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Ohio State Recruiting: Has the Pipeline Dried Up?
David ThurmanDec 6, 2010
Dave Thurman (8:02 am)
Under Jim Tressel there has been one constant in recruiting. Every year from 2002 on has included at least one player from Cleveland Glenville High School. For a number of years if there was a Tarblooder player that Ohio State wanted you knew that he would wind up signing with the Buckeyes. it wasn't a matter of if, but when. However, in recent years the pipeline seems to have sprung a small leak as some highly touted Glenville players have chosen to head elsewhere. It all began in 2007 when Cordale Scott chose Illinois over Ohio State (he has since transferred to Toledo). Then last year Latwan Anderson, who may have been the best athlete in the state, opted for Miami (although OSU backed off of him due to either grade problems or off the field issues).
All that brings us to the class of 2011, which may be the first in nearly a decade without a Glenville alum. It isn't that the Tarblooders lack big-time talent, with at least four players that the Buckeyes have either offered or considered offering. But as we draw closer to February 2, 2011, when letters of intent will be signed, it seems incresingly likely that not one of the four winds up donning the scarlet and gray. Before we take a look at the four and the odds on whether they wind up in Columbus, let's go back and examine each of the young men from Glenville who have signed with Tressel's Buckeye squads, and see how they have fared.
Class of 2002:
-Troy Smith - Not offered until late in the process, and recruited as a qb/athlete, Troy merely went on to win the Heisman Trophy in 2006, taking the Buckeyes to the BCS National Championship Game.
Under Jim Tressel there has been one constant in recruiting. Every year from 2002 on has included at least one player from Cleveland Glenville High School. For a number of years if there was a Tarblooder player that Ohio State wanted you knew that he would wind up signing with the Buckeyes. it wasn't a matter of if, but when. However, in recent years the pipeline seems to have sprung a small leak as some highly touted Glenville players have chosen to head elsewhere. It all began in 2007 when Cordale Scott chose Illinois over Ohio State (he has since transferred to Toledo). Then last year Latwan Anderson, who may have been the best athlete in the state, opted for Miami (although OSU backed off of him due to either grade problems or off the field issues).
All that brings us to the class of 2011, which may be the first in nearly a decade without a Glenville alum. It isn't that the Tarblooders lack big-time talent, with at least four players that the Buckeyes have either offered or considered offering. But as we draw closer to February 2, 2011, when letters of intent will be signed, it seems incresingly likely that not one of the four winds up donning the scarlet and gray. Before we take a look at the four and the odds on whether they wind up in Columbus, let's go back and examine each of the young men from Glenville who have signed with Tressel's Buckeye squads, and see how they have fared.
Class of 2002:
-Troy Smith - Not offered until late in the process, and recruited as a qb/athlete, Troy merely went on to win the Heisman Trophy in 2006, taking the Buckeyes to the BCS National Championship Game.
.jpg?w=256 "Browns Football")
Class of 2003:
-Dareus Hiley - "Superman" was expected to be a star at either receiver or defensive back but never saw the field as grades proved to be his kryptonite.
-Donte Whitner - Became a stud at safety at OSU and is having a fine NFL career.
Class of 2004:
-Ted Ginn Jr. - One of the highest ranked players in America, Ginn was expected to be a cornerback but went on to become an excellent receiver and the greatest return man in OSU history.
-Curtis Terry - Although not highly recruited, Terry had some moments at linebacker, as a rush end, and even at fullback.
Class of 2005:
-Fred Lennix - Highly thought of linebacker never made it to Columbus due to grades, and wound up at Cincinnati.
-Jamario O'Neal - Expected to be a star, Jamario started a few games in the secondary but was mostly a special teams player. Big dissapointment overall.
Class of 2006:
-Bryant Browning - Big offensive lineman found a home at guard where he excelled the past two seasons.
-Robert Rose - Injuries ruined Rose's chance to be a force at defensive end. Was also not a model citizen or student!
-Ray Small - Fine returner, was never the wide reciever the coaches expected, and was always in Tressel's doghouse.
Class of 2007:
-Jermale Hines - Excellent athlete had to wait to gain admittance but went on to become a very good safety/star.
Class of 2008:
-Jermil Martin - A late signee at running back, Jermil tranferred out when he realized there were too many players of greater talent on the roster.
-Shawntel Rowell - Big Shaq never suited up due to grade issues.
Class of 2009:
-Marcus Hall - Awesome talent needs to get his act together, as he was redshirted this season due to some kind of problem.
-Jonathan Newsome - Solid on special teams the past couple of years, he played some linebacker this season due to injuries, and has potential.
Class of 2010:
-Christian Bryant - Burst onto the scene against Illinois when Moeller was hurt and played well until his own season ending injury. Could be a starter next year.
What about 2011?
Four players have been targeted by the Buckeyes:
-QB Cardale Jones - It looks less and less likely that he receives an offer, although you can expect to see him playing at a Big Ten school. Grades may be an issue. Considering that the Buckeyes have Braxton Miller, I don't think Jones receives an offer.
-WR Shane Wynn - Although he is very small (5'8"), OSU seems to like him, and there is still a chance he becomes a Buckeye. Once again, grades may be a problem. I'll give him a 30% chance of suiting up in scarlet and gray.
-LB/DE Andre Sturdivant - If grades are in order he may receive an offer, and certainly is a physical speicman. I'll give Andre a 35% chance of winding up in Columbus.
-OL Aundrey Walker - There is no doubt the Bucks would love this huge lineman, but it is difficult to get a read on where he might end up. I'll give OSU a 50% chance of signing Walker.
It remains to be seen if Tresell signs any players from Glenville this year, but I don't think the pipeline has dried up. As long as Ted Ginn coaches the Tarblooders he will try and steer his stars to Columbus, and though some may opt to play elsewhere, I still believe most would love to play for the Buckeyes. However, tougher academic standards at Ohio State mean less of the Glenville guys will receive offers in the future. So the pipeline hasn't dried up, but it may have a leak!
-Dareus Hiley - "Superman" was expected to be a star at either receiver or defensive back but never saw the field as grades proved to be his kryptonite.
-Donte Whitner - Became a stud at safety at OSU and is having a fine NFL career.
Class of 2004:
-Ted Ginn Jr. - One of the highest ranked players in America, Ginn was expected to be a cornerback but went on to become an excellent receiver and the greatest return man in OSU history.
-Curtis Terry - Although not highly recruited, Terry had some moments at linebacker, as a rush end, and even at fullback.
Class of 2005:
-Fred Lennix - Highly thought of linebacker never made it to Columbus due to grades, and wound up at Cincinnati.
-Jamario O'Neal - Expected to be a star, Jamario started a few games in the secondary but was mostly a special teams player. Big dissapointment overall.
Class of 2006:
-Bryant Browning - Big offensive lineman found a home at guard where he excelled the past two seasons.
-Robert Rose - Injuries ruined Rose's chance to be a force at defensive end. Was also not a model citizen or student!
-Ray Small - Fine returner, was never the wide reciever the coaches expected, and was always in Tressel's doghouse.
Class of 2007:
-Jermale Hines - Excellent athlete had to wait to gain admittance but went on to become a very good safety/star.
Class of 2008:
-Jermil Martin - A late signee at running back, Jermil tranferred out when he realized there were too many players of greater talent on the roster.
-Shawntel Rowell - Big Shaq never suited up due to grade issues.
Class of 2009:
-Marcus Hall - Awesome talent needs to get his act together, as he was redshirted this season due to some kind of problem.
-Jonathan Newsome - Solid on special teams the past couple of years, he played some linebacker this season due to injuries, and has potential.
Class of 2010:
-Christian Bryant - Burst onto the scene against Illinois when Moeller was hurt and played well until his own season ending injury. Could be a starter next year.
What about 2011?
Four players have been targeted by the Buckeyes:
-QB Cardale Jones - It looks less and less likely that he receives an offer, although you can expect to see him playing at a Big Ten school. Grades may be an issue. Considering that the Buckeyes have Braxton Miller, I don't think Jones receives an offer.
-WR Shane Wynn - Although he is very small (5'8"), OSU seems to like him, and there is still a chance he becomes a Buckeye. Once again, grades may be a problem. I'll give him a 30% chance of suiting up in scarlet and gray.
-LB/DE Andre Sturdivant - If grades are in order he may receive an offer, and certainly is a physical speicman. I'll give Andre a 35% chance of winding up in Columbus.
-OL Aundrey Walker - There is no doubt the Bucks would love this huge lineman, but it is difficult to get a read on where he might end up. I'll give OSU a 50% chance of signing Walker.
It remains to be seen if Tresell signs any players from Glenville this year, but I don't think the pipeline has dried up. As long as Ted Ginn coaches the Tarblooders he will try and steer his stars to Columbus, and though some may opt to play elsewhere, I still believe most would love to play for the Buckeyes. However, tougher academic standards at Ohio State mean less of the Glenville guys will receive offers in the future. So the pipeline hasn't dried up, but it may have a leak!
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