Ohio State Football: Stock Up, Stock Down for the Buckeyes' Top 2013 Recruits

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With three games left in the Buckeyes' season, more and more attention is going towards the future, namely the Ohio State 2013 recruiting class.

OSU has only had one commit since the end of July, yet has one of the best recruiting classes in college football at the moment. With 17 verbal commits and seven open scholarships at this time, the Buckeyes have room in the 2013 class for possibly up to five more players.

There are plenty of big name targets the Buckeyes are after, but are they waning on Urban Meyer and the Buckeyes? Or are they closer to becoming Buckeyes?

Here's a look at several big targets and where their stock in Ohio State stands.

Stock Up: OT Dorian Johnson

Even though Ohio State's offensive line is much improved from last year, the Buckeyes only have two offensive linemen committed—Evan Lisle and Timothy Gardner.

Meyer has a chance to land one of the best from next door in Pennsylvania OT Dorian Johnson.

A Penn State decommit, Johnson's recruitment is a two-horse race between Ohio State and nearby Pitt.

Per B/R's Andrew Kulha, Ohio State is still in it even though Pitt is still out in front.

That can all change if Johnson has a great time at his official visit during the Michigan game at the end of the season. He may make his verbal at the end of November, and a great visit could tilt this in the Buckeyes' favor.

Stock Down: WR Robert Foster

The Robert Foster recruitment has been very volatile at times, from an apparent loss of interest in the spring on OSU's end to the Buckeyes being back in the race.

However, Foster's two tweets from Thursday tell two different stories:

My mamma likes PITT n my daddy likes BAMA but the best thing about it they both said they will b there no matter wat ILOVEMYPARENTS😘❤

— D-rob#4 (@DROBFoster_4) November 1, 2012

I may have spoke to soon. I willto take my official visits then make a decision. This will be my last tweet concerning this matter

— D-rob#4 (@DROBFoster_4) November 1, 2012

Foster could be leaning towards Alabama, and the Pittsburgh Post-Gazette's Sam Werner seems to think its down to 'Bama and Pitt.

Ohio State may need big help to get back into this one if they haven't already given up on Foster already.

Stock Up: OG David Dawson

About a month ago, you could put David Dawson in the category of "Players Nobody Thought Ohio State Would Have a Chance At."

Dawson decommited from Michigan a few weeks ago, and is down to the Wolverines' two biggest rivals: Michigan State and Ohio State.

Dawson has already visited OSU four times and the Buckeyes are pushing hard to land Dawson. He will announce at the Under Armour All-American Game.

Stock Down: WR James Quick

Ohio State made quite an impression on James Quick during his visit earlier this year when the Buckeyes defeated Nebraska 63-38.

However, people around his hometown of Louisville as of Oct. 15 believe that Quick may commit to the Cardinals over the Buckeyes.

The big wild card is whether or not Charlie Strong stays at Louisville, especially with the Tennessee job potentially becoming available at season's end.

If Strong leaves, that may be enough for Quick to head north to Ohio State. If he stays, then Quick is likely a Cardinal.

Stock Down: LB Mike Mitchell

About four months ago, it seemed like Mike Mitchell from Plano, Tex. was a lock to be a Buckeye.

With the calendar flipping to November, that seems less and less likely, especially with Texas A&M knocking at the door.

He recently visited Texas A&M and seemed to enjoy his visit to College Station.

Ohio State had been the favorite for awhile, but likely doesn't stand a chance until it finally gets Mitchell to campus, which has been the biggest question of OSU's recruiting season.

Up in the Air: S Vonn Bell

The biggest needs for the Buckeyes lie in the back seven, with the safety position being up there. Blue-chip safety Vonn Bell may be the biggest prize the Buckeyes can get in this recruiting class.

Bell's recruiting has been very quiet since the season started, but has put the Buckeyes in his top three with Alabama and Tennessee.

He has already visited the two SEC schools, but not Ohio State yet, even though the Buckeyes looked in the driver's seat in summer camps. What happens with Derek Dooley at Tennessee may change things in the top three.

This situation is where OSU's bowl ban may be an advantage because Meyer can focus the full-court press on certain players, Bell being one of them. If he gets Bell into Columbus for an official visit, even if it doesn't happen for the OSU-Michigan game, the Buckeyes do have a chance.

 

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