[shetuck]

Originally Posted by LordJeffBuck

...and don't forget about the under-achieving class of 2004 that produced three legit stars (Ginn, Gholston, Pittman), a few solid starters (Freeman, Nicol, Person, Rehring), and little else (including about ten outright busts). Recruiting took small steps forward in 2005-2007, and huge steps forward in 2008 and 2009.

... I will say right now that the 2008 and 2009 classes combined have brought in more raw talent than the 2004-2007 classes combined. The talent in Columbus for the 2010 season will be absolutely unreal.

FWIW. Just got posted yesterday...

A Look Back at Buckeyes Recruiting in the Jim Tressel Era | Bleacher Report

[...]

After a real look back at the recruiting of Ohio State, it is little surprise that Ohio State struggled so after the last of the 2002 class left. The depth and success of talent on the team was not good, some excellent players, but far too many busts for this team to get over the top.

In short, this supports the idea that Ohio State has been overrated, living off the reputation of that 2002 class that dominated bowl season for four years.

There were enough of these Buckeyes left in 2006 for amazing season but not able to finish it off with a flat showing against Florida.

When the 2005 class took over, it just did not have the depth and development to be able to compete with the top teams. This isn't a knock against the elite players on these Ohio State teams; they will be drafted and have excellent NFL careers.

Too many injuries and setbacks among defensive line prospects; lack of O-line prospects; and lack of speed on the outside seriously hurt the Buckeyes.

It seems very clear that down periods in recruiting and weak Big 10 play have led to Ohio State struggles since their beating at the hands of Florida.

Ohio State fans will admit that OSU really wasn't ready for LSU in 2006, but we were happy for the shot since the rest of college football seemed happy to choke away their shot at the title.

Now the 2005 class has moved on and Tressel is starting a new with his first Top 5 class since 2002. The 2008 class was a god-send for the Buckeyes desperate for a deep class of athletes.

Add the speed of the 2009 class, and Ohio State may be a legitimate contender with the top teams in college football again.

The 2008 and 2009 classes could set up Ohio State up for another big bowl game run, a mobile, strong armed QB with serious speed surrounding him and a bookended O Line.

On defense, the new Buckeyes at linebacker can just fly, and the secondary has always been a strong point of Tressel teams.

This turn in recruiting could bring Ohio State back to the first tier of college football. That said, it is a certainty they will not let the Buckeyes back in easily and coming oh-so-close isn't going to cut it.