OSU Buckeyes

Ohio State hardly needs motivation thanks to the chip on its shoulder already firmly in place after sitting out the postseason with a perfect record. But just in case any players required any extra fuel heading into workouts or wanted a little help putting together some goals, BuckeyeNation is here to lend a hand with some records that could be in reach with another productive offseason.

PASS RECEPTIONS

• Who owns it: Like most marks for wide receivers, it's a safe bet to throw out the name of David Boston -- and his 1998 season easily stands out as one of the most impressive statistical campaigns Ohio State has had at any position. His 85 catches that year are 12 more than any other target has ever snagged with the Buckeyes, and the next-closest total belongs to Boston as well. However, with a 12-game season and potentially two chances in the postseason to track him down, that record could be vulnerable down the road as Ohio State continues to expand its spread offense under Urban Meyer.
• Who wants it: Corey "Philly" Brown endured his share of jokes about failing to make tacklers miss early in the season and was obviously a part of a group that took more serious criticism before that from the coaching staff during spring practice and the offseason after struggling to make any impact in 2011. But the rising senior steadily became the kind of playmaker Meyer could trust on the perimeter and started piling up catches in big games, with his 12-reception outing against Michigan State providing strong hints of what Brown could offer after another year to develop.
• Relevant number: Boston's impressive 7.1 receptions per game might wind up being safe, though Brown could potentially give that mark a run for its money as well, depending on how the run-to-pass ratio is tweaked in Meyer's second season with the program. Brown finished up at an even five catches per contest after finishing the season with eight catches in the win over Michigan, and his total of 60 was the sixth-highest in school history. With two more opportunities potentially at his disposal than Boston had in his record-setting season, Brown would need to average about six receptions per game to claim the top spot in the record books -- a figure he hit or exceeded five times as a junior.
• Offseason checklist: The Buckeyes were rarely shy about getting Brown involved in the offense, establishing right from the opener that he would be a featured weapon by throwing to him seven times in the win over Miami (Ohio). But as the staff gained confidence in his ability to break tackles and tack on extra yardage in the open field, it seemed to expand the package of plays designed to get him the football with everything from quick-hitting throws on the perimeter to touch passes as he came in motion through the formation. Typically the Buckeyes got him the ball near the line of scrimmage, though, and if he and Miller can develop their chemistry even more during the offseason and Brown takes another step forward as a route-runner, his reliable hands should see even more use.
• Attainable goal: The variety of ways the Buckeyes can get Brown involved puts the record in reach for him, though the number of weapons returning on offense could possibly be a factor in keeping his numbers in check even if he returns as a much more dangerous option next fall. Devin Smith should be a more consistent factor at the other receiver spot, Michael Thomas and Evan Spencer figure to play more prominent roles -- and then there's the running game to consider with Carlos Hyde teaming up with Miller again in the backfield. But it wouldn't take too dramatic of a jump in production for Brown to challenge one of Boston's top records, and he should be prepared for it after seeing what the spread offense can do for him during Ohio State's perfect debut season with it.

Ohio State hardly needs motivation thanks to the chip on its shoulder already firmly in place after sitting out the postseason with a perfect record. But just in case any players required any extra fuel heading into workouts or wanted a little help putting together some goals, BuckeyeNation is here to lend a hand with some records that could be in reach with another productive offseason.

TOTAL OFFENSE

• Who owns it: Braxton Miller already has officially taken the crown after putting up 3,310 yards as a sophomore, sneaking past Bobby Hoying's single-season mark of 3,290 despite not getting the chance to play in the Big Ten title game or a bowl. The true bar Miller has to clear, though, no longer shows up in the record book for the Buckeyes -- and there's still some work to be done to surpass the 3,526 yards Terrelle Pryor rolled up in 2010 that have since been erased from existence.
• Who wants it: Might be pretty obvious, but Miller will be chasing down this record and plenty more heading into his third season as the starting quarterback. Individual numbers and awards don't seem to matter much to the humble leader of the Ohio State offense, but he should be in line to post more video-game statistics as he continues to develop his game and get more comfortable in Urban Meyer's system.
• Relevant number: Miller just barely topped 2,000 passing yards last season, and while that represented marked improvement for the Buckeyes through the air, Meyer is clearly expecting that total to go up next fall. Miller only would have needed to throw for 18 more yards per game to tie Pryor, a reasonable amount that could come fairly easily if improved mechanics and ability to read defenses bumps up his completion percentage a few more points from the 58.3 he turned in as a sophomore.
• Offseason checklist: The Buckeyes clearly had no problem getting production out of Miller during the perfect season, and at times he looked like the only consistent threat on the field. But there have also been regular reminders from Meyer and the coaching staff that the multitalented star has only scratched the surface as a quarterback, with his footwork on top of the list of things to focus on during offseason throwing sessions, spring practice and training camp. Everything starts from the ground up with Miller, and while his happy feet make him electrifying as a rusher, they can throw off his delivery as a passer in the pocket and mask his arm strength, making them a top priority over the next few months.
• Attainable goal: The record is officially already his, so there's not much question Miller is capable of reaching it. But with the possibility of two more games next season and an offense loaded with experienced playmakers around him, from an offensive line with four returning starters to two established targets at wide receiver and a full stable of running backs, Miller and the Buckeyes should have no problem piling up offense.

Senior national recruiting analyst Tom Luginbill joins SportsCenter to break down which recruits impressed the most at Friday night's Under Armour All-America Game.

The linebacker recruiting breakthrough finally happened. Welcome to Across The Field, a regular feature on BuckeyeNation where we point you to noteworthy Buckeyes coverage here and elsewhere. Think something should be included? Send it to espnkendrick@gmail.com. First, our week in review:

• Linebacker is no longer a weakness in this recruiting class. A great defensive group is coming together after ESPN 150 linebackers Trey Johnson and Mike Mitchell put on Ohio State caps at the big national all-star games over the weekend.
• Both are aggressive linebackers who have elite speed and a nasty streak on the field. And both have the potential to make an early impact. Brad Bournival wrote about Johnson's brute style and Mitchell's natural ability.
• With Cam Burrows, Gareon Conley and Eli Apple, the Buckeyes are cornering the market on elite defensive backs. And they can still land Vonn Bell, too.
• The Buckeyes didn't get WR James Quick and are still in the market for a receiver or two. Shelton Gibson of Cleveland Heights, who had a nice week leading into the Army game, is one of them.
• Conley could become a receiver, too.
• And Ezekiel Elliott, the Buckeyes' only running back pledge, showed his versatility by playing a little defense this week in Texas.
• Jalin Marshall's transformation into a receiver has begun, and early returns are promising for the 2013 commit, who was a quarterback at Middletown (Ohio).
• The defensive linemen in this class could be special as well.
• Bournival shone the Under Armour spotlight on Marcus Baugh, Joey Bosa, Cam Burrows, Gareon Conley and Marshall.
• And another Georgia prospect, LB Jevin Mouhon, picked up an OSU offer, the third from the same Atlanta-area high school, Norcross.
• Dillon Bates, a 2014 linebacker from Florida who has an Ohio State offer, impressed at the UA camp.
• Austin Ward continued his series on how the Buckeyes will replace departing players. This week, how they'll deal with the losses of John Simon, Jake Stoneburner and Nathan Williams.
• Urban Meyer talked to Mike & Mike.
• Ohio State surged ahead of Michigan in the recruiting rankings. Can they stay there? Bournival and the WolverineNation crew had that debate this week, and looked ahead to 2014 as both schools are wrapping up their current classes.
• A potential Big Ten division realignment is coming this spring, writes Adam Rittenberg.
• And the Big Ten is likely to revamp its bowl tie-ins.

Football

• The Buckeyes tried not to dwell on the bowl ban, but it still lingered. (Dispatch)
• Counting down Braxton Miller's top five plays of 2012. (Plain Dealer)
• Another writer sees a resemblance between 2012 Notre Dame and 2002 Ohio State. (Lima News)
• A breakdown of which players had the most touches in 2012. (Eleven Warriors)
• Ohio State will celebrate what would have been Woody Hayes' 100th birthday with a fundraising dinner. (Dispatch)

Basketball

• A familiar nemesis got the best of the Buckeyes in Champaign on Saturday.
• The Buckeyes need better production inside to be a Big Ten contender, writes Michael Arace. (Dispatch).
• Eamonn Brennan wrote a primer what looks to be a crazy Big Ten race.
• Keeping up with Buckeyes in the NBA. (Land Grant Holy Land)

The Gang's All Here

• Freshman Ameryst Alston is embracing her role as a defensive stopper. (Dispatch)
• The women's gymnastics team is ranked and opened the season with a win. (OSU)
• The No. 4 OSU wrestling team lost at No. 5 Iowa. (OSU)
• Sophomore hockey player Ryan Zeingel had a hat trick vs. Penn State and earned a CCHA honor. (OSU)

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Always tempted by the chance to play for a championship, Bradley Roby apparently didn't have enough incentive to walk away from the opportunity to do it with Ohio State next fall.

According to the Columbus Dispatch on Saturday night, the dynamic athlete is returning to the Buckeyes for one more season after flirting with a potential jump to the NFL after breaking out as a redshirt sophomore and becoming one of the most productive cornerbacks in the country.

After breaking up 19 passes to lead the Big Ten despite missing a game due to a nagging shoulder surgery, Roby was integral in the second-half defensive surge that helped Ohio State finish off its unbeaten season and boosted his own stock as a potential professional in the process. Eligible to leave the program early after redshirting during his first year on campus, Roby admitted having conversations with the coaching staff about his options well before the season was over.

But after spending more than a month deliberating after helping the Buckeyes finish off a perfect season with a win over rival Michigan, Roby ultimately made the choice that was largely expected since he talked openly about his desire to compete for a national title now that the program's postseason sanctions are in the rearview mirror. And he'll also have another full year to impress the scouts who have already taken notice of him by now.

(Read full post)

Brandon Paul scored 19 points to lead No. 11 Illinois to a 74-55 win against No. 8 Ohio State.