Ohio State Football: Evaluating the Buckeyes' 2010 Recruiting Class by Position

Yesterday capped off a disappointing month in recruiting for the Buckeyes, with the only positive being the fact that none of the 17 unsigned players backed out.

Rather than sit around and complain more about who the Buckeyes didn't get, I want to break down the players that the staff did indeed reel in. By the way, I'm not the first to do this (as I found out after writing this), but here is my spin on the class:

Quarterback: Taylor Graham (Possibly Verlon Reed)

The staff made the decision early in the process that they wanted a pro-style quarterback in 2010. I'm not sure why they made that decision, because Tressel has proven he is much better with dual-threat QBs, but they did.

They struck out with Nick Montana and Cincinnati-product Andrew Hendrix and wound up grabbing Graham. He does have a solid arm and good size, but the injury problems with which he has struggled are concerning.

I personally wish they would have gone after Devin Gardner or another great athlete here. Honestly, I even think Dominique Brown would have projected as a better quarterback in Tressel's system.

Grade: C+

Running Back: Roderick Smith (and Technically Carlos Hyde)

I really only count Smith in this class, at least for the grade, because Hyde was recruited in last year's class. Anyway, Smith is a player that should excite everyone in Columbus.

At 6'2'', 220 lbs., he fits the mold of some of the most successful Buckeye runners in Beanie Wells and Eddie George. He joins a stable of runners at Ohio State, which should be the deepest position on the field for Tressel. With that said, I expect him to ascend the ranks very quickly because of the style of running back he is.

Grade: A-

Wide Receiver: Corey Brown, James Louis, and Tyrone Williams

For the second class in a row, the Buckeyes have stocked up on talent at wideout. As impressive as the Carter, Jackson, and Fields combo was a year ago, I think I like these three guys better.

First of all, the Buckeyes brought in a serious possession receiver in Tyrone Williams. At 6'6'', 215 lbs. with a 4.6 40-time, he has the size and athleticism to eventually become a big-time receiver.

The staff also nabbed Louis and Brown, who are very similar in many ways. Not only do both guys have major speed, but each has some unique play-making ability. It is because of that ability that I look for both of these guys to have a big impact in their first few years at Ohio State.

Grade: A+

Offensive Line: Andrew Norwell

Offensive linemen are a need in every class because you can never have enough depth there.

The staff obviously knew that, as they made a decision to go after some of the premiere linemen in the country. If you haven't been in hibernation over the last six months, you will remember the names of guys like Brandon Linder, James Hurst, Chaz Green, Matt James, and Seantrel Henderson.

Not one of those young men decided to come to Columbus, leaving the staff with just one lineman in Andrew Norwell.

Norwell is an impressive prospect. In fact, he is one of the best players in this class and his attitude will make him into a very solid player at Ohio State.

With that said, the staff came up very short here. 2011 isn't a great year for offensive linemen in the state of Ohio, and missing the mark in 2010 could come back to bite Tressel and company in the butt.

Grade: C-

Defensive Line: Darryl Baldwin, Jonathan Hankins, J.T. Moore, and Jamel Turner (Possibly David Durham)

The defensive line was also an important need for 2010, and the staff did answer the call here.

It will be interesting to see who actually ends up playing where, because many project Turner as a linebacker and Durham as a defensive lineman. There's no doubt that each guy fits the hybrid role that Bobby Carpenter dominated so well.

The group as a whole isn't that flashy, but they all are very solid players.

I think Baldwin and Hankins project the best at the next level, mostly because of the size they already bring to the table. Don't count out Moore or Durham either though. Each of those guys has played some excellent football, despite little national respect to show for their efforts.

Grade: B

Linebackers: David Durham and Scott McVey (Possibly Jamel Turner)

Like the defensive line, it is hard to give an exact grade until we know who is playing where. I like this group a lot though and think the staff did a great job adding to an already deep group of linebackers currently on the roster. Getting Jordan Hicks would have been a nice bonus, but there is some major talent here.

First, I really like McVey, as I stated last week. The guy has a motor that never stops to go along with his speed and instincts. Add a guy like Turner to outside linebacker, and four or five years down the road we will look back with more respect for this class.

Bell, Klein, and Newsome were all big grabs at linebacker last year, and the staff looks to have added a few more studs this year.

Grade: A-

Defensive Backs: Christian Bryant, Chad Hagan, and Bradley Roby (Possibly Verlon Reed)

It's hard to believe, after bringing in four defensive backs last year (Brown, Barnett, Clarke, and Wood), that the Buckeyes needed to go grab a few more, but they did anyway.

Not only have the Buckeyes been plagued in the secondary with transfers and drop-outs, but several years in a row the staff had to settle for projects here.

The outlook didn't look that great at defensive back a month ago, with only Chad Hagan committed to the Buckeyes. Then the staff stole Roby from Vanderbilt and locked up Glenville-product Bryant.

Both guys have a major upside at the next level, and should have fans excited.

Bryant is a leader and a guy who just seems to get it done, and has "Tressel kind of player" written all over him. Roby has good size and speed, and was picking up major SEC offers following his commitment to OSU. Don't forget either Roby's or Bryant's names.

Grade: B+

Special Teams: Drew Basil

Most people would overlook the commitment of a kicker, but Basil is an important piece in this class.

Not only is special teams a major priority to Tressel, but the depth here is as thin as I remember under in his tenure. There always seems to be a few good kickers waiting their turn, and that really isn't the case right now.

Basil is a very solid kicker and will fill the need the Buckeyes currently have.

Grade: B+

Overall Class Ranking: B