
WATCH: Former Ohio State player throws out first pitch at Detroit Tigers game
WATCH: Former Ohio State player throws out first pitch at Detroit Tigers game
Now that the NFL draft is over and the first-timers that were selected have gone through rookie minicamp, the entire rosters of NFL teams can get on with the status quo of starting to get other camping opportunities underway, all leading up to fall camp and the start of the season.
Former Ohio State defensive tackle Tyleik Williams was one of the 14 Ohio State football players taken in this year's draft, and he landed in an uncomfortable spot if you will, up in Michigan with the Detroit Lions when they selected him with the No. 28 pick in the first round. He isn't the first -- nor will he be the last -- former Buckeye to play his professional ball at TSUN (Chris Spielman anyone), but he'll have to make a good impression or perhaps face the wrath of those who loved to root against him in college.
One way to do that is to make the rounds in the community, and Williams was doing just that over this past weekend by not only attending a Detroit Tigers baseball game but by throwing out the first pitch. It wasn't a seed thrown to the plate, but rather a smooth and soft delivery that at least won't get any viral moments, though it was a bit high. If you haven't seen Williams' first pitch against the Cubs on Sunday, get a look here thanks to the Detroit Tigers' "X" (formerly Twitter) account.
There are several former Buckeyes getting comfortable in their new environments and cities in the NFL, and as more of these moments are made available, we'll continue to bring them to you.
Contact/Follow us @BuckeyesWire on X (formerly Twitter) and like our page on Facebook to follow ongoing coverage of Ohio State news, notes and opinion. Follow Phil Harrison on X.

Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles


San Francisco Chronicle
21 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs keeping his discussions with team about viral boat video private
FOXBOROUGH, Mass. (AP) — New England Patriots receiver Stefon Diggs declined to share specifics about his conversations with coach Mike Vrabel and the team in the aftermath of a viral video that showed him passing what appeared to be a bag of pink crystals to women on a boat last month. 'Obviously, I want to be as candid with you guys as possible. I kind of have this thing where I don't talk about my personal life with people I don't know personally," Diggs said Tuesday following the team's final minicamp practice. "I'm pretty sure everybody here, men and women, are great people. But I kind of keep my personal life personal.' Tuesday marked the first time Diggs had spoken with reporters since videos were posted online of him chatting with three women before producing the substance. It wasn't clear what the substance was. An NFL spokesman said previously that the league would not comment, and Vrabel said the team would handle the matter internally. 'Obviously, it's a conversation that's happening internal. I can't really get into too much of the conversation about it," Diggs said. "The conversation I had with (Vrabel) and the people in the building is going to handled internal, in-house.' Diggs missed multiple optional team workouts this spring, but was present for the next one following the release of the video. He also was present for the Patriots' mandatory minicamp practices on Monday and Tuesday. Vrabel canceled a third practice originally scheduled for Wednesday. Diggs, 31, has attended multiple events this offseason with hip-hop star Cardi B — including the Met Gala and a Boston Celtics-New York Knicks playoff game. It has created an even bigger spotlight on the 10-year NFL veteran since he signed with the Patriots this offseason as a free agent, getting a three-year, $69 million deal that guarantees him $26 million. The four-time Pro Bowl selection posted six straight 1,000-yard receiving seasons for the Vikings and Bills before he was traded from Buffalo to Houston last spring. He had 47 catches for 496 yards and three touchdowns in eight games for the Texans before he tore the ACL in his right knee in October. 'I'm grinding each and every day," he said. "Obviously, I can't do too much of the team stuff. But I'm eager to get out there, so whenever they do press the button I'm going to be ready. I'm trying, though." He did line up at times with the first-team offense on Tuesday as it installed new plays. But he wasn't allowed to participate in any full-speed drills, instead doing individual work with trainers. But it hasn't lessened his resolve to be cleared for full contact. "I'm confident. I've kind of took my rehab pretty serious," Diggs said. 'In beginning phases I wasn't as confident, but I was trying it out. ... When I came back here, I was in a mindset of I'm trying to get after and get going. But it's kind of like a dog on a leash, you want to hold it back a little bit, especially because I want to go. But it's the timing of everything and I'm looking forward to training camp.' ___


San Francisco Chronicle
21 minutes ago
- San Francisco Chronicle
Vikings agree to 3-year contract with tight end Josh Oliver
MINNEAPOLIS (AP) — The Minnesota Vikings agreed to terms on a three-year contract extension with tight end Josh Oliver on Tuesday, enhancing their commitment to a key part of their running game. Oliver had career highs last season with 258 receiving yards and three touchdowns while expanding his involvement in the passing attack along with his role as a run blocker. Pro Football Focus analysts gave Oliver the best run-blocking grade among all NFL tight ends who played at least half of the blocking snaps in 2024. He also got the ninth-highest overall grade in the league at his position, after he was ranked fourth by PFF in 2023. The 28-year-old Oliver has entered his third season with Minnesota after signing as a free agent in 2023 following two years with Baltimore. The 6-foot-5, 259-pound Oliver was a third-round pick by Jacksonville in the 2019 draft out of San Jose State. ___

Associated Press
22 minutes ago
- Associated Press
Packers receiver Bo Melton works out at cornerback after release of Jaire Alexander
GREEN BAY, Wis. (AP) — Green Bay general manager Brian Gutekunst believes the Packers have more cornerback depth than most NFL teams even after releasing two-time Pro Bowl selection Jaire Alexander. But that didn't stop them from exploring creative ways to boost that position as they opened their minicamp Tuesday. One day after the Packers cut ties with Alexander, wide receiver Bo Melton spent part of practice working out at cornerback. Melton, the older brother of Arizona Cardinals cornerback Max Melton, already has showcased his versatility with his contributions on special teams. 'We just thought that if there is somebody that can potentially do both, he would be that guy,' Packers coach Matt LaFleur said. 'I think a lot of it is just from his production on (special) teams and just his ability to make plays on teams.' Melton has combined for 24 catches for 309 yards and one touchdown plus 11 carries for 75 yards over the past two seasons. He also had a touchdown in the Packers' 2023 NFC divisional playoff loss at San Francisco. Anything he could contribute on defense would help Melton distinguish himself in a receivers room that got crowded with the arrivals of first-round draft pick Matthew Golden and third-round selection Savion Williams. 'I think it's just something we're going to look at and see if it's a possibility,' Gutekunst said. 'There are very few guys who have done it in our league, there have been a few, and when a guy's able to do that, it certainly helps your football team.' Green Bay got accustomed to playing without Alexander when injuries caused him to play in just 34 of the Packers' 68 regular-season games over the past four years. He appeared in only seven games last season. Now the Packers know they won't have him at all. 'He's someone who definitely believed in me from the get-go when I got my opportunity. … It's tough to see him go,' quarterback Jordan Love said. 'I wish him nothing but the best, but right now, it's moving on and seeing what's next for our team.' The Packers' top three cornerbacks — Keisean Nixon, Carrington Valentine and Nate Hobbs — have 91 combined starts. Thirty-two of Nixon's 34 starts and all 19 of Valentine's starts came with Green Bay. Hobbs started 38 games with the Las Vegas Raiders from 2021-24 before signing with the Packers. 'Some guys don't even have two, (and) we've got three really good starting corners that we really like quite a bit,' Gutekunst said. 'Again, I think we have more depth than most.' But the only other Green Bay cornerbacks with any NFL playing experience on defense are Isaiah Dunn and Gregory Junior. Dunn played 114 defensive snaps for the New York Jets in 2021. Junior played 18 defensive snaps for Jacksonville in 2022 and 93 more in 2023. 'I think we know that three of those guys have gone out and played significant snaps, and then we've got a lot of young guys that are just kind of unknown,' LaFleur said. Gutekunst said there was no 'bad blood' regarding Alexander's exit and said the Packers made the move because of the 28-year-old's recent injury history. Alexander was due for a base salary of $16.15 million in 2025 and $18.15 million in 2026 as part of the four-year, $84 million contract extension he signed in 2022. Releasing him cleared about $17 million in cap space. 'I just think for what that amount of money is, I think that's a lot to pay for a guy who hasn't been able to get on the field,' Gutekunst said. 'Again, it's not his fault. It's just something that kind of transpired, so we just kind of were looking for something different.' NOTES: OL Elgton Jenkins was present for minicamp but wasn't practicing. Jenkins, who is moving from left guard to center this year following the offseason signing of Aaron Banks, hadn't attended the voluntary organized team activities. 'He's helping out and coaching the other guys right now,' LaFleur said. 'He's worked on the side, but we thought it was best to keep him out today. … Love said he's looking forward to the opportunity to match up with former Packers teammate Aaron Rodgers now that the four-time MVP has joined the Pittsburgh Steelers. The Packers play at Pittsburgh on Oct. 26. Love said the two of them have exchanged texts since Rodgers signed. '(I) told him that we're going to need to swap jerseys after the game,' Love said. … Love said that his wedding is 'coming up here soon, a couple weeks out.' Love is engaged to volleyball player Ronika Stone. 'It's been awesome,' Love said. 'We're excited.' ___ AP NFL: