The Buckeye Weekly Podcast

Buckeye Weekly Draft: 6 Ohio State Players Poised to Be First-Team All-Big TenOn the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr do a snake draft of six returning Ohio State players they think will become first-team All-Big Ten this season, excluding transfers and anyone who was first- or second-team last year (Julian Sayin, Bo Jackson, Jeremiah Smith, Luke Montgomery, and Austin Siereveld).00:00 Welcome and Draft Rules01:20 Ineligible All-Big Ten Names01:57 Pick 1 03:20 Picks 2-3 05:41 Tom Pick 07:08 Tom Steals 09:39 Tony Recovers 12:03 Other Candidates and Wrap-Up

Buckeye Stat Projection Game: Matching Past OSU Seasons to 2026 PlayersOn the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr play a game where Tony presents stat lines from past Ohio State players and Tom must project which current Buckeye could post those numbers in 2026, then guess the original Buckeye who produced them. They discuss rushing, defensive, and receiving lines, with projections involving players like Isaiah West, Legend Bey, Earl Little, Devin McCuin, and more. 00:00 Welcome and Game Setup01:42 Rushing Stat Projection04:21 Guessing the Past Rusher05:44 Defensive Stat Projection08:42 Revealing the Past Defender09:49 Interception Season Challenge13:51 Receiver Yards No TDs18:40 Deep Threat Stat Line22:26 Legend Bey/Dontre Wilson Comparison24:24 Wrap Up and Subscribe

Most Impactful Ohio State Transfer in 2026?  | Buckeye Weekly PodcastOn the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss which Ohio State transfer could be the most impactful this season, using 2024 examples like Caleb Downs and Will Howard to frame the conversation. Tony leans toward safety Earl Little due to the defense's plans for him and the versatility he could bring, while Tom highlights kicker Connor Hawkins as a potentially decisive difference-maker in close games. They also run through other transfer candidates and roles, including James Smith, Terry Moore, Devin McCuin, Kyle Parker, Qua Russaw, Dom Kelly, Mason Williams, Hunter Welcing, Ja'Kobi Jackson, John Walker, Justyn Martin, and long snapper Dalton Riggs, emphasizing how impact can come from both star plays and critical special-teams reliability.00:00 Podcast Cold Open00:53 Defining Impactful Transfers02:10 Best 2024 Transfers03:33 Earl Little Spotlight06:18 Kicker Connor Hawkins08:53 Other Transfer Candidates10:01 Receiver Gravity Talk12:37 Qua Russaw Role14:11 More Names and Scenarios15:22 Long Snapper Importance16:46 Wrap Up and Thanks

Ohio State Kickoff Times: Big Noon Picks, TV Draft Tea Leaves & Schedule SpeculationOn the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss early TV time/network announcements and what they suggest about Ohio State's 2026 schedule. They note Ohio State–Michigan is set for noon on Fox and Oklahoma–Michigan is also a noon Fox game, then explain Fox drafts weeks (not individual games) and likely used three top picks on Week 13 (Michigan), Week 2 (Oklahoma at Michigan), and Oct. 17 (Ohio State at Indiana). They speculate that Ohio State–Oregon likely won't be Big Noon and could land at 3:30 on CBS, discuss how Notre Dame NBC windows, Big Ten Network obligations, and potential Peacock decisions affect placements, and project possibilities for early nonconference games, Texas in primetime, and Ohio State at Nebraska likely earlier to set up Michigan week.00:00 Welcome and Setup01:03 Big Noon Picks Explained01:55 Fox Week Draft Mystery03:50 Ohio State Oregon Time Guess04:46 Other Marquee Games06:20 Early Season Kickoffs08:38 Network Obligations Peacock10:39 More Schedule Clues Ahead12:47 Midseason Game Time Projections15:28 November Nights Nebraska18:23 Wrap Up and Subscribe

How NCAA's ‘Five Years to Play Five' Rule Could Reshape Ohio State's 2027 Roster | Buckeye WeeklyTony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss a pending NCAA rule that would allow players five years of eligibility to play five seasons and how it could impact Ohio State's 2027 roster by potentially keeping 2026 true seniors for an extra year. They run through possible returnees—WRs Devin McCuin and Brandon Innis, TE Mason Williams, LG Luke Montgomery, DT James Smith, LB Christian Allegro, and CB Jermaine Matthews—debating draft projections, NIL tradeoffs, positional needs, and whether retaining veterans could replace portal additions. They highlight the value of continuity and frame the change as a way to re-sign in-house “free agents” before turning to the portal.00:00 Welcome Back Banter01:22 NCAA Five Years Rule02:43 Wide Receiver Decisions06:43 Tight End Return Case09:22 Luke Montgomery O Line13:18 James Smith D Line16:18 Christian Alliegro Outlook20:28 Jermaine Mathews Debate23:17 Portal Style Roster Building26:12 Wrap Up And Subscribe

In this episode of Buckeye Huddle Primetime, host Juck Milletti shares some recruiting updates on a handful of high-value targets, and then discusses the Ohio State freshman class and how they fared this spring and the expectations for this season.

Buckeye Weekly Podcast: What Will More QB Run Look Like for Ohio State in 2026?On this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr answer a listener question about what “more QB run” should look like for Ohio State this year, focusing on Julian Sayin. They discuss the importance of quarterbacks contributing on the ground—especially rushing for at least one touchdown—and how even a few timely scrambles or option pulls can extend drives, help in short-yardage and goal-line situations, and force defenses to account for the quarterback. They compare recent Ohio State quarterback rushing production (including sack-adjusted stats) to players like CJ Stroud, Kyle McCord, and Will Howard, reference examples like Dwayne Haskins, and debate realistic season highs, single-game rushing yard projections, touchdown totals, and a 200-yard season benchmark.00:00 Welcome and Listener Questions00:41 What More QB Run Means02:27 Touchdowns and the Threat Factor04:20 Strategic Use vs Texas05:49 Last Season Rushing Context06:49 Comparing QBs and Carry Limits09:30 Haskins Example and Attempt Targets11:04 Over Unders and Predictions14:05 Wrap Up and Subscribe

Can Ohio State's Defense Still Be Elite After Losing NFL Draft Stars? | Buckeye Weekly PodcastOn the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr kick off “listener question season” by answering whether Ohio State's defense can make its own mark after major NFL Draft departures from last year's historic unit. They discuss the challenge of matching a program-best standard while noting Ohio State recently lost eight defensive starters to the draft and then seven more, yet still has the talent and coaching continuity to remain near last year's level. They highlight how unexpected breakouts (like Arvell Reese and Kayden McDonald) can happen again, point to potential risers such as Kenyatta Jackson, and emphasize the transfer portal's role in replacing starters with experienced players, including additions like Qua Russaw, James Smith, John Walker, Christian Alliegro, and Earl Little. They also expect schematic adjustments and possibly more aggressive, higher-variance play in 2026.00:00 Listener Question Season01:00 Can This Defense Match 202502:31 Next Breakout Stars04:04 Portal Depth and Projection06:51 Roster Management Reality08:33 New Scheme and Creativity10:57 Final Take and Wrap Up

Ohio State Injury Updates + Ryan Day on Mental Health | Buckeye Weekly PodcastOn the Buckeye Weekly podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss Ryan Day's update that Ohio State players who missed spring with various injuries and procedures (including issues like labrums and meniscus) are expected to be healed in time to have full summers, emphasizing how crucial summer work is for preparing for fall camp, especially for offensive linemen and running backs. They note spring is the right time to be cautious and get nagging issues cleaned up, while also highlighting the need for a mental break after spring ball. The conversation shifts to Day's children's mental health initiatives with Nina Day through the Kids Mental Health Foundation, including an event in New Hampshire focused on improving access, reducing stigma, and building resiliency, with encouragement for philanthropy and broader national expansion.00:00 Welcome and Big Update00:27 Spring Injuries Healing Timeline01:33 Summer Work Matters Most02:11 O Line and RBs Getting Reps04:28 Legend Bay Development Plan06:29 Recovery and Avoiding Lingering Issues07:17 Mental Breaks and Player Wellness09:07 Kids Mental Health Foundation Event10:07 Access and Ending the Stigma13:57 Wrap Up and Subscribe

Buckeyes Go 4 in Round 1 of the 2026 NFL Draft + Ryan Day on Being “NFL Ready”On the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss Ohio State's 2026 NFL Draft first-round results and what Ryan Day said in a Zoom about the Buckeyes being “pro ready.” They react to four first-round picks—Carnell Tate going fourth overall to the Titans (a surprise as the first Buckeye taken), Arvell Reese to the Giants, Sonny Styles to the Commanders, and Caleb Downs to the Cowboys—and explain how Ohio State's day-to-day competition, media pressure, and NFL-style schemes help players transition seamlessly to the league. They highlight Reese's upside and versatility, Styles' maturity and community involvement, and Downs as a near “sure shot” despite size concerns. The hosts also connect Ohio State's draft success to recruiting momentum and note the program's historic draft production by position.00:00 Draft Night Kickoff00:46 Buckeyes Go Pro Ready03:43 Arvell Reese Breakdown04:57 Sonny Styles Spotlight08:02 Carnell Tate Surprise08:41 Caleb Downs Steal13:05 Recruiting Impact Angle13:43 NFL Style Development17:23 Position Dominance Stats18:24 Quarterback History Talk19:24 Wrap Up And Thanks

Buckeye Weekly Draft Day: Which Big Ten Stars Would We Add to Ohio State in 2026?On NFL Draft day, Buckeye Weekly hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom do a hypothetical “draft” where Ohio State can add any Big Ten players to the 2026 roster. They target some of the Big Ten's best, as well as some new faces as well.00:00 Welcome and Draft Day Setup01:10 Rules and Draft Strategy03:15 Pick One06:19 Pick Two08:33 Interior Line Luxury Picks11:39 More Targets and O Line Ideas13:24 Freshmen and Tight End Options16:18 Wrap Up and Viewer Picks

Which New Buckeyes Surprised Us Most This Spring? | Buckeye Weekly PodcastOn the Buckeye Weekly podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom discuss which new Ohio State players surprised them most during spring practice, focusing on one true freshman and one transfer each. They highlight freshman wide receiver Brock Boyd for losing his black stripe extremely early and flashing as a versatile playmaker, and Tony notes freshman center Mason Wilhelm as an unexpected early contributor with the twos and threes, with mentions of freshman tackle Sam Greer and running back Favour Akih also looking more ready than expected. For transfers, Tom points to defensive back Earl Little for immediate impact, based on an early black stripe removal and strong reviews from teammates and coaches despite missing late spring due to a knee procedure. They also discuss transfer corner Dominick Kelly pushing for a rotation role and Alabama defensive line transfers James Smith and Qua Russaw carving out roles, with Russaw drawing praise for holding up vs. the run.00:00 Welcome and Setup00:57 Freshman Surprise Brock Boyd04:11 Underrated Center Mason Wilhelm06:09 Sam Greer and RB Favour Akih08:50 Transfer Standout Earl Little11:57 Dominick Kelly and Bama DL Adds15:51 Wrap Up and Subscribe

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr share their thoughts after watching the 2026 Michigan Spring Game. They discuss quarterback Bryce Underwood's underwhelming performance, the possibility of a quarterback battle with freshman Tommy Carr, a pair of very talented running backs, some new names defensively, and more.

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr recap what they learned from rewatching the Ohio State spring game. Thoughts on Jeremiah Smith, Chris Henry, Jr., a handful of transfers and true freshmen and much, much else.

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr give their instant reactions from the Ohio State spring game. Thoughts on Chris Henry, Jr., Dominick Kelly, Tavien St. Clair, the running of Julian Sayin, and much, much more.

The 2026 Ohio State Spring Game will kick off at noon inside Ohio Stadium. Before the game, Tony Gerdeman, Tom Orr, and Juck Miletti preview the storylines and players to watch, as Ryan Day's team gets its final tuneup of the spring.

In this bonus episode, Tony Gerdeman joined host Juck Miletti on Buckeye Huddle Primetime to talk about some position group updates and then shared their Top 10 players to watch in Saturday's Ohio State Spring Game.

Ohio State has landed a commitment from 4-star offensive tackle Jimmy Kalis out of Pittsburgh.In this breaking news episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tom Orr and Tony Gerdeman break down the commitment and what it means for the Buckeyes. They also discuss Jimmy Kalis as a player and his interesting background with Ohio State.

Ohio State held its 14th practice of the spring on Friday. Media was invited to attend the practice, which was held in Ohio Stadium.In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr recap what they saw from the Buckeyes, which includes thoughts on new cornerback Dominick Kelly, some dominating pass rushing from some new Buckeyes, up and down quarterback play, and much more.

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr share their bold predictions for Saturday's Ohio State spring game. There are predictions about Tavien St. Clair, Brock Boyd, Jeremiah Smith, Qua Russaw, and any more.

Ohio State defensive line coach Larry Johnson wants to go about 11 deep on the defensive line, with six of those guys coming from the outside and five from the inside. How does he feel about getting there?In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tom Orr and Tony Gerdeman recap their conversations from Johnson and an assortment of defensive linemen. Why did John Walker wait to come to Ohio State? What does Qua Russaw bring? Where has Beau Atkinson improved? The fellas discuss all of this and much more.

Ohio State has hired a new special teams coordinator in Robby Discher. What will he bring to the Buckeyes besides a renewed focus on the forgotten third of the game?In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss Discher's thoughts on the kickoff return, the importance of special teams, what he loves about his job, and who will be the main players in the return game.

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr recap what Ohio State head coach Ryan Day had to say following practice on Monday. Day discussed his expectations for a deeper receiver rotation this year, the pluses and minuses of injuries during the spring, and much more.

The Buckeyes are deeper at running back than they were a year ago, and Ohio State running backs coach Carlos Locklyn expects them to be much better overall as well.In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tom Orr and Tony Gerdeman discuss their conversations with Locklyn and Buckeye running backs Bo Jackson, Isaiah West, and Ja'Kobi Jackson. Lockly is very high on this group and didn't mind sharing his thoughts about each of them.

Wednesday following Ohio State football practice, safeties coach Matt Guerrieri and safeties Earl Little, Leroy Roker, and Jaylen McClain spoke with reporters about how spring is going, how the safety room is shaping up, and much more.In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss what they heard from the Buckeye safeties and how it will apply to the Ohio State defense this season.

5 Ohio State Offensive Players With the Most to Gain in the Final Weeks of Spring Ball | Buckeye WeeklyOn the Buckeye Weekly podcast, Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss which Ohio State offensive players have the most to gain as spring ball nears the spring game on the 18th. They highlight running back Ja'Kobi Jackson benefiting from staying healthy and taking first-team reps amid injuries, left tackle Ian Moore getting extensive reps with the ones while other linemen are out, and tight end Mason Williams emerging in 12 personnel with Bennett Christian sidelined. They also discuss freshman wide receiver Brock Boyd playing well and pushing for snaps in a crowded receiver group, plus tackle Carter Lowe earning valuable second-team reps that help his long-term development.00:00 Podcast Intro00:26 Spring Ball Stakes00:58 Ja'Kobi Jackson Breakout04:14 Ian Moore at Left Tackle08:45 Mason Williams Emerges11:57 Brock Boyd Freshman Buzz14:11 More Names to Watch17:35 Wrap Up and Subscribe

Here is a bonus episode for you. This is the latest edition of Buckeye Huddle Primetime with Juck from Monday evening. -Ryan Day's offensive changes in 2025 resulted in less points, lower efficiency and less explosive plays than 2025. How do they get it back?-Days Surprising answer about tight ends. -defensive line up and comers make for a wide open battle on the end.

Who is stepping up on offense? What has impacted the lack of explosion at running back? Could All-Big Ten left tackle Austin Siereveld slide inside to guard this season?In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss these topics that were revealed by Ryan Day during Monday's press conference. How has Legend Bey's absence impacted the offense? Can Ian Moore, Austin Siereveld, and Phillip Daniels all play together? Who has surprised Ryan Day on offense? The fellas talk about all of this and more, including a little bit of Brock Boyd as well.00:00 Offense Focus Intro00:51 Legend Bey Explosiveness04:12 Run Game Depth Updates04:57 Best Five Offensive Line08:40 Line Continuity Reps11:45 Transfer Tight Ends Rising15:54 Brock Boyd Buzz18:15 Wrap Up And Subscribe

In this bonus episode, Tom Orr and Tony Gerdeman recap the top offensive players they saw at Saturday's Ohio State student appreciation day practice. Who stood out and impressed on the offensive side of the ball? This episode of Buckeyes TomOrrow Morning discusses it all.

It was Student Appreciation Day at Ohio State, which meant open practice for students and media. In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tom Orr and Tony Gerdeman recap a handful of defensive standouts from the day, including defensive tackle James Smith, defensive end Qua Russaw, linebacker Christian Alliegro, and more.

The team from BuckeyeHuddle.com will be back inside the Woody Hayes Athletic Center on Saturday to watch practice No. 8 of the Ohio State spring football schedule. So what will Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr be looking for when they watch practice? In this episode of the Buckeyes TomOrrow Morning podcast, they'll discuss some of the most interesting positional battles, transfer additions, and intriguing freshmen to keep an eye on this spring. 

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr break down Ohio State's wide receiver depth and what realistic production looks like beyond the top targets. The Buckeyes have four veterans who will play, but there are talented freshmen like Chris Henry, Jr., Brock Boyd, and Jerquaden Guilford making noise as well.How many receivers will actually play, and what should fans expect from WR4, WR5, and beyond?0:00 – Intro and “Steiner math” warning0:33 – WR depth and rotation discussion begins2:25 – Tom on realistic snap distribution3:33 – Historical production for WR4/WR55:38 – Why depth should improve in 20257:23 – Comparing Hartline vs. Hankton usage9:09 – True freshman expectations explained11:15 – Jeremiah Smith vs. historical freshmen11:50 – What “normal” production really looks like13:17 – Fewer tight ends, more WR opportunities15:02 – Freshman stat projections debate18:30 – Final expectations and realistic outlook

Despite losing future first-round picks Sonny Styles and Arvell Reese to the 2026 NFL Draft, Ohio State linebackers coach James Laurinaitis is adamant that the standard will remain the standard.In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tom Orr and Tony Gerdeman discuss what they learned from speaking with James Laurinaitis and the Buckeye linebackers on Thursday, which includes their first meeting with transfer Christian Alliegro.

The Buckeyes brought in a record number of transfers (for them) this winter and many of them have been creating a buzz since they arrived. Others have created a buzz in practice.In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss what they've been hearing about transfers Earl Little, James Smith, Qua Russaw, Christian Alliegro, Devin McCuin, Kyle Parker, and more.

Ohio State wide receiver Brock Boyd became the first member of the 2026 freshman class to lose his black stripe. He was joined on Tuesday by transfer linebacker Christian Alliegro in being officially welcomed to the Buckeye football team.In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr recap what they heard from Ryan Day on Tuesday, which includes a discussion on what Brock Boyd has done to lose his black stripe. Day also discussed the offensive line, the defensive tackles, freshman receiver Chris Henry, Jr., and much more.

There are a handful of true freshmen who are making waves for the Buckeyes right now.In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss which Buckeye rookies are making noise so far in spring practice.

In this episode of Buckeyes TomOrrow Morning, host Tom Orr is joined by Tony Gerdeman to discuss the breaking news that freshman forward Amare Bynum will be returning for his sophomore season. The duo talk about why this is such big news for the Buckeyes and what needs to happen next for the basketball program.

Only two Buckeyes have lost their black stripes so far, and both of them have been transfers. Who will be the next player to join receiver Kyle Parker and safety Earl Little?In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tom Orr and Tony Gerdeman pick the next eight Buckeyes to have their black stripes removed and discuss why it will happen for each player.

The Ohio State Buckeyes are just three practices into the 2026 spring football schedule, but some early trends are already emerging on the defensive side of the ball. Ross Fulton is the Xs and Os guru at BuckeyeHuddle.com.  In this episode of Ross Fulton Analysis, he joins host Tom Orr to discuss some of the early standouts from the spring on Matt Patricia's defense, as well as some different looks he's expecting to see on the defensive line this season. Plus, how transfer additions like DT James Smith, Edge Qua Russaw, and LB Christian Alliegro are fitting in, and how they could provide flexibility on the defense this fall. 

The Ohio State Buckeyes' offense was one of the more efficient attacks in college football in 2025, but lacked explosiveness, especially in the passing game. So how can they go from near the bottom of the nation in yards after catch to the top? In this episode of the Buckeyes TomOrrow Morning podcast, Tony Gerdeman of BuckeyeHuddle.com joins host Tom Orr to discuss what they learned while talking to OSU superstar WR Jeremiah Smith and Ohio State's new WR coach Cortez Hankton. 

The Buckeyes could be dependent upon some young receivers this season. The good news is that there has been a ton of positive buzz about them.In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss what they learned about young receivers like Kyle Parker, Chris Henry, Jr., and Brock Boyd from OSU receivers coach Cortez Hankton and All-American receiver Jeremiah Smith.

In this episode of the Buckeye Weekly Podcast, hosts Tony Gerdeman and Tom Orr discuss their Thursday conversations with Ohio State football players James Smith, Garrett Stover, and Jermaine Mathews. All three players have stepped up as leaders this year, and all three are doing it from a different position, both literally and figuratively.