Former Ohio State OL Dawand Jones suspected Michigan had Buckeyes' signs during 2022 game
Dawand Jones, a former Ohio State and current Cleveland Browns offensive tackle, told the Associated Press he suspected Michigan knew the Buckeyes' signs during the Wolverines' 45-23 win in 2022.
Jones said Ohio State made some changes but couldn't change all the signals they used to call plays. He said seeing Michigan line up and know what was coming was "a little demoralizing."
"It's just sad to see it," Jones told the AP. "We're kids at the end of the day, and you don't want to cheat a kid out of a chance to showcase their skills on a national level. It's just sad to see that."
STAY UP-TO-DATE: Subscribe to our Sports newsletter for exclusive content
One more from Browns tackle Dawand Jones on alleged Michigan sign stealing:
"It’s just sad to see it. We’re kids at the end of the day, and you don’t want to cheat a kid out of a chance to showcase their skills on a national level. It’s just sad to see that.”— Tom Withers (@twithersAP) October 25, 2023
Both the NCAA and the Big Ten are looking into allegations that Michigan violated rules by scouting future opponents in person and used electronic equipment to record "signals given by an opposing player, coach or other team personnel."
Yahoo Sports had earlier quoted an unnamed Ohio State football support staff member who said the Buckeyes "changed things up" ahead of the 2022 Michigan game to try to combat potential sign stealing.
"We heard they had a guy pick plays pretty good and had all this information from not your typical ways of getting the signals," the staff member said. "We get into the game and it’s the second quarter. I see him across the field and he’s checking his 11x17 sheet."
Connor Stalions, a Michigan football analytics assistant, was suspended with pay while the investigations continue. Stalions, per multiple reports, bought tickets to college football games at 13 Big Ten schools – including multiple Ohio State games – and the 2021 and 2022 SEC title games.
Michigan coach Jim Harbaugh has denied knowledge of any sign-stealing operation.
Jones was a first-team All-American right tackle for the Buckeyes in 2022 and was second-team All-Big Ten. He was selected with the No. 111 overall pick in the 2023 NFL draft by the Browns, for whom he has played six games, allowing one sack on 424 snaps per Pro Football Focus.
Ohio State will take on Michigan in Ann Arbor at noon Nov. 25.
This article originally appeared on The Columbus Dispatch: Dawand Jones, ex-Ohio State OL, suspected Michigan had signs in 2022
