Buckeye Talk: Ohio State podcast by cleveland.com

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis discuss the latest developments in Ohio State football recruiting. Andrew spent his Sunday up in Canton, Ohio, attending the Under Armour Camp Series where he spoke with OSU commit Eli Lee along with targets Justin Hill, Bo Jackson, Talyn Taylor and Marquise Davis. The Buckeyes seemed to be still in the running for each of these players and potentially sitting in the lead. But has the door already shut on one thanks to the departure of an assistant coach? Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2024 NFL Draft is now in the review mirror as we focus on a 2025 class sure to be filled with Ohio State football players following a year where only four were drafted. The Buckeyes had only one first-round pick this spring, but could they be on the verge of not only setting a program record, but the national record in 2025? On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis explore the 2025 NFL Draft and project the number of first-round picks OSU could have. They also compare the program's NFL Draft development to when Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer were in charge to see whether Ryan Day is already ahead of the curve. Plus, predicting when Ohio State will surpass 100 first-round draft picks. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2024 NFL Draft is over, and on this Buckeye Talk episode, Stephen Means and Nathan Baird wrap up the final picks for Ohio State. OSU just experienced its smallest draft number in over a decade, but could it come with a silver lining? Following a year where only four players heard their name called — of the nine hoping to — the program could be gearing up for fireworks in 2025 with one more thing to check off over the next year. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the third straight year, Ohio State football has produced a first-round NFL Draft pick. Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave started the trend in 2022 followed by Jaxon Smith-Njigba in 2023. Now Marvin Harrion Jr. has joined them going higher than an OSU wide receiver has ever gone as the No. 4 pick to the Arizona Cardinals. Harrison will join Paris Johnson Jr. as Buckeyes-turned-Cardinals first-round picks giving Kyler Murray a true No. 1 wide receiver. He also serves as a historic accomplishment for Brian Hartline’s wide receiver room. A room that might not even be close to being done putting out first-rounders. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Nathan Baird break down what Harrison being drafted means for the program, what Arizona is getting and what could be coming down the line. Plus a reaction to the final time J.J. McCarthy could show Ryan Day up for picking Kyle McCord over him as Ohio State’s future quarterback. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2024 NFL Draft has arrived with a few Ohio State football players expected to be taken over the next three days. That means it's time for our annual Buckeye Talk NFL Draft prediction pod. OSU has nine players in this year's draft and Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis reveal how many of those players will hear their name's called. Then they wrap things up by looking forward at a 2025 class which explains why the number in 2024 is so low. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The NFL Draft kicks off on Thursday night and we're getting you ready with a full first round mock draft. For the third year in a row, the Orange and Brown Talk and Buckeye Talk crews got together and made every pick in the first round. Nathan Baird, Tim Bielik, Andrew Gillis, Dan Labbe, Stephen Means and Jimmy Watkins were all assigned teams and they worked their way through the first 32 picks, making trades and filling needs along the way. While the first pick was a no-brainer, things got interesting after that and included discussions on Justin Fields in Pittsburgh and which Buckeyes player could be the first to go in their class next year. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State football's 2025 recruiting class is currently the number one class in the country with 13 commits, including three five-star recruits as it’s gotten off to a hot start. But the question is whether it’s on track to reach heights that the Buckeyes have only reached one other time by making history. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis map out what would need to happen for the 2025 class to match the success of the 2021 class. That class featured 24 players, with seven being five-stars and seven others being top 100 recruits as the nation’s No. 2 class behind Alabama. But first, a conversation about OSU’s latest representation at the prestigious Elite 11 quarterback competition. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State football's 2024 roster is littered with future NFL prospects and the same can be said of the players in its recruiting classes. But which one is the best of them all? On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis search through the roster along with the 2025 and 2026 recruiting classes to rank the best future prospects. The rankings are done regardless of the potential draft class each player could be apart of. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The 2024 NF Draft is just days away with Ohio State expecting to again be well-represented potentially on all three days, but how good has it been at ensuring that happens annually? On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss the program's ability to develop draft picks since Ryan Day took over as head coach. They evaluate the position groups and assign them star ratings based on their success in producing draft picks. The rankings were based on the number of draft picks and the overall success of those picks. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Friday episode of Buckeye Talk is brought to you solely on behalf of the texter community delivering questions. Among the Ohio State topics discussed by Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis: Has NIL impacted the way freshmen athletes interact with the media and build their personal brands? Real life doppelgängers. Which football players could make the basketball team? Comparing Jeremiah Smith to other versions of great OSU wide receivers. What the summer months look like for the current roster Could a dominant defense hold the offense back? How good would Ohio State be if it had to start its second-string defense all season? Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Buckeye Talk is all about getting to know thy enemy, which matters when discussing the greatest rivalry in sports. Ohio State closed out its spring session last week with the first nationally televised spring game, and now Michigan is set to become the second on Saturday. In preparation, Stephen Means is joined by Jimmy Watkins as the two discuss what's going on in Ann Arbor as the Wolverines embark on a new era under Sherrone Moore. Plus, an unnecessarily long conversation about why JJ McCarthy was the perfect OSU villain and how Michigan plans to follow that up. Lastly, they look at the reasons why the Wolverines could still be a threat in 2024. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Wednesday episode of Buckeye Talk is brought to you solely on behalf of the texter community delivering questions. Among the topics discussed by Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis: The impact of Ohio State's first two losses to the post-spring transfer portal window. Players and people within the OSU athletic department they’d love to interview knowing they’d get 100% honesty. Which position group would they buy stock in? What are their favorite sports teams and how they became passionate about them? Is the defensive line’s success more about its upside or problems with the offensive line? Who would they start at quarterback if it were up to them? Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State's 2025 recruiting class is off to a strong start, and its class added two more members over the weekend. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis break down OSU’s latest commitments and what they bring to the program. Then the two look ahead for a class featuring 13 commits and sitting in the top spot in the recruiting rankings. While Ohio State has started great, it's far from finished putting together its 2025 class. As it heads into the next few months where recruiting in the only priority, the two look at what are the most important needs still left on the board. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This Monday episode of Buckeye Talk features a rewatch of Ohio State's 2024 spring game. Stephen Means and Nathan Baird look back at the performances of quarterbacks Will Howard, Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz, Julian Sayin and Air Noland looking at how they played and what comes next. Plus a transfer portal conversation on how many quarterbacks they think will still be on the roster in the fall. Then a conversation about the bevy of options Jim Knowles and the defense previewed and whether they think OSU needs to find another offensive lineman in the transfer portal Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State wrapped up Phase One of its quest for a national title with the spring game providing a first public look at its 2024 roster. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis break down where OSU stands following the spring and what they saw in the game. They start with a discussion on the quarterback battle between Will Howard and Devin Brown and which player is in the lead heading into the summer. Then they look at the other three quarterbacks involved. After the break, they discuss the offensive line as the only significant question mark on offense heading into the summer. Then they wrap things up with a glowing review of the defense led by a secondary who spent the afternoon getting the better of the wide receivers. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State will wrap up its spring practice schedule on Saturday with the 2024 Spring Game providing fans the first chance to see its roster. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means takes rants from the Subtext subscribers on everything they want to see from the Buckeyes on Saturday. That list includes everything from what the quarterbacks look like, the development of the offensive line freshman Jeremiah Smith and even a few thoughts on what OSU can do to add to the game's environment. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Is a third player beginning to emerge as a candidate to win Ohio State football's starting quarterback job? Ryan Day spoke highly of Julian Sayin as the five-star has turned heads since he arrived as a transfer from Alabama. So on this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means asks Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis to follow him into his hypothetical world and map out what it would look like for him to beat out Will Howard and Devin Brown to win the job. But first, the three give their initial impressions on new running backs coach Carlos Locklyn along with a discussion about the potential post0spring attrition OSU could see in the transfer portal. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone is healthy and ready to play Saturday in Ohio Stadium in this version of an Ohio State spring game draft from Buckeye Talk. There are two full 22-player teams to be drafted, and Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis go head-to-head with their selections while Stephen Means moderates. With so many options on both sides of the ball, we’re splitting things up and doing just the starting 11 on defense. This should tell you something about the 2024 Buckeyes with spring football winding down, it should help get you ready for Saturday, plus drafts are always fun. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Everyone is healthy and ready to play Saturday in Ohio Stadium in this version of an Ohio State spring game draft from Buckeye Talk. There are two full 22-player teams to be drafted, and Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis go head-to-head with their selections while Stephen Means moderates. With so many options on both sides of the ball, we’re splitting things up and doing just the starting 11 on offense. This should tell you something about the 2024 Buckeyes with spring football winding down, it should help get you ready for Saturday, plus drafts are always fun. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State's gearing up for its 2024 Spring Game, and there are several important players visiting campus. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis take a look at the visitor list for the final practice of the spring session. The two discuss who Andrew thinks are the most important or most interesting people expected to. be in Columbus and why. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss Ohio State football's linebackers, safeties and running backs. They discuss the possibility of rotating four or five linebackers during the season and the challenges of finding the right combination of players. They also talk about the transition of Caleb Downs to Ohio State and his commitment to staying with the team. The conversation highlights the importance of building depth at safety and mentions several players who could contribute to that position. Plus what the running backs think of new coach Carlos Locklynn on his first day and offensive lineman Joshua Simmons going through his first full offseason at OSU. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk, Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State football's 2025 recruiting class is off to a strong start, with 11 commits, including seven top 100 players. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis discuss the latest commitments in four-star defensive lineman Lononn Merrit, four-star linebacker TJ Alford, four-star wide receiver De’zie Jones and four-star safety DeShawn Stewart. They also discuss recent three-star safety Cody Haddad’s decommitment from Wisconsin and what that could mean for OSU. The conversation concludes with a discussion on the significance of early commitments and the importance of landing big recruits to maintain a strong recruiting class. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State has finally found a replacement for Tony Alford following his departure for Michigan with Carlos Locklyn taking over as the new running backs coach. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Biard and Andrew Gillis explore Locklynn’s background and coaching career, as well as the potential impact he could have on the team. They also delve into the challenges of recruiting running backs in the 2025 class and the importance of maintaining a strong running back room. Additionally, they analyze the projected starting offensive line Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State invited its student body to get a sneak preview of its 2024 football team for spring practice No. 6 and Buckeye Talk is here to tell you what happened. Stephen Means, Natha Baird and Andrew Gillis analyze the hierarchy of the quarterbacks, with Devin Brown and Will Howard emerging as the top two contenders. They also discuss the performance of freshman quarterback Julian Sayin and his potential impact in the future. Then they shift their attention to the offensive line, noting that while the defensive line had a strong performance, there were signs of improvement compared to last year. They discuss the potential starting lineup and the importance of cohesion among the offensive linemen. The episode concludes with a hyperbolic conversation about five-star freshman wide receiver Jeremiah Smith before wrapping things up with Stephen’s theory on what the offensive philosophy could be this fall. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State lost its best tight end and one of its top defensive tackles to the NFL Draft. The Buckeyes have candidates to replace both, though this spring will answer a lot of questions. Nathan and Andrew discuss what they heard from tight ends, defensive tackles and defensive ends after Ohio State's seventh practice of the spring. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis discuss Ohio State football's 2025 recruiting class. They start by discussing the implications of losing four-star wide receiver Jayvan Boggs and who the other potential targets are. Then they discuss where OSU pivots to next after losing out on its top 2026 quarterback target Jared Curtis who committed to Georgia over the weekend. Then they wrap things up by previewing the decision of four-star linebacker TJ Alford and the Buckeyes’ chances of landing him. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew discuss Ohio State football's tight and defensive line positions. They highlight the different vibes from the defensive line coach and the tight ends coach when discussing their position groups. While one group seems to be confident about its options heading into a 2024 season where OSU could play as many as 17 games, the other is still trying to figure out how to replace the production of a two-year starter, who's off to the NFL. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Nathan Baird discuss the wide receiver room at Ohio State. They compare the current group to the 2022 wide receiver room and highlight the confidence Brian Hartline has in the young players. They also discuss the importance of culture and mental toughness in the wide receiver room. The conversation touches on Bryson Rogers’ decision to return to Ohio State and the potential breakout seasons of Brandon Innis and Carnell Tate. They also discuss the impact of Chip Kelly’s presence on Brian Hartline and his development as a coach. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Nathan Baird discuss the back seven of Ohio State's defense. The discussion highlights the cross-training and position flexibility of players like Sonny Styles and CJ Hicks. The depth and competition in the linebacker room are explored, as well as the handling of expectations and the development of CJ Hicks. The conversation also delves into the competition between cornerbacks and wide receivers, and the impact of Jim Knowles’ defensive scheme and the talent at Ohio State. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State's 2024 Pro Day for the NFL Draft featured a smaller list of participants than most would've expected a year ago, with Marvin Harrison Jr. choosing not to participate in the draft process. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss Harrison's approach and speculate on his potential draft position. They also analyze the quarterbacks' performance at Pro Day even if Will Howard and Devin Brown weren't the players being evaluated by NFL scouts. Plus a conversation about OSU's star defensive ends and which one could end up going higher in the 2025 NFL Draft. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird, and Andrew Gillis discuss Ryan Day’s first interview since Tony Alford’s departure as Ohio State’s running backs coach. They analyze Day’s demeanor and approach to the situation, emphasizing the need to move forward and focus on finding a replacement. The conversation also delves into the importance of recruiting and player development for the running back position. The hosts speculate on the timeline for hiring a new coach and discuss potential candidates. They also provide updates on the offensive line battle and the depth at the tight end position. The episode concludes with a discussion on Day’s special teams discussion with a former Ohio State coach. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jake Diebler was hired as the Ohio State basketball team’s head coach after closing out the season in an interim role On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Nathan Baird discuss incoming athletic director Ross Bjork’s decision to hire Diebeler and how it impacts the program’s future. They also discuss whether Bjork’s decision was the best possible choice and if the way he came to this decision tells us anything about how he would handle having to one day hire a new football coach. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss adding players to the Ohio State football's roster. The trio analyzes the potential impact of these additions and discusses the current roster's strengths and weaknesses. They each select one player from outside the roster to add to the team on both offense and defense. The offensive selections include an offensive lineman, a tight end, and a quarterback. While the defensive sections include two defensive linemen and a linebacker. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Ohio State basketball team is in the middle of turning around its season after firing Chris Holtmann with interim coach Jake Diebler leading the way. That means it's time for a rants pod here on Buckeye Talk. On this episode, Stephen Means takes some thoughts from Subtext subscribers to talk about the most pressing issues around OSU's hoops team. He also takes a look at what it might take for a team that's suddenly built momentum to sneak its way into the NCAA Tournament. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Michigan's hiring of Tony Alford as their run game coordinator and running back coach has caused a stir in the Ohio State football realm. Alford's departure from Ohio State after nine years was unexpected, especially during spring practice. While it is not unprecedented for coaches to leave for rival teams, the timing and the personal impact on the players make it significant. The departure raises questions about the future of Ohio State's running back room and the need for a replacement. Ryan Day has options for finding a new running back coach, and the decision-making process will be crucial. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew discuss the most important states for Ohio State in terms of recruiting. They start by talking about the changing landscape of college football and the criteria they used to create the list. They then count down the top five states. They discuss the impact of the expanding playoff and the national nature of college football on recruiting strategies. Finally, they touch on the potential impact of West Coast schools entering the Big Ten. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The conversation focuses on the quarterback situations in the Big Ten, particularly at Ohio State, Oregon, Penn State, and USC. It is noted that many teams in the conference have new starting quarterbacks, and the discussion revolves around the potential impact of these quarterbacks on their respective teams. The conversation also touches on the importance of quarterback play in relation to the overall talent on the roster and the strength of the defense. Overall, the discussion highlights the uncertainty and potential for change in the quarterback landscape in the Big Ten. The conversation focuses on evaluating the quarterbacks in the Big Ten conference and the uncertainty surrounding some teams. The discussion covers the performances and potential of quarterbacks like Drew Allar at Penn State, Dylan Raiola at Nebraska, and the quarterback situation at Michigan. The conversation also explores the changing landscape of college football and the potential impact on quarterback recruiting in the Big Ten. Overall, the middle class of quarterbacks in the conference has improved, narrowing the gap between Ohio State and the rest of the teams. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode, the hosts discuss updates on various Ohio State football players, including Lathan Ransom's injury and recovery. They also delve into the relationship between the cornerback and wide receiver rooms, highlighting the competitiveness and growth of the cornerback group. The conversation then shifts to comparing the two position groups and the strength of the cornerback room. The hosts also discuss the development of freshman starters and the expectations surrounding Jeremiah Smith. The conversation revolves around setting expectations for Jeremiah Smith, building depth at defensive tackle, and the mindset of the Ohio State defense. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss Ohio State's spring practice and the performance of the quarterbacks. They also highlight the impact of new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles and his innovative ideas for the defense. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis answer questions from Subtext subscribers on Ohio State football. Among the things discussed: Could Sonny Styles and CJ Hicks be on the field as linebackers at the same time? What’s more when putting together a defeensive game plan: matchups or having tour best 11 on the field? Who are Ohio State’s potential team captains for the 2024 season? Which newcomer will lose his black stripe first? If Will Howard has the type of season Bo Nix had for Oregon this past season, will Ohio State win the national championship? Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State's first day of spring practice focused on the quarterback situation and the defensive changes. Devin Brown showed promise, but Will Howard is expected to be the starting quarterback. Sonny Styles made a position change to linebacker, which seems permanent. The offensive line configuration featured Luke Montgomery at guard, emphasizing athleticism. Chip Kelly's role as quarterbacks coach and his relationship with Ryan Day were discussed. The importance of competitive periods and performance in spring practice was highlighted. The conversation covers various topics related to the Ohio State football team, including the offensive line and run game, the wide receiver position, the physical readiness of young players, and the importance of the quarterback position. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Spring football has begun at Ohio State, and the focus is on the quarterback situation. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis preview the start of spring practice based on conversations with OSU's top three quarterbacks and three returning offensive starters. Among the things discussed: The quarterback competition at Ohio State is heating up, with Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz and Will Howard all vying for the starting position. Brown is determined to prove himself and is not backing down from the competition, while Keenholz is focused on his long-term development. Howard, a transfer from Kansas State, is expected to be the starting quarterback, but Brown is looking to make it an interesting competition. There is a shift in the dynamics of the quarterback room, with Ryan Day stepping back and Chip Kelly taking on a more prominent role. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Buckeye Talk is once again split up into two parts, bringing together both Ohio State football's recent history and its present. Things start off with Stephen Means and Nathan Baird talking about the second day of interviews at the NFL Combine featuring Cade Stover and Josh Proctor. Each player had interesting careers, taking the long route to the pros. Stover began his career as a linebacker, moved to defensive end then flirted with linebacker one more time before settling in as a tight end where he became the most productive player at the position potentially ever. Proctor arrived with all the potential in the world in 2018 but various situations turned what could’ve been a three-and-done career into one lasting six years for the safety. Then Andrew Gillis subs in for Nathan as he and Stephen discuss the six most important position battles of the spring. Some of those are quite Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Buckeye Talk is split up into two parts bringing together both Ohio State football's recent history and its future. Things start off with Stephen Means and Nathan Baird talking about the first day of interviews at the NFL Combine discussing what Steele Chambers, Tommy Eichenberg and Michael Hall Jr. had to say. Each looks back at their time as Buckeyes with Hall revealing why it was a no-brainer for him to join Marvin Harrison Jr. as the only third-year players not to return in 2024. Chambers and Eichenberg discuss the future of the OSU linebacker room led by James Laurinaitis. Then Andrew Gillis subs in for Nathan and he and Stephen take their first crack at projecting OSU's 2025 recruiting class leading to an interesting discussion. This first of three projections over the next nine months features one of the highest-rated classes of the Ryan Day era but comes with a few surprises. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis discuss the latest updates in Ohio State recruiting focusing on its efforts in the Maryland and Washington DC area. The conversation centers around five-star safety Faheem Delane whom Andrew went to see last week to get an update on his status. They discuss how the recent coaching changes may have impacted his recruitment and what a potential timeline for a decision looks like.  The two also discuss four-star cornerback commit Blake Woodby plus a few other potential targets in the region. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss Ohio State’s eight players invited to the NFL Combine. Among the things talked about Marvin Harrison Jr.’s decision not to participate in drills in Indianapolis and how that impacts — or doesn’t impact — his draft status. Who are the most interesting Buckeys other than Harrison this week? Which Ohio State player can turn some heads in Indianapolis? Michigan got 18 invites to the combine this year. Can OSU surpass that in 2025? Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis rank Ohio State football's top 15 players based on their ability to do their job. This isn't a discussion about talent, upside or any of the other typical ways to figure out who the Buckeyes' best players are. This is simply about what the tape tells us. In doing so it reveals a stark detail about this team heading into 2024 and a conclusion of what needs to happen for OSU to compete for a national title. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis answer questions from the Subtext subscribers. Among the questions discussed: Could Sonny Styles be a positionless player for Ohio State's 2024 defense? Who can make the most of the NFL Combine? How many points will the Buckeyes give up in the first four weeks of the season? What we need to see from OSU’s offense this spring. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this Thursday episode of BUckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis look ahead to the start of Ohio State spring football practice. To do that, they are drafting the nine Buckeyes that intrigue them the most for spring, from early-enrolled freshmen, to veterans battling for jobs, to players who might be ready to take a step toward stardom. There will be a lot of OSU coverage from the NFL Combine next week, but spring practice will start before you know it. So let’s get ready now. Thanks for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this conversation, Andrew Gillis and Stephen Means discuss the recent coaching changes at Ohio State. They focus on the introduction of James Laurinaitis as the linebackers coach and Matt Guerrieri as the safeties coach. They explore Laurinaitis' process of transitioning from a graduate assistant to a full-time coach and the expectations for CJ Hicks in the linebacker room. They also discuss Guerrieri's reunion with Jim Knowles and the familiarity he brings to the safety room. Plus a conversation on where Sonny Styles could end up between linebacker and safety. Also, they do this while switching up the dynamic with Andrew hosting since technically Stephen was the only one there. Thanks for listening to Buckeye talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A college football video game is headed back into stores for the first time in over a decade with different football programs getting in on the promotion. In the wake of the news, Ohio State football was among the numerous teams to create a concept for the game's cover featuring elite players from the last decade. That sparked this episode of Buckeye Talk where Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis discuss which OSU players could've made a case for being on the cover at any point since the game's last edition in 2013. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Day has finally finished off Ohio State football's 2024 coaching staff by promoting James Laurinaitis from graduate assistant to full-time assistant coach. Doing so gives the former three-time All-American full reign over the linebacker position just a year after returning to the program. Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss what that means for the Buckeyes going forward. Then the trio gets into the meat of what this episode of Buckeye Talk is all about. OSU has a roster made to win the first national title of the Ryan Day era. But what are the biggest obstacles both within and outside the program that could prevent it from doing so? Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis answer questions from the Subtext subscribers. Among the questions discussed: The 5+7 model for the college football playoff is being discussed and there is a vote scheduled to approve it. What sporting events they would cover if they could go back in time. Ranking the best running backs in Ohio State history. Who will be the offensive and defensive MVPs in 2024? Who's the fasted Buckeye? The art of asking questions during press conferences. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State is moving on from Chris Holtmann as its basketball coach opting to fire him despite having four years still left on a contract extension signed in 2022. Despite the remaining years, the decision doesn’t come as a surprise as the Buckeyes are in the midst of yet another disappointing season that looks destined for them to end on the outside of the NCAA Tournament. Ripping off the band-aid now starts the process of current athletic director Gene Smith and incoming athletic director Ross Bjork finding his replacement. On this emergency episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Nathan Baird break down this decision and what it means for OSU basketball. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State continues to put together its 2025 recruiting class which ranks fourth nationally with eight commits including two from five-star recruits, On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis explore five of the most important targets left on the board and what landing them would say about the program. They also have a quick conversation about new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly and his potential impact on OSU's quarterback recruiting efforts. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Day pivoted to Chip Kelly as Ohio State's offensive coordinator after losing Bill O'Brien and he might have found the perfect fit. The Buckeyes' offensive personnel features plenty of players Kelly has been known to maximize in the past across multiple places in college football. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis explore the impact of Kelly as Ohio State's offensive coordinator and the potential changes to the run game. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Day worked quickly to find a replacement for Bill O'Brien when Ohio State's new offensive coordinator left for Boston College three weeks after getting the job. The abrupt change provided a chance for Day to come full circle in his coaching career as he is expected to bring in Chip Kelly from UCLA. The two have a long-standing relationship with Kelly being Day's offensive coordinator at New Hampshire, then hiring him onto his staff at multiple stops. Now Day's former mentor is expected to head to Columbus to take over the offense at a time when Day feels it's necessary to step away from playcalling. Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis take a look at the new hire and its impact on Ohio State. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Day hired Bill O'Brien to run Ohio State football's offense and now O'Brien is walking away just a month after getting to Columbus. Choosing to hand the offense over to someone else was a significant step in Day's growth as a head coach. He admitted it wasn't something he wanted to do, but would have to do for the sake of the program. He thought he'd found the perfect person to hand things off to in O'Brien. But now he'll have to find a Plan B. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss the impact of O'Brien's departure and where OSU turns to news to find an offensive coordinator. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Before the 2020 season the Buckeye Talk crew took the time to map out the college football landscape and where Ohio State fit into it. Doing so led to a deep discussion about the tiers of the sport in deciding which teams have realistic championship expectations, who could never dream of having those and everyone else in between. A lot has changed since then (even the makeup of the Buckeye Talk pod). All of that change made this the perfect time to update that list as the sport heads into a 12-team College Football Playoff and two conferences have started bringing many of the sports national powers. Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis look at all 69 Power Five programs in the 'Tiers Pod 2.0' as the sport heads into a new era. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A Wednesday press conference was supposed to be Ryan Day's first chance of 2024 to talk about all of the good things happening around the Ohio State football program over the past month or so. Instead thanks to a recent job opening at Boston College, it turned into a day filled with questions on whether Day would have to go out and make a decision about the future of his program that he already wasn't completely excited to do. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Nathan Baird discuss Bill O'Brien being potential departure just weeks after being hired as OSU's offensive coordinator. They also talk about why Day chose that now was the perfect time to give up playcalling, a position battle on the right side of the offensive line and what the quarterback battle could look like. Then Stephen and Andrew Gillis talk about Dominic Kirks as the only player in the Buckeyes' 2024 recruiting class who was still unsigned heading into this week. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Day is entering his sixth season as Ohio State football's head coach and his coaching staff has seen a ton of turnover through the years. He's still relatively young in terms of head coaching experience but these years have shown how Day likes to go about building a staff and where his philosophy is potentially evolving. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis look at Day's hiring practices and what it says about his ability to do that part of the head coaching job. The discussion highlights the difference in building his offensive and defensive staff in a mix of successful and unsuccessful hires, with some coaches being retained and others being promoted from within. The offensive coaching staff has seen more stability, while the defensive coaching staff has experienced more turnover. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis answer questions from the Subtext subscribers. Among the questions discussed: How should Ohio State deploy a coaching staff in a world where you're allowed to have 15 people? Which freshman quarterback is a better fit for the Buckeyes' offense; What it takes to be a good recruiter and why Tim Walton and Brian Hartline have been so successful; How the Buckeyes' 2024 defense stacks up against Georgia's unit in 2021; Why Signing Day still matters. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

College football is in this weird place right now where a lot is going on and all of it is happening on top of each other. It's what happens when you try to combine a multi-billion dollar sport with the traditional standards of academia. It needs to be fixed and in this hypothetical scenario, Buckeye Talk has been tasked with fixing it. Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis try to fix the sport by each giving the three things they'd change if they were put in charge of college football. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The Big Ten is expanding to 18 teams which means 17 teams are standing in the way of Ohio State's goals of winning the conference in 2024. As a way to figure out the conference’s new hierarchy, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis use this Friday episode of Buckeye Talk to discuss the new-look conference in a way inspired by a question from one of out Subtext subscribers: ‘Can we get a big ten power rankings but explained in terms of fast food?’ This episode gets a little weird but in the best way possible. It’s a pod about football, in a nonsensical fashion, which has always been at the heart of what Buckeye Talk is supposed to be. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis discuss the most important things Ohio State needs to do on the recruiting trail for its 2025 class. Among those topics is a conversation about the defensive line and offensive line recruiting. Plus a discussion on the health of OSU's NIL situation and how the 2024 roster provides proof of that. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

In this episode of Buckeye Talk, the hosts discuss the recent interviews with new Ohio State players. Among the things Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss Why Will Howard’s role as a runner at Ohio State may be different from his time at Kansas State, as he emphasized his development as a pocket passer; Why Quinshon Judkins chose Ohio State and pairing with TreVeyon Henderson in the backfield; Seth McLaughlin on his snapping issues last season and the coaching staff’s plan to address them; What influenced Caleb Downs’ decision to transfer to Ohio State after leaving Alabama and; How Howard handled his first public appearance as an Ohio State quarterback. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Winter works are in full swing as Ohio State prepares for the 2024 football season. The Buckeyes are bringing back a ton of talent on offense and defense while also making some key additions in the transfer portal. But the offseason is just as much about young guys looking to turn heads in a way that eventually turns into something on the field. On this Tuesday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis take a look at some of those players. This isn’t a conversation about the already-established stars of the team. But instead one about a few players that can use this winter and spring to gain something important. Whether it pays off in 2024, or in laters seasons. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State's 2025 recruiting class has been busy in recent weeks as it starts to rack up the commitments. But many of those lately have come on defense which has been a positive change of pace. Now it seems the offense is getting in on the actions with a commitment from fou-star offensive lineman Carter Lowe. On this Monday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis discuss what Lowe brings to the class plus a bevy of other happenings in the recruiting world for OSU. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State failed to live up to the standard that had been set in the Ryan Day era offensively even with what Marvin Harrison Jr. achieved. That resulted in making a few changes at key positions mixed with a few returns from guys who probably came into the season expecting it to be their last. That combination makes for an interesting offseason featuring a few position battles and a few more interesting questions across the board. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis project the offensive starters. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State is bringing back practically every major piece from one of the nation's best defenses while also bringing in a major addition by way of the transfer portal. As the Buckeyes head into winter workouts and prepare for the 2024 season, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis use this episode to dive into what things may look like. That starts by looking into Nathan's projected depth chart and using it to have a deeper conversation about a unit that might give defensive coordinator Jim Knowles more options than he's ever had. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Jim Harbaugh was hired in 2015 to fix Michigan and flip the Ohio State-Michigan rivalry back in the Wolverine’s favor and now he’s gone nine years later able to say the mission was successful. Harbaugh leaves Ann Arbor with an 86–25 record (60–17 Big Ten), three conference titles, a 3-5 record against the Buckeyes and a national title. But those championships and rivalry wins all happened over the past three years just as the program was starting to hit its stride. Now he’s gone and that can be viewed as both positive and negative for OSU. On this emergency episode of Buckey Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss Harbaugh’s decision and what it means for Ohio State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

This episode of Buckeye Talk provides a chance for a rapid-fire pod as Ohio State continues to work through the early stages of the offseason. Among the questions from Subtext subscribers discussed: Who's a former player we drove the bus for early and were right? Could Alabama suffer the same fate as other former dynasties following Nick Saban's retirement? Did Ohio State fail C.J. Stroud? How many OSU players will have a rating of at least 90 when the new college football video game comes out this summer? What will the pod look like as we head into the offseason? Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State enters a 2024 spring with five quarterbacks on its roster in what will be the most interesting offseason the position's seen under Ryan Day. On this Tuesday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis try to make sense of what things could look like. The conversation covers everything from what they think the hierarchy will be on Day 1, what the rep distribution could look like and the potential outcomes of trying to manage a room with five different personalities. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State continues to put together an impressive offseason while setting up the most interesting quarterback situation in the country. The Buckeyes had already pulled in Kansas State's Will Howard as a transfer to join a room-returning Devin Brown and Lincoln Kienholz while also singing five-star Air Noland. Now Noland won't be the only five-star freshman joining the room this spring as OSU has added Julian Sayin as well. Saying started his career at Alabama but Nick Saban's retirement opened the door for the nation's top quarterback to explore his options. Now he'll join safety Caleb Downs and center Seth McLaughlin as Crimson Tide players that have transferred to OSU. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss the impact of this move and what it can mean for the future of the position at Ohio State. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State just landed the best available player in the transfer portal and added him to a defense that was already trending toward being historical. The fight for Caleb once he left Alabama following Nick Saban's retirement came down to the Buckeyes and Georgia and heading into the end of the week it felt like the Bulldogs were in the lead. But then a few OSU coaches took a trip down to his home in Georgia to see the former five-star safety and did just enough to keep that from happening. Now a player it once finished second for on the recruiting trail, is finally calling Columbus his home. On this emergency episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss the impact of Caleb Downs' decision. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State's 2025 recruiting class currently sits fifth nationally with most of that weight being carried by its defense. That’s a much different place than we’ve grown accustomed to seeing in Columbus under Ryan Day where it’s typically taken some time for defensive recruits to jump aboard while the offense thrives. But coming off a year where OSU had arguably the nation’s top defense, it now has proof of what it can be when talking to the nation’s top recruits. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis discuss the early success on the recruiting trail. Plus, a discussion on Alabama transfers Caleb Downs and Kadyn Proctor and the potential value each would bring to the Buckeyes if they were to come. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Day is entering a new phase of his career as Ohio State football's head coach as he's chosen to give up play-calling duties after five seasons. Day has decided to bring in Bill O'Brien as OSU's new offensive coordinator with all the responsibilities that come with that job title. That includes play-calling, overseeing the offensive gameplan and running the quarterback room. This is one of the most pivotal decisions Day has made during his tenure and on this emergency episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis break down why. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State's new athletic director Ross Bjork spoke publicly for the first time following his hiring and left quite an impression. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis gives their reactions to Bjork, OSU president Ted Carteer and the direction the athletic department could be headed in under their new leadership. Are the Buckeyes preparing for a more aggressive approach to attacking a constantly changing landscape of college sports? PLus, what does Bjorj thing of football head coach Ryan Day? That and more on this latest episode. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A ton has happened since Ohio State's season essentially ended following a 30-24 loss to Michigan. Some of it has been positive, some of it negative and some of it indifferent. But it all has an impact on where OSU could be headed in 2024 as it hopes to end its losing streak to the Wolverines and end ten Big Ten title drought. It'll do so while also entering a new era of college football with the 12-team playoff. On this Tuesday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss all of those things and which ones are the most important to Ohio State. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State finished its season with an 11-2 record and a loss to Michigan for the third straight year while also failing to make the College Football Playoff for the second time of the Ryan Day era. The disappointing finish sent the Buckeyes into the offseason with a different vibe understanding that numerous changes needed to be on the horizon. On this Monday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis revisit their Mark It Down Monday statistical leaders prediction episode from last summer. Once again injuries got in the way of some predictions while others were done so by pleasant surprises on both offense and defense. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Another Friday episode of Buckeye Talk provides a chance for a rapid-fire pod as Ohio State continues to work through the early stages of the offseason. Among the questions from Subtext subscribers discussed: Could Nick Saban's retirement be a good thing for Ohio State? Would Alabama and Ryan Day hypothetically make a good fit? Would Dan Lanning be a bigger threat staying at Oregon or if he would've replaced Saban at Alabama? A preview of a future conversation about the updated tiers of college football. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Day has made his second and third alterations to Ohio State's coaching staff in what could be a major makeover to the 10-man group. After choosing not to retain Perry Eliano as safeties coach, Day has brought Matt Guerrieri who originally followed Jim Knowles to Columbus as a graduate assistant in 2022 before leaving to help coordinate Indiana's defense in 2023. Now he returns as a full-time assistant coach. Plus Parker Fleming has officially been fired after another lackluster year from the special teams. After that, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis look at an offensive coaching staff that might be on the verge of its first major overhaul of the Day era. A pivotal change may be brewing and it says something about Day's growth as a head coach. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State is now living in a world where its rival Michigan is the reigning national champion. On this Wednesday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis explore that reality and its impact on the program. But the question going forward is whether this harsh truth will be short-lived as the Wolverines enter a potentially pivotal offseason of their own. Ryan Day is busy trying to find the right mixture of coaches while putting together a roster capable of ending a three-game losing streak in The Game. Michigan is just trying to figure out what its next steps are as it could lose its coach and a large portion of its most important players while still possibly waiting for further punishment for a sign-stealing scandal that was revealed during the season. That plus a conversation about OSU’s later transfer running back Quinshon Judkins, who announced his commitment just minutes after the National Championship Game concluded. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Day is expected to make significant changes to his coaching staff following Ohio State football third straight Michigan loss and the first one has been revealed. Day has decided not to retain safeties coach Perry Eliano whose contract expires after the 2023 season. This is expected to be the first of a few moves. While Day continues to figure out his 2024 staff, his 2024 roster is also still coming together as a few more players decided to return putting off the NFL for another year. Plus, Could the Buckeyes be in the market for a running back who spent the last two seasons running for 1,000-plus yards in the SEC? On this Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss all of that. Thanks for listening. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State has added a fourth quarterback to its 2024 roster in Will Howard by way of the transfer portal. Howard spent the first four years of his career at Kansas State as a multi-season starter completing 58.8% of his passes for 5,786 yards and 48 touchdowns. He led the Wildcats to a Big 12 championship in 2022 and is coming off his best statistical season in 2023. Now he’ll join a room in Columbus where the future was in question as the player now considered the front-runner to be the starter. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis look at the transfer quarterback from every angle. They’ll evaluate his career at Kansas State through the lens of some of his best games then discuss how he fits into Ohio State’s offense and what things could look like with him under center. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The calendar year has turned and the Ohio State football program has shifted its focus toward preparing for the 2024 season. The defense took significant strides in 2023 and could be in a prime position to build on that success going forward depending on the decision of a handful of players eligible for the NFL Draft On this Thursday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss what that unit could look like in 2024. The trio go through all 11 spots and decide whether they think the potential starter is already on the roster or could be eventually occupied by someone OSU gets from the transfer portal. Thank you for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

For the second time in the Ryan Day era, Ohio State has brought in a quarterback from the transfer portal with the idea that he could one day be its starter. Day's first transfer quarterback was Justin Fields from Georgia in 2019, now he's brought in Will Howard from Kansas State to join a battle that will include Devin Brown, Lincoln Kienholz and five-star freshman Air Noland. On this emergency episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis break down the addition of Howard and how it impacts OSU's quarterback room. Plus a look at Day and what a decision like this could be signaling in how Day is approaching a vital offseason. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The calendar year has turned and Ohio State has shifted its focus toward preparing for the 2024 season. Offensively that could mean spending the next five months making drastic improvements to a unit that didn't play up to standard for the first time under Ryan Day. On this Thursday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss what personnel changes could be coming because of that reality. The trio go through all 11 spots and decide whether they think the potential starter for that spot is already on the roster or could be eventually occupied by someone OSU gets from the transfer portal. Thank you for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

We're almost a week removed from Ohio State ending its season with a loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl while its rival Michigan is preparing to play in a National Championship Game against Washington, which also joins the Big Ten next year. It's a new world to live in where a fan base isn't completely confident in what the future will look like heading into Year 6 under Ryan Day. On this Wednesday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis provide a space for the Subtext subscriber to express how they feel about the future of the program using four distinct questions: How do you feel about the direction of Ohio State under Ryan Day? How do you feel about Ohio State's chances of winning an expanded Big Ten next season? Watching Michigan and Washington play for a national title next week makes me feel What should Ohio State's bare minimum College Football Playoff performance be going forward? Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

A lot has happened since Ohio State closed out its season with a 14-3 loss to Missouri in the Cotton Bowl. On this Tuesday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gilliss are here to break it all down. Among the topics discussed: How Michael Hall Jr. declaring for the NFL Draft impacts OSU; Expectations for Ohio tight end transfer Will Kacmarek; Looking at the losses of Bryson Rodgers and Noah Rogers to the transfer portal and the state of the wide receiver room; Who will replace Jesse Mirco after the punter entered the transfer portal and; Reacting to Michigan and Washington reaching the National Championship Game and what it means for Ohio State’s standing as it enters Big Ten expansion and a 12-team College Football Playoff in 2024. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State is ending its season with an 11-2 record for the third-straight season and a second-straight year. It’s also the second straight season where the Buckeyes head into the offseason coming off back-to-back losses one being to your rival and the other an SEC school. Only this time a 14-3 loss to Missouri may sting a little bit more given what they now must head not the offseason dealing with. On this postgame episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis react to the loss and where OSU goes from here. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State will close out the 2023 season with a game against Missouri in what will be the third time in the past four years that its final game will be against an SEC opponent. Only this time that game won't come in the College Football Playoff instead as just the second time of the Ryan Day era. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis give their final thoughts on the Cotton Bowl by discussing two big-picture targets: What can this game mean for Devin Brown and OSU’s quarterback situation? How does a win or a loss impact a program looking for reasons to have optimism? Then Tyler Shoemaker joins the pod as usual to provide some of the best bets of the Cotton Bowl and a few other games left to be played this bowl season. Then Nathan and Andrew rejoin Stephen as the trio gives their game picks. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State is in Dallas, Texas, preparing to face Missouri in the Cotton Bowl to close out the regular season and revealed it’ll have two important members of its offense. Treveyon Henderson and Cade Stover state that both will play on Friday. For Stover, it’s a chance to end a college career that began as a linebacker, then a defensive end before settling in at tight end where he became a John Mackey Award finalist. For Henderson, all that remains it figuring out what he will do after the game as another member of a 2021 recruiting class that has a decision to make after the season on whether he will head off for the NFL or be back in 2024. After that, OSU offensive coordinator Brian spoke with the media along with a handful of defensive players. On this Tuesday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss what Nathan saw and heard in Dallas. Thank you for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State is in Dallas, Texas, preparing to face Missouri in the Cotton Bowl to close out the regular season and may be without an important member of its offense. A small portion of the Buckeyes' Tuesday practice was open to the media revealing that Marvin Harrison Jr., though in attendance is not actually participating in practicing hinting that his college career may be over. So far, he is the only Buckeye expected to opt out of the New Year's Six bowl game. After that, OSU defensive coordinator Jim Knowles spoke with the media along wth a handful of defensive players. On this Tuesday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis discuss what Nathan saw and heard on down in Dallas heading into Friday. Thank you for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Day revealed his criteria when evaluating the jobs of Ohio State's coaching staff every year. His evaluation comes down to how each assistant coach performs in three distinct categories/ Recruiting: “That’s the No. 1 thing. You’ve gotta recruit your position. You’re the head coach of your position. You’ve gotta make sure that room is strong year in and year out. We have a certain amount of depth at each position and then it’s your job to make sure that you have the best room in the country.” Development: “How they perform on the field. What type of production are you getting out of your unit? A big part of that is the development. If you recruit really well and then you’re developing your players are usually going to get production.” Scheme: “What do you bring schematically to the field? Are you putting your guys in a situation to be successful?” Day is heading into a pivotal offseason in terms of how his staff is structured following a third-straight loss to Michigan. There will — or at least shout be —difficult conversations had. On this Saturday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis use Day’s criteria to do their own evaluations on the staff giving each member a grade. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

With Signing Day in the review, Ohio State shifts practically all of its focus on its matchup against Missouri in the Cotton Bowl to close out the 2023 season. That game provides a chance to give an otherwise disappointing season a more positive ending. It’s also a chance to build momentum for 2024 plus the various other reasons why this game is so important. It’s why even a New Year’s Six bowl game that’s not part of the College Football Playoff can still have a ton of intrigue. A few players have something to gain from the Dec. 29 game in Dallas, Texas. On this Friday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis take a look at who some of those players may be and what makes this game so important to both them and the program. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State signed the nation's No.4 recruiting class nationally on a Signing Day that was anything but easygoing. Ryan Day took the podium on Wednesday afternoon still unsure about arguably his two most important commits and the world got to see in real time how emotional getting good news can be. On this Thursday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis recap Signing Day for the 2024 recruiting class looking at where OSU succeeded and potentially came up short. Plus a conversation about whether the class has a quarterback capable of starting as a true freshman. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Signing Day has arrived as Ohio State looks to put the finishing touches on a 2024 recruiting class that sits second nationally. Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis will join the rest of the beat in speaking with head coach Ryan Day later this afternoon. Still, in the meantime, the trio uses a Wednesday Buckeye talk to answer a few questions from the Subtext subscribers: Do stars still matter? Is the recruiting tracking industry dead? What's the deal with Ohio State's NIL situation? Who's planning to enroll early? Plus much more including a little Christmas talk. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State is on pace to sign the nation’s No. 2 recruiting class with a 2024 group that features 23 commits and five of them being five-star recruits. Ryan Day will finally talk about that group publicly on Wednesday once they sign their Letters of Intent. On this Monday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis will look at the nine defensive players in the class and how they fit into the roster as a way to preview Signing Day. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices