Scarlet Sunrise: Jeremy Ruckert named semifinalist for Campbell Trophy

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 Ohio State football, recruiting, basketball and more in Scarlet Sunrise.

Jeremy Ruckert named semifinalist for Campbell Trophy

Jeremy Ruckert is one of the top tight ends in the country.

He’s getting it done off the field, too. On Wednesday, Ruckert was named one of the 176 semifinalists for the William V. Campbell Trophy, which honors “a senior or graduate student in their final year of playing eligibility, has a GPA of at least 3.2 on a 4.0 scale, has outstanding football ability as a first team player or significant contributor and has demonstrated strong leadership and citizenship.”

Along with being one of the best at his position in the nation, Ruckert graduated in August with a degree in human development and family sciences. On top of all of that, he has a chance to be a high draft pick next year in the NFL draft.

Ruckert has proven on and off the field that he’s among the top players in America.

Zach Boren breaks down Tyleik Williams

Tyleik Williams seemingly emerged from nowhere to pick the Buckeyes. Part of it was an injury that slowed him during the spring — and then there was the body transformation.

But Williams is showing exactly why Larry Johnson was so excited about the defensive lineman’s potential dating back to their first meeting. And the Buckeyes are still only getting started molding him physically.

What has allowed Tyleik Williams to emerge as a pass-rushing weapon for Ohio State? How surprising is his rise as part of the youth movement for the Buckeyes? Where can Williams and the defensive line still improve ahead of the trip to Rutgers? Former Ohio State captain Zach Boren answers those questions and more in the latest episode of BuckIQ.

Roll the tape!

New Talking Stuff: The Ohio State Recruiting Podcast

Xavier Nwankpa or Caden Curry? Caden Curry or Xavier Nwankpa? No matter where you rank them, those are the two top-of-the-board targets remaining in the 2022 class for Ohio State.

Nwankpa is set to cut his list down to three schools this weekend. And it’s becoming clear which ones will remain at play for the nation’s third-ranked safety out of Southeast Polk (Iowa) High School.

Curry is already down to a top-five list. But it appears there are really only three programs that are viable options at this late stage in the Center Grove (Indiana) prospect’s recruitment.

And speaking of the defense, Dallas Gant recently entered the transfer portal and K’Vaughan Pope was dismissed from the program on Sunday. Do those departures put extra emphasis on the Buckeyes to try and sign a third linebacker in 2022? Would there be a viable option this late in the cycle?

Find out those answers and more – including why you never want to go on a first date while your fantasy football draft is ongoing – below as Jeremy Birmingham, Zack Carpenter and Andrew Ellis break it all down on the latest episode of Talking Stuff: The Ohio State Recruiting Podcast from Lettermen Row.

Weekend Kickoff presented by Bryant Heating and Cooling Systems

Lettermen Row Weekend Kickoff presented by Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems: The Whatever It Takes Pregame Show is back!

The Lettermen Row crew will be live from Urban Meyer’s Pint House in Dublin’s Bridge Park on Thursday night for a full preview of the Buckeyes next road trip, this time at Rutgers in a return to Big Ten play.

The next edition of the show will be Thursday, Sept. 30 at 7 p.m., and there will be plenty of Ohio State guests on hand to break down the pursuit of a win. Come out to see Cardale Jones, Zach Boren, Bobby Carpenter, Rashod Berry, Robert Landers and other former Buckeyes greats give their insight about the upcoming game with the Scarlet Knights and give predictions about the return of conference play in Piscataway.

Get set with the panel of former Buckeyes with analysis, stories, delicious food from Urban Meyer’s Pint House in Dublin and some cold Coors Light. Don’t miss the next show Thursday at 7 p.m.

Lettermen Row Weekend Kickoff presented by Bryant Heating & Cooling Systems: The Whatever It Takes Pregame Show is proudly sponsored by Coors Light and Byers Auto!

Download Lettermen Row’s free app

Want an easier way to get free premium content from Lettermen Row?

The Lettermen Row app is here! Get all of the Ohio State news, analysis, videos and everything else you’ve come to expect from us in one free, convenient spot. It’s now available in both the App Store and Google Play. Check it out!

The Lettermen Row app can be found for free here:

• Apple app store
• Google Play

Sign up for the Scarlet Sunrise newsletter

If you enjoy the Scarlet Sunrise posts, please consider having our newsletter delivered to your inbox every weekday morning.