Depth of talent in Ohio in '07 (split from Clifford thread)

[BGriffBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Cwood24

I too think his most natural position is receiver. I really hate to say this, but another Michigander brought it up over on a U-M board and the more I studied clips of both guys closely, the more I started to see the comparison. Clifford really looks alot like Braylon Edwards when he is playing receiver. I didn't want to hear it at first, but I re-watched all of the clips of him playing receiver and of some video I have of Braylon. The similarities are really uncanny. I heard that tOSU and Michigan are recruiting Clifford as a corner, but I think he should play receiver. I really do think Clifford is the most underrated player on a national level, it just seems as if he's not getting much national attention, and I think he is the #1 player in the state of Ohio. Ben Martin is fine and dandy, but he's still very raw and doesn't dominate on a consistent basis in all three phases of the game the way Eugene does. Martin might have more potential because he's new to football and he's a wonderful jumbo athlete, but Clifford is the better player right now and he can turn a game on it's head in an instant in any phase of the game, wether it be special teams, offense, or defense.

Anyway you slcie it, both are 1-2 in the state and 5* recruits.

[Cwood24]

Originally Posted by BGriffBuckeye

Anyway you slcie it, both are 1-2 in the state and 5* recruits.

I agree. It's a really good year for talent at the top in Ohio, just doesn't seem like there is as much depth though as the 2005 or 2006 classes.

[BGriffBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Cwood24

I agree. It's a really good year for talent at the top in Ohio, just doesn't seem like there is as much depth though as the 2005 or 2006 classes.

True. The rest of the list is pretty subjective. I have seen guys all over the place on everybody's lists. Saine, Oliver, Jeremiah, Torrence, Dailey, Peake all should be Top 10. Brian Gamble, Donnie Evege, Chris Givens (after a strong showing in the Louisville camp) also make a strong case. The QB's are iffy, but maybe 3 5* star guys and a decent group of 4*'s, IMO. We'll see though, it's early.

[BearBuck27]

Originally Posted by Cwood24

I agree. It's a really good year for talent at the top in Ohio, just doesn't seem like there is as much depth though as the 2005 or 2006 classes.

I disagree a little bit. I agree that there isn't the depth in the state like in past years, but I don't believe there's very much top talent either. There is a definate 1-2 in Ohio (Ben Martin and Gene), but after that it really seems like even the Top 10 isn't filled with as great of talent as last year.

[wadc45]

let's keep this stuff out of the thread about Gene...

[wadc45]

Originally Posted by BearBuck27

I disagree a little bit. I agree that there isn't the depth in the state like in past years, but I don't believe there's very much top talent either. There is a definate 1-2 in Ohio (Ben Martin and Gene), but after that it really seems like even the Top 10 isn't filled with as great of talent as last year.

Devon Torrence, Solomon Thomas, Nate Oliver and Bradon Saine are also special talents...two of the four were offered on or around Signing Day (Saine and Oliver), some are saying Thomas could be as good as Martin and we all know how special an athlete Torrence is. These guys may not be in the same class as Clifford or Martin at this point, but they round out a better top 5-6 than most any other state can boast.

[akronbuck]

sporting news big ten preview
really good and has OSU # 2 behind NEWDOPERS

ohio players

2 in the top 100 Ben martin and donnie evege
no barksdale


21 in the top 50 midwest
no eugene clifford

I would think ohio is loaded with the numbers

22 with clifford in the top 250