63 days until kickoff! We are single digit weeks away! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. Today we are discussing an Ohio native that was not only a captain and leader of the 2015 National Championship team, but a leader when that team experienced tragedy. Michael Bennett became the face of that squad in a way, when the team dealt with the tragic death of Kosta Karageorge.

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64 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers.

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In this episode of the Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast, Jeremy and Coach Slate dive into the Buckeyes’ massive plans to modernize the Woody Hayes Athletic Center with a $125 million renovation and what those upgrades say about the future of the program. We also discuss the next phase of improvements coming to Ohio Stadium, why these investments matter in the NIL and revenue-sharing era, and how facilities remain one of the biggest recruiting tools in college football.

On the recruiting trail, the Buckeyes added another familiar name as Jett Harrison, the nation’s No. 1 receiver in the 2028 class, committed to Ohio State, while five-star cornerback Moshanna Torbert chose Michigan over the Buckeyes.

65 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. He might’ve been the first Boren brother to be a Buckeye, but he may be the least remembered. Justin Boren started the Boren family’s time at OSU, and brothers Zach and Jacoby would follow him. Zach is part of one of the most iconic OSU photos ever, Jacoby has a natty, and then there’s Justin who might’ve been better than both of them.

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66 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. I’ll keep it very real with you guys, this one was very difficult. But, I decided to let my recency bias win and today we will talk about one of the rare times that OSU dipped into the JUCO ranks! Malcolm Pridgeon came in highly regarded, and although his path was complex it was also a great case study in perseverance.

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The Harrison File

• Class: 2028

• Position: Wide Receiver

• Height/Weight: 6-1, 175 pounds

• School: St. Joseph’s Preparatory School (Philadelphia, Pennsylvania)

• Rivals Ranking: ★★★★★

• National Ranking: No. 1 Overall | No. 1 Wide Receiver

Ohio State’s reputation as the premier destination for elite wide receivers took another major step forward Wednesday as five-star wide receiver Jett Harrison announced his commitment to the Buckeyes.

The standout from St. Joseph’s Preparatory School selected Ohio State over finalists including University of Miami, University of Oregon, and University of Southern California, giving Ryan Day another cornerstone piece in the 2028 recruiting class.

Harrison enters the cycle as Rivals’ No. 1 overall prospect and becomes the third commitment for Ohio State’s 2028 class, joining highly regarded defensive end Jameer Whyce and running back Elijah Newman-Hall. His multiple visits to Columbus over the past several months only strengthened the relationship before his decision.

On the field, Harrison has already built a reputation as one of the nation’s most polished young receivers. His ability to consistently separate at the top of routes, attack the football in the air, and finish through contact makes him one of the most complete receiver prospects in recent memory. Despite still having several years before college, his technical development has drawn praise from evaluators who believe his route-running and ball skills are already operating at an unusually advanced level.

Of course, the last name carries plenty of weight. Harrison is the son of Marvin Harrison and the younger brother of former Buckeye star Marvin Harrison Jr.. But those closest to him consistently point to something beyond genetics—his competitive drive. Growing up playing against older competition and being challenged daily has helped shape a player who embraces difficult situations rather than avoiding them.

LATEST PODCASTS:

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | Is the NCAA doing things right?

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | 2027 Draft Rankings, CBS Projections & Jim Tressel’s Latest Honor

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | The Tat Five Deserve Their Wins Back + More

LATEST ARTICLES:

• The Opening Drive 6/24: The Blueprint I Follow

• The Opening Drive 6/12: Your Friday Recruiting Update

• The Opening Drive 6/10: Opening the Doors

LATEST FILM ROOM:

• FILM ROOM: Phillip Daniels — Tackle, Guard, or Both?

• FILM ROOM: Play Action Through the Quarterback

• COMMITTED: Linebacker, Prince Goldsby

Coach’s Take

Talent may get the headlines, but what stands out most is how refined Jett Harrison already is as a football player. You can see a receiver who understands leverage, pacing, and how to manipulate defenders instead of simply relying on athletic ability. Those are traits that typically separate good college receivers from future NFL players.

Ohio State has built its receiver room on elite development, not just elite recruiting. Harrison fits that mold perfectly. He arrives with outstanding physical tools, but more importantly, he appears to have the work ethic and competitive mindset that have become trademarks of Buckeye receivers over the last decade.

It’s still early in the 2028 cycle, but adding the nation’s No. 1 player is another reminder that Ohio State remains the standard when elite wide receivers start deciding where they want to spend the next chapter of their careers.

Buckeye Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh content.

Jeremy rides solo in this Recruiting Update to break down another busy stretch on the trail as the Buckeyes continue stacking commitments and positioning themselves for one of the nation’s top recruiting classes. From the latest additions to emerging targets and who’s trending toward Columbus, Jeremy covers everything Buckeye fans need to know.

Recruiting never sleeps, and neither does Ohio State. Let’s dive into the latest news surrounding Ryan Day and his staff as they continue building the future of the program.

67 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. Today we get to talk about a player who flew under the radar and is now helping future generations!

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68 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. Today we get to talk about one of the greatest, yet sometimes forgotten offensive linemen in Ohio State history……LeCharles Bentley. A Cleveland native, Bentley had on the field success in both the college and professional ranks. Success has also followed him after his playing days.

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The Fakatou File

• Class: 2027

• Position: Defensive Line

• Height/Weight: 6-7, 275 pounds

• School: Sierra Canyon (Chatsworth, California)

• 247 Composite: ★★★★★

• National Ranking: No. 24 Overall | No. 2 Defensive Lineman

Before transferring to Sierra Canyon for his senior season, Fakatou starred at Orange Lutheran, where he totaled 69 tackles, 17 tackles for loss, and seven sacks as a junior.

At 6-foot-7 and 275 pounds, Fakatou offers rare positional versatility. His frame gives Ohio State options to develop him as a defensive end or eventually slide inside as a disruptive three-technique in the Buckeyes’ 4-2-5 defensive scheme.

His recruitment was one Ohio State prioritized from the beginning. After making both unofficial and official visits to Columbus, the Buckeyes built enough momentum to beat out two SEC powers. Following visits to Georgia and Texas, Fakatou shut down the remainder of his recruitment by canceling trips to Notre Dame and Oregon before announcing his commitment to Ohio State.

He becomes the third defensive line commitment in the class, joining five-star DJ Jacobs and four-star Wyatt Smith, while giving Ohio State its 18th overall commitment in the 2027 cycle.

LATEST PODCASTS:

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | Is the NCAA doing things right?

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | 2027 Draft Rankings, CBS Projections & Jim Tressel’s Latest Honor

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | The Tat Five Deserve Their Wins Back + More

LATEST ARTICLES:

• The Opening Drive 6/24: The Blueprint I Follow

• The Opening Drive 6/12: Your Friday Recruiting Update

• The Opening Drive 6/10: Opening the Doors

LATEST FILM ROOM:

• FILM ROOM: Phillip Daniels — Tackle, Guard, or Both?

• FILM ROOM: Play Action Through the Quarterback

• COMMITTED: Linebacker, Prince Goldsby

Coach’s Take

This commitment is about much more than adding another five-star.

It’s about rebuilding the identity of Ohio State’s defensive front.

For years, Larry Johnson’s best defenses have featured waves of defensive linemen who could win one-on-one matchups without relying on pressure schemes. The Buckeyes are clearly trying to get back to that formula.

Pairing Marcus Fakatou with DJ Jacobs gives Ohio State two defensive linemen with completely different skill sets that complement each other.

Jacobs is explosive, twitchy and polished.

Fakatou is long, powerful and still scratching the surface of what he can become.

That’s what stands out most on film.

You don’t watch Marcus Fakatou expecting to see a finished product. You watch him and immediately see the ceiling.

At 6-foot-7 with outstanding length and natural power, he consistently overwhelms high school offensive linemen. His hands are violent, he pursues the football well, and he flashes the athletic ability to chase plays from the backside. There are technical details that still need refinement—his first-step consistency and overall pad level are areas that can improve—but those are exactly the things Larry Johnson has built his reputation developing.

Ohio State isn’t recruiting what Fakatou is today.

They’re recruiting what he’ll become two or three years from now.

That’s an important distinction.

The Buckeyes have always believed they can coach technique. What you can’t coach is elite size, length, movement skills and natural explosiveness.

Fakatou checks every one of those boxes.

Perhaps the biggest storyline is what this commitment says about Larry Johnson’s recruiting momentum. This marks the first time since JT Tuimoloau and Jack Sawyer signed together in the 2021 class that Ohio State has landed two five-star defensive linemen in the same cycle.

When your defensive line room starts stacking elite talent again, everything else on defense becomes easier.

Pressure affects quarterbacks.

Pressure creates turnovers.

Pressure allows linebackers to play faster and defensive backs to play more aggressively.

Championship defenses are almost always built from the inside out.

Ohio State appears to be returning to that blueprint.

Buckeye Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh content.

69 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. Our subject today not only played at Ohio State, but was an assistant coach too. Glen Mason was the presumed favorite to assume the head coaching position at OSU after the university fired John Cooper. Ohio State would go on to hire Jim Tressel and begin their march toward becoming the gold standard of college football.

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A Pair of Booms

The Buckeyes picked up a pair of commits the last two days. On Friday night, the Buckeyes secured the commitment of the #7 tackle in the country, Caden Moss. The Mississippi native chose the Bucks over Ole Miss and Kentucky. A versatile lineman that could play inside or out, Moss may be the biggest win of Tyler Bowens career at OSU on the trail. OSU insiders believe OSU sees Moss as a tackle. He joins an offensive line haul that is going to rival any OSU class, on paper.

On Saturday afternoon Coach Hank got on the board, with his first commit ( Jamier Brown was already committed when Coach Hank came to OSU.) Oviedo, Florida 3-star receiver Jordan Donahoo chose the Buckeyes over Cincinnati and Georgia Tech. Donahoo ranks as the #150 wide receiver in the country. There are some concerns with his speed, but as we’ve discussed before track speed doesn’t always equate to football speed. His best trait is his ability to win the contested catch. I don’t see him being a guy that comes in and immediately contributes, but I’m also very intrigued to see how his development progresses. Coach Hank, you’re on the clock!

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Jordan Donahoo

• Class: 2027

• Position: Wide Receiver

• Height/Weight: 6-4, 191 pounds

• School: Oviedo (Oviedo, Florida)

• 247 Composite: Three-star | No. 150 WR | No. 1,202 Overall

Donahoo selected Ohio State over Cincinnati after also taking official visits to Minnesota and Georgia Tech. He becomes the second receiver in the Buckeyes’ 2027 class, joining five-star Jamier Brown, and gives Ohio State 17 total commitments in what continues to be one of the nation’s strongest recruiting classes.

The commitment comes just one week after Donahoo made his official visit to Columbus. His recruitment changed quickly after Ohio State extended an offer in late May, and the Buckeyes were able to close the deal in just over a month.

Statistically, Donahoo has been productive. As a junior, he hauled in 34 receptions for 627 yards and five touchdowns after posting 34 catches for 701 yards and six scores as a sophomore. He’s also a multi-sport athlete, playing basketball while previously competing in track.

LATEST PODCASTS:

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | Is the NCAA doing things right?

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | 2027 Draft Rankings, CBS Projections & Jim Tressel’s Latest Honor

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | The Tat Five Deserve Their Wins Back + More

LATEST ARTICLES:

• The Opening Drive 6/24: The Blueprint I Follow

• The Opening Drive 6/12: Your Friday Recruiting Update

• The Opening Drive 6/10: Opening the Doors

LATEST FILM ROOM:

• FILM ROOM: Phillip Daniels — Tackle, Guard, or Both?

• FILM ROOM: Play Action Through the Quarterback

• COMMITTED: Linebacker, Prince Goldsby

Coach’s Take

One thing that has become very clear about Ohio State’s recruiting approach at wide receiver is this:

The Buckeyes are betting on traits, not stars.

When Brian Hartline was leading the room, Ohio State consistently landed five-star prospects because the Buckeyes were often recruiting players who were already polished and nationally recognized.

Under Cortez Hankton, the philosophy appears to be shifting slightly.

That doesn’t mean Ohio State has stopped recruiting elite talent—Jamier Brown proves otherwise—but it does suggest the Buckeyes are more willing to identify players with NFL measurables and developmental upside, even if recruiting services haven’t fully caught up.

Donahoo checks several of those boxes.

At 6-foot-4 with an 80-inch wingspan and 10½-inch hands, he possesses the length that simply can’t be coached. Add in basketball experience, verified athleticism, and consistent production, and it’s easy to see why Ohio State believed he was worth pursuing despite a modest recruiting ranking.

This isn’t the first time Ohio State has trusted its own evaluations over the recruiting industry, and it certainly won’t be the last.

The stars matter.

But traits matter more.

Length. Catch radius. Body control. Competitive toughness. The willingness to develop.

Those are often better indicators of long-term success than a recruiting ranking alone.

Ohio State still isn’t finished at receiver, either. The Buckeyes are expected to continue pursuing another playmaker to round out the class, with several highly regarded prospects still on the board.

Bottom Line

Jordan Donahoo may not be the headline-grabbing commitment that five-star prospects generate, but this is exactly the type of evaluation that separates good recruiting classes from great ones.

Ohio State saw something beyond the ranking.

Now the challenge becomes developing those traits into production on Saturdays. If history has taught us anything, betting against Ohio State’s evaluation at wide receiver usually isn’t a wise move.

Buckeye Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh content.

70 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. We are 10 weeks away!

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71 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. Center might be the most important position on the offensive line, yet the most under appreciated one. Corey Linsley is a name that the casual Buckeye fan may not even remember, but his rise from collegiate unknown to the highest paid center in the NFL at the time of his 2021 contract is one worth taking note of.

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Ohio State added one of the biggest pieces to its 2027 recruiting class on Friday, securing a commitment from four-star offensive tackle Caden Moss out of Jackson, Mississippi.

At 6-foot-5 and 320 pounds, Moss is widely viewed as one of the top offensive tackles in the country. More importantly, his commitment represents a significant recruiting victory for the Buckeyes. Landing a top-100 offensive lineman from SEC territory is never easy, and Ohio State beat out programs including Ole Miss Rebels football, LSU Tigers football, Oregon Ducks football, Tennessee Volunteers football, and Kentucky Wildcats football to make it happen.

From a recruiting standpoint, this is one of Ohio State’s most impressive offensive line additions in recent memory. Moss becomes the Buckeyes’ first top-100 offensive line prospect from outside Ohio since Donovan Jackson joined the program in the 2021 recruiting cycle.

Ohio State identified Moss as a priority early in the process, and that relationship paid off. He remained one of the Buckeyes’ top offensive line targets throughout the cycle and ultimately became the final addition to what now appears to be a complete offensive line haul.

Moss joins an already impressive group featuring Kellen Wymer, Mason Wilt, Davis Seaman, and Brody McNeel, giving Ohio State six offensive line commitments in the 2027 class and further strengthening what is shaping up to be one of the nation’s top recruiting groups.

LATEST PODCASTS:

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | Is the NCAA doing things right?

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | 2027 Draft Rankings, CBS Projections & Jim Tressel’s Latest Honor

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | The Tat Five Deserve Their Wins Back + More

LATEST ARTICLES:

• The Opening Drive 6/24: The Blueprint I Follow

• The Opening Drive 6/12: Your Friday Recruiting Update

• The Opening Drive 6/10: Opening the Doors

LATEST FILM ROOM:

• FILM ROOM: Phillip Daniels — Tackle, Guard, or Both?

• FILM ROOM: Play Action Through the Quarterback

• COMMITTED: Linebacker, Prince Goldsby

Coach’s Take

Production always matters, but when you’re recruiting offensive linemen, traits often separate good classes from great ones. Moss brings the combination of frame, mass, movement skills, and developmental upside that offensive line coaches covet. Winning this recruitment in SEC country says just as much about Ohio State’s recruiting momentum under Tyler Bowen as it does about the player himself. If the Buckeyes continue stacking wins like this in the trenches, they’ll be built to compete for championships well beyond 2027.

Buckeye Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh content.

72 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. Today we get back to the defensive side of the ball. Wilkinson came to Columbus from Dayton, and would begin his OSU career as an offensive tackle. The transition to defense would ultimately pay massive benefits when he would be selected 1st overall in the NFL Draft.

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Now, the NCAA is attempting to restore some structure.

On this episode of the Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast, Jeremy and Coach Slate break down the latest proposals and what they could mean moving forward. Are these changes enough to create a more sustainable model? How will they impact recruiting, roster construction, player movement, and programs like Ohio State that have learned to thrive in the current environment?

The guys also discuss what true competitive balance looks like in today’s game and whether college football is finally moving toward a system with clearer rules and long-term stability.

73 days until kickoff! That means it’s time for another edition of The Men Behind the Numbers. As we discussed in the Orlando Pace episode, it’s rare that a freshman starts on the offensive line. In fact, it took 23 years after Pace did it for another one to do it. The next freshman to do it was Michael Jordan. Slate and I often discuss positional versatility when discussing linemen, both offensive and defensive. Michael Jordan exemplified that, and it resulted in personal accolades and professional career that’s still going today.

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There are coaches you admire.

There are coaches you respect.

And then there are coaches who shape how you see the profession.

For me, Jim Tressel has always been that.

The Early Impression

Like most people, I first knew Coach Tressel for what he did on Saturdays. The wins. The championships. The way his teams carried themselves.

But what stood out more over time was how people talked about him.

When I was in college at Urbana, I had relationships with a few guys connected to the Ohio State Buckeyes footballprogram. And no matter who I talked to, the message was always the same—they spoke about him with a level of respect that went beyond football.

That stuck with me.

The Moment It Became Real

My first real connection to Coach Tressel came through my college coach, Todd Murgatroyd.

Late in my freshman season, Coach Murgs stepped down. Then not long after, we’re watching the national championship—and there he is, on the sideline with Ohio State.

That moment hit.

Loyalty mattered.

Relationships mattered.

And clearly, they mattered to Coach Tressel.

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• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | The New 100

• The Buckeye Film Breakdown Podcast | Ranking the Roster

• The Horseshoe Index Part Two

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• The Opening Drive 6/2: More Buckeyes in the College Football Hall of Fame?

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LATEST FILM ROOM:

• FILM ROOM: Play Action Through the Quarterback

• COMMITTED: Linebacker, Prince Goldsby

• FILM ROOM: Cornerback, Devin Sanchez

The First Interaction

My first time actually being around Coach Tressel came at the Ohio State coaches clinic in 2011.

It was the spring of everything going on—the uncertainty, the pressure, knowing what was likely coming. And I remember thinking how easy it would’ve been for him to step back, let others handle it, and just get through that time.

But that’s not what he did.

He was there. Present. Engaged. Front and center.

Later that day, I’m at the social—24 years old, locked in, listening to Luke Fickell talk linebacker play. Taking notes like crazy, trying to soak up everything I could.

I look up.

And Coach Tressel is standing right next to me.

He puts his hand on my shoulder and asks,
“Young man, tell me one thing you learned today.”

So I give him everything I’ve got—every buzzword, every phrase, trying to sound like I knew what I was talking about.

He smirks. Tells me I’m smart.

Then says something I’ve carried with me ever since:

“You defeat complexity with simplicity.”

The Impact

That wasn’t just a quote.

That became a foundation.

It showed up years later in my first head coaching interview in 2018. It shaped how I answered questions, how I thought about building a program, and ultimately helped me land the job.

And because of that moment, I made a promise—to myself and to my grandmother—that I would show up the right way in my first game as a head coach.

Shirt and tie.

Not for tradition.

For respect.

For the opportunity.

And for the people who helped shape how I see this profession.

More Than a Resume

You can talk about Coach Tressel’s résumé all day.

A national championship in 2002.
A dominant record in rivalry games.
A program built on consistency and discipline.

And now, being recognized the right way—his name will be added to the Ohio Stadium Ring of Honor, alongside legends like Woody Hayes and Paul Brown.

That’s legacy.

But for me, it’s bigger than that.

Final Thoughts

When I think about how I want to coach—how I want to lead, how I want to treat players, how I want to build something that lasts—it always comes back to the same place.

Player first.

Simple.

Consistent.

Intentional.

There are a lot of great coaches.

But when it comes to laying the blueprint for how to do this the right way, for me, there’s no better example than Coach Tressel.

Buckeye Film Breakdown will return soon with some fresh content.