:osu: The Ohio State University Football Recruiting Class of 2012 :osu:
01. Warren Ball (Columbus DeSales; 6' 2", 200 lbs, Rivals 4*, #15 RB, #228 overall; Scout 4*, #21 RB, #196 overall)
02. De'van Bogard (Cleveland Glenville; 6' 1", 175 lbs; Rivals 4*, #14 S; Scout 4*, #24 S, #292 overall)
03. Jacoby Boren (Pickerington Central; 6' 2", 270 lbs; Rivals 3*, #17 OG; Scout 3*, #81 OG)
04. Taylor Decker (Vandalia Butler; 6' 8", 300 lbs; Rivals 4*, #26 OT, #215 overall; Scout 4*, #14 OT, #77 overall)
05. Kyle Dodson (Cleveland Heights; 6' 6", 315 lbs; Rivals 4*, #20 OT, #174 overall; Scout 4*, #24 OT, #181 overall)
06. Bri'onte Dunn (Canton Glen Oak; 6' 1", 220 lbs; Rivals 4*, #10 RB, #136 overall; Scout 5*, #7 RB, #32 overall)
07. Patrick Elflein (Pickerington North; 6' 3", 285 lbs; Rivals 3*, unranked; Scout 3*, #31 OG)
08. Frank Epitropoulos (Upper Arlington; 6' 3", 195 lbs, 4.47 forty; Rivals 3*, #76 WR; Scout 3*, #61 WR)
09. Cardale Jones (Cleveland Glenville and Fork Union; 6' 5", 230 lbs, 4.93 forty; Rivals 3*; Scout 3*)
10. Jamal Marcus (Durham (North Carolina) Hillside; 6' 2", 219 lbs, 4.6 forty; Rivals 3*, #35 WDE ; Scout 3*, #64 DE)
11. Najee Murray (Steubenville; 5' 11", 172 lbs, 4.41 forty; Rivals 3*, #27 CB; Scout 4*, #20 CB, #253 overall)
12. Joey O'Connor (Windsor, Colorado; 6' 4", 295 lbs; Rivals 4*, #15 OT, #87 overall; Scout 3*, #17 OG)
13. David Perkins (South Bend (Indiana) Washington; 6' 2", 209 lbs, 4.43 forty; Rivals 4*, #11 ATH, #155 overall; Scout 4*, #22 OLB, #212 overall)
14. Joshua Perry (Olentangy; 6' 3", 225 lbs; Rivals 4*, #10 OLB, #142 overall; Scout 4*, #9 OLB, #108 overall)
15. Se'Von Pittman (Canton McKinley; 6' 5", 250 lbs; Rivals 4*, #8 WDE, #81 overall; Scout 4*, #9 DE, #58 overall)
16. Tyvis Powell (Bedford; 6' 4", 185 lbs; Rivals 3*, #36 CB; Scout 3*, #37 S)
17. Armani Reeves (West Roxbury (Massachusetts) Catholic Memorial); 5' 10", 185 lbs, 4.41 forty; Rivals 4*, #17 CB, #213 overall; Scout 4*, #6 CB, #79 overall)
18. Luke Roberts (Lancaster; 6' 2", 225 pounds, 4.62 forty; Rivals 3*, unranked; Scout 3*, #25 MLB)
19. Tommy Schutt (Glen Ellyn (Illinois) Glenbard West; 6' 3", 301 lbs; Rivals 4*, #5 DT, #52 overall; Scout 5*, #5 DT, #48 overall)
20. Ricquan Southward (Lakeland (Florida) Lakeland; 6' 2", 190; Rivals 3*, #62 WR; Scout 3*, #113 WR)
21. Noah Spence (Harrisburg (Pennsylvania) Bishop McDevitt; 6' 4", 240 lbs; Rivals 5*, #2 DE, #9 overall; Scout 5*, #2 DE, #5 overall)
22. Blake Thomas (Cleveland St. Ignatius; 6' 4", 240 lbs, 4.8 forty; Rivals 3*, #17 TE; Scout 3*, #22 TE)
23. Michael Thomas (Fork Union; 6' 4", 203 lbs; Rivals 4*; Scout 4*)
24. Adolphus Washington (Cincinnati Taft; 6' 5", 240 lbs; Rivals 4*, #3 WDE, #36 overall; Scout 5*, #3 DE, #10 overall)
25. Camren Williams (West Roxbury (Massachusetts) Catholic Memorial; 6' 2", 215 lbs; Rivals 4*, #7 MLB, #162 overall; Scout 4*, #16 OLB, #172 overall)
Update 01/29 - Former commitment Roger Lewis has not been able to obtain a qualifying test score, and thus he will likely not attend Ohio State.
Update 01/22 - Buckeye fullback David Durham has announced his intention to transfer from Ohio State.
Update 01/13 - Buckeye verbal commitment De'van Bogard will be making an official visit to Southern Cal this weekend.
Update 01/13 - Freshman safety Jeremy Cash has decided to transfer, which might open up another spot for the class of 2012.
Update 01/15 - Defensive backs DerJuan Gambrell and Dominic Clarke have been released from scholarships for violations of team rules.
As most Buckeye fans are aware, the biggest current need for the team is offensive linemen, especially tackles. Ohio State loses the three Brew Crew members from the class of 2008 (has it really been four years since those guys signed?), and returns only two starters along the line - Andrew Norwell and Jack Mewhort. As far as depth goes, Corey Linsley and Marcus Hall are redshirt juniors who have seen little action, and Brian Bobek is a very promising sophomore who has very limited game experience. Other than that, the cupboard is filled with projects and walk-ons, so the need for fresh talent is very great. The former coaching staff landed a pair of linemen - guards Jacoby Boren and Patrick Elflein - but did little else to shore up the line. Now Urban Meyer and company are scrambling to fill in the numerous gaps before Signing Day. Some of the first calls that the new staff made were to tackle prospects Kyle Dodson (Cleveland Heights; 6' 6", 315 lbs; Rivals 4*, #20 OT, #174 overall; Scout 4*, #24 OT, #181 overall); Taylor Decker (Vandalia Butler; 6' 8", 300 lbs; Rivals 4*, #26 OT, #215 overall; Scout 4*, #14 OT, #77 overall); and Jordan Diamond (Chicago Simeon; 6' 6", 289 lbs; Rivals 4*, #35 OT; Scout 5*, #8 OT, #47 overall). Dodson is a longtime Wisconsin verbal, but he has recently opened up his recruitment, and Ohio State (official visit 12/10) is a very strong possibility. Decker is a longtime Notre Dame verbal, and he currently claims to be solid with the Irish despite the fact that his future position coach (Ed Warinner) and main recruiter (Tim Hinton) left Notre Dame in early January for, of all places, Ohio State; however, very recent rumblings indicate that Decker may have some interest in the Buckeyes, although he has not yet (and may never) schedule an official visit to Columbus. Watch this one closely, but don't be surprised if nothing happens. Diamond is an uncommitted prospect who did not start taking recruiting seriously until after the end of his season (and we wonder how seriously he is taking it now). Diamond made an official visit to Ohio State on 12/10, followed that up with a visit to Auburn on 12/17, and is scheduled visit Michigan, Wisconsin, and Arkansas in January; right now, it's anybody's guess where he lands, but the Buckeyes probably have as good a chance as anyone else in the running.
Update 01/13 - Offensive tackle prospect Taylor Decker will be making an official visit to Ohio State this weekend. Update 01/15 - Decker has committed to Ohio State!!!
Although Ohio State really needs offensive tackles, they also need competent guards as well, and that is why the staff is pursuing Joey O'Connor (Windsor, Colorado; 6' 4", 295 lbs; Rivals 4*, #15 OT, #87 overall; Scout 4*, #12 OG, #247 overall). O'Connor was a Penn State verbal until PedGate broke, after which he immediately opened up his recruitment. Ohio State has shown some serious interest, and has invited O'Connor for an official visit this weekend; however, the staff has not yet offered O'Connor. If a Buckeye offer comes this weekend, then look for O'Connor to accept it; if not, then either Iowa (visit 1/21) or Cal (visit 1/28) will be his likely destination. On the other hand, the new staff has apparently completely cooled on fellow Colorado guard prospect Alex Kozan (Littleton, Colorado; 6' 4", 295 lbs; Rivals 4*, #30 OT; Scout 3*, #18 OG), who made an official visit to Columbus back on November 4th.
Update 01/17 - Offensive lineman Joey O'Connor has committed to Ohio State!!!
Update 01/16 - Offensive guard Alex Kozan has eliminated Ohio State, as his final three are Michigan, Iowa, and Auburn.
Ohio State has four wide receivers locked up so far - Frank Epitropoulos, Roger Lewis, Ricquan Southward, and Michael Thomas - but none of them would qualify as a big-time playmaker. It is no secret that Urban Meyer wants to add a game breaker to this class, and the current number one guy seems to be Davonte Neal (Scottsdale (Arizona) Chapparal; 5' 10", 175 lbs, 4.41 forty; Rivals 4*, #22 WR, #146 overall; Scout 4*, #5 CB, #75 overall). Neal, who is originally from Ohio and grew up a Buckeye fan, is scheduled to make an official visit to Ohio State this weekend. If the fit is right, look for the staff to make a strong push for a commitment, and then to shut down wide receiver recruiting for the class of 2012. If Neal is not the guy, then perhaps the staff will continue to take a look at Stefon Diggs (Olney (Maryland) Good Counsel; 6' 0", 185 lbs, 4.43 forty; Rivals 5*, #2 WR, #8 overall; Scout 5*, #2 WR, #6 overall), a talented player who seems to have no idea what he wants to do after high school. Needless to say, his recruitment is wide open, although Florida is a possible destination. Joel Caleb (Midlothian Virginia; 6' 2", 201 lbs, 4.71 forty; Rivals 4*, #5 ATH, #71 overall; Scout 4*, #31 WR, #204 overall) has Ohio State (visit 12/3) solidly at the top of his list along with Virginia Tech (visit 12/10), but we wonder how hard the new staff is pushing for a commitment from him, especially considering he does not possess the world class speed that is needed to make Meyer's offense run at peak efficiency.
Update 01/16 - Stefon Diggs has apparently eliminated Ohio State, as his top five schools are Cal, Southern Cal, Auburn, Florida, and Maryland. Update 01/23 - Not so fast, my friend ... Diggs will now apparently schedule an official visit to Ohio State this weekend.
Although Urban Meyer shored up the defensive line with quick commitments from Adolphus Washington, Tommy Schutt, Se'Von Pittman, and Noah Spence, the back seven still needs quite a bit of work. The previous staff obtained commitments from linebackers Josh Perry and Luke Roberts, and defensive backs De'van Bogard, Najee Murray, and Tyvis Powell, but none of them is expected to be an immediate impact player. The Buckeyes still have several top defensive prospects on the board, including linebacker David Perkins (South Bend (Indiana) Washington; 6' 2", 209 lbs, 4.43 forty; Rivals 4*, #11 ATH, #155 overall; Scout 4*, #22 OLB, #212 overall). The problem is, Perkins envisions himself as a big running back, and with Bri'onte Dunn already in the fold, that's the last thing that the Buckeyes need right now. In any event, Perkins will be making an official visit to Ohio State this weekend, and he will also check out Missouri (already visited), Oregon (1/20), Illinois (1/24), and Cal (1/27). Another linebacker prospect on the Buckeyes' radar is Jamal Marcus (Durham (North Carolina) Hillside; 6' 2", 219 lbs, 4.6 forty; Rivals 3*, #35 WDE ; Scout 3*, #64 DE), a fast rising prospect. Marcus will visit East Carolina this weekend, and he is tentatively scheduled to visit Ohio State (1/20) and Florida (1/27). Normally a school like East Carolina would have no shot with a kid like Marcus, but word is that he really wants to stay close to home. A new name on the recruiting scene is linebacker Dalton Santos (Van, Texas; 6' 2", 245 lbs, 4.55 forty; Rivals 4*, #15 MLB; Scout 4*, #5 MLB, #182 overall), a soft verbal to Tennessee. Santos is scheduled to make an official visit to Knoxville this weekend, and if he does not reaffirm his commitment to the Volunteers during that trip, then he will likely make visits to Arkansas (1/20) and Ohio State (1/27). Another new name is Keilen Rayner (Leland (North Carolina) North Brunswick; 6' 3", 230 lbs, 4.63 forty; Rivals 3*, #41 OLB; Scout 3*, #31 MLB), who will visit East Carolina (1/13), Duke (1/20), and Ohio State (1/27). The Buckeyes don't usually do battle with the Blue Devils and the Pirates for recruits, but new defensive coordinator (and former Tar Heel interim coach) Everett Withers has obviously seen something that he likes in Rayner. Another Withers recruit is Joseph Jackson (Jacksonville (Florida) First Coast; 6' 2", 210 lbs, 4.59 forty; Rivals 3*, #60 OLB; Scout 3*, #79 OLB), who committed to the Tar Heels precisely because Withers was their interim head coach; when Withers left, Jackson began looking around, and naturally Ohio State was one of the schools which piqued his interest. Jackson is tentatively scheduled to make an official visit to Columbus on the weekend of January 20th, but he (like Rayner) seems to be a Plan B guy for the present.
Update 01/16 - Linebacker David Perkins has committed to Ohio State!!!
Update 01/23 - Linebacker Reggie Northrup (Jacksonville (Florida) First Coast; 6' 2", 215 lbs, 4.68 forty; Rivals 4*, #30 OLB; Scout 3*, #38 OLB), a Miami soft verbal, will be making an official visit to Ohio State this weekend. North Carolina linebacker Keilen Rayner will not be visiting Ohio State. Update 01/26 - Apparently, Northup's official visit to Columbus has been canceled.
Perhaps the most interesting defensive prospect on the board (and the most likely to sign with the Buckeyes) is linebacker Camren Williams (West Roxbury (Massachusetts) Catholic Memorial; 6' 2", 215 lbs; Rivals 4*, #7 MLB, #162 overall; Scout 4*, #16 OLB, #172 overall). Originally a Penn State commitment, Williams was another kid who opened up his recruitment in the wake of the Jerry Sandusky scandal. Camren has already made an official visit to Ohio State (12/12), but he plans to return for an unofficial visit with his parents, possibly during the weekend of January 20th, which would coincide with the official visit of his high school teammate, cornerback Armani Reeves (West Roxbury (Massachusetts) Catholic Memorial); 5' 10", 185 lbs, 4.41 forty; Rivals 4*, #17 CB, #213 overall; Scout 4*, #6 CB, #79 overall). Like Williams, Reeves originally committed to Penn State, but he is also looking around. Michigan gets a visit this weekend, and Ohio State next weekend, and possibly Penn State just before Signing Day.
Update 01/20 - Linebacker Camren Williams has committed to Ohio State!!!
Update 01/23 - Cornerback Armani Reeves completed his official visit to Ohio State, and tonight he will be hosting Buckeye coaches Urban Meyer, Luke Fickell, and Mike Vrabel in his home.
Update 01/26 - Armani Reeves has committed to Ohio State!!!
While most of Urban Meyer's recruiting targets are new names to Ohio State fans, safeties Bam Bradley (Trotwood Madison; 6' 2", 200 lbs; Rivals 3*, #36 S; Scout 3*, #35 S) and Demetrious Cox (6' 1", 192 lbs, 4.48 forty; Rivals 4*, #13 S; Scout 4*, #8 S, #97 overall) have been on the Buckeyes' board for many months. Bradley has already taken an official visit to Columbus, and Ohio State appears to be the current leader, but Pittsburgh (where his older brother plays) and Stanford are also in the mix. Cox is still looking at a number of schools; he was originally scheduled to make an official visit to Ohio State this weekend, but that was postponed at the staff's suggestion (hint, hint). Update 01/18 - Well, Demetrious Cox is supposedly schedule to make an official visit to Ohio State this weekend.
A few other players currently fall into the extreme long shot category, including quarterback Jameis Winston (6' 4", 200 lbs, 4.6 forty; Rivals 5*, #1 Dual QB; #10 overall; Scout 5*, #2 QB, #41 overall), a Florida State soft verbal who is also strongly considering Alabama; wide receiver Jordan Moore (Lithonia (Georgia) King; 6' 3", 208 lbs; Rivals NR; Scout 3*, #48 WR), currently a soft verbal to LSU for a track scholarship; cornerback De'Vante Harris (Mesquite (Texas) Horn; 5' 11", 160 lbs; Rivals 4*, #11 CB, #121 overall; Scout 4*, #16 CB, #190 overall), a former Oklahoma commitment who might make an official visit to Columbus on the weekend of January 27th; running back Brian Kimbrow (Memphis (Tennessee) East; 5' 9", 165 lbs, 4.28 forty; Rivals 4*, #3 APB, #99 overall; Scout 4*, #27 RB, #265 overall), a Vanderbilt commitment who has blown up recently due to his outstanding speed; and his high school teammate, defensive back Will Redmond (Memphis (Tennessee) East; 6' 0", 179 lbs, 4.41 forty; Rivals 4*, #21 ATH; Scout 4*, #19 CB, #249 overall).
Update 01/16 - Time to take Jameis Winston out of the the "long shot" category and move him to "no shot" status - Winston will not make an official visit to Ohio State, and should decide between Florida State and Alabama. And you can also eliminate cornerback De'Vante Harris, who committed to Texas A+M.
Going Elsewhere
Bam Bradley (Trotwood Madison; 6' 2", 200 lbs; Rivals 3*, #36 S; Scout 3*, #35 S) - Pitt signee
Demetrious Cox (6' 1", 192 lbs, 4.48 forty; Rivals 4*, #13 S; Scout 4*, #8 S, #97 overall) - Michigan State signee
Nick Davidson (Eden Prairie, Minnesota; 6' 7", 270 lbs; Rivals 4*, #38 OT; Scout 4*, #26 OT, #192 overall) - Stanford signee
Jordan Diamond (Chicago Simeon; 6' 6", 289 lbs; Rivals 4*, #35 OT; Scout 5*, #8 OT, #47 overall) - Auburn signee
De'Vante Harris (Mesquite (Texas) Horn; 5' 11", 160 lbs; Rivals 4*, #11 CB, #121 overall; Scout 4*, #16 CB, #190 overall) - Texas A+M signee
Joseph Jackson (Jacksonville (Florida) First Coast; 6' 2", 210 lbs, 4.59 forty; Rivals 3*, #60 OLB; Scout 3*, #79 OLB) - North Carolina signee
Cyrus Jones (5' 11", 183 lbs, 4.49 forty; Rivals 4*, #6 ATH, #106 overall; Scout 5*, #6 WR, #45 overall) - Alabama signee
Kyle Kalis (Lakewood St. Edwards; 6' 5", 302 lbs; Rivals 5*, #4 OT, #21 overall; Scout 5*, #6 OT, #35 overall) - Michigan signee
Brian Kimbrow (Memphis (Tennessee) East; 5' 9", 165 lbs, 4.28 forty; Rivals 4*, #3 APB, #99 overall; Scout 4*, #27 RB, #265 overall) - Vanderbilt signee
Jordan Moore (Lithonia (Georgia) King; 6' 3", 208 lbs; Rivals NR; Scout 3*, #48 WR) - Texas Christian signee
Reggie Northrup (Jacksonville (Florida) First Coast; 6' 2", 215 lbs, 4.68 forty; Rivals 4*, #30 OLB; Scout 3*, #38 OLB) - Florida State signee
Ifeadi Odenigbo (Centerville; 6' 4", 217 lbs, 4.44 forty; Rivals 4* ; Scout 4*, #5 OLB, #74 overall) - Northwestern signee
Keilen Rayner (Leland (North Carolina) North Brunswick; 6' 3", 230 lbs, 4.63 forty; Rivals 3*, #41 OLB; Scout 3*, #31 MLB) - Duke signee
Will Redmond (Memphis (Tennessee) East; 6' 0", 179 lbs, 4.41 forty; Rivals 4*, #21 ATH; Scout 4*, #19 CB, #249 overall) - Mississippi State signee
Dalton Santos (Van, Texas; 6' 2", 245 lbs, 4.55 forty; Rivals 4*, #15 MLB; Scout 4*, #5 MLB, #182 overall) - Texas signee
Jameis Winston (6' 4", 200 lbs, 4.6 forty; Rivals 5*, #1 Dual QB; #10 overall; Scout 5*, #2 QB, #41 overall) - Florida State signee
Last edited by a moderator:
And :scum4:SCum STILL sucks, and WILL suck for many more years. Here's to another ten in a row
