The Recruiting Class of 2007 Revisited

[jlb1705]

An interesting bit of perspective for folks who were ready to take a flying leap off a cliff over the 2010 class... The class rankings on signing day typically mean very little three years down the road.

Florida, Boise State top*revised 2007class recruiting rankings - Andy Staples - SI.com

5. Ohio State

2007 Rivals rank: No. 15
Record since 2007: 32-7
2009 record: 11-2
Conference titles: Two
2009 Starters: DE Cameron Heyward, S Jermale Hines, LB Brian Rolle, RB Brandon Saine, WR Dane Sanzenbacher, CB Devon Torrence, WR Taurian Washington.
Analysis: Ohio State classes suffer from the same issues as Texas classes. With so many good players stacked up for so many years, it takes a while to get on the field. So it's tough to sign a class that will produce 10 starters just because of the quality of players already in the program.
That said, the fact that this class has produced seven starters is pretty amazing considering the Buckeyes only signed 15 players in 2007. Another member of the class, tailback Dan "Boom" Herron, isn't officially a starter, but he gained 600 yards and scored seven touchdowns as Saine's backup in 2009.

Read More: Florida, Boise State top*revised 2007class recruiting rankings - Andy Staples - SI.com
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[wadc45]

USC's '07 class doesn't live up to hype - ESPN

7. Before: Auburn After: Ohio State

This Buckeyes class was at least part of a Big Ten championship every year. Cameron Heyward was a very good player for them and Brian Rolle was productive at linebacker. The class also featured two running backs who contributed to the offense, Daniel "Boom" Herron and Brandon Saine, as well as productive wide receiver Dane Sanzenbacher.

Notre Dame's 2007 QB to WR combo pans out - ESPN

Some guys of note:

37. Eugene Clifford, S (Cincinnati, Ohio/Colerain)

After playing in four games for the Buckeyes in 2007, he was suspended for violating unspecified team rules and then kicked off the team before the 2008 season after being charged with assault. He transferred to Tennessee State where he finished his career with 204 tackles and was named as a first-team FCS All-American in 2010.

53. Dewey Elliot, ILB (Fairfield, Ohio/Fairfield Senior)

Elliot was the second best inside linebacker in the class and was considering Ohio State, Cincinnati, Michigan State, Michigan and West Virginia. He did not commit anywhere and did not play after high school.

67. Ben Martin, DE (Cincinnati, Ohio/La Salle)

Martin appeared in eight games in 2007 and all 12 in 2008 as a backup defensive lineman. In 2009, he appeared in 13 games, starting 11 and totaled 34 tackles and three sacks. Despite missing his 2010 season with a torn Achilles tendon, he is expected to be a late-round draft pick or undrafted free agent.

73. Dionte Allen, CB (Orchard Lake, Mich./Saint Mary's Prep)

Allen redshirted in 2007 and played in five games in 2008. In 2009, he appeared in nine games with one start and suffered a broken thumb, which sidelined him for four games. Allen was granted his release from FSU in 2010 and transferred to Ohio State.

129. Devon Torrence, RB (Canton, Ohio/Canton South)

After seeing limited action at receiver in 2007, he got his first opportunity at cornerback in 2008. In 2009, he started 10 games and registered 35 tackles, two forced fumbles and two interceptions. In 2010, he had 52 tackles and two interceptions. Torrence is expected to be drafted somewhere in the fifth round of the 2011 NFL Draft.

130. Joseph Barksdale, DT (Detroit, Mich./Cass Technical)

As a true freshman, he played in 14 games as a backup right tackle before taking over the starting job as a sophomore. As a junior, he started at right tackle again before switching to left tackle as a senior. He earned second-team All-SEC honors and is considered a late-round draft choice or undrafted free agent in the 2011 NFL Draft.

140. Robert Hughes, RB (Chicago, Ill./Hubbard)

After being primarily used as a short-yardage back in 2007, he became the first Notre Dame freshman running back to eclipse 100 rushing yards in consecutive weeks since 1982. In 2008, he played in 12 games, starting three, and led the team with four rushing touchdowns. As a junior, played some fullback and running back and led the team in rushing touchdowns again with five. For his career, he has rushed for 1,392 yards and 15 touchdowns and is considered a late-round draft choice or undrafted free agent in the 2011 NFL Draft.

145. Scotty Cooper, OLB (Lake City, S.C./Lake City)

He started two games in 2007 and his 33 tackles were tied for the most by a Tiger freshman. Cooper was the starting at strongside linebacker to begin the 2008 season, but then came off the bench by the end of the year. He played in 12 games in 2009 and then quit football in 2010 due to a neck injury.