Ohio
Ohio State football reset: Key returners, departures after national championship run
One week ago Ohio State was celebrating in Atlanta as national champions. Now it’s turned its focus to attempting a repeat.
Unfortunately for the Buckeyes, winning a national championship in this era means everybody wants a piece of not only the coaching staff, but also the players on the roster.
Ohio State spent the days following the title game trying to keep its roster together and avoid the transfer portal, but also watching its coaching staff field calls. It couldn’t fend off everybody, as the most notable departure was defensive coordinator Jim Knowles leaving for Penn State, to become the highest-paid coordinator in the country.
With the portal window closed, NFL Draft decisions finalized and Knowles on his way to State College, let’s look at how Ohio State is replacing what it lost both on the field and on the staff.
GO DEEPER
Penn State hires Ohio State DC Jim Knowles in same role
Coaching staff
The biggest loss this offseason was Knowles. It’s not just that Knowles left, but the fact he went to Penn State, which will likely be the preseason Big Ten favorite and one of the popular preseason national championship picks. Ohio State will play the Nittany Lions in Columbus on Nov. 1.
Replacing Knowles will be difficult. He’s one of the best defensive coordinators in the country and helped the Buckeyes turn around their defense to finish top-three in total defense the last two seasons. But, coordinators are replaceable, especially at a place like Ohio State where the talent is elite.
Day’s first step is to ensure the rest of the defensive staff stays the same. As of now, it seems like Ohio State is in a good position to do that. Larry Johnson is an Ohio State lifer, James Laurinaitis isn’t going anywhere, nor is cornerbacks coach Tim Walton. The lone worry would’ve been safeties coach Matt Guerrieri, who has been with Knowles from their time together at Duke. He came with him to Ohio State to help install the defense, before leaving for Indiana and coming back this offseason. I don’t think that’s a concern, though, because Day already had high praise for him in the championship celebration, calling him “one of the brightest minds in college football.”
Penn State also won’t have a safeties coach opening. Anthony Poindexter will be the safeties coach at Penn State again, so it seems like Guerrieri will stay on the staff. I wouldn’t be surprised if Day gave him an interview for the defensive coordinator job, considering he has play-calling experience.
A few outside names jumped to my mind from my flu-riddled bed on Sunday afternoon, led by Jeff Hafley. Day and Hafley know each other well, he was Day’s co-defensive coordinator and defensive backs coach in 2019 and though Hafley is the defensive coordinator of the Green Bay Packers, you have to make him say no first.
Pitt’s Randy Bates is an option. Even though his defense struggled this year, he. has had three top-25 defenses at Pitt.
Iowa State’s Jon Heacock is an option too. The younger brother of former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Heacock had four top-30 finishes in scoring defense, including two top-20 finishes in 2021 and 2022.
I’d kick the tires on Iowa DC Phil Parker also to see what you can pull off there.
Ohio State is fresh off a national championship, anything less than a national hiring process would be a disservice to the expectations at Ohio State. Even if Day eventually decides to promote from inside, he has to make some calls outside.
Now, to the roster.
Jim Knowles left Ohio State to become the DC at Penn State earlier this week. The Nittany Lions gave him a three-year deal with an average of $3.1 million per year. (Adam Cairns / Columbus Dispatch / USA Today via Imagn Images)
Quarterbacks
On the roster: Julian Sayin, Lincoln Kienholz, Tavien St. Clair
Leaving: Will Howard (NFL), Devin Brown (transfer), Air Noland (transfer)
This is going to be an interesting year at quarterback for Ohio State. The room is inexperienced but the potential is high. Sayin is the former No. 1 quarterback in the 2024 class, a player with an incredibly fast release and everybody you talk to at Ohio State raves about his ability to process quickly. He probably needs to add some muscle this offseason, which I’m sure he’ll do, but he has the chance to be really good.
Kienholz will battle for the spot in the spring, while St. Clair should be in a good position to adjust to college without immediate pressure. Sayin will probably be the guy when the season starts but minimize your expectations. A first-time starter opening against Texas and a Pete Kwiatkowski defense could be rough. It’ll be up to Day and Chip Kelly to make things easy for him.
Running backs
On the roster: James Peoples, CJ Donaldson, Bo Jackson, Anthony “Turbo” Rogers, Isaiah West, TC Caffey
Leaving: Sam Williams-Dixon (transfer), TreVeyon Henderson (NFL), Quinshon Judkins (NFL)
There will be wholesale changes here for the first time since Henderson stepped in and established himself as a star his freshman year, but there’s talent. Peoples didn’t play a lot last year, but you could see the potential when he did. He had 197 yards and two touchdowns on 49 carries, and in camp, he looked like somebody who could contribute right away if asked to. He’ll benefit from another year in the strength program, but pairing him with West Virginia transfer Donaldson will be a good duo. Ohio State will get Jackson, Rogers, West and Caffey reps this offseason, as well.
GO DEEPER
Ohio State’s Quinshon Judkins is draft-bound, but Sonny Styles to return
Wide receiver
On the roster: Jeremiah Smith, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss, Bryson Rodgers, Mylan Graham, Damarion Witten, David Adolph, Phillip Bell, De’zie Jones, Bodpegn Miller, Quincy Porter
Leaving: Emeka Egbuka (NFL), Kojo Antwi (transfer), Jayden Ballard (transfer)
Smith returns as the best receiver in the country and Tate is ready to establish himself as one of the best, making for a dangerous 1-2 combo. Inniss, though, is the one nobody is prepared for. He’s fast, physical and smooth in and out of his routes. He’ll take over Egbuka’s spot in the slot.
Tight end
On the roster: Max Klare, Will Kacmarek, Bennett Christian, Jelani Thurman, Max LeBlanc, Brody Lennon, Nate Roberts
Leaving: Gee Scott, Patrick Gurd
Klare will be a major weapon in next year’s offense. He led Purdue with 74 targets per Pro Football Focus and caught 51 passes for 685 yards. He will add another level of unpredictability to Ohio State’s offense. Add in the return of Kacmarek, Thurman and Christian, and the Buckeyes have the best tight end room they’ve had in a long time.
Offensive line
On the roster: Deontae Armstrong, Ian More, Phillip Daniels, Ethan Onianwa, Jayvon McFadden, Carter Lowe, Luke Montgomery, Tegra Tshabola, Austin Siereveld, Devontae Armstrong, Gabe VanSickle, Carson Hinzman, Jake Cook, Josh Padilla
Leaving: Donovan Jackson (NFL), Josh Fryar (NFL), Josh Simmons (NFL), George Fitzpatrick (transfer), Zen Michalski (transfer), Miles Walker (transfer), Seth McLaughlin
This will be the deepest Ohio State offensive line in a long time. Montgomery, Hinzman, Tshabola and Siereveld return with starter-level experience on the national championship run and Ohio State addressed its major concerns at tackle by adding Daniels (Minnesota) and Onianwa (Rhode Island) from the portal. They each gave up nine pressures last year and just one sack, per PFF.
Defensive line
On the roster: Caden Curry, Kenyatta Jackson Jr., Joshua Mickens, Dominic Kirks, Logan George, Zion Grady, Epi Sitanilei, Kayden McDonald, Eddrick Houston, Tywone Malone Jr., Jason Moore, Will Smith Jr., Eric Mensah, Jayquez Carter, Trajen Odom, Maxwell Roy
Leaving: Jack Sawyer (NFL), JT Tuimoloau (NFL), Mitchell Melton (transfer), Ty Hamilton (NFL), Tyleik Williams, Hero Kanu
This is probably the only question mark on the defensive side and it’s not for a lack of talent, just full-time experience. Jackson was really good in the postseason; McDonald and Houston should be a very good interior duo as well, but there’s a difference between playing second-team snaps to being responsible for 40-plus. We’ll see how they handle it, but the talent is here.
Linebackers
On the roster: Sonny Styles, Arvell Reese, CJ Hicks, Payton Pierce, Garrett Stover, Tarvos Alford, Ty Howard, Eli Lee, Riley Pettijohn
Leaving: Cody Simon, Gabe Powers
It’s crazy what a year can do for a linebacker room, but James Laurinaitis has done a great job adding and developing this room. Styles and Reese are the starters, but Hicks is a flexible player depending on how the new coordinator wants to use him. Add in young talent led by Pettijohn and Alford and an all-conference transfer in Ty Howard, from Duquense, this room is talented, experienced and deep.
Cornerback
On the roster: Davison Igbinosun, Jermaine Mathews Jr., Lorenzo Styles Jr., Miles Lockhart, Aaron Scott, Bryce West, Devin Sanchez, Jordyn Woods
Leaving: Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock, Calvin Simpson-Hunt
Getting Igbinosun back was a massive deal for the Buckeyes, even if he has pass interference issues. You can’t duplicate his 6-foot-2 frame and physicality. Mathews will be opposite him, with five-star corner Sanchez, ready to fight for playing time. We’ll see how many defensive backs the next coordinator wants to use before looking at the slot corners.
Safeties
Returning: Caleb Downs, Malik Hartford, Jaylen McClain, Keenan Nelson Jr., Leroy Rokey, Brenten Jones, Faheem Delane, Cody Haddad, Deshawn Stewart
Leaving: Lathan Ransom, Jayden Bonsu
Losing Ransom will hurt, but Ohio State brings back the best safety in the country in Downs and will pair him with two young, high-potential players in Hartford and McClain.
(Top photo of Julian Sayin: Adam Cairns / Columbus Dispatch / USA Today)
WARREN, Ohio (WKBN) — A Warren man who led police on a chase received his sentence on Wednesday.
Michael Greene, 32, was sentenced to three years of probation and ordered to make restitution.
Greene pleaded guilty in February to failure to comply with the order or signal of a police officer and failure to stop after an accident.
Greene was charged following a November 2025 police chase in Niles.
Prosecutors say that the chase involved speeds of about 103 miles per hour.
It was discovered that the car Greene was driving was reported stolen by a family member.
Patty Coller contributed to this report.
Experience history through augmented reality in Middletown
The Sandy Hook Foundation and Monmouth County Historical Association have unveiled an augmented reality experience that tells the story of Colonel Tye, a slave turned Revolutionary War raider for the Loyalists. Video provided by The Sandy Hook Foundation.
Ohioans have until May 25 to help document the final resting places of Revolutionary War veterans buried across the state.
The effort is part of the Revolutionary War Veterans Graves Identification Project, a first-of-its-kind initiative led by America 250-Ohio, the commission organizing the state’s celebration of the nation’s 250th anniversary. The project aims to create a publicly accessible database of veterans’ graves, complete with photographs, inscriptions and GPS coordinates, according to a community announcement.
The public can submit information through the Grave Marker and Cemetery Collection Portal until May 25. Submissions will be reviewed and finalized before the database is released July 4, the 250th anniversary of the signing of the Declaration of Independence.
Thousands of graves documented by volunteers
Launched on Memorial Day 2025, the project has mobilized about 350 volunteers who have documented more than 4,000 grave markers across Ohio. The database is expected to include information on up to 7,000 veterans believed to be buried in the state.
Clusters of graves have been found in areas such as Clermont County and regions corresponding to the original Virginia Military and United States Military Districts. The first documented entry was the grave of Nathaniel Massie, a Virginia Militia private who founded the city of Chillicothe.
A window into Ohio’s early history
Ohio is home to a large number of Revolutionary War veterans’ graves, despite not being one of the original 13 colonies. After the war, portions of Ohio’s land were granted to veterans as payment for their service, drawing many to settle and build communities in the region.
Previously, records from organizations like the Sons of the American Revolution and Daughters of the American Revolution identified about 6,800 veterans buried in Ohio, but lacked precise locations and current photographs.
How to participate before the deadline
Anyone with a smartphone can contribute to the project. No historical expertise is required. Here’s how to participate:
- Visit ohiohistory.org/revwargraves to review instructions and explore the map of cemeteries already identified as likely grave sites.
- Download the free Survey123 app on your smartphone.
- Visit a cemetery, photograph the grave marker, record inscriptions, and log GPS coordinates.
- Submit your entry through the portal before May 25.
Volunteers who do not wish to remain anonymous will be acknowledged by name for their contributions. The completed database will remain publicly accessible beyond the America 250 celebration and will be maintained by the Ohio State Historic Preservation Office and the Ohio History Connection.
A lasting legacy for future generations
The project is led by the Ohio History Connection and its State Historic Preservation Office, with support from Terracon Consultants, Inc. Submissions appear on a live, publicly viewable dashboard at ohpo.maps.arcgis.com.
“These are the very first veterans of the United States of America,” Krista Horrocks, historian, cemetery preservationist, and project manager with the Ohio History Connection said in the announcement. “Documentation is the part that will outlive all of us. Gravestones won’t survive forever, but if we can record their location and story today, that information will be here for generations to come.”
To learn more, view the live dashboard, or submit information on a grave site, visit ohiohistory.org/revwargraves.
This story was created with the assistance of Artificial Intelligence (AI). Journalists were involved in every step of the information gathering, review, editing and publishing process. Learn more at cm.usatoday.com/ethical-conduct.
COLUMBUS — Ohio Governor Mike DeWine announced Wednesday that he is implementing several new fraud prevention initiatives to strengthen and build-upon long-standing efforts to fight fraud, waste, and abuse in the Ohio Medicaid system.
“Ohio has long been a national leader in fighting Medicaid fraud. Ohio has one of the best Medicaid Fraud Control units in the country, and, in 2018, Ohio became the first state to implement Electronic Visit Verification in home health care,” DeWine said.
“Today, we are ready to begin several new initiatives long in development that will enhance this nation-leading work and further protect taxpayer funds from those trying to defraud the State.
“I thank the Trump Administration for their partnership and collaboration that is allowing us to proceed with these reforms much faster than previously possible.”
New initiatives
DeWine said he is directing the Ohio Department of Medicaid to implement the following:
- Statewide New Provider Moratorium. The Ohio Department of Medicaid will today ask the Center for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS) so Ohio may implement a six-month moratorium on new home-healthcare and hospice businesses being able to become Medicaid providers. This will allow Ohio Medicaid to stop enrollment of new providers and assess existing providers to help remove those at high risk for having committed fraud.
- Immediate Payment Suspension to High-Risk Providers. Ohio Medicaid will today begin a policy of immediately removing and suspending payment to providers whose billing practices show “red flags” that indicate a high probability of fraud. Ohio Medicaid already has a robust payment suspension protocol that is currently used to stop payments to questionable providers. In January, Ohio Medicaid began the process of implementing new data analytics tools to help identify billing data anomalies that could better identify fraud. To date, this process has identified 87 providers who will be subject to further review and potential payment suspension.
- Executive Order for Emergency Rules. The Governor will be issuing an Executive Order that will allow the Ohio Department of Medicaid to implement emergency rules to require more frequent revalidation of providers being identified as higher-risk for committing fraud. Governor DeWine sent a letter to CMS on May 1 committing Ohio to partnering with the Trump Administration and using a more stringent revalidation process to better prevent fraud.
- Mandatory GPS Requirement for Electronic Visit Verification. Ohio Medicaid will file rules to require GPS for all providers using Electronic Visit Verification (EVV). Since March 2025, Ohio Medicaid has begun phasing in EVV as a mandatory requirement for home healthcare provider payment. In December, DeWine authorized Ohio Medicaid to begin the information technology investments needed to make GPS mandatory for EVV. Ohio Medicaid now ready to make this rule change to implement the requirement. Ohio Medicaid has worked collaboratively with Ohio Auditor Keith Faber on identifying solutions to issues identified in the Auditor’s audits of Ohio Medicaid, and this new rule will implement a key recommendation of the audits.
- Mandatory EVV for Live-In Caregivers. Ohio Medicaid will begin the rulemaking process to require live-in caregivers to use EVV during home healthcare and as a requirement for payment. Currently, family and live-in caregivers are exempt from this requirement.
Ohio’s work in prosecuting Medicaid fraud
Ohio has been a national leader in catching and prosecuting Medicaid fraud thanks to a strong partnership between Ohio Medicaid and the Ohio Attorney General’s Office and its Medicaid Fraud Control Unit, the governor said.
Since the beginning of 2023, Ohio has secured 444 Medicaid fraud indictments, 481 convictions, and 146 civil settlements and judgments resulting in $78.4 million in recovered taxpayer fund.
Under Ohio Attorney General Dave Yost, the unit received a U.S. Office of the Inspector General’s Award for Excellence in Fighting Fraud, Waste, and Abuse in 2022, and it ranked #1 in the nation for number of convictions secured in 2015 under then-Attorney General Mike DeWine.
Utilizing home healthcare to protect taxpayer dollars
Home and community-based care programs have been a core component of Medicaid services for decades since they were initiated under Ronald Reagan’s Administration.
Ohio is one of 47 states and the District of Columbia that provides such care under a waiver granted by CMS.
Ohio’s home and community-based care programs are grounded in data showing that legitimate in-home care is typically safer for individuals and significantly more affordable for taxpayers.
In 2024, Ohio saved more than $600 million in taxpayer funds that would have been expended had patients receiving home healthcare been diverted to skilled nursing or other residential care services, saving several billion dollars over the course of the DeWine Administration.
On average, home health care costs half as much as placement in a nursing facility.
Ensuring access to appropriate home-based care is both a responsible use of public resources and a critical part of meeting the needs of our most vulnerable Ohioans who otherwise would require placement in higher-cost nursing facilities.
Additional efforts to fight fraud, waste & abuse
Providing care in a home setting requires a robust set of controls to detect and prevent fraud.
Ohio Medicaid has been proactively evaluating all program integrity initiatives to ensure taxpayer dollars are well spent and that quality care is being provided.
The governor’s office said the department has been engaged in a thorough review of programs and policies to evaluate any risks to the integrity of the program, identify potential gaps that could be exploited, and explore opportunities to leverage new and emerging AI and data analytic tools to stay one step ahead of anyone looking to exploit the system.
As part of that work, since the start of 2026, the Department has initiated new prior authorization requirements for high-risk services to ensure medical necessity.
Ohio Medicaid launched efforts to build new data analytic capabilities to identify unique outliers in billing patterns, better assess vulnerable business ownership structures, and improve coordination of fraud fighting efforts.
These efforts are designed to improve the early detection of potential fraud and identify future areas of inherent program risk.
To confirm that billed services are actually rendered, Ohio Medicaid relies on an extensive set of safeguards, including:
- Comprehensive provider screening and continuous compliance monitoring.
- Mandatory electronic visit verification capturing date, time, and service location.
- Advanced analytics that flag unusual billing patterns or service trends.
- Routine and targeted audits performed by program integrity staff.
- Coordination with state and federal partners when concerns arise.
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