See a season preview for Wadsworth football, including top players, newcomers to watch, schedule, stats and more.

WADSWORTH, Ohio – The cleveland.com high school football Preseason Top 25 countdown continues today with the unveiling of Northeast Ohio's No. 23 team, the Wadsworth Grizzlies.

Check cleveland.com/hssports daily as the Top 25 is revealed one team per day, leading up to the announcement of the area's top-ranked team on Aug. 27.  

PREVIOUSLY: No. 25 Madison, No. 24 Elyria.

Here is more on Wadsworth's football team as it enters the 2015 season, which begins at home against Ashland on Aug. 28.

5 keys for making deep playoff run

1. Scoring from the ground up: The passing game may need time to find its stride, meaning it is critical the ground attack, led by senior running back Dan Wienerman, is ready to carry the offense. The Grizzlies have another reliable back in junior fullback Alex Jones to keep defenses on their toes. Once the ground attack is established, it will be easier for the team to go to the air when necessary as defenders will be looking for the run. 

2. Strong blocking: With an offense centered around the run, having good, disciplined offensive linemen to open up holes in the defense is every bit as important as having talented runners. Wadsworth is well-equipped in this regard.

3. Develop the passing game: Having lost their quarterback and some vital receivers from last season, the pressure is on for the Grizzlies' new starting quarterback and some sure-handed receivers who will be seeing more action than they did a year ago. Senior WR Zach Looser will likely be looked to for leadership from his less experienced counterparts. 

4. Divisional switch: Making the move to Division II from Division I should work in the Grizzlies' favor in terms of making a postseason run. Wadsworth is coming off two consecutive playoff seasons, which both ended with first-round losses. 

5. Upperclassmen take the lead on defense: The Grizzlies' secondary has a couple of proven safeties in Looser and junior Craig Palidar. They will be crucial teachers for newcomers such as Mitchell Blackburn. Senior Bailey Jarnagin leads a linebacking crew with a couple of up-and-coming juniors in Luke Clinton and Cody Surrat that will be critical in defending the run as well as short passing plays. Senior two-way lineman Chris Byers will lead the Grizzlies up front. 

MORE ABOUT WADSWORTH 

Click here to see 2015 schedule

OHSAA division, region: Division II, Region 4. 

Conference: Suburban League, National Division.

2014 record: 7-3, 4-3. 

Coach: Greg Dennison.

Coach’s record at school: 146-63 in 21 seasons. 

Coach’s career record: 157-72 in 23 seasons. 

Top returners: 

Chris Byers, OL/DL, Sr., 6-0, 211. 

Bailey Jarnagin, OLB, Sr., 5-10, 172. 

Alex Jones, FB, Jr., 6-0, 181. 

Zach Looser, DB/WR, Sr., 5-10, 163. 

Craig Palidar, S, Jr., 5-11, 171. 

Dan Wienerman, RB, Sr., 5-8, 175. 

Other key players:

Mitchell Blackburn, WR/DB, Soph., 5-9, 162.

Luke Clinton, LB, Jr., 5-11, 200.

Blake Horner, OT, Sr., 6-2, 219. 

Connor Montgomery, QB, Sr., 6-3, 171. 

Cody Surrat, OLB, Jr., 5-10, 172.

Scout report

Strengths: RB Wienerman was a huge component to Wadsworth's offense last season, complementing then senior Shane Mast quite well. He is poised for a strong year as the featured back behind seasoned linemen like Byers, Bryan Perebzak, Kyle Green and first-year starter Horner. With solid blocking up front and Jones in place to share snaps with Wienerman and provide lead blocking ability, Wadsworth should be a tough team to stop on the ground. 

Concerns: The Grizzlies' passing attack will have several new faces, including a new leader under center after quarterback Adam Dennison's graduation. They also lost talented wideouts Kyle Pennington and Austin White as well as tight end Nick Hewitt. Receivers like Looser and Blackburn will likely be called upon as go-to targets for QB Montgomery. Developing the team's linebackers who lack varsity experience is another priority. 

Bottom line: Wadsworth has some work to do at many of the team's skill positions but has enough veteran leadership to help with growing pains experienced early on. Whether the team thrives and makes a push for a third straight playoff berth is dependant upon whether the Grizzlies can develop enough of an aerial game to take opponents off the run, which is built on a solid foundation of experienced blockers and two capable backs. 

Follow Wadsworth all season

Bookmark the team’s cleveland.com webpage to see every post pertaining to Wadsworth. 

Follow our high school sports Twitter account @NEOvarsity and tag your high school sports Tweets and score updates with the #NEOVarsity hashtag.

Contact high school sports reporter Robert Rozboril by email (rrozboril@cleveland.com), on Twitter (@rrozboril) or on Facebook (facebook.com/rrozboril). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

A game-winning homer eases pain a base-running mistake by the Indians rookie third baseman. Watch video

ANAHEIM, Calif. - Baseball is the game with a soul. It always offers a second chance on the next swing of the bat or pitch.

Rookie Giovanny Urshela found that out Tuesday night in the Indians' 2-0 victory over the Angels in 12 innings at Angel Stadium.

In the 10^th inning, with no score, Urshela doubled to right with one out. The Indians received nine scoreless innings from Carlos Carrasco, but couldn't score a run to give him the win. Now they at least had a chance to win the game and make sure Carrasco's effort wasn't a total waste.

Jose Ramirez sent a grounder to the hole at short. If Urshela stayed put, as he should have, the Indians would have had runners on first and second with one out and middle of the order due to hit.

Urshela, not the fastest man on the Tribe's roster, did not stay put. He tried to advance to third and veteran shortstop Erick Aybar easily threw him out to unplug the potential rally.

"If the third baseman goes for the ball, then he can go for it because there's nobody covering third," said manager Terry Francona. "But he's has to see that through.

"I understand what he's trying to do. He's trying so hard to score a run. He was (beating himself up) himself after that."

Urshela was tired of berating himself by the 12^th inning and put his frustration to better use. After a leadoff single by Lonnie Chisenhall, Cam Bedrosian relieved and retired Jerry Sands on a wicked liner to right and Tyler Holt on a called third strike to bring Urshela to the plate.

Ahead in the count 1-0, Urshela golfed a curveball over the left field fence for a two-run homer and a 2-0 lead. That's the way the scored stayed as relievers Bryan Shaw, Zach McAllister and Cody Allen combined with Carrasco on a two-hitter.

"We're human," said Urshela, regarding the baserunning mistake. "We make mistakes. In that situation, I was trying to get to third base. I'm always keeping that in mind during the game.

"I saw the ball in the hole, so I thought I had a good chance to take third base."

Said Francona, "I was really happy to see him get a big hit. . .It was nice that he stayed in the game, didn't sulk and helped us win."

Needless to say, Urshela enjoyed his moment of redemption.

"That felt great," he said. "That felt good to help the team win."

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The choices aren't the quarterback who finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting a year ago in his first season of college football or the quarterback who won three straight postseason games in his first three starts. Urban Meyer's choices for Ohio State's starting quarterback are better than that, because J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones are...

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- The choices aren't the quarterback who finished fifth in the Heisman Trophy voting a year ago in his first season of college football or the quarterback who won three straight postseason games in his first three starts.

Urban Meyer's choices for Ohio State's starting quarterback are better than that, because J.T. Barrett and Cardale Jones are better.

How do we know they're better, with the first practice of Ohio State's preseason camp five days away on Monday? Because you could tell from the end of their 2014 seasons that they had room to grow.

Rewatching Barrett's final game against Michigan and Jones' final two games against Alabama and Oregon in the playoffs this week offered that reminder. Both authored winning plays at crucial times. But both also clearly could do more.

This isn't a nitpick. It's a rumination on the future. Yes, Barrett and Jones are the choices. But they will be the full 2015 versions.

Asking Meyer last week at Big Ten Media Days about how much Barrett may have improved led to, not surprisingly, more conversation on off-field progress.

How much better could he be?

"He already is," Meyer said, turning toward leadership talk. "Right now he's off the charts, because I have some leadership meetings throughout the summer, and he's off the charts."

And Jones in that area?

"Cardale is much better. Two years ago I would have said it didn't exist," Meyer said. "But he's got his own style of leadership. If you notice, people migrate to him."

But there are identifiable onfield areas where Meyer should see changes in August as well.

Barrett missed multiple throws against the Wolverines, finishing just 13 of 21 for 176 yards. Even some of his completions were off target, preventing bigger gains because receivers couldn't catch the ball on the move. With the praise he received as a counselor at the Elite 11 quarterback camp earlier this summer, it's clear Barrett as a redshirt sophomore can complete more of those passes.

Jones made several plays against Alabama and Oregon that could have turned out much worse than they did, passes that could have been picked off but weren't. He botched a handoff with Ezekiel Elliott that led to a turnover against the Ducks and then backtracked 15 yards on his worst player of the season, fumbling and setting up Oregon with a short field with Ohio State's lead at just four points. With time to think out of the playoff pressure cooker, his decision making should solidify.

Of course, Jones also made throw after throw on third down in both games, standing in the pocket and rifling passes down the middle of the field for 20-yard gains. And when he wasn't doing that he was rumbling through the defense on battering ram scrambles. 

Barrett, meanwhile, saved the Buckeyes with a touchdown scamper at the end of the first half against the Wolverines. And his 64.7 percent completion percentage can't be forgotten. His late-season road games at Michigan State and Minnesota were remarkable, as he threw for a total of 500 yards and ran for another 275 yards.

Their successes are well-known. But don't forget their shortfalls. Because it adds to this drama.

Barrett can be more accurate. Jones can eliminate mistakes.

And Meyer will have to judge during the preseason the thing that saved the OSU offense so often last year - the quarterbacks running. Barrett is better is the read-option game, but Jones proved to be devastating on scrambles.

Between the two of them, Barrett and Jones ran 243 times for 1,234 yards. Meyer will have to evaluate that, especially the runs that came under pressure and turned problem plays into positives.

Meyer in Chicago backed off a previous statement that he'd pick the quarterback based off the hard numbers of the preseason. He allowed for his gut to join the discussion.

Maybe the numbers will tell Meyer this in August, but his gut should as well. This isn't last year's choice, when Barrett beat out Jones to earn the starting job when Braxton Miller was lost for the year. As good as his quarterbacks were last year, they can do more. And in a few days, they should prove that they will.

Carlos Carrasco, in his last two starts, has allowed one run and three hits in 18 innings. At one stretch in those two games, he retired 27 straight batters, the equivalent of a perfect game. At another stretch, the opposition went 0-for-38 against him. Watch video

ANAHEIM, Calif. - If Carlos Carrasco keeps pitching like this, the no-hitter he came within one strike of reaching earlier this season at Tropicana Field might become a reality. He might do even better that.

Carrasco pitched nine scoreless innings Tuesday night at Angel Stadium. He allowed one run, one hit and three total baserunners. What he didn't do was earn the victory.

Manager Terry Francona removed Carrasco from a scoreless game after nine innings and 100 pitches. It took two more innings before rookie third baseman Giovanny Urshela homered to give the Indians a 2-0 victory over the Angels. Carrasco and relievers Bryan Shaw, Zach McAllister and Cody Allen combined on a two-hit shutout.

"He put up a bunch of zeroes," said manager Terry Francona. "Actually everybody who pitched did. They had to because we didn't have a chance to win that game because we couldn't find a way to put a run across until Gio hit that home run.

"But because of the way our guys pitched, while on the road, we won a good game."

Carrasco in his last two starts has allowed one run in 18 innings. He opened this seven-game West Coast trip with a two-hitter against Oakland in a 3-1 victory. The A's two hits and one run came in the first inning.

He did not allow another hit until David Murphy, the former Indian turned Angel, singled to start the fifth inning Tuesday night. Between Murphy's single and Josh Reddick's RBI double in the first inning Thursday, the opposition went 0-for-38 against Carrasco.

The stretch covered 12 2/3 hitless innings.

The only baserunners were Oakland's Sam Fuld and Brett Lawrie and Anaheim' Mike Trout. When Carrasco walked Trout, last year's AL MVP, with two out in the fourth inning, it ended a run of 27 straight outs by the Indians right-hander. If Carrasco had done that in one game, he'd have pitched a perfect game.

"That's pretty cool," said pitching coach Mickey Callaway.

Twenty-seven straight outs spread between two starts did not seem to impress Carrasco. He was looking at the bigger picture.

"I think the most important thing is just trying to throw my game," he said. "If somebody gets a base hit, they get them. If not, that's fine. But, the most important thing is just trying to get deep in the game and try to get an opportunity for the team to win the game."

The Indians out-hit the Angels, 6-1, through nine innings. They created more scoring chances, but they couldn't actually score a run to make Carrasco a winner within nine innings.

"That's just part of the game," said Carrasco, about his magnificent no-decision. "What's most important is that we won the game."

Carrasco, with only 100 pitches, thought he was going out for the 10^th.

"I talked to Mickey and he said, 'No, you're done,'" said Carrasco.

Francona said he didn't want to put Carrasco in a position where he could have lost the game after pitching so well.

"He had done a good job," said Francona. "When they're not used to do that, I think that would have been asking a little too much.  After a guy pitched like that, if I had sent him out there, and he got a guy on, there's a chance he could get the loss.  He didn't deserve that."

It was easy to tell that Carrasco was into the game. In the ninth, plate umpire Jeff Nelson ruled he hit leadoff man Johnny Giavotella with a pitch and Carrasco protested from the mound. Shane Victorino bunted Giavotella to second, putting the winning run 180 feet away.

David DeJesus lined out to second baseman Jose Ramirez, but Carrasco fell behind Kole Calhoun 2-0. With Trout, he of the 32 homers and 68 RBI, waiting on deck, Carrasco came back and struck out Calhoun to end the inning.

"I did not want to face Trout in that situation," said Carrasco, who walked off the mound shaking his fist.

The way Carrasco has been pitching, Trout might have felt the same way about facing him.

These are the things football writers get excited about. Or maybe we're just as ready for the start of training camp as you are.

Love high school football two-a-days or hate them? Describe the event in 5 words or less.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – High school football two-a-days is already underway and readers shared on Monday in five words or less their thoughts on the event.

Here are a few of some of the highlights from that question on Monday:

@skog62180 wrote: when championships are won.

@onlyone wrote: no band.

@eagle1996 wrote: hot.

@KristenDavisCLE @nathanielcline one word: Nirvana

— Brad Bournival (@bbournival) August 3, 2015

During Media Day sessions in July, some of the area's football players gave their stance on two-a-days.

Don't let the responses stop here. Join the discussion.

Whether it’s asking us questions in the comments or commenting as you check out all the high school sports content, please take advantage of the comments section and let us know your takes on local teams, players and conference/playoff predictions. 

Sign up here for a free account. It's a fast process and you'll be able to comment on all stories forever.

Follow our high school sports Twitter account, @NEOVarsity for high school news and score updates. Be sure to use the hashtag #NEOVarsity to Tweet about your favorite school.

For more high school sports news, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Contact Nathaniel Cline on Twitter (@nathanielcline), by email (ncline@cleveland.com) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Training camp continues on Wednesday. Get live updates from Berea throughout the morning.

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns are back at it on Wednesday. Training camp continues as the team moves closer to the start of the 2015 season.

Practice is open to the public. However, all tickets for training camp practices have been distributed. Practice runs from 9:30 a.m. until noon with coach and player availability after.

The high on Wednesday is expected to be 78 degrees with partly cloudy skies. Temperatures will start in the upper 60s during practice and hit mid-70s by the time practice is over.

Get updates from Day 6 of camp here from Browns reporters Mary Kay Cabot and Tom Reed, among others. I'll also be tweeting updates throughout practice.

Tweets from https://twitter.com/clevelanddotcom/lists/browns-training-camp

RubberDucks reliever Jeff Johnson fails to get an out in the ninth inning.

RubberDucks reliever Jeff Johnson faltered in the ninth inning, failing to get an out and committing a costly error, allowing the Senators to rally for a 3-2 victory over Akron in a Class AA Eastern League game Tuesday in Harrisburg, Pa.

RubberDucks third baseman Yandy Diaz.Akron RubberDucks 

The blown save allowed a potential win to get away from the RubberDucks even though they had only five hits in the game.

Akron entered the ninth leading, 2-1, thanks to solo homers from third baseman Yandy Diaz in the fourth inning and outfielder Bradley Zimmer in the seventh.

The Senators started the ninth with two straight singles, then Johnson made a throwing error on a sacrifice bunt, allowing a run to score and putting runners on second and third. Designated hitter Isaac Ballou then singled to win the game.

RubberDucks right-hander Adam Plutko gave up one run on six hits in six innings. Reliever Josh Martin pitched two scoreless innings, giving up just one hit.

Senators right-hander Austin Voth gave up two runs and five hits in eight innings in a no-decision.

2015 Bridgestone Invitational leaderboard, TV schedule, tee times, updates and fan guide for the tournament that begins today featuring Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Jim Furyk and Phil Mickelson

AKRON, Ohio -- The 2015 Bridgestone Invitational begins Thursday. Below are our live leaderboard, TV schedule, links to live streaming and tee times, and updates on Jordan Spieth, Rickie Fowler, Phil Mickelson and the field at Firestone Country Club.

Injured defending champion Rory McIlroy and 2013 winner Tiger Woods, who did not qualify, will not play.

2015 BRIDGESTONE INVITATIONAL

Where: Firestone Country Club, South Course, 452 East Warner Road, Akron.

Purse: $9,250,000. Winner's share: $1,570,000

Event link: www.worldgolfchampionships.com/bridgestone-invitational 

Live streaming: pgatourlive.com

Golf channel live stream: stream.golfchannel.com

Note: Leaderboard will be updated when play begins at 9:25 a.m.

TV SCHEDULE

• Thursday: Golf Channel, 1:30 p.m.
• Friday: Golf Channel, 1:30 p.m.
• Saturday: Golf Channel, noon; CBS, 2 p.m.
• Sunday: Golf Channel, noon; CBS, 2 p.m.

COURSE SCHEDULE 

• Thursday: First round. Gates open 7:30 a.m. Play begins at 9:25 a.m.
• Friday: Second round. Gates open 7:30 a.m. Play begins at 9:25 a.m.
• Saturday: Third round. Gates open 7:00 a.m. Military appreciation ceremony 9:30 a.m. at the Championship Club.
• Sunday: Final round. Gates open 7:00 a.m. Trophy presentation at the conclusion of play at 18th green.

PAIRINGS, TEE TIMES

Masters and U.S. Open champ Jordan Spieth and British Open champ Zach Johnson are the featured pair, teeing off at 2:15 p.m. at hole No. 1 Thursday.

• Click here for complete tee times and pairings.

Other notable pairs:

• Jason Day and Rickie Fowler, 10:25 a.m. on No. 10.
• Former champ Hunter Mahan and Camilo Villigas at 10:25 a.m. at No. 1.
• Former champ Keegan Bradley with Marcel Siem at 10:45 a.m. at No. 1.
• Dustin Johnson and Bubba Watson at 10:35 a.m. at No. 10.
• Last year's runner-up, Sergio Garcia, and Patrick Reed at 10:55 a.m. at No. 10. 
• Phil Mickelson and Justin Rose at 2:25 p.m. on No. 1.
• Matt Kutchar and Hideki Matsuyama at 2:35 p.m. at No. 1.
• Henrik Stenson and Jim Furyk in the final group at 2:45 p.m. at No. 1.

NEWS

Previews, updates, complete coverage: Available throughout the tournament at cleveland.com/golf

THE COURSE

Firestone's famed South Course has hosted the PGA Championship three times and has been the site of the Bridgestone Invitational and its predecessor, the World Series of Golf, almost continuously since 1962.

• Par: 70 (four par 3s, two par 5s)
• Length: 7,400 yards.
• 72-hole record: 259, Tiger Woods (2000).
• 18-hole record: 61, Jose Maria Olazabal (1990), Tiger Woods (2000 and 2013), Sergio Garcia (2014).

• Fairway, green grass type: Bent grass.

FEATURED HOLES:

• No. 4. The 471-yard par 4 requires a long, straight tee shot and a sticky approach shot onto an elevated green. Spieth had three bogeys on this hole last year.
• No. 5. A tiny green at the end of the 220-yard par 3 can be reached with a 5- or 6-iron, unless the wind blows, and then it gets interesting.
• No. 6. The club's web site describes the par 4 as "469 yards of heartburn." It usually ranks as the course's toughest hole.
• No. 15. The 221-yard par 3 features a flat green, but bunkers on the left of the green are hidden and attract numerous tee shots.
• No. 16. The Famed "Monster,'' so named by Arnold Palmer after he took triple bogey there. The 667-yarder is among the longest par 5s on the tour. Making matters worse is a pond fronting the green. Finishing at the main walkway and next to the 18^th green, it is a popular spot for fans and often provides great theater.
• No. 18. The long (464 yards), narrow par 4 has a green defended by bunkers and is a difficult place to make birdie.

FAN INFO

Camera, phone policy

Cameras are allowed during the practice round Wednesday, but once the tournament starts, no photographs are allowed, and fans are asked to silence their mobile devices.

Music After Play

Olivia Lane will perform Friday and the Clarks Saturday at the Fan Zone after play is completed.

Fan Zone

The Taste of Ohio Cafe and the 16^th Hole Bridgestone Green Monster Challenge are near food trucks along the main concourse.

Before you move on to Day 7, here's what you need to know from Day 6. Watch video

BEREA, Ohio -- The Browns will hold their final practice on Thursday before the Orange and Brown scrimmage in Columbus. Practice is slated to start at 9:30 a.m.

Before you turn your attention to Day 7, here's a look back at the key stories from Day 6.

Luxury comes at a price and in John Greco-Cameron Erving battle, a good lineman will sit for Cleveland Browns

Tom Reed

Which brings us to the Browns' battle at right guard featuring incumbent John Greco and versatile first-rounder Cameron Erving. You don't draft an offensive lineman No. 19 overall with designs on red-shirting him. You also don't want to sit a veteran who did nothing to lose his job last season. The Browns, though, find themselves facing this short-term conundrum. Read more >>

Browns' Barkevious Mingo absent from practice with knee injury, extent unknown

Mary Kay Cabot

Mingo was at the Browns facility Wednesday morning when he felt some stiffness in the knee and remained inside. If he misses significant time, it will mark another setback in his young career. As a rookie, Mingo suffered a bruised lung in preseason and sat out the opener. Last year, he gutted it out through the torn labrum and played with a harness on the shoulder. Read more >>

Offense must take advantage of turnovers, short fields

Tom Reed

A year ago, few NFL teams forced more turnovers than the Browns - or got less in return from them.

The club finished fourth in creating 29 turnovers, but averaged a paltry 2.3 points on the ensuing possessions. Just four teams averaged fewer points off turnovers, according to the Elias Sports Bureau, all with fewer takeaways than the Browns. Read more >>

Nate Orchard plays as advertised in practice on Wednesday: Who won the day?

Dan Labbe

Orchard, currently working mostly with the second team, will be called on to help the Browns boost a defense that was 27th in sacks last year. Paul Kruger registered double figures, with 11, with only one other player getting more than three -- Desmond Bryant, with five. Orchard recorded 18.5 sacks in his final season at Utah. Read more >>

Terrelle Pryor, Dwayne Bowe, Duke Johnson will all likely sit out scrimmage at Ohio State

Mary Kay Cabot

Terrelle Pryor's much-anticipated return to Ohio Stadium on Friday night is in jeopardy.

Pryor might still set foot on the Ohio State turf for the first time since being banned in 2011 for five years amid a memorabilia scandal, but he's unlikely to see the field. Read more >>

Can Jim Harbaugh lead Michigan over Ohio State in his first season in Ann Arbor?

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Here's our schedule breakdown of Ohio State's season, as we assign a chance for each opponent to beat the defending national champion Buckeyes. We'll continue multiplying those chances until we reach our final number, the chance we think Ohio State has to go 12-0 during the 2015 regular season.

Michigan Wolverines

vs. Ohio State: Saturday, Nov. 28 at Michigan Stadium in Ann Arbor, Mich. Kickoff time has yet to be announced, but it's basically a formality, expect this one to be a noon kickoff as usual.

2014 record: 5-7, 3-5, tied for fourth in the Big Ten East.

Bowl: No bowl for the Wolverines last year, the first time they haven't been bowl-eligible since 2009. Michigan's last bowl win came over Virginia Tech in the 2012 Sugar Bowl.

Returning starters: 15 (eight offense, seven defense)

Phil Steele preseason rank: No. 31

* More Michigan coverage from mlive.com

Week before OSU game: Michigan will be coming off back-to-back road games against Indiana and Penn State. It's hard to peg how much Michigan could improve in its first season under Jim Harbaugh, but it's not out of the question to think the Wolverines could be coming into this game looking for their first 10-win season since 2011.

Chances to beat Ohio State: 18 percent. When we originally planned this schedule breakdown out, we gave the Wolverines the best chance of beating Ohio State. You know now it's been flipped. Michigan State was 20 percent, the Wolverines are just behind at 18.

Ohio State will be favored in this game, likely a big favorite. But that hasn't meant much over the last two years. The Buckeyes were a three-touchdown favorite last year and it was tied 21-21 in the third quarter before Ohio State won 42-28. Ohio State was a 16-point favorite in 2013, and needed a Tyvis Powell interception on a late two-point conversation attempt to win 42-41.

Don't expect Urban Meyer vs. Harbaugh I to be anything other than a close game.

How they could compete with Ohio State: If Harbaugh gets things turned around sooner than expected. The close scores the last two years suggest that there isn't an extremely wide talent gap between Ohio State and Michigan. Don't forget that Brady Hoke recruited well, it's the developing of players once they got on campus that was part of the problem.

Harbaugh has given off a vibe that he still doesn't quite know what he has at Michigan, and it's possible he's still tinkering midway through the season. But if he gets those pieces aligned in November, and has Michigan playing his brand of football, there's no reason to think that the Wolverines couldn't make this a game.

Michigan was hurting the last two years and still found itself in position to beat Ohio State.

On their offense: Michigan needs a quarterback. It sounds like it's going to come down to Iowa graduate transfer Jake Rudock or junior Shane Morris. Morris was a blue-chip prospect, the No. 3 pro-style quarterback in the country, when he signed with Michigan. But Harbaugh still made it a point to go out and get Rudock, who we had No. 28 in our list of the top 50 Big Ten football players for 2015.

The competition will play out throughout the summer. The winner will be the guy who protects the football best, but Harbaugh's vision for a successful offense starts with a dominant running game.

Which pieces will form that dominant running game haven't quite come into view yet. Harbaugh hasn't put out any kind of depth chart. Our friends at Mlive.com have senior Graham Glasgow, junior Kyle Kalis, junior Ben Braden, junior Erik Magnuson and sophomore Mason Cole as the expected starters on the offensive line (so does Phil Steele). Exactly where is still unknown. What's important is that all five have starting experience.

There's competition at running back, too. Junior De'veon Smith was Michigan's best back in the spring, but Harbaugh hasn't solidified anything there yet. There's also Drake Johnson, who played well against the Buckeyes last year before tearing his ACL. Former five-star prospect Derrick Green is in the mix, as is USC transfer Ty Isaac. Smith (519 yards), Green (471) and Johnson (361) were Michigan's three leading rushers in 2014.

Tight end Jake Butt (No. 44 on our list) is back for his junior season after notching 211 receiving yards and two touchdowns last year. Leading receiver Devin Funchess is gone, but Amara Darboh is back after catching 36 passes for 473 yards and two touchdowns in 2014. Junior Jehu Chesson and sophomore Freddy Canteen should be in the mix as well.

A name that hasn't been mentioned? Former five-star prospect Jabrill Peppers. Expect him to start on defense at safety, but Harbaugh didn't rule out the idea of Peppers playing offense. If that's the case, he's a candidate to get time at receiver or running back.

On their defense: Michigan has a new defensive coordinator, former Meyer assistant D.J. Durkin. He'll have plenty of experience to work with with 24 players from the final two-deep of 2014 back this year. That was a top-10 defense in 2014 according to cfbstats. com

There's an anticipated change in scheme that could rely more heavily on a 3-4 base, but just as with the offense, nobody really knows which pieces are going to fit where.

Three of Michigan's top-five tacklers are back. Outside linebacker Joe Bolden, who had 102 tackles last year, is one of three senior linebackers who will start, and he's expected to be the leader of the defense, filling a role held by Jake Ryan.

The Wolverines have plenty to work with on the defensive line, too, whether they decide to use a three- or four-man front. Ryan Glasgow, Willie Henry, Maurice Hurst and Bryan Mone are all back at defensive tackle. Taco Charlton, Chris Wormley, Mario Ojemudia, Royce Jenkins-Stone and redshirt freshman Lawrence Marshall will work at defensive end. Charlton and Ojemudia each had 3.5 sacks last year.

On the back end, Peppers (No. 22) will play alongside safety Jarrod Wilson, who was third on the team with 50 tackles last year. At corner, Jourdan Lewis, who made seven starts last year is back, and Stanford graduate transfer Wayne Lyons is expected to start on the other side.

Projection: Michigan has a lot back, the most experienced depth chart in the country according to Phil Steele. What does that mean? Could mean nothing, and it might take more than a year for Harbaugh to get the Wolverines back on track. Our original inclination to make this Ohio State's toughest game was based on us thinking Harbaugh will have things figured out by then. That's a big guess to make, so we went the more known commodity and made Michigan State the toughest game. But if Michigan has things figured out by the end of November, then this will be a serious hurdle for the Buckeyes to get over before the postseason.

Previous games

* Virginia Tech: 10 percent chance to win

* Hawaii: 0.1 percent chance to win

* Northern Illinois: 2 percent chance to win

* Western Michigan: 1.1 percent chance to win

* Indiana: 4 percent chance to win

* Maryland: 2 percent chance to win

* Penn State: 3 percent chance to win

* Rutgers: 0.7 percent chance to win

* Illinois: 0.2 percent chance to win

* Michigan State: 20 percent chance to win

Cleveland sports fans wonder about the Indians' sagging offense, how the Tribe will draw crowds in late summer and what it means to "play like a Brown."

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- You Said It is based on the premise that the only thing Cleveland sports fans need more than a championship is a sense of humor...

 YOU SAID IT

Hey Bud: I see where David Murphy said that when he found out he was traded, he wondered how a truck was going to get his items from Cleveland to California. I guess $7,000,000 doesn't go very far these days! -- Ted, Concord

When you've spent the season seeing runners stranded like a semi on blocks, you tend to think a lot of things are impossible.

Dear Bud: The other night I caught myself hurrying home so I wouldn't miss any of the Indians-Angels game. Is there any hope for me? - Jim O, Chardon

It all depends on where you were hurrying home from. A night out with family and friends? There's reason to worry about your decision making. A You Said It contributor think tank? You upgraded.

Hey Bud: Separated at birth...Josh McCown/John Elway - Tim, Canton

I'm pretty sure that's how Dwayne Bowe sees it and he isn't talking physical resemblance.

Bud: I'm confused as to the difference between OTAs, mandatory voluntary workouts and minicamps. At which do the Patriots teach obstruction of justice and destruction of evidence? Or is that at rookie orientation? - Mike on the Pike

I'm confused, too. Why are you ruling out "all of the above" as an answer?

Bud: In an effort to boost sagging attendance, will the Indians host a 'Republican Presidential Candidate Night' at Progressive Field? -- Jim Corrigan, Fairview Park

You Said It winners' contribution to society is up for debate.

Bud: Did "See The USA In Your Yugo" get approved in the same meeting as "Play Like A Brown"? - Michael Sarro

Repeat winners take it to another level.

The Highland football team is No. 22 in the cleveland.com high school football Preseason Top 25 countdown. See top players, keys to a successful season, photos and videos setting up the 2015 season.

MEDINA, Ohio – The cleveland.com high school football Preseason Top 25 countdown continues today with the unveiling of Northeast Ohio's No. 22 team, the Highland Hornets.

Check cleveland.com/hssports daily as the Top 25 is revealed one team per day, leading up to the announcement of the area's top-ranked team on Aug. 27.  

PREVIOUSLY: No. 25 Madison, No. 24 Elyria, No. 23 Wadsworth.

Here is more on Highland's football team as it enters the 2015 season, which begins at home against Brunswick on Aug. 28.

4 keys for making deep playoff run

1. Veteran blockers: Despite the loss of most of last year's starters, Highland does have two major components from its rushing game back: Center Tyler Frederick and guard Hunter Meachum. The two seniors provide a solid front for senior running back Sam Jenkins and junior Chris Burnside. 

2. Develop the passing game: QB Tyler Zelinski had a trial by fire last year after Blake Phelps suffered a concussion in the first week. Zelinski stepped up in a big way but will have many new receivers who have not been in the spotlight.  

3. Air-tight defense: The Hornets have a couple of highly-talented guys in two-way linemen Frederick and Dela Cerna. They bring postseason experience and leadership to a fresh-faced starting roster. 

4. Coach needs players to buy in: Whenever a new coach takes over, it is critical that players are motivated to play under their new leader. Mike Gibbons is in his first year at Highland after two seasons at Beachwood. He has postseason experience as do his returning upperclassmen, which means it shouldn't be difficult to get players to believe that together they have a great shot at a playoff run this year. 

MORE ABOUT HIGHLAND 

Click here to see 2015 schedule

OHSAA division, region: Division II, Region 4. 

Conference: Suburban League, American Division.

2014 record: 8-3. 

Coach: Mike Gibbons. 

Coach’s record at school: n/a. 

Coach’s career record: 11-11. 

Key returners:

Manny Dela Cerna, OLB, Sr., 5-9, 180. 

Tyler Frederick, C/DL, Sr., 6-1, 265. 

Sam Jenkins RB, Sr., 5-10, 180.

Hunter Meachum, OL, Sr., 6-2, 245. 

Tyler Zelinsky, QB, Sr., 6-3, 180. 

Newcomers to watch:

Chris Burnside RB/OLB, Jr., 5-10, 185. 

Mitchell Hutchings, WR, Jr., 6-3,180.

Scout report

Strengths: Highland has solid blocking up front with returning starters Frederick and Meachum. The team should be able to throw and run in equal proportions with RB Jenkins and QB Zelinski, who showed he has what it takes to lead an offense last year. Chris Burnside gives the Hornets a second running option and will be a welcome presence at linebacker beside Dela Cerna. 

Concerns: With few returning starters, the team will need to develop its newcomers. Zelinski has young targets who will need to step up in order to take pressure off the running game. 

Bottom line: Highland has a lot of potential. First-year coach Mike Gibbons does have experienced leaders in senior quarterback Tyler Zelinski. If receivers like junior Mitchell Hutchings step up, they will have a legitimately worrisome passing game for opponents. With solid two-way linemen like Tyler Frederick and Manny Dela Cerna, the Hornets should be able to compete in the Suburban League, American Division. 

Follow Highland all season

Bookmark the team’s cleveland.com webpage to see every post pertaining to Highland. 

Burke's new book "Saban: The Making of a Coach" is out this week. It digs into Saban's career but can also offer a window into Meyer as it analyzes life as a big-time football coach in this era.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Nick Saban speaks well of his rivals in public. Monte Burke spent 18 months interviewing 250 people about the Alabama coach for his new book "Saban: The Making of a Coach," so he has some insight into how Saban really thinks.

And there was a name that popped up now and then during Burke's research: Urban Meyer.

"It did ocassionally, not as much as I thought it might," Burke told the Northeast Ohio Media Group in a phone interview about the book, which was released Tuesday. "One thing I did hear - no one necessarily went into details - but I did hear there's not a lot of love lost between the two. I couldn't figure out exactly where that came from. But there's definitely a rivalry."

That rivalry, possibly fueled by Saban not returning a phone call when Meyer inquired about a job years ago, took off in the SEC. It was rekindled in last year's College Football Playoff semifinal, when Ohio State beat Saban and Alabama.

This year, the Buckeyes will be No. 1 in the preseason and Alabama will remain in the top five, both leading national title contenders again. So though they're in separate conferences, Saban and Alabama should matter to Ohio State fans caught up in Meyer's world.

* 7 things you'll learn in Saban book

While Burke, a staff writer at Forbes who was compelled to write the book after doing a story on Saban in 2008, researched one college coaching legend in the making, his discoveries may inform Ohio State fans about Meyer as well.

Not because Meyer is a primary topic. Because Meyer and Saban, if different in style, are united by their success and status in the celebrity world of elite college football coaches.

"College football coaches, they are in a unique position in American life now," Burke said. "It's one of the last places, besides the U.S. military, where you can just yell at people. You have to be incredible recruiters, not only in identifying talent but in wooing it; administrators; media celebrities; teachers ... I think they occupy a really specific and almost unique niche in American life."

The following are excerpts from a 45-minute conversation with Burke, about the book, Saban and college football coaching in this era.

Q: What did you learn about Nick Saban and Urban Meyer?

A: I find it interesting that both of them worked under Earle Bruce (at Ohio State) and it seemed to me they had different experiences with Bruce, who was a great interview for the book.

It seemed like Urban got a lot of good things from Bruce and Saban's tenure was really rocky. The only time Saban has ever been fired is when he was an assistant at Ohio State under Earle Bruce. They clashed a lot. It was the beginning of the transition period where offenses became a lot more potent. Saban saw that transition happening, and Bruce was very old school, so they went head-to-head.

One coach said there was one meeting where Saban laughed at Bruce over his old school ways and you could hear a pin drop. So they seemed to come out of working for Bruce with two very different experiences.

The big difference of course is the offense (Meyer) vs. the defense (Saban). According to people I talked to, Saban just can't stand that (spread) offense for a number of reasons. One is he had trouble in the past dealing with it. And he's kind of a purist, with that old school mindset where defense was king. And what that offense does has almost taken out defense out of the equation. The chess match becomes more like checkers. 

Q: Is Nick Saban scary?

A: I think he is kind of scary. A lot of his players told me - he's not very tall - that they couldn't believe that this booming voice came out of this relatively small frame. And when he walked down the hall, you could hear not only his footfalls, but he always jingled change, and they kind of knew he was coming.

So I think he's scary, but what was interesting to me is how personable and charismatic he is when he is in the living room with a recruit and the recruit's family. Particularly with the moms. I think he turns that public persona on its head, which works to his advantage. You kind of willfully get caught in his backdraft, which is the opposite of what we see on the field. Part of that is he is very introverted and very shy, so I think in public that manifests itself as being scary.

Q: Why is he successful? Why do kids want to play for him?

A: I think with a lot of these college coaches, it's a cult of personality. College football programs are defined by their coach. And he's got two incredible sort of innate traits.

Monte Burke is the author of the new Nick Saban biography "Saban: The Making of a Coach," which was released Tuesday. (Book jacket photograph by Todd Kirkland; Monte Burke photo by Heidi Burke)  

One is being able to identify talent and identify who will be good. He has an uncanny eye.

Then I talked to probably two dozen high school coaches who had interacted with him and who said he was different than anybody else, including Urban at Florida. They had seen all these guys come through and there is a sort of used car salesman type of thing that goes on in recruiting, with a lot of big promises. And one thing Saban does not do is promise this will happen and puff up a player. When he got to Alabama he said, 'This is my plan and this is how you fit into my plan.'

A lot of high school coaches will say he gives off an aura of success, too. He arrives in a private plane, he's chauffeured to the door, sometimes the back door, he wears these incredibly well-tailored suits, he compliments the mother on her china and he gives off this aura.

Many high school coaches said other people may have been more personable and buddy-buddy and he wasn't necessarily like that. But he's the closer. 

Q: What do you think is ahead for him? Is Alabama his last job? And when he's done could he be viewed as the best college football coach of all-time?

A: He has someone who has popped up a little closer in his rearview mirror thanks to last year. So that is up to debate. Without a doubt he's the best coach of the BCS era. The legacy, we'll see what Urban does and see what Saban does. He has recruited so well, I'd be shocked for the next couple years if Saban loses more than two games a year.

Last year in a way was one of his best coaching jobs. The defense wasn't that great. Blake Sims was not a very good quarterback. And they felt like they overachieved a little bit. It's possible he found a little happiness and will stay put at Alabama. But I do think he looked at the Texas job closer than people realize. He was closer to taking that than people realize.

I think Alabama fans would like to think with this latest show of appreciation with his big contract that he would stay. He's not a young man (age 63) anymore, so legacy starts to mean something to these guys at some point. There's a couple ways to establish that legacy.

One is to stay at Alabama and win another championship or two and cement yourself right alongside Bear Bryant. Another way to do it would be to go to another place and rebuild that and do it yet again. My gut says the Texas thing may have been the last sort of dalliance that he has and he may just stick it out at Alabama.

I've got to think somewhere in Saban's head, he craves unconditional love. And I think he doesn't quite have it yet from Alabama fans. His track record of jumping around, of wanting to feel appreciated is still there. It haunts him to a certain degree. But if he sticks it out I think he could reach that, that love tinged with nostalgia.

Q: Can these high-powered college football coaches who are like CEOs live normal, healthy lives?

A: To most of us it would not be a healthy life. You don't see your family very much at all. And one of the most surprising things to me was how many times he expressed that regret about being a poor father, about doing a poor job as a husband, about just not being there.

So by normal definitions it's not very healthy. It's also very high stress. It's all-consuming.

Tragedy has provided Hankins with some perspective. His bad days aren't so bad. The good days are something to cherish. An 0-for-5 evening isn't what perseveres. No matter what happens, Hankins has already lived out part of a lifelong dream.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Sometimes, just the taste of a dream can be satisfying enough.

There's no telling how long one's vision is supposed to last, anyway. Maybe a day, maybe a decade.

Todd Hankins knows what it's like to have a short, sweet sampling of satisfaction.

He savors his first professional season, a quick, 65-game stint at Mahoning Valley, the residence of the Cleveland Indians' short-season Class A affiliate.

That 10-week sojourn in 2011 indicated that he made it. He could identify himself as a professional baseball player. And his mother -- for a few games, at least -- could watch him play.

'Whoa, man. That's you.'

Hankins' father, Dohn, used to live in Atlanta. He became a fan of the Georgia Bulldogs and his son followed suit.

"That was my dream college," Hankins said.

The dream became a temporary reality. Hankins committed to Georgia during his junior year of high school. He received a partial scholarship to play baseball.

He batted .320 in 42 games during his freshman season in Athens, Ga. The university, though, raised tuition, so he deemed it financially prudent to transfer to an in-state school. He relocated to Seminole State, about a half-hour drive from his home in central Florida. There, he incurred minimal costs. He planned to transfer to Jacksonville University after his sophomore year at the junior college.

Hankins hit .388 with nine home runs in 46 games at Seminole State. A few pitchers on his team lured scouts to their games. Finally, Hankins had some exposure. Finally, he had some extra motivation behind that dream.

"I realized, 'Hey, if I have a good season here, there's a really good shot [at being drafted], maybe after this season,' Hankins said. "I knew there was a chance in the back of my mind that I might sign professionally if I got the right amount of money to be able to pull me away from going back to college."

Hankins was preparing for a Florida Collegiate Summer League Game on June 8, 2011. He played for the Winter Park Diamond Dawgs. He tracked the first few rounds of the MLB amateur draft's final day on his computer at home. Then, he had to leave to go to his game.

He followed the draft on his phone until the team occupied the diamond for infield and outfield practice. Hankins put down his phone and went out to stretch. He later retreated to the dugout and one of his teammates, a pitcher who didn't need to participate in defensive drills, had the draft tracker displayed on his phone. Hankins peered at the phone and saw a name pop up next to an Indians logo. It was his name. The Tribe selected Hankins in the 15th round.

"He was like, 'Whoa, man. That's you,'" Hankins said. "I knew I had a shot, but to actually see your name scroll up is a pretty cool feeling."

Hankins' parents watched their son's game that night. He went 2-for-3 with a home run and a double.

"It was a really exciting day for me," he said.

His parents made the trek to Niles, Ohio, to watch him play a few times with Mahoning Valley. The season wrapped up in early September. Hankins then returned to Florida for the offseason.

His mother never saw him play again.

"She got to see me play professionally, even though it was just that one part of the short season," Hankins said.

'You're just living life'

Hankins was supposed to work at a baseball camp on the morning of Oct. 8, 2011. Dohn had taken Wendy, Hankins' mother, to the hospital the night before.

Wendy was tough, if not a bit stubborn. The hospital was a last resort. That night, she suffered from a headache and she felt sick. Dohn drove her to the emergency room.

"Doctors couldn't figure out what was wrong with her," Hankins said.

Wendy had previously undergone an ablation, a minor heart procedure performed to normalize one's heart rhythm. As a result, she was on blood thinners.

On this day, Wendy had a stroke. She had an aneurysm. She was bleeding out.

Dohn called his son and urged him to ditch his camp. By the time Hankins arrived at the hospital that morning, his mother was on life support.

"It was truly unexpected and you're just living life not expecting anything to go wrong and then my mom passed away," Hankins said. "That was definitely the hardest day of my life."

'0-for-5 a hundred times'

It's just Hankins and his dad at their Florida home during the offseason. Hankins saves on rent and bills. His older sister lives in Alabama. His younger sister is in college.

They all visited Akron last week to watch Hankins play for the RubberDucks. Two weeks earlier, Hankins started in the Eastern League All-Star Game in Portland, Maine.

His numbers aren't flashy -- a .254 batting average with six home runs, 33 RBIs, 20 stolen bases and 53 runs scored in 101 games at Double-A. He prides himself on speed and versatility. This season, he has appeared at second base, shortstop and all three outfield spots. He has played third base in the past.

"He's versatile," said Carter Hawkins, the Indians' director of player development. "He can play basically everywhere but catcher and first base and he has above average speed. ... You wish you could have a hundred guys like him."

Hankins wishes he could trade a hundred hitless games for the ability to turn back time. Above all, though, he's relieved to know his mother witnessed her son wearing a professional uniform. It was a brief moment, but an everlasting one.

"It is cool to know that she did get to see me sign and play professionally," Hankins said. "I know she's watching down on me now, so she's still seeing me play, it's just not in person. I know she'd be proud of me if she was here. If I make it, it will be really cool and I know she'll be watching down on me, smiling and being happy to see that. But she would be happy no matter what I was doing. If I end up not making it in baseball and doing something else, I know she'd be proud of me no matter what."

Tragedy has provided Hankins with some perspective. His bad days aren't so bad. The good days are something to cherish. An 0-for-5 evening isn't what perseveres. No matter what happens, Hankins has already lived out part of a lifelong dream.

"Baseball is just a game," he said. "It's a big part of our lives and it's something we're doing every single day and putting our heart and soul into, but there are bigger things in life than baseball.

"When you're having a bad day at the field, you still have your family. There are bigger things than baseball and I learned that when my mom passed away. It's not the biggest thing in the world. When I have a bad day at the plate and I'm struggling, I think, 'Man, this is nothing compared to what I've already gone through in losing my mom.'

"I'd go 0-for-5 a hundred times if I'd be able to have my mom back here.' It's not something I really use as motivation, trying to make it to the big leagues for my mom. There is more to life than that. But it will definitely be something where, if I do make it, it'll definitely be in the back of my mind, thinking about what her reaction would be if she was still here."

Learn about know Streetsboro WR/CB Dakari Carter on and off the football field in this expanded profile.

STREETSBORO, Ohio – Get to know Streetsboro WR/CB Dakari Carter on and off the football field in this expanded profile.

The profile contains key information like height/weight and national rankings, in addition to a full and updated college recruiting breakdown of offers and campus visit details. And because of all the access we have with Carter, we’re helping you get to know him away from football. Who knew he hopes to one day become a sports broadcaster?

Carter is among dozens of Northeast Ohio football players with his own personalized cleveland.com player page, which will be updated by Northeast Ohio Media Group reporters throughout his career with all the latest news on his college recruiting and high school performance.

Soon we will have one webpage where you can access every player’s individual page.

Now it’s time to get to know Carter on and away from the football field.

VITALS

Graduation year: 2017.

Position: WR/CB.

Height, weight: 5-9, 160. 

Analysis of his game: Carter is an impact player in all three phases of the football, which is rare in today's game, according to Streetsboro coach John Arlesic. In addition to his athletic ability, Carter has grown into a team leader, both through his actions and words. It is widely known that Carter is fast, but he also brings a toughness to field. That combination is what sets him apart from the average football player. Arlesic feels fortunate to have coached seven players who made it to the NFL thinks Carter has the potential to be next. 

FOLLOW ON SOCIAL MEDIA

Twitter: @Cvrter6

LATEST COLLEGE RECRUITING NEWS

National recruiting services say

247Sports says: Not rated.

Rivals.com says: Not rated.

Scout says: Not rated.

Breakdown of offers

See his player profile for his main offers and status. Here is a full list.

Offers: Akron, Bowling Green, Cincinnati, Ohio University, Toledo. 

Insiders say: Though he lacks size, his speed makes up for it and he is continuously working to gain more strength, putting on some weight in the process. 

Breakdown of campus visits (schools that have offered scholarships)

Cincinnati: Participated in a camp in Spring 2015.

Other campus stops

Michigan State: Unofficial visit Fall 2014. Was invited to come down for a game during football season with teammates Jerry Judd and Jonathan Williams. 

Ohio State: Attended Friday Nights Lights on July 24, 2015, which was not on campus but in the Columbus area, which Carter likes a lot. Was told by coach Arlesic to expect to see OSU scouts at Streetsboro games throughout the season. 

Pitt: Unofficial visit on July 28, 2015. Likes the atmosphere around the city and campus. 

OFF THE FOOTBALL FIELD

What are your personal goals for this season? Just to become a better football player all around. A better leader, a better teammate and better brother to my teammates. I would like better stats too but I think that will just come with me doing those other things and everything else that I'm supposed to be doing. 

Who is your personal role model? I listen to a lot of music and my favorite artist is Drake and I find his music is very motivational. It motivates me to do better. I also look up to New York Giants receiver Odell Beckham Jr. I see how athletic he is and how he plays the game, fast and strong, and I see myself being like that and being in those shoes. 

Where do you see yourself doing over the next 10 years? Graduating college and hopefully taking my football playing to the next level, if that's God's plan. I see myself being successful and happy. I see football in the future. I see track in the future. 

What kind of career could you see yourself in outside of athletics? I could see myself in the sports medical field, maybe doing physical therapy, becoming a chiropractor, a team physician or something like that. 

Follow our high school sports Twitter account @NEOvarsity and tag your high school sports Tweets and score updates with the #NEOVarsity hashtag.

Contact high school sports reporter Robert Rozboril by email (rrozboril@cleveland.com), on Twitter (@rrozboril) or on Facebook (facebook.com/rrozboril). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Check out a compilation of videos featuring Streetsboro football standout Dakari Carter.

STREETSBORO, Ohio – Here is a compilation of videos featuring Streetsboro football standout Dakari Carter.

Look for the amount of videos to grow rapidly when the season begins and to include action as well as feature footage and postgame interviews. The most recent video appears first.

Carter is among dozens of Northeast Ohio football players with his own personalized cleveland.com player page, which will be updated by Northeast Ohio Media Group reporters throughout his career with all the latest news on his college recruiting and high school performance.

Soon we will have one webpage where you can access every player’s individual page. Have you seen additional videos featuring Carter? If so, we invite you to paste a link to the video in the comments section at the bottom of this post.  

Listen to what Carter had to say after winning his second consecutive state title in the 100-meter dash.

Watch a Streetsboro team video from Media Day with Dakari Carter sitting between quarterback Jerry Judd and coach John Arlesic. Check out highlights from Carter's 2014 season with the Rockets.

Also, see highlights from his freshman season.

Follow our high school sports Twitter account @NEOvarsity and tag your high school sports Tweets and score updates with the #NEOVarsity hashtag.

Contact high school sports reporter Robert Rozboril by email (rrozboril@cleveland.com), on Twitter (@rrozboril) or on Facebook (facebook.com/rrozboril). Or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Find tons of content about Streetsboro football player Dakari Carter, including pictures and videos.

STREETSBORO, Ohio -- Welcome to a gateway to a plethora of content about Streetsboro football player Dakari Carter, including pictures and videos.

Carter is among dozens of Northeast Ohio football players with his own personalized cleveland.com player page, which will be updated by Northeast Ohio Media Group reporters throughout his career with all the latest news on his college recruiting and high school performance.

Soon we will have one webpage where you can access every player’s individual page.

Check out the photo gallery above, including some pictures the player shared with us from his cell phone, and look for the slideshow to be updated throughout the season.

Below is a compilation of content about Carter by NEOMG reporters, as well as other media outlets in the region and state and the national recruiting services. Look for it to grow rapidly when the season begins.

Bookmark this page and check back often for the latest on Carter. The most recent content appears first: 

Carter impressed many college recruiters with his speed during the Friday Nights Lights event at Ohio State on July 26. 

Speed and ability netted Carter five Division I offers as of April 30. More are likely in his future. 

Carter made headlines when he won the Division II state title in the 100-meter dash for the second straight year this past spring. 

See what Carter had to say after winning the state title in the 100 as a sophomore.  

He gave his supporters a scare when he suffered a hamstring strain during 4x100 relay at states but made a fairly speedy recovery. 

Learn everything you could want to know about Streetsboro football player Dakari Carter in this edition of cleveland.com's Top Targets series.

Links to every player page to date:

Dakari Carter, Streetsboro: With his reputation for being one of the fastest athletes in Northeast Ohio, the junior Rocket perfectly represents his school's mascot. His speed gives college scouts cause to overlook his small stature. Carter is a versatile two-way player -- an impact player at wide receiver, cornerback and on kickoff and punt returns. He hold five Division I offers heading into the 2015 season and will likely get several more before his senior year. 

Lance Billings, Clearview: The Clearview senior has been an impact player in each of the last two seasons, where he earned All-Ohio honors twice as a wide receiver. Billings, an Iowa recruit at defensive back, is very capable on the defensive side after recording three interceptions in 2014 and returning two for touchdowns. At 5-11, Billings is a fast athlete with the ball skills to excel on both sides of the ball.

Alex Mathews, Mentor: Mathews has offers from Air Force, Colgate and Harvard, and with Cardinals coach Steve Trivisonno saying the senior will carry the load this season, expect him to give recruiters an eyeful. He has been a mainstay of the Mentor offense the last two seasons, and as a junior  in a pass-first offense rushed for 938 yards and 15 TDs. He was second-team All-Northeast Lakes District last season. Expect Mathews rushing numbers, district placement and number of Division I offers to all rise this season.

DeMann Wilson, Glenville: The senior Tarblooder could make for a interesting story this season with no offers on the table, but talent to show. According to Scout.com, Ohio State, Purdue and Pitt have expressed interest in having Wilson. The senior linebacker and defensive end has given opposing quarterbacks and linemen problems standing at 6-3 and weighing in at 215-pounds.

Jonah Morris, Archbishop Hoban: The Knights senior ranks among Northeast Ohio's tallest top targets at 6-foot-4, with quickness and elusiveness to match his stature. Morris had a breakout season in 2014 and committed earlier this year to Michigan State. He stands to put up even more impressive numbers in 2015 with the addition of quarterback Danny Clark (an Ohio State commit) to the Hoban lineup.

Joey Johnson, John Adams: The senior athlete plays on both sides of the football and remains a player still under the radar. Johnson is projected to do really well this season and has attracted interested from a handful of MAC schools so far. Last season he threw for 510 yards as a quarterback, but on defense had 17 total tackles. Johnson is quiet on the field, but his play on the field speaks loudly.

Niko Lalos, St. Vincent-St. Mary: The 6-foot-5, 230-pounder impressed in his first full season on varsity last season. The senior did some of his best work on defense where he recorded 61 tackles, including a couple of sacks, an interception and a fumble recovery. In addition to defensive end and and linebacker, Lalos is also likely to see a fair amount of playing time at wide receiver and tight end this year. 

Joey Bachie, Berea-Midpark: The senior linebacker and Michigan State recruit is the anchor of Berea-Midpark's defense with the speed to be a disruptive force. Bachie attacks the play well defensively and makes sure to finish each play effectively. With a 4.5-second 40-yard-dash time, Bachie is very athletic and is a true playmaker on defense.

Javonte Richardson, Maple Heights: At 6-foot-4, Richardson is a big target with great hands at receiver. He helped Maple Heights reach the postseason last year. Although his future is at receiver, he can play all over the field for the Mustangs. He has three Division I offers and Big Ten interest.

John Todd, Parma: The 6-foot-3, 305-pound offensive tackle is touted as the best lineman from Parma in more than 30 years by coach Bruce Saban. He received his first Division I offer from Davidson, but after doing the summer camp circuit following his junior season, Todd is hopeful more offers come in. Excellent athleticism and footwork are Todd’s strengths. He graded out at more than 95 percent each game of his junior year.

Logan Bolin, Midview: The Middies' senior wide receiver has had back-to-back 1,000-yard seasons and was the top target of QB Dustin Crum in 2014 where he caught 87 passes for 1,410 yards and 18 touchdowns. At 6-foot-2, Bolin has the ability win one-on-one battles against most defensive backs, particularly in jump ball situations. Bolin has offers from Air Force and Davidson.

Tyrone Chambers, Brush: The Arcs' enormous defensive tackle has been on the recruiting radar since his sophomore season. He registered seven sacks and 35 tackles in 2014 and has drawn offers from Akron, Bowling Green and Toledo. Chambers, who has been scouted by nearly every Big Ten school, says he plans to visit Michigan State and Ohio State soon.

Terek Zingale, Nordonia: An overpowering tackle, Zingale was one of the reasons why Nordonia's offense clicked all the way to reaching the Division II state championship game last December. Colleges took notice of Zingale, and during the off-season, he verbally committed to Maryland.

Jatairis Grant, Akron Garfield: The rising senior is a back-to-back all-district member selling voters on his explosiveness as defensive back. The 6-foot-1 Toledo commit is quick and gives coaches a versatile player on the field. He received offers from Ball State, Bowling Green, Buffalo, Cincinnati, James Madison, Kent State, Miami (OH) and Ohio University. He also plays receiver, punt returner and punter for the Rams.

Zach Corrigall, St. Vincent-St. Mary: Corrigall is a Kent State commit who prides himself on his relentless work ethic and willingness to always look for ways to improve various aspects of his game. His strength and dedication to his craft of protecting his quarterback and opening up holes for his running backs make him a cornerstone of the Irish's offense as the team looks to make another deep playoff run after a state semifinal appearance last year and state titles in 2012 and 2013. 

Dustin Crum, Midview: A sophomore in 2014, Crum helped lead Midview to a 12-1 record and had almost 4,500 yards of total offense. He threw for 3,323 yards and 39 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,175 yards and 17 scores. Crum is the type of quarterback who is just as capable of making plays with his legs as he is with his arm. With the Middies moving into the Southwestern Conference, Crum will be one of many top quarterbacks in the 10-team league.

Anthony Johnson Jr., Euclid: The transfer from Cleveland Heights is one of the top defensive back prospects in Ohio and holds nine Division I offers. Rated three stars by multiple recruiting services, Johnson is a tall defender able to cover man-to-man and make the big hit. He’s expected to make his college choice before the end of July, with his finalists narrowed down to Cincinnati, Kentucky and Toledo. He has offers from most Mid-American Conference schools.

Kierre Hawkins, Maple Heights: An Ohio State commit, Hawkins is the focal point of the Maple Heights offense. Although he is projected as a tight end or a receiver in college, Hawkins sees the majority of his work out of the backfield for the Mustangs. He helped take the team to the playoffs last season.

Carlos Chavis, Lorain: Now the focal running back on the team, Chavis could be in store for a huge junior year. In a limited role last season, he rushed for 836 yards and 10 touchdowns. He has the ability to read the hole, while also taking it the distance at any given moment. Look for Chavis to start to get some offers during his junior campaign.

Cameron Odom, Bedford: The Ohio University commit is a speedy runner both on the track and on the football field. He can also catch the football. With Odom having such Bedford alumni members and pro football receivers such as Chris Chambers and Lee Evans, he's in good company to blossom as a wide out.

Tyler Tupa, Brecksville: Tupa, an Ohio commit, is a senior receiver with a knack for hauling in passes and finding the endzone. Tupa also has received scholarship offers from Kent State and Bowling Green. He's part of the Tupa family, which has experienced a lot of football success, including his father, Tom, who played in the NFL as a punter. Last season, Tyler Tupa had 17 receiving touchdowns for Brecksville.

Nick Sokolowski, Brecksville: The senior is a cornerstone of the Bees' defense and has begun to catch the attention of more college scouts but still is regarded as somewhat underrated. The 6-foot-5, 265-pound defensive end possesses quick feet and agility in addition to size and strength. He has a Division I offer from Bowling Green and has taken unofficial visits to Toledo and Cincinnati. Other big name schools such as Purdue also have expressed interest in what Sokolowski has to offer. 

Jack Wohlabaugh, Walsh Jesuit: Wohlabaugh, an Ohio State commit, is a heady and athletic interior lineman who finishes off every play. He is the son of former Browns center and nine-year NFL veteran Dave Wohlabaugh, and last season he displayed the savvy and leadership that comes with having a father who started 128 professional games. Wohlabaugh is nasty and aggressive, smart and strategic.

Tony Butler, St. Edward: The senior is the main holdover from a defensive backfield that dominated opponents during last season’s Division I state championship season. Originally a Pitt commit, he recently decommitted to pursue other offers. A rarity as a 6-foot-2 defensive back, Butler is a three-star prospect and likely to be the Eagles defender opposing quarterbacks try to avoid most this season.

Cole Gest, St. Edward: The three-star running back is undersized, but the Indiana commit has impressed talent evaluators with his speed and physicality. Heading into last season, it was the passing game of St. Edward that had opponents' focus, and Gest exploited them. This year, it will be the opposite as opposing defenses will add another defender in the box to try and stop the talented senior.

Jake Sopko, Avon: The senior quarterback committed to Cincinnati in May. He led the Eagles to a 10-2 record and the Division II regional semifinals last season, throwing for 2,864 yards and 25 touchdowns. He was a first-team All-Northeast Lakes District selection.

Chawntez Moss, Bedford: The senior running back committed to Pittsburgh in April. Moss led the Bearcats in rushing last season, with more than 2,000 yards and 25 touchdowns, and was selected as a cleveland.com All-Star. Moss helped lead Bedford to a perfect regular season and playoff run that ended with a 34-32 loss to Mayfield in a Division II regional final.

Nik Urban, Willoughby South: The senior offensive guard committed to Northwestern in April. He opened eyes during a dominant junior season in which the cleveland.com All-Star selection's play helping allow teammate D.J. Greene to rush for 1,900 yards and 26 touchdowns. Urban has 10 offers in all, including fellow Big Ten members Illinois and Maryland. He is a consensus three-star prospect among the main national recruiting services. 

Luke Farrell, Perry: The senior TE has 14 Division I offers after three spectacular seasons for the Pirates. As a junior, Farrell caught 43 passes for 730 yards and six touchdowns, upping his career totals to 91 catches for 1,544 yards and 12 touchdowns. As a DE, he recorded 19 solo tackles and 21 assists last season as well as 10 sacks. He has 198 total tackles in over the last three seasons including 68 as a sophomore, of which 40 were solo tackles. Imposing size, speed and strength and the will to continue to improve on those aspects make Farrell a promising collegiate prospect. 

Demario McCall, North Ridgeville: The senior RB is an Ohio State commit after two outstanding full seasons for the Rangers. As a junior, McCall rushed for 2,302 yards and 35 touchdowns, and caught 14 passes for 195 yards and a touchdown. He has 60 touchdowns in two seasons. McCall is a game-breaker because of his speed and elusiveness in the open field. Any time he touches the ball, he is a threat to get into the end zone.

A.J. Rose, Garfield Heights: The senior QB/RB holds more than 13 Division I offers, including Minnesota and Syracuse. Rose committed to Kentucky in February. Scouts like Rose's size and speed, combined with his ability to run through tacklers at the line of scrimmage. Last year, Rose rushed for more than 700 yards and 12 touchdowns while passing for more than 600 yards and 10 scores.

For more high school sports news, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. Contact Robert Rozboril on Twitter (@rrozboril), by email (rrozboril@cleveland.com) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Sunday's Pro Football Hall of Fame game is sold out but fans will have plenty of opportunities to enjoy weekend events.

CLEVELAND, Ohio - It's Hall of Fame Weekend in Canton with activities stretching from today through Sunday, when the first NFL preseason game will be played with the Pittsburgh Steelers facing the Minnesota Vikings.

The 2015 Pro Football Hall of Fame class that includes running back Jerome Bettis, wide receiver/returner Tim Brown, defensive end/linebacker Charles Haley, contributor Bill Polian, linebacker Junior Seau, guard Will Shields, center Mick Tingelhoff, and contributor Ron Wolf will be inducted on Saturday at Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium in Canton.

But football fans will have the opportunity to enjoy the entire Hall of Fame weekend that includes several free and inexpensive events from a free photo opportunities of NFL legends to a concert with Aerosmith.

It all kicks off this morning with the First Ball event. Here's a look at the weekend's schedule and ticket information:

Pro Football Hall of Fame Weekend
When: Thursday through Sunday.
Where: Canton, Ohio

Thursday: First Ball.
Time: 10 a.m.
Location: From Downtown Canton to the Hall of Fame.
Cost: Free.
This event features nearly 2,000 children as they toss an official NFL football from one participant to the next along a three-mile route. The route begins at the Frank T. Bow Building to its final destination at the Hall of Fame.

Friday: Gold Jacket Photo Op.
Time: 9:30-10 a.m.
Location: Front steps of the Hall of Fame.
Cost: Free.
A gathering of a 100 plus Hall of Famers will pose together granting photo opportunities for fans.

Friday: Aerosmith concert.
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Tickets: $35 and up.
Click here for more ticket information.

Saturday: Returning Hall of Famers autograph sessions.
Time: TBA.
Location: Pro Football Hall of Fame.
Cost: TBA.

Saturday: Class of 2015 Enshrinement
Time: 7 p.m.
Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Cost: $35 and up.
Click here for more ticket information.

Sunday: Class of 2015 autograph session.
Time: 3:30 p.m.
Location: Pro Football Hall of Fame Event Center.
Cost: $375 plus shipping and handling.
Click here for more information.

Sunday: Pittsburgh Steelers vs. Minnesota Vikings Hall of Fame game.
Time: 8 p.m.
Location: Tom Benson Hall of Fame Stadium.
Tickets: Game is sold-out.