Ohio State Football Recruiting: How National Signing Day 2011 Affected Buckeyes
On signing day, Ohio State added No. 2 overall recruit Curtis Grant to its already impressive class that contained names such as Braxton Miller, Doran Grant, etc...
How does the 2011 recruiting class affect the Buckeyes? Read on to find out.
Quarterback
1 of 10Ohio State added QBs Braxton Miller and Cardale Jones.
Miller, a 5-star recruit, is the future and will take over when Terrelle Pryor graduates. He might not even have to wait that long. With Pryor's suspension, Miller has a golden opportunity to get playing time right away.
Fans have compared Miller with Buckeye great Troy Smith, noting their similar builds and style. Both are pass-first QBs with the ability to run. If Miller is anything like Smith, the Buckeyes will continue to be in the national title hunt for at least the next four years.
Running Back
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Ohio State did not add any running backs in this recruiting class.
With the depth the Buckeyes have, they didn't need to. With players like Dan Herron, Jordan Hall, Jaamal Berry, Carlos Hyde and Rod Smith among others, the Buckeyes will be set at running back for the next few years.
Wide Receiver
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The Buckeyes added a pair of 4-star recruits in Devin Smith and Evan Spencer.
With DeVier Posey suspended for the first five games and Dane Sanzenbacher gone due to graduation, Ohio State will have no proven aerial targets for the first half of the season. Thus, Smith and Spencer will have the opportunity to gain immediate playing time.
.jpg?w=256 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
Tight End
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Ohio State adds a 4-star recruit (Nick Vannett) and 3-star recruit (Jeff Heuerman) to the fold.
The Buckeyes are set at TE for the immediate future with Jake Stoneburner and Reid Fragel. Jim Tressel doesn't really utilize the receiving aspect of this position, so sound receiving skills aren't required for Vannett and Heuerman to gain playing time. This is a case of "may the best blocker win."
When comparing the two, Vannett is the better receiver and Heuerman the better blocker. These two may be lining up in the future together due to the balance they offer.
Offensive Line
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The Buckeyes shored up the offensive line with four recruits: a trio of 3-star recruits (OT Tommy Brown, OG Chris Carter, OG Antonio Underwood) and a 4-star recruit, C Brian Bobek.
These players provide necessary depth. Ohio State will be losing Mike Adams for the first five games in 2011 for his role in Tatgate and both guards (Justin Boren and Bryant Browning) are gone due to graduation.
Of the four, Bobek has the best opportunity to shine as a Buckeye. He will sit behind senior Mike Brewster his first year and becomes the most likely starter when Brewster graduates.
Defensive Line
6 of 10Ohio State added five players: 3-star Joel Hale, 4-stars Michael Bennett, Chase Farris and Ken Hayes and 5-star Steve Miller.
Miller is the crown jewel of this group. The Buckeyes like to have one "big" DE and one "small" DE, as with Cameron Heyward and Thaddeus Gibson in 2009. The 6'4", 230 lb. Miller will assume the DE/OLB role that Gibson once held.
The Buckeyes will have a lot of bodies to throw on the line in 2011.
Linebackers
7 of 10This is where the Buckeyes improved the most.
Ohio State not only added Curtis Grant, the second-highest rated recruit in the nation, but also 3-star recruit Conner Crowell and 4-star recruits Ejuan Price and Ryan Shazier.
With the loss of starters Ross Homan and Brian Rolle, adding this depth was important.
Snagging away Grant and Shazier from Florida was a coup. Dorian Bell, Storm Klein, Etienne Sabino and Andrew Sweat will be the favorites to start, but it wouldn't be surprising to see Grant get significant playing time.
Secondary
8 of 10Ohio State showed some serious secondary depth against Arkansas in the Sugar Bowl when players like Chimdi Chekwa, Devon Torrence and Travis Howard, among others, were sidelined due to injury.
Despite losing three-quarters of their starting secondary to graduation (Chekwa, Torrence, Jermale Hines), the Buckeyes will be fine. This recruiting class helps.
CB Doran Grant is the key player here. The 4-star recruit could potentially start immediately or at least gain significant playing time.
Jeremy Cash, a 3-star recruit, and 4-star recruits DerJuan Gambrell and Ron Tanner fill out this class.
Special Teams
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Ohio State signed 2-star LS Bryce Haynes.
Long snapper is an inglorious role, but someone has to do it. As in the case of referees, the highest honor that can be awarded to a long snapper is anonymity. A bad ref or long snapper is public enemy No. 1.
National Outlook
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Ohio State fared well with this year's class, ranking third overall on Scout. The Buckeyes brought in many talented players who can be expected to contribute in various ways over the next four years.
Not only did the Buckeyes land these players, but they snagged them away from potential suitors. The University of Florida was perhaps most victimized by Ohio State, losing Curtis Grant, Ryan Shazier and running backs coach Stan Drayton.
This only confirms what many of us already know. Though Ohio State is not flashy, it remains a top-tier football school. Rival fans (SEC anyone?) may claim otherwise, but Buckeye fans should take solace in two consecutive BCS Bowl victories—one over an SEC opponent—and another excellent recruiting class.
.jpg?w=480 "Ohio State Team Doctor")
