Luke Zimmermann
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Ohio State football recruiting: 2016 National Signing Day results
Luke Zimmermann via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Once again, Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes finish with a Top 5 composite recruiting class, setting the table for a brilliant future.
Urban Meyer's recruiting track record at Ohio State is in a rarefied air that essentially only contains the other guy to win three plus national titles in the last 10 years, Alabama's Nick Saban. With another Bosa brother coming in to hold down the defensive end position and as deep a class of four-stars as you'll find in the country, the Buckeyes appear primed to strike gold once again.
With a super stud all-purpose back -- who appears to at least be the spiritual successor to running back Ezekiel Elliott -- in the wings plus a rock star quarterback who's not only helped with recruiting in his short time committed to the Buckeyes but already showcased the kind of leadership you expect from a seasoned veteran, Ohio State continues to add to a foundation that's resulted in a Big Ten and national title alike already for Meyer and co.
There's also a few trademark sleepers, who harken back to the halcyon days of Jim Tressel's run in Columbus in which the Buckeyes almost always seemingly took a low three-star diamond in the rough and polished him into a lengthy NFL career having player. So who'll be this year's Darron Lee? Check out the latest and greatest iteration in the future of OSU football and you be the judge.
Hear what @OSUCoachMeyer has to say about the @OhioStAthletics recruiting class as he talks with @AlliHayesSports. https://t.co/YlrXboDaN3
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) February 3, 2016
Here is Ohio State's 2016 recruiting class:
The five-star
Nick Bosa DE * * * * *
"Bosa shines against the run, where he fires low off the ball and uses his arms very well to keep blockers disengaged. His blend of quickness and strength makes him very tough to block one-on-one. Once he beats the blocker, he does a great job of locating the ball carrier and making the tackle at, or behind the line of scrimmage."
The four-stars
Jonathon Cooper DE * * * * (Early Enrollee)
"Jonathon Cooper has the measurables (6'2 ½, 234 pounds) and the speed off the edge to wreak havoc in the Big Ten for years to come. He possesses long arms and a quick first-step that gives tackles and sometimes multiple blockers issues. Cooper is built like a hybrid 4-3 speed rusher or a 3-4 outside linebacker, similar to Aldon Smith."
Demario McCall APB * * * *
"McCall's acceleration is off the charts. He has the ability to see a crease, burst through the hole, make a defender miss and get to top speed very quickly to outrun defenders en route to the end zone. He is a change of pace H-back who will not be touching the ball ten-plus times per game, so his lack of size should not be too big of an issue; however it would only be beneficial to add mass to his body, especially his lower body, in order to break arm tackles and stay on the field."
Austin Mack WR * * * * (Early enrollee)
"It is big praise, but Austin Mack is Urban Meyer’s most polished perimeter prospect since he has been at Ohio State. Mack is the complete package. He stands at 6’2, 205 pounds with more room to bulk up and he is an elite athlete."
Dwayne Haskins QB * * * *
"In the pocket, Dwayne Haskins possesses solid footwork, a quick, fluid release and once chaos hits, he does a great job of extending plays by using his legs. Once he chooses his target, he delivers a clean, accurate and catchable football that gives his receivers a chance to make a play on the ball."
Keandre Jones LB * * * *
"Jones' blend of athleticism and physicality will remind Buckeye fans of [Darron] Lee, which should give him a shot to see the field in his second year. He does a good job of beating opposing blockers and is a force against the run and against the pass. His versatility will turn him into a third-down Swiss Army Knife, where he can rush the passer or drop into coverage against tight ends or running backs."
Binjimen Victor WR * * * *
"Victor's long arms; combined with his leaping ability, make him extremely tough to defend in jump ball situations. He does an excellent job of high pointing the football and also possesses good body control."
Jake Hausmann TE * * * *
"Hausmann is a physical blocker and a consistent receiver. As a blocker, he fires off the ball, uses his hands well and drives his legs. As a receiver, he may not be able to stretch a defense vertically, but that’s not key to the Buckeye offense. Hausmann does a good job of finding holes in the defense and moving the chains. His hands are reliable and he has the ability to make contested catches."
Michael Jordan OT * * * * (Early Enrollee)
As a run blocker, Jordan fires off low and delivers violent contact to his opponent. He does a good job of finishing his blocks and also shows off his athleticism by getting to the second level. As a pass protector, he will be able to fine tune his mechanics in college, but he does display a solid base and he uses his arms well.
Jordan Fuller ATH * * * *
"Fuller is a fluid athlete who will excel in coverage, but will also bring physicality to the defense. He showed good instincts in pass coverage, breaking on routes and making plays on the football. Fuller also has the ability to come down into the box and make plays in run support."
Malcolm Pridgeon OT * * * * (JUCO)
"Malcolm is one of the top offensive tackles in all of JUCO. He is a hardworking young man and brings his lunch pail and hardhat to work every day. He has a big athletic frame and plays with a great knee bend. Malcolm is a former basketball player. He possesses great footwork, quickness, and agility. He is a highly competitive player and plays with a mean streak. Whoever signs Malcolm Pridgeon will get a fine football player, but an even better young man."
Tyler Gerald OG * * * * (Early Enrollee)
"Gerald is a terrific run blocker. He is perfect for Urban Meyer's power run scheme and plays nasty like Logan Mankins. He is a true throwback who finishes his blocks. Gerald's physicality translates over to his pass pro, where he uses his arms well, but will need more coaching in that department."
Antonio Williams RB * * * * (Early Enrollee)
"Williams did not face the stiffest competition in high school, but he possesses elite size, quick feet and good vision to succeed at Ohio State. He will not break Ezekiel Elliott-like 80-yard runs, but he will move the chains and wear defenses down. Williams is extremely hard to tackle and consistently falls forward after contact".
Luke Farrell TE * * * *
"As a blocker, Farrell uses his size to engage and drive the opposition backwards. As a blocker, Farrell may be more college ready than Hausmann. As a receiving prospect, Farrell does a good job of using his extreme size to his advantage. He is no burner, but he moves the chains. Farrell could be a good red zone target, as he has shown the ability to position his larger body against smaller defenders."
Malik Barrow DT * * * * (Early Enrollee)
"Barrow is quick off the ball and uses his strength and physicality to beat the blocker. He is more physical than he is fast, both as a run defender and as a pass rusher. Overall, Barrow is a physical defensive lineman who should bulk up and play inside, where the Buckeye staff has had trouble developing and recruiting talent."
Tuf Borland LB * * * * (Early Enrollee)
"Borland gets himself into position with his instincts, his ability to read the play, his quickness and his ability to shed blockers. He is a tough, hard hitter who does the little things, which allows him to succeed. Right now he is a two-down linebacker but he could work himself into a full time ‘backer."
Kierre Hawkins TE * * * *
"Kierre Hawkins is an interesting prospect. He stands at 6’4, 225 pounds, yet he was sort of a jack-of-all-trades in high school. He looks like a collegiate tight end, but he could also be used similarly to how Noah Brown was used as a freshman, as a bigger H-back in running situations. He possesses long arms and has good speed for his size."
Wayne Davis CB * * * *
"As a cornerback, Davis is a perfect scheme fit for Ohio State’s physical press coverage technique. Davis’ mix of strength, athleticism and physicality allows him to play great man coverage. Additionally, he shows off great ball skills and is a big play waiting to happen."
The three-stars
Gavin Cupp OT * * *
"Cupp plays with the nastiness that coaches love and finishes his blocks. As a run blocker, he does a good job of using his hands to lock on and drive his opponent backwards. Cupp played as a standup defensive end in high school and showed off a quick first step, which will only help his progress."
Jack Wohlabaugh OG * * *
"He plays like a former player’s son, with good technique and solid footwork. He is not overly strong or athletic, but he finds a way to win the majority of his battles. Bottom line is that Wohlabaugh is a tough interior lineman who works hard and plays smart."
Malik Harrison ATH * * *
"Harrison is a big (6’4, 215 pounds), strong athlete who has the skill set to play on either side of the ball at Ohio State. He may get a shot at wide receiver, but he will most likely play outside linebacker or strong safety. With the ball in his hands, Harrison showed good footwork for his size, which would translate to the defensive side of the ball. He is a physical player who could also turn into a key special teams player. The Columbus, OH native will need to settle into a position; however, he is a special athlete who could excel at multiple spots.
Drue Chrisman P * * *
"Drue Chrisman was named Kohl’s Professional Camp’s most collegiate-ready punter in his class and it shows on film. As a senior, he averaged 42.7 yards per punt on 23 punts. Kohl’s Camps described Chrisman by saying 'He earned our trust as a D1 scholarship ready punter. He has good size and outstanding repeatability. Chrisman's quick hands and clean drop allow him to generate great rotation and consistency. His tall frame allows him easily swing up and through the ball.' The punting spot should be Chrisman’s in his second year at Ohio State."
Rodjay Burns CB * * *
"Burns was a two-way star in Louisville, KY, but he will be playing in the secondary at Ohio State. He possesses tremendous footwork and his long arms allow him to make plays on the football. His tape from the offensive side of the ball shows that he is a great route runner for his age, which will translate to the defensive side of the ball."
Kareem Felder CB * * *
Kareem Felder looks like a possible diamond in the rough for the Buckeyes. The Baltimore, MD product is 5'11, 170 pounds, but he looks and plays bigger on film. He was a two-way stud in high school and had a knack for the big play. Felder was always around the football and typically found a way to get to the end zone, whether he was playing offense or defense.
Jahsen Wint ATH * * *
"Jahsen Wint comes from the same high school as Curtis Samuel, Erasmus Hall in Brooklyn, NY and plays a physical style of football. Wint is built like a weight room warrior (5'11, 186 pounds) and hits like one too. He looks like a safety and could bulk up even more to play in the box. Overall, Wint is a shifty, physical player who could transform into a special teams ace and eventually crack the two-deep at safety within the next few seasons."
Continue reading...
Luke Zimmermann via our friends at Land-Grant Holy Land
Visit their fantastic blog and read the full article (and so much more) here
Once again, Urban Meyer and the Ohio State Buckeyes finish with a Top 5 composite recruiting class, setting the table for a brilliant future.
Urban Meyer's recruiting track record at Ohio State is in a rarefied air that essentially only contains the other guy to win three plus national titles in the last 10 years, Alabama's Nick Saban. With another Bosa brother coming in to hold down the defensive end position and as deep a class of four-stars as you'll find in the country, the Buckeyes appear primed to strike gold once again.
With a super stud all-purpose back -- who appears to at least be the spiritual successor to running back Ezekiel Elliott -- in the wings plus a rock star quarterback who's not only helped with recruiting in his short time committed to the Buckeyes but already showcased the kind of leadership you expect from a seasoned veteran, Ohio State continues to add to a foundation that's resulted in a Big Ten and national title alike already for Meyer and co.
There's also a few trademark sleepers, who harken back to the halcyon days of Jim Tressel's run in Columbus in which the Buckeyes almost always seemingly took a low three-star diamond in the rough and polished him into a lengthy NFL career having player. So who'll be this year's Darron Lee? Check out the latest and greatest iteration in the future of OSU football and you be the judge.
Hear what @OSUCoachMeyer has to say about the @OhioStAthletics recruiting class as he talks with @AlliHayesSports. https://t.co/YlrXboDaN3
— Ohio State on BTN (@OhioStateOnBTN) February 3, 2016
Here is Ohio State's 2016 recruiting class:
The five-star
Nick Bosa DE * * * * *
"Bosa shines against the run, where he fires low off the ball and uses his arms very well to keep blockers disengaged. His blend of quickness and strength makes him very tough to block one-on-one. Once he beats the blocker, he does a great job of locating the ball carrier and making the tackle at, or behind the line of scrimmage."
The four-stars
Jonathon Cooper DE * * * * (Early Enrollee)
"Jonathon Cooper has the measurables (6'2 ½, 234 pounds) and the speed off the edge to wreak havoc in the Big Ten for years to come. He possesses long arms and a quick first-step that gives tackles and sometimes multiple blockers issues. Cooper is built like a hybrid 4-3 speed rusher or a 3-4 outside linebacker, similar to Aldon Smith."
Demario McCall APB * * * *
"McCall's acceleration is off the charts. He has the ability to see a crease, burst through the hole, make a defender miss and get to top speed very quickly to outrun defenders en route to the end zone. He is a change of pace H-back who will not be touching the ball ten-plus times per game, so his lack of size should not be too big of an issue; however it would only be beneficial to add mass to his body, especially his lower body, in order to break arm tackles and stay on the field."
Austin Mack WR * * * * (Early enrollee)
"It is big praise, but Austin Mack is Urban Meyer’s most polished perimeter prospect since he has been at Ohio State. Mack is the complete package. He stands at 6’2, 205 pounds with more room to bulk up and he is an elite athlete."
Dwayne Haskins QB * * * *
"In the pocket, Dwayne Haskins possesses solid footwork, a quick, fluid release and once chaos hits, he does a great job of extending plays by using his legs. Once he chooses his target, he delivers a clean, accurate and catchable football that gives his receivers a chance to make a play on the ball."
Keandre Jones LB * * * *
"Jones' blend of athleticism and physicality will remind Buckeye fans of [Darron] Lee, which should give him a shot to see the field in his second year. He does a good job of beating opposing blockers and is a force against the run and against the pass. His versatility will turn him into a third-down Swiss Army Knife, where he can rush the passer or drop into coverage against tight ends or running backs."
Binjimen Victor WR * * * *
"Victor's long arms; combined with his leaping ability, make him extremely tough to defend in jump ball situations. He does an excellent job of high pointing the football and also possesses good body control."
Jake Hausmann TE * * * *
"Hausmann is a physical blocker and a consistent receiver. As a blocker, he fires off the ball, uses his hands well and drives his legs. As a receiver, he may not be able to stretch a defense vertically, but that’s not key to the Buckeye offense. Hausmann does a good job of finding holes in the defense and moving the chains. His hands are reliable and he has the ability to make contested catches."
Michael Jordan OT * * * * (Early Enrollee)
As a run blocker, Jordan fires off low and delivers violent contact to his opponent. He does a good job of finishing his blocks and also shows off his athleticism by getting to the second level. As a pass protector, he will be able to fine tune his mechanics in college, but he does display a solid base and he uses his arms well.
Jordan Fuller ATH * * * *
"Fuller is a fluid athlete who will excel in coverage, but will also bring physicality to the defense. He showed good instincts in pass coverage, breaking on routes and making plays on the football. Fuller also has the ability to come down into the box and make plays in run support."
Malcolm Pridgeon OT * * * * (JUCO)
"Malcolm is one of the top offensive tackles in all of JUCO. He is a hardworking young man and brings his lunch pail and hardhat to work every day. He has a big athletic frame and plays with a great knee bend. Malcolm is a former basketball player. He possesses great footwork, quickness, and agility. He is a highly competitive player and plays with a mean streak. Whoever signs Malcolm Pridgeon will get a fine football player, but an even better young man."
Tyler Gerald OG * * * * (Early Enrollee)
"Gerald is a terrific run blocker. He is perfect for Urban Meyer's power run scheme and plays nasty like Logan Mankins. He is a true throwback who finishes his blocks. Gerald's physicality translates over to his pass pro, where he uses his arms well, but will need more coaching in that department."
Antonio Williams RB * * * * (Early Enrollee)
"Williams did not face the stiffest competition in high school, but he possesses elite size, quick feet and good vision to succeed at Ohio State. He will not break Ezekiel Elliott-like 80-yard runs, but he will move the chains and wear defenses down. Williams is extremely hard to tackle and consistently falls forward after contact".
Luke Farrell TE * * * *
"As a blocker, Farrell uses his size to engage and drive the opposition backwards. As a blocker, Farrell may be more college ready than Hausmann. As a receiving prospect, Farrell does a good job of using his extreme size to his advantage. He is no burner, but he moves the chains. Farrell could be a good red zone target, as he has shown the ability to position his larger body against smaller defenders."
Malik Barrow DT * * * * (Early Enrollee)
"Barrow is quick off the ball and uses his strength and physicality to beat the blocker. He is more physical than he is fast, both as a run defender and as a pass rusher. Overall, Barrow is a physical defensive lineman who should bulk up and play inside, where the Buckeye staff has had trouble developing and recruiting talent."
Tuf Borland LB * * * * (Early Enrollee)
"Borland gets himself into position with his instincts, his ability to read the play, his quickness and his ability to shed blockers. He is a tough, hard hitter who does the little things, which allows him to succeed. Right now he is a two-down linebacker but he could work himself into a full time ‘backer."
Kierre Hawkins TE * * * *
"Kierre Hawkins is an interesting prospect. He stands at 6’4, 225 pounds, yet he was sort of a jack-of-all-trades in high school. He looks like a collegiate tight end, but he could also be used similarly to how Noah Brown was used as a freshman, as a bigger H-back in running situations. He possesses long arms and has good speed for his size."
Wayne Davis CB * * * *
"As a cornerback, Davis is a perfect scheme fit for Ohio State’s physical press coverage technique. Davis’ mix of strength, athleticism and physicality allows him to play great man coverage. Additionally, he shows off great ball skills and is a big play waiting to happen."
The three-stars
Gavin Cupp OT * * *
"Cupp plays with the nastiness that coaches love and finishes his blocks. As a run blocker, he does a good job of using his hands to lock on and drive his opponent backwards. Cupp played as a standup defensive end in high school and showed off a quick first step, which will only help his progress."
Jack Wohlabaugh OG * * *
"He plays like a former player’s son, with good technique and solid footwork. He is not overly strong or athletic, but he finds a way to win the majority of his battles. Bottom line is that Wohlabaugh is a tough interior lineman who works hard and plays smart."
Malik Harrison ATH * * *
"Harrison is a big (6’4, 215 pounds), strong athlete who has the skill set to play on either side of the ball at Ohio State. He may get a shot at wide receiver, but he will most likely play outside linebacker or strong safety. With the ball in his hands, Harrison showed good footwork for his size, which would translate to the defensive side of the ball. He is a physical player who could also turn into a key special teams player. The Columbus, OH native will need to settle into a position; however, he is a special athlete who could excel at multiple spots.
Drue Chrisman P * * *
"Drue Chrisman was named Kohl’s Professional Camp’s most collegiate-ready punter in his class and it shows on film. As a senior, he averaged 42.7 yards per punt on 23 punts. Kohl’s Camps described Chrisman by saying 'He earned our trust as a D1 scholarship ready punter. He has good size and outstanding repeatability. Chrisman's quick hands and clean drop allow him to generate great rotation and consistency. His tall frame allows him easily swing up and through the ball.' The punting spot should be Chrisman’s in his second year at Ohio State."
Rodjay Burns CB * * *
"Burns was a two-way star in Louisville, KY, but he will be playing in the secondary at Ohio State. He possesses tremendous footwork and his long arms allow him to make plays on the football. His tape from the offensive side of the ball shows that he is a great route runner for his age, which will translate to the defensive side of the ball."
Kareem Felder CB * * *
Kareem Felder looks like a possible diamond in the rough for the Buckeyes. The Baltimore, MD product is 5'11, 170 pounds, but he looks and plays bigger on film. He was a two-way stud in high school and had a knack for the big play. Felder was always around the football and typically found a way to get to the end zone, whether he was playing offense or defense.
Jahsen Wint ATH * * *
"Jahsen Wint comes from the same high school as Curtis Samuel, Erasmus Hall in Brooklyn, NY and plays a physical style of football. Wint is built like a weight room warrior (5'11, 186 pounds) and hits like one too. He looks like a safety and could bulk up even more to play in the box. Overall, Wint is a shifty, physical player who could transform into a special teams ace and eventually crack the two-deep at safety within the next few seasons."
Continue reading...