College Football 2011: 5 Recruits Who May Be Affected by Jim Tressel Resignation

With the shocking announcement that Jim Tressel has resigned as the head football coach at The Ohio State University, there are surely recruits who have been affected.

Many current recruits in the 2012 class committed to the Buckeyes to play under Tressel.

Now that he is gone, they may not want to stay.

Follow along as we count down five prospects in the 2012 class who may be affected.

1. Bri'onte Dunn

Bri'onte Dunn is a running back from Glenoak High in Canton, OH who has been rated as a 4-star prospect by Rivals.com.

He committed to Ohio State just last month.

Because his commitment is so fresh, he is a likely candidate to de-commit from the Buckeyes.

He received offers from Michigan, Cincinnati, Illinois, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Penn State and Tennessee.

If he decides to de-commit from Ohio State, Notre Dame would be his likely destination due to the fact that the Irish missed out on all of their running back targets.

2. Kyle Kalis

Kyle Kalis is an offensive tackle from St. Edward High in Lakewood, OH.

He has been rated as a 4-star prospect by Rivals.com.

The Buckeye faithful are hoping that his proximity to campus would be enough to keep him on board, but proximity often isn't enough for recruits today.

That's especially true when a recruit has been offered by Auburn, Miami, Alabama, Arizona State, Cincinnati, Illinois, Iowa, Michigan, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

It won't be surprising if Kalis is lured away from Ohio State by the attractiveness of the SEC.

3. Frank Epitropoulos

Frank Epitropoulos is a receiver from Upper Arlington (OH) High, who is on track to earn a 4-star rating from most major recruiting services.

He committed just last month on the 26th, which makes him a prime candidate to de-commit.

Offers that have come his way include Duke, Kent State, Louisville, Miami (OH), Purdue, Stanford, Syracuse, Toledo, West Virginia and Wisconsin.

4. Blake Thomas

Blake Thomas is a tight end from St. Ignatius High in Westlake, OH. He is a likely 3-star prospect.

He's yet another likely candidate to de-commit, having committed to the Buckeyes just two weeks ago on the 16th.

Offers he has received include Boston College, Connecticut, Indiana, Ohio, Toledo and Virginia, with many more yet to come.

5. Josh Perry

Josh Perry is an outside linebacker from Olentangy High in Galena, OH.

He has been rated as a 4-star prospect by Rivals.com.

It may be a stretch to say that he might de-commit because he committed last June and only received offers from Cincinnati, Duke and Michigan State.

But you never know what may go through the mind of a young recruit during a change in coaching staffs.