The Buckeyes' Top Prospects for 2006 - January 9th Edition
Ohio State has had a very good January so far - first, a big win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, and then an important recruiting weekend which saw the Buckeyes land two huge verbal commitments - Cleveland Glenville DL Robert Rose and Los Angeles Dorsey LB Mark Johnson - plus solidify their position with several other key recruits - Cleveland Glenville WR Raymond Small; Florida DE Walter Dublin; Pennsylvania WR Wesley Lyons; South Carolina FB Aram Olson; Florida RB Kylan Robinson; and New Jersey DL Johnnie Troutman. To counter all of the good news, Ohio State also suffered some recruiting set backs, "losing" Maryland ATH A.J. Wallace to Penn State; California WR David Ausberry to Southern Cal; and New Jersey DE Jason Adjepong to VPI.
Currently, Ohio State has [strike]thirteen[/strike] fourteen verbal commitments: QB Antonio Henton from Peach County Georgia; RB Chris Wells from Akron Garfield; WR Josh Chichester from Lakota West; OT/TE Jake Ballard from Springboro; OL Connor Smith from Cincinnati Colerain; DL Robert Rose from Cleveland Glenville, DT Dexter Larimore from Merrillville Indiana; LB Tyler Moeller from Cincinnati Colerain; LB Ross Homan from Coldwater; LB Mark Johnson from Los Angeles Dorsey; DB Kurt Coleman from Clayton Northmont; DB Grant Schwartz from Dana Hills California; DB Chimdi Chekwa from Clermont Florida; and just this evening, Sarasota Florida DE Walter Dublin announced that he will commit to the Buckeyes!
Quarterbacks
1. Antonio Henton, Fort Valley (Georgia) Peach County (6' 2", 210 lbs, 4.6 forty); committed to Ohio State! Antonio led his team to the Georgia state title. In his two years as a starting quarterback, Antonio amassed over 3,700 yards passing for 48 touchdowns against only 11 interceptions, and also added 900 yards rushing and 9 touchdowns on the ground.
Running Backs
1. Chris "Beanie" Wells, Akron Garfield (6' 1", 228 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Ohio State! For his senior season, Wells gained 2,134 yards rushing (9.56 avg) and 27 touchdowns.
2. Kylan Robinson, Tampa Chamberlain (6' 1", 215 lbs, 4.5 forty); OSU (offered) in top 4 (Miami, Florida, South Carolina, all offered). Update 01/08 - Kylan visited Ohio State this weekend, and enjoyed himself. Miami (visit 1/20) probably still leads, with South Carolina (visit 1/13) also being a strong contender.
3. Aram Olson, Columbia (South Carolina) Irmo (6' 1", 237 lbs, 4.9 forty, 4.25 shuttle; 4.0 GPA); OSU (offered) in top 4 (Auburn, Florida State, Texas A+M, all offered). Update 01/07 - Aram is visiting Ohio State this weekend; he is also scheduled to visit Auburn (1/13), Texas A+M (1/15), and Florida State (1/20) before deciding. Aram is originally from Wisconsin, and his high school coach believes that he wants to play for a northern school. Update 01/08 - Olson enjoyed his visit to Ohio State very much, and he canceled his official visit to Texas A+M. Jim Tressel will make an in-home visit with Aram on January 19th. Aram claims no leader at this point.
Receivers
1. David Ausberry, Lemoore, California (6' 4", 200 lbs, 4.72 forty); OSU (childhood fave, offered) trails Southern Cal (strong leader, offered). On a recent West Coast trip, Coach Tressel made an in-house visit with David, who claims that the Buckeyes are still in his top three (along with Southern Cal and Georgia). On the year, David caught 55 passes for 929 yards and 13 touchdowns; rushed for 489 yards and 13 touchdowns; had 4 interceptions and 2 fumble recoveries from his safety position; returned 17 kickoffs for 557 yards and one touchdown (32.8 avg); and was also his team's punter (40.8 avg). Update 01/07 - As expected, David committed to Southern Cal at the Army All-American game.
2. Raymond Small, Cleveland Glenville (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.4 forty); OSU (offered) leads Southern Cal (offered). Update 01/07 - Still waiting for the official word....
3. Josh Chichester, West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West (6' 8", 210 lbs, 4.7 forty); committed to Ohio State!
4. Wesley Lyons, Pittsburgh Woodland Hills (6' 6", 205 lbs, 4.65 forty); OSU (offered) in top 2 (West Virginia, offered). For the year, Wesley caught 22 passes for 450 yards and 6 touchdowns. Update 01/07 - Ohio State and West Virginia are tied atop the leader board. With Ausberry having committed to Southern Cal, the Buckeyes may now make a stronger push for Lyons.
5. Greg Mathews, Orlando Edgewater (6' 3", 190 lbs, 4.85 forty); Ohio State (offered) trails Michigan (soft verbal). Update 01/07 - Mathews has already committed to Michigan, but he is visiting Ohio State this weekend. Grades are an issue. Update 01/09 - Mathews visited Ohio State, but he remains committed to Michigan.
Offensive Linemen / Tight Ends
1. Connor Smith, Cincinnati Colerain (6' 5", 280 lbs, 5.1 forty); committed to Ohio State!
2. Jacob Ballard, Springboro, Ohio (6' 7", 255 lbs, 4.8 forty); committed to Ohio State!
3. Bryant Browning, Cleveland Glenville (6' 3", 328 lbs, 5.4 forty); OSU (offered) leads. Browning visited Ohio State last weekend, along with fellow Tarblooders Raymond Small and Robert Rose. All three had a great visit, and should eventually commit to the Buckeyes, probably some time shortly after the new year.
4. Andy Miller, Washington (Pennsylvania) Trinity (6' 6", 249 lbs, 4.9 forty); OSU (offered) in top 5 (Pitt, Indiana, West Virginia, all offered; Penn State). Update 01/07 - Miller visits Pitt this weekend. Many feel that Ohio State leads, but Pitt, as the home town school, may be tough to beat.
Defensive Linemen
1. Robert Rose, Cleveland Glenville (6' 5", 238 lbs, 4.6 forty, 4.6 shuttle); OSU (offered) leads. Update 01/07 - Rose decided to follow the Glenville pipeline to Columbus and committed to Ohio State!
2. Dexter Larimore, Merrillville, Indiana (6' 3", 265 lbs, 4.8 forty); committed to Ohio State!
3. Jason Adjepong, Carteret, New Jersey (6' 3", 248 lbs, 4.69 forty); OSU (offered) in top 4 (Michigan, VPI, Rutgers, all offered). Update 01/06 - Jason committed to VPI.
4. Johnnie Troutman, Browns Mills (New Jersey) Pemberton Twp (6' 4", 289, 4.9 forty); OSU (offered) trails Penn State, (offered). Update 01/07 - Troutman is visiting Ohio State this weekend; Penn State leads, but only because Johnny has already taken his official visit to Happy Valley. Update 01/08 - Troutman was really impressed by Ohio State, and states that the Buckeyes are now tied with the Nittany Lions. He may take a couple of more visits and then decide close to Signing Day.
5. Walter Dublin, Sarasota, Florida (6' 3", 235 lbs, 4.58 forty); OSU (offered) in top 3 (Minnesota, Iowa, both offered). Walter's leaders change frequently, but Ohio State has always been near the top of his list. Grades are an issue. Update 01-07 - Dublin is visiting Ohio State this weekend; Minnesota currently leads, but a strong visit to Columbus could change all that. Update 01/08 - After visiting Ohio State this weekend, the Buckeyes are now Dublin's solid leader; Walter still might visit Clemson next weekend (1/13). Coach Tressel will make an in-home visit to Dublin sometime in mid-January. Update 01/09 - Walter has committed to Ohio State!
6. McKenzie Matthews, Syracuse Christian Brothers (6' 3", 235 lbs, 4.8 forty); OSU (offered) in top 4 (Pitt, Michigan, Miami, all offered). Matthews originally favored Ohio State, and apparently came close to committing to the Buckeyes during his official visit to Columbus, but now he is seriously looking at his other favorites. Although we were once fairly confident that McKenzie would sign with the Buckeyes, we now feel that this is a true four-team race, with Ohio State fading. Update 01/09 - With Rose and Larimore already in the fold, and Dublin and Troutman being strong possibilities, Matthews looks like the odd man out.
Linebackers
1. Ross Homan, Coldwater, Ohio (6' 2", 220 lbs, 4.55 forty); committed to Ohio State!
2. A.J. Jones, Tampa Middleton (6' 1", 182 lbs, 4.64 forty); OSU (offered) in top 5 (Florida, Alabama, LSU, USC, all offered). Update 01/07 - Jones is visiting Ohio State this weekend; he is a strong Florida lean (visit 1/20), but Alabama (visit 12/9), Southern Cal (visit 11/4), LSU (visit 1/27) are also in the running. Update 01/08 - Although A.J. had a great visit to Columbus, it is still doubtful that he will head up north - look for him to attend the University of Florida.
3. Mark Johnson, Los Angeles Dorsey (6' 4", 230 lbs, 4.55 forty); OSU (offered) in top 4 (LSU, Oregon, Cal, all offered). Academics are still the stumbling block with Mark, who seems to want to play for the Buckeyes. Update 01/07 - Johnson is visiting Ohio State this weekend. If all goes well on his visit, and his academics are in order, then Mark may very well become a Buckeye; others in the mix are LSU (visit 10/14), Cal (visit 12/9), and Oregon (visit 1/13). Update 01/08 - Early reports indicate that Mark issued a verbal commitment to Ohio State during his visit to Columbus this weekend. Update 01/09 - It's official - Mark committed to Ohio State!
4. Tyler Moeller, Cincinnati Colerain (6' 1", 205, 4.48 forty); committed to Ohio State!
5. Colin McCarthy, Clearwater (Florida) Central Catholic (6' 1", 210 lbs, 4.53 forty, 4.13 shuttle); OSU (offered) in top 4 (Miami, Nebraska, Georgia Tech, all offered). Update 01/07 - McCarthy is scheduled to announce in the near future; many say Ohio State will be his choice, but some others feel that Miami will win out in the end.
6. Thaddeus Gibson, LB, Euclid, Ohio (6' 3", 208 lbs, 4.4 forty); OSU (offered) leads Michigan and Tennessee. Update 01/09 - No one really questions Gibson's atleticism, but his academic house is in disarray. However, Thaddeus is scheduled to visit Ohio State this weekend.
7. Culmer St.-Jean, Naples (Florida) Lely (6' 1", 215 lbs, 10.9 100m); OSU (not offered) in the mix (Indiana, Minnesota (visit 12/2), West Virginia (visit 12/9), Wisconsin (visit 12/16), all offered). Both St.-Jean and his teammate, defensive back Wondy Pierre-Louis (see below), are "sleeper" prospects who were recently "discovered" by the Buckeye staff. An Ohio State coach will be making an in-home visit after the upcoming Fiesta Bowl, and the duo might receive scholarship offers at that time. If the offers are made, expect the two prospects to make an official visit shortly thereafter. Culmer played primarily quarterback and some safety in high school, but has the size to move down to linebacker in college, and that is where we project him. St.-Jean and Pierre-Louis are close friends, both of Haitian descent, and would like to attend the same college.
Defensive Backs
1. A.J. Wallace, Pomfret (Maryland) McDonough (6' 1", 195 lbs, 4.4 forty); OSU (offered) in top 2 (Penn State, offered). Update 01/07 - Although the Buckeyes held an early lead, Wallace verbally committed to Penn State at the Army All-American game.
2. Kurt Coleman, Clayton (Ohio) Northmont (5' 11", 190 lbs, 4.44 forty); committed to Ohio State!
3. Grant Schwartz, Dana Point (California) Dana Hills (6' 0", 201 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Ohio State!
4. Chimdi Chekwa, Clermont (Florida) East Ridge (6' 0", 165 lbs, 4.67 forty); committed to Ohio State!
5. Wondy Pierre-Louis, Naples (Florida) Lely (6' 0", 176 lbs, 37" vertical, 24' long jump, 48' triple jump); OSU (not offered) in the mix (Indiana, Minnesota (visit 12/2), West Virginia (visit 12/9), Wisconsin (visit 12/16), all offered). Pierre-Louis is a teammate of linebacker prospect Culmer St.-Jean (see above). Wondy is a "freak" athlete who began playuing football only four years ago, when he first came to America from Haiti.
6. Aaron Gant, Orchard Lake (Michigan) St. Mary's (6' 0", 200 lbs, 4.5 forty); OSU (offered) in top 3 (Michgan, Washington, both offered). After a break-out senior season for one of the top programs in the state of Michigan, Aaron was recently offered by the Buckeyes. He will visit Ohio State on the weekend of January 13th, after visiting Iowa (December 16th) and Washington (January 6th); Michigan will also get an official visit. Aaron will most likely be a safety in college, although he could also play outside linebacker or running back. Update 01/08 - Aaron still plans to visit Ohio State this weekend.
Committed Elsewhere
Justin Boren, OL, Pickerington (Ohio) North (6' 3", 319 lbs, 5.2 forty); committed to Michigan.
Steve Brown, ATH, Columbus (Indiana) East (6' 1", 200 lbs, 4.39 forty); committed to Michigan.
Cobrani "Cobra" Mixon, LB, Cincinnati Colerain (6' 2", 220 lbs, 4.6 forty); committed to Michigan.
Carlos Brown, RB, Heard County, Georgia (6' 0", 195 lbs, 4.57 forty); committed to Michigan.
Tom McEowen, DL, Feasterville (Pennsylvania) Neshaminy (6' 4", 279 lbs, 5.1 forty); committed to Penn State.
Aaron Maybin, DL, Ellicott City (Maryland) Mt. Hebron (6' 3", 220 lbs, 4.64 forty); committed to Penn State.
Navorro Bowman, Suitland (Maryland) Suitland (6' 0", 218 lbs, 4.7 forty); committed to Penn State.
Bani Gbadyu, Gaithersburg (Maryland) Quince Orchard (6' 1", 205 lbs, 4.52 forty); committed to Penn State.
Isiah "Juice" Williams, Chicago Vocational (6' 1", 210 lbs, 4.77 forty, 4.19 shuttle); committed to Illinois.
Chris James, WR, Chicago Morgan Park (6' 0", 169 lbs, 4.55 forty); committed to Illinois.
Ryan Palmer, Canton Glen Oak (6' 7", 280 lbs, 5.1 forty); committed to Illinois.
Jake Miller, Zoarville (Ohio) Tuscarawas Valley (6' 6", 321 lbs, 5.3 forty); committed to Illinois.
Joe Morgan, Canton McKinley (6' 2", 175 lbs, 4.4 forty); committed to Illinois.
A.J. Edds, Greenwood, Indiana (6' 4", 215 lbs, 4.7 forty); committed to Iowa.
Dominique Douglas, Detroit Murray-Wright (6' 0", 174 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Iowa.
Jovani Chappel, DB, Trotwood (Ohio) Madison (5' 8", 169 lbs, 4.53 forty); committed to Purdue.
Kyle Sheehan, Fairmont, Minnesota (6' 5", 260 lbs, 4.8 forty); committed to Purdue.
Royce Adams, Cleveland Glenville (5' 11", 165 lbs, 4.68 forty); committed to Purdue.
Kevin Green, Jr., LB, North Chicago, Illinois (6' 2", 213 lbs, 4.55 forty); committed to Purdue.
Bill Nagy, Hudson, Ohio (6' 4", 285 lbs, 4.85 forty, 4.5 shuttle); committed to Wisconsin.
Adam Weber, QB, Shoreview (Minnesota) Mounds View (6' 3", 205 lbs, 4.65 forty); committed to Minnesota.
Tommy Becker, Plymouth (Minnesota) Wayzata (6' 2", 230 lbs, 4.77 forty); committed to Minnesota.
Raeshon McNeil, DB, Mocksville (North Carolina) Davie County (6' 0", 175 lbs, 4.40 forty); committed to Notre Dame.
Demetrius Jones, Chicago Morgan Park (6' 3", 192 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Notre Dame.
Darrin Walls, Pittsburgh Woodland Hills (6' 1", 175 lbs, 4.4 forty); committed to Notre Dame.
Konrad Reuland, Mission Viejo, California (6' 6", 235 lbs, 4.75 forty); committed to Notre Dame.
Nate Byham, TE, Franklin, Pennsylvania (6' 4", 220 lbs, 4.65 forty); committed to Pitt.
Dorin Dickerson, ATH, Imperial (Pennsylvania) West Allegheny (6' 3", 205 lbs, 4.51 forty); committed to Pitt.
Jason Pinkston, DL, Pittsburgh Baldwin (6' 5", 273 lbs, 4.9 forty); committed to Pitt.
Greg Webster, LB, Pittsburgh Woodland Hills (6' 2", 225 lbs, 4.7 forty); committed to Pitt.
Joe Thomas, Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edwards (6' 5", 310 lbs, 5.1 forty); committed to Pitt.
Ricky Gary, Pahokee, Florida (5' 8", 165, 4.4 forty); committed to Pitt.
Chris Fox, Westwood (Massachusetts) Xaverian Brothers (5' 11", 191 lbs, 4.47 forty); committed to Boston College.
Steven Wesley, Bartow, Florida (6' 2", 235 lbs, 4.8 forty); committed to Miami.
Ryan Hill, Tallahassee Rickards (6' 0", 178 lbs, 4.53 forty); committed to Miami.
Terron Sanders, DL, Bradenton (Florida) Southeast (6' 2", 298 lbs, 5.1 forty); committed to Florida.
Jamar Hornsby, Jacksonville Sandalwood (6' 4", 195 lbs, 4.45 forty); committed to Florida.
Bryan Thomas, Zephyrhills, Florida (6' 0", 186 lbs, 4.39 forty); committed to Florida.
Tim Tebow, QB, Jacksonville (Florida) Nease (6' 3", 225 lbs, 4.6 forty); committed to Florida.
Damon McDaniel, WR, Virginia Beach Landstown (6' 0", 192 lbs, 4.51 forty); committed to Florida.
Brandon Warren, ATH, Alcoa, Tennessee (6' 3", 230 lbs, 4.6 forty); committed to Florida State.
D'Vontrey Richardson, ATH, Leesburg (Georgia) Lee County (6' 1", 205, 4.45); committed to Florida State.
Akeem Hebron, Damascus (Maryland) Good Counsel (6' 2", 193 lbs, 4.45 forty); committed to Georgia.
Asher Allen, Tucker, Georgia (5' 10", 187 lbs, 4.39 forty); committed to Georgia.
Chris Slaughter, Fort Valley (Georgia) Peach County (6' 3", 170 lbs, 4.55 forty); committed to Auburn.
Lee Tilley, OL, Springfield (Ohio) South (6' 7", 300 lbs, 5.0 forty); committed to Auburn.
Markeith Summers, WR, Olive Branch, Mississippi (6' 4", 190 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Ole Miss.
Antwine Perez, Camden (New Jersey) Woodrow Wilson (6' 2", 197 lbs, 4.53 forty); committed to Southern Cal.
Vidal Hazelton, WR, Staten Island (New York) Moore Catholic (6' 3", 192 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Southern Cal.
Chane Moline, FB, Mission Viejo, California (6' 1", 235 lbs, 4.7 forty); committed to UCLA.
Troy Pascley, WR, Alliance (6' 2", 180 lbs, 4.39 forty); committed to Louisville.
Micah Johnson, DL, Ft. Campbell (Kentucky) West Potomac (6' 2", 267, 4.7 forty); committed to Kentucky.
Jamil Paris, Vero Beach (Florida) Sebastian River (6' 5", 213 lbs, 4.54 forty); committed to Kentucky.
Michael Hartline, QB, Canton Glen Oak (6' 5", 175 lbs, 4.8 forty); committed to Kentucky.
Joe Torchia, North Arlington (New Jersey) Queen of Peace (6' 3", 231 lbs, 4.8 forty); committed to Virginia.
Keith Payne, RB, Vienna (Virginia) Oakton (6' 2", 220, 4.4 forty); committed to Virginia.
Clark Crum, OL, Dublin Scioto (6' 7", 255 lbs, 5.15 forty); committed to Virginia Tech.
Aaron Brown, Cincinnati Princeton (6' 6", 270 lbs, 5.1 forty); committed to Virginia Tech.
Robert Williams, DB, Cincinnati Withrow (5' 11", 179 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to West Virginia.
Brian Whitmore, Chesapeake (Virginia) Oscar F. Smith (6' 3", 240 lbs, 4.65 forty); committed to Maryland.
Drew Gloster, DL, Damascus (Maryland) Good Counsel (6' 4", 215 lbs, 4.57 forty); committed to Maryland.
Terence Jeffers, Lilburn (Georgia) Berkmar (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.48 forty); committed to UConn.
Kris Luchsinger, Columbus Bishop Watterson (6' 4", 225 lbs, 4.6 forty); committed to Ohio.
Darius Smith, DL, Euclid, Ohio (6' 3", 195 lbs, 4.6 forty); committed to Bowling Green.
Jahmal Brown, Cleveland Benedictine (5' 10", 190 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Bowling Green.
Peris Edwards, Toledo Rogers (6' 1", 175 lbs, 4.43 forty); committed to Miami of Ohio.
Bob Gulley, Berea, Ohio (6' 4", 274 lbs, 5.2 forty); committed to Miami of Ohio.
Martin Channels, Huber Heights Wayne (6' 1", 300 lbs, 5.15 forty); committed to Miami of Ohio.
Jacob Ramsey, Columbus Independence (6' 0", 205, 4.5 forty); committed to Cincinnati.
Chris Meenan, Wooster, Ohio (6' 8", 315 lbs); committed to Toledo.
Levi George, OL, Warren Harding (6' 1", 290 lbs, 5.0 forty); committed to Toledo.
Taylor Price, ATH, Hilliard Darby (6' 2", 195 lbs, 4.25 forty); committed to Akron.
Sean Hakes, QB, Fort Worth Nolan Catholic (6' 4", 195 lbs, 4.7 forty); committed to Akron.
Looking Elsewhere
Arvell Nelson, QB, Cleveland Glenville (6' 5", 180 lbs, 4.75 forty); Iowa, Tennessee.
Nate Davis, QB, Bellaire (6' 3", 215 lbs, 4.85 forty); Toledo, Cincinnati, Ball State.
Josh Adams, RB, Cary, North Carolina (5' 11", 171 lbs, 4.58 forty); NC State, Wake Forest, Maryland.
Norman Whitley, RB, Rockingham (North Carolina) Richmond County (5' 8", 176 lbs, 4.46 forty; East Carolina leads.
Xylon Purkiss, FB, Ravenna, Ohio (5' 10", 255 lbs, 4.85 forty); no offers.
Devven Sutton, FB, Elizabeth City (North Carolina) Northeastern (6' 0", 239 lbs, 4.60 forty, 4.20 shuttle); Virginia Tech leads.
Andrey Baskin, WR, Camden (New Jersey) Woodrow Wilson (6' 4", 192 lbs, 4.45 forty); Syracuse leads.
Crawford Kilpatrick, WR, Suwanee (Georgia) North Gwinnett (6' 5", 197, 4.52 forty); Duke only offer.
Jeff Cumberland, WR, Columbus Brookhaven (6' 6", 220 lbs, 4.55 forty); possible JUCO.
Ray Fisher, WR, Cleveland Glenville (5' 10", 170 lbs, 4.4 forty); Indiana, Illinois, Maryland.
J.B. Walton, OL, Indian Head (Maryland) Lackey (6' 3", 270 lbs, 5.1 forty); Nebraska, Penn State.
Mark Jackson, OL, Columbus Brookhaven (6' 6", 300 lbs, 5.4 forty); Minnesota, Michigan State.
Chris Hanna, OL, Pittsburgh Gateway (6' 4", 292 lbs, 5.0 forty); Illinois; Rutgers, Kent State.
Phillip Taylor, DL, Clinton (Maryland) Gwynn Park (6' 3", 346 lbs, 5.1 forty); Maryland, Penn State, VPI, Florida, Tennessee.
Alex Dekle, DL, Statesboro, Georgia (6' 2", 273 lbs, 4.82 forty); possible JUCO.
Lamar Mapp, DL, Springfield (Ohio) South (6' 3", 234 lbs, 4.65 forty); Akron, Cincinnati, Ohio, Toledo.
Jeremiha Hunter, LB, Manheim (Pennsylvania) Central (6' 2", 210 lbs, 4.5 forty); UConn; Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Penn State, Iowa.
Marcus Ball, DB, Stone Mountain (Georgia) Stephenson (6' 0", 200 lbs, 4.49 forty); Florida, Florida State, Miami, VPI.
Reshad Jones, DB, Atlanta Booker T. Washington (6' 2", 177 lbs, 4.5 forty); Miami, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan.
Mister Alexander, DB, Aldine (Texas) Eisenhower (6' 3", 200 lbs); waiting on Florida State.
Cody Blevins, DB, Miamisburg, Ohio (6' 2", 200 lbs, 4.6 forty); no offers.
Chris Duvalt, DB, Lakeland (Florida) Lake Gibson (5' 10", 159 lbs, 4.38 forty); South Florida leads.
Marcus Udell, DB, Tallahassee Godby (5' 11", 178, 4.5 forty, 4.03 shuttle); Florida, Georgia, Alabama.
Ashton Henderson, DB, Tallahassee Lincoln (6' 0", 180 lbs, 4.43 forty); Ole Miss, UCLA.
Aaron Berry, ATH, Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt (5' 11", 157 lbs, 4.49 forty, 4.18 shuttle); Pitt, Michigan State, Minnesota.
Elijah "Scoot" Fields, ATH, Duquesne, Pennsylvania (6' 1", 198 lbs, 4.55 forty); Pitt, West Virginia, Penn State.
Devin Parrish, ATH, Miramar (Florida) Parkway Academy (6' 0", 155 lbs, 4.46 forty); waiting for offers.
Ohio State has had a very good January so far - first, a big win over Notre Dame in the Fiesta Bowl, and then an important recruiting weekend which saw the Buckeyes land two huge verbal commitments - Cleveland Glenville DL Robert Rose and Los Angeles Dorsey LB Mark Johnson - plus solidify their position with several other key recruits - Cleveland Glenville WR Raymond Small; Florida DE Walter Dublin; Pennsylvania WR Wesley Lyons; South Carolina FB Aram Olson; Florida RB Kylan Robinson; and New Jersey DL Johnnie Troutman. To counter all of the good news, Ohio State also suffered some recruiting set backs, "losing" Maryland ATH A.J. Wallace to Penn State; California WR David Ausberry to Southern Cal; and New Jersey DE Jason Adjepong to VPI.
Currently, Ohio State has [strike]thirteen[/strike] fourteen verbal commitments: QB Antonio Henton from Peach County Georgia; RB Chris Wells from Akron Garfield; WR Josh Chichester from Lakota West; OT/TE Jake Ballard from Springboro; OL Connor Smith from Cincinnati Colerain; DL Robert Rose from Cleveland Glenville, DT Dexter Larimore from Merrillville Indiana; LB Tyler Moeller from Cincinnati Colerain; LB Ross Homan from Coldwater; LB Mark Johnson from Los Angeles Dorsey; DB Kurt Coleman from Clayton Northmont; DB Grant Schwartz from Dana Hills California; DB Chimdi Chekwa from Clermont Florida; and just this evening, Sarasota Florida DE Walter Dublin announced that he will commit to the Buckeyes!
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
2. Kylan Robinson, Tampa Chamberlain (6' 1", 215 lbs, 4.5 forty); OSU (offered) in top 4 (Miami, Florida, South Carolina, all offered). Update 01/08 - Kylan visited Ohio State this weekend, and enjoyed himself. Miami (visit 1/20) probably still leads, with South Carolina (visit 1/13) also being a strong contender.
3. Aram Olson, Columbia (South Carolina) Irmo (6' 1", 237 lbs, 4.9 forty, 4.25 shuttle; 4.0 GPA); OSU (offered) in top 4 (Auburn, Florida State, Texas A+M, all offered). Update 01/07 - Aram is visiting Ohio State this weekend; he is also scheduled to visit Auburn (1/13), Texas A+M (1/15), and Florida State (1/20) before deciding. Aram is originally from Wisconsin, and his high school coach believes that he wants to play for a northern school. Update 01/08 - Olson enjoyed his visit to Ohio State very much, and he canceled his official visit to Texas A+M. Jim Tressel will make an in-home visit with Aram on January 19th. Aram claims no leader at this point.
Receivers
2. Raymond Small, Cleveland Glenville (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.4 forty); OSU (offered) leads Southern Cal (offered). Update 01/07 - Still waiting for the official word....
4. Wesley Lyons, Pittsburgh Woodland Hills (6' 6", 205 lbs, 4.65 forty); OSU (offered) in top 2 (West Virginia, offered). For the year, Wesley caught 22 passes for 450 yards and 6 touchdowns. Update 01/07 - Ohio State and West Virginia are tied atop the leader board. With Ausberry having committed to Southern Cal, the Buckeyes may now make a stronger push for Lyons.
Offensive Linemen / Tight Ends
3. Bryant Browning, Cleveland Glenville (6' 3", 328 lbs, 5.4 forty); OSU (offered) leads. Browning visited Ohio State last weekend, along with fellow Tarblooders Raymond Small and Robert Rose. All three had a great visit, and should eventually commit to the Buckeyes, probably some time shortly after the new year.
4. Andy Miller, Washington (Pennsylvania) Trinity (6' 6", 249 lbs, 4.9 forty); OSU (offered) in top 5 (Pitt, Indiana, West Virginia, all offered; Penn State). Update 01/07 - Miller visits Pitt this weekend. Many feel that Ohio State leads, but Pitt, as the home town school, may be tough to beat.
Defensive Linemen
4. Johnnie Troutman, Browns Mills (New Jersey) Pemberton Twp (6' 4", 289, 4.9 forty); OSU (offered) trails Penn State, (offered). Update 01/07 - Troutman is visiting Ohio State this weekend; Penn State leads, but only because Johnny has already taken his official visit to Happy Valley. Update 01/08 - Troutman was really impressed by Ohio State, and states that the Buckeyes are now tied with the Nittany Lions. He may take a couple of more visits and then decide close to Signing Day.
6. McKenzie Matthews, Syracuse Christian Brothers (6' 3", 235 lbs, 4.8 forty); OSU (offered) in top 4 (Pitt, Michigan, Miami, all offered). Matthews originally favored Ohio State, and apparently came close to committing to the Buckeyes during his official visit to Columbus, but now he is seriously looking at his other favorites. Although we were once fairly confident that McKenzie would sign with the Buckeyes, we now feel that this is a true four-team race, with Ohio State fading. Update 01/09 - With Rose and Larimore already in the fold, and Dublin and Troutman being strong possibilities, Matthews looks like the odd man out.
Linebackers
2. A.J. Jones, Tampa Middleton (6' 1", 182 lbs, 4.64 forty); OSU (offered) in top 5 (Florida, Alabama, LSU, USC, all offered). Update 01/07 - Jones is visiting Ohio State this weekend; he is a strong Florida lean (visit 1/20), but Alabama (visit 12/9), Southern Cal (visit 11/4), LSU (visit 1/27) are also in the running. Update 01/08 - Although A.J. had a great visit to Columbus, it is still doubtful that he will head up north - look for him to attend the University of Florida.
5. Colin McCarthy, Clearwater (Florida) Central Catholic (6' 1", 210 lbs, 4.53 forty, 4.13 shuttle); OSU (offered) in top 4 (Miami, Nebraska, Georgia Tech, all offered). Update 01/07 - McCarthy is scheduled to announce in the near future; many say Ohio State will be his choice, but some others feel that Miami will win out in the end.
6. Thaddeus Gibson, LB, Euclid, Ohio (6' 3", 208 lbs, 4.4 forty); OSU (offered) leads Michigan and Tennessee. Update 01/09 - No one really questions Gibson's atleticism, but his academic house is in disarray. However, Thaddeus is scheduled to visit Ohio State this weekend.
7. Culmer St.-Jean, Naples (Florida) Lely (6' 1", 215 lbs, 10.9 100m); OSU (not offered) in the mix (Indiana, Minnesota (visit 12/2), West Virginia (visit 12/9), Wisconsin (visit 12/16), all offered). Both St.-Jean and his teammate, defensive back Wondy Pierre-Louis (see below), are "sleeper" prospects who were recently "discovered" by the Buckeye staff. An Ohio State coach will be making an in-home visit after the upcoming Fiesta Bowl, and the duo might receive scholarship offers at that time. If the offers are made, expect the two prospects to make an official visit shortly thereafter. Culmer played primarily quarterback and some safety in high school, but has the size to move down to linebacker in college, and that is where we project him. St.-Jean and Pierre-Louis are close friends, both of Haitian descent, and would like to attend the same college.
Defensive Backs
5. Wondy Pierre-Louis, Naples (Florida) Lely (6' 0", 176 lbs, 37" vertical, 24' long jump, 48' triple jump); OSU (not offered) in the mix (Indiana, Minnesota (visit 12/2), West Virginia (visit 12/9), Wisconsin (visit 12/16), all offered). Pierre-Louis is a teammate of linebacker prospect Culmer St.-Jean (see above). Wondy is a "freak" athlete who began playuing football only four years ago, when he first came to America from Haiti.
6. Aaron Gant, Orchard Lake (Michigan) St. Mary's (6' 0", 200 lbs, 4.5 forty); OSU (offered) in top 3 (Michgan, Washington, both offered). After a break-out senior season for one of the top programs in the state of Michigan, Aaron was recently offered by the Buckeyes. He will visit Ohio State on the weekend of January 13th, after visiting Iowa (December 16th) and Washington (January 6th); Michigan will also get an official visit. Aaron will most likely be a safety in college, although he could also play outside linebacker or running back. Update 01/08 - Aaron still plans to visit Ohio State this weekend.
Committed Elsewhere
Looking Elsewhere
Arvell Nelson, QB, Cleveland Glenville (6' 5", 180 lbs, 4.75 forty); Iowa, Tennessee.
Nate Davis, QB, Bellaire (6' 3", 215 lbs, 4.85 forty); Toledo, Cincinnati, Ball State.
Josh Adams, RB, Cary, North Carolina (5' 11", 171 lbs, 4.58 forty); NC State, Wake Forest, Maryland.
Norman Whitley, RB, Rockingham (North Carolina) Richmond County (5' 8", 176 lbs, 4.46 forty; East Carolina leads.
Xylon Purkiss, FB, Ravenna, Ohio (5' 10", 255 lbs, 4.85 forty); no offers.
Devven Sutton, FB, Elizabeth City (North Carolina) Northeastern (6' 0", 239 lbs, 4.60 forty, 4.20 shuttle); Virginia Tech leads.
Andrey Baskin, WR, Camden (New Jersey) Woodrow Wilson (6' 4", 192 lbs, 4.45 forty); Syracuse leads.
Crawford Kilpatrick, WR, Suwanee (Georgia) North Gwinnett (6' 5", 197, 4.52 forty); Duke only offer.
Jeff Cumberland, WR, Columbus Brookhaven (6' 6", 220 lbs, 4.55 forty); possible JUCO.
Ray Fisher, WR, Cleveland Glenville (5' 10", 170 lbs, 4.4 forty); Indiana, Illinois, Maryland.
J.B. Walton, OL, Indian Head (Maryland) Lackey (6' 3", 270 lbs, 5.1 forty); Nebraska, Penn State.
Mark Jackson, OL, Columbus Brookhaven (6' 6", 300 lbs, 5.4 forty); Minnesota, Michigan State.
Chris Hanna, OL, Pittsburgh Gateway (6' 4", 292 lbs, 5.0 forty); Illinois; Rutgers, Kent State.
Phillip Taylor, DL, Clinton (Maryland) Gwynn Park (6' 3", 346 lbs, 5.1 forty); Maryland, Penn State, VPI, Florida, Tennessee.
Alex Dekle, DL, Statesboro, Georgia (6' 2", 273 lbs, 4.82 forty); possible JUCO.
Lamar Mapp, DL, Springfield (Ohio) South (6' 3", 234 lbs, 4.65 forty); Akron, Cincinnati, Ohio, Toledo.
Jeremiha Hunter, LB, Manheim (Pennsylvania) Central (6' 2", 210 lbs, 4.5 forty); UConn; Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Penn State, Iowa.
Marcus Ball, DB, Stone Mountain (Georgia) Stephenson (6' 0", 200 lbs, 4.49 forty); Florida, Florida State, Miami, VPI.
Reshad Jones, DB, Atlanta Booker T. Washington (6' 2", 177 lbs, 4.5 forty); Miami, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan.
Mister Alexander, DB, Aldine (Texas) Eisenhower (6' 3", 200 lbs); waiting on Florida State.
Cody Blevins, DB, Miamisburg, Ohio (6' 2", 200 lbs, 4.6 forty); no offers.
Chris Duvalt, DB, Lakeland (Florida) Lake Gibson (5' 10", 159 lbs, 4.38 forty); South Florida leads.
Marcus Udell, DB, Tallahassee Godby (5' 11", 178, 4.5 forty, 4.03 shuttle); Florida, Georgia, Alabama.
Ashton Henderson, DB, Tallahassee Lincoln (6' 0", 180 lbs, 4.43 forty); Ole Miss, UCLA.
Aaron Berry, ATH, Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt (5' 11", 157 lbs, 4.49 forty, 4.18 shuttle); Pitt, Michigan State, Minnesota.
Elijah "Scoot" Fields, ATH, Duquesne, Pennsylvania (6' 1", 198 lbs, 4.55 forty); Pitt, West Virginia, Penn State.
Devin Parrish, ATH, Miramar (Florida) Parkway Academy (6' 0", 155 lbs, 4.46 forty); waiting for offers.
