Before we begin today: Shoutout to all the plow drivers that worked 12 hour shifts through the night salting the roads. Shoutout to all the people braving that rush hour traffic to keep Ohio's GDP robust. And shoutout to the people who mysteriously came down with the flu last night (but only because I'm not responsible for your work slack).
It's crazy, Ohio State won a national title two weeks ago tonight, and yet, the good times keep on rolling in Ohio's crown jewel.
- 40,000-50,000 people attended a raucous championship celebration in the Shoe.
- I pegged Braxton for a transfer, and that's why I don't bet. He looks (and sounds) like a guy who plans on being in the scarlet and gray next season.
- Ohio State men's basketball dumped Tom Crean, and it was the Basketbucks' best win of the season. Matta's team could be hitting its stride.
- CROOTIN: OSU killed it on the recruiting trail yesterday. Cincinnati tight-end Jake Hausmann became No. 6 for Ohio State's 2016 class. Later in the day, Miamisburg's Josh Myers, a five-star recruit and possibly the No. 1 OL in the 2017 class, pulled the trigger on his commitment. (The 2016 class is going to be stacked, but the 2017 class is off to a dynamite start as well.)
- The Lord of Whispers, in last night's Hurry Up, discussed the impact of those two big in-state fish and recapped all the tidings trickling down from yesterday's visitors' day. (I also liked his profile of one of my favorite recruits of the #Elite15, early-enrollee Jamel Dean.)
URBAN MEYER'S MESSAGE TO MARK MAY. I normally don't bother discussing Mark May, namely because I've met drug addicts more tethered to reality.
But it appears the big guns got called down on May at the pre-celebration banger on Friday night at the student union:
I thought Urban Meyer lifting the trophy would have been the grain of salt that shriveled the slug's back, but hey, I guess May finally knows where he stands with Buckeye Nation.
EZ-E: NO. 1 RB IN 2016 NFL DRAFT? Here's something I endorse:
Gave @nfldraftscout the lowdown on @EzekielElliott hours before the title game. Marshall Faulk #truth #Idontguess pic.twitter.com/3lD5p1rgpV
— Kirk Barton (@Kirk_Barton) January 25, 2015
@nfldraftscout: @Kirk_Barton @EzekielElliott You were dead on. RB1 for 2016. His character will only move him up. Credit to his parents.
— Kirk Barton (@Kirk_Barton) January 25, 2015
Watching Ezekiel Elliott take The Leap to the Next Level right before our eyes in those last three games was special to watch. I'm no NFL GM (as if that disclaimer was necessary), but what I love most about Elliott's runs is his controlled anger. He can glide on the stretch and then burst through a cut-back lane, and he always falls forward and drags defenders with him. (His blocking is a spectacle to behold as well.)
I've seen Elliott in the cold streets of Columbus, and it wouldn't surprise me if he was made out of concrete. It pains my soul to think about tackling him for four quarters (and having to pick through the Slobs to get there).
That dude is going to be a terror next year. (Would anybody care if we started that season on Saturday? Because I'm not busy.)
IS OSU'S O BETTER WITH JTBIV OR KING CARDALE? I enjoyed Remy's statistical breakdown on this very question. If stats are your thing, check it out over here.
THAT'S NO SNOW ANGEL. Well, I suppose this is one way to pay tribute to the Iron King, Cardale Jones, First of His Name, Poacher of Badgers, Controller of Tides, Slayer of Ducks, Troll Sultan, and 12th Son of Ohio:
Word on the street this... possible Bansky!?!... was spotted between Park Hall and Siebert Hall.
And, if we're being honest with each other, I'm not sure that's a big enough representation.
ARCHIE! ARCHIE! ARCHIE! This is the most bewildering picture I've seen of Archie Griffin since Archie Griffin went as Two-Time Heisman Winnin' Archie Griffin for Halloween.
Sometimes you just gotta be your own superhero. pic.twitter.com/1kU89f870c
— Annie Apple (@SurvivinAmerica) January 25, 2015
What is going on here? I don't even want to know. What I do know is I'm heading to Kinko's tomorrow to print this out to hang on my refrigerator.
THOSE WMDs. Jameis Winston's accuser speaks publicly for first time in new documentary... Was great watching national hockey media whine about the CBJ cannon all week... Richard Sherman is the best thing to happen to the NFL... From @Propllrhead: The Modern Archer Who Can Fire Three Arrows In 0.6 Seconds... Frank Beamer was me when I found out about Josh Gordon's latest goof... This is how much a freelance writer makes... Let J.R. Swish cook!
