Ohio State’s loss to Texas didn’t just leave scars on the scoreboard. By Sunday and Monday, it spilled onto social media, where three Buckeyes freshmen voiced their frustration in posts that centered on wanting to be “freed.”
The most visible of the group was Alabama transfer Caleb Downs, who had posted after the game that he needs to be “freed.” Freshman wide receiver Phillip Bell then followed with a post on X that read, “free me.” On Instagram, Jerquaden Guilford added his own message Monday, putting up a photo of himself in warmups against Texas with the caption, "ain (isn't) s*** (to) say, free6," a clear nod to the same sentiment.
Another freshman, Brock Boyd, took a less direct route but still stirred the conversation. He posted a route he ran in which he beat his defender but did not get the ball. He didn’t add a caption, but the post was enough to raise questions about getting him more touches in actual games rather than in matchups where Ohio State is heavily favored.
The reaction lands differently because of how Ohio State usually operates under Ryan Day. The program has generally kept things tight and internal, especially with younger players, and these public posts don’t fit that mold.
Bey has now been a Buckeye for two weeks and has stood out negatively twice. Against Ball State, he had one really nice run where he juked out nearly the entire defense to score.
That was sandwiched between two of the worst and borderline selfish kick returns. The first to start the game was understandable.
A young freshman, too excited to make a big play, and you get it.
Then, in the second quarter, he did it again and set the Buckeyes up on their own 10-yard line to start the two-minute drill. This week, he posted on his personal social media account that he needs to be freed. Both positive and negative things have clues.
For Guilford, the path looks different. He is a 6'3" four-star recruit who has not gotten a chance to take the field yet, and he was passed over by Boyd and Chris Henry Jr. in that freshman room.
Even with the noise, the expectation is that Day will handle it and make the whole thing a mute point.
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Jayden Miles is part of that next wave, and his trip gives Ohio State a chance to make its case in person while the class comes into focus. With the Buckeyes still trying to recover from their loss to Texas and sharpen things on the field, the recruiting side matters even more, because landing the right back can change the feel of an entire cycle. [Read more 🡒]