From NFL Player to Coaching Redemption: The Mike Vrabel Way

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Mike Vrabel

From Gridiron to Sideline: The Playing Career of Mike Vrabel

It was in Akron, Ohio on August 14, 1975, that Mike Vrabel was born, sparking the start of his successful NFL carrier as player and coach. Two-time Big Ten Defensive Lineman of the Year and Consensus All-American in 1996, Mike was regarded as THE player during his stay at Ohio State, which is considered by many to be the beginning of his playing career. In 1997 NFL Draft third-round pick Vrabel with Steelers as four seasons began; he started in only nine total, spending most of those years backing up-though including such moments like that playoff strip-sack of Drew Bledsoe.

Until then, Vrabel’s career began when he signed a free agent contract with the New England Patriots in 2001. He was a main cog in the team’s defense with the Patriots during the victories in Super Bowls XXXVI, XXXVIII and XXXIX. His versatility was highlighted when he recorded receiving touchdowns in consecutive Super Bowls – something very few primarily defensive players had pulled off or would ever experience. After eight seasons with New England, he had a brief sojourn in Kansas City Chiefs before retiring in 2010.

Mike Vrabel

Coaching Odyssey:

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Whose Stock Has Risen, Who’s Fallen during Bowl Season

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Cam Ward Miami

The NFL draft status for prospects can take major swings during bowl season in college football. Based on several bowl game performances to date, here is a look at some Whose Stock Has Risen, worsened their draft status, and/or haven’t altered projections as significantly: 

Improved Stock:

Rocco Becht was a real standout in the Pop Tarts Bowl for Iowa State, and his draft stock could significantly benefit from that performance. Not considered a top-tier prospect entering the year, he’s consistently played well enough to where the bowl game showed his place in the NFL.

Cam Ward of Miami is a name that has surfaced as rising in draft stock due to social media. His performance was one of want for more, which, again, could mean he rises up draft boards.

Cam Ward Whose Stock Has Risen
Cam Ward Whose Stock Has Risen

Draft Status Declined:

Shedeur Sanders – Colorado – After bowl games, his draft stock went down. The performance wasn’t impactful enough, and that seemed to lower his draft value.

Will Sheppard was pretty bad in the bowl game against BYU and has redefined his draft stock on the negative side. He didn’t pop, and the lack of separation ability and athletic upside was more … Read more at FryingPanSports

Logan George transfers to Ohio State Football for the 2025 Season

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Logan George

As some great news has reached Ohio State’s defensive line, Idaho State transfer, Logan George, committed in hopes of joining Ohio State for the 2025 season. This would carry some considerable weight in Ohio State’s roster as efforts to improve its defense bring George’s skills onto the field.

Logan George
Logan George

Backstory and Performance

Logan George is a tall 6-foot-5 defensive end out of Highland High School in Pocatello, Idaho who made a name for himself at the FCS level with Idaho State. George made 18.5 tackles for loss to pace the Big Sky Conference as a sophomore with 6.5 of them going for sacks. His former head coach, Cody Hawkins, even went as far as to refer to him as “the best defensive lineman in the Big Sky Conference.” George’s numbers included 53 tackles and 5.5 sacks in the 2024 season, showing he can be disruptive to offenses both against the run and in pass-rushing situations.

Decision to Transfer

George considered staying at Idaho State, where he had two more years of eligibility remaining before he entered the portal. He told ESPN, “I wanted to play at a higher competitive level, seeking development, the right cultural … Read more at FryingPanSports

Bruce Thornton leads Ohio State to upset victory over No. 4 Kentucky

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Bruce Thornton

It was a wonderful evening in the CBS Sports Classic on December 21, 2024. At Madison Square Garden, Bruce Thornton from Ohio State Buckeyes dazzled and outshone the number 4-ranked Kentucky Wildcats, taking them in a victory, 85-65.

Game Overview:

It was a statement game for Ohio State, which walked into this matchup on a really tough stretch that featured consecutive losses to Pittsburgh and Maryland. It was something the Buckeyes knew they were not going to be matched up against, one of the high-powered offenses in college basketball: Kentucky. They wanted to make a statement, and boy, did they ever.

Thornton Shines Bright:

Bruce Thornton was nothing short of sensational. He scored a career-high 30 points, from which 22 came during the second half of the game, showing his cool when it really mattered. He was efficient on the floor, shooting 8-for-13 and nearly perfect from the free-throw line as he made 13 of 14 attempts. As far as other stats – beyond scoring – Thornton contributed with four rebounds, three assists, and a steal in proving his all-around game impact. His performance was huge in keeping Ohio State ahead and preventing Kentucky from mounting a comeback.

Bruce Thornton vs Kentucky 2024
Bruce
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Ohio State Adds Minnesota Transfer Phillip Daniels to Bolster Offensive Line in 2025

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Phillip Daniels

In a major move to complete its offensive line for the 2025 season, Ohio State added a commitment from University of Minnesota offensive tackle Phillip Daniels. The Cincinnati, Ohio native opted to return home to the Buckeyes through his transfer decision, marking a true homecoming for the big lineman who was once an unheralded local talent in the state during his high school recruitment days.

Phillip Daniels
Phillip Daniels

Background and Performance at Minnesota:

Phillip Daniels had committed to the University of Pittsburgh but later flipped his commitment to Minnesota. He redshirted the 2023 season at Minnesota. In 2024, he started the last four games of the year at right tackle after earning his way onto the field. All in all, Daniels had 300 snaps throughout the year, showing his potential and giving him a reputation as a high-ceiling player. He added a 62.5 overall grade from Pro Football Focus, with similar pass and run blocking grades, which really helps point out how versatile and effective he was on the field. This leaves him with three years of eligibility, making him a hot prospect for Ohio State.

Transfer Decision and Impact:

Much of Daniels’ decision to transfer back to his … Read more at FryingPanSports

Cotie McMahon Leads Ohio State Women’s Basketball Past Youngstown State in Convincing Win

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COLUMBUS, Ohio — No. 11 Ohio State women’s basketball dominated in an against Youngstown State inside the Schottenstein Center on December 14, 2024. Led by this season’s leading scorer in talented sophomore forward Cotie McMahon, leading Buckeyes ran away from the Penguins in an overwhelmingly one-sided win, 87-39, staying perfect on the year at 10-0.

Cotie McMahon
Cotie McMahon

First Half Onslaught

Ohio State came out hot from the tip as McMahon immediately became the focal point of the Buckeyes offense. She scored seven points in the first quarter alone as Ohio State sprinted to a 23-14 lead. The OSU defense forced Penguins to just one field goal in eight tries with 11 turnovers in the second quarter. It wasn’t bad on offense for McMahon, either; that defensive effort, in fact, helped the team build a 25-point unanswered run that stretched the Buckeyes’ lead to 52-18 by halftime. By then, he’d amassed 22 points to set the stage for what was to come.

McMahon’s Masterclass

A display of the many skills McMahon possesses, the game brought out a season-high in points for her as she had 29 while efficiently shooting 9-of-21 from the field, a ridiculous 3-of-4 beyond the arc. Though having … Read more at FryingPanSports