Former Ohio State Star Kelsey Mitchell is On A Record-Setting WNBA Scoring Run

Dan Hope — Wednesday, August 12, 2026 - 11:25

No player in WNBA history has ever had a more consistent scoring stretch in a single season than Kelsey Mitchell has had over her last 17 games.

The former Ohio State star has scored at least 20 points in each of her last 17 games, breaking the previous WNBA record of 15 straight 20-point games in a single season by A’ja Wilson in 2023.

Mitchell is currently on a run of seven straight games with at least 26 points, including a 28-point game on Tuesday night in which she scored 20 before halftime.

For the season as a whole, Mitchell has averaged 24.3 points per game, the second-most in the league behind Wilson. She’s led the Indiana Fever to a 21-12 record, including a 12-5 run during her 17-game streak, ranking them fourth in the WNBA standings.

The all-time leading scorer in Ohio State history, Mitchell needs three more 20-point games to match Wilson’s overall record for the most consecutive 20-point regular-season games in WNBA history, which she set between the 2023 and 2024 seasons.

Skull Session: Cris Carter Sees a Gold Jacket in Jeremiah Smith’s Future, Seth McLaughlin’s Time Has Come in the NFL and Bradley Robinson Earns His Doctorate From Ohio State

Chase Brown — Wednesday, August 12, 2026 - 04:55

Welcome to the Skull Session.

Oh, man.

Bryce Underwood and Kyle Whittingham are the perfect pair.

They’re perfect for each other. pic.twitter.com/oZm0M8KN3H
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) August 12, 2026

Have a good Wednesday.

DESTINED FOR A GOLD JACKET. Cris Carter had me on the edge of my seat.

During an appearance on The Rich Eisen Show, Carter told Eisen — a well-documented, well-known Michigan Man — that he expects greatness from Jeremiah Smith this season.

“Before I let you go, how good is Jeremiah Smith?” Eisen asked at the end of the interview.

“Heisman Trophy,” Carter said.

I love to hear it.

Simple and sweet.

That’s all I need to kn—

“And guess what?” Carter continued.

I leaned forward.

"Heisman Trophy. ... I expect him to be the third gold jacket that I've been associated with and have had a role in their life."

Cris Carter describes how good Ohio State WR Jeremiah Smith is on the @RichEisenShow pic.twitter.com/RjaZDCqI08
— ESPN College Football (@ESPNCFB) August 10, 2026

“I sent him the video Saturday morning and to the receiver coach (Cortez Hankton) that I expect him to be the third gold jacket that I’ve been associated with and had a role in their life, in that being Larry Fitzgerald, that being Randy Moss and JJ. I expect it,” Carter said. “And I mean business. Like, that is his genetic ceiling. He’s a combination of Calvin Johnson and Julio Jones, and the disposition like Larry. Like, he’s a problem. Only one more time for Michigan, but he gon’ be a problem in the National Football League.”

It’s one thing for an Average Joe to claim Smith is a future Pro Football Hall of Famer. It’s another thing entirely when someone already enshrined in Canton says it.

Carter knows what greatness looks like. He was great. He helped Fitzgerald and Moss become great. And now, he’s helping Smith become great.

Someday, just as he did for Fitzgerald last week when the former Pitt and Arizona Cardinals wide receiver became a first-ballot Hall of Famer, maybe we’ll watch Carter place a gold jacket on Smith.

Wouldn’t that be something?

“HE DID A GOOD JOB.” It’s Seth McLaughlin’s time to shine.

The former Ohio State center and Rimington Trophy winner went undrafted in 2025 due to an Achilles tear suffered during the Buckeyes’ championship season. After beginning his NFL career with the Cincinnati Bengals, McLaughlin signed with the Detroit Lions ahead of the 2026 season. Following an injury to starting center Cade Mays, McLaughlin could have an opportunity to start for the foreseeable future.

Thrust into the fire with the ones during Monday’s practice, McLaughlin performed well, impressing veteran quarterback Jared Goff with his intuition.

“He did a good job, man,” Goff said, via Richard Silva of The Detroit News. “He stepped in there, he was good, authority with his calls, he was sharp, he was decisive. I think that’s all you can ask for. You’re gonna make mistakes. Things are gonna happen. But he was decisive and he was quick and commanded the huddle well.”

McLaughlin reflected on his journey to the NFL while describing his experience at practice.

“I haven’t been given anything,” he said. “I’ve tried to earn my opportunities here just like I have everywhere I’ve been.”

Bengals UDFA Seth McLaughlin vs. Iowa pic.twitter.com/uxhJ77431q
— Bengals & Brews (@BengalsBrews) May 4, 2025

One of McLaughlin’s assignments as the Lions’ starter is blocking his Ohio State teammate, Tyleik Williams, in practice. The two have been good friends dating back to their time in Columbus.

“We go through some of the reps, ‘Hey, this is what I felt on this, this is what I did when you did that.’ It’s a good chess match,” McLaughlin said of the duels. “He’s definitely helping me get better.”

McLaughlin said he’s willing to do whatever it takes to make an impact for the Lions this season. That could mean serving as the No. 1 center, a backup on the interior offensive line or even a blocker for field goals and punts.

Give him a bit of truth serum, however, and I think McLaughlin would pick the first option.

“We get a ton of reps through OTAs and a ton of reps in camp, more so than probably other places,” he said. “I feel like going from not with the ones to the ones, I’ve gotten a lot of reps to keep getting better at football throughout the camp. I’m ready to keep going.”

THEY’RE CALLED DOCTORS. Thanks, Bradley Robinson. You have given me the perfect reason to quote Tommy Boy in the Skull Session.

“A lot of people go to college for seven years.”

“I know, they’re called doctors.”

Former Ohio State long snapper Bradley Robinson earned his fourth degree (!) from the university last weekend, officially becoming a doctor with a specialty in kinesiology and exercise science.

Robinson played at Ohio State for six seasons from 2017-22, earning Academic All-Big Ten honors in all six years and winning the Rose Bowl Game Scholar-Athlete award in 2021. During his time as a Buckeye, he earned two bachelor’s degrees in human nutrition science and human development and family studies in 2021, followed by a master’s degree in exercise physiology in 2022.

Following his college football career, Robinson chose to pursue his doctorate, which he completed this summer and celebrated on Sunday.

9 years at The Ohio State University, 4 rings, 4 degrees, pretty good numbers if you ask me. So blessed for everything this place has brought me, massive shoutout to my family, friends and the @OhioStateFB family for all the support. Excited for whats next, Go Bucks! pic.twitter.com/ryHu9cIN5z
— Bradley Robinson, PhD (@BRobinson_42) August 10, 2026

Robinson deserves plenty of praise for his accomplishments, but especially when you consider where he’s from: Troy, Michigan. He may be the only person on the planet — maybe ever? — to call the state up north home while holding four degrees from Ohio State.

Regardless, well done, Dr. Robinson. Well done.

WHAT’S THE PRICE? ESPN’s Max Olson released an article this week sharing information from more than 12 general managers and front-office staffers, as well as more than 12 agents, on how much players at each position cost in today’s college football.

The answer?

A lot of money.

While the ranges don’t capture what every player is making at the Power 4 level — dudes like Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith are outliers — Olson found some good ballparks. And those ballparks indicate business is boomin’ for college football players (and their agents) as teams build $40 million rosters to compete for a national championship.

2026 Prices

Quarterbacks: $1 million to $3 million
Running backs: $300,000 to $800,000
Wide receivers: $400,000 to $1 million
Tight ends: $300,000 to $600,000
Offensive tackles: $600,000 to $1.2 million
Interior offensive linemen: $400,000 to $800,000
Defensive ends: $500,000 to $1.2 million
Defensive tackles: $500,000 to $1 million
Linebackers: $300,000 to $700,000
Cornerbacks: $400,000 to $900,000
Safeties: $300,000 to $900,000
Kickers: $50,000 to $200,000
Punters: $50,000 to $150,000
Long snappers: $10,000 to $50,000

How much did those prices increase from 2025?

Let’s look back at Olson’s article from last August.

2025 Prices

Quarterbacks: $1 million to $2 million
Running backs: $300,000 to $700,000
Wide receivers: $400,000 to $800,000
Tight ends: $200,000 to $400,000
Offensive tackles: $500,000 to $1 million
Interior offensive linemen: $300,000 to $700,000
Defensive ends: $500,000 to $1 million
Defensive tackles: $300,000 to $800,000
Linebackers: $200,000 to $500,000
Cornerbacks: $300,000 to $800,000
Safeties: $300,000 to $700,000
Kickers: N/A
Punters: N/A
Long snappers: N/A

2025 is nice.

2026 is nicer.

But 2027 will be the nicest.

And then 2028, 2029, 2030…

SONG OF THE DAY. "Smooth Operator" - Sade.

CUT TO THE CHASE. Britain’s Andy Green sets another speed record, this time in a hydrogen-powered car... Storm flips over car on I-71 in Columbus... Neil Armstrong's childhood home in Ohio is for sale... High school football player finds venomous snake inside helmet he was wearing... Spotify to slap "AI Persona" badges on AI-generated artist profiles.

Carson Hinzman Doesn’t Want to Take Anything for Granted in Final Season at Ohio State

Dan Hope — Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - 20:04

From the moment he announced his return to Ohio State for his fifth-year senior season, Carson Hinzman has leaned into his status as the old man on the Buckeyes’ offensive line.

He announced his return to Ohio State by sharing a video in which he superimposed his face over the face of an old man playing chess. Throughout the offseason, Hinzman has playfully referred to himself as “Unc,” noting that he is now four years older than many of his Ohio State teammates.

View this post on Instagram

A post shared by Carson Hinzman (@carson_hinzman)

As one of just three remaining members of Ohio State’s 2022 recruiting class (along with defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. and tight end Bennett Christian), Hinzman – who turned 22 in January – can’t help but feel his age in a locker room where many of his teammates are only 18.

“We're like The Last of the Mohicans out here,” Hinzman quipped.

That said, Hinzman is in no hurry for his Ohio State career to be over. In fact, as Hinzman volunteered at last month’s Special Skills Football Invitational – the fifth time he’s volunteered at that event – he said he was already starting to miss Ohio State before preseason camp even started.

“I don't even want to think about it too much and get emotional,” Hinzman said. “I already miss this place, and I'm still here. I love being a Buckeye, I'll still be a Buckeye when I'm gone.”

In particular, Hinzman is cherishing the opportunity to play one more season in front of Ohio State fans. Hinzman recently saw a video of a speech by former Auburn coach Hugh Freeze to his team in which he said the team should be motivated by playing for the family who “saved all freaking year long just to buy a ticket to climb to the top of that stadium and watch your tail play,” and that message resonated with the fifth-year Buckeye.

“I think nothing describes Buckeye Nation more than that,” Hinzman said. “People absolutely love the Buckeyes, people that just come out just to wave hi to you … I think it's important to be able to give back to those people who have worked so hard just to come support us in what we do.”

Hinzman says it’s “bittersweet” to be entering his final season as a Buckeye. But that’s all the more motivation for Hinzman – as well as how last season ended for Ohio State’s offensive line, as the Buckeyes gave up five sacks in each of their postseason losses to Indiana and Miami – to finish his career strong and lead Ohio State’s offensive line to a successful season in 2026.

“I think it's important to be able to give back to those people who have worked so hard just to come support us in what we do.”– Carson Hinzman on giving his all for Buckeye Nation

He’ll be doing so alongside two other offensive linemen, left guard Luke Montgomery and left tackle/right guard Austin Siereveld, who are now entering their fourth year as Buckeyes, plus another returning starter in Phillip Daniels. And Hinzman believes that continuity, along with the ups and downs they’ve experienced together as Buckeyes, will lead to success and drive them forward this season.

“I think bond comes from shared experience. And I think we've had a lot of ups and downs, obviously, kind of coming off of last year not how we wanted to as an offensive line,” Hinzman said. “So I think for us to come out and prove something to not only Buckeye Nation and the entire country, but to ourselves, is really important.”

Being four years older than some of his teammates may make Hinzman feel old, but it also gives him perspective as he works to continue honing his craft to put himself in the best position possible to excel on the field for the Buckeyes in his final season.

“Being a young guy to now, there's always something more to work on ... there's always so much to work on. And so for me, I still have the same mentality as I did last year and the year before that, to continue to try to get better,” Hinzman said. “And so I think this year has been very similar in the aspect of continuing to grow personally, and then not only personally, but all the guys on the team, all the guys in the whole line have really been really great about getting to be a very cohesive group. And so it's pretty fun to be able to go out there in a couple weeks and show what we've been cooking up.”

Michigan Quarterback Bryce Underwood Says Ohio State Game is “Just Another Game With Guys in A Different Color”

Dan Hope — Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - 17:50

To Bryce Underwood, The Game is just another game.

In an interview with NBC Sports’ John Fanta that Fanta posted to X on Monday, Underwood was asked what makes Michigan’s rivalry game with Ohio State different than any other game he’s played in. His answer: It’s not actually different at all.

“It's just another game with guys in a different color,” Underwood said. “That's how I see it.”

Excited for college football to be back in our lives. Less than 3 weeks away from kickoff so it's time for some preseason content.

Bryce Underwood's mindset: "To be the best." His goal in Ann Arbor: "To win the national championship."

My @NBCSports 1-on-1 with the Michigan QB: pic.twitter.com/RIu9Tgg0hQ
— John Fanta (@John_Fanta) August 10, 2026

Earlier in the interview, Underwood said it’s “a blessing” to play in The Game, describing it as a “very physical” game. But Underwood, who said his vision for this season is for Michigan to win the national championship, said his approach to The Game won’t be any different than any other game the Wolverines play.

“My goal is to be 1-0 every day,” Underwood said when asked if last year’s loss to Ohio State drives him. “Saturdays, I want to be 1-0. Sundays, I want to be 1-0. Mondays, I want to be 1-0. That's what drives me.”

Underwood’s first game against Ohio State last year didn’t go well. The then-freshman quarterback completed only eight of 18 passing attempts for 63 yards with zero touchdowns and one interception in Michigan’s 27-9 loss to the Buckeyes. When asked by Fanta what happened in that game, Underwood’s answer was brief and blunt.

“I lost,” Underwood said. “That’s all it is.”

Underwood gave a similarly short answer when asked about what happened against Ohio State last year in his interview session with the media at-large at Big Ten Media Days, though he did credit Ohio State’s defense for playing a great game.

“Great team, for sure. Showed a lot of great looks. So I’m glad I got to face them,” Underwood said.

Underwood’s comments came at the same Big Ten Media Days where his head coach Kyle Whittingham said he didn’t think the Michigan/Ohio State rivalry should be fueled by hatred, saying, “I don’t think there’s any room for that personally.” Asked about those comments at a press conference on Monday, Whittingham said he wants to beat Ohio State “worse than anybody around,” but indicated that he still didn’t want to lean into the rivalry hatred factor.

“Will we have a better chance to win if I hated them? I don't understand,” Whittingham said.

Underwood’s description of The Game as “just another game” also came in stark contrast with what Ohio State quarterback Julian Sayin said when asked about The Game in an interview with On3’s Andy Staples and Ari Wasserman that was published Tuesday.

“You learn very quickly when you get here, you learn the history of that game and how important it is to this fan base, and it becomes your livelihood,” Sayin said. “(Losing The Game) is definitely not a feeling that you ever want to go through.”

NEW: Ohio State's Julian Sayin tells @AndyAriOn3 losing to Michigan is an experience you never want to go through:

"It becomes your livelihood." pic.twitter.com/yAC3HNskwR
— On3 (@On3) August 11, 2026

Payton Pierce “Super Grateful” for Opportunity to Play Middle Linebacker and Wear Green Dot, Lead Ohio State’s Linebackers

Lyle Alenstein — Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - 13:12

Payton Pierce patiently saw an uptick in snaps over his first two seasons at Ohio State. Now, with Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese off to the NFL, Pierce is in line for a bigger role not only as a player, but as a leader.

"When I came here, it was my goal to be a captain and be a leader of this team," Pierce said Thursday. "So every decision I make is kind of towards that, doing what's best for the team and trying to be the best leader I can every day."

While captains have yet to be announced, Pierce is certainly in the conversation. But regardless of if he's selected for it, he takes "full pride" into being a voice and person that teammates can follow.

Pierce believes part of that comes with the position he plays.

“I think that's kind of a role of a middle linebacker. So I'm super grateful for it. I think I'm pretty ready.”– Payton Pierce on being a leader at middle linebacker

During his freshman year in 2024, he appeared in 12 games totaling four total tackles, with his role coming on special teams. Last season, he saw more burn as a linebacker, seeing the gridiron in all 14 games, garnering 44 total tackles, one interception, one fumble recovery, one forced fumble and a pass deflection as Ohio State’s No. 3 linebacker.

If all goes according to plan, those numbers will shoot up with Styles and Reese gone. But the stats aren't going to be the only thing that changes for Pierce, as he's been tasked with wearing the green-dot helmet as Ohio State’s Mike linebacker this season.

"I love it. I like being in control. I've waited my turn for this, and I think I'm ready for it," Pierce said of wearing the green dot. "I'm super excited. The coaches have done a great job of putting in good play calls for us and building the defense. I'm ready to go out there, get everyone lined up and go out there and ball out."

As far as if there's been an adjustment for the defense hearing Pierce's voice, defensive end Kenyatta Jackson Jr. said Friday there's “no difference.”

Jackson said Pierce is carrying himself the way an Ohio State linebacker should.

“With Payton, because he's been here for so long, he knows the standard here, he knows the culture here,” Jackson said.

Styles wore the green dot for Ohio State last year, and while he's now suiting up for the Washington Commanders, Pierce learned a great deal from his predecessor and is adapting that into his new responsibility.

"I think Sonny did a really good job of taking things one day at a time, and one play at a time, not worried about the next," Pierce said. "I feel like that's what the best linebackers here do, is they don't worry about what just happened. They don't worry about the next play. They worry about getting the guys lined up on that play and doing everything they can that play to maximize it. He was super present in the moment and knew how to do that. That's kind of what I've taken from him and trying to do that every day."

It's a new role, new accountabilities and a new season for Pierce, but entering his junior campaign, he's champing at the bit to get going.

“I've worked my whole life towards it,” Pierce said. “I'm super excited for it.”

2026 Black Stripe Tracker: Running Backs Ja'Kobi Jackson, Stanley Jackson Jr. Are First Buckeyes to Lose Black Stripes in Preseason Camp

Dan Hope — Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - 12:56

There will be no shortage of black stripe removals for Ohio State in 2026.

After adding over 51 new players this offseason, nearly half of Ohio State’s players started this spring sporting black stripes on their helmets. Each new Ohio State player will have to prove to the coaching staff through their performance in practice that they are ready to compete at the Ohio State standard, and will have their black stripes removed when the coaches feel they‘ve earned the right to “officially” be a Buckeye.

Thirteen new Ohio State players had their black stripes removed this spring: Wide receivers Kyle Parker, Brock Boyd, Devin McCuin and Chris Henry Jr., tight ends Mason Williams and Hunter Welcing, defensive tackles James Smith and John Walker, linebacker Christian Alliegro, defensive end Qua Russaw, cornerback Dominick Kelly and safeties Earl Little Jr and Terry Moore. All of them are transfers except Boyd, who became the third-fastest freshman to lose his stripe ever by having his removed after just six practices, and Henry.

Following Ohio State’s fifth practice of preseason camp, running backs Ja'Kobi Jackson and Stanley Jackson Jr. were the first Buckeyes of August to lose their black stripes.

We’re tracking all of the Buckeye black stripe removals below.

Black Stripe Removals

AUGUST 11, 2026

Stanley Jackson Jr.

Stanley Jackson Jr., the son of former Ohio State quarterback Stanley Jackson, joined fellow running back Ja’Kobi Jackson as one of the first two players to have his black stripes removed in preseason camp.

The Lock Boyz are on a roll, adding another to the Brotherhood ‼️Welcome, @StanJackson04 pic.twitter.com/9lM1k0ddSE
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 11, 2026

A walk-on running back in his second year at Ohio State, Jackson has not yet played in a game for the Buckeyes. Even so, director of player development C.J. Barnett described his black stripe removal as “way overdue.”

“This guy is one of the best teammates you have,” Barnett said of Jackson before removing his stripe. “Works hella hard, hella hard.”

AUGUST 11, 2026

Ja'Kobi Jackson

Ja’Kobi Jackson was the first Buckeye to shed his black stripe during this year’s preseason camp.

The Lock Boyz adding a Versatile Back to the room‼️Welcome, @24JJACK pic.twitter.com/d1Eanpc1bw
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) August 11, 2026

Jackson started his collegiate career at Coahoma Community College in Mississippi, where he played three seasons before spending three at Florida. He then transferred to Ohio State in the winter for his seventh and final year of eligibility.

In the three practices open to the media, Jackson excelled as a pass catcher out of the backfield. He will likely provide depth behind Bo Jackson and Isaiah West in Ohio State’s running back room, while Legend Bey also pushes to make an impact during his first year with the Buckeyes.

APRIL 15, 2026

Chris Henry Jr.

The highest-ranked recruit in Ohio State’s 2026 freshman class was the second member of the class to have his black stripe removed as Henry, the No. 14 overall prospect in the class, had his stripe removed following the Buckeyes’ 13th practice of the spring.

Zone 6 adds a Physical Specimen with all the tools to be great to the room, Welcome @ChrisHenryJr pic.twitter.com/XRf4UJksxA
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 15, 2026

“The hype is real on this guy,” director of player development C.J. Barnett said while removing his black stripe. “He’s a physical specimen and makes plays all over the field. Just throw the ball up, and he’s going to get it.”

Henry joins fellow wide receiver Brock Boyd as the first two Ohio State freshmen to lose their black stripe in 2026.

APRIL 13, 2026

Hunter Welcing

Former Northwestern tight end Hunter Welcing became the 12th player this spring to have his black stripe removed following Ohio State’s 12th practice of 2026.

Physicality, Toughness and Talent are making waves in the TE room with the newest addition Welcome, @hunter_welcing pic.twitter.com/tDQerItYHK
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 13, 2026

Welcing is the second transfer tight end to officially become a Buckeye this offseason, joining Ohio’s Mason Williams. Welcing arrived at Ohio State after spending six years with the Wildcats and is coming off a career season in 2026, recording 28 receptions for 296 yards and two touchdowns while earning honorable mention All-Big Ten honors.

APRIL 13, 2026

Terry Moore

Former Duke safety Terry Moore became the 11th player of the spring to have his black stripe removed following Ohio State’s 12th practice of 2026.

Talk about a Ball Hawk in the secondary, BIA just got a whole lot better Welcome, @TerryMoore02 pic.twitter.com/PxO4N9F9Jb
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 13, 2026

Moore enters his redshirt senior season fresh off an ACL injury that cost him his entire 2025 campaign. He starred for Duke in 2024, however, earning second-team All-ACC honors after racking up 71 tackles, seven tackles for loss, four interceptions, six pass breakups, two forced fumbles and a sack. He's currently battling with redshirt sophomore Leroy Roker III to start at safety alongside Jaylen McClain and Earl Little Jr.

APRIL 10, 2026

Dominick Kelly

Former Georgia cornerback Dominick Kelly became the 10th player of the spring to have his black stripe removed following Ohio State’s 11th practice of 2026.

BIA just added a Lockdown corner to the room, excited for what he brings in the fall Welcome, @D_Lock23 pic.twitter.com/UOneEd9IEi
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 10, 2026

A sophomore who had three tackles and three pass breakups in 61 defensive snaps as a true freshman at Georgia, Kelly is competing with fellow offseason transfer addition Cam Calhoun and true freshmen Jay Timmons and Jordan Thomas to be Ohio State’s top backup cornerback this season. Losing his black stripe before the rest of them signals Kelly could be the early frontrunner in the competition to be Ohio State’s No. 3 cornerback behind Jermaine Mathews Jr. and Devin Sanchez.

APRIL 8, 2026

Mason Williams

Williams, an Ohio University transfer, became the first of Ohio State’s two transfer tight ends to have his black stripe removed in 2026 following the Buckeyes’ 10th practice of the spring.

The Buckeyes adding a high motor TE to the Brotherhood, Welcome @WilliamsMason87 pic.twitter.com/9DBEDAW74e
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 8, 2026

The stripe removal came just two days after Ryan Day praised Williams and fellow transfer tight end Hunter Welcing in a press conference.

“Bringing in Mason Williams and Hunter at tight end with (returning sophomore Nate Roberts), they're not perfect at all, but they're grinding at it. And they're working at it. And I think those guys at tight end have shown up. Especially in the pass game, just seeing them make a lot more plays maybe than we've seen in the past.”

APRIL 8, 2026

John Walker

Walker became the seventh member of Ohio State’s 2026 transfer class when he had his black stripe removed following the Buckeyes’ 10th practice of the spring.

R2X just added a MONSTER in the middle, welcome to the Brotherhood @55problems__ pic.twitter.com/SOpQGthbeq
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 8, 2026

Walker is the second straight defensive tackle to have his black stripe removed this spring, losing his just two practices after Alabama transfer James Smith. Walker and Smith are competing with returning defensive tackles Eddrick Houston and Will Smith Jr., the Buckeyes’ second-string DTs in 2025, for starting jobs in 2026.

APRIL 4, 2026

James Smith

James Smith became the sixth 2026 transfer to lose his black stripe on Saturday.

Following Ohio State's Student Appreciation Day practice, the Alabama transfer defensive tackle officially became a Buckeye. He joins his former Crimson Tide teammate, Qua Russaw, as the second defensive line transfer to add scarlet to his helmet this spring.

R2X adds some toughness & attitude in the middle, Welcome to the Brotherhood @BigKong57 pic.twitter.com/UkUVnht8Vc
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 4, 2026

Last month, Smith said he transferred to Ohio State because he wanted "a new start" in his college football career. He said two-time unanimous All-American Caleb Downs sold him on becoming a Buckeye – and that everything Downs said about OSU has been true so far.

“Caleb Downs is like my brother. I talk to him almost every day," Smith said. "He wanted me to come here very bad.”

APRIL 4, 2026

Devin McCuin

Devin McCuin became the fifth 2026 transfer to lose his black stripe on Saturday.

Following Ohio State's Student Appreciation Day practice, the UTSA transfer wide receiver officially became a Buckeye. He joins former LSU pass catcher Kyle Parker as the second WR to add scarlet to his helmet this spring.

Zone 6 is adding elite SPEED to the room, Welcome @DevinMccuin1 pic.twitter.com/N37inrYhCN
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 4, 2026

McCuin transferred to Ohio State following three years in San Antonio. He comes to the Buckeyes with career totals of 152 receptions, 1,696 receiving yards and 16 touchdowns. He recorded a career-high 65 catches for 726 yards and eight scores in 2025.

“Just a great kid, extremely coachable, wants to be great, but has elite speed,” wide receiver coach Cortez Hankton said last week. “If you watch his tape, when he gets the ball, he is truly exceptional in terms of accelerating after the catch.”

APRIL 2, 2026

Qua Russaw

Qua Russaw became the fourth 2026 transfer to lose his black stripe on Thursday.

The veteran defensive end arrived at Ohio State alongside fellow Alabama transfers James Smith and Cam Calhoun, and he beat both the defensive tackle and cornerback in becoming an “official” Buckeye.

A QBs nightmare is the newest addition to the Rushmen, Welcome @QuaRussaw pic.twitter.com/3uFXzaSVIp
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) April 2, 2026

Speaking Tuesday, Ryan Day said Russaw has quickly acclimated to Larry Johnson’s defensive line room as he competes with Zion Grady and Beau Atkinson for the starting spot opposite Kenyatta Jackson Jr. at defensive end.

“I think you're seeing Qua Russaw really make an impact out there. He flashed a few times today, made a couple of sacks on third down,” Day said. “That’s a position where we’re really going to need some production this year.”

MARCH 31, 2026

Christian Alliegro

Christian Alliegro became the third transfer of 2026 to lose his black stripe on Tuesday, Ryan Day said during his press conference.

The LB Room adds THOR to the Brotherhood, Welcome @ChristianAllie7 pic.twitter.com/n59BhXESPh
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) March 31, 2026

The Wisconsin transfer linebacker is the frontrunner to start at Will linebacker this season alongside Payton Pierce. He recorded 53 tackles with eight tackles for loss, four sacks and a pass breakup for the Badgers in 2025.

MARCH 31, 2026

Brock Boyd

Despite being a three-star recruit who was ranked as just the No. 729 overall prospect in the 2026 recruiting class, Brock Boyd became the first freshman to lose his black stripe this spring after just six practices as a Buckeye, Ryan Day revealed during his Tuesday press conference.

The kid from TX has that IT factor, Zone 6 keeps adding to the list Welcome, @BrockBoyd_2 pic.twitter.com/FT0qSCmaXy
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) March 31, 2026

Boyd has drawn consistent praise from his coaches and teammates in his first spring at Ohio State and appears to be making a real push for immediate playing time despite his meager recruiting ranking.

“This is somebody who knows how to run a route,” Day said. “He's serious about it. He can play multiple positions. And he's productive. His dad's a receiver coach, and he plays that way. But he's got quick twitch. He can change direction. He's got strong hands. I'm excited to see where his career goes. But he's off to a great start.”

MARCH 28, 2026

Earl Little Jr.

Little Jr. joined Parker in officially becoming a Buckeye on Saturday. The former All-ACC safety arrived in Columbus after two years at Alabama and two years at Florida State. He has recorded 93 tackles with three tackles for loss, one sack, four interceptions and two pass breakups across 35 career games.

BIA just added a PLAYMAKING Safety, welcome to the Brotherhood, @EarlLittleJr1 pic.twitter.com/bjYHIZDijT
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) March 28, 2026

Little Jr. is one of two transfers the Buckeyes brought in at safety, along with former Duke defensive back Terry Moore. Little Jr. is expected to play nickel for the Buckeyes, while Moore is projected as a free safety.

MARCH 28, 2026

Kyle Parker

Parker’s status as the first Buckeye to have his black stripe removed this spring was revealed by Ohio State wide receivers coach Cortez Hankton during an interview session after Ohio State’s fifth practice of the spring.

Zone 6 adds a Fast & Physical Baller to the room. Welcome, @realkp4_ pic.twitter.com/SohsEE4MH8
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) March 28, 2026

The stripe removal made Hankton think of another former wide receiver at LSU, Kyren Lacy, who died by suicide last April.

“To see KP, who was like a brother to Kyren, taking that black stripe off, man, it was really just fun and heartwarming to watch, because I know that dude would be smiling for him,” Hankton said. “I can see them dancing in the corner and celebrating. And it's days like today that truly lets you take the perspective of being thankful and grateful to be in this position to coach.”

Parker, a redshirt junior, is competing for a starting wide receiver job at Ohio State this spring after catching 31 passes for 330 yards and four touchdowns at LSU in 2025. His achievement of losing his black stripe before any other player this spring suggests his quest to earn that job – or at least a significant spot in the rotation – is off to a great start.

Ohio State’s 2026 Black Stripe Removals
Player	Pos	Year	Date
KYLE PARKER	WR	SENIOR	MARCH 28
EARL LITTLE JR.	S	FIFTH-YEAR SENIOR	MARCH 28
BROCK BOYD	WR	FRESHMAN	MARCH 31
CHRISTIAN ALLIEGRO	LB	SENIOR	MARCH 31
QUA RUSSAW	DE	SENIOR	APRIL 2
DEVIN MCCUIN	WR	SENIOR	APRIL 4
JAMES SMITH	DT	SENIOR	APRIL 4
JOHN WALKER	DT	SENIOR	APRIL 8
MASON WILLIAMS	TE	SENIOR	APRIL 8
DOMINICK KELLY	CB	SOPHOMORE	APRIL 10
TERRY MOORE	S	FIFTH-YEAR SENIOR	APRIL 13
HUNTER WELCING	TE	SEVENTH-YEAR SENIOR	APRIL 13
CHRIS HENRY JR.	WR	FRESHMAN	APRIL 15
JA'KOBI JACKSON	RB	SEVENTH-YEAR SENIOR	AUG. 11
STANLEY JACKSON JR.	RB	JUNIOR	AUG. 11

Be sure to check out our Black Stripe Tradition page to see the history of Ohio State’s black stripe removals from 2012, when the tradition started, all the way through today.

Kyle Whittingham Still Not Leaning Into Ohio State-Michigan Rivalry Hatred: “Will We Have a Better Chance to Win If I Hated Them? I Don't Understand”

Lyle Alenstein — Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - 09:11

Kyle Whittingham was asked again Monday about his Ohio State-Michigan comments from Big Ten Media days.

Two weeks after saying there's no room for hatred in The Game, where Whittingham stated “I don’t think there’s any place for that personally," he indicated that he still doesn’t hate Ohio State on Monday, but clarified that he wants to beat the Buckeyes “worse than anybody around.”

"Will we have a better chance to win if I hated them? I don't understand," Whittingham said. "Whatever gives us the best chance to win, I’m all for. I want to beat them worse than anybody around. I don't know how that got to be such a hot topic."

He was then asked what he will do specifically to emphasize The Game as Michigan’s head coach.

“There's periods in practice segments or things in the weight room that's talked about,” Whittingham said. “We've got the countdown clocks. I'm not trying to downplay that at all. It's a huge game, gigantic. It's something that we all have in the back of our mind 24-7. I probably should have worded it differently, but that game is of the utmost importance.”

Whittingham worked under former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer for the 2003 and 2004 seasons as Utah’s defensive coordinator before becoming the Utes’ head coach when Meyer left for Florida. Whittingham said at Big Ten Media Days that he and Meyer frequently discussed The Game during Meyer’s tenure at Ohio State. Whittingham also said he knows Ryan Day “casually” after the Utes lost to Ohio State in the 2022 Rose Bowl, 48-45.

Time will tell if Whittingham's stance changes after he partakes in The Game for the first time this year at noon on Nov. 28 at Ohio Stadium, but for now, he's comfortable with no hatred being injected into his veins.

“Just don't confuse that with a lack of desire to win The Game,” Whittingham said. “We obviously understand that — that is The Game. That's important.”

Ohio's Best Buckeyes By County: Southern and Southwest Ohio

Matt Gutridge — Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - 08:35

Last year, we scoured the country for Ohio State's best players by state. This year, we’re taking a deeper look into our great state and the best players from each county in Ohio. This four-part series breaks up the state into four segments and identifies the best players from Central, East/Northeast, West/Northwest and South/Southwest Ohio.

We finish the regional part of the series with the 26 counties in Southern Ohio that have produced players on an official Ohio State roster. To be exact, 467 Buckeyes are from Southern Ohio. We’ll focus on the best Ohio State players from each of those counties, as highlighted below, and share some other facts about Southern Ohio's finest players and schools.

Note: There are 26 counties in Southern Ohio, but Brown, Monroe and Morgan counties have not had a Buckeye listed on an official Ohio State roster.

County Info
Founded: 1831 Location: SW Seat: West Union

Adams (1 Player)

Best Player: RB Colby Staubs

Colby Staubs is the only player from this Southern Ohio county located on the Ohio River with 27,477 residents as of the 2020 census. Staubs graduated from Manchester High School and was on the Buckeyes' roster for the 2003 and 2004 seasons.

County Info
Founded: 1805 Location: SE Seat: Athens

Athens (6 Players)

Best Player: QB Joe Burrow

Bill Trautwein was a captain and All-Big Ten player for Ohio State's 1949 Big Ten title team, the squad that won the program's first Rose Bowl in January of 1950. However, he's not the best player from Athens County to make an Ohio State roster.

Although Joe Burrow didn't take many snaps as an Ohio State player, he was the most talented player to hail from the hills of Athens County. A broken hand in late August of 2017 denied Burrow an opportunity to become Ohio State's No. 2 quarterback. He left Columbus in the spring of 2018 after Dwayne Haskins won the starting job. He went on to lead LSU to a national championship in 2019 and was selected by the Cincinnati Bengals as the NFL's first overall draft pick in 2020.

Athens and Trimble are the only high schools in Athens County to get listed on an Ohio State official roster.

Cris Carter's enshrinement into the NFL Hall of Fame in 2013 (Adam Weber-Imagn Images).

County Info
Founded: 1803 Location: SW Seat: Hamilton

Butler (79 Players)

Best Player: WR Cris Carter

Cris Carter was Ohio State's first All-American at wide receiver and he left Ohio State with nine school records, which included being the career leader in receptions and touchdowns. Two years ago, the Middletown High School standout earned the most votes of any receiver in our Four Kings series.

Other notable players from Butler County were Merle Wendt, Paul Sarringhaus and Bob Grimes. Wendt of Middletown was a three-time All-American and three-time All-Big Ten player at end. Sarringhaus was Ohio State's All-American and All-Big Ten halfback on the school's first national championship team of 1942. Grimes, another Middie, was a standout end/receiver for the Buckeyes, who finished his career with 755 receiving yards between 1950 and 1952.

Since 2000, 18 players from Butler County have been Buckeyes, including Jalin Marshall, Solomon Thomas and 2002 national champion E.J. Underwood.

Austin Siereveld of Lakota East High School is the only player from Butler County on this year's roster.

The eight Butler County high schools to be listed on an official Ohio State roster are Badin, Hamilton, Lakota, Lakota East, Lakota West, Middletown, Ross and Trenton.

County Info
Founded: 1800 Location: SW Seat: Batavia

Clermont (1 Player)

Best Player: J.M. Patchell

J.M. Patchell of Batavia is the only player from Clermont County to be on an official Buckeye roster. In 1922, Ohio State did not list the players' high schools.

County Info
Founded: 1810 Location: SW Seat: Wilmington

Clinton (4 Players)

Best Player: WR Gary Williams

The Ohio State player with a school record of 48 straight games with at least one catch is Wilmington High School's Gary Williams. The 1982 captain led the Buckeyes in receiving during his junior and senior seasons. His 220 receiving yards against Florida State in 1981 stood as the Ohio State single-game record until 1995.

Billy Anders of Sabina, Ohio, was also a standout Buckeye from Clinton County. Anders was a captain of the 1967 season, had 12 catches against Washington in 1966 and finished his career with 55 receptions for 1,318 yards. Anders is likely the first Ohio State player to eclipse 1,000 receiving yards in a career and also the only Buckeye with such stats who did not know how to put on his equipment. Why didn't he know how? Anders never played football at Sabina High School, which is now East Clinton High School.

Sabina and Wilmington are the only high schools from Clinton County on an official Ohio State roster. G.C. Woods of Port William (1924) and James Rose (1932) were on the team, but their high schools were not provided.

County Info
Founded: 1810 Location: SW Seat: Washington C.H.

Fayette (8 Players)

Best Player: QB Art Schlichter

Miami Trace's Art Schlichter is the Shakespearean star to come from Fayette County. The signal-caller was one of Ohio State's most talented to play the position and left Columbus having rewritten the program’s passing record books. He was the No. 4 overall pick in the 1982 NFL draft, but his career was derailed by gambling addiction, leading to countless legal troubles that overshadowed his on-field accomplishments as a Buckeye.

Glen Cobb, a linebacker from Washington Court House, finished his Buckeye career fifth on the program's career all-time tackles list and is still in the top 10 today. Nathan Williams (2009-12) was the last player from Fayette County to suit up for Ohio State.

County Info
Founded: 1803 Location: Southern Seat: Gallipolis

Gallia (3 Players)

Best Player: OT Charley Hamrick

The third Ohio State football player ever selected in the NFL Draft was 1936 All-American and All-Big Ten player Charley Hamrick. The Lions selected him in the second round of the 1937 draft.

With Hamrick on the team, the Buckeyes were 19-5, including a 1935 Big Ten title and a 3-0 record against Michigan. The 1934 roster had his hometown as Bidwell, Ohio, but that was changed to Gallipolis for his junior and senior seasons.

Guard William Eachus (1964-66) and safety Bruce Smith (1969-70) are the other two players from Gallia on an official Ohio State roster. Smith was listed as playing for Gallia Academy.

County Info
Founded: 1803 Location: SW Seat: Xenia

Greene (18 Players)

Best Player: LB Doug Adams

Xenia High School's Doug Adams was a Super Soph and captain for the Buckeyes. Ohio State was 27-2 with Adams on the team and won national championships in 1968 and 1970 and two Big Ten titles.

Adams was selected by the Denver Broncos in the 1971 NFL Draft, but played his four seasons in the league with the Cincinnati Bengals. His life was cut short when he was struck by a car while he was cycling in 1997. Xenia High School's fitness center is named after Adams and has a display case in his honor.

Fullback Vaughn Broadnax blocked for Tim Spencer and Keith Byars, clearing the path for both to have stellar Buckeye careers. He also had a key block on Art Schlichter's game-winning touchdown run against Michigan in 1981. Broadnax finished his Ohio State career with over 1,000 yards of offense.

Gavin Thobe of Bellbrook is on the 2026 roster. Beavercreek, Bellbrook, and Xenia are the Greene County schools that have produced Buckeyes. (Note: Jim Borchers and Deron Brown are from Greene County but attended Kettering Alter and Centerville in Montgomery County. Since the players' hometowns are in Greene County, they are two of the 18 players from Greene.)

County Info
Founded: 1790 Location: SW Seat: Cincinnati

Hamilton (133 Players)

Best Player: OL Dave Foley

Dave Foley anchored the offensive line for Ohio State's 1968 national championship-winning team. He was a unanimous All-American and All-Big Ten player that season and was selected by the New York Jets in the first round of the 1969 NFL Draft. Foley edges out consensus All-American offensive tackle Paris Johnson Jr. and All-American teammate Mike Sensibaugh as Hamilton County's best Buckeye.

Other great Buckeyes from Hamilton County were Vinnie Clark, Drue Chrisman, Greg Frey, Ryan Hamby, Sam Hubbard, Thayer Munford, Rob Murphy, Ahmed Plummer, DeVier Posey, B.J. Sander and Carlos Snow.

Today, Jermaine Mathews Jr., Cam Calhoun, Phillip Daniels and Eli Riggs are the four players from Hamilton County on Ohio State's 2026 roster. (Note: Tate Johnson, Brandon Maupin, Thayer Munford and Jackson Kuwatch listed Cincinnati as their hometowns, but played high school football in different counties. Johnson (Lakota), Maupin (Lakota West) and Kuwatch (Lakota West) played in Butler County, and Munford played for Massillon Washington in Stark County.)

County Info
Founded: 1805 Location: SW Seat: Hillsboro

Highland (3 Players)

Best Player: QB/C Jimmy Hull

From Greenfield, Ohio, Jimmy Hull was on Ohio State's football team for the 1936 and 1937 seasons. He began his career listed as a center, but was a quarterback during his second and final year on the team. Hull left the football team and was on the basketball squad for two seasons.

Hull was a starter during his two seasons on the basketball team and was the team captain as a senior. He was an All-American for the 1938-39 season and led the Big Ten in scoring. Although the Buckeyes lost to Oregon in the first NCAA Basketball tournament, Hull was still named the tournament's Most Outstanding Player.

The other two players from Highland County were Howard Butler, a guard in 1922, and Lee Morehead, a tackle in 1962.

County Info
Founded: 1818 Location: SE Seat: Logan

Hocking (6 Players)

Best Player: K Josh Jackson

The six players from Hocking County are all from Logan. Josh Jackson, a Louisiana native, moved to Ohio during his senior season of high school, when he attended Logan High School. At the end of his Ohio State career, Jackson held the record for most extra points in a season, with 57 in 1995. He was also at the top of the list for consecutive extra points made in a season and field goal percentage for a career.

Brooks Burris was an offensive lineman for Ohio State during the 1994-98 seasons. He was a four-year letterman and the team won two Big Ten Championships, the Rose Bowl and Sugar Bowl during his time in Columbus.

Top 10 Southern Ohio Counties by Ohio State Players
COUNTY	PLAYERS	TOP PLAYERS
Hamilton	133	Dave Foley, Greg Frey, Paris Johnson Jr., Mike Sensibaugh
Montgomery	123	Keith Byars, Taylor Decker, A.J. Hawk, Nick Mangold, Dan Wilkinson
Butler	79	Cris Carter, Merle Wendt
Scioto	23	Leo Brown
Greene	18	Doug Adams, Vaugh Broadnax
Lawrence	16	Ken Fritz
Warren	16	Jake Ballard, Matt Keller, DJ Jones, Tim Williams
Fayette	8	Glen Cobb, Art Schlichter
Athens	6	Joe Burrow
Hocking	6	Brooks Burris, Josh Jackson

County Info
Founded: 1816 Location: SE Seat: Jackson

Jackson (5 Players)

Best Player: Harold Kruskamp

Running backs Harold Kruskamp and Dave Jones are Buckeyes from Jackson County who played at Ohio State in the 1920s and 1930s. Kruskamp was from Wellston and Jones was from Jackson. Terry Ervin was also from Wellston and he was a tackle for the 1966 and 1967 seasons. Jones got a letter in 1934, with Ervin getting his letters in 1966 and 1967. However, Kruskamp gets the nod as the county's best, as he earned three varsity football letters between 1926 and 1928.

Jackson High School's Ryan Seimetz is the latest player from Jackson County to play for the Buckeyes and is a freshman on this year's team.

1961 captain and national champion, Tom Perdue, graduated from Vinson High School in West Virginia, but he listed Wellston as his hometown during his senior season of 1961. Perdue was also an All-American baseball player for the Buckeyes.

County Info
Founded: 1817 Location: SE Seat: Ironton

Lawrence (16 Players)

Best Player: OG Ken Fritz

Named Ohio Lineman of the Year during his senior season at Ironton High School, Ken Fritz became an All-American honoree and two-time All-Big Ten player for Ohio State. He was on the Buckeyes between 1976-79 and was a point away from an undefeated and national championship season as a senior in 1979.

For all of his great accomplishments in an Ohio State uniform on the field, many identify Fritz with a photo taken of him and Woody Hayes off of the field. During the waning moments of the 1978 Gator Bowl, Fritz tried to keep Hayes at bay after the head coach had struck Clemson's Charlie Bauman. The picture depicts Hayes holding Fritz's face mask and the fiery coach's right hand is dropped in a position indicating he's about to throw a punch.

Although the photo indicates otherwise, Fritz always maintained that Hayes did not punch him and that Hayes was only trying to get loose. Fritz was selected by the Pittsburgh Steelers in the 1980 NFL Draft and passed away in February of this year.

The Buckeyes of Lawrence County came from the towns of Coal Grove, Ironton, Kitts Hill and Proctorville.

County Info
Founded: 1819 Location: SE Seat: Pomeroy

Meigs (3 Players)

Best Player: QB William "Tippy" Dye

The first Ohio State quarterback to beat Michigan in three consecutive games was Tippy Dye from Pomeroy, Ohio. The 5-6 Dye was Francis Schmidt's quarterback for the Buckeyes for the 1934, 1935 and 1936 seasons. With Dye at the helm, Ohio State defeated Michigan by a combined score of 93-0. Dye also played baseball and basketball for the Buckeyes. He was captain of the basketball team in 1937 and was given All-Big Ten honors twice.

The three-sport collegiate athlete played one season with the Cincinnati Bengals in 1937 before beginning his coaching career as the basketball coach for Grandview Heights High School. After a few years with the Bobcats and one season as Brown's head coach, Dye returned to Columbus in 1942 to serve as an assistant on the basketball team and Paul Brown's football staff.

Following the national championship season with the football team, Dye served in the Navy for three years during World War II. After the war, he was Ohio State's head basketball coach from 1946 through 1950 and then the head coach at Washington from 1950-59. After his coaching career, Dye was the athletic director at Wichita (1959-62), Nebraska (1962-67) and Northwestern (1967-74).

The other Buckeyes from Meigs County are Fred Crow and Mike Chancey. Crow, like Dye, was from Pomeroy and was in Columbus during the same time frame as Dye. Chancey was on the roster as a quarterback and linebacker for the 1986-89 seasons.

County Info
Founded: 1803 Location: SW Seat: Dayton

Montgomery (123 Players)

Best Player: RB Keith Byars

Montgomery County has been very good to Ohio State over the years. Talented players like Kurt Coleman, Marcus Freeman, A.J. Hawk, Leo Hayden, Nick Mangold, Braxton Miller, Mike Nugent, Chris Ward and Dan Wilkinson have donned the scarlet and gray. ESPN sportscaster Kirk Herbstreit played for Montgomery County's Centerville High School.

It was tough, but one player came out on top from Montgomery County and that player was Keith Byars.

Byars led the NCAA with 1,655 rushing yards and 22 rushing touchdowns in 1984, and he also had the most total yards from scrimmage (2,108), touchdowns (24) and points scored (144). The two-time Big Ten MVP and All-American should also have another title to his name and that's being a Heisman Trophy winner, though he was snubbed for Doug Flutie.

At Ohio State, Byars was known for his size, speed, nimble feet and soft hands. A force coming out of the backfield with the ball, Byars also hurt teams as a receiver. He left the program as the only Buckeye running back to eclipse 3,000 career rushing yards and 850 career receiving yards.

Josh Padilla of Huber Heights Wayne is the lone representative of Montgomery County on the 2026 roster. The other 18 schools from Montgomery County to make an Ohio State roster are Beavercreek, Butler, Centerville, Chaminade-Julienne, Colonel White, Dayton Belmont, Dayton Carroll, Dayton Dunbar, Dayton Roosevelt, Dayton Roth, Fairmont, Kettering Alter, Meadowdale, Miamisburg, Northmont, Patterson, Thurgood Marshall and Trotwood-Madison.

County Info
Founded: 1851 Location: SE Seat: Caldwell

Noble (1 Player)

Best Player: P Michael Keeton

Michael Keeton, no, not Michael Keaton, is the only Ohio State player from Noble County on an official Buckeye football roster. The punter from Caldwell High School was on the roster for the 1974 and 1975 seasons. His only punts came during the 1974 season. Keeton had three punts for 120 yards with a long of 47 yards. Playing behind three-time All-American Tom Skladany, it was amazing that Keeton was able to get on the field for any punts during those two seasons.

County Info
Founded: 1818 Location: SE Seat: New Lexington

Perry (5 Players)

Best Player: OL Charles "Vet" Diltz

Charles Diltz of Thornville and Charles Wingert of New Lexington are the only Perry County Buckeyes to earn varsity letters. Diltz picked up four varsity letters with Ohio State during the 1901, 1902, 1903 and 1904 seasons and Wingert had one in 1930.

The other players from Perry County to make an official Ohio State roster were George Scanlon (1922) and Joe Carpenter (1988) of Somerset and Dan Finck (1991, 1992) of New Lexington. Sheridan and New Lexington are the two high schools from Perry County listed on an Ohio State official roster.

County Info
Founded: 1815 Location: Southern Seat: Waverly

Pike (4 Players)

Best Player: LB Ed Thompson

Kenneth Thompson, who went by Ed, arrived in Columbus from Waverly as a 5-11, 180-pound quarterback out of Glenwood High School in New Boston. He left Ohio State as a 6-1, 221-pound linebacker, an All-Big Ten honoree, captain, the team leader in tackles in 1975 and a 1977 draft pick of the New York Jets.

Ohio State's defensive coordinator, George Hill, said the following about Thompson for his rookie profile in the New York Jets Media Guide:

"He isn't very big or fast, or real strong as linebackers go, but when we need a big play, it's a good bet that Ed Thompson will come up with it. His greatest asset is his knack for always being around the football."

Scouts described Thompson as, "A tough, aggressive hitter who unloads on people."

At Glenwood, Thompson was All-Ohio in football and basketball and earned 14 varsity letters in four sports.

The other players from Pike County were R. Middleton (1928), John Martin (1955-57) and Dane Bartley (1984), all of Waverly.

County Info
Founded: 1801 Location: SW Seat: Eaton

Preble (3 Players)

Best Player: LB Fred Ridder

Eaton High School's Fred Ridder was on five Ohio State rosters (1983-87) and played for four seasons, earning four varsity letters. He had a career-high eight tackles against Lou Holtz's Minnesota team in 1985, a game that Ohio State won 23-19 in Minneapolis.

During his Ohio State career, he recorded 123 tackles, three sacks and an interception. The other Buckeyes from Preble County were lineman James Penrod (1924, 1925, 1927) of Lewisburg and James Samuel (1957) of Eaton.

County Info
Founded: 1803 Location: Southern Seat: Portsmouth

Scioto (23 Players)

Best Player: E Leo Brown

Leo Brown was the first African American captain at Ohio State. During his time with the Buckeyes, the team won a Big Ten title in 1955, ended a then-conference-record 17-game Big Ten winning streak in 1956, and won the national championship in 1957.

When his playing days concluded, Brown attended dental school at Ohio State as a member of the U.S. Marine Corps ROTC program and he was also a graduate assistant for Woody Hayes. After graduation, Brown joined the United States Air Force as an oral surgeon. During his 30-year military career, Brown earned two medals of valor and became a Colonel.

Current walk-on offensive lineman Jaxon Powell of Portsmouth attended Northwest High School in McDermott. The other Buckeyes from Scioto County listed Portsmouth as their hometown and played for Portsmouth, Portsmouth Clay or Portsmouth East High School. Tyler Gerald is included with the 23 players from Scioto County as he was from Portsmouth, but attended IMG Academy in Florida.

County Info
Founded: 1850 Location: SE Seat: McArthur

Vinton (1 Player)

Best Player: RB Jack Armstrong

A running back from McArthur High School, Jack Armstrong is the only Buckeye from Vinton County to make an official Ohio State roster. He was listed at 5-11 and 189 pounds, but was only on the roster for his sophomore season of 1959. After his one season on Woody Hayes' team, Armstrong joined the United States Marine Corps and played on the Marine Corps football team. He passed away at the age of 80 in 2020 and Armstrong's obituary states he "loved the University of Michigan football team."

County Info
Founded: 1803 Location: SW Seat: Lebanon

Warren (16 Players)

Best Player: K Tim Williams

The first Ohio State player from Warren County was W. E. Van Horn, who was an end with the 1902 Buckeyes. 87 years later, the second Buckeye from Warren County appeared on the team. In 1989, Tim Williams came to Columbus as a 5-9, 155-pound freshman and left the program as an All-Big Ten kicker in 1993.

When Williams finished his Buckeye career, he held the school record for most field goals made in a career (49), most consecutive extra points made (86), the highest percentage of made extra points (.986), most field goals attempted in a career (77) and most field goals attempted in a season (29).

Today, he still holds the record for field goals attempted in a season, but Williams is now third on the made field goals list and fifth on the consecutive made extra points rankings. Williams is third-best on the extra points percentage rankings list and third in field goals attempted for a career.

Nick Lautar is a tight end from Lebanon High School on this year's team. Other notable Buckeyes from Warren County include FB Matt Keller, TE DJ Jones and TE Jake Ballard. Franklin, Lebanon, Maineville, Mason, Morrow, Springboro and Waynesville are the high schools in Warren County to produce Buckeyes. (Note: Matt Keller and Ryan Lukens went to Moeller and Rob Scheonhoft attended St. Xavier. The players lived in Warren County, but their high schools were in Hamilton County.)

County Info
Founded: 1788 Location: SE Seat: Marietta

Washington (5 Players)

Best Player: OL Brandon Pahl

Brandon Pahl and Bernard "Bernie" Brown are the only Ohio State players from Washington County to earn a varsity letter in football. Pahl gets the nod as the county's best player because he was on the official team for five seasons (2015-19) and Brown was on the roster for three years (1979-81).

Cutler, Ohio, was Pahl's hometown; he attended Vincent Warren High School and was an invited walk-on for the Buckeyes. Brown was from Marietta and graduated from Marietta High School. TE Brian Stukey (Belpre), DB Trevor Poole (Belpre) and a running back with the last name Newman (Marietta) are the other three players from Washington County.

Skull Session: Arthur Smith Wants Discipline and Dominance at the Line of Scrimmage to Drive Ohio State’s Offense, James Smith’s Dad Would Wear Buckeye Hats at Alabama Games

Chase Brown — Tuesday, August 11, 2026 - 04:55

Welcome to the Skull Session.

Allow me to do my best Bob Kennedy impression: Heads up fanssssss, Eleven Warriors has a new T-shirrttt.

[New Tee Alert]
Pack it for Austin. Wear it in Columbus. Either way, horns stay down. ⬇️https://t.co/dZEplMLDVa pic.twitter.com/iF5HhRxkQE
— Eleven Warriors (@11W) August 10, 2026

Have a good Tuesday.

HOW TO MAKE CONFETTI FALL. In an appearance on 97.1 The Fan’s Bishop and Friends last week, new offensive coordinator Arthur Smith discussed how he wants Ohio State’s offense to look in 2026. It’s no surprise what the former North Carolina offensive lineman and veteran NFL playcaller said: Dominate the trenches and play disciplined football.

Smith began by calling himself “flexible.” Much like Matt Patricia a year ago, Smith will adapt his scheme to the talent he has at his disposal.

“I’ve been in a lot of different systems offensively and defensively — get the language, the teaching progressions, kind of assessing everything as you’re going back,” Smith said. “But when you get with the players, it’s really the style of play. And you want to adapt every year to the strength of your team. A lot of people say that it’s not a rigid playbook, and so you’re assessing.”

"If you want to have the confetti come down on you, you're going to have to win through the bigs."

Arthur Smith tells his non-negotiables with this Ohio State offense! pic.twitter.com/r2dhu08QBm
— 97.1 The Fan (@971thefan) August 8, 2026

Still, Smith has a few things he’s unwilling to compromise on: winning the line of scrimmage and playing a nice, clean game.

“I would say my non-negotiables are our style of play, and it’s going to go up front. You want to be there in the end, whether you’re in (a) big-time college or in the NFL. If you want to have the confetti come down on you, you’re gonna have to win through the bigs. That’s not just in the run game and the protection, but it’s a style of play,” he said. “And then the other thing would be the discipline. That’s the thing, no matter where you’re at, is that you can’t have the self-inflicted wounds. And those are all the little things.”

Smith said Curt Cignetti led Indiana, historically one of college football’s worst programs, to a national championship by excelling in both areas.

“You really look at what Indiana did; they just did that. They were brilliant in the basics,” he said. “They didn’t beat themselves, and that’s the things you got to be very cognizant of when you’re coaching the rules and all that stuff so you don’t beat yourself.”

Two notes. One, I love nothing more than hearing the Buckeyes’ offensive coordinator emphasize that the offensive line is the engine that makes the offense go. And two, we really live in a world where Ohio State is analyzing how Indiana (!) went undefeated and won a national title. I’m not sure I’ll ever get over that.

“BUCKEYES HAT AT THE BAMA GAME.” Also in an appearance on Bishop and Friends last week, Ohio State defensive tackle James Smith shared the story of how he nearly became a Buckeye out of high school — and how he finally made it to Columbus three years later…

I should stop and thank The Fan for all the great #content. One of the perks of being Ohio State’s flagship radio station is getting exclusive interviews with people like Ross Bjork, Arthur Smith, James Smith and more. I’m grateful to have all the entertaining and informative comments and quotes to pass along here.

… Smith said Ohio State was his dream school coming out of high school. Ryan Day initially recruited the Montgomery, Alabama, native to Columbus, but Day and Larry Johnson eventually pursued other options. Smith believes that’s because Day wasn’t convinced a player from the South would actually leave home to play for a school in the North.

"Buckeyes hat at the Bama game." @971BFS listen to James Smith talk about his dad wearing Buckeyes gear during his college football games at Alabama. pic.twitter.com/oRRGPTpvFK
— 97.1 The Fan (@971thefan) August 8, 2026

“I’m on the phone with Coach Day. He’s not believing that people was coming from the South to play up here. It’s unthought of back then for somebody to really come down there and play up here because you got Bama, SEC schools,” Smith said. “But in my mind, I’m like, I’ll really come up here because my family is (in Ohio). My dad’s just selling the whole dream of being closer with family up here and stuff like that. But no hit back (from Coach J).”

More than three years later, Smith is thankful he finally has the opportunity to wear the Scarlet and Gray.

“My mom and dad are Buckeyes through and through,” he said.

And through and through might actually be underselling it. Smith’s father apparently wore an Ohio State hat to Alabama games while his son was playing for the Crimson Tide.

“Buckeyes hat at the Bama game,” Smith said. “Buckeyes hat at the Bama game.”

A bewildered Eric Rieser asked how that went over with Alabama fans who don’t give a piss about anything but the Tide. (I may have added a few words — mmm, 10 words — to the end of that previous sentence.)

“Ain’t nobody really gonna say nothing because I’m out there,” Smith said. “It’s like, OK, that is James’ dad, but he’s trippin’ right now.”

Trippin’?

More like doing the Lord’s work.

Maybe Smith’s father was even saying a few prayers that his son would somehow still end up at Ohio State and fulfill both of their dreams.

Regardless, Smith’s here and ready to make an impact for the Buckeyes.

“It’s like a full circle,” Smith said. “Now I’m here. It made his dreams, for real.”

THERE IS ANOTHER. Jeremiah Smith and Brenten “Inky” Jones made Bruce Feldman’s 2026 Freaks List. Jones cracked the top 30 after Smith and former Ohio State linebacker Sonny Styles — who ranked among Feldman’s top 10 in 2025 — stumped for him last year.

In this Skull Session, I will now stump for Chris Henry Jr. to make the 2027 Freaks List. Surely Feldman will respect the opinion of an Ohio State sports writer just as much as the opinions of two top-10 NFL draft picks, right … right?

Last week, former Ohio State walk-on wide receiver Emeka Onyejekwe, also known as Mekka Don, posted a video of Henry doing various exercises, including box jumps and hurdles while barefoot.

I broke my knee in three places watching Chris Henry Jr. doing this workout smh. What a beast pic.twitter.com/Iy3wToqZtf
— Mekka Don (@MekkaDonMusic) August 7, 2026

Onyejekwe captioned his post, “I broke my knees in three places watching Chris Henry Jr. doing this workout smh. What a beast.” That prompted many Ohio State fans to post similar replies.

“My Achilles looking like a smoked turkey leg 30 seconds in!”

“My knee popped just by looking at this.”

“Hot damn. Just pulled my hammy and strained my back sitting up to watch this.”

Fans also noted that Henry’s movements are most impressive because he tore his ACL during the first game of his junior high school season in 2024. Two years removed from that injury, the five-star freshman looks as good as ever — on and off the field. Ryan Day said last week he’s looking for Henry and Brock Boyd to continue on their current trajectories during preseason camp and make an impact for the Buckeyes this fall.

“I think those guys in particular are really fighting hard. I think they can see it. We saw enough of them in the spring to lead us to believe that they can help us this year. The question is, ‘How early and how much?’ And that’s what preseason is gonna be about.”

SO YOU'RE SAYING THERE'S A CHANCE. Over the weekend, ESPN's Jordan Reid ranked the players with the best chance to be the No. 1 overall pick in the 2027 NFL draft.

Julian Sayin and Jeremiah Smith barely made the list.

According to Reid, there are four players who are "serious contenders" to come off the board first next April: Oregon quarterback Dante Moore (15% chance), Texas quarterback Arch Manning (15%), South Carolina defensive end Dylan Stewart (13%) and Texas defensive end Colin Simmons (12%). There are also four "potential risers": Notre Dame quarterback CJ Carr (10%), Miami quarterback Darian Mensah (10%), Oklahoma State quarterback Drew Mestemaker (8%) and South Carolina quarterback LaNorris Sellers (5%).

Then, we have Sayin and Smith.

In the long shots, "out of nowhere quarterbacks" section:

Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

Predicted chance of going No. 1: 2%

Why he could be the top pick: Sayin had a historically good redshirt freshman season in which his 77% completion percentage led the FBS. He finished with 3,610 passing yards, 32 touchdowns and eight interceptions. Sayin is a discover-and-distribute type passer who is decisive and wastes little time getting the ball out. He spreads the ball around to the Buckeyes' wealth of pass catchers like a point guard, taking what the defense gives him, and has zero problems stacking completions in the short-to-intermediate areas while mixing timely throws downfield.

Some warts popped up late last season, most notably in losses to Indiana and Miami. And at 6-1, 208 pounds, Sayin lacks the size and tools of passers who are normally No. 1 picks. He can assuage some of those concerns with improved pre- to post-snap coverage recognition, but there is already debate on how high he should be selected in 2027.

And in the long shots, there was no title for this section section:

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

Predicted chance of going No. 1: 1%

Why he could be the top pick: Smith will enter this season as the top player on my 2027 board and is the definition of a blue-chip prospect. The last wide receiver to be selected with the top pick was Keyshawn Johnson by the Jets in 1996. Smith will be mentioned among the greatest wide receiver prospects of the past quarter century, and the fact that he is in the running for the top pick speaks volumes.

Smith has made an impact since arriving in Columbus and is the next man up in the Buckeyes' first-round wide receiver pipeline. A strong argument could be made that he's the best prospect of the recent Ohio State bunch, which saw Carnell Tate and Marvin Harrison Jr. both go No. 4 in the past two years.

I understand the concerns about Sayin, and therefore the low percentage for him to go No. 1 overall. Still, I think the Ohio State quarterback has addressed many of those concerns this offseason and will be a much-improved player this fall. If Sayin puts together the kind of season I expect him to have, I think that 5% could look pretty silly by December.

Smith, meanwhile, is only at 1% because he plays wide receiver. And look, I know the last wide receiver to go No. 1 overall was Keyshawn Johnson, and he ended up in the Hall of Very Good rather than the Hall of Fame. But if I am the general manager of an NFL franchise, I would be extremely tempted to draft the player everyone and their mother, father, brother, sister and cousin has said could have played in the NFL since he was 18 years old.

It’s logical for Reid to give Smith 1%. My mind, however, is telling me the odds are much higher than that, especially if Smith has another sensational season, wins the Biletnikoff Award and gets an invite to the Heisman Trophy ceremony. If When that happens, there will be a looooot of people wondering if the best player in the draft should really be playing anywhere other than the team with the top pick.

SONG OF THE DAY. "Faint" - Linkin Park.

CUT TO THE CHASE. Driver who broke the sound barrier attempts another land speed record in Utah...Jackie, the California bald eagle who became an internet sensation, dies after illness... UCLA football hires Derek Carr in special advisor role... Freediving is dangerous, even deadly, and it might just be the next big thing... Bills are "addressing feedback" after new stadium debut.

Photos from Ohio State’s 2026 Camp Hotel Check-In

Dan Hope — Monday, August 10, 2026 - 22:23

The Ohio State football team checked into its hotel for preseason camp on Monday night.

While the Buckeyes already went through their first four preseason practices from Thursday through Sunday, the heart of camp begins this week. The Buckeyes will spend all hours of the day together for the next two weeks, staying together in the same hotel in between practices and other activities at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center.

As is a longtime tradition, Eleven Warriors and media from several other Ohio State outlets were there on Monday night to capture photos and videos of the Buckeyes as they arrived at their team hotel, and you can see all of the photos in the gallery above.

We also livestreamed the first hour of the Buckeyes’ move-in, and you can watch the replay of the stream in the video below.

Former Ohio State Star Kelsey Mitchell is On A Record-Setting WNBA Scoring Run

Skull Session: Cris Carter Sees a Gold Jacket in Jeremiah Smith’s Future, Seth McLaughlin’s Time Has Come in the NFL and Bradley Robinson Earns His Doctorate From Ohio State

2026 Prices

2025 Prices

Carson Hinzman Doesn’t Want to Take Anything for Granted in Final Season at Ohio State

Michigan Quarterback Bryce Underwood Says Ohio State Game is “Just Another Game With Guys in A Different Color”

Kyle Whittingham Still Not Leaning Into Ohio State-Michigan Rivalry Hatred: “Will We Have a Better Chance to Win If I Hated Them? I Don't Understand”

Payton Pierce “Super Grateful” for Opportunity to Play Middle Linebacker and Wear Green Dot, Lead Ohio State’s Linebackers

2026 Black Stripe Tracker: Running Backs Ja'Kobi Jackson, Stanley Jackson Jr. Are First Buckeyes to Lose Black Stripes in Preseason Camp

Black Stripe Removals

Stanley Jackson Jr.

Ja'Kobi Jackson

Chris Henry Jr.

Hunter Welcing

Terry Moore

Dominick Kelly

Mason Williams

John Walker

James Smith

Devin McCuin

Qua Russaw

Christian Alliegro

Brock Boyd

Earl Little Jr.

Kyle Parker

Kyle Whittingham Still Not Leaning Into Ohio State-Michigan Rivalry Hatred: “Will We Have a Better Chance to Win If I Hated Them? I Don't Understand”

Ohio's Best Buckeyes By County: Southern and Southwest Ohio

Adams (1 Player)

Best Player: RB Colby Staubs

Athens (6 Players)

Best Player: QB Joe Burrow

Butler (79 Players)

Best Player: WR Cris Carter

Clermont (1 Player)

Best Player: J.M. Patchell

Clinton (4 Players)

Best Player: WR Gary Williams

Fayette (8 Players)

Best Player: QB Art Schlichter

Ohio's Best Buckeyes By County: Central Ohio

Gallia (3 Players)

Best Player: OT Charley Hamrick

Greene (18 Players)

Best Player: LB Doug Adams

Hamilton (133 Players)

Best Player: OL Dave Foley

Highland (3 Players)

Best Player: QB/C Jimmy Hull

Hocking (6 Players)

Best Player: K Josh Jackson

Jackson (5 Players)

Best Player: Harold Kruskamp

Lawrence (16 Players)

Best Player: OG Ken Fritz

Ohio's Best Buckeyes By County: East and Northeast Ohio

Meigs (3 Players)

Best Player: QB William "Tippy" Dye

Montgomery (123 Players)

Best Player: RB Keith Byars

Noble (1 Player)

Best Player: P Michael Keeton

Perry (5 Players)

Best Player: OL Charles "Vet" Diltz

Pike (4 Players)

Best Player: LB Ed Thompson

Preble (3 Players)

Best Player: LB Fred Ridder

Ohio's Best Buckeyes By County: Western and Northwest Ohio

Scioto (23 Players)

Best Player: E Leo Brown

Vinton (1 Player)

Best Player: RB Jack Armstrong

Warren (16 Players)

Best Player: K Tim Williams

Washington (5 Players)

Best Player: OL Brandon Pahl

Skull Session: Arthur Smith Wants Discipline and Dominance at the Line of Scrimmage to Drive Ohio State’s Offense, James Smith’s Dad Would Wear Buckeye Hats at Alabama Games

Julian Sayin, QB, Ohio State

Jeremiah Smith, WR, Ohio State

Photos from Ohio State’s 2026 Camp Hotel Check-In