Cleveland, OH

Kyle McCord reveals reason for transferring from Ohio State: Buckeye Breakfast

Published

2 years ago

January 4, 2024

Kyle McCord reveals reason for transferring from Ohio State: Buckeye Breakfast

COLUMBUS, Ohio — Kyle McCord has finally broken his silence since transferring from Ohio State after three years in the program and spending 2023 as its starting quarterback.

McCord went 11-1 last season — 12-1 overall as a starter — this past season though the Buckeyes once again fell short against Michigan and missed out on a chance to win the Big Ten or make the College Football Playoff. In those games, he completed 65.8% of his passes for 3,170 yards and 24 touchdowns. They were quality numbers, but not up quite what has become the expectation in Columbus, nor good enough for him to feel comfortable sticking around for 2024.

That reality is what landed the former five-star recruit in the transfer portal landing at Syracuse under new head coach Fran Brown. He hasn’t spoken publicly since that 30-24 loss to the Wolverines leaving room for speculation for why he chose to leave. Until now.

As a guest on the The QB Room podcast hosted by Jordan Palmer and Kyle Allen, McCord went into detail for why left OSU.

“The top level of college football is a business,” McCord said. “At the end of the day, Ohio State had to make a business decision they felt like was best for them and I had to do the same thing. Unfortunately, it wasn’t meant to be for next year. At the end of the day, I felt like I put together some solid games and had some good tape. So I was confident I would find a good home.”

McCord also used the platform to push back on any other narratives that may exist as to why he left such as a report from The Columbus Dispatch released last month that revealed the reasons he chose to transfer. Those reasons ranged from wanting more NIL money and assurance that he would be the starting quarterback in 2024. Neither of which Ohio State was willing to commit to.

“A news outlet from Columbus hit me up to do a story and I didn’t answer it,” McCord said. “Hit my family up to do a story, they didn’t answer. Hit people up in my circle to do a story, nobody answered. Then the next day, you go online, and they have an article published of the five reasons I left.

“You read them and it’s just a bunch of BS. They’re just kind of pulling at strings at that point. The narrative, people read that and they think that’s true and so they start believing in it and posting it and it just kind of snowballs. When you don’t really speak up about it, it is what it is.”

The more than 40-minute-long interview also featured a discussion on his reasoning for choosing Syracuse and an inside look on how NIL may be impacting college football. That included McCord revealing conversations he’s had with former teammates on the subject.

“Schools know they have X amount of money and they have to distribute it accordingly,” McCord said. “Each guy feels like they have a certain value and they set themselves at that value and I think a lot of it is weighing the pros and cons.

“It’s crazy. I talked to some of my guys from Ohio State, and hearing the numbers they’re getting from schools and they’re trying to compare (thinking), ‘I know I can get on the field here, but the money’s not as good as it is here.’ I think it’s nuts with NIL and the way things are right now, it’s free agency.”

You can watch the full interview below:

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Buckeyes in the Pro Bowl

Two former Ohio State football players have been selected to play in the 2024 Pro Bowl.

Nick Bosa will represent the 49ers as a starter with his fourth Pro Bowl selection. The NFL’s reigning Defensive Player of the Year has recorded 52 total tackles with 10.5 sacks, 16 tackles for loss and a league-leading 35 quarterback hits. He’s helped San Francisco to clinch the No. 1 seed in the NFC for the playoff.

Denzel Ward has been part of one of the league’s best defenses for the Browns while getting his third selection doing so as a reserve. Cleveland leads the league in yards allowed per game (266.6) while Ward has recorded 34 total tackles with 11 passes defended, two interceptions, one forced fumble and one tackle for loss. He’s been targeted 66 times in coverage resulting in 34 catches for 467 yards and three touchdowns.

The Pro Bowl will be played on Sunday, Feb. 4.

Key dates

College Football Playoff National Championship: 4 days, Jan. 8, 2024
NFL Draft underclassman entry deadline: 10 days, Jan. 15, 2024
Regular signing period: 34 days, Feb. 7-April 1, 2024
NFL Scouting Combine: 54 days, Feb. 27-March 4, 2024
2024 opener vs. Southern Miss: 240 days, Aug. 31, 2024
The Game 2024: 331 days

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Cleveland, OH

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Published

28 minutes ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

Cleveland Cavaliers vs. Brooklyn Nets prediction, pick for Sunday 3/1/26

Cooper Albers takes you through his preview, prediction and pick for Sunday’s NBA matchup between the Cleveland Cavaliers and Brooklyn Nets.

Eastern Conference rivals close their regular-season series on Sunday, as the Brooklyn Nets host the Cleveland Cavaliers at Barclays Center.

The Cavaliers (37–24, 4th East) have dropped back-to-back games without Donovan Mitchell and James Harden, albeit against far superior competition. They’ll aim for the three-game sweep of Brooklyn without Mitchell, while Harden remains questionable.

The Nets (15–44, 14th East) are mired in a brutal seven-game losing streak, including a 112–84 thumping in Cleveland on February 19.

Here’s a look at the Injury Report:

Cleveland Cavaliers

Out: Donovan Mitchell (Groin), Max Strus (Foot), Dean Wade (Ankle)
Questionable: James Harden (Thumb), Keon Ellis (Finger)

Brooklyn Nets

Out: Egor Demin (Heel), Drake Powell (G-League Assignment)
Questionable: Nic Claxton (Thumb)

Tipoff is set for 3:30 p.m. ET. Cleveland enters as a hefty 11.5-point road favorite on DraftKings Sportsbook, while Brooklyn sits as a +410 underdog. The game’s total is set at 222.5 points.

Cavaliers vs. Nets Preview

Cleveland Cavaliers Preview

The Cavaliers went all in at the NBA trade deadline, sending Darius Garland to Los Angeles for superstar guard James Harden. The gamble seemingly paid off, as the former MVP has fit seamlessly into the lineup alongside Donovan Mitchell. Cleveland went 6–1 after Harden’s debut, its lone loss coming against the defending champs in Oklahoma City.

But the momentum quickly stalled when both Harden and Mitchell hit the sidelines to nurse injuries. Cleveland has dropped back-to-back games in the star duo’s absence against Milwaukee and Detroit. And while Harden is listed as questionable for Sunday’s contest with a thumb fracture in his non-shooting hand, Mitchell remains out with a groin strain.

The Cavs are just 2–4 without Mitchell this season. If Harden stays out, they’ll likely keep relying on their accomplished frontcourt of Evan Mobley and Jarrett Allen. Cleveland also features a solid veteran backup point guard in Dennis Schroder, along with a reliable sharpshooter in Sam Merrill.

Brooklyn Nets Preview

Brooklyn has won five games in 2026. Five.

Were any of these wins particularly impressive? Hardly. They beat a Nikola Jokic-less Denver Nuggets, the spiraling Chicago Bulls twice, the lowly Washington Wizards, and the tanking Utah Jazz.

The Nets rank dead last on both ends of the floor since January 1, disappointing even by their standards. They’ve lost seven games in a row, punctuated by a 37-point walloping in Boston on Friday night.

Michael Porter Jr. will continue trying to carry an increasingly strained offense without rookie standout Egor Demin. Brooklyn will also lean on its burgeoning frontcourt, comprising Noah Clowney and Nic Claxton (questionable).

Cavaliers vs. Nets Pick, Best Bet

Keep an eye on the injury report for this one. If Harden remains sidelined, Cleveland may lack the offensive firepower to pull away. But if the former MVP suits up, expect him and the Cavs to carve up Brooklyn’s porous defense and comfortably cover the 11.5-point spread.

Best Bet: Cleveland Cavaliers -11.5 (-110)

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Cleveland, OH

14-year-old girl shot on Cleveland’s East Side

Published

13 hours ago

March 1, 2026

Press Room

14-year-old girl shot on Cleveland’s East Side

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 14-year-old girl is in critical condition after being shot at a home Friday.

Police said around 7:15 p.m., officers from the Fifth District got a call for someone shot in the 1400 block of Lakeview Road.

When officers got on scene, a 14-year-old girl was found suffering from a gunshot wound.

Cleveland EMS took her to a nearby hospital, where she is listed in critical condition

A gun was recovered at the scene.

The incident remains under active investigation.

Police said additional information will be released as it becomes available.

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Cleveland, OH

Sokolowski’s University Inn co-owner dies

Published

1 day ago

February 28, 2026

Press Room

Sokolowski’s University Inn co-owner dies

CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – Former co-owner of the legendary Cleveland restaurant Sokolowski’s University Inn has died.

Michael Sokolowski(WOIO)

65-year-old Michael Sokolowski passed away on Tuesday, according to his obituary.

Established in Tremont in 1923, Sokolowski’s University Inn was Cleveland’s oldest family-owned and operated restaurant. It was a recipient of the prestigious James Beard “American Classics” Award in 2014. It closed it doors for good in 2020.

Read Obit below

MICHAEL PAUL SOKOLOWSKI, age 65; passed away peacefully on February 24, 2026. Beloved husband of Patricia (nee McCue); loving father of George McDougall (Erika) and Sara; grandfather of Nicole and Emerson; Son of the late Bernard Sr. and Marion (nee Szwejkowski); dear brother of Bernard Jr. (Mary) and Mary Lou Balbier (Ronald); loving brother-in-law, uncle and dear friend of many. Mike was the co-owner of Sokolowski’s University Inn, a Cleveland landmark restaurant since 1923 and a James Beard Award winner. He played baseball and football for Cleveland Central Catholic and graduated from Otterbein University. Michael was a member of the Greater Cleveland Umpire Association, officiating many Cleveland Indians Fantasy Camps. He loved cooking and taught classes at the Polaris Career Center for their community culinary arts program. Mike loved music, attending many concerts, and playing drums in bands and for his parish church masses. Former President of the Cleveland Society of Poles and a member of the Knights of Columbus Trinity Council. In lieu of flowers contributions may be made to Cleveland Central Catholic High School, 6550 Baxter Ave., Cleveland, OH 44105.

Mass of Christian burial at St. John Cantius Catholic Church, 906 College Ave, Cleveland, Saturday, March 7, 2026 at 12 noon. Interment to follow at Holy Cross Cemetery. Family and friends received at the church, Saturday from 10 a.m.-12 noon.

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