College football, after years of waiting, has finally made it’s return to the video games. EA Sports’ College Football 25 is now available to play, and I got a chance to play with the Ohio State Buckeyes. Here’s a breakdown of my experience with the Buckeyes:

With a 93 overall rating, Ohio State is the second-ranked team behind the Georgia Bulldogs. The star-studded lineup includes eight 90+ overall players, along with 23 80+ overall players.

Despite having an 89 overall offense in College Football 25, Ohio States’ versatility in the pass and run game makes this offense an underrated unit.

Former Kansas State quarterback and probable starter Will Howard is the perfect duel-threat to balance the Buckeyes’ offensive attack. With an 85 overall, Howard has solid ratings to be a catalyst for the team. His 94 throw power allows for his player to make most deep throws, along with 88 medium throw accuracy for the tight-window passes.

EA Sports clearly recognized Howard’s rushing ability, which allows for users to be deceptive with run calls. His 80 speed and 83 carry makes him more than capable to call any type of run-option play.

Looking at the wide receivers, returning pass catcher Emeka Egbuka is the highest-rated wide receiver for the Buckeyes with a 93 overall rating. With 94 short-route running and 95 medium-route running, it felt like Egbuka was always open.

Don’t count out the young wideouts for the Buckeyes. Carnell Tate (85 overall) and Jeremiah Smith (84 overall) were two sneaky pass catchers, and made some phenomenal catches.

On top of the cheat-code passing game, Ohio States’ dynamic duo of 95 overall Quinshon Judkins and 93 overall Treyvon Henderson carry the run game for the Buckeyes.

During the first offensive drive, Judkins was the lead back on the field. However, the two backs rotate every drive, which makes it easier to keep each player’s stamina up through the duration of the game.

If you like the bruiser-back style, Judkins fits the mold and can get you solid yardage on first and second downs. Henderson is perfect for any outside zone run play, as the Buckeyes’ running back has 93 speed and can quickly reach the outside on a run play.

The Buckeye’s defense in College Football 25 is a matchup nightmare for anyone who plays against the unit. With a 96 overall rating, Ohio State is the No. 1 defense in the game.

Even without defensive end J.T. Tuimoloau in the game, the front four still remains elite. 92 overall defensive end Jack Sawyer is a moster at getting after the quarterback, while being able to stop the run. With a 90 power rating and a 92 power move, Sawyer always gets into the oppenents’ backfield.

Another key player on the line is 91 overall defensive tackle Tyleik Williams. The Buckeyes main man up the middle is a beast when it comes to stopping the run with a 91 block shed rating.

In a secondary unit that includes 95 overall free safety Caleb Downs and 91 overall cornerback Denzel Burke, any opponent will struggle to move the ball downfield through the air.

Downs, the highest-rated player for Ohio State in the game, makes it nearly-impossible to throw the ball deep against the Buckeyes. His 91 speed rating and 93 zone coverage rating is perfect for a saftey playing in the deep zones.

If you want to switch from zone coverage to man, Burke has the ability to match up against any team’s top wideout. With 94 zone coverage and 91 press coverage, the veteran cornerback is the perfect player for any defensive setup.

Ohio’s transgender youth could get some clarity on their healthcare after this week.

The trial on the constitutionality of an Ohio law banning gender-affirming care began Monday. The trial is expected to last five days.

House Bill 68 was set to take effect in April after House and Senate Republicans voted to override Gov. Mike DeWine’s veto. The law would prevent doctors from prescribing hormones, puberty blockers or gender reassignment surgery before patients turn 18.

The American Academy of Pediatrics has found that puberty blockers for children who identify as transgender “generally leads to improved psychological functioning in adolescence and young adulthood,” but noted puberty blockers are not without risks.

The American Civil Liberties Union of Ohio filed a lawsuit on behalf of two transgender girls and their families claiming the law violates the Ohio Constitution which gives residents the right to choose their health care.

Franklin County Court of Common Pleas Judge Michael Holbrook temporarily blocked the law in April, agreeing with the plaintiffs that “puberty does not arrive by appointment.”

Lawyers outline disagreement over treatment for gender dysphoria

Freda Levenson, a lawyer with the ACLU of Ohio, said she plans to call five witnesses: two parents of two transgender children and three experts, including Dr. Jack Turban, a child psychiatrist who researches gender dysphoria and mental health among transgender youth.

“These witnesses will demonstrate that puberty blockers and former therapy are safe and effective medical treatment for gender dysphoria in adolescents,” Levenson said.

Amanda Narog with the Ohio Attorney General’s Office argued that what the judge will hear will be the same information the Ohio Legislature considered before passing the bill.

She said the state plans to call seven witnesses. including Dr. James Cantor, a neuroscientist who researches human sexuality and pedophilia, and a parent whose child originally said they were transgender before changing their mind and deciding not to transition.

Narog said the state’s witnesses will testify that gender dysphoria is a mental health diagnosis best addressed “by mental health interventions that pose no risk of physical harm to patients.”

Mother’s voice breaks as she recounts House Bill 68 discussion with her daughter

The first witness was Gina Goe who spoke about her 12-year-old transgender daughter Grace. Both Gina and Grace Goe are pseudonyms meant to protect Grace from harassment.

She said Grace’s sex assigned at birth was male but she behaved differently from her three brothers early on.

Goe said Grace expressed an interest in wearing dresses as a toddler and around kindergarten, she started to cry and ask God to make her a girl. The family’s pediatrician referred Grace to the THRIVE program at Nationwide Children’s Hospital which specializes in sexual and gender development.

Grace was diagnosed with gender dysphoria around the second half of her kindergarten year. Gender dysphoria refers to the distress a person feels when their gender identity does not match their assigned sex. Grace started using a female name around 2018, before starting first grade, Goe said.

Goe said Grace now lives as a girl and does not want people to know she’s transgender.

Goe’s voice broke when she described discussing HB 68 with her daughter

“I remember we were sitting on my bed together and I shared with her on an appropriate level what’s happening and she laid down and wept in my bed and I held her and since then, she has told me that she just carried this looming worry and anxiety and just this deep sadness surrounding it all,” Goe said.

Haley BeMiller contributed reporting.

Erin Glynn is a reporter for the UA TODAY Network Ohio Bureau, which serves the Columbus Dispatch, Cincinnati Enquirer, Akron Beacon Journal and 18 other affiliated news organizations across Ohio.

YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Douglas Michael Grimm, 45, passed away peacefully, Friday evening, July 12, 2024, at home, with his family by his side, following a courageous two year battle with colon cancer.

Michael was born April 14, 1979, in Youngstown, the beloved son of Zora Labozan Grimm and the late Bill Grimm. He spent his childhood in Austintown and was a resident of Youngstown and Howland throughout his life.

Mike graduated from Austintown Fitch High School, class of 1997, and dedicated several years of his career to Anderson-DuBose Company in Lordstown, where he worked as a warehouse supervisor.

In his leisure time, Mike loved to play golf and especially enjoyed watching The Masters Tournament. He was an avid fan of all Cleveland sports teams and also enjoyed cheering on the Kansas City Chiefs. Nothing brought him greater happiness than being surrounded by loved ones.

Deeply rooted in his faith, Mike was a man of strong convictions and will be remembered fondly as a fantastic and devoted husband, a loving son, and a cherished father.

Mike is survived by his wife, Brandi Parlamas Grimm; his daughter, Jeavanna Grimm of Howland; his son, Leonidas Grimm of Howland; a step-son, Dominick Noday of Howland; his mother, Zora Grimm of Youngstown; his sister, Cindi (Larry) Premec; three brothers, Gordy (Leslie) Grimm, Scott (Marjie) Grimm and Billy (Sandra) Grimm; his father-in-law, William Parlamas of Howland and many extended family members and friends.

Family and friends may gather to pay respects from 5:00 – 7:00 p.m. on Thursday, July 18, 2024, at Kinnick Funeral Home, 477 N. Meridian Rd., Youngstown, and again from 12:30 – 1:00 p.m. on Friday, July 19, 2024,  at the funeral home. A funeral service will begin at 1:00 p.m. on Friday at the funeral home.

Interment will follow at Meadowbrook Memorial Park in Warren.

Mike’s life touched many, and his memory will forever remain in the hearts of those who knew and loved him. May he rest in peace, knowing he was deeply loved and admired by all who were blessed to have him in their lives.

To send flowers to the family, please visit our floral store.

A television tribute will air Tuesday, July 16 at the following approximate times: 7:10 a.m. on FOX, 12:22 p.m. on WKBN, 5:08 p.m. on MyYTV and 7:27 p.m. on WYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.