Jayme Thompson ends career with title 
December, 1, 2012
12/01/12
9:00
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Jayme Thompson (Toledo, Ohio/Central Catholic) wanted to go over to his future teammate and give him words of encouragement Friday after his Fighting Irish beat defending champion Trotwood-Madison, 16-12, to claim the Division II state title.
But the future Ohio State safety didn’t get his chance.
There was no “Yeah, we got you,” or anything like that. Just a simple message to Rams cornerback Cam Burrows as the two closed their high school careers and prepared for the next step with the Buckeyes.
But the future Ohio State safety didn’t get his chance.
There was no “Yeah, we got you,” or anything like that. Just a simple message to Rams cornerback Cam Burrows as the two closed their high school careers and prepared for the next step with the Buckeyes.
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The Word: Ohio State bowl ban
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
4:54
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By BuckeyeNation staff | ESPN.com
Ohio State is undefeated, but banned from playing for the BCS title. Prim Siripipat, Jane McManus and Ramona Shelburne discuss whether their postseason ban is fair.
#BlueChipBattles: Nov. 30
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
2:19
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By RecruitingNation staff | ESPN.com
ESPN.comCarl Lawson, Dee Linerand Reuben Foster are still committed to Auburn, but the Tigers' coaching situation could change things for the three ESPN 150 recruits.Auburn bid farewell to head coach Gene Chizik on Sunday. Could the Tigers also be saying goodbye to a trio of ESPN 150 recruits who could take their talents elsewhere?
Each week, RecruitingNation summons its writers from around the country to compile a list of the top 10 battles for elite football recruits leading up to February's signing day.
Here are this week's top battles
, and you can take a shot at ranking the top 10 recruiting battles on SportsNation.Gareon Conley schedules 2 official visits
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
1:17
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Urban Meyer wasted little time in targeting one of the biggest free agents in the 2013 class.
Meyer visited ESPN 150 cornerback Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) at his school and then finished up with an in-home visit. It was a visit Tigers coach Jason Hall said went off without a hitch.
“It went great. I think it was a chance for Gareon to be around Coach Meyer,” Hall said. “It was a good chance for Gareon to ask a lot of questions. Coach Meyer is a great coach, great person. It was good for him to be around our building. He did a home visit last night as well.”
Meyer visited ESPN 150 cornerback Gareon Conley (Massillon, Ohio/Washington) at his school and then finished up with an in-home visit. It was a visit Tigers coach Jason Hall said went off without a hitch.
“It went great. I think it was a chance for Gareon to be around Coach Meyer,” Hall said. “It was a good chance for Gareon to ask a lot of questions. Coach Meyer is a great coach, great person. It was good for him to be around our building. He did a home visit last night as well.”
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OSU, U-M recruiting hits ESPN airwaves
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
1:12
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
BuckeyeNation writer Brad Bournival and WolverineNation writer Tom VanHaaren went to the airwaves in Cleveland last night to talk Ohio State and Michigan recruiting.
In a 20-minute segment with radio personality Kenny Roda on WKNR-AM 850, the two talked about last weekend’s Ohio State-Michigan game and the ramifications the Buckeyes’ win had on the 60-plus visitors that took in the game at The Horseshoe.
Bournival and VanHaaren also took an in-depth look at the 2013 recruiting class for both teams, discussed who the best commit has been for each team so far and looked at who might round the class out in the waning months before national signing day.
In a 20-minute segment with radio personality Kenny Roda on WKNR-AM 850, the two talked about last weekend’s Ohio State-Michigan game and the ramifications the Buckeyes’ win had on the 60-plus visitors that took in the game at The Horseshoe.
Bournival and VanHaaren also took an in-depth look at the 2013 recruiting class for both teams, discussed who the best commit has been for each team so far and looked at who might round the class out in the waning months before national signing day.
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Year in review: TEs offer steady play
November, 30, 2012
11/30/12
9:30
AM ET
By
Austin Ward | ESPN.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A position-by-position look at a perfect season for Ohio State, continuing today by rewinding to look at the physical blockers who doubled as extra weapons in the passing game for the high-powered spread attack.
TIGHT ENDS
TIGHT ENDS
- Most valuable player: The conversion of the projected starter at the position left more work for the two guys left over at tight end, and both of them were able to step up and make a mark. The receiving statistics are essentially a dead heat, and each did some notable work to help the rushing attack get rolling -- but the slight edge goes to Jeff Heuerman over Nick Vannett. Heuerman drew some of the highest praise of the season when coach Urban Meyer identified him as one of the best blockers he's ever had at tight end, and while Vannett's emergence was just as critical, it's the sophomore who gets the nod this season.
- By the numbers: Throwing to the big targets wasn't exactly a staple of the passing game, though maybe it could become a more regular feature given the success the Buckeyes had with either tight end. Or perhaps it was the element of surprise that made them so effective. Either way, the 17 combined catches for Vannett and Heuerman averaged nearly 13 yards per completion -- and both flashed the ability to make something big happen down the field by posting plays of 32 yards or longer.
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Michigan had parted ways with offensive line commit David Dawson (Detroit/Cass Tech) a short time ago for planning a visit to Florida. The two parties spoke tonight, however, and Michigan is once again recruiting the No. 1 guard in the country.
"I spoke to Coach [Brady] Hoke tonight and he said they are re-offering me," Dawson said. "We had a heart to heart, and I don't want to put everything out there but I was dealing with some things and I might have jumped the gun a little bit.
"We talked about everything and he said that if I want to be there they have a place for me."
"I spoke to Coach [Brady] Hoke tonight and he said they are re-offering me," Dawson said. "We had a heart to heart, and I don't want to put everything out there but I was dealing with some things and I might have jumped the gun a little bit.
"We talked about everything and he said that if I want to be there they have a place for me."
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The battle between Ohio State and Michigan isn’t just a one-day war, even when it comes to someone who is currently committed to another school.
Kenny Lacy (Phoenix/Mountain Pointe) was offered by Wolverines offensive line coach Darrell Funk on Tuesday.
In turn, Buckeyes offensive line coach Ed Warinner put in an offer for the big tackle on Thursday.
Kenny Lacy (Phoenix/Mountain Pointe) was offered by Wolverines offensive line coach Darrell Funk on Tuesday.
In turn, Buckeyes offensive line coach Ed Warinner put in an offer for the big tackle on Thursday.
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Year in review: Steady progress for WRs
November, 29, 2012
11/29/12
10:52
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By
Austin Ward | ESPN.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A position-by-position look at a perfect season for Ohio State, continuing today by rewinding to look at the improvements made by the targets in the passing game and a few memorable entries on the highlight reel.
WIDE RECEIVERS
WIDE RECEIVERS
- Most valuable player: The production was steady from start to finish, even if Corey "Philly" Brown could have perhaps provided more yardage with all of his catches in the early stages of the season and saved himself from some good-natured jokes from coach Urban Meyer about making a tackler miss. The junior had the last laugh down the stretch, extending receptions by juking defenders and using his speed to pull away for longer gains than he was contributing during the first month of the season. He was at his best on special teams, though, busting loose for a pair of important punt returns for touchdowns that complemented his team-high 60 grabs on offense.
- By the numbers: After getting repeated reminders about the ineptitude of the passing game a season ago and having no problem reciting the low reception totals, Brown and sidekick Devin Smith made sure there would be no discussions about that heading into their next offseason. Just in case anybody forgot, the team-leading total for the season before the arrival of coach Urban Meyer and his spread offense was just 14 -- a number that only took Brown three games to eclipse and was more than doubled by Smith.
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Ohio State commits to square off in finals
November, 29, 2012
11/29/12
10:00
AM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Ohio State commit Cam Burrows has no doubt heard the hype. Ditto for Buckeyes commit Jayme Thompson, Ohio State target DeShone Kizer and Michigan pledge Mike McCray II.
The quartet is becoming a huge storyline as the Division II state title game awaits Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic and defending champ Trotwood-Madison on Friday.
Thompson and Kizer play for Central Catholic, while Burrows and McCray wear Trotwood-Madison colors.
The quartet is becoming a huge storyline as the Division II state title game awaits Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic and defending champ Trotwood-Madison on Friday.
Thompson and Kizer play for Central Catholic, while Burrows and McCray wear Trotwood-Madison colors.
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Coach: OSU visit with Trey Johnson 'great'
November, 28, 2012
11/28/12
9:47
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
Luke Fickell talks enough Xs and Os during the season to fill up an entire warehouse of chalkboards.
On Wednesday, the Ohio State linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator just wanted to spend a little down time with Trey Johnson (Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett).
Fickell was at the ESPN 150 inside linebacker’s high school and then made an in-house visit with Johnson, but it was more about quality time and less about football.
On Wednesday, the Ohio State linebackers coach and co-defensive coordinator just wanted to spend a little down time with Trey Johnson (Lawrenceville, Ga./Central Gwinnett).
Fickell was at the ESPN 150 inside linebacker’s high school and then made an in-house visit with Johnson, but it was more about quality time and less about football.
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Will Ulmer talks OSU visit and other offers
November, 28, 2012
11/28/12
9:10
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By
Dave Hooker | ESPN.com
Will Ulmer felt right at home in the midst of one of the most tradition-rich rivalries in college football.
"It's a significant rivalry," said Ulmer, referring to his visit to Ohio State last weekend when the Buckeyes beat Michigan 26-21. "I'm kind of used to rivalries. My high school, St. John's, our rivalry is Gonzaga. It was pretty similar. It was like being in the stands at one of my own games."
Perhaps a bit bigger. Ulmer certainly took notice of that, as well as the Buckeyes, who finished the season undefeated.
"It's a significant rivalry," said Ulmer, referring to his visit to Ohio State last weekend when the Buckeyes beat Michigan 26-21. "I'm kind of used to rivalries. My high school, St. John's, our rivalry is Gonzaga. It was pretty similar. It was like being in the stands at one of my own games."
Perhaps a bit bigger. Ulmer certainly took notice of that, as well as the Buckeyes, who finished the season undefeated.
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OSU offers star 2015 RB Jacques Patrick
November, 28, 2012
11/28/12
6:14
PM ET
By
Brad Bournival | ESPN.com
One of the hottest commodities in the class of 2015 just got a little hotter, as running back Jacques Patrick (Orlando, Fla./Timber Creek) picked up his 14th Division I offer on Wednesday.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Patrick was tabbed today by running backs coach Stan Drayton and Ohio State, which joined Alabama, Arizona, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Mississippi State, Tennessee, UCF, USC and Vanderbilt as early suitors.
It’s an offer Patrick holds above many others.
The 6-foot-2, 200-pound Patrick was tabbed today by running backs coach Stan Drayton and Ohio State, which joined Alabama, Arizona, Auburn, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, LSU, Miami (Fla.), Mississippi State, Tennessee, UCF, USC and Vanderbilt as early suitors.
It’s an offer Patrick holds above many others.
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Why Meyer may never win top coach honor
November, 28, 2012
11/28/12
1:00
PM ET
By
Adam Rittenberg | ESPN.com
Former Ohio State coach Jim Tressel was a victim of his own success when it came to winning Big Ten Coach of the Year honors.
Tressel never claimed the award despite dominating the league during most of his Buckeyes tenure. If Tressel had a down year midway through his run at Ohio State, only to get the team back to a league title or a BCS bowl the following year, he would have had a better chance.
In many ways, the Big Ten Coach of the Year award is about what happened the previous season or the previous offseason rather than the actual season for which the honor is presented. Recent history also shows first-year coaches who bolster programs have a good chance for the award.
Pat Lovell/US PresswireUrban Meyer led the Buckeyes to a rare 12-0 season in his first season at Ohio State.And that's why Ohio State coach Urban Meyer might never win it.
Penn State's Bill O'Brien on Tuesday swept the Big Ten Coach of the Year honors -- the Hayes-Schembechler award (voted by the coaches) and the Dave McClain award (voted by the media). O'Brien guided Penn State to an 8-4 record in his first season.
He beat out another first-year Big Ten coach, Meyer, who went 12-0 in his first season in Columbus, including a road win against O'Brien's Lions. Buckeye fans were hopeful Meyer would be the first Ohio State boss to win Big Ten Coach of the Year honors since Meyer's mentor Earle Bruce got it in 1979.
O'Brien's selection stems primarily from the way he kept Penn State afloat after a turbulent summer that brought severe NCAA sanctions on the program, followed by the departures of several key players, including star running back Silas Redd. After an 0-2 start that had many writing off Penn State for the foreseeable future, O'Brien guided Penn State to wins in eight of its final 10 games (6-2 in Big Ten play).
Although Penn State actually won more games in the previous season -- the Lions' nine wins later were vacated -- O'Brien's work under such unusual circumstances made him a deserving candidate.
But it begs the question: Will Meyer ever win the award?
Unless Ohio State takes a surprising step backward during his tenure, probably not.
Let's look at the recent winners of the McClain Award.
Brady Hoke, Michigan, 2011
Backstory: Michigan went 7-6 in 2010 under coach Rich Rodriguez, who was fired following the Gator Bowl after a historically poor three-year run. Hoke came in from San Diego State and guided Michigan to an 11-1 record and a Sugar Bowl championship.
Mark Dantonio, Michigan State, 2010
Backstory: Michigan State tumbled to a 6-7 finish in 2009 and had a highly publicized off-field issue that decimated its roster for the Alamo Bowl. Dantonio guided the Spartans to an 11-1 regular-season mark in 2010.
Kirk Ferentz, Iowa, 2009
Backstory: Iowa improved from 9-4 in 2008 to 11-2 in 2009 and won an Orange Bowl championship. The 2009 season truly showed the Hawkeyes had escaped a down stretch from 2005-07.
Joe Paterno, Penn State, 2008
Backstory: Penn State went from 9-4 the previous season to an 11-1 regular-season mark, a Big Ten title and a spot in the Rose Bowl (all wins later were vacated). The Lions were in the national title talk for much of the 2008 campaign.
Ron Zook, Illinois, 2007
Backstory: Illinois went from 2-10 in 2006 (4-19 in Zook's first two seasons) to a Rose Bowl berth in 2007. The Illini knocked off then-No. 1 Ohio State in Columbus.
Bret Bielema, Wisconsin 2006
Backstory: Bielema was in his first year as a head coach and led Wisconsin to an 11-1 record in the regular season (12-1 following a bowl victory).
Joe Paterno, Penn State, 2005
Backstory: The Lions had endured losing seasons in three of the previous four years, and calls for Paterno's retirement had increased. He then shocked everyone by guiding Penn State to a Big Ten championship and an Orange Bowl title (both later vacated).
See the pattern here?
The award either goes to first-year coaches or coaches who have bolstered a team's win total from the previous season.
Meyer did both at Ohio State, which went from 6-7 in 2011 to 12-0 this season. But O'Brien ultimately was judged to have overcome more challenges at Penn State.
Tressel's best chance for the award came in 2002, when Ohio State went from 7-5 in his first season to a 13-0 regular-season mark (and an eventual national title). But Iowa's Kirk Ferentz instead earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors for guiding Iowa to a share of the Big Ten title a year after going 7-5.
Ferentz topping Tressel in 2002 reminds me a lot of O'Brien topping Meyer this season.
Given the trajectory of Ohio State's program under Meyer and the standard set by the 2012 team, it seems unlikely the Buckeyes will take a big step backward -- so Meyer can then bring them forward and win the award -- any time soon.
Meyer has won two national titles and several top coaching honors, including the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year award in 2004. But don't be surprised if like Tressel, he'll go through his Ohio State career without ever being named Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Tressel never claimed the award despite dominating the league during most of his Buckeyes tenure. If Tressel had a down year midway through his run at Ohio State, only to get the team back to a league title or a BCS bowl the following year, he would have had a better chance.
In many ways, the Big Ten Coach of the Year award is about what happened the previous season or the previous offseason rather than the actual season for which the honor is presented. Recent history also shows first-year coaches who bolster programs have a good chance for the award.
Pat Lovell/US PresswireUrban Meyer led the Buckeyes to a rare 12-0 season in his first season at Ohio State.Penn State's Bill O'Brien on Tuesday swept the Big Ten Coach of the Year honors -- the Hayes-Schembechler award (voted by the coaches) and the Dave McClain award (voted by the media). O'Brien guided Penn State to an 8-4 record in his first season.
He beat out another first-year Big Ten coach, Meyer, who went 12-0 in his first season in Columbus, including a road win against O'Brien's Lions. Buckeye fans were hopeful Meyer would be the first Ohio State boss to win Big Ten Coach of the Year honors since Meyer's mentor Earle Bruce got it in 1979.
O'Brien's selection stems primarily from the way he kept Penn State afloat after a turbulent summer that brought severe NCAA sanctions on the program, followed by the departures of several key players, including star running back Silas Redd. After an 0-2 start that had many writing off Penn State for the foreseeable future, O'Brien guided Penn State to wins in eight of its final 10 games (6-2 in Big Ten play).
Although Penn State actually won more games in the previous season -- the Lions' nine wins later were vacated -- O'Brien's work under such unusual circumstances made him a deserving candidate.
But it begs the question: Will Meyer ever win the award?
Unless Ohio State takes a surprising step backward during his tenure, probably not.
Let's look at the recent winners of the McClain Award.
Brady Hoke, Michigan, 2011
Backstory: Michigan went 7-6 in 2010 under coach Rich Rodriguez, who was fired following the Gator Bowl after a historically poor three-year run. Hoke came in from San Diego State and guided Michigan to an 11-1 record and a Sugar Bowl championship.
Mark Dantonio, Michigan State, 2010
Backstory: Michigan State tumbled to a 6-7 finish in 2009 and had a highly publicized off-field issue that decimated its roster for the Alamo Bowl. Dantonio guided the Spartans to an 11-1 regular-season mark in 2010.
Kirk Ferentz, Iowa, 2009
Backstory: Iowa improved from 9-4 in 2008 to 11-2 in 2009 and won an Orange Bowl championship. The 2009 season truly showed the Hawkeyes had escaped a down stretch from 2005-07.
Joe Paterno, Penn State, 2008
Backstory: Penn State went from 9-4 the previous season to an 11-1 regular-season mark, a Big Ten title and a spot in the Rose Bowl (all wins later were vacated). The Lions were in the national title talk for much of the 2008 campaign.
Ron Zook, Illinois, 2007
Backstory: Illinois went from 2-10 in 2006 (4-19 in Zook's first two seasons) to a Rose Bowl berth in 2007. The Illini knocked off then-No. 1 Ohio State in Columbus.
Bret Bielema, Wisconsin 2006
Backstory: Bielema was in his first year as a head coach and led Wisconsin to an 11-1 record in the regular season (12-1 following a bowl victory).
Joe Paterno, Penn State, 2005
Backstory: The Lions had endured losing seasons in three of the previous four years, and calls for Paterno's retirement had increased. He then shocked everyone by guiding Penn State to a Big Ten championship and an Orange Bowl title (both later vacated).
See the pattern here?
The award either goes to first-year coaches or coaches who have bolstered a team's win total from the previous season.
Meyer did both at Ohio State, which went from 6-7 in 2011 to 12-0 this season. But O'Brien ultimately was judged to have overcome more challenges at Penn State.
Tressel's best chance for the award came in 2002, when Ohio State went from 7-5 in his first season to a 13-0 regular-season mark (and an eventual national title). But Iowa's Kirk Ferentz instead earned Big Ten Coach of the Year honors for guiding Iowa to a share of the Big Ten title a year after going 7-5.
Ferentz topping Tressel in 2002 reminds me a lot of O'Brien topping Meyer this season.
Given the trajectory of Ohio State's program under Meyer and the standard set by the 2012 team, it seems unlikely the Buckeyes will take a big step backward -- so Meyer can then bring them forward and win the award -- any time soon.
Meyer has won two national titles and several top coaching honors, including the Eddie Robinson National Coach of the Year award in 2004. But don't be surprised if like Tressel, he'll go through his Ohio State career without ever being named Big Ten Coach of the Year.
Year in review: RBs thrive in tough spot
November, 28, 2012
11/28/12
11:20
AM ET
By
Austin Ward | ESPN.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio -- A position-by-position look at a perfect season for Ohio State, continuing today by rewinding to look at the explosive play in the backfield and the emergence of a rusher who refused to go down easily.
RUNNING BACKS
RUNNING BACKS
- Most valuable player: Thrust into the starting role thanks to a freak injury over the summer, Carlos Hyde didn't disappoint early in the season. After dealing with his own minor issue (a sprained knee) in September, Hyde again had to battle back and wait for a chance to make an impact for Ohio State's rushing attack. When Jordan Hall went down again with another injury, Hyde was ready to make the most of another crack at the first-team job and he never looked back. His physical style was complemented by underrated speed, and Hyde was a monster once the Buckeyes got near the goal line while ringing up 17 total touchdowns.
- By the numbers: For all the fuss that had been made about Urban Meyer's offenses never having a 1,000-yard rusher, he probably should have had two of them in his first season with the Buckeyes. Braxton Miller's playmaking ability at quarterback helped give Meyer his breakthrough first, but if critics are still holding out because he's not had a true running back clear the barrier, they're holding on by a thread. Even after missing two games due to injury, Hyde came up just 30 yards short -- and considering he averaged 97 yards per game in his first, nearly full season as a starter, he was a lock to get there if the Buckeyes were eligible for the postseason.
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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.