COLUMBUS, Ohio — Nick Saban spent 17 years turning Alabama into college football’s ultimate juggernaut, whether that be on the field or on the recruiting trail.
Ohio State has felt the impact of both of those things since Ryan Day took over the program in 2019 and, now as Saban walks away from the sport to retire, the Buckeyes have a chance to recoup from the losses that came as a result.
On the field, that came in the form of a lopsided 54-24 thrashing in a national championship game to conclude a 2020 season marred by a global pandemic. That’s been the only time Day got a chance to face Saban and the second time OSU’s done so since Saban got to Alabama. The other was a 42-35 Sugar Bowl win in 2014 under Urban Meyer on the way to winning a national title.
The more common matchups have come on the recruiting trail where the Buckeyes have often fallen victim to the Crimson Tide. That started with Jordan Battle in 2019, when he flipped following Meyer’s retirement. Those moments continued in 2021 when Alabama killed off OSU’s momentum for J.C. Latham and landed the five-star while also flipping Ohio cornerback Devonta Smith. Alabama left Ohio State alone for the most part in 2022 but picked right back up in 2023 with Caleb Downs, Justice Haynes, Keon Keeley and Kadyn Proctor.
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So far, the loss of Downs is probably the most significant given that he quickly became one of Alabama’s more productive players as a true freshman this past season, but Latham has also been a starter the last two years.
It was realistic to think most of those players would end up Buckeyes during their recruitments, but each instead chose to go play for arguably the greatest head coach in the history of college football. But now that he’s gone, maybe there’s a chance to revisit some of those losses and just turn them into delayed wins.
The same can even be said of 2024 defensive backs Zabien Brown and Peyton Woodyard. It maybe even would’ve had a more realistic shot of getting five-star quarterback Julian Sayin if he was committed to anyone other than Saban. Though the Buckeyes are clearly excited about what they ended up with in five-star Air Noland.
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The transfer portal has become a prominent part of modern college football and teams can use it for numerous reasons. Ohio State has often used it to fill a hole with a one-year plug that doesn’t interrupt its future recruiting plans. But the departure of a head coach leading a program that’s home to a roster constantly among the nation’s most talented could change that equation.
Saban’s retirement could open a window for the Buckeyes to use the portal for not just quick fixes to its recruiting miss, but a way to potentially correct those misses with the very players you planned to have fill those holes in the first place.
Plenty of teams will be looking to raid Alabama’s roster. Don’t be surprised if Ohio State finds itself being among them, looking to make up for a few losses at the hands of a legend now that Saban is gone.
The Buckeyes have already taken one player from the Crimson Tide’s roster this offseason in center Seth McLaughlin. Maybe he won’t be the last.
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CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Cleveland Division of Police is investigating after a man was shot and killed after a fight on Cleveland’s west side Tuesday night.
According to police, at around 6:39 p.m., officers responded to the 2000 block of West 105th Street for a report of a man shot.
When officers arrived, they found a 39-year-old man in the street with a gunshot wound.
Cleveland EMS and Fire rendered first aid, and the man was taken to the hospital.
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Medical staff later pronounced him dead.
Investigators believe two men got into a fight in the street just before shots were fired.
Cleveland Police arrested a 29-year-old man on the scene, and charges are pending.
The Cleveland Division of Police Homicide Unit is still investigating the shooting.
Anyone with information is asked to contact the Homicide Unit at 216-623-5464.
Ohio State Buckeyes football recruiting newscleveland.com
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Four-star athlete and Ohio State commit Legend Bey has delayed his commitment decision until Friday.
National Signing Day’s early signing period began on Wednesday, but Bey will delay his signing until Dec. 5. On3 reported the news late in the morning on Wednesday.
Bey is the No. 175 overall prospect and No. 9 athlete in the 247Sports composite rankings. He plays quarterback for North Forney High School in Texas, but will be an athlete at Ohio State.
The Buckeyes’ intention was to use him as a hybrid type of player that can play both running back and wide receiver. Much in the same way that Curtis Samuel was used at Ohio State, Bey was set to have a similar role.
Now, his future with the Buckeyes will be unclear for the next 48 hours.
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Andrew Gillis covers Ohio State football and recruiting for Cleveland.com. He provides updates on Ohio State football as a whole, its prospects and the Buckeyes each week. He previously covered the Bengals for…
Washington, D.C. – Congresswoman Shontel Brown’s (OH-11) legislation to name the Collinwood neighborhood Post Office in Cleveland, Ohio in honor of Tech Sergeant Alma Gladys Minter (1920-2007) today passed the House Oversight Committee and is one step closer to becoming law.
In July, Brown introduced legislation (H.R. 4635) to name the post office on East 152nd Street in Cleveland in honor of Minter, a long-time Cleveland resident who served in the 6888th Central Postal Directory Battalion during World War II. The “Six Triple Eight” was the first and only all-Black Women’s Army Corps unit to serve overseas during the war. Brown’s legislation is supported by the Minter Family.
Bill Text Available Here
“Alma Minter delivered for our country, and today Congress is one step closer to finally delivering for her. I am proud that my bill to rename the Collinwood post office in honor of Tech Sergeant Minter is one step closer to becoming law. Putting her name on the post office on East 152nd is a way to say thank you, to keep the story of Six Triple Eight alive, and to right past wrongs. These women served with courage and excellence, yet far too many never lived to see their country recognize them. The least we can do now is make sure their names and their stories are remembered. I am grateful for the support of my colleagues and will continue to work with members of both parties to get this done,” said Congresswoman Shontel Brown.
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In 1945, Minter along with over 800 other women, were deployed to clear a backlog of over 17 million pieces of mail in Europe. The Six Triple Eight completed their mission in less than 90 days, ensuring that mail from the Homefront could reach American troops in Europe.
The Six Triple Eight was awarded the Congressional Gold Medal by an act of Congress in 2022 and honored at a ceremony at the Capitol this year. In February, Congresswoman Brown spoke on the House floor in Washington to recognize Minter’s service and share her story. She also presented Minter’s family with additional military medals at her State of the District address in Cleveland.
The legislation is cosponsored by: Rep. Troy Balderson (OH-12), Rep. Joyce Beatty (OH-03), Rep. Mike Carey (OH-15), Rep. Warren Davidson (OH-08), Rep. Jim Jordan (OH-04), Rep. Dave Joyce (OH-14), Rep. Marcy Kaptur (OH-09), Rep. Greg Landsman (OH-01), Rep. Bob Latta (OH-05), Rep. Michael Rulli (OH-06), Rep. Emilia Sykes (OH-13), Rep. Dave Taylor (OH-02), Rep. Mike Turner (OH-10), Rep. Gwen Moore (WI-04), Rep. Andre Carson (IN-07), Rep. Shomari Figures (AL-02), and Rep. Deborah Ross (NC-02).
For more information on the Six Triple Eight, click here.
