2006 Buckeyes Forecast, Recruiting, and The Game (Merged)

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

1/22/06

Recruiting update:

Signing day is 10 days away and Ohio State is closing as strong as it ever has in the Jim Tressel era.

"Jim Tressel classes tend to start great and slowly pick up a few players as time goes along," said analyst Duane Long, the recruiting editor for Ohio High magazine and Bucknuts.com. "This year, they're finishing with a flourish."

Last week, Ohio State picked up three oral commitments: Glenville lineman Bryant Browning, safety Aaron Gant of St. Mary Prep in Michigan, and Aram Olson of Irmo High in Columbia, S.C. That brings the Buckeyes to 18 players in this class, with another four or five scholarships available.

Long said three players are the key to this week's final push: Euclid linebacker Thaddeus Gibson, Glenville receiver Raymond Small and Derrell Johnson from Youngstown Cardinal Mooney. Another prominent possibility is junior-college linebacker Larry Grant. Small has said he'll announce his choice on signing day, on Feb. 1, though Long believes both Gibson and Small are leaning toward the Buckeyes.

To reach this Plain Dealer reporter:

[email protected], 216-999-4748

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

1/22/06

Few limits, more work

30 years ago, recruiters faced fewer restrictions on contacting prospects

Sunday, January 22, 2006

Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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Day after day, week after week that winter of 1979 in the Cleveland suburb of Parma, Jim Heacock found a seat in the Valley Forge High School gym and kicked back.

At first, that might have seemed strange, considering Heacock was a new member of the Bowling Green football coaching staff. He wasn’t hiding out and slacking off, though.

He was there because Andy Molls was practicing basketball. And where Molls went, Heacock was supposed to go, because Miami University was likewise bird-dogging Molls, a highly regarded defensive back.

Such was major-college football recruiting in the late 1970s.

"There were no contact limits like today on how many times you could see a kid, so we determined Andy Molls was an important enough recruit that we had to see him every day," Heacock said. "Really, you had the feeling that if you weren’t there every day, you were falling behind. That’s just the way it was done back then."

Heacock, 57, is the defensive coordinator at Ohio State now. The contemporary game of recruiting is played by different rules but with the same goal.

"You want to sign the best players you can," Heacock said. "That hasn’t changed at all."

But recruiting isn’t quite the physical grind for coaches that it once was.

For instance, in Division I-A, only seven members of the nine assistant coaches are allowed to be on the road seeing prospects in any given week.

And they are permitted just one faceto-face contact per week with a particular recruit.

"The whole process has been speeded so much compared to back then," Heacock said. "Now we’re looking at guys going into their junior years, and we’re offering them most of the time before their senior seasons."

Internet recruiting services now track prospects’ progress. Coaches may not be able to meet a recruit every day, but a few clicks on the computer can tell them what the player might be thinking, and it’s breaking news if one commits to a school. Three decades ago, there might be two or three assistant coaches, maybe even a head coach or two, in a prospect’s home or school on signing day waiting to see who would win the player’s services.

"That was kind of crazy when you think about it, but that’s how the game was played," Heacock said.

One thing that hasn’t changed is the essence of the exercise, which is trying to persuade a 17- or 18-year-old and his parents that your school is the right place for him.

"I’ve always enjoyed that part, because recruiting is the heart of what we do, really," Heacock said. "If you don’t do it, if you don’t get a good player, you’re not going to last very long. So you better do it well."

Even with skill and perseverance, there are no guarantees. Heacock learned that chasing Molls back in ’79.

"Kentucky came in all of a sudden the final week, made him an offer, and that’s where he went," said Heacock, who recalled that Molls went on to be a captain at UK. "I told you he was a hell of a prospect."

[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

1/23/06

OSU FOOTBALL

Defensive end opts for Penn State over OSU

Monday, January 23, 2006

Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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The OSU turndown yesterday came from defensive end Johnnie Troutman, who pledged his service to the Nittany Lions soon after Penn State coach Joe Paterno, 79, left his house. Not that the visit from Paterno made the difference.

"I already was going to go there," said Troutman, of Pemberton, N.J., who said the main reason was "because it’s closer to home."

Proximity doesn’t seem to matter to linebacker Larry Grant of City College of San Francisco. One of the top junior-college prospects in the nation, he indicated OSU was his leader after he left his official visit yesterday, but that he intends to visit Oregon next weekend before making his decision.

Among several prospects pondering their choice was linebacker Thaddeus Gibson of

There was a "no thanks," a "probably," and an "I want to sleep on it" on the Ohio State football recruiting front yesterday.

All told, the Buckeyes’ commitment list stayed at 18 headed toward Feb. 1, the first day national letters of intent may be signed. Euclid. He said last night he was down to Ohio State and Tennessee, and that "I sort of know where I’m going, but I want to sleep on it a couple more nights."

His choice won’t be based on football, primarily, he said, but on "the worst-case scenario. Like if I blew my knee out on the first play of my first practice, where would I feel most comfortable?"

[email protected]

 

[osugrad21]

CBS

1/23

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] Ohio State [/FONT]

[FONT=Arial, Helvetica] [/FONT] [FONT=Arial, Helvetica] CBS SportsLine.com is sticking with the Buckeyes as its preseason No. 1 despite the loss of nine starters on defense. Hey, Southern California got to the title game with an average defense, why not Ohio State? Of course, the defense should be anything but average even with the losses. Remember, this is Ohio State. ... Everyone wants to know who is taking over for uber-linebacker A.J. Hawk. Indiana transfer John Kerr was the backup last year, but most of his time came on special teams. In 2002, Kerr was the leading freshman tackler in the Big Ten (114 for the Hoosiers). As good as Hawk? No way. No one is. Fellow senior LBs Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel are also gone. Mike D'Andrea (Schlegel's backup) returns with a sixth year of eligibility. ... Has any other team lost its top nine tacklers? Coach Jim Tressel was caught somewhat by surprise with the loss of both Donte Whitner and Ashton Youboty in the defensive backfield. Sophomore Jamario O'Neal will get first crack at Whitner's strong safety spot after playing most of his rookie year on special teams. Sophomore Malcolm Jenkins started three games at boundary corner and was listed as Youboty's backup last season. ... Two seniors return on the defensive line: David Patterson and Quinn Pitcock. ... Tressel typically recruits well and by the end of the season should have the defense in shape. The Michigan game is in Columbus. Troy Smith and Ted Ginn Jr. are Heisman candidates. The offense will have to carry the Buckeyes early until new household names are developed on defense. [/FONT]

 

[osugrad21]

DDN

1/25

Buckeyes land two more top recruits

OSU trails just two schools in top-100 prospects

By Doug Harris
Dayton Daily News
COLUMBUS | Southern Cal is parlaying its recent success into a recruiting bonanza, and Florida has been capitalizing on the buzz generated by coach Urban Meyer to lure blue-chip prospects.
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<!-- inset --> <!--begintext--> But while Ohio State may not be able to catch those two in the race for the top class in 2006, coach Jim Tressel is assembling a group with plenty of star power.
He picked up commitments this week from two players rated among the top-100 nationally by Scout.com: Euclid (Ohio) linebacker Thaddeus Gibson and Cleveland Glenville receiver Ray Small.
The Buckeyes have landed seven top-100 players, trailing only USC (11) and Florida (eight). And with one week to go until signing day, their recruiting class is rated ninth by Rivals.com, seventh by Scout.com and sixth by ESPN's Scouts, Inc.
"Thaddeus Gibson is as good a linebacker as I've seen in Ohio" since Andy Katzenmoyer in 1995, said Duane Long of Scout.com. "He's a relentless pursuer and very physical."
Gibson is rated as the ninth-best linebacker nationally by Scout.com, just ahead of OSU-bound Mark Johnson of Los Angeles (12th) and Ross Homan of Coldwater (14th). Californian Larry Grant, a top junior-college linebacker, also is considering the Buckeyes.
Small is rated as the seventh-best receiver by Rivals.com. He is the third Glenville player to commit to the Buckeyes, and they already have four on their roster.
"Those were two huge commitments for Ohio State," said Rivals.com's Bill Kurelic. "They're difference-makers. They're impact players."
Contact Doug Harris at 225-2125.
RECRUITING RACE
Colleges landing most top-100 prospects *
(Ranked by Scout.com)
Southern Cal 11; Florida 8; Ohio State 7; Georgia 6; Notre Dame 6; Texas 6; Penn State 5; LSU 4; Michigan 4; Pittsburgh 4
*19 players undecided

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

1/25/06

OSU FOOTBALL
Defense has a lot of talent, a lot to learn next season

Wednesday, January 25, 2006

Ken Gordon
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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It’s not the bodies that concern Ohio State’s defensive coaches for this fall. It’s the brains.

At a football factory such as OSU, finding talented players to replace nine departing starters is not a problem. The Buckeyes have landed a string of top-ranked recruiting classes in recent years, and are on their way to another on signing day Feb. 1.

As defensive coordinator Jim Heacock puts it, "That’s college football; you’ve got to recruit every year to bring in good players. You hope they’re all good players with good skills."

Chances are, they are.

The problem is how quickly the new starters learn their jobs and how they mesh.

It was those factors, not purely talent, that Heacock credits for the unit’s success last season. The Buckeyes (10-2) ended with the nation’s No. 1 rushing defense and were fifth overall.

"There are names and bodies, but the most important thing is how well they blend and will they become 11 guys working together like this past group," he said. "We had a lot of unselfish players with a great work ethic. Can this group mimic that? I have no idea."

This off-season is the reverse of the last, when OSU had to replace only two starters from 2004. Now, only two return: defensive linemen Quinn Pitcock and David Patterson.

Gone is the entire back seven, including a trio of linebackers among the best group in school history. The early departure of cornerback Ashton Youboty and safety Donte Whitner stripped the secondary clean, as well.
Up front, at least there are veterans to build around. And there are several key backups who have played a lot, such as Jay Richardson and Joel Penton.

The young player who seems to be generating the most excitement is Lawrence Wilson, who played a lot late last season as a freshman.

"I expect big things out of Lawrence Wilson," departing senior defensive tackle Marcus Green said. "I expect him to be a first-rounder (NFL draft pick) in two or three years."

At linebacker, the story early last season was how many talented young players would have to wait their turns behind A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter and Anthony Schlegel.

James Laurinaitis filled in for an injured Carpenter as a true freshman in the final two games. Mike D’Andrea and John Kerr have played well at this level in the past.

Like Wilson, a young player drawing attention is Marcus Freeman, a third-year sophomore who redshirted after suffering a knee injury and complications from surgery last season.

"If he doesn’t get hurt, he ends up playing a lot this season," Heacock said.
The backfield is another story. Green recently was running through a list of youngsters he thought could step in and start. When he got to the secondary, he stopped and said, "The secondary, of course we’ve got . . .

Who the heck do we have left in the secondary?"

The answer is sophomore-tobe cornerback Malcolm Jenkins, who basically was a starter last season. Safety Brandon Mitchell is back for a fifth season, and standout 2005 recruit Jamario O’Neal should play a big role.
"He’s ready," departing senior cornerback Tyler Everett said of O’Neal. "I’m surprised he didn’t get more playing time this year."

But again, it’s not the potential, it’s the lack of experience. In the first half of the 2004 season, when the Buckeyes were breaking in a slew of defenders, players talked about hesitating because they weren’t confident in their knowledge of the system.

That helped lead to a 3-3 start.

"When you don’t know what to do, you can’t play fast, that’s what coach (Heacock) always stresses," Everett said. "Last year, all the starting defensive backs, we knew what we were doing. But (2004) was different. We didn’t know everything, we were iffy about some things and we couldn’t really play fast."

And that’s what nobody can predict about the 2006 defense. Yes, there are names on the twodeep, some of them with some experience and all of them with good pedigrees.

But until the season begins, it’s impossible to tell how well they will play.

"Guys might look good in the weight room," Heacock said. "But the bottom line is who goes out and makes plays."

[email protected]

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

1/25/06

With signing day just a week away, the Buckeyes still are awaiting word from several recruits. They include linebacker Larry Grant, who just graduated from City College of San Francisco, defensive lineman Corey Peters of Louisville, Ky., and receivers Wes Lyons of Pittsburgh and Greg Mathews of Orlando, Fla.

Lyons, brother of current Buckeye Devon Lyons, is expected to pick West Virginia or Ohio State on Thursday. Mathews committed to Michigan, then chose to look at Ohio State and Florida State. He will wait until signing day to reveal his choice.

Peters was thought to be Auburn- or Kentucky-bound but was impressed by his visit to Ohio State.

As for Grant, considered the best junior-college linebacker by Scout.com, "Ohio State is my No. 1," he said last night. "I’m going to take my visit to Oregon this weekend and then I’m going to make my decision."

 

[osugrad21]

CPD

1/29

Class smaller by one, but still deep


Sunday, January 29, 2006Doug Lesmerises
Plain Dealer Reporter
In the final full week before Wednesday's National Signing Day for high school recruits, Ohio State's list of oral commitments actually shrank.
Receiver Josh Chichester of Lakota West High School is no longer pledged to Ohio State after the Buckeyes' interest in him apparently cooled. That drops their current list of players expected to sign on Wednesday to 19. Chichester, a two-sport star, was also planning to walk on the basketball team in Columbus.
But recruiting analyst Duane Long, the recruiting editor for Ohio High magazine and Bucknuts.com, doesn't think Chichester's loss is a huge blow. "From a talent standpoint, yes, it's a loss," Long said. "But from a need standpoint, this did not leave a gaping hole. The only position where that would have been the case was linebacker, and this will be a stellar linebacker class."
In the most recent recruiting rankings, Ohio State is 11th in the nation according to scout.com and ninth according to rivals.com. Among Big Ten teams, scout.com lists both Penn State and Michigan higher than Ohio State, while rivals.com has the Buckeyes below the No. 5 Nittany Lions but ahead of No. 12 Michigan.
Here are the national rankings for the all the Big Ten teams according to both services, with the scout.com rankings listed first.
Team
scout rivals Penn State
6 5 Michigan
8 12 Ohio State
11 9 Illinois
26 33 Michigan State
39 28 Iowa
42 45 Purdue
48 48 Minnesota
60 58 Northwestern
67 73 Indiana
72 80

 

[osugrad21]

ABJ

1/29

Posted on Sun, Jan. 29, 2006
OHIO STATE 2006 FOOTBALL COMMITMENTS

<!-- begin body-content --> Here are profiles of prep football players who have given an oral recruiting commitment to Ohio State. Information was compiled from Internet scouting and newspaper Web sites.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>NAME</td><td>HOMETOWN</td><td>POS.</td><td>HT.</td><td>WT.</td><td> </td></tr> <tr class="story-table-odd-row"><td>Jake Ballard</td><td>Springboro, Ohio</td><td>TE</td><td>6-6</td><td>255</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Versatile athlete prefers defensive end but could play tight end or offensive line; in basketball, was AAU teammate of O.J. Mayo.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Bryant Browning</td><td>Cleveland (Glenville)</td><td>OL</td><td>6-4</td><td>320</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Picked OSU over Tennessee, Michigan State, Northwestern.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Chimdi Chekwa</td><td>Clermont, Fla. (East Ridge)</td><td>DB</td><td>6-1</td><td>185</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Son of Nigerian parents also courted by Georgia Tech, South Carolina, Maryland, Iowa State.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Kurt Coleman</td><td>Clayton Northmont</td><td>DB</td><td>5-11</td><td>180</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Can play safety or cornerback; already enrolled at OSU.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Walter Dublin</td><td>Sarasota, Fla.</td><td>DE</td><td>6-3</td><td>235</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Can drop into coverage like Bobby Carpenter; considered Iowa, Va. Tech.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Aaron Gant</td><td>Orchard Lake, Mich.</td><td>DB</td><td>6-0</td><td>205</td><td> </td></tr> <tr class="story-table-odd-row"><td> </td><td>(St. Mary's Prep)</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> 1,000-yard running back/safety passed on Michigan, Michigan State, Illinois.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Thaddeus Gibson</td><td>Euclid</td><td>LB</td><td>6-2</td><td>212</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Totaled 123 tackles, 24 sacks in past two years.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Antonio Henton</td><td>Fort Valley, Ga.</td><td>QB</td><td>6-2</td><td>210</td><td> </td></tr> <tr class="story-table-odd-row"><td> </td><td>(Peach County)</td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Can run and throw; led team to AAA state title.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Ross Homan</td><td>Coldwater</td><td>LB</td><td>6-1</td><td>230</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Linebacker/running back with more than 500 career tackles, ranked in top 10 in Ohio; enrolls in January.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Mark Johnson</td><td>Los Angeles (Dorsey)</td><td>LB</td><td>6-4</td><td>230</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Rated No. 10 linebacker by Scout.com; considered LSU, Cal, Michigan.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Dex Larimore</td><td>Merrillville, Ind.</td><td>DT</td><td>6-3</td><td>270</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Michigan came in second; top prep heavyweight wrestler notched 88 tackles in '05.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Andy Miller</td><td>Washington, Pa. (Trinity)</td><td>TE</td><td>6-6</td><td>250</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Caught seven passes as senior in run-oriented offense; picked OSU over Pitt and Indiana.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Tyler Moeller</td><td>Cincinnati (Colerain)</td><td>LB</td><td>6-1</td><td>205</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Father Mike played for Kent State; can play linebacker or safety.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Aram Olson</td><td>Columbia, S.C. (Irmo)</td><td>FB</td><td>6-2</td><td>245</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Also considered Auburn and Florida State.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Robert Rose</td><td>Cleveland (Glenville)</td><td>DE</td><td>6-4</td><td>260</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Had 67 tackles, 19 for losses, 15 sacks and 13 pass deflections as senior.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Grant Schwartz</td><td>Dana Hills, Calif.</td><td>DB</td><td>6-0</td><td>200</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Son of ex-Buckeye Brian Schwartz; considered Oregon, Colorado State, Boise State.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Roy Small</td><td>Cleveland (Glenville)</td><td>CB</td><td>5-11</td><td>170</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Another speedster in the Ted Ginn Jr. mold; debated Tennessee, USC, Michigan State.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Connor Smith</td><td>Cincinnati (Colerain)</td><td>OL</td><td>6-5</td><td>295</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Rated No. 80 on ESPN's top 150; considered Oklahoma, Michigan, Florida, LSU.

<table class="story-table" border="0"> <tbody><tr class="story-table-even-row"><td>Chris Wells</td><td>Akron (Garfield)</td><td>RB</td><td>6-2</td><td>220</td><td> </td></tr> </tbody> </table> Carried 598 times for 5,232 yards and 61 touchdowns in high school career; enrolling in March.

COMPILED BY MARLA RIDENOUR​

Cols Dispatch

1/29

Sunday, January 29, 2006

 

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

link

1/29/06

Extreme makeover for OSU offices

Sunday, January 29, 2006


<TABLE cellSpacing=0 cellPadding=0 width="100%" border=0><TBODY><TR><TD>[FONT=Verdana, Times New Roman, arial, helvetica, sans-serif]SUNDAY SPECIAL BY TODD PORTER[/FONT]


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Ohio State Athletics Director Gene Smith​

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Not that he would have noticed last week, but Jim Tressel no longer has an office. Tressel, on the road recruiting, moved out ... and across the street.

The football coaches’ offices at Woody Hayes Athletic Center have been moved to Fawcett Center while the WHAC undergoes extensive remodeling and expansion. By this time next year, Tressel and his staff can return to their offices.

Ohio State Athletics Director Gene Smith said the renovation is long overdue. The center was built in 1986, but isn’t large enough. The renovation will cost $20 million, which was raised privately.

“We have about 98 percent of the money raised, so if anybody wants to give me a check on my way out, feel free to do so,” Smith told the Pro Football Hall of Fame Luncheon Club last week.

The weight room has been moved into the indoor football field. That creates a problem in spring practice and during the season. The Buckeyes won’t be able to practice indoors in the spring or during inclement weather in the regular season.
When renovations are finished, the weight room will be doubled to 16,000 square feet. Coaches will have individual offices and no longer have to share offices. The rehabilitation area will be increased to accommodate the latest technology in exercise science. A student-athletes lounge area will be created as well.

TOO MANY RECRUITING RULES

In order to be a Division I football coach, you’d better have a good memory. The NCAA recruiting rules have become ridiculously large. It is impossible to remember every one. It’s created a situation where coaches are calling compliance directors for advice on every little move that needs to be made.

“Over the years because of a lot of situations and trying to create a level playing field, there has become too many rules,” Smith said. “I know there is a task force looking at ... trying to eliminate some of the rules.

“First of all, we have to trust one another. That put us in the situation we’re in. The NCAA task force has to start with that premise, and at the same time, give back some of the responsibility to the institutions.”

Smith lauded the NCAA for the way the organization handled student-athletes affected by Hurricane Katrina. Schools were allowed to use the student-athlete emergency fund to aid direct family members of players affected by the storm.

TRESSEL INVADING MICHIGAN

It is hard to tell if this is a coup for Tressel or a slap in the face to Michigan Head Coach Lloyd Carr. Perhaps it was a little bit of both when Tressel spoke to the Michigan High School Football Coaches’ Association on Friday night.

Tressel was the keynote speaker at the MHSFCA’s annual clinic, called the “Super” clinic because it was held the weekend before the Super Bowl in Detroit. The clinic was held in Battle Creek.

SPEAKING OF CARR

We noted in this space last week details of Tressel’s contract, which will be extended next month. Carr, however, has a better deal.

Carr’s contract runs through 2008. He is paid about $1.5 million in base salary. However, he has a clause, according to Sports Illustrated, that pays him an additional $2 million if he’s fired in 2006 or 2007 and $1 million in 2008. He also gets $155,000 each July to divide, at his choosing, among his assistant coaches.

VEGAS LIKES OHIO STATE

Las Vegas oddsmakers have put Ohio State as the favorite to win the 2006 national championship. The Buckeyes are a 5-to-1 favorite, in front of Notre Dame and Oklahoma at 6-to-1 and USC at 7-to-1.

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[BuckeyeKev]

Who is going to be our placekicker next year ?

Anyone know ? Does anyone have any stats on the kickers ?

 

[NFBuck]

Anyone know ? Does anyone have any stats on the kickers ?

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</TD><TD vAlign=center background=http://graphics.fansonly.com/schools/osu/graphics/osu-mtt-bg.gif> [FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Ryan Pretorius[/FONT]</TD></TR></TBODY></TABLE><TABLE cellSpacing=2 cellPadding=1 width=430 bgColor=#990000 border=0 valign="top"><TBODY><TR><TD vAlign=top align=left width=105>

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</TD><TD vAlign=top>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Class:
Freshman[/FONT]
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</TD><TD vAlign=top>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Hometown:
Denver, Colo.[/FONT]
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</TD><TD vAlign=top>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]High School:
Westville Boys[/FONT]
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</TD><TD vAlign=top>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Height / Weight:
5-10 / 190[/FONT]
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</TD><TD vAlign=top>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Position:
Kicker[/FONT]
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</TD><TD vAlign=top>[FONT=Arial, Helvetica]Major:
History[/FONT]
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[scarletngrey11]

Sweet!!! We can now go, "Prreeeee."

Im a Steve Prefontaine fan...

 

[osugrad21]

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[OSUBasketballJunkie]

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1/30/06

OSU FOOTBALL

Buckeyes await word on several prospects

Monday, January 30, 2006

Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH

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With signing day Wednesday, Ohio State is on the recruiting equivalent of hold with its last several prospects.

The first one who could push the connect button might be Larry Grant of City College of San Francisco, whom one recruiting service has rated the best linebacker prospect coming out of junior college this year. He returned yesterday from his last official visit, to Oregon, and said he plans to make his plans known Tuesday night.

"Ohio State is still my No. 1," he said.

Defensive lineman Corey Peters of Louisville, Ky., a fourstar (out of five) talent according to Rivals.com, made no such declaration. After he returned yesterday from a visit to Michigan, he was not taking calls, his mother said.

He plans to announce his choice on signing day, she said, and all parties, including Auburn, Kentucky, OSU and Michigan, are still in the running.

Four-star receiver Greg Mathews of Orlando, Fla., has a similar plan, said his mother. Mathews originally committed to Michigan but decided to make official visits to Ohio State (his mother grew up in Columbus) and Florida State, his father’s favorite school, before making a decision.

There was one report yesterday that receiver Damon McDaniel of Virginia Beach, Va., originally a commitment to Florida, was still considering the Buckeyes. He didn’t answer a call last night.

Grant had planned to transfer to Florida but was denied after it was found he had not taken a math proficiency test required of junior-college transfers by the Southeastern Conference.

He looked around again and put Ohio State high on his list for several reasons, one of which he said was obvious.

"The fact that their three starting linebackers from last season are gone, and they’ve got some openings," Grant said.

He likely would gain immediate consideration. He was named the defensive player of the year last season by JuCal Transfer, an internet service that covers California’s extensive junior-college football system.

Meanwhile, receiver Josh Chichester of West Chester Lakota West said yesterday that he has committed to Louisville, where he plans to play football and basketball. He had committed to Ohio State in July, but it’s believed that an academic concern kept the Buckeyes from following through on the offer.

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