On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Nathan Baird discuss the back seven of Ohio State's defense.
The discussion highlights the cross-training and position flexibility of players like Sonny Styles and CJ Hicks. The depth and competition in the linebacker room are explored, as well as the handling of expectations and the development of CJ Hicks. The conversation also delves into the competition between cornerbacks and wide receivers, and the impact of Jim Knowles’ defensive scheme and the talent at Ohio State.
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C.J. Hicks, Sonny Styles and how Ohio State's cornerbacks are challenging the wide receivers

The latest analysis on Ohio State football, basketball and recruiting from cleveland.com's Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis. Usually, quite a good time.

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Football

The second transfer portal window wasn't quite as explosive for Ohio State football as the first as it only lost seven players none being players considered to win a starting role this season.
On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis break down OSU's roster retention heading into the summer and whether there is any impact to the few losses. Then the trio has a conversation about the Buckeyes holding on to all four scholarship quarterbacks and what that says about the mentality of the room and the type of recruit who'd signed up to be part of something like that.
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Seven Ohio State transfers and what a still loaded quarterback room says about the program

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Andrew Gillis discuss the latest developments in Ohio State football recruiting.
Andrew spent his Sunday up in Canton, Ohio, attending the Under Armour Camp Series where he spoke with OSU commit Eli Lee along with targets Justin Hill, Bo Jackson, Talyn Taylor and Marquise Davis. The Buckeyes seemed to be still in the running for each of these players and potentially sitting in the lead. But has the door already shut on one thanks to the departure of an assistant coach?
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Justin Hill, Eli Lee and a 4-star running back recruit who feels burned by Ohio State football

The 2024 NFL Draft is now in the review mirror as we focus on a 2025 class sure to be filled with Ohio State football players following a year where only four were drafted.
The Buckeyes had only one first-round pick this spring, but could they be on the verge of not only setting a program record, but the national record in 2025? On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Nathan Baird and Andrew Gillis explore the 2025 NFL Draft and project the number of first-round picks OSU could have.
They also compare the program's NFL Draft development to when Jim Tressel and Urban Meyer were in charge to see whether Ryan Day is already ahead of the curve. Plus, predicting when Ohio State will surpass 100 first-round draft picks.
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How may Ohio State players will go in the first round of the 2025 NFL Draft?

The 2024 NFL Draft is over, and on this Buckeye Talk episode, Stephen Means and Nathan Baird wrap up the final picks for Ohio State.
OSU just experienced its smallest draft number in over a decade, but could it come with a silver lining? Following a year where only four players heard their name called — of the nine hoping to — the program could be gearing up for fireworks in 2025 with one more thing to check off over the next year.
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What Ohio State football's small 2024 NFL Draft class tells us about the potential fireworks on the way

For the third straight year, Ohio State football has produced a first-round NFL Draft pick.
Garrett Wilson and Chris Olave started the trend in 2022 followed by Jaxon Smith-Njigba in 2023. Now Marvin Harrion Jr. has joined them going higher than an OSU wide receiver has ever gone as the No. 4 pick to the Arizona Cardinals.
Harrison will join Paris Johnson Jr. as Buckeyes-turned-Cardinals first-round picks giving Kyler Murray a true No. 1 wide receiver. He also serves as a historic accomplishment for Brian Hartline’s wide receiver room. A room that might not even be close to being done putting out first-rounders.
On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Nathan Baird break down what Harrison being drafted means for the program, what Arizona is getting and what could be coming down the line. Plus a reaction to the final time J.J. McCarthy could show Ryan Day up for picking Kyle McCord over him as Ohio State’s future quarterback.
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C.J. Hicks, Sonny Styles and how Ohio State's cornerbacks are challenging the wide receivers

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