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joeyrkaufman.bsky.social
Ohio State football beat writer at The Columbus Dispatch, part of the USA TODAY Network. Email me at [email protected]
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Did Donovan Jackson’s midseason switch to left tackle also raise his NFL draft stock? “I feel like it certainly helped.” www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Former teammates have heaped praise on Julian Sayin at the NFL scouting combine this week. "He's got a real chance to be elite." Via @billrabinowitz.bsky.social: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Ohio State paid just over $500k in severance to former special teams coordinator Parker Fleming following his firing last year, according to documents obtained by The Dispatch: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Ryan Day told The Dispatch the format for Ohio State's spring showcase won't be decided until closer to the April 12 event. "We have to see how the first couple weeks of spring practice go, see how healthy we are, and go from there." www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Ryan Day sat down with The Dispatch this week to discuss his victory tour following Ohio State's national championship and offseason maneuvering ahead of spring practice. "I'm just trying to catch my breath a little." www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Ryan Day has agreed to a contract extension with Ohio State that will bring his salary up to $12.5 million in annual compensation: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Former Ohio State defensive coordinator Jim Knowles addressed his departure for Penn State during an introductory news conference this afternoon. More from @billrabinowitz.bsky.social: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

In the College Football Playoff era, only Clemson has won a national title and retained its coordinators. Ohio State is just the latest champion to see turnover at the top of its coaching staff: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Ryan Day is forecasting a later start to spring practice in March due to the length of Ohio State's championship run: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye is expected to leave for the NFL, taking the same role with the Arizona Cardinals: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Ohio State offensive line coach Justin Frye has reportedly interviewed for the same role with the Chicago Bears: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Ohio State put a quality control coach on administrative leave last month amid an investigation by the university’s Office of Institutional Equity: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Caleb Downs on Jim Knowles leaving for Penn State: “It was sad to hear, and he was a really good DC. He taught us a lot. He taught me a lot about football and how to call games. I learned a lot from him. So I appreciate him for that.” www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

With Ohio State winning the national championship, Ryan Day and his primary assistant coaches are due nearly $5 million in combined postseason bonuses: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Ohio State ended the season leading the FBS in scoring defense (12.9 points per game) and total defense (254.6 yards per game). The Buckeyes also allowed the fewest yards per play (4.2).

Jeremiah Smith's breakout freshman season extended into the final minutes of the College Football Playoff final, clinching a national championship for Ohio State with his catch on third-and-11. "They have a lot of trust in me to make a play." www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Ohio State survived a gauntlet to win the national championship, beating three top-five teams along its College Football Playoff path. No other title winner has earned it more. That and other things we learned from the Buckeyes' win over Notre Dame: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Final: Ohio State 34, Notre Dame 23 The Buckeyes hold off a the resilient Irish in the fourth quarter to win the first-ever expanded College Football Playoff. For the first time in a decade, they are national champions.

"This is by far the most veteran team we've ever had." A core of upperclassmen has put Ohio State on the verge of a national championship, navigating the longest season in school history. Inside the construction of a senior-laden roster: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

The College Football Playoff final brings a Notre Dame reunion for Ohio State cornerback Lorenzo Styles Jr. "Clearly, I picked two good schools." More from @billrabinowitz.bsky.social: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

"Depending on how the defense plays us, somebody is going to pop. It was just my time." As Texas focused its pass coverage on Jeremiah Smith in the semifinals, it allowed Ohio State sophomore receiver Carnell Tate to have a career-day: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Former Ohio State coach Urban Meyer will be inducted into the College Football Hall of Fame: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

The postseason bonus total increased further for Ryan Day and assistant coaches following Ohio State's run to the national championship game: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Jeremiah Smith rode a hot start early in the College Football Playoff until Texas held him to reception last night, putting a safety over the top of his routes. “They weren’t going to let me go deep or take any shots.” www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

With a scoop-and-score touchdown to send Ohio State to the national championship game, Jack Sawyer delivered an iconic play in the clutch and became the Buckeyes’ Mr. January: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Five things we learned from Ohio State’s semifinal win over Texas: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Among the teams who reached the College Football Playoff semifinals, Ohio State played the fewest snaps, resulting from a slower pace the Buckeyes hope leaves them fresher for this stage of the season: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Ohio State quarterback Will Howard has gone five straight games without being sacked.

Three keys for Ohio State in its College Football Playoff semifinal matchup with Texas: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

As Caleb Downs' role has evolved for Ohio State this season, it's resulted in him moving closer to the line of scrimmage. "It allows me to be able to read the line and the quarterback and be able to get in the run game, and play the pass." www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Ahead of Friday's College Football Playoff semifinal against Ohio State, Quinn Ewers said he has no regrets about his semester with the Buckeyes. "I learned a lot while I was there." More from @billrabinowitz.bsky.social: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Will Howard never beat Texas as Kansas State's quarterback and an overtime loss last season isn't far from his mind. But leading Ohio State into the semifinals, he has a shot at redemption. "There's definitely a little extra motivation there." www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Ryan Day has seen quarterbacks leave Ohio State as transfers in recent years, but the Buckeyes have not faced any of them. That'll change with their College Football Playoff semifinal against Texas: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Ryan Day’s approval rating with the Ohio State fan base hit a low following the Buckeyes’ loss to Michigan. Following early dominance in the College Football Playoff, it’s certainly changed. Our latest stock report: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

The combined bonus total for Ryan Day and his top assistant coaches is now over $3 million following Ohio State's run to the College Football Playoff semifinals: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Here’s my analysis following the Buckeyes’ big win over Oregon. A month after Ohio State football hit nadir, Buckeyes look poised to win it all www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

One playoff round away from Ryan Day vs. Lou Holtz, part II.

Ohio State is riding momentum as the hottest team in the College Football Playoff field. That and other things we learned as the Buckeyes moved on to the semifinals following a rout of Oregon in the Rose Bowl: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Jeremiah Smith has already surpassed 100 receiving yards in the first quarter of the Rose Bowl. Here's a profile of him from earlier this season and how he emerged as college football's breakout star: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Oregon's three punts in the first quarter are as many as it had against Ohio State in October.

Jordan Burch blew up Ohio State's drive.

Ohio State opens with a touchdown for the straight game playoff game as Will Howard connects with Jeremiah Smith for a 45-yard touchdown.

The best place to ring in the new year:

Maurice Clarett has been around Ohio State this season and traveled with the team to the Rose Bowl. It followed an invitation from Ryan Day, mending his relationship with the school. "He's basically opened a door that was closed to me for over 20 years." www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Ryan Day: "All things considered, we're as healthy and strong and fresh as we've been all season. Right now, we're battled tested."

Ryan Day: "When you're at the Rose Bowl, you're like on sensory overload. The grass is greener, the sky is bluer, the sun is more yellow. It's a beautiful. But once the foot hits the ball, it's time to go play."

A closer look at how Ohio State and Oregon match up in their College Football Playoff quarterfinal: www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Injuries have ravaged Ohio State football's O-line, but Justin Frye rejects any self-pity www.dispatch.com/story/sports...

Devin Brown is managing College Football Playoff preparation as Ohio State's backup quarterback and the transfer portal. He maintains it's not a difficult balancing act. Maybe 1% of his time is dedicated to the portal. "I'm really focused on this game." www.dispatch.com/story/sports...