Episode Details

Show Overview

• Air date: March 4, 2026 (Wednesday, 4:00 PM ET)
• Topics: Spring football preview (practices begin March 10, 2026), recent NFL Combine performances by former Buckeyes, projected two-deep depth chart entering spring, roster turnover, and brief tangents (Lou Holtz passing, basketball tournament scheduling)
• Tone: Casual, optimistic about spring ball, reflective on 2025 season losses, excited for position battles

Key Segments & Highlights

1. Intro & Setup
   • Spring practice starts in 6 days (Tuesday, March 10).
   • Steve Helwagen plans to attend the first practice, then likely head to the Big Ten basketball tournament (may adjust travel if OSU plays longer).
   • Kevin Noon jokes about barely remembering the show; notes spring ball will give the Big Mean Podcast content.
2. NFL Combine Recap (Former Buckeyes)
   • Sonny Styles: Electric performance — 4.46 40-yard dash, 43-inch vertical, 11-foot broad jump; seen as a sure first-round talent (hybrid LB/safety background).
   • Lorenzo (Sonny's brother): Sub-4.3 40 (fastest OSU player ever at the Combine); remarkable family athletic feat.
   • Caleb Downs: Didn't work out but viewed as low-risk, high-floor first-round pick (All-American, Thorpe winner, playoff teams all 3 college years); rumors about his knee dismissed.
   • Carnell Tate: 40 time slightly over 4.5 official, but hand-timed in high 4.4s; teams not concerned — tape and physical traits (size, wingspan) outweigh it.
   • Overall: 4 Buckeyes projected as early-to-mid first-round picks; draft in Pittsburgh could draw big OSU crowds.
3. Two-Deep Depth Chart Projections (Entering Spring)
   • QB: Julian Sayin (1), Tevian St. Clair (2) — big spring for St. Clair; Justin Martin (Maryland transfer) as emergency/bridge option.
   • RB: Bo Jackson (likely fall starter, shoulder surgery — limited spring), Isaiah West (also recovering), Jacoby Jackson (Florida transfer), Favor Aki, Legend Bay (freshman, ex-QB).
   • WR: Jeremiah Smith, Brandon Inniss, Kyle Parker (LSU transfer w/ new WR coach Cortez Hankton) or Chris Henry Jr. competing for 3rd spot; Devin McCune (UTSA transfer) viewed as experienced sleeper.
   • TE: Bennett Christian leads; Nate Roberts (also FB), Brody Lennon, Max LeBlanc; transfers Hunter Welsing (Northwestern) & Mason Williams (Ohio) add experience.
   • OL: Locked left side + center (Austin Sierveld LT, Luke Montgomery LG, Carson Hinzman C); right side battle — Philip Daniels (RT → RG?), Ian Moore, Josh Padilla, Gabe VanSickle in mix.
   • DL: Kenyatta Jackson (DE), Edward Houston & transfers James Smith (Alabama) / John Walker (UCF) at DT; Quay Russoff (Alabama), Will Smith, Jason Moore, Kyrie Wilder (freshman) in mix.
   • LB: Peyton Pierce (middle), Christian Alliegro (Wisconsin transfer) & Riley Pettyjohn competing; TJ Alford, Garrett Stover in mix.
   • CB/Nickel: Jermaine Matthews (outside), Devin Sanchez (outside), Dominic Kelly (Georgia transfer) or Cam Calhoun (Alabama transfer) at slot/nickel.
   • Safety: Jalen McClain, Terry Moore (Duke transfer, post-ACL), Leroy Roker, Earl Little; possible hybrid looks.
4. Other Notes
   • Heavy turnover on defensive line (9 players portal); seen as house-cleaning with low production lost.
   • Spring philosophy: Limit Jeremiah Smith contact; test transfers heavily; lots of position experimentation (especially OL/DL).
   • Brief mourning for Lou Holtz (passed during show); anecdotes about his Woody Hayes connection, national titles, broadcasting era.
5. Closi