Bucknuts Morning 5: An Ohio State athletics podcast

All offseason, we wondered if Ohio State would have a weakness at safety. But due to third-year sophomore Marcus Hooker and junior Josh Proctor, are the Buckeyes actually in good shape at the position? Jonah Booker joins Dave Biddle for his usual Friday visit to discuss that, plus:

* While safety might not be as big of a concern as we thought, depth at defensive tackle definitely is. JBook provides his thoughts on that.

* Ohio State's highly-touted freshman wide receiver class is even impressing on special teams. Just how great might this four-man group end up being?

* We are just eight days away from OSU's season-opener against Nebraska in the Horseshoe. Let's talk about the matchup between the Buckeyes and Huskers.

All of that and more is coming your way on the Friday 5ish.

Have we forgotten about an elite Ohioan headed for Columbus? If so, we take care that today. 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong is here to talk Jayden Ballard, the nation's No. 4 receiver. Ballard has his All-American jersey and spoke to Steve about a litany of subjects.

Also: The latest on Ohio State's quest to secure two Washington state 5-stars and the nation's No. 1 recruiting class. 

Spend 5ish with us today, 'Nutters!

We are just 10 days away from Ohio State opening its 2020 football season against visiting Nebraska. Matt Baxendell joins Dave Biddle on today's show to discuss that, plus:

* What is different about Justin Fields this season?

* What stood out from head coach Ryan Day's comments to the media on Tuesday?

* Is Tommy Togiai the second-most-valuable member of the team, behind only Fields?

* Should the Power 5 conferences in college football break away from the NCAA and start their own division?

All of that and more is coming your way on the Wednesday 5ish.

Are you ready to get deep? 

We aren't talking emotional journey here. 

We are talking depth chart. 

We are talking Buckeyes.

Duane Long is here as the season beckons. Who starts? Who backs them up? Who is a star waiting to emerge? Who are we concerned about? 

Spend 5ish with us this a.m., 'Nutters!

Ohio State football is merely 12 days away and on today's show Patrick Murphy joins Dave Biddle to give predictions on which players will win the handful of position battles that are ongoing for the Buckeyes. The following positions will be covered:

* Starting running back.

* Backup quarterback.

* Starting right tackle.

* Backup WRs at Z (behind Chris Olave) and X (behind Jameson Williams).

* Starting three-technique defensive tackle.

* Starting cornerback opposite Shaun Wade.

* No. 1 safety.

All of that and more is coming your way on the Monday 5ish.

Is Ohio State facing a lack of quality depth at defensive tackle this season? How big of an issue is this? Jonah Booker joins Dave Biddle for his usual Friday visit to discuss that, plus:

* The Buckeyes are stacked at defensive end with depth.

* How good overall will OSU's running backs be this year?

* What are thoughts on the Washington Football Team benching Dwayne Haskins already?

All of that and more is coming your way on the Friday 5ish.

Ohio State's wide receiver room is a who's who of prep prospects. Brian Hartline's talent attraction has been fierce. How will that figure into the recruitment of the nation's top Class of 2022 receiver? We break down Caleb Burton's recruitment with 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong.

Burton is a name you need to know - but not the only one. Wiltfong delivers updates on Emeka Egbuka, J.T. Tuimoloau, Tristan Leigh, Tywone Malone, Derrick Davis and more.

Spend 5ish with us this a.m., 'Nutters!

There are a lot of interesting storylines regarding Ohio State's running backs this season, and Matt Baxendell and Dave Biddle talk all about it on today's show. Who will be the starter between Trey Sermon and Master Teague? What are thoughts on the other OSU RBs such as Marcus Crowley, Steele Chambers, Xavier Johnson and Miyan Williams?

Also, is there depth concerns for the Buckeyes at the three-technique defensive tackle spot?

All of that and more is coming your way on the Wednesday 5ish.

Down the stretch they come ... at least when it comes to Ohio State's Class of 2021 recruiting haul. 

The Buckeyes currently rank No. 2 in the 247Sports Team Composite rankings (Alabama is No. 1 by less than a point). It also appears Ohio State's target list has been pared down to three exquisite prospects.

Why?

Because two others - Tywone Malone and Derrick Davis - don't seem Columbus bound. Duane Long is here to wax poetic on those developments before offering up a review of Ohio State's national competition and outfits like Alabama and Clemson.

Spend 5ish with us this a.m., 'Nutters. 

We are very pleased to be joined by Gee Scott Sr. on today's show. Mr. Scott will answer questions posed to him by Front Row message board posters and much more. Ohio State football is just 19 days away and a tremendous amount of ground is covered on this must-listen edition Monday 5ish.