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Class of 2011: Grading the Buckeyes New Additions
David ThurmanFeb 3, 2011
Dave Thurman (3:11 pm)
Signing Day is now history and The Ohio State University has welcomed twenty-three new student athletes to their football team with the possibility of another one being added if legal troubles can be ironed out. Most every fan has seen the various player rankings by services such as ESPN, Scout, Rivals, and 24/7 Sports. But how did the Buckeyes do at each position? In this post I will give a letter grade for each position group, based on the talent of those signed, with some consideration to how well the apparent need was met. Here goes...
Quarterback: Wow! Without doubt OSU has a plethora of riches at this position, as they intended to sign one but got two instead. Headliner Braxton Miller proved he is the real deal while leading his Wayne squad to the state championship game, and the only negative on this shifty, strong-armed field general might be that he has been somewhat injury prone. Miller could fight for early playing time due to the suspension of returning starter Terrelle Pryor. In addition, the Bucks got Cardale Jones from Glenville, who has a boatload of potential and nice size to boot. Since his grades are not stellar he will probably head to prep school Fans have to feel good about the potential of this position for the future. Grade: A
Running Back: Since the Buckeyes have a full house returning at this position (read: five good ones), they took a pass in 2011, but already have verbals from the best pair in the state for 2012 in Warren Ball and Brionte Dunn. Grade: Inc.
Receiver: I like the two guys Ohio State inked: smooth Evan Spencer who has the bloodlines and talent to be a good one, and quick Devin Smith, who may be a bit underrated in my opinion (despite 60 catches for 1130 yards). Both will fight for immediate playing time at a depleted position. However, I was hoping for one more player here, and feel that OSU is awfully thin at receiver heading into the fall. Grade: B
Signing Day is now history and The Ohio State University has welcomed twenty-three new student athletes to their football team with the possibility of another one being added if legal troubles can be ironed out. Most every fan has seen the various player rankings by services such as ESPN, Scout, Rivals, and 24/7 Sports. But how did the Buckeyes do at each position? In this post I will give a letter grade for each position group, based on the talent of those signed, with some consideration to how well the apparent need was met. Here goes...
Quarterback: Wow! Without doubt OSU has a plethora of riches at this position, as they intended to sign one but got two instead. Headliner Braxton Miller proved he is the real deal while leading his Wayne squad to the state championship game, and the only negative on this shifty, strong-armed field general might be that he has been somewhat injury prone. Miller could fight for early playing time due to the suspension of returning starter Terrelle Pryor. In addition, the Bucks got Cardale Jones from Glenville, who has a boatload of potential and nice size to boot. Since his grades are not stellar he will probably head to prep school Fans have to feel good about the potential of this position for the future. Grade: A
Running Back: Since the Buckeyes have a full house returning at this position (read: five good ones), they took a pass in 2011, but already have verbals from the best pair in the state for 2012 in Warren Ball and Brionte Dunn. Grade: Inc.
Receiver: I like the two guys Ohio State inked: smooth Evan Spencer who has the bloodlines and talent to be a good one, and quick Devin Smith, who may be a bit underrated in my opinion (despite 60 catches for 1130 yards). Both will fight for immediate playing time at a depleted position. However, I was hoping for one more player here, and feel that OSU is awfully thin at receiver heading into the fall. Grade: B
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Tight End: Historically Tressel has had trouble at this position but that wasn't the case in 2011 as the team signed two very good ones. Nick Vannett hails from nearby Westerville and might be the more acclaimed player (47 catches for over 600 yards will do that for you), but Floridian Jeff Heuerman is similar in size and ability and it may be hard to tell these two guys apart initially. Grade: A
Offensive Line: Once again there is disappointment in Columbus over what might have been. Over the past decade OSU has signed some excellent linemen but have also missed out on a bunch of good ones, and in general have not brought in enough players at this critical position. The intent was to sign five this year which became even more critical when Sam Longo left school, but when Aundrey Walker spurned the Bucks for USC that brought the number to four. Then, Chris Carter Jr. was arrested on the eve of signing day, which might reduce the number to three (Carter may still sign at a future date). Of the three who faxed in their letters of intent only one is highly ranked in Brian Bobek, who will most likely be the center of the future. The other two, guard Antonio Underwood and tackle Tommy Brown, are most likely projects. The fact that the coaching staff is flirting with a big tackle from Illinois who didn't receive a single Division I scholarship offer tells us all we need to know about this position! Grade: C- (raise it to a C if Carter can overcome his legal woes)
Defensive Line: One side of the trenches is in great shape, as Ohio State signed their best set of defensive linemen in the Tressel era. What is not to like about a group that includes defensive tackles Michael Bennett (who should play immediately although he could also move over to the o-line temporarily) and big Joel Hale, who is reportedly tipping the scale at 300 pounds (all muscle). Talented Chase Farris might be a tackle or might be an end but either way looks like a good one. And the two earliest verbals in the class, Ken Hayes and Steve Miller (who flies to the quarterback like an eagle...sorry, couldn't resist), both ooze with big play potential. Grade: A+
Linebacker: From famine to feast, as what looked like it might be a strikeout for the Bucks wound up being one of their strongest position groups. Forget about losing Ohioan Trey DePriest, the staff went far and long to reel in Maryland's Conner Crowell, Pennsylvania's Ejuan Price (another who might be underrated), Florida's Ryan Shazier, and Virginia's Curtis Grant, who might be the jewel of the entire class. Wow! Grade: A+
Defensive Backs: Ohio State got a solid group here, although I would have loved to have seen them sign another corner. However, considering the problems in recent years at attracting high-ranked safeties, you have to feel pretty good overall. The two corners who signed are DerJuan Gambrell and Doran Grant, and the latter should get playing time right away. The safeties are Jeremy Cash and the hard-hitting Ron Tanner. Hopefully all of them will be ready to contribute sooner rather than later. Grade: B
Specialists: Although the Bucks did not ink a kicker or punter they did bring in long-snapper Bruce Haynes who is a good athlete and highly thought of. I am not sure I am overly excited about using a scholarship in this fashion but the coaches usually know what they are doing. Grade: B-
Offensive Line: Once again there is disappointment in Columbus over what might have been. Over the past decade OSU has signed some excellent linemen but have also missed out on a bunch of good ones, and in general have not brought in enough players at this critical position. The intent was to sign five this year which became even more critical when Sam Longo left school, but when Aundrey Walker spurned the Bucks for USC that brought the number to four. Then, Chris Carter Jr. was arrested on the eve of signing day, which might reduce the number to three (Carter may still sign at a future date). Of the three who faxed in their letters of intent only one is highly ranked in Brian Bobek, who will most likely be the center of the future. The other two, guard Antonio Underwood and tackle Tommy Brown, are most likely projects. The fact that the coaching staff is flirting with a big tackle from Illinois who didn't receive a single Division I scholarship offer tells us all we need to know about this position! Grade: C- (raise it to a C if Carter can overcome his legal woes)
Defensive Line: One side of the trenches is in great shape, as Ohio State signed their best set of defensive linemen in the Tressel era. What is not to like about a group that includes defensive tackles Michael Bennett (who should play immediately although he could also move over to the o-line temporarily) and big Joel Hale, who is reportedly tipping the scale at 300 pounds (all muscle). Talented Chase Farris might be a tackle or might be an end but either way looks like a good one. And the two earliest verbals in the class, Ken Hayes and Steve Miller (who flies to the quarterback like an eagle...sorry, couldn't resist), both ooze with big play potential. Grade: A+
Linebacker: From famine to feast, as what looked like it might be a strikeout for the Bucks wound up being one of their strongest position groups. Forget about losing Ohioan Trey DePriest, the staff went far and long to reel in Maryland's Conner Crowell, Pennsylvania's Ejuan Price (another who might be underrated), Florida's Ryan Shazier, and Virginia's Curtis Grant, who might be the jewel of the entire class. Wow! Grade: A+
Defensive Backs: Ohio State got a solid group here, although I would have loved to have seen them sign another corner. However, considering the problems in recent years at attracting high-ranked safeties, you have to feel pretty good overall. The two corners who signed are DerJuan Gambrell and Doran Grant, and the latter should get playing time right away. The safeties are Jeremy Cash and the hard-hitting Ron Tanner. Hopefully all of them will be ready to contribute sooner rather than later. Grade: B
Specialists: Although the Bucks did not ink a kicker or punter they did bring in long-snapper Bruce Haynes who is a good athlete and highly thought of. I am not sure I am overly excited about using a scholarship in this fashion but the coaches usually know what they are doing. Grade: B-
Chapman's Game-Saving Play 😱
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
