Scarlet Sunrise: 12 Buckeyes players earn spots on Reese's Senior Bowl watch list
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12 Buckeyes players earn spots on Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list
Ohio State could have its largest draft class in program history after this season. So it’s no surprise that the Buckeyes have 12 players on this iteration of the Reese’s Senior Bowl watch list:
- RB Chip Trayanum
- RB Miyan Williams
- TE Cade Stover
- LB Cody Simon
- S Lathan Ransom
- S Josh Proctor
- OL Matthew Jones
- DL Ty Hamilton
- OL Josh Fryar
- WR Julian Fleming
- LB Tommy Eichenberg
- LB Steele Chambers
Last year, Ohio State wound up with just two players on Senior Bowl rosters, offensive tackle Dawand Jones and safety Ronnie Hickman. Despite Jones falling to the fourth round and Hickman going undrafted, both are having superb preseasons for the Cleveland Browns this summer.
It’s important to note that Senior Bowl watch list numbers are up this year, across the board. This year’s watch list includes 720 prospects. For reference, last year’s consisted of 485 prospects.
The COVID-19 waiver has factored into this ballooning figure. Several players who have capitalized on their extra year are finally running out of eligibility.
So while Ohio State having 12 watch list members is impressive, there are other programs around the country with significantly more. Ole Miss is atop that leaderboard with 20, and Tennessee (19) and Michigan (18) are close behind.
The annual pre-draft all-star game will take place on Feb. 3, 2024, once again in Mobile, Alabama, and will be broadcast live on NFL Network at 1 p.m.
What Buckeyes are saying about their talented first-year wideouts: ‘Very encouraged with them’
Ohio State head coach Ryan Day is pleased with the development of first-year wide receivers Bryson Rodgers, Carnell Tate, Brandon Inniss and Noah Rogers.
“Very encouraged with them,” Day said this week. “I like their work ethic. I like where they’re at. They’re still freshmen. They’re still working through all that. But it’s been mostly positive.”
All four of those true freshman wideouts have shed their black stripes. And each is making an impact on the field.
Lettermen Row chronicled everything that’s been said lately about the newest crop of Ohio State receivers. Check it out here.
RELATED
Malik Hartford ‘on the path,’ pushing for major role in Buckeyes secondary
There is one Ohio State starting safety spot up for grabs, and true freshman Malik Hartford is in the mix. Hartford has transformed his body, gaining nearly 30 pounds since starting his Buckeyes career, to get to this point.
The former Lakota West standout has also emerged as a playmaker in the back end for Ohio State.
“From day one, when we went into his house in recruiting, we knew he was always talented, and he’d strike you,” Buckeyes safeties coach Perry Eliano said earlier this month in training camp. “But I think what he’s done, what our nutrition and our strength staff has done as far as the gains he’s put on throughout the summer have been nothing short of amazing. But that’s a credit to the young man’s maturity.
“I’m excited about him.”
For more on Hartford’s ascent, go here.
How Eddrick Houston, Justin Scott can turn the tide with defensive, offensive line recruiting
Ohio State, and namely longtime defensive line coach Larry Johnson, bounced back on the recruiting trail Tuesday with the commitment of five-star Buford (Ga.) defensive lineman Eddrick Houston.
Houston joins five-star Chicago (Ill.) St. Ignatius defensive lineman Justin Scott, another Ohio State commit in the 2024 class.
Houston is the No. 4 defensive lineman and No. 21 overall prospect this cycle, according to the On3 Industry Ranking, which ranks Scott the No. 3 defensive lineman and No. 12 overall prospect.
Together, they make up two of the five five-star prospects currently committed to the Buckeyes. They are at the core of Ohio State’s defensive class right now and could even help the Buckeyes recruit on the offensive line, both now and in years ahead.
Learn more about that here.
Counting down
Buckeyes vs. Indiana: 9 days
Buckeyes vs. Michigan: 93 days
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