The Bucks ain't about to lose four-straight, which means Maryland is getting maimed tonight. Duan Washington is dropping 20, all in threes, and I don't even care if the math doesn't work.
ICYMI
- Tate Martell reportedly had to be talked out of transferring before the 2018 season.
- Urban Meyer is reportedly nearing a deal with Fox Sports to become an analyst.
- Haskell Garrett has his shot to become Ohio State's next starting defensive tackle.
- Ohio State has at least 10 draft prospects with a real shot at being selected.
- The Buckeyes lost key players to the NFL, but a few also stuck around.
- Walk-on quarterback Kory Curtis is transferring from Ohio State.
Word of the Day: Jocular.
HE'S GONNA HAVE A FIELDS DAY. It's officially Justin Fields time – pending a hardship waiver – and I don't think I've been this excited about a Buckeye quarterback since Braxton Miller.
I know, I know, we just watched the best passer in program history. But there's just something different about a guy who can make magic when the play breaks down and destroy you with his feet and arm.
That's Justin Fields.
Murf Baldwin, who does quite a few filmy and schemey breakdowns particularly on Georgia football, posted a video dreaming about how Ohio State could use Fields' legs in the quarterback run game if Ryan Day decided to pull out the Tom Herman's playbook, using Fields in place of Braxton Miller.
My official take on this: Helllllllllllll yeah.
I know half of y'all's eyes still haven't rolled back into place after you read "quarterback run" but don't even try to tell me you don't still watch videos of Braxton Miller, Terrelle Pryor or Troy Smith ruining teams with their legs.
I'm not suggesting to build the entire offense around the quarterback run, but he's just too good of a runner not to build that into the offense somehow. And you know Ryan Day isn't going to let the passing game suffer.
THOSE WHO STAYED. The Buckeyes were extremely inexperienced this season at pretty much every position but wide receiver, but that won't be the case this year thanks to a few guys coming back for one last ride.
From Barrett Sallee of CBS Sports put together a list of the top college football players who spurned the NFL to come back for one more year, and 20 percent of the list was made up of Buckeyes.
From CBSSports.com:
Malik Harrison, LB, Ohio State: The 6-foot-3, 245-pound rising senior tied for the team lead in tackles last year with 81, and is one of several Buckeyes who chose to stick around Columbus for Ryan Day's first full season as head coach. In addition to his tackling prowess, Harrison had 8.5 tackles for loss, 2.5 sacks and broke up four passes. Defense was the Achilles' heel that derailed the Buckeyes' College Football Playoff hopes in 2018, and Harrison's return will go a long way toward fixing the problem in 2019.
Jordan Fuller, DB, Ohio State: Who did Harrison tie for the team lead in tackles? Fuller, of course. The 6-foot-2, 204-pound rising senior safety is a force against the run, picked off a pass a year ago, broke up four more passes and is one of the most versatile defensive backs in the country. With Fuller and Harrison back, the Buckeyes will likely be the preseason favorite in the Big Ten.
K.J. Hill, WR, Ohio State: The 6-foot, 198-pound rising senior was the second-leading receiver for the Buckeyes last season when he caught 68 passes for 865 yards and six touchdowns. With Parris Campbell gone, Hill will likely slide into the No. 1 role for Ryan Day's offense. The player throwing him the passes is still unknown. But whether it's Justin Fields or somebody else, the Buckeyes passing attack will be just fine with Hill lining up outside
I love the idea of a veteran team surrounding a first-year starter and a new head coach and am more than pleased these guys decided to stick around. I know it's not a popular opinion around these parts, but I'm also glad to see Damon Arnette back.
FOUR FIRST ROUNDERS? The Bucks are all but guaranteed two first-round picks, but draft-knower Mel Kiper Jr. thinks they could have as many as four.
From Mel Kiper Jr. of ESPN.com:
1. Arizona Cardinals: Nick Bosa, DE, Ohio State
General manager Steve Keim is going to have a chance to trade down and accumulate picks. He should take a look at it too, because this roster has been stripped of talent since the Cardinals went to the NFC Championship Game in 2016. But Bosa is going to be tough to pass up, as he is an elite pass-rusher. New defensive coordinator Vance Joseph is expected to switch this defense back to a 3-4, and Bosa has the versatility to play multiple spots. Give new coach Kliff Kingsbury a defensive stalwart opposite Chandler Jones who can get after Jared Goff, Russell Wilson and Jimmy Garoppolo twice a season.
6. New York Giants: Dwayne Haskins, QB, Ohio State
This is an easy call. The Giants need a quarterback, and Haskins is the best quarterback in the class. The Giants can't afford to put off the decision for another year, even if they bring back 38-year-old Eli Manning and let the rookie learn behind him. Haskins (6-3, 220) is far from a finished product -- he started only 14 games at Ohio State -- but he has an extremely high ceiling. One thing to watch is whether QB-needy teams get aggressive and try to trade up to get in front of the Giants.
30. Los Angeles Rams: Dre'Mont Jones, DT, Ohio State
You can't discount the Rams trading out of this spot -- they didn't pick until No. 89 last year. But since there are no trades allowed here, let's give Wade Phillips a piece with which to work. Ndamukong Suh will likely move on in free agency, which means there's an open spot next to all-world interior pass-rusher Aaron Donald. Jones, who had 8.5 sacks in 2018, is an athlete. He could even play end for L.A.
32. Green Bay Packers: Parris Campbell, WR, Ohio State
Free-agent Randall Cobb is probably finished in Green Bay, and Aaron Rodgers needs some help. Campbell was one of the most electric players in college football in 2018, and he could move even higher after athletic testing at the combine. He caught 90 passes and scored 12 touchdowns this season. Let's see what Matt LaFleur & Co. cook up with an athlete such as Campbell.
If Dre'Mont and Parris are seen as fringe first-round picks right now, I like their chances, cause I think both are going to destroy the combine.
Dre'Mont is a converted defensive end who moves way better than most interior linemen and Parris is one of the fastest players in the country who's absolutely going to run a sub-4.4 40-yard dash.
WOODSON NOT PLEASED. Noted upset Michigan alum Charles Woodson is still pretty pissy that his alma mater hasn't been routinely competitive against Ohio State basically since he played 30 years ago.
From Angelique S. Chengelis of The Detroit News:
Woodson was asked if the program is where he thought it would be entering Harbaugh’s fifth season as head coach. Harbaugh was hired in 2014 after then-coach Brady Hoke’s Wolverines when 5-7. Michigan under Harbaugh has not yet beaten Ohio State and is coming off a 62-39 rout this past season.
“No, I don’t think from a standpoint of, and I’m looking at one game for the most part, I’m looking at the Ohio State game, I’m certainly not pleased where it is in that respect,” Woodson said on the podcast. “We’ve put together some good regular seasons, 10-win seasons. I mean, those are great, but you’ve got to beat that scarlet and gray team, and so in that respect, disappointed.
“I know Jim, wherever he’s been, he’s had success, so we’re looking for him to continue to lead this team in the right direction, but we’ve got to win that last game. That’s the bottom line.”
Just wait until Harbaugh gets sunk in his own house against a first-year head coach and first-year quarterback. I have no idea who Michigan would even hire instead, but going 0-5 like that shouldn't be survivable.
CORMONTAE HAMILTON REPS AMERICA. Y'all remember when Dwayne Haskins let freedom ring by leading the United States of America to victory over team Canada a few years ago?
Folks, another Buckeye is repping the Stars and Stripes.
Ohio State tight end signee Cormontae Hamilton, whose Greyhound Bus story makes him perhaps the most blue collar commit in the country, is suiting up in the Red White and Blue tonight in the International Bowl as Team USA takes on Team Tamaulipas (Mexican State).
You can view the roster in its entirety here. I do not believe the game will be on live TV, but it will be rebroadcast on ESPNU on Sunday at 10 a.m.
Haskins was the game's MVP three years ago, I expect nothing less from young Hamilton.
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