With the season over, I'm ready to put out a top 25 for Ohio that I feel somewhat confident in and give a small report on each prospect. I'm sure more names will surface but it looks as if the top level talent will be off the charts in Ohio next year, better than I can ever remember. So:
1. Andrew Norwell OL 6-7 275 Cincinnati Anderson HS: I have seen Norwell play 3 times this year and I have walked away impressed every time. He might be Mike Adams good. Great feet, athletic, long arms, absolutely nasty, great pad level, smart, good knee bend, and I could go on for days. The kid is a stud. It was hard to put Turner at #2 but I just like Norwell that much. Definetly a 5 star.
2. Jamel Turner LB 6-3 210 Youngstown Ursuline HS: Turner has an amazing frame, great instincts, is very rangy, can rush a QB like no other player in the country, has a definite swagger, and has remarkable closing speed. Turner plays with corner speed but hits like a true LB. The only real criticism of his game I have is that he needs to move better in traffic. 5 star lock.
3. Spencer Ware 5-9 210 RB Cincinnati Princeton HS: I am still very, very high on Ware. Great burst through the hole, excellent vision, good top end speed, and has a good build. Ware had a good season considering how teams focused almost solely on him. My only concern is that Ware may be peaking, so it will be interesting to see how he performs at the combines. Borderline 5 star imo.
4. Jordan Hicks LB 6-2 210 West Chester Lakota West HS: I almost have Hicks at #3. Closing speed perhaps comparable to Turner, moves well in traffic, hits like truck, is a playmaker, and is simply explosive. He sets his hips and explodes through the ball carrier. I'm not crazy about his frame and I wonder how much weight he can hold. He will need to add some weight for sure but I'm just curious how much he can hold. Surefire top 50 in the country.
5. Scott McVey LB 6-0 220 Cleveland St. Ignatius HS: I've seen Scott numerous times now and he is the real deal. He simply makes the big play when you need it the most and is all over the field. Another player with explosion to his game and is almost unblockable. He give 100% every single play like no player I have seen this year. The only previous concern with the staff was his frame but when you have a player like McVey, it becomes nearly irrelevant. On top of all this, Scott is truly a JT recruit that everyone will love. He is a 4.0 student, respectful, and very humble. I like Hicks and Turner's potential more at this point with their sideline to sideline speed, but McVey could easily end up the best of the bunch. Top 100 player, likely in the 60-70 range.
6. Matt James OL 6-8 280 Cincinatti St. Xavier HS: I really like James. He has a great frame, has played at the highest level of competition and has proven himself there, locks on to defenders well, and moves to the next level fluidly. He was banged up this year which will cause his stock to fall a bit but he can easily move up this list with some good showings at combines. I'll make sure to see him live next season. A top 100 player and as of now, probably in the 60-90 range with a good chance to move up.
7. Darryl Baldwin DE 6-6 240 Solon HS: Massive 6'6 frame is obvious and his versatility is a plus. Very strong at the point of the attack and is a force in stopping the oppenents run game. Moves swiftly for his size and I definetly like the arm extension. He is a borderline top 100 guy and hopefully he shows up at some combines.
8. Terrance Talbot CB 5-10 170 Huber Heights Wayne HS: One of the more overlooked prospects imo. Plays bigger than his listed 5'10 height, great ball skills, makes big plays, has a very physical game, and can help in run support. I think Terrance is a top 250 type right now and though I think you see a falloff here at #8, I see Talbot as a player that will blow up at combines.
9. J.T. Moore DE 6-4 220 Younstown Boardman HS: Moore moves well and just like Bryant, his versatility is good. I see Moore as a candidate for the Viper position, along with McVey. He has a good frame to add needed weight and I think he is just scratching his potential. Add all that to an early offer from JT and you have a solid top 10 player in Ohio and top 250 in the country.
10. Tyrone Williams WR 6-5 204 East Cleveland Shaw HS: Here is a guy that I think has an insane amount of potential. Super smooth for a 6'5 guy and has great hands. I can easily see Williams blowing up and hitting the top 100 but for now I see him as a sure bet as top 250.
11. Alex Smith TE 6-5 220 West Chester Lakota West HS: Many will think this is too high but I really think the sky is the limit for Smith. He has a great frame, amazing hands, great athleticism, and blocks very well. He will need to improve his run blocking and gain some weight, but I feel very confident on Smith getting an OSU offer.
12. Jayron Elliot DE 6-3 210 Cleveland Glenville HS: I really like Elliot and I hope we find room for him. He is so vigilant at the point of attack and I like his upside. His effort really stands out as well, as I first noticed him busting tail in Newsome's video. He also can add some good weight to his frame.
13. Erick Howard RB 5-10 210: Just a great all around player. His balance and vision are what set him apart imo. He is very reminiscent to Clarret in those regards. He is also a physical back that knifes his way for every last single yard he can get. Not a home run threat but possibly an effective every down back in the Big 10. However, grades are an issue and he will need to get them in order to get the chance.
14. Derrick Bryant DE 6-4 230 Columbus Brookhaven HS: Very impressive in getting to the QB but I want to see more film to see if he can play the run. Athleticism is obvious but he needs to work on using his hands and developing pass rush moves, as simply running around the tackle won't always work at the next level. However, the potential is certainly there.
15. Christian Bryant CB 5-11 174 Cleveland Glenville HS: Bryant is a guy whose higlights I am anticipating. From limited film of various games I have seen Bryant in, he is always around the ball. He seems to be the type of corner we go after. He is also a combine warrior and will be a top 250 guy for it imo. Also, word is he has a lot of potential.
16. Dwight Macon ATH 5-11 180 Steubenville HS: Macon is a guy that gets compared to Troy Smith and rightfully so imo (in terms of attributes, not talent). He definetly has some great tools at the QB positon but obviously size is a big concern. He has a strong arm, steps into his passes, shows great accuracy, makes plays, and is a great athlete. However, I'm not sure where he plays if he wouldn't pan out at QB and I think that is what is holding offers up. He will need to show strong in the combines.
17. Jerald Robinson WR 6-2 175 Canton South HS: Another super smooth WR with good hands. More explosive than Williams and is electric with the ball in his hands. Robinson is a big wildcard in my eyes, as I could see him moving up this list with some good combine showings. I know 40 likes this kid a lot as well.
18. Andrew Donnal OL 6-6 250 Anthony Wayne HS: The frame and wingspan are obvious. He is very athletic and gets a good intial punch. However, I would like to see more nasty to his game and see him finish off more blocks. Perhaps TE is a possibility.
19. Taylor Miller OL 6-5 300 Trenton Edgewood HS: This may be a tad low, as I think Miller could be an OSU offeree. Moves fairly well for his size, good versatility (think DT), and has great initial punch. Weight is a concern but I think Miller can earn an offer at camp.
20. Nick Galvin LB 6-0 200 Cincinnati Moeller HS: Just got a chance to watch his film about a week ago and came away impressed. Very reminiscent to '07 grayshirt LB offer Gardiner from Dublin imo. He closes on the ball well, reads the play and reacts, has great instincts, and shows above average athleticism. He is one of those kids that is just a warrior that I could see possibly getting an offer down the stretch.
21. Zac Rosenbauer LB 6-2 236 Lima Shawnee HS: Another LB similar to Galvin. Great instincts, above average athleticism, and is just found around the ball every play. In any other year, I think Galvin and Rosenbauer could get offers, but I just don't see it with the talent of the top 3. However, if Hicks falls through and we want a MIKE instate, Rosenbauer could get looked at.
22. DeAndre Harris DB 5-11 195 Youngstown Ursuline HS: A treat to watch for Ursuline and a physical presence. Good size and good speed, but a 2.6 GPA could be a concern. Harris' name hasn't got out there all that much yet and I think he could certainly move up the lsit.
23. D.J. Williamson ATH 6-1 175 Warren G. Harding HS: A good all around player with the size and speed to play a multitude of positions. I personally like him at CB and he could get in the mix for a CB offer. How did he do this season worm?
24. Anthony Shrock WR 6-2 184 Wadsworth HS: After Kurelic hyped him up, I expected more than I saw. Shrock is a good player who goes after the ball well and has adequate speed. Reminds me of Robiskie a bit. I want to see how he does in combines.
25. Brendan Carozzoni TE 6-4 205 Cleveland St. Ignatius HS: Great hands, good athletic ability, very good speed, and a great frame. Definetly a project for the TE position but the upside is tremendous. Hopefully he gets a look from the staff. You could also probably put Schneider in the same spot.
- Let me know if I left anyone out, it's getting late.
1. Andrew Norwell OL 6-7 275 Cincinnati Anderson HS: I have seen Norwell play 3 times this year and I have walked away impressed every time. He might be Mike Adams good. Great feet, athletic, long arms, absolutely nasty, great pad level, smart, good knee bend, and I could go on for days. The kid is a stud. It was hard to put Turner at #2 but I just like Norwell that much. Definetly a 5 star.
2. Jamel Turner LB 6-3 210 Youngstown Ursuline HS: Turner has an amazing frame, great instincts, is very rangy, can rush a QB like no other player in the country, has a definite swagger, and has remarkable closing speed. Turner plays with corner speed but hits like a true LB. The only real criticism of his game I have is that he needs to move better in traffic. 5 star lock.
3. Spencer Ware 5-9 210 RB Cincinnati Princeton HS: I am still very, very high on Ware. Great burst through the hole, excellent vision, good top end speed, and has a good build. Ware had a good season considering how teams focused almost solely on him. My only concern is that Ware may be peaking, so it will be interesting to see how he performs at the combines. Borderline 5 star imo.
4. Jordan Hicks LB 6-2 210 West Chester Lakota West HS: I almost have Hicks at #3. Closing speed perhaps comparable to Turner, moves well in traffic, hits like truck, is a playmaker, and is simply explosive. He sets his hips and explodes through the ball carrier. I'm not crazy about his frame and I wonder how much weight he can hold. He will need to add some weight for sure but I'm just curious how much he can hold. Surefire top 50 in the country.
5. Scott McVey LB 6-0 220 Cleveland St. Ignatius HS: I've seen Scott numerous times now and he is the real deal. He simply makes the big play when you need it the most and is all over the field. Another player with explosion to his game and is almost unblockable. He give 100% every single play like no player I have seen this year. The only previous concern with the staff was his frame but when you have a player like McVey, it becomes nearly irrelevant. On top of all this, Scott is truly a JT recruit that everyone will love. He is a 4.0 student, respectful, and very humble. I like Hicks and Turner's potential more at this point with their sideline to sideline speed, but McVey could easily end up the best of the bunch. Top 100 player, likely in the 60-70 range.
6. Matt James OL 6-8 280 Cincinatti St. Xavier HS: I really like James. He has a great frame, has played at the highest level of competition and has proven himself there, locks on to defenders well, and moves to the next level fluidly. He was banged up this year which will cause his stock to fall a bit but he can easily move up this list with some good showings at combines. I'll make sure to see him live next season. A top 100 player and as of now, probably in the 60-90 range with a good chance to move up.
7. Darryl Baldwin DE 6-6 240 Solon HS: Massive 6'6 frame is obvious and his versatility is a plus. Very strong at the point of the attack and is a force in stopping the oppenents run game. Moves swiftly for his size and I definetly like the arm extension. He is a borderline top 100 guy and hopefully he shows up at some combines.
8. Terrance Talbot CB 5-10 170 Huber Heights Wayne HS: One of the more overlooked prospects imo. Plays bigger than his listed 5'10 height, great ball skills, makes big plays, has a very physical game, and can help in run support. I think Terrance is a top 250 type right now and though I think you see a falloff here at #8, I see Talbot as a player that will blow up at combines.
9. J.T. Moore DE 6-4 220 Younstown Boardman HS: Moore moves well and just like Bryant, his versatility is good. I see Moore as a candidate for the Viper position, along with McVey. He has a good frame to add needed weight and I think he is just scratching his potential. Add all that to an early offer from JT and you have a solid top 10 player in Ohio and top 250 in the country.
10. Tyrone Williams WR 6-5 204 East Cleveland Shaw HS: Here is a guy that I think has an insane amount of potential. Super smooth for a 6'5 guy and has great hands. I can easily see Williams blowing up and hitting the top 100 but for now I see him as a sure bet as top 250.
11. Alex Smith TE 6-5 220 West Chester Lakota West HS: Many will think this is too high but I really think the sky is the limit for Smith. He has a great frame, amazing hands, great athleticism, and blocks very well. He will need to improve his run blocking and gain some weight, but I feel very confident on Smith getting an OSU offer.
12. Jayron Elliot DE 6-3 210 Cleveland Glenville HS: I really like Elliot and I hope we find room for him. He is so vigilant at the point of attack and I like his upside. His effort really stands out as well, as I first noticed him busting tail in Newsome's video. He also can add some good weight to his frame.
13. Erick Howard RB 5-10 210: Just a great all around player. His balance and vision are what set him apart imo. He is very reminiscent to Clarret in those regards. He is also a physical back that knifes his way for every last single yard he can get. Not a home run threat but possibly an effective every down back in the Big 10. However, grades are an issue and he will need to get them in order to get the chance.
14. Derrick Bryant DE 6-4 230 Columbus Brookhaven HS: Very impressive in getting to the QB but I want to see more film to see if he can play the run. Athleticism is obvious but he needs to work on using his hands and developing pass rush moves, as simply running around the tackle won't always work at the next level. However, the potential is certainly there.
15. Christian Bryant CB 5-11 174 Cleveland Glenville HS: Bryant is a guy whose higlights I am anticipating. From limited film of various games I have seen Bryant in, he is always around the ball. He seems to be the type of corner we go after. He is also a combine warrior and will be a top 250 guy for it imo. Also, word is he has a lot of potential.
16. Dwight Macon ATH 5-11 180 Steubenville HS: Macon is a guy that gets compared to Troy Smith and rightfully so imo (in terms of attributes, not talent). He definetly has some great tools at the QB positon but obviously size is a big concern. He has a strong arm, steps into his passes, shows great accuracy, makes plays, and is a great athlete. However, I'm not sure where he plays if he wouldn't pan out at QB and I think that is what is holding offers up. He will need to show strong in the combines.
17. Jerald Robinson WR 6-2 175 Canton South HS: Another super smooth WR with good hands. More explosive than Williams and is electric with the ball in his hands. Robinson is a big wildcard in my eyes, as I could see him moving up this list with some good combine showings. I know 40 likes this kid a lot as well.
18. Andrew Donnal OL 6-6 250 Anthony Wayne HS: The frame and wingspan are obvious. He is very athletic and gets a good intial punch. However, I would like to see more nasty to his game and see him finish off more blocks. Perhaps TE is a possibility.
19. Taylor Miller OL 6-5 300 Trenton Edgewood HS: This may be a tad low, as I think Miller could be an OSU offeree. Moves fairly well for his size, good versatility (think DT), and has great initial punch. Weight is a concern but I think Miller can earn an offer at camp.
20. Nick Galvin LB 6-0 200 Cincinnati Moeller HS: Just got a chance to watch his film about a week ago and came away impressed. Very reminiscent to '07 grayshirt LB offer Gardiner from Dublin imo. He closes on the ball well, reads the play and reacts, has great instincts, and shows above average athleticism. He is one of those kids that is just a warrior that I could see possibly getting an offer down the stretch.
21. Zac Rosenbauer LB 6-2 236 Lima Shawnee HS: Another LB similar to Galvin. Great instincts, above average athleticism, and is just found around the ball every play. In any other year, I think Galvin and Rosenbauer could get offers, but I just don't see it with the talent of the top 3. However, if Hicks falls through and we want a MIKE instate, Rosenbauer could get looked at.
22. DeAndre Harris DB 5-11 195 Youngstown Ursuline HS: A treat to watch for Ursuline and a physical presence. Good size and good speed, but a 2.6 GPA could be a concern. Harris' name hasn't got out there all that much yet and I think he could certainly move up the lsit.
23. D.J. Williamson ATH 6-1 175 Warren G. Harding HS: A good all around player with the size and speed to play a multitude of positions. I personally like him at CB and he could get in the mix for a CB offer. How did he do this season worm?
24. Anthony Shrock WR 6-2 184 Wadsworth HS: After Kurelic hyped him up, I expected more than I saw. Shrock is a good player who goes after the ball well and has adequate speed. Reminds me of Robiskie a bit. I want to see how he does in combines.
25. Brendan Carozzoni TE 6-4 205 Cleveland St. Ignatius HS: Great hands, good athletic ability, very good speed, and a great frame. Definetly a project for the TE position but the upside is tremendous. Hopefully he gets a look from the staff. You could also probably put Schneider in the same spot.
- Let me know if I left anyone out, it's getting late.
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