Alexis Chassen
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National Signing Day 2016 Urban Meyer presser: Ohio State set to have 45 freshmen eligibility players
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Buckeye fax machine started working first thing this morning, and finished earlier than most programs.
National Signing Day is coming to a close, and Urban Meyer took the podium to talk about the great players he has on the team and the exciting young talent that will join them this fall. There were few surprises or nail-biting moments, but Ohio State's head coach thinks that's a good thing.
The much anticipated day filled with commitments and hat science, started early for the Buckeyes, with the first faxes rolling in around 7 a.m. ET; the team received 12 letters of intent by 8 a.m. and had the entire 25-man 2016 incoming class locked up by 11:30. In addition to the seven early enrollees from the 2016 class, 18 players made it official Wednesday.
- Meyer wanted to start by thanking his coaching staff and their "really relentless pursuit" of a great 2016 class. 17 players committed to the Buckeyes ahead of the holidays in December, and none of those players took other visits and all signed on the dotted line Wednesday.
- The recurring question about recruiting tends to revolve around rankings. Meyer gave his two cents, noting that class ranking averages are more important than total number of signees.
- Texting recruits vs social media is significantly different. High school players can't control who texts them, but can control who they are interested in seeing and hearing on social media. Regulations are big, and this is why. He thinks the NCAA should beef up the enforcement staff to keep things at a level playing field with all that extra money they are earning from the CFP.
- Last year, Coach Meyer noted how Ezekiel Elliott and Michael Thomas were two of the teams best recruiters; this year they handed the baton down to redshirt freshman Matthew Burrell who earned the nod from Meyer.
- Meyer was happy to sign JUCO transfer OL Malcolm Pridgeon, who stands at 6'8 and about 328 pounds. Meyer gave Ed Warriner all the credit when it comes to the depth and strength of the incoming lineman.The Coach mentioned that they don't usually scout JUCO players, but Pridgeon was special, and everyone fell in love with him when he made his visit.
- The Buckeyes also got the commitment and LOI from 3-star ATH Malik Harrison, who is finally living out his dream of being a football player for the Ohio State University. Luke Fickell gets the credit for getting Harrison; the team sent four coaches to see him throughout the recruiting process.
- Quarterback Dwayne Haskins was a pleasant addition to the offense, and Meyer called him an "impact recruit" and someone who compete for playing time in his freshman year. The depth at quarterback is still really deep, Meyer currently lists Joe Burrow at the No. 2 and Haskins at No. 3. Urban was asked about Stephen Collier, in which he replied this is a make or break spring for the third year player.
- There are several players who Meyer expects to play immediately, including Nick Bosa -- who he said was a little more developed than his brother Joey. Meyer was informed there are 45 players with four years of eligibility left, which took him by surprise, but he was quick to quip, "Play 'em all!" Ideally. he says, they are looking to have 18 players step into active playing roles right away.
- The team anticipated maybe 7 juniors leaving for the NFL Draft, after the Fiesta Bowl. Meyer and Saban have talked in the past about when is the best date for these younger players to have to declare. The later the players decide to move on the League, the less incoming options the team has. Meyer noted this is why signing Jordan Fuller was such a key get at the 11th hour with so many cornerbacks deciding to turn pro.
- Meyer admitted that the team is using the Super Bowl and all the Buckeyes playing in it, as a recruiting tactic. Not to mention having one of the biggest Pro Days in the country this season and the most possible NFL Draft picks.
- When asked if Meyer would ever stay the night at a recruits house, the Coach chuckled and simply replied, "No". He was asked again about whether they monitor Michigan and what they're doing recruit-wise; Meyer didn't hesitate to say that of course they do, but staying true to who the Buckeyes are is the most important thing.
- When Craig Fada and Joe Berger have scholarships for the Spring and Summer semesters, but they wont count against the scholarship count in the Fall. Linebacker Kyle Berger will not return due to a knee injury.
Continue reading...
Alexis Chassen via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
The Buckeye fax machine started working first thing this morning, and finished earlier than most programs.
National Signing Day is coming to a close, and Urban Meyer took the podium to talk about the great players he has on the team and the exciting young talent that will join them this fall. There were few surprises or nail-biting moments, but Ohio State's head coach thinks that's a good thing.
The much anticipated day filled with commitments and hat science, started early for the Buckeyes, with the first faxes rolling in around 7 a.m. ET; the team received 12 letters of intent by 8 a.m. and had the entire 25-man 2016 incoming class locked up by 11:30. In addition to the seven early enrollees from the 2016 class, 18 players made it official Wednesday.
- Meyer wanted to start by thanking his coaching staff and their "really relentless pursuit" of a great 2016 class. 17 players committed to the Buckeyes ahead of the holidays in December, and none of those players took other visits and all signed on the dotted line Wednesday.
- The recurring question about recruiting tends to revolve around rankings. Meyer gave his two cents, noting that class ranking averages are more important than total number of signees.
- Texting recruits vs social media is significantly different. High school players can't control who texts them, but can control who they are interested in seeing and hearing on social media. Regulations are big, and this is why. He thinks the NCAA should beef up the enforcement staff to keep things at a level playing field with all that extra money they are earning from the CFP.
- Last year, Coach Meyer noted how Ezekiel Elliott and Michael Thomas were two of the teams best recruiters; this year they handed the baton down to redshirt freshman Matthew Burrell who earned the nod from Meyer.
- Meyer was happy to sign JUCO transfer OL Malcolm Pridgeon, who stands at 6'8 and about 328 pounds. Meyer gave Ed Warriner all the credit when it comes to the depth and strength of the incoming lineman.The Coach mentioned that they don't usually scout JUCO players, but Pridgeon was special, and everyone fell in love with him when he made his visit.
- The Buckeyes also got the commitment and LOI from 3-star ATH Malik Harrison, who is finally living out his dream of being a football player for the Ohio State University. Luke Fickell gets the credit for getting Harrison; the team sent four coaches to see him throughout the recruiting process.
- Quarterback Dwayne Haskins was a pleasant addition to the offense, and Meyer called him an "impact recruit" and someone who compete for playing time in his freshman year. The depth at quarterback is still really deep, Meyer currently lists Joe Burrow at the No. 2 and Haskins at No. 3. Urban was asked about Stephen Collier, in which he replied this is a make or break spring for the third year player.
- There are several players who Meyer expects to play immediately, including Nick Bosa -- who he said was a little more developed than his brother Joey. Meyer was informed there are 45 players with four years of eligibility left, which took him by surprise, but he was quick to quip, "Play 'em all!" Ideally. he says, they are looking to have 18 players step into active playing roles right away.
- The team anticipated maybe 7 juniors leaving for the NFL Draft, after the Fiesta Bowl. Meyer and Saban have talked in the past about when is the best date for these younger players to have to declare. The later the players decide to move on the League, the less incoming options the team has. Meyer noted this is why signing Jordan Fuller was such a key get at the 11th hour with so many cornerbacks deciding to turn pro.
- Meyer admitted that the team is using the Super Bowl and all the Buckeyes playing in it, as a recruiting tactic. Not to mention having one of the biggest Pro Days in the country this season and the most possible NFL Draft picks.
- When asked if Meyer would ever stay the night at a recruits house, the Coach chuckled and simply replied, "No". He was asked again about whether they monitor Michigan and what they're doing recruit-wise; Meyer didn't hesitate to say that of course they do, but staying true to who the Buckeyes are is the most important thing.
- When Craig Fada and Joe Berger have scholarships for the Spring and Summer semesters, but they wont count against the scholarship count in the Fall. Linebacker Kyle Berger will not return due to a knee injury.
Continue reading...