After redshirting this fall, Ohio State senior Charlie Clark returned to collegiate competition with a pair of victories during Friday’s dual meet at Hawaii.
Clark clocked a winning time of 8:54.84 in the 1000 free, which ranks 7th in the NCAA this season. He has been as fast as 8:47.19 during a time trial last October. Clark also triumphed in the 500 free with a time of 4:23.13, about 10 seconds off his best time (4:13.77) from 2022.
Clark competed at last October’s World Cup stop in Berlin, where he won the 1500-meter free (14:59.21), while sitting out NCAA competition this past fall. At the U.S. Open a couple months ago, he won the 800-meter free (7:50.49) while also placing 2nd in the 1500 free (15:05.57) behind Bobby Finke.
Clark wasn’t the only notable swimmer to make his long-awaited return on Friday. Karol Ostrowski was initially expected to be eligible for Hawaii starting next season, but the 24-year-old Polish Olympian was deemed immediately eligible after a recent compliance review.
Ostrowski’s impact was felt right off the bat in his Rainbow Warrior debut as he helped the Hawaii men’s 200 medley relay (1:28.08) upset Ohio State (1:30.84) along with Justin Lisoway (24.27 breast), Grant Stoddard (21.27 fly), and Jakub Ksiazek (19.72 free). Ostrowski went on to win the individual 50 free (20.03), place 2nd in the 100 free (44.23), and throw down a 43.55 anchor on Hawaii’s 400 free relay (2:57.72) that beat Ohio State (2:59.38) to close out the meet.
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The addition of Ostrowski wasn’t enough for the Hawaii men to pull off a team upset of Ohio State as the Buckeyes prevailed, 154-109. But it did make the matchup tighter with Ohio State winning eight events to the Rainbow Warriors’ six. Hawaii also got multiple individual victories from Croatian sophomore Mario Surkovic in the 200 free (1:37.80) and 200 IM (1:48.72).
On the women’s side, Gwen Woodbury, Josie Panitz, and Amy Fulmer each collected two individual wins to lead Ohio State to a 160-96 victory over the Rainbow Wahine.
Woodbury swept the distance freestyle events with 1st-place finishes in the 1000 free (9:55.85) and 500 free (4:55.03). Panitz claimed both breaststroke crowns with wins in the 100 breast (1:02.00) and 200 breast (2:14.56). Fulmer triumphed in the 100 free (49.46) and 200 free (1:47.74). Fulmer’s season bests in the 100 free (47.68) and 200 free (1:44.24) rank 10th and 17th in the NCAA, respectively.
Other standout performances from the Ohio State women included Teresa Ivan in the 50 free (22.90) and Kit Kat Zenick in the 100 fly (54.82). Ivan was just about a second off her season-best 21.89 in the 50 free that ranks 7th in the NCAA.
Hawaii sophomore Kailee Chow lowered her lifetime best in the 200 fly (2:01.05) en route to a 1st-place finish ahead of Ohio State’s Jessica Eden (2:01.55), who touched first in the 200 IM (2:04.18). Mando Nguyen had a busy day for the Rainbow Wahine, earning runner-up finishes in the 200 breast (2:15.31) and 200 IM (2:04.51) while also placing 3rd in the 100 breast (1:03.47).
COLUMBUS, Ohio — The conversation around Ohio State football’s championship aspirations often centers on offensive firepower, but a sophomore cornerback might play an important role in helping the Buckeyes accomplish their goals next season.
Devin Sanchez arrived in Columbus as the nation’s top cornerback recruit, and after a freshman season where he earned meaningful snaps in critical moments, the expectations have escalated.
No longer is it enough for Sanchez to be a reliable contributor. He must take a step toward becoming a true lockdown corner who can eliminate one side of the field.
“Is Devin Sanchez ready to be the dude because he’s going to have to be,” co-host Stefan Krajisnik said on Buckeye Talk. “I don’t mean is he ready to be a reliable starter — I mean it’s time… to be a dude. I don’t think it’s putting unrealistic expectations on a guy like Devin Sanchez to be an All-Big Ten first team caliber-type guy.”
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The coaching staff has demonstrated their belief in Sanchez’s potential by giving him high-leverage opportunities against elite competition as a true freshman. Against Texas last season, while other freshmen barely saw the field, Sanchez was trusted in critical moments – a telling sign of the program’s expectations.
Next season’s rematch with Texas will provide an opportunity to see how much progress Sanchez has made since the last time he faced the Longhorns.
As co-host Andrew Gillis put it, “Is he ready to announce himself to the world as lock down?”
The transformation starts now. Co-host Stephen Means made it clear that spring practice represents a crucial development period.
“We should be walking away from spring practice thinking that’s the best cornerback in the Big Ten and his only competition is (Oregon’s) Brandon Finney,” Means said. “That should be the goal for Devin.”
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What makes Sanchez’s development so critical is how it affects the entire defensive structure. If he can become that elite cornerback who eliminates one side of the field, it changes what Ohio State can do with their other 10 defenders. It allows for more aggressive pressure packages, more safety help to other areas, and ultimately, a more disruptive defense.
For Ohio State fans, Sanchez’s development represents one of the most fascinating storylines to follow this offseason. His progression from promising freshman to elite sophomore could be the difference between a playoff appearance and a national championship.
One of Ohio State’s true freshmen along the offensive line is set to enter the portal, as Tyler Bowen is set to enter his second season as line coach.Getty Images
COLUMBUS, Ohio — Ohio State freshman offensive lineman Jayvon McFadden is set to enter the transfer portal, per a report on Wednesday afternoon.
He was a member of the 2025 recruiting class as a four-star recruit and the No. 391 overall prospect in the 247Sports composite. McFadden appeared in one game for Ohio State this season, and played 15 snaps.
The Buckeyes now have just two members of the OL class in 2025 left — offensive tackle Carter Lowe and interior lineman Jake Cook.
Ohio State was unlikely to have McFadden enter the two-deep in the 2026 season, considering what talent the team is expected to have come back to the roster.
A wild transfer portal continues to march on for Ohio State.
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Andrew Gillis covers Ohio State football and recruiting for Cleveland.com. He provides updates on Ohio State football as a whole, its prospects and the Buckeyes each week. He previously covered the Bengals for…
Ohio State standout wide receiver Carnell Tate announced on Tuesday he is leaving school early to declare for the NFL draft.
Tate announced his decision on social media. The junior had 51 receptions for 875 yards and nine touchdowns this season as he became a deep threat in the Buckeyes’ passing attack.
Tate — an AP second-team All-American — had nine receptions of at least 40 yards, tied for third in the Football Bowl Subdivision, including five touchdowns. After missing three games in November because of lower leg tightness, Tate returned against Michigan and put the game out of reach with a 50-yard TD that made it 24-9 midway through the third quarter.
“I’m proud of everything I’ve accomplished at Ohio State and will carry the lessons, relationships, and memories from this program with me forever,” Tate wrote.
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Tate is expected to become the sixth OSU receiver selected in the first round since 2022, joining Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave (2022), Jaxon Smith-Njigba (2023), Marvin Harrison Jr. (2024) and Emeka Egbuka (2025).
Ohio State’s offense will have some changes after finishing 12-2 and losing to Miami in the College Football Playoff quarterfinal at the Cotton Bowl. Besides Tate’s departure, offensive coordinator and receivers coach Brian Hartline has become the head coach at South Florida.
Coach Ryan Day announced last week he hired Cortez Hankton as receivers coach. Hankton had spent four seasons at LSU, including the past two as receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator.
Ohio State wide receiver Carnell Tate runs after making a catch against Miami during the first half of the Cotton Bowl College Football Playoff quarterfinal game Wednesday, Dec. 31, 2025, in Arlington, Texas. Credit: AP/Gareth Patterson
Day though remains in the market for an offensive coordinator.
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Even with Tate’s departure, the Buckeyes will have plenty of talent in the passing game. First-team All-American Jeremiah Smith will be back for one more season along with quarterback Julian Sayin. Five-star prospect Chris Henry Jr. committed to the Buckeyes during the early signing period.
