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The 2007 OSU Recruiting Class. Featuring SPEED:

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G_Ville

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As of today, here is my prediction for the 2007 Recruiting Class:


2007 Class:

QB/ATH - Skylar Jones (Clocked a 4.32 at Nike Camp. Will duplicate that at OSU's summer camp. Can play QB, WR, or DB)
QB/ATH - Joe Haden (Can play QB, WR, CB, or Safety. Sub 4.4 speed)
ATH - Devon Torrence (Can play WR or CB, or even safety. Very versatile)
RB - Robert Hughes (Power running back)
RB/WR - Brandon Saine (Speed running back that can also play wide receiver. Bigger and Stronger version of Reggie Bush)
WR - Kyle Jefferson (OSU will offer late like they did with Freddie Lenix late in the process, after they strike out trying to get national taller WR's)
WR - Taurian Washington (6'2" wide receiver with speed and athleticism. Can play corner as well. Built like Gamble out of high school)
WR - Aaron Johnson (5'11" with 4.4 speed. Can play WR or CB)
TE - Kyle Hubbard (I think we go after him, after he runs a 4.5 at OSU's camp this summer. 6'4" tight end with 4.5 speed)
OL - Evan Blankenship
OL - Kris O'Dowd
OL - Nick Claytor (Remember, they also picked up Josh Kerr off of free agency as a scholarship Offensive Tackle)
DT - Joseph Barksdale
DT - Antonio Jeremiah
DE - Soloman Thomas (Ben Martin will go to Notre Dame. Soloman Thomas WOWS the staff at OSU's summer camp like Lawrence Wilson did two years ago)
MLB - Dewey Elliot (Probably can play any linebacker position, middle or one of the outside positions. Seems to be very versatile)
OLB - Jer'male Hines (Can also be a bigger safety if needed)
CB - Dionte Allen (We'll get Washington and Allen to join their buddy Gant, after we beat Michigan at home this year, with these St. Mary's guys in attendence)
CB - Donnie Evege
CB/S - Eugene Clifford (OSU is recruiting him as a corner somewhat now, but can also be a safety or even a wide receiver)
S - Nate Oliver (Other guys can play here from this class as well... Clifford, Torrence, Haden, Hines, etc.)


* - This class has many "athlete" types that are versatile and can play 2, 3, or even 4 positions... (Jones, Haden, Torrence, Saine, Washington, Johnson, Allen, Evege, Clifford, Hines, etc.)

* - This class features 12 in-state guys, and 9 out of state guys. It includes every big time in-state player except for Ben Martin, Andrew Dailey, and Brian Gamble. It also doesn't include Jordan Mabin of course, lol. Ben Martin is the only in-state player that we offer and go after hard, that we don't get)

* - The staff just won't feel comfortable to offer any in-state QB's or Offensive Linemen. None will be good enough for them.

* - This will be by far the #1 DB class in the country (Evege, Allen, Torrence, Clifford, and Oliver).

* - OSU strikes out on every "Taller" wide receiver they go after. In late January, OSU offers Kyle Jefferson late like they did to Brian Robiskie a couple of years ago)

* - The O-line is stacked with talent and depth going into the 2007 season (Boone, Barton, Rehring, Cordle, Skinner, Mitchum, Person, C. Smith, Browning, Kerr, Blankenship, O'Dowd, Claytor, Whaley, Moses)

* - OSU only gets 3 D-linemen in the class, but moves one of the DE's currently on the roster to DT. That will make 6 DT's on the 2007 roster, and about 7 DE's, among scholarship players.

* - This class has no fullback after getting Aram Olson last year. Dionte Johnson and Olson enter 2007 as the only true scholarship fullbacks. OSU's offense is changing)

* - Skylar Jones and Joe Haden are both taken as athletes who can play quarterback. It is assumed that one will end up at QB, and the other at another position. Chris Smith and Clay Belton still don't have really any big time offers in January late in the process. We see that the coaching staff was right again.

* - JT emphasizes that this is his "fastest" (and most athletic) class ever since being at OSU. Talks about all the speed and versatility on signing day, and mentions how wonderful it will be once Butch Reynolds gets his hands on these guys. It is assumed that JT and the coaching staff get greedy because of Ted Ginn's Explosive 2006 season, and accept one or two more total athletes (WR's and CB's) in this class than originally anticipated. Then we realize over a 2-year span (after 2005 and 2006 seasons) that OSU lost at WR: Holmes, Ginn, Hall, Jordan to injury, and Darrell Johnson never making it. And at corner: Youboty, Everett, Roberts, Antonio Smith, and Shaun Lane to attrition, and maybe even one more corner to attrition).

* - We are now stocked and stacked at every position. We are at least 3-deep at every position except fullback, but we have good quality walk-ons there to fill the 3rd and 4th string in 2007. Robert Hughes could also be an emergency fullback, as he comes in at near 230 pounds of all muscle, but he is wanted as a power back at tailback.

* - OSU is 6-deep at tailback entering 2007 (Pittman, Beanie Wells, Mo Wells, Erik Haw, Saine, and Hughes)


OSU is on their way toward a dynasty!!!

Michigan still effing sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!




 
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Wow very impressive write-up. Great first post.

If we land a class like that then I dont know how one could argue against it being top-3 in the nation.

Im interested in seeing how Skylar Jones' recruitment picks up after running that blazing 40.

An offenvise linemen class of Blankenship, O'Dowd, and Claytor would be killer.

Barksdale is my #1 player on the board right now, hopefully he ends up in Columbus.

I agree that Martin goes to Notre Dame, but Solomon Thomas seems interested in mostly Southern schools. Should be interesting to see how it plays out.

I think Antonio Jeremiah is a Buckeye lock once he gets his offer, he'll make a great DT.

If we pull in that secondary class, then teams might as well not even try to throw the ball against us anymore.

Hopefully Torrence chooses football, but if he does choose baseball, no one can fault him.

I really hope we land Hughes, he will be tough to pull away from Notre Dame, but its possible.

Kyle Jefferson has a lot of potential, he needs to add some weight and have a good season to earn an offer though.

Again, very nice write-up.
 
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Yep, exactly my point on Jefferson. If he gets offered at all, it will have to be late in the process. But his size and speed are good enough on paper obviously. 6'5" with sub 4.5 speed (almost 4.4 speed at that size). Track and Field champion as well. We are turning into a track team almost, and this class will add to it. Notice how this class will feature 10-12 guys who will be QB (athletic QB), RB, WR, CB, and Safety. I think JT fills half or a tad more than half this class with these positions. We are stacked at DE and LB (and FB and TE in terms of "quality"), so I don't think we'll go after as many "Big Speed" guys in this class. We got a lot of that in the last class, and we've got a lot of younger talent at those positions on the roster. The "Speed" guys always have the most attrition, and we have 5 DB's on the field more often now than 4 DB's, because of all the passing offenses we play against, plus we have teams in 3rd and long a lot (HA HA!).
 
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G_Ville said:
Yep, exactly my point on Jefferson. If he gets offered at all, it will have to be late in the process. But his size and speed are good enough on paper obviously. 6'5" with sub 4.5 speed (almost 4.4 speed at that size). Track and Field champion as well. We are turning into a track team almost, and this class will add to it. Notice how this class will feature 10-12 guys who will be QB (athletic QB), RB, WR, CB, and Safety. I think JT fills half or a tad more than half this class with these positions. We are stacked at DE and LB (and FB and TE in terms of "quality"), so I don't think we'll go after as many "Big Speed" guys in this class. We got a lot of that in the last class, and we've got a lot of younger talent at those positions on the roster. The "Speed" guys always have the most attrition, and we have 5 DB's on the field more often now than 4 DB's, because of all the passing offenses we play against, plus we have teams in 3rd and long a lot (HA HA!).
Click to expand...

I agree with you that the staff will take mostly speed guys this year.

Word is that the staff is only looking to bring in 2-3 offensive linemen this year. Barksdale and Jeremiah will make an amazing set of defensive tackles in the future.
 
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I still think we take 3 Offensive Linemen if we can get the right guys. We need 2 guys who can play tackle in this class (O'Dowd and Claytor would be nice). O'Dowd could also play guard. Blankenship can play guard or center even. That would make ...

C/G - Blankenship
G/T - O'Dowd
T - Claytor (This would ensure good versatility in this class on the O-line as well)

I do think we take 3 D-linemen. 2 will be DT's, and we'll take a true DE who isn't a Leo (We've got Gholston and Dublin who are the Leo's on the team). That true DE will be Soloman Thomas. I think once we offer and show him the love, then we'll be able to fit him in this class (especially if he knows that he'll be the only true DE in the class). We have Abdallah, Denlinger, and Larimore returning at DT. One of the DE's will bulk into a DT as well, so that makes 4. Bringing in two DT's in this class will make that 6, and none of those 6 guys will be seniors in 2007. Therefore, we bring in 1-2 more DT's in the 2008 class, and then we'll have 7-8 DT's on the roster then. That's how you build depth and balance. You can't do it all in one year. Besides, 6 scholarhsip DT's on the roster in 2007 is still more than the amount of scholarship DT's we had on the roster in our 2002 National Championship run. Remember, we had to bring in a bunch of DT's in the 2003 class. In 2002, we only had Anderson, Peterson, Thompson, and then Pitcock and Penton were redshirted behind them. So we only played 3 scholarship DT's that year, and 2 redshirted. That was our depth that year in 2002. We'll be fine with 6 DT's on the roster in 2007. I don't see the need for 3-4 like some people are wanting. That means we'd be taking 1-2 projects who won't see playing time soon anyways, so it's better to take 2 good ones this year, and 2 more good ones next year, instead of taking a TON this year including projects.
 
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Who do you think moves over from DE? Alex Barrow?

Other than Jeremiah and Barksdale, I dont think we are really in on anymore defensive tackles that are OSU quality. I think its very important that we land Barkdale.
 
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It'll be either Barrow, Worthington, or Rose.

Wilson won't because he'll be like a young Will Smith soon at DE. Gholston and Dublin won't because they are sort of our Leo's at the Leo position (quicker DE who can drop back in coverage if needed). Ryan Williams is more of a true DE (almost still a tad skinny for a DE even as of right now actually). So it will be either Barrow, Worthington, or Rose. People assume Rose has no chance to move because he looked so good at DE in the Army All-Star Game back in January. They are correct, but what they're forgetting is that he has an NFL Body right now for the DE position. He is 260+ pounds all muscle right now, and by the time the 2007 season kicks around (15-16 months from now), he could be a legit 285 pounds. He may out-grow the DE position. He could be 290+ pounds in 2-3 years from now, seriously. He is a workaholic in the weight room, so it is not out of question. However, I think Barrow or Worthington still have more of a chance to slide down to DT than Rose does. Worthington is already in the 260-275 pound range, and can make the move. He would be a taller DT though at 6'7", but that would add "more diversity" to the DT position. He would give shorter QB's nightmares when throwing over the middle. So he could be used as a weapon there off the bench at times. Barrow has the frame if he wants to get more serious in the weight room. He would have to work out a lot more, and bulk up an additional 15-20 pounds from right now to have the chance to move over. He needs to get to at least 270 something or higher. I would say 275 or higher would still be the minimum to play DT in the Big 10. Darrion Scott and Kenny Peterson did slide down to DT (from DE) at that weight (the 270-279 weight range). Remember, whoever moved over to DT from DE wouldn't have to be a starter. Just a top notch guy off the bench who is the #1 or #2 DT off the bench (#3 or #4 most talented DT on the roster at the time after making the move).
 
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scarletngrey77 said:
Who do you think moves over from DE? Alex Barrow?

Other than Jeremiah and Barksdale, I dont think we are really in on anymore defensive tackles that are OSU quality. I think its very important that we land Barkdale.
Click to expand...

I think there are couple under the radar guys in Ohio that are going to get long looks at camp.

Guys like Hatcher, Hughes, Browne, and maybe a couple of OOS guys. I would love for Stuart Hines to make and appearance at camp and earn an offer. He is said to be the #1 player in Kentucky.
 
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Don't sleep on Vince Browne or Zach Furlong either...Hubbard has made it very clear that he is also VERY interested in Miami and Texas, and Furlong has great measurables as well. Browne could be a nice addition to the DE haul, with or without Solomon Thomas.
 
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G_Ville said:
As of today, here is my prediction for the 2007 Recruiting Class:


2007 Class:

QB/ATH - Skylar Jones (Clocked a 4.32 at Nike Camp. Will duplicate that at OSU's summer camp. Can play QB, WR, or DB)
QB/ATH - Joe Haden (Can play QB, WR, CB, or Safety. Sub 4.4 speed)
ATH - Devon Torrence (Can play WR or CB, or even safety. Very versatile)
RB - Robert Hughes (Power running back)
RB/WR - Brandon Saine (Speed running back that can also play wide receiver. Bigger and Stronger version of Reggie Bush)
WR - Kyle Jefferson (OSU will offer late like they did with Freddie Lenix late in the process, after they strike out trying to get national taller WR's)
WR - Taurian Washington (6'2" wide receiver with speed and athleticism. Can play corner as well. Built like Gamble out of high school)
WR - Aaron Johnson (5'11" with 4.4 speed. Can play WR or CB)
TE - Kyle Hubbard (I think we go after him, after he runs a 4.5 at OSU's camp this summer. 6'4" tight end with 4.5 speed)
OL - Evan Blankenship
OL - Kris O'Dowd
OL - Nick Claytor (Remember, they also picked up Josh Kerr off of free agency as a scholarship Offensive Tackle)
DT - Joseph Barksdale
DT - Antonio Jeremiah
DE - Soloman Thomas (Ben Martin will go to Notre Dame. Soloman Thomas WOWS the staff at OSU's summer camp like Lawrence Wilson did two years ago)
MLB - Dewey Elliot (Probably can play any linebacker position, middle or one of the outside positions. Seems to be very versatile)
OLB - Jer'male Hines (Can also be a bigger safety if needed)
CB - Dionte Allen (We'll get Washington and Allen to join their buddy Gant, after we beat Michigan at home this year, with these St. Mary's guys in attendence)
CB - Donnie Evege
CB/S - Eugene Clifford (OSU is recruiting him as a corner somewhat now, but can also be a safety or even a wide receiver)
S - Nate Oliver (Other guys can play here from this class as well... Clifford, Torrence, Haden, Hines, etc.)


* - This class has many "athlete" types that are versatile and can play 2, 3, or even 4 positions... (Jones, Haden, Torrence, Saine, Washington, Johnson, Allen, Evege, Clifford, Hines, etc.)

* - This class features 12 in-state guys, and 9 out of state guys. It includes every big time in-state player except for Ben Martin, Andrew Dailey, and Brian Gamble. It also doesn't include Jordan Mabin of course, lol. Ben Martin is the only in-state player that we offer and go after hard, that we don't get)

* - The staff just won't feel comfortable to offer any in-state QB's or Offensive Linemen. None will be good enough for them.

* - This will be by far the #1 DB class in the country (Evege, Allen, Torrence, Clifford, and Oliver).

* - OSU strikes out on every "Taller" wide receiver they go after. In late January, OSU offers Kyle Jefferson late like they did to Brian Robiskie a couple of years ago)

* - The O-line is stacked with talent and depth going into the 2007 season (Boone, Barton, Rehring, Cordle, Skinner, Mitchum, Person, C. Smith, Browning, Kerr, Blankenship, O'Dowd, Claytor, Whaley, Moses)

* - OSU only gets 3 D-linemen in the class, but moves one of the DE's currently on the roster to DT. That will make 6 DT's on the 2007 roster, and about 7 DE's, among scholarship players.

* - This class has no fullback after getting Aram Olson last year. Dionte Johnson and Olson enter 2007 as the only true scholarship fullbacks. OSU's offense is changing)

* - Skylar Jones and Joe Haden are both taken as athletes who can play quarterback. It is assumed that one will end up at QB, and the other at another position. Chris Smith and Clay Belton still don't have really any big time offers in January late in the process. We see that the coaching staff was right again.

* - JT emphasizes that this is his "fastest" (and most athletic) class ever since being at OSU. Talks about all the speed and versatility on signing day, and mentions how wonderful it will be once Butch Reynolds gets his hands on these guys. It is assumed that JT and the coaching staff get greedy because of Ted Ginn's Explosive 2006 season, and accept one or two more total athletes (WR's and CB's) in this class than originally anticipated. Then we realize over a 2-year span (after 2005 and 2006 seasons) that OSU lost at WR: Holmes, Ginn, Hall, Jordan to injury, and Darrell Johnson never making it. And at corner: Youboty, Everett, Roberts, Antonio Smith, and Shaun Lane to attrition, and maybe even one more corner to attrition).

* - We are now stocked and stacked at every position. We are at least 3-deep at every position except fullback, but we have good quality walk-ons there to fill the 3rd and 4th string in 2007. Robert Hughes could also be an emergency fullback, as he comes in at near 230 pounds of all muscle, but he is wanted as a power back at tailback.

* - OSU is 6-deep at tailback entering 2007 (Pittman, Beanie Wells, Mo Wells, Erik Haw, Saine, and Hughes)


OSU is on their way toward a dynasty!!!

Michigan still effing sucks!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!!
Click to expand...

Good write up, although I disagree w/ some of it, specifically

1-Allen stays in scUMland,IMO. He is very close to the coaching staff at
scUM, and I don't think the idea of playing w/ his cousin will be enough to get him at OSU. If Gant were his brother, perhaps. Also, scUM has more immediate PT available in the secondary, due to both losses and talent issues

2-I honestly think we have not even seen the offers/recruiting heat for the kids who will be the OLs and WRs, except for Blankenship. I think we will see a couple of surprise offers at camp for DL/OL-Vincent Browne perhaps, and we will see a Florida WR or two in this class. Unless Jefferson shows vastly improved hands and ball skills, he will not get an offer.

3-It has been said on b-nuts that Peake and Arnold are the two S's that the staff is zeroing in on, and it sounds likely one of the two will get an offer-and commit.

4-I will believe Hughes is a Buckeye when the LOI is faxed in. OSU never does well w/ Chicago kids-the lure of scUM, ND, or getting their butts kicked playing for the Illini is too much for them.......

5-I think the staff is waiting for camp to anoint the chosen in-state QB, who quickly accepts. I could be wrong,tho...
 
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