Bucknuts Morning 5: An Ohio State athletics podcast

Matthew Baldwin has entered the transfer portal, and the news actually broke while we were recording the show last night.

Jonah Booker joins Dave Biddle for his usual visit to give his take on Baldwin's likely impending departure (he could return, but it seems unlikely), and let's just say JBook was taken off guard like everyone else.

Also on the docket:

* What are JBook's impressions of Justin Fields?

* What are the biggest strengths and the biggest concerns for Ohio State with spring football in the rear view mirror?

All of that and more on the Friday extravaganza.

Coveted football prospects make college decisions for a number of reasons. One of the biggest: Relationships.

Who do they click with on the staff? Who inspires them? Who can provide the future they want?

Ohio State is blessed with a coaching staff able to forge such relationships. 

We hit on one of them today.

Which No. 1 prospect says his best relationship is with a certain Buckeyes coach?

All of that and much more is waiting for you as we welcome 247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong to the show.

Are you concerned about Ohio State sophomore quarterback Justin Fields?

Well, the People's Champ, Matt Baxendell, says it is time for you to relax.

Bax joins Dave Biddle on today's show to talk about Fields, plus:

* How big of a role will redshirt freshman H-back Jaelen Gill have this season?

* What are thoughts on OSU's offensive line leaving spring?

* Why didn't Dwayne Haskins start at QB for the Buckeyes in 2017?

All of that and more is coming at you on an extended edition of the Wednesday extravaganza.

Now that you've had a few days to gather those thoughts ... let's wrap our spring game chatter with a visit from Duane Long.

Yes, we will throw out the disclaimer on spring game importance - no real, impactful decisions can be made based on the pseudo game. 

But we did get a chance to see some traits, some flashes, some questionable displays.

So sit back, relax and spend 5ish with us today.

Joshua Perry is back with the latest edition of his podcast, and he has excellent information to pass along as usual.

Some fans might be concerned about Justin Fields -- and wonder if Fields is definitely going to be Ohio State's starting quarterback this year -- but Joshua is not worried. In fact, from what he is hearing, Fields is "the guy" at QB for the Buckeyes.

Also on the docket:

* What stands out about Matthew Baldwin?

* What are thoughts on young offensive players Garrett Wilson, Jaelen Gill and Master Teague?

* What did we learn about the linebackers this spring?

All of that and more is coming at you on this edition of The Joshua Perry Show.

Ohio State held its spring game on Saturday, and sophomore quarterback Justin Fields was 4-of-13 passing for 131 yards with a touchdown (a 98-yarder to Ben Victor) and no interceptions.

A lot of Buckeye fans seem concerned about Fields because of his completion percentage, but we're talking about 13 attempts in a glorified scrimmage. And they weren't even playing real football. They were playing touch football. Plus, Fields did look very good as a runner, and had at least one -- and perhaps two -- of his passes dropped on the afternoon.

Are fans concerned for no reason? Or is there reason for consternation regarding Fields?

Steve Helwagen joins Dave Biddle to discuss that, plus:

* Thoughts on redshirt freshman QB Matthew Baldwin.

* True freshman wide receiver Garrett Wilson, redshirt freshman H-back Jaelen Gill and redshirt freshman running back Master Teague had big afternoons. What can be expected of them this fall?

* What else stood out about the spring game?

* On the hoops front, Chris Holtmann and the Buckeyes landed 7-foot center Ibrahima Diallo on Sunday. What do fans need to know about him? And is there any chance that guard/forward Ben Roderick will be a Buckeye?

All of that and more is coming at you on the Monday extravaganza.

It is a recruiting-themed show with Ohio State's spring game set for Saturday (noon ET, BTN).

Bill "Bank" Greene joins Dave Biddle for today's show to go in-depth on the top prospects from Ohio and more in the 2020 class that the Buckeyes are highly interested in.

What will happen with recruits such as Paris Johnson (who is verbally committed to OSU), Darrion Henry, Michael Drennen, Jaheim Thomas, DeaMonte Trayanum, Luke Lachey and others? Are they all attending the spring game tomorrow?

And what is the latest on high four-star offensive tackle Michael Carmody from Pennsylvania? Is he coming to the spring game instead of visiting Penn State as originally planned? What might this mean for OSU?

Who is on "commit watch" for the Buckeyes this weekend?

What other prospects will be at the spring game that listeners absolutely need to know about?

And yes, we talk about the spring game itself. What are we looking forward to seeing the most when the Scarlet and Gray face off against each other? It's got to be the quarterbacks, right?

All of that and more is coming at you on the Friday extravaganza.

This Saturday's Spring Game at Ohio Stadium (kickoff at noon EST) is a showcase for current Buckeyes. 

But it's also a recruiting extravaganza for possible future Buckeyes. Prospects will come from far and wide this weekend to see Ohio State's annual end of spring practice ritual. 

Who will be here?

Who is on commitment watch?

247Sports Director of Recruiting Steve Wiltfong joins to talk Paris Johnson, Kendall Milton, Evan Prater and all things Spring Game recruiting. 

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

On Tuesday, 247Sports released its first Top247 for the Class of 2021, and Barton Simmons joined Trey Scott on the 247Sports Facebook page to unveil the top five players and break down some of the early storylines emerging from this class. Featuring supplemental analysis from Steve Wiltfong, Allen Trieu, Brian Dohn, Brandon Huffman, and more. If you'd like a deeper dive on this initial Top247, check out Greg Biggins and Charles Power breaking down the rankings on The 247Sports Recruiting Podcast, available now wherever you listen to podcasts.

Ohio State has been known for having excellent defenses over the last two-plus decades, but 2018 was certainly an exception to that rule.

The Buckeyes finished merely No. 72 in the country in total defense last season.

They will unquestionably be better this year, but by how much?

Patrick Murphy joins Dave Biddle on today's show to discuss that, plus:

* What changes do we like about the Buckeyes' new defensive scheme?

* What can fans expect as far as OSU's spring game format this Saturday?

* Did you know Michigan is not having a spring game this year? Do you remember the last year Ohio State did not have one?

* Will Ryan Day name a leader at the quarterback position following the spring game?

All of that and more is coming at you on the midweek extravaganza.