I thought about writing this earlier tonight, before the game. But, I wasn't sure exactly how I wanted to frame things. After tonight's Cotton Bowl victory, I think they kind of framed it for me.

The 2021 Ohio State recruiting class was, at the time, perhaps one of the best in Buckeye history. Right up there with the 2013 class and the 2002 class, which was shortly after these things started being tracked. 

I don't follow recruiting like an absolute junkie, but I do pay attention. I seem to recall around this time that the "4 to 6 with A and B" (featuring Ari Wasserman and Bill Landis) talking in depth about their belief that the 2021 OSU class would win a title (or more) during their time. This is before the first loss to TTUN in November 2021. Before the heartbreaking loss to UGA in the Peach Bowl to close out 2022. And, before the seemingly endless ups and downs of the remainder of their time at OSU had played out.

There was, of course, Quinn Ewers out of Southlake Carroll, TX who was the shining diamond of that class. Topped off with the following five stars: Jack Sawyer (Pick North) J.T. Tiumoloau (Eastide Catholic, WA) Donovan Jackson (Episcopal, Bellaire TX) Emeka Egbuka (Steilacoom, WA), Tre Henderson (Hopewell, VA) and Kyle McCord (St. Joseph's Prep, Philly). 

Then there were the four stars, some guy named Marvin Harrison Jr. (St. Joseph's Prep, Philly), Jordan Hancock (North Gwinnett, Suwanee, GA), Tyleik Williams (Unity Reed, Manassas, VA), Denzel Burke (Saguaro, Scottsdale, AZ) Zen Michalski (Floyd Central, IN) and Andre Turrentine (Ensworth, Nashville, TN).

Quinn Ewers would transfer to Texas after one semester. Kyle McCord transferred to Syracuse after 3 years. And Andre Turrentine would transfer back to his home state of Tennessee after one year.

But, that core group of Sawyer, Tiumoloau, Jackson, Egbuka, Henderson, Harrison Jr., Hancock, Williams, Burke and Michalski went through a lot together. Harrison is playing on Sunday now, of course, and Michalski will be transferring after the conclusion of this year. But, just think about how many times those names have been called out during games since 2021.

And, if the chatter is to be believed (and I'm sure most of it is), this core group has felt quite embattled. Given the losses in The Game and other disappointments, However – and this is where I'm getting to my grand point – their story is one of perseverance.  

Even in the darkest hour, they could see the light at the end of the tunnel. This goes for the players and the man who got them to ultimately sign with Ohio State – Ryan Day. 

Quoting from Ramzy's great write up after The Game this year:

"Day's path to staying in Columbus is quite simple, if he truly wants to remain Ohio State's head coach and keep his family in town. He needs to forget who he is and remember who he was. Because that's the guy who earned the right to the job."

"He needs to forget who he is and remember who he was."

​They remembered.