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Welcome back to Buckeye Bits, where we catch you up on all of the news, updates, tweets and analyses circulating around the Ohio State beat and elsewhere. The world is in a heavy state at the moment, so I’m going to begin today’s Bits with one of Lori Schmidt’s infamous #UnderYourHat questions.
Look, given the way things are going, I want to keep today's #UnderYourHat question simple: Are you okay? Is there anything you need? And, please, with this one, feel free to peruse the responses to find someone you can reach out to and help or encourage. pic.twitter.com/jHh0NlsZDE
— Lori Schmidt (@LoriSchmidt) June 2, 2020
Now more than ever, it’s beyond important that each and every one of us use our voices, our platforms and our actions—no matter how small they might be— to fight for black lives. It’s also important to check in with yourself and others during this time, because fighting through this is deep, exhausting, and hard. But most importantly, it’s crucial.
If you’re having trouble figuring out how to make an impact, or whether you even can, here’s my favorite answer to Lori’s question.
I understand that feeling, but you were built for good. Doing good is often daunting because it feels like we can't make a dent. "What can I do to eradicate hunger?" I've started to live by the maxim, "Do for one what you wish you could do for all." It helps me.
— Chris Solwecki (@csolwecki) June 3, 2020
“Do for one what you wish you could do for all.”
Now for today’s headlines.
From around Land-Grant Holy Land...
How will Ohio State replace the production of Chase Young?
Gene Ross, LGHL
It sounds impossible, because it probably is. That’s not to say Ohio State’s defensive line isn’t talented, its just not... 16.5 sacks-talented.
Ohio State offers a trio of tight ends on Tuesday
Gene Ross, LGHL
Ohio State’s recruiting staff had quite a busy day yesterday, especially tight ends coach Kevin Wilson. In about a one hour span on Tuesday, three 2022 tight ends announced via Twitter that they had received an offer from Ohio State. Gene has more on that in this morning’s State Secrets.
Play Like a Girl podcast (written edition): A tribute to Phyllis George
Meredith Hein and Tia Johnston, LGHL
Sportscaster legend and pioneer Phyllis George passed away on May 14, and in honor of her memory, Meredith and I recap her legacy and the incredible impact she made for women in sports.
Gene Ross, LGHL
Yesterday’s Buckeye Bits, because yesterday was filled to the brim with newsworthy stuff you may have missed.
From around the gridiron...
Colin Hass-Hill, Eleven Warriors
With guys like Justin Fields, Chris Olave, Josh Proctor, Taron Vincent, and many more, its safe to say that Ohio State’s destiny is up to the third-years. As Hass-Hill wrote, these players made up the best recruiting class Ohio State has ever signed. Now they have to show us why.
C.J. Saunders, Buckeyes are working, protesting, kneeling for change
Austin Ward, Lettermen Row
Four hours after being released from his overnight stay in the Franklin County Jail, Saunders was putting tape down to mark spots for social distancing, making sure student-athletes from dozens of sports were wearing masks and then ultimately delivering some brief remarks from the back of a pickup truck, writes Ward.
Saunders describes his experience in jail, along with his thoughts on the protesting, the anti-racism movement, what he and his teammates have been doing and plan to do with their platforms and more in the link above.
Urban Meyer, TreVeyon Henderson tackle social issues, protests
Tim May, Lettermen Row
On this week’s Tim May podcast, Urban Meyer and Ohio State running back commitment TreVeyon Henderson discuss the ongoing protests, what coaches can do for their players, Henderson’s personal experience with racial profiling, and much more.
Nathan Baird, Cleveland.com
Ohio State has a very serious shot at a national title this season (what’s new?), however the Buckeyes’ defense is going to have to step up to make that happen. This year’s group—sans Chase Young, Jeff Okudah, Damon Arnette, and Malik Harrison—has a lot to prove before it can call itself as good as the one LSU put on the field in 2019, writes Baird.
Gunnar Hoak ready for backup opportunity for Buckeyes
Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row
Quarterbacks C.J. Stroud and Jack Miller have received most of the attention in regards to who will be backing up Justin Fields, but Holbrook believes—due to the two freshmen’s lack of reps and Hoak’s knowledge of the playbook—that Hoak is more than ready to be QB2 this season.
Ohio State, you’re doing amazing, sweetie.
Former Buckeye defensive back C.J. Barnett, now a patrol officer with the Columbus Division of Police, met with the team today to have open dialogue about the recent events in Columbus and across the nation. Thank you for your valuable perspective, C.J. pic.twitter.com/nbWMtaTZBz
— Ohio State Football (@OhioStateFB) June 3, 2020
Meanwhile, at Clemson...
So in a sport where Dabo Swinney coaches young black athletes, he did not punish his assistant for using a racial slur, does not agree with protesting racial injustices, and threatened to quit if players got paid. He only cares about them when they’re making him money. https://t.co/LcptrL1k2D
— Barstool OSU (@BarstoolOSU) June 3, 2020
From everywhere else...
New prez
The Ohio State University Board of Trustees is pleased to appoint Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, as the 16th president in university history. https://t.co/BR0HDeEPM1
— Ohio State (@OhioState) June 3, 2020
The Ohio State University Board of Trustees appointed Kristina M. Johnson, PhD, as the 16th president in university history. Johnson has served as chancellor of the State University of New York (SUNY) since 2017 and brings more than 30 years of experience as an academic, business and policy leader, Ohio State wrote in its press release.
Johnson said Ohio State has always been a special place for her, due to the fact that her grandfather graduated from OSU in 1896 and played right guard for the Buckeyes.
She will begin her tenure as Ohio State president on September 1, 2020.
Proud to be an Ohio State alum
Tuf asked me what he could do to help. I told him he could use his platform. 3 days later, we held a very powerful, very peaceful protest right in front of OSU’s Football stadium.
— Asha (@Osh_Bgosh) June 3, 2020
“It is not the kneel that will create change, it is what we do when we stand back up” #kneelfornine pic.twitter.com/KtRdWl5po0
“This is all of us against racism. This is all of us on the same team.” -C.J. Saunders said at #kneelfornine pic.twitter.com/NpcgR7Llj4
— Keaton Maisano (@002kfm) June 2, 2020
Proud of our student-athletes!
— gene smith (@OSU_AD) June 3, 2020
Thank you also to the staff, OSU PD, President Drake, VP Shivers and others who showed up to support Kneel For Nine, organized by our SAs! pic.twitter.com/1jp40cEAUj
Ohio State student-athletes, staff and OSU police came together in front of the ‘Shoe for a “Kneel for Nine” demonstration. Organized by student-athletes, the group knelt for nine minutes in remembrance of George Floyd, who’s neck was under a Minneapolis police officer’s knee for around nine minutes.
Back to school!
Ohio State president Michael Drake just announced during today's Board of Trustees meeting that fall semester will begin Aug. 25 and end Dec. 4, but the last day of in-person classes will be held Nov. 25.
— Dan Hope (@Dan_Hope) June 3, 2020
You know what that means don’t you?
The NBA is back!
Per @wojespn:
— SportsCenter (@SportsCenter) June 3, 2020
The NBA's inviting 22 teams to Orlando
13 Western Conference
9 Eastern Conference
Eight regular season games per team
Play-in for the 8th seeds
July 31-October 12
Vote being held tomorrow to ratify
"The NBA's back." pic.twitter.com/6TWFwkfJYj
According to ESPN’s Adrian Wojnarowski:
The NBA’s board of governors intends to approve a league proposal on a 22-team format to restart the season in Orlando, Florida, sources told ESPN.
Commissioner Adam Silver and the league’s advisory/finance committee have shared the broad details of a plan with teams to play at the Walt Disney World Resort, sources said. The plan includes 13 Western Conference teams and nine Eastern Conference teams, eight regular-season games, a possible play-in tournament for the eighth seed, and playoffs, sources said.
MLS is back!
#Crew96 will return this summer. MLS and the players association today agreed to a new CBA and the return-to-play format. https://t.co/IHIMU9qC7K pic.twitter.com/a5nY8pfFnl
— Patrick Murphy (@_Pat_Murphy) June 3, 2020
The MLSPA have voted on a new Collective Bargaining Agreement and approved a return-to-play plan. The approval of the proposal avoids a lockout that had been threatened by MLS.
“MLS Players today ratified a new collective bargaining agreement, which will run through the 2025 season,” the MLSPA said in a statement. “Today’s vote also finalizes a plan to resume the 2020 season and provides players with certainty for the months ahead. It allows our members to move forward and continue to compete in the game they love.”
The approval now opens the door for the league to return to the field in June with a World Cup-style tournament to be held at the Wide World of Sports Complex at Walt Disney World. The teams are expected to arrive in Orlando, Florida, in three weeks, according to ESPN’s Jeff Carlisle.