Kye Stokes gives me some Malik Hooker vibes. I don't think I enjoyed watching a Buckeye more than Malik's last season in Columbus. 

Not disagreeing with you, but why even post this comment? Some people like to get juiced up during the off-season - that is actually what fans do. What value is there in sharing skepticism, especially since, as you suggest, this is all pure speculation?

It is ok to just scroll...

I watched highlights from the 2016 Buckeyes defense - that secondary was insane. Hooker, Lattimore, Conley, young Denzel Ward... they put so much pressure on offenses. Hooker's highlight reel is unbelievable - I hope Stokes can turn into that type of playmaker at deep safety. I believe the CBs will be better this year, more hungry and anxious to improve. I think if we can see Sonny Styles develop and a defensive QB like Lathan Ransom, the story of the 2023 Buckeyes might be how a dominant, playmaking defense carried the team while a young QB developed into a Heisman finalist. That is my hope, which as a fan is all I should have going into every spring. Go Bucks!

I love all the QBs mentioned but I have CJ as the best QB I have seen play for the Buckeyes. His release and accuracy were unbelievable. I don't think we have yet seen the best of CJ, I hope he stays healthy and finds himself in a place to develop. He has a skillset similar to Patrick Mahommes and I know that sounds crazy, but that is my opinion as a guy who has lived near KC for many years and has watched Mahommes as a pro. 

Looking forward to Tommy leading this defense. He was absolutely fun to watch last season. Go Bucks.

I think both as a QB and a person CJ is ready for the next level. His market value right now is as high as he could hope for. I wish him all the best and am excited for the next QB1, Kyle or Devyn. 

A great Buckeye and a great human being, Thank you Paris for bringing honor to Buckeye Nation. I will cheer for you throughout your career. Congrats on your degree and tree, well earned. Best wishes.

With injuries being such a huge part of the equation, and the possibility that Marv and Emeka might make some business decisions if they get dinged up given their high NFL value already established, I would not be surprised for all the 2022 Freshmen get significant playing time early in the season. It will be test to the culture to see if these guys buy in, work hard, and wait for the opportunities.

I wish him the best, hope he gets a chance to play. Go Bucks!

The poll methodology is weird. I can understand how TCU beating Michigan should qualify them to finish ahead of them, but there should be some consequences for being so outclassed in the final game. It really doesn't matter, but I personally could not rank TCU as better than Alabama after last night's game. 

We expect these players to do their job and be the best. It is time for us fans to do the same. Look at yourself in the mirror and ask yourself - are you the type of fan these insanely talented young men would want to play their hearts out for and risk their future so they can win championships and you can bask in their glory? I am a fan - I am here to cheer on all those who suit up in Scarlett and Gray and talk a ton of crap about the opponents, especially our rival. And when things go bad, I can lament about play calling and effort, but never should that extend to athletes who just can't get healthy on my schedule. I love JSN - that was a Rose Bowl for the ages. I am so proud of CJ being a leader and speaking his mind. Let's be the best damn fans in the land and represent Buckeye Nation!!!

Kelee Ringo last play: "Pushing, shoving turning his head and finding the ball..." I think I have heard enough. Let's go Coach Walton, make these 30 days count and let's get our CBs playing like these Dawgs! I know they can do it.

I think the big play comment is a bit misunderstood - giving big plays is permissible if the defense makes big plays. Penn State is a great example of this. If we have three picks and a strip sack, score a defensive TD, etc... the margin for giving up a couple of big plays is there. But those two long runs in the 4th quarter are what still haunt me. The defense has to know that is coming and they tragically whiffed twice. I am grateful the Buckeyes get a second chance. They are way better than they played in that 4th quarter and they can still win the whole damn thing. Let's go Bucks!

I wish JSN all the best. My only regret is not getting to see him one more time in a Buckeyes uniform, nothing but respect for him and gratitude he chose to be a Buckeye. Zone 6 is still elite without him, and this is probably best for both team and player. May he shine in the NFL for years to come.

He definitely deserves it... this should be an easy choice for the committee.

I am not a coach and they know a lot more than me. But what is undeniable over the last few years is the Buckeye's corners and safeties usually make me hold my breath when a ball is thrown their way because they are almost never looking at the ball and they are hand checking the receiver. Watch the 2016 defense with Lattimore and Hooker - eyes on the QB, elite foot work. The Wolverines had a freshman converted from wide receiver playing corner and he looked like Jalen Ramsey. I can't believe the coaches, whether it is Eliano and Walton (who obviously knows how elite corners play since he coached Ramsey in the NFL) or someone else teaches a fundamentals camp this spring and just hammers home the press techniques and hip turns required to make our corners and safeties the weapons they should be. 

I don't see the Buckeyes playing conservatively at all... with the Wolverines defense relying on making CJ uncomfortable, that goes triple for the Buckeyes vs JJ. There is a chance that JJ gashes them with other worldly composure, but experiences makes me think this will more likely turn into a defense running wild and the TTUN searching desperately for answers. If that happens, expect Coach Day to show zero mercy. 

Am I too greedy to ask why in the hell isn't Brian Hartline also on this list?

Best wishes to Rocket, he has been incredibly solid before and through the transition to Jim Knowles defense. I hope he has a long and productive career in the NFL. 

I don't see Coach Day being conservative against TTUN. For all our hate, the Wolverines are better this year than they were last year. A conservative "don't beat ourselves" plan will not work this year. I don't think that is in Day's DNA either. I think Ramzy is right... analysis of last year's game showed the Buckeyes were too predictable. The variety shown by the Buckeyes this season is evidence of the Coaches understanding that they will try to create confusion and chaos for the opposition. I expect the Buckeyes to show looks on offense and defense that they have been saving for TTUN. Harbaugh will try to control the game and grind down the Buckeyes like his team does every week. That will be the battle this year.

Its just a hunch, but I think Coach Knowles makes or concurs with personnel decisions during a game. He doesn't seem to be the type of DC that leaves that to assistants. 

I was telling my brothers this, I have a feeling Trayanum is going to run for > 100 yards. Just call it a hunch. Go Bucks!

Coaches Day and Hartline know JSN better than all of those but they also think about the impact of their words from so many different angles. Their confidence is not really as impactful to me as JSN Father's words. I am so glad this article shared those because I had not read these before. JSN came in with CJ and the others - these are his brothers. He is a competitive guy and wants to win a championship and cement his legacy, so I believe him when he says that JSN wants to play in The Game but is being very cautious and wants to be truly 100%/110%. 

If his first game is against TTUN (and how awesome was it to hear JSN's dad refer to them that way), I would love to see some four WR sets on first and second down. I don't think there is any way that the Wolverines can cover all four of these guys and it could turn into 2018 very quickly.

Gus Johnson: "Cardale Jones!!! 12 Gauge baby!!!" That will always be on of my favorites, along with "hurt my feelings" after Denzel Ward destroyed that WR on a screen pass.

Its a good point and it is obvious that fans should not expect any DE to have two interceptions, a TD, a FF/FR and tip for another interception, with 2 sacks and 3 TFL every game. But he is the third DL to really have a nationally recognized game-wrecking performance, and as Zach H said, you can see the room is feeding off this energy. There is complete buy in that with their talent and hard work, along with innovative scheme and the group synergy, this DL group could be better than the insane Clemson DL a few years ago and Georgia last year. The depth, talent, and team first selflessness are there for this to be the greatest DL group in the history of college football. JT doesn't need to reproduce these numbers, just keep his high level of play that he has had all year and the results will speak for themselves.