• Follow us on Twitter @buckeyeplanet and @bp_recruiting, like us on Facebook! Enjoy a post or article, recommend it to others! BP is only as strong as its community, and we only promote by word of mouth, so share away!
  • Consider registering! Fewer and higher quality ads, no emails you don't want, access to all the forums, download game torrents, private messages, polls, Sportsbook, etc. Even if you just want to lurk, there are a lot of good reasons to register!

BPRT's Recap of the Class of 2014

Awesome stuff guys, I always look forward to see the BPRT's take once the class finishes. As for me:

General thoughts: Even without a top 10 guy per se, I think this class is the most stacked we have had in terms of not having to reach hardly anywhere, balance, and ability. The only reach to me was Collier and I am not too worried since we got Barrett in 2013. Even at that, I think Collier has a lot to work with. I also like this class because there are numerous guys who can play early.

Earliest impact: McMillan is kind of the no-brainer here, especially with Mitchell presumably departing. Still think there will be a couple other instant impact guys on defense with Smith and Hubbard being my other bets. On offense, I like Dixon too...most polished, plenty explosive, physically ready, and plays at a position where we need someone to step up on the outside.

Most star potential: Absolutely agree on Samuel...kid is going to be a star barring grades, injury, etc. On defense I will say Lattimore...with his ridiculous athletic ability and long arms, he is going to be a lockdown corner once he learns the position better.

Surest thing: I'm going to say Kyle Berger. He might not make the biggest splash instantly but with his instinct, cerebral ability, and athleticism. Once he gets some Coach Mick time, I think he is going to be a mainstay as a WILL here. I really like the Webb pick too, he has constantly shut down some of the better receivers in the country and has been downright consistent. On offense, 100% agree on Knox...future All-American in my eyes.

Most upside: Booker. Once he gets the finer aspects of his game down, he can be a star. I really like Holmes once he puts some weight on too. Don't overlook Hooker either, tons to like and is just learning the game.

Biggest reach: Brady Taylor. Don't get me wrong, I really like that he is in this class but we had a TON of other OL we wanted ahead of him. I don't see Jones as a reach...he has a lot to like and if he puts his head on straight, I think he will be a monster inside.

Sleeper: Terry McLaurin. I admittedly forget he is in this class sometimes but then I saw his senior film...incredible. He has a ton of ability but will just need to learn to be a complete receiver. Either way, his speed is just off the charts.

Biggest surprise: Slade was a surprise but over the whole recruiting year, I think Dixon was the biggest surprise. Everyone had him written off to Bama or Miami and at the last minute, UFM goes in and seals the deal on one of the nation's best.

The one who got away: Mavety for sure. He would have been a starter at one of the tackle positions. Other than him, I guess Prince was one that we were in great shape for and then faded on.

What this class lacks: Have to agree with the lack of an elite QB, but that opens the door on some elites in 2015. I was going to say RB but one of Campbell or Samuel will step up.
 
Upvote 0
Parris Campbell is the one guy who I would expect to certainly get redshirted. Age. Size. But he has a ton of speed and agility. They'll find a place for him. And they'll have plenty of time to figure out where to put him. A guy with his athletic ability will contribute - just maybe not until 2016-17.

I would say the linebackers, in general, are the surest thing in this class. You've got 4 guys who have the potential to develop into All Big Ten players. I would expect at least 2 of them to be stars. Not going to predict which 2.

The offensive line recruiting had to be the most disappointing. We had everything in the world to sell - playing time, coaching, tradition, championship. Not that I'm upset with guys like Jones, Trout, Taylor, Knox, and Jones - but I think we all kind of expected to see a tackle of sorts ready to come in and compete for a starting spot next year. And that didn't happen.

The most confusing thing about this class is the number of edge guys. There's no way McLaurin, Samuel, Campbell, and Dixon all contribute over the course of their careers. At least 2 of them won't be able to find the field and it now seems as if we have an overabundance of the same style of player.
 
Upvote 0
Parris Campbell is the one guy who I would expect to certainly get redshirted. Age. Size. But he has a ton of speed and agility. They'll find a place for him. And they'll have plenty of time to figure out where to put him. A guy with his athletic ability will contribute - just maybe not until 2016-17.

I would say the linebackers, in general, are the surest thing in this class. You've got 4 guys who have the potential to develop into All Big Ten players. I would expect at least 2 of them to be stars. Not going to predict which 2.

The offensive line recruiting had to be the most disappointing. We had everything in the world to sell - playing time, coaching, tradition, championship. Not that I'm upset with guys like Jones, Trout, Taylor, Knox, and Jones - but I think we all kind of expected to see a tackle of sorts ready to come in and compete for a starting spot next year. And that didn't happen.

The most confusing thing about this class is the number of edge guys. There's no way McLaurin, Samuel, Campbell, and Dixon all contribute over the course of their careers. At least 2 of them won't be able to find the field and it now seems as if we have an overabundance of the same style of player.

Disagree with your last paragraph. Dixon and mclaurin can play on the outside or slot, especially mclaurin. Samuel and campbell can play RB, WR or KR/PR. All can play simultaneously and still be effective. Urban has done this before
 
Upvote 0
Disagree with your last paragraph. Dixon and mclaurin can play on the outside or slot, especially mclaurin. Samuel and campbell can play RB, WR or KR/PR. All can play simultaneously and still be effective. Urban has done this before

Agree. I personally don't quite see the excitement with Mclaurin, I think he's the biggest reach in the class, but they can all be used effectively. No different than Harvin, Demps, Rainey, & James all being used.
 
Upvote 0
Agree. I personally don't quite see the excitement with Mclaurin, I think he's the biggest reach in the class, but they can all be used effectively. No different than Harvin, Demps, Rainey, & James all being used.


Mclaurin is not only super fast, like with track speed and football speed, but any kid willing to go home after going to a camp and work on everything the coaches told him to, and then go back to a camp and earn an offer is a very motivated kid. Not to mention he has a high character and was Mr. Football in his state. I saw this kid play most of his senior season and he's very talented. Was willing to switch to RB to help the team out when the passing game sputtered, and also played defense, and never complained when h was at times overshadowed by other Indy WRs Will need to put on some muscle, but can end up being as good as any WR on our roster. Top 5 40 at the Opening says something. Not much of a reach at all, IMO. Kid just goes to work and doesn't run his mouth.

But there's certainly a way to get all of that speed on the field(and also include dontre). It's a good problem to have. And think, EGW will be added next year.
 
Upvote 0
The most confusing thing about this class is the number of edge guys. There's no way McLaurin, Samuel, Campbell, and Dixon all contribute over the course of their careers. At least 2 of them won't be able to find the field and it now seems as if we have an overabundance of the same style of player.

I hear what you are saying on paper but in reality, there will be some attrition, whether it is through injuries, grades, or busts. We've had a clear lack of playmakers at those spots over the past couple years and we needed to kind of go overkill to address that. Also, UFM is as creative as they come in getting playmakers all on the field and I think we see that. If anyone can utilize a mix of Dontre, Marshall, Clark, Corey Smith, Samuel, Brown, Campbell, McLaurin, and Dixon, it would be our head coach.
 
Upvote 0
Mclaurin is not only super fast, like with track speed and football speed, but any kid willing to go home after going to a camp and work on everything the coaches told him to, and then go back to a camp and earn an offer is a very motivated kid. Not to mention he has a high character and was Mr. Football in his state. I saw this kid play most of his senior season and he's very talented. Was willing to switch to RB to help the team out when the passing game sputtered, and also played defense, and never complained when h was at times overshadowed by other Indy WRs Will need to put on some muscle, but can end up being as good as any WR on our roster. Top 5 40 at the Opening says something. Not much of a reach at all, IMO. Kid just goes to work and doesn't run his mouth.

But there's certainly a way to get all of that speed on the field(and also include dontre). It's a good problem to have. And think, EGW will be added next year.

At the risk of my opinion being seen as "bashing," I'll just agree to disagree.
 
Upvote 0
Agree. I personally don't quite see the excitement with Mclaurin, I think he's the biggest reach in the class, but they can all be used effectively. No different than Harvin, Demps, Rainey, & James all being used.
Are you basing your opinion off of McLaurin's JR year film, or have you seen his SR year film yet?

I mean, if a guy that is a state's Mr. Football is a reach, that probably says more about the class that we just brought in rather than McLaurin's talent.
 
Upvote 0
Are you basing your opinion off of McLaurin's JR year film, or have you seen his SR year film yet?

I mean, if a guy that is a state's Mr. Football is a reach, that probably says more about the class that we just brought in rather than McLaurin's talent.

I understand his point. McLaurin obviously has blazing fast top-end speed and great acceleration to go with it, but he's a work in progress with regards to his route-running and the finer nuances of the position. He also doesn't really have all that much wiggle to go with his speed either. However, he does seem to embrace the type of work necessary to become a polished receiver, so I'd characterize him more as a project than a reach.
 
Upvote 0
I understand his point. McLaurin obviously has blazing fast top-end speed and great acceleration to go with it, but he's a work in progress with regards to his route-running and the finer nuances of the position. He also doesn't really have all that much wiggle to go with his speed either. However, he does seem to embrace the type of work necessary to become a polished receiver, so I'd characterize him more as a project than a reach.

Can't issues be attached to all of the WRs we've broight in? His route running seemed good enough to get an offer, he will probably need a redshirt, but I think guys like parris Campbell and Noah brown are bigger reaches than mclaurin. Neither has a defined position, but at least mclaurin knows his position but needs to work on fine tuning his body and route running. I think next to all true frosh need polish, that's what makes them freshman. I don't see him as a project, IMO
 
Upvote 0
Back
Top