Another Monday. Another week closer to the Ohio State football season.
We are 40 days from Ohio State's season opener with Indiana on Sept. 2 and 50 47 days from the Buckeyes' home opener with Youngstown State on Sept. 9.
50 days until we fill this 'Shoe! #GoBucks
— Ohio State (@OhioState) July 21, 2023
: @johnhueth (IG) pic.twitter.com/Rct3WVjLOz
It's almost here, Buckeye Nation.
Let's have a good Monday, shall we?
ISN'T HE MARVELOUS? One of us. One of us. One of us. Folks, Marvin Harrison Jr. is one of us.
Over the weekend, the unanimous All-American and 2022 Big Ten Receiver of the Year attended a meet-and-greet at Mark Wahlberg Chevrolet in Columbus with several of his Ohio State teammates. There, he shared with 10TV's Adam King that he looks forward to the football season beginning in two weeks. And like Buckeye fans worldwide, Harrison's excitement cannot be contained.
I'm super excited for training camp, I love football, I can't wait to practice every day and do the two-a-days"
— Adam King (@AdamKing10TV) July 22, 2023
This is why Marvin Harrison Jr is considered by many to be the best player in College Football.
He is looking forward and ready to get the grind of fall camp going: pic.twitter.com/XTemIAHbum
Now, "Football player loves to practice" and "Football player loves football" aren't words that deserve a "BREAKING" distinction in front of them. However, when a player the caliber of Harrison says them, they are important, nonetheless.
Harrison is one of the best players in college football. He earned that reputation not only because of his insane on-field performances last season but also because of the work he has put in off the field since he arrived in Columbus.
Ask people inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center – players, coaches, recruiting staff, trainers, equipment managers, etc. – about who is the hardest worker on the Ohio State football team. Almost all of them, if not all of them, would say Marvin Harrison Jr. If they didn't mention him immediately, he would at least be within the first couple of names.
The man eats, sleeps and breathes his Monarc Seeker machine. That, combined with his freakish athleticism and superior knowledge of the game, allows him to make catches like these on the regular:
Marvin Harrison Jr. appreciation post pic.twitter.com/CjJV1kTuDC
— The 1870 Society (@the1870society) July 11, 2023
The 2023 college football season cannot come soon enough. I need it. I know you do, too. Be patient, friends. We are only a few weeks away.
"WE KNEW HE WOULD BE SPECIAL." Remember when the New York Jets traded for Super Bowl champion and future Pro Football Hall of Famer Aaron Rodgers, and the professional football world immediately pointed out that Garrett Wilson's stocks would shoot for the moon?
Well, the professional football world was correct.
With NFL training camps around the league officially underway, Wilson may be one of the sport's hottest commodities. New York media members believe so, as does Jets head coach Robert Saleh.
one word for @GarrettWilson_V: "Special." pic.twitter.com/a5gAzB7Uj1
— New York Jets (@nyjets) July 23, 2023
"You always think you're drafting the next All-Pro. You are so convinced that's the guy. I don't know. I am always optimistic the guys we draft we will be able to develop. [Jets general manager] Joe [Douglas] has put in so much work, and our coaches have put in so much work that we are able to develop them all. Sometimes it works. Sometimes it doesn't. But he is – we knew he would be special, and he keeps elevating the bar."
And what makes Wilson special? Well, Ohio State fans know the answer to that. But from a professional standpoint, he was the 2022 NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year award for his 83 receptions, 1,103 yards and four touchdowns last season, of course. But there are also several other reasons, such as out-of-this-world catches like dis:
Garrett Wilson pic.twitter.com/HT0URluvOG
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) July 23, 2023
And if that video doesn't convince you of impressive Wilson's catch was, here are some different looks at his toe-tapper in the back of the end zone:
Insane toe-tapping catch by Garrett Wilson
— PFF (@PFF) July 23, 2023
( @Aram82)
pic.twitter.com/Bz1BF0mWUM
Garrett Wilson is H1M
— Harrison Glaser (@NYJetsTFMedia) July 23, 2023
That catch #Jets | #TakeFlight pic.twitter.com/c5m99oVmCS
Oh, and here is a clip where Wilson burned 2022 NFL Defensive Rookie of the Year Sauce Gardner – who allowed 34 receptions on 74 targets (45.9% completion rate) and collected two interceptions last season – on a deep route in the same practice:
Garrett Wilson had Sauce Gardner BURNED on this route
— NFL Rookie Watch (@NFLRookieWatxh) July 23, 2023
Wilson also reportedly had the catch of the day today with a toe-tapping TD.
The Rodgers to Wilson connection has reportedly been elite since the start of training camp.
After practice, Robert Saleh (Jets HC) said pic.twitter.com/tgxlw2Epcc
Yeah, Wilson is special.
Is it possible to have a breakout season after winning the NFL Offensive Rookie of the Year? If so, Wilson looks poised for one. This fall will be funnnnn.
JF1, QB1, ETC. Justin Fields had a record-breaking 2022, becoming the third quarterback in NFL history to rush for 1,000 yards in a season, along with Michael Vick (Atlanta Falcons, 2006) and Lamar Jackson (Baltimore Ravens, 2019 and 2020). But in 2023, Fields wants to use his arm to write his name in the record books.
Last week, Bryant McFadden of CBS Sports' All Things Covered podcast asked Fields if he would become the first Bears quarterback to reach the 4,000-yard passing mark in a season. He answered with confidence.
The @ChicagoBears have NEVER had a passer throw for 4,000 yards in a single season.
— NFL on CBS (@NFLonCBS) July 20, 2023
Justin Fields says that is going to change... THIS season.@atcoveredpod pic.twitter.com/89zAFmxEdF
"I will," Fields said. "I plan on doing it this year, too. I plan on doing it this year."
Erik Kramer is the Bears’ record holder for single-season passing yards with 3,838 in 1995. Jay Cutler has the second-best total with only 3,812 yards in 2014. Since Cutler's final start in the Windy City in 2016, Chicago's next nine starters – Matt Barkley, Brian Hoyer, Mitchell Trubisky, Mike Glennon, Chase Daniel, Nick Foles, Andy Dalton, Trevor Siemian and Fields – haven't come close to the record.
Fields, who played behind a porous offensive line and had limited options at wide receiver in 2022, appeared in 15 games and threw for 2,242 yards (149.47 YPG), which ranked 26th in the NFL. The former Ohio State All-American and two-time Big Ten Offensive Player of the Year will look to experience massive improvement in that area in 2023.
However, even if Fields doesn't reach the 4,000-yard mark this season, he has earned respect from some of the league's best defensive players, including 2022 NFL Defensive Player of the Year and former Ohio State defensive end Nick Bosa.
"He's probably the best running quarterback I've seen." -@nbsmallerbear
— NFL Films (@NFLFilms) July 20, 2023
The respect around the league for @justnfields is real. #NFLTop100: First 10 names revealed 7/24 on NFL+ pic.twitter.com/eQbQXssR0H
Like Wilson, Fields is special. And I repeat the same question: Is it possible for a quarterback who took the NFL by storm last fall to have another breakout season? If so, Fields looks poised for one. And once again, I write that this fall will be funnnnn.
HE'S BACK! On Friday, former Ohio State football running back Maurice Hall returned to the ABC soap opera "General Hospital." Hall, a member of the Buckeyes from 2001-04 and helped the program win a national championship in 2002, appeared in his second episode of the show and reprised his role as Gordon Stevens.
Hall recorded 974 rushing yards and six touchdowns in four seasons for the Buckeyes. His defining moments at Ohio State came when he scored game-winning scores in the 2002 team's 23-16 overtime win over Illinois and 14-9 win over Michigan. Hall also received four carries in the Buckeyes' national championship victory against Miami (FL).
A Columbus native and graduate of Brookhaven High School, Hall's silver-screen debut came in FOX's sitcom "The Mindy Project," which ran from 2012-17. He also earned roles on ABC's "Grey's Anatomy" (2005-present), CBS' "Young Sheldon" (2017-present) and FOX and NBC's "Brooklyn Nine-Nine" (2013-21).
Cheers to Hall for his work in the competitive field of acting. His presence is a reminder that everywhere you look, there are Buckeyes, even on one of TV's soapiest operas.
SONG OF THE DAY. "Lose Control" by Teddy Swims (This dude is goooood).
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