Cortez Hankton Receives HUGE Commitment! / Ohio State Primetime LIVE 91 Presented by FanDuel

Episode Notes: Ohio State Primetime LIVE 91 (Day Late Edition) – Presented by FanDuel Hosts: Garrison Gaddy (wearing his sister's athletic director gear after coaching a 7-on-7 win) & Riley Burnett Date/Context: A free-flowing Wednesday show (typically Tuesdays; shifting toward Mondays as season approaches). Focus on recruiting momentum, program legacy, video game ratings, and offensive line outlook. 1. Austin Miller ("Chosen One") Commitment – Ohio State’s First 2029 Pledge (Early Segment ~00:01:38–00:09:25) Prospect Profile: 6'5", ~200 lbs WR from Bellflower, CA (Bellflower HS). Freshman stats: 35 catches for 609 yards & 8 TDs; 883 rushing yards & 13 rushing TDs. Elite frame, footwork, quickness, hands, and athleticism for his age (rising sophomore). Expected to be a 5-star by next season. Commitment Details: Picked Ohio State over Oregon and Miami (USC/UCLA also in the mix regionally). Very early pledge as a freshman—uncommon but a sign of maturity and vision. Takeaways: Exciting but measured enthusiasm; a lot can change, but the physical tools and tape are "unbelievable." Strong early win for new WR coach Cortez Hankton (replacing Brian Hartline). Addresses prior skepticism about Hankton’s recruiting prowess (Georgia/LSU fans had doubts despite his on-field coaching success). This out-of-region get (West Coast) builds confidence in Hankton’s outreach. Highlights Ohio State’s continued WR U appeal even post-Hartline. Key Quote (Garrison): “You can’t even put that into words... just the frame already and as the footwork and quickness, the hands... it’s unbelievable really just a guy that young to... step into the role of being the chosen one at this age.” 2. Jim Tressel Ring of Honor Induction (~00:09:26–00:29:00+) Announcement: Tressel (current Ohio Lt. Gov.) will be enshrined on the C-Deck Ring of Honor (only the 3rd coach, joining Paul Brown & Woody Hayes) during the 2026 season opener vs. Ball State on Sept. 5. Hosts’ Perspectives: Garrison (33, Michigan-raised but lifelong Buckeye fan): Credits Tressel with launching his football journey and Ohio State’s modern “golden age.” Praises Tressel’s player loyalty (e.g., Sign-gate context), sweater vest, and foundational impact. Favorite era/team includes the 2002/2008/2019 squads; highlights Troy Smith connection and 2009 Rose Bowl vs. Oregon. Riley (21): Researched Tressel’s story as a young fan; emphasizes his place in program history amid a different college football era. Stats & Legacy: 9-1 vs. Michigan; overall strong record; College Football HOF (Youngstown State titles); 67 NFL Draft picks, 14 first-rounders, 24 All-Americans. Post-coaching: Youngstown AD/president → Lt. Gov. Broader Discussion: Tressel as the “standard” for player-coach bonds, mental football, and national recruiting foundation (building on Cooper, influencing Urban & Day). Speculation on whether scandals indirectly accelerated program evolution (e.g., leading to Urban Meyer). Key Quote (Garrison on Tressel): “Everything I love about Ohio State football starts and ends with him... He’s the standard.” 3. EA Sports College Football 27 Ratings (~00:29:53–~00:47:00) Ohio State rated 90 overall (tied with Indiana; behind Oregon’s 91). Seen as fair baseline. Standouts: Offensive line praise: Austin Sarivole (RG) #2 at position; Carson Hinzman (C) #9; Luke Montgomery (LG) #4. Reinforces top-tier unit. Julian Sayin: Strong accuracies (short 98, play-action 97), 93 throw power; 83 speed (deemed fair—athletic enough, not elite; compared to high school rushing production). Jeremiah Smith: 99 overall (possible undersell at launch last year as 83 freshman). Other notes: Fastest players discussion (Brock Boyd possibly not in game yet); offense rated #1. General: EA does a solid job analytically; weekly updates expected. Ratings provide good baseline despite challenges (limited snaps, injuries). Takeaways: Validates Ohio State’s talent, especially trenches and skill positions. Fun debate on QB/WR attributes. 4. Offensive Line Outlook (Later Segment) Strong defense of the unit against fan skepticism. Left side elite (playoff-tested); right side improving (e.g., Ben Sickle, Phillip Daniels as athletic upside play). Expectations: Joe Moore Award finalist contender; at worst Ryan Day’s 2nd-best line. High continuity (high % of snaps returning; strong Big Ten ranking in experienced snaps via puntandrally.com data). Context: Avoid over-focusing on Indiana/Miami games; broader body of work was dominant. Key Quote (Garrison): “Ohio State has three offensive linemen who are top ten in their position. And two of them are already top five.” 5. Quick Hits / Other Cam Call-In (~00:39:35–00:42:30): Garrison’s Navy friend (Miami fan, Ohio State grad) hyped Miami’s 2028 recruiting (top QB/OT) and claimed “Miami is back.” Sponsor message for Voice of College Football partnerships. Show closes with standard calls to like/subscribe and preview of Friday call-in show. Overall Analysis & Buckeye Takeaways This was a relaxed, fan-oriented episode blending breaking recruiting news, program nostalgia, gaming fun, and position group optimism. The Miller commitment is a major early statement for Hankton and the 2029 class. Tressel honor reinforces Ohio State’s rich history. Ratings and OL talk counter negativity and build excitement for 2026. Free-flowing style suits off-season vibes while keeping focus on positives. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.