The Buckeyes now have verbal commitments from nine very good players for the class of 2005 - Alex Boone (OT), Jamario O'Neal (CB), Todd Denlinger (DT), Jim Cordle (OG), Brian Hartline (WR), Ryan Williams (DE), Kevin Bemoll (OL), Rob Schoenhoft (QB), and Malcolm Jenkins (CB); in addition, Aaron Pettrey (K) is a gray-shirt for the current class.
First, I would like to profile a player who did not appear on the original Top 50 list, but who has since that time received and accepted an offer from the Buckeyes: Malcolm Jenkins (Piscataway, NJ; 6'0", 185, 4.43): Although Jenkins did not make the Rivals' pre-season Top 30 list for the state of New Jersey, he earned an Ohio State offer after his excellent performance at the summer camp (including some forties in the 4.3 range); it looks like Rivals (and LJB) missed one! Malcolm selected the Bucks over Virginia Tech and Rutgers. As a junior, Jenkins had 65 tackles and 8 interceptions. He is a big, versatile DB who fits the Bucks' mold. Welcome aboard, Malcolm!
The following is a list of players who are (or were) looking at the Buckeyes, and vice versa, given in order of priority, as they might appear on a college's "board". I have chosen only players who have serious interest in the Ohio State, and I have eliminated all extreme "long shots" from my list (Callahan Bright, Derrick Williams, Fred Rouse, Mikell Simpson, etc.).
Notes: If a player's name is underscored, then he has (or claims to have) an offer from the Buckeyes. A caret (^) before a player's name indicates that he is new to this list; a strike ([sup]x[/sup]) indicates that he will be leaving the list for some reason (including having committed to the Buckeyes). Teams in parentheses are the Buckeyes known or presumed competition. If a player "favors OSU", then he does not currently have an offer from Ohio State, but the Buckeyes were his favorite team growing up; such players may claim other favorites at the present time, but would likely accept an OSU offer if one is made.
Quarterbacks
[sup]x[/sup]1. Mark Sanchez (Mission Viejo, CA; 6'4", 210): OSU in top 2 (Texas). This Elite 11 selection may be the best high school quarterback in the country this year. He is very polished for his age; last season, he completed 75% of his passes last season for 2,600 yards, with 29 TD's and only 4 INT's. One teammate, DE Ryan Williams, has already committed to the Bucks, and another, OL Kevin Bemoll, is seriously considering OSU. Mark favored Ohio State until his recent visit to Texas, but now the Bucks and 'Horns are dead even; USC will make a late pitch to keep the local boy at home. Expect a decision before the end of July, if not sooner. Update 8/14: Despite pressure from his Mission Viejo teammates Ryan Williams and Kevin Bemoll, both of whom had already committed to Ohio State, Mark verballed to Southern Cal.
[sup]x[/sup]2. Rob Schoenhoft (Cincinnati St. Xavier; 6'5", 235): OSU in top 4 (Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame). Schoenhoft is another Elite 11 quarterback. Rob is a big guy (he looks more like a TE prospect) with a tremendous arm, but a few have questioned his mobility and decision-making ability (last year, he completed only 37% of his passes for 888 yards). Schoenhoft is presumed to be a Michigan lean (he was a Wolverine fan growing up, even though his parents favor Ohio State). OSU still has a chance here, especially if Sanchez goes elsewhere. Expect an early decision. Update 8/14: In a somewhat surprising turn of events, Rob committed to Ohio State over childhood fave Michigan. Good move, Rob!
[sup]x[/sup]3. Jason Forcier (San Diego, CA; 6'2", 205, 4.6): OSU in top 7 (Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Illinois, Southern Cal, UCLA). Forcier is a rising prospect who seems to be the "second choice" for several schools, Ohio State included. If Sanchez and Schoenhoft spurn OSU, then look for Forcier to get a quick offer from the Bucks. Forcier visited Columbus twice in two months, both for the Nike camp and summer camp, so he's obviously fairly interested in Ohio State. His father is from Michigan, and Jason grew up a Michigan fan; Jason says that he would have no problem heading east from California to attend college, especially as he feels that he is a prototype Big Ten quarterback. A true dual-threat QB (2,738 yards passing, 21 TD's, 47% completion rate; 1,473 yards rushing, 13 TD's, 5.6 yard average). Update 8/14: With Schoenhoft having committed to Ohio State, the Bucks are probably set at the quarterback position for the 2005 class; if Michigan comes through with an offer, look for Forcier to end up there.
[sup]x[/sup]4. Bill Stull (Pittsburgh, PA, Seton-La Salle; 6'2", 180, 4.7): Favors OSU. Stull is a very polished quarterback with great footwork, set-up, and pocket presence; however, he is on the small side, and that fact is probably the only reason that he doesn't have several big-time offers right now. Last year, he completed 61% of his passes for 2,262 yards, 22 TD's, and 12 INT's. He appears to be willing to wait on Ohio State, at least for the moment. Update 8/14: Like Forcier, Stull is probably out of the running for a Buckeye offer; Kentucky seems to be making a strong push.
[sup]x[/sup]5. Dustin Sherer (Cicero, IN; 6'2", 205, 4.7): OSU in top 3 (Michigan, Purdue). Sherer put up some decent numbers last season, completing 55% of his passes for 2,216 yards and 17 TD's with only 6 INT's. Dustin has several offers, but none from his three favorites. Like Bill Stull, Sherer appears to be in limbo with Ohio State, at least until Sanchez, Schoenhoft, and Forcier decide. Update 8/14: After naming a top three of Ohio State, Michigan, and Purdue, Sherer took the offer on the table and committed to Wisconsin.
Running Backs
1. Maurice Wells (Jacksonville, FL; 5'9", 185, 4.4): OSU in top 3 (Georgia Tech, Southern Cal). MoW is one of the elite prospects regardless of position, and he may be the best running back in the nation. Wells rushed for 3,079 yards and 31 TD's as a junior. To date, the Bucks have offered no other running backs – does this indicate a silent verbal from MoW, or overconfidence on the part of the coaching staff, or simply a lack of in-state talent at that position? Update 8/14: Wells still has the same top three.
^2. Jonathan Stewart (Lacey, WA; 5'10", 220, 4.4): OSU in top 5 (Oregon, Washington State, California, Michigan). According to Rivals, Stewart is the top player in the state of Washington, and the #7 running back prospect nationally; Insiders ranks him at the top of the RB class. He is clearly a "big" back, the likes of which have traditionally had success at Ohio State (Byars, George, Clarett, etc.). Last season, Jonathan rushed for approximately 2,600 yards on 200 carries and scored 36 TD's.
[sup]^[/sup]3. Elan Lewis (Hampton, VA, Phoebus; 5'8", 215, 4.5): OSU is in the mix (Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wake Forest, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Syracuse). Although he is built like a fire hydrant (he benches 365, and squats 725), Lewis has moves which remind some scouts of Barry Sanders. Elan's production is also reminiscent of Sanders: as a sophomore, he rushed for 1,866 yards and 18 TD's, and as a junior, he outdid himself with 2,472 yards and 40 TD's. According to Rivals, Lewis is the #13 RB prospect nationally and the #3 prospect overall in the state of Virginia, while the Insiders has him ranked as the #16 RB prospect nationally. Virginia Tech is probably the team to beat.
4. Javon Ringer (Dayton Chaminade-Julienne; 5'10", 200, 4.44): Favors OSU. Ringer is undoubtedly the top running back prospect in the state of Ohio (2,356 yards, 30 TD's, nearly 11 yards per carry last season), but he has yet to receive an offer from the Bucks. Javon has legit top-end speed and quickness (ran a 4.44 forty and 3.87 shuttle at Nike Columbus) and great strength for his size (20 bench reps at Nike). Grades may be the issue with Ringer; if he can show that he is academically eligible, then an offer should be forthcoming. Unlike his teammate Brandon Harrison, Javon appears to be willing to wait on the Bucks. Update 8/14: Ringer is reportedly making academic progress, and will likely receive a Buckeye offer once his grades are in order.
[sup]x[/sup]5. Tyrell Sutton (Akron Hoban; 5'7", 186, 4.59): OSU in top 4 (Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State). Sutton is a "too-small", "too-slow" kid who will likely rush for 3,000 yards and 30 TD's this fall, and win Ohio's Mr. Football award. Alas, that will probably not be enough to garner an offer from Ohio State, especially if Wells commits. Tyrell was a Michigan fan growing up. Has several MAC offers, plus Illinois and Northwestern. Update 8/14: With little chance for an offer from Michigan or Ohio State, Tyrell committed to Northwestern.
6. Greg Keys (Bellevue; 6'0", 200, 4.63): Favors OSU. Don't be fooled by Keys forty time, as he is a top-notch sprinter and hurdler in track; his actual speed is probably in the 4.4 range. Keys is somewhat of a sleeper, since he played running back in only seven games last year (1,065 yards and 15 TD's). Recently, Greg pled guilty to delinquency by reason of criminal damaging (i.e., vandalism), and this incident (which appears to be isolated) could affect his recruitment. Update 8/14: Nothing new to report.
Fullbacks
[sup]x[/sup]1. Matt Clapp (Phoenix, AZ; 6'3", 235, 4.6): OSU in top 2 (Oklahoma). Clapp is a big fullback with near-tailback speed. Last season, he rushed for over 1,600 yards and scored 18 TD's. He is also an accomplished blocker. Matt states that Oklahoma and Ohio State are tied, even though he already has an offer from the Sooners but does not yet have one from the Buckeyes. I'm guessing that an OSU offer (which might come early in the season) would put the Bucks in the lead. Matt is willing to wait. Update 8/14: Apparently, Matt wasn't so willing to wait, as he accepted the offer from Oklahoma. Ohio State may have missed a good one here.
2. George Hypolite (Los Angeles, CA; 6'3", 245, 4.7): OSU in top 5 (Southern Cal, UCLA, Florida State, Notre Dame). Hypolite is built like a tank, and his weight room numbers show it – a 345-pound bench press, and a 710-pound squat. Despite his bulk, he maintains 4.7 speed and a 34" vertical jump. So far, he has no offers, but will get some serious looks as the recruiting season progresses. Update 8/14: Nothing new to report.
3. Matt Shumaker (Delphos St. Johns; 6'0", 229, 4.63): Favors OSU. As a tailback last season, Shumaker rushed for 2,127 yards and 31 TD's. Although he may be a half-step too slow to be a tailback in the Big Ten, Matt certainly has the size to be a fullback in the conference. He may be able to earn a Buckeye offer down the road, and it seems that he is willing to wait for one. Update 8/14: With Clapp having committed to Oklahoma, Shumaker may get a longer look; however, it is quite possible that Ohio State will not take a fullback in the class of 2005.
Receivers
1. Selwyn Lymon (Fort Wayne, IN; 6'5", 190, 4.4): OSU in top 5 (Purdue, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin). Lymon is one of the best wide receiver prospects in the country. He grew up a Michigan fan and currently favors Purdue, but still has some interest in the Buckeyes. Selwyn would be a major addition to this class. Update 8/14: Lymon's top 3 appears to be Purdue, Michigan, and Ohio State, with the Bucks pulling up the rear. To improve their chances, OSU needs to get an official visit from Selwyn, preferably for The Game.
2. Andre Amos (Middletown; 6'1", 180, 4.45): OSU in top 3 (Michigan, Purdue): Last season, Amos caught only 30 passes for 392 yards and 4 TD's, yet he is generally regarded as one of the top three WR prospects in Ohio. Andre also plays cornerback on defense (where he had 3 INT's last year), and Michigan is recruiting him at that position. Amos was a Buckeye fan growing up, and OSU would appear to be the front-runner for that reason alone. Update 8/14: Amos has eliminated Michigan, and will decide between Ohio State and Purdue, who appear to be nearly even at this point. Andre is the cousin of Purdue CB Antwaun Rogers, which might give the Boilermakers a slight edge.
3. Stephen Gowland (Lilburn, GA; 6'4", 220, 4.59). OSU in top 6 (Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, Florida, Georgia, Auburn). Although the Planet is very familiar with him, Gowland remains somewhat of a sleeper prospect. Ohio State was in contact early, and has offered him (as has Wake Forest and Troy State). OSU has offered very few TE's this year, and none in state, so Stephen has obviously made a great impression on the Buckeye coaching staff. Stephen has said that he would prefer to stay in the South, but that he likes the tradition and team unity of Ohio State; he also doesn't mind run blocking or playing in cold weather, and shares our dislike of Michigan! For that reason alone, he would look good in scarlet and gray. For more information on Stephen, please check out BuckNutty's recent "20 Questions" article. Update 8/14: Stephen is planning on making an official visit to Ohio State. At this point, Gowland remains the number one TE prospect whom the Buckeyes are targeting.
4. Brian Robiskie (Chagrin Falls; 6'3", 190, 4.52): OSU in top 3 (Miami, Penn State). Although Robiskie currently lives in suburban Cleveland, he is not a native Ohioan (he grew up in Los Angeles, then moved to Alexandria, Virginia, before arriving in Chagrin Falls). His father, Terry, an NFL coach, is currently the offensive coordinator for the Browns, and the family have lived in the area for the past four years. Brian caught 50 passes for 743 yards last season, and scored 13 TD's (eleven on receptions and two on punt returns). Brian has offers from Miami and Penn State, and is thought to be in line for a Buckeye offer as well. Update 8/14: Brian recently stated that he has been an Ohio State fan since his family moved to Cleveland three years ago. He is still waiting for a Buckeye offer.
5. Greg Orton (Huber Heights Wayne; 6'4", 190, 4.6): Favors OSU. Orton is a big possession-type receiver who positions his body well to shield off defenders. Greg caught 59 balls for 782 yards and 11 TD's last season. Orton has some good offers (including Michigan State, Iowa, Purdue, and Virginia), but he will probably have to wait on some other prospects before receiving one from Ohio State; so far, he is willing to do so. Update 8/14: It seems increasingly unlikely that Greg will receive an OSU offer, and he is now looking at several other schools. A big senior season may cause the Bucks to reconsider him.
^6. Jessie Hester, Jr. (Belle Glades, FL; 6'0", 163, 4.59): OSU is in the mix. Hester recently transferred to Belle Glades Central, the school that produced Santonio Holmes and Albert Dukes for the Buckeyes. Although Ohio State has not offered Jessie, he should merit some consideration based on the Belle Glades connection alone; Miami and Iowa, who have both offered, currently lead. Despite a mediocre reported 40-time, Jessie has "football speed", and is a true deep threat with great hands. Hester's father was a star WR at Florida State and in the NFL.
[sup]^[/sup]7. Kazeem Alli (Florissant, MO, Hazelwood Central; 6'3", 215, 4.87): OSU in top 5 (Georgia Tech, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri). Alli hails from the same school as current Buckeye DB Nick Patterson (recruiting class of 2004). Kazeem is still somewhat of a "sleeper" prospect who is expected to blossom during his senior year; if he does so, then look for some big-time offers to roll in. He is an excellent student with a 3.33 GPA and a 23 ACT score. Georgia Tech (offered) and Ohio State appear to be his leaders at this point.
[sup]x[/sup]8. Donald Washington III (Indianapolis, IN; 6'2", 180, 4.5): Has shown some interest in OSU. Until recently, Washington was a sleeper prospect; however, he has been getting quite a few offers in the past month. Donald is a great athlete (39" vertical, two-time state long jump champ) who is still a raw football player. A big senior season could earn Washington some big-time offers. Update 8/14: Donald currently has seven offers, and will likely choose from amongst those schools; there is no mutual interest between Ohio State and Washington at this point.
Offensive Linemen
1. Dan Doering (Barrington, IL; 6'6", 300): Is considering OSU. Doering might be the number O-line prospect in the country this year, which is saying a lot considering the talent of Buckeye commit Alex Boone. Dan visited OSU recently, and apparently had a good time. However, the smart money is on Iowa. Update 8/14: Ohio State is still hanging around, although it looks like the Bucks are no better than fourth behind Iowa, Notre Dame, and Nebraska.
[sup]x[/sup]2. Kevin Bemoll (Mission Viejo, CA; 6'5", 295): OSU in top 4 (Miami, Florida, LSU). Bemoll is one of the top O-linemen in the country, and projects as a tackle at the next level. He is teammates with QB Mark Sanchez, who is seriously considering the Bucks, and DE Ryan Williams, who has already committed. Kevin is set to visit Columbus this weekend with his good friend Ryan, and it is hoped that the trip will move the Buckeyes to the top of his list. Landing Bemoll would give the Bucks three outstanding O-line prospects (Boone and Cordle being the other two), and arguably the nucleus of their best line class ever (based on potential, of course). Expect a decision by the end of the month. Update 8/14: Kevin was blown away by his July visit to Columbus, and he committed to Ohio State shortly thereafter. Great news!
3. Ronnie "Taz" Wilson (Pompano Beach, FL, Ely; 6'4", 330). OSU in top 5 (Miami, Florida, N.C. State, Pitt). Wilson camped at Ohio State, and shortly thereafter received an offer from the Bucks. He apparently had an awesome camp, and showed as well as any O-lineman in attendance. He is a teammate of "athlete" prospect Carlton Jackson. Like Jackson, he plans on graduating from high school in December. Update 8/14: It appears that Ohio State is the front runner for Wilson, who was recently named the #9 overall prospect in the state of Florida by FloridaKids. Adding Taz to this year's OL class would be phenomenal, and would undoubtedly give the Bucks the best group of O-line recruits in the country for 2005. Ronnie will make an official visit to Columbus for The Game, and may also attend the opener against Cincinnati.
4. Robert Brewster (Cincinnati Wyoming; 6'5", 325). Favors OSU. Brewster is a massive O-line prospect who is on OSU's short list. However, Robert has to impress during the season (both on the field and on the scale) in order to earn an offer from the Bucks. Keep an eye on him…. Update 8/14: Nothing new to report. If Ronnie Wilson commits to the Bucks, then Brewster's chances for an OSU offer diminish substantially.
5. Mystery Man (?, ?, ?). Well, I fibbed a bit. When I put my list together, I had only 49 solid prospects, and a handful of O-line sleepers. I couldn't pick just one of the bunch, and didn't want to make my article any longer than it already is, so I decided to make this an "open" slot. Names to watch are Ohioans Rick Ingold (Newark), Rocco Cironi (Warren Harding), A.J. Haas (Norton Copley), and Phillip Pollard (Westerville South); and out-of-staters Paul Selmon (Montgomery, AL), Derek Hardman (Spencer, WV), and identical twins Ben and Joe Barresi (Edmond, OK). In addition, I am sure that Helpinghand will turn up some south Florida prospects during the upcoming months. Stay tuned…. Update 8/14: Two names have emerged from the pack somewhat: Rocco Cironi, who has added 30 pounds and now checks in at 6'7", 280; and Paul Selmon, who performed well at OSU's summer camp. However, OSU's O-line class is nearly full already, and both remain longshots at best.
Defensive Linemen
1. Melvin Alaeze (Randallstown, MD; 6'3", 273, 4.54 forty, 4.34 shuttle): Has serious interest in OSU, and wants to make an official visit. Alaeze is one of the top overall prospects in the country this year. Melvin has unbelievable speed and quickness for a big man, and would undoubtedly make a tremendous rush end; however, he has the discipline and technique to play the strong-side end, and the size and strength to play 3-technique tackle. Melvin had 50 tackles and 15 sacks last season, plus played fullback on offense (where he was a load, believe me). His leaders seem to change frequently, but OSU has been in the running from the start. Update 8/14: Ohio State is still in the thick of things for this 5* prospect.
2. Doug Worthington (Athol Springs, NY; 6'7", 256, 4.75): OSU leads over Penn State and Tennessee. Worthington is also a big, athletic lineman, and a top prospect nationally. Worthington is not as polished as Alaeze, but has a lot of potential based on his size and his natural physical gifts. Due to his height, he is strictly a DE prospect. Doug visited OSU recently, and was very impressed with all aspects of the school and the football program. Update 8/14: Ohio State still leads for Worthington; he plans to make official visits to OSU, Alabama, Tennessee, Maryland, and possibly Penn State.
3. Kade Weston (Red Bank, NJ; 6'6", 315, 5.0): Has some interest in OSU. Weston is listed as a DT prospect, although he is awfully tall for that position; ultimately, he may be better-suited for OT. Kade had amazing stats last year for a D-lineman (114 tackles, 12 TFL's, 14 sacks). Although Ohio State has been on Kade's list for a while, the Bucks seem to be somewhat of a long shot. Update 8/14: Weston still claims that Ohio State is one of his favorites, but several southern schools seem to be near the top of his list.
4. Walker Ashley (Eden Prairie, MN; 6'4", 285, 4.9): OSU in top 6 (Penn State, USC, Michigan, Miami, Minnesota). Ashley is a true DT prospect who had 74 tackles and 10 sacks last season. His father, Walker Lee Ashley, attended Penn State before playing in the NFL. For that reason, Penn State would appear to lead, but the hometown Gophers will also get some serious consideration. Update 8/14: Ashley will visit Ohio State on December 3rd; he will also attend the Ohio State - Iowa game in Iowa City as a guest of the Hawkeyes. It seems that the Bucks have a good chance here, but Penn State (his father's alma mater) and Southern Cal (an alleged silent verbal) will also be in the running until the end.
[sup]^[/sup]5. Raymond Henderson (Oak Creek, WI; 6'5", 250, 4.66): OSU in top 8 (Arkansas, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Tennessee). Henderson hails from the same school as DE Rhyan Anderson, who looked at OSU last year, and OLB Travis Beckum, who is considering OSU this year. Last season, Raymond had 104 tackles and 19 sacks; his production and measurables have earned him Rivals' #2 ranking in the state of Wisconsin (behind his teammate Beckum). He would like to attend the same school as Beckum.
[sup]^[/sup]6. James McGillicuddy (Worcester, MA, St. John's; 6'4", 289, 5.07 forty, 4.60 shuttle, 29 bench reps @ 185): OSU is in the mix. According to Rivals, McGillicuddy is the #1 player in the state of Massachusetts, the #9 DT prospect nationally, and the #84 high school player overall in the country. Despite the high rankings, he has only three reported offers to this point (Duke, Boston College, and Syracuse). As a junior, James racked up 80 tackles, 12 TFL's, and 6 sacks. He is also a state wrestling champ.
[sup]x[/sup]7. Richard Gordon (Miami, FL, Norland; 6'4", 242, 4.63): OSU in top 5 (Alabama, Nebraska, Florida State, N.C. State). Even though Gordon is listed as one of the top tight end recruits nationally, he played mostly at DE last season, and that is where the Bucks are recruiting him. He has offers from all of his top schools, and appears to be a Seminole lean. Richard is not yet qualified academically. Update 8/14: Richard has dropped Ohio State from his top 5.
8. Lawrence Wilson (Akron SVSM; 6'6", 225, 4.6): Has interest in OSU, but has been close to the vest when it comes to naming favorites. Wilson attended OSU's summer camp, and performed well enough to earn an offer from the Bucks. One would think that Ohio State would be high on his list, but Lawrence hasn't said one way or the other. Update 8/14: At the beginning of August, it seemed that Lawrence was prepared to commit to Notre Dame, which was willing to let him pursue both football and basketball at the college level; at that time, it appeared that Ohio State was unwilling to grant him that opportunity, but new hoops coach Thad Matta has now supposedly given his blessing. That recent development has pulled the Bucks even with the Domers. Pitt is also in the mix.
9. Antwon Hight (Canton McKinley; 6'4", 270, 4.95): Favors OSU. Hight is quick enough to play DE, and has the size to play 3-technique tackle. Unfortunately, Antwon is not yet academically qualified (and some say that he has major work to do in that department). Antwon would probably be a top-7 prospect in Ohio (and a Buckeye commitment) if his grades were in order; as it stands, he is possibly destined for a year of post-grad work. Let's hope that he's not another Chuck Jones. Update 8/14: Nothing new to report; grades are still the only thing keeping Antwon from the Buckeye offer which he covets. Hight is the "X factor" in this class - if he can qualify academically, then he is easily a Top 5 player in Ohio, and a Top 100 player nationally.
10. Curtis Smith (Cleveland Glenville; 6'2", 235, 4.6 forty, 4.21 shuttle): Favors OSU. Smith is another great Glenville athlete who is likely destined for Ohio State – that is, if he can get his grades in order. Curtis is apparently a borderline qualifier at the present time, and any offer will have to wait until his academic issues are set straight. Update 8/14: Nothing new to report.
Linebackers
1. Brian Cushing (Oradell, NJ, Bergen Catholic; 6'4", 221, 4.49 forty, 3.82 shuttle, 38 bench reps): OSU in top 8 (Virginia, Miami, Boston College, Southern Cal, Oklahoma, Penn State, Florida State). Cushing is an unbelievable athlete and one of the top LB prospects in the country, although he has speed and agility enough to play safety. Had outstanding stats as a junior (120 tackles, 10 sacks, 7 INT's). Although OSU is still in the picture, the smart money is on UVa (which is putting together a great recruiting class). Update 8/14: Virginia and Southern Cal lead; Ohio State is fading from the picture.
2. Anthony Felder (Seattle, WA, O'Dea; 6'3", 225, 4.55): Has interest in OSU. Felder is a top LB prospect who has a ton of offers from across the country. Anthony had 146 tackles, 9 TFL's, and 5 sacks last season. He has been very quiet about discussing his leaders, but Ohio State is apparently still in the mix. Distance from home doesn't seem to be any factor. Update 8/14: Nothing new to report, as Anthony is playing it close to the vest.
[sup]^[/sup]3. Travis Beckum (Oak Creek, WI; 6'5", 220, 4.5): OSU in top 4 (Miami, FSU, Tennessee). Beckum is the teammate of current Buckeye recruit DE Raymond Henderson, and former Buckeye recruit DE Rhyan Anderson (who signed with Miami in 2004). Travis is Rivals' #67 player in the country overall, the #7 OLB prospect, and the #1 player in the state of Wisconsin. Beckum had 98 tackles and 8 interceptions last season. Beckum and Henderson are exploring the possibility of attending the same college.
4. Andre Mathis (Erie, PA, Cathedral Prep; 6'1", 224, 4.69): OSU in top 2 (Tennessee). Mathis is another top LB prospect nationally, and the number four player in the state of Pennsylvania according to The Insiders. Andre had originally favored Michigan, but our friends up north haven't offered, and the Bucks (who have offered) have passed them by. Penn State is also in the running. Update 8/14: Andre will make official visits to Ohio State, Penn State, and Tennessee. The Bucks are still solid in Mathis's top 3, and could be the slight leaders at this point.
5. Rico McCoy (Washington, DC; 6'2", 210, 4.52): OSU in top 7 (Michigan, Miami, Pitt, Maryland, Nebraska, Syracuse). McCoy is a somewhat undersized, but tremendously hard-hitting LB prospect who has offers from all of his favorite schools. Ohio State has been on his list for a while, and the Bucks seem to have as good a chance as any. Update 8/14: Ohio State and Miami are currently tied at the top of Rico's list; Syracuse (where his older brother plays football) is also in the mix.
[sup]x[/sup]6. Neefy Moffett (Palm Bay, FL; 6'1', 215, 4.5): OSU in top 5 (Miami, Florida State, LSU, Southern Cal). Moffett has played DE in high school, but projects as an OLB in college. Over the past two seasons, he has amassed 185 tackles and 43 sacks. Although the Bucks are on his short list, they are probably at or near the bottom. Update 8/14: Moffett favors Miami, and would likely commit there if offered. Ohio State is now a long shot at best.
7. Brandon Long (Canton Glen Oak; 6'2", 219, 4.56): Favors OSU. Long is a teammate of Ohio State commitment Brian Hartline. Brandon doesn't have an OSU offer at the present time, but he has been told by the staff that he could earn one during the season; his chances will improve if and when the nationally-recruited players listed above commit elsewhere. As it stands, he is probably the top linebacker in Ohio; he is also a fine tight end prospect, and could get a look there as well. Update 8/14: Nothing new to report; Brandon's chances for an offer seem contingent upon OSU's success with the national studs (Mathis, McCoy, Beckum, Felder, and Cushing).
[sup]x[/sup]8. B.J. Travers (Westlake; 6'0", 228, 4.87): Has some interest in OSU. Travers doesn't fit the "numbers" profile of an Ohio State middle linebacker, and for that reason he will probably not get an offer from the Bucks. However, this kid is a player, as evidenced by his recording an amazing 194 tackles, 15 TFL's, and 3 sacks last year. He is also very strong, being able to do 32 bench reps, 450 bench max, and 600 squat max; in track, he can toss the discuss over 160 feet. B.J. has an offer from Iowa, and may join his friend Trey Stross (WR, Avon Lake) in Hawkeye country. Update 8/14: As expected, Travers committed to Iowa.
Defensive Backs
1. Justin King (Pittsburgh Gateway; 6'0", 180, 4.3 forty, 3.72 shuttle): OSU in top 4 (Michigan, Penn State, Florida). King may be the quickest, fastest recruit in the country this year, and he is certainly one of the top two CB prospects (along with Buckeye commitment Jamario O'Neal). Justin also rushed for 1,763 yards and 31 TD's as a junior, and Ohio State is recruiting him as a running back as well. His high school coach played at Penn State, and Justin favors Michigan; OSU appears to be third at the moment, but don't count out "Cornerback U" just yet. Update 8/14: OSU is still in the mix, but Michigan, Penn State, and Florida comprise Justin's stop 3.
2. Adam Myers-White (Hamilton; 6'4", 190, 4.5): OSU leads (?). One of the top safety prospects in the country, Myers-White was thought to be a heavy Buckeye lean; however, recent rumblings indicate that Michigan will be a player, and USC is making some noise as well. Adam may take some visits before deciding. Update 8/14: All signs indicate that OSU leads, but we've been in that situation before.... It won't be official until they paint the end zones.
3. Shawn Oatis (Chino, CA; 6'0", 205, 4.6): OSU in top 2 (Notre Dame). Oatis is another top safety prospect, and the number 40 player in the west region, according to The Insiders. Shawn has liked Notre Dame and Ohio State since he was young, and those two schools seem to be the ones to beat. Oatis is also an excellent running back prospect. Update 8/14: Shawn is scheduled to make an official visit to Ohio State on October 22nd for the Indiana game. OSU and Notre Dame (official visit set for October 8th) still appear to be the leaders, although the two Arizona schools are making a push for Oatis's services.
[sup]^[/sup]4. Sean Smalls (Richmond, VA; 6'0", 183, 4.52 forty, 3.87 shuttle). OSU leads over Penn State, Maryland, and UCLA. Despite the fact that Ohio State already has two corners in this class (Jamario O'Neal and Malcolm Jenkins), Smalls apparently has an offer and is still interested in becoming a Buckeye. A decision could come soon.
[sup]x[/sup]5. Ray Herring (Melbourne, FL; 5'10", 187, 4.5): Is considering OSU. Herring is an undersized safety who has a nose for the football (an eye-popping 149 tackles, 4 sacks, 7 interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries last season). Ohio State is down on his list, but may get a visit. Update 8/14: Herring has dropped Ohio State from his top 5.
6. Kendall Davis (Alliance; 6'0", 185, 4.4): Favors the Buckeyes. Outside of Jamario O'Neal, Davis is the best CB prospect in Ohio; his size pushes him slightly past Notre Dame commitment Brandon Harrison (5'8") in my opinion. Davis is a true speed merchant, having run a 10.87 100m and 21.76 200m in the Division II state final track meet, where he won both events. Davis has some academic issues, or he'd probably already be a Buckeye by now; he is supposedly making some progress in the class room, and could qualify. Update 8/14: If Sean Smalls commits to the Buckeyes, then Kendall's chances for an OSU offer evaporate.
Athletes
1. Alex Daniels (Columbus Brookhaven; 6'2", 219, 4.59): OSU in top 2 (Oklahoma). Daniels can play running back, safety, or linebacker, but he will likely end up on defense. Alex prefers safety, but most schools consider him to be a linebacker, or maybe even a "rush" defensive end. Ohio State is probably the leader, but Oklahoma is right behind. Update 8/14: Oklahoma may have pulled slightly ahead with Daniels, who is friends with Sooner hoopsters Drew Lavender and Brandon Foust. Supposedly, Alex's mother wants him to leave home because it would be too easy for him to get into trouble in Columbus. Go figure....
2. Eric Sledge (Apopka, FL; 6'2", 180, 4.59): OSU in top 2 (Florida). Like Devon Lyons from last year's class, Sledge is a safety / wide receiver prospect. Eric prefers to play offense, and most schools are looking at him on that side of the ball. Another tough call, but OSU might have an ever-so-slight edge over the in-state school (his favorite team growing up). Update 8/14: Eric seems to be favoring the in-state schools at this point, especially UF; if he decides to leave the state, look for him to land at OSU.
3. Carlton Jackson (Pompano Beach, FL, Ely; 6'3", 190, 4.5): OSU leads over N.C. State. Jackson camped at OSU, and apparently fell in love with the place. He plays quarterback in high school, but would likely move to some other position (possibly wide receiver) in college. Carlton is a teammate of OL prospect Ronnie Wilson, and I would not be surprised to see both of them in scarlet and gray. Like Wilson, he plans on graduating from high school in December. Update 8/14: Like his teammate Taz Wilson, CJ will make an official visit to Ohio State for The Game.
4. Fred Lenix (Cleveland Glenville; 5'11, 195, 4.4): Favors OSU. Yet another in the long line of Glenville speedsters, Lenix projects as a linebacker or safety in college; however, he is also a talented running back, and may get a look on offense. Everyone assumes that a Buckeye offer is coming soon, and a Lenix commitment coming soon after. Update 8/14: Still waiting for that supposedly inevitable offer....
[sup]x[/sup]5. Dennis Underwood (Louisville, OH, St. Thomas Aquinas 6'0", 183, 4.47): OSU in top 3 (Michigan, Penn State). Underwood projects as a safety or running back in college, although he prefers to play on offense. Due to his age, he may be ineligible to play high school football this fall, and thus his status as a recruit is unsettled at the present time. Update 8/14: Dennis was recently ruled ineligible for the 2004 high school season, and that (along with academic concerns) most likely nixes any chance of his obtaining an OSU offer.
6. Tim Conner (Cleveland Glenville; 5'10, 179, 4.72): Favors OSU (?). Despite being somewhat diminutive, Conner is a strong runner with a bullish style and tackle-breaking ability; however, due to his size, most are projecting him as a defensive back in college. Two years ago, Conner earned the MVP award for sophomore running backs at the National Combine. Tim has several MAC offers, as well as one from Pitt. Considering the OSU-Glenville connection, Conner should get a look from the Buckeyes. Update 8/14: Another Tarblooder waiting for an OSU offer.
7. Jayson White (Erie, PA, McDowell; 6'2", 215, 4.5): Has interest in OSU. White hails from the same school as new Buckeye Kyle Mitchum, who signed with Ohio State as part of the 2004 recruiting class. Although Jayson is listed as a safety prospect, he also plays fullback in high school; last season, he rushed for approximately 1,000 yards and scored 18 times. Update 8/14: Jayson recently received an offer from North Carolina.
To follow is my initial (and somewhat optimistic) projection for the Class of 2005, (commitments in bold; second choices in parentheses; strikethrough for inaccurate predictions; italics for new players), as modified by recent commitments:
QB: [strike]Mark Sanchez[/strike] [strike](Jason Forcier)[/strike] Rob Schoenhoft
RB: Maurice Wells
RB: Javon Ringer
[strike]FB: Matt Clapp[/strike] CB Malcolm Jenkins
WR: Brian Hartline
WR: Andre Amos (Greg Orton)
ATH: Eric Sledge (Brian Robiskie)
ATH: Carlton Jackson
OL: Alex Boone
OL: Jim Cordle
OL: Kevin Bemoll
OL: Ronnie Wilson
DT: Todd Denlinger
DE: Ryan Williams
DE: Lawrence Wilson (Antwon Hight)
DE: Doug Worthington (Curtis Smith)
LB: Andre Mathis (Brandon Long)
ATH: Alex Daniels (Rico McCoy)
ATH: Fred Lenix (Sean Smalls)
S: Adam Myers-White
S: Shawn Oatis (Kendall Davis)
CB: Jamario O'Neal
K: Aaron Pettrey
As things stand, Ohio State has a top 10 recruiting class regardless of who else commits; with the Bucks still being in on several 4- and 5-star players, we could easily see a top 3 class coming to Columbus in 2005. Tressel and Company are clearly bringing in the talent to make NC runs in 2005 and beyond. The future is looking bright for the Buckeye Nation!
I'll be back next month with more news....
Note: Thanks to BuckNutty for the tip on Kazeem Alli.
First, I would like to profile a player who did not appear on the original Top 50 list, but who has since that time received and accepted an offer from the Buckeyes: Malcolm Jenkins (Piscataway, NJ; 6'0", 185, 4.43): Although Jenkins did not make the Rivals' pre-season Top 30 list for the state of New Jersey, he earned an Ohio State offer after his excellent performance at the summer camp (including some forties in the 4.3 range); it looks like Rivals (and LJB) missed one! Malcolm selected the Bucks over Virginia Tech and Rutgers. As a junior, Jenkins had 65 tackles and 8 interceptions. He is a big, versatile DB who fits the Bucks' mold. Welcome aboard, Malcolm!
The following is a list of players who are (or were) looking at the Buckeyes, and vice versa, given in order of priority, as they might appear on a college's "board". I have chosen only players who have serious interest in the Ohio State, and I have eliminated all extreme "long shots" from my list (Callahan Bright, Derrick Williams, Fred Rouse, Mikell Simpson, etc.).
Notes: If a player's name is underscored, then he has (or claims to have) an offer from the Buckeyes. A caret (^) before a player's name indicates that he is new to this list; a strike ([sup]x[/sup]) indicates that he will be leaving the list for some reason (including having committed to the Buckeyes). Teams in parentheses are the Buckeyes known or presumed competition. If a player "favors OSU", then he does not currently have an offer from Ohio State, but the Buckeyes were his favorite team growing up; such players may claim other favorites at the present time, but would likely accept an OSU offer if one is made.
Quarterbacks
[sup]x[/sup]1. Mark Sanchez (Mission Viejo, CA; 6'4", 210): OSU in top 2 (Texas). This Elite 11 selection may be the best high school quarterback in the country this year. He is very polished for his age; last season, he completed 75% of his passes last season for 2,600 yards, with 29 TD's and only 4 INT's. One teammate, DE Ryan Williams, has already committed to the Bucks, and another, OL Kevin Bemoll, is seriously considering OSU. Mark favored Ohio State until his recent visit to Texas, but now the Bucks and 'Horns are dead even; USC will make a late pitch to keep the local boy at home. Expect a decision before the end of July, if not sooner. Update 8/14: Despite pressure from his Mission Viejo teammates Ryan Williams and Kevin Bemoll, both of whom had already committed to Ohio State, Mark verballed to Southern Cal.
[sup]x[/sup]2. Rob Schoenhoft (Cincinnati St. Xavier; 6'5", 235): OSU in top 4 (Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame). Schoenhoft is another Elite 11 quarterback. Rob is a big guy (he looks more like a TE prospect) with a tremendous arm, but a few have questioned his mobility and decision-making ability (last year, he completed only 37% of his passes for 888 yards). Schoenhoft is presumed to be a Michigan lean (he was a Wolverine fan growing up, even though his parents favor Ohio State). OSU still has a chance here, especially if Sanchez goes elsewhere. Expect an early decision. Update 8/14: In a somewhat surprising turn of events, Rob committed to Ohio State over childhood fave Michigan. Good move, Rob!
[sup]x[/sup]3. Jason Forcier (San Diego, CA; 6'2", 205, 4.6): OSU in top 7 (Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Illinois, Southern Cal, UCLA). Forcier is a rising prospect who seems to be the "second choice" for several schools, Ohio State included. If Sanchez and Schoenhoft spurn OSU, then look for Forcier to get a quick offer from the Bucks. Forcier visited Columbus twice in two months, both for the Nike camp and summer camp, so he's obviously fairly interested in Ohio State. His father is from Michigan, and Jason grew up a Michigan fan; Jason says that he would have no problem heading east from California to attend college, especially as he feels that he is a prototype Big Ten quarterback. A true dual-threat QB (2,738 yards passing, 21 TD's, 47% completion rate; 1,473 yards rushing, 13 TD's, 5.6 yard average). Update 8/14: With Schoenhoft having committed to Ohio State, the Bucks are probably set at the quarterback position for the 2005 class; if Michigan comes through with an offer, look for Forcier to end up there.
[sup]x[/sup]4. Bill Stull (Pittsburgh, PA, Seton-La Salle; 6'2", 180, 4.7): Favors OSU. Stull is a very polished quarterback with great footwork, set-up, and pocket presence; however, he is on the small side, and that fact is probably the only reason that he doesn't have several big-time offers right now. Last year, he completed 61% of his passes for 2,262 yards, 22 TD's, and 12 INT's. He appears to be willing to wait on Ohio State, at least for the moment. Update 8/14: Like Forcier, Stull is probably out of the running for a Buckeye offer; Kentucky seems to be making a strong push.
[sup]x[/sup]5. Dustin Sherer (Cicero, IN; 6'2", 205, 4.7): OSU in top 3 (Michigan, Purdue). Sherer put up some decent numbers last season, completing 55% of his passes for 2,216 yards and 17 TD's with only 6 INT's. Dustin has several offers, but none from his three favorites. Like Bill Stull, Sherer appears to be in limbo with Ohio State, at least until Sanchez, Schoenhoft, and Forcier decide. Update 8/14: After naming a top three of Ohio State, Michigan, and Purdue, Sherer took the offer on the table and committed to Wisconsin.
Running Backs
1. Maurice Wells (Jacksonville, FL; 5'9", 185, 4.4): OSU in top 3 (Georgia Tech, Southern Cal). MoW is one of the elite prospects regardless of position, and he may be the best running back in the nation. Wells rushed for 3,079 yards and 31 TD's as a junior. To date, the Bucks have offered no other running backs – does this indicate a silent verbal from MoW, or overconfidence on the part of the coaching staff, or simply a lack of in-state talent at that position? Update 8/14: Wells still has the same top three.
^2. Jonathan Stewart (Lacey, WA; 5'10", 220, 4.4): OSU in top 5 (Oregon, Washington State, California, Michigan). According to Rivals, Stewart is the top player in the state of Washington, and the #7 running back prospect nationally; Insiders ranks him at the top of the RB class. He is clearly a "big" back, the likes of which have traditionally had success at Ohio State (Byars, George, Clarett, etc.). Last season, Jonathan rushed for approximately 2,600 yards on 200 carries and scored 36 TD's.
[sup]^[/sup]3. Elan Lewis (Hampton, VA, Phoebus; 5'8", 215, 4.5): OSU is in the mix (Virginia, Virginia Tech, West Virginia, Wake Forest, North Carolina, Tennessee, Maryland, Syracuse). Although he is built like a fire hydrant (he benches 365, and squats 725), Lewis has moves which remind some scouts of Barry Sanders. Elan's production is also reminiscent of Sanders: as a sophomore, he rushed for 1,866 yards and 18 TD's, and as a junior, he outdid himself with 2,472 yards and 40 TD's. According to Rivals, Lewis is the #13 RB prospect nationally and the #3 prospect overall in the state of Virginia, while the Insiders has him ranked as the #16 RB prospect nationally. Virginia Tech is probably the team to beat.
4. Javon Ringer (Dayton Chaminade-Julienne; 5'10", 200, 4.44): Favors OSU. Ringer is undoubtedly the top running back prospect in the state of Ohio (2,356 yards, 30 TD's, nearly 11 yards per carry last season), but he has yet to receive an offer from the Bucks. Javon has legit top-end speed and quickness (ran a 4.44 forty and 3.87 shuttle at Nike Columbus) and great strength for his size (20 bench reps at Nike). Grades may be the issue with Ringer; if he can show that he is academically eligible, then an offer should be forthcoming. Unlike his teammate Brandon Harrison, Javon appears to be willing to wait on the Bucks. Update 8/14: Ringer is reportedly making academic progress, and will likely receive a Buckeye offer once his grades are in order.
[sup]x[/sup]5. Tyrell Sutton (Akron Hoban; 5'7", 186, 4.59): OSU in top 4 (Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State). Sutton is a "too-small", "too-slow" kid who will likely rush for 3,000 yards and 30 TD's this fall, and win Ohio's Mr. Football award. Alas, that will probably not be enough to garner an offer from Ohio State, especially if Wells commits. Tyrell was a Michigan fan growing up. Has several MAC offers, plus Illinois and Northwestern. Update 8/14: With little chance for an offer from Michigan or Ohio State, Tyrell committed to Northwestern.
6. Greg Keys (Bellevue; 6'0", 200, 4.63): Favors OSU. Don't be fooled by Keys forty time, as he is a top-notch sprinter and hurdler in track; his actual speed is probably in the 4.4 range. Keys is somewhat of a sleeper, since he played running back in only seven games last year (1,065 yards and 15 TD's). Recently, Greg pled guilty to delinquency by reason of criminal damaging (i.e., vandalism), and this incident (which appears to be isolated) could affect his recruitment. Update 8/14: Nothing new to report.
Fullbacks
[sup]x[/sup]1. Matt Clapp (Phoenix, AZ; 6'3", 235, 4.6): OSU in top 2 (Oklahoma). Clapp is a big fullback with near-tailback speed. Last season, he rushed for over 1,600 yards and scored 18 TD's. He is also an accomplished blocker. Matt states that Oklahoma and Ohio State are tied, even though he already has an offer from the Sooners but does not yet have one from the Buckeyes. I'm guessing that an OSU offer (which might come early in the season) would put the Bucks in the lead. Matt is willing to wait. Update 8/14: Apparently, Matt wasn't so willing to wait, as he accepted the offer from Oklahoma. Ohio State may have missed a good one here.
2. George Hypolite (Los Angeles, CA; 6'3", 245, 4.7): OSU in top 5 (Southern Cal, UCLA, Florida State, Notre Dame). Hypolite is built like a tank, and his weight room numbers show it – a 345-pound bench press, and a 710-pound squat. Despite his bulk, he maintains 4.7 speed and a 34" vertical jump. So far, he has no offers, but will get some serious looks as the recruiting season progresses. Update 8/14: Nothing new to report.
3. Matt Shumaker (Delphos St. Johns; 6'0", 229, 4.63): Favors OSU. As a tailback last season, Shumaker rushed for 2,127 yards and 31 TD's. Although he may be a half-step too slow to be a tailback in the Big Ten, Matt certainly has the size to be a fullback in the conference. He may be able to earn a Buckeye offer down the road, and it seems that he is willing to wait for one. Update 8/14: With Clapp having committed to Oklahoma, Shumaker may get a longer look; however, it is quite possible that Ohio State will not take a fullback in the class of 2005.
Receivers
1. Selwyn Lymon (Fort Wayne, IN; 6'5", 190, 4.4): OSU in top 5 (Purdue, Michigan, Penn State, Wisconsin). Lymon is one of the best wide receiver prospects in the country. He grew up a Michigan fan and currently favors Purdue, but still has some interest in the Buckeyes. Selwyn would be a major addition to this class. Update 8/14: Lymon's top 3 appears to be Purdue, Michigan, and Ohio State, with the Bucks pulling up the rear. To improve their chances, OSU needs to get an official visit from Selwyn, preferably for The Game.
2. Andre Amos (Middletown; 6'1", 180, 4.45): OSU in top 3 (Michigan, Purdue): Last season, Amos caught only 30 passes for 392 yards and 4 TD's, yet he is generally regarded as one of the top three WR prospects in Ohio. Andre also plays cornerback on defense (where he had 3 INT's last year), and Michigan is recruiting him at that position. Amos was a Buckeye fan growing up, and OSU would appear to be the front-runner for that reason alone. Update 8/14: Amos has eliminated Michigan, and will decide between Ohio State and Purdue, who appear to be nearly even at this point. Andre is the cousin of Purdue CB Antwaun Rogers, which might give the Boilermakers a slight edge.
3. Stephen Gowland (Lilburn, GA; 6'4", 220, 4.59). OSU in top 6 (Wake Forest, Vanderbilt, Florida, Georgia, Auburn). Although the Planet is very familiar with him, Gowland remains somewhat of a sleeper prospect. Ohio State was in contact early, and has offered him (as has Wake Forest and Troy State). OSU has offered very few TE's this year, and none in state, so Stephen has obviously made a great impression on the Buckeye coaching staff. Stephen has said that he would prefer to stay in the South, but that he likes the tradition and team unity of Ohio State; he also doesn't mind run blocking or playing in cold weather, and shares our dislike of Michigan! For that reason alone, he would look good in scarlet and gray. For more information on Stephen, please check out BuckNutty's recent "20 Questions" article. Update 8/14: Stephen is planning on making an official visit to Ohio State. At this point, Gowland remains the number one TE prospect whom the Buckeyes are targeting.
4. Brian Robiskie (Chagrin Falls; 6'3", 190, 4.52): OSU in top 3 (Miami, Penn State). Although Robiskie currently lives in suburban Cleveland, he is not a native Ohioan (he grew up in Los Angeles, then moved to Alexandria, Virginia, before arriving in Chagrin Falls). His father, Terry, an NFL coach, is currently the offensive coordinator for the Browns, and the family have lived in the area for the past four years. Brian caught 50 passes for 743 yards last season, and scored 13 TD's (eleven on receptions and two on punt returns). Brian has offers from Miami and Penn State, and is thought to be in line for a Buckeye offer as well. Update 8/14: Brian recently stated that he has been an Ohio State fan since his family moved to Cleveland three years ago. He is still waiting for a Buckeye offer.
5. Greg Orton (Huber Heights Wayne; 6'4", 190, 4.6): Favors OSU. Orton is a big possession-type receiver who positions his body well to shield off defenders. Greg caught 59 balls for 782 yards and 11 TD's last season. Orton has some good offers (including Michigan State, Iowa, Purdue, and Virginia), but he will probably have to wait on some other prospects before receiving one from Ohio State; so far, he is willing to do so. Update 8/14: It seems increasingly unlikely that Greg will receive an OSU offer, and he is now looking at several other schools. A big senior season may cause the Bucks to reconsider him.
^6. Jessie Hester, Jr. (Belle Glades, FL; 6'0", 163, 4.59): OSU is in the mix. Hester recently transferred to Belle Glades Central, the school that produced Santonio Holmes and Albert Dukes for the Buckeyes. Although Ohio State has not offered Jessie, he should merit some consideration based on the Belle Glades connection alone; Miami and Iowa, who have both offered, currently lead. Despite a mediocre reported 40-time, Jessie has "football speed", and is a true deep threat with great hands. Hester's father was a star WR at Florida State and in the NFL.
[sup]^[/sup]7. Kazeem Alli (Florissant, MO, Hazelwood Central; 6'3", 215, 4.87): OSU in top 5 (Georgia Tech, Michigan, Illinois, Missouri). Alli hails from the same school as current Buckeye DB Nick Patterson (recruiting class of 2004). Kazeem is still somewhat of a "sleeper" prospect who is expected to blossom during his senior year; if he does so, then look for some big-time offers to roll in. He is an excellent student with a 3.33 GPA and a 23 ACT score. Georgia Tech (offered) and Ohio State appear to be his leaders at this point.
[sup]x[/sup]8. Donald Washington III (Indianapolis, IN; 6'2", 180, 4.5): Has shown some interest in OSU. Until recently, Washington was a sleeper prospect; however, he has been getting quite a few offers in the past month. Donald is a great athlete (39" vertical, two-time state long jump champ) who is still a raw football player. A big senior season could earn Washington some big-time offers. Update 8/14: Donald currently has seven offers, and will likely choose from amongst those schools; there is no mutual interest between Ohio State and Washington at this point.
Offensive Linemen
1. Dan Doering (Barrington, IL; 6'6", 300): Is considering OSU. Doering might be the number O-line prospect in the country this year, which is saying a lot considering the talent of Buckeye commit Alex Boone. Dan visited OSU recently, and apparently had a good time. However, the smart money is on Iowa. Update 8/14: Ohio State is still hanging around, although it looks like the Bucks are no better than fourth behind Iowa, Notre Dame, and Nebraska.
[sup]x[/sup]2. Kevin Bemoll (Mission Viejo, CA; 6'5", 295): OSU in top 4 (Miami, Florida, LSU). Bemoll is one of the top O-linemen in the country, and projects as a tackle at the next level. He is teammates with QB Mark Sanchez, who is seriously considering the Bucks, and DE Ryan Williams, who has already committed. Kevin is set to visit Columbus this weekend with his good friend Ryan, and it is hoped that the trip will move the Buckeyes to the top of his list. Landing Bemoll would give the Bucks three outstanding O-line prospects (Boone and Cordle being the other two), and arguably the nucleus of their best line class ever (based on potential, of course). Expect a decision by the end of the month. Update 8/14: Kevin was blown away by his July visit to Columbus, and he committed to Ohio State shortly thereafter. Great news!
3. Ronnie "Taz" Wilson (Pompano Beach, FL, Ely; 6'4", 330). OSU in top 5 (Miami, Florida, N.C. State, Pitt). Wilson camped at Ohio State, and shortly thereafter received an offer from the Bucks. He apparently had an awesome camp, and showed as well as any O-lineman in attendance. He is a teammate of "athlete" prospect Carlton Jackson. Like Jackson, he plans on graduating from high school in December. Update 8/14: It appears that Ohio State is the front runner for Wilson, who was recently named the #9 overall prospect in the state of Florida by FloridaKids. Adding Taz to this year's OL class would be phenomenal, and would undoubtedly give the Bucks the best group of O-line recruits in the country for 2005. Ronnie will make an official visit to Columbus for The Game, and may also attend the opener against Cincinnati.
4. Robert Brewster (Cincinnati Wyoming; 6'5", 325). Favors OSU. Brewster is a massive O-line prospect who is on OSU's short list. However, Robert has to impress during the season (both on the field and on the scale) in order to earn an offer from the Bucks. Keep an eye on him…. Update 8/14: Nothing new to report. If Ronnie Wilson commits to the Bucks, then Brewster's chances for an OSU offer diminish substantially.
5. Mystery Man (?, ?, ?). Well, I fibbed a bit. When I put my list together, I had only 49 solid prospects, and a handful of O-line sleepers. I couldn't pick just one of the bunch, and didn't want to make my article any longer than it already is, so I decided to make this an "open" slot. Names to watch are Ohioans Rick Ingold (Newark), Rocco Cironi (Warren Harding), A.J. Haas (Norton Copley), and Phillip Pollard (Westerville South); and out-of-staters Paul Selmon (Montgomery, AL), Derek Hardman (Spencer, WV), and identical twins Ben and Joe Barresi (Edmond, OK). In addition, I am sure that Helpinghand will turn up some south Florida prospects during the upcoming months. Stay tuned…. Update 8/14: Two names have emerged from the pack somewhat: Rocco Cironi, who has added 30 pounds and now checks in at 6'7", 280; and Paul Selmon, who performed well at OSU's summer camp. However, OSU's O-line class is nearly full already, and both remain longshots at best.
Defensive Linemen
1. Melvin Alaeze (Randallstown, MD; 6'3", 273, 4.54 forty, 4.34 shuttle): Has serious interest in OSU, and wants to make an official visit. Alaeze is one of the top overall prospects in the country this year. Melvin has unbelievable speed and quickness for a big man, and would undoubtedly make a tremendous rush end; however, he has the discipline and technique to play the strong-side end, and the size and strength to play 3-technique tackle. Melvin had 50 tackles and 15 sacks last season, plus played fullback on offense (where he was a load, believe me). His leaders seem to change frequently, but OSU has been in the running from the start. Update 8/14: Ohio State is still in the thick of things for this 5* prospect.
2. Doug Worthington (Athol Springs, NY; 6'7", 256, 4.75): OSU leads over Penn State and Tennessee. Worthington is also a big, athletic lineman, and a top prospect nationally. Worthington is not as polished as Alaeze, but has a lot of potential based on his size and his natural physical gifts. Due to his height, he is strictly a DE prospect. Doug visited OSU recently, and was very impressed with all aspects of the school and the football program. Update 8/14: Ohio State still leads for Worthington; he plans to make official visits to OSU, Alabama, Tennessee, Maryland, and possibly Penn State.
3. Kade Weston (Red Bank, NJ; 6'6", 315, 5.0): Has some interest in OSU. Weston is listed as a DT prospect, although he is awfully tall for that position; ultimately, he may be better-suited for OT. Kade had amazing stats last year for a D-lineman (114 tackles, 12 TFL's, 14 sacks). Although Ohio State has been on Kade's list for a while, the Bucks seem to be somewhat of a long shot. Update 8/14: Weston still claims that Ohio State is one of his favorites, but several southern schools seem to be near the top of his list.
4. Walker Ashley (Eden Prairie, MN; 6'4", 285, 4.9): OSU in top 6 (Penn State, USC, Michigan, Miami, Minnesota). Ashley is a true DT prospect who had 74 tackles and 10 sacks last season. His father, Walker Lee Ashley, attended Penn State before playing in the NFL. For that reason, Penn State would appear to lead, but the hometown Gophers will also get some serious consideration. Update 8/14: Ashley will visit Ohio State on December 3rd; he will also attend the Ohio State - Iowa game in Iowa City as a guest of the Hawkeyes. It seems that the Bucks have a good chance here, but Penn State (his father's alma mater) and Southern Cal (an alleged silent verbal) will also be in the running until the end.
[sup]^[/sup]5. Raymond Henderson (Oak Creek, WI; 6'5", 250, 4.66): OSU in top 8 (Arkansas, LSU, Miami, Nebraska, Notre Dame, Oklahoma, Tennessee). Henderson hails from the same school as DE Rhyan Anderson, who looked at OSU last year, and OLB Travis Beckum, who is considering OSU this year. Last season, Raymond had 104 tackles and 19 sacks; his production and measurables have earned him Rivals' #2 ranking in the state of Wisconsin (behind his teammate Beckum). He would like to attend the same school as Beckum.
[sup]^[/sup]6. James McGillicuddy (Worcester, MA, St. John's; 6'4", 289, 5.07 forty, 4.60 shuttle, 29 bench reps @ 185): OSU is in the mix. According to Rivals, McGillicuddy is the #1 player in the state of Massachusetts, the #9 DT prospect nationally, and the #84 high school player overall in the country. Despite the high rankings, he has only three reported offers to this point (Duke, Boston College, and Syracuse). As a junior, James racked up 80 tackles, 12 TFL's, and 6 sacks. He is also a state wrestling champ.
[sup]x[/sup]7. Richard Gordon (Miami, FL, Norland; 6'4", 242, 4.63): OSU in top 5 (Alabama, Nebraska, Florida State, N.C. State). Even though Gordon is listed as one of the top tight end recruits nationally, he played mostly at DE last season, and that is where the Bucks are recruiting him. He has offers from all of his top schools, and appears to be a Seminole lean. Richard is not yet qualified academically. Update 8/14: Richard has dropped Ohio State from his top 5.
8. Lawrence Wilson (Akron SVSM; 6'6", 225, 4.6): Has interest in OSU, but has been close to the vest when it comes to naming favorites. Wilson attended OSU's summer camp, and performed well enough to earn an offer from the Bucks. One would think that Ohio State would be high on his list, but Lawrence hasn't said one way or the other. Update 8/14: At the beginning of August, it seemed that Lawrence was prepared to commit to Notre Dame, which was willing to let him pursue both football and basketball at the college level; at that time, it appeared that Ohio State was unwilling to grant him that opportunity, but new hoops coach Thad Matta has now supposedly given his blessing. That recent development has pulled the Bucks even with the Domers. Pitt is also in the mix.
9. Antwon Hight (Canton McKinley; 6'4", 270, 4.95): Favors OSU. Hight is quick enough to play DE, and has the size to play 3-technique tackle. Unfortunately, Antwon is not yet academically qualified (and some say that he has major work to do in that department). Antwon would probably be a top-7 prospect in Ohio (and a Buckeye commitment) if his grades were in order; as it stands, he is possibly destined for a year of post-grad work. Let's hope that he's not another Chuck Jones. Update 8/14: Nothing new to report; grades are still the only thing keeping Antwon from the Buckeye offer which he covets. Hight is the "X factor" in this class - if he can qualify academically, then he is easily a Top 5 player in Ohio, and a Top 100 player nationally.
10. Curtis Smith (Cleveland Glenville; 6'2", 235, 4.6 forty, 4.21 shuttle): Favors OSU. Smith is another great Glenville athlete who is likely destined for Ohio State – that is, if he can get his grades in order. Curtis is apparently a borderline qualifier at the present time, and any offer will have to wait until his academic issues are set straight. Update 8/14: Nothing new to report.
Linebackers
1. Brian Cushing (Oradell, NJ, Bergen Catholic; 6'4", 221, 4.49 forty, 3.82 shuttle, 38 bench reps): OSU in top 8 (Virginia, Miami, Boston College, Southern Cal, Oklahoma, Penn State, Florida State). Cushing is an unbelievable athlete and one of the top LB prospects in the country, although he has speed and agility enough to play safety. Had outstanding stats as a junior (120 tackles, 10 sacks, 7 INT's). Although OSU is still in the picture, the smart money is on UVa (which is putting together a great recruiting class). Update 8/14: Virginia and Southern Cal lead; Ohio State is fading from the picture.
2. Anthony Felder (Seattle, WA, O'Dea; 6'3", 225, 4.55): Has interest in OSU. Felder is a top LB prospect who has a ton of offers from across the country. Anthony had 146 tackles, 9 TFL's, and 5 sacks last season. He has been very quiet about discussing his leaders, but Ohio State is apparently still in the mix. Distance from home doesn't seem to be any factor. Update 8/14: Nothing new to report, as Anthony is playing it close to the vest.
[sup]^[/sup]3. Travis Beckum (Oak Creek, WI; 6'5", 220, 4.5): OSU in top 4 (Miami, FSU, Tennessee). Beckum is the teammate of current Buckeye recruit DE Raymond Henderson, and former Buckeye recruit DE Rhyan Anderson (who signed with Miami in 2004). Travis is Rivals' #67 player in the country overall, the #7 OLB prospect, and the #1 player in the state of Wisconsin. Beckum had 98 tackles and 8 interceptions last season. Beckum and Henderson are exploring the possibility of attending the same college.
4. Andre Mathis (Erie, PA, Cathedral Prep; 6'1", 224, 4.69): OSU in top 2 (Tennessee). Mathis is another top LB prospect nationally, and the number four player in the state of Pennsylvania according to The Insiders. Andre had originally favored Michigan, but our friends up north haven't offered, and the Bucks (who have offered) have passed them by. Penn State is also in the running. Update 8/14: Andre will make official visits to Ohio State, Penn State, and Tennessee. The Bucks are still solid in Mathis's top 3, and could be the slight leaders at this point.
5. Rico McCoy (Washington, DC; 6'2", 210, 4.52): OSU in top 7 (Michigan, Miami, Pitt, Maryland, Nebraska, Syracuse). McCoy is a somewhat undersized, but tremendously hard-hitting LB prospect who has offers from all of his favorite schools. Ohio State has been on his list for a while, and the Bucks seem to have as good a chance as any. Update 8/14: Ohio State and Miami are currently tied at the top of Rico's list; Syracuse (where his older brother plays football) is also in the mix.
[sup]x[/sup]6. Neefy Moffett (Palm Bay, FL; 6'1', 215, 4.5): OSU in top 5 (Miami, Florida State, LSU, Southern Cal). Moffett has played DE in high school, but projects as an OLB in college. Over the past two seasons, he has amassed 185 tackles and 43 sacks. Although the Bucks are on his short list, they are probably at or near the bottom. Update 8/14: Moffett favors Miami, and would likely commit there if offered. Ohio State is now a long shot at best.
7. Brandon Long (Canton Glen Oak; 6'2", 219, 4.56): Favors OSU. Long is a teammate of Ohio State commitment Brian Hartline. Brandon doesn't have an OSU offer at the present time, but he has been told by the staff that he could earn one during the season; his chances will improve if and when the nationally-recruited players listed above commit elsewhere. As it stands, he is probably the top linebacker in Ohio; he is also a fine tight end prospect, and could get a look there as well. Update 8/14: Nothing new to report; Brandon's chances for an offer seem contingent upon OSU's success with the national studs (Mathis, McCoy, Beckum, Felder, and Cushing).
[sup]x[/sup]8. B.J. Travers (Westlake; 6'0", 228, 4.87): Has some interest in OSU. Travers doesn't fit the "numbers" profile of an Ohio State middle linebacker, and for that reason he will probably not get an offer from the Bucks. However, this kid is a player, as evidenced by his recording an amazing 194 tackles, 15 TFL's, and 3 sacks last year. He is also very strong, being able to do 32 bench reps, 450 bench max, and 600 squat max; in track, he can toss the discuss over 160 feet. B.J. has an offer from Iowa, and may join his friend Trey Stross (WR, Avon Lake) in Hawkeye country. Update 8/14: As expected, Travers committed to Iowa.
Defensive Backs
1. Justin King (Pittsburgh Gateway; 6'0", 180, 4.3 forty, 3.72 shuttle): OSU in top 4 (Michigan, Penn State, Florida). King may be the quickest, fastest recruit in the country this year, and he is certainly one of the top two CB prospects (along with Buckeye commitment Jamario O'Neal). Justin also rushed for 1,763 yards and 31 TD's as a junior, and Ohio State is recruiting him as a running back as well. His high school coach played at Penn State, and Justin favors Michigan; OSU appears to be third at the moment, but don't count out "Cornerback U" just yet. Update 8/14: OSU is still in the mix, but Michigan, Penn State, and Florida comprise Justin's stop 3.
2. Adam Myers-White (Hamilton; 6'4", 190, 4.5): OSU leads (?). One of the top safety prospects in the country, Myers-White was thought to be a heavy Buckeye lean; however, recent rumblings indicate that Michigan will be a player, and USC is making some noise as well. Adam may take some visits before deciding. Update 8/14: All signs indicate that OSU leads, but we've been in that situation before.... It won't be official until they paint the end zones.
3. Shawn Oatis (Chino, CA; 6'0", 205, 4.6): OSU in top 2 (Notre Dame). Oatis is another top safety prospect, and the number 40 player in the west region, according to The Insiders. Shawn has liked Notre Dame and Ohio State since he was young, and those two schools seem to be the ones to beat. Oatis is also an excellent running back prospect. Update 8/14: Shawn is scheduled to make an official visit to Ohio State on October 22nd for the Indiana game. OSU and Notre Dame (official visit set for October 8th) still appear to be the leaders, although the two Arizona schools are making a push for Oatis's services.
[sup]^[/sup]4. Sean Smalls (Richmond, VA; 6'0", 183, 4.52 forty, 3.87 shuttle). OSU leads over Penn State, Maryland, and UCLA. Despite the fact that Ohio State already has two corners in this class (Jamario O'Neal and Malcolm Jenkins), Smalls apparently has an offer and is still interested in becoming a Buckeye. A decision could come soon.
[sup]x[/sup]5. Ray Herring (Melbourne, FL; 5'10", 187, 4.5): Is considering OSU. Herring is an undersized safety who has a nose for the football (an eye-popping 149 tackles, 4 sacks, 7 interceptions, 4 fumble recoveries last season). Ohio State is down on his list, but may get a visit. Update 8/14: Herring has dropped Ohio State from his top 5.
6. Kendall Davis (Alliance; 6'0", 185, 4.4): Favors the Buckeyes. Outside of Jamario O'Neal, Davis is the best CB prospect in Ohio; his size pushes him slightly past Notre Dame commitment Brandon Harrison (5'8") in my opinion. Davis is a true speed merchant, having run a 10.87 100m and 21.76 200m in the Division II state final track meet, where he won both events. Davis has some academic issues, or he'd probably already be a Buckeye by now; he is supposedly making some progress in the class room, and could qualify. Update 8/14: If Sean Smalls commits to the Buckeyes, then Kendall's chances for an OSU offer evaporate.
Athletes
1. Alex Daniels (Columbus Brookhaven; 6'2", 219, 4.59): OSU in top 2 (Oklahoma). Daniels can play running back, safety, or linebacker, but he will likely end up on defense. Alex prefers safety, but most schools consider him to be a linebacker, or maybe even a "rush" defensive end. Ohio State is probably the leader, but Oklahoma is right behind. Update 8/14: Oklahoma may have pulled slightly ahead with Daniels, who is friends with Sooner hoopsters Drew Lavender and Brandon Foust. Supposedly, Alex's mother wants him to leave home because it would be too easy for him to get into trouble in Columbus. Go figure....
2. Eric Sledge (Apopka, FL; 6'2", 180, 4.59): OSU in top 2 (Florida). Like Devon Lyons from last year's class, Sledge is a safety / wide receiver prospect. Eric prefers to play offense, and most schools are looking at him on that side of the ball. Another tough call, but OSU might have an ever-so-slight edge over the in-state school (his favorite team growing up). Update 8/14: Eric seems to be favoring the in-state schools at this point, especially UF; if he decides to leave the state, look for him to land at OSU.
3. Carlton Jackson (Pompano Beach, FL, Ely; 6'3", 190, 4.5): OSU leads over N.C. State. Jackson camped at OSU, and apparently fell in love with the place. He plays quarterback in high school, but would likely move to some other position (possibly wide receiver) in college. Carlton is a teammate of OL prospect Ronnie Wilson, and I would not be surprised to see both of them in scarlet and gray. Like Wilson, he plans on graduating from high school in December. Update 8/14: Like his teammate Taz Wilson, CJ will make an official visit to Ohio State for The Game.
4. Fred Lenix (Cleveland Glenville; 5'11, 195, 4.4): Favors OSU. Yet another in the long line of Glenville speedsters, Lenix projects as a linebacker or safety in college; however, he is also a talented running back, and may get a look on offense. Everyone assumes that a Buckeye offer is coming soon, and a Lenix commitment coming soon after. Update 8/14: Still waiting for that supposedly inevitable offer....
[sup]x[/sup]5. Dennis Underwood (Louisville, OH, St. Thomas Aquinas 6'0", 183, 4.47): OSU in top 3 (Michigan, Penn State). Underwood projects as a safety or running back in college, although he prefers to play on offense. Due to his age, he may be ineligible to play high school football this fall, and thus his status as a recruit is unsettled at the present time. Update 8/14: Dennis was recently ruled ineligible for the 2004 high school season, and that (along with academic concerns) most likely nixes any chance of his obtaining an OSU offer.
6. Tim Conner (Cleveland Glenville; 5'10, 179, 4.72): Favors OSU (?). Despite being somewhat diminutive, Conner is a strong runner with a bullish style and tackle-breaking ability; however, due to his size, most are projecting him as a defensive back in college. Two years ago, Conner earned the MVP award for sophomore running backs at the National Combine. Tim has several MAC offers, as well as one from Pitt. Considering the OSU-Glenville connection, Conner should get a look from the Buckeyes. Update 8/14: Another Tarblooder waiting for an OSU offer.
7. Jayson White (Erie, PA, McDowell; 6'2", 215, 4.5): Has interest in OSU. White hails from the same school as new Buckeye Kyle Mitchum, who signed with Ohio State as part of the 2004 recruiting class. Although Jayson is listed as a safety prospect, he also plays fullback in high school; last season, he rushed for approximately 1,000 yards and scored 18 times. Update 8/14: Jayson recently received an offer from North Carolina.
To follow is my initial (and somewhat optimistic) projection for the Class of 2005, (commitments in bold; second choices in parentheses; strikethrough for inaccurate predictions; italics for new players), as modified by recent commitments:
QB: [strike]Mark Sanchez[/strike] [strike](Jason Forcier)[/strike] Rob Schoenhoft
RB: Maurice Wells
RB: Javon Ringer
[strike]FB: Matt Clapp[/strike] CB Malcolm Jenkins
WR: Brian Hartline
WR: Andre Amos (Greg Orton)
ATH: Eric Sledge (Brian Robiskie)
ATH: Carlton Jackson
OL: Alex Boone
OL: Jim Cordle
OL: Kevin Bemoll
OL: Ronnie Wilson
DT: Todd Denlinger
DE: Ryan Williams
DE: Lawrence Wilson (Antwon Hight)
DE: Doug Worthington (Curtis Smith)
LB: Andre Mathis (Brandon Long)
ATH: Alex Daniels (Rico McCoy)
ATH: Fred Lenix (Sean Smalls)
S: Adam Myers-White
S: Shawn Oatis (Kendall Davis)
CB: Jamario O'Neal
K: Aaron Pettrey
As things stand, Ohio State has a top 10 recruiting class regardless of who else commits; with the Bucks still being in on several 4- and 5-star players, we could easily see a top 3 class coming to Columbus in 2005. Tressel and Company are clearly bringing in the talent to make NC runs in 2005 and beyond. The future is looking bright for the Buckeye Nation!
I'll be back next month with more news....
Note: Thanks to BuckNutty for the tip on Kazeem Alli.
