Well, Monday is over. It can't hurt us anymore... until next week.
Why don't you celebrate the arrival of a wonderful new day with Ohio State continuing WRU with Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka?
WRU stays in Columbus @MarvHarrisonJr @emeka_egbuka https://t.co/6wCRnvSe60
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) February 6, 2023
Let's have a good Tuesday, shall we?
"C.J. STROUD FOR PRESIDENT." Former Ohio State and Houston Texans running back Jonathan Wells didn't start consistently watching NFL football until last year, something he believes disqualifies him from sharing his opinion on much of what happens around the league.
Despite that, Wells felt inclined to comment on whether or not the Texans should select C.J. Stroud with the second pick in the 2023 NFL draft. His reason? Because Stroud played for Ohio State, a program for which Wells collected 2,831 yards and 27 touchdowns on 479 carries as a bruising ball carrier from 1998 to 2001.
"I'm C.J. Stroud all day. C.J. Stroud for president," Wells told Locked On Texans. "The skills C.J. Stroud has shown since he's taken over the starting position at Ohio State – he can make every throw, he has the size and he's played in the conditions you have to play in when playoff time comes in the NFL. After the Georgia game, I don't see how you can have anything negative to say about C.J. Stroud. I'm sorry. I may be biased, but I'm not stupid."
As far as mock drafts are concerned, Houston has been a popular landing spot for Stroud as the No. 2 pick in the draft. He has also been favored to land with the Indianapolis Colts at No. 4 overall, the Las Vegas Raiders at No. 7 and the Carolina Panthers at No. 9, depending on the news organization and its analyst.
Should Stroud be selected by the Texans, he would become QB1 for a franchise in the middle of a massive rebuild that started when it traded Deshaun Watson to the Cleveland Browns last summer.
Houston went 3-13 this past season and ranked near the bottom of the league in every offensive and defensive metric. Still, there is hope for a better future ahead in the Space City, as young talents like running back Dameon Pierce, safety Jalen Pitre, wide receiver John Metchie and cornerback Derek Stingley Jr. find their role early in their careers.
PRAISE FROM A MICHIGAN MAN. It's not often a player or coach (or fan) from Michigan and Ohio State compliments a member of the rival institution. However, when Michigan men's basketball head coach Juwan Howard was asked about Brice Sensabaugh, that's all he seemed to do.
From TheMichiganInsider and 247Sports:
"Brice is tough," Howard said. "He's a three-level scorer, can shoot the ball extremely well. Freshman that's making a lot of noise in our league. He's great (in the) mid-range. He has a big, strong body, very patient getting to his spots. And he's another young guy that's still also scratching the surface and a lot to learn. But I think he has a bright future with the game of basketball. I really do. I believe it. It'd be nice if I don't see him again — ever again. (Laughs.) He’s that good."
Ironically, Howard's comments come after Sensabaugh's most inefficient game of the year. In 26 minutes against the Wolverines, he finished 4-of-14 shooting (28.6%) and fouled out in the final minutes of the second half. Still, the freshman forward scored 14 points and added nine rebounds in Ohio State's 75-69 loss in Ann Arbor.
Unironically, Sensabaugh's stats in the Michigan game make Howard's comments feel spot-on toward the kind of season he has had for Ohio State. Even though he is "scratching the surface and has a lot to learn" (i.e., shooting 28.6% and fouling out in an important rivalry game), he is "tough" (and still scores 14 points and collects nine boards).
We've moved past NCAA Tournament expectations for Ohio State in 2022-23, so I won't be naive and say Sensabaugh will save the season. But I will say this: If the Buckeyes are to be even somewhat entertaining the rest of the year, they will need all of Sensabaugh's 17.3 points and 5.6 rebounds that he's averaged to this point, and maybe even more.
It would also be nice to see more of what Bruce Thornton put together in Ann Arbor on Sunday and the continued development of players like Roddy Gayle Jr. and Felix Okpara. While Sensabaugh is trending toward a departure for the NBA, the other three Buckeyes will likely be back in Columbus next season – one that will hopefully have a much happier ending than this one looks like it will.
AVERY STRONG. Avery Henry is about a month into his cancer treatment, and the Ohio State offensive lineman has already highlighted the family support he's received in that brief time.
After revealing in December that he had been diagnosed with a form of bone cancer called osteosarcoma, Henry started chemotherapy in January. Henry's body felt the effects of that treatment in a short time, and he began to lose his hair. He responded to that outcome by shaving his head, and his brother did, too.
Its been roughly a month since my first chemo treatment. I want to keep you guys updated on the process. Yesterday my younger brother and I decided to shave our hair! I cant thank you enough Dane. You may be my younger brother but in many ways I look up to you! #Averystrong pic.twitter.com/7ScbuSKSvn
— King_Henry2.0 (@AveryHenry731) February 6, 2023
Henry ended his tweet with the hashtag "Averystrong." Several accounts who replied to the tweet also used the hashtag, which caused it to trend on Twitter locally in Central Ohio on Monday afternoon.
In addition to the outpour from Ohio State fans, some of Henry's teammates, including Paris Johnson Jr., Kye Stokes and Jyaire Brown, tweeted their support for him during his treatment.
— Paris Johnson Jr. (@ParisJohnsonJr) February 6, 2023
ALL LOVE keep fighting brother https://t.co/bMLNMciftO
— Kye Stokes (@kye_stokes) February 6, 2023
Constantly praying for you A stay strong https://t.co/slFCLZTteY
— Jyaire Brown (@jyairebrown13) February 6, 2023
Henry did not appear in a game for Ohio State as a freshman in 2022. However, he traveled with the Buckeyes to Atlanta for the College Football Playoff semifinal matchup against Georgia.
The 6-foot-6, 309-pound offensive lineman was a tackle and a four-year starter at St. Clairsville High School, a team that finished 13-2 in 2021 and advanced to the Division IV regional finals. He committed to Ohio State as one of the top players in Ohio for his class.
As Henry battles a disease that can kick rocks, the outreach from Ohio State fans to his social media accounts has warmed my heart. Keep up the good work, everyone, and remember to remind Henry with every possibility he offers that he is not in this battle alone –that a Buckeye Nation stands behind him every step of the way.
HARRY MILLER + TEDx. Former Buckeye offensive lineman Harry Miller will continue his work in mental health advocacy this spring when he speaks at an Ohio State TEDx conference called "Currents" on March 4. The conference will be held at the Mershon Auditorium inside the Wexner Center for the Arts on Ohio State's campus.
Next up on today's roster is mental health advocate, learner, and just a guy
— TEDxOhioStateUniversity (@TEDxOhioStateU) February 6, 2023
Harry Miller!
We are so excited to have Harry take the Currents stage this March!! pic.twitter.com/1EvaR3mh4O
Miller's mother, Kristina, tweeted late last month that she was proud of her son for speaking at the event and said he is working to change the landscape and break the stigma surrounding mental health for people of all ages. The primary motto: "Don't Make It Weird."
Super Proud of Harry doing a Tedx Talk on Mental Health in March.
— Kristina Miller (@KschilbMiller) January 27, 2023
He is changing the landscape and we could not possibly be more proud of his important work for Mental Health Advocacy
Dont Make It Weird.. pic.twitter.com/xqCUPKYs7m
Miller's story to this point has been well-documented, but the courage he displayed while that story played out can never receive too much attention. Miller's actions and words have made him a beacon of hope for those who struggle with mental health. It's a mantle he doesn't take lightly and one he embraces fully, which should be admired by all.
If you wish to attend the TEDx, which features Miller and several other speakers, tickets cost $25 for general admission and $10 for Ohio State students. The TEDx will occur on March 4, with doors set to open at 11 a.m. before sessions begin at noon. There will then be an intermission at 1:40 p.m. (food provided), and the event will end at 3:30 p.m.
SONG OF THE DAY. "505" by Artic Monkeys.
CUT TO THE CHASE. Funeral home finds woman breathing hours after declared dead... AMC to charge more for good seats in movie theaters... Tom Brady will not move into Fox announcing booth until 2024... Earthquake pulverizes chunks of nearly 2,000-year-old Turkish castle... The CIA is funding a mission to bring back the Dodo bird.
