The 2026 NFL Draft ~ Truly A Guessing Game

Before I get into my wild guesses as to how the top ten picks of the 2026 NFL Draft will go, a couple of things I wanted to share -

• Remember in the movie "Draft Day" when the Cleveland Browns GM Sonny Weaver Jr., played by Kevin Costner, had written down on a piece of paper "Vontae Mack No Matter What"?  IF by some chance the Browns are sitting at pick number 6 and Ohio State S Caleb Downs is there, that is what I will be channeling at that moment.   
• The 2026 NFL Draft will truly begin when the NY Jets are on the clock at pick number 2.  If the Jets do as I expect them to do, I believe we may see a few trades within the top ten, as I predict below.

My friend Tim asked me to come up with how I anticipate the first ten picks of the 2026 NFL Draft will go.  I realize that there is always uncertainty when it comes to the NFL Draft, but this year has me flummoxed ( I so seldom get a chance to use that word, and it just felt right to use it for this post).

1. Las Vegas - Fernando Mendoza, QB, Indiana (gutsy call).  This is the ONLY certain pick for the top ten.

2. NY Jets - A toss up between Texas Tech's David Bailey and Ohio State's Arvell Reese.  Bailey is the better pass rusher now, while Reese has the upside potential to develop into a dominant defender.  I will go out on a limb and say the NY Jets feel the pressure for more wins in 2026, especially their head coach Aaron Glenn who was almost fired after last season, and will go with David Bailey here.

3. Projected trade with KC here from Arizona - I think the player will be Arvell Reese, DE/OLB, Ohio State. Arizona could go with Jeremiyah Love, could trade out with KC, New Orleans, Dallas - like I wrote up above, it is going to be interesting.

4. Tennessee - I believe new head coach Robert Saleh is tempted with the idea of Ohio State's Sonny Styles, but I think the Titans want to give QB Cam Ward help, and the best offensive player in this draft is RB Jeremiyah Love, Notre Dame.

5. NY Giants - Here we go with the GMen making the first of their two top ten selections.  Giants head coach John Harbaugh (still getting used to typing that) had a dominant safety on his defenses when he was with Baltimore, and I think the Giants are going to take Caleb Downs, S, Ohio State.

6. Projected trade with Dallas (Cleveland gets #12 and #20, while Dallas gets #6 and #39) - Dallas swoops in front of Washington to take LB Sonny Styles, Ohio State.

7. Washington - Perhaps they wanted Styles, and if Styles is on the board, I can see that being the pick. If it falls the way I predict, I will go with WR Carnell Tate, Ohio State.

8. New Orleans - If by some chance David Bailey and/or Arvell Reese are available at pick 5, I could see the Saints trying to move up to grab one of them.  I can see them taking Mansoor Delane, CB, LSU.

9. Arizona (after trade with KC) - The offensive line is a mess, and the Cardinals will take a flier on Francis Mauigoa, OT, Miami (FL).  Maybe Arizona will make a move to get back into the first round later to take Ty Simpson, QB, from Alabama later on with some of the picks that they may get from making a deal with KC?

10. NY Giants - Now with the pick obtained from the Dexter Lawrence trade, maybe the Giants decide to grab Spencer Fano, OT, from Utah.  I am not sold on taking a WR here, but this could be a landing spot for Jordyn Tyson of Arizona State, if the Giants are not worried about Tyson's injury history (I would be, but that is only my opinion).

2025 Ohio State Football: TUN Recap

The 2025 NFL Draft: The First Round Is Back For The Browns

 For the first time since 2021, the Cleveland Browns have a selection to make in the first round.  I guess my feelings are best summarized below as to what I am expecting...

Homer Simpson & The Cleveland Browns

Trust me when I write that yes, I know that Travis Hunter is a dynamic two-way player, but I would be remiss if I did not write that this team is in dire need of help throughout its roster, and if a team were to offer them multiple draft choices to move down, I believe that would serve the Browns much more.  Adding selections from days 2 and 3 of the 2025 NFL Draft, while also possibly adding an additional first round selection, would be too enticing for me to turn down, if it was my responsibility to make the pick.

Alright, here is how I see the first ten picks going, barring some last minute trades...

1. Tennessee:  Cam Ward, QB, Miami (FL)
2. Cleveland:  Travis Hunter, WR, Colorado.  (This is where I am prepared to say 'meh'.  If the Browns take up about 8 minutes of their time, my hopes for a trade back will be soaring.)
3. NY Giants:  Abdul Carter, DE, Penn State.  (Another trade possibility.  If a team that is so in love with Carter offers the Giants a sweetheart deal that would allow the Giants to move back and select their desired quarterback, I would not be surprised.)
4. New England:  Will Campbell, OT, LSU
5. Jacksonville:  Ashton Jeanty, RB, Boise State
6. Las Vegas:  Kelvin Banks, OT, Texas.  (Here is a team that may want to move up in front of JAX to be able to get Jeanty.)
7. NY Jets:  Armand Membou, OT, Missouri.  (Very tempted to go with TE Tyler Warren of Penn State here.)
8. Carolina:  Jalon Walker, OLB, Georgia.  (Supposedly Carolina is trying to move back, so I will not be surprised if this pick takes the full amount of time to come in.)
9. New Orleans:  Mykel Williams, DE, Georgia (I am thinking that DE Cam Jordan is starting to get older, and this would allow them to add a talented defensive lineman into their roster.  This might be the player that SF might move up to get with Carolina.  I wonder if this is where QB Jaxson Dart of Ole Miss is selected.)
10. Chicago:  Tyler Warren, TE, Penn State

As for the Browns taking a quarterback?  My hope is that the team resists the temptation to trade back up into the latter portion of the first round, and simply takes the best player available at their (as of now) 33rd pick at the top of the second round.  Could it be a quarterback?  Possibly.  I would actually be happy with taking RB Quinshon Judkins of Ohio State there, and I believe he will be there.  And in case you are wondering, no, I do not want them to take Alabama QB Jalen Milroe - nothing against the young man, but the Browns need a quarterback who is ready to play, and Milroe is going to need a lot of development, especially with his accuracy issues.

The 2024 NFL Draft - Lots O' Waiting For Browns & Buckeyes

 The 2024 NFL Draft is upon us, and for the third year in a row, the Cleveland Browns will not be selecting in the first round, as the Deshaun Watson trade from 2022 will finally see Cleveland off the hook to the Houston Texans.  Considering how many years the Browns botched their first round selections ever since they came back into the league in 1999, it has become strange not to see Cleveland up among the top ten selections, as they routinely seemed to be located.

The Cleveland Browns will not pick until the 54th overall selection in the second round, which will not take place until Friday evening.  Even then, Cleveland general manager Andrew Berry has shown a willingness to trade back, gaining additional selections, so it is not entirely far-fetched that Cleveland will not make a pick until the conclusion of the second day of the NFL Draft on Friday evening.

As for who the Browns may be targeting?  How do you like this for a cliche answer - "The Best Player Available".

The reality is that Cleveland could go any number of ways with their selection, such as the aforementioned trade back, and could decide to address any number of positions.  My belief is that if there is a player along either the offensive or defensive lines that Berry and Cleveland Browns head coach Kevin Stefanski both agree upon, the Browns will take that player to build up their depth along the lines.  My personal hope is that it will be Ohio State DL Michael Hall, Jr.  Hall is from the Cleveland area, and could help supplement an already-strong Cleveland defensive line.

Speaking of Ohio State, and I addressed this in my latest article for Scarlet and Game, I believe Ohio State players will be waiting for Friday and Saturday to have their names called.  Obviously, I hope I am mistaken, but Ohio State WR Marvin Harrison, Jr. seems to be the only Buckeye who has garnered first round projections.  Perhaps I will be proven wrong.  No matter, here is my article about how Ohio State players may want to spend their 2024 NFL Draft weekend.

Minnich's Musings On The (Now Former) Buckeyes & The 2024 NFL Draft

As for how the top ten picks may go, as my good friend Tim always asks me to project this...

1.  Chicago:  QB Caleb Williams, USC - Let's see if Chicago helps Williams more than they did Justin Fields

2.  Washington:  QB Jayden Daniels, LSU - Has kind of a Lamar Jackson vibe, but I question whether Washington has the proper infrastructure set up to allow him to succeed.

3.  New England:  QB Drake Maye, North Carolina - Very raw, but talented.  New England will need to take their time, but the Patriots are banking on Maye's long-term potential, as they see him like a Josh Allen-type.

4.  Arizona:  WR Marvin Harrison, Jr., Ohio State - The Cardinals will be tempted to move down, but Harrison is the best WR in this year's draft.  Minnesota could make a trade up here, as well as the NY Giants.

5. Minnesota (Projected trade from LA Chargers):  J.J. McCarthy, QB, Michigan - Jim Harbaugh wants OL, and gets to move back with extra picks from the Vikings.  The Vikings move up to take McCarthy, but I am skeptical about if McCarthy is truly worth it (Yes, I know I am an Ohio State fan.  McCarthy never had to carry Michigan, and his downfield passing was sometimes inconsistent when he was under pressure.).

6.  NY Giants:  WR Malik Nabers, LSU:  The Giants could be trying to move up for a QB, but it may be better to build up the WRs for Daniel Jones instead.

7.  Tennessee:  OT Joe Alt, Notre Dame:  As solid a pick as someone could make for an OT.  Listed at 6'9", 321 pounds, Alt is the kind of lineman you can plug into the lineup for ten years and not worry about that position.

8.  Atlanta:  DE Dallas Turner, Alabama:  Could be Texas interior DL Byron Murphy here, but Turner is another solid choice, just like Harrison or Alt would be in the top ten.

9.  Chicago:  WR Rome Odunze, Washington:  The Bears may move down again for additonal picks, and I was tempted to go with Byron Murphy, but Odunze could be the type of playmaker Caleb Williams needs to get his Chicago career started off on the right foot.

10.  NY Jets:  TE Brock Bowers, Georgia:  Another offensive weapon for QB Aaron Rodgers.

The 2023 NFL Draft, C.J. Stroud, & Rumors - "Reject The Evidence Of Your Eyes"

“The Party told you to reject the evidence of your eyes and ears. It was their final, most essential command.” ~ George Orwell, 1984

Before I give my projected top ten picks in the 2023 NFL Draft, please let me scoff at the rumors surrounding now-former Ohio State quarterback C.J. Stroud as he prepares for his NFL career.  I freely admit that I am biased as it relates to Ohio State football, as I write and podcast about it.  I have been a fan of Ohio State football throughout my entire life.

I cannot understand how someone could watch C.J. Stroud play these past two seasons, and then determine that they would prefer to place greater stock and emphasis on a supposed cognition test.  At least I am not the only person incredulous at these ideas that C.J. Stroud is not among the best quarterbacks in the 2023 NFL Draft. 😠

A Projected Top Ten

1.  Carolina:  Bryce Young, QB, Alabama - I would be nervous about this pick, as Young is barely 200 pounds and is only 5'10".  I am not doubting his talent, but I am skeptical of his durability in the NFL.

2.  Houston:  Will Anderson, LB, Alabama - Here's where Houston is making a solid pick in Anderson, but could wind up regretting their decision by bypassing Stroud.

3.  Projected Trade by Arizona to Tennessee:  The Titans move up to take C.J. Stroud before he falls to Indianapolis.

4.  Indianapolis:  Anthony Richardson, QB, Florida  ~ I would be tremendously nervous about taking this kid high, based on his lack of experience, but the physical talent and potential may convince them to take the plunge.  Could be Will Levis of Kentucky instead, but I'd be nervous about him also.

5.  Seattle:  Jalen Carter, DT, Georgia ~ If Carter is on the board at this point, I do not believe Pete Carroll and Seattle will hesitate to take a tremendously talented defensive lineman.

6.  Detroit:  Devon Witherspoon, CB, Illinois ~ Something about this kid's style of play just seems like the kind of player that Dan Campbell wants on his defense.

7.  Las Vegas:  Christian Gonzalez, CB, Oregon ~ Was tempted to go with Paris Johnson, Jr. of Ohio State here, but went with the other top-rated cornerback instead.

8.  Atlanta:  Bijan Robinson, RB, Texas ~ Robinson has been described as a Saquon Barkley-type back, just the kind of player who can help Desmond Ridder as Ridder will be going through the growing pains of life as a NFL quarterback.

9.  Chicago:  Paris Johnson, Jr., OT, Ohio State ~ Rumors are that Johnson could be Arizona's pick at the number three spot.

10.  Philadelphia:  Peter Skoronski, G, Northwestern ~ Skoronski is not flashy, but can play at either guard or right tackle for the next ten years, barring injury.

The Impact Of Dwayne Haskins + A Truly Random Guess At The Top 10 Picks Of The 2022 NFL Draft

 My good friend Tim asked me to project the top ten picks of the 2022 NFL Draft, and I will offer those up momentarily.  Before I do that, I wanted to offer some thoughts on the recent passing of former Ohio State quarterback Dwayne Haskins.

I want to offer that I never met Dwayne Haskins, and everything I have read and heard about him as a person represent that his tragic death is going to be something that will be questioned for a long time.  As my cousin John and I discussed it, we may never know why Haskins decided to walk on a busy highway adjacent to the Fort Lauderdale airport.  The death of a young person is always something that just leaves people questioning why it happened.

As I wrote up above, I never knew Dwayne Haskins, so I cannot offer up much more than my sincere sympathies to all who knew and loved him.  I can only imagine how his wife, parents, sister, friends, and former teammates are doing with his loss.

As someone who follows Ohio State football, one thing I feel comfortable writing about Dwayne Haskins is his impact upon the program.  Haskins was originally going to go to Maryland, but a coaching change persuaded him to reevaluate his decision, and he signed with Ohio State in February 2016.  After redshirting that first year, Haskins moved into the primary backup quarterback position behind J.T. Barrett.  When called upon in THE GAME, Haskins came in and rallied the Buckeyes to a victory.  For most Ohio State fans, this is common knowledge.

The impact Dwayne Haskins had upon the program is being felt today, with quarterbacks such as C.J. Stroud.  Quite simply, Haskins became the starter in 2018, and had arguably one of the best seasons in college football history.  Haskins decided to enter the 2019 NFL Draft, but his performance in 2018 gained the attention of another quaterback who was looking to make a move from Georgia to Ohio State - Justin Fields.  And while at Ohio State, Fields' play at quarterback was what helped to attract C.J. Stroud.

Before Dwayne Haskins, Ohio State quarterbacks were not looked upon as top NFL prospects.  In 1982, the then-Baltimore Colts drafted Art Schlichter in the first round of the NFL Draft.  The B1G did not have a quarterback selected in the first round until the 1995 NFL Draft, when Carolina selected Kerry Collins of Penn State.  And in 2019, Washington drafted Dwayne Haskins.  Two years later, Chicago traded up with the NY Giants to select Justin Fields.  Barring injury, C.J. Stroud will be a first round selection in 2023, making him the third straight Ohio State quarterback selected in the first round of the NFL Draft.

The impact of a player is sometimes difficult to quantify.  In the case of Dwayne Haskins, and what he meant to the Ohio State football program, it is very easy to see how he changed the trajectory of the quarterback position.  Rest In Peace, Dwayne Haskins.

***

If someone were to put up a dart board and blindfold me, I may have better chances of identifying how the top ten of the 2022 NFL Draft will go.  There are talented players, but nobody falls in the truly marquee category.  Rumor has it that teams are eager to move down, but are not finding teams wanting to move up.  With that being said, here's how it may shake out...

1. Jacksonville:  Travon Walker, DL, Georgia
2. Detroit:  Aidan Hutchinson, DL, Michigan
3. Houston:  Ikem Ekwonu, OT, North Carolina State
4. NY Jets:  Sauce Gardner, CB, Cincinnati
5. NY Giants:  Charles Cross, OT, Mississippi State
6. Carolina:  Evan Neal, OL, Alabama
7. NY Giants:  Jermaine Johnson, DE, Florida State
8. Atlanta:  Garrett Wilson, WR, Ohio State
9. Seattle:  Kayvon Thibodeaux, DE, Oregon
10. NY Jets:  Drake London, WR, USC

Put it this way...IF Garrett Wilson is on the board at pick 13, when the Browns would have been drafting before the big Deshaun Watson trade, I will be forever thinking of this scene 

OUCH 😳

Subject: OUCH 😳

Sent from Yahoo Mail for iPhone

The 2022 Ohio State Recruiting Class, By The Numbers

 Congratulations to Ohio State head coach Ryan Day for assembling another well-regarded recruiting class.  At 21 players, Ohio State was able to address a number of areas, especially at the linebacker area.  Eleven players have already enrolled, and will participate in winter conditioning and spring practice.

It is way, way, way too early to speculate on who will contribute in 2022, but as I wrote up above, the linebackers have me intrigued.  CJ Hicks was nicknamed 'Captain Buckeye' for his efforts on trying to persuade others to join the class, and is well-regarded.  Gabe Powers is another strong player.  Last and certainly not least, Sonny Styles was originally committed to Ohio State for 2023, but reclassified and signed with Ohio State for 2022.  While listed as a safety, most recruiting analysts project Styles to eventually play at linebacker.

Below is a listing of the players, as well as a graph representing their home state.  Ohio, as usual, leads the way with six players, while Florida had 3, Georgia and Texas with 2, and a number of other states (Arizona, California, Colorado, Illinois, Indiana, Tennessee, Utah, and Wisconsin) with one.

A Guess At The Top 11 Of The First Round Of The 2021 NFL Draft...Plus Thoughts On The Browns

 Good morning, and welcome back to a somewhat annual post predicting how the first round of the NFL Draft will go.  I am truly writing this in unfamiliar territory, as the Cleveland Browns are not picking high in the first round for the first time, due to a winning record, since 2003.

For those of you who don't recall, the 2002 Cleveland Browns were the last team to make the playoffs.  In 2003, I can vividly recall sitting in Ohio Stadium, watching the 2003 Ohio State spring game, as there was a ticker on at the stadium, showing the Browns had selected Jeff Faine, C, from Notre Dame.  Ah, such memories.

On to the top 11 picks.  Why 11, you ask?  Two reasons - one is because the NY Giants are slated to pick at 11, which is the favorite team of my good friend Tim Tallaksen.  And the other reason is it gives me an opportunity to remind you of this awesome clip from "Spinal Tap"...

1.  Jacksonville - Trevor Lawrence, QB, Clemson:  Gutsy pick

2.  NY Jets - Zach Wilson, QB, BYU:  Poor kid

3.  San Francisco - Justin Fields, QB, Ohio State:  Yes, I know how everyone is saying it will be either Mac Jones or Trey Lance.  I just have a feeling that Kyle Shanahan wants a QB with mobility, and that is Fields.  I may be wrong.

4.  Atlanta - Kyle Pitts, TE, Florida:  Very tempting to pick a quarterback, but Pitts is too good and too immediate of an impact for the Falcons to ignore.

5.  Cincinnati - Ja'Marr Chase, WR, LSU:  Offensive line is a crying need for the Bengals, but CIN gives QB Joe Burrow a target that he has familiarity with and the Bengals will address the OL in later rounds.

6.  Miami - Jaylen Waddle, WR, Alabama:  The Dolphins grab a familiar target for their QB Tua Tagavailoa.

7.  Projected Trade (NE with DET) - Mac Jones, QB, Alabama:  The Patriots move up to grab a quarterback before Carolina.  Detroit moves back to stockpile picks for their rebuild.

8.  Carolina - Trey Lance, QB, North Dakota State:  Yes, I know that the Panthers recently traded for Sam Darnold.  Lance is a project that they can slowly work in while they determine if Darnold is salvageable.

9.  Denver - Rashawn Slater, OT, Northwestern:  The Broncos just traded for Teddy Bridgewater, and look to build up solid protection for him.

10.  Dallas - Patrick Surtain II, CB, Alabama:  The Cowboys look to regroup defensively.

11.  NY Giants - DeVonta Smith, WR, Alabama:  More offensive weapons for QB Daniel Jones.

As for the Cleveland Browns, here is how I can see it shaping out...

1.  Trading out of the first round when a team wants to draft a QB at the end of the first round - Possible, and it saves the Browns money with their salary cap.

2.  Best Player Available:  Very cliche, but this can be any number of positions, including a WR like Rashod Bateman of Minnesota.

3.  Defensive Back:  If the Browns go this route, my hope is for Greg Newsome of Northwestern.

4.  Linebacker:  Doubtful, as the Browns are de-emphasizing the position, with more nickel looks, i.e., more defensive backs and less linebackers.  If they go this route, someone like Zaven Collins of Tulsa could be the pick,

5.  Defensive Line:  Like my point number 2 about the best player available, this could be any number of raw, unproven players who could add depth to the defensive line.  I would like Kwity Paye of Michigan, but it could be someone like Jayson Oweh of Penn State.

2020 Ohio State Football: Big Ten Championship Trailer

Some Random Thoughts On The 2021 Ohio State Recruiting Class

 Congratulations to the 21 young men who officially signed their letters of intent during the Early Signing Period today.  Ohio State is still in the mix to potentially add a few more players to the class, but that will not take place until the traditional signing day period in February.

For more on the Ohio State 2021 Recruiting Class, here is a link to the official Ohio State website...

https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/football-signing-day-central-2020-2021/

A few things to keep in mind about this recruiting class...

1.  This class did not have any official visits - Considering the NCAA instituted a policy of no official visits for schools and players, there are recruits who are signing with Ohio State who have never even been on campus.  That is a testament to the players' belief and faith in Ryan Day and the coaching staff that Ohio State will be able to fully develop their abilities over the next four or five years.

2.  Ryan Day has emphasized Ohio, as he said he would - This class is nothing like Jim Tressel would sign, where the overwhelming number of players were from Ohio.  Even still, Day signed 6 players from Ohio, which makes up about 29% of the total class.

3.  The secondary was emphasized - Ohio State signed 6 players, with 3 players labeled as cornerbacks, and 3 as safeties.  Time will tell if these players stay with those designations, but props to Kerry Coombs for identifying and signing players at positions of designated need.

Below is a listing of the players alphabetically, as well as a few graphs and charts identifying the positions and home locations of the players signed.  Here is to hoping that we will be able to see these players in Ohio Stadium in the 2021 Ohio State Spring Game, if not in person, at least on Big Ten Network...

An Updated Timer For THE GAME

 This post may be premature, but with the news of the 2020 cancellation, I wanted to update my blog to reflect that THE GAME countdown was accurate.  A quick disclaimer - The B1G is going to revise the 2021 schedule, due to the 2020 modifications, but I feel confident that THE GAME in 2021 will still be held on November 27, 2021.  Of course, if mistaken, I will revise it.

2020 Ohio State Football: Tea❌ Up North Trailer

From The Mind Of Minnich ~ The Possible Top 10 Of The 2020 NFL Draft

This NFL Draft, from its start to its conclusion, will be solely, and exclusively, based upon the evaluations of every team's scouting department.  It will truly illustrate how every team evaluated prospects, which is why projecting the first round is going to be so challenging.  Rumors are abundant that teams are going to be willing to trade up, or down, and should make the first round very difficult to project.

My good friend Tim Tallaksen asked me to write up how the top ten will go.  I feel good about the first two.  After that - let's see how I do...

1.  Cincinnati - Joe Burrow, QB, LSU:  Has been basically a done deal since the end of the season.

2.  Washington - Chase Young, DE, Ohio State:  Yes, Washington will take calls, but Young is the best player in this draft, and could make an immediate impact.

3.  Miami (Projected trade with Detroit) - Andrew Thomas, OT, Georgia:  Rumor has it that Miami wants to get ahead of the Giants to take their preferred offensive tackle.  While nobody knows if this is how it will play out, and if Miami truly wants an offensive tackle, I am guessing Thomas is the offensive tackle on top of their board.

4.  NY Giants - Tristan Wirfs, OT, Iowa:  Maybe the Giants will move down, but if the offensive tackles are in such high demand as rumored, taking Wirfs here at 4 will be okay.

5.  Detroit - Jeff Okudah, CB, Ohio State:  The Lions move down a few spots, get additional picks, and still get a player who can make an immediate impact within their secondary.

6.  LA Chargers - Tua Tagovailoa, QB, Alabama:  The Chargers are in need of a young QB after the PRivers era.  Tagovailoa has a LOT of injury risk, but a great deal of upside.

7.  Carolina - Isaiah Simmons, LB, Clemson:  Versatile defender who can line up at linebacker and in the secondary.  

8.  Arizona - Jedrick Wills, OT, Alabama:  Protecting Kyler Murray is paramount.  Better suited on the right side versus left.

9.  Jacksonville - Derrick Brown, DT, Auburn:  Powerful interior defensive lineman can help a rebuilding Jaguars squad.  Oregon's Justin Herbert is another possibility here, with QB a major need.

10.  Denver - Jerry Jeudy, WR, Alabama (Projected trade with Cleveland):  If all of the offensive tackles the Browns want are gone, and I believe they will be, I can see Andrew Berry moving down to acquire some more draft choices for days 2 and 3.  

My pick for the Browns?  Ezra Cleveland, OT, Boise State.  

A Quick Breakdown On The 2020 Ohio State Recruiting Class

For those of you who may want to hear Coach Day's official press conference, here is a link to the official Ohio State website https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ryan-day-signing-day-recap-2020/

Some quick thoughts...

• This seems more like a Jim Tressel-type class with regards to the Ohio focus (see below)
• Very happy with the offensive line numbers, as depth is always paramount at that position
• The wide receivers are arguably the best incoming recruits at that position in school history

By the numbers...

• Ohio State signed 25 players
• Geographically, the class breaks down as follows ~

Ohio	8
Texas	3
Arizona	2
California	2
Michigan	2
New Jersey	2
Indiana	1
Maryland	1
Missouri	1
North Carolina	1
Pennsylvania	1
Washington	1

By position group, it breaks down as follows...

Without further ado, the list of the players signed by Ohio State.  I have labeled Cameron Martinez as an ATH, as Coach Day stated that Martinez will have opportunities to play on both defense and offense.  I have also listed the players who signed early in December in italics, as they will be participating in the upcoming Ohio State Spring Game on April 11th.  There is a possibility that PK Jake Siebert may grayshirt, as the scholarship numbers are presently over the 85 number limit.

A Quick Follow Up Regarding Ohio High School Football Competing Against College Football

Lori Schmidt tweeted this out, and I found it to be worthwhile to pass along...

Why I Am Against B1G Or College Football On Friday Nights

Playing football on Friday night is a bad idea all around.  Writing as a lifelong Ohioan, Friday nights are a sacred event within most Ohio communities, built around high school football.  It truly does not matter if your son does not play, as my two sons do not.  The kids who are in the marching band, high school students hanging out with their friends, and proud parents or alums attending the game ~ there truly is something special about going to the local high school game, creating memories that last a lifetime.

The backlash against this decision by The B1G to play on Friday nights has been severe and justifiably deserved.  Jim Delany’s short-sighted decision to put extra money into The B1G’s coffers has earned him the enmity of Ohio high school football coaches, as well as other Midwestern states that comprise The B1G, as these high schools are going to be economically damaged by lower attendance that can severely impact their respective high school athletic budgets.

And in case anyone thinks that I am writing this strictly and solely from the perspective of an Ohio State fan, here is what Teddy Greenstein of the Chicago Tribune has to say on the matter.  One of the most overlooked aspects of this decision is how this impacts recruiting, no matter which teams are playing.  How can Northwestern invite any recruits to this game, when they will be playing on Friday night?  Isn’t recruiting the lifeblood of all college football programs?

https://www.chicagotribune.com/sports/college/ct-northwestern-ohio-state-friday-night-football-20191017-l3a5gi7wsbcstepjqqdqnc4odm-story.html

UPDATE, as of 2:30pm EST on 10/18/2019...Even Ohio State TE Coach Kevin Wilson thinks this is what Ohio State fans should do...

One of the things I try to stress to my children is if you make a mistake, own it.  Admit it.  Here is an opportunity for Jim Delany and B1G leadership to do the same, and eliminate the option of B1G football being played on Friday nights into the future.

An Interview/Preview With @HondoCarpenter of spartannation.com

My tremendous thanks to Hondo Carpenter who interviewed me on 10/03/2019 to discuss Michigan State at Ohio State...And I will try to blog more, as requested by Hondo and his son. 

https://www.si.com/college/michiganstate/football/scouting-report-and-prediction-25-michigan-state-4-1-vs-5-osu-buckeyes-5-0-ml4tvcJVRk6TPO-7bfhwvA/

2019 Ohio State Football: Indiana Trailer

Cincinnati at Ohio State (Athlon Sports)

It's been such a long time since I posted, so here is a link to my predictions on Cincinnati at Ohio State on September 7th, 2019...

https://athlonsports.com/college-football/cincinnati-bearcats-vs-ohio-state-buckeyes-prediction-picks-2019