Ohio State Football Recruiting: Analyzing Buckeyes' 5 Best 2013 Commits

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Ohio State is putting together a recruiting class that is among the best in the country. The Buckeyes finished the 2012 season at an unexpected 12-0 mark, helping prove true that Urban Meyer is one of the best coaches in the country.

 Now he is proving his recruiting acumen and this is a look at the five best recruits that he currently has committed.

 The needs for the Buckeyes are obvious heading into the 2013 season, and this class fills them with players that will be able to perform immediately. This is a look at the players that should step in right away and find success. 

Eli Apple: CB, 6’1”, 185 lbs., Eastern

Photo via Rivals.com

Eli Apple is one of five enrollees that landed at Ohio State for the spring semester, and he is one of the best prospects in the 2013 class. Not only is he a top talent, but he will have spring football under his belt before this fall. 

Apple will play this fall for Ohio State. 

The Buckeyes are reliant on corners that can play on islands, and they like to use guys that have solid size. Apple fits that role well for this team and should be able to survive early against Big Ten offenses.

Heading into the new year, corner is a concern. Apple should clear concerns in the spring. 

He is rated the No. 5 cornerback in the country according to the 247Sports.com Composite Rating.

Evan Lisle: OT, 6’5”, 260 lbs., Centerville

Photo via 247Sports.com

The Buckeyes need immediate help along the offensive line with Evan Lisle looking to make an impact once he arrives this summer. 

Ohio State isn’t likely to turn to a true freshman in the coming year to fill a role on the offensive line, but they may have to. Lisle would be the player that would have the skill set to step in and earn the start. 

There will be an opportunity for him to earn time as the season moves, but starting may be a stretch. He will be a major player on the line in the coming seasons for this squad.

He is ranked the No. 6 offensive tackle in the country according to 247Sports.com Composite Rating. 

Jalin Marshall: WR, 6’0”, 190 lbs., Middletown

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Jalin Marshall is set to become an immediate impact player at receiver for the Buckeyes this season. Ohio State struggled to find passing yards consistently a year ago, and having a limited arsenal at skill positions hurt Braxton Miller’s game. 

Give Miller Marshall and the Buckeyes will again run through the Big Ten with ease. 

This pickup was a huge one for the Buckeyes and will pay dividends immediately. Marshall has great separation skills, and elite ball tracking.

He will be the first player to touch the football in a jump ball situation. 

Marshall is rated the No. 4 receiver in the country according to the 247Sports.com Composite Ranking.

Trey Johnson: LB, 6’2”, 218 lbs., Central Gwinnett

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Trey Johnson is considered to be one of the best linebackers in the 2013 recruiting class. He is a instinctual player on the interior that has the speed to cover tight ends and backs, and he has the power to plug holes. 

He has shown the ability to shed blocks well, but he will need to add weight in his first year in Columbus. 

The Buckeyes are losing a lot of talent at linebacker after this year, and Johnson is considered a guy that can step in and play right away. If he gets to school by mid-summer, he should see the field by fall. 

Johnson is the No. 3 rated linebacker in the country according to the 247Sports.com Composite Rating.

Joey Bosa: DE, 6’5”, 270 lbs., St. Thomas Aquinas

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Joey Bosa is a beast from the defensive end position. He is a physical specimen and should be able to walk in and earn playing time from day one. 

Bosa has the athleticism to be a powerful run-stopper and dangerous pass-rushing threat. He has shown great control of his hands and footwork at the high school level. 

Assuming that Bosa is on campus early this summer, he will be able to step in and possibly earn a start. There is already talent on the Buckeyes roster at defensive end, but Bosa is a game-changing recruit at the position.

Bosa is ranked the No. 3 defensive end in the country according to the 247Sports.com Composite Rankings.

 

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