One of the fun parts about the start of spring football is finding out which players should be expected to make a jump thanks to a productive offseason. Players work side-by-side all winter long and they see everything. Sure, they might be a bit biased, but the answers are interesting nonetheless. When fourth-year…
COLUMBUS — Ohio State held its second football practice of spring camp Thursday morning. Afterward, several members of the defensive line and receiving corps spoke with reporters, as did position coaches Larry Johnson and Zach Smith. There were plenty of topics discussed, including Nick Bosa’s expectations for 2018, Jashon Cornell’s move to defensive end, what it will take for younger receivers to see the field, and plenty, plenty more.
The second signing period of 2018 doesn’t get here until the first Wednesday in February, but this past Friday night, Ohio State made its best sales pitch to defensive end recruits Tyreke Smith and Jayson Oweh, and anybody else who was watching. The Buckeye defense sacked USC quarterback Sam Darnold eight times.
Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson had to take to Twitter on Friday to dispel rumors that he would be retiring after this season. Where did those rumors start? Some say it began as negative recruiting from other schools, which is not an uncommon claim. It has also shown up on message boards, and the first mentions of it…
The Buckeyes walked off the field at Penn State last year more stunned than dejected. The shock would eventually wear off and the emotions would seep in. Ohio State was able to overcome that loss and make the playoffs. They probably won’t have that same opportunity this year. If they lose, the division is lost, and so are their playoff hopes.
Ohio State defensive end Tyquan Lewis tried not to swear after the game. It wasn’t out of frustration, but disbelief. After all, the Buckeye defense allowed just 66 yards and six first downs, amassed five sacks and 12 tackles for loss, and stymied Maryland’s all-conference-quality running back Ty Johnson for just 57 yards on 12 carries.
Be careful what you say to your coach, because he may just take you up on your offer. Ohio State defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones was injured in a freak accident last week, and one day later, senior defensive end Jalyn Holmes was learning a brand new position. Holmes, a captain, started in Jones’ place at defensive tackle last week…
Ask the average Ohio State football observer, and they may not even know who Tate Martell is. Ask the avid Ohio State observer, and they’ll know who he is, but they may also tell you that they don’t ever expect him to start a game at quarterback for the Buckeyes. To put it another way, Tate Martell has his doubters.
When it was announced on Saturday that Ohio State defensive tackle Dre’Mont Jones wouldn’t be able to play on Saturday, that meant that one of Buckeyes’ many defensive ends would likely start in his place. That ended up being Jalyn Holmes, who played well like he always does. There were also times when defensive ends…
The Ohio State defensive line comes into 2017 with more expectations than they can possibly meet. Don’t expect Larry Johnson to attempt to calm those expectations, however. In fact, his job is to exceed them. The players themselves have the goal of being the best defensive line in Ohio State history, but Johnson would probably…
