Scarlet Sunrise: Tracking most notable weight changes on Ohio State spring roster

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Tracking most notable weight changes on Ohio State spring roster

The Ohio State spring roster is out, and that means the program has listed the updated weights for every Buckeyes player. Here at Lettermen Row, we’re tracking the most notable fluctuations.

Check it out:

Offense

• QB Kyle McCord: 215 pounds (-7)
• QB Devin Brown: 213 pounds (+8)
• RB Dallan Hayden: 203 pounds (+8)
• WR Kyion Grayes: 185 pounds (+10)
• WR Kojo Antwi: 194 pounds (+9)
• TE Joe Royer: 252 pounds (+7)
• OL George Fitzpatrick: 305 pounds (+22)
• OL Donovan Jackson: 320 pounds (+10)
• OL Carson Hinzman: 300 pounds (+10)

Takeaways: Quarterbacks Kyle McCord and Devin Brown — both competing for the Buckeyes’ QB1 job — are each hovering around the 215 mark. McCord shed a handful of pounds to get there. Brown packed some more weight on, which he said Tuesday makes him a more durable player, especially with his running ability. Running back Dallan Hayden looks bulked up, and that’s fairly normal to see players make that kind of eight to 10-pound weight jump from freshman to sophomore year. Look at second-year offensive tackle George Fitzpatrick: He’s up 22 pounds from when he arrived in Columbus.

Defense

• DE Caden Curry: 259 pounds (+9)
• DE Kenyatta Jackson: 252 pounds (+17)
• DE Omari Abor: 268 pounds (+19)
• DT Hero Kanu: 305 pounds (-10)
• DT Mike Hall Jr.: 285 pounds (-7)
• LB C.J. Hicks: 230 pounds (+10)
• LB Gabe Powers: 230 pounds (+16)
• LB Mitchell Melton: 253 pounds (+8)
• CB Ryan Turner: 189 pounds (+9)
• S Kourt Williams II: 228 pounds (+8)
• S Brenton Jones: 205 pounds (+10)

Takeaways: There have been some big offseason gains for the Buckeyes’ up-and-coming defensive ends. Omari Abor and Kenyatta Jackson both added more than 15 pounds, not to mention Caden Curry, who is up nine pounds after a promising yet inconsistent first year with the program. Defensive tackles Mike Hall Jr. and Hero Kanu each losing at least seven pounds is notable — could go a long way for Ohio State’s defensive interior. It’s going to be hard for Buckeyes linebackers not named Tommy Eichenberg or Steele Chambers to see the field in 2023, but they have to be ready to anyway. Gabe Powers and C.J. Hicks — both now 230 pounds — certainly look the part.

In-state offensive lineman Marc Nave commits to Ohio State

Ohio State now has four commits in its 2024 cycle, including two in-state prospects. The latest is Marc Nave, a three-star Toledo (Ohio) Central Catholic interior offensive lineman.

Nave chose the Buckeyes over Cincinnati, Kentucky and Auburn, among other schools.

He’s the No. 33 interior O-Lineman and No. 502 overall prospect in the 2024 class, according to the On3 Industry Rankings. It’s worth noting that the Buckeyes signed seven in-state recruits from their 2023 class. Ohio prospects made up 35% of Ohio State’s signees last cycle, the program’s highest percentage of in-state signees in a class since Ryan Day took over as head coach.

For more on Nave, go here for his commitment story.

RELATED

• What the addition of Marc Nave means to Ohio State 2024 recruiting class
• Who’s next? Five potential commitments to Ohio State’s 2024 class

Ohio State survives second-half Wisconsin comeback, advances in Big Ten Tournament

Ohio State was at risk of blowing a 27-point, second-half lead against Wisconsin in the first round of Big Ten Tournament play, but the Buckeyes held on for a 65-57 victory. The Badgers made it a five-point game with 2:13 remaining, thanks to a 28-10 run that was capped by three straight 3-pointers.

The flurry of perimeter makes came out of nowhere. After all, Wisconsin started the game 1-of-14 from deep. Head coach Greg Gard’s team was off most of the night. Inside, too — in fact, the Badgers missed five of their first 10 layups and finished just 13-of-24 in that department.

Meanwhile, the Buckeyes shots 68.2% from the floor in the first half, staking themselves to an 18-point lead by intermission. Freshman point guard Bruce Thornton and West Virginia grad transfer Sean McNeil combined for 23 of Ohio State’s 36 first-half points. Those two, plus Justice Sueing, each logged at least 15 points in the victory. Wisconsin made its push, in large part thanks to on-ball pressure that stunted the Buckeyes’ offense, but Ohio State did enough at the free throw line to seal the deal for head coach Chris Holtmann and Co.

For the full game story, go here.

Counting down

Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 177 days

Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 261 days

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