Buckeye Talk: Ohio State Podcast By Cleveland.com

Ohio State lost its all-time leading pass-catcher after the 2024 season and it might not skip a beat in 2025. But that isn’t the most intriguing thing about the room. While OSU’s wide receivers spend this spring building on all the young talent that established itself amongst the nation’s best, Brian Hartline will have a new focus. The former player-turned-coach is taking over play-calling duties, which comes with its own new challenges, thanks to all the new on offense. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis preview the wide receivers, looking at all the names, goals for the spring and the group’s ceiling. Plus, a conversation about a former five-star and whether we think this group will be better, the same or worse than it was in 2024. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Carlos Lockslyn's first year as Ohio State's running back coach was a success as he perfectly maximized TreVeyon Henderson and Quinshon Judkins while restocking the room for the future. His reward was a national title and now his focus shifts to 2025, where he must replace both players in a room featuring four new faces. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis preview the running backs, looking at all the names, goals for the spring and the group’s ceiling. Plus, a conversation about a former five-star and whether we think this group will be better, the same or worse than it was in 2024. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State will debut its fifth starting quarterback of the Ryan Day era when it faces Texas on Aug. 30 to open up the 2025 season, but the road between that date and now is long. OSU heads into spring with three scholarship players all vying to be the person who succeeds Will Howard, hoping to accomplish what the Kansas State transfer did last season. Each has a different mission to accomplish over the next 15 practices and here at Buckeye Talk, we are here to reveal what these missions are. On this Monday episode, Stephen Means and Stefan Krajisnik preview the quarterbacks and decide what they need to do for this to be a successful spring for each. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State's safety room is home to the nation's best returning defensive player in Caleb Downs. Then a lot of questions after that. Downs is the only known commodity at a position that arguably had the nation's best tandem in 2024 with him and Lathan Ransom. With Ransom off to the NFL, this becomes an important spring for position coach Matt Guerrieri in finding not only Ransom's replacement. But building depth behind him. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis preview the safeties, looking at all the names, goals for the spring and the group’s ceiling. Plus, a conversation about a former five-star and whether we think this group will be better, the same or worse than it was in 2024. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Tim Walton has spent the last three years rebuilding Ohio State's cornerback room and now it's time to see if he made the right evaluations. Key pieces have left for the NFL, leaving Davision Igbinosun behind as the only returning starter. But behind him is a bunch of high-end talent that's patiently waited its turn. Now the time has come. The previous regime was charged with bringing 'BIA' back. The next regime gets to make sure it's here to stay. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis preview the cornerbacks, looking at all the names, goals for the spring and the group’s ceiling. Plus, a conversation about a former five-star and whether we think this group will be better, the same or worse than it was in 2024. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

James Laurinaits has spent the last year restocking Ohio State's linebacker room with high-end talent while also developing a few others. Now it's time to see the fruits of that labor play out. A room that lost its leader and best player will need others to step up beside returning starter Sonny Styles and be the playmakers of a new look defense. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis preview the linebackers, looking at all the names, goals for the spring and the group’s ceiling. Plus, a conversation about a former five-star and whether we think this group will be better, the same or worse than it was in 2024. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State has to replace a ton of production on its defensive line after losing all four starters to graduation, plus another depth piece to the transfer portal. The path has been paved for new stars to emerge and fresh ideas to be introduced for a group where very few have much experience heading into spring practice. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis preview the defensive line, looking at all the names, goals for the spring and the group’s ceiling. Plus, a conversation about a former five-star and whether we think this group will be better, the same or worse than it was in 2024. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Day 4 of NFL Combine player interviews featured Ohio State's skill players getting to talk while presenting an interesting discussion point. Technically speaking, three OSU quarterbacks will be taken in this year's NFL Draft, showing how different this era of the sport is. But is there an order the trio of Quinn Ewers, Will Howard and Kyle McCord should go in that can paint the concept of 'Developed Here' in the best light? On this bonus episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis discuss the quarterbacks. Plus, a preview of the only two Ohio State players fully participating in the on-field portion of the NFL Combine. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

 Day 2 of player interviews at the 2025 NFL Combine provided a chance to speak with three members of Ohio State's secondary. Those conversations led to a ton of revelations about what might be next for the Buckeyes thanks to Denzel Burke, Jordan Hancock, and Lathan Ransom's constant willingness to be the ultimate truth-tellers. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis discuss what they heard as they look forward to an OSU roster in the midst of a reload. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first of 15 Ohio State football players spoke at the 2025 NFL Combine and it pointed out a problem for the Buckeyes, even if it's a good problem to have. Four OSU defensive linemen in Indianapolis are going through the NFL Draft process. That's a positive. It also means there aren't four experienced defensive linemen in Columbus preparing for a season-opener against Texas. Ohio State's, 'We don't reload, we rebuild' concept is getting the ultimate test in 2025 across the board but it's felt the most on the defensive end. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis discuss its importance and impact and why OSU is prepared to meet the challenge. Plus, a revelation on why the 2025 NFL Combine isn't that important Ohio State and its draft hopefuls. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis discuss Ohio State’s eight defensive players invited to the NFL Combine. Among the things talked about: How much can Denzel Burke raise his draft stock this week? Can Tyleik Williams turn himself into a first-round pick? Will Jack Sawyer and J.T. Tuimoloau turn heads as productive defensive ends? Plus plenty more. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis discuss Ohio State’s seven offensive players invited to the NFL Combine. Among the things talked about: How much can Will Howard raise his draft stock this week? Can Donovan Jackson turn himself into a first-round pick? Is Emeka Egbuka locked in as WR3? Is TreVeyon Henderson a potential first-round steal? Plus plenty more. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

The first year of the expanded Big Ten produced a season where the conference saw four teams make the College Football Playoff with Ohio State eventually winning a national title while Oregon won the conference. We saw some teams rise to the top while others who often benefited from the old Big Ten structure fell to the bottom in this new world. There are still plenty of months between now and the start of 2025, but we've reached the point of the year where we can take a way too early look at how things might shake out. On this Monday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Stefan Krajisnik do just that by separating the 18 teams into six tiers. See who they think comes into the season with 'Natty or bust' expectations while others are trying to rebuild. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Has Ryan Day established a philosophy regarding how he fills out his staff as Ohio State's head coach? On this Friday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Stefan Krajisnik discuss how they feel about Day’s most recent hire of Matt Patricia as OSU’s next defensive coordinator. They look at the decision from a micro level regarding what it means for the 2025 defense. But also have a discussion at the macro level about Day, his hiring practices and why he’s well on his way to establishing something that could one day be on the same level as Nick Saban. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ryan Day has found Ohio State's next defensive coordinator completing his 2025 coaching staff. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis give their instant reaction to the news of Day hiring Matt Patricia. Then they get into the real reason why this episode exists. It's time to wrap up two days of drafting rosters based on players from the Ryan Day era by letting the Subtext subscribers decide who the best GM was. A hint...a certain veteran member of the crew dominated the field. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a while since Buckeye Talk dedicated a few shows to getting their competitive juice flowing. Over the next few episodes, that’s exactly what they plan to do: draft teams and ask the Subtext subscribers who did it best. That starts with this Wednesday pod where Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis drafted an 11-player defense of Ohio State players strictly from the Ryan Day era. Only players who’ve gone through a season as Buckeyes can be drafted so members of the 2025 recruiting class or recent transfer additions don’t qualify. What positions will be valued early? Who can get creative with where they put players in the starting lineup? How many currently Buckeyes make the team? Listen to this 11-round draft to find out which 3 players between 2019-2024 made the cut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

It’s been a while since Buckeye Talk dedicated a few shows to getting their competitive juice flowing. Over the next few episodes, that’s exactly what they plan to do: by drafting teams and asking the Subtext subscribers who did it best. That starts with this Tuesday pod where Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis drafted an 11-player offense made up of Ohio State players strictly from the Ryan Day era. Only players who’ve gone through a season as Buckeyes can be drafted so members of the 2025 recruiting class or recent transfer additions don’t qualify. What positions will be valued early? Who can get creative with where they put players in the starting lineup? Who will end up with Garrett Wilson? Listen to this 11-round draft to find out which 3 players between 2019-2024 made the cut. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

College football entered a new era in 2024 with 'Expansion' being the season's theme. The Big Ten and SEC expanded, adding both traditional and new-age powerhouse programs to their conferences, one of which won the league in Year 1. The College Football Playoff expanded from four to 12 teams, producing the longest season ever. All of those things lessened the consequences for some and weighted the rewards for others. No team fit that description more than Ohio State as it won a national title despite losing to its rival and failing to even make the Big Ten Championship Game. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means and Stefan Krajisnik discuss the 2024 season, sharing highlights, challenges, and everything else in between. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State's coming off a national title where plenty of things went the way you'd expect while a few others didn't. Now that the season is behind us, it's time to look back on all those predictions and decide who was right about what. On this Friday episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis revisit their Mark It Down Monday statistical leaders prediction episode from last summer. It's a long conversation about a few things we got right and a lot of things we got wrong,. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices

Ohio State is coming off a national title which means also having to replenish its coaching staff as people leave for other responsibilities. Ryan Day has done just that by promoting Brian Hartline to being a play-calling offensive coordinator, Billy Fessler to quarterback coach and hiring Tyler Bowen as the new offensive line coach. Bring that together with running back coach Carlos Locklyn and tight end coach Keenan Bailey and you have one of the youngest staffs in college football. On this episode of Buckeye Talk, Stephen Means, Stefan Krajisnik and Andrew Gillis break down the new hires and what it says about what Day might be creating in Columbus. Thanks for listening to Buckeye Talk. Learn more about your ad choices. Visit megaphone.fm/adchoices