It is that time of the year again after early signing period for the BRPT, it makes the most sense to me to do this after the early signing period since most of the class is locked in outside of same potential late adds and portal prospects. As has become tradition now, all members are encouraged to contribute their thoughts in a communal process. While candid discussion is great, keep in mind our recruiting forum rules. Here is my rundown.
General Thoughts
Last year I started this topic with admitting a disappointing finish to the class and really I can't say this year is any different, plus I will have to admit it is compounded by NIL and the transfer portal really souring the recruiting process. We lost out on numerous recruits and had several decommits that were most likely NIL related. You can say "well we don't want that type of kid at OSU", but reality is the coaches wanted those recruits and we didn't land them. I am not talking about circus recruitments like Raiola and Seaton, but guys like Baker, Lyle, McClellan, Lightfoot, Scott, Carlon Jones, Amaris Williams, Dylan Stewart, Woodyard, Bolden, etc. We landed a lot of good players and it is a top 3 class most likely, but we did have major gaps at crucial positions.
Earliest Impact
Had to think hard on this, partly because it depends on who leaves and who stays. I am going with Aaron Scott, I see him as game ready and I am figuring on Burke departing for the NFL. Yes, PT will not be easy to come by with Davison, Hancock (also a possible departure), Mathews and CSH, but I just see Scott as one that forces his way onto the field in some fashion. The other obvious name would be Jeremiah Smith, he is definitely playing next season.
Most Star Potential
I will take the softball on this one...Jeremiah Smith. I've followed recruiting for around 20 years and this kid is the best WR prospect I have ever seen, maybe the best prospect period but there is a lot of competition on that one. Literally the whole package and if he keeps his head on straight and stays healthy, he will be a top pick in the draft 3 years from now. Plus he is going to have Innis, Tate, Rogers and Graham surrounding him so defenses can't focus on him. If MH Jr and Egbuka go pro like I would expect, there should be an opportunity here. James Peoples could also be our next great RB, he was injured most of the season but he has 5* potential written all over him.
Most Intriguing
Demarion Witten. Kid is a freak jumbo athlete at TE and had an incredible senior campaign. I see Witten coming into Hartline's WR room meetings and getting used as more of a WR to start off. He is ranked lower than he should be imo.
Biggest Reach
Never my favorite topic, but it deserves discussion. Going with Mensah at DT. We needed numbers at the position and eventually ran out of targets. Don't get me wrong, he could turn into a good player but he seemed to be a byproduct of missing other recruits. I would throw VanSickle out there based on taking after the OL misses, but I just watched his film and think he is severely underrated.
Sleeper
Speaking of VanSickle, he is my pick here. He was a late addition and I thought out of necessity, but watching him I think he will be a nasty B1G OL for us. Really nice find by the staff. Leroy Roker is another sleeper, crazy athletic and really is just starting to learn the game...plus his senior film is pretty dang good.
Biggest Surprise Commitment
Going with Eddrick Houston. Not only surprised when he committed, but also that he stayed committed after his late visits. He could be the most important recruit in this class with the desperate need for DL.
The Ones Who Got Away
The list is long and I already listed the prominent names above. But if I am narrowing it down to one, it is Justin Scott...game changer at DT with rare size and athleticism. You never know how it will play out, but that is going to be the biggest loss in this class imo. If we are talking uncommitted prospects we looked primed to land, pretty much name your list of DL with Amaris Williams, Dylan Stewart, Carlon Jones and Lightfoot.
What This Class Lacks
DE's and it is just obvious. Thank the gods that be that Eddrick Houston stuck with us, because we will need him big time. DT we should be alright since in '23 we pulled in Moore, Smith Jr, and McDonald, though losing Scott was a tough loss. But the cumulative losses at DE in the last cycle and this one are going to hurt us unless we rock the portal. It might not be next year depending on what JT and Sawyer do, but it is coming next year or the year after. OL could get a mention, but I like the guys we brought in and added to Montgomery, Padilla and Siereveld, that could be a good unit.
What This Class Has
A lot of star power at offensive skilled positions. You look at Noland, Peoples, JJ Smith, Graham, and LeBlanc/Witten, that is something to be excited about. Then the back 7 on defense...love both of Stover and Pierce, plus all of our secondary in Scott, West, Lockhart, McClain and Roker. If we can step it up in the trenches, the other positions are stacked. A big "if" I know, but that is where we sit.
2025 Outlook & Objectives - Offense and Defense
We HAVE HAVE HAVE to get 3 quality DE's. I said that in my last BRPT class report and we got 1. People can do the whole "sky is falling" phrase whilst burying their heads in the sand, but it seriously could be true without immediate solutions. Championship teams have elite defensive line play, that is how it works. We have to strike the portal hard and get a clear succession plan for LJ Sr. I know I am beating a dead horse but it is the truth and directly relates to this topic. For the '25 class if you are looking outside the portal, we have to nail the DE position and there is no other option...plus DT really after Scott defected, need 2 good ones.
At LB, I feel good where we are at...Lee is a good start and we've been doing well there. Definitely need one more quality LB, maybe two, but I like the slate of guys we are going after and that is a spot where the portal can help. At DB, I think we are going to be giddy next year. Woodby is a huge talent we have committed and between Sanchez, Brew, McNutt, Delane, etc...this will be an elite DB class. If I had to guess, it would be Woodby, Sanchez, Brew, McNutt and Delane. That would be DBU status (if we ever lost it) adding them to Mathews, CSH, Hartford, Bonsu, Scott, West, Lockhart and McClain. Exactly why we need to focus on the DL, back 7 is loaded.
On offense, not even necessary to address QB, WR or TE...we are good there. At RB, we definitely need 2 after Lyle bailed. Davis is a stud and no brainer take. Will Bo Jackson also come in that scenario? I hope so, because I would rather not bother with anyone else if we have two Ohio guys onboard that are legit and on par talent-wise with guys from OOS that will decommit in a heartbeat. Regardless, we need 2 guys there. WR is whatever, Boggs is a really good one and we are set there. TE looks real promising with Roberts and Gilbert. OL it would help to lock down Gach and Lowe early on, we probably need 4-5 depending on the portal. The '24 class was pretty good though even though adding someone like Baker would have been ideal, so there isn't as much pressure as we had the last two cycles.
This was a great recruiting class overall and we know what needs to be addressed in '25. So go address it and we will be fine. If we don't address it, we won't be fine. To me it really is that simple this year, not really a negative outlook but there are problems that just need to be fixed at DL and somewhat on OL. Silver lining is that having a great recruiting class at most positions helps you focus on the areas you need to work on.
Cheers to BP members and hope everyone is having a great holiday season!
General Thoughts
Last year I started this topic with admitting a disappointing finish to the class and really I can't say this year is any different, plus I will have to admit it is compounded by NIL and the transfer portal really souring the recruiting process. We lost out on numerous recruits and had several decommits that were most likely NIL related. You can say "well we don't want that type of kid at OSU", but reality is the coaches wanted those recruits and we didn't land them. I am not talking about circus recruitments like Raiola and Seaton, but guys like Baker, Lyle, McClellan, Lightfoot, Scott, Carlon Jones, Amaris Williams, Dylan Stewart, Woodyard, Bolden, etc. We landed a lot of good players and it is a top 3 class most likely, but we did have major gaps at crucial positions.
Earliest Impact
Had to think hard on this, partly because it depends on who leaves and who stays. I am going with Aaron Scott, I see him as game ready and I am figuring on Burke departing for the NFL. Yes, PT will not be easy to come by with Davison, Hancock (also a possible departure), Mathews and CSH, but I just see Scott as one that forces his way onto the field in some fashion. The other obvious name would be Jeremiah Smith, he is definitely playing next season.
Most Star Potential
I will take the softball on this one...Jeremiah Smith. I've followed recruiting for around 20 years and this kid is the best WR prospect I have ever seen, maybe the best prospect period but there is a lot of competition on that one. Literally the whole package and if he keeps his head on straight and stays healthy, he will be a top pick in the draft 3 years from now. Plus he is going to have Innis, Tate, Rogers and Graham surrounding him so defenses can't focus on him. If MH Jr and Egbuka go pro like I would expect, there should be an opportunity here. James Peoples could also be our next great RB, he was injured most of the season but he has 5* potential written all over him.
Most Intriguing
Demarion Witten. Kid is a freak jumbo athlete at TE and had an incredible senior campaign. I see Witten coming into Hartline's WR room meetings and getting used as more of a WR to start off. He is ranked lower than he should be imo.
Biggest Reach
Never my favorite topic, but it deserves discussion. Going with Mensah at DT. We needed numbers at the position and eventually ran out of targets. Don't get me wrong, he could turn into a good player but he seemed to be a byproduct of missing other recruits. I would throw VanSickle out there based on taking after the OL misses, but I just watched his film and think he is severely underrated.
Sleeper
Speaking of VanSickle, he is my pick here. He was a late addition and I thought out of necessity, but watching him I think he will be a nasty B1G OL for us. Really nice find by the staff. Leroy Roker is another sleeper, crazy athletic and really is just starting to learn the game...plus his senior film is pretty dang good.
Biggest Surprise Commitment
Going with Eddrick Houston. Not only surprised when he committed, but also that he stayed committed after his late visits. He could be the most important recruit in this class with the desperate need for DL.
The Ones Who Got Away
The list is long and I already listed the prominent names above. But if I am narrowing it down to one, it is Justin Scott...game changer at DT with rare size and athleticism. You never know how it will play out, but that is going to be the biggest loss in this class imo. If we are talking uncommitted prospects we looked primed to land, pretty much name your list of DL with Amaris Williams, Dylan Stewart, Carlon Jones and Lightfoot.
What This Class Lacks
DE's and it is just obvious. Thank the gods that be that Eddrick Houston stuck with us, because we will need him big time. DT we should be alright since in '23 we pulled in Moore, Smith Jr, and McDonald, though losing Scott was a tough loss. But the cumulative losses at DE in the last cycle and this one are going to hurt us unless we rock the portal. It might not be next year depending on what JT and Sawyer do, but it is coming next year or the year after. OL could get a mention, but I like the guys we brought in and added to Montgomery, Padilla and Siereveld, that could be a good unit.
What This Class Has
A lot of star power at offensive skilled positions. You look at Noland, Peoples, JJ Smith, Graham, and LeBlanc/Witten, that is something to be excited about. Then the back 7 on defense...love both of Stover and Pierce, plus all of our secondary in Scott, West, Lockhart, McClain and Roker. If we can step it up in the trenches, the other positions are stacked. A big "if" I know, but that is where we sit.
2025 Outlook & Objectives - Offense and Defense
We HAVE HAVE HAVE to get 3 quality DE's. I said that in my last BRPT class report and we got 1. People can do the whole "sky is falling" phrase whilst burying their heads in the sand, but it seriously could be true without immediate solutions. Championship teams have elite defensive line play, that is how it works. We have to strike the portal hard and get a clear succession plan for LJ Sr. I know I am beating a dead horse but it is the truth and directly relates to this topic. For the '25 class if you are looking outside the portal, we have to nail the DE position and there is no other option...plus DT really after Scott defected, need 2 good ones.
At LB, I feel good where we are at...Lee is a good start and we've been doing well there. Definitely need one more quality LB, maybe two, but I like the slate of guys we are going after and that is a spot where the portal can help. At DB, I think we are going to be giddy next year. Woodby is a huge talent we have committed and between Sanchez, Brew, McNutt, Delane, etc...this will be an elite DB class. If I had to guess, it would be Woodby, Sanchez, Brew, McNutt and Delane. That would be DBU status (if we ever lost it) adding them to Mathews, CSH, Hartford, Bonsu, Scott, West, Lockhart and McClain. Exactly why we need to focus on the DL, back 7 is loaded.
On offense, not even necessary to address QB, WR or TE...we are good there. At RB, we definitely need 2 after Lyle bailed. Davis is a stud and no brainer take. Will Bo Jackson also come in that scenario? I hope so, because I would rather not bother with anyone else if we have two Ohio guys onboard that are legit and on par talent-wise with guys from OOS that will decommit in a heartbeat. Regardless, we need 2 guys there. WR is whatever, Boggs is a really good one and we are set there. TE looks real promising with Roberts and Gilbert. OL it would help to lock down Gach and Lowe early on, we probably need 4-5 depending on the portal. The '24 class was pretty good though even though adding someone like Baker would have been ideal, so there isn't as much pressure as we had the last two cycles.
This was a great recruiting class overall and we know what needs to be addressed in '25. So go address it and we will be fine. If we don't address it, we won't be fine. To me it really is that simple this year, not really a negative outlook but there are problems that just need to be fixed at DL and somewhat on OL. Silver lining is that having a great recruiting class at most positions helps you focus on the areas you need to work on.
Cheers to BP members and hope everyone is having a great holiday season!
. Even with all of the drama, OSU was still #3, and was able to fend off several big boys with massive deals. Can't wait to see how these kids fit into the future of the program