Scarlet Sunrise: With analogous opener, growth of Buckeyes 2021 class in spotlight

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With analogous opener, growth of Buckeyes 2021 class in spotlight

For the second time in three years, Ohio State is playing on the road to open not only the season but also Big Ten play. That includes the debut of a new starting quarterback and changes on the offensive line.

It’s a bit of deja vu for the Buckeyes’ 2021 class, which kicked off its first collegiate season with a game at Minnesota.

“A lot of them had to play as freshmen two years ago,” now-fifth-year-coach Ryan Day reflected. “I think back on, again, on that Minnesota game and all the guys that had not played either because they were freshmen or because of a COVID year just didn’t quite get the game experience that you typically would get in a year.

“When I talk about the experience of this team, I think that’s part of it. You know that the guys in that class who are in their third year played a significant amount of football. To think these guys are juniors, you would think that maybe they’re fourth- and fifth-year guys. Just the way they handle themselves but also the amount of game experience that they’ve had.”

There are varying degrees of experience among that Ohio State class.

For instance, there are players like quarterback Kyle McCord, who is set to make his second career start Saturday at Indiana and is on the brink of his first real shot at legit playing time. There are players like running back TreVeyon Henderson and cornerback Denzel Burke who had breakout freshman years but were set back by injury in 2022.

Then there’s the path followed by wide receivers Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka, as well as defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau and left guard Donovan Jackson — now a leader of the offensive line — who all got a chance to shine as sophomores.

The point is, the 2021 Ohio State recruiting class is at the heart of the 2023 team, two years removed from opening the season at Minnesota under similar circumstances.

“Yeah, I remember that Minnesota game. Nervous the entire time,” Jackson recalled. “I was in my stance as the heavy tight end guy, right out there on the field shaking in my stance. I believe I had a motion. In the one play I was in, I believe I almost tripped over Thayer Munford’s feet. I vividly remember the Minnesota game.”

Jackson continued: “But coming into a road environment, you just have to band with your brothers. There’s thousands of people booing you, thousands of people wishing you miss the play. But as long as you have the 11 guys on the field with you, that’s all you need.”

Roles have shifted. Jackson noted that, before, he was taking advice from the likes of eventual first-team All-American tackles Paris Johnson Jr. and Dawand Jones. As a junior and returning starter, Jackson is the one relaying those messages to the new underclassmen.

It’s Year Three for the Buckeyes’ 2021 class. A prove-it year for a group that clocked in second nationally, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, more than two years ago.

Lettermen Lounge: Ohio State commits stock rising, storylines and bold predictions

The Ohio State season is one day away from kicking off, but the high school football season has already started.

Lettermen Row has watched four commits in the Buckeyes’ 2024 class so far, including three in person. Another scouting trip is on the way.

With that in mind, our recruiting analyst Matt Parker and beat writer Spencer Holbrook hopped back into the Lettermen Lounge for another recruiting episode. They discussed how, to this point, Ohio State’s 2024 class is performing under the Friday Night Lights.

Check it out here.

TreVeyon Henderson putting last year behind him, ‘ready to go play’

Ohio State running back TreVeyon Henderson is eager to get the ball rolling. Henderson heard all the doubters when he was playing hurt and, eventually, sidelined last season.

He dealt with a fractured sesamoid bone in his foot, along with ligament tear, since Week 3 against Toledo and never got back to 100%, which increasingly limited his change of direction. Henderson wound up missing four of the Buckeyes’ final five games, including the Peach Bowl College Football Playoff semifinal.

“I’m tired of talking about it,” Henderson said Wednesday night ahead of the Buckeyes’ season opener at Indiana. “I’m ready to go play, to be honest.”

For the latest on Henderson, go here.

Healthy Mike Hall ready to ‘dominate’ for Ohio State defense

Ohio State defensive tackle Mike Hall is a leaner 283 pounds. He cut his body fat down from 23% to 19% this offseason. And, most importantly, he’s back to his “old self.”

“Being a dominant player, being a dog,” he said.

Hall showed a glimpse of just how dominant he can be in 2022, starting with a monster performance against Notre Dame in last year’s opener when he piled up four total tackles, including two for a loss and a sack, while creating havoc in the Fighting Irish backfield.

Hall will get another shot to make a difference in Saturday’s Week 1 matchup at Indiana.

To learn more about Hall’s renewed health and determined mindset, head on over here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 1 day
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 85 days

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