tOSU Recruiting Discussion

[tlinc]

How does Lattimore stack up as a defensive prospect? I thought I had seen it mentioned that he preferred defense, either CB or S.

A first blush, the prospects at WR look better and deeper than the prospects at DB, so I kind of like the idea of him on that side of the ball if he is anywhere near as good a prospect there as he appears to be at WR.

Seems like the staff would take a guy like Harris right now but are maybe waiting and hoping to see more from guys like Johnson, Snodgrass, etc. before pushing for a commitment.

Going to quote and respond to myself just to say that my opinion on this has completely changed just in the last week or so.

With Webb in and recent reports that OSU may lead on Quin Blanding, Jabrill Peppers, Quincy Wilson and Erick Smith, the DB prospects are stronger than any other group that we are recruiting.

If we land 3 of the above mentioned 4 to go along with Webb, then we should be set at DB. Not only that, but it will probably be the best DB class in the country. If we somehow get all 5 of those guys...wow, just an embarrassment of riches. And we have a shot at some other awesome DBs like Kelly Jr.

Urban is amazing.

 

[Joe6809]

If we somehow get all 5 of those guys

That wouldn't leave much room for the other positions on the team, especially considering the anticipated OL focus in this class. I'd personally be surprised to see more than 3 DBs, unless we end up with a significantly larger class than is being projected.

 

[osubucks13]

Going to quote and respond to myself just to say that my opinion on this has completely changed just in the last week or so.

With Webb in and recent reports that OSU may lead on Quin Blanding, Jabrill Peppers, Quincy Wilson and Erick Smith, the DB prospects are stronger than any other group that we are recruiting.

If we land 3 of the above mentioned 4 to go along with Webb, then we should be set at DB. Not only that, but it will probably be the best DB class in the country. If we somehow get all 5 of those guys...wow, just an embarrassment of riches. And we have a shot at some other awesome DBs like Kelly Jr.

Urban is amazing.

Doubt we take 5 although Peppers looks to be just as good on offense as he is on defense.

I'd take Webb, Blanding, Peppers and Nicholson. It's crazy that a DB class like this is actually a possibility.

 

[HorseshoeFetish]

Doubt we take 5 although Peppers looks to be just as god on offense as he is on defense.

I'd take Webb, Blanding, Peppers and Nicholson. It's crazy that a DB class like this is actually a possibility.

 

[RB07OSU]

If we somehow can manage to land all of Webb, Peppers, Jones, and Blanding, we make room. Nicholson and Wilson are really good and I'd love to have either, but I'm not sure they are the "make room" type if we got the four above, especially after the '13 haul. To get Peppers and Blanding would be to get the top two DBs in the class imo and regardless of whatever the sites say (though most do agree). Beautiful thing is Peppers could play either corner or safety, much like Burrows. Further, with the nation's best DB haul in '13 we can afford to be very selective here and go for those guys first and foremost. As I dream of combining '13 and my '14 wishful class:
CB: Burrows, Webb
CB: Apple, Peppers
S: Bell, Jones/Nicholson
S: Thompson, Blanding
Star: Worley, Lee

 

[Muck]

Some recent 247 articles:

247Sports 2014 All-American Team

First teamers of note:
Jalen Hurt, Drake Harris, Tyler Luatua, Braden Smith, Da'Shawn Hand, Andrew Brown, Malik McDowell, Raekwon McMillan & Jabril Peppers

Best Of The Midwest Combine Preview

.../snip/...

Ohio State Flavor

There will definitely be a few Buckeyes shirts floating around with Ohio State 247Composite Top100 commits in cornerback Damon Webb and offensive guard Marcelys Jones being two of the marquee names highlighting the combine roster. Webb has been a camp and combine warrior going back to his freshman year and the Detroit (Mich.) Cass Tech standout was one of the top performers at last year?s event.

Two of Jones?s teammates at Cleveland (Ohio) Glenville will arrive with Ohio State offers in tow. Marshon Lattimore is the top-ranked prospect headed in at No. 26 overall in the 247Composite, and the five-star playmaker also has scholarships from the likes of Michigan, Michigan State, Penn State, Tennessee, UCLA, USC and West Virginia. Safety Erick Smith will also be one of the more highly recruited players out of the state of Ohio, and besides the Buckeyes has full-rides from Cincinnati, Georgia Tech, Louisville, Michigan and West Virginia among others. Ohio State is the early team to beat for both.

Ohio State is also the leader for receiver/defensive back Lonnie Johnson. The Gary (Ind.) West Side senior-to-be also has scholarships from Illinois and Nebraska.

Two sophomores are receiving personal interest from the Buckeyes. Webb?s teammate at Cass Tech Michael Weber says he plans to visit Columbus soon. Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois and Syracuse have offered the future blue-chipper. Ohio State is also keeping close tabs on another Michigan sophomore in Saginaw (Mich.) Heritage receiver/cornerback Brian Cole. Michigan and Michigan State have already offered him as well.

.../cont/...

Fast Starters In 2014

.../snip/...
Ohio State

A few members of the Ohio State coaching staff have developed the mantra of planting the flag while on the road recruiting.

That Buckeyes flag is certainly waving in Detroit.

Urban Meyer and company have gone into traditional Wolverines/Spartans territory and landed two Top247 prospects in cornerback Damon Webb and defensive end Lawrence Marshall.

As expected, the Buckeyes are also doing very well at home, reeling in the state?s top two offensive linemen in Marcelys Jones and Kyle Trout, along with speedy running back/receiver Parris Campbell. Perhaps Campbell?s teammate in Top100 outside linebacker Dante Booker will soon join the fold as well.

Ohio State finished with the nation?s No. 2 class in 2013 and there are no signs of slowing down in the next recruiting cycle. Among the many other touted prospects the Buckeyes lead for or are near the top of list includes five-star linebacker Raekwon McMillan, five-star athlete Jabrill Peppers, four-star athlete Marshon Lattimore, four-star linebacker Clifton Garrett, four-star offensive tackle Jamarco Jones, four-star receiver Drake Harris and four-star linebacker Kyle Berger.
.../cont/...

 

[Muck]

If you see anyone I missed that you feel warrants adding or something incorrect let me know.

Kudos, Excellent job!

A couple of minor typos I noticed:
Darrell Scott is from Havelock NC
Tyler Luatua is from La Mirada Ca

 

[Buckskin86]

Published: 2/14/2013
Michigan high school recruits already committing to Ohio State for next year
BY DAVID BRIGGS
BLADE SPORTS WRITER

COLUMBUS ? Damon Webb grew up hailing "The Victors," his coach at Detroit?s Cass Tech was a running back for Michigan, and three of his high school teammates signed to play for the Wolverines this month.

But if all signs pointed toward blue for the coveted cornerback, Webb had a surprising recent announcement.

The 6-foot, 175-pound junior ranked among the nation?s top prospects not only spurned Michigan but committed to its fiercest rival 13 months before next year?s signing day.

"He was a kid who grew up a Michigan fan, so you?d think a guy who?s going to make an early decision, it would be [UM]," Rivals.com recruiting analyst Josh Helmholdt said of Webb?s commitment to Ohio State. "With it being the biggest rival, it's usually after a long, hard-fought recruiting battle."

Instead, Webb is one of two Michigan natives along with four-star Southfield defensive end Lawrence Marshall to commit to OSU?s class of 2014, though Marshall confirmed to several recruiting services late Wednesday night he is reopening his recruitment.

It is part of a relentless effort by Buckeyes coaches to mine a state the program has traditionally overlooked ? and a personal matter, too. With Michigan only strengthening its traditional inroads in Ohio under coach Brady Hoke ? the Wolverines have signed 18 Ohioans in their last two classes ? OSU?s Urban Meyer does not intend to let those raids go unanswered.

cont...

http://www.toledoblade.com/Ohio-Sta...y-committing-to-Ohio-State-for-next-year.html

 

[NJ-Buckeye]

Ohio State OC Tom Herman "There's no such thing as seniority. The best guys are going to play.

We tell our guys all the time, we're going to go try to recruit somebody better than you. We'll tell Dontre Wilson, James Clark and Jalin Marshall the same thing. 'We're going to try to recruit guys better than you.' If they are, and they come here and prove it, they're going to play."

That'll keep you motivated

 

[Krenzelicious]

@adamgorney

The more I talk to West kids the more #OhioState is brought up. Buckeyes doing work out here in 2014 class.

 

[ShowMeBuck]

I was just thinking about this myself. Bank projected 18-20 in his signing day live chat.

Committed
1 Marcelys Jones (OL)
2 Damon Webb (DB)
3 Kyle Trout (OL)
4 Lawrence Marshall (DE)
5 Parris Campbell Jr. (ATH)

Ohio locks
6 Marshon Lattimore (ATH)
7 Erick Smith (DB)
8 Kyle Berger (LB/DE)
9 Dante Booker (LB/DE)

Michigan quasi-locks (thank you coach Coombs)
10 Malik McDowell (DL/OL)
11. Drake Harris (WR)

OOS looking real good
12. Jarmarco Jones (OL)
13. Raekwon McMillan (LB)
14. Clifton Garrett (LB)
15. Jeb Blazevich (TE)
16. Myles Autry (ATH)
17. Demarre Kitt (WR)

Position we're almost certainly going to fill but with who?
18. QB (DeShaun Watson?/best available)
19. OL (Orlando Brown Jr.?/best available)
20. OL (Damien Prince?/Roderick Johnson?/best available)
21. RB (Jalen Hurd?/best available)

Attrition #s? and/or too good to say no?
22. DB (over a dozen to choose from)
23. ATH/WR (Lonnie Johnson?/Thaddeus Snodgrass?/best available)
24. DL (Lorenzo Carter?/best available)
25. best available?
26. best available?

Going up to 21, that would put the class at

QB: 1
RB: 1
WR/ATH: 5
TE: 1
OL: 5
DL: 2
LB: 4
DB: 2

The numbers are going to be especially tight at the WR/ATH spot.

Way too early to know for sure, but it is really hard seeing this class not being crazy good (again).

I like this post because it's interesting for me to see how we project the numbers to be spread out position wise so I thought I'd give it a bump to see other thoughts about how the schollies will be filled by position. For instance, I see 2 for DB but not any real safety prospects. We landed some talented corners last year in Conley, Apple and Burrows and now Webb in this class. We got Bell and Thompson as safeties last year and I know Burrows could move over but within the secondary group I see safety as a greater need than corner. Thoughts? Also I don't care how good the last 2 classes were on the DL, I don't ever see a class with Urb at the help with just 2 DL players. Way too important of a postion group. I see 4 LB and with Booker projecting more LEO maybe that is our 3rd DL player? Still seems light. Personally I'd rather have 4 WR/playmakers, 3 true LB and 4 on the DL.

Good post Buckeye86

 

[Buckeye86]

I like this post because it's interesting for me to see how we project the numbers to be spread out position wise so I thought I'd give it a bump to see other thoughts about how the schollies will be filled by position. For instance, I see 2 for DB but not any real safety prospects. We landed some talented corners last year in Conley, Apple and Burrows and now Webb in this class. We got Bell and Thompson as safeties last year and I know Burrows could move over but within the secondary group I see safety as a greater need than corner. Thoughts? Also I don't care how good the last 2 classes were on the DL, I don't ever see a class with Urb at the help with just 2 DL players. Way too important of a postion group. I see 4 LB and with Booker projecting more LEO maybe that is our 3rd DL player? Still seems light. Personally I'd rather have 4 WR/playmakers, 3 true LB and 4 on the DL.

Good post Buckeye86

Just for the record, I was looking at it from the "who's the most likely to be in the class at this time" perspective rather than the "what are the positions of need" perspective.

I added the position numbers at the end just out of curiosity. That said, I didn't think they ended up too far from a realistic breakdown.

Right now there are a ton of wildcards in the class who could throw the whole number system off and force the staff the re-evaluate the entire class if they chose to be Buckeyes.

I've actually given up trying to keep track of the day to day recruiting stuff- at least this early in the year. Meyer and his staff are recruiting machines and more than ever I am willing to "trust the coaches" on class numbers and top targets and in-state offers and so on.

I think the biggest thing to watch in the coming months will be attrition from the current roster.

 

[maximumblitz]

Ozone updates on recruits, including Quin Blanding:

http://www.the-ozone.net/recruiting/Football2012_14/Rundowns/rundown13_2_24.html

Quin Blanding (6-2, 185, DB, Virginia Beach, VA)
It has been reported that Quin will make his decision this Wednesday, Feb 27. Ohio State is one of the schools in the mix but it would be a huge coup if they landed Blanding. With Everett Withers at the helm, one never can count Ohio State out for any safety prospect. Along with the Buckeyes, Blanding?s other nine schools are: Virginia, Notre Dame, North Carolina, Miami, West Virginia, Clemson, NC State, Florida State, and Michigan. It would be a surprise if he chose anywhere else other than UVa. ....

Jermaine Eluemunor (6-6, 300, OL, Scranton, PA)
Jermaine grew up in England until he was 14 and started playing American football his sophomore year in high school. Coach Ed Warinner told him he has an offer and can play right away. Ohio State loses four offensive linemen after next season and will need linemen that are ready. Eluemunor being a JuCo player could step right in. ...

Kyle Berger (6-3, 205, LB, Cleveland, OH)
Visited Michigan this weekend and will update Buckeye nation on where he stands after his visit. ....

Dominique Booth (6-1, 195, WR, Indianapolis, IN)
Booth won the offensive MVP this past weekend at the Core6athletes showcase. He does not have an offer from Ohio State but coaches are keeping in contact with him and seem to be indicating that an offer will be coming.

Jeb Blazevich (TE, Charlotte, NC)
Blazevich is down to 6 schools: Alabama, Clemson, Notre Dame, Ole Miss, Georgia, and Ohio State. He plans to try to visit them all again and hopefully will decide in May. ...

 

[MuckFighigan]

Quick question?

When is the Ohio State's Junior Day? Or do they not have one???

Thanks,

 

[wadc45]

Quick question?

When is the Ohio State's Junior Day? Or do they not have one???

Thanks,

There will not be a formal junior day moving forward. The idea is to bring smaller groups of kids in throughout the entire winter/spring rather than bringing in a ton of kids on one set weekend.