2009 tOSU Recruiting Discussion

[sparcboxbuck]

So, 15 (sticking) verbals before camps even get started. Wow. This has been quite a year. Congrats to the staff and recruits. Really looking forward to seeing who's next!

However, I was just wondering what others think about this: It seems as though many programs use camps as an opp'y to evaluate kids one on one before extending an offer. In essence, camps give a kid the opportunity to show the staff that they should get a 'ship.

With 15 verbals at this point, and I think that some would speculate that there may be anonther 3-5 that are close to pulling the trigger, we're darn close to 18-20 kids for this class. With all that said and done... by having the class close so quickly, are we potentially missing out on anyone? I've got to imagine that anyone who "should" be on the board is already on the board... but still... Does a class coming together this quickly, in any way, hamper us down the road?

I guess I could make an argument for it either way, so that's why I'm thowing it out there for discussion.

I guess if the class comes together quickly and we're holding a couple of 'ships for the "expected late commits (cough * * TGI's crew * * )" it would enable the staff to put a full press on some out of state kids that are high on everyone's boards... so, that's the good side. But part of me wonders about kids who are coming to camp trying to earn the 'ship. Kids who will end up playing somewhere else and doing very well, but wanted to play for JT but just weren't able to catch the "early train."

I guess we'll never know. In these days it really is about business. The coaches have to place their bets a little earlier in the hand than they may be used to.

Either way, at this point, there are no regrets. Shaping up to be a great class. I'm really looking forward to seeing these young men take the field in the next couple of years. Just interested in other folks thoughts.

[3074326]

ESPN - Texas boasts best early recruiting haul for 2009 - Insider

Yes, the Buckeyes have 16 commitments and this class is very strong, but we cannot put Ohio State ahead of LSU and Georgia until these prospects prove their worth on the field. Outside linebacker Dorian Bell (Monroeville, Pa./Gateway) is a special talent and will fill needed depth once he arrives. Center Jack Mewhort (Toledo, Ohio/St. John) is very underrated and talented. Defensive front help is a need and DE Melvin Fellows (Garfield Heights, Ohio) and DT John Simon (Youngstown, Ohio/Cardinal Mooney) are both excellent additions. Wide receiver Chris Fields (Painesville, Ohio/Thomas W. Harvey) can run and has return abilities as well.

We haven't even played Georgia lately.

Last time I checked, it was recruiting anyways. Wouldn't a higher-rated class with more commitments rank higher than a class with not as good of a rating? Apparently not.

[Buckskin86]

High school athletes picking up the pace on commitments
A surge of high school players ? some not even in their senior season ? are becoming quick to commit to colleges that have the most attractive offer
By Doug Harris
Staff Writer
Sunday, June 22, 2008

The unofficial start of the recruiting season for years had been the summer before a prospect's senior season, but the rise of recruiting Web sites and other forces have accelerated the process. And the top programs are picking up commitments at an astonishing rate from players who have just finished their junior years.

The Buckeyes already have 18 in the fold, filling roughly three-fourths of their 2009 recruiting class. They had nine verbals at this point last year and just three in 2006.

Other national powers also are getting a huge jump on next year's classes. Texas has 19 pledges, and a dozen colleges have at least 10.

"It used to be that you could only point to a couple of schools that would have that kind of early leap," said Allen Wallace of SuperPrep Magazine. "Now, in reality, if you don't have a lot of commitments before the season starts, at least from a fan standpoint, they get antsy."

In the old days (that is, three or four years ago), Notre Dame and a few other marquee programs could be last on the scene and still offset an early advantage by another school simply because of their elite status. But even college football's royalty have been forced to take a more aggressive approach to keep up, and Wallace doesn't foresee the past recruiting model ever working again.

"Once you let that genie out of the bottle, it's really impossible to put it back in," he said. "There's really no reason why the process would slow down. It really has momentum.

"There's so much information that people know now, and it's really become a horse race. Let's face it, we deal in a competitive society. If you're Ohio State and you're losing some hotshot prospect to a rival school, you have to answer for it now."

The Buckeyes found that out when Illinois swooped into Ohio earlier this year and coaxed a commitment from Garfield Heights defensive end Melvin Fellows, the No. 1 junior prospect in the state.

The OSU coaches were still deciding whether to offer a scholarship to the 6-foot-5, 245-pound Fellows, but that changed once he announced he was Illinois-bound. He then reneged on his commitment and pounced on a full ride from the Buckeyes.

"Getting him to commit to Illinois and doing it early, that was a wake-up call," said Duane Long, a recruiting analyst for Bucknuts.com. "You don't see bodies like his in this part of the country. You see bodies like his in the South ... these big kids who are still pretty lean and can run.

"Ohio State was determined they weren't going to lose him, and that meant getting out there and competing very early with Illinois. You can't lose those kind of players from the region, let alone the state."

High school athletes picking up the pace on commitments

Pryor's visit may have impacted other recruits
The heralded QB's appearance at OSU in April created a buzz among recruits who were visiting.
By Doug Harris
Staff Writer
Sunday, June 22, 2008

COLUMBUS ? Ohio State has had no shortage of recruiting enticements down through the years, but its biggest drawing card these days may be its newest addition to the program.

Ballyhooed quarterback Terrelle Pryor, who is enrolled for summer classes at OSU, visited the campus while the Buckeyes were hosting dozens of recruits during their spring game in April, and his appearance created a buzz among the program's other guests.

"I know people who were at the spring game (with recruits), and when Pryor made an entrance, you just felt it," said Duane Long, recruiting analyst for Bucknuts.com. "You knew something had happened. All these recruits were just whispering, 'There he is.' And with him being such a personable kid ... he just has an aura about him. And it definitely had an impact on these recruits."

The Buckeyes have gotten commitments from 18 prospects so far in the 2009 class (seniors-to-be), and seven of them are ranked in the top-100 players nationally by Rivals.com. No other school has more than five.

Pryor's visit may have impacted other recruits

[sepia5]

"Getting him to commit to Illinois and doing it early, that was a wake-up call," said Duane Long, a recruiting analyst for Bucknuts.com. "You don't see bodies like his in this part of the country. You see bodies like his in the South ... these big kids who are still pretty lean and can run.

Nice call, Duane. Nice to have an OSU recruiting analyst promoting irrational national stereotypes about kids from OSU-country.

[Oh8ch]

For those keeping "score" the Hyde commit gives us our 10th 4 star Scout recruit. With the three 5 star already on board the total of thirteen 4 and 5 star recruits matches our second highest since Scout started star ratings. Tops was 2002 with 16.

Watt, Berry and Hall are five star.

McGee, Brown, Sims and Muldoon are four star.

[Redhawk]

BN$ Bucknuts.com - After Spectacular Weekend Who Next Commits To OSU?
(free for month of June if signed up for free premium access)

Bill Kurelic discusses the possibilities for who may be the next Buckeye commit.

[Oh8ch]

I almost got my snow shovel out today. If we are wrapping up our recruiting class it must be the end of January. But even in January the picture of what is happening is not always this clear - and never this positive.

I guess my point is that I don't see the Bucks turning down Brown or McDougald or Vlad

I could see them turning down the last of those three to step to the plate - particularly if McGee is showing sincere interest.