'11 MD ATH Darius Jennings (Virginia Signee)

[Buckskin86]

Baltimore (Md.) Gilman athlete Darius Jennings is down to three finalists and has taken his official visits to Virginia, Ohio State and Wake Forest. Now it's time for a few more coaching visits and a decision. Jennings met with OSU head coach Jim Tressel on Monday night, the first time his mother was able to meet with the head coach. Jennings will make his decision Feb. 2 at his school. OSU wants him as a wide receiver or cornerback, Virginia as a wide receiver and Wake Forest as a quarterback, running back, wide receiver or defensive back.

http://ohiostate.rivals.com/content.asp?CID=1181196

 

[OilerBuck]

Wake Forest as a quarterback, running back, wide receiver or defensive back.

I think this tells the story. I hope he shocks me.

 

[FritoBandito]

Offense vs Defense

I live near Baltimore and have followed Darius' exploits at Gilman. He had an extraordinary number of TD runs of over 50 yards this year -- many in the 70-90 yard range. He had a couple of kick-off returns for TDs as well. At 5'11" 172, he's no Beanie Wells; but comparing him to Teddy G. Jr. would not be such a huge stretch. So I'm amazed tOSU staff has insisted on telling him he's a defender (although I don't doubt he would shine on D as well as offense).

Sure hope JT's magic with mothers works in Mrs. Jenning's case. We're going to be seeing highlights of Darius' play over the next four years or so -- just hope he's wearing scarlet and gray when we do.

 

[pnuts34]

I live near Baltimore and have followed Darius' exploits at Gilman. He had an extraordinary number of TD runs of over 50 yards this year -- many in the 70-90 yard range. He had a couple of kick-off returns for TDs as well. At 5'11" 172, he's no Beanie Wells; but comparing him to Teddy G. Jr. would not be such a huge stretch. So I'm amazed tOSU staff has insisted on telling him he's a defender (although I don't doubt he would shine on D as well as offense).

Sure hope JT's magic with mothers works in Mrs. Jenning's case. We're going to be seeing highlights of Darius' play over the next four years or so -- just hope he's wearing scarlet and gray when we do.

All of those offensive stats are nice and all, but he's needed much more on our defense than offense. There have been large numbers of ATH type guys lit up the HS circuit on offense, and were put on defense and absolutely excelled. I'm sorry but IMO it'll be an uphill battle for him to make it to the league on offense, especially if he goes to UVA or Wake Forest. He's nowhere near being ready to produce at QB. He looks alright at WR (even though I think Spencer and SMith are better at being more complete at the position; route running, blocking, etc) but the only plays at WR I really see him doing are outrun the whole defense and catch. He's playing far inferior competition, and destroying them like he should, but I don't see him being able to outrun everyone in college by any means. And there's absolutely no way we look at him at RB! Not saying he's not good enough, but we have such a crowded backfield as is, and we have 2 more coming in next year, they'd be wasting a scholly on him. But the league has pretty much a premium on CBs, and our staff has been able to groom kids and create some very good depth. I would love for him to don the S&G but its not the end of the world. The last sales pitch to him should be, "Come to OSU and play in meaningful games and possinly win a NC or 2 while winning MULTIPLE Big 10 titles, or go to UVA or Wake Forest and be overshadowed by your bball team, and be the vocal point of an offense that will be middle of the pack in a weak football conference."

 

[FritoBandito]

All of those offensive stats are nice and all, but he's needed much more on our defense than offense.

With four exceptional d-backs already in this class, and with no clear cut replacements for Dane and Posey(-5), I'm not as convinced as you that we need Darius more on D.

He's playing far inferior competition...

DeMatha (MD) and Don Bosco Prep (NJ) may seem 'inferior' to you, but they don't to me.

I'm amazed tOSU staff has insisted on telling him he's a defender

My bad. I just read that the staff has told him he can have a shot at WR if he really wants that. Could be a great slot receiver IMHO.

At any rate, this is a special young man -- exactly the kind JT wants to populate the program -- and I sure hope he heads to Columbus this fall.

 

[pnuts34]

I agree with you Senor Bandito, would love to see Jennings in this class as well. Just get him on the field. But I don't think we have 4 exceptional DBs in this class, we have 1 exceptional, and 3 other good-very good DB prospects. Cash will be more a Star than a DB, so that's 3 DBs, and we lose 3 CBs this year, all starters. Ron Tanner and Gambrell probably won't get PT for a few years with our depth. That's why I see DB more of a need. Jennings and Grant can be on the 2 deep next year.
Even though I like him better on D, I understand your point on having no clear cut replacement for Sanz and Posey. Just let his play dictate his position. But get him here. But I just have a strange feeling that he rather play offense and be the BMOC at Wake or UVA, JMO. Hope Im wrong

 

[Buckskin86]

WR Darius Jennings - An interesting mix of schools left with U.Va., Ohio State and Wake Forest all vying his attention, and all offering different roles for him to play. U.Va. likes him as a wide receiver, while Ohio State wants him at either receiver or cornerback. As crazy as it may sound, I have a strong feeling Wake may win out, considering coach Jim Grobe and Co. are willing to give him the chance to play quarterback - and that's allegedly pretty important to Jennings. Word from Jennings is likely coming Wednesday.
PREDICTION: Wake Forest

http://weblogs.dailypress.com/sports/college/accblog/2011/01/the_recruiting_finish_line_is.html

 

[y0yoyoin]

http://www.alongtheolentangy.com/20...ons-for-curtis-grant-aundrey-walker#storyjump

Where does Ohio State stand with Darius Jennings?
In our last update, we had Jennings' destination up in the air. And we still do. Jennings has run one of the quietest recruitments you'll ever see a top prospect have, and no one seems to know where, or even when, Jennings is making his announcement.
Jennings is down to three schools-- Ohio State, Virginia, and Wake Forest-- with Wake Forest offering him a chance to play quarterback. The draw of the signal-caller position is thought to be big for him, but we really won't know until he makes his choice. If it's Wake Forest, the offer as a quarterback will have been the most important factor to him, and there's nothing Ohio State or anyone else could have done about it. But if he's willing to move away from the quarterback position, Ohio State and Virginia are seen as the two favorites.
So what does he do?
Cliff says: Proximity to home, assurances he'll be used on offense, & the chance to play for his parents alma mater. I see Jennings landing at Virginia.
Tyler says: I'm going with the Bucks, but just to provide some contrast to Cliff. I'm guessing, just as I was guessing when I picked him to Virginia last week. I have no clue, and I'm not sure Jennings knows where he's going at this point.

 

[wadc45]

Free Rivals - Steward will make decision today

Baltimore (Md.) Gilman athlete Darius Jennings is still trying to choose a time and place to make his announcement, much less his future school. Jennings is down to Ohio State, Virginia and Wake Forest, and has yet to determine a time or place. But he knows his decision will come on Wednesday. He has talked things over with his coach and family, but still hasn't made up his mind.

 

[wadc45]

http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/1044322.html

Posted by: John Wallpher, Mid-Atlantic Scout
at Tues 2/1/2011 11:54 AM ET
Four-star prospect Darius Jennings from Gilman School (Baltimore, MD) will be announcing tomorrow morning (Feb 2nd) at his school...weather permitting. The time is tentative becuase of the severe weather hampering the northeast. Jennings will choose Ohio State, Virginia or Wake Forest.

 

[tundra1]

http://ohiostate.scout.com/2/1044322.html

Posted by: John Wallpher, Mid-Atlantic Scout
at Tues 2/1/2011 11:54 AM ET
Four-star prospect Darius Jennings from Gilman School (Baltimore, MD) will be announcing tomorrow morning (Feb 2nd) at his school...weather permitting. The time is tentative becuase of the severe weather hampering the northeast. Jennings will choose Ohio State, Virginia or Wake Forest.

Hmmm...where is this guy from Scout located? There's a guy in Maryland choosing between Ohio State, Virginia, and Wake Forest...and the author cites "severe weather hampering the northeast." I'm not belittling the weather...but how many people would describe Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, or Ohio as part of the "northeast"?

 

[greyscarlet]

Hmmm...where is this guy from Scout located? There's a guy in Maryland choosing between Ohio State, Virginia, and Wake Forest...and the author cites "severe weather hampering the northeast." I'm not belittling the weather...but how many people would describe Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, or Ohio as part of the "northeast"?

North Carolina and Ohio, No. Nova and MD possibly, although Mid-Atlantic is more appropriate.

 

[Zippercat]

Hmmm...where is this guy from Scout located? There's a guy in Maryland choosing between Ohio State, Virginia, and Wake Forest...and the author cites "severe weather hampering the northeast." I'm not belittling the weather...but how many people would describe Maryland, Virginia, North Carolina, or Ohio as part of the "northeast"?

Best guess is writer is in Baltimore area. Most folks from there to DC consider themselves northeast...otherwise they would not be important (in other words, they would just be like us, in the opinion of the eastcoast media).

 

[wadc45]

Announcement moved back to 9:30AM.

 

[kolOhioState88]

is it on tv?