time last year as a freshman. Schutt saw action in 10 games last season and started one game against Central Florida, playing 21 snaps. Schutt’s most notable game was against Wisconsin, accumulating four tackles and an important “quarterback hurry” in the Buckeyes’ win.
Schutt is also an OSU Scholar Athlete and is currently exploring for a major in the area of management and industry. Schutt is probably most well-known for being one of the first players to commit to Ohio State under Urban’s leadership. Schutt was a highly regarded five-star player out of Glen Ellyn, Illinois and was a major coup for Meyer in his debut recruiting class. He was ranked the no. 1 player in Illinois by Rivals.com. Three top recruiting services (Scout.com, MaxPreps, Rivals.com) named him a top 100 player nationally. Schutt was also on the ESPNU Top 150 players list.
Who Are the Backups?
Joel Hale– Hale is probably one of the best kept secrets on the Buckeyes, as I was surprised to see he was already a junior. Even though Hale is kind of under the radar, he’s expected to contribute more this season than the last two seasons combined. Defensive coaches will look to him as an experienced presence on a young defensive line. Hale played in 15 games over the last two seasons, racking up 10 tackles. Hale saw enough action over his first two seasons to earn a varsity letter in each year.
Hale’s major is in consumer and family financial services. As a senior in high school, he was named Indiana’s defensive line’s “Mr. Football.” In his senior campaign at Center Grove High School he accumulated 40 tackles and nine forced fumbles. Hale was also a track and field letter winner.
Chris Carter– The first thing you’ll say about Carter when you see him is he’s massive. This is despite the fact that he was once even bigger, weighing more than 400 pounds. He’s now at a “lean” 341 pounds and stands six feet four inches tall. Carter is a red shirt sophomore and played all 12 games last season on special teams. Carter was initially an offensive linemen, but was moved to the defensive line in the spring of 2012.
Carter is a communications major from Cleveland. He attended John F. Kennedy High School, where he lettered in track and field, weight lifting and of course football. Carter helped lead JFK High School to the Division II playoffs his senior season. He was named the MVP of the Senate League. Carter was also active in extra curricular activities, being the student government president and being involved in the Army JROTC, along with many other activities.
Surprise Player
Carter– While everyone knows about Bennett and Schutt, along with two other notable defensive linemen in Adolphus Washington and Noah Spence, Carter is quietly waiting in the wings. I’m pretty excited about this guy’s future because of his size and most importantly his new-found motivation. Shedding 60 pounds wasn’t an easy task for Carter and I commend him for his accomplishment. Carter gave a lot of credit to strength and conditioning coach Mickey Marotti for whipping him into shape and to defensive line coach Mike Vrabel for motivation. A hungry and faster Carter is something I’m looking forward to seeing on the field and I look for him to make his presence known this season.
What to Expect Out of the Defensive Tackles
Greatness. I’m not going to beat around the bush. Yes this unit may experience some growing pains early in the season, but I expect it to be a well-oiled and finely tuned machine by the end of the season. Meyer and his defensive coaching staff is going to push these guys and make them one of the most feared units in the country. Everyone talks about Meyer’s offensive credentials, but he made some pretty great defensive teams while at Florida too.
I won’t be surprised at all if Michael Bennett and/or Tommy Schutt are named to the first or second all-Big 10 team. Bennett could really have a break out season and be one of the top defensive linemen in the Big 10. Hale should be one of the go-to guys off the bench and Carter will show us a glimpse into his promising future. To the Big 10 quarterbacks: Expect pain in your future, courtesy of the Buckeye defensive line. Not only next season, but for several seasons to come.
Urban Meyer will go where ever the talent is. He has landed recruits from every part of the country. He will leave no stone unturned to land every recruit he can. Let’s face it though Urban Meyer doesn’t have to turn over many rocks to find 4 and 5 star recruits. They stand out on top of those rocks like trophies ripe for the picking. His latest recruit fits every thing that Coach Meyer loves speed, athletic, and can play different positions.
Marc Givler of Buckeye Grove confrimed it via his twitter account…
Curtis Samuel is a 6’0″ 185 lbs 5 star RB/WR/Safety/Athlete from Brooklyn, New York. Curtis is a blazer of a football player running a 4.36 40 yard dash. He projects to play WR at Ohio State but has the versatility to move all over the place he could play RB or WR depending on how his body develops. He also could play defense but he is a playmaker so expect to see him on the offensive side in the Percy Harvin type position. Where Coach Meyer will do everything he can to get the ball in his hands to let him make plays.
247sports ranking– 5 star and 25th best prospect in the country.
Scout ranking- 4 star and the 145th best prospect in the country.
Rivals ranking- 4 star and 116th best prospect in the country.
ESPN ranking- 4 star and the 3rd best prospect in New York.
In what should come as no surprise to anyone the charges against Bradley Roby have been reduced from Battery to Disorderly Conduct. From the beginning the charges seemed over the top. Roby was accused of pushing a bouncer in the chest causing pain. Yes he was dumb and should have just left the bar when asked but the battery charge seemed over the top to me.
Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch had this to say on his twitter feed…
From the article…
The misdemeanor charge against Ohio State cornerback Bradley Roby was changed today from battery, a class A misdemeanor, to disorderly conduct, a less serious charge.
Roby was arrested July 21 after an altercation outside a Bloomington, Ind, bar. Roby has not missed practice time, but the All-Big Ten player has taken reps with the second unit during training camp.
Coach Urban Meyer has said that he is awaiting all of the facts in the case before deciding what, if any, punishment he’ll give Roby. At the Big Ten media days, Meyer said that a suspension was likely.
The motion to amend was filed by Monroe County deputy prosecutor Christopher Pierce this morning. Disorderly conduct is a class B misdemeanor.
The pretrial conference remains scheduled for Aug. 26.
With this news you should expect Roby to plead guilty and most likely get some community service and a fine at worst. He will see some time cleaning Buckeye Grove and may miss 1 game IMO.
Urban Meyer and his staff have been recruiting the New Jersey/New York area as hard if not harder then any other area in the US including Ohio. They have had success already in the area landing star HS recruits and will have some in the very near future and likely will in the 2015 class as well. I recently interviewed one of those potential young men in 2015 recruit Minkah Fitzpatrick. Minkah is a 6’0″ 185 lbs 4 star Cornerback from Jersey City, New Jersey. 247sports ranks him a 4 star and the 38th best prospect in the country. Scout ranks him a 4 star and the 76th best recruit in the country. ESPN ranks him a 4 star and the 38th best recruit in the country. I think Ohio State has a great chance with this kid and his talent is undeniable. Here is his interview for your reading pleasure.
SYR- If you could please tell us about your home life… Parents, brothers and/or sisters, where you were born, Have you always lived in in the same place?
Minkah- I was born in New Brunswick NJ, raised in South River NJ until I was 5 then I moved to Old Bridge but I actually attend school in Jersey City, NJ. I live with both my parents and my brother Justice sisters Destiny, Promise and Devine.
SYR- Can you give us your current stats such as height, weight, 40 yard time, bench press, etc?
Minkah- Sure, I am 6′ 186lbs. I ran three laser 40 ‘s in a three week span 4.4 4.67 4.48. Bench press 285 my vertical is 37.4 and my shuttle ranges from 3.91 to 4.06.
SYR- Tell us a little bit about your HS FB team such as record and defensive and offensive style.
Minkah- Last years record was 9-2. Our offensive style will be different this year because we have a different type of players ( wait and see!!) Defense is always fast and physical.
SYR- What are your goals for the upcoming season?
Minkah- GET THAT RING!!
SYR- What college football team did you grow up being a fan of and why?
Minkah- Growing up College football was big in my house and there was a lot of teams I loved to follow, one that stands out was the Gators ( Tim Tebow)..
SYR- You have offers from all over the country which one was the most exciting for you to get and why?
Minkah- That’s a tough one some of them stand out for different reasons. My first from Rutgers my freshman year because they are my home state and they see you the most its good to know they want you. Then I would say Ohio State because Urban Meyer coached my Gator team that I really liked a lot and he’s a great coach. And recently LSU because they are known for great secondary. But each one I felt really blessed.
SYR- Who would you say is your personal hero and why?
Minkah- My family
SYR- If you were going to die tomorrow what would your final meal be?
Minkah- I love all food.
SYR- Who do you think you compare to most in the NFL or College right now?
Minkah- I’ve been told Dee Milliner & Richard Sherman.
SYR- Who is your favorite College player of all time? And favorite NFL player of all time if different from College?
Minkah- Favorite College would be Patrick Peterson. Favorite NFL would be Deion Sanders.
SYR- Do you have a top 5 yet and if yes who are they?
Minkah- No I’m not going to make my top 5 until I get out to the Midwest ,Florida & LSU.
SYR- Do you currently have a leader?
Minkah- No but I have schools that I’ve been to that I know I will go back to.
SYR- Do you know when you would like to announce your commitment, if yes, when?
Minkah- No
SYR- What would you like Buckeye Nation to know about you that they most likely don’t already know?
Minkah- I never shy from competition. Its probably the only thing I can’t say no to. LOL
You can follow Minkah on twitter by clicking @minkfitz_21
As we all know by now sports related injuries happen and sometimes they can end a career before it can even get started. Today we have word that two players careers are likely over due to injuries.
Per Ari Wasserman of Buckeye Sports Bulletin..
also from Bill Rabinowitz of the Columbus Dispatch..
Jamie Wood has suffered with injury issues for a while now and his career has been rumored to be over before. Adam Griffin is much more unexpected. He is a fan favorite and as a legacy of possibly the greatest Buckeye Family ever his loss will not go unnoticed. We wish the best for both these young men and a speedy recovery.
The cornerback position is a fan favorite on this football team, partially due to the amount of enthusiasm position coach Kerry Coombs exudes on a daily basis, and also due to the electric players that have traditionally been produced at this position from this program. Guys like Antoine Winfield, Malcom Jenkins, Shawn Springs, and Chris Gamble, have dawned the Scarlet and Grey at the cornerback position, and left the bar extremely high for future cornerbacks coming out of Ohio State. This may be the year we see another all time great corner, in Bradley Roby, join the Mount Rushmore of Ohio State Cornerbacks. Behind Roby, there are other young Buckeyes looking to make some noise this upcoming year and become a cornerstone for the 2013 Silver Bullets.
Last Year Performance
The cornerback position presented some promise entering last Spring. Buckeye fans knew that Travis Howard was an above average cornerback who, with a little more dedication and coaching, could be a strength of the OSU secondary. However, as Kerry Coombs took over the cornerback coaching, his guy was redshirt Sophomore Bradley Roby. “He’s big, and he’s fast, and he’s physical, and he’s intelligent and he’s got great change of direction,†Coombs said. “His transition is outstanding. And if Bradley’s not a first-round draft pick down the road, that would be a shame.â€
As we all know, Roby did not disappoint in his 2012 campaign, as he lead the nation in passes broken up, and became an All-American corner. Howard was no stiff either, as he worked past his early season troubles to become a solid corner for the 2012 Buckeyes. Overall I would give the cornerbacks a solid B from last year. They did not force as many turnovers as Coach Coombs, and Buckeye fans, would have liked, but they were a sure strength for the defense.
Starters Lost
Travis Howard- 2012 Stats- 39 tackles, 4 interceptions
Player to Watch
Bradley Roby- As predictable as this is, it is hard not to mention and watch Roby. The guy is an electric play-maker on the defensive side of the ball. He is good in run support, good in zone coverage, and excels in man coverage. He also enjoys running his mouth off to TTUN players, and dominating them as well. I expect Roby to become more of a ball-hawk this year and a complete shutdown corner. Look for Roby to turn some of those pass break ups from last year, into interceptions this year. I also think Buckeye fans should expect Roby to lead the youth we have at this position. Even with his off the field issues, the greatest teacher for youth is experience, and Roby has his fair share of that on and off the field, that he can share with the rest of this group. Judging from his role as player coach this spring, I think Coombs and Meyer trust Roby, and will give him a leadership role that will carry much more significance this year.
Player that Needs to Step Up
Doran Grant- Grant is a relatively unknown Buckeye. He was neck and neck with Travis Howard going in to fall camp last year, as a freshman, until Howard beat him out. However, Grant was a key contributor on Special Teams last year. When he earned time on the field at corner he recorded a sack, interception, and forced fumble, so he does have a niche for finding the football. Grant is 5’11, 190 pounds which will help him match up physically against any receiver he faces. Grant was also tied for second, with Braxton Miller, and behind 1st place Bradley Roby, in the fastest 40 time on the team registering a 4.32. Grant has all of the physical attributes, and talent to fill the void Howard left behind. However, he will need to improve his knowledge of the position, along with his technique, in order to become the second shut down corner of the Buckeye defense. He may be young but welcome to life of being an Ohio State Buckeye, it is either step up or move on, there is little to no time for wait and see.
Sleeper Pick
Armani Reeves- Reeves was a vital member of the “Piranhas” on Special Teams last year, and when he went down with an injury it was very noticeable. Reeves is a very good tackler, that also possesses good coverage skills. I expect him to be a very solid #3 corner in the Buckeyes rotation, but I would not be surprised if he challenges Grant for a starting role this Fall. Reeves will need to improve his consistency, and soak in all the coaching and experience he can get. He was able to gain some first team snaps this spring, as Roby sat out, and looked pretty good filling in. If Reeves can step in, be a solid corner, and occasionally flash the ball hawk ability he has shown on Special Teams, this defensive secondary will be lethal.
Prediction of Performance
This group is very inexperienced at playing corner. Most of these guys played on Special Teams last year and contributed immensely. However, I think there will be a lot of growing pains with the number two and three corners, that they will have to go through in order to become consistent contributors. They have the speed, instinct, and talent to become good corners, but there is so much inexperience at this position, that I think it is going to take a great coaching job, from Coach Coombs, to get these guys playing, and understanding, the complex coverage’s they will be asked to play. One side of the field is accounted for with Roby, as long as he keeps his head on straight and stays hungry. While Doran Grant may have a firm strong hold on the second corner spot, his experience starting at the position is little to none. It may take him a few games to get acclimated to being the other guy. However, he will get thrown to a lot due to how talented Roby is, so I’m pretty confident he will grow throughout the year. Whoever plays the number three cornerback, whether it is Armani Reeves, Eli Apple, or Gareon Conley, will be a sophomore or freshman. At the end of the year, I expect this position from one to six to be a major strength for this defense due to the upside of all of these players, and how great of a coach Kerry Coombs is.
Depth Chart (starters in italics)
Boundary Corner–Bradley Roby, Armani Reeves or Gareon Conley
Field Corner– Doran Grant, Eli Apple
(Image courtesy of HoneyChild Photography)
