OT: CB Denzel Burke returning to OSU in '24
1st team all B1G in '23. They'll have a strong defense again next season.
January 10th, 2024 at 2:39 PM ^
Also, OSU fans got their wish and special teams coach Parker Fleming will not be back in 2024
January 10th, 2024 at 2:39 PM ^
He'll be exiting next year sans gold pants.
January 10th, 2024 at 2:59 PM ^
We have truly de-pantsed the Buckeyes in the 2020s
January 10th, 2024 at 2:40 PM ^
I am shocked that they are holding together like they have. All early signals seemed to indicate it was a tire fire. If QB play is good, not great, they will be very strong next year.
January 10th, 2024 at 3:03 PM ^
They'll be strong on paper, just like they've been the last three years. Whether the rotten cultural vortex at the core of that program will even be looked at, I'm not so sure. They're still playing catch-up to the champions.
January 10th, 2024 at 3:18 PM ^
Well, this is a program that has won 11+ games every year since 2012, Covid year notwithstanding. Day hasn't lost to anyone else in the conference in five years, which is nuts to think about. They're not going to fall off a cliff while he's there. But I don't know if their ceiling is as high as it was under Meyer.
January 10th, 2024 at 5:10 PM ^
NIL packages, but I don't think inducing players to stay by throwing millions at them is a viable long-term strategy. One that's setting a bad precedent and every off-season, players will expect x dollars or else situations. It's a different kind of motivation all together and could potentially ruin a team culture. Then again, culture existed at OSU in the first place, so I guess it's worth the risk.
January 10th, 2024 at 2:41 PM ^
OSU is stepping up with NIL for year 3 guys. Smart move to copy Michigan's strategy.
January 10th, 2024 at 2:42 PM ^
OSU seems to be doing a Michigan 2023: all chips in. So far only Hall and Harrison seem to be leaving. Henderson, Egbuka, and JTT still haven’t committed to returning or leaving yet. With Burke, Sawyer, Williams, and others means their defense will return nasty again next year.
January 10th, 2024 at 3:24 PM ^
Let's assume they get a few more of those guys back. Can you imagine what the culture will be like there if they drop a game or two early in the season?
January 10th, 2024 at 4:32 PM ^
I have a feeling that Henderson may leave but the other two feel like guys who might want to come back and take a run at a title. But I also don't quite know what they'll look like offensively, and especially without Harrison Jr. and with a transfer QB. They were good this year but a clear step down from the offense under Fields and Stroud, and I can't imagine Howard is significantly different a player as McCord based on actual performance this year.
January 10th, 2024 at 2:42 PM ^
Cool, he can review film of Roman Wilson's touchdown again
January 10th, 2024 at 2:43 PM ^
It's funny OSU fans bemoaned their NIL game a few weeks ago. I think between Burke staying and acquiring Jeremiah Smith, Will Howard, and Quinshon Judkins I think they're spending money right up there with A&M and Miami
Guess you gotta find another angle when the whole signgate thing didn't work out for you
January 10th, 2024 at 2:50 PM ^
The land of mercenaries....
And - the Mercedes & Lamborghini dealership owners must be smiling...
January 10th, 2024 at 3:43 PM ^
But the burger joints are struggling. Only Michigan would dare to cross that line.
January 10th, 2024 at 2:53 PM ^
Jack Sawyer coming back too. They are looking formidable but whatever.
January 10th, 2024 at 3:09 PM ^
Weren’t that formidable one on one. I like any of these losers returning. (I get this is naive but fuck em).
January 10th, 2024 at 3:19 PM ^
OSU fans bemoaned their NIL game a few weeks ago.
Is any fanbase happy with their NIL setup? Seriously, this seems to be a universal gripe across the country.
January 10th, 2024 at 2:47 PM ^
Whatever serves to keep Day around longer is fine by me
January 10th, 2024 at 2:48 PM ^
They are going to be completely shocked by the Orji wishbone offense coming for them next year.
January 10th, 2024 at 2:55 PM ^
We will have a more polished Orji next season!
January 10th, 2024 at 2:51 PM ^
They should have a good defense next year but will need someone to step up for JTT and their LBs will be a weakness again.
January 10th, 2024 at 2:52 PM ^
I have a feeling they're going to get a lot of 'run it back' guys who could have gone pro in order to win a championship. Similar to what UM had. Big difference is the lack of returning elite QB.
January 10th, 2024 at 2:58 PM ^
Their defense will be elite - although I think Burke probably got a second round grade and is returning to try to become a first round pick. Their offense will be good, but not elite. They will have a legitimate chance to win the national championship, and when they don't that fan base will have another meltdown.
January 10th, 2024 at 2:58 PM ^
They're a Head Coach away from being great. Until then, they're just an island of misfit toys.
January 10th, 2024 at 2:59 PM ^
To get WHOOPED!
All kidding aside, OSU is third in odds-on-favorite (behind Georgia and Alabama) to win the whole thing next year. No matter what, the faith never wanes.
January 10th, 2024 at 3:21 PM ^
All kidding not aside OSU has been one of the favorites to win the whole thing for the past three years. Whoever is picking these favorites must have an elderly Borzoi dog doing the picking for them.
January 10th, 2024 at 4:12 PM ^
I assume that these early favorites for winning the national championship are most likely driven by recruiting rankings. Who are the teams who land multiple 5* and lots of Top 100 recruits every year: Georgia, Alabama and OSU.
All of this is done completely legitimately, of course. No breaking of NCAA rules by these paragons of virtue.
The fact that Sign-gate made pretty much the whole nation turn against UM as "cHEaTerS!" declaring UM's title "tainted" when the aforementioned teams (as well as most of the SEC, Clemson, Oregon) have been buying elite talent (aka cheating) for decades which gives those teams a massive competitive advantage has really soured me on college football.
January 10th, 2024 at 3:18 PM ^
Looks like they will be loaded with players with experience in beating Michig....... wait a minute .. these guy's suck!
January 10th, 2024 at 3:22 PM ^
They've clearly gone all in with the $ cannon to keep their guys.
January 10th, 2024 at 3:24 PM ^
Yes but does he guarantee that he will return?
January 10th, 2024 at 3:29 PM ^
Cool he can go 0-4 and then listen to OSU fans invent some other excuse for why they can't beat Michigan anymore.
January 10th, 2024 at 3:46 PM ^
Saw a few days ago that Jack Sawyer was returning. He's a name because of his recruiting ranking. I didn't notice him in the game this year.
January 10th, 2024 at 3:54 PM ^
Dudes comming back cause he probably got a fifth round draft grade
January 10th, 2024 at 3:58 PM ^
The Buckeyes will have a talented roster - again. Over the past decade - they've consistently been one of the top three teams from a talent perspective.
Until the team in Columbus focuses on their OL - it seems the issues they are really facing won't be addressed effectively. The QB needs protection on pass plays - and the RB needs holes to run through.
The Buckeyes will have one serious road test next season - and, that's at Oregon. They'll travel to State College in early November before The Game.
I don't know what the results on the field will be when Michigan faces them in Columbus. But, the difference in the approach and attitude of the two programs - and, the culture that's illustrated from Schembechler Hall - really defines what each organization is about - and, makes is so easy and enjoyable to be a Michigan fan.
Win or lose in Columbus on November 30th next year - I'll cheer for Michigan - and the character, actions, integrity and teamwork shown by these Wolverines.
Go Blue!
January 10th, 2024 at 4:54 PM ^
With OSU having a very loaded team next year and Michigan having a depleted team with so many leaving for the NFL, it will make a win against them in ColumbASS all that more special. I can't wait.
January 10th, 2024 at 4:59 PM ^
They’re loading up
January 10th, 2024 at 5:08 PM ^
Its kind of hard to care about all this right now, for some odd reason
January 10th, 2024 at 5:36 PM ^
Yeesh. They're returning everyone.
They're really going to try and replicate Michigan's formula.
January 10th, 2024 at 6:34 PM ^
That's a little surprising since he was projected as a 2nd maybe 3rd round guy. OSU seems to be going in all on next year. That game in Columbus will be tough, we're just going to be losing so much talent. It's hard to replace it as easily as OSU can, especially on offense.
I would be shocked if Henderson and their other WR come back though. I think it's hard for their offense to ever not be good, but I have to imagine it won't be better than this year.
If they lose to Michigan next year or don't win the conference, that place will burn down for sure.
January 11th, 2024 at 3:29 AM ^
Bama's C leaving the day after the Rose Bowl to OSU shows you how much they tamper. If they have that much money to tamper with Bama players they have enough to pay the Denzel Burkes of their world. The only things we don't know is if they have enough for the MHJs of their world and if even offering that money is enough for him. At this point, as he hasn't declared his decision yet, he is playing mercenary and taking negotiations with their bagmen down to the wire before he must declare so he can assess their true final offer. Mercenaries - a lot of them, indeed.