"This is just the beginning," Martell said of Ohio State's class. "You guys are going to see a lot more coming from this class. That's all I can say right now, but it's going to be a really good class." Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Tate Martell has it all mapped out on a whiteboard in his house. 

The four-star quarterback of Las Vegas (Nev.) Bishop Gorman has all of Ohio State's top-remaining 2017 recruiting targets written out on that whiteboard so he can help assist Urban Meyer in closing the most talented players in the country.

Ever since Martell committed to Ohio State in mid-June, he's been like an assistant coach for the Buckeyes. He has made a habit of reaching out to Ohio State's targets in effort to see the program.  

Martell has built relationships. People trust him. And he know things. 

Martell hinted on Twitter that five-star offensive lineman Wyatt Davis of Bellflower (Calif.) St. John Bosco was committing to Ohio State the day before Davis announced his pledge.

So when Martell says something about Ohio State's recruiting class, you listen.

And what he said about the 2017 class after participating in Ohio State's Friday Night Lights camp late last week has to have Buckeyes fans excited.

"This is just the beginning," Martell said of Ohio State's class. "You guys are going to see a lot more coming from this class. That's all I can say right now, but it's going to be a really good class." 

It's already clear it's going to be a special class. Ohio State's class currently ranks No. 1 overall in the 247Sports composite team rankings. Of the Buckeyes 16 verbal commitments in the class, nine of them are top-five players at their position. Frankly, that's absurd. 

What's even more absurd are the talents with which Ohio State is still involved. 

Think about the two five-star wide receivers that were also at Friday Night Lights in Trevon Grimes of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas and Tyjon Lindsay of Corona (Calif.) Centennial, Martell's former teammate at Gorman. 

Here are the other big names that could round out Ohio State's class: Five-star safety Jeffrey Okudah of Grand Prairie (Texas) South; five-star running back Cam Akers of Clinton, Miss.; five-star linebacker Baron Browning of Kennedale, Texas; five-star cornerback Darnay Holmes of Calabasas, Calif.; four-star linebacker Anthony Hines of Plano (Texas) East; four-star defensive tackle Jay Tufele of South Jordan (Utah) Bingham; four-star cornerback Lamont Wade of Clairton, Pa.; and many others. 

And Martell wasn't speaking in generalities. He was speaking as someone who knows who the next commitments in Ohio State's class are going to be. 

Which is why he has the whiteboard. 

"It's just guys that i was trying to go after that I knew we had a shot at," Martell said. "I knew if I stayed consistent with a lot of guys and build a good relationship with them than we have a better chance than not talking to them." 

This could be the best class in Ohio State history and one of the best on paper since recruiting rankings began nearly 20 years ago. 

Martell basically said Ohio State is going to accomplish that feat. 

Both Jones and Johnson worked out at Ohio State's biggest recruiting camp of the year. Watch video

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- Emory Jones couldn't shake Dwayne Haskins.

Haskins, Ohio State's freshman quarterback, hovered over Jones' left shoulder as Jones answered questions after the Buckeyes' Friday Night Lights camp. Every time Jones prepared to answer a question, Haskins' eyes would lock in on the soon-to-be high school junior as if to make sure Jones was putting out the right message.

That's how you pick out the really important prospects at Friday Night Lights.

The ones to whom current players have been assigned, like Haskins to Jones? That night is for them. If you were in Ohio Stadium on Friday you would have also seen Jalyn Holmes glued to Chase Young, and Austin Mack shadowing Trevon Grimes.

Jones got the company because he's next. He's the top quarterback on the Buckeyes' 2018 recruiting board. Ohio State is hoping for a commitment sometime before the summer ends.

Sam Johnson, a 2019 quarterback from Michigan, isn't quite there yet. But he's important, don't lose sight of that. Jones and Johnson worked out in the same group, almost always under the watchful eyes of Urban Meyer and Tim Beck. But Johnson didn't have a personal Buckeye chauffeur like Jones.

Johnson doesn't have an offer yet. But it's easy to envision a scene playing out next summer in which Johnson walks out of Friday Night Lights with Jones following close by.

That would be an ideal scenario for the Buckeyes, who could have had their next two quarterback commits working out in their stadium on Friday.

"He wasn't pressuring me at all," Jones said of Meyer. "He was just telling me he wants me to be his guy."

Johnson is still working up to that.

"At the end I talked to Coach Meyer a little bit. He was like, 'I like the way you throw the ball, continue to get bigger,'" Johnson said. "He said he was hoping to get me back up here."

What's funny is that Johnson has spent more time in Columbus than Jones. It's easier for him to get down to Ohio State from Southfield, Mich., than it is for Jones to get up from Franklin, Ga.

So as much as Friday was about putting some finishing touches on Ohio State's top-ranked 2017 class -- think Young, Grimes and Tyjon Lindsey -- locking down Jones was high on that list too. It was the second time this summer he's been on campus. The last time he was here, reports came out that he had already privately committed to the Buckeyes.

"Just rumors," Jones said.

But that should tell you a little about where things stand between Ohio State and Jones.

Both Jones and Johnson worked out in a group that included 2017 quarterback commits Danny Clark and Tate Martell. Joe Burrow and Haskins were hanging around, and J.T. Barrett even ended up throwing some with the group.

We could look back a few years from now and say there were seven eventual Ohio State starting quarterbacks in that group. But that's for later. Like the year 2023 later.

What stood out on Friday was that Jones more than held his own against quarterbacks already committed to the Buckeyes. He threw it well, and Meyer is infatuated with him. Jones probably curried even more favor by tossing a touchdown to Meyer's son, Nate, during drills.

Emory Jones throwing to Urban Meyer's son, Nate pic.twitter.com/eKpGyhltWo

-- Bill Landis (@BillLandis25) July 23, 2016

Johnson was good, but not on Jones' level yet. He's a little raw, and not even officially a sophomore in high school. But he's made real strides from where he was at Friday Night Lights last summer when he was still technically a middle schooler.

"I feel like I'm stronger now, so I can push more and more deep down the field," Johnson said. "I'm more accurate now and I have better feet."

The good news for Ohio State -- and Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State and any other school recruiting Johnson -- is that there's plenty of time left for him to develop. That means less pressure on Johnson right now.

Jones was watched diligently, but the Buckeyes already know where they stand on him. Now they're just waiting.

"Right now I'm still debating on what I'm gonna do, and when I'm gonna decide," Jones said. "But Ohio State is definitely up there."

First Jones. Then Johnson.

Check out the voting from 39 league media members.

CHICAGO, Ill. -- Who will win the conference championship this season?

At conference media days during the summer, that's always the question, usually asked by the league and answered by the reporters that attend those media days.

In the SEC, the pick was Alabama.

In the Pac-12, the pick was Stanford.

In the Big 12, the pick was Oklahoma.

And the ACC will release the choice of its league voters at 10 a.m. Monday morning.

But the Big Ten? Well, the Big Ten has us.

For the sixth straight year, the Big Ten will unveil nothing more than a list of 10 players to watch, five from each division, as part of of the Big Ten Media Day held in Chicago on Monday and Tuesday.

No preseason prediction from the league. 

So we do it here at cleveland.com, as we have each year since 2011.

We gathered votes from 39 league media members last week and released the voting on Friday.

If you missed it:

* Ohio State was named the conference favorite, earning 27 of the 39 voter as the predicted champ. If you want to see the predicted order of finish in each division, check out our full story.

Big Ten: Predicted conference finish

* Ohio State quarterback J.T. Barrett and Michigan linebacker Jabrill Peppers were selected as preseason offensive and defensive players of the year. The defensive vote was particularly close, and you can find the full voting for both honors in our story.

Big Ten: Preseason player of the year voting

We don't just tally votes. Stick with cleveland.com for full coverage from Chicago of the Big Ten Media Days on Monday and Tuesday.

Ohio State made the College Football Playoff in 2014 and Michigan State made it last year. The path could be more difficult for the Big Ten this season - because the league is better.

CHICAGO, Illinois -- Could the Big Ten now be too good for its own good?

Here's the scorecard for how many representatives each major college football conference has sent to the first two years of the College Football Playoff:

* SEC: 2

* ACC: 2

* Big Ten: 2

* Big 12: 1

* Pac-12: 1

Between Alabama, LSU and a resurgent Tennessee, the SEC isn't getting left out of that playoff any time soon.

Florida State and Clemson, the best two teams in the ACC, also may be among the five best teams in the country.

The conference whose turn it might be to sit and watch the four-team playoff from the outside this season? The Big Ten. Not because it isn't good enough, but because, as the league meets for its Big Ten Media Days starting Monday, it's getting better.

A year ago we told you a Big Ten on the upswing might not be the best thing for Ohio State. After years of pointing out how the lack of depth in the league was hurting the Buckeyes, this may have seemed hypocritical. But it was real.

2015 preview: OSU doesn't want Big Ten too strong

Now?

With the Big Ten switching to its new schedule of nine conference games this season, life got a step more difficult for every team. 

If Ohio State, Michigan, Michigan State, Iowa, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Penn State and Northwestern give the the Big Ten eight teams among the top 40 in the nation, which could be the case, that playoff path gets that much rockier.

Here's the real world scenario:

A two-loss team didn't make the playoff in its first two years of existence.

In 2016, it's not hard to envision the Big Ten champ having two losses.

Not when Ohio State plays at Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Penn State and Michigan State and has to deal with Michigan, Nebraska and Wisconsin at home. 

Not when Michigan has to go on the road to Michigan State, Iowa and Ohio State, and must face Penn State and Wisconsin as well.

Not when Iowa deals with its West rivals like Nebraska and Wisconsin, and faces both Michigan and Penn State in East Division crossover games.

Michigan State, last year's Big Ten playoff rep, adds a road trip to Notre Dame to its regular Big Ten East foes of Ohio State, Michigan and Penn State and West games with Wisconsin and Northwestern.

In our cleveland.com preseason Big Ten poll, the closest thing you'll find to an officlal Big Ten prediction, a group of 39 conference writers predicted the Buckeyes as league champs. Ohio State earned 27 votes compared to 11 for Michigan and one for Iowa.

We asked a secondary question as part of that. Will a Big Ten team make the playoff? Here's how our 39 voters responded:

* Ohio State (20)

* Michigan (8)

* None (8)

* Both Ohio State and Michigan (3)

That's not a huge number voting none, eight out of 39 - just over 20 percent.

But the idea is out there. If you think Michigan and Wisconsin and Nebraska and Penn State might be better, and Ohio State and Michigan State and Iowa will remain tough, then you believe the Big Ten is getting better.

And the Big Ten path to the playoff is more difficult.

One of the most feared, yet futile, sluggers ever takes on the 1990s Indians and modern baseball statistics, and it's not pretty.

CLEVELAND, Ohio --With apologies to Ernest Thayer.

                         Casey at the Bat (Updated)

(Revised for the rise of sabermetrics and dedicated to the 1990s Indians)

Omens grim for visiting nine

The outlook wasn't brilliant for the Mudville nine that day;

The score stood 4 to 2, with an inning more to play.

At the initial hassock was inscrutable Eddie,

His defense, like his silence, was always steady.

With Assie, a lefty, on the hill; and Mesa warming in the pen;

With Thome at third on a diamond full of stellar men;

With a Gold Glove, Little O, at short and Baerga  at second;

The game would be Cleveland's soon, the fans reckoned.

The tenders of the outer gardens

Playing center field was Kenny, who could fly;

His glove was where two-baggers went to die.

In right was a young kid named Manny,

With a swing that was swift and uncanny.

In left, on his face ever a scowl, was Belle,

Called by scribes the first bat out of Hell.

Grover, the skipper, would use all his ploys

To keep the foes from making much noise.

The Wahoos had their number

There were WHIPS, WARs, and BABIPs

To study, plus DIPs, FIPs and LIPs.

And Weighted Average, which didn't mean CC,

And pitchers' workloads, abbreviated IP.

And BA vs. lefty, righty, and in day-night twin bills.

The stats took over, instead of the skills.

In the bleachers, Adams banged his drum,

But not slowly and much louder than some.

Casey's wagon tongue the only threat

The game was four hours old as the ninth rolled round;

In dens East and West, snores were the sound.

The Mudville skipper was down to his last hope,

Get Casey at bat, and he'd hit a rope.

The sleepers could catch it later on SportsCenter,

And wonder why they didn't walk their old tormentor.

But Cooney died at first and Barrow did the same.

Chances Casey would bat were becoming lame.

 It figured

Flynn preceded Casey, as also did Jimmy Blake,

And the former couldn't hit lefties, and the latter was a fake,

Sadly, their manager reviewed a grim, melancholy stat:

Their sickly OPS-plus meant Casey would never bat.

Cleveland sports fans wonder about Albert Belle's reason for missing the team's Hall of Fame inductions and where Anthony Bennett really ranks on the list of Cavaliers' draft busts -- Bud Shaw's You Said It

Jeanmar Gomez struggled as a starter with the Cleveland Indians in 2010-2012. He has moved to the bullpen and is now a closer for the Philadelphia Phillies. He'd look good in a Cleveland uniform again.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Joe Smith and Jeanmar Gomez.

We'll get back to those former Cleveland Indians relievers in a bit.

I haven't heard either mentioned in rumors with the Indians. One should be under consideration, one should not.

Let's start with something that is definite -- the Indians need bullpen help. That's also true of several teams expecting to make the playoffs this season.

Often the best way to find it is in your own backyard -- your farm system.

That's where the Tribe discovered Cody Allen, their excellent closer. Allen was the 698th player picked in the 2011 draft. Finding the right-hander at High Point University is one of the best moves by scouting director Brad Grant.

Allen needed only 98 minor league innings to make the majors in 2012 -- a huge jump.

That can happen with relievers, who need only two pitches to be effective. Sometimes, one great pitch is enough.

And sometimes, they burn out quickly. Think of Vinnie Pestano.

Allen may be the exception. He not only has a 94-97 mph fastball, he has a devastating overhand curveball that can wipe out hitters from both sides of the plate.

Allen is very good at what he does, despite serving up a game-losing homer to Nolan Reimold in Sunday's 5-3 loss at Baltimore. He is 19-of-21 in saves this season for the Tribe. He's 79-of-92 for his career.

The Tribe's bullpen problem is not Allen, who has a 2-3 record with a 2.59 ERA this season.

It's not even Bryan Shaw (1-4, 4.35 ERA), who has been inconsistent. He has had a few migraine-type torch jobs, but Shaw still has value to the Tribe.

You have to wonder if Shaw is just struggling or the workload is weighing on him. No one has pitched in more games in the last 3 1/2 seasons than the Tribe's right-hander.

But Shaw and Allen have had to carry such a huge load in relief. Consider what has happened:

1. The Indians hoped veteran Zach McAllister would play a major role, but he's 2-2 with a 5.40 ERA and coming back from what was supposed to be a minor hip injury. He had a solid 4-4 record and 3.00 ERA in 61 games as a reliever last year.

2. Veteran Tommy Hunter (2-2, 3.74 ERA) was signed to help the bullpen, but he's out for a while with a back injury. He slipped while carrying his son up some stairs.

3. Dan Otero has a sparkling 1.18 ERA, but he has allowed 7-of-15 inherited runners to score. Otero doesn't seem to be the kind of pitcher to enter the game with men on base and shut the door.

4. They have had a hard time finding lefty help in the bullpen. Kyle Crockett made the team, but was knocked around for six earned runs in his first 3 2/3 innings. He was sent to Class AAA. Crockett recently returned and has thrown 2 1/3 scoreless innings in three outings since his promotion. They gave T.J. House a brief shot, but decided he needed more work and sent him back to the minors.

5. Joba Chamberlain is a very strange story. He made the team at the end of spring training. He had a 2.25 ERA in 20 innings. He walked 11 and the Indians were somewhat concerned about his contract. They wanted him to spend a little time in the minors. They had to place him on waivers first. Chamberlain assumed a big league team would claim him, but no one did. He was offered a chance to pitch in Columbus for the Tribe, but turned it down. He's not pitching anywhere right now.

6. Jeff Manship (1-1, 3.07 ERA) has been decent overall, but is having problems of late. He was an amazing bullpen story in 2015, delivering a sparkling 0.92 ERA in 39 1/3 innings. He has allowed four earned runs in his last 11 innings.

7. Joe Colon showed some promise when he was promoted in early July, but is on the disabled list with arm problems. Austin Adams and Cody Anderson have come up from the minors, but not been much help in the bullpen.

8. The Indians have Shawn Armstrong at Columbus, where he has fanned 58 in 38 innings. That's not a misprint. He's 3-1 with a 2.33 ERA. He has a career 2.42 ERA in the minors, and has been briefly with the Tribe. Perhaps it's time to give him a real chance in the bullpen. 

BULLPEN HELP NEEDED

Tribe president Chris Antonetti knows his team needs an experienced reliever.
The team probably can win the Central Division even with a rather thin bullpen.

You've probably heard about the big names on the market -- Andrew Miller and Aroldis Chapman, both with the Yankees.

But here are some other thoughts:

1. The Indians had been talking to Milwaukee for a while about relievers, and the Brewers have three of interest: Will Smith, Tyler Thornburg and Jeremy Jeffress.

2. Milwaukee tried to expand the talks to include All-Star catcher Jonathan Lucroy, making it a monster deal. General manager Mike Chernoff and Antonetti have to see if there is a way to make a deal for Lucroy and a reliever. I'm intrigued by this.

3. The Braves are willing to trade some of their relievers, especially lefty Hunter Cervenka (0-0, 3.03 ERA) and righty Chris Whitrow (2-0, 3.21). They are not elite relievers, but could be possibilities. John Hart runs the Braves baseball operation, and the former Tribe general manager loves to talk trades with his old team.

4. The Angels are looking to dump Joe Smith, who has a 5.13 ERA since May 1. He was their closer at one point, and now seems to be having a severe crisis of confidence at the age of 32 and approaching free agency.

5. Unless the price is almost nothing, the Indians should avoid Smith. The Tribe had Smith from 2009-13, and he was very good with an 18-11 record, 2.65 ERA.

6. Jeanmar Gomez was a starter with the Tribe from 2010-12, his record was 14-16 with a 5.18 ERA. He later moved on to Pittsburgh and switched to the bullpen. Since becoming a reliever in 2013, Gomez is 9-7 with a 3.11 ERA. This season, he is 25-of-28 as a closer with a 2.82 ERA for Philadelphia.

7. Gomez doesn't have the powerful stuff of a premier closer. I see him as a very good reliever who can help out Shaw as a set-up man for Allen. The 28-year-old Gomez won't be a free agent until 2018. The floundering Phillies are willing to trade him. The Indians should check out the cost.

These are uncharted waters for the Indians. The franchise hasn't stood in this position since 1999. A six-game cushion separates the Tribe from the second-place Tigers in the American League Central.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- These are uncharted waters for the Indians.

The franchise hasn't stood in this position since 1999. A six-game cushion separates the Tribe from the second-place Tigers in the American League Central.

In 2007, the Indians trailed Detroit by a narrow margin in the division in the days leading up to the trade deadline. Their only move was to add 40-year-old Kenny Lofton to the outfield mix. They came within one victory of a World Series appearance.

The club sat one game back of the Tigers on this date in 2011. They proceeded to acquire Kosuke Fukudome and Ubaldo Jimenez. They stumbled to an 80-82 finish, though the Jimenez deal was completed with future seasons in mind.

The Indians faced a three-game deficit in the Central at this juncture in 2013. They obtained southpaw Marc Rzepczynski for the stretch run, but nothing else. They reached the Wild Card Game, but bowed out after a 4-0 loss to Tampa Bay.

In none of those scenarios were the Indians playing from in front. At last, they have an advantage in the standings in July, rather than a daunting deficit. Now, how will they act upon such a situation as the deadline approaches? Will they capitalize on their head start?

Here are a handful of thoughts on the Tribe.

1. Value menu: General manager Mike Chernoff was discussing the Indians' starting rotation with cleveland.com before the All-Star break when he said the following: "We value our own guys more than other teams. That's why we kept them and that's why we're seeing this right now."

The Indians had conversations with other teams over the winter about potentially moving a starting pitcher. They opted to stand pat and the decision has paid dividends, with the Tribe boasting the AL's top rotation.

10 years in the making: How the Indians' rotation came together

That quote could apply to any talented, young player in the organization, though. The Indians have finally accumulated a decent crop of prospects in their farm system, as evidenced by Baseball America's midseason top 100 list, which includes seven Tribe prospects.

The Indians' brass is aware that it must deal from a strength -- its farm system -- to enhance the big league roster. It won't just fork over a top prospect or two, however, unless it's a no-doubter. Such players have more value to a cash-strapped franchise like the Indians.

At the same time, such a situation -- favorable odds to secure at least a best-of-five playoff series -- is far from a guarantee in future seasons.

2. What a relief: The Indians know they must add to the relief corps. Manager Terry Francona trusts Cody Allen and Bryan Shaw with the late innings, but they need support. Dan Otero (1.18 ERA) deserves more high-leverage opportunities. Jeff Manship has had his moments. The rest of the bullpen is a minefield. Multiple arms could go a long way.

3. Time and change: The Indians also know that the Aug. 1 non-waiver trade deadline doesn't signal the end to transaction season, especially when it comes to relievers.

Teams can often pluck veteran relievers off the waiver wire and complete a trade in August. The presence of the second Wild Card in each league typically prevents certain teams from selling in July. Some of those teams might change their minds in August, though.

4. The hair: Keep an eye on rookie Mike Clevinger. If he isn't moved at the deadline, he could assist the Indians' relief efforts down the stretch.

"It could be a helpful way to transition players sometimes if you have the benefit of doing it," Chernoff told cleveland.com. "Especially a guy like Clevinger, who throws as hard as he does and gets strikeouts -- you see these attributes that could successful in the bullpen, so there's no reason he couldn't potentially transition in a bullpen role."

Behind the scenes of Clevinger's MLB debut

5. Opportunity cost: A trade for a reliever who is an impending free agent -- such as Aroldis Chapman -- is essentially a deal for 25-30 innings of regular-season work plus, potentially, a handful of postseason frames. That doesn't seem worthy of a top prospect. If the Cubs do, in fact, part with shortstop Gleyber Torres for Chapman, they should be securing Chapman to a long-term extension at the same time.

Baseball America ranked Torres the No. 27 prospect in the league in its midseason report. For the sake of comparison, Clint Frazier and Bradley Zimmer, the Indians' top two youngsters, ranked No. 21 and No. 26, respectively.

Frazier, Zimmer promoted to Triple-A

6. Catch the drift: The Indians' greatest offensive needs are a catcher and an outfielder who can hit left-handed pitching. It would behoove the Indians to play Jose Ramirez regularly at third base, as Juan Uribe's bat has seen better days.

As for the catcher position, the Indians have maintained their public stance that they are satisfied with a Roberto Perez/Chris Gimenez tandem behind the plate. If the Brewers delivered an enticing offer for Jonathan Lucroy, that stance could certainly soften. Milwaukee GM David Stearns served as the Indians' director of baseball operations in 2012.

7. Backstops: Lucroy's contract comes with a team option for $5.25 million next season. That's a bargain for a two-time All-Star who is batting .301 with an .853 OPS. Lucroy also has experience at first base, where he could shift in the event Mike Napoli or Carlos Santana does not return next year.

The Indians -- or any team -- could recoup a draft pick if Lucroy hits free agency after his contract expires. That would ease the blow a bit when considering the minor leaguers the club might have to relinquish in a trade for the catcher.

As for Will Smith, the Brewers' reliever who could be made available, the southpaw surrendered five runs (four earned) without recording an out on Sunday. Smith's average fastball has dropped to 91.6 mph this season from 93.3 mph last year.

8. The more things change: When the Indians notched their 14th consecutive victory on July 1, they attained a seven-game lead in the AL Central. Since, they have amassed a 7-11 record. And yet, they have lost only one game in the standings. The Tigers are 7-10 in their last 17 games.

9. Friend or foe: Several readers have inquired about the Indians' regular-season record against potential playoff teams, and whether it matters.

vs. BAL: 1-5 (minus-7 run differential)

vs. BOS: 2-3 (minus-12)

vs. TOR: 2-2 (minus-15)

vs. TEX: 1-2 (minus-10)

vs. HOU: 1-2 (minus-4)

These are all tiny sample sizes. A five- or seven-game series in October is also a microscopic sample size. One doesn't really have bearing on the other. The Cubs went 7-0 against the Mets during the regular season last year, as they outscored New York by a 27-11 margin. When the teams clashed in the National League Championship Series, the Mets swept in four games by a 21-8 margin.

Fortunately for the Indians, their 30-13 record against their division foes has made up for a lackluster performance against some of the better opponents from the AL East and AL West.

10. Home cooking: Of the Indians' next 25 games, 20 will take place at Progressive Field. The Indians, who have 39 home games remaining -- more than any other team in the league -- are 26-16 in Cleveland.

Here are the positions we've previewed so far and the remaining positions this week.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Cleveland Browns open training camp this week. The first day of practice open to the public is Friday, July 29. Here's everything you need to know for camp.

Get ready for camp with my series of position previews. Over the course of two weeks, I did an in-depth preview for every position except quarterback. Click around on the links below (they open in new windows) and get everything you need to know about this year's training camp roster.

Here are all of the position previews: 

Tight end

Outside linebackers

Wide receiver

Defensive line

Inside linebackers

Safety

Cornerback

Running backs

Offensive line

Baseball America ranked Frazier and Zimmer the No. 21 and No. 26 prospects in the league on its midseason top 100 list.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Bradley Zimmer and Clint Frazier, the Indians' top two minor-league prospects, are on the move.

The organization promoted the young outfielders to Triple-A Columbus following their game on Sunday.

Baseball America ranked Frazier and Zimmer the No. 21 and No. 26 prospects in the league on its midseason top 100 list.

The Indians selected Frazier with the fifth overall choice in the 2013 amateur draft. The 21-year-old posted a .276/.356/.469 slash line (.825 OPS) in 89 games with Double-A Akron this season. He has slugged 13 home runs and tallied 48 RBI to go along with 25 doubles and 13 stolen bases. Frazier has totaled 41 walks and 86 strikeouts.

The Indians nabbed Zimmer with the 21st overall selection in the 2014 amateur draft. The 23-year-old compiled a .253/.371/.471 slash line (.842 OPS) in 93 games with the RubberDucks. He has racked up 14 home runs and 53 RBI, with 20 doubles, six triples and 33 stolen bases. Zimmer has amassed 56 walks and 115 strikeouts.

Zimmer has struck out in 28.3 percent of his plate appearances this season. Last year, he struck out in 23.9 percent of his trips to the batter's box. Zimmer's walk rate has increased this season as well, to 13.8 percent from 10.0 percent.

Clint Frazier and Bradley Zimmer will share the outfield in Columbus after doing so in Akron.Chuck Crow/PD 

The Indians promoted outfielders Greg Allen and Luigi Rodriguez to Akron to take the place of Frazier and Zimmer. Allen is batting .298 with a .425 on-base percentage, with 93 runs scored and 38 stolen bases. Rodriguez is batting .330 in 24 games.

The timing of the promotions falls in line with how the Indians have operated with some of their top prospects in years past. Zimmer advanced to Akron from High-A Lynchburg in mid-July last season. Two years ago, shortstop Francisco Lindor relocated to Columbus from Akron in late July.

Of course, the shift to Triple-A likely will not prevent the prospects' names from being tossed around in various trade rumors. Both Zimmer and Frazier could spark the interest of opposing teams who have pieces that the Indians covet.

Baseball America also includes pitcher Brady Aiken (No. 59), first baseman Bobby Bradley (No. 64), pitcher Justus Sheffield (No. 69), catcher Francisco Mejia (No. 70) and pitcher Mike Clevinger (No. 71) on its midseason top 100 list.

The Indians have selected an outfielder in the first round in four of the last five drafts. Tyler Naquin, the club's top pick in 2012, is making a case for the AL Rookie of the Year Award.

Naquin's case for AL Rookie of the Year

The team took high school outfielder Will Benson in the first round last month.

Benson has star potential on, off field

St. Ignatius and Springboro are today's cleveland.com Ohio Super 25 contenders.

CLEVELAND, Ohio – Cleveland.com’s high school football coverage is expanding in 2016, and a highlight of that expansion will be a weekly statewide Ohio Super 25 ranking.

The preseason Ohio Super 25 countdown will begin Aug. 1, with a new team profiled each day through Aug. 25. To get you ready, we’re presenting 50 contenders for the Super 25 throughout July.

RELATED: Check out all the Ohio Super 25 candidates so far.

Each day through July 29 we will provide a brief look at two of the 50 contenders. Today’s teams: St. Ignatius, Springboro.

St. Ignatius

2015 record: 5-4 (missed playoffs).

About the Wildcats: The 2015 season was just the second since 1987 that ended without a playoff appearance for the Wildcats. But they return in 2016 with experience, including nine starters. RB Jimmy Andrews – a third-year starter - should power the offense, running behind an experienced line. But a new quarterback and wide receivers will need to emerge. Defensively, the front six – including three returning starters along the line - is expected to be a strength for the Wildcats as well.

Springboro

2015 season: 9-3 (Division I, Region II second round).

About the Panthers: After four straight playoff appearances, the Panthers will try to continue the string in 2016 with 10 returning starters (five on both sides of the ball). The offense features WR Nick Kovacs, a Toledo commit who caught 78 passes and scored 19 touchdowns last season. While the team has six first-team All-Greater Western Ohio Conference players back, the offensive and defensive lines need to be almost entirely rebuilt.

For more high school sports news, like us on Facebook and follow us on Twitter. 

Contact sports reporter Scott Patsko on Twitter (@ScottPatsko) by email (spatsko@cleveland.com) or log in and leave a message in the comments section below.

Follow clevelanddotcom on Snapchat on Tuesday for Ohio State coverage and behind the scenes access from Big Ten football media day.

CHICAGO -- Follow the latest with Ohio State and get behind the scenes coverage Tuesday from Big Ten football media days on cleveland.com's Snapchat account with reporter Bill Landis.

Landis is covering the two-day event at the Hyatt Regency McCormick Place in Chicago, along with fellow Ohio State writers Doug Lesmerises and Ari Wasserman.

Here's how you can follow along Tuesday on Snapchat:

Add cleveland.com on Snapchat. Our username is clevelanddotcom

Ohio State is among the teams that will be featured Tuesday, the final day, including one-on-one interview sessions beginning around 3 p.m.

Representing the Buckeyes in Chicago are coach Urban Meyer and three players -- quarterback J.T. Barrett, linebacker Raekwon McMillan and center Pat Elflein.

Other teams that will participate in the final media day Tuesday are:

Illinois

Indiana

Michigan State

Wisconsin

Maryland

Iowa

A Twitter List by clevelanddotcom  

Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes will be at Big Ten Media Days in Chicago on Tuesday.

CHICAGO -- Ohio State coach Urban Meyer will be the first Buckeye representative to speak at Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday.

Once he's done at the podium, we'll be on Facebook Live discussing everything Meyer said and breaking down the Buckeyes as they take part in the Big Ten's unofficial start to football season.

But we don't just want to talk Meyer's news conference. We want questions from you. Have pressing questions about the Buckeyes? Submit them here and we'll answer them during our video on Facebook Live, which will begin around 12 p.m.

Like our cleveland.com Ohio State page on Facebook, and go there at noon to watch the video.

Submit your questions in the comments section below.

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. with Illinois coach Lovie Smith, and it continues every 15 minutes with Indiana's Kevin Wilson, Michigan State's Mark Dantonio, Wisconsin's Paul Chryst, Maryland's D.J. Durkin, Iowa's Ferentz and closed out by Meyer.

CHICAGO -- It's the second day of Big Ten Media Days, which means it's the day that Urban Meyer finally takes the podium. 

The day begins at 9:00 a.m. with Illinois coach Lovie Smith, and it continues every 15 minutes with Indiana's Kevin Wilson, Michigan State's Mark Dantonio, Wisconsin's Paul Chryst, Maryland's D.J. Durkin, Iowa's Ferentz and closed out by Meyer.  

After each coach is done at the podium, we'll add the top update into the body of this post. And we'll be in the comments all day providing updates.

Be sure to participate in the chat below if you have questions or comments. We'll be around the entire day to provide context. 

Live updates: 

* Smith referred to Illinois as "Chicago's team," which is something Northwestern says a lot. Smith, who spent nine years as the head coach of the Chicago Bears, said recruiting the Chicago area is crucial in turning the Illini around. 

* Wilson, had a very lengthy opening statement, said the six-year contract extension he received from Indiana in January has had a very positive effect on recruiting. Recruits really like stability in coaching. 

* Michigan State's quest at a national title was dashed by Alabama in a blowout loss in the College Football Playoff. Dantonio: "That game kinda got out of hand. My wife keeps telling me, 'get over it, don't hang your head."

* Dantonio said that he's never said anything negative about Penn State despite report that Michigan State was negatively referring to the Nittany Lions during the recruiting process. 

Talk all things Cleveland sports with Terry and host Dan Labbe.

View full sizeTerry Pluto talks Cleveland sports at 11 a.m.Allison Carey/The Plain Dealer

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Get your questions ready and join Terry Pluto today at 11 a.m. as he talks Cleveland sports.

Will Josh Gordon be able to stay out of trouble? What is Terry going to watch at Browns training camp? Should the Indians make a trade?

You can jump in the comments section below and ask your questions as well as interact with other users and respond to Pluto's remarks, or you can just listen. The chat will also be made available shortly after its completion in MP3 format.

The NFL will allow Josh Gordon to be around the facility and his teammates during his suspension. The league is making things up as it goes along but it's the right thing to do -- Bud Shaw's Spinoffs

CLEVELAND, Ohio - Josh Gordon can be around the Browns facility and his teammates during his four-game suspension but he can't practice.

Gordon's agent Drew Rosenhaus told espn.com this is an olive branch of sorts from the commissioner's office to the NFLPA, which long (and correctly) has considered the NFL's policy on drug-related suspensions counter productive.

The policy removes players suspended for drug violations and personal conduct from their professional support systems. It makes little sense.

The league is still making things up as it goes along in some cases.

But in this case it's making up something that should become part of the next collective bargaining agreement.

* Meanwhile, Tom Brady can't be around his team or even play catch with Patriots receivers during his four-game suspension.

Brady doesn't need the support system obviously but that won't stop Patriots fans from feeling the league is being overly punitive.

They have a right to feel as victimized as any fan base that's won four Super Bowls since 2001 and appeared in two others.

* The NFL has determined retired quarterback Peyton Manning did not use HGH during his career.

The accusation, initially made in a Al-Jazeera report, said Manning used HGH shipped to his home under his wife's name.

The publication disavowed its own report but the league continued to look into the matter following Manning's retirement announcement.

The league said Manning and his wife were "fully cooperative" in the investigation.

The NFL did not finish the sentence by saying, "unlike Tom Brady." But that was the intent.

* Cavs' head coach Ty Lue signed a $35 million deal for five years (four years guaranteed).

By not signing a new deal after taking over for David Blatt, Lue bet on himself and won.

Of course it's a little less risky to bet on yourself when you know you're going to have LeBron James' endorsement, championship or not.

* Wide receiver Greg Jennings is retiring after 10 NFL seasons.

"I'm done but I'm just getting started," Jennings said of ending one chapter and beginning another.

I consider that a copyright infringement of the You Said It contributor slogan: "I'm just getting started but, really now, I'm done."

* Raiders' linebacker Aldon Smith, facing a year-long suspension for violating the substance abuse policy, may not may not have incriminated himself in a Periscope video.

The video was posted to an account Smith has used and showed a man (whose face isn't seen) and a woman smoking a rolled-up cigarette while the woman suggests the video is, you know, not such a good idea.

"They don't know it's me," the man tells her. "It's not like I put Aldon Smith" -- the recording then abruptly ends.

"Nice try, not me," Smith said Monday via Twitter.

For some reason, I'm reminded of this story from the Leader-Post in Regina, Canada, via Reader's Digest:

"When police in Vancouver, Canada, asked to search Jason Pauchay's apartment for drugs, he was not a suspect--in fact, they were looking for someone else. That all changed when they got a look at how his name was listed on his cell phone: "Jason Pauchay Drug Dealer."

* Well, if you were looking for something to make you feel better about Josh Gordon showing up in a video with Johnny Manziel as the league considered his reinstatement, you're welcome.

* Chicago ace Chris Sale delivered an apology for taking scissors to the White Sox throwback jerseys and missing a start.

I'm sure what he meant to say is he loved the look and just wanted to give the fabric some more breathability.

* Obviously, Sale's tantrum will affect his trade value.

That trade value will be calculated by baseball writers as soon as they get done re-counting the number of gun shots (eight) allegedly fired by new Cubs lefty Aroldis Chapman in a domestic incident last October.

* The idea of making allowances for great talent is nothing new.

 But it all works out in the wash years later when you induct a player into your Hall of Fame and he'd love to be there but, you know, vacation.

* Kevin Durant and Draymond Green were booed in L.A. while playing for Team USA.

You'd think everyone would be able to get behind the U.S. men's Olympic basketball team, regardless of the players' NBA affiliations.

Have we learned nothing from watching the harmony of our political conventions?

* The IOC decided to punt on banning Russian athletes from the Olympics in Rio, putting the onus on each international federation to consider the legitimacy of Russian Olympic hopefuls.

But at least the IOC put the Olympics in a city that's prepared for its hosting duties.

The way your college son and his housemates were prepared to host their families for graduation weekend.

* The Australian delegation in Rio called the housing in the athlete's village "uninhabitable" and is staying elsewhere for now.

Rio Mayor Eduardo Paes responded this way:

"We want them to feel at home here," he said. "I almost feel like putting a kangaroo to jump up and down in front of their building."

He apparently has never been to the Outback.

If people who live in a country that boasts the 10 deadliest creatures on the planet think living conditions are less than acceptable,  they're probably not complaining about the sheets or hand towels.

* ESPN.com headline: "U.S. team so talented it's impossible to tell how good it is."

If a team without LeBron James and Steph Curry is too talented for words, we need more words.

* Former NBA player Jason Williams doesn't think much of Charles Barkley's criticism of Kevin Durant's move to the Golden State Warriors.

"I mean all these guys [Charles] Barkley and them talking about oh they wouldn't have done it, well they was never free agents back in the day...like they didn't have the choice," Williams said in a Q&A with DYSTnow.com.

"Nobody wanted [Barkley] on their team because he was a loser. So that's what I think about that."

Barkley's reply no doubt will be just as nuanced.

The Indians have been regulars at the July trade market. Some years, they have had their own stand, where they have auctioned off spare parts and rare, coveted items. Other years, they have shopped around, in search of the proper pieces to aid their winning cause.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- The Indians have been regulars at the July trade market.

Some years, they have had their own stand, where they have auctioned off spare parts and rare, coveted items. Other years, they have shopped around, in search of the proper pieces to aid their winning cause.

Can past July activity tell us anything about the Indians' potential maneuvers this week? The club hasn't really been in this midseason position -- they hold a 5 1/2-game lead in the American League Central -- since the glory days of the '90s.

Let's take a look at the Indians' trade-deadline moves in recent memory. This year's non-waiver deadline is Aug. 1.

2015

July 28: Traded OF David Murphy to the Angels for minor-league IF Eric Stamets

July 30: Traded OF Brandon Moss to the Cardinals for minor-league P Rob Kaminsky

July 31: Traded P Marc Rzepczynski to the Padres for OF Abraham Almonte

Note: On Aug. 7, the Indians traded OFs Nick Swisher and Michael Bourn to the Braves for IF Chris Johnson.

Record on July 31: 48-54

Final record: 81-80

The skinny: No veteran was safe. Out of the race, the Indians moved anything that had two legs and a decent amount of major-league service time.

Indians 'move forward' with trades of Swisher, Bourn

2014

July 30: Traded P Justin Masterson to the Cardinals for OF James Ramsey

July 30: Traded SS Asdrubal Cabrera to the Nationals for IF Zach Walters

Record on July 31: 53-55

Final record: 85-77

The skinny: The Indians were sellers in 2014, though they claimed they weren't throwing up a white flag. They traded away a pair of free-agents-to-be and then played better down the stretch, but it was too little, too late.

Meisel's musings on the 2016 trade deadline

2013

July 30: Traded minor-league IF Juan Herrera to the Cardinals for P Marc Rzepczynski

Record on July 31: 59-48

Final record: 92-70

The skinny: On Aug. 1, the Indians won their eighth straight game to pull to within two games of the division lead. Rzepczynski filled a need for the club, which used a sizzling September to qualify for the AL Wild Card Game.

2012

July 24: Traded minor-league P Jose De La Torre to the Red Sox for IF Brent Lillibridge

July 31: Traded P Steven Wright to the Red Sox for IF Lars Anderson

Record on July 31: 50-53

Final record: 68-94

The skinny: The ship had already struck the iceberg. Once the calendar flipped to August, it finally started to sink. The Indians hung around for a few months. The club's inactivity at the deadline preceded a historically miserable August, in which Cleveland went 5-24.

2011

Jimenez didn't really provide what the Indians were looking for until 2013.Joshua Gunter, cleveland.com 

July 30: Traded Ps Alex White, Drew Pomeranz, Joe Gardner and IF Matt McBride to the Rockies for P Ubaldo Jimenez

July 30: Traded IF Orlando Cabrera to the Giants for OF Thomas Neal

Record on July 31: 53-52

Final record: 80-82

The skinny: The Indians stood 2 1/2 games in back of Detroit at the end of July, but the Jimenez trade also signaled the Indians' intentions to contend in 2012 and '13, as the right-hander was signed for several years. They parted with their first-round draft choices from the two previous seasons. The deal wouldn't pay dividends for the Tribe until the second half of the 2013 campaign.

2010

July 28: Traded SS Jhonny Peralta to the Tigers for minor-league P Giovanni Soto

July 30: Traded OF Austin Kearns to the Yankees for minor-league P Zach McAllister

July 31: Traded P Kerry Wood to the Yankees for minor-league P Andrew Shive and IF Matt Cusick

Record on July 31: 43-61

Final record: 69-93

The skinny: A rebuilding team pawned off a few veteran parts as the deadline approached.

2009

July 23: Traded P Rafael Betancourt to the Rockies for minor-league P Connor Graham

July 27: Traded 1B Ryan Garko to the Giants for minor-league P Scott Barnes

July 29: Traded P Cliff Lee and OF Ben Francisco to the Phillies for minor-league Ps Carlos Carrasco and Jason Knapp, IF Jason Donald and C Lou Marson

July 31: Traded C Victor Martinez to the Red Sox for Ps Justin Masterson, Nick Hagadone and Bryan Price

Note: The Indians also dealt P Carl Pavano to the Twins for minor-league P Yohan Pino on Aug. 7.

Record on July 31: 43-60

Final record: 65-97

The skinny: The front office pulled the trigger on a pair of blockbuster deals that sent Lee and Martinez to contenders. Carrasco is the last man standing in Cleveland from either deal.

2008

July 7: Traded P CC Sabathia to the Brewers for minor-league IF Matt LaPorta, OF Michael Brantley and Ps Zach Jackson and Rob Bryson

July 26: Traded 3B Casey Blake to the Dodgers for minor-league C Carlos Santana and P Jon Meloan

Record on July 31: 47-60

Final record: 81-81

The skinny: The Indians owned a 37-51 record when they unloaded their ace, an impending free agent, upon Milwaukee. Cleveland went 34-21 in August and September to reach .500.

2007

July 27: Traded minor-league C Max Ramirez to the Rangers for OF Kenny Lofton

Record on July 31: 60-46

Final record: 96-66

The skinny: Cleveland sat one game behind Detroit at the end of July before the Tribe cruised to an AL Central title behind a 19-9 September. Lofton started all 11 of the Indians' playoff games.

2006

June 30: Traded IF Eduardo Perez to the Mariners for minor-league SS Asdrubal Cabrera

July 20: Traded P Bob Wickman to the Braves for minor-league C Max Ramirez

July 26: Traded 1B Ben Broussard to the Mariners for minor-league OF Shin-Soo Choo

July 30: Traded 2B Ronnie Belliard to the Cardinals for IF Hector Luna

Record on July 31: 45-59

Final record: 78-84

The skinny: The Indians outscored the opposition by 88 runs in 2006, but the club never quite put it together.

2005

July 7: Traded IF Alex Cora to the Red Sox for IF Ramon Vazquez

July 18: Traded OF Jody Gerut to the Cubs for OF Jason Dubois

Record on July 31: 55-51

Final record: 93-69

The skinny: The Indians sat 14 1/2 games out of first place in the division at the end of July before a 37-12 stretch pushed them to within 1 1/2 games with a week to play. Grady Sizemore lost a ball in the sun, the Indians lost five one-run games in a span of six contests and the team fell short of the postseason.

Browns coach Hue Jackson is 'very committed' to working with Josh Gordon,the Browns were instrumental in his reinstatement and he knows it's his last chance, Gordon's agent says.

CLEVELAND, Ohio -- Josh Gordon's agent, Drew Rosenhaus, said Tuesday he believes that Hue Jackson is "very committed'' to working with Gordon, that the Browns were instrumental in getting him reinstated and that Gordon knows this is likely his last chance.

"I do believe the Browns are a big part of Josh getting reinstated,'' Rosenhaus said on Pro Football Talk Live with Mike Florio. "I do believe that Sashi Brown, who's the chief executive of the Browns, had a lot to do with this. I believe that Hue Jackson is very committed to working with Josh Gordon. I believe that Jim Brown, who's an integral part of this process who got to know Josh and has served as a mentor in some respects had a lot to do with this.

"I really do think that the Browns are committed to Josh and want to see him succeed.''

Rosenhaus, who accompanied Gordon to his meeting July 19th last week with NFL Commissioner Roger Goodell in New York, explained why Goodell moved up the timetable from Aug. 1 for Gordon to be eligible to apply. Gordon was reinstated conditionally on Monday and can join the team for training camp on Thursday, but will be suspended for the first four games of the season. He was added to the 90-man roster Tuesday.

"I believe that Commissioner Goodell really got to know Josh and I'm convinced that he believed it would be in Josh's best interest to go to training camp on time this week as opposed to waiting any longer,'' Rosenhaus said. "Being with his teammates, being with his coaches, and the Browns organization are going to put a very good support system in place for Josh with counseling. They've got professionals that are going to work with him to support him moving forward so that he can be a successful football player and work within the system.''

He added, "I really believe the Commissioner wanted to give Josh this opportunity at the outset and see if Josh is able to grow from his experiences and make this transition.''

Cleveland.com reported on Monday that Jim Brown played a large role in Gordon's reinstatement, both in working with Gordon and speaking directly with Goodell on his behalf. As a result of some of those conversations, Goodell agreed allow Gordon to remain with the team during his four-game suspension.

Jim Brown played a large role in Josh Gordon's reinstatement

"In my conversation yesterday with Commissioner Goodell, he explained to me that he wanted Josh to get the full support of the organization at this time, to be with his teammates, his coaches, the administrators, the full backing of the Browns to help get his career back on track but that Josh had to prove that he could work within the conditions of his reinstatement and comply with the policy during training camp, during the preseason and through the first four games,'' said Rosenhaus. "If Josh can do that, he's earned the right to get back on the football field starting game five.''

He stressed that, "they're using this as a trial period to put Josh in a position to earn their trust and to earn the ability and the opportunity to be back on the field for the fifth game.''

Rosenhaus commended Goodell for making a concession and allowing Gordon to remain with the Browns for meetings and other activities (excluding practice) during his suspension. During his 10-game suspension in 2014, Gordon trained to become a car salesman about an hour southeast of Cleveland and was banned from team functions.

"Commissioner Goodell made a major change in my opinion with this decision in that Josh now during the four games that he is suspended, he can still work with the team,'' said Rosenhaus. "That is a huge change from the past. Commissioner Goodell is making a modification here for Josh that I think could benefit not only Josh but other players down the road, because it's very difficult when you're on suspension as a young player. You need help.

"And you're basically on you own once you're suspended. Now Josh can be around his teammates, his coaches, administrators, people in the front office and counselors from the Browns. That's huge. They can still work with him. He can stay very close to everything that's going on and not be on an island. I think that is a huge development and I thank Commissioner Goodell for that, and I think hopefully is a change that can be modified for certain young players going forward.''

Rosenhaus also doesn't think that Gordon hanging out with Johnny Manziel is necessarily a bad thing. The two spent time together over the weekend at Manziel's apartment, according to photos on Snapchat. Rosenhaus agreed to represent Manziel this offseason, but dropped him in April after he refused to go to rehab.

 "I didn't talk to Josh about that so I don't know what they did or what the circumstances were,'' Rosenhaus said. "I will tell you that Josh and Johnny are close friends and I can say that Josh cares very much about Johnny and Josh was one of the people that wanted me to help Johnny during the period of time that I tried to help him. Perhaps Josh, and we did have this conversation, knew that he was getting ready to leave and wanted to take that opportunity to share with Johnny what he's learned from his experiences and hope that the young man. ...I can never blame anyone for trying to help people. Certainly Josh does want to see Johnny do well.

"I have to trust Josh at this point with everything he's been through and the opportunity at hand that he's going to make the best decisions going forward.''

Rosenhaus stressed that Gordon knows exactly where he stands right now.

"He knows his career is on the line and that in all likelihood it's his last chance at playing in the National Football League and I know in the bottom of my heart, that that means so much to him,'' said Rosenhaus. "And I also know all the steps that he's taken to get to this point and I have faith that he's going to continue to do the right things for his life and his future and not let anything get in the way of that.''

Ohio State is also closely involved with four-star receiver Jermaine Eskridge of Tampa (Fla.) Jefferson, who released a top three early this week that included the Buckeyes, Miami (Fla.) and Alabama.

COLUMBUS, Ohio -- With five-star wide receivers Donovan Peoples-Jones of Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech, Trevon Grimes of Fort Lauderdale (Fla.) St. Thomas Aquinas and Tyjon Lindsey of Corona (Calif.) Centennial, Ohio State's hands are pretty full in 2017. 

But you'd be mistaken if you think 2017 receivers are Urban Meyer's only focus. 

Ohio State is also closely involved with four-star receiver Jermaine Eskridge of Tampa (Fla.) Jefferson, who released a top three early this week that included, in order, the Buckeyes, Miami (Fla.) and Alabama. 

So Ohio State is the 6-foot-3, 185-pound prospect's top school. 

Eskridge released a top 10 on July 1, a list that also included Notre Dame, USC, Georgia, Michigan State, Florida State, Florida and Oregon along with the three schools still standing. 

Rated the No. 7 athlete in the 2018 recruiting class in the 247Sports composite rankings, Eskridge has already amassed nearly 50 offers, so Ohio State's early positioning in his recruitment is conducive to actually landing a Florida stud. 

"This whole recruiting process has been very fun and exciting to me," Eskridge wrote on his Twitter account. "But these three schools stick out to me the most and I feel I can be a great student on and off the field. 

"I appreciate all the scholarship offers, and thanks to the coaches that have invested time in me. But with (no) further ado, these are the top three schools, in order. Thanks for the support everyone." 

Running back Bri'onte Dunn was removed from Ohio State's football team last week. Urban Meyer said there's no chance Dunn will return.

CHICAGO -- Ohio State announced last week that senior running back Bri'onte Dunn had been dismissed for a violation of team rules. 

That dismissal is permanent. 

Speaking at Big Ten Media Days on Tuesday, Urban Meyer said there's "no chance" Dunn will be welcomed back to the team.

A moment later, Meyer said he thinks redshirt freshman Mike Weber will be the Buckeyes starting running back this season.   

Though Dunn's reason for dismissal was for violating unspecified team rules, it is thought to be linked to a domestic violence issue involving his girlfriend.

Dunn's girlfriend called the police the morning of July 20 and alleged that he hit and choked her during a domestic dispute at an off-campus address. You can listen to he 911 call here. 

In the past, Ohio State has kicked players off the team for similar issues but welcomed them back if charges were dropped.

By saying there's "no chance" Dunn will be a Buckeye this year, Meyer dismissed the possibility of that happening. Dunn had 14 carries for 91 yards and a touchdown last year. 

Meyer said he feels comfortable at the running back position with Weber, Curtis Samuel, Antonio Williams, Damario McCAll and Dontre Wilson in the mix, but Ohio State is going to have to handle practice reps at the position carefully.