Ohio State Football Recruiting: The Buckeyes' Top Targets and Commitments

Despite the huge elephant in the room, Ohio State is actually enjoying a very solid 2012 recruiting campaign. One thing not to forget is that this is The Ohio State University, you know, home of the Buckeye football team?

They're still Ohio State, folks, so while they may be impacted on some of the elite level prospects, the Buckeyes are still going to get their fare share of top Midwest players.

Let's check out their top targets and commitments.

2012 Ohio State Recruiting Class Capsule

After signing a top-10 recruiting class in 2011, including headliners in five-star QB Braxton Miller and five-star LB Curtis Grant, the Buckeyes have already made major strides in 2012 recruiting.

Ohio State currently sits with an eight-man recruiting class, with four of the seven rated as four-star prospects or higher.

The headliners are five-star RB Bri'onte Dunn and five-star OT Kyle Kalis.

Four-star RB Warren Ball will be a fantastic, all-purpose threat due to his athleticism and receiving skills, while four-star LB Josh Perry is a 6'3", 225-pounder that can play all three LB spots in the OSU 4-3 alignment.

Newest Commitment: Tyvis Powell, DS

Powell is the newest addition to the Buckeye program, as the 6'3", 180-pound DS pledged to OSU on June 1st.

He's a very raw prospect, but his size, athleticism and speed project him to become a solid player for the Buckeyes. Powell is an extremely dedicated and hard worker, and it would not shock me to see him become a special teams star for the Buckeyes.

Look for Powell's work ethic to become his main staple within the program.

Dunn Is Taking a Wait-and-See Approach

One of the two five-star prospects Ohio State has committed, Bri'onte Dunn took a shocking unofficial visit to Michigan in early May that had both the Buckeye and Wolverine programs abuzz.

While Dunn liked his visit to Ann Arbor, he says he is still committed to Ohio State—for now. Dunn is now taking a wait-and-see approach to his recruitment, with the key time being this August, according to Dunn.

He says he will like to see what sanctions are levied on the program and if Ohio State will be forced to miss any bowl games.

Stay tuned.

Key Commintment: Warren Ball, RB

While Dunn gets most of the shine for the OSU 2012 recruiting class, I think the key player in the fold is 6'2", 200-pound RB Warren Ball.

Ball has a lean and long frame and is a flat out playmaker. What separates Ball from many RBs are his natural receiving skills. Ball almost plays like a WR at times, showing soft hands, ball skills, catch-in-crowd ability and RAC instincts.

He should be a dynamite weapon on offense and also has a great burst.

Pittman and Washington as a Package Deal?

Ohio State, Kentucky, Alabama, Michigan and Miami are the top five for Adolphus Washington, a 6'5", 250-pound DE prospect.

With him being a basketball standout and perhaps wishing to play both sports in college, the school with the best combo of greatness on both the hardwood and gridiron obviously is Ohio State.

Se'Von Pittman is a 6'4", 225-pound DE and will like to visit Michigan and Ohio State.

Both prospects met each other a few weeks ago at the Columbus NIKE Camp and hit it off. Pittman says there is a chance they will like to play to together in college.

Tressel's Resignation "Rattled" Ohio State's Chances for Jordan Diamond

6'6", 290 pounds and hailing for Chicago, Jordan Diamond is one of the top 100 players in the country and a prime prospect in the Midwest.

While Michigan is the assumed team to beat, Ohio State still is in contention for the big OT. Yet with Jim Tressel stepping down, Diamond now says that "rattled" Ohio State's chances a bit.

Yet the opportunity to play early and the lack of depth along the OL still has some appeal to Diamond.