CBF40'S Look at '09 recruiting

[Oh8ch]

Needed to fill in the blanks on some of the commits...

Filled in the blanks, but didn't fill us in on Banks. Ruling him out?

[RB07OSU]

I really, really like Banks. I think he has the best attributes to be a cover safety, but will hit once he fills out. Vlad is a good player for sure, but we have a bone-jarring hitter in Wood and McDougald is pretty solid all around. Banks brings some serious athleticism to the table at safety, something I'm not so sure on with Vlad, as I believe his video didn't show much coverage. Banks hips and change of direction are phenomenal and I think that could translate into EJ being one heck of a safety. Not to mention Banks is very versatile. I would prefer Banks but I don't think he is a "can't miss" type of player. If we get Emilien, you won't see me complaining. The only players that are "can't miss" in my eyes are McGee, DeBose, and Adams, and we will be lucky to land 1 of those 3.

[sepia5]

So I'm trying to get my head around yet another Banks update in which he claims the staff is holding a spot for him. If that is true, this is the way I see it:

If we assume 27 spots for this year's class, that's four more.

1. Banks - assuming spot held
2. Hall - It seems pretty apparent Hall will have a spot held for him
3. Watt/Longo - It also seems pretty apparent the staff wants 4 OL in this class. If Watt doesn't take a spot, Longo would.
4. Berry - I have to think Berry is perhaps the most important player left on the board. I think we're still in good shape and that the staff would hold a spot for him.

That would be it if the class is 27. If it is 28, I guess then guys like Vlad, Hageman, Sims, Adams, Ezell, McGee, and Muldoon fight it out for the last spot. Looking at these numbers, it stands to reason that some of these kids may have already been told they no longer have a spot. One thing I wonder about is how not bringing in either Vlad or McGee would affect our chances with Berry. Anyone have any insight there? I dunno . . . I still have a hard time believing a spot is actually held for Banks. . . .

[sheerspeed]

When I found out he was Galloway's cousin, I decided to check out his Rivals' vids. I was somewhat surprised by what I saw. All of his highlights were at QB. I respect that coaches' judgment and everything; but nothing he did really stood out to me. He reminds me a little bit of Sal Battles, if you've heard that name before. For the sake of comparison, McCarthy stood out much more in his highlights at QB than Banks does in his. Although I haven't fully bought into the hype surrounding Emilien's recruitment (I'm a big Darrell Hunter fan myself), I'd take Vlad over him in a heartbeat.

With limited scholarships available, one must really question the wisdom of holding an offer for a player of his caliber.

[OregonBuckeye]

Originally Posted by sheerspeed

For the sake of comparison, McCarthy stood out much more in his highlights at QB than Banks does in his.

And McCarthy also had an offer from us.

[CleveBucks]

Originally Posted by sheerspeed

When I found out he was Galloway's cousin, I decided to check out his Rivals' vids. I was somewhat surprised by what I saw. All of his highlights were at QB. I respect that coaches' judgment and everything; but nothing he did really stood out to me. He reminds me a little bit of Sal Battles, if you've heard that name before. For the sake of comparison, McCarthy stood out much more in his highlights at QB than Banks does in his. Although I haven't fully bought into the hype surrounding Emilien's recruitment (I'm a big Darrell Hunter fan myself), I'd take Vlad over him in a heartbeat.

With limited scholarships available, one must really question the wisdom of holding an offer for a player of his caliber.

So watching QB highlights is sufficient to judge a prospect's offers as a DB?

[OSUBuckeye4Life]

Originally Posted by sheerspeed

With limited scholarships available, one must really question the wisdom of holding an offer for a player of his caliber.

...or question the wisdom of those questioning Jim Tressel and his staff.

This might just be a race to the finish with Vlad and Banks.....

[sheerspeed]

Originally Posted by CleveBucks

So watching QB highlights is sufficient to judge a prospect's offers as a DB?

Don't jump to conclusions. I never said it was sufficient. However, I do think that it can be an indicator. For, speed, power, instincts, etc. are factors that contribute to one's being a good DB, and highlights of a player at QB are, to a certain extent, sufficent to judge these attributes.

You may find it interesting that I think Ohio State should recruit players who are DBs primarily in high school to play DB in college. I think Ohio State's DB play has been substandard since doss and Allen left. In my estimation, the fact that Tressel likes to recruit athletes for the DB position is largely responsible for this decline. More so than on offense, good defensive football players are born, not made.

Darrell Hunter is the best DB prospect on the board this year.

I forgot to add that Banks looked bad at camp this year in the one-on-ones.

[Cavfan89]

Originally Posted by sheerspeed

Don't jump to conclusions. I never said it was sufficient. However, I do think that it can be an indicator. For, speed, power, instincts, etc. are factors that contribute to one's being a good DB, and highlights of a player at QB are, to a certain extent, sufficent to judge these attributes.

You may find it interesting that I think Ohio State should recruit players who are DBs primarily in high school to play DB in college. I think Ohio State's DB play has been substandard since doss and Allen left. In my estimation, the fact that Tressel likes to recruit athletes for the DB position is largely responsible for this decline. More so than on offense, good defensive football players are born, not made.

Darrell Hunter is the best DB prospect on the board this year.

I forgot to add that Banks looked bad at camp this year in the one-on-ones.

Who is this Darrell Hunter you speak of?

[sheerspeed]

It's too bad he won't be coming to Ohio State as he was the best Db prospect on the board this year.

[itownbuckeye]

Originally Posted by sheerspeed

It's too bad he won't be coming to Ohio State as he was the best Db prospect on the board this year.

Evidently that opinion was not shared by the OSU staff.

[jwinslow]

Yeah, Coleman, Jenkins, Chekwa, Amos, O'Neal and others weren't DBs in HS or anything. The only one I'd label as an ATH out of that bunch is O'Neal.

I think Ohio State's DB play has been substandard since doss and Allen left.

Take away Smith, Peterson, Anderson, etc and see whether they are up to your standards. I think they were great safeties, but the difference in DL play and assistance has been night and day.

Are you on record declaring Whitner's play as substandard?

Then there's the matter of setting the "standard" at the level of a 3-time consensus AA and one of the most clutch & big-play safeties I've seen play. I'd say what is substandard is your standard.

I forgot to add that Banks looked bad at camp this year in the one-on-ones.

Based on watching it yourself? Being in the drills?

[itownbuckeye]

Originally Posted by Cavfan89

Who is this Darrell Hunter you speak of?

I'd hope a guy who just recently finished playing 4 years in the MAC is better than a bunch of 16-17 year olds.

Seriously though, I don't think anyone outside of Banks and the OSU staff really know if a spot is being held for him. Seems like if Kurelic was the decision maker he'd be a 5 star guy. If OSU is holding a spot for him and Hunter has not received an offer then that tells you how much more they like Banks. Since I have no idea who sheerspeed is I'll take Tressel & Co's. opinion over his.

[jwinslow]

Don't jump to conclusions. I never said it was sufficient. However, I do think that it can be an indicator.

Perhaps, but there is absolutely no comparison to Sal Battles, other than his height and high school position. Sal was a short stocky gamer, Banks is of slender build.

Their athleticism, fluidity and potential displayed in DB drills is vastly different.

[brutus2002]

A reliable source of mine told me he had communication with someone close to hunter. Seems that Hunter did not want to participate in camps because he did not want to get injured. My source advised the Hunter camp to have him compete at OSU's camp...he did not. It was a huge mistake on their part.

When are posters/fans gonna start believing in Tressels ability to evaluate talent. We are gonna blow draft records away this year. I think the 14 players we had drafted in 7 rounds is gonna be bested.

Our secondary has been very young the last two years. Remember Russell came off a serious knee injury...Washington came out of nowehere. Coleman is a junior this year. Damn fellas give the youngsters a chance to improve. Comparing Doss to about anybody is unfair...3 year concensus All-Americans don't come along very often.