Scarlet Sunrise: Buckeyes enter busy offseason after Rose Bowl win

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Buckeyes enter busy offseason after Rose Bowl win

Ohio State would have preferred a shot at winning a national title. But heading into the offseason with a Rose Bowl trophy to add in the glass cases at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center is quite the consolation prize.

The Buckeyes pulled out a thrilling Rose Bowl win over Utah to gain some momentum as they barrel into what should be a loaded offseason. They will now attempt to get back into the national championship picture for next season.

And with spring practice just two months away, that offseason clock has already started. Potential staff changes to accompany new defensive coordinator Jim Knowles. Roster movement. Young players emerging from winter workouts. Storylines will be abundant from the Buckeyes this offseason.

Miss any of the Rose Bowl coverage before you head into the offseason? We’ve got you covered.

READ: Snap Judgments as Ohio State steals epic win in Rose Bowl shootout

READ: How Buckeyes fought through adversity to prove toughness in wild Rose Bowl

WATCH: Ryan Day, Buckeyes press conference after thrilling Rose Bowl win

READ: Jaxon Smith-Njigba delivers historic, record-breaking Rose Bowl performance

READ: Five key plays that defined Buckeyes Rose Bowl win

READ: What We Learned about Buckeyes in record-breaking Rose Bowl performance

Coveted four-star defensive end commits to Ohio State

Ohio State needed numbers and star talent at defensive line in its Class of 2022. Omari Abor now gives the Buckeyes one more important piece of the puzzle.

Abor, a top-50 overall player out of Duncanville (Texas), pledged to the Buckeyes Sunday, and that gives Ohio State a high-ceiling player out of the Lone Star State once again.

The nation’s No. 6-ranked EDGE player, Abor committing to Ohio State gives the program a boost in the position that was of the most importance this late in the cycle.

There is a lot of football ahead of Omari Abor and truthfully his best football may be. There were questions about his consistency during his senior season and he’ll need to continue developing physically and mentally if he wants to be an early contributor at the next level.

Ohio State is still the No. 4-ranked recruiting class in the country according to the On3.com rankings with the pickup. The Buckeyes have 19 commitments in the Class of 2022, which is five fewer than any other top-five ranked class — Alabama has 24 — and eight few verbals than No. 1-ranked Texas A&M.

Buckeyes hoops escapes Nebraska with overtime win

Ohio State was never going to play its best game.

Three weeks after last taking the floor, the Buckeyes had to go on the road in conference play after a long pause. A usual recipe for an upset loss.

And that could have been the case. The Buckeyes gave up multiple leads and allowed Nebraska to stay within striking distance.

But a career performance from true freshman Malaki Branham and timely shots from senior guard Jamari Wheeler helped lift the Buckeyes to a 87-79 overtime win in Lincoln on Sunday evening.

Branham finished with an incredible 35 points to make sure Ohio State stayed perfect in conference play, even after a long pause due to positive COVID cases within the program. And the Buckeyes can breath a sigh of relief after pulling out a thrilling win.

READ: Buckeyes escape upset-minded Nebraska with overtime win

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