Ohio State Buckeyes: Top Ten Recruits For The 2011 Season

The Ohio State Buckeyes are coming off a 12-1 season with a 6-1 conference record.

They closed out the 2010 season with a Sugar Bowl win against a stout SEC opponent, the Arkansas Razorbacks led by quarterback Ryan Mallet.

Ohio State fans may have been a bit disappointed with the outcome of last year when most felt the team was a national championship contender.

The program was also hit with a big setback when getting told that starting quarterback Terrelle Pryor will be suspended for the first five games of the 2011 season along with others.

The Ohio State coaching staff is now in recruiting mode, and are attempting to bring in the next best college athletes into a great college football program.

As of today Ohio State has 22 players committed (verbally) to playing in 2011.

Ohio State has six ESPNU Top 150 recruits as well.

The Buckeyes are currently ranked No, 7 in recruiting classes so far in the country, but are No. 1 in the Big Ten Conference.

This top ten list will rank the top ten recruits who have made a verbal commitment to the Ohio State University not to recruits who are considering.

Now on to the future Ohio State Buckeyes, and what they are bringing to the football program.

No. 10- Brian Bobek, Center

4 star recruit
Position Rank: 3
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: 275
High School: William Fremd H.S- IL
Scouting Grade: 79

Bobek is a big kid, and will make a very solid center at the division one level.

He is said to be quick off the snap and is very good at snapping in the shotgun.

Bobek will probably not come right out and play for the Buckeyes in 2011. He needs to get into a program to gain a little more weight, but also get quicker to be able to handle the speed of the Big Ten and college football.

If Bobek signs with Ohio State, he will be a great asset for the offense in the next couple of years, and will help solidify the offensive line once he gets the ability to start.

No. 9- Nick Vannett, Tight End

4 star recruit
Position Rank: 7
Height: 6ft 5in
Weight: 230
High School: Westerville Central H.S OH
Scouting Grade: 80

Coach Tressel was able to bring in an in-state player to his offense with Vannett.

Vannett brings the size needed for the tight end position and will be a good add to the offense as a blocker/receiver for the next quarterback of the Buckeyes.

He is big enough to add more size to his body which will be needed for a system that asks tight ends to do a lot of blocking.

In all Ohio State fans and coaches should be excited to have a player like Vannett commit to the program, he is going to be a huge asset for this team in both run blocking and as a down field threat.

No. 8- Jeff Heuerman, Tight End

4 Star Recruit
Position Rank: 6
Height: 6ft 5in
Weight: 225
High School: Barron Collier H.S, FL
Scout Grade: 80

Ohio State has brought in the No. 7 and now the No. 6 ranked tight end in the country with Heuerman.

Heuerman is built just like Vannett, and if both can build and gain size Jim Tressel could have a solid one-two punch at the position.

If Ohio State can land this big recruit and tight end along with Vannett then the offense will be very strong on the blocking end in the next few years to come.

Having two tight ends also allows Tressel and the coaching staff to have more options in the air as well, which gives the Buckeyes an opportunity to excel both on the ground and in the air.

No. 7- Jeremy Cash, Safety

4 Star Recruit
Position Rank: 13
Height: 6ft 1in
Weight: 185
High School: Plantation H.S FL
Scouts Grade: 80

Cash is a good sized safety with speed and range to cover a lot of the field.

Scouts have said he could be considered to play a rover position allowing him to cover all over the field, which is a very key aspect for a defender to be able to do.

Cash is quoted on Scout.com as saying,
“I’m a big hitter. I’m usually in the right place at the right time. I’m a play maker, plain and simple."

This confidence is good to see out of a young player looking to make a mark at the next level, and he will be a key addition to the defense.

No. 6- Michael Bennett, Offensive Guard

4 Star Recruit
Position Rank: 7
Height: 6ft 3
Weight: 275
High School: Centerville H.S, OH
Scouts Grade: 80

Another Ohio grown prospect playing college football in his home state.

Bennett is a ESPNU Top 150 college athelte for the 2011 class at No. 127.

Bennett has the size to play as an offensive guard at the next level, and should have no problem doing so.

He is very quick for his size, and has the ability to get off the snap quickly and efficiently.

At Centerville he was also a very good defensive lineman, which may turn to be a very helpful aspect and a back up if Ohio State is in need of a backup.

Bennett is a very athletic lineman and should be exciting to watch play at the college level.

No. 5- Evan Spencer, Wide Receiver

4 Star Recruit
Position Rank: 18
Height: 6ft
Weight: 178
High School: Vernon Hills H.S, IL
Scout Grade: 81

Spencer comes in as the No. 5 recruit for the Buckeyes and is ranked No. 106 in the ESPNU top 150.

What Evan Spencer lacks in size he sure makes up for it with speed and acceleration.

Spencer is a deep vertical threat who can separate from defensive backs quickly and get down field fast to be a big play threat.

With his speed Jim Tressel could use him out of the backfield or on quick pass plays, and let him use his speed to pick up yards.

At 178 pounds though, Spencer is going to have to bulk up to be able to play at the division one level. He may be quick but at that size he may not last long getting hit by linebackers or even a hard hitting defensive back.

Look for him to play a little this upcoming year, and give quarterback Terrell Pryor a deep threat when he returns.

No. 4- Ryan Shazier, Outside Linebacker

4 Star Recruit
Position Rank: 4
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: 205
High School: Plantation H.S, FL
Scouts Grade: 81

The second Plantation H.S football player to commit to the Ohio State Buckeyes this year.

Shazier is ranked No. 81 on the ESPNU top 150.

He also added the Under Armour All-American tag to his resume.

Shazier is an explosive linebacker that is quick off the snap and is able to get to the ball carrier quickly.

He is a good height for the position, but he needs to add on the pounds to become a dominate linebacker. He needs to weigh in around 225-235 to achieve his full potential.

He is best known for his pass rush from the outside. His ability to power past offensive linemen can cause extreme troubles for any top offenses in college football.

Look for Shazier to make a big impact in his sophomore year after he gets some more size and strength to him, but do not worry he will be an impressive player to watch when he is given the opportunity to start.

No. 3- Braxton Miller, Quarterback

4 Star Recruit
Position Rank: 4
Height: 6ft 2in
Weight: 190
High School: Wayne H.S, OH
Scout Grade: 81

Ohio State Buckeyes got No. 1 recruit Terrell Pryor now they are getting the No. 4 overall quarterback in the country Braxton Miller.

Miller is currently ranked No. 80 overall on the ESPNU top 150.

He is also an Under Armour all-american.

Miller is similar to Pryor in that he is a very effective running quarterback, but he is also known for his arm strength.

Scouts have said that Miller has the touch to throw deep as well having the touch to throw short precise throws to receivers.

He has also been said to be elusive which is a very good aspect to have for a quarterback of his size.

A quarterback though weighing in at 190 is not going to be a starter for a program like Ohio State.

Miller is going to have to hit the weights hard and get into a very good work out routine to add on at least 20 pounds this year.

Everyone knows Miller is not going to play his freshman season, which is going to pay off for him in the end.

He will have the chance to work with Terrell Pryor and learn a lot from a quarterback who is built and has similar mechanics as he does.

Miller is a huge pickup for the program and will make for a very good quarterback in the near future.

No. 2- Doran Grant, Cornerback

4 Star Recruit
Position Rank: 3
Height: 5ft 11in
Weight: 177
High School: St.Vincent-St.Mary H.S, OH
Scout Grade: 81

The Buckeyes have a commitment from the No. 69 ESPNU top 150 and an Under Armour all-american as well.

Grant is a fast corner who can see the field and anticipate the play.

He gets to the ball quick and is a game changer on defense.

Where he lacks in size he makes up for in the ability to jump routes and cut off receivers.

He is said to be good off the corner and is average at run support.

He just needs to do work on his one on one coverage at the line of scrimmage and quickness off the snap on those defensive schemes.

His speed though will be his calling card though. He will be able to cover opponents fastest receivers as well as closing the gap between him and the player with the ball.

Look for him to also play a role on the return team as his speed and quickness could put him as a punt or kick returner for the Buckeyes early in his college career.

No. 1- Steve Miller, Defensive End

4 Star Recruit
Position Rank: 6
Height: 6ft 3in
Weight: 226
High School: McKinley H.S, OH
Scout Grade: 82

The 2011 recruting class for the Buckeyes is led by in state defensive end Steve Miller.

Miller is the No. 30 overall player on the ESPNU top 150.

He was also a Under Armour all-american this past year as well.

His size fits perfect for the defensive end position. He is tall with a solid frame, and has the speed and quickness off the snap to play havoc on offensive lines.

He is a hard player to just go one on one against, and teams are going to have to take him into account when they draw up blocking schemes against the Ohio State defense.

Scouts say he is most dangerous when he rushes from the outside. His speed to get around the edge and ability to keep separation gives him that explosion to get around the corner and get to the quarterback.

He needs to get a little more comfortable with his size and frame, but once he does he will be a force to reckon with on Saturdays.

Ohio State fans should be excited about Miller coming to play football for the Buckeyes. He is going to bring a hard quick hitting and determination onto the defensive line, and will be exciting to watch cause turmoil for offensive lines and quarterbacks.