Scarlet Sunrise: Joel Klatt ranks Buckeyes No. 1 in preseason poll

Good morning, Ohio State fans, and welcome to the Scarlet Sunrise. Football will always be our focus, but every day we’ll cover news, notes and analysis from across Buckeyes sports. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Buckeyes football, recruiting, basketball and more in Scarlet Sunrise.

Joel Klatt ranks Buckeyes No. 1 in his preseason poll

Ohio State is at the top of college football to begin the season. Well, that is at least according to one national talking head.

Yes, FOX Sports’ Joel Klatt has released his preseason ranking, and he put the Buckeyes at No. 1 — ahead of SEC heavyweight Georgia.

This is what Klatt said about ranking Ohio State at the top:

“What they brought back? This is the most important part for Ohio State,” Klatt stated. “This feels eerily similar to what Michigan did last offseason, which is all of their important contributors who had a decision to make about the NFL chose to go back to Michigan. Guess what happened in Columbus? Almost every single one of these guys that had a decision to make. … came back to Ohio State. They have not just the talent but the veteran talent.”

“They bring in Chip Kelly to run the offense. That run game is going to be insane with TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins. I think that Ohio State is going to have the best defense in college football. They’ve got a great front four, their linebackers are athletic and it’s the best secondary in all of college football. Not many people are scoring on Ohio State – not many.”

While others have already decided Georgia is better than the Buckeyes entering the season, Klatt is choosing to buy the hype here in Columbus. He has Ohio State as the top team in the sport before the year kicks off.

Ohio State second in preseason Coaches Poll

Ohio State is officially beginning the season this month as one of the top-ranked teams in college football. At least that’s what coaches from around the country believe.

Yes, it’s the preseason, meaning preseason polls are trickling out. The latest comes courtesy of the coaches, released a week before the anticipated AP Poll is set to come out.

And in the preseason coaches poll, Ohio State will open the regular season as the No. 2 team in the country. Georgia took the top spot in the poll, earning 46 first-place votes. Ohio State received seven first-place votes. Rounding out the top five is Oregon (0 first-place votes), Texas (one first-place vote) and Alabama (0).

Defending national champ and Buckeyes biggest rival Michigan opens the season at No. 8, although the Wolverines received one first-place vote.

Coaches Poll (Preseason)

No. 1 Georgia (46)
No. 2 Ohio State (7)
No. 3 Oregon
No. 4 Texas (1)
No. 5 Alabama

Five-star OT David Sanders Jr. sets decision date, time

From On3’s Steve Wiltfong:

The On3 Industry’s No. 1 ranked offensive tackle David Sanders Jr. is still locked in to commit on Aug. 17.

The No. 2 prospect overall has the same finalists in Georgia, Nebraska, Ohio State and Tennessee.

Now the time is set. Sanders’ mother Samantha tells On3 the five-star plus prospect will announce at 12:30 local time from Charlotte (NC) Providence Day School.

Sanders is the reigning Gatorade State Player of the Year in North Carolina after helping Providence Day win another state championship.

The Vols are the On3 RPM favorite and got the last visit from Sanders the Saturday of July 27. He’s been to the Vols campus numerous times including five trips this calendar year which also included the spring game and the 865 Live Event and his official visit in June.

Counting Down

Buckeyes vs. Akron: 25 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 116 days

Are you a Lettermen Row member yet?

Are you ready to get all your latest Buckeyes news in one place? Become a member of Lettermen Row today. With your Lettermen Row/On3+ membership, you’ll not only have access to everything that’s happening with the Buckeyes, but you’ll also be able to peruse other fan sites within the network to hear just how rivals are feeling about Ohio State, as well. Make sure to follow along on X, Instagram and on Youtube for all the latest Buckeyes news you need to know.