2009 tOSU Recruiting Discussion

[LordJeffBuck]

Buckskin86,thanks for the video, it was real cool, the 09 class is going to be scary. Not to sure about other classes at tOSU, can someone tell me how this 09 class compares to others???

In short, one of the best ever. I might give the slight edge to the 2008 class based on the "star power" (Pryor, Brewster, Adams, Shugarts), but the 2009 class is obviously a bit deeper, and there are still some huge prospects "in play" (Berry, Hall, Watt, McGee).

In 2009, Ohio State has a chance to sign the best LB, OL, and DB classes in the country ... and maybe the fastest group as well.

However, it's all about what happens next. The Buckeyes' 2005 class was generally considered to be good but not great (18 signees, 3.5 "star average" according to Rivals), but that class has produced superstars like James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins, Brian Robiskie, and Alex Boone, along with plenty of very good players who still have the chance to be bona fide stars (Jim Cordle, Todd Denlinger, Brian Hartline, Anderson Russell, Donald Washington III, Lawrence Wilson, and Doug Worthington, each of whom should be a multi-year starter for Ohio State). Even most of the "misses" from that class have at least been fairly solid contributors (Andre Amos, Jamario O'Neal, Austin Spitler, Maurice Wells), while only three players (Freddie Lenix, Rob Schoenhoft, Ryan Williams) left the program early with little or no contributions. Also, very few "off-the-field" problems with that group. It will be difficult for any future class to beat those results ... but let's hope that they all can.

 

[mross34]

In short, one of the best ever. I might give the slight edge to the 2008 class based on the "star power" (Pryor, Brewster, Adams, Shugarts), but the 2009 class is obviously a bit deeper, and there are still some huge prospects "in play" (Berry, Hall, Watt, McGee).

In 2009, Ohio State has a chance to sign the best LB, OL, and DB classes in the country ... and maybe the fastest group as well.

However, it's all about what happens next. The Buckeyes' 2005 class was generally considered to be good but not great (18 signees, 3.5 "star average" according to Rivals), but that class has produced superstars like James Laurinaitis, Malcolm Jenkins, Brian Robiskie, and Alex Boone, along with plenty of very good players who still have the chance to be bona fide stars (Jim Cordle, Todd Denlinger, Brian Hartline, Anderson Russell, Donald Washington III, Lawrence Wilson, and Doug Worthington, each of whom should be a multi-year starter for Ohio State). Even most of the "misses" from that class have at least been fairly solid contributors (Andre Amos, Jamario O'Neal, Austin Spitler, Maurice Wells), while only three players (Freddie Lenix, Rob Schoenhoft, Ryan Williams) left the program early with little or no contributions. Also, very few "off-the-field" problems with that group. It will be difficult for any future class to beat those results ... but let's hope that they all can.

2002 class was a gem too.

Maurice Clarett, Derek Morris, and Mike D'Andrea headlined the class at the time.

But by the end it had produced Troy Smith, A.J. Hawk, Bobby Carpenter, Santonio Holmes, Nick Mangold, Rob Sims, Quinn Pitcock, Mike Kudla, Doug Datish, and Nate Salley.

 

[The S&G Dynasty]

Yeah i agree with LordJeffBuck last years class could be the best ever because of pure star power alone. However top to bottom i would have to say this years class is right up there if not slightly better. As LordJeffBuck pointed out the 09 class is probably the fastest class ever from top to bottom. The 2002 class which consisted of troy smith, aj hawk, bobby carpenter, Mo clarett, rob sims, nate salley, nick mangold, doug datish, and santonio holmes just to name a few was also very impressive. All three classes are great so it's hard to just pick one.

 

[OWUBuckeye51]

Question? Why would Martinez have a recent official offer as evidenced in his thread if tOSU coaching staff recently told Watt and Longo whoever committed first got the schollie?

Am I to infer from that set of circumstances that Watt and Longo are equal and Martinez is more highly thought of?

 

[RB07OSU]

Question? Why would Martinez have a recent official offer as evidenced in his thread if tOSU coaching staff recently told Watt and Longo whoever committed first got the schollie?

Am I to infer from that set of circumstances that Watt and Longo are equal and Martinez is more highly thought of?

I believe the staff wants 5 OL in this class, after seeing how talented Longo and Prior were at camp. It seems they were going to take another DB out of Vlad and Banks, but decided to take another OL instead. Plus the "whoever committed first" scenario was false...Watt still has an offer, according to grad. Seems to me the staff knows Watt is going to ND, and Martinez got the offer. Hopefully we have a good shot at Martinez...I really like him as a guard prospect.

 

[The S&G Dynasty]

So does the last spot for OL come down to martinez and hall? Are we going to take both or whoever pulls the trigger first. I know some have said we will take 5 OL and others have said that we won't. My take on the whole thing is we hold a spot for hall and only take two OL if the 5 OL is martinez. The only other viable canidate i see is John Prior if the staff is set on taking 5 OL in this class. I think whether we get or don't get Jaamal Berry plays a big part in us taking one or two more OL. This all however is assuming that watt goes to ND. Just my take on the situation, I could be way out in left field on this one.

 

[MUBuck]

So does the last spot for OL come down to martinez and hall? Are we going to take both or whoever pulls the trigger first.

There is no way that we leave a Glenville kid out to dry, as has been posted before. Not to mention Hall is one of the premier OL recruits in the country. If Hall wants in, he's in.

 

[Napoleonbuck]

I'm guessing the staff has decided 5 O line is more important than 7 DBs. If Martinez decides on USC/UCLA, I bet we see an additional O-line offer go out, or at least an offer to another player the staff likes.

I'm guessing offers will be going out from now on only as prospects we have offered commit.

 

[Taosman]

Now we see the fallout of missing on Jenkins last year. Got to make up for it in numbers with 5 this year. These things happen in recruiting. I don't see Martinez coming our way regardless. I think the coaches like other guys better.

 

[MUBuck]

I think the coaches like other guys better.

By saying they like other guys better, do you mean they like other OL better than Martinez?

 

[ShakerBuck]

Bonus with having recruiting class potentially complete before the season starts...

during the season a much higher percentage of staff's energy can be focused on game planning and x's and o's as opposed to the typical season where staff members are spending much more effort on recruiting by making recruiting trips, and spending time watching film of recruits etc. instead of watching film of the opponent.

 

[The S&G Dynasty]

I agree that Martinez will most likely go elsewhere and watt is leaning towards ND. I know the staff was impressed with John Prior at the senior advanced camp. But he seems to be the only in-state guy who is TOSU caliber. I know the staff expressed interest in Ryan spiker a while ago. The other top ohio guys are klatt (Michigan State Verbal), Chris Freeman ( this years version of Zebrie Sanders= no interest). And outside of watt im not aware of any other out-of-state targets. So i say we hold a spot for hall and then take John Prior.

 

[stkoran]

Now we see the fallout of missing on Jenkins last year. Got to make up for it in numbers with 5 this year. These things happen in recruiting. I don't see Martinez coming our way regardless. I think the coaches like other guys better.

Just curious, but why did we just offer Martinez if we like other OL better?

 

[Taosman]

Just curious, but why did we just offer Martinez if we like other OL better?

Because we offer a guy doesn't mean what order the coaches view him. The coaches do have a pecking order.

 

[brutus2002]

Longo blew the staff away. I would to have loved to have been in the war room when they were discussing their recruiting tactics after camp. IMO if Watt and Martinez fall through Prior gets offered. I think they feel that Prior is just a smidge less talented than those two at this point but he is definately no joke. Either way we have a heck of an OL class back to back years something that hasn't happened in Tressels tenure.