Want to start your day by running through a wall? Greg Schiano's got you covered.
Ohio State defensive coordinator Greg Schiano: "It's the Buckeyes against the world, men, the Buckeyes against the world. And guess what, Coach Day? That's the way we like it. That's the way we like it." https://t.co/5QxIRPvvR3 via @OhioStateFB pic.twitter.com/hKSZBEQRsr
— Garrett Stepien (@GarrettStepien) August 15, 2018
ICYMI:
- Woody is coming home. Join us in Newcomerstown on Saturday as we dedicate a statue to the legendary coach to the fine people of his hometown.
- Season Preview: Ohio State's wide receiver roster is loaded with experience and depth.
- Multiple freshmen could have immediate impacts this fall.
- TCU loses its star nose tackle for the season.
- Nick Bosa named Sports Illustrated and CBS Sports first team preseason All-American, Damon Arnette named second team.
- Walk-on running back Amari McMahon loses his black stripe.
Word of the Day: Zeitgeist.
DRAFT SEASON IS ALWAYS. We haven't even played a single college football game yet and folks are already clamoring to talk about the draft that occurs months after the season.
There's a lot of actual football to be played beforehand but it's an absolute certainty that the Buckeyes will have multiple players drafted following the season, so Chris Trapasso of CBS Sports took an early look at Ohio State's 2019 Draft prospects and gave a breakdown.
Here are the two I found most interesting, from CBSSports.com:
Dre'Mont Jones:
Jones won't check the production box just yet, as he mustered just one sack and five tackles for loss in his redshirt sophomore season. However, his length, hip fluidity and mastery-level hand usage make him an exquisite fit as an inside rusher at the NFL level. Think Dominique Easley.
In obvious passing situations, Jones is a menace. He can win with speed off the ball and rarely allows offensive linemen to control him thanks to his long, active -- and powerful -- arms. About a five-to-seven years ago, Jones would've probably been cast as a "tweener" with no real position in the pros. Now, with nickel being the NFL's base defense, the 6-foot-3, 285-pounder is your prototypical nickel defensive tackle to attack upfield.
He's right about the production not matching the tape. If you watch the film, Jones has been one of the most reliable and consistent Buckeye defensive linemen for the past two seasons.
Folks forget about Jones when they think of elite defensive tackles, because he's not named Ed Oliver, Dexter Lawrence, Christian Wilkins or Rashan Gary. But I outright guarantee Jones is a first round pick following the season.
Parris Campbell:
He caught 40 passes for 584 yards with three receiving scores in 2017 and took 10 carries for 132 yards and a score. At around 6-1 and 210 pounds, Campbell has outside receiver size and is a burner once he finds open grass. Noticeably quick-twitch movement skills to make defenders miss with lateral cuts? Ehhh. That part of his game has yet to be developed.
And that lends itself to the more widespread issue with Campbell. He's a good-sized, linear speedster who probably needs to have touches -- in space -- manufactured for him to thrive in the NFL. A smart coordinator will be able to do that. If he's pigeon-holed into a "traditional" wideout role, I doubt he'll ever meet expectations as a pro. What is good for Campbell -- and all these prospects -- is that he has a full college season to show everyone a more diverse skill set than what was put on display last season.
My fear for Campbell is that last paragraph. I think he's absolutely a guy who could be a dangerous offensive weapon given a creative coordinator committed to his success, but I'm not convinced that exists very much in the NFL.
NFL teams aren't going to adjust the offense for his skillset, especially if he isn't taken in the first or second round. They'll just ask him to do what they want, and if he isn't performing, they'll cut him and find someone who can.
That's a big beef I have with the NFL, and why I find it strategically boring, but that's probably a #take for another time.
Trapasso also broke down Kendall Sheffield, Isaiah Prince and Nick Bosa, who could be the biggest sleeper in the draft.
NICK BOSA NAMED #1 AGAIN. Is it possible to get sick of people calling you the best in the country at what you do? Because if he's not there yet, Nick Bosa might be there soon.
Bosa's been talked up as the potential No. 1 overall pick since the day after the 2018 draft, remains the top draft prospect for most analysts, was named the top defensive lineman in the country by Pro Football Focus, collected two first-team preseason All-American honors, and now has been named the top player in the country heading into the 2018 season.
Our highest-graded returning player, Bosa has dominated in his 896 college snaps, picking up 14 sacks, 18 QB hits and 71 hurries on 537 rushes.
It's crazy how much hype Bosa is getting before just his junior season at Ohio State. I can't even imagine what it will be like ahead of his senior year.
SNOOK TALKS HERMAN STORY. Jeff Snook, a long-time college football reporter and author, dropped a bombshell story last week, alleging that Tom Herman was the one to tip Brett McMurphy about the domestic violence accusations against Zach Smith.
For a few minutes, it lit the Internet and social media ablaze, but everyone seemed to calm down when both Brett McMurphy and Herman publicly denied Snook's claim. Folks seemed to find the denials believable, which is totally fair given how insane the story sounds.
But Snook isn't taking his "L" quite yet. In fact, he's doubling down, saying "I’m 100 percent positive in that Herman report. I know it’s true.”
Snook appeared on Mike Bianchi's radio program, Open Mic, on Wednesday afternoon to talk about his reporting. Here were some of the highlights I picked out:
- “The Hermans are knee-deep in the drama at Ohio State, no matter what Herman’s denial is,” Snook said. "For the Hermans to deny is just flat out false."
- Snook says the Hermans gave Courtney Smith $10,000
- Snook says Urban Meyer and Tom Herman did have a falling out at one point, but they've patched things up and have been at least cordial recently.
- The Hermans "never in a million years thought this scandal would reach Urban Meyer. That wasn’t their desire or goal. And when it did, they had to be shaking in their boots,” Snook said.
- Snook admits after talking to his sources he probably overplayed the recruiting angle regarding five-star wide receiver prospect Garrett Wilson. He said there are other reasons they wanted him fired.
- Snook said he reached out to the Hermans and requested that Tom Herman walk back his denial because he has further proof, but they have not responded.
- Snook said he has both Zach Smith and Courtney Smith's mothers on tape for over an hour and a half, it wasn't just a text message conversation.
- “I’ve got more than one source telling me this.” Snook said, contrasting his reporting to McMurphy’s, which is primarily single-sourced. “It offends me when my journalistic integrity comes under attack like this.”
- “All I can say is, I’m 100 percent positive in that Herman report. I know it’s true.”
The entire interview is roughly 13 minutes in length and is definitely worth the listen. It gives insight on Snook's background, his reporting, his adherence to journalism ethics, and his adamance that his reports are accurate.
CLEMSON STUDENT TO FACE CLEMSON. Harris Roberts might get a unique chance to play against his own school.
The Furman quarterback is currently battling for the starting spot. If he wins the job, his first game will be Sept. 1 against Clemson – the school he currently attends.
Roberts is enrolled in a cooperative educational exchange program that allows students to play at one school while pursuing their desired degree at another. Roberts earned a bachelor’s degree in pre-engineering from Furman in three years. He is scheduled to earn a second bachelor’s from Clemson in mechanical engineering.
While juggling the curriculum and the commute, Roberts is also competing for Furman’s starting quarterback role. When Furman opens the season against Clemson on Sept. 1, Roberts could lead his teammates against his classmates.
...
“This was my best opportunity to play high-level football and study engineering. I jumped at the chance,” Roberts said.
The only way this could be better is if this kid somehow dumps Clemson in Death Valley. Let it be so.
THOSE WMDs. What a grieving orca tells us... Ernest Hemingway story from 1956 to be published for the first time... What happens when amateurs investigate murder?... The ugliest divorce: Is Su’a Cravens a quitter or a victim? Thieves heist nearly $100,000 worth of Ramen Noodles...
