Recruiting Issues (Merged)

[OSU>michigan]

My point wasn't necessarily aimed at their ability to drive but the nonchalant attitude we take in allowing the very same kids we don't believe have the maturity to handle certain situations with a responsibility that could cost someone else their life. The fact is that each individual kid reaches a mature level (if they ever do) at a different time. After their one year of provisional driving as you call it, most are left to their own to handle the responsibility. As for training in maturity for handling the recruiting situation with class and dignity, they actually have received 17-18 years of "testing" before making the decision. Don't get me wrong, it is one hell of difficult choice. One choice out of hundreds. Not easy. But then many decisions that these young adults will be faced with when moving to a college campus are not easy ones. My humble opinion is that if they are now able to handle the immense pressure that accompanies driving with responsibility they should now be able to at least make the difficult decision with some level of maturity. Heck, at 18 they are able to go off to war if necessary. Of course a legal age is only that. Many kids actually drive with more responsibility than adults who have been driving for years. I guess, overall, my point is that we should not shortchange their ability to make decisions if they seek guidance in doing so. Unfortunately, most of the guidance they seek serves the interest of those giving the guidance rather than the interests of the young adult seeking the guidance.

[OSU>michigan]

Great post!! Loved it. If more people realized how easily recruits move up and down lists based on certain factors such as grades, injuries, bad and good games, media exposure locally etc. they might be amazed.

[crazybuckfan40]

That recruiting 101 from fox sports was pretty spot on.

I really agree with the fact that it is so hard to find DT. It is hard to see if a guy can add the weight that will be needed at the next level.

[BGriffBuckeye]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

I really agree with the fact that it is so hard to find DT. It is hard to see if a guy can add the weight that will be needed at the next level.

Tressel, or somebody from the staff I cannot remember, said that they like to play 5 LB schemes (Kudla was included), so maybe we are moving towards a more hybrid defense where big speed guys like Rose can play inside, thus the efforts to only bring in 1 true DT this year and a guy like Dublin to play the LEO spot. The LEO spot could be a staple in the offense, but the staff also likes to play the nickel.. a lot. We may not see many traditional 4 DLmen anymore, though at points in the game it will be necessary.

[RB07OSU]

Didn't feel the need to start a new thread but BN put out a 70 minute discussion called the "Recruiting Roundtable". Good stuff and free.

http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/498275.html

[DaytonBuck]

Not sure where to put this so mods feel free to move. Recruiting to me seems like such a daunting process from dealing with high schoolers to the sheer number of prospects out there. If someone could chime in on these questions it would be most appreciated.

1. With the sheer number of prospects in the country how does the staff go about identifying it's top prospects. If there's a running back in California or Texas as a sophomore or junior who could be OSU material how does the staff get the word on him? How does the staff come up with a list of players that could be OSU prospects?

2. How many classes ahead does the staff work and when are people that are potential prospects identified?

3. How close of a relationship does the staff have between high school coaches throughout the state and country? Would someone like Coach McDaniels at Harding call JT up and say he's got a player he might be interested in recruiting?

4. In making their evaluations of prospects besides camp what do they base it off? Can someone tell just by film without any background on it that someone is a legit D1 player? Do schools have scouts that check people's games out when the staff can't do it?

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by DaytonBuck

Not sure where to put this so mods feel free to move. Recruiting to me seems like such a daunting process from dealing with high schoolers to the sheer number of prospects out there. If someone could chime in on these questions it would be most appreciated.

1. With the sheer number of prospects in the country how does the staff go about identifying it's top prospects. If there's a running back in California or Texas as a sophomore or junior who could be OSU material how does the staff get the word on him? How does the staff come up with a list of players that could be OSU prospects?

Well first they probably have their certain high schools that they have recruited before and formed relationships with the coaches. You always see players from a school like St. Thomas Aquainis list the buckeyes as one of the schools they have heard from. This ois partly b/c they have recruited there b4 and have a relationship with the school. Then there are kids that will send the tape to the coaches and hope that they like what they see. Some times you need the kid to show that he is interested b4 you even attempt to try and recruit him, unless he is a for sure top prospect. They also have coaches and other guys attend combines to get an idea on some of the best prospects.

2. How many classes ahead does the staff work and when are people that are potential prospects identified?

I am sure the staff has an idea of what they have coming up in state for the next 3-4 years, mainly b/c they have relationships with the high school coaches that fill them in on what they have coming up. As far as potential prospects being identified it probably has to do with when they catch wind of them and then their first impression of them. If you followed JamO's recruitment he was labeled as a stud as a sophmore. I am sure the staff got in on him real early. Other guys not as much till their senior year and in camps.

3. How close of a relationship does the staff have between high school coaches throughout the state and country? Would someone like Coach McDaniels at Harding call JT up and say he's got a player he might be interested in recruiting?

I am sure this happens all the time.

4. In making their evaluations of prospects besides camp what do they base it off? Can someone tell just by film without any background on it that someone is a legit D1 player? Do schools have scouts that check people's games out when the staff can't do it?

Yes I am sure they have scouts or they just send the coaches. They will not go off of highlight film as they want to see about 2 or 3 game films. They also like to talk to the kids to get an idea of their character and what they are like. Take a look at their transcripts and what kind of grades they get.

[ProudBuck67]

O'Neal committed to be a Buckeye when he was a sophomore, so he was offered rather early. This recruiting season has a perfect example in Storm Klein, he is just a sophomore and the Buckeyes have had him at every home game. So there is interest there.