Ben van Ooyen
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Ohio State’s Big Recruiting Weekend & A Look Forward
Ben van Ooyen via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
As expected, Ohio State had a huge recruiting weekend after its annual Friday Night Lights camp. Commitments from Chase Young and Amir Riep add to an already impressive class for 2017, and Brian Snead got things started in the same direction for the 2018 class. Let’s see how these commitments impact the Buckeyes’ future recruiting plans and evaluate what we learned from Friday Night Lights.
The Buckeyes have been in hot pursuit of a pure pass rusher for this 2017, and they set their sights on Chase Young. Ohio State gave him the red carpet treatment every time he set foot on campus, and it obviously worked. This weekend, he gathered Urban Meyer and Larry Johnson together and let them know his intentions of coming to Columbus next fall.
5
️ Chase Young, the No. 3 defensive end in the nation, ended his recruitment with a commitment to Ohio State! pic.twitter.com/CEjMPaUC9m
— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) July 23, 2016
Young’s commitment probably puts an end to defensive end recruitment for now since he will join 2016 signees Nick Bosa and Jonathan Cooper to wreak havoc on opposing Big Ten offensive lines for the next few years. Young had recently visited Alabama, and he didn’t seem to be in a rush to make a decision. However, the conditions felt right for him, and his decision came down to “feeling at home.”
The other 2017 commitment came on Saturday in defensive back Amir Riep. Once thought to be headed north to Michigan State, Riep decided to stay at home and play for the Buckeyes. He joins Shaun Wade, Marcus Williamson, and Isaiah Pryor in a talented backfield for 2017.
2018 got started in a big way when four-star running back Brian Snead declared his intentions for the Buckeyes. Snead is currently ranked as the #17 athlete in the state of Florida and the 6th best running back in the class of 2018. Depending on how the Buckeyes finish out their 2017 class at running back, they could take two backs in 2018.
The commit is official #Buckeyes #nation pic.twitter.com/cc7pKu3upx
— Campaign_B6 (@snead655) July 23, 2016
Now that we have some new commitments, let’s look at the 2017 class recruitment going forward. I still see the Buckeyes taking 20-22 players in 2017, so who are the remaining guys left on the board?
Tyjon Lindsey and Trevon Grimes seem to be pretty much done to Ohio State, and they’ll both announce their decisions at the end of August. That gets us to 18. I don’t see any more quarterback recruiting, and this class won’t include a tight end. I do, however, think the Buckeyes will look to add another running back and possibly another offensive lineman if the right name pops up. At running back, the guy all fans want to see commit is Cam Akers out of Mississippi. While he was unable to make it up for Friday Night Lights, he still seems to be very high on the Buckeyes, and the coaches will chase him for as long as it takes. Offensive linemen like Trey Smith and Tony Grey are still available, but they’re longshots to end up in Columbus. Nevertheless, you can bet the coaching staff will try their hardest to find another top notch lineman to go along with Wyatt Davis, Jake Moretti, and Josh Myers. That gets us to 20.
The Buckeyes are still chasing another linebacker, and Baron Browning and Anthony Hines are the two names to watch. Browning claims Ohio State is at the top of his list, but he’s been making visits to other programs. Getting him back on campus will be key. Hines visited Ohio State back in June and came away impressed, but right now, all crystal ball predictions peg him to stay in Texas or head to Oklahoma.
Ohio State will probably take one more defensive back/safety to round out the class. The most likely option is Jeffrey Okudah, who’s made several trips to Ohio State. Although he didn’t make it to Columbus for the star-studded Friday Night Lights, there doesn’t seem to be much concern about him going elsewhere – all of his crystal ball predictions have been in favor of Ohio State for a long time. Though he visited Oklahoma recently and bonded with some of their commitments, I still see this one playing out in favor of the Buckeyes.
That gets us to 22.
Twenty-two commitments puts Ohio State 18 scholarships over the limit for the 2017 season, not considering any NFL declarations, medical hardships, or transfers. I think at least six guys will bolt for the NFL early, so that still leaves 12 players who would have to leave the program after the 2016 season in order to make room for this class.
I expect the Buckeyes to continue to chase Lamont Wade, Darnay Holmes, Jay Tufele, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and other high-quality athletes all the way until signing day, but those guys will head to other programs if there’s no room at the inn in Columbus. It’s still a long way until signing day, and – as always – things can change at the drop of a hat, but don’t worry we’ll keep you posted on everything as it happens.
The post Ohio State’s Big Recruiting Weekend & A Look Forward appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
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Ben van Ooyen via our good friends at Buckeye Battle Cry
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
As expected, Ohio State had a huge recruiting weekend after its annual Friday Night Lights camp. Commitments from Chase Young and Amir Riep add to an already impressive class for 2017, and Brian Snead got things started in the same direction for the 2018 class. Let’s see how these commitments impact the Buckeyes’ future recruiting plans and evaluate what we learned from Friday Night Lights.
The Buckeyes have been in hot pursuit of a pure pass rusher for this 2017, and they set their sights on Chase Young. Ohio State gave him the red carpet treatment every time he set foot on campus, and it obviously worked. This weekend, he gathered Urban Meyer and Larry Johnson together and let them know his intentions of coming to Columbus next fall.
5
️ Chase Young, the No. 3 defensive end in the nation, ended his recruitment with a commitment to Ohio State! pic.twitter.com/CEjMPaUC9m— The Buckeye Nut (@TheBuckeyeNut) July 23, 2016
Young’s commitment probably puts an end to defensive end recruitment for now since he will join 2016 signees Nick Bosa and Jonathan Cooper to wreak havoc on opposing Big Ten offensive lines for the next few years. Young had recently visited Alabama, and he didn’t seem to be in a rush to make a decision. However, the conditions felt right for him, and his decision came down to “feeling at home.”
The other 2017 commitment came on Saturday in defensive back Amir Riep. Once thought to be headed north to Michigan State, Riep decided to stay at home and play for the Buckeyes. He joins Shaun Wade, Marcus Williamson, and Isaiah Pryor in a talented backfield for 2017.
2018 got started in a big way when four-star running back Brian Snead declared his intentions for the Buckeyes. Snead is currently ranked as the #17 athlete in the state of Florida and the 6th best running back in the class of 2018. Depending on how the Buckeyes finish out their 2017 class at running back, they could take two backs in 2018.
The commit is official #Buckeyes #nation pic.twitter.com/cc7pKu3upx
— Campaign_B6 (@snead655) July 23, 2016
Now that we have some new commitments, let’s look at the 2017 class recruitment going forward. I still see the Buckeyes taking 20-22 players in 2017, so who are the remaining guys left on the board?
Tyjon Lindsey and Trevon Grimes seem to be pretty much done to Ohio State, and they’ll both announce their decisions at the end of August. That gets us to 18. I don’t see any more quarterback recruiting, and this class won’t include a tight end. I do, however, think the Buckeyes will look to add another running back and possibly another offensive lineman if the right name pops up. At running back, the guy all fans want to see commit is Cam Akers out of Mississippi. While he was unable to make it up for Friday Night Lights, he still seems to be very high on the Buckeyes, and the coaches will chase him for as long as it takes. Offensive linemen like Trey Smith and Tony Grey are still available, but they’re longshots to end up in Columbus. Nevertheless, you can bet the coaching staff will try their hardest to find another top notch lineman to go along with Wyatt Davis, Jake Moretti, and Josh Myers. That gets us to 20.
The Buckeyes are still chasing another linebacker, and Baron Browning and Anthony Hines are the two names to watch. Browning claims Ohio State is at the top of his list, but he’s been making visits to other programs. Getting him back on campus will be key. Hines visited Ohio State back in June and came away impressed, but right now, all crystal ball predictions peg him to stay in Texas or head to Oklahoma.
Ohio State will probably take one more defensive back/safety to round out the class. The most likely option is Jeffrey Okudah, who’s made several trips to Ohio State. Although he didn’t make it to Columbus for the star-studded Friday Night Lights, there doesn’t seem to be much concern about him going elsewhere – all of his crystal ball predictions have been in favor of Ohio State for a long time. Though he visited Oklahoma recently and bonded with some of their commitments, I still see this one playing out in favor of the Buckeyes.
Twenty-two commitments puts Ohio State 18 scholarships over the limit for the 2017 season, not considering any NFL declarations, medical hardships, or transfers. I think at least six guys will bolt for the NFL early, so that still leaves 12 players who would have to leave the program after the 2016 season in order to make room for this class.
I expect the Buckeyes to continue to chase Lamont Wade, Darnay Holmes, Jay Tufele, Donovan Peoples-Jones, and other high-quality athletes all the way until signing day, but those guys will head to other programs if there’s no room at the inn in Columbus. It’s still a long way until signing day, and – as always – things can change at the drop of a hat, but don’t worry we’ll keep you posted on everything as it happens.
The post Ohio State’s Big Recruiting Weekend & A Look Forward appeared first on The Buckeye Battle Cry: Ohio State News and Commentary.
Continue reading...