Emmitt Smith joins son, 2020 APB target EJ, at Ohio State’s spring game

The spring game went off without a hitch over the weekend, and despite having to move it up a couple hours, the team was able to finish the scrimmage just as the rain started to fall, accomplishing a dry event. The day started with Robert Landers passing out gushers from a gold football, and ended with Buckeye alum Curtis Samuel flaunting his new bling.

Not only was the QB battle on full display Saturday, but the rest of the offense showed Buckeye fans that there is plenty to be excited about heading into the first season in five years without J.T. Barrett.

The spring game is important for coaches to get better insight into how players are developing and how the young Bucks might handle playing in front of a regularly impressive crowd of screaming fans. But the real benefit of the annual scrimmage is how it helps the program on the recruiting trail.

For one weekend in the spring, some of the nation’s top recruits descend on Columbus, get to hobnob with some of Ohio State’s top NFL-playing talent, and — if all goes according to plan — get to make their commitment to the Buckeye program. It’s not always a lock that the spring game will bring in a hand-full of commitments, but Meyer and Co. did secure one 2019 commitment during the weekend, and impressed a whole host of other top targets.

Among those in attendance to watch the Buckeyes was NFL-legend Emmitt Smith, who, along with his family, was joining his son, EJ Smith, for a visit. The all-purpose back out of Dallas still has awhile to make his decision, as a member of the 2020 recruiting class, but with Smith’s family pedigree, it’s no wonder he’s started taking visits early.

During EJ’s sophomore campaign in 2017, not only did was the RB legacy named the District 9-6A Offensive Newcomer of the Year, but he also amassed 1,177 rushing yards for 24 touchdowns on his 176 carries. The “all-purpose” part of his recruiting designation is for a reason, he also snagged 33 receptions for 540 yards and seven TDs last season.

The young man is in high demand, and has already received offers from a bevy of schools, but you have think that the environment during Ohio State’s spring game should give the Buckeyes at least some kind of edge heading into what will likely be a long recruiting process.

It’s not just during National Signing Day when Ohio State can get good — legally binding — news. The WNBA Draft just wrapped up a few days ago, and the Buckeyes are already working to reload their Big Ten Championship squad. On Monday, the team added Dorka Juhász out of Hungary to their 2018-19 roster. The 6-foot-4 post player is ranked the No. 5 forward and No. 12 player internationally in the 2018 class.

“I’m incredibly excited to add Dorka to the Ohio State women’s basketball family,” Ohio State head coach Kevin McGuff said. “She’s a versatile player who can not only score around the basket but also from the perimeter and because of that, I’m excited to get her into our system. I believe she’ll be immediately impactful as we aspire to continue to compete for Big Ten championships.”

Juhász has been playing international ball since she was 16, in large part due to her Mom’s legacy as one of the best basketball players in Hungary’s history. Now it’s Dorka’s chance to shine, and she’ll be doing so as a Buckeye. The upcoming 2018 class for Ohio State includes guard Janai Crooms of St. Andrew’s School in Rhode Island, and Aaliyah Patty of Montini Catholic High School in Illinois.

“The Midwestern Intercollegiate Volleyball Association announced its second Hall of Fame class on Monday (April 16). The 10-member group included a pair of Buckeyes in Terry Liskevych and Bruce Nowicki.”

-Ohio State Athletics

The Buckeye men’s volleyball team is still competing in the MIVA Tournament, and have made it into the Semifinal round on Wednesday, April 18. The news that Ohio State legends Terry Liskevych and Bruce Nowicki would be included in the 2018 Hall of Fame class, makes the fact that the Buckeyes are still competing in the tournament, a little extra special.

Liskevych was Ohio State head coach for two season (1975-76), claiming a 45-7 record during those years and MIVA Coach of the Year twice. Nowicki was the first Buckeye volleyball player to ever earn MIVA Player of the Year recognition in 1966, and earned All-MIVA honors in each of his four seasons in Columbus.

“We inducted our first class last year and this class is as accomplished,” Craig Barnett, MIVA Commissioner, said. “The Hall of Fame Committee has done a phenomenal job identifying who helped grow the MIVA and the game of volleyball.”

Terry Liskevych and Bruce Nowicki will be the seventh and eighth MIVA Hall of Fame delegates out of Ohio State, with the first year’s honorary class including six Hall of Famers.

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