Zach Boren, Etienne Sabino, John Simon To Represent Ohio State At Big Ten Luncheon

Meyer is ready to make his mark on the B1G 

On Wednesday afternoon, the Big Ten Conference released the list of student-athletes who will attend the 2012 Big Ten Media Days and Kickoff Luncheon on Thursday and Friday, July 26 and 27, at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago.

Three players from every team will be in attendance, as well as all 12 head coaches. 

For the Buckeyes, fullback Zach Boren, linebacker Etienne Sabino and defensive lineman John Simon will be in attendance for Ohio State.

This comes as no surprise to Tressel fans, as often times the attendees would be seniors on the football team. Now it seems as if Urban Meyer will continue this trend for years to come.

As mentioned above, the event features all 12 conference head coaches and begins at 10 a.m. CT with the players and coaches autograph and photo session for fans attending the luncheon. 

The luncheon is scheduled to begin at 11:30 a.m.The list of student-athletes scheduled to attend includes 21 returning All-Big Ten selections. The list also includes the last two Big Ten Offensive Players of the Year in Wisconsin’s Montee Ball (2011) and Michigan’s Denard Robinson (2010).

Keep it at Inside The Shoe for the latest news, updates and opinions on Ohio State athletics.

Ohio State Linebacker Storm Klein Facing Charges

It's not looking good for Klein

More bad news for Ohio State and head coach Urban Meyer. Senior linebacker Storm Klein was arrested on Friday and is facing one charge of domestic violence and one for assault, according to a Franklin County Municipal Court case summary.

This puts Urban Meyer in an unfortunate spot as this is the most recent of a couple occurrences, that included Jack Mewhort and Jake Stoneburner being arrested. Now Klein might be in danger of losing a spot on the team.

Here's an Ohio State official:

"We are aware, obviously, of the situation," a school spokesman said in a statement. "We are in the process of gathering more information. "At this point we won't have further comment until after we know and understand all the details."

Klein is scheduled for arraignment this morning, and he is likely to face punishment from Meyer at some point after that based on precedent the new coach has already set.

Storm started 10 games for the Buckeyes last season and posted 45 tackles while also chipping in an interception, a sack, a forced fumble and a recovery. But he wasn't able to hold on to a first-team role after the first camp under Meyer, losing his spot to Curtis Grant.

Couple this with the recent news of Jordan Hall being out for up to 10 weeks with a foot injury and this just adds to the already high pressures of Urban's job as head coach.

Keep it at Inside The Shoe for the latest news, updates and opinions on Ohio State athletics.

Former Buckeye Jared Sullinger Introduced As A Celtic

Sullinger will wear No. 7 in Boston

Last Thursday, former Ohio State forward Jared Sullinger was drafted 21st overall by the Boston Celtics in the 2012 NBA draft.

Earlier this week Sullinger was introduced to the Boston Celtics fanbase and team alongside fellow draftees Fab Melo and Kris Joseph. While his stock fell dramatically due to certain rumors of having issues with his back, Sullinger landed in a place that I think just might fit his talents very well.

Capable of playing both power forward and center, I expect the Celtics to use Sullinger for both positions when necessary. In the meantime, Sullinger will have some of the best players to learn from on what it takes to play at that level. 

If anyone knows about playing through injuries to a dominant level, Kevin Garnett has to be one of those people. The fire still burns for this guy even as his age tries to put it out. KG can be a big asset for Sullinger, learning the ins and outs of the NBA-style of play.

Sullinger averaged 17.3 points and 9.7 rebounds per game in two seasons at Ohio State.

Keep it at Inside The Shoe for the latest news, updates and opinions on Ohio State athletics.

Jordan Hall Sidelined 10 Weeks With Foot Injury

Hall is a key offensive weapon for Meyer

Ohio State announced some bad news for Buckeye Nation, stating that senior tailback Jordan Hall will be out 10 weeks after having surgery on his foot last Friday.

"Hall, who enters his senior season with 2,513 all-purpose yards to rank 26th all-time at Ohio State, suffered an accidental cut to the bottom of his right foot Wednesday afternoon while walking in grass outside his residence in Columbus. He had surgery Friday at the Ohio State University Medical Center.

“This is an unfortunate accident to a really fine young man,” Meyer said. “He’s handling things well, though. He’ll be in a non-weight bearing cast for about six weeks and then he’ll rehabilitate the injury for at least four weeks after that.”"

In case you were wondering how this affects the team as far as playing games, Hall will most likely miss the season opener against Miami (OH). The Redhawks come to town only 9 weeks from now. If everything goes alright in Hall's recovery, there's no reason he shouldn't be back in time for the second or third week of the 2012 season.

Hall has 817 career rushing yards with five touchdowns and has also caught 21 passes out of the backfield for 202 yards and four more TDs. He came out of spring drills No. 1 on the depth chart at running back. 

Junior Carlos Hyde (707 career rushing yards and six touchdowns), sophomore Rod Smith (116 and one, respectively) and true freshman Bri'onte Dunn were also competing in the mix at running back throughout spring.

Keep it at Inside The Shoe for the latest news, updates and opinions on Ohio State athletics.

2013 4-Star Defensive Tackle Michael Hill Commits To Ohio State

2013 4-star defensive tackle Michael Hill has committed to Ohio State.

Hill had Ohio State at the top of his list even before he visited OSU in early June. He came back from the visit saying there was a 75% chance he would be a Buckeye.

Hill has a very impressive list of scholarship offers that includes Ohio State, Alabama, Florida, LSU, Florida State, Tennessee, Clemson, North Carolina, South Carolina and Michigan.

Hill has made visits to a number of other schools including LSU, Florida, Alabama and most recently Clemson. But today Hill is a Buckeye.

The 6'2, 315-pound Hill has been a varsity starter since the beginning of his sophomore season. Hill made 79 tackles during his junior season including eight sacks. He had 27 tackles for loss and forced four
fumbles.

Hill is the No. 2 prospect in South Carolina in the 247Sports rankings. He is the country’s No. 12 defensive tackle and the country’s No. 197 overall prospect.

This is a huge grab for the Buckeyes. It gives Urban Meyer a super tackle in Hill to complement the great group of defensive lineman Meyer signed in February.

Keep it at Inside The Shoe for the latest news, updates and opinions on Ohio State athletics.

2013 3-Star Athlete Darron Lee Commits To Ohio State

Lee is the 13th commit in the 2013 class

2013 3-star athlete Darron Lee turned in two very good performances at the Ohio State camps this month and has been rewarded with a Buckeye scholarship offer. Now it seems that it didn't take Lee long to accept.

Lee spoke to Luke Fickell on Monday and Fickell indicated an offer was likely on the way today. That became a reality as Darron not only received an offer, but committed almost immediately.

Lee becomes commitment No. 13 for Urban Meyer’s 2013 recruiting class - a class that is expected to number at least 20 come National Signing Day. 

The 6'3", 205-pound Lee played quarterback, wide receiver and safety during his junior season and also returned punts and kickoffs.

Lee was recruited as an 'athlete' that will likely play safety or linebacker for the Buckeyes. He also could be a factor on special teams.

Lee had at least 16 scholarship offers as well, with teams like West Virginia, Illinois, Arizona State, Boston College, Cincinnati, Purdue, Minnesota, Duke and Marshall vying for his services.

Darron is ranked 89th out of all athlete's in the country according to 247Sports and the 52nd best prospect in the great state of Ohio.

Keep it at Inside The Shoe for the latest news, updates and opinions on Ohio State athletics.

5 Buckeyes Make Athlon Sports Top 25 Big Ten Heisman Contenders

Miller tops the list for the Buckeyes

Athlon Sports released their top 25 Big Ten Heisman contenders earlier this week and 5 Buckeyes managed to make the list.

Although I think it's a bit odd to pick Heisman contenders out of every single conference, it is interesting to look at where some players would stand if, in fact, the college football world was just the Big Ten.

As for the Buckeye players, Braxton Miller at 4th, John Simon at 7th, Johnathan Hankins at 14th, Jake Stoneburner at 22nd and CJ Barnett at 24th. 

Here are the Top Ten from the list, with the explanations:

"1. Denard Robinson, QB, Michigan (SR)
There is no player in a better Heisman situation in the Big Ten than Robinson, but because Montee Ball was so unstoppable a year ago, they are essentially 1a and 1b. Shoelace has the NCAA records, the electric, big-play, highlight-reel skills needed to enthrall voters, a better chance at a Big Ten title, has multiple national showcase games in and out of conference and plays the all-important quarterback position (11 of last 12 winners). If he can stay healthy, Robinson will have the slight edge over Wisconsin’s workhorse.

2. Montee Ball, RB, Wisconsin (SR)
It is nearly impossible to argue with Ball’s production. But the 2012 Badgers are not going to be the same team that set school records for scoring two years in a row. Gone is uber-leader Russell Wilson, offensive genius Paul Chryst and three first-team All-Big Ten blockers. Ball will still post big numbers this fall, but a 1,700-yard, 18-TD season will pale in comparison to his 2011 output — and won’t get him back to New York.

3. Rex Burkhead, RB, Nebraska (SR)
Sexy Rexy Superman Burkhead is arguably the most complete football player in the nation. He has every skillset a coach can ask for in a workhorse feature back: Strength, size, toughness, durability, vision, instincts, quickness, hands and leadership. For Burkhead to make it to NYC in December, however, he will likely have to lead his team past Michigan and into the Big Ten title game. A tall order until the defense improves its overall play.

4. Braxton Miller, QB, Ohio State (SO)
If Heisman voters are trying to find a darkhorse from the Big Ten, they need to look no further than Ohio State’s quarterback. Miller showed flashes of brilliance as only a true freshman on one of the worst Buckeye teams in two decades. And now he has spread guru Urban Meyer tailoring his high-powered attack to Miller’s perfectly suited dual-threat skillset. This team could have the best record in the league, but Ohio State’s offensive leader will have to overcome the program’s current sanctions on his way to the Big Apple.

5. Taylor Martinez, QB, Nebraska (JR)
The Huskers’ quarterback is finally an upperclassmen and will have to show improved consistency and accuracy in the passing game to get into the Heisman mix. However, he has electric play-making ability and is poised for his best season yet at the helm of a program known for its dual-threat Heisman Trophy signal callers. With the Big Ten’s top receiving corps around him, Martinez has a chance to silence all of his critics in 2012. And potentially win a conference title as well.

2013 Punter Johnny Townsend Commits To Ohio State

Meyer got the big leg he wanted

There have been many rumors swirling around the past couple of weeks that Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer was looking for a punter to take in the class of 2013. 

It has now been confirmed that punter Johnny Townsend from Orlando, Florida, has just given Meyer his 12th commitment in the class of 2013. 

The 6'2", 200-pound Townsend also had a scholarship offer from Cincinnati, and preferred walk-on opportunities with Alabama and Florida. 

Townsend recently made the trip to Columbus to the Ohio State kicking/punting camp and made enough of an impression to earn an offer.

Townsend will be joining the Buckeyes as a punter, with no reason to not be the Buckeye's starter for 4 years.

Townsend averaged 40-yards per punt as a junior. Along with his punting duties, Townsend was splitting time at safety and outside backer on his high school team and also played baseball during part of the season.

Townsend will arrive at OSU in 2013 -- just as current starting punter Ben Buchanan wraps up his career as a senior in 2012.

Keep it at Inside The Shoe for the latest news, updates and opinions on Ohio State athletics.