Video: Buckeyes DE pledge Tyquan Lewis
At the Shrine Bowl, Miller Safrit talks with Ohio State commit Tyquan Lewis (Tarboro, N.C./Tarboro) and finds out what the defensive end is looking forward to about enrolling early.
OT Kenny Lacy plans OSU official visit 
It became clearer today when UCLA commit Kenny Lacy (Phoenix/Mountain Pointe) scheduled an official visit.
The 6-foot-5, 260-pound offensive tackle was floored by Ohio State’s interest on Nov. 29, saying it was a big offer.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Report: UC wanted Meyer to lobby for ACC
Yes, we're talking about Urban Meyer.
Meyer's name popped up on an email obtained by the Cincinnati Enquirer through an open records request. Meyer played defensive back at Cincinnati in the early 1980s, and his sister is an administrator at the school.
From the Enquirer:
The email and other documents, obtained by The Enquirer through an Ohio Public Records Act request, also show that UC tried to enlist Ohio State University football coach Urban Meyer, whose sister works at UC. Urban used to coach at Notre Dame, which has joined the ACC for sports other than football.
But Meyer eventually backed away from that request.
"While he is comfortable telling folks he cares deeply for UC and that he knows we are a great school, with great people and great leadership, he thinks his calls would feel contrived and that they would not have an impact," wrote Gigi Escoe, a vice provost at UC and Meyer's sister, to [athletic director Whit] Babcock Nov. 27.
Meyer definitely made the right call. I can't imagine Ohio State or the Big Ten office would want one of its coaches getting involved in the realignment process -- especially with two leagues outside of the Big Ten.
The Cincinnati emails show the school is targeting the ACC for the Big 12 as its next home. The Big Ten isn't a realistic option for Cincinnati for several reasons (not a new market, academic concerns).
No. 4: John Simon puts his heart on his sleeve
Nobody knew just how close John Simon was to missing a nonconference contest with California, not even his coach.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
OSU's 2014 class emphasizes on line
Meyer’s love for big men to plug up the line isn’t anything new as the Buckeyes push forward following a 12-0 season. In fact, the two-time national champion has made it a regular habit to rotate defensive linemen in and out in an effort to wear down the offensive line.
The fact he has had 11 of them commit in his last two recruiting classes isn’t much of a surprise either.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Juco LB Martrell Spaight is Big 12 bound
Junior college outside linebacker Martrell Spaight (Coffeyville, Kan./Coffeyville Community College) announced via Twitter that he verbally committed to the Wildcats. The commitment was then confirmed by the Red Ravens coaching staff.
"Everything they do is just like us at Coffeyville; the coaches really made me feel at home," Spaight said.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Commits happy to help recruiting process
Either that or the octet might have bright futures as recruiting coordinators, as they were a big part of an incredible weekend for Ohio State.
ESPN 150 wide receiver Gareon Conley and outside linebacker Mike Mitchell took official visits, as did ESPN 300 defensive tackle Donovan Munger and junior college linebacker Tommy Sanders.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Huskers offer Watch List WR Snodgrass
Springfield, Ohio, receiver Thaddeus Snodgrass reported to ESPN.com he added an offer from the Huskers on Monday.
He is the fourth Ohio prospect in the Class of 2014 to earn an offer from the Huskers.
Snodgrass now has 11 offers, with Michigan State, Notre Dame and Ohio State among his favorites. He planned a November commitment but backed off of it.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Hankins' exit puts young Buckeyes on deck
I believed Johnathan Hankins when he said last summer that he wanted to help Ohio State win a championship.
But some NFL draft decisions are made for you. And when you're a virtual lock in the top 15 of the draft, you make the jump, no questions asked.
Hankins surprised no one Monday in announcing he'll forgo his senior season and enter the 2013 NFL draft. The Ohio State junior defensive tackle boosted his stock this season, eating up space and ball-carriers in the middle of the Buckeyes' defensive line. Many NFL draft prognosticators, including our own Mel Kiper Jr. and Todd McShay, have Hankins as the first Big Ten player off the board in April.
Hankins won't help Ohio State try to win a national title in 2013, but he undoubtedly made the right call.
"I will always be grateful for the family I have gained here at Ohio State," Hankins said in a prepared statement. "I want to thank coach [Urban] Meyer, coach [Mike] Vrabel and strength coach [Mickey] Marotti for bringing the best out of me as a football player and person, and for their constant support. I also want to thank coach [Jim] Tressel and coach [Jim] Heacock for recruiting me and giving me an opportunity to be a part of this great school and great program."
Hankins added that he intends to finish his degree at Ohio State, which is great to hear. He started every game the past two seasons and finishes his career with 138 tackles (58 solo, 80 assists), including 16.5 tackles for loss and five sacks.
Although Ohio State expected Hankins to leave, his departure underscores some potential depth issues the team will have up front in 2013. Defensive end John Simon, the Big Ten Defensive Player of the Year, moves on along with nose tackle Garrett Goebel and defensive end Nathan Williams.
The good news is Urban Meyer has recruited very well at defensive line, securing blue chippers Noah Spence and Adolphus Washington in his first class (both played this fall). Linemen like Michael Bennett, Steve Miller, Tommy Schutt and Joel Hale all should see increased roles in 2013. Ohio State also is bringing in several standout D-line recruits like ESPN 300 selections Joey Bosa and Michael Hill.
Ohio State has a lot of young talent along the defensive line, but the Buckeyes need those players to grow up in a hurry if they want to take another step forward on defense.
Buckeyes' Roby earned national attention
Even within the program, the conversations in August typically focused more on getting consistent effort instead of praising all the natural gifts Ohio State's top cornerback possessed.
Roby essentially had to go the old-fashioned way to start generating attention and picking up accolades -- the redshirt sophomore had to earn it with his play instead of his reputation.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
OSU offers Watch List DE Lorenzo Carter
With six defensive linemen in the fold in the class of 2013, the school has set its sights on 2014 and is going after one of the most sought after defensive ends in the country.
Ohio State already knows about Norcross (Ga.) High School as it is actively pursuing running back Myles Autry.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
OSU wraps up great recruiting week
When Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) and Donovan Munger (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights) gave their pledge to Ohio State Friday and Sunday, respectively, it marked a huge day for the Buckeyes, who now have eight ESPN 150 athletes in their recruiting class.
Conley brings raw talent to the mix and is an incredible asset to an already strong secondary in the class.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
Two OSU pledges still alive in playoffs
Joey Bosa (Ft. Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas) brought his Raiders in as underdogs against Manatee -- the nation’s No. 1 team in the ESPN 25 Power Rankings -- and walked away a 35-18 winner in a Florida 7A semifinal playoff game.
They'll play Tallahassee Lincoln next week in a state final. Lincoln happens to be the team of Buckeyes target James Hearns, a Florida pledge.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
With eight commits already on official visits over the weekend, the Buckeyes added two more names to their 2013 recruiting class when four-star ESPN 150 cornerback Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) and four-star ESPN 300 defensive tackle Donovan Munger (Shaker Heights, Ohio/Shaker Heights) gave their pledge to the team.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
No. 5: Ballroom chat sparks win over Sparty
Nearly two months later, Urban Meyer remembers not only the exact day but the precise minute when everything seemed to change.
To continue reading this article you must be an Insider
ABOUT BUCKEYE NATION
Austin Ward
Austin Ward joined ESPN.com in 2012 after five years as a college football writer at the Casper (Wyo.) Star-Tribune and the Knoxville (Tenn.) News Sentinel. The award-winning journalist lives with his wife in Columbus, Ohio. Email him at ajward.espn@gmail.com.
Brad Bournival
Brad Bournival, a lifetime Northeast Ohio resident, joined ESPN in 2012 and is the recruiting writer for BuckeyeNation. He has covered sports at the professional, college and high school level for 16 years. Recently, Bournival was a freelance writer for The Plain Dealer, The Medina Gazette and SportsInk.com. Email him at bradbournival.espn@gmail.com.