Ohio State Football: Brionte Dunn and 5 Recruits Most Vital to Luke Fickell Era

If Luke Fickell wants to keep his gig as the Ohio State University head football coach, it will be vital for him to get Brionte Dunn and these four recruits committed to play football for the Buckeyes on signing day. 

With all of the off-the-field turmoil surrounding the Ohio State football program, Luke Fickell will have to convince his recruits that Ohio State will still be a powerhouse in the Big Ten as well as a national title contender.

This could prove to be easier said than done, as the Buckeyes are looking at scholarship losses and possible postseason abandonment, causing concern in the eyes of recruits.

At the end of the day though, Luke Fickell coaches at the Ohio State University.

This is still the program that has the most BCS Bowl appearances (9) and the most BCS Bowl wins (6) and has also won six straight conference titles.

Luke Fickell is expected to bring in the nation's best high school talent, regardless of the situation. 

5.Stefon Diggs

http://www.washingtonpost.com/wp-dyn/content/gallery/2010/10/09/GA2010100900518.html

Stefon Diggs plays nearly every position for his high school team, Our Lady of Good Counsel, and could easily play both sides of the ball in college.

At 6'0" and 185 pounds, Diggs fits in perfectly as a slot receiver.

He's a superior route runner who can make a 10-yard slant a 75-yard touchdown.

If Luke Fickell can sign Stefon Diggs, the Buckeyes would have themselves an all-around athlete that could star on not only offense but also on special teams as a return man.

Ohio State fans have been waiting for a star return man ever since the Ted Ginn Jr. days.

Stefon Diggs might finally be their man.

4. Ifeadi Odenigbo

Ifeadi Odenigbo is ranked as the third best outside linebacker in the nation according to scout.com, and he is a top priority for Luke Fickell.

Odenigbo is an Ohio product playing his high school ball at Centerville High School, where he recorded 10 sacks with 40 tackles during his junior year. 

At 6'3'' 220 pounds with a 4.5 forty time, Odenigbo is a freakish athlete that can cover the field and make plays as quick as anyone in the nation.

Ohio State prides themselves on great linebackers, and Odenigbo has the potential to be the next in line of great linebackers to play for the Buckeyes.

3. Adolphus Washington

http://recruiting.scout.com/a.z?s=73&p=2&c=967262&ssf=1&RequestedURL=http%3a%2f%2frecruiting.scout.com%2f2%2f967262.html

Adolphus Washington just recently narrowed his list of schools from 10 to five, with the Buckeyes still heavily in the mix. 

Adolphus Washington is another Ohio product playing football at Taft High School in Cincinnati, where he is a star in not only football but basketball as well.

Washington has the size (6'6'' 240 pounds) and speed (4.7 forty) to be an elite pass rusher on the end. 

It has been said that Adolphus Washington and High School teammate Dwayne Stanford attend to play their college ball together.

If that's the case, Luke Fickell should be all over both of them because Stanford (6'5, 220 pounds) has all the tools to be an elite possession receiver in college football.

2. Dorial Green-Beckham

http://bleacherreport.com/articles/446214-2012-college-football-recruiting-the-top-positional-prospects

Dorial Green-Beckham is the prized possession in the 2012 recruiting class, and if Luke Fickell could get the top wide receiver to commit to Ohio State, Buckeye Nation would be ecstatic.

Dorial Green-Beckham will be the next great receiver in college football, and has the skills to make a good offense great.

Dorial has been an absolute beast in high school with 4,120 yards receiving and over 50 touchdowns.

This one is a long-shot for Fickell and the Buckeyes, but Ohio State is still on Green-Beckham's list, so it's not out of the question.

1. Brionte Dunn

http://fridaynightohio.com/news/brionte-dunn-piles-big-numbers-ground

Brionte Dunn has been the name floating around Buckeye Nation for over a year now.

Dunn has already accumulated over 3,000 yards rushing with over 35 touchdowns during his three years at Glen Oak High School in Canton Ohio.

Dunn is a 6'1'' 225 pound bruising back who possesses the speed to compliment his powerful style of running, making him a Heisman type running back in the future, often being compared past Buckeye great Chris "Beanie" Wells.

Dunn was thought to be a lock for the Buckeyes—and would have been if the off the field issues never came to surface. 

Brionte Dunn is a recruit that Luke Fickell must attain for the 2012 class.

It would be devastating to the Buckeyes if Dunn left Ohio, but more importantly it would reflect terribly on Luke Fickell.