Chip Kelly Leaves Ohio State for the Raiders

Chip Kelley

Chip Kelly’s new role in the NFL as offensive coordinator for the Las Vegas Raiders marks his return, just one season after occupying the offensive coordinator position for the Ohio State (OSU) football program. The timing is just right for the 2024 season, as national championships for Ohio State would have some successful finish under Kelly’s watch. The team averaged 35.7 points per game and ranked 12 nationally in scoring offense for the division last season. That said, it means that Kelly’s exit marks the third assistant to leave Ohio State this off-season. Defensive coordinator Jim Knowles went to Penn State, and offensive line coach Justin Frye signed with the Arizona Cardinals. Kelly’s sudden departure leaves a lot of speculation as to who might be running the Buckeyes’ offense and what lasting impact Kelly’s brief tenure with the program will have.

Chip Kelley
Chip Kelley

Kelly’s Journey to the Ohio State Buckeyes

Chip Kelly’s arrival at OSU back in February 2024 was newsworthy in and of itself. He resigned as head coach at UCLA to become the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator and quarterbacks coach, replacing Bill O’Brien, who was with the team all of a hot second before becoming head coach at Boston … Read more at FryingPanSports

Jim Knowles to Leave Ohio State for Penn State in Coaching Carousel Bombshell

Jim Knowles to Leave Ohio State

On Sunday January 26, 2025, an announcement came out that startled everyone, it was a most unexpected moment in recent history in collegiate football. Jim Knowles, the architect of Ohio State’s championship defense, is leaving the OSU Buckeyes for Big Ten rival Penn State. This not only makes him the highest-paid DC in college football history, but it also shows how serious Penn State is about a rebuild toward future championship contention.

Jim Knowles to Leave Ohio State
Jim Knowles to Leave Ohio State

Background

Jim Knowles had been the defensive coordinator at Ohio State since 2022 and had turned the Buckeyes’ defense into one of the elite units in the country. Under his guidance, Ohio State had won the 2024-25 CFP National Championship with a defense leading the country at 12.9 points allowed per game and at 254.6 yards allowed per game. Acumen like that in strategy made him one of the most sought-after coaches who can change course quickly when needed.

Jim Knowles to Leave Ohio State

News of Knowles’ departure to Penn State came just hours after Ohio State celebrated the national championship. He leaves behind an offer that would have made him college football’s highest-paid defensive coordinator; Knowles reportedly inked a … Read more at FryingPanSports

From NFL Player to Coaching Redemption: The Mike Vrabel Way

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

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

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

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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