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tOSU Recruiting Discussion

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It's still too early to know the exact numbers in the class, especially the numbers they would take at specific positions (and that is variable anyway) but I feel compelled to put together a list.

QB is pretty easy. They'd like to take two (in line with not taking any in '16 to clear the way for Danny Clark in '17) and their top targets are Wimbush and Torrance.

Wimbush is down to Penn State and Ohio State with the whole head/heart thing but it seems likely that Ohio State will win that battle- especially the longer it drags out.

Torrance is going to go down to signing day but Meyer has already worked his magic and is amongst the top schools without a visit. Getting him on campus is going to be huge and then we will go from there.

QB
1. Brandon Wimbush
2. Torrance Gibson

RB is also fairly easy. It looks like they are going to take two with the top target being Damien Harris. I personally would give the nod for the second spot to LJ Scott given the whole in-state thing, but there are plenty of offers and alternatives floating around.

RB
3. Damien Harris
4. LJ Scott (OH)

Unlike QB and RB, WR is hard to get a handle on. Someone correct me if I'm wrong, but as far as I can tell Van Jefferson is just about the only guy with positive OSU buzz surrounding him right now.

With Johnnie Dixon, Noah Brown, Parris Campbell, Terry McLaurin, Curtis Samuel, James Clark, Jalin Marshall and Dontre Wilson all coming in over the past two recruiting classes, it seems likely they won't be targeting too many receivers in '15, but will they only take one?

Plus you have the ATHs like Eric Glover-Williams and Christian Kirk factoring in.

I have no idea, so...

WR
5. Van Jefferson

TE gets back into easier territory. They want to take two and Hentges and Clark are pretty clearly the top targets. Clark's recruitment doesn't look like it's going to be a smooth one, and I am rooting for the in-state guy to get a shot.

Although the very recent offer to Miles Boykin might throw a wrench in that. Regardless, they look like they are definitely going to take two TEs in '15.

TE
6. Hale Hentges
7. CJ Conrad (OH)

Offensive line is hard to project numbers and priorities (for me at least) because there are just so many offers and players out there right now. Daniels is an in-state guy so despite Auburn making a very strong push I'll keep him in for now. OSU has seemingly been in front with Richmond from the beginning. Clark and Burrell are basically just a shot in the dark guess based on recent buzz. I think Sterling Jenkins goes to Penn State but stranger things have happened- the longer that recruitment goes the better for OSU.

OL
8. James Daniels (OH)
9. Drew Richmond
10. Austin Clark
11. Matthew Burrell/Sterling Jenkins

Jones is a lock and Fullwood is trending Buckeye so that is pretty straight forward. They likely will try to swing for the fences to land a third guy you can't say "no" to like Josh Sweat or Ricky DeBerry. I think they also might slow play Fullwood a little bit if they think they have a shot at two home runs, but that is purely speculation.

DE
12. Dre'Mont Jones (OH)
13. Darius Fullwood
14. Ricky DeBerry/Josh Sweat

There are a lot of quality options out there at DT, but I'm going to roll with Birm on this one (see my post above) and go with Taylor and Wilkins. Similarly to DE, I wouldn't be surprised if they swing for the fences on a third that you find room for.

DT
15. Elijah Taylor (OH)
16. Christian Wilkins

Linebacker is going to be a number crunch with a very strong in-state class. I think right now Nick Conner is waiting for a spot to open, which indicates to me that they are either only going to take three or holding out hope for someone like Jeff Holland for a fourth spot.

Hilliard isn't your typical Ohio lock and there might be some fireworks here before it is all said and done. At the end of the day, it will be a very strong LB class.

LB
17. Justin Hilliard (OH) / Nick Conner (OH)
18. Jerome Baker (OH)
19. Sh'Mar Kilby-Lane

Like WR, DB is insanely hard to project right now. Also like WR, they will likely go light and swing for the fences with Malik Hooker, Marshon Lattimore, Erick Smith, Damon Webb, Eli Apple, Vonn Bell, Cam Burrows and Gareon Conley all coming in over the past two classes.

DB
20. Jamel Dean

Christian Kirk is an intriguing possibility and they will no doubt swing for the fences to add talent here like they always do.
ATH
21. Eric Glover-Williams (OH)

That leaves at least a few spots and a long, long list of players to fill them.

[I think LS Liam McCullough is waiting patiently to see if there will be a scholarship spot available for him in the class, otherwise it's hard to fathom why he hasn't committed already. He could be a lock to take up a spot, however.]

My biggest concern is finding some elite tackles on offense- tell me if you have heard that before. Richmond, Clark and Burrell would be a crazy good haul but it's going to be an uphill fight for all of them (except maybe Richmond). Otherwise OSU is seemingly in great shape at every position.

It's going to be a top 5 class once again.

I'm curious if I missed anything obvious. Let me know.
 
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buckeyesin07 said:
Great post, 86. So you think Edwards will end up at Auburn?
Click to expand...
:lol:

I read Wade's post in Edwards thread as I was writing that which didn't inspire confidence. It does seem like Auburn and Tennessee are leading contenders for quite a few targets on Ohio State's board.

I don't think "bag men" have as big of an impact on recruiting as one might think... I hope that most kids who partake enjoy getting free money and pick a school based on what is best for them regardless.
 
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RB07OSU said:
Agreed completely, the UA AA game is borderline unwatchable. Love the Army game with the way its played and the respect given to our soldiers.

As for Gibson, this is all smoke and mirrors. I am still VERY confident that he chooses the good guys and sometime over the summer. We could really use him for momentum, we have none in the '15 class as it stands.
Click to expand...
MD, please feel free to move this to the 2015 recruiting discussion.

I'm beginning to wonder if our depth chart has caught up with us? We had 3 great recruiting classes in a row. We are now stacked with great young players at many positions, can't really offer early playing to a lot of these recruits:

https://sites.google.com/site/scholarshipbreakdown/home
 
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stowfan said:
MD, please feel free to move this to the 2015 recruiting discussion.

I'm beginning to wonder if our depth chart has caught up with us? We had 3 great recruiting classes in a row, and are now stacked with great young players at many positions:

https://sites.google.com/site/scholarshipbreakdown/home
Click to expand...

We can change it to another thread...but no. Bama has the top class in the country every year and they never miss a beat. And to be clear, I'm not tooting their horn, Urbs recruits right there with them. There should be no drop-off unless extenuating circumstances occur (i.e. sanctions like in 2012)...I have full faith that come February, we will be right there at the top. Sure it is a little disconcerting early on looking at everyone else's class right now but Urban will get his....he always has and '15 will be no exception.
 
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Time to do an updated projection with the recent flurry of commitments. I hate Bama with every fiber of my being but they have absolutely cleaned up early on, especially with adding Ridley, Fitzpatrick, and Burgess-Becker this weekend. They are just choosing who they want from all over the Continental U.S....BUT, we do have Urban and despite the incredibly slow start, I know he will also clean up despite all the Bama/PSU/etc. hoopla. I will say though that there are some adjustments needed with how we've started. With that being said, my very honest guess is:

QB: Brandon Wimbush (my favorite QB in the 2014 class, don't care what the rankings are)
QB: Torrance Gibson (kid has a huge ceiling as a QB, maybe even higher elsewhere...great to have both of these kids and sort it out later if it happens)
RB: Damien Harris (Urban is not letting this kid go anywhere else...best RB in the 2015 class imo and could shred in our offense)
RB: LJ Scott (we need two RBs and it seems like he is about in...I like his game alot but also watch Jacques Patrick here)
WR: Van Jefferson (this position is a wildcard but I like where we stand here...no inside info, but I think he comes here)
WR: Christian Kirk (anything could happen here...we have a loaded roster here but I'm sure Urbs wants a second here...no inside info but I am guessing Kirk just based on how hard we will recruit him)
ATH: Eric Glover-William (I think he plays offense, too much play-making ability...put him at ATH to be safe...makes a huge impact regardless as long as he handles his business off the field)
TE: Chris Clark (trending nicely towards us...best TE in the country hands down imo and he will fit like a glove here...would be a big loss imo if we don't get him here after the effort we put in but I think we will lock it up)
TE: No idea (I would say Hentges and I would love to have him and Clark, but they likely won't both come here in the same class even though we will take both...Conrad is not camping, so a pass there it seems...Jackson Harris is not coming here...if we get a second TE, it will be a wildcard I think)
OL: Matthew Burrell (we are trending nice, versatile guy that can play guard or right tackle...get him here + Coach Mick time to redistribute the weight = a star here)
OL: Austin Clark (two VA OTs I guess...it is my best guess...we love Clark and he loves us, I am into him being our RT of the future)
OL: Drew Richmond (quiet on this front but as far as I know, we are still out in front...top 3 overall OT prospect in the country, do want)
OL: James Daniel (weird that we might actually miss on him but I think it could go anywhere...I think the number is 4, so if not Daniel then someone else...I wish I could say Jenkins but I think he is all PSU...Gabe Megginson is also a name to watch)
DE: Darius Fullwood (loves OSU and clearly wants to play for LJ Sr...he comes our way sooner rather than later...absolutely love this prospect, I think with LJ Sr. he can do big things)
DE: Dre'Mont Jones (solid strongside guy with a high ceiling...he is on the verge of commiting and he will be in this class...might grow into a DT)
DE: Josh Sweat (easily at the top of my list for DL in '15, no idea of he comes here...hope we push hard, kid is incredible...no idea if he comes here but LJ Sr. could earn his salary by landing Sweat alone)
DT: Elijah Taylor (if he truly has an offer, he will be in this class...we only give "OFFERS" in-state but question is if we tendered one...it seems we did but I just wonder with his film...good potential but he has a long way to go if he does end up in this class)
DT: Christian Wilkins (for all the talk on McClean being an Option B kinda guy, I don't see any realistic Option A guys left here other than Wilkins and maybe CeCe Jefferson...Thompson is not coming here, neither is Mack, Tuttle, Settle, or Cornell...unless somebody else pops up, not sure who lands here but we need a couple DTs, only had maybe one in '14 with Dylan Thompson)
LB: Jerome Baker (he is going to be a LB and he is going to be a Buckeye, when not if...incredible athlete and can have an instant impact)
LB: Ricky DeBerry (I think he is an ideal SAM/MIKE guy and seems pretty sold on us...LJ Sr. for the win here, broken record I know)
LB: Justin Hilliard (I hope anyways, he is the best player in Ohio and we have to get him here...would be just as much of a sting as not getting Hicks a few years back...gotta make it happen, fingers crossed)
LB: Sh'Mar Kilby-Lane (he is coming here, when and not if...might be the best of this bunch and we only take 4 if it is this 4 imo, and DeBerry may well be a DE...severely underrated, kid has all the physical ability and is a cerebral player)
DB: Jamel Dean (obviously already in and while I don't know much about him yet, he seems like a great player)
DB: Tavarus McFadden (just hoping Gibson can pull him in...huge shake up here after Edwards flipped and Fitzpatrick went to Bama...new board now and we will likely see new offers/targets soon

- The 24 number seems right but this class is tough to get a read on for some reason...probably a lot more comes into focus by June though
 
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Great list. I would die to have 80% of it. Few thoughts (haven't followed recruiting much thus far) 9 players between the DLine and LB spots? Also, how about some safety prospects? Also, if I could lock up that OL list right now and miss out on the potential for any other names I would do that all day.
 
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stowfan said:
MD, please feel free to move this to the 2015 recruiting discussion.

I'm beginning to wonder if our depth chart has caught up with us? We had 3 great recruiting classes in a row. We are now stacked with great young players at many positions, can't really offer early playing to a lot of these recruits:

https://sites.google.com/site/scholarshipbreakdown/home
Click to expand...
Lee and Worley need to move to LB, not DB's anymore
 
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I think it is utter insanity that people (almost entirely on other sites) are worried about this class and are calling these projections "extremely optimistic" or other such nonsense.

There's a reason most people's lists are matching up almost exactly right now- Ohio State is clearly in the lead for almost everyone listed.

I don't know if it is inexperience following recruiting or just plain stupidity, but apparently a lack of commitments makes certain people blind to the fact that Ohio State is killing it on the recruiting trail- which they are.

Few committments right now apparently also makes them blind to every single recruiting class Meyer has had and the same exact thing happening last year with UM getting early commitments and everyone freaking out.

Stupidity or inexperience, most likely a whole lot of both.
 
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Also, regarding TE, it seems likely that Boykin is a candidate for the second position next to Clark/Hentges if Meyer can't convince them both to play together.

I'm more optimistic than most that Meyer can convince Hentges and Clark to play together and I think he's likely pushing the example of Heuerman and Vannett.

I look forward to what those two can do on the field this season given Meyer is almost certainly talking them up on the recruiting trail right now.

Also, you and I both excluded Patrick Allen on the OL. He is definitely one to keep an eye on as well.
 
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Seems we may have hit a little "bump in the road" in recruiting. Wonder if a lot of it is caused by the "bagman" being hot with recruits right now? Kids being kids they hear about the money being offered and want to check out their value. We can get "played" by a recruit looking for a big payday from an SEC school. But it's a long recruiting season and much can change on and off the field.
 
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Zurp said:
https://bwi.rivals.com/showmsg.asp?fid=36&tid=172403086&mid=172403086&sid=890&style=2

I don't follow recruiting. We only have 2 guys commited? Should I be worried?
Click to expand...
lol no.

I was reading that thread the other day. They think we're all panicking and for some reason they've decided that Urban looks worried. We'll finish with a better class than they have, and they'll chalk it up to cheating and blah blah blah. Their "#1 class" that they have is a product of quantity and will fall down the rankings as we get closer and closer to NLOID. They don't know this yet...because they never recruit well enough to understand how the team rankings work.
 
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