'08 FL WR/DB Brandon Harris (Miami Signee)

[FCollinsBuckeye]

Good luck at the U, Brandon. We'll see you in 2010/2011...

[schultgb]

Sounds like playing time was a significant factor for Brandon, and if it's our depth that intimdated arguably the top corner in this class then I guess I'm ok with it. Best wishes to him as a Cane.

[BuckTwenty]

Good luck to Brandon at Miami. Stepping into a good situation there with their rebuilding project underway.

[Hubbard]

Originally Posted by OregonBuckeye

This has been a pretty sucky LOID. At least we got Johnson!

Have you been following OSU recruiting lately? This is a great signing day so far in comparison

[schultgb]

Sounds like playing time was a significant factor for Brandon, and if it's our depth that intimidated arguably the top corner in this class then I guess I'm ok with it. Best wishes to him as a Cane.

[OregonBuckeye]

Originally Posted by Hubbard

Have you been following OSU recruiting lately? This is a great signing day so far in comparison

I was just talking about kids making their decisions today. It's great that none of our commits have backed out at the last minute and we even picked up a new one. Just a little bummed none of the "Big 3" chose us today.

[C-busBuck]

Not a shock... Signing day is normally not the best day for the Buckeyes for last minute signees. Usually, because they are out of state and have us on thier list with their home state team as well. You often lose those battles.
I wish Brandon the best of luck. I truely think he is a good kid.

[gost8]

Originally Posted by schultgb

Sounds like playing time was a significant factor for Brandon, and if it's our depth that intimdated arguably the top corner in this class then I guess I'm ok with it. Best wishes to him as a Cane.

Originally Posted by schultgb

Sounds like playing time was a significant factor for Brandon, and if it's our depth that intimidated arguably the top corner in this class then I guess I'm ok with it. Best wishes to him as a Cane.

The ultimate form of post padding.

[Buckeyedynasty]

Originally Posted by gost8

The ultimate form of post padding.

Probably just an echo.

[RB07OSU]

Originally Posted by OregonBuckeye

I was just talking about kids making their decisions today. It's great that none of our commits have backed out at the last minute and we even picked up a new one. Just a little bummed none of the "Big 3" chose us today.

Agreed...it's not always an easy pill to swallow. It always seems there is some last minute buzz but no fruition. I would prefer to be eliminated completely before NLOID instead of get hopes up and consider skipping a class to check updates. Anyways, good luck Brandon...Miami got a great one.

[vioravis]

ESPN Chat with Brandon Harris:

Link: ESPN: Chat: National Signing Day! - SportsNation

Buzzmaster: (1:58 PM ET ) So, we'll be moving right along to Brandon Harris, who just committed to Miami!

Buzzmaster: (1:58 PM ET ) Send in those questions right now!

Jordan (Slinger, WI): Brandon: What are your expectations for yourself and Miami in 08?

Brandon Harris: (2:02 PM ET ) I expect to win the conference and be in contention for the national title. I want to win the starting job.

Noah (Palm Beach, FLA): The helmet thing was amazing, what made you come up with that as opposed to the normal hat selection?

Brandon Harris: (2:02 PM ET ) I wanted to be different and something to be remembered by. That's what I was hoping.

Chris, Washington DC: Hi Brandon Just wondering what was the main reason you chose Miami over OSU?

Brandon Harris: (2:03 PM ET ) The main reason I chose Miami was the coaching staff. I felt really comfortable. I was more comfortable there.

Ralph (miami,fl): Brandon, I just wacth u sign with the U. How much of an impact u think you will be at miami.. and do u want to play offense or defense... Or both??

Brandon Harris: (2:03 PM ET ) I want to play defense. If they need me on offense, I will do that as well. I don't think I can make an impact on my own, but that's why I chose Miami, I think we can make an impact as a class.

Victor Monroe,la: when did you first kearn about miami?

Brandon Harris: (2:04 PM ET ) I became first involved with Miami my junior year when I went to their summer camp. They offered me a scholarship. since then they've been recruiting me.

Noah (Palm Beach, FLA): When did you know you wanted to go to Miami?

Brandon Harris: (2:05 PM ET ) I think some time today. I mentioned all the schools' names, Miami had a special place in my heart. I want to thank my other top four that showed me a good time on my visits.

Noah (NE): Congrats Brandon, did Randy Shannon do a good job on selling Miami to you, and when did you know the U was for you?

Brandon Harris: (2:05 PM ET ) I think a great deal of Randy Shannon. He did a great job of showing Miami to me. I want to send a special thanks to Coach Walton. He was the guy that originally offered me a scholarship.

Bill (Chicago): Who do you compare yourself to when it comes to pros?

Brandon Harris: (2:06 PM ET ) At my position? That's kinda tough. Maybe Asante Samuels, I would think.

Brandon Harris: (2:07 PM ET ) I just want to thank everyone for their continued support. Not just the Miami fans, but the other schools that were interested. Hopefully they will continue to support me, even though I went to another school. Hopefully we can continue to be friends.

Buzzmaster: (2:08 PM ET ) Thanks Brandon!

[LordJeffBuck]

Originally Posted by OregonBuckeye

I was just talking about kids making their decisions today. It's great that none of our commits have backed out at the last minute and we even picked up a new one. Just a little bummed none of the "Big 3" chose us today.

Get used to it - Ohio State rarely picks up kids on Signing Day. Since JT has been around, the Buckeyes have received Signing Day commitments from Derrick Morris (2002), Lawrence Wilson (2005), and now Orhian Johnson (2008).

On the other hand, the Buckeyes have "missed" on many other including Richard Washington (NC State, 2002), Stanley McClover (Auburn, 2003), Michael Bush (Louisville, 2003), Turk McBride (Tennessee, 2003), Arron Sears (Tennessee, 2003), Shawn Crable (Michigan, 2003), Anthony Morelli (Penn State, 2004), Andrew Johnson (Miami, 2004), Rhyan Anderson (Miami, 2004), James Bryant (Miami, 2004), Javier Estopinan (Florida, 2004), Jason Gwaltney (West Virginia, 2005), Walker Ashley (Southern Cal, 2005), Damon McDaniel (Florida State, 2006), Broderick Green (Southern Cal, 2007), Brandon Harris (2008), and Josh Jenkins (2008) ... and I've probably missed a few along the way. Add in the notorious All Star game announcements (Rico McCoy, Jospeh Barksdale, Ben Martin, Anthony Davis, etc.), and you can see that Ohio State doesn't do well with recruits who like to have a big stage from which to announce their commitments.

JT & Co. like to get early, solid commitments from recruits, and don't really want to make last minute pitches to try to sell kids on Ohio State. Most of Ohio State's "late" verbals have come from "sleeper" prospects who have received late offers - Troy Smith, Curtis Terry, Dennis Kennedy, Donald Washington, Brian Robiskie, and (probably) Orhian Johnson.

[Buckeye Nut]

Originally Posted by LordJeffBuck

Get used to it - Ohio State rarely picks up kids on Signing Day. Since JT has been around, the Buckeyes have received Signing Day commitments from Derrick Morris (2002), Lawrence Wilson (2005), and now Orhian Johnson (2008).

On the other hand, the Buckeyes have "missed" on many other including Richard Washington (NC State, 2002), Stanley McClover (Auburn, 2003), Michael Bush (Louisville, 2003), Turk McBride (Tennessee, 2003), Arron Sears (Tennessee, 2003), Shawn Crable (Michigan, 2003), Anthony Morelli (Penn State, 2004), Andrew Johnson (Miami, 2004), Rhyan Anderson (Miami, 2004), James Bryant (Miami, 2004), Javier Estopinan (Florida, 2004), Jason Gwaltney (West Virginia, 2005), Walker Ashley (Southern Cal, 2005), Damon McDaniel (Florida State, 2006), Broderick Green (Southern Cal, 2007), Brandon Harris (2008), and Josh Jenkins (2008) ... and I've probably missed a few along the way. Add in the notorious All Star game announcements (Rico McCoy, Jospeh Barksdale, Ben Martin, Anthony Davis, etc.), and you can see that Ohio State doesn't do well with recruits who like to have a big stage from which to announce their commitments.

JT & Co. like to get early, solid commitments from recruits, and don't really want to make last minute pitches to try to sell kids on Ohio State. Most of Ohio State's "late" verbals have come from "sleeper" prospects who have received late offers - Troy Smith, Curtis Terry, Dennis Kennedy, Donald Washington, Brian Robiskie, and (probably) Orhian Johnson.

Very true, I've been following recruiting since 2000 and I've gotten very used to it. This is the reason I never believed for one second any of this supposed insider stuff that we were getting fed last night. There's always a kid or two that the day or two before we suddenly have a better chance than people think and it never happens. Good luck to Brandon on his decision to stay home, I hope it works out for him.

[calibuck]

Ouch! LJB makes a telling point regarding the ones Tress 'lost' on signing day. Everyone's gotta remember, Tress puts a corral around Ohio and locks up the in-state guys first and foremost. THEN he goes after the out-of-staters that can make an impact. But by then they've already been hounded by their in-state schools.....just like the Ohio boys have.

I expect that all of the OOSers have made it known on their applications that they would like OSU to come a'callin', else Tress and staff wouldn't waste their time (sort of like qualifying the prospect). There are alot of guys that don't measure up to the Big 10 and OSU standards that have alot of football measurables but not academic(like core GPA, etc).

One has to marvel at Alabama signing 33 kids - that's 8 over the maximum that they can take. The B10 has higher academic standards, so marginal qualifiers are usually excluded. Well, they might win the recuriting battles, but when that class gets to the point of contributing, how many will be left? (OSU's senior class this year was ravaged by grades, transfers, and brushes with the law).

You really cannot quibble with Tress's success, getting to the championship game in a rebuilding year. That alone shows that the formula works, and it is amazing to me all of the 'family' atmosphere that the recruits espouse. Maybe going for the 4*'s, rather than the all world candidates to build that, I don't pretend to know. Go with the flow, and the flow seems to be good.

The building blocks are in place for another five years of great OSU football, and barring injury, lack of motivation in the classroom, or stupidity with the law, OSU will continue to ride the unprecedented crest of a wave of championships and BCS games. We'll win our share of those, by the way.

PS, anyone want to bet vcash on how many of the official visitors next year get hooked up with Brewster as host - and what %age we get? The kid has already been amazing, so whatever he does on the field will be gravy!

['BusNative]

Not to discount LJB's well-researched post, but signing day is typically filled with disappointments for many schools. Most kids that decide on signing day are top-flight, heavily recruited kids that pick one school from 3 or 4 on signing day. There will always be more losers on signing days than winners. While it might be true that OSU has "lost" quite a few kids on signing day, so has every other school, no matter how good their luck seems to be.

OSU didn't lose Brandon, it came down to us, Miami and maybe a few other schools - none of which had him. Tress and Co. made a great late push to land the kid, but, in the end, Miami will gain his services.

Best of luck, Brandon. We'll see you in a few years.