The good, bad and TBD as Buckeyes wrap up spring

Buying pants shouldn't take this much effort. Too many options, inconsistent sizing and

styles that don't work across your day. You want something comfortable sharp and reliable

without guessing, returning or buying five different pairs. That's why there's Jack Archer.

Ah, yes. JackArcher.com simplifies everything with the Jet Setter Tech Pant. One versatile pair

designed to take you from work to weekend without missing a beat easy to wear, easy to style,

and easy to shop for. The Jet Setter Tech Pant is wrinkle free, stain resistant, and built for

all-day comfort. They stretch, breathe, and hold their shape giving you a consistent fit and

polished look every time backed by thousands of five-star reviews. They're the dependable pants

you'll reach for daily. JackArcher, ready when you are. For a limited time, get 15% off your first

order with code GetJack at JackArcher.com. Again, that's promo code GetJack at JackArcher.com for 15%

off your first order. What if sports were traded like markets?

Now you can put your sports IQ to work in real time with Robinhood Prediction Markets.

It's not you against the house. It's you participating in a live market.

You can buy or sell your positions live, all game long. You use your sports knowledge in the

moments that matter. Robinhood Prediction Markets changes the game. It's people moving the action.

So when momentum shifts, you can move with it. I always knew the game, but never had a dynamic

way to apply that knowledge. Now I can actually take part live in a market powered by people.

You're no longer just a spectator. Play by play, you decide. Trade every play with Robinhood.

Now available across the US. Download the Robinhood app now to begin.

Futures and cleared swaps trading involve significant risk and is not appropriate for everyone.

Event contracts are offered by Robinhood derivatives LLC, a registered futures commission

merchant and swap firm. The Toyota Tundra and Tacoma are built to keep going. Back by Toyota's

reputation for legendary reliability. Step into a Tundra with the available iForce Max hybrid engine,

delivering impressive torque and serious towing power. Or take a look at Tacoma with an available

power lift gate so gear goes in fast and the adventure keeps moving. Toyota trucks are built to

last year after year, mile after mile. So drive one home today. Visit toyota.com to find out more.

Toyota, let's go places.

Good morning, Buck Nunders. Welcome to the Buck Nuts morning five here on Friday, April 17th,

2026. I am David Biddle, very happy joined by Jonah Booker. Jay Booker and I are actually like

pre-recording this on Thursday evening. Why? Because Ohio State has an open practice today at the

horseshoe tomorrow as we're recording this Friday morning. They have a practice at the horseshoe.

So we're doing it now. Spring go good, bad and to be determined about Ohio State so far during

spring ball. We're going to go offense, defense, special teams, coaching staff get Jay Book's thoughts

on the good, the bad and to be determined as far as what we've learned from spring ball.

Great to see you as always my friend. First thing, I love that we're going to see some real flip

ball during the spring game. I love that for most of the game, maybe not the quarterbacks, probably

not number 10, definitely not number 10. We're going to see some real football tackling to the ground.

I love that. Yes, it's exciting. It's one of those times to where it's a preview into what we're

going to see, but I will caution a lot of people. Don't overreact. I know Ryan Day said is going to

be a game light atmosphere that they want to create. However, keep in mind, there are a lot of

offense alignment that are banged up. I believe Coach Lachlan said or Coach Day said,

they're probably going to be out there top four running backs. You're going to have a limited

addition at the running back position. Jeremiah Smith probably doesn't need to suit up, give them one

two plays just to make the fans happy and they get him out of there. I would say be cautious. Don't

overreact because if you remember the last spring day, I don't think Matt Patricia got out of a

base defense. He didn't show very much at all last year and it was just like, hey, we're just

going to keep it simple. We're going to run base and we're going to hold everything close to the

vest before Texas last year. This year is going to be ball state. Yeah, man, I guess I should say

real football for a spring game. You know, I'm just glad they're not funny because we've seen

spring games where they just most of them they are tackling to the ground, at least for

we've seen spring games over the years where they just the entire game and it's like, yeah,

I'm glad. They're playing. They're out there. They're going to compete. It's not going to be

one of those like, oh, we're just going to like you said, we're just going to play flag football

or two hand touch. They will compete out there. I am excited to see the defensive

backs versus the wide receivers. And I know we're not going to see Legend Bay. Everybody

wanted to see him and all of the other running backs. But hey, favor a core. You get the true

freshman out there. You get the Florida transfer who's going to be in action. So you get a little

bit of a sneak preview of what that depth chart in the running back room looks like because I

believe Lachlan said he's ready to go to war with at least five guys in that running back room

that he believes that they can play any given Saturday. We're going to see a lot of Jacobi

Jackson. We're going to see a lot of favor a key too. But Jacobi Jackson is a guy that's going to

be a integral part of this team. We're actually going to see during the spring and spring game.

And I've been impressed with number 24. I think he's going to be a really good probably number

three back and be number two at the best, probably number three. So I think obviously Bo

Jackson's going to be the starter. I think Isaiah West is going to be the backup. But Jacobi's

going to be right there. I really, really like them. And hopefully Legend Bay can be that wild card,

you know, like that guy that can be the number four tail back and play a little wide receiver,

sprinkle them in there, get them the ball. Man, that'd be exciting. All right, we're going to

let Jaybook cook now. So we're going to go, you know, offense defense special teams coaching staff,

just anything that comes to mind, you know, the good, the bad, and then to be determined. Let's

start with offense. Okay. What comes when I say good that when it comes to Ohio State's offense,

you've learned the spring. What comes to mind? It will have to be the wide receivers, Dave,

because you're starting to get some of those younger guys really making a splash on the roster.

And I don't think we were expecting those guys to make such a such a wave this early on in spring.

You knew that they were talented, but you didn't know that, hey, these guys may actually be in the

line for a lot of playing time this year, along with the transfers that they brought in.

I think that right there is one of the good for me, even though we're not going to see the running

backs, Dave, I'm still pretty bullish on that room. I still think that they're incredibly deep.

The one thing that you have to really like about that running back room is they have different

running styles. And I believe Isaiah West is a big boy up to over 220 right now. And I think they

said, and he hasn't lost any speed. Both Jackson's getting up there. And then you look at turbo

rogers and legend bays. So you have a very, very variety of running backs who can

do some damage on the flip side on the bad. I have to say probably the offensive line right now.

And it's not necessarily bad for what the personnel that they have. But when you look at

what happened last year at the end of the season against Indiana, against Miami,

they had their two roughest games of the season. So you are hoping like, hey,

we're going into the spring. You're returning most of your offensive line from there.

You're hoping that year two under Bowen and you got 15 offensive line coaches out there when

I mean, I'm exaggerating, but they have so many guys out there that are helping with the offensive

line. Your thing is like, okay, we're only going to go as far as his offensive line

is going to take him as far as his offense. If they can get better with this schedule that they're

going to be facing, they're going to be all right. Well, you bring in Arthur Smith, new offensive

coordinator. He's wanting to install his things. He's brought over one of his guys from the

stillers to help install the offense. But you're facing the situation where they're banged up.

So you have, you have an offensive line who you're hoping was going to make a really big jump

in the spring. You got our new coaches coming in, offensive coordinator, third OC in three years,

trying to really elevate the offensive line. But you're getting limited amount of exposure to

these guys with Arthur Smith actually being on the field together. Is it something to panic about?

No, because they're going to be able to, you know, hopefully get that glued together in the

off season headed into ball state. But you will, you would have liked to see that entire offensive

line being out there playing together. But the flip side of it is, and more probably played

himself into a potential starting position because of the injury. So that can be your silver lining.

All right, to be determined. And this could be something you've already talked about that you

want to just expound on. But like, what's something on the offense? It's like, not good.

Not bad, but to be determined. Probably to tight ends. Because you really, you really don't know,

and it's kind of one of those situations to where, you know, how much is Ohio State utilized to

tight end position to really make an impact. You know, they do a, they do a lot of blocking in this

offense, relying on them. But hopefully, Julian Sand is really taking that next step, Dave,

because he had a great year, didn't finish the way that he wanted to. They have talked repeatedly

about he needs to utilize his legs. And I thought, and I think you brought, you brought that up as

well, is adding that element to his game. And coach Dave said, it's critical for him to be able to

pick up those hitting yards. If it's third and three, and something's open, like, go get it, man.

Show a little fire, show a little dog. So I think we're to be determined on if Julian Sand

has kind of added that element to his game. I like that as a TV, a TVD. Yeah, because every year,

it's like, yeah, yeah, definitely we're going to run the quarterback. Are you?

When you don't have Will Howard or Justin Fields, are you actually going to do it? Because we saw

CJ do it this last game against Georgia. Right. Before that, not really. Almost won the freaking

national championship, basically, with like a long run, if they win that game. Oh, god,

not that I haven't gotten over it yet, JB. All right, defense. What's the good? What's the good?

Give it to me. I think it's I think it's the entire defense right now. I love it. I love it.

I think it's I mean, because you got you got map of Trisha in year two. You look at that

defense of line. I think they're going to be extremely talented. They're going to be very twitchy

on the defensive line. James Lauren, I just even though you're losing two top 10 picks at the

linebacker position, you still have to feel really good about where they're at with the guys that

they have. And then corner, I think Devin Sanchez has had a fantastic spring. Hopefully you get

germane, Matthew's plan at a high level. That could be your your to be determined on the on the

defense side of the football. At the safety position, I think Earl Littles going to be someone

who's played his best football to date in his career. You're not going to be able to replace

the Caleb downs. That's just not that's just not going to happen. He's such a rare specimen.

And football IQ is through the roof that you're you're losing a coach on the field. However, I do

think that this Devin is going to be a multiple of defense. They're they're definitely going to have

to get some elevated play for some young guys who haven't shown it yet. However, I'm extremely

bullish on this defense. I think they're going to be outstanding. Is there any bad on the defense?

I mean, only thing that you could probably say is you you have youth at a lot of positions,

especially at the linebacker position. You're you're definitely going to need those guys to bring

their play. Riley Petagion has been limited this spring. You're going to need him to be outstanding,

but you got the emergence of TJ Alfred who Ryan Day has spoke very highly of and said that he's

going to play a lot of football here. You have Christian, the the linebacker who has transferred

from Wisconsin who they're they're kind of using him as a past Russian also. He's going to be playing

kind of a little bit of off the ball linebacker. So the youth is probably the biggest thing that you

can point to is bad. It's not necessarily a bad thing. It's just hey, we need guys who haven't

done it before to really step up. And the other element of that is meshing the transfers into the

defense with some of the guys that are already ingrained that you know they're going to be your

starters. So the thing about the transfers, you have some guys that they truly believe that

they evaluated well that they hit it out the park with the evaluation, but the same thing with

some of these transfers, they haven't shown to be really those that elite guy like when Caleb

Downs and Juckins and those guys came to you like those are elite players like you you've seen

them do it somewhere else. These guys they have the potential to do it, but they have to be able to

put it together. And so you're banking that hey, my evaluations was right. We're going to coach

them up. We're going to develop them. And they're going to be critical pieces to this defense.

I think it I think they will. I'm not worried about the defense. I'm excited to see what they're

going to do. I was thinking to myself today, Dave. Do you do you want to go into that Texas

game kind of like you did last year to where there's not a whole lot. I mean, you can throw a whole

bunch of stuff at Archmaning and there's no season film or do you rather have a tune up like the

like the ball state game to where you can kind of work out some of the kinks before you head down

to Austin because I bet you that's going to be a night game. So I'm kind of torn about it because

archer and and and Sarkeesian was saying that Ohio State was throwing some funky stuff at them

last year. They're really caught them off guard. Now I'm sure they're obviously not going to show

everything against ball state, but you do get the opportunity to crack some paths and work some

kinks out. What do you what do you think? What would you prefer?

Kind of like this because Matt Patricia can still like there are any like kinks to iron out. He

can do that without showing Texas too much. Although I mean, it's hard to argue from a defense

of perspective against last year because of just what you said. They're able just to ambush them

like they had no idea what was coming this year. It might be paralysis by analysis because they're

going to be like Texas is going to be thinking okay, what are they going to do? They're going to be

trying guessing what Matt Patricia is going to try to do and they probably won't guess correctly.

I like your to be determined for for defense because you already mentioned it.

Jermaine Matthews because here's the thing about Jermaine Matthews. We followed him for a long time.

Kid from Winton Woods was an absolute dog in high school. The studio returned kicks and ponds and

played some and big time. Winton Woods is like big time like high school football and played a lot

as a true freshman. Look good was basically a starter on the national championship team because IGB

and Denzel Burke. Oh, I just read the other day that Denzel Burke had a monster rookie year.

I don't know how that flew under my radar. Like maybe didn't do anything like crazy, but like

out there for the I won't say your cardinals because you're a raiders fan but out there in your

neck of the woods with the cardinals. Good on Denzel Burke. But anyway, Denzel Burke, IGB,

Jermaine Matthews, basically splitting time three into two spots during the national championship

season. J. Book, I expected a lot out of Jermaine Matthews this last year. Didn't really live up to that.

But man, I think he's going to have a big senior year. But as you mentioned, to be determined.

To be determined because the true freshman, why receiver boy was given, he was giving him some

work and some of those clips. So you're hoping that Jermaine has a big bounce back season and

nobody's going to be harder on Jermaine than himself. And that's one of the reasons why he said

he decided to come back this year because he didn't like the way to the end of the year finish

for himself. So he wanted to kind of leave with a better taste in his mouth.

Here's the thing about Jermaine. I think he's much better in the slot than he is on the outside.

Because if you remember early on in the season, he was balling in the slot like he was in that

Texas game to open the season. When they put him in the slot and closer closer to the line of

scrimmage, he was really playing some balls. So if you're going to do that, then you're going to have

the bank that transfer Dominic Kelly is going to play at a high level from Georgia. If you can

get Kelly playing at a high level, I would even take him that IGB kind of that first year,

second year when he joined the program. If you can even get that type of play from Dominic Kelly,

then I'm like, okay, we can make that work. With Jermaine, the biggest thing to me,

and I think a couple of other guys said this is confidence. He has to believe in himself

and confidence. And to think about the cornerback position, you're going to get cooked, man.

That's just the nature of the beast. But at Ohio State, the spotlight is a whole lot brighter,

and the fans don't let you live it down as much. But you have to be mentally strong. You have to be

mentally tough to say, you know what, if I get beat, I'm going to come back and I'm going to,

I want to have a better rep, a better game, a better next series or a better next quarter,

if I get beat. And Jermaine kind of let us snowball on him towards the latter part of the season.

Once he started getting cooked, you can kind of tell that he didn't have that same swagger,

that same bounce in his step that you saw early on, especially against Texas to start the season.

So when I see a player, and you see him playing at as high as point, and you were like,

this kid is destined for the NFL, and then he has a couple of rough spots and never kind of

get out there rough. Later on, that's a season progress. That tells me that that's a lot of mental

that he definitely needs to work on that aspect of his game. And forget about it, man. Like, hey,

you're going to get beat, let it roll off your back, and let's go to work.

All right, special teams. I love how they're putting it tonight. Just make it great, man.

There you go. Yeah, good, bad and to be determined on special teams.

The good is they actually got a special teams coach, like somebody who's designated to the position

as opposed to, you know, spreading, spreading special teams out to full-time position coaches.

Now, you got someone who solely focus on making sure that special teams are the best in the

country. That's your job. Don't worry about the defense. Don't worry about the offense.

Have your special teams units just playing at a high clip. And if you could do that,

he would be loved with the in-buck eyed nation. And then they got a kicker, Ryan from Baylor.

Ryan Day said he's clutch. I mean, he made a big kick during a student appreciation day.

I think it was like a 46-47-yard kick. I'm like, brother, if you can make that in the in the game,

I might go outside with our old friend Dwayne Long with a naked John Day.

Just kick it if you can, you know, all right, all right, Peter Dwayne, man, you know,

and Dwayne would obviously say anything good if it's naked John worthy.

If we can get a kicker that can make a 45 to 50-yard kick, I will be so thrilled with that.

Not necessarily against Bull State, although that wouldn't suck. But like, yeah, week two against

Attexas, even if Ohio State's up like 14-nothing early, and he busts out like a 50-yard field goal,

and make it 17-nothing, naked John's around Columbus and Scottsdale. I know it.

And I know Dan Rubin's going to be naked Johnting around, like, Oakwood 100%.

Steve Hellwagon will be on scene, but like, he would be naked Johnting around Pataskala.

Patrick Murphy would be naked Johnting around Grandview, and then Garrick Hodg,

Gary Dublin, Mark Porter, Bordman. I think I have that right. All right, kind of have

that whole staff here. All right, coaching. Good, bad to be determined.

It's Charles Barkley here with Wayfair. Let me tell you, game day serious business at my house.

If I'm grilling, chilling, and watching hoots, my outdoor setup,

that'll be ready to play. That's where Wayfair wins. From patio seating and umbrellas

to grills and grill accessories, Wayfair's got it all, and it shows up fast.

I'm talking fast and easy delivery. So level up your grill game, and your outdoor

chill game, and head to Wayfair.com to get your outdoor space ready for the season.

Wayfair every style, every home.

You're listening to this podcast, so I know you've got a curious mind.

Here's a helpful fact you might not know yet.

Drivers who switch and save with progressive save over $900 on average.

Pop over to progressive.com, answer some questions, and you'll get a quick quote with discounts

that are easy to come by. In fact, 99% of their auto customers earn at least one discount.

Visit progressive.com and see if you can enjoy a little cash back.

Progressive casualty insurance company and affiliates,

national average 12 month savings of $946 by new customers surveyed,

who saved with progressive between June 2024 and May 2025.

Potential savings will vary.

Spring always gets me in the mood to redo everything.

New season, new vibe.

But every time I start browsing furniture,

I'm reminded how fast those redesign costs can stack up.

That is, except at Bob's discount furniture.

If I'm going to refresh my space, I want style and quality without draining my bank account.

And Bob's just gets that. Take the Playday sectional.

It's a total space saver with built-in bookshelves and charging ports, perfect for long,

lazy weekends. There's even a pop-up sleeper for overnight guests.

That's a lot of bells and whistles, and for less than the competition.

Or Bob's best-selling lush mattress.

It's got high-density, bob-o-pedic memory foam, and a cooling cover just like the competition,

but Bob's costs only $999, and the warranty is 10 years longer.

Don't even get me started on the modular Bob sectional.

Buttery soft to poultry, family proof construction,

multiple colors, built-in storage, wireless charging,

even the Bob-o-pedic memory foam, at only $250 per piece.

It's easy to build your dream sectional for hundreds less than the competition.

So when you're ready to get going on that long-awaited home makeover,

know there's a better way to score while-worthy pieces at everyday low prices.

Stop into your local Bob store or shop online and see for yourself.

I like the coaching staff. I think we're all to be determined.

You and I talked about this with Bowen with the offensive line.

I think this is a big year for him.

I think Ryan Day is going to really evaluate the offensive line if they have a situation

to where they just absolutely get destroyed against a tough competition.

Then I think the writing is going to be on the wall for him.

The thing about it too is they're investing a significant amount of money

and resources into the offensive line.

When you look at the coaches, because here's the thing with

Arthur Smith bringing over his guy at Pittsburgh who was a former offensive line coach

who knows Smith's system, it kind of tells you that if Bowen doesn't get the job done,

they already basically have his replacement in-house,

especially if Arthur Smith is going to be here more than one year.

So hopefully North Carolina can actually win some games

before he probably boasts down there and becomes the head coach.

But with him bringing over his guy to help with the offensive line,

that would tell me if I'm Tyler Bowen, I'd better be rock solid because it's like this.

Your boss brings in one of his main guys from where he used to work

who's going to be working in your position, your field, your specialty because he doesn't

necessarily have the utmost faith that you're going to be able to install and do all the things

that he wants. So if you don't perform at a high level, what's going to happen?

Your boss is going to tap his guy and says, I need you to get in there and handle this for me.

And that's how I see this situation with Bowen. So for all of us, we all are cheering for him

because if he does well, that means the offensive line is having a great season

and those guys are right back into national title contention. With that schedule,

you're going to have to have an elite offensive line. So I'm cheering for him. I want Tyler

Bowen to have an amazing season because if he does, that means the offensive lines have

an a great year. Spring game tomorrow, Saturday, noon, Eastern. This is one noon kick,

I think everybody can get on board with, Jay Bo. Yeah. We'll take the big noon for this one.

There you go. And it's going to be two hours. They'll have a running clock, probably the entire

second half, maybe just the fourth quarter. But I mean, it's because Michigan has their spring

game at two on Big Ten Network as well. So you know, they're going to it's going to be noon to two

bam in and out. I love it. This is perfect for fans that can't maybe get to games during,

you know, bringing their family to games or whatever. It's just absolutely perfect. Also

absolutely perfect because Jay book on BTA Fridays. Thank you, sir. You know, and Jackson Smith

and Jigba Super Bowl champion, highest pay wide receiver will be in the house to ring the victory

bail. That's really cool. Number 11 back in the back in the shoe. Man, it's not even a surprise,

is it? It's like a tool. It's not even like, we're not like center, like can't believe

Jackson Smith and Jigba is like awesome. And before we get out of here, like, hey,

Coach Davis on Cam Hayward's podcast and Cam Hayward gave Ryan Day a lot of props because

similar situation. Cam said Ryan Day has done a remarkable job bringing back to players,

making sure that former players are totally invested in the program. They had over 200

former players at one of their spring practice. Like, that's incredible. Like to have that many

former players around the program to come back for a single practice, a spring practice. And

having these guys, you know, people who've probably been away from the program for years,

bringing them back into the fold. That's simply amazing. I thought that was so cool

that Cam Hayward gave Ryan Day his props for doing that. That's a good. That's a great.

Ryan Day just gets it, man. And if you want them to trust, they'll grew up in this state,

you know, and coached at Ohio State before he went and coached at Youngstown State,

you know, Urban grew up in the state, you know, coached at Ohio State before he did his thing. Like,

for Ryan Day to come here being from New Hampshire, he just absolutely gets it. 100%.

Like guys are in good hands, my man. All right, we're in good hands on Friday with J Book.

Thank you, my friend. Enjoy the game tomorrow. Yeah, I'll talk to you next week. All right,

sounds good, buddy. Appreciate it. Have a good one. Great stuff out of J Book. And I'll be with you

guys after the game. What we learned live, I'll be live from I shouldn't even say live. I will be

live from Ohio Stadium. I'll be going right after the game. So two o'clock, we know it's going to be

two o'clock. Big 10 network. Bam. So I'll be going live right maybe even a couple of minutes before

two o'clock. I think last year we started maybe like a 155 or something. So final gun of the spring

game. I'm going to go live Patrick Murphy and Steve Hellwagon and Garrick will be those well.

They're going to cover post game interviews and then they'll come on the show, join me either

in the press box or maybe from the field. We'll see, but we'll be at Ohio Stadium for the spring

game. And then if you're there early, I do a pregame show with my friends at 971, the fan will be

right outside, right outside skull session. It's basically between St. John arena and the stadium

and Ohio Stadium, like, you know, closer to St. John than the stadiums. We'll be out there. So

stop by and say hi. I do the pregame show with Tim May and our host Anthony Rothman on 971,

on the fan. So drop by and say hi. If you guys are going to be there and that'll be good seeing

you guys. Hopefully the weather holds up, man. Early on, I was thinking, ah, they're saying there's

a small chance of rain. And it was like, there's a lot of chance of rain. What's the latest and greatest

here is we record the show here on Thursday night. Yeah, they're saying 85% chance of rain on Saturday.

High of 73. And let's hope that that rain holds off. Or if it does rain, maybe off and on or

drizzle. Let's just hope. Don't want a torrential downpour like they say, ah, might happen. But,

great stuff out of J-Book as always. That was a fun show there. The good, the bad,

to be determined as the Buckeyes wrap up spring. Thanks again to J-Book. Thanks to all of you.

Again, join me tomorrow for what we learned live right after the game. I appreciate it. Thanks to

J-Book. Thanks to all of you. If everyone has a great rest of your day, a great weekend. Enjoy the game

tomorrow and go Buckeye.