Ohio State's 2005 Recruiting Class Maximized By Coaching Staff

: Worthington redshirted in 2005 and has two years of eligibility left.  Worthington is probably a better fit at DE but moved to an interior DL position as Ohio State needed help in that area.

11. Lawrence Wilson, DE: The last player to sign with Ohio State, Wilson earned playing time as a true freshman in 2005.  Wilson broke his leg last season against Youngstown State and was redshirted, so he has two years of eligibility remaining, but I doubt Wilson stays after this coming season if he plays well.

 

II. The Contributors

12. Andre Amos, DB: Amos redshirted in 2005 and has two years of eligibility remaining.  Amos had a good spring game and may earn more playing time with the off the field issues surrounding Donald Washington.  Amos may play more in 2009 as a fifth-year senior.

13. Jamario O'Neal, DB: O'Neal was the first player to commit to Ohio State midway through his sophomore year of high school and had high expectations that so far he has not reached.  O'Neal is also facing some potential discipline this coming year, along with Donald Washington.  Hopefully O'Neal will play well in his final year of eligibility.

14. Austin Spitler, LB: Spitler redshirted in 2005 and has two years of eligibility remaining.  Primarily a backup at MLB behind James Laurinaitis, Spitler has primarily played on special teams and may see time at fullback this season.  Spitler should be a potential starter next season.

15. Maurice Wells, RB: Like Jamario O'Neal, Wells was highly touted coming out of high school but has not developed into anything more than a role player.  Wells contemplated transferring after the 2006 season but stuck it out in Columbus.  Wells' role this season will be primarily as a change of pace back who can catch the ball out of the backfield, and he may even get time on special teams as a kick returner.

 

III. The Departures

16. Freddie Lenix, LB: Lenix never qualified for Ohio State academically.  Lenix was going to enroll at Cincinnati but supposedly failed to qualify there as well.

17. Rob Schoenhoft, QB: Schoenhoft transferred to Delaware after the 2007 season.  Schoenhoft had some playing time against Youngstown State in the 2007 opener, but he lost time to Antonio Henton (also a transfer) as the season progressed.  With the signing of Terrelle Pryor, and a supposed position move to TE, Schoenhoft left the program with Coach Tressel's blessings and understanding.

18. Ryan Williams, DE: Williams transferred to San Diego State after the 2006 season.  Williams redshirted in 2005 and also suffered a knee injury that limited his playing time options.  A California native, it did not surprise me that Williams left the program a few years ago.

 

CONCLUSION

Out of 18 players, Coach Tressel and his staff have 11 starters, four contributors, and only three players who are neither playing or contributing.  As I wrote up above, to have 15 of 18 signees playing or contributing—an 83 percent success rate—is a tribute to Coach Tressel and his staff's talent evaluation and talent development.

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