OHIO STATE'S 2010 RECRUITING CLASS, TIME FOR BUCKEYE FANS TO PANICK?

Is it time for Buckeye fans to begin panicking as Ohio State had one of, it NOT the lowest high school recruiting classes under Tressel's leadership? 

Coming off the elation and joy of a BCS Rose Bowl win, Ohio State fans had reason to rejoice and look favorable at a promising 2010 campaign. Many would hope that OSU's impressive Bowl win over Oregon would translate into a banner recruiting class. Yet, Ohio State finds themsleves in a rather unique situation, for all recruiting pollls, The Buckeyes trail Big Ten opponent Penn State and in most of them they trail arch rival Michigan. Many have ranked OSU's class in the bottom half of the top 25!  To throw salt on that wound, OSU failed to land key Buckeye talent as Ohio blue chippers were lured out of Tressel's domain by the likes of ND, TX, NE and WV!   Is it time for OSU to begin panicking?  Or can OSU fans remain optomistic?

Here's my take.

1.  Should OSU continue to have recruiting classes like this one, then Buckeye fans should expect OSU's dominance in The Big Ten to slowly come to a halt.  However, one class does NOT make a team. 

2. OSU's main weakness was in NOT landing key OL, however 2 years ago they had arguably the best OL class in the nation.  They were 2nd in both elite OL James and Henderson's list.  It wasn't like they weren't being considered at all by these elite linemen.  Let's admit it, traditionally, Cinncy is tough nut for Buckeyes to crack and there has been a pipe line from that city to South Bend for years and that line has been widened with Kelly's departure to there!

3. OSU landed a variety of key players in a variety of postions;  two great RB's, a great OL, talented WR's and gifted Defensive players, and former QB's Graham son, heralded as a classic step back passer.  The cupboard isn't bare by any means!

4. One needs to remember that player development, attitude and intelligence are key factors, almost on par of raw talent.  OSU does a great job in developing talent, and Tressel speaks highly of the character of this year's class and that is a statement NOT to be taken lightly!  OSU fans can painfully recall John Cooper's elite classes that did not have the fortitude to rally when falling behind.  '98 loss to MSU Sparty anyone?

5. Remember, recruiting and ranking is not an exact science.  Does anyone remember Mike Andreas and Justin Zwick? Both were heralded at elite athletes and future Buckeye blue chippers on the day their ink dried signing to wear Scarlet and Grey. An injury to Mike Andreas kept him off the field and the play of a guy by the name of Troy Smith kept Justin from becoming the ball slinger many predicted.   No one really noticed when the likes of Cameraon Heyward, A.J. Hawk, and others late class recruits without much fanfare steal the lime light and lead OSU to BCS Bowl births.

6. Jr. College players and transfers can play a huge roll in future Buckeye success. OL Boren and LB's Freeman and Rolle are classic examples and should there be a need in any position, OSU has a knack of finding talent that can contribute right away.     

7.  Other factors;  Sometimes players have other reasons NOT to attend OSU; Jordan Hicks did not grow up in Ohio, his childhood allegiance may be elsewhere. James has a better chance to start at ND, then stand in line behind talented OSU O linemen.  Heard, the talented Youngstown RB, would have been literally behind a herd of gifted OSU running backs, and the list can go on! 

8.  Finally, The Best recruiting class; Tressel's coaching staff always points out that the best recruiting class is NOT what's necessarily is coming in, but what is returning.  The best recruiting class are returning Seniors for obvious reasons; they're more experienced and mature than the majority of gifted incoming Freshmen. Tressel's doctrine has been experience wins Championships and titles and experience is talent X development X team chemisty X real playing time.  This is especially true as OSU only lost underclassman Euclid native DL Gibson to the draft and talent like RB Saine, Defensive specialist Hines, and elite DL Cam Heyward return to a squad that many see as top 3 in the country!

So don't panick yet Buckeyes, there's still a lot to look forward to, for this class and for it's next 4-5 years in Columbus.