In a normal year, even the most die-hard recruiting followers wouldn’t know who would make up next years’ recruiting class until that next year. Normally, you’d get a chance to see the previous years’ recruits make an impact on the field. Not this year as the 2008 recruits haven’t even been through fall practice and the 2009 class is almost full.
Right about now, I’m sure the recruiting services and Ohio State blogs are feeling like they are in the OSU Strength and Conditioning program. A flurry of 6 verbal commitments in 5 days is responsible for writers feeling like they’ve been doing two-a-days. There’s only so much you can say about a kid you’ve barely seen play football, but if I was a betting man, I’d bet Tressel and company did their homework.
Compared to last year’s class, this class is built not on big names but rather solid players. There are no Terrelle Pryors or Mike Brewsters or Etienne Sabinos (they are already on the team, in fact), even though Scout has Dorian Bell as the #5 player in the nation.
The class is heavy on…everything. Secondary sticks out, but no one knows who will get a shot on offense. Any school would love to have a recruiting class as well rounded and as solid a base as this class, except maybe USC but they don’t have to leave the state of California to win recruiting rankings. Ohio State, on the other hand, adds in a mix of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Florida kids.
Who’s left on the wish list? Well there’s a staff wish list and an actual list of may still commit. On both lists, Jamaal Berry is the rapidly rising RB from Florida who posted an electronic 4.31 forty yard dash at a Scout combine.
Next is a big body from Glenville, Marcus Hall, who’s drawing interest from the country, but has OSU on top and could decide soon like his teammate Jonathan Newsome.
Corey Adams, an Arizona product and possible OSU lean, (his dad is a Buckeye fan and they are from Ohio) could fill a glaring need, but USC and other top programs think so as well.
Vladimir Emilien, aka the Hit Man, is a hard hitting safety that has been high on the Buckeyes since the spring game, but has yet to pull the trigger.
Brandon McGeelooked like an OSU lock after the spring game, but as time passes, it seems the staff isn’t going to wait for his decision.
Number one on the wish list is athlete Andre Debose, who said he will visit Columbus and is high on the Bucks, but is most likely going to stay where he came from in the state of Florida.
Here is a brief look at ESPN's updated Recruiting Scorecard and bellow are the Buckeyes current commitments:
Dorian Bell, LB – 2nd ranked LB in the nation, per Scout.com
Jordan Whiting, LB – Kentucky LB was one of the first commits.
Storm Klein, LB – Listed as an Athlete but it's really a hard nosed LB.
Johnny Simon, DT – A man amongst boys, and maybe the best DT in the Midwest.
Adam Bellamy, DT – Run stuffer specialist is big and mean.
Melvin Fellows. DE – May be the best player in Ohio.
Jamie Wood, S – Size and skill makes Rivals giddy.
C.J. Barnett, CB – One of the best CBs in the nation from Ohio.
Dominic Clarke, CB – Lose a Marylander, gain another.
Jack Mewhort, OT/C – From my alma mater, Toledo St. Johns, moving up recruiting boards.
Corey Linsley, OG – Another big body for the offensive line.
James Jackson, WR – You want fast, little guys? We got fast little guys. Reported 4.31.
Chris Fields, WR – Standout OH WR runs under a 4.4 and Scout has no idea who he is.
Reid Fragel, TE – 6’ 8”, 250lb player was being recruited for the Wolverine O-line.
Jordan Hall, RB/WR – Terrelle Pryor’s partner in touchdowns at Jeanette.
Zach Boren, LB/FB – A 2 for 1 deal with his brother is making waves at LB in camps.
Adam Homan, FB – Ross’ little brother was told he was a FB recruit, and he likes it.
Duron Carter, WR – Carter? A WR for the Bucks? Haven’t I seen this play out before?
Carlos Hyde, RB – 230lbs? 235? 240? He keeps growing with every article. It may be a good thing.
Justin Green, CB – Electric CB might pull a Ginn/Gonzo and go offensive.
Corey Brown, CB - Electric CB might pull a Ginn/Gonzo and go offensive (yea it’s the same comment).
Bradley McDougald, S – Hometown Dublin DB is yet another highly ranked kid at safety
Jonathan Newsome, DE/LB – The staff wanted him more than you know, and Glenville continues their job.
Overall, this recruiting class is shapping up to be very solid, even though there are no big-name players, expect to hear from these players in the future.
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3 months ago
I like the article. Should the class continue to fill up, I think we hold scholarships for tthe first three players you mentioned. Jamaal Berry would fit in great in the backfield next to TP. And we are no. 1 on his list as of now, however, he is yet to visit UF. Marcus hall we have a great chance of landing, due to the 'Glennville Pipeline.' I wonder if the amount of O-lone talent brought in '08 will make him think twice about possibly having to work his butt off to get a starting job. I like our chances with Corey Adams because of his Ohio ties and beacuse our lack of big names at the DT position. As of right now, I dont think our chances of landing McGee and Debose are great. Should me an interesting next few months.
3 months ago
No matter what, Tressel has already landed another top 10, if not Top 5 class for 2009.
As much as I dislike witnessing it, Tressel and his staff are really doing an outstanding job retaining the top talent in Ohio and by raiding Michigan, PA and FL with good success as well.
3 months ago
Great analysis, Tressel is a master recuiter and this class is showing it.
3 months ago
We always like to see the 5 star and 4 star recruits... makes the school look good. But I like it when Ohio State finds 3 star athletes like Laurinaitis.. Malcolm Jenkins and Brian Robiskie and they end up being all americans... Jim Tressel is the best recruiter out there no matter what anybody says.
3 months ago
i admire tressel for being a great recruiter and coach. But for the life of me can't figure out why he can't win the big one with all the talent he seems to acquire. L.S.U. convincingly beat them this past season prior to that it was Florida and prior to that he had to rely on the openly-biased refs to screw Miami out of a championship.... Well as the old saying goes "when you can't beat'em you cheat'em"....
right "luck-eyes"???????
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