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ESPN - Midwest Recruiting Blog

Recruits ready to descend on Columbus

Friday, October 24, 2008

Posted by Bill Kurelic

It seems each weekend there is one Big Ten school set for a big recruiting weekend. Even though Michigan plays host to Michigan State for a big in-state rivalry game and the Wolverines will entertain a number of prospects making official visits, the big game in the Big Ten this weekend is the nationally televised prime-time showdown in Columbus between No. 3 Penn State and No. 9 Ohio State.

The Ohio State coaching staff has been pointing toward this game as a big recruiting night.

Jim Tressel and his staff will host Under Armour All-American defensive lineman Corey Adams (Scottsdale, Az./Saguaro) on an official visit. Adams has made official visits to Nebraska and Arizona State. In addition to Ohio State this weekend, he is scheduled to make an official visit to USC the second weekend in December before selecting a college.

The Buckeyes have 25 Class of 2009 commitments and one Class of 2010 commitment, and 20 of those 26 prospects plan to attend Saturday night's game. Commitments from Ohio, Kentucky, Michigan, Pennsylvania and Maryland will all make their way to Ohio Stadium to see the battle for the undisputed lead in the Big Ten standings.

The Ohio State coaching staff would like to add offensive lineman Marcus Hall (Cleveland, Ohio/Glenville) to their 2009 class, and Hall plans to be in the Horseshoe Saturday. The Buckeyes are also in contact with two of Hall's teammates, quarterback Terrance Owens and defensive back Michael Edwards, and both are likely to attend the game as well.

Having already secured 25 commitments for their 2009 recruiting class, the Ohio State staff is able to devote much of their recruiting time to their 2010 class. This weekend some super juniors will make their way to Ohio Stadium.

The No. 1 junior in the state of Ohio, linebacker Jamel Turner (Youngstown/Ursuline), will attend the big game as will linebacker Jordan Hicks (West Chester, Ohio/Lakota West), defensive lineman Darryl Baldwin (Solon, Ohio) and quarterback/athlete Spencer Ware (Cincinnati/Princeton). All four have already been offered a scholarship by the Buckeyes. Offensive lineman Andrew Donnal (Whitehouse, Ohio/Anthony Wayne) is another highly-regarded junior who will be in the Horseshoe Saturday night.

Jim Tressel is looking for a big game from his Buckeyes Saturday night. He is also hoping to capitalize in a big way on the recruiting front.