The 11W Mailbag is the only stop you need for answers to your most pressing questions about Ohio State and what lies ahead. Have a question? Ask it, and if we can, we'll answer it.
Other than our young secondary, what do you think will be our biggest area of concern? — Seattle Linga
This answer, for me, is rather obvious, and it's the wide receiver position. Lots of talent, but none of it is proven and there was a serious lack of production there last season from everyone not named Curtis Samuel. I think Kevin Wilson's influence on the offense will be noticeable, but I need to see some playmakers emerge on the outside. I'm just not sure who they are right now and that's a big concern for me.
Who will round out the basketball recruiting class? — Toad1204
In 2017? There won't be any additions unless there's a junior college or graduate transfer added. Ohio State missed on M.J. Walker last week so it doesn't appear like there are any more big-time prospects left on the board for next season.
In 2018, though, the Buckeyes need to take a big class. I'd expect it to be at least four players and they already have two in the fold in Dane Goodwin and Justin Ahrens. They're going hard after in-state talents Dwayne Cohill, Jerome Hunter and Pete Nance. I don't think Ohio State will land all three, but two of the three would be considered a win. Not sure if even that will happen, though.
The 2018 class in Ohio is loaded so Ohio State could fill its entire class with in-state talent. It doesn't appear like Darius Bazley will be back in the fold, however. As for the rest of the class, it's entirely too early to predict that. We'll have to revisit at the end of AAU season.
Who you got winning it all this year: Bama, Buckeyes, Clemson, or the field and why? — JohnnyKozmo
I'm with you, Johnny, and I'm taking Alabama, Ohio State or Clemson to win it all in 2017. I do expect the Tigers to take a step back this season as I'm not sure how they replace Deshaun Watson, but the smart money is on one of these three teams to win it all because, to me, they've proven to be the top-three programs at this current point in time.
What's your regular-season W/L prediction for the Bucks this upcoming 2017 season? Could the Hawkeyes be the dreaded "trap" game on Ohio State's schedule? — GrandTheftHarley
Two questions here, but I'll answer both: As of right now, June 1, I'll say Ohio State goes 11-1 in 2017. I think the Penn State and Oklahoma games being at home is huge and I also think Michigan takes a step back this year before being loaded in 2018. The loss comes from your second question, and yes, I absolutely believe both Iowa and Nebraska can be trap games for Ohio State. The Buckeyes are better, but those will both [probaby] be night games and weird things can happen in those as we saw last season in Happy Valley.
Has Damon Webb really turned the corner? Will he be our next star in the backfield or be a liability like last year? — KBonay
Word on the street is he's much-improved. Playing under Greg Schiano for the second year will certainly help. I don't know that he'll be a star necessarily, but he'll be better than a year ago. I actually wrote about Damon on Wednesday morning. You can check that out here if you wish.
Do you have any information on any more possible roster attrition before fall camp starts? — HOLYbucknut
Oh, I'm sure there will be a player or two that isn't on the roster come fall camp time, but nothing concrete at this point in time, no. Ohio State is fine on the scholarship limit after recent transfers of Rodjay Burns and Josh Norwood, so there's nothing to worry about there if that's what you were wondering.
We haven't heard too much lately about how the offensive line is shaping up. Is it still Burrell/Knox at RG? Is Prince going to fend off Pridgeon? Alabi pushing there at all? — NHBuckeye
Haven't heard much because there hasn't been any practice since the spring game. The team has been "off" until next week when summer conditioning starts. So, yes, it's still Burrell and Knox as the frontrunners for right guard. Pridgeon has been playing guard, as well, as the backup tackles all spring were Alabi and Bowen. So no, Alabi isn't pushing at guard because he's been playing tackle.
Is Thad going to make us all look stupid and get this team comfortably to the tournament? If he doesn't, and he ends up leaving OSU, will 2018-19 resemble what IU looked like after Sampson got fired? Also, when is the next time Thad will address the media? What type of season would OSU basketball need to have for Thad to be the coach beyond next year? — The Shookster & Killer Nuts
Received quite a few questions on Thad so I'll do my best to compile and answer altogether.
I don't think Ohio State will "comfortably" make the tournament. In fact, I'd be surprised if it did. And I think Thad needs to make the tournament to save his job. Anything less than a tournament appearance and I'd be surprised if he returned to Ohio State.
If he does leave, though, yes, it will be quite ugly during a transitional year as it often is unless whoever the next head coach is finds a way to land a one-and-done talent (or two).
Thad usually doesn't do offseason media appearances (neither does Urban), though we did get him once last summer. We were told there was something coming once Ohio State got some roster certainty, but we'll see what happens. If not, it won't be until the fall.
Name the 5 Buckeyes that are most likely to be picked in the first round of next year's NFL draft and rank them from lowest to highest pick. — Txsbuckeye
Well, five is a lot, but it has happened before — and recently — so here it goes. For the record, as of right now, I don't expect Ohio State to have five first-rounders, but here's my list (from least likely to most likely) nonetheless:
Jamarco Jones, Dre'Mont Jones, Sam Hubbard, Denzel Ward, Jerome Baker
Take a guess on which NBA team you think LeBron will become a part owner of — Elks' Comb Over
The Akron Cavaliers. Phenomenal username, by the way.
When I was young, I never experienced a two-day hangover. Now that I'm in my 30s, I feel a two-day hangover almost every time I drink a few too many. When I'm older, will they go to three or four-day hangovers or will the two days just get worse and worse? — Fawn Liebowitz'...
Well, I can't completely answer that for you as I'm not yet 30 (I'm 29 and dreading the next birthday). However, I can tell you that I have had several two-day hangovers within the last year or so and they're awful. I can't imagine them lasting beyond two days, but who the hell knows, to be honest. That's terrifying.
Finals prediction? — Smartone29
I agree with you, Smartone. Cavs in six.
