ohio state Archives - FryingPanSports

Logan George transfers to Ohio State Football for the 2025 Season

December 23, 2024 by Steven R

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.

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

December 22, 2024 by Steven R

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.

… Read more at FryingPanSports

Ohio State Adds Minnesota Transfer Phillip Daniels to Bolster Offensive Line in 2025

December 18, 2024 by Steven R

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.

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

Caleb Downs And His Key Play Against Indiana

November 24, 2024 by Steven R

Safety Caleb Downs, one of the more hyped defensive backs in college football this year and his transfer from Alabama to Ohio State, is among the top story-lines going into the 2024 season. That transfer should do much in helping the Buckeyes win a national championship this season if they can win out the rest of the schedule.

Early Life and Recruitment

Downs grew up in Georgia and quickly emerged as a football phenom at Mill Creek High School. With his versatility, speed, and high football IQ, he was eventually rated a five-star recruit with offers from Alabama, Georgia, and Ohio State being three of the top suitors. Downs committed to Alabama in 2023 and immediately had a great freshman season, solidifying his standing as one of the best safeties in the nation.

Why Ohio State?

After one successful season with Alabama, Downs entered the transfer portal. His decision to join Ohio State was influenced by the strong defensive system at Ohio State and his desire to play a crucial role in its championship aspirations. “The culture and tradition here at Ohio State are unmatched,” Downs said when announcing his transfer. “I’m looking forward to being able … Read more at FryingPanSports

Ohio State Football: Latest Highlights and Insights

September 3, 2024 by Steven R

This season, Ohio State football has started off on the right note! The Buckeyes have made a statement with their victory against Akron which indicates what is probably going to be an exhilarating year. Let’s explore some of the most recent team highlights and opinions.

Takeaways from the Press Conference

On Tuesday, Coach Ryan Day held a press conference where he shared his views about how the team performed. He said that despite their victory by 52-6 against their opponents; it is important to note that there is always room for improvement. “We need to stay focused and keep pushing ourselves,” he said. Isn’t it refreshing to see a coach who never settles for less?

Players of the Game

Following the Akron game, Ohio State announced three standout players:

Will Howard (Quarterback): Even though his start was slow, Howard was very much in control of his game in the field completing 17 passes out of 28 attempts for 228 yards and three touchdowns.
Lathan Ransom (Safety): Ransom was defensively ubiquitous, accounting for nine tackles and one fumble recovery that went for a touchdown.
Brandon Inniss (Special Teams): On special teams, Inniss had four punt returns

… Read more at FryingPanSports

Ohio State Buckeyes Add Buffalo Bulls Punter Transfer Tony Venneri

May 12, 2024 by Steven R

The Ohio State Buckeyes only have one scholarship punter on the roster, but there will be competition this off-season. On Sunday, replacement punter Tony Venneri – who most recently played for the Buffalo Bulls – announced his commitment to the Buckeyes.

Veneri, who was Buffalo’s starting punter the past two years, averaged an 43.96 yards per punt in 2023, ranking 30th in the FBS in punting average notably -Broke his own single-season school record for average, earning Freshman All-American honors from the FWAA. The 6-foot, 225-pound punter from Hamilton, Ont., brings valuable experience to Ohio State as he enters a three-way race for the starting punting job with his competitors of red shirt freshman Joe McGuire and incoming freshman Nick McLarty , who at the moment is the only scholarship punter on the roster.

With Venneri’s commitment, the Buckeyes are poised to strengthen their special teams unit. As the hard work begins, fans eagerly await the upcoming season, hoping to see Venneri’s booming punts in the scarlet and gray. #GoBuckeyes!… Read more at FryingPanSports