Ohio
Ohio State Buckeyes’ Linebackers Should Not Be Overlooked
Both the defensive line and secondary for the Ohio State Buckeyes certainly deserve a bunch of recognition headed into this next season. On the line, they have two veteran edge rushers in Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau, along with an excellent defensive tackle in Tyleik Williams. Ty Hamilton rounds out that group of four players and has plenty of starting experience, himself. In his 41 games played for Ohio State, he has started in 13.
In addition to lots of skill and experience on the projected starting defensive line, the projected starting five in the secondary is Denzel Burke and Davison Igbinosun as the outside corners, Jordan Hancock as the nickel corner and Lathan Ransom and Caleb Downs as the safeties. That is another experienced and extraordinarily talented group.
Despite the least amount of college starting experience coming from the linebacking corps, the talent and potential to be dominant is still there. Graduate student Cody Simon is in-line to be the leader of the linebacker room not only because he is an upper classman, but also because he has played in 44 games with the Buckeyes and started in 15. In that time, he has tallied 147 tackles and 11 tackles-for-loss. Last season, he had 57 total tackles which was fourth-best on the team.
With Tommy Eichenberg and Steele Chambers no longer members of the Buckeyes roster as they pursue NFL opportunities, Cody Simon truly gets the opportunity to let loose and show what he can do. Next to him, redshirt sophomore C.J. Hicks is expected to get a chance to flash his ability. Hicks has been a player Buckeye Nation has been excited about even prior to his arrival on campus. He was a five-star prospect and the No. 2 linebacker in the entire 2022 recruiting class on 247 Sports.
When defensive coordinator Jim Knowles only has two linebackers on the field, Simon and Hicks will most likely get the majority of the reps. In three-linebacker sets or even on definite passing downs, converted safety Sonny Styles should get lots of work at linebacker. The 6’4″, 235-pound junior had 53 tackles, two sacks and one forced fumble as a safety last season. His versatility could really make him a threat in so many different scenarios.
Even with a bunch of moving parts at linebacker in preparation for this season, there is a chance that Ohio State’s linebackers perform at an even higher level this season than last. Hicks and Styles offer more in coverage than Eichenberg and Chambers and they have the speed to cover a ton of ground sideline-to-sideline. Simon still offers the more traditional linebacker build at a stout 6’2″ and 235 pounds. He should not have a problem filling gaps against the run.
Behind this group of three linebackers, Arvell Reese and Gabe Powers may get some reps of their own.
If this linebacker group surpasses the expectations of most people around the country, then this Ohio State team may end up being historically good from a statistics standpoint. They will then also increase the chances of a National Championship at the end of this season.
When’s Ohio’s 2026 primary election? Date, candidates, changes to know
See which candidates are conditionally qualified for Ohio’s 2026 primary ballot and key election deadlines.
Ohio’s primary election season has begun – Election Day is May 5. Ohio’s candidates are vying for spots on the ballot for the November midterm elections.
That’s nothing new, but Ohio made significant changes to mail-in voting that voters need to know about.
What has changed with Ohio’s mail-in ballots?
Voting through a mail-in ballot? There are some changes voters should know.
Signed into law by Gov. Mike DeWine in December 2025, Senate Bill 293 requires absentee ballots to arrive by the close of polls to be counted, with an exception for military and overseas voters.
Any mail-in or absentee ballots must now be received before or on Election Day by 7:30 p.m. in order to be counted. There is no longer a 4-day grace period after Election Day.
The primary election is May 5, and the general election is Nov. 3, 2026.
So, when should you send your mail-in ballot in Ohio? The sooner the better. The U.S. Postal Service does not necessarily postmark your mail the day it is received unless you specifically request it. So, you ballot may not make it to a postal processing center until the day after you drop it in a mailbox.
When does Ohio early voting start? Key dates for early, absentee, mail-in votes
The primary election will be held May 5, 2026, according to this year’s voting schedule.
Early in‑person voting began on April 7, including the Saturday and Sunday before Election Day. Absentee voting by mail also began on April 7.
On Election Day, May 5, polls are open from 6:30 a.m. to 7:30 p.m. Absentee ballots must be received by your local board of elections by 7:30 p.m., per the voting schedule.
Ohio voter registration deadlines for 2026 elections
Ohioans must register or update their voter registration no later than 30 days before an election. The registration deadline for the May 5 primary was April 6, 2026.
Here are the upcoming voter registration deadlines in 2026:
- April 6, 2026, for the May 5, 2026, primary and special election
- October 5, 2026, for the November 3, 2026, general election
If you register or update your information after the deadline, the changes will apply for the next election.
YOUNGSTOWN, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Mrs. Mary Lucille Young, 74, of Youngstown, departed this life on Friday, April 10, 2026 at her residence where God welcomed her home.
Mary, affectionately known as “Mary Lou” and “Tang”, was born March 8, 1952 in Youngstown, a daughter of Lawrence and Ada Mae Alexander Hamilton Young.
She was a proud 1971 graduate of South High School.
Mary was a member of New Bethel Baptist Church.
She attended Louis Weinberger Hill Beauty School, and was accepted as a model with Barbizon Modeling Agency.
Mary worked and retired from Youngstown Sheet and Tube.
She enjoyed looking her best, dancing, shopping, casinos and decorating her home. Mary was strong, bold and took no mess. She was loved by many people.
She leaves to cherish her memories, her pride and joy, two daughters, Adalatesha Bright and Richlynn Bright; two sons, Ja-Juan Young and Dr. Ty-Juan Bright all of Youngstown; five grandchildren; two sisters, Cynthia (Floyd) Davis, Janet (Steve) Gardner both of Youngstown; and a host of family and friends.
Besides her parents, she was preceded in death by a son, Michael Lamar Young; three brothers, Isaiah, Edward, Lorenzo Young.
Private services were held at the L.E. Black, Phillips & Holden Funeral Home.
To send flowers to the family or plant a tree in memory of Mary Lucille Young, please visit our floral store.
The NWSL is once again expanding, this time the league is heading to Ohio where Columbus NWSL 2028 will take the field. Of course, Columbus NWSL 2028 is a placeholder for now and the the new team will unveil its name, crest, and uniform to build an identity around as it approaches its first season.
News of the club was announced yesterday, though this has been in the works for some time, in a press conference. Team owners, the Haslam Sports Group (HSG), Nationwide and Drs. Christine and Pete Edwards, spoke about what they hope the club will bring to Columbus and women’s soccer more broadly.
“Our family is thrilled to help bring an NWSL team to Columbus and further invest in Ohio, with the honor of bringing the 18th team into the league,” said Haslam Sports Group Managing Partner Whitney Haslam Johnson. “We believe in the power of women’s sports and are humbled to be part of the number one women’s soccer league in the world.”
Nationwide insurance has been a corporate partner in both NWSL and MLS for years and now joins an ownership group deepening those ties. “Today’s announcement is about inspiring young athletes across Central Ohio, elevating women’s professional sports and reminding the world that Columbus is a first-class sports city,” said Kirt Walker, Nationwide Chief Executive Officer. “As Nationwide marks 100 years, this is a powerful way to celebrate our milestone with the community that has been our home from the very beginning.”
The Edwards family has deep roots in the Columbus soccer scene with Dr. Pete Edwards serving as team doctor for the Crew in 1996 and the family joining the team’s ownership in 2019 during the Save The Crew effort. “Columbus is very important to our family. For over 30 years, we’ve supported the Columbus Crew and MLS. We’ve seen how a men’s professional soccer team has brought people together and created a positive impact in our community. It’s truly special to now welcome an NWSL club and the incredible women athletes who will also uplift our city on and off the pitch,” said Dr. Christine Edwards. “We’re very excited to partner with Haslam Sports Group and Nationwide for NWSL Columbus 2028, and we can’t wait to share even more memorable moments with fans, especially during the Club’s first game at ScottsMiracle-Gro Field.”
The NWSL has continued its expansion with the announcement and the team will join Atlanta in its inaugural season in two years.
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