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Cleveland, OH

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

Off-duty Cleveland Police officer involved in deadly shooting in Glenville neighborhood

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Off-duty Cleveland Police officer involved in deadly shooting in Glenville neighborhood


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) – A 26-year-old man was shot on Cleveland’s East Side Wednesday night by an off-duty Cleveland Police Officer.

The incident happened just before 8 p.m. in the 1400 block of East BLVD.

Preliminary information indicates that an off-duty Cleveland Police officer was at this location when a verbal altercation ensued and shots were fired. A firearm believed to belong to the man was recovered at the scene.

Police said the man was pronounced dead at the hospital.

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The investigation is being handled by the Cuyahoga County Sheriff’s Office.

The off-duty officer was not injured.

More information related to this shooting will be released when it is available.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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Former Cleveland bank executive faces 45 sex crime charges dating back to 2004

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Former Cleveland bank executive faces 45 sex crime charges dating back to 2004


CLEVELAND, Ohio (WOIO) -A former senior vice president at First National Bank in Cleveland is facing 45 counts of sex crimes dating back two decades, including charges involving a five-year-old child.

Joseph Fragapane, 63, of Strongsville, was indicted in December and again this month on charges prosecutors said span from 2004 through 2025. He has pleaded not guilty to the December charges and is out on bond.

Investigation began with cyber tip

The case began when a cyber tip came into the National Center for Missing and Exploited Children. The center sent the case to the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force.

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“Our investigators began looking into that violation as well as what the conduct was and were able to determine that it was Joseph Fragapane committing these crimes,” said Megan Helton, an assistant prosecuting attorney with the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office, which runs Ohio ICAC.

Investigators said Fragapane uploaded nude images of children online, which linked back to his IP address.

Search warrant reveals additional victims

After serving a search warrant at his Strongsville home, investigators said they found more than just those images.

“As we continued to look through his devices, we were then able to determine that there were additional victims that were known to the defendant at different times in his life, and we were able to then talk with those individuals,” Helton said.

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According to the indictment, the first victim was five years old and known to Fragapane. Prosecutors said between 2004 and 2005, he kidnapped her, sexually assaulted her and produced child sexual abuse material involving her.

The second victim, also someone he knew, was an adult. Prosecutors said in 2019, Fragapane secretly recorded her without her knowledge or consent, according to the indictment.

“One of the victims is an adult and one of the victims was a child at the time. And so when we see someone who is committing a variety of acts against really anyone he encounters, there is a concern that he was committing any offense that he had an opportunity to commit,” Helton said.

Additional charges involve photoshopped images

Fragapane also faces additional sex crime charges spanning from 2021 through 2025. Prosecutors said investigators found child sexual abuse material on his devices involving other children and women he knew personally.

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“He would either obtain photos that he took himself, innocuous photos. So think holiday photos, think neighborhood photos, think cookout photos, where he would then take images of children’s heads and photoshop them onto nude bodies,” Helton said.

Here are the charges Fragapane faces, according to the indictment:

-Kidnapping- F1 (Count One)

-Gross Sexual Imposition- F3 (Counts 2 & 3)

-Illegal Use of Minor in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance- F2 (Counts 4-12)

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-Voyeurism- M1 (Counts 13-15)

-Pandering Sexually-Oriented Matter Involving a Minor or Impaired Person- F2

(Counts 16-25)

-Illegal Use of Minor in Nudity-Oriented Material or Performance- F2

(Counts 26-44)

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-Possessing Criminal Tools- F5 (Count 45)

19 Investigates reached out to Fragapane for comment. He has not responded.

A spokesperson for First National Bank said Fragapane no longer works at the bank. She said they “don’t comment on legal matters about current or former employees.”

Fragapane’s attorney told us he is retired and no longer employed. She said he plans to plead not guilty to the new charges.

Prosecutors warn of potential additional victims

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As the case heads to court, prosecutors warn there may be more victims still unaccounted for.

“Someone who is in the community is well-trusted, is known by a lot of individuals. There is a concern that person takes advantage of those circumstances, and that’s certainly what we see in this case, that he had a position of power, he had a position of being well-liked in the community, and he is essentially exploiting that,” Helton said.

Fragapane will be arraigned on the new charges next Thursday.

Investigators ask anyone who believes they or their child may have been a victim of sexual assault or exploitation in this case to call the Ohio Internet Crimes Against Children Task Force in Cleveland.

You can call the Cuyahoga County Prosecutor’s Office at 216-443-7800.

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Need an investigation? Contact 19 Investigates with your request.

Copyright 2026 WOIO. All rights reserved.



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Cleveland, OH

Larry Ray Duffield Obituary May 17, 2026 – Slone and Co. Funeral Directors

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Larry Ray Duffield Obituary May 17, 2026 – Slone and Co. Funeral Directors


Larry Ray Duffield, age 51, passed away on May 17, 2026. He was born on May 19, 1974, in Cleveland, Ohio, to his loving parents, James E. and Patty M. Carr. Beloved father of Emily, Victoria, Lauren Rae, and Olivia. Cherished grandfather of Kate, Boston, Frankie Jr., Addison, John, Oliver, Dean, Ezra, Elias, Lovely, Revel III, and Andrew. Dear brother of Keith (Crystal) and Sabrina. Treasured uncle of Brittany, Cameron, Courtney, Jerry, Kyle, Brooke, Jann Jr., Jalani, and Leilani.

Ray was an ASC certified mechanic with a degree in HVAC Heating and Cooling. Gifted with his hands and able to fix just about anything, he was also an excellent painter and proudly lived up to the saying, “Jack of all trades, master of none.” He enjoyed helping others whenever he could and was known for his hardworking nature, quick wit, and ability to make people laugh.

Above all else, Ray’s greatest love in life was his family. He loved them deeply, irrevocably, and unconditionally, and treasured every moment spent with his children and grandchildren. His presence, love, and unforgettable personality will be deeply missed by all who knew and loved him.

Family and friends are welcome on Friday, May 22, 2026, from 3 to 7 p.m., at Slone & Co. Funeral Directors 13115 Lorain Ave. Cleveland, OH 44111. A Graveside Service will be held on Saturday, May 23, 2026, at 2 p.m., at Riverside Cemetery 3607 Pearl Rd. Cleveland, OH 44109 (Please meet at cemetery gates by 1:45 p.m.).

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