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The Buckeyes' Top Prospects for the Class of 2010 Summer Edition
Since the first edition of this blog, the Buckeyes have received verbal commitments from three more players: linebacker David Durham (Austin, Texas); linebacker Scott McVey (Cleveland St. Ignatius); and quarterback Taylor Graham (Wheaton, Illinois). Although it's still quite early in the recruiting process, the Ohio State staff is already narrowing their focus to a handful of top prospects, including linebacker Jordan Hicks (West Chester Lakota West); cornerback Christian Bryant (Cleveland Glenville); wide receiver Tyrone Williams (East Cleveland Shaw); offensive lineman Matt James (Cincinnati St. Xavier); defensive lineman Darryl Baldwin (Solon); cornerback Lamarcus Joyner (Miami, Florida); linebacker Jeff Luc (Port St. Lucie, Florida); defensive back Chad Hagan (Canonsburg, Pennsylvania); defensive back Joshua Shaw (Palmdale, California); fullback Zack Zwinak (Frederick, Maryland); offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson (St. Paul, Minnesota); defensive lineman Garrison Smith; and running back Roderick Smith (Fort Wayne, Indiana).
Speed
1. Lamarcus Joyner, Miami Southwest, transferred to Fort Lauderdale Saint Thomas Aquinas (5' 8", 166 lbs, 4.34 forty); Ohio State (offered) in top 2 (Florida State). Joyner is an all-everything cornerback prospect who possesses off-the-charts athleticism reminiscent of Percy Harvin, Ted Ginn, and Deion Sanders. Despite his diminutive size, LJ is a headhunter in the defensive backfield, and some people are already comparing him to former Buckeye great Antoine Winfield. Although Lamarcus was a Florida State fan growing up, he is currently high on Ohio State, largely because of the Buckeyes' success in producing NFL-caliber cornerbacks. However, every major program in the country will be recruiting Joyner, and the Big Three don't like to see kids of his talent leave the Sunshine State, so it is far too early to make any sort of predictions regarding his recruitment. Expect a Signing Day announcement. Update 06/26 - LJ's current leader is Florida State (childhood favorite), with Ohio State running in second place. Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Southern Cal round out Joyner's list of favorites. After attending the Buckeyes' Spring Game in April, Lamarcus may make an official visit to Columbus for the Southern Cal contest on September 12th.
2. Nick Montana, Westlake Village (California) Oaks Christian (6' 3", 190 lbs, 4.6 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix. Last year, the Buckeyes tried to land the heir apparent to Terrelle Pryor, but they lost out on a couple of big name prospects and instead signed a project in the form of Kenneth Guiton. While Guiton has long-term potential, Nick Montana is already a polished signal caller who runs a sophisticated high school offense (2,500 yds, 33 TD's, 7 INT's, in leading his team to a 14-0 record and state title last season), but also possesses enough natural athleticism to operate in a "spread" scheme. Although Nick is the son of legendary Notre Dame quarterback Joe Montana, and the brother of current Notre Dame reserve quarterback Nate Montana, the youngest Montana is definitely not a lock to be a Domer. In fact, the Buckeyes are very high on Nick's list, and he is visiting Columbus today and tomorrow to check out Ohio State. Buckeye head coach Jim Tressel has already made a favorable impression on Joe Montana, and it should also be mentioned that the senior Montana was a college teammate of current Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith. Nick is Ohio State's number one target at quarterback for the class of 2010, and so far he is the only quarterback prospect to have received an offer. Expect an early decision, and don't be surprised in the least if that decision is Ohio State. Update 06/10 - Montana committed to Washington, a dark horse candidate that wasn't even on the radar until a month ago. Internal family politics cost both Ohio State and Notre Dame, the presumptive favorites this spring.
3. Tai-ler Jones, Gainesville (Georgia) Gainesville (6' 0", 174 lbs, 4.46 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix. As a junior last year, Jones made 81 receptions for 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. Tai-ler is smooth, quick, explosive, dangerous in the open field, and able to create space ... and he has great hands, all of which combine to make him one of the top wide receiver prospects in the entire country. Tai-ler's father, Andre, was a member of Notre Dame's 1988 national championship squad, and the Irish have offered ... but Notre Dame is far from a "lock", and Tai-ler will check out many of the top college programs before making a decision some time this summer. Ohio State has already received a Junior Day visit, and the Buckeyes should be considered a legitimate contender, but Georgia Tech, Miami, Alabama, Tennessee, and a host of other schools will be in hot pursuit. Update 04/16 - Another surprise choice, as Jones selected Stanford over powerhouses like Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Georgia.
4. Corey Brown, Springfield (Pennsylvania) Cardinal O'Hara (6' 0", 171 lbs, 4.47 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix. Last year, Ohio State signed one Corey Brown from the State of Pennsylvania, and this year the Bucks are after another. The 2010 version of Corey Brown is one of the top running back prospects in the country despite missing most of his junior season with a knee injury, and he already holds offers from major programs like Ohio State, Penn State, Florida, Alabama, and Miami. The Buckeyes have consistently been near the top of Corey's list of favorite schools, but this will be a tough battle. No early leaders; expect a late decision after official visits. Update 06/26 - Nothing new to report - Ohio State remains in Corey's top ten ... but don't expect Brown to sign with the Buckeyes next February.
5. Christian Bryant, Cleveland Glenville (5' 11", 180 lbs, 4.53 forty); Ohio State (not offered) leads Tennessee (offered). Bryant is yet another top athlete from the renowned Cleveland Glenville program. As a junior, Christian split time between safety and cornerback, and he could project to either position at the college level. Although Ohio State has not offered yet, we believe that the Buckeyes will eventually come through with a scholarship, and that Bryant will accept. If not, Tennessee (offered) is currently running a strong second, with Vanderbilt and Stanford (both offered) also in the mix. Update 06/26 - Bryant received an Ohio State offer in May, and the Buckeyes are now his solid leader. However, as is customary with Glenville recruits, Christian will likely take some official visits before announcing his selection ... which should be Ohio State.
6. Chad Hagan, Canonsburg (Pennsylvania) Canon-McMillan (6' 1", 210 lbs, 4.29 forty); Ohio State (offered) leads Michigan and Wisconsin (both offered). Hagan is a two-way player in high school, and last season he rushed for 800 yards and 12 touchdowns, while totaling 63 tackles on defense. At the college level, Chad will likely end up on the defensive side of the ball, either as a safety or outside linebacker. At the present time, Hagan favors Ohio State over Michigan and Wisconsin. Chad is planning to make an unofficial visit to Ohio State in the near future, and he could commit shortly thereafter.
7. Joshua Shaw, Palmdale (California) Palmdale (6' 1", 180 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in the mix. Shaw is a multi-talented prospect who as a junior had 443 yards receiving (27 receptions), 133 yards rushing (5 carries), 10 total touchdowns, 40 tackles (6 TFL's), and 4 interceptions while playing a variety of positions. Experts have mixed opinions on where Joshua projects at the college level - some say wide receiver, others say defensive back (either corner or safety). Shaw is one of the Buckeyes' newest offerees, and he has stated that he wants to visit Ohio State. It's still early, but Shaw seems to have some legitimate interest in the Buckeyes.
8. Spencer Ware, Cincinnati Princeton (5' 11", 207 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in the... [Read More]
OHIO STATE BUCKEYES - 2009 NCAA REGIONAL SOFTBALL CHAMPS!
Ohio State won the program's first NCAA Regional Title this afternoon, defeating Kentucky 7-2 at New Buckeye Field. The #11 team advances to the Super Regional against #6 Georgia on May 21-23, where the team that wins 2 of 3 will qualify for the Women's College World Series.
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