Tag: Ohio State

Providence Day School offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. talks to Maurice Clarett, left, prior to the NCAA football game between the Ohio State Buckeyes and the Indiana Hoosiers at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.

Report: No. 1 OT David Sanders delays signing

Posted on | by Field Level Media

David Sanders, the No. 1 offensive tackle in the Class of 2025, does not intend to commit to a program on Wednesday, the first day of the early national signing period, 247Sports reported.

The 6-foot-6, 290-pound Sanders has been committed to Tennessee since Aug. 17. Still, he made an official visit to Ohio State and saw the Buckeyes beat Indiana on Nov. 23, and now could be considering a flip.

From Charlotte (N.C.) Providence Day, Sanders is the No. 5 overall player in the nation, according to the 247Sports composite.

Tennessee’s 2025 class was ranked No. 10 in the nation as of midday Wednesday. Yet as impressive as that sounds, the Volunteers’ class stands only seventh in the Southeastern Conference.

The Volunteers signed 21 players — 11 of them four-star prospects and 10 three-stars — Wednesday morning.

–Field Level Media

Sep 7, 2024; Lincoln, Nebraska, USA; Nebraska Cornhuskers cheerleaders carry flags across the field after a touchdown against the Colorado Buffaloes during the first quarter at Memorial Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Dylan Widger-Imagn Images

Signing Day notebook: Nebraska flips 4-star WR Cortez Mills

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Nebraska plucked a prize from old rival Oklahoma on Wednesday, inking wide receiver Cortez Mills on early National Signing Day.

Mills committed to Oklahoma on July 1. He decommitted on Wednesday, then signed with the Cornhuskers. Mills, from Homestead (Fla.), told On3 that the Nebraska recruiting staff didn’t let him forget he was wanted.

“Nebraska never went away,” said Mills, who is ranked No. 15 at wide receiver by the 247Sports composite. “They stayed consistent with me. They showed me that I was a top priority for the program and that they really wanted me. How they stayed consistent and true to who they are was very important in my decision.

“The Nebraska coaches never let their foot off the brake. They recruited me, my mom, my sister, we all had a bond and that love meant something. We made the decision as a family that Nebraska is best for me.”

–Oklahoma pulled off a flip of its own, signing quarterback Jett Nieu, a three-star prospect from Lehi (Utah) High School.

He had been committed to Oklahoma State since Sept. 10. According to 247Sports, it was new Oklahoma offensive coordinator Ben Arbuckle — with whom Niu has built a relationship during the recruiting process — who lured him to the Sooners.

Niu previously was committed to Appalachian State before flipping to Oklahoma State of the Big 12.

–Four-star running back Anthony Rogers signed with Ohio State, picking the Buckeyes over Georgia. The 247Sports composite ranks Rogers, from Carver High School in Montgomery, Ala., as the No. 9 rusher in the class.

Rogers committed to Alabama in June 2023, then decommitted last month. The 5-foot-9 Rogers took official visits to both Columbus, Ohio, and Athens, Ga., this fall.

“It just feels like the right place for me to develop as an athlete and a man,” he told ESPN of Ohio State. He is one of three running backs to sign with the Buckeyes in this cycle.

–Field Level Media

Tavien St. Clair was at Ohio Stadium to watch the Ohio State Buckeyes take on the Michigan Wolverines in an NCAA football game on Saturday Nov. 30, 2024.

Tavien St. Clair leads Ohio State class, joins loaded QB room

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Ohio’s top-rated player, quarterback Tavien St. Clair, signed with Ohio State on Wednesday, giving the Buckeyes a QB room littered with five-star prospects in a loaded 2025 class.

St. Clair is from Bellefontaine, about an hour west of Columbus, and committed to Ohio State on June 21, 2023. Locked in on his home-state school, the only official visit he took was to Columbus.

With Will Howard out of eligibility after this season, the quarterback job at Ohio State is wide open. St. Clair, ranked the No. 3 quarterback in the nation and No. 7 overall player by the 247Sports composite, brings the pedigree for the position.

But so do Julian Sayin and Air Noland, both five-star prospects in the 2024 class who wound up at Ohio State. Sayin committed to Alabama, enrolled there in January, then entered the NCAA transfer portal just nine days later. Noland was ranked the No. 7 QB in the class with Sayin No. 3.

Both players took redshirts this season, though Sayin did appear in three games, completing 5 of 11 pass attempts for 84 yards and a touchdown.

It is widely believed that Sayin has the inside track on the starting job in 2025 and that Noland could enter the transfer portal with four years of eligibility remaining.

Five-star Devin Sanchez, a cornerback from North Shore High School in Houston, also was one of 15 players to sign with the Buckeyes as of early Wednesday. He is the No. 1-rated cornerback and No. 6 overall player in the class, per the 247Sports composite.

–Field Level Media

Sep 2, 2023; Bloomington, Indiana, USA; Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Josh Simmons (71) lines up beside offensive lineman Donovan Jackson (74) during the NCAA football game at Indiana University Memorial Stadium. Ohio State won 23-3.

Ohio State OT Josh Simmons entering 2025 draft

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Ohio State offensive tackle Josh Simmons plans to enter the 2025 NFL Draft, his agent confirmed to ESPN on Wednesday.

Simmons was in his second season as the Buckeyes’ starting left tackle in 2024 but last played against Oregon on Oct. 12 because of a knee injury that required surgery. He was named honorable mention All-Big Ten when the teams were announced Tuesday.

Simmons turns 22 on Dec. 26 and is one of the top five offensive linemen in the 2025 draft according to Field Level Media rankings, and agent Drew Rosenhaus proclaimed his new client on target to be a first-rounder.

“Josh will be fully cleared for practice by the start of NFL training camp and he will be a high first-round pick,” Rosenhaus said.

A transfer in 2023, Simmons spent his first two seasons at San Diego State. He started 13 games in 2022 at right tackle before shifting to the left side in Columbus. He started every game in 2023 and Ohio State’s first six games this season.

–Field Level Media

Michigan Wolverines and Ohio State Buckeyes fight following the NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 30, 2024. Michigan won 13-10.

Report: Michigan, Ohio State fined $100K each for postgame scuffle

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Michigan and Ohio State were reportedly fined $100,000 apiece by the Big Ten Conference on Sunday, resulting from the teams’ postgame brawl in Columbus, Ohio, the day before.

The conference doesn’t plan to suspend players, nor do the schools, according to a report from ESPN.

The melee ensued when Michigan players were preparing to plant their school flag at midfield after taking down heavily favored No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 with a last-minute field goal on Saturday. Buckeyes players raced from the south end zone, where they were singing their alma mater in front of the student section.

The Big Ten said in a statement that it “considers this matter concluded,” according to the report. The conference stated that the brawl not only violated “fundamental elements of sportsmanship,” but it “also jeopardized the safety of participants and bystanders.”

A statement from Ohio State called the fight, which lasted about five minutes, “unfortunate.”

“Good sportsmanship is always important in everything we do at Ohio State. Moving forward, we will continue to examine and address our post-game protocols to ensure our student-athletes, coaches, visiting teams and staff safely exit the field,” the school’s statement said.

The Buckeyes (10-2, 7-2 Big Ten) won’t play in the Big Ten championship game and fell out of contention for a bye that is awarded to the four highest-ranked conference champions in the 12-team playoff.

Despite likely dropping in the next College Football Playoff rankings, Ohio State should still receive an at-large bid in the final bracket reveal on Dec. 8.

The Wolverines (7-5, 5-4), who beat Ohio State for the fourth straight time, await a bowl game bid.

–Field Level media

Ohio State University football coach Ryan Day tries to join the team to sing Carmen Ohio after the Michigan game Saturday, November 30, 2024 in Ohio Stadium. As he was standing here, the melee was starting behind him as Michigan players tried to plant a flag at midfield.

Ohio State, Miami, Clemson tumble in AP Top 25 after losses

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Upset losses by Ohio State, Miami and Clemson sent those teams plummeting in the latest Associated Press Top 25 college football poll, released Sunday, as Oregon again was a unanimous No. 1.

This is the seventh consecutive week atop the poll for the Ducks (12-0).

Ohio State (10-2), which lost to Michigan for the fourth year in a row, fell from No. 2 to No. 7, with Miami (10-2) crashing from No. 8 to No. 14 with a loss to Syracuse. Clemson (9-3) lost to South Carolina and moved from No. 12 to No. 18.

A trio of 11-1 teams slotted in behind Oregon, with Texas at No. 2, followed by Penn State and Notre Dame. Georgia and Tennessee, both 10-2, jumped a spot to rank at Nos. 5 and 6, respectively.

Two of next weekend’s conference championship games will feature top-five matchups, with Oregon to play Penn State in the Big Ten title game, and Texas to meet Georgia in Atlanta for the Southeastern Conference crown.

The Longhorns and Bulldogs played in October, with Georgia victorious 30-15.

Following the Buckeyes are three 11-1 teams, all of which moved up one spot: No. 8 SMU, No. 9 Indiana and No. 10 Boise State.

The decision as to which teams will play in the expanded 12-team playoff rests with the College Football Playoff selection committee, which next meets Tuesday.

With its fourth win over a ranked opponent in the past six games, South Carolina moved to No. 13 and will wait to see if it has impressed the committee.

Syracuse (9-3), which won its first game over a top-10 opponent since 2017, entered the poll for the first time in more than two years, slotting in at No. 23. Also entering the poll was No. 25 Memphis (10-2), which had not been ranked since October 2020.

Falling out of the Top 25 was Tulane, which lost to Memphis on Thanksgiving to move from No. 18.

Texas A&M, which entered Saturday’s loss to Texas at No. 20, also dropped out of the rankings after falling to 8-4.

The remainder of the Top 25:
11. Alabama (9-3)
12. Arizona State (10-2)
13. South Carolina (9-3)
14. Miami (10-2)
15. Ole Miss (9-3)
16. Iowa State (10-2)
17. BYU (10-2)
18. Clemson (9-3)
19. UNLV (10-2)
20. Colorado (9-3)
21. Illinois (9-3)
22. Missouri (9-3)
23. Syracuse (9-3)
24. Army (10-1)
25. Memphis (10-2)

–Field Level Media

Nov 30, 2024; Columbus, Ohio, USA; Michigan Wolverines defensive end Derrick Moore (8) attempts to plant the flag on the Ohio State Buckeyes logo as Ohio State Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer (33) rips the flag down after the game at Ohio Stadium. Mandatory Credit: Joseph Maiorana-Imagn Images

Ohio State, Michigan players involved in postgame scuffle

Posted on | by Field Level Media

A melee broke out at midfield of Ohio Stadium after Michigan upset No. 2 Ohio State 13-10 on Saturday.

After the Wolverines’ fourth straight win in the series, players converged at the block “O” to plant its flag. The Ohio State players were in the south end zone singing their alma mater in front of the student section.

When the Buckeyes saw the Wolverines’ flag, they rushed toward the 50-yard line. Social media posts showed Michigan offensive lineman Raheem Anderson carrying the flag on a long pole to midfield, where the Wolverines were met by dozens of Ohio State players and fights broke out.

Buckeyes defensive end Jack Sawyer was seen ripping the flag off the pole and taking the flag as he scuffled with several people trying to recover the flag.

A statement from the Ohio State Police Department read:

“Following the game, officers from multiple law enforcement agencies assisted in breaking up an on-field altercation. During the scuffle, multiple officers representing Ohio and Michigan deployed pepper spray. OSUPD is the lead agency for games and will continue to investigate.”

Michigan running back Kalel Mullings on FOX said:

“For such a great game, you hate to see stuff like that after the game. It’s bad for the sport, bad for college football. At the end of the day, some people got to learn how to lose, man.

“You can’t be fighting and stuff just because you lost the game. We had 60 minutes and four quarters to do all that fighting. Now people want to talk and fight. That’s wrong. It’s bad for the game. Classless, in my opinion. People got to be better.”

Once order was restored, officers cordoned the 50-yard line, using bicycles as barriers.

Ohio State coach Ryan Day in his postgame press conference said he wasn’t sure what happened.

“I don’t know all the details of it. But I know that these guys are looking to put a flag on our field and our guys weren’t going to let that happen,” he said.

“I’ll find out exactly what happened, but this is our field and certainly we’re embarrassed at the fact we lost the game, but there’s some prideful guys on our team that weren’t just going to let that happen.”

The Big Ten has not yet released a statement on the incident.

–Field Level Media

Michigan defensive back Will Johnson celebrates after intercepting a pass from Ohio State quarterback Kyle McCord during the first half at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor on Saturday, Nov. 25, 2023.

Michigan CB Will Johnson out vs. Ohio State

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Michigan All-American cornerback Will Johnson’s next football game might be played on a Sunday.

The projected first-round cornerback is out for the Wolverines’ trip to No. 2 Ohio State on Saturday with a toe injury. Johnson has been limited since leaving the game at Illinois on Oct. 19, and his next stop is expected to be the NFL draft.

Johnson is ranked as a top 10 player overall by Field Level Media in the 2025 draft rankings,

The defensive MVP of the national championship game in January, Johnson has two interception returns for touchdowns this season. He had four picks last season for the undefeated Wolverines, including an interception of then-quarterback Kyle McCord in the rivalry game against Ohio State that featured Johnson matching up with 2023 first-rounder Marvin Harrison Jr.

Without Johnson on the field, opponents are averaging 6.6 yards per pass attempt. Ohio State features two wide receivers headed for all-conference notice in Jeremiah Smith and Emeka Egbuka. Egbuka caught a TD pass among three receptions for the Buckeyes at Michigan last year.

–Field Level Media

Nov 16, 2024; Los Angeles, California, USA; Southern California Trojans quarterback Jayden Maiava (14) runs the ball against the Nebraska Cornhuskers during the first half at the Los Angeles Memorial Coliseum. Mandatory Credit: Gary A. Vasquez-Imagn Images

Top 10 CFB Player Props For Rivalry Weekend

Posted on | by Field Level Media

It’s Saturday.

You have a big ol’ turkey sandwich in front of you.

You finished your Christmas shopping on Black Friday, and now you’re ready to win the money to pay for all those gifts by betting on a few college football player props from one of the many intense rivalry games on the schedule.

The million-dollar question is, of course, which ones do you bet on? To help you get started, we’ve compiled a list of our 10 favorites for Rivalry Weekend.

Rivalry Weekend: CFB Player Props Odds via FanDuel unless otherwise stated:

–The Game: Michigan vs. Ohio State

TreVeyon Henderson, RB, Ohio State, O/U 49.5 rushing yards at -114/-114

Michigan’s run defense is supposed to be decent, but it will be on the field so much that it won’t matter. The Wolverines’ defense might slow down Henderson in the first quarter/half, but it will tire out by the second half, and the run lanes will get nice and wide.

As a senior who has never beaten Michigan, Henderson will be motivated and could get more garbage time in the fourth quarter. Take the OVER.

Will Howard, QB, Ohio State, O/U 251.5 passing yards at -114/-114

Howard has gone over 251.5 yards passing just once in his past five games (vs. Purdue). Last week, against Indiana, he only had 201 yards in a dominant Ohio State offensive performance. His total wasn’t that low because the Hoosiers defense was playing tough.

No, it was because the team didn’t need him to take to the air for prolonged drives. Four of the Buckeyes’ six scoring drives were shorter than 50 yards. A similar scenario could present itself this weekend. Take the UNDER.

–Palmetto Bowl: South Carolina vs. Clemson
Lanorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina, O/U 198.5 passing yards at -114/-114

Sellers had some struggles during the first month of the season, which is not unusual for a freshman quarterback. But when South Carolina played Alabama, things started to click. Since then, including the Alabama game, he has thrown for more than 198.5 yards in five of his past six.

Clemson’s pass defense is good but not great. It might slow Sellers down at first, but not for the entire game. He’ll clear 200 yards passing before the fourth quarter. Take the OVER.

Lanorris Sellers, QB, South Carolina, O/U 37.5 rushing yards at -114/-114

As for his rushing total, Sellers went over 37.5 yards in his past four. A legitimate dual threat, he averages 14 carries per game this season. Clemson allows 4.57 yards per carry, so as long as he gets nine carries and takes what the Tigers allow, he’ll have a nice day on the ground.

Take the OVER.

Phil Mafah, RB, Clemson, O/U 96.5 rushing yards at -114/-114

Mafah has been a workhorse for Clemson this year in the backfield, running for 100-plus yards in six of his first nine games. He struggled against Pitt, gaining just 17 yards on 17 carries. He’ll likely get around 20 carries, and if he can match his season average (5.6 yards per carry), he’ll easily go OVER his total.

But the South Carolina run defense is pretty strong against the run (No. 12 in the country, allowing just over 100 yards per game). Since he’ll get the bulk of touches in the backfield, he’ll have a shot at going over the total. But the day will belong to South Carolina. Take the UNDER.

–Battle for the Jeweled Shillelagh: Southern California vs. Notre Dame
Jayden Maiava, QB, USC, O/U 235.5 passing yards

Maiava has done a solid job in his two starts since taking over as QB1 for the Trojans, throwing for 259 yards and three touchdowns (and an interception) in one game and 221 yards and a touchdown in the other. But neither Nebraska nor UCLA have a strong pass defense.

Notre Dame has the No 1 pass defense in the country. Take the UNDER.

–Lonestar Showdown: Texas vs. Texas A&M
Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M, O/U 180.5 passing yard at -114/-114

On paper, it doesn’t look like Texas A&M will move the ball at all, with Texas having the No. 2 pass defense and No. 13 run defense. But the Longhorns played the easiest schedule in the SEC, so you have to take those numbers with a grain of salt.

Since taking over as QB1 for the Aggies, Marcel Reed has been electric. He is a dual threat with a strong arm and quick feet. In his past three games, vs. South Carolina, New Mexico State and Auburn, Reed has passed for over 200 yards in each.

Texas might slow him down, but the Longhorns will not contain him for the whole game. Take the OVER.

Marcel Reed, QB, Texas A&M, O/U .5 passing touchdowns at -220/+162

If you think Texas will dominate this game, then take the UNDER. However, if you believe the Aggies will be competitive in this game, then take the OVER. We’re taking the OVER.

Jaydon Blue, RB, Texas, O/U 45.5 rushing yards -114/-114

The Texas A&M defense is good on paper, but the numbers are a little misleading. Often, the Aggies’ defense gets gashed by the running game in the first half and helps the opposing team get out to a nice lead. But then it makes some adjustments at halftime and controls the line of scrimmage in the second half.

Blue is good enough to go for 45 yards in the first half, even if he ends up splitting carries with Quintrevion Wisner. If he doesn’t, he’ll get close and then finish the job in the second half.

–Field Level Media

Peyton Falzone visits OSU the day of the Ohio State Buckeyes' 38-15 win over the Indiana Hoosiers in an NCAA football game at Ohio Stadium in Columbus on Saturday, Nov. 23, 2024.

4-star QB Peyton Falzone decommits from Virginia Tech

Posted on | by Field Level Media

Four-star quarterback Peyton Falzone announced Wednesday that he has decommitted from Virginia Tech.

The 6-foot-5, 200-pound junior from Nazareth, Pa., had been committed to the Hokies since June. However, Virginia Tech has struggled to a 5-6 record this season and Falzone has visited Ohio State and Penn State over the past month. He also has plans to visit Iowa and Syracuse this week.

“After deep thought and consideration, I’ve made the difficult decision to decommit from Virginia Tech at this time,” Falzone wrote in a statement on X. “From day one, my family and I were treated with love and respect by the entire staff at Virginia Tech. I am deeply thankful to coach (Brent) Pry, coach (Tyler) Bowen and everyone in the Hokie family who believed in me and supported my development. I’ll always have great respect and love for Blacksburg and the Hokies.

“Reflecting on discussions with my family, I felt it was necessary to make this change. It didn’t feel right to be visiting other schools while being locked in with Virginia Tech. I owe it to myself, my family and the schools recruiting me to be fully invested in every opportunity I receive during this important time.

“Reopening my recruitment, I am eager to embrace the next steps in this journey. I’m looking forward to working hard this offseason, not only to continue growing as a quarterback but also as a teammate and leader. This new chapter is an opportunity to grow, and I’m excited for what lies ahead.”

Falzone is the No. 15-ranked quarterback in the 2025 cycle, according to On3.com, whose composite industry ranking has him as the No. 181 overall prospect in the nation. He told the site that Nazareth has a good relationship with Penn State, where former Nazareth players Jahan Dotson and Jake Wilson played.

“I’ve been to Penn State games growing up,” Falzone told On3.com. “It’s always an awesome experience in Beaver Stadium. It was a great day and it was nice being able to bring my sister and my dad along. I’m glad I was able to see the PSU offense in action.”

Falzone threw for 2,136 yards and 23 touchdowns while adding another 743 yards and eight touchdowns on the ground this season. Along with Virginia Tech and Penn State, he has received offers from Wisconsin, Syracuse, Bucknell and Lehigh, according to 247Sports.com.

–Field Level Media