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Early look at Ohio State’s chances of repeating as national champs: Could Buckeyes do it?

Published

4 days ago

January 23, 2025

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Early look at Ohio State’s chances of repeating as national champs: Could Buckeyes do it?

Ohio State has never repeated as a national champion.

But after winning the College Football Playoff on Monday night, it will attempt the feat next season.

The Buckeyes are in position to reload and maintain one of the more talented rosters in the sport.

2025 College Football Playoff odds

BetMGM has the Buckeyes as early favorites to win the title in 2025, giving them +450 odds, slightly ahead of Georgia and Texas with +650 odds.

Can Ohio State repeat as national champs?

The case for the Buckeyes to capture a second straight title begins with the presence of superstar wide receiver Jeremiah Smith and All-American safety Caleb Downs.

Neither underclassman is eligible to leave early for NFL, providing them with cornerstone players. Smith and Downs could be considered the best players in the nation on their sides of the ball.

Buy Ohio State books, posters, gear from CFP title win

Carnell Tate should continue to complement Smith as another talented playmaking wideout, and Purdue transfer Max Klare arrives as another weapon. Klare’s 51 receptions in 2024 were third among Big Ten tight ends.

But there will be heavy roster attrition. Thirteen of their 22 starters during the playoff were seniors with eligibility expiring.

That includes Will Howard, a seasoned quarterback who spent a year at Ohio State after transferring from Kansas State.

Julian Sayin is likely to take over for Howard and was the top-ranked passer in his high school class, but he is inexperienced and redshirted as a freshman this past season.

How is Ohio State’s 2025 roster shaping up?

The heaviest losses for the Buckeyes are on defense. Eight starters were seniors, cornerback Davison Igbinosun or linebacker Sonny Styles are juniors who are eligible to declare for the NFL draft.

But Caden Curry and Kenyatta Jackson shined as part of the defensive end rotation and Jermaine Mathews Jr. also gained experience in the playoff when he replaced Denzel Burke for the second half of the semifinal win over Texas.

The injuries on the offensive line also helped to provide experience for interior linemen Carson Hinzman, Luke Montgomery and Austin Siereveld. Transfer tackles Phillip Daniels of Minnesota and Ethan Onianwa of Rice should also help replace Josh Fryar and Donovan Jackson.

The draft decision of running back Quinshon Judkins looms large, though the Buckeyes added experience to the backfield last month with West Virginia transfer CJ Donaldson Jr.

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Ohio State Buckeyes Freshman RB Gets Major NFL Comparison

Published

11 hours ago

January 26, 2025

Press Room

Ohio State Buckeyes Freshman RB Gets Major NFL Comparison

The Ohio State Buckeyes are losing both TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins to the NFL Draft. Heading into the 2025 college football season, Ohio State will need to figure out how to replace them.

Both Henderson and Judkins are legitimate stars. Finding a way to replace them will not be easy.

James Peoples and CJ Donaldson are going to be the top two running backs on the roster, but the Buckeyes also have some young talent coming in.

One of their 2025 recruits, Anthony Rogers, appears to have a very bright future ahead of him.

Rogers is a four-star running back hailing from Carver High School in Montgomery, Alabama. He is the No. 11 ranked running back in the nation.

Andrew Ivins of 247 Sports has also made a very intriguing comparison for Rogers. He thinks the incoming freshman is a similar player to current Miami Dolphins running back Devon Achane.

Here is what Ivins had to say about Rogers in his evaluation:

“A quick-twitched slasher that’s fearless as an inside runner. On the smaller side, but has exhibited strong contact balance and can power his way through his fair share of tacklers,” Ivins wrote. “In his first two years at the prep level, totaled 2,765 yards and 40 touchdowns on the ground while averaging 9.2 yards per carry. Transferred into IMG Academy in advance of his junior season and received glowing reviews right away from the staff at the FBS factory.”

“Patient feet and plus vision allows him to pick his lane before he hits the turbo. Gets out of trouble with swift laterally cuts and a slick spin move. Has experience working out of a variety of different offensive looks and has proven to be a tough cover while deployed in the slot. Will need to keep improving as a pass blocker if he wants to be a true three-down back on Saturdays, but is already viewed as one of the top playmakers in the 2025 cycle as he’s a threat to score anytime he finds a crease in a defense. Should be able to add value as a return man at the school of his choice. NFL potential, especially with his long speed as he already owns a laser-timed 4.48 in the 40-yard dash.”

If he can live up to that comparison, Rogers is going to be a future star for Ohio State. He has shown off dynamic playmaking ability throughout his high school career and could end up pushing for some carries as a freshman.

Along with Rogers, the Buckeyes are also bringing in another freshman running back. Bo Jackson will be joining the running back room at Ohio State as well.

Ryan Day and company will have to figure out how to utilize the roster to replace all of the talented players who are leaving the program for the NFL. They have a lot of young talent coming in that could help.

Hopefully, Rogers and Jackson can live up to the hype they’re receiving. If they do, the Buckeyes could very well be looking at their next great running back duo for the next few years.

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Ohio woman freezes to death in backyard while letting dog outside

Published

19 hours ago

January 26, 2025

Press Room

Ohio woman freezes to death in backyard while letting dog outside

An Ohio woman died in her backyard as a result of the harsh winter weather while letting her dog outside, according to authorities.

Eugenia Michele Wadman, 43, was found dead in her backyard on Jan. 19 just before 11 a.m., according to the Huron County Sheriff’s Office, WKYC reports.

Authorities say the doting dog-mom stepped outside with her pooch wearing only “light pajamas” when the misfortune fell on Saturday night.

Ohio residents dealt with snow and freezing temperatures last weekend as a winter storm passed through. Dmitrii Tishchenko

Wadman “appeared to have fallen and sustained injuries consistent with struggling and crawling on the snow-and-ice-covered yard,” the sheriff’s office said in a statement, according to the sheriff’s office.

She is suspected to have died from hypothermia after being exposed to the mid-to-low 20-degree temperatures overnight.

A preliminary investigation indicates she may have injured herself and fallen onto the icy ground where she was immobilized due to the cold, according to WKYC.

An investigation is ongoing and awaits full autopsy results though no foul play is currently suspected.

The condition of her dog was unknown.

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No. 2 Iowa 24, No. 4 Ohio State 13: Passing the Test

Published

1 day ago

January 25, 2025

Press Room

No. 2 Iowa 24, No. 4 Ohio State 13: Passing the Test

#2 Iowa wrestling entered Saturday afternoon’s dual meet with #4 Ohio State undefeated on the season, 8-0 overall and 2-0 in Big Ten competition. But the Hawkeyes hadn’t faced much significant competition yet — certainly no opponents of the caliber of the 4th-ranked Buckeyes, who brought ranked wrestlers at nearly every weight, including five ranked in the top-10, into an early afternoon showdown in Carver-Hawkeye Arena.

How would the Hawkeyes fare against a quality Buckeye squad? Would they able to pass the test?

Short answer: yes. Longer answer: Iowa answered the challenge of the Buckeyes and came away 24-13 winners, claiming victories n seven of 10 bouts, including upset wins to bookend the dual at 125 and 285, plus a key win in sudden victory at 184 to firmly swing the meet in Iowa’s favor. The Hawkeyes also got bonus points at 165 and 197 and generally looked good against the strongest opponent they’ve faced yet this season.

The dual meet began with the first of two notable upset wins, with #28 Joey Cruz upsetting #16 Brendan McCrone by a 6-4 decision. Cruz was the aggressor in the match from the start and got to McCrone’s legs with ease. He used those attacks to notch one takedown and nearly had another on the edge of the mat as time expired in the period. He did get a second takedown in the second period, extending his lead to 6-2.

The third period was all McCrone as he went on top to try and turn Cruz or get a pin; Cruz wasn’t able to get escape and his efforts to stymie McCrone did lead to a pair of stalling points being awarded to McCrone — but he never got put on his back and he was able to hold on for a 6-4 win. Cruz has picked up a few nice wins now and helped solidify 125, which was one of the bigger holes in Iowa’s lineup early in the season.

133 was expected to be one of the matches of the dual, pitting #3 Drake Ayala and #10 Nic Bouzakis. Instead, neither Ayala nor Bouzakis took the mat, giving way to Keyan Hernandez and Ben Davino instead. Davino took full advantage of the start and ran through Hernandez, logging four takedowns before getting a four-point tilt in the second period to end the match.

141 was more of the same, with #1 Jesse Mendez dominating #31 Ryder Block from start to finish. He worked a takedown clinic on Block and got a turn as well, though he wasn’t able to get Block on his back for a pin. Mendez was utterly dominant, though, and looked the part of the #1 guy at 141 lbs. That blowout win gave Ohio State a 10-3 win after three matches and put Iowa in catch-up mode.

Iowa’s comeback began at 149, where #2 Kyle Parco posted a solid 8-3 win over #9 Dylan D’Emilio. Parco got a takedown in the first and then racked up almost two minutes of riding time to firmly take control of the match. He extended his lead with another takdown (and a bit more riding time) in the third, though he wasn’t able to get one final takedown for a major decision win.

157 saw an individual comeback, as #1 Jacori Teemer made his on-mat return after missing over two months of action. Teemer sustained a leg injury against Iowa State in November and has been rehabbing ever since, but he was finally fit enough to return to action. He made a strong return as well, showcasing the explosive attacking ability that’s quickly made him a fan favorite. Teemer notched a takedown in each period, including a really impressive blast double in the second period, to earn a 10-5 win over #17 Sammy Sasso.

The Iowa comeback continued after intermission at 165, where #2 Michael Caliendo earned a methodical 11-3 major decision win over #9 Paddy Gallagher. Caliendo used some sharp leg attacks to get two takedowns in the first period, as well as one more in the third period to secure a bonus point. Caliendo’s win gave Iowa a 13-10 lead in the dual, its first since a 3-0 lead after 125.

That lead was short-lived, though, as the top-10 showdown at 174 went in favor of Ohio State. #6 Carson Kharchla knocked off #5 Patrick Kennedy 7-3 with takedowns in the first and second periods. This match looked like a toss-up before the dual and it largely played out that way, with the key difference being Kharchla’s ability to finish his attacks. Kennedy wasn’t able to get through Kharchla’s defense here; he’ll need to figure out something should he see Kharchla again at the Big Ten or NCAA Tournaments.

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Kharchla’s win left the dual tied at 13-all heading into 184, which proved to be the tightest match of the afternoon. #5 Gabe Arnold was able to get to #19 Ryder Rogotzke‘s legs early and often in the match — but he wasn’t able to finish. Rogotzke showed some impressive defense and scrambling ability in wriggling free from Arnold and ultimately the match went to sudden victory after they traded escapes in the second and third periods. In overtime, neither wrestler could gain an advantage — until a poor foot-sweep attempt by Rogotzke allowed Arnold to counter and blast through for the winning score.

After the drama at 184, #1 Stephen Buchanan ensured the dual meet win with a drama-free victory at 197. Buchanan blasted #17 Seth Shumate 18-1, opening up with a a pair of takedowns and a two-point tilt in the first period, adding another takedown in the second period, and then finishing the match with a takedown and another tilt in the third period. Buchanan has looked strong all season and Saturday’s match was an impressive showcase of his skill from neutral and on the mat.

The dual wrapped up with one final Iowa win, as #11 Ben Kueter added another upset win for the Hawkeyes by edging #6 Nick Feldman, 5-3, at 285. After a scoreless first period, the match sprung to life in the second period after a Kueter escape and takedown from a counter to one of Feldman’s attacks. Feldman was able to get a reversal on Kueter, though, before another Kueter escape made the match 5-2. Feldman added an escape in the third period but wasn’t able to get through Kueter’s hips or hand-fighting to pick up a takedown of his own. This was a key win for Kueter to prove his ability to defeat a top-10 heavyweight.

Overall, this was a strong performance by Iowa against a very credible opponent. Ohio State had a pair of technical fall wins, but one came against a backup (133) and the other involved OSU’s best wrestler and Iowa’s weakest weight (141). The only real disappointment for Iowa was Patrick Kennedy losing a close match at 174; Cruz and Kueter got strong wins, Caliendo and Buchanan dominated ranked opponents, Parco looked solid, Arnold got a dramatic victory, and Teemer looked strong in his return.

NEXT: The big-time duals keep coming, as #2 Iowa heads to Happy Valley to take on #1 Penn State (9-0, 3-0 Big Ten) on Friday night (6 PM CT, BTN).

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