MARCUS FAKATOU!, PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS / Ohio State Buckeyes LIVE 376

Episode Notes: Ohio State Buckeyes LIVE 376 MARCUS FAKATOU!, PRESEASON ALL-AMERICANS Hosts: Mark Rogers (Voice of College Football), Steve Helwagen (Bucknuts247), Tony Gerdeman (Buckeye Insiders / Buckeye Weekly) Key Topics & Summary The episode focuses on Ohio State football recruiting momentum (especially recent commits like Jed Harrison and Marcus Fakato), preseason All-American selections from Athlon Sports, historical Buckeye team greatness, and broader Big Ten outlook. 1. Recruiting Updates Jed Harrison (WR, 2027 class): Younger brother of Marvin Harrison Jr. Committed to Ohio State. Expected but not guaranteed after Brian Hartline’s departure. Strong relationships with Cortez Hankton and Devin Jordan helped secure him. Described as fast, agile, good after the catch, smart route-runner; projects as a high-value, scheme-versatile player (6'1"-6'2"). Not as tall as Marvin but plays bigger with leaping ability. Recent Commit Run: 5 commitments in ~10 days (as of late June). Includes: Austin Miller (WR, 2029) Jordan Donahue (WR, 2027) Caden Moss (OT, 2027) Marcus Fakato (DL, 2027): 6'6", 275 lbs, #45 nationally. Major get from California (Sierra Canyon). Highlighted for bolstering the defensive line. Context: Ohio State maintaining elite WR recruiting depth post-Hartline. NIL realities mean more balanced classes (top-tier + developmental pieces). Quarterback play and development remain key attractors. 2. Preseason All-Americans (Athlon Sports Focus) Offense: Jeremiah Smith: Consensus 1st-team All-American (slam dunk). Julian Sayin (QB): 2nd-team. Praised for 2024 production and completion % record in Big Ten, but hosts note tough competition (Arch Manning, others). Projection-heavy for some QBs. Defense: Limited Buckeye presence early in rankings. Hosts expect multiple OSU defenders (e.g., Earl Little on some 4th teams, potential for Jalen McClain, Devin Sanchez, Kenyatta Jackson, etc.) to rise as season progresses. Caden Curry, Arvell Reese, etc., cited as recent breakout examples. Other Notes: Tight end requirements in selections; discussion of projection vs. production (e.g., Arch Manning hype). 3. Historical Ohio State Teams Discussion Columbus Dispatch gallery on greatest OSU teams sparked debate. Strong cases for: 2024 team: Dominant playoff run, Will Howard’s dual-threat grit + efficiency. 2019, 2002/2003, 1995/1996/1998 teams. Themes: Depth, quarterback play, overcoming adversity, and how eras/styles compare. 4. Big Ten Outlook & Predictions Athlon projected order: Ohio State, Indiana, Oregon, Michigan, USC, Washington, Penn State, etc. Hosts discuss potential "plus/minus 3 wins" teams (conservative magazine projections). Standouts: Wisconsin (new AD, QB health), UCLA (new coach improvement), Illinois, Nebraska, Minnesota. General view: Upper crust strong; surprises inevitable in middle tier. PJ Fleck/Iowa noted for consistent bowl success. 5. Other Segments Steve recovering from minor surgery (Inspire device) but still contributing. Promotions: Phil Steele upcoming interview; Buckeye Insiders site launch (sign up for notifications); regular Buckeye Weekly content. Listener engagement: Super Chats, comments encouraged. Notable Quotes / Takeaways On Jed Harrison: “No downside… extremely valuable with the skill set and his knowledge base.” On recruiting sustainability: “You can’t sign three five-stars… anymore because of the way NIL is set up.” On 2024 team: “Hard to beat… Will Howard had the best of Craig Krenzel in him but could also throw the ball well.” Tone: Optimistic on OSU’s current trajectory, realistic about challenges and historical context. Overall Vibe: Informative, conversational Buckeye-centric show blending timely recruiting news, preseason analysis, and fan nostalgia. Strong focus on maintaining elite talent pipelines on both sides of the ball. Great episode for fans tracking 2027 class and preseason hype. Next show teased for the following Wednesday. Hosted by Simplecast, an AdsWizz company. See pcm.adswizz.com for information about our collection and use of personal data for advertising.