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LB/DE Mark Johnson (official thread)

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http://dispatch.com/football/football.php?story=dispatch/2006/01/10/20060110-C3-03.html

California linebacker opts for Buckeyes
Tuesday, January 10, 2006
Tim May
THE COLUMBUS DISPATCH
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Californian Mark Johnson, considered to be one of the top 10 linebacker prospects in the country by one recruiting service, said yesterday that he will sign with Ohio State on Feb. 1.
From Dorsey High School in Los Angeles, Johnson (6 feet 4, 230 pounds) picked the Buckeyes over California, Louisiana State, Michigan and others and became the 13 th member of the class of 2006. But who knows what he would have done had the weather been more winterlike during his official visit to OSU during the weekend.
"I kind of had my mind made up before I got there," Johnson said by phone yesterday from L.A. "I told myself, ‘If it’s not too cold, I’m just going to commit.’ "
Thus OSU picked up a prospect ranked No. 10 among all linebackers in the nation by Scout.com, and ranked No. 5 among inside linebackers by Rivals.com. One thing that stands out immediately about Johnson is his 4.5-second speed in the 40-yard dash.
"This is a very big commitment for Ohio State because not only is Mark Johnson one of the top prospects in the country, but he fills a need, because everybody knows Ohio State has lost its three starting linebackers from this past season," said Bill Kurelic, Midwest expert for Rivals.com.
Johnson said he and others will have big shoes to fill in following A.J. Hawk, Anthony Schlegel and Bobby Carpenter.
"I liked watching all three of them, because they were great examples of that Ohio State tradition when it comes to linebacker play," Johnson said. "They just play on a different level.
"That’s why I want to go there. There’s just something about that defense. You can see you have to step your game up just to get to play for Ohio State."
The Buckeyes, with two other linebackers already committed to the 2006 class, are seeking at least two more. Colin McCarthy of Clearwater, Fla., reportedly has narrowed his choices to OSU and Miami, and Thaddeus Gibson of Euclid, Ohio, still is contemplating offers from Michigan, Miami, Penn State, Tennessee and OSU.
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"I kind of had my mind made up before I got there," Johnson said by phone yesterday from L.A. "I told myself, ‘If it’s not too cold, I’m just going to commit.’ "

Can we send fruit baskets to all the local weathermen as a show of our thanks. BP needs a petty cash fund.
 
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goodguy said:
"I kind of had my mind made up before I got there," Johnson said by phone yesterday from L.A. "I told myself, ‘If it’s not too cold, I’m just going to commit.’ "

Can we send fruit baskets to all the local weathermen as a show of our thanks. BP needs a petty cash fund.
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I think we need to say a little thank you to mother nature for letting it warm up a little bit for a couple days.
 
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crazybuckfan40 said:
I think we need to say a little thank you to mother nature for letting it warm up a little bit for a couple days.
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Payback for that weekend in Jan from the '99 class,iirc, when we missed our biggest recruiting weekend of the year due to a near blizzard.

Missed a chance to close the deal on TJ Duckett among many others.
 
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even when we reeled in the hawk/carp/d'andrea/white class, i have not had so much faith and excitement for a class of lb's.

i think johnson is the cornerstone of this lb group regardless as to whether we get Gibson or not. i love his measurables and his attitude. he could be the next big one...then again, they all could. good choice mark. you're going to have some great company at your sides for your 4/5 years at tOSU.
 
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