COLUMBUS, Ohio — Somehow, much of the speculation about Ohio State football’s linebacker situation ignores a former big-time prospect entering his pivotal third season.
The Buckeyes, thought, have not forgotten about Gabe Powers. The former Marysville star played no snaps during his first season, and only 21 last year as a redshirt freshman.
The impact came away from game days, where Powers began to turn the corner right on schedule.
“You didn’t see it, because he didn’t play a lot in the games,” Knowles said. “But in our opinion Gabe, the second half of the season, what we see in practices, was probably one of the most improved guys. He really was.
“He made a huge jump the second half of the season in terms of what he was doing in practice and when he got into the game. A huge jump.”
That likely leaves Powers in position for a two-deep spot this season, perhaps as the backup to Cody Simon at Mike linebacker. While he has also trained at Will, that spot currently is ground zero for a competition between C.J. Hicks and Sonny Styles.
This spring remains an important one for Powers to carry over that momentum Knowles recognized late last season. He could still emerge as a multi-year starter in the future, with Simon done after the coming season and other linebackers potentially draft eligible.
“I feel like he is a guy that’s going to compete,” Knowles said. “He’s a guy that’s going to be ready. I feel like he’s made tremendous improvements and we can start to count on him.”
Clarett makes pitch
Former Buckeye star running back Maurice Clarett threw his hat in the ring for the opening created by running backs coach Tony Alford’s departure to Michigan.
Clarett has no college or pro coaching experience and has been an open critic of coach Ryan Day at times on social media. He even referenced that personae in his posts arguing for his candidacy. In an x.com post which appears to have since been deleted, he told receivers coach and co-offensive coordinator Brian Hartline to “have your homeboy (Day) call me … Might be the best way to stop all of my Saturday afternoon troll sessions.”
Big Ten AD change
The other domino has fallen in Ohio State’s hire of Ross Bjork as athletic director. Texas A&M on Wednesday hired Nebraska’s Trev Alberts to succeed Bjork.
Alberts had led the athletic department at his alma mater since 2021. He hired current football coach Matt Rhule. He signed a a contract extension in November that ran through 2031. According to that contact language, Alberts owes Nebraska a $4.12 million buyout.
Playoff progress
Yahoo’s Ross Dellenger reported Wednesday the ACC and Big 12 presidents voted to authorize their commissioners to accept the new College Football Playoff framework. That would distribute 58% of revenue to the Big Ten and SEC, 32% to the ACC and Big 12 and the other 10% to Notre Dame and Group of Five conferences.
Among topics which could be voted on later this week are “protections” for the new format, such as each Power 5 conference being assured of one spot. Dellenger previously reported the CFP is moving away from the multiple automatic qualifiers concept which had been floated.
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