Ohio State Football: 16 Buckeye Recruits to Watch High School All-American Games

Ohio State is one of the best football programs in the country.

Urban Meyer is one of the best recruiters in the county.

Together the two went undefeated on the field in 2012 and are now having similar success securing commitments from high school All-Americans throughout the United States.

The Buckeyes have 10 commits playing in the two biggest high school All-American games—Under Armour All-American Game and U.S. Army All-American Bowl.

Along with those 10 are five others Ohio State fans should pay close attention to because the Buckeyes are in a good position to receive a commitment from them as well.

The Under Armour Game will be on ESPN at 5 p.m. on Friday, Jan. 4th.

The U.S. Army Bowl will be on NBC at 1 p.m. on Saturday, Jan. 5th.

Cameron Burrows, Under Armour All-American Game

School:

Verbally committed to Ohio State.

Rivals Rating:

4-Star, 31st overall prospect and No. 5 cornerback.

Overview:

Cameron Burrows—the first commitment in Ohio State's 2012 class—is a big, physical cornerback that could end up playing safety at Ohio State.

Burrows will wear No. 6 for the white team's defense.

Jalin Marshall, Under Armour All-American Game

School:

Verbally committed to Ohio State.

Rivals Rating:

4-Star, 41st overall and No. 2 athlete. 

Overview:

Jalin Marshall was a high school quarterback, but will have to learn another position in college. At the Under Armour Game he is playing receiver, which is likely where he will line up at Ohio State. He has elite stop-and-go ability and above average speed. 

Marshall will wear No. 7 for the white team's offense.

Joey Bosa, Under Armour All-American Game

School:

Verbally committed to Ohio State.

Rivals Rating:

4-Star, 51st overall and No. 4 strongside defensive end.

Overview:

Joey Bosa is great athlete with NFL bloodlines. He could be the type of player that moves all over Ohio State's defensive front much like Cameron Heyward did when he played at Ohio State.

Bosa will wear No. 97 on the white team.

Gareon Conley, Under Armour All-American Game

School:

Verbally committed to Ohio State.

Rivals Rating:

3-Star and No. 42 cornerback.

Overview:

Gareon Conley doesn't get a high rating from Rivals, but is a highly-skilled athlete that could play in the defensive secondary or at wide receiver at Ohio State.

Conley will wear No. 7 on the white team's defense. 

Marcus Baugh, Under Armour All-American Game

School:

Verbally committed to Ohio State.

Rivals Rating:

4-Star, 158th overall and No. 8 tight end.

Overview:

Marcus Baugh is a California native that will give Urban Meyer the type of athletic, pass-catching tight end he lacks right now at Ohio State.

Baugh will wear No. 8 for the white team.

Vonn Bell, Under Armour All-American Game

Schools:

Considering Alabama, Ohio State and Tennessee.

Rivals Rating:

4-Star, 122nd overall and No. 11 safety.

Overview:

Vonn Bell is an athletic, hard-hitting safety that will be making visits to the three schools he is considering this month and will then announce his commitment.

Bell will wear No. 7 for the black team's defense.

Trey Johnson, Under Armour All-American Game

Schools:

Announcing among Florida, Ohio State and Tennessee.

Rivals Rating:

4-Star, 86th overall and No. 8 inside linebacker.

Overview:

Trey Johnson is a versatile linebacker that could play either inside or outside. He is a heavy hitter and plays fast. 

Johnson will announce his decision during the game Friday. He will wear No. 32 for the white team. 

Dontre Wilson, Under Armour All-American Game

School:

Verbally committed to Oregon.

Rivals Rating:

4-Star, 178th overall and No. 8 all-purpose back.

Overview:

Dontre Wilson is the type of skill player that Oregon fans are getting used to having. However, there are rumors that Chip Kelly will soon accept an NFL coaching job and the result could be Wilson reopening his recruitment. A recruitment which came down to Ohio State and Oregon during the spring.

Ezekiel Elliott, U.S. Army All-American Bowl

School:

Verbally committed to Ohio State.

Rivals Rating: 

4-Star 77th overall and No. 9 running back.

Overview:

Ezekiel Elliott is the only player committed to Ohio State on the West's team. He is a prototypical Urban Meyer running back, meaning his game is based on speed. However, he is a complete runner, not just a burner.

Elliott will wear No. 24 for the West.

Eli Apple, U.S. Army All-American Bowl

School:

Committed to Ohio State.

Rivals Rating:

4-Star, 28th overall and No. 4 cornerback.

Overview:

Eli Apple, formerly Woodard, is an athletic cornerback that will not shy away from contact. He also played receiver in high school and showed the ability to make plays on the ball in the air.

Apple will wear No. 9 for the East's defense.

Johnny Townsend, U.S. Army All-American Bowl

School:

Verbally committed to Ohio State.

Rivals Rating:

3-Star and No. 14 kicker.

Overview:

Johnny Townsend is rated as a kicker by Rivals, but will punt at the Army All-American Bowl and will also punt at Ohio State. Townsend possess a strong leg, but with Urban Meyer's offense likely improving year by year, he may not get many punting opportunities. 

Townsend will wear No. 35 for the East.

Evan Lisle, U.S. Army All-American Bowl

School:

Verbally committed to Ohio State.

Rivals Rating:

4-Star, 108th overall and No. 9 offensive tackle.

Overview:

Coming from a run-heavy high school offense, Evan Lisle is a proven run-blocker. The question is whether or not he will be a successful pass-blocker at the college level. This pass-heavy all-star game could be a good gauge for Lisle.

Lisle will wear No. 69 for the East.

Michael Hill, U.S. Army All-American Bowl

School:

Verbally committed to Ohio State.

Rivals Rating:

4-Star, 133rd overall and No. 10 defensive tackle.

Overview:

Michael Hill is a big defensive tackle, but is still quick enough to get penetration against the run. This game will give a glimpse of how well Hill will be able to rush the passer against elite offensive linemen.

Hill will wear No. 76 for the East.

Mike Mitchell, U.S. Army All-American Bowl

Schools:

Considering Ohio State, Oregon and Texas A&M.

Rivals Rating: 

4-Star, 30th overall and No. 3 outside linebacker.

Overview:

Mike Mitchell won the SPARQ rating title at "The Opening" combine in July, which proved that he is a great athlete. However, there is more to football than just being an athlete. This game will give Mitchell a chance to show he's more than just an athlete.

Mitchell will announce his college choice during the game.

He will be wearing No. 44 for the West.

James Quick, U.S. Army All-American Bowl

Schools:

Announcing between Louisville and Ohio State.

Rivals Rating:

4-Star, 114th overall and No. 14 wide receiver.

Overview:

James Quick was named Mr. Football in Kentucky and has the potential to be the big-time wide receiver Ohio State has lacked the past few seasons.

His recruitment has been down to Louisville and Ohio State for a long time, but Quick will end the battle by announcing his decision during the game.

Quick will wear No. 17 for the East's offense.

Shelton Gibson, U.S. Army All-American

Schools:

Considering Ohio State and West Virginia.

Rivals Rating:

4-Star, 98th overall and 12th wide receiver.

Overview:

Shelton Gibson is a speedster from Cleveland and has long been thought to be a Buckeye lean, but grades could be an issue. However, there are reports out of San Antonio that Gibson's grades are in order and West Virginia has joined the battle.

Gibson will not announce at the game and will be wearing No. 3 for the East.