Buckeye Bits: Stanford Steve picks OSU to win the title, Ohio State details plan for student-athletes’ return to campus, more

We’ve made it to yet another Friday. The country is starting to reopen, sports are on the horizon, and positive changes are beginning to be made in the realm of social justice. For all the bad that 2020 has brought upon us, maybe we can come out of this all the better for it.

One thing is for certain. We are going to have a whole new appreciation for sports once they make their return — especially our Buckeyes. With that being said, let’s check in on all the latest headlines surrounding Ohio State athletics.

From around Land-Grant Holy Land...

• Buckeyes’ wide receiver recruiting picture taking shape
  (Caleb Houser, LGHL)

As expected, four-star wide receiver Troy Stellato committed to Clemson on Friday morning. Ohio State had long been in the running for the talented pass-catcher, but with two wideouts already committed in their 2021 class, the Buckeyes have shifted their focus towards the nation’s top guy — five-star WR Emeka Egbuka — to fill what would likely be the last open spot at the position.

• Two OSU targets expected to commit in June
  (Tia Johnston, LGHL)

Keeping along the recruiting front, there should be some good news in the near future for Ohio State. Looking to round out their already stacked 2021 class, there are a number of positions that still need to be addressed. One of which is tight end, and with four-star TE Hudson Wolfe set to make his decision later this month, things are looking pretty good that he’ll end up with the Buckeyes.

• How the recruiting dead period effects Ohio State’s top 2021 prospects
  (Tia Johnston, LGHL)

Chugging along with recruiting (it’s really the only thing going on, albeit virtually), even though Ohio State has been killing it in the 2021 class, their lives have certainly not been made any easier by the NCAA-imposed dead period due to COVID-19. The Buckeyes are still at the top of the list for many of the nation’s top remaining prospects, but getting those kids on campus would potentially seal the deal.

• Yesterday’s Buckeye Bits
  (Gene Ross, LGHL)

Is Cameron Martinez the next Chris Gamble? Who do fans think is the top QB in college football? When will Kaleb Wesson get to hear his name called in the NBA Draft? All that and more in yesterday’s news roundup.

From around the gridiron...

• Stanford Steve on Ryan Day: ‘There’s an authenticity there’
  (Patrick Murphy, Bucknuts)

A lot of people have very high expectations for Ohio State this upcoming season even with the mass exodus of talent to this past NFL Draft, and you can add one more member of the national media to the hype train. Stanford Steve, best known for his work as Scott Van Pelt’s right-hand man, picked the Buckeyes to win it all this year. “If I had to pick a team to win the national title right now, I’m going in Columbus,” he told 247Sports.

• In a press release from Ohio State on Friday, the school detailed its plans for safely returning its student athletes to voluntary workouts on campus. In addition to daily temperature screening and advanced safety precautions, any player that tests positive must self-isolate for 14 days. Players will also not be allowed to use group areas like locker rooms and players lounges.

• TreVeyon Henderson hasn’t even stepped foot on campus yet, but he gets it...

• Five bold predictions about Justin Fields, Buckeyes QB unit
  (Austin Ward, Lettermen Row)

The staff over at Lettermen Row gave some of their bold predictions for Ohio State’s QB room, mainly focusing on Justin Fields. Many are predicting him to at least be a finalist for the Heisman Trophy, but that’s too obvious to be considered a bold pick. The staff is incredibly high on Fields’ abilities, and rightfully so, with Birm prediction that Fields accounts for 60 touchdowns in 2020 and Will Crall predicting Fields edges out Trevor Lawrence for the No. 1 pick in the NFL Draft.

• Pete Werner caught a lot of slack in 2018 as part of a linebacker core that was very, very bad under Bill Davis. This past season, Werner really turned it around and became an incredibly dependable force on the defensive side of the ball. Happy Birthday, Pete!

• Ohio State freshman wide receiver Gee Scott Jr. makes the long trek from Sammamish, WA to Columbus, OH on Friday, and his dad prepared a heartfelt message for his talented son. Scott, a four-star prospect, was the No. 10 WR in the country in the 2020 class, and should see pretty significant playing time in his first year on campus.

From around the hardwood...

• Seth Towns showed why he is ‘More Than an Athlete’
  (Stephen Means, Cleveland.com)

The Harvard transfer has officially been a member of the Ohio State hoops team for less than 70 days, but already he is becoming a fan favorite for his work off the court. The Columbus native was detained for taking part in a peaceful protest in response to the murder of George Floyd, and was subsequently released. He has continued to speak out, making an appearance on ESPN to voice his opinion and make it clear that he will continue to fight for what he believes in.

• Chris Holtmann is down with the cause as well.

From everywhere else...

• There will be fans in attendance at The Memorial this year, which takes place at the Muirfield Village Golf Club in Dublin, OH. With the state willing to allow fans at the event, it is unclear how that will impact fans at Ohio State football games in the fall.

• With that being said, Ohio State fans clearly believe there will be fans allowed in Ohio Stadium in at least some capacity this season, as 87 percent of season ticket holders renewed them for the 2020 campaign.

• As part of the White Coats for Black Lives movement, a demonstration was held outside Ohio State’s The James Cancer Hospital, including doctors, Congresswoman Joyce Beatty and OSU President Drake, in support of social justice and Black Lives Matter.

• In times where so much is bad in the world, this is (a) good (boy).