Episode Details

Horseshoe Hangover Live 8 – Ohio State Football Questions Before Fall Camp Presented by FanDuel Sportsbook | Hosts: Brad Thomas & Denzel Jones | OhioStateVOCFB

Intro & Weekend Check-In

00:00:25 – 00:01:17 Brad and Denzel open the show. Denzel’s weekend was solid but lower energy than usual. Brad was at a bachelor party (casino/pool/beach) and is still recovering, noting how much harder it is to rebound as he gets older (slept until 10:30).

Fall Camp Is Here – Biggest Position Battles

00:01:17 – 00:16:20

Wide Receiver Room (most important battle for Denzel)

• Key names fighting for snaps behind Jeremiah Smith: Brandon Inniss, Kyle Parker, Chris Henry Jr., Brock Boyd, Devin McEwen.
• Both hosts expect Inniss to start due to seniority/experience, but Parker is right on his heels. Henry is “too good to keep off the field” after his spring game production and will force significant playing time. McEwen also has strong college experience.
• Room is deep; the next two spots after Smith are wide open and will be determined by production as the season unfolds.

Defensive Tackle

• Big hole to fill. Recent photos of James Smith (up to ~315 lbs) and others look massive (“didn’t even look real”).
• Denzel’s projection: Smith and Houston in the middle (Smith likely at nose). Walker rotates in. Good two-deep depth and rotation expected. Houston “has to start” this year.

Defensive End opposite Kenyatta Jackson

• Under-the-radar but important battle. Candidates: Zion Grady (looked good in limited snaps last year), Atkinson, Epi (looks huge in recent photos), Kyrie Wilder, Quay Russo.
• Denzel wants Grady to start. Russo is explosive but undersized — projected as a situational/pass-rush specialist (10-12 snaps max). Strength in numbers and rotation will be key.

Linebackers

• Conventional wisdom slots Arvell Reese (Allegra) and Peyton Pierce as the starters, but both hosts say the spots are far from locked.
• Behind them: C.J. Pettijohn (recent “Dude of the Week”), Alford, Stover, Sincere Johnson. Extremely deep room — “embarrassment of riches.” Talent level is so high that underperformance can get someone benched week-to-week. Experience (Reese from Wisconsin) helps, but nothing is secure.

Safety

• Debate on Treyveon Moore returning from injury. Brad is higher on Leroy Roker (likes the high-school film and hitting ability). Concerns about Moore’s missed tackles and the difficulty of returning from a long layoff (especially a knee injury) at free safety in a high-level defense. Rotation possible, but starting role not guaranteed. Week 2 comes up fast against quality competition.

Cornerbacks / Secondary

• Outside: Dom Kelly and Davison Igbinosun (Sanchez) expected to start. Both long (6-2).
• Jermaine Matthews projected to nickel. Earl Little drawing strong reviews (“looks awesome,” loves to hit, potential pro).
• Cam Calhoun (Utah transfer) gets a harsh evaluation from Brad — multiple transfers and limited snaps raise questions about production and decision-making.
• Jaylen Timmons hyped for next year (or sooner); looks like a pure football player who will get on the field once he absorbs the system.

Other Notes

• Offensive line and running back (backup) have milder battles. Isaiah West or Jacoby (looked solid in spring) for RB depth. O-line still searching for someone to take the next step and elevate the group.

Potential Team Leaders / Stars Beyond the Obvious

00:17:35 – 00:20:29 Hosts name players who can lead their position groups and become stars (avoi