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Noah Rogers’ transfer latest evidence of fool’s gold in Ohio State football recruiting rankings

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Noah Rogers’ transfer latest evidence of fool’s gold in Ohio State football recruiting rankings


COLUMBUS, Ohio — If you wonder why Ohio State football’s elite recruiting rankings have left the program vulnerable to results like the Cotton Bowl debacle, look no further than Noah Rogers’ entry to the NCAA transfer portal.

Rogers, the No. 53 player in the 2023 class per the 247 Sports composite, became the second former four-star freshman receiver to enter the portal Sunday. Bryson Rodgers (No. 357) beat him there by a few hours.

The same dynamic played out last April. Kaleb Brown (No. 79) and Caleb Burton (No. 132) waited until the spring after their freshman season to move on. That makes four of the elite receiver prospects which annually prop up the program’s recruiting rankings who left the program in the past nine months.

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It is possible none of those receivers will be missed, production-wise. Receivers leaving the program because tend to do so to avoid being compressed between the established options ahead of them and the talents arriving in the next class.

Or perhaps Rogers and Rodgers’ decisions had nothing to do with five-stars Jeremiah Smith, who enrolls this month, and Mylan Graham, who arrives in the summer. These certainly would not be the first players from southern or western states who played sparingly as freshmen and left quickly.

In terms of talent retention in the receiver room, this result is, if not calculated by Ryan Day and Brian Hartline, then at least tolerated. Carnell Tate’s 292 snaps this season were almost five times as many as the other three true freshman receivers combined (62).

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These departures, though, reinforce why, for the past two recruiting cycles, analysis of signing classes ranked No. 4 and 6 nationally, respectively, focused significant attention on what they did not contain.

At some point, that third and fourth top-200 receiver in each class starts to mean less and less when other position groups settle for one — if any.

Offensive line remains the biggest culprit, with only one top-150 signee from outside the state of Ohio in the past three classes. That prospect, Ian Moore, comes from offensive line coach Justin Frye’s home state — the Buckeyes’ neighbor to the west, Indiana.

Compared to that track record, things are exploding in defensive line recruiting. Even with recent transfer departures, it has five players on the roster or in the 2024 signing class who fit that top-150, out-of-state description.

James Peoples, ranked No. 95 in the 247 Sports composite for the 2024 class, was the first top-100 signee at the position since 2021. The only top 100 safety commit in the past three cycles is Sonny Styles, a legacy from nearby Pickerington who can probably draw you a map of Buckeye Grove by memory.

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Linebackers signed since Jim Knowles entered the program tend to come from in-state and outside the top 200. In the case of Arvell Reese, some may not even stay at linebacker long-term.

The full-class recruiting rankings — especially those which prioritize total score over average star rating — are not yet obsolete. Yet in the free transfer era, they are more temporary and incomplete than ever.

Which is not to say Hartline should change his recruiting approach. Keep loading up that room and letting competition push the best talent into the lineup.

Maybe he needs to open the rotation up more, at least in non-conference or less talent-equated games. On the other hand, Jaxon Smith-Njigba, Marvin Harrison Jr. and Emeka Egbuka did not need big freshman-year work loads to justify sticking around to become among the most productive receivers in the country.

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For the rest of us, though, remember that third and fourth receiver in every signing class may never log his first reception as a Buckeye. Even if he sticks around, unless he can also stand up a defensive end or stop up a running back coming through the hole, his actual impact on the signing class may come from ratings points only.

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Cleveland, OH

2026 Topps Series 2 Baseball To Include Iconic Redemption Buyback Cards

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2026 Topps Series 2 Baseball To Include Iconic Redemption Buyback Cards


2026 marks the 75th anniversary of Topps Baseball cards, and to help celebrate, rare buyback card redemptions are being inserted into packs of 2026 Topps Series 2 Baseball. This continues an event that started with Series 1, but this time the cards are different, but equally as iconic. Names such as Jackie Robinson and Mickey Mantle will have redemption buyback cards that can be pulled, along with key hobby chases such as Ken Griffey Jr. All of the cards will be graded, but the grade is not specified on the redemption.

Here is a look at some (but not all) of the iconic cards that can be pulled from the product.

Hall of Fame Vintage Cards Make Up A Portion of Included Buyback Cards

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While every single card included is iconic in its own right, there are a few that stand out, starting with a few Hall of Famers.

Hank Aaron

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The 1954 Topps Hank Aaron Rookie Card is included on the list. Aaron is best known for setting the all-time home run record with 715 HRs, which was later broken by Barry Bonds. Aaron’s rookie is condition-sensitive due to the card’s colors and size.

The card features a full profile of Aaron, and high-grade copies will sell for good money. While it is not known what grade the redemption will be, any collector would love to have this card in their collection.

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1954 Topps Baseball Hank Aaron RC PSA 5 | eBay

Mickey Mantle

Who doesn’t want a Mickey Mantle card in their collection? Mantle’s 1956 card can be pulled from 2026 Topps Series 2. This release includes both an action shot of Mantle and a headshot. While it may not be the 1952 Mantle, any vintage Mickey Mantle card has traction in the hobby.

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1956 Topps Baseball Mickey Mantle PSA 2 | eBay

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Roberto Clemente

Roberto Clemente’s Rookie Card is a grail card for many, and one lucky collector will be able to pull the coveted redemption for it. Clemente was a standout star for the Pittsburgh Pirates and is still well respected in the hobby today.

A PSA 5 of this card sold recently for $5,927, showing that hobbyist interest remains years after Clemente’s untimely passing.

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1955 Topps Baseball Roberto Clemente RC PSA 5 | eBay

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Recent Baseball and Hobby Stars Are Also Featured On The Checklist

Ken Griffey Jr.

Ken Griffey Jr. is one of the biggest names in the hobby when it comes to collectability, and his rookie card appears in the 1989 Topps Traded set. Like the other cards featured here, it can be redeemed.

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While this may not be the most expensive card throughout the whole checklist, it is a rookie card of a hobby phenomenon.

1989 Topps Trade Baseball Ken Griffey Jr RC PSA 10 | eBay
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Derek Jeter

Derek Jeter finds his way into the buyback redemption checklist with his 1993 rookie card as well. Jeter’s rookie card is iconic because its background resembles a baseball field, with the words “1992 Draft Pick” written above him.

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It is a hard card to miss out in the wild, and is a key part of Topps history.

1993 Topps Baseball Derek Jeter RC PSA 8 | eBay
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Clayton Kershaw

One of the newer cards featured in the buyback redemption program comes from the 2008 Topps Update and Highlights set. The card is a Clayton Kershaw Rookie, which has risen in value since his retirement.

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What might seem like a common card to many can sell in PSA 9 condition for between $175-$200.

2008 Topps Updates and Highlights Baseball Clayton Kershaw RC PSA 9 | eBay
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Any collector would be thrilled to add any of these cards to their collection. With Topps including these as buyback redemptions in the 2026 Topps Series 2, collectors will have the chance to add these cards in graded form. While they might be tough pulls, they do represent Topps’ history well.

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Cleveland, OH

Ohio House passes Amanda Dean’s Law

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Ohio House passes Amanda Dean’s Law


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – The Ohio House announced it passed Amanda Dean’s Law, legislation that increases penalties for abuse of a corpse.

Amanda Dean, a 36-year-old mother of four, who was murdered by her boyfriend Fred Reer in 2017. Investigators with BCI determined that Dean was killed inside a residence where the couple lived, and that he later cleaned the crime scene and disposed of evidence. Dean’s body has never been found.

The Bill was sponsored by State Rep. Gayle Manning (R-Avon) and Kellie Deeter (R-Norwalk)

“Abuse of a human corpse is a profound violation of dignity and deeply traumatizing for families, and Amanda Dean’s Law ensures that Ohio law treats these offenses with the seriousness they deserve and holds offenders fully accountable,” said Manning.

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“House Bill 654 strengthens Ohio law by establishing enhanced penalties for offenders who dismember, mutilate, or intentionally disfigure a human corpse, particularly when those acts are committed to conceal a crime, obstruct justice, or impair a criminal investigation,” said Deeter. “This bill is about dignity, accountability, and justice. Amanda Dean’s Law sends a clear message that Ohio will not tolerate conduct that dishonors the deceased or compounds the suffering of surviving family members.”

Key provisions of Amanda Dean’s Law include:

Reclassifying abuse of a corpse that outrages reasonable family sensibilities as a felony of the fifth degree;

Increasing penalties for gross abuse of a corpse to a felony of the fourth degree;

Elevating the offense to a felony of the third degree when the conduct involves dismemberment, mutilation, or intentional disfigurement;

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Establishing a felony of the second degree when such acts are committed to conceal a crime, obstruct justice, or impair a criminal investigation or prosecution.

The bill now advances to the Ohio Senate.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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Cleveland, OH

Yankees Take Another in Cleveland

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Yankees Take Another in Cleveland


The Cleveland Guardians fell to the New York Yankees, again, tonight. Dropping game two in this series gives New York the series win and puts the Guardians five games above .500.

Slade Cecconi had a strong outing and is looking like he is hitting a groove. Cecconi went 5.0 innings, giving up 2 runs on 6 hits and 2 walks. He struck out two batters.

The Guardians scored 2 runs on 10 hits and 4 walks. Both runs came in the bottom of the third inning.

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With two quick outs to start the inning, José Ramírez hit a single to center, then reached second on his 24th stolen base of the season. Chase DeLuter singled to center, scoring José from second. Kyle Manzardo drew a walk and Rhys Hoskins was hit by pitch to load them up. Angel Martínez singled to Paul Goldschmidt at first base who made a diving catch. Goldschmidt lobbed the ball to the pitcher with just enough arch that Angel was able to slide into first and beat out the tag.

In the top of the fourth, Travis Bazzana made a great sliding catch to end the inning.

The Guards bullpen did their best to hold it down, all things considering. Colin Holderman walked a batter in his inning of work. Tim Herrin gave up a run in his second inning of work, a solo shot to Jazz Chisolm Jr. He fell to 0-2 on the season, recording the loss. The home run was the only hit he allowed. Matt Festa finished the eighth inning, allowing only one other hit. Shawn Armstrong closed the game, keeping the Yankees at bay, but the damage was already done

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This team is going through a funk that seems like it could be easily fixed with a couple of pieces or strategic moves. Tonight they left 13 runners on base and were 2-for-10 with runners in scoring position. While the hot start to this season is providing the buffer they need for these sorts of slumps, something needs to improve soon or the White Sox will be taking ahold of first place in the AL Central before we know it.



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