The BP Recruiting Team Wishlist
In this latest blog, the BP Recruiting Team will lay out its wishlist for the class of 2006. Our first goal was agreeing on a scholarship count for this class, as well as how we see that count being distributed amongst the various positional needs that OSU will have after this football season. Our final breakdown was as follows:
Quarterback: 1
Running Back: Chris Wells and no others for this year
Fullback: 1
Wide Receiver: 2
Tight End: 2
Offensive Line: 4
Defensive Tackle: 2
Defensive End: 1
Linebacker: Homan and 2 more (1 inside and 1 outside)
Cornerback: 2
Safety: 1
Athlete: 2
Kicker/Punter: 0
Upon reviewing this breakdown, each of the contributors made their selections. Where there are duplicates, we only provided one explanation for why we want that particular recruit. So without further ado...
QUARTERBACK:
Ohio State currently has redshirt juniors Troy Smith and Justin Zwick, followed by grayshirted true freshman Todd Boeckman and incoming freshman Rob Schoenhoft. Provided that Schoenhoft is the heir apparent to the clipboard once Boeckman takes over when Smith and Zwick are gone (there are some that believe Schoenhoft may end up as a TE before his time is done at OSU, but that is purely speculative at this point), we see the staff taking one quarterback in this year's class.
wadc45, LJB, bucknuts44820, FKA877: Seeing as though Boeckman and Schoenhoft fit more of the prototypical dropback passing QB mold, we would like to see the staff land a big time athletic QB. With Juice Williams off the board and Tebow looking like a longshot at best, we would like to see us land Adam Weber of Minnesota. His film is very impressive, he has great arm strength and pocket presence, and is extremely athletic for his size. In addition to all that, he put on a clinic at the Nike Michigan Combine.
osugrad21, BfS: Just a few years ago, Coach Tressel took an unpolished Glenville quarterback with a rocket arm. As we all know by now, Troy Smith has brought a new life to the Buckeye offense. The next rocket-armed Glenville quarterback is Arvell Nelson. Although his offers have been slow thus far, he is my darkhorse in the quarterback department this year. At 6' 5" with wheels, Arvell has huge potential.
RUNNING BACK:
In February, the Bucks started off the 2006 class with a bang, picking up a verbal commitment from Akron Garfield's Chris "Beanie" Wells, one of the premier running back prospects in the entire country. With Wells already in the fold, we do not believe that the staff will sign any other running backs this year.
FULLBACK:
OSU currently features Brandon Schnittker, entering his redshirt senior season, and true sophomore Dionte Johnson as it's two primary blocking backs. These two figure to see 99% of the time at fullback this year. Despite a host of walkons listed as fullbacks (Steve Fender, Matt Daniels, etc.), we see the coaches trying to get at least one pure fullback prospect in this class.
wadc45, osugrad21, LJB, FKA877, BfS: Despite the fact some schools are recruiting him as a DT, many schools are recruiting Micah Johnson as a running back. We would love to see him come in and be the guy behind Dionte Johnson and eventually be a kind of featured fullback, much like Brandon Joe was late in his career. Johnson has a huge frame but is surprisingly quick for his size and seems to thrive in contact situations.
bucknuts44820: Canal Fulton's Scott Weber has just about everything you look for in a fullback...size (6' 1" 220 lbs.), speed (4.75 40), and toughness (just watch his film). It remains to be seen what interest level OSU has in Weber, but whoever gets him is going to be getting one heck of a blocking back who is not afraid of toting the rock himself.
WIDE RECEIVER:
Ohio State's current two deep features redshirt junior Santonio Holmes, true sophomore Tedd Ginn, Jr., redshirt sophomore Tony Gonzalez, and redshirt freshman Albert Dukes. Also expected to contribute this year are redshirt junior Roy Hall, true sophomore Devon Lyons, and redshirt sophomore Devin Jordan. Based on the talent flow and the recruits OSU has brought in consistently over the last few years, we see them picking up two wide receivers in this class.
wadc45, osugrad21, BfS: The first guy that we would like to see the staff take a serious run at is David Ausberry. He is everything you are looking for in a receiver these days...height, speed, toughness, jumping, great hands, etc. At 6' 4", David provides you with an immediate mismatch against most DBs. Despite early rumors of a silent verbal to USC, we would like to see the staff go hard after David, who was actually born in Ohio and rooted for the Buckeyes as a child.
osugrad21, LJB, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: To compliment a tall, possession receiver like Ausberry, we would like to see the staff go after a burner like Devin Parrish with the other available wide receiver scholarship. Devin runs a consistently sub-4.5 forty, and has a 30-inch vertical to along with that. He seems like the type of speed receiver who could come in an play behind our other Florida burners, Santonio Holmes (unless he leaves early) and Albert Dukes. As an added bonus, Devin can also play cornerback.
LJB: David Ausberry would be nice, but he's likely bound for Southern Cal. Wesley Lyons (Pittburgh Woodland Hills) has a firm offer and ties to Ohio State, so lock him up now before he starts looking around at other programs (like Miami). At 6' 6", Lyons would make an ideal possession receiver to compliment the fleet of speed merchants (Holmes, Ginn, Dukes, Gonzalez) which the coaching staff has assembled in Columbus.
wadc45: At 6' 2" and 195 pounds, Vidal Hazelton has been tearing up the early camps and combines. With offers already from the likes of Ohio State, Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Miami (FL) and Virginia, it is obvious that Hazelton is no secret. This was further cemented by his being named the #20 player in the early Rivals Top 100 list for 2006.
bucknuts44820: West Chester Lakota West's Josh Chichester is an athlete, pure and simple. He is being recruited not only as a WR/TE in football, but also as a SF/PF in basketball by several programs, OSU included. At 6' 8", he has the frame to create constant mismatches against smaller DBs. We are anxiously waiting to see how Tressel and Matta plan to handle Josh's situation.
FKAGobucks877: Jamar Hornsby, at 6' 4" with 4.45 speed, is probably Florida's top recruit. While he could project at numerous positions in college, some of us like him best at WR. With his height and speed, combined with his superb strength, Hornsby may well be the second coming of David Boston.
TIGHT END:
In the past two classes, Ohio State has signed a grand total of one tight end. With the impending graduation of senior starter Ryan Hamby, the permanent expulsion of Louis Irizarry, and only two inexperienced kids (sophmores Rory Nicol and Marcel Frost) waiting in the wings, the Buckeyes need to reload at this position. We see OSU taking 2 TE's this year.
wadc45, LJB, osugrad21, FKA877, BfS: Under normal circumstances, Ohio State would have little chance to sign a super blue chip prospect from the west coast. However, Konrad Reuland just might be the exception to the rule. Reuland's situation is very similar to that of 2005 DE signee Ryan Williams: both kids were born in Ohio and raised as Buckeye fans, but wound up in Mission Viejo, California, where they anchored last season's state championship team. Maybe Konrad will follow Ryan back to central Ohio, where he can help lead the Buckeyes to a national championship.
wadc45, LJB, osugrad21, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: Despite the fact that Brookhaven has seemed to be a pipeline to Minnesota lately, we fully expect the OSU staff to eventually target Jeff Cumberland. At the recent Akron combine, Cumberland ran a pair of 4.57s after running a 4.59 at the Los Angeles Nike Training Camp. Add to that a 32" vertical leap, and you have the kind of TE many Buckeye fans were hoping for when OSU landed Louis Irizarry. This is a recruit we all like A LOT.
bucknuts44820: Sometimes players have to grow into their position. Such is the case with Youngstown Ursuline's Jerome Jones. Standing at 6' 7" but only 220 lbs., weight management will obviously be a focal point early in Jerome's career. But with the kind of frame that could easily take another 20-30 pounds, Jerome figures to be a solid TE in the near future.
OFFENSIVE LINE:
In 2005, the Bucks wanted three o-linemen, but a late de-commit left them a man short. We see the staff making up for lost ground in 2006 by signing at least 4 OL's in this class. The situation with John Kerr could leave this number moving up or down.
wadc45, LJB, osugrad21, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: Cincinnati Princeton's Aaron Brown is generally regarded as one of the best OL prospects in the entire country. Aaron is a physical specimen who checks in at 6' 6", 270 pounds, with long arms and a great frame. Because he has excellent quickness and footwork, Aaron projects as a left tackle, which makes him even more coveted by college coaches around the nation. A great player now with huge upside.
wadc45, LJB, osugrad21, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: Connor Smith is another top offensive line prospect from Cincinnati, and he helped lead Colerain to the Division I state championship last season. Smith is a devastating run blocker who could play either guard or tackle in college. Connor's father, Joe, played offensive line for the Buckeyes during the early 80's, and we think that the younger Smith will follow suit.
wadc45, LJB, osugrad21, FKA877: Springboro's Jake Ballard may be the most versatile lineman on the Buckeyes' prospect list - he could probably play DE, DT, or TE in college, but we like him best as a lean, athletic OT. Jake reminds us quite a bit of current Buckeye Kirk Barton, who played tight end in high school, but grew into a tackle in college without losing his quickness or agility. Ballard is a lifelong fan of the Buckeyes, and will likely end up in scarlet and grey.
wadc45, LJB, FKA877, BfS: Of all the offensive linemen who are still considering the Bucks, J.B. Walton of Indian Head (MD) might be the quickest and most athletic, and he's got a mean streak to boot. J.B. displays excellent footwork, and he is the rare high school lineman who can pull with skill. At 6' 3", 270 pounds, Walton projects as guard in college.
osugrad 21, bucknuts44820, BfS: Canton Glen Oak's Ryan Palmer is a massive young man with an excellent wingspan. At 6' 7", Palmer plays guard for Glen Oak but is projecting as a tackle at the next level. Ryan feels that his quick feet are his biggest asset, but many coaches are noting that Ryan's frame will be able to easily hold another thirty pounds. In other words, Ryan Palmer is a work in progress and we are hoping that work is completed in Columbus.
bucknuts44820: Kenton's D.J. Burris comes from a tradition-rich football program that has churned out several college recruits over the last few years. D.J. has a chance to be one of the best to come out of that program. In a year that has Ohio loaded with OL talent, Burris still has a chance to be one of the select few that garners an offer from Coach Tressel and his staff.
DEFENSIVE END:
Because the Buckeyes have plenty of talented underclassmen at defensive end (Richardson, Penton, Patterson, Gholston, and Barrow), the staff can be somewhat selective for the class of 2006. We see OSU taking one DE this year, but only if he is a very special player.
wadc45, LJB, osugrad21, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: If the BP Recruiting Team can all agree on a player, then he must be special indeed. Glenville's Robert Rose is a "freak" athlete who is built like a lineman (6' 5", 240 lbs) but runs like a wide out (4.60 forty). With his speed, we like Robert as a rush end, but he might also be able to bulk up enough to play the strongside, or even a bit of defensive tackle.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE:
After taking only one true DT prospect in 2005, we see OSU taking 2 DTs this year to begin to rebuild the depth that we have become accustomed too. With veterans like David Patterson, Marcus Green and Quinn Pitcock and youngsters like Brandon Maupin, Todd Denlinger, Sian Cotton and Nader Abdallah, OSU has a chance to take two top ranked DT in this class.
wadc45, LJB: Tom McEowen (Feasterville, Pennsylvania) is a sleeper whose stock is rising fast. Tom possess a surprising amount of athleticism for a defensive tackle (32" vertical, 9' 6" broad jump, 4.34 shuttle); in addition, he has a great attitude and a non-stop motor, and he is a major disruptive force on the gridiron (89 tackles, 20 TFL's as a junior). Although other DT's are currently receiving more publicity, we feel that McEowen will be better than most of them at the next level.
wadc45, osugrad21, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: The entire midwest is recruiting Jason Pinkston for obvious reasons. At 6' 5" and 280 pounds, Jason moves extremely well and is relentless in getting to the ballcarrier. An interior player as disruptive as Pinkston is always in high demand. Expect a midwestern battle for this beast.
LJB, osugrad21, FKA877, BfS: While Ben Alexander does not possess the prototype body of a defensive tackle, he does have an unflappable will and a tremendous love for the game of football. Playing at storied South Carolina powerhouse T.L. Hanna, Ben is a rock on the defensive line and a nightmare for opposing coaches. Ben's tremendous explosion and his polished technique have made plenty of coaches forget about his height.
bucknuts44820: Charles Deas, a member of the early Rivals Top 100 list, is both a good looking offensive and defensive line prospect. We would prefer to see him at OSU as a defensive tackle. At 6' 4" and 315 lbs., he could be a great run-stuffing defensive tackle for the Buckeyes. Getting him up to visit during camp could play a huge part in his recruitment. He has early offers from Pitt and Tennessee.
LINEBACKER:
Linebacker depth after this year is an obvious concern, with the departures of A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, Anthony Schlegel and possibly Mike D'Andrea. Marcus Freeman, Chad Hoobler, Brandon Smith and Curtis Terry are some of the guys that look to continue OSU's tradition of great LBs, but the staff is obviously going to need to restock the stables this year. We see OSU taking Homan and two more LBs; one inside and one outside.
wadc45, LJB, osugrad21, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: Even though Thaddeus Gibson's legendary 4.38 40-Yard Dash has been dismissed by the young man, his speed on the football field is undeniable. Gibson is a true sideline-to-sideline monster who seeks and destroys anyone with the football. He describes himself as unblockable...after watching his films, we all agree with him.
wadc45, bucknuts44820: Hailing from the same high school as 2005 OSU commit Jim Laurinaitis, Wayzata's Tommy Becker is another Minnesota recruit that is garnering serious D1 looks early in the process. Becker may not have the greatest measurables in the world, but he stands out on film, and at 6' 2" 230 lbs., he would look great at ILB for the S&G.
osugrad21, LJB, FKA877, BfS: Akeem Hebron combines superior athleticism, impeccable technique, and a tremendous football attitude (aggressiveness, confidence, work ethic) in one package; to top it all off, Akeem is a fearless, lights-out hitter. Despite tipping the scales at under 200 pounds, Akeem is a linebacker all the way, and he should be able to add twenty pounds or so to his 6' 2" frame. Hebron reminds us a bit of incoming Buckeye freshman Freddie Lenix, only more polished as a football player.
CORNERBACK:
One thing OSU has been able to do over the year is put some cornerbacks into the NFL. With Ashton Youboty and (hopefully) E.J. Underwood manning the two CB spots this year, that trend looks to continue. Which is exactly why we see OSU taking at least two CBs in this year's class.
wadc45, LJB: We like Clayton Northmont's Kurt Coleman as much as the other members of the Team, but with his outstanding speed and agility (4.44 forty), we see him as more of a cornerback prospect. Last season, Kurt had 91 tackles and 10 interceptions, which are simply outstanding numbers for a high school defensive back. With that kind of production, he'll find a spot somewhere in the defensive backfield.
LJB, FKA877: Besides being one of our top cornerback prospects, Asher Allen (Tucker, Georgia) could probably make our list at running back, wide receiver, or even free safety. Asher is a true lock-down corner who hits like a linebacker, and for those reasons he reminds us of former Buckeye All-American Antoine Winfield. Besides excelling on the gridiron, Allen also carries a 3.85 GPA in the classroom.
osugrad21, BfS: Robert Williams has been described by a number of coaches as the best natural cornerback in Ohio. This type of natural ball-skill is hard to pass up...especially for a program thin in natural corners. This is a recruit to keep your eye on this fall...if Robert can stabilize his grades, expect his offer list to explode.
wadc45, bucknuts44820, BfS: While Trotwood-Madison's Jovani Chappel may only stand 5' 8" and 170 lbs., he plays so much bigger. Using his 4.5 speed and natural instincts, Jovani overcomes his size and can lay the wood like a much bigger DB . Several of the BP Recruiting Team are hoping that Jovani performs well at OSU's camp and garners himself the offer from the Buckeye that he seems to covet.
bucknuts44820: Yet another Brookhaven prospect makes the list, and this time it's A.J. Harris. At 6' 2" 195 lbs., A.J. has what is now being considered "prototypical corner size". He also has excellent speed and agility. While he will most likely play safety for Brookhaven this fall, we see him as a corner at the next level. As with all Brookhave recruits, look for Minnesota to be a factor before all is said and done.
SAFETY:
The Buckeyes currently have four safeties who could start on almost any team in the country (Nate Salley, Donte Whitner, Tyler Everett, and Brandon Mitchell), and a half dozen unproven youngsters who have plenty of talent. Despite the surplus already on the roster, we know that JT simply loves safeties, so we anticipate that OSU will take (at least) one safety this year.
wadc45: Jamar Hornsby has been called Florida's top prospect for his prowess on both sides of the ball. He is as talented as Fred Rouse at WR yet stronger, but also is a top safety prospect who loves to hit. His video on offense and defense are equally impressive. At 6' 4", he has the size to be a possession receiver, but could also end up as a ball-hawking free safety. Despite landing over 50 offers, Jamar is still considering Ohio State.
LJB: Akeem Hebron is my number one overall prospect, but Georgia's Marcus Ball is number 1-B. Although he plays linebacker in high school (136 tackles, 14 TFL's, 8 sacks last season), with his 4.4-speed and ability to roam the field, Marcus probably projects as a safety in college; some teams are also considering Marcus for running back, where he exhibits a fine combination of speed, shiftiness, and power. Either way, sign him up - he'll find the field sooner rather than later.
bucknuts44820, osugrad21, FKA877, BfS: Kurt Coleman has provided the most impressive film we have seen thus far. Not only is Kurt a gamebreaker on offense, but he is a ballhawk on defense. Judging from the film and the reports of various Ohio coaches, Kurt is not shy when it comes time for contact. In fact, his style has been compared to that of John Lynch.
ATHLETE:
In recruiting terms, an "athlete" is a player who is equally outstanding in two or more positions. While many of the players listed above could also qualify as "athletes", the players in this category have an equal chance of playing on either side of the ball. We see OSU taking two "athletes" this year.
wadc45, LJB, FKAGobucks877, BfS: Dorin Dickerson is a pure athlete that has played RB, WR, LB, and even some QB. Due to his size and amazing athleticism, however, he likely projects as a OLB or safety in college. He is rated in the top 5 prospects in the state of PA, and he is extremely aggressive on both sides of the ball. After a superb Nike camp at PSU, the offers have been rolling in to Dorin.
wadc45, osugrad21, LJB, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: Raymond Small plays running back, wide receiver, and defensive back for Cleveland Glenville, and he could probably play any of those positions at the college level, too. The Team couldn't decide where Raymond fit in best, so we decided to list him as an "athlete". Raymond should be the next great Tarblooder, following in the footsteps of Troy Smith, Donte Whitner, Teddy Ginn, Jamario O'Neal, and many others.
SLEEPERS:
LJB: There aren't many players who are as exciting and productive as running back Norman Whitley (Rockingham, North Carolina). As a junior last year, Norman generated 3,540 all-purpose yards (2,666 rushing, 268 receiving, 606 returning), which set a single-season record in the state of North Carolina. Although he is small (5' 8", 185 lbs), he has outstanding speed and quickness (4.40 forty, 4.00 shuttle), and surprising strength for his size. I think that Whitley would be a nice fit in Ohio State's newly-discovered high-octane offense.
LJB, BfS: Cornerback Chris Duvalt (Lakeland, Florida) is not only a tremendous athlete (4.38 forty, 38" vertical), but also a solid cover man with great reactions (7 interceptions in 2004). However, Chris really excels when he gets his hands on the ball (either after a pick or returning punts), which gives him the chance to display his excellent speed, quickness, and maneuverability. Duvalt's stock is rising, and Ohio State is developing interest. Another Chris Gamble...?
wadc45: There isn't a whole lot the BP Recruiting Team likes seeing more than an offensive lineman who is also a solid basketball player. Clark Crum of Dublin Scioto happens to be one of those big men. At 6' 7" 235 lbs. Clark has the kind of frame that could handle another 40 pounds and make him into a devastating tackle at the next level. Clark is certainly one to keep your eye on during the 2006 football season.
wadc45: Coaches love having a WR who is 6' 5" and athletic enough to go get a ball up in traffic. Crawford Kilpatrick of North Gwinnett (GA) is one of those types of WRs. After practically dominating the Kennedy CES combine and the NIKE combine in Athens, we fully expect Crawford to garner several new offers over the next few months to go with the offers he already has from Duke and Maryland.
osugrad21: Martin Channels was described by former teammate and current Buckeye Ben Person as almost impossible to block...and that was when Martin was a sophomore and Ben was a senior. Channels is known for his relentless motor and ability to blow up offenses by controlling multiple gaps. He is slow in receiving offers, but camp performances could change that....quickly.
osugrad21, FKA877: Jovani Chappel is this year's Brandon Harrison...he is a big-time player, but is just a few inches shorter than the OSU staff would prefer. However, unlike Harrison, Jovani has stated that he is coming to OSU's camp and he is going to earn an offer. That type of attitude, when combined with Jovani's cover ability and hard-hitting nature, could make him an exception to the preference for taller corners.
FKA877: Bob Gulley is my pick for the AJ Hawk of 2006. Ohio has an outstanding set of linemen this year, both offensive and defensive, and I think Gulley is a late bloomer that has so far been overlooked. He is 6'5", 275, with a frame that can easily take on another 50 pounds. With his excellent footwork and 3.2 GPA, I think he is a "sleeper" in every sense of the word, and will surprise a lot of people in a couple of years, a la AJ Hawk in his class of D'Andrea and Carpenter.
Contributors: LordJeffBuck, FKAGobucks877, bucknuts44820, BuckeyefromScum, osugrad21 and wadc45
In this latest blog, the BP Recruiting Team will lay out its wishlist for the class of 2006. Our first goal was agreeing on a scholarship count for this class, as well as how we see that count being distributed amongst the various positional needs that OSU will have after this football season. Our final breakdown was as follows:
Quarterback: 1
Running Back: Chris Wells and no others for this year
Fullback: 1
Wide Receiver: 2
Tight End: 2
Offensive Line: 4
Defensive Tackle: 2
Defensive End: 1
Linebacker: Homan and 2 more (1 inside and 1 outside)
Cornerback: 2
Safety: 1
Athlete: 2
Kicker/Punter: 0
Upon reviewing this breakdown, each of the contributors made their selections. Where there are duplicates, we only provided one explanation for why we want that particular recruit. So without further ado...
QUARTERBACK:
Ohio State currently has redshirt juniors Troy Smith and Justin Zwick, followed by grayshirted true freshman Todd Boeckman and incoming freshman Rob Schoenhoft. Provided that Schoenhoft is the heir apparent to the clipboard once Boeckman takes over when Smith and Zwick are gone (there are some that believe Schoenhoft may end up as a TE before his time is done at OSU, but that is purely speculative at this point), we see the staff taking one quarterback in this year's class.
wadc45, LJB, bucknuts44820, FKA877: Seeing as though Boeckman and Schoenhoft fit more of the prototypical dropback passing QB mold, we would like to see the staff land a big time athletic QB. With Juice Williams off the board and Tebow looking like a longshot at best, we would like to see us land Adam Weber of Minnesota. His film is very impressive, he has great arm strength and pocket presence, and is extremely athletic for his size. In addition to all that, he put on a clinic at the Nike Michigan Combine.
osugrad21, BfS: Just a few years ago, Coach Tressel took an unpolished Glenville quarterback with a rocket arm. As we all know by now, Troy Smith has brought a new life to the Buckeye offense. The next rocket-armed Glenville quarterback is Arvell Nelson. Although his offers have been slow thus far, he is my darkhorse in the quarterback department this year. At 6' 5" with wheels, Arvell has huge potential.
RUNNING BACK:
In February, the Bucks started off the 2006 class with a bang, picking up a verbal commitment from Akron Garfield's Chris "Beanie" Wells, one of the premier running back prospects in the entire country. With Wells already in the fold, we do not believe that the staff will sign any other running backs this year.
FULLBACK:
OSU currently features Brandon Schnittker, entering his redshirt senior season, and true sophomore Dionte Johnson as it's two primary blocking backs. These two figure to see 99% of the time at fullback this year. Despite a host of walkons listed as fullbacks (Steve Fender, Matt Daniels, etc.), we see the coaches trying to get at least one pure fullback prospect in this class.
wadc45, osugrad21, LJB, FKA877, BfS: Despite the fact some schools are recruiting him as a DT, many schools are recruiting Micah Johnson as a running back. We would love to see him come in and be the guy behind Dionte Johnson and eventually be a kind of featured fullback, much like Brandon Joe was late in his career. Johnson has a huge frame but is surprisingly quick for his size and seems to thrive in contact situations.
bucknuts44820: Canal Fulton's Scott Weber has just about everything you look for in a fullback...size (6' 1" 220 lbs.), speed (4.75 40), and toughness (just watch his film). It remains to be seen what interest level OSU has in Weber, but whoever gets him is going to be getting one heck of a blocking back who is not afraid of toting the rock himself.
WIDE RECEIVER:
Ohio State's current two deep features redshirt junior Santonio Holmes, true sophomore Tedd Ginn, Jr., redshirt sophomore Tony Gonzalez, and redshirt freshman Albert Dukes. Also expected to contribute this year are redshirt junior Roy Hall, true sophomore Devon Lyons, and redshirt sophomore Devin Jordan. Based on the talent flow and the recruits OSU has brought in consistently over the last few years, we see them picking up two wide receivers in this class.
wadc45, osugrad21, BfS: The first guy that we would like to see the staff take a serious run at is David Ausberry. He is everything you are looking for in a receiver these days...height, speed, toughness, jumping, great hands, etc. At 6' 4", David provides you with an immediate mismatch against most DBs. Despite early rumors of a silent verbal to USC, we would like to see the staff go hard after David, who was actually born in Ohio and rooted for the Buckeyes as a child.
osugrad21, LJB, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: To compliment a tall, possession receiver like Ausberry, we would like to see the staff go after a burner like Devin Parrish with the other available wide receiver scholarship. Devin runs a consistently sub-4.5 forty, and has a 30-inch vertical to along with that. He seems like the type of speed receiver who could come in an play behind our other Florida burners, Santonio Holmes (unless he leaves early) and Albert Dukes. As an added bonus, Devin can also play cornerback.
LJB: David Ausberry would be nice, but he's likely bound for Southern Cal. Wesley Lyons (Pittburgh Woodland Hills) has a firm offer and ties to Ohio State, so lock him up now before he starts looking around at other programs (like Miami). At 6' 6", Lyons would make an ideal possession receiver to compliment the fleet of speed merchants (Holmes, Ginn, Dukes, Gonzalez) which the coaching staff has assembled in Columbus.
wadc45: At 6' 2" and 195 pounds, Vidal Hazelton has been tearing up the early camps and combines. With offers already from the likes of Ohio State, Auburn, Florida, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Miami (FL) and Virginia, it is obvious that Hazelton is no secret. This was further cemented by his being named the #20 player in the early Rivals Top 100 list for 2006.
bucknuts44820: West Chester Lakota West's Josh Chichester is an athlete, pure and simple. He is being recruited not only as a WR/TE in football, but also as a SF/PF in basketball by several programs, OSU included. At 6' 8", he has the frame to create constant mismatches against smaller DBs. We are anxiously waiting to see how Tressel and Matta plan to handle Josh's situation.
FKAGobucks877: Jamar Hornsby, at 6' 4" with 4.45 speed, is probably Florida's top recruit. While he could project at numerous positions in college, some of us like him best at WR. With his height and speed, combined with his superb strength, Hornsby may well be the second coming of David Boston.
TIGHT END:
In the past two classes, Ohio State has signed a grand total of one tight end. With the impending graduation of senior starter Ryan Hamby, the permanent expulsion of Louis Irizarry, and only two inexperienced kids (sophmores Rory Nicol and Marcel Frost) waiting in the wings, the Buckeyes need to reload at this position. We see OSU taking 2 TE's this year.
wadc45, LJB, osugrad21, FKA877, BfS: Under normal circumstances, Ohio State would have little chance to sign a super blue chip prospect from the west coast. However, Konrad Reuland just might be the exception to the rule. Reuland's situation is very similar to that of 2005 DE signee Ryan Williams: both kids were born in Ohio and raised as Buckeye fans, but wound up in Mission Viejo, California, where they anchored last season's state championship team. Maybe Konrad will follow Ryan back to central Ohio, where he can help lead the Buckeyes to a national championship.
wadc45, LJB, osugrad21, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: Despite the fact that Brookhaven has seemed to be a pipeline to Minnesota lately, we fully expect the OSU staff to eventually target Jeff Cumberland. At the recent Akron combine, Cumberland ran a pair of 4.57s after running a 4.59 at the Los Angeles Nike Training Camp. Add to that a 32" vertical leap, and you have the kind of TE many Buckeye fans were hoping for when OSU landed Louis Irizarry. This is a recruit we all like A LOT.
bucknuts44820: Sometimes players have to grow into their position. Such is the case with Youngstown Ursuline's Jerome Jones. Standing at 6' 7" but only 220 lbs., weight management will obviously be a focal point early in Jerome's career. But with the kind of frame that could easily take another 20-30 pounds, Jerome figures to be a solid TE in the near future.
OFFENSIVE LINE:
In 2005, the Bucks wanted three o-linemen, but a late de-commit left them a man short. We see the staff making up for lost ground in 2006 by signing at least 4 OL's in this class. The situation with John Kerr could leave this number moving up or down.
wadc45, LJB, osugrad21, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: Cincinnati Princeton's Aaron Brown is generally regarded as one of the best OL prospects in the entire country. Aaron is a physical specimen who checks in at 6' 6", 270 pounds, with long arms and a great frame. Because he has excellent quickness and footwork, Aaron projects as a left tackle, which makes him even more coveted by college coaches around the nation. A great player now with huge upside.
wadc45, LJB, osugrad21, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: Connor Smith is another top offensive line prospect from Cincinnati, and he helped lead Colerain to the Division I state championship last season. Smith is a devastating run blocker who could play either guard or tackle in college. Connor's father, Joe, played offensive line for the Buckeyes during the early 80's, and we think that the younger Smith will follow suit.
wadc45, LJB, osugrad21, FKA877: Springboro's Jake Ballard may be the most versatile lineman on the Buckeyes' prospect list - he could probably play DE, DT, or TE in college, but we like him best as a lean, athletic OT. Jake reminds us quite a bit of current Buckeye Kirk Barton, who played tight end in high school, but grew into a tackle in college without losing his quickness or agility. Ballard is a lifelong fan of the Buckeyes, and will likely end up in scarlet and grey.
wadc45, LJB, FKA877, BfS: Of all the offensive linemen who are still considering the Bucks, J.B. Walton of Indian Head (MD) might be the quickest and most athletic, and he's got a mean streak to boot. J.B. displays excellent footwork, and he is the rare high school lineman who can pull with skill. At 6' 3", 270 pounds, Walton projects as guard in college.
osugrad 21, bucknuts44820, BfS: Canton Glen Oak's Ryan Palmer is a massive young man with an excellent wingspan. At 6' 7", Palmer plays guard for Glen Oak but is projecting as a tackle at the next level. Ryan feels that his quick feet are his biggest asset, but many coaches are noting that Ryan's frame will be able to easily hold another thirty pounds. In other words, Ryan Palmer is a work in progress and we are hoping that work is completed in Columbus.
bucknuts44820: Kenton's D.J. Burris comes from a tradition-rich football program that has churned out several college recruits over the last few years. D.J. has a chance to be one of the best to come out of that program. In a year that has Ohio loaded with OL talent, Burris still has a chance to be one of the select few that garners an offer from Coach Tressel and his staff.
DEFENSIVE END:
Because the Buckeyes have plenty of talented underclassmen at defensive end (Richardson, Penton, Patterson, Gholston, and Barrow), the staff can be somewhat selective for the class of 2006. We see OSU taking one DE this year, but only if he is a very special player.
wadc45, LJB, osugrad21, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: If the BP Recruiting Team can all agree on a player, then he must be special indeed. Glenville's Robert Rose is a "freak" athlete who is built like a lineman (6' 5", 240 lbs) but runs like a wide out (4.60 forty). With his speed, we like Robert as a rush end, but he might also be able to bulk up enough to play the strongside, or even a bit of defensive tackle.
DEFENSIVE TACKLE:
After taking only one true DT prospect in 2005, we see OSU taking 2 DTs this year to begin to rebuild the depth that we have become accustomed too. With veterans like David Patterson, Marcus Green and Quinn Pitcock and youngsters like Brandon Maupin, Todd Denlinger, Sian Cotton and Nader Abdallah, OSU has a chance to take two top ranked DT in this class.
wadc45, LJB: Tom McEowen (Feasterville, Pennsylvania) is a sleeper whose stock is rising fast. Tom possess a surprising amount of athleticism for a defensive tackle (32" vertical, 9' 6" broad jump, 4.34 shuttle); in addition, he has a great attitude and a non-stop motor, and he is a major disruptive force on the gridiron (89 tackles, 20 TFL's as a junior). Although other DT's are currently receiving more publicity, we feel that McEowen will be better than most of them at the next level.
wadc45, osugrad21, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: The entire midwest is recruiting Jason Pinkston for obvious reasons. At 6' 5" and 280 pounds, Jason moves extremely well and is relentless in getting to the ballcarrier. An interior player as disruptive as Pinkston is always in high demand. Expect a midwestern battle for this beast.
LJB, osugrad21, FKA877, BfS: While Ben Alexander does not possess the prototype body of a defensive tackle, he does have an unflappable will and a tremendous love for the game of football. Playing at storied South Carolina powerhouse T.L. Hanna, Ben is a rock on the defensive line and a nightmare for opposing coaches. Ben's tremendous explosion and his polished technique have made plenty of coaches forget about his height.
bucknuts44820: Charles Deas, a member of the early Rivals Top 100 list, is both a good looking offensive and defensive line prospect. We would prefer to see him at OSU as a defensive tackle. At 6' 4" and 315 lbs., he could be a great run-stuffing defensive tackle for the Buckeyes. Getting him up to visit during camp could play a huge part in his recruitment. He has early offers from Pitt and Tennessee.
LINEBACKER:
Linebacker depth after this year is an obvious concern, with the departures of A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, Anthony Schlegel and possibly Mike D'Andrea. Marcus Freeman, Chad Hoobler, Brandon Smith and Curtis Terry are some of the guys that look to continue OSU's tradition of great LBs, but the staff is obviously going to need to restock the stables this year. We see OSU taking Homan and two more LBs; one inside and one outside.
wadc45, LJB, osugrad21, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: Even though Thaddeus Gibson's legendary 4.38 40-Yard Dash has been dismissed by the young man, his speed on the football field is undeniable. Gibson is a true sideline-to-sideline monster who seeks and destroys anyone with the football. He describes himself as unblockable...after watching his films, we all agree with him.
wadc45, bucknuts44820: Hailing from the same high school as 2005 OSU commit Jim Laurinaitis, Wayzata's Tommy Becker is another Minnesota recruit that is garnering serious D1 looks early in the process. Becker may not have the greatest measurables in the world, but he stands out on film, and at 6' 2" 230 lbs., he would look great at ILB for the S&G.
osugrad21, LJB, FKA877, BfS: Akeem Hebron combines superior athleticism, impeccable technique, and a tremendous football attitude (aggressiveness, confidence, work ethic) in one package; to top it all off, Akeem is a fearless, lights-out hitter. Despite tipping the scales at under 200 pounds, Akeem is a linebacker all the way, and he should be able to add twenty pounds or so to his 6' 2" frame. Hebron reminds us a bit of incoming Buckeye freshman Freddie Lenix, only more polished as a football player.
CORNERBACK:
One thing OSU has been able to do over the year is put some cornerbacks into the NFL. With Ashton Youboty and (hopefully) E.J. Underwood manning the two CB spots this year, that trend looks to continue. Which is exactly why we see OSU taking at least two CBs in this year's class.
wadc45, LJB: We like Clayton Northmont's Kurt Coleman as much as the other members of the Team, but with his outstanding speed and agility (4.44 forty), we see him as more of a cornerback prospect. Last season, Kurt had 91 tackles and 10 interceptions, which are simply outstanding numbers for a high school defensive back. With that kind of production, he'll find a spot somewhere in the defensive backfield.
LJB, FKA877: Besides being one of our top cornerback prospects, Asher Allen (Tucker, Georgia) could probably make our list at running back, wide receiver, or even free safety. Asher is a true lock-down corner who hits like a linebacker, and for those reasons he reminds us of former Buckeye All-American Antoine Winfield. Besides excelling on the gridiron, Allen also carries a 3.85 GPA in the classroom.
osugrad21, BfS: Robert Williams has been described by a number of coaches as the best natural cornerback in Ohio. This type of natural ball-skill is hard to pass up...especially for a program thin in natural corners. This is a recruit to keep your eye on this fall...if Robert can stabilize his grades, expect his offer list to explode.
wadc45, bucknuts44820, BfS: While Trotwood-Madison's Jovani Chappel may only stand 5' 8" and 170 lbs., he plays so much bigger. Using his 4.5 speed and natural instincts, Jovani overcomes his size and can lay the wood like a much bigger DB . Several of the BP Recruiting Team are hoping that Jovani performs well at OSU's camp and garners himself the offer from the Buckeye that he seems to covet.
bucknuts44820: Yet another Brookhaven prospect makes the list, and this time it's A.J. Harris. At 6' 2" 195 lbs., A.J. has what is now being considered "prototypical corner size". He also has excellent speed and agility. While he will most likely play safety for Brookhaven this fall, we see him as a corner at the next level. As with all Brookhave recruits, look for Minnesota to be a factor before all is said and done.
SAFETY:
The Buckeyes currently have four safeties who could start on almost any team in the country (Nate Salley, Donte Whitner, Tyler Everett, and Brandon Mitchell), and a half dozen unproven youngsters who have plenty of talent. Despite the surplus already on the roster, we know that JT simply loves safeties, so we anticipate that OSU will take (at least) one safety this year.
wadc45: Jamar Hornsby has been called Florida's top prospect for his prowess on both sides of the ball. He is as talented as Fred Rouse at WR yet stronger, but also is a top safety prospect who loves to hit. His video on offense and defense are equally impressive. At 6' 4", he has the size to be a possession receiver, but could also end up as a ball-hawking free safety. Despite landing over 50 offers, Jamar is still considering Ohio State.
LJB: Akeem Hebron is my number one overall prospect, but Georgia's Marcus Ball is number 1-B. Although he plays linebacker in high school (136 tackles, 14 TFL's, 8 sacks last season), with his 4.4-speed and ability to roam the field, Marcus probably projects as a safety in college; some teams are also considering Marcus for running back, where he exhibits a fine combination of speed, shiftiness, and power. Either way, sign him up - he'll find the field sooner rather than later.
bucknuts44820, osugrad21, FKA877, BfS: Kurt Coleman has provided the most impressive film we have seen thus far. Not only is Kurt a gamebreaker on offense, but he is a ballhawk on defense. Judging from the film and the reports of various Ohio coaches, Kurt is not shy when it comes time for contact. In fact, his style has been compared to that of John Lynch.
ATHLETE:
In recruiting terms, an "athlete" is a player who is equally outstanding in two or more positions. While many of the players listed above could also qualify as "athletes", the players in this category have an equal chance of playing on either side of the ball. We see OSU taking two "athletes" this year.
wadc45, LJB, FKAGobucks877, BfS: Dorin Dickerson is a pure athlete that has played RB, WR, LB, and even some QB. Due to his size and amazing athleticism, however, he likely projects as a OLB or safety in college. He is rated in the top 5 prospects in the state of PA, and he is extremely aggressive on both sides of the ball. After a superb Nike camp at PSU, the offers have been rolling in to Dorin.
wadc45, osugrad21, LJB, bucknuts44820, FKA877, BfS: Raymond Small plays running back, wide receiver, and defensive back for Cleveland Glenville, and he could probably play any of those positions at the college level, too. The Team couldn't decide where Raymond fit in best, so we decided to list him as an "athlete". Raymond should be the next great Tarblooder, following in the footsteps of Troy Smith, Donte Whitner, Teddy Ginn, Jamario O'Neal, and many others.
SLEEPERS:
LJB: There aren't many players who are as exciting and productive as running back Norman Whitley (Rockingham, North Carolina). As a junior last year, Norman generated 3,540 all-purpose yards (2,666 rushing, 268 receiving, 606 returning), which set a single-season record in the state of North Carolina. Although he is small (5' 8", 185 lbs), he has outstanding speed and quickness (4.40 forty, 4.00 shuttle), and surprising strength for his size. I think that Whitley would be a nice fit in Ohio State's newly-discovered high-octane offense.
LJB, BfS: Cornerback Chris Duvalt (Lakeland, Florida) is not only a tremendous athlete (4.38 forty, 38" vertical), but also a solid cover man with great reactions (7 interceptions in 2004). However, Chris really excels when he gets his hands on the ball (either after a pick or returning punts), which gives him the chance to display his excellent speed, quickness, and maneuverability. Duvalt's stock is rising, and Ohio State is developing interest. Another Chris Gamble...?
wadc45: There isn't a whole lot the BP Recruiting Team likes seeing more than an offensive lineman who is also a solid basketball player. Clark Crum of Dublin Scioto happens to be one of those big men. At 6' 7" 235 lbs. Clark has the kind of frame that could handle another 40 pounds and make him into a devastating tackle at the next level. Clark is certainly one to keep your eye on during the 2006 football season.
wadc45: Coaches love having a WR who is 6' 5" and athletic enough to go get a ball up in traffic. Crawford Kilpatrick of North Gwinnett (GA) is one of those types of WRs. After practically dominating the Kennedy CES combine and the NIKE combine in Athens, we fully expect Crawford to garner several new offers over the next few months to go with the offers he already has from Duke and Maryland.
osugrad21: Martin Channels was described by former teammate and current Buckeye Ben Person as almost impossible to block...and that was when Martin was a sophomore and Ben was a senior. Channels is known for his relentless motor and ability to blow up offenses by controlling multiple gaps. He is slow in receiving offers, but camp performances could change that....quickly.
osugrad21, FKA877: Jovani Chappel is this year's Brandon Harrison...he is a big-time player, but is just a few inches shorter than the OSU staff would prefer. However, unlike Harrison, Jovani has stated that he is coming to OSU's camp and he is going to earn an offer. That type of attitude, when combined with Jovani's cover ability and hard-hitting nature, could make him an exception to the preference for taller corners.
FKA877: Bob Gulley is my pick for the AJ Hawk of 2006. Ohio has an outstanding set of linemen this year, both offensive and defensive, and I think Gulley is a late bloomer that has so far been overlooked. He is 6'5", 275, with a frame that can easily take on another 50 pounds. With his excellent footwork and 3.2 GPA, I think he is a "sleeper" in every sense of the word, and will surprise a lot of people in a couple of years, a la AJ Hawk in his class of D'Andrea and Carpenter.
Contributors: LordJeffBuck, FKAGobucks877, bucknuts44820, BuckeyefromScum, osugrad21 and wadc45
