LB James Laurinaitis (St. Louis Rams)

[JCroniger]

Welcome James!! You're going to be a great Buckeye.

[BrutuStrength]

Nice to know that it's finally a done deal! Welcome aboard James!

[MegaWoody]

Great news, James. We're happy to have you heading to Columbus. You are now officially a part of something very special.

Study hard, do what your coaches instruct you to do, and enjoy the ride!

[Buckskin86]

free Minny Insiders

James Laurinaitis Cancels Minnesota Visit
By Chris Monter
Date: Dec 17, 2004

James Laurinaitis, a 6-foot-3, 231-pound linebacker from Plymouth (Minn.) Wayzata, has decided to cancel his visit to Minnesota this weekend. Laurinaitis committed to Minnesota in April, but decided to visit Ohio State Dec. 10. He committed to the Buckeyes after his visit, but he was expected to visit Minnesota this weekend, allowing the Gophers a last chance to woo him. Laurinaitis was a first-team All-State selection by the Associated Press and led the Trojans to the Class AAAAA state title.

James Laurinaitis had been a regular at most Gophers games and was close friends with Dominique and Marion Barber III. However, the recent move of defensive coordinator Greg Hudson to East Carolina and the Gophers' fade in the second half caused him to look at Ohio State.

Laurinaitis had previously said that many of the people surrounding him were not shocked on his decision to visit Ohio State after committing early to Minnesota.

"My friends were not surprised. They had talked to me about the Gophers' play in the second half of the season. Everyone has an opinion. I'm taking the opinion of my family, who would like me to play close to home," he said. "However, my dream is to play at the next level and Ohio State had 14 players drafted last season. The U coaches were surprised, but, like I told my dad, I'm 17 years old."

Laurinaitis comes from an athletic family. His father, John Laurinaitis, was recently named WWE vice president of talent relations and is a former wrestler who was part of the tag team Road Warriors and used the name “Animal.”

His sister, a freshman, plays hockey for Wayzata, and James led the Trojans to the state hockey tournament last season.

Laurinaitis had an outstanding season, leading the Metro area in tackles. He was named first-team All-State by the Associated Press and St. Paul Pioneer Press and All-Metro by KARE 11 and the Minneapolis Star Tribune. Laurinaitis led the Trojans to a 12-2 record, with their only two losses being to Class AAAAA state champion Minnetonka.

Laurinaitis had originally planned to visit Minnesota before this weekend, but Ohio State's involvement caused him to change his travel plans. Laurinaitis previously talked to GoldenSports.net about his-then upcoming visit to Ohio State.

"I was going to visit Minnesota on the 3rd, but they wanted me to come to visit after going to Ohio State. I want to make sure that is where I want to go. I'm going to go to Ohio State open-minded."

Laurinaitis was thought by many observers to have the ability to step in quickly to help upgrade the Minnesota Gophers defense. He is expected to play at the middle linebacker spot in the future. The Gopher will return Kyle McKenzie, this year's starter, next season. McKenzie will be a senior. His backup, Brian Smith, was a senior this season.

Ohio State will return starter Anthony Schlegel, a current junior and backup Chad Hoobler, who was a freshman.

[ScarletInMyVeins]

Ohio State will return starter Anthony Schlegel, a current junior and backup Chad Hoobler, who was a freshman.

Not returning Hawk huh? sure could've fooled me

[MinnBuckeye]

Fantastic!!!! Go Bucks

[BuckNutty]

Originally Posted by ScarletInMyVeins

Not returning Hawk huh? sure could've fooled me

I'm pretty sure they were talking about middle linebacker, where Laurinaitis wants to play.

[MililaniBuckeye]

They also forgot D'Andrea...

[crazybuckfan40]

We are also bringing in Spitler. One of them will probably redshirt this year and one will play some on special teams, so they get a year of seperation.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

We are also bringing in Spitler. One of them will probably redshirt this year and one will play some on special teams, so they get a year of seperation.

Here's how our LB corps looks for next year, counting the two LB commits we currently have:

D'Andrea (Sr)
Carpenter (Sr)
Hawk (Sr)
Schlegel (Sr)
Robinson (So)*
Freeman (So)
Kerr (Jr)*
Lukens, Curt (So)*
Terry (So)
Hoobler (So)
Lukens, Ryan (So)
Smith, Brandon (So)
Drummelsmith (So)
Nnake (Sr)
Laurinaitis (Fr)
Spitler (Fr)

* Redshirt
Commits

We are stacked at LB next year, specially at the sophomore-elgibility class. Freeman, Terry, Hoobler, and Lukens should be getting the bulk of the backup time, so the other non-seniors won't see any time. I'd redshirt both Laurinitis and Spitler, so that they'd be RS freshmen in 2006 when the above sophomores are juniors, putting two years between them. That way, when all those sophomores graduate, Laurinaitis and Spitler (and the third LB commit) are juniors and give us two years worth of play with three years of system experience under their belt.

[wadc45]

Drummelsmith? I'd be full of you know what if I said I knew who he was...walk-on I assume? And according to what I think I have heard, Curt Lukens is applying for a medical redshirt as well as possibly moving back to safety.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Originally Posted by wadc45

Drummelsmith? I'd be full of you know what if I said I knew who he was...walk-on I assume? And according to what I think I have heard, Curt Lukens is applying for a medical redshirt as well as possibly moving back to safety.

Drummelsmith is a walk-on. Here's his profile.

As far as Lukens getting a medical redshirt, he'd be a RS soph in 2006 when Spitler and Laurinaitis are RS frosh, so we'd still have some separation...provided he doesn't move back to safety.

[wadc45]

Thanks Mili...just hadn't heard the name before...not sure about the Lukens medical redshirt, but I have heard it is likely.

The Legion of Doom kicked ass...they were the original badass tag team...

[Taosman]

Would love to see him with the spiked shoulder pads! I love this kid already!

[smithlabs]

This is a recruit I am really excited about. From everything I read he just sounds tough. Welcome aboard James.

Because it's better than actuarial science... Now Ohio State will not only be putting top talent into the NFL we have a direct link to big time wrestling. I can imagine several OSU players having illustrious carears. Rickey Dudly sure was built. I could imagine him in the squared circle. How about MoC. He seems destined for big time wrestling. He is strong enough to body slam anybody. Agile enough to fly off the top rope and he has the innate ability to make people cheer when he gets hit with a folding chair.

Smithlabs