Ohio State QB Dwayne Haskins receives high praise from Braxton Miller

“I told him that one day he’s going to win the Heisman. I’ve known Dwayne for two years now. Man, he’s dope, he’s nice. I haven’t thrown with him since last year. But every since he came in, whenever I needed somebody to throw with when J.T. [Barrett] wasn’t there or available, he was always available and always willing to work. He reminds me of myself in a way. He just wanted to go get it.”

- Braxton Miller via Austin Ward, Lettermen Row

Dwayne Haskins has quite a bit of pressure on him this season, entering the year as the unquestioned starting quarterback. But the expectations in Columbus are as high as always, and there’s reason to believe Haskins has all the tools to be the next great player for Ohio State. Former Buckeye quarterback Braxton Miller doesn’t just think Haskins has what it takes to be great, he takes it a step further and thinks Haskins can become the next Buckeye to hoist the Heisman Trophy.

Miller had plenty of nice things to say about the rising sophomore quarterback, including his incredible throwing ability. But Miller also mentioned that Haskins can get the job done from the ground if need be, and that Urban Meyer’s offensive strategies wouldn’t have to change all that much from when he and J.T. Barrett ran the show. Both were much stronger runners compared to Haskins, but Haskins’ arm really opens things up for the offense.

“I still have that chip on my shoulder. After all this stuff that I went through for the past few years, there’s nothing better than to just have that chip on my shoulder.”

- Thayer Munford via Tim Bielik, Cleveland.com

The story of Thayer Munford is one worth reading. In high school, Munford was out of shape, had bad grades, and didn’t hold an offer from his dream school - Ohio State. That all changed thanks to some motivation and help from his high school coach Nate Moore.

Through a lot of late nights studying, and changes to Munford’s diet, he eventually was able to receive that offer from the Buckeyes and is now poised to be Ohio State’s starting left tackle entering the 2018 season.

Munford had a long journey and came to Ohio State with plenty of question marks, but it all worked out in the end. Munford even had a key block in the Ohio State-Michigan game last season, when Isaiah Prince went down with an injury. His pancake block led to a J.T. Barrett touchdown run, putting the Buckeyes on the board and back into the game.

Now he’ll have a chance to start the entire season and continue his incredible story.

“Before I was looking to prove something, show somebody something. Right now, people might be excited. But I’m excited to play with Dave (Lighty) again. That’s what I’m excited about.”

- Greg Oden via Bill Landis, Cleveland.com

Remember that seven-foot center that used to play for Ohio State? Sort of led his team to a national championship game in 2006? Well get ready for Greg Oden to take the court with some of his Buckeye teammates once again. Oden has decided he’ll play in TBT - The Basketball Tournament - and suit up for the Scarlet and Gray Alumni team, which competes for $2 million in the annual tournament.

Last year, Oden was announced to the squad, but didn’t play in any games, but this year will be different. Should the former Buckeyes (which includes Aaron Craft, David Lighty, Jared Sullinger and more) win their first two games to advance to Atlanta, Oden said he will be suiting up and playing.

While Oden doesn’t have any notions of making a comeback to professional basketball, it will still be nice to see him out on the court doing what he loves to do.

STICK TO SPORTS

• Would Joey Bosa have made the cover of NCAA Football?
• Why graphene hasn’t taken over the world...yet.
• How San Francisco became an afterthought in the scooter wars.
• The top iPhone apps of 2008 could never imagine our digital world today.