Ohio State's 2005 Recruiting Class Maximized By Coaching Staff

With all of the interest and enthusiasm Ohio State fans and college football fans in general have in following recruiting, I thought it would be good to take a look back at the recruiting class Coach Jim Tressel and his staff signed in February 2005.

This recruiting class was rated behind Michigan and Iowa in the Big Ten when it was signed and was considered to be the No. 12 rated class in the country.  By comparison, USC had the top rated class that year.

In many recruiting classes, the rules of thirds apply—a third will start as the coaching staff would hope, a third will contribute in some fashion, and a third will either fail to develop, transfer, or be lost to injury.

As you continue to read, you will see Coach Tressel and his staff have done a very good job of maximizing the contributions of this 18-man class they signed back in 2005.  The coaching staff completely nullified the rules of thirds with this class—an impressive job of talent evaluation and talent development, as you will read.

I. The Starters

1. Alex Boone, OT: Boone committed to Ohio State out of Lakewood St. Edward prior to his junior season of high school.  The top player in the state of Ohio, Boone earned playing time as a true freshman in 2005.  Boone contemplated declaring for the NFL Draft last season but came back, along with several of his classmates.  Being a near four-year starter, I believe Boone has lived up to his early scholarship offer as a high school sophomore.

2. Jim Cordle, C: Cordle enrolled early in 2005 for spring practice.  Cordle suffered a broken foot in 2005, prompting a redshirt year, so he has one more year of eligibility.  Cordle took over for Doug Datish at center last season and had a solid season.  With two more years of eligibility, Cordle should be a starter barring injury.

3. Todd Denlinger, DT: Denlinger redshirted in 2005 and has two years of eligibility remaining.  Denlinger played some in 2006 but saw extensive action last season as part of the defensive line rotation Coach Heacock utilizes.

4. Brian Hartline, WR: Hartline redshirted in 2005 and has two years of eligibility remaining.  Hartline emerged as a contributor in 2006 as both a receiver and as a very good special teams member.  Some of his biggest plays were against Indiana and Iowa

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