CBF40'S Look at '09 recruiting

[t_BuckeyeScott]

Originally Posted by Buckeye86

good call everyone, I'm getting my recruiting classes and the seasons mixed up, this years class is the '09 class, this years season is the '08 season

still, I think we skip on a QB this year and go after (and probably land) some big fish next year due to the reasons I said above (lack of depth, chances that Pryor leaves early)

It's not quite as dire as only 2 QBs seem. There's always Ross Olotrick. Zach Domicone, and Ohrian Johnson. Wait

[sepia5]

Wow. This QB situation just got really tough. On the one hand, the 2009 class is already almost filled up, and we're effectively waiting it out on a number of topflight recruits. Also, having brought in Pryor last year, how many worthwhile QBs this year would legitimately be willing to give a verbal and risk sitting for 2-3 years?

On the other hand, I'm not real comfortable with the thought of having two QBs on roster next year when, I think, despite lots of losses after this season, we'll still be a contender for another Big Ten Championship and a BCS spot. I know Pentello, Domicone, and Johnson all have QB experience and could serve as a temporary 3rd stringer, but what if it actually did come down to relying on one of them (probably Johnson)? Still, I'd hate to use a scholarship on a guy this season that isn't likely to be more than a third stringer. Enter Newton, IMO. Again, I know it isn't likely, but I think an offer to Newton would be wise. Even though we aren't likely to land him, given that teams he's interested in like Illinois, Kentucky, Purdue, and South Carolina are shopping for a QB, not having signed anyone that would really be competition from the '08 class, I think it's worth the offer. Essentially, if you could land a player of Newton's caliber, you can't say he isn't worth the scholarship, and he does seem to have teams like Clemson (which signed a topnotch QB in '08 (though, admittedly not TP)) and Florida (which is pretty well set at QB for the next couple years) near the top of his list. Still, you can't sell Newton on an argument along the lines of "take a red shirt, take your time, we'll get you ready to take over when TP leaves and you'll man the ship for 2 or 3 years," because the whole point is we need him available for the '09 season if he's going to be here. Also, signing Newton may have the effect of scaring a guy like Gardner off, though I think any difference between the two is largely de minimis.

In short, I would argue that an offer to Newton would be worthwhile at this point. However, anyone less capable probably wouldn't be worth the offer. Chances are we'll be fine in '09 no matter what, because even if the unthinkable happened and we had to go to a third-stringer, we have emergency options. But if you can bring in a Morgan Newton, why not just do it and get him ready to take over now when TP leaves? Given the Henton transfer, I think bringing in a top notch QB would actually be more valuable than signing a 7th DB/ATH type. The reality of the situation, however, is that this is not likely to happen. I'm sure that the staff has known about Henton's impending departure for a while now, and the fact that no QBs, including Newton, have gotten an offer to date suggests we won't see it happen at all.

[Tresselbeliever]

Originally Posted by osubartender23

Bauserman might not be on scholarship, but if he wouldnt have pursued minor league baseball he would be. So I dont necessarily consider him the average run of the mill walk on .

The positive is that these two promising young QBs will get a LOT of reps and more individual attention.

Yeah I think Bauserman will have just as good of a shot of being the starter after Boeckman as Prior. So I don't consider him to be an average walk-on.

We would be screwed in '09 if Bauserman and Pryor are both unavailable regardless whether we take a QB this year. If they find a really fantasic prospect, they should take him but I don't think they should reach for a QB just to fulfill the need. I think Pat Nicely would fit better at a school that focuses on a short and intermediate passing game in a spread offense.

[MililaniBuckeye]

Well, I guess it's time to fess up that I'm softening my stance on not taking 25 commits this class. With Clifford likely gone and Henton cutting bait, we now have at least 24 to give this class, and at least one junior will declare early.

Plus the ideal distribution of commits across classes is 21 for three of four years and 22 for the remaining year of the four (85 total), so with us having at least 18 to give for 2010, that's close enough (and that's not including any early departees via draft declaration or transfer which likely will happen).

[crazybuckfan40]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

Well, I guess it's time to fess up that I'm softening my stance on not taking 25 commits this class. With Clifford likely gone and Henton cutting bait, we now have at least 24 to give this class, and at least one junior will declare early.

Plus the ideal distribution of commits across classes is 21 for three of four years and 22 for the remaining year of the four (85 total), so with us having at least 18 to give for 2010, that's close enough (and that's not including any early departees via draft declaration or transfer which likely will happen).

Glad to see you coming around...

[tmporter]

Originally Posted by MililaniBuckeye

Well, I guess it's time to fess up that I'm softening my stance on not taking 25 commits this class. With Clifford likely gone and Henton cutting bait, we now have at least 24 to give this class, and at least one junior will declare early.

Plus the ideal distribution of commits across classes is 21 for three of four years and 22 for the remaining year of the four (85 total), so with us having at least 18 to give for 2010, that's close enough (and that's not including any early departees via draft declaration or transfer which likely will happen).

Uh Oh. Milli is starting to see the end of the tunnel (09 recruiting tunnel) is in the 27 range rather than the 22-23 range. I am looking forward to this recruiting year being over early. Atleast mostly done by fall I would say. That is not going to make for much in the way of recruiting drama around here in the winter.

[Piney]

So there goes the easy vcash vbet opportunity... great

[Oh8ch]

Well, I guess it's time to fess up that I'm softening my stance on not taking 25 commits this class.

How is your stance on Henton winning the starting job holding up?

This QB situation just got really tough. On the one hand, the 2009 class is already almost filled up, and we're effectively waiting it out on a number of topflight recruits.

The way I figure it either the coaches anticipated Henton leaving and were still comfortable not going after a QB in this class, or they did not anticipate it and now have an extra ship they did not anticipate as well.

[OSUBuckeye4Life]

I wonder how much a kid like Newton becomes a factor with Henton leaving. Also, how much interest has the staff shown in Gardner (and will taking a kid like Newton now affect that?)

The staff has kept me running in circles most of this recruiting season and I'm sure it's not over.

EDIT: Just saw Wad's post.....basically *cosign* that one I guess.

[alpo]

Originally Posted by crazybuckfan40

Glad to see you coming around...

I still don't see a QB in this class. '10...absolutely, maybe 2.

[sepia5]

Well, the squeeze is really on. We're at 20 after the Green commit. Let's say the magic number is 27. As big of a class as that appears to be, it seems to mean there will be some big-time talent that we are in good shape with that will be left out. Only 7 spots left under the 27 scenario:

Let's start with the near-sure things:

1) Marcus Hall - OL - Glenville

2) Jonathan Newsome - DE/LEO -Glenville

After that is where things get interesting.

3) Jamaal Berry - RB - Berry is the one feature back in this class that's been offered, and having not taken one last season, it figures that the staff still wants Berry and feels good about its chances. He may be the most important guy left on the board, IMO.

4) Watt/Prior/Longo/Klatt - OL - There have been tidbits here and there lately from the last three suggesting they would know whether they'll receive an offer in the near future, which in turn suggests a couple things. First, Watt is either going to make a decision soon, or the staff is going to move on. I would suspect the former, since Watt has said all along he wants to decide by the end of July (or it could be Watt has already decided for ND, scUM, or Northwester and just hasn't announced as much publicly). Second, it seems to demonstrate that the staff wants 4 OL in this class, with two already in and Hall very likely.

5) Hageman/Sims/Wozniak - TE - If you believe Wozniak's latest statement that the staff views him as their next option if Hageman or Sims don't come through, you believe we'll take two TEs in this class, still wanting that field stretcher that neither Fragel nor DeLillo seem to be.

Here's where it gets interesting. At that point, we're looking at two spots remaining. There is a lot of speculation right now that both McDougald and Brown will be in momentarily. If that is the case, the class is pretty much done. But what about a guy like McGee? Adams? Or, however unlikely, what if one of the big-play WRs still out there surprises everyone, visits OSU, and wants in? Are these players too good to pass on, and if so, how do they fit? Also, there are a lot of D-line names still out there for us to be done there. There have been promising reports about Ezell, and Muldoon still looms large, although his "slow" approach to the recruiting process seems to suggest he's going to be a Domer. Also, what about Vlad? He's a guy that has been considered as close to in as anyone for some time, but what if Brown and McDougald do both go ahead and pull the trigger? Would we really take another DB? And if not, does that affect anything with his Florida compadre Berry? At any rate, it looks like Hunter's spot has been swallowed up (or is about to be). And what do we make of E.J. Banks' recent statement that implied the staff was holding a spot for him? I just don't see how that can be.

I have no inside info, but looking at all this I just cannot believe that both McDougald and Brown will be in this class. I find it hard to believe that Brown would go to Pitt with Bell already in the fold here, but then again there were a couple Gateway kids that ended up there last year, and Pitt "insiders" seem to feel confident he'll end up in Pittsburgh. It will be interesting to see what happens with him. I think we're done along the D-line, which is a bit unfortunate, in my opinion. I know we're looking at a fair amount of turnover in the defensive secondary, but I wonder if one of the 'ships spent there wouldn't have been better spent elsewhere. I also wonder about taking a second tight end in this class. It seems the staff wants a field stretching TE, and that seems to suggest they'd like to incorporate the TE position into the passing game more often (which I'm all for), but we've gone away from that mentality for so long that it may be tough to get a top-notch pass catching TE to commit (sort of a Catch-22 there), and with some of the other guys sitting on the board right now, is it really worth the scholarship in this class? At the end of the day, I still think Vlad will be in this class. Take him along with either Brown or McDougald, and I think that's your class. On the other hand . . . . my head hurts. I'm waiting for your take, 40.

[B-town Buckeye]

If the number is 27...then I think the Bucks end things with Vlad, Brown, Berry, McDougald, Watt or some other OL, Hall and Newsome.

If there is a surprise and someone from this group doesn't commit (or if the Bucks somehow...someway...get to 28) or if someone decommits (not impossible), then I think that makes room for that 2nd TE or maybe a QB or someone else.

I don't see the Bucks giving Vlad the cold shoulder if Brown and McDougald commit this week...

I think Green took the last spot that wasn't 'spoken for' either because of a spot was 'saved' (potentially Vlad...and I wouldn't be surprised if both Brown and McDougald actually committed on their visit...just waiting to announce it), or Glenville (Newsome and Hall) or position of need (Berry, Watt...or one of the other OL since they seem to want to take 4).

Also, I think that the staff is working under the idea that if you've already visited OSU and haven't committed, then you run the risk of being squeezed out. Might have already happened to McGee...but Corey Adams doesn't apply here....since he hasn't visited. Will be interested in hearing how active OSU remains with him in the coming weeks and months (as things fill up even more).

What a great position to be in...top 10 class (at least) as it sits and quite likely to add another 3-5 top 100 type kids from here until the end...unreal.

[Redhawk]

Originally Posted by B-town Buckeye

If the number is 27...then I think the Bucks end things with Vlad, Brown, Berry, McDougald, Watt or some other OL, Hall and Newsome.

If there is a surprise and someone from this group doesn't commit (or if the Bucks somehow...someway...get to 28) or if someone decommits (not impossible), then I think that makes room for that 2nd TE or maybe a QB or someone else.

It seems like there are several signs indicating that one of the remaining spots (however many that may be) will belong to a TE.

Example: http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/forum/f...ml#post1189713

[B-town Buckeye]

I read that too (and that was pre-Green's commit which may have changed things in terms of room available for that 2nd TE, who knows?)...but you have to make a cut somewhere, right? (unless you're going to 28 spots somehow)

Looking at the guys seemingly lined up to commit if that happens as planned and expected...you'd need a 28th spot for another TE (or a decommit or one of the expected commits to go elsewhere).

I dunno...it's all too wacky. Will work itself out...I guess my point is that I don't see the Bucks turning down Brown or McDougald or Vlad or Newsome or Hall or Berry or Watt 'no' in lieu of a 2nd TE. Maybe if Watt says 'no' to them another OL offer will not go out and that's how the 2nd TE gets in. Or the Bucks somehow get to 28 spots....who knows?

Good problem to have....

[wadc45]

Originally Posted by wadc45

I think we could see a flurry on the 20th...I'd go so far as to say 4 commits on or around that weekend (best guess is Hyde, Brown, Green and Carter...all four of home should be in Columbus that weekend, if memory serves me correctly).

3 for 4 so far...we'll see if Brown wraps it up.

Here was my projection as of 6/8:

QB - none...not enough spots
RB - Jaamal Berry
RB - Carlos Hyde (soon to be red)
RB/WR - Jordan Hall
FB - Adam Homan (like others, not rulling out DL or LB)
FB - Zach Boren
WR - Duron Carter (soon to be red as well?)
WR - Chris Fields
WR - James Jackson
TE - Reid Fragel
TE - depends on the rest of the class
OL - Marcus Hall
OL - Jack Mewhort
OL - Corey Linsley
OL - Chris Watt (if not Watt, then possibly Thornton or Longo)
DT- John Simon
DT - Pat Muldoon (OSU and ND battle, IMO...hope he picks OSU but won't be upset if he chooses South Bend as OSU has a real shot at Adams and/or Ezell)
DE - Melvin Fellows
DE - Jonathan Newsome
LB - Storm Klein
LB - Jordan Whiting
LB - Dorian Bell
CB - CJ Barnett
CB - Dominic Clarke (I think he could be a great nickel back early on, much like Chekwa)
DB - Brandon McGee (OSU leads but do they wait? If not, one of Green, McDougald or Banks could fill this spot)
S - Jamie Wood
S - Vlad Emilien
ATH - Corey Brown

BOLD = offered
BOLD & RED = committed

Here is my updated class, once again assuming we get to 28 (as I am hearing we could):

QB - none...not enough spots
RB - Jaamal Berry
RB - Carlos Hyde
RB/WR - Jordan Hall
FB - Adam Homan (like others, not rulling out DL or LB)
FB - Zach Boren
WR - Duron Carter
WR - Chris Fields
WR - James Jackson
TE - Reid Fragel
OL - Marcus Hall
OL - Jack Mewhort
OL - Corey Linsley
OL - Chris Watt (I am still leaning towards Watt being in this class, but I would gladly take John Prior)
DT- John Simon
DT - Pat Muldoon or Corey Adams or Tyron Ezell (my gut is Muldoon goes to ND and the staff turns all their attend to Adams and Ezell...first come, first serve)
DT - Adam Bellamy
DE - Melvin Fellows (Illinois insiders still think he visits Champaign)
DE - Jonathan Newsome
LB - Storm Klein
LB - Jordan Whiting
LB - Dorian Bell
CB - CJ Barnett
CB - Dominic Clarke (I think he could be a great nickel back early on, much like Chekwa)
S - Jamie Wood
S - Vlad Emilien
S - Bradley McDougald
ATH - Corey Brown
ATH - Justin Green

BOLD = offered
BOLD & RED = committed

No McGee and no 2nd TE...I know the staff seems adamant about taking 2 TEs but I just don't see how it can work...