Ex-Ohio State Player Reveals Buckeyes Suspected Michigan Had Their Signals
ATLANTA, GA - DECEMBER 31: Ohio State Buckeyes offensive lineman Dawand Jones (79) during the college football Playoff Semifinal game at the Chick-fil-a Peach Bowl between the Georgia Bulldogs and the Ohio State Buckeyes on December 31, 2022 at Mercedes-Benz Stadium in Atlanta, Georgia. (Photo by Michael Wade/Icon Sportswire via Getty Images)
The reports of Michigan's alleged sign stealing did not come as a surprise to former Ohio State offensive tackle Dawand Jones.
Jones, who is now with the Cleveland Browns, told Tom Withers of the Associated Press on Wednesday that the Buckeyes had an inkling that Michigan knew some of their sideline signals last season.
As a result, Jones said the Buckeyes altered some signs prior to the Wolverines' win in Columbus.
Jones himself commented on X/Twitter this week about a video circulating that seemed to indicate Michigan had advanced knowledge of Ohio State's calls during "The Game" last year.
In the clip, suspended Michigan staffer Connor Stalions can be seen on the sideline standing near Wolverines defensive coordinator Jesse Minter. As Ohio State players look to their sideline for the incoming call, Stalions and others do the same, and then begin signaling out commands to the defensive players on the field.
Ohio State scored a touchdown on the play in question, so if Michigan did have the Buckeyes' signals, it didn't make a difference that time. Still, it's worth looking into, considering the NCAA is investigating the Maize and Blue for allegedly using outsiders, secured through Stalions, to do in-person scouting and videotape the sidelines of upcoming opponents.
