Scarlet Sunrise: Crucial year ahead for Ohio State coach Greg Studrawa

Good morning, Ohio State fans, and welcome to the Scarlet Sunrise! Football will always be our focus, but every day we’ll cover news, notes and analysis from across Buckeyes sports. Join us each morning to get caught up on everything you missed in the world of Ohio State football, recruiting, basketball and more. 

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Greg Studrawa faces important season on the field and recruiting trail

Ohio State currently has 13 scholarship offensive linemen. Even if the Buckeyes land Rutgers graduate transfer Jonah Jackson, he’s a one-year player who won’t change the math on how many players the Buckeyes need to add in the next recruiting class to have a healthier depth chart. All signs point to one thing in particular: 2019 is a crucial year for Ohio State offensive line coach Greg Studrawa, who was retained by new coach Ryan Day but leads a position that needs to make strides in both roster numbers and in-game execution.

The bill for the numbers situation isn’t going to come due in 2019, but it’s the type of problem that can haunt teams down the road. Ohio State has missed on five in-state offensive linemen it wanted over the last two cycles, including four in 2019. The 2020 class is already off to a good start with three commitments, but 5-star Paris Johnson and 4-star Luke Wypler came largely courtesy of Urban Meyer (Johnson) and Greg Schiano (Wypler), and neither coach is still on the staff. Even if both stay put, Studrawa needs to come up big on the recruiting trails — or at least hope Ohio State’s area recruiters for top offensive linemen do so.

Lettermen Row’s Ryan Ginn takes a closer look at what Studrawa must do to have a successful 2019 season on and off the field.

Dre’Mont Jones worthy of a first-round pick in the NFL Draft

After Nick Bosa went down with an injury early last season against TCU and never returned to Ohio State, Dre’Mont Jones was leaned on heavily on the defensive line to lead the Rushmen the rest of the way. And whether it was his pass rushing skill, playmaking ability or just overall athleticism and desire, Jones finished his final year as a member of the Scarlet and Gray with his best season statistically and a bit of national recognition for his play.

In a little over two months, the 2019 NFL Draft will kick off in Nashville with Jones and a new group of Buckeyes itching to hear their names announced to move on to the next level.  With that said, Lettermen Row is passing some of that time with a look at the reasons Jones should be a first-round lock.

Buckeyes working on Arizona star Lathan Ransom

The Buckeyes are one of a handful of major college programs hoping to increase their visibility in the state of Arizona, and they’re off to a good start with Jack Miller and Darvon Hubbard committed in 2020 alongside aggressive recruiting efforts with 5-star cornerback Kelee Ringo and 4-star tailback Bijan Robinson.

They’re also working hard to land Robinson’s teammate at Tuscon Salpointe Catholic, defensive back Lathan Ransom. A 6-foot-2, 195-pound safety, Ransom was offered by Ohio State in late January, and he told Lettermen Row he’s been hearing from the Buckeyes very regularly.

“I’ve been talking to their coaches every other day,” the country’s 12th-ranked safety said. “[Defensive coordinator Jeff] Hafley and [running backs] Coach [Tony] Alford. The relationship is really good.”

For more on Ransom and all things Ohio State recruiting, check out Sunday’s edition of Dotting the ‘Eyes.

Men’s hoops steal huge road win at Indiana

Ohio State isn’t a perfect team by any stretch, but it certainly looks like one headed back to the NCAA Tournament.

At the rate the Buckeyes are going again now, they might not even begin to sweat the bubble down the stretch.

That might have been almost unthinkable last month when the program was in the midst of a five-game losing streak in Big Ten play. But after stealing a 55-52 win on Sunday afternoon at Indiana, the Buckeyes are back to .500 in conference play and are once again on track to head to the tournament for the second consecutive time under Chris Holtmann.

Senior writer Austin Ward breaks down the massive Big Ten win for Ohio State over the weekend and what it means going forward with Three Points.

Counting down

• Ohio State hoops vs. Illinois: 3 days
• Oho State spring game: 61 days

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