Jordan Hancock at the CRADLE!
Have a nice Wednesday.
OKAY, DUDE, WHAT THE HELL IS GOING ON? In May, EA Sports trolled the Buckeyes with three clips in its initial trailer for EA Sports College Football 25. Those clips included Michigan running back Donovan Edwards stiffing Ohio State safety Lathan Ransom, former Ohio State quarterback and current Syracuse quarterback Kyle McCord passing a ball, and Illinois hoisting the Illibuck Trophy, something the Illini haven’t done since 2007.
On Tuesday, about six weeks later, EA Sports trolled Ohio State again. This time, the studio had the Buckeyes lose to Oregon in the national championship of their 12-team College Football Playoff simulation. The score? 42-20 to the Ducks.
On one hand, he’s a troll. On the other, he’s not really… I guess?
Ohio State and Oregon met in the 2014 national championship, with the Buckeyes beating the Ducks 42-20 at AT&T Stadium in Arlington, Texas. So, sure, Oregon can win its video game championship. Ohio State still has a chance to celebrate the real thing 10 years later. On that note, let’s celebrate that victory one more time here (and 1,000 times later):
Glorious.
FOUR FIRST ROUND BUCKEYES. This week, ESPN’s Matt Miller unveiled his first NFL mock draft for next year. With nine months to go until April 2025, Miller believes four Buckeyes will come off the board in the first 32 picks, including JT Tuimoloau, Tyleik Williams, Quinshon Judkins and Emeka Egbuka.
Here’s where Miller places each of those Buckeyes:
#22 – JT Tuimoloau to Atlanta Falcons
The Falcons finished 32nd in the league in rushing success rate last season (30.9 percent) and then didn’t add at outside linebacker until the third round of the draft. Tuimoloau, who has a unique footwork, is primed for a big season as a senior after recording five sacks last year. If he can string together more consistent performances in 2024, the 270-pound rusher could move up the rankings.
No. 24 – Tyleik Williams to the Green Bay Packers
Green Bay has a solid group of outside pass-rushers, but the interior could be ready for a reset with Kenny Clark potentially hitting free agency next spring. Second-year player Devonte Wyatt showed promise last season, but there’s room for Williams here next to him if Clark leaves. Williams exploded on snap pops at 6-2 and 290 pounds. He had just three sacks last season, but has shown impressive pass-rush moves and first-round potential throughout his career.
No. 27 – Quinshon Judkins to the Dallas Cowboys
We’re back to running backs in the first round!? Judkins has elite talent, and Dallas has ignored the position all offseason, aside from a reunion with 29-year-old Ezekiel Elliott. Judkins rushed for 2,725 yards and 31 rushing touchdowns in two years at Ole Miss before transferring to Ohio State. He’ll split carries with TreVeyon Henderson there, but the new Buckeye has Heisman-level talent and the energy and poise to be a great NFL running back.
No. 30 – Emeka Egbuka to Detroit Lions
I expect general manager Brad Holmes to emphasize receiver depth next season. The Lions are waiting to see what Jameson Williams can be in his third season after a string of setbacks due to injuries and a suspension, but the WR3 role is open for business. Egbuka is a savvy route runner with sure hands and a tenacity up the middle that would fit Detroit’s offense. The senior should bounce back from a down year in 2023 (41 receptions for 515 yards and four TDs) and post numbers closer to his huge 2022 season (74 receptions for 1,151 yards and 10 TDs).
One could consider it a negative that Ohio State doesn’t have a top-10 or top-20 pick in Miller’s mock draft. However, keep in mind that the Buckeyes could have 15 or more players selected in the seven rounds — and tie or surpass Georgia for the most prospects selected in a single draft — so it’s not all bad.
THE BEST DUETS OF ALL TIME? This week, Brad Crawford and several CBS Sports college football writers ranked the 50 best playmaking duos in college football history. Among them are three pairs from the Buckeyes, including receivers Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave, defensive ends Nick Bosa and Chase Young and linebackers AJ Hawk and Bobby Carpenter.
Here’s where Crawford and Co. ranked these duos (with a little added context from me):
#46 – Chris Olave and Garrett Wilson
Olave and Wilson were teammates at Ohio State for three years, with the former attending the school from 2018-2022 and the latter from 2019-2022. During their time together as Buckeyes, Olave and Wilson caught passes from two future first-round quarterbacks, Justin Fields and C.J. Stroud, and combined for 307 receptions, 4,727 yards and 55 touchdowns.
#27 – Nick Bosa and Chase Young
Bosa and Young were teammates at Ohio State for two years, well, almost. Bosa attended Ohio State from 2016 to 2018, while Young went to the same school from 2017 to 2019. However, Bosa suffered a torn muscle that ended his 2018 season after three games. Still, Bosa and Young played 13 games together for the Buckeyes, during which the duo combined for 71 tackles, 30 tackles for loss, 17.5 sacks, and three forced fumbles.
#22 – AJ Hawk and Bobby Carpenter
Both members of Ohio State’s Class of 2002, Hawk and Carpenter were teammates for four years in Columbus. During that span, the linebackers played in more than 50 games each for the Buckeyes, totaling 585 tackles, 64.5 tackles for loss, 29.5 sacks, three forced fumbles, four fumble recoveries, 20 pass breakups and 10 interceptions.
I love these duets — love them.
But I have a question… Where the hell are Archie Griffin and Pete Johnson?
As Ohio State’s star fullback in 1974 and ’75, Griffin had 481 carries for 2,977 yards and 16 touchdowns, while Johnson had 278 carries for 1,276 yards and 30 touchdowns. That means the two-time Heisman Trophy winner and two-time All-Big Ten running back combined for 759 carries, 4,253 yards and 46 touchdowns in 22 games over two years. If that doesn’t make them one of the top 50 playmaking duos of all time, then I don’t know what would.
Note: If I missed another prominent Ohio State point guard duo that deserves recognition, please let me know. I also thought to mention Cris Carter and Mike Lanese, Chris Spielman and Pepper Johnson, David Boston and Dee Miller, Braxton Miller and Carlos Hyde, and many others.
“IT WILL BE WEIRD.” Gene Smith left the Fawcett Center for the final time as Ohio State’s athletic director on Friday. Before his departure, he sat down with Cameron Teague Robinson of The Athletic for a Q&A. In the interview, Smith discussed his 19-year tenure at the school, including what he’s proud of, what he’d change and how the role might be different under Ross Bjork.
He also discussed how he felt about leaving Ohio State with the school’s football program having a great chance to win a national championship in 2024.
Excerpt from The Athletic:
Q: The football program is thriving. Will it be weird for you to step down?
A: It’ll be weird. I had a hard time leaving this incredibly talented team, that I think has the camaraderie and the chemistry to be successful. The most talented team doesn’t always win, but when you have a culture and chemistry, you have a chance, and I think this team does. Of course, they have great coaching, we just paid for the best. I think they have a chance, and it’s weird for me to walk away from that. But at the same time, it’ll be cool for me – I’ve thought about it – it’ll be cool for me to just watch it. Just sit in the crib, turn on the TV, drink my beer and cheer them on. I’m looking forward to it. I’ll get back into a game, sit on the C-deck and relax.
I’ll bet a million dollars that if Gene Smith ever came back to Ohio Stadium for a football game, he wouldn’t buy a ticket and sit in the C-deck. However, the idea that he would is kind of funny. Could you imagine being in section 30C at an Ohio State football game and having Gene and Sheila Smith sit comfortably in the stands next to you? It would be a great story to tell your family, friends, coworkers, or anyone who would listen.
But I digress.
Smith believes what we all believe: Ohio State is an “incredibly talented team.” But it’s not the Buckeyes’ talent that will translate into a national title. It’s the camaraderie, chemistry and culture of the team. The good news: Those are three areas where Ryan Day shines as a head coach, at least that’s what I think — and, if I had to guess, that’s what Smith thinks. That gives Ohio State “a chance” to win the College Football Playoff this year. Hopefully, it turns into more than that when December and January roll around.
SONG OF THE DAY. “Who’s laughing now” – Durry.
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