2023 Ohio State Football Off Season Thread

[Omega]

Today is national signing day but the early signing period has made the "old normal day" meaningless. As expected, the Bucks had no signings, but Ryan Day held a press conference. News of note:

On playcalling duties, Day says the Buckeyes "won't decide any of that now," but will allow Brian Hartline to call the offense at times during the spring and see how it goes.

Julian Fleming, Emeka Egbuka, Tommy Eichenberg, TreVeyon Henderson, Mitchell Melton, Evan Pryor and Kourt Williams will all be out for the spring.

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-sta ... n-transfer

[Omega]

Mark Pantoni, Ohio State's Assistant Athletic Director for Player Personnel (Recruiting) gave a rather lengthy interview today concerning Buckeye football recruiting. He including some telling comments about how NIL is effecting OSU's success in recruiting and how it may change the direction of their recruiting in the future.

The TLDNW version is that Pantoni is proud of how OSU has structured NIL for its roster players. They have provided legal structures to protect both players and the university in dealing with NIL. Pantoni stated current players have the opportunity to earn more than adequate compensation thru legally compliant foundations that support OSU athletes.

That said, Pantoni stated that Ohio State will likely not get involved in NIL bidding wars for new recruits or portal players. He acknowledged that that stance has cost OSU in signing big time national recruits.

Pantoni said they would prefer to have players in the locker room who want to be there for what the university offers as opposed to those who are interested in NIL upfront.

Pantoni sad the University and athletic department will push the NCAA for rule changes to reign in NIL abuses, but said that with out reforms, the Buckeye's recruiting may start to focus less on big time national recruits. They may have to devote more time towards in state prospects and focus only on the big name recruits who want to be a Buckeye over NIL dollars.

Thus the question arises: can OSU football stay relevant with this approach to recruiting and lack of NCAA rules and enforcement?

https://m.youtube.com/watch?v=uqRwGivjN ... b_imp_woyt

[cbolt]

Just saw Hartline might not be the OC after all. Day announced he will be for the spring game but after that it's up in the air. So it sounds like Day doesn't have much confidence in Hartline doing the job. Could this set the wheels in motion if Hartline doesn't get the job to feel slighted and move on?

[Omega]

Just saw Hartline might not be the OC after all. Day announced he will be for the spring game but after that it's up in the air. So it sounds like Day doesn't have much confidence in Hartline doing the job. Could this set the wheels in motion if Hartline doesn't get the job to feel slighted and move on?

My thought is that Hartline's promotion to OC was designed to give him a title and more money to make it more difficult for him to be poached off of the OSU coaching staff more than anything else at the moment.

I think Day sees the need to delegate the play calling duty but also knows Hartline needs to learn and grow into the position, thus the "tryout". I am certain that Hartline knows there are strings attached to his promotion. Even OSU's last OC, Kevin Wilson, apparently was not the primary game day play caller, so not much change is expected.

I see Hartline as a future OSU head coach in training, learning how to organize and game plan. He obviously can recruit and develop players. It is time he starts to get hands on experience with the big picture items in coaching.

[baseball16]

Just saw Hartline might not be the OC after all. Day announced he will be for the spring game but after that it's up in the air. So it sounds like Day doesn't have much confidence in Hartline doing the job. Could this set the wheels in motion if Hartline doesn't get the job to feel slighted and move on?

Hartline is the OC. What Day is saying is he is going to let Hartline call plays through the spring then after look at it and see if he needs to be the "Extra" play caller. Day is open to giving up a few duties, but when it comes to next fall I look for Day to have the Same in game role as he did in the past.

[cbolt]

I hope that's what he means. The article I saw last night made it seem like the OC job was up in the air after the Spring Game depending on how it goes. All the articles I saw today make it seem like it's play calls only.

[Omega]

I hope that's what he means. The article I saw last night made it seem like the OC job was up in the air after the Spring Game depending on how it goes. All the articles I saw today make it seem like it's play calls only.

Yeah, the various articles were more headline than substance.

One of the criticisms about Ryan Day has been that his insistance on play calling hampers his ability to handle other HC game day duties like clock management, substitutions, etc. Hopefully Hartline can quickly learn/grow in his new position.

[Omega]

Michael O’Shaughnessy to Sparty

[Omega]

Ohio State cancels home and home football game series with the Washington Huskies. The Bucks were scheduled to play in Seattle in 2024 and UW was to come to Columbus in 2025.

OSU initiated the cancellation and will have to pay UW a $500K penalty.

I guess the motivation might be to add a more certain win to the schedule given that 2024 marks the start of the 12 team playoff and the addition of UCLA and USC to the Big 10. Judicious scheduling in the changing world of CFB.

https://ohiostatebuckeyes.com/ohio-stat ... ashington/

[Omega]

OSU is expected to tap Marc Votteler as their new Director of Player Personnel. He will replace Zach Grant who is now with the Cincinnati Bearcats.

[Omega]

Ohio State opens their 2023 spring football practice on March 7th. The Bucks will have 15 practice sessions culminating in the Spring Game on April 15th.

So far, State has won the off-season. No players making the police blotter headlines. No unexpected transfers. That and hopefully the players have been focused on both the classroom and training room.

Coach Day will have to select a new QB between Kyle McCord and Devin Brown.

OL coach Justin Frye will have to find two tackles and a center among a inexperienced returning group.

OSU's running back room has great returning talent but TreVeyon Henderson and Evan Pryor will miss the spring sessions recovering from surgery. The bigger question will be if Ohio State can find the will to have a dominant run game.

Finally on offense, the Bucks will need to find a placekicker.

As to the defense, the DL and LB's return intact missing only Zach Harrison. The big questions are the defensive backs. Can any of them play up to their talent level or is Jim Knowles days in Columbus numbered as a defensive coordinator?

All in all I am looking forward to the 2023 OSU football season. The Bucks will be in the conversation for the Big 10 championship and playoff consideration, although Michigan is the heavy favorite for those accolades.

Thoughts?

[Omega]

Ironton's Reid Carrico got a mention from DC Jim Knowles during yesterday's press conferences:

"Knowles says the Buckeyes are trying Reid Carrico out at different positions. "We definitely want him to make a push on special teams, we're hoping he shows up."

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-sta ... of-work-to

[Omega]

OSU is approaching the second week of spring practice with little in the way of news. Silence is golden I guess.

[Omega]

Show me the money. OSU assistant coach salaries:

Jim Knowles $1,957,000
Brian Hartline $1,600,000
Larry Johnson $1,166,990
Justin Frye $1,000,000
Tim Walton $1,000,000
Tony Alford $ 772,500
Perry Eliano $ 515,000
Parker Fleming $ 500,000
Corey Dennis $ 412,000
Keenan Bailey $ 400,000

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-sta ... en-figures

Throw in Ryan Day's $7 million plus salary, you are talking over $16 million in annual coaches salary at Ohio State. So can we fault players for wanting to be paid.

[noreply66]

Give them the money but they have to play out their scholarship.

[Omega]

Give them the money but they have to play out their scholarship.

Sensible middle ground NR66

[Omega]

State resumes practice after spring break with the first inter squad scrimmage set for Saturday. Maybe we will get a hint of the depth chart at QB and OL.

Also pro day is today in Columbus. The show case for NFL scouts seems to be generating more interest than the Buckeye team practice.

https://www.msn.com/en-us/sports/ncaafb ... r-AA18VWH4

[Omega]

Mickey Marotti, OSU's Director of Sports Performance (strength and conditioning) has received a three year contract extension. Once considered to be the best in the business, Marotti has received some criticism of late as OSU football has been labeled as soft the last two seasons.

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/forum/oh ... r-contract

[Omega]

The Buckeyes held the first scrimmage of spring practice yesterday. Ryan Day's coach speak summary is in the link below:

https://www.elevenwarriors.com/ohio-sta ... r-in-first

[Omega]

The Buckeyes get commitments from two four star offensive linemen from Lakewood St. Ed's. The two happen to be twin brothers:

https://www.landgrantholyland.com/2023/ ... ndon-baker