Ohio State Recruiting: Grades and Analysis for Class of 2012

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Urban Meyer certainly made a big splash in his first Ohio State recruiting class. He took a group that was barely in the top 25 and propelled them into the top five in a matter of months.

The group eventually finished No. 4 according to Rivals.com. Even though Ohio State will be going though a bowl ban, that did not scare away too many recruits.

Meyer concentrated on the defensive side of the ball, particularly the defensive line, but did bring in a solid group of offensive linemen as well.

Here is a breakdown of the 2012 Ohio State recruiting class.

Offense

Headlining the class on the offensive side of the ball are three linemen.

The most highly touted among them is tackle Joey O'Connor. He ranks No. 102 overall and is the No. 12 tackle in the class.

He will be joined up front by Taylor Decker, who is the No. 23 tackle and No. 221 overall, along with Kyle Dodson, who is No. 178 overall and the No. 16 tackle.

The class also has two running backs at the skill position, led by Bri'onte Dunn. Dunn is the No. 11 overall running back and No. 138 overall.

Joining him in the backfield is the No. 16 running back and No. 193 overall recruit Warren Ball.

At wide receiver, Michael Thomas is a 4-star recruit who could make an immediate impact.

Defense

Ohio State may have the best class of anybody when it comes to defense, headlined by a pair of 5-star defensive linemen.

Leading the way is Noah Spence. He is rated No. 9 overall and is the No. 1 defensive end.

The man who will likely occupy the other side of the defensive line is Adolphus Washington. He ranks as the No. 2 defensive end and the No. 25 player overall.

The No. 6 defensive end is Se'Von Pittman, who ranks No. 95 overall and rounds out quite a class of ends.

The middle will be anchored by tackle Tommy Schutt. Schutt is the No. 6 tackle and No. 64 player overall.

The defensive backfield is also loaded, led by No. 17 cornerback and No. 219 player overall Armani Reeves.

Two of the top 16 safeties in the country in De'van Bogard and Najee Murray will help anchor the secondary.

At linebacker, OSU has signed Josh Perry, who is the No. 11 outside linebacker and No. 146 overall. He will be joined by inside linebacker Camren Williams, who is No. 8 at his position and No. 167 overall.

David Perkins is the No. 13 athlete according to Rivals.com and the No. 159 player overall. He will probably fit in nicely at linebacker.

Grade, Prediction and Analysis

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Ohio State did a great job of fulfilling their three biggest needs, offensive line, linebacker and defensive line, and for that they get an A overall.

Players like Spence and Washington will likely come in and play right away, as will a few of the linebackers.

This class will certainly have an immediate impact in 2012 and gives Braxton Miller a little more talent around him.

While this class is great, expect them to only get better with Urban Meyer around.