Quote:
Originally Posted by tlinc
I've said this in threads about different recruits, but I think it is pertinent here as well. I believe that Tressel and staff do a certain amount of due diligence before making official offers. They take this due diligence very seriously and they offer less players than most comparable programs. They view these offers seriously and know that a high percentage of them will be accepted, especially in-state offers.
I feel that more than any other program, OSU's due diligence includes an in-depth look at a guy's work ethic and character. They learned from past mistakes (the class of 2003) and have found a formula that seems to be working. They have had a lot of success taking lower rated kids who work hard, love football and understand the game. They have also had a much higher retention rate and better team chemistry than in the past.
In short, I no longer look at the order that OSU offers kids in as an accurate reflection of their talent compared to other kids. Offers seem to come out earlier to guys from big programs. Guys from families that the staff knows. Guys with great academics. Character guys.
As all of this relates to Adam, I would say that just because Homan was the 4th or 5th in-state offer doesn't necessarily mean that he is the 4th best player in Ohio or that the staff views him as a top 5 talent. It may just mean that the OSU staff had completed their due diligence on him more quickly than they did on other prospects. They know his family. They know the kid. They love the work ethic that they see up close every day from his brother. They are comfortable with his level of competition and respect the Coldwater program. They like his work ethic and character and they feel he is talented enough to play here. Therefore, the offer was made. |
Great post above. My opinion of the '09 class is that it's going to be a "meat and potatoes" type of class. Based on the number of scholarships available, it's going to be a large class (there is room to take guys who need time to develop). If you review the state of the program right now, there are no pressing needs, other than maybe offensive tackle (should Boone leave). But, that has been somewhat addressed with the '08 class. So, my point is that the staff may be looking for guys who can not only be a great player, but a great teammate as well. Sometimes, high school superstars have a difficult time accepting that role. That's why I liked the above post - words like character, work ethic, chemistry. That's how you build a great team, or in tOSU's case, continue to be a dominant program. Granted, you need the difference makers, and I have no doubt that the Bucks will grab their share, but you need the nuts and bolts as well. My usual disclaimer - I have not seen any of the potential '09 recruits, my message is not about any individual recruit, nor do I usually engage in speculating about recruits.
