By: Michael Cline (BleacherReport.com) -- Champions are built differently than the rest of us. Their drive, determination, and competitiveness are leaps and bounds above that of the average human being. So much so that at times we cannot relate to them, and neither they to us. However, these qualities that the champions possess are what enthralls us, their fans, into studying every aspect of their being. And though we might not understand them, we at least would like to try. That's why ... Read More

By: Brandon Castel (Rivals.com) - As the nation's top-rated prospect in the Class of 2008 ? not to mention one of the most highly sought-after recruits in recent history ? Pryor literally had his pick of any program in college football, the majority of which were ready to put their present and future in the hands of a freshman. The 6-foot-6 quarterback would have stepped in from day one as the savior of the program. He would have started every game ... Read More

By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland Plain Dealer) -- Walking through the local mall here in the Columbus suburbs today and I saw the new Ohio State jerseys for the first time. Each year, there are five or six numbers put out before the season, representing the best guess at the Buckeyes the fans are most interested in. Last year, it was Beanie Wells (28), James Laurinaitis (33), Malcolm Jenkins (2), Brian Robiskie (80), Todd Boeckman (17) and Marcus Freeman (1). As the year went ... Read More

By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland Plain Dealer) -- Safety Kurt Coleman, defensive tackle Doug Worthington and tight end Jake Ballard, all seniors, were announced today as the representatives for the Buckeyes at the Big Ten media days on July 27 and 28 in Chicago. And I'm guessing those will be three of your four captains for Ohio State in the fall. The guys who are trusted by Jim Tressel to sit in suits at round tables and field several hours of questions from reporters typically fare ... Read More

By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland Plain Dealer) -- Former Buckeye quarterback Todd Boeckman, who was an All-Big Ten pick in 2007 before losing his job to Terrelle Pryor during last season, is getting a shot in the NFL. He has signed as a free agent with the Jacksonville Jaguars, according to his Beachwood-based agent, Neil Cornrich. Boeckman earlier had a tryout with Cincinnati but didn't sign with the Bengals. Jacksonville previously signed former Buckeye defensive tackle Nader Abdallah in May after he also went undrafted, but ... Read More

By: Tim Bielik (BleacherReport.com) -- Any fan of college football cannot deny that Jim Tressel has returned Ohio State football to the powerhouse program status that has not been there since the Woody Hayes era. He brought the Buckeyes their first national title since the Hayes era. He made Ohio State the most dominant team in the Big Ten consistently during his tenure. He has brought excitement back to Columbus and even created a cult following. He has even popularized the sweater vest, something thought ... Read More

By: Tim Bielik (BleacherReport.com) -- 2007 started with Appalachian State stunning Michigan and ended with LSU beating Ohio State in the Allstate BCS Championship Game. 2007 also saw the freefall of Notre Dame and the emergence of Missouri and Kansas in the Big XII and Illinois in the Big Ten. But for the Buckeyes, 2007 was supposed to be a reloading year. Good, but not elite. As in, potentially looking for a BCS berth. No one would've guessed that Todd Boeckman would have started as ... Read More

By: STEVE HEMMELGARN (NewsAndSentinel.com) -- There may be more Ohio State football players in the NFL as rookies this season than just the seven who were drafted. Three have already signed as free agents: punter A.J. Trapasso with the Titans, offensive lineman Alex Boone with the 49ers and defensive lineman Nader Abdallah with the Jaguars. There are others getting free-agent shots at the pros: tight end Rory Nicol (Redskins), fullback Brandon Smith (Bears) and offensive linemen Ben Person (Lions) and Steve Rehring (Bengals) But of all ... Read More

By: Steve Doerschuk (CantonRep.com) -- BEREA — It’s hardly as if Ohio is all Brian Robiskie ever knew. He lived his first seven years outside Los Angeles; the next seven outside Washington. But the rest is all Ohio. How far does that get him now that he’s making the transition from the Ohio State Buckeyes to the Cleveland Browns? He barely knows Brady Quinn, the Ohio-bred Browns quarterback. “I’ve met him,” Robiskie said. “I’ve talked to him a couple times over the phone. That was it.” The Browns ... Read More

By: MIKE McLAIN (Tribune Chronicle) -- BEREA - Like it or not, receivers Brian Robiskie and Mohamed Massaquoi will have to become friends. Although they will compete for playing time next season for the Browns as second-round draft choices, both should get on the field for an offense that was woefully weak in depth at the position prior to the draft. The better they co-exist, the better the chance of offensive success in the 2009 season. From the little coach Eric Mangini has seen ... Read More

By: Michael Cline (BleacherReport.com) -- Todd Boeckman spent most of his senior season on the Ohio State sideline, watching as freshman quarterback Terrelle Pryor began to send waves across the college football waters. He also spent all of Saturday and Sunday watching as player after player was chosen in the NFL Draft, but failed to hear his own name mentioned. But on Monday, Boeckman got a call that might just change his life forever. The Cincinnati Bengals have invited Todd Boeckman, as well as others, ... Read More

By: Chick Ludwig (DaytonDailyNews.com) -- All quarterback Todd Boeckman wants is a chance to prove he’s worthy of the NFL. He’ll get that opportunity with the Cincinnati Bengals. The former Ohio State quarterback from St. Henry High School, along with OSU offensive tackle Steve Rehring, has accepted the club’s tryout offer at its rookie minicamp Friday through Sunday, May 1-3. They report to Paul Brown Stadium on Thursday. “Anytime you get an opportunity to fulfill your dream, it means a lot,” Boeckman said Monday night. ... Read More

By: Doug Lesmerises (Cleveland Plain Dealer) -- Columbus- A week ago, Ohio State quarterback Terrelle Pryor wore ice on his right triceps as he warmed up for the Buckeyes' jersey scrimmage, at least the second time this spring he'd been spotted on the field with ice on his throwing arm. At practice both Tuesday and Thursday, Pryor hit receivers 50 yards downfield on the numbers, then was crisp and authoritative on routes to the sideline and over the middle. The arm appeared fine. Justin ... Read More