Predictions Thread

[Muck]

Not a bad list, but I think that Ohio State definitely takes a QB and a DE in this class. If someone has to go from this list, I start with Hilliman, as RB is a position of depth.

FWIW Barnett is a strong side end.

I agree 100% on QB & RB. The roster is just too thin if Brax leaves early and the staff has put in so much work into getting a top QB that I just don't see them passing unless there is absolutely nobody available.

With the depth at RB coupled with the needs at other positions & the scholarship restrictions this is a year in which RB should be pretty far down the list...and that's from a guy who's dream O would feature a rotation of Eddie, Beanie & Byars.

We can add Jalyn Holmes to the list as a wave of Crystal Ball predictions have come in today in favor of Ohio State.

Which is an excellent comment on just how much weight to place on the 'experts' predictions. Adding Holmes (woot!) would place that theoretical class at 22.


As a complete aside that class would also be very, very impressive. It's a bit of a shame that some are feeling let down because of the unrealistically high expectations many had going into this recruiting cycle.

"Why don't we have a 5* top 3 at every positions?! We are dooooomeeeeed!"

 

[ant80]

I think it's time to take a step back and look at how Pete Carrol went about recruiting. Maybe the "you're my #1 guy at <position>" thing actually works...

 

[RB07OSU]

"Why don't we have a 5* top 3 at every positions?! We are dooooomeeeeed!"

With all due respect, I haven't seen a single poster say anything close to that yet. All people are saying is that on paper in this very early stage, this class isn't quite stacking up with the previous years. I think everyone concedes that not every class we bring in will be ranked top 3 nationally. Making honest and realistic assessments isn't tantamount to being apocalyptic.

The only real position I've been disappointed with is QB. If nothing changes, I will be interested to hear the staff's take come NLOID. It seemed we were intent to pursue Watson full boar and really slow play the rest of the QBs but when Watson looked solid to Clemson, we finally got offers out to Allen and Harris, presumably too late. I think we nab Allen if we offered earlier (pure speculation) and might be a lot closer on Harris as well. Since most of the top QBs have committed, it doesn't look too positive to bring in someone of nearly equivalent value unless we can flip Watson, Allen, or Heard...which leads me to say skip the position with limited numbers even though it is position of moderate need.

As for OL, there are plenty of guys left and I like where we sit with many of them. I think we add J. Jones, Prince, and a JUCO (likely Mavety), maybe Knox. Plus we already have two GREAT prospects in Jones and Trout. I think we will be more than fine here but with the down OL class we had last year (as UFM admitted numerous times post-NLOID), it is a must that we get 2-3 top guys down the stretch.

 

[Muck]

With all due respect, I haven't seen a single poster say anything close to that yet. All people are saying is that on paper in this very early stage, this class isn't quite stacking up with the previous years. I think everyone concedes that not every class we bring in will be ranked top 3 nationally. Making honest and realistic assessments isn't tantamount to being apocalyptic.

I'm sorry my hyperbole bent your nose out of shape. Of course it still doesn't change the fact that many people were fully counting those top 3 at their position 5* players as virtual locks for this class months ago. Nor does it change the fact that this class is not fundamentally different in talent level from the '13 class at this time last year. The 'isn't quite stacking up' meme comes from comparing it to the mythical class that some believe Ohio State should have right now rather than actual classes of years past.

 

[WaitingforKickoff]

The only real position I've been disappointed with is QB. If nothing changes, I will be interested to hear the staff's take come NLOID. It seemed we were intent to pursue Watson full boar and really slow play the rest of the QBs but when Watson looked solid to Clemson, we finally got offers out to Allen and Harris, presumably too late. I think we nab Allen if we offered earlier (pure speculation) and might be a lot closer on Harris as well. Since most of the top QBs have committed, it doesn't look too positive to bring in someone of nearly equivalent value unless we can flip Watson, Allen, or Heard...which leads me to say skip the position with limited numbers even though it is position of moderate need.

With all due respect, as recently as a couple of weeks ago, you were openly voicing your disapproval of the offer to Harris. Now you are disapproving that the staff offered too late? Can't have a cake and eat it too.

 

[MD Buckeye]

Any one worried with how this class has started or who we've 'missed' on just needs to look at Meyer's track record. He's had "misses" here (Quick, Diggs, etc.) but he ends up replacing them with studs. Ohio State is sitting nicely with several top prospects & it's only June. Camp season is still far from over & look at the 'late' talent this staff has signed (Marcus, Bell, Clark, Wilson, Mitchell, Johnson, etc., etc.). Urban Meyer is a killer recruiter & will produce top notch classes year in & year out. He's done it throughout his career & it's only going to strengthen with the Ohio State brand (and the other killer recruiters on this staff).

For a prediction.......

QB- I think they'll take a QB this year (and every year). Several positive reports about Dawkins today at camp & his film is pretty impressive as well. I think they'll go after Watson & Harris until Signing Day.

RB- The only RB's I'd take at this point are Scott & Mixon (based off tape only).

WR- Lonnie Johnson; will be interesting to see how things go after Dixon's upcoming visit.

TE- Austin Roberts has visited & has a good relationship with the staff per reports. Luatua's film is impressive & I'd go after him till he said otherwise.

OL- Marcelys Jones, Kyle Trout; I think they'll land Jamarco Jones, Damian Prince & Chad Mavety. If Knox wants in, I'm not sure how you turn him down.

DT- Will be interesting to see how it progresses after visits from Shaw, Holley & Elam.

DE- Dylan Thompson; Jalyn Holmes. Would also love to land Solomon Thomas...seemed to enjoy his visit per reports, so we'll see.

LB- Kyle Berger, Sam Hubbard, Dante Booker; I think Raekwon ends up here. Seems to have a great relationship with the staff & Ohio State has been in the picture from day one. I don't think the staff 'misses' here.

DB- Damon Webb; Erick Smith & Quincy Wilson. Several quality prospects still mentioning Ohio State, so it will be interesting to see if visits are set up.

ATH- Parris Campbell Jr.; Marshon Lattimore, Curtis Samuel. The film of Lattimore & Webb going head to head (Scout $) was impressive and I think he'll be a stud on either side of the ball....that being said, IMO, put the ball in his hands & let him make plays. Same with Samuel. Both are electric. No way I'd turn JuJu Smith (has an official setup) away.

K- Nuernberger

As I said in the visit thread.....things are just 'getting started'......

 

[RB07OSU]

I'm sorry my hyperbole bent your nose out of shape. Of course it still doesn't change the fact that many people were fully counting those top 3 at their position 5* players as virtual locks for this class months ago. Nor does it change the fact that this class is not fundamentally different in talent level from the '13 class at this time last year. The 'isn't quite stacking up' meme comes from comparing it to the mythical class that some believe Ohio State should have right now rather than actual classes of years past.

I think hopes versus expectations need delineated. Many thought, aside from any sort of wild conjecture, that some of these players were OSU leans or at least that OSU would be in it until NLOID. Seeing a mass fallout and commitments elsewhere early on is discouraging but I don't see any real panic on this board (per the usual, which is good). And sure, many (including myself) had some of these players in our early "Predictions." However, they are just that...guesses on the best info available and not "virtual locks" in the minds of many. I don't know which players you are talking about but guys like Hand, Blanding, Peppers, Watson, Kitt, Hurd, Nelson, Sawyer, Harris, Byrne, Ferns, etc. were guys we thought we had a fighting chance with but just didn't land. The only guy I could think of with "virtual lock" status that looks a tad more iffy now is McMillan and that is far from over.

As for talent now versus talent in the '13 class I will just disagree on. This is a fine class with a ton of talent so far but last year was just lights out from beginning to end, particularly with high end talent (Bosa, Burrows, Apple, Marshall, Baugh, Barrett, Elliott, Price, and Lisle were all in early). I see some solid players with plenty of room to develop thus far, but no immediate star potential outside of Webb. All of that being said, that is not really an indictment of this class rather than the absurd talent we landed in the last class.

I am not trying to make any sort of personal jab, as you are one of the posters I truly respect on here. It just seemed some rational critique and discussion was being labeled as the type of ledge-toeing shenanigans that happens on all the other boards and I just don't see that. And as MD pointed out (and as I truly believe), UFM & Co. are too good not to close this class out strong. Personally I think we started off with a strong foundation but will add the more "elite" type guys as the recruiting season progresses (McMillan, Prince, Holmes, Lattimore, etc.).

With all due respect, as recently as a couple of weeks ago, you were openly voicing your disapproval of the offer to Harris. Now you are disapproving that the staff offered too late? Can't have a cake and eat it too.

I will admit to coming around on Harris after seeing improvement on the camp circuit...I had only seen his film and don't have the luxury of watching him throw in person/on the camp circuit. Frankly I am not sold on Harris being anywhere near an elite QB yet, but I do think he could be a BCS caliber QB that could do well here. Regardless, I was just saying that waiting on him so long put as at a disadvantage in terms of getting a QB the staff wanted, not that I am dying to have him in this class.

The only real puzzle to me was waiting so long on Allen and not offering Barker. QBs typically commit early and we unabashedly put our eggs in the Watson basket until May. They wanted to show they were set on Watson...Watson may not have got that message but other QBs did. I was all for that approach when Watson looked butter-soft in his commitment to Clemson, but it just didn't work out so far (we'll see if Watson sticks if/when Morris bolts)...not claiming any real foresight, just hindsight.

 

[LordJeffBuck]

FWIW Barnett is a strong side end.

Barnett is 6'3", 281 pounds - sounds more like a 3-technique to me.

But Ohio State moves their defensive linemen around a lot, so he could see some action at end, I suppose (if, of course, he signs with the Buckeyes).

 

[LitlBuck]

I know that I do not follow recruiting as much as some of the other guys on this site but I find it extremely difficult to believe that Meyer will not take a QB in this class. I say that simply because after Miller's last year you are left with Barrett, Jones, and a unknown freshman. I do not see Barrett getting any playing time this season unless I am completely wrong about his injury. I do not know enough about how Jones has improved or will improve this year to say that he could be a starter after Miller leaves and I highly doubt that an incoming freshman is going to be a starting QB. I just think that we take a QB. Have no idea who it might be but I am sure that the coaches are looking at more than a few.

I think as Meyer history shows, there will be a few names on that list that we don't even have on our radars yet. I also agree with Litl, there will be a QB in this class.

Not a bad list, but I think that Ohio State definitely takes a QB and a DE in this class. If someone has to go from this list, I start with Hilliman, as RB is a position of depth.

:highfive:

 

[Muck]

Barnett is 6'3", 281 pounds - sounds more like a 3-technique to me.

But Ohio State moves their defensive linemen around a lot, so he could see some action at end, I suppose (if, of course, he signs with the Buckeyes).

The numbers I was looking at still had him in the 260-270 range.

 

[bigdog3300]

Gotcha. I know Duane loves Antonio Woods as a QB/ATH. Was hoping to hear more about Chayce Crouch as well.

Just did a bit of film evals for another site about OH QB's this cycle....

Was not impressed with Crouch - didn't do a ton of prior research on him so if he's relatively new to the position it's different but he had some serious happy feet in the pocket, got flustered quite easily and footwork was very inconsistent. I left hoping he was an athlete recently converted to QB otherwise I don't see much potential.

As far as under the radar guys I'm looking forward to getting evaluated more thoroughly, Midview QB Cody Callaway is the one that left me the most impressed and by quite a fair distance. He currently has 7 offers, all from MAC schools, and is a verbal to BGSU but should get some lower level AQ school offers for sure.

 

[XXXX]

QB - None.

RB - Jonathan Hilliman

WR - Lonnie Johnson

ATH - Parris Campbell, Marshon Lattimore, Curtis Samuel, Austin Roberts

TE - None.

OL - Marcelys Jones, Kyle Trout, Jamarco Jones, Chad Mavety, Demetrius Knox, Alex Bookser

DL - Dylan Thompson, Derek Barnett

LB - Sam Hubbard, Kyle Berger, Dante Booker, Raekwon McMillan

DB - Damon Webb, Erick Smith, Quincy Wilson

Specialist - Sean Nuernberger

Events over the last few days have totally blown this list out of the water. Highlights how important camps are, as well as how flawed June crystal ball predictions are...

 

[wadc45]

Would like to see them go all in on Elam...I really like Holley but Elam could have a Hankins-esque impact early in his career at OSU...

 

[ant80]

My predictions (my hope, really) for OL: Jones, Jones, Trout, Maverty, Prince, Knox

 

[ShowMeBuck]

I think we have 8 spots left after landing Jones today. Keeping in mind the tight numbers we finish with:

McMillan
Lattimore
E. Smith
Gesicki
Samuel
Eluemunor (or Mavety)
Knox (or Prince)
Elam (if not then preferrably another DT like Holley, etc)

*we finish with 5 OL, all of them incredible
*we don't land another true WR
*we don't land a true RB

**we all curse the loss of 3 schollies....again.