The Ohio State Buckeyes possess arguably both the best running back and safety rooms in college football heading into next season after a successful offseason in the transfer portal. However, you can never have too much talent in the backfield. 

Ohio State head coach Ryan Day met with the media on Tuesday and said that star safety Caleb Downs, who arrived as a transfer from Alabama, has been attending running back meetings this offseason. The team has confidence in his ability to play both sides of the ball next season.

Is this plan a realistic one? For a player as talented as Downs, it’s hard to say no before he’s given the opportunity. 

Though fans shouldn’t expect Downs to suddenly take the reins as a 1,000-yard rusher, he could be used in a role similar to that of former Buckeyes like Curtis Samuel or Braxton Miller (in 2015), as both players were unique speedsters who had the ability to make a highlight happen on any given play. Downs could take a few handoffs while also potentially motioning out and lining up as a receiver. The options are endless if the coaching staff does end up giving him a try on offense. 

Downs has already shown that he’s got a knack with the ball in his hands. With Day and new offensive coordinator Chip Kelly, there be could more untapped potential that’s waiting to be released. 

He was just one of many Alabama players to enter the portal after the retirement of Nick Saban but was the best of the bunch. In his first collegiate season this past year, he posted 107 total tackles (70 solo), one forced fumble, three passes defended and two interceptions.

He was also a threat on special teams with four punt returns for 87 yards and a touchdown, with this production coming exclusively on his 85-yard punt return for a score in Bama’s win over Chattanooga.

Even if he doesn’t get the ball while he’s in on offense, Downs’ presence alone could prove to be a decoy and open up opportunities for other playmakers. 

Downs was one of the most coveted players in the transfer portal this offseason. He arrived to Columbus alongside Ole Miss transfer running back Quinshon Judkins, who gives the Buckeyes a major threat in the backfield after two impressive seasons with the Rebels.

Despite Downs’ athleticism and expected versatility, Ohio State still has veteran running back TreVeyon Henderson in the backfield alongside Judkins, so it will be interesting to see what kind of role potentially awaits him at running back. 

Ohio State opens up the season on Saturday, Aug. 31 at home against Akron.

“I know that he has the capability to do it,” Day said. “I know he has the athleticism to do it. We’ll see where it goes.”

• Companies like Procter & Gamble are considered major players in the best companies to work for, with some salaries surpassing the six-figure range.
• This roundup of top Ohio companies emphasizes those that offer the highest salaries and excellent working environments, according to U.S. News & World Report.

More than 35 Ohio-based companies were considered among the best in the country this year, from large to midsize employers. At least 100 companies were recognized as 2024 Top Workplaces in the Greater Cincinnati area alone and considered the best places to work.  

The U.S. added 272,000 jobs in May, according to a recent report from the June 2024 report. The report also indicated that employment continued to trend upwards in several industries, including healthcare, hospitality and technical services.  

The message seems clear: companies are hiring and willing to pay well. Exceptional working environments and quality of pay are factors that add to the overall weight of this list. Of the best companies to work for in Ohio, these five offer some of the best salaries, according to U.S. News & World Report.  

These are the world’s 5 best workplaces

According to Best Places to Work.

Time

1. American Financial Group offers a salary of more than $220,000 per year for top roles

Headquartered in Cincinnati, American Financial Group leads the charge as one of the best Ohio-based companies to work for with top-notch salaries to match.

Top earners can make upwards of $225,000 per year, according to Glassdoor. USNWR also has American Financial Group among the best for having a Top Work Environment. 

2. Paycor employees have also been known to make nearly $200,000 per year

The HR and payroll software company is featured in Greater Cincinnati’s Top Workplaces for 2024 and has earned its spot as the Top Workplaces USA Award for its fourth consecutive year, according to PR Newswire.

The average Paycor salary ranges from $46,000 per year to nearly $200,000 per year for higher-raking roles, according to Indeed, making it a top company in terms of salary and other benefits. 

3. Procter & Gamble pays around $180,000 in salary for select positions

Known for a variety of recognizable household products like Pampers, Tide and Gillette, the notable Cincinnati-based company Procter & Gamble is considered one of the best out there.

Higher-earning roles, such as a principal scientist, can make over $182,000 per year, according to Indeed. P&G’s pay earned a nod from U.S. News & World Report, which recognized the company for its top quality of pay.

4. Salaries for Owens Corning’s engineering and management roles can go up to $154,000

Owens Corning, a composite material company that produces insulation and roofing materials, is headquartered in Toledo.

Not only was it highlighted for its Top Quality of Pay by U.S. News & World Report, but it has also been recognized as one of the top companies to work for in the Midwest and within the field of construction. Engineering and management roles make up to $154,000 per year, as estimated by research from PayScale.  

5. The average salary at Bread Financial is nearly $127,000 per year

The Columbus based company specializes in credit card services and is considered a Top Work Environment by U.S. News & World Report. Average compensation is around $126,000, and some salaries in the legal department can rise up to $187,000, according to the pay transparency site Comparably.

Honorable mentions for the best companies in Ohio

The five companies above have some of the best salaries among Ohio’s best companies to work for, but many other Buckeye State workplaces made the U.S. News & World Report rankings:

1. Avery Dennison (Mentor)  

1. Avient (Avon Lake)  

1. KeyBank (Cleveland)  

1. Olympic Steel (Highland Hills)  

1. Peoples Bank (Marietta) 

1. Premier Bank (Youngstown)  

1. Progressive (Mayfield Village)  

1. Scotts Miracle-Gro (Marysville)  

1. The Hillman Group (Cincinnati)  

1. Timken (North Canton)  

1. AEP (Columbus)  

1. Cintas (Cincinnati)  

1. E.W. Scripps (Cincinnati)  

1. Fifth Third Bank (Cincinnati)  

1. First Financial (Cincinnati)  

1. General Electric (Cincinnati)  

1. Huntington Bank (Columbus)  

1. Marathon Petroleum (Findlay)  

1. Nationwide (Columbus)  

1. Parker Hannifin (Cleveland)  

1. Sherwin Williams (Cleveland)  

1. The Cincinnati Insurance Companies (Fairfield)  

1. Third Federal (Cleveland)  

1. TransDigm (Cleveland)  

1. Welltower (Toledo) 

CORTLAND, Ohio (MyValleyTributes) – Sandra Lee Shorts, 71, passed away unexpectedly on June 16, 2024, at Seidman Cancer Center in Cleveland, Ohio.

Sandy, as she was affectionately known was born in Warren, Ohio on July 16, 1952, to John and Vivien Fleischer.

She grew up in Bazetta Township. Graduating from Lakeview High School in 1970.

After graduation, she went on to a career at Packard Electric for 34 years where she worked on the index line. Later she worked at Walgreens in Warren for 10 years.

Sandy loved antiquing and going to flea markets, always looking for that special little treasurer.

Camping season at Indian Creek in Geneva was the highlight of her summer. Decorating her campsite with potted flowers and a nautical theme was a true enjoyment for her. She loved riding the golf cart around the campground with her loyal Yorkie, Abby, by her side.

Family meant the world to her. She loved all her nieces and nephews like they were her own. She will be sadly missed by niece, Lori (Rick) Palowitz of Howland; great-nieces, Hannah and Paige Haynie, and Grace Zucco of Howland; and nephews, Ryan and Brandon Fleischer of Mount Juliet, Tennessee.

She leaves her devoted life partner, Don Gintert, of Bazetta; family, sister Patricia (Herb) Loree of Howland; brother Kevin (Elaine) of Champion; and beloved Yorkie, Abby.

Preceding her in death were her parents, John and Vivien Fleischer; and her husband, Jeffrey Shorts.

Calling hours will be held at Lane Family Funeral Homes Shafer-Winans Chape 164 North High Street, Cortland, Ohio on Sunday, June 23, 2024, from 2:00 – 4:00 p.m. The funeral service will take place Monday, June 24, 2024, at 11:00 a.m. at the funeral home with burial to follow at Greenlawn Cemetery.

In lieu of flowers, memorial contributions can be made to Animal Welfare League of Trumbull County, www.awlrescueme.com/donate. 

Family and friends may send their heartfelt condolences by visiting www.lanefuneralhomes.com.

To order memorial trees or send flowers to the family in memory of Sandra L Shorts, please visit our flower store.

A television tribute will air Friday, June 21 at the following approximate times: 6:47 a.m. on WYTV, 9:43 a.m. on WKBN, 10:58 a.m. on FOX and 8:12 p.m. on MyYTV. Video will be posted here the day of airing.