It’s been a busy offseason for the reigning national champions. Since conquering Oregon to win the first-ever College Football Playoff last January, Urban Meyer and Ohio State have signed a top-flight recruiting class, completed an eventful spring camp and traveled to Washington D.C. for a trip to the White House. But with the dog days of the offseason on the horizon, and with the beginning of fall camp still months away, here’s a recap of the biggest storylines out of Columbus so far this year. The Return of 12-Gauge Mark Duncan/Associated Press Cardale Jones made the surprising decision to return to Ohio State. The offseason started with a bang when Cardale Jones announced that he was returning to Ohio State for his redshirt Junior season. The 6’5″, 250-pound gunslinger had an opportunity to opt for the 2015 NFL Draft after leading the Buckeyes to postseason victories against Wisconsin, Alabama and Oregon. Jones displayed an NFL skill set during the run, which led some to believe he could’ve been a first-round pick in the draft. But that lucrative opportunity didn’t sway Jones from Ohio State. The fourth-year junior is set to graduate this year, and his education is one of his top priorities. “After three games, [the NFL] was out of the question,” Jones said, according to Jeremy Fowler of ESPN.com. “A first-round draft pick means nothing to me without my education.” Urban Meyer Signs the Nation’s No. 7 Recruiting Class Terry Gilliam/Associated Press Ohio State signed the Big Ten’s best recruiting class for the fifth straight year. Ohio State’s 2015 recruiting efforts were wrapped up less than a month after winning the national championship. On February 4, Meyer assembled one of the best recruiting classes in the country—a group that was headlined by 5-star linebacker Justin Hilliard and 4-star athlete Jerome Baker. The 27-member class ranked No. 7 nationally, which gave Ohio State the top-rated recruiting class in the Big Ten for the fifth consecutive year. The Ohio State – Michigan Rivalry Picks Up Heat… In February Meyer and Jim Harbaugh were still nine months from meeting on the field for the first time, but that didn’t stop the Ohio State – Michigan rivalry from revving up in February. After the Buckeyes stole coveted Detroit running back Mike Weber from the Wolverines on national signing day, drama ensued when Ohio State running backs coach Stan Drayton left the Buckeyes for a job with the Chicago Bears. That move didn’t sit well with many, and Harbaugh used it as an opportunity to take a thinly veiled shot on Twitter. Thought of the day – What a tangled web we weave when first we practice to deceive! …
Continue Reading: Ohio State Football: Recapping the Biggest 2015 Offseason News so Far
