Buckeye Recruit Hoot: Marcus Hall Hops on Recruit Train as Passenger 26

What a surprise! Not really.

Many analysts, reporters, and fans found themselves using the aforementioned sarcasm when Marcus Hall committed to Ohio State this afternoon.

The 6-foot-5-inch, 300-lb. lineman decided to stay with his in-state favorite Buckeyes. Hall also was considering Miami (FL), Tennessee, and Michigan, among others.

The three-year starter at Glenville High School becomes the 26th recruit and 27th player to wear Scarlet and Gray this year.

On an interview minutes after Hall's decision to play in Columbus, Hall said it came down to the stability of the Buckeye coaching system. Hall mentioned the fact that the Buckeyes' staff is in place and teams like the Volunteers, Wolverines, and Hurricanes all have had coaching alterations in the past few years.

According to Rivals.com, Hall is the sixth-ranked offensive tackle and is a four-star recruit. 

There has been some speculation that Hall does not have the typical speed an outside lineman needs. While he prefers the left tackle job, Hall might be better suited as an interior lineman for the Buckeyes.

Hall joins fellow four-star recruits Jack Mewhort and Corey Linsley and three-star recruit Sam Longo as the fourth offensive lineman to be drawn in by Jim Tressel and his fine recruiting staff.

Their staff has had a great amount of success from Glenville High, as it has been an El Dorado for them. Former Buckeyes Troy Smith and Ted Ginn Jr., whose dad coaches the Tarblooders' defense, are from Glenville High. Current Buckeyes Ray Small and Jermale Hines also attended the Buckeye-loving high school. 

If Hall does not redshirt, he will get a chance for playing time and possibly compete for a starting spot. Mike Brewster, J.B. Shugarts, Mike Adams, and Michigan transfer Justin Boren are likely favorites. Players like Bryant Browning and Jim Cordle will be Hall's potential competition for the fifth spot.

The pledge of Hall could very well be the last piece of an extraordinary 2009 recruiting class. ESPN still reports the Buckeyes are considering two ESPNU 150 players, wide receiver Marlon Brown and offensive tackle Morgan Moses.

Both are assumed to be giving Ohio State the cold shoulder.

Despite other players supposedly considering the Buckeyes on Rivals.com, like running back Trabis Ward, do not expect the Buckeyes to make any late noise that is not concerning Moses or Brown.

Brown would probably be a starter for the Buckeyes right away, but it will be tough to part him from his urges to go to Florida, Georgia, or Tennessee.

If the Buckeyes were to land Moses, they would need to heavily convince him to stray from his home state Virginia Cavs or the North Carolina Tarheels. His large 6-foot-7-inch, 350-lb. frame would add colossal depth.

Even if Moses does not commit to Ohio State, Hall brings size, talent, and another incentive for more Tarblooders to come to Ohio State.

National Signing Day is Wednesday, so as the Buckeyes wrap up their commitment list, the players will count down the days until they first step into Ohio Stadium.

All aboard. Next stop, the Horseshoe and beyond.

-Other notable players on Rivals.com considering Ohio State:

quarterback DeVontae Payne

running backs Ricky Finley, Trabis Ward, and Hersey Jackson (committed to Grand Valley State)

center Charlie Knipper

defensive end Davon Coleman

outside linebackers Frankie Telfort and Jeffrey Williams

cornerbacks Jayron Hosley and D.J.Hunter

safeties Darren Myles Jr. and Bradley McDougald (committed to Kansas)

athletes Denard Robinson and Darrell Mason