Episode Details

Ohio State Primetime 96 – Presented by FanDuel Hosts: Garrison Gaddy & Riley Burnett Episode focus: Buckeyes atop the coaches poll, Christopher Vargas commitment date (Aug. 8), fall camp storylines, and jersey predictions for the 2026 season.

Intro & Housekeeping (0:00–1:12)

• Welcome to Ohio State Primetime Live with Garrison and Riley.
• Presented by FanDuel.
• Standard plugs: like/share/subscribe, vocfb.com, shop (hoodies, sweatshirts, hats, koozies).
• Agenda preview: coaches poll, Christopher Vargas (Ohio State vs. Oregon decision), and jersey predictions for every game.

Coaches Poll – Ohio State No. 1 (1:18–12:48)

• Ohio State opens No. 1 in the preseason coaches poll with the most first-place votes (38).
• Top 5: Ohio State, Oregon, Georgia, Texas, Notre Dame.
• 6–10: Indiana, Miami, Texas A&M, Oklahoma, Ole Miss (Alabama and Texas Tech also mentioned in the group).
• Indiana finished No. 6 but had the second-most first-place votes (14). Hosts noted the discrepancy — coaches either had Indiana very high or much lower.
• Riley: Not shocked by Ohio State at No. 1 despite major defensive losses to the NFL. Talent still elite.
• Garrison: Personally ranks Oregon’s roster No. 1 in the country, then Texas, with Ohio State a close third. Still not surprised the coaches put Ohio State on top (“it’s Ohio State”).
• Other takes:
  • Notre Dame’s roster is “crazy.”
  • Would rank Texas A&M and LSU lower.
  • Would move Michigan ahead of BYU; not high on Penn State.
  • Liked Washington’s inclusion — playing at Washington late in the year is tough.
  • Credited coaches for placing Indiana where they did; Garrison would pick Indiana over everyone behind them and sees them as roughly equal to the teams ahead.
• Historical note: First time Ohio State has been ranked No. 1 in the preseason coaches poll in school history. Previous high preseason rankings (1998, 2006, 2015) did not end in titles. First Big Ten team to open No. 1 in the coaches poll since Ohio State in 2015.
• FanDuel championship odds roughly align (Ohio State 1, Notre Dame 2, Oregon 3, Texas 4, Georgia 5, Indiana 6).
• Both prefer waiting for the AP poll. Discussed starting their own weekly poll.

Christopher Vargas Recruitment (13:12–23:31)

• No. 1 QB / No. 6 overall prospect in the 2028 class (St. John’s Prep, Danvers, MA). Listed ~6-4/6-5, 175–205 lbs depending on source.
• Commitment date: August 8. Decision essentially between Ohio State and Oregon (Alabama also involved).
• Ohio State currently holds three Crystal Ball predictions.
• Tape impressions:
  • Excellent ball placement and vision (CJ Stroud comparison from Garrison).
  • Pocket presence and ability to step up; not a runner.
  • High football IQ for his age; finds soft spots.
  • Developmental traits still present (reading defenses under pressure, navigating the pocket). Still has a junior and senior season left.
• Riley sees some younger Dak Prescott traits (coverage reading, getting the ball out, willingness to take hits).
• Class of 2028 context: Already has Jet Harrison (elite dual-threat QB/WR talent), Jameer Weiss (top edge), Elijah Newman Hall (top RB). Landing Vargas would give the class an early cornerstone and recruiting momentum.
• Both stressed nothing is done until December; remain cautiously optimistic.

Fall Camp Opening & Key Storylines (24:18–38:30+)

• Public practices at the Woody Hayes Athletic Center Aug. 6–8 ($40, gates 8 a.m., practice ~9 a.m.–noon).
• Riley’s primary focus: health and readiness of the running back room (Ryan Day flagged it at Big Ten Media Days).
• Garrison’s list: