Buckeye Bits: Players return for voluntary workouts, “no room” for D.J. Carton at Ohio State, more

Happy Monday, friends. It’s beautiful weather here on the East Coast, peaceful protests are still going strong, patios are beginning to open up, racist statues are being thrown into rivers and Ohio State football players are returning to the Woody Hayes Athletic Facility. In other words, there’s a lot to be thankful for today. Let’s keep our spirits and our voices high as we enter another week of fighting for justice (#BlackLivesMatter) and maintaining social distancing.

Now, let’s get caught up on all the Ohio State buzz from over the weekend.

From around Land-Grant Holy Land...

Ohio State’s Seth Lonsway looks to go early in this week’s Major League Baseball Draft

Gene Ross, LGHL

The 2020 MLB Draft will take place June 10-11, so we’re taking a look at a couple of the Buckeyes who are expected to get picked up early. First: Seth Lonsway.

Podcast: I Want to Go Back - Chic Harley Goes for the Repeat in 1917

Jim Baird, LGHL

As World War I raged across the Atlantic, the 1917 Buckeyes turned to junior All-American halfback Chic Harley to lead them to back-to-back conference championships.

Check out this week’s episode of the I Want to Go Back podcast for the story of Harley’s repeat and more on Ohio State football history.

Column: ‘In a world filled with Dabos... be a Ryan Day’

Matt Tamanini, LGHL

In case you missed it, Clemson head coach Dabo Swinney has been pretty dang quiet in the midst of the #BlackLivesMatter movement and protests. Meanwhile, Ohio State head coaches Ryan Day and Chris Holtmann have been using their platforms to drive change, support their players, and condemn racism.

This isn’t even us being biased at this point. There is a stark, undeniable difference between Dabo’s and Day’s actions here.

24 Club: Harry Vaughan coached the Buckeyes for a season, then quit to go to law school

Jim Baird, LGHL

Next up in Jim’s series 24 Club—where he takes a look at each of Ohio State football’s 24 head coaches— is the Buckeyes’ 10th head coach in OSU football history, Harry Vaughan.

If you’ve never heard of him, that’s probably because he posted a 5-3-2 record, lost to Michigan and left after one year to attend law school at Yale.

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From around the gridiron...

The boys are back in town.

Voluntary workouts resumed at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Monday morning, and several Ohio State football players arrived as early as 6:30 a.m.

Workouts were scheduled between 6:30 a.m. and 3:30 p.m. and each player had respective time slots for when they were to arrive.

According to Eleven Warriors, before players were cleared to participate in the voluntary workouts, players also had to go through the following:

• A physical examination administered on campus by Ohio State team physicians and athletic trainers
• Education through modules and videos to ensure an understanding of safe physical distancing practices
• Additional education on wearing appropriate face coverings, transportation, hand hygiene and cleaning and disinfecting at home
• COVID-19 testing and quarantine for 24-48 hours or until test results are available
• An online video walkthrough of the facility (WHAC only)

It’s tedious and strict, but nevertheless, it’s football.

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Urban Meyer addresses racism, killing of George Floyd during televised keynote speech to Ohio High School Class of 2020

Dan Hope, Eleven Warriors

Urban Meyer served as a keynote speaker for a commencement special that was broadcast on WBNS-10TV in Columbus and other local networks. He began his speech by addressing last week’s killing of George Floyd— calling it “absolutely horrific”— and condemning racism, saying it “must be addressed.”

Hope has more of his speech (which was incredibly well-said, imo) in the link above.

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How Buckeyes are affected by J.C. Latham tweet, Troy Stellato decision

Birm, Lettermen Row

Welp, all news can’t be good news. Five-star 2021 offensive tackle J.C. Latham tweeted that he has finally made his decision.

At first, this was good news for Buckeye fans, as Latham was almost considered to be a done deal for Ohio State. However, in the last 24 hours, nine of his 10 247Sports Crystal Balls have flipped to Alabama. So, either he successfully tricked nine reliable recruiting analysts and experts, or he’s headed to Tuscaloosa.

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Ohio State football 2020 opponent Nebraska loses leading receiver JD Spielman to transfer portal

Nathan Baird, Cleveland.com

More bad news... if you’re a Nebraska fan, that is. The Huskers will be without one of their most productive offensive players when they play Ohio State on Oct. 31.

Per reports, senior receiver JD Spielman— who has not been with the program since the spring due to personal reasons—has entered the transfer portal.

Spielman was third all-time for the Cornhuskers in receptions (170) and receiving yards (2,546), and is the only Nebraska player with three 800-yard receiving seasons.

So yeah, not a good day to be a Husker.

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A Michigan commit gave Ohio State some more bulletin board material because it worked out really well the last five times they tried it.

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Master Teague ready for next step in Buckeyes offense

Spencer Holbrook, Lettermen Row

Running back Master Teague has the ability to be a great running back for Ohio State, Ryan Day said. It all depends on his return from injury, and his confidence and knowledge thereafter. Holbrook explains what Teague has to do to keep up in a competitive running back room.

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Ohio State’s biennial trip to Penn State and Beaver Stadium might be a lot less hostile this fall

David Regimbal, Eleven Warriors

If you’re in need of a silver lining in regards to the coronavirus’ effect on college football, here it is.

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From around the hardwood...

Former Ohio State point guard DJ Carton took to Instagram stories with some shocking statements regarding his departure from Ohio State.

When asked about why he left Ohio State and entered the transfer portal, Carton said, in a rather hostile manner, “they ain’t have room for me” and that it was “they loss.”

Frankly, I cannot imagine a world in which Chris Holtmann and Co. drove Carton— one of the best players on their roster— out of town because there was no place for him on the team. But, I also don’t know why Carton would say it if it wasn’t true in some regard.

All I know is, I need an explanation like I need water.

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From everywhere else...

Buckeyes headed to the MLB Draft

It’s Draft Week in the baseball world, and to celebrate, here’re some draft-bound Buckeyes’ “transformations” they endured during their time at Ohio State.

I’m sorry, but they look exactly the same in all three photos.

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Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith released a statement supporting the Black Lives Matter movement.

In his statement, Smith states the Ohio State Department of Athletics’ full support for Ohio State’s student-athletes who have expressed desire to engage and who have been engaging in the Black Lives Matter movement.

Pretty dang proud to be a Buckeye, how bout you?