Buckeyes' QB Brigade Becomes Scarce After Boyd's Decision

The signing of highly-touted quarterback Terrelle Pryor was the icing on the cake for a great 2008 Ohio State Buckeyes' recruiting class. This year he showed he can be a great player for the Buckeyes and despite poor passing ability, Pryor's presence at Ohio State attracted many fans and players.

Although there are always people on the other end of the situation and quarterback prospect Tajh Boyd seems to be one of them.

It is possible the emergence of Pryor at Ohio State was the determining factor in Boyd's decision to play for the Clemson Tigers. 

Boyd announced his decision to pledge Orange at an arranged meeting at Phoebus High School, the school where Boyd grew to be one of the top quarterback prospects in the country.

The decision to go and play for coach Dabo Swinney was a tough one, as Boyd constantly said he debated picking the Tigers, the Buckeyes, or the Oregon Ducks.

This is Boyd's third commitment, as he de-committed from the West Virginia Mountaineers after Bill Stewart's regime started. He later committed to Tennessee, but new coach Lane Kiffin said Rocky Top nation has a system Boyd would not be suited for.

While the Ducks did not get Boyd, they are still fine in the signal-calling department. Jeremiah Masoli leads a convoy of five or so quarterbacks who will compete for the job next year.

While you think the Buckeyes should be sound at the quarterback position with Pryor, all of Buckeye nation, especially coach Jim Tressel was hoping Boyd would give the Buckeyes a definite backup.

The Buckeyes only have two scholarships quarterbacks on their team currently, Pryor and Joe Bauserman, another freshman.

Other possibilities are walk-on freshman quarterback Ross Oltorik and defensive backs Orhian Johnson and Rocco Pentello. Johnson and Pentello were both quarterbacks in high school and could fill if necessary.

In retrospect, it was probably good Pryor did not redshirt or stay behind Todd Boeckman the whole year, as he now has almost a full year of starting under his belt and provides some solidification to the "Quarterback Club."

Despite five possibilities at quarterback, the Buckeyes were in need of bringing one in from the 2009 recruiting class. With Boyd out of the picture, the Buckeyes will try to convince Austin Boucher, a Toledo de-commit and Miami of Ohio commit, to stray from the Redhawks where his brother, Collin, was recruited as a linebacker.

With all chances of landing a quarterback pretty much out the door, the Buckeyes will turn their attention to the current Buckeye quarterbacks and future recruits.

According to ESPN's recruiting lists, the Buckeyes have three quarterbacks they are considering for 2010 and a couple athletes that could play quarterback.

Although it is not listed on their 2010 considerations, the Buckeyes are interested in Devin Gardner, the Midwest's No. 1 quarterback prospect for next year. Gardner attended the Buckeyes' Junior Day and attended the Buckeye-Michigan State Spartan basketball game.

Regardless of it all, more pressure will be put on Pryor to produce. If anything were to happen to Pryor, Bauserman has gotten a lot of praise, but the fact still standing is that the Buckeyes better have secret service secure Pryor's perimeters.

Like that little piece of alliteration? In a nutshell I am saying the obvious. Pryor is, now more than ever, the leader of the Buckeyes.

Without Pryor, who knows what direction this offense would head in.