Lamarcus Joyner (DB New York Jets)

[jwinslow]

In HS, Troy had to leave his high school and transfer to Glenville because he gave an opponent a concussion with an intentional elbow to the head. In 2003 (2nd year), Troy was an athlete playing WR and returning kicks. Before the big michigan game, he was caught up in a fight In his third season, while riding the pine behind Justin Zwick, he made it known to the media that he was unhappy with the playing time he was getting. After Troy's 5th game as a starter, another scandal rips through Ohio State as Troy Smith is suspended for accepting illegal benefits from a booster. OSU was still in the middle of the Clarett scandal (Troy's roommate) and now their starting QB is mixed up in the same problems.

Troy wasn't the most dedicated quarterback either. He would admit later that despite his coaches trying to get him to focus on watching film, understanding the offense and becoming a better player, he was more interested in partying and having a good time.

Tressel could have easily cut ties with Troy (his original starter that year was Zwick who had played hard and kept his nose clean), but he stuck with him. During and after his suspension, Troy would arn what it meant to be a man, a leader and a player at Ohio State, from studying game film to being a leader on and off the field. He would go onto lead some great Ohio State teams and capture the Heisman trophy.

Troy would credit both Jim Tressel (college coach) and Ted Ginn Sr (high school coach, mentor and practically a father) to helping the boy become a man. He talked about that at the heisman ceremony among other places.

 

[ThisIsMyUsernam]

One would be remiss if Tyson Gentry were not mentioned as well. Tyson was an OSU walk-on who broke a vertebra in his neck during practice a few years back. As a result, he was partially paralyzed and confined to a wheelchair. He's remained a very active and inspirational part of this Ohio State team. His story is a great one, not just for him, but also to see how Tressel treats players in his program.

There's much, much more on Tyson in his BP official player thread:
http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/forum/buckeye-alumni/24113-tyson-gentry-official-thread.html

Sorry to take this further, just thought Tyson should be mentioned as well.

 

[ochre]

Thats the pitch of some colleges too.

From everything I've heard and read, that's going to be a difference you should be in a position to notice regarding Tressel. He doesn't (again from what I've read) get into negative recruiting. He presents the OSU program and its advantages without delving into undercutting other programs.

 

[Sportsbuck28]

I believe it was Howie Long who said "Jim Tressel is one of the few who will send you back a better man than you send him."

 

[jwinslow]

I believe it was Howie Long who said "Jim Tressel is one of the few who will send you back a better man than you send him."

For reference, Howie's son Kyle heavily considered OSU football before settling on FSU to play baseball.

From everything I've heard and read, that's going to be a difference you should be in a position to notice regarding Tressel. He doesn't (again from what I've read) get into negative recruiting. He presents the OSU program and its advantages without delving into undercutting other programs.

Time and time again you'll hear kids talk about the positive theme of their recruiting... selling what OSU has instead of attacking the opponents, encouraging them to make sure they are making the right choice (even if it's not OSU in the end), etc.

Example A: http://www.buckeyeplanet.com/forum/...n-gwaltney-official-thread-76.html#post140850

There is also a stark contrast in the way Carroll & Tressel stand behind their kids when they go pro. If they are projected first rounders, JT encourages them to go (ie Gonzalez)... and handles it gracefully if they leave early despite a lower draft projection (Washington, Pittman, etc). You will never see a Mark Sanchez debacle at OSU.

 

[CleveBucks]

Richard McNutt was a highly recruited corner from Illinois back in the early 2000's. Played some in the 2002 MNC season, but had to give up football due to chronic ankle injuries. He stayed on scholarship at OSU and Tressel let him help coach the DB's. Since graduating, he's coached DB's at D-3 Washington & Jefferson, then VMI, then the Univ of Toledo, then was the assistant DB's coach for the Cleveland Browns last year.

 

[DontHateOState]

Jim Tressel is one the most loyal people in existence. He stands by his players.

 

[leroyjenkins]

Richard McNutt was a highly recruited corner from Illinois back in the early 2000's. Played some in the 2002 MNC season, but had to give up football due to chronic ankle injuries. He stayed on scholarship at OSU and Tressel let him help coach the DB's. Since graduating, he's coached DB's at D-3 Washington & Jefferson, then VMI, then the Univ of Toledo, then was the assistant DB's coach for the Cleveland Browns last year.

WOW i didnt know that. Although McNutt didnt live up to the "McNutt for Heisman" t-shirts, it sounds like he's doing very well!

 

[stxbuck]

Naw, this is a great topic for this tread. I wouldnt be asking if it wasn't a topic of high interest. And you guys are wonderful, very knowledgable of your program. Heck, i didn't know M. Clarett was in jail. Especially bringing up the name of Troy Smith whom most HS players have a ton of respect for. He's one of the top names that players know. Ive shown LJ this board and he gets excited about the different info and things written on here. Like I said, people who dont know about the program down here think Tressel will drop you in a minute. Thats the pitch of some colleges too. But thank you for your patience. Ill be sure LJ looks at this and blow those sayings down. This info is appropriate for a player moving that far from the only environment they ever knew.

Tressel still stays in contact with MoC in prison. He has stuck with him as a person every bit as much as he can, given the charges that MoC faced, and was convicted of.
Heck, Tressel invites his (fired) coaching predecessors John Cooper and Earle Bruce to roll w/ the team on road trips, and both former coaches maintain offices at the Woody Hayes Center, I believe.

 

[RB07OSU]

Naw, this is a great topic for this tread. I wouldnt be asking if it wasn't a topic of high interest. And you guys are wonderful, very knowledgable of your program. Heck, i didn't know M. Clarett was in jail. Especially bringing up the name of Troy Smith whom most HS players have a ton of respect for. He's one of the top names that players know. Ive shown LJ this board and he gets excited about the different info and things written on here. Like I said, people who dont know about the program down here think Tressel will drop you in a minute. Thats the pitch of some colleges too. But thank you for your patience. Ill be sure LJ looks at this and blow those sayings down. This info is appropriate for a player moving that far from the only environment they ever knew.

Don't be afraid to ask anything man. If there are any concerns, it's best to be vocal about them. The posters on here are more than happy to answer questions and you will usually get a level headed response, with little bias. My suggestion is to have LJ read "The Winners Manual" by Jim Tressel. It will give you perspective on what kind of person JT really is. He is an outstanding man, who puts as much effort into community outreach, developing men out of young men, etc., as he does into football (which is saying a lot). His book really reflects this.

When the school interviewed JT, they asked him about his discipline, wanting to know what penalties would be given for infractions. He wouldn't give them any because he looks at each situation, to better determine what would be best for that player's deveolpement as a person. He doesn't give out rash punishments. Clifford is a great example because he was likely going to be a star here but JT got him a transfer to Tenn. St., to better the chances of him staying out of trouble. Now he flourishing there.

 

[genron187]

Do you think Joyner can be used as an exclusively offensive player? somes schools want him to play RB, some WR.

 

[BGriffBuckeye]

Do you think Joyner can be used as an exclusively offensive player? somes schools want him to play RB, some WR.

Tressel and the Ohio State staff really recruits 3 different categories:

--Speed (usually dual-threat QBs like Boyd, all-purpose RBs like Berry, WRs, and DBs)
--Big Speed (usually the pro-style/bigger QBs, big backs like Beanie, posession WRs, DEs, LBs and big Safties)
--Power (Fullbacks, TEs, OLmen, DTs)

Lamarcus definitely fits in at the speed category. The staff will bring him in and use him where they see fit. I know it's been used OFTEN, but one only needs to go back to Teddy Ginn and Anthony Gonzalez of a few years ago. Both came in recruited as DBs and ended up NFL first round draft picks at WR. Same can be said for Chris Gamble. Gamble came in recruited as a WR and ended playing ALL GAME as a WR, CB and Return man.

So, to answer your question, there is a HIGH chance that Lamarcus comes in and plays offense OR defense OR special teams OR some combination of the three.

 

[buchtelgrad04]

Do you think Joyner can be used as an exclusively offensive player? somes schools want him to play RB, some WR.

Yeah, I think he has the talent and explosiveness to be good on the offensive side of the ball. But in my eyes (I do wear glasses), it would be a felony to take him off of the defensive side. He's a punisher, he likes to hit. He also can cover. It seems like he'd do well at both, but defense is where he'd be best at.

 

[tonystarx]

Do you think Joyner can be used as an exclusively offensive player? somes schools want him to play RB, some WR.

Tressel has had success with two-way players. Personally I could see LJ being a Percy Harvin-type player on offense, and a shutdown corner on defense with the athleticism and speed he has. He could defenitely shine @ OSU. Not to mention a strong pedigree of Buckeyes @ both positions in the NFL past and present.

 

[BengalsAndBucks]

Do you think Joyner can be used as an exclusively offensive player? somes schools want him to play RB, some WR.

The staff will normally let players choose what side of the ball they start out on. If it doesnt work out, due to lack of development, depth chart, etc, then they can always switch positions or sides of the ball.