Dispatch
OHIO STATE FOOTBALL
Buckeyes seek out-of-state linemen
Sunday, June 25, 2006
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
<!--PHOTOS--> <table class="phototableright" align="right" border="0"> <!-- begin large ad code --> <tbody><tr><td> <table align="center"></table> </td></tr> </tbody> </table>
Evan Blankenship and Kris O’Dowd live on opposite sides of the country, but they have two things in common.
They are two of the most soughtafter lineman prospects in the country this recruiting season, and they both have Ohio State on their list.
."For one thing, I really like the town; it seems like a really fun place to be, because it’s not that big, but it’s kind of big," said O’Dowd, of Tucson, Ariz. "And it’s Ohio State.
"I mean, they pack 100,000-plus in their stadium for every home game. When you have 60,000-plus show up just for the spring game, that’s telling you something."
Blankenship, of Monaca, Pa., said his father is from Ohio, "and I have family members who are huge Ohio State fans. When I was little, I used to go to their games.
"I love their campus. Columbus is a great city. I can’t think of one thing bad about the place."
But he grew up liking Pittsburgh, too, and Boston College and Clemson have shown keen interest.
"It’s going to be real hard for my decision whenever the time comes," Blankenship said.
Ohio State is not a cinch with either out-of-state standout, which is why this recruiting season could be interesting for the Buckeyes.
It appears to be a lean year in state for top-line recruits, even though
OSU’s three commitments thus far are from Ohio, led by speedy running back Brandon Saine of Piqua.
"This state is not lacking in numbers of quality players, but it is a down year in terms of the top-level type, the kind Notre Dame, Ohio State and Michigan like to offer," said Bill Kurelic, publisher of the Ohio Football Recruiting News.
That means the battle between Ohio State and Notre Dame for Kurelic’s No. 1 in-state prospect, defensive end Ben Martin of Cincinnati LaSalle, and the duel between
OSU and Michigan for his No. 5, defensive back Eugene Clifford of Colerain, will be important to the Buckeyes.
"Last year was a spectacular year in state," Kurelic said, referring to the likes of
OSU incoming freshmen Chris Wells, Kurt Coleman, Ross Homan, Robert Rose and others. "You’re not going to have a spectacular year every year.
"I see Ohio State signing about 20 players overall, and it’s not out of question that more could come from out of state this year."
Which is where the likes of O’Dowd and Blankenship come into play. Ohio State would like to sign four offensive linemen after signing just two this past year. But on Kurelic’s preseason rankings of overall Ohio talent, there are no offensive linemen in the top 18 and none have been offered scholarships.
Blankenship, O’Dowd and Nick Claytor of Gainesville, Ga., are among out-of-state linemen who have been offered.
"The skill positions in the state of Ohio are strong, but so far it has not seemed to be a good year for toplevel offensive linemen," Kurelic said. "I would say if Ohio State does sign four, the odds are all four would come from out of state."
But the Buckeyes are picky outside the border, too. Blankenship and O’Dowd, for example, are being courted by a host of heavyweights, which is where it always gets tricky.
"I’d like to make up my mind by the end of summer," Blankenship said.
O’Dowd is "not really rushing it right now. I want to have a top six in a month or so and take it from there."
Linear Mode
