Why OSU Need Not Worry About the De-Commitments of Alex Anzalone and Lewis Neal

Just a few weeks after the Ohio State Spring Game, OSU fans were in a very good place. An exciting game with more passing than the whole 2011 season and witnessing Urban on the field for the first time, Buckeye Nation had hope.

But recently, some of that hope was dashed.  First, Lewis Neal de-committed based on personal reasons. Then, shortly after the Lantern published a story on a child sex offender, Charles Eric Waugh, Alex Anzalone de-commits. Buckeye Nation, still healing from “Tattoo gate,” became worried. Fear not!

Ohio State had a plethora of LB recruits last year: David Perkins, Camren Williams, Jamal Marcus, Joshua Edward Perry and Luke Roberts. There are also a plethora of D-linemen both on the current roster and commitments from the 2012 and 2013 classes.

Losing two recruits is not the end of the world. Ohio State has more than enough bodies and had Anzalone and Neal not de-committed recently, both may have been subjects of transfers in the future.

But their de-commitments are puzzling. Neal told me personally that his reasons were too personal to share and had nothing to do with football, LSU or Urban Meyer. 

I tried to contact Alex Anzalone, but he has not returned my correspondence. 

Regardless of what has been shared in the media, it seems odd that these two young men would de-commit so soon, but it may not be so bad. If a de-commitment so soon after issuing one’s verbal is a negative sign, is keeping your word amidst tragedy a positive one?

Such is the case for Joshua Edward Perry. After Tressel resigned and later retired, Perry never wavered from his verbal commitment. He told us that schools came after him, but he was always a Buckeye. He graduated early from high school and enrolled at OSU early so he could participate in spring drills.  With every reason to de-commit, Perry stayed committed and has been a leader even before Urban Meyer was introduced as head coach. He has four years of eligibility at linebacker.

Another recruit who no one is talking about is Luke Roberts. Less than two months after Tressel’s departure, Luke Roberts was the first recruit to commit under new defensive coach Mike Vrabel.  Roberts has faced the exact opposite of Anzalone. 

While fans and recruiting gurus drooled at Anzalone’s ability, they frowned on Roberts'.  Some called for Meyer to revoke his scholarship offer. Despite all the negativity from people questioning his ability, Roberts never let it get to him and also enrolled at OSU early. He not only played in the Spring Game but also played the whole game having to hold up at least once on QB Braxton Miller. Roberts' character as an 18-year-old is beyond his years.

The point is, though Buckeye Nation lost two recruits shortly after they issued their verbal, they have two players who stayed true to their word despite every reason not to. If character and heart are a measure of a linebacker, I think OSU is in really good shape with Roberts and Perry.

A third linebacker prospect whom have interviewed, Camren Williams, is another fine young man. Being raised by former NFL great Brent Williams, Camren also possesses maturity and poise beyond his years and he has the genes of a former NFL defensive lineman who played 13 years in the NFL. Ohio State has him for three to four years.

With Ohio State likely using some form of the 4-3 with their plethora of D-lineman, and I have not even mentioned David Perkins, Jamal Marcus or the D-linemen who will be moved to LB, Ohio State is in really good shape.

Tracy Sprinkle already mentioned that the depth at D-line was an issue for him, but he knows he has to work hard because the competition will be high. No doubt, those who do not crack the eight-man D-line rotation will move to LB.

I am guessing that opposing coaches have also mentioned the defensive depth to current and potential recruits.

Would it be nice for Neal and Anzalone to re-commit? Sure! And Buckeye Nation welcomes them back, but if not, OSU is in really, really good shape for the next few years. 

Fear not Buckeye Nation, there's no need to panic. I predict that in nine months when national signing day occurs, Anzalone and Neal will have long been forgotten unless they recommit. The future is bright for Buckeye Nation!