Podcast Summary: The Bill and Doug Show – Ohio State Around the Shoe

Episode: Don't take Jeremiah Smith for granted, Julian Sayin's legs and more
Date: March 12, 2026
Host: Blue Wire
Panel: Doug Lesmerises (“A”), Bill Landis (“D”), Sam Cipriani (“B”), Joey Kaufman (“C”)

Overview

This episode dives deep into spring practice observations for the defending national champion Ohio State Buckeyes. The team’s evolving coaching staff salaries, standouts from the first spring workout, early impressions on offensive and defensive personnel, and musings on star receiver Jeremiah Smith’s legacy all take center stage. The tone blends inside insight, humor, and the sense of a program operating at the front line of college football's changing landscape.

Key Discussion Points and Insights

1. Ohio State Assistant Coach Salaries: "Cha-Ching" and "Flex"

[00:50 – 13:43]

• $15.3 Million Staff Pool: OSU released assistant coach contracts, revealing a record $15.3M salary pool (excludes head coach Ryan Day).
  • Notable: Matt Patricia receives a $1.25M raise, now at $3.75M/year – higher than some Power 5 head coaches.
  • Nearly all assistants clear $600k; seven of 12 make over $1M.
• No Longer an Underdog: Doug highlights that Ohio State can't play the "national underdog" card anymore—OSU now matches or surpasses any program financially and in resources:

  “They paid $15.3 million … there’s no underdog sniff that can be left.” – Doug [12:09]

• Arms Race for Talent: Joey discusses the rapid inflation in staff salaries — up from $7M in 2019.

  “It’s more than double from what it was on Day’s inaugural staff. There’s an unlimited supply of money and we’ve become numb to it.” – Joey [03:47]

• Strategic Implications: Bill sees the spending spree as institutional flexing—a signal that when/if player compensation becomes direct and unlimited, OSU will lead:

  “If ever the world were to come where we can give as much of that as we want to our players, watch out. But at the moment, we can only ... to our coaches.” – Bill [06:14]

• Pressure and Expectations: The panel agrees: outsized spending means outsized expectations—no more built-in excuses.

2. Spring Practice Offensive Standouts

[14:18 – 24:45]

• WRs Kyle Parker & Devin McEwen (UTSA Transfers):
  • Both popped out, featured on the perimeter (unlike typical tall outside OSU receivers). May signal a shift in personnel philosophy under new WR coach Cortez Hankton.
  • Key question: Who is WR2 after Jeremiah Smith?

  “It’s fascinating to watch how Hankton will run this room—does he rotate more, prioritize different body types? We’re gathering info every time we see them.” – Doug [15:20]

• TE Nate Roberts: Landis highlights a slick red zone rep:

  “He broke off a nasty route on Eli Lee and caught a touchdown from Julian Sayin … that was interesting.” – Bill [17:06]

• OL Sam Greer (Freshman):
  • At 6'7", 335 lbs as a freshman, Greer is already the tallest and second-heaviest on the roster.

  “He just does not look like a freshman … lightning quick feet, a lot of power.” – Sam [19:32]

• RB Situation:
  • Turbo Rogers didn’t flash as much “turbo” as expected; Legend Bay looked quicker.

  “Legend Bay just looked quicker overall. … He seemed like the one more deserving of the ‘Turbo’ nickname.” – Sam [23:54]

Memorable Moment: "Julian Sayin's Mustache"

• Group humor about whether starting QB Julian Sayin is growing a mustache—confirmed by Landis as “first mustache” caliber.

  “Somebody had a picture—it’s like a Chalamet mustache.” – Bill [22:38]

3. Spring Practice Defensive Standouts

[24:45 – 34:34]

• LB Sincere Johnson (Freshman, Glenville):
  • Universally called out for his impressive physicality and movement.

  “Sincere Johnson is what they look like. … Laurinaitis has a heck of a thing going in that linebacker room—routinely bringing in aliens.” – Bill [25:29]

• LB Depth/Snap Management:
  • Discussion: With talented freshmen and transfers (Allegro, Pettijohn, T.J. Alford), James Laurinaitis will need clear plans for snap allocation to retain and develop stars.

  “There’s only so many snaps. Coaches and position coaches have a lot to figure out.” – Doug [32:34]

  • Potential for three-LB packages? Panel wonders if OSU will periodically use three LB sets to get more athleticism and youth onto the field.
• Other Notables: DB Jalen McClain’s processing, size of freshmen like Braxton Rembert and Kerry Wilder.

4. Julian Sayin’s Legs: The Next OSU X-Factor?

[34:34 – 44:11]

• Ryan Day’s Comment: Day says “Julian Sayin’s legs are the X factor” for 2026.
  • Panel rates significance (1–100): Doug (67), Sam (65), Joey (37), Bill (73).
• Realistic Expectations:
  • Joey is skeptical it’s more than “lip service” given OSU’s QB run history.

    “They’ve never asked the quarterback to run a ton … never a position where they had the quarterback doing a lot of running.” – Joey [38:32]

  • Bill thinks it's meaningful if not revolutionary:

    “He’s not going to be a battering ram, but play extension and scrambling will matter … I think it was pretty meaningful.” – Bill [40:13]

• What’s “Enough” Running:
  • Doug notes Sayin had 11 PFF “scramble attempts” last year; a bump to mid-20s could be crucial in big moments (“one more per game” can be the margin in intense games).

Memorable Quote:

“Even if he doesn’t run more, if it’s a Big Ten title game on the edge of the red zone … it might matter more.” – Joey [43:30]

5. Appreciating Jeremiah Smith: Don’t Take Him for Granted

[44:11 – 54:19]

• Doug’s “Perfect Photo” Moment: Doug shares a striking photo of WR Jeremiah Smith—drawing hundreds of fan reactions for its “modeling shot” quality.

  “He just looks long and lean and muscular at the same time. … how good is this photo?” – Doug [45:32]

• Covering Greatness: Doug admits to almost overlooking Smith’s presence because his excellence feels routine.

  “I went to the first day of Ohio State spring practice and completely ignored Jeremiah Smith. … What am I doing? Why am I so terrible at my job?” – Doug [45:32]

• Smith’s Historical Standing:
  • Sam: Smith is statistically and visually on pace to be one of the greatest college WRs of all time in just 3 years.
  • Joey and Bill: Compare him to LeBron James; “we should think about him like LeBron James—a generational talent … don’t take it for granted.” [48:56]
  • Bill: Notes Smith’s unique drive, practice habits, and rare talent. “You’re not going to see another like him.”
• Journalistic Lesson: Appreciate and document greatness in the present, don’t get lost in the hunt for “the next guy.”

Notable Quotes & Memorable Moments (w/ Timestamps)

• On Staff Salaries:
  “It feels like there’s an unlimited supply of money … doubled in less than a decade.” – Joey [03:47]
  “It's a flex by Ohio State.” – Bill [06:14]

• On Defensive Talent:
  “Laurinaitis is bringing in a couple [‘aliens’] every year.” – Bill [25:29]

• On Julian Sayin’s Legs:
  “He’s not going to be a battering ram … but scrambling and play extension will matter.” – Bill [40:13]

• On Jeremiah Smith:
  “He’s arguably their best receiver ever in school history and maybe one of the best players in school history.” – Joey [48:56]
  “Cherish what you're watching, he's got one year left, and you're not going to see another like him.” – Bill [52:12]

Timestamps of Important Segments

• [00:50] – Staff contracts and numbers
• [14:18] – Spring practice, offensive standouts
• [24:45] – Defensive standouts (LBs, coverage, snap counts)
• [34:34] – Julian Sayin's legs/X-factor remarks
• [44:11] – Jeremiah Smith: Why you can’t take him for granted
• [54:19] – Reflections on covering star players, journalism lessons

Takeaways

• Ohio State now sets the market for assistant salaries—no underdog status left.
• WR and LB rooms are teeming with talent and logistical challenges for playing time.
• QB Julian Sayin’s mobility will be watched—expect a modest bump in scrambling but not a scheme overhaul.
• Jeremiah Smith might be the best WR the Buckeyes have ever had—don’t hesitate to write about him and appreciate the moment.

If you only catch one thing: This is a program operating at a historic peak—on the field, on the ledger, and in its sheer collection of talent.