Ohio State Football: The Price Isn't Right and Other OSU Tidbits

It seems that Ohio State's snowball effect of turmoil has indeed affected the current roster's stability.

Per multiple sources close to the program, freshman linebacker Ejuan Price has asked for the release from his scholarship. This does not necessarily mean Price's request will be met, although it contradicts several previous reports that there would be no rumblings among the players about transferring or leaving the team.

Price, along with linebackers Curtis Grant, Ryan Shazier, and Connor Crowell were a part of the 2011 recruiting class and were considered by some to be the best corps of linebackers recruited in the Jim Tressel era.

The request may also stem from Dorian Bell, Price's cousin, and his problems with the program.

If Price is granted his release from Ohio State, the Buckeyes would lose a natural talent and tackling machine and inside linebacker. While Grant was the most likely of the four to contribute on defense right away, Price fit the mold of a genuine leader on defense.

It is unfortunate that the infractions presented upon the Ohio State program have now gone beyond politics and disrupted the flow that is Ohio State football. While this is not entirely shocking, it makes one wonder if Price's request itself is its own snowball effect.

Maybe if George Dohrmann interviews Price, that too can win him a Pulitzer Prize.

Around the O:

• Buckeye fans have surely heard enough of the name Ron Dayne. 

This time, they will actually want to hear it.

Per 247Sports and their Buckeye affiliates, Cincinnati Western Hills junior Deon Dawson has been receiving increased interest from Ohio State. Standing 6'1'' and reports of his weight somewhere between 250 and 300 lbs, Dawson's bruising ability to break tackles draws comparisons to Dayne, Jerome Bettis, and a Wildcat bulldozer.

This offseason, the Buckeyes lost their bulldozer Jermil Martin due to the depth in the backfield. Sophomore Carlos Hyde and the much-praised freshman Rod Smith too have the ability to plunge straight through the line of scrimmage.

If the current Buckeye backs prove futile in their short yardage ventures, Dawson's qualities might warrant an offer.

That is, if Dawson doesn't switch to defensive end first.

• As 247Sports reported earlier, a source close to Ohio State said this of heralded freshman quarterback Braxton Miller, "I am more convinced than ever he is going to be the best quarterback Ohio State may ever see. I think he is more talented than Terrelle Pryor.

The source went on to praise Miller's lack of ego, something No. 2 seemed to drive around in all of his automobiles.

• For more information on Ohio State and their rumor mill, drop me a message on BR or contact me @dbaybucks on Twitter.

Multiple facts in this article are courtesy of http://ohiostate.247sports.com