The Buckeyes' Top Prospects for 2006 - January 25th Edition
Well, we are down to the nitty gritty, as there is only one week left until Signing Day. Since our last edition, the Buckeyes picked up two key commitments - Glenville WR Raymond Small and Euclid LB Thaddeus Gibson, each of whom had long been an Ohio State lean, but both of whom have some work to do in the class room before their respective eligibility can be assured. In the final days of the 2006 recruiting season, a few players are still "on the board" including Pennsylvania wide receiver Wesley Lyons, who likes both Ohio State and West Virginia; Louisville Central DL Corey Peters, who just finished up his official visit to Columbus; Youngstown Cardinal Mooney athlete Derrell Johnson, who has some academic issues to resolve before a Buckeye offer will be extended; Orlando Edgewater receiver Greg Mathews, who remains a Michigan "soft" verbal, but who will announce his final decision on Signing Day; Duquesne Pennsylvania athlete Elijah Fields, who visits Ohio State this weekend; JUCO LB Larry Grant, who enjoyed his Ohio State visit last weekend, but will nevertheless visit Oregon this weekend; and an eleventh hour candidate, Baton Rouge DL Daverin Geralds, who may journey to Columbus this weekend for an official visit.
Committing elsewhere in the past week were New Jersey defensive lineman Johnnie Troutman to Penn State; Florida LB Colin McCarthy to Miami; Florida running back Kylan Robinson, also to Miami; and Michigan wide out Anthony Bowman, who did not receive an offer from Ohio State and remained committed to Iowa.
Currently, Ohio State has twenty verbal commitments: QB Antonio Henton from Peach County Georgia; RB Chris Wells from Akron Garfield; FB Aram Olson from Columbia (South Carolina) Irmo; WR Josh Chichester from Lakota West; WR Raymond Small from Cleveland Glenville; OL/TE Andy Miller from Washington Pennsylvania; OT/TE Jake Ballard from Springboro; OL Connor Smith from Cincinnati Colerain; OL Bryant Browning from Cleveland Glenville; DE Walter Dublin from Sarasota Florida; DL Robert Rose from Cleveland Glenville, DT Dexter Larimore from Merrillville Indiana; LB Tyler Moeller from Cincinnati Colerain; LB Ross Homan from Coldwater; LB Mark Johnson from Los Angeles Dorsey; LB Thaddeus Gibson from Euclid; DB Kurt Coleman from Clayton Northmont; DB Grant Schwartz from Dana Hills California; DB Chimdi Chekwa from Clermont Florida; and DB Aaron Gant from Orchard Lake (Michigan) St. Mary's.
We will post a final addition of this article on Signing Day (February 1st), and soon after we shall bring you our list of forty top Buckeye prospects for the Class of 2007.
Quarterbacks
1. Antonio Henton, Fort Valley (Georgia) Peach County (6' 2", 210 lbs, 4.6 forty); committed to Ohio State! Antonio led his team to the Georgia state title. In his two years as a starting quarterback, Antonio amassed over 3,700 yards passing for 48 touchdowns against only 11 interceptions, and also added 900 yards rushing and 9 touchdowns on the ground.
Running Backs
1. Chris "Beanie" Wells, Akron Garfield (6' 1", 228 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Ohio State! For his senior season, Wells gained 2,134 yards rushing (9.56 avg) and 27 touchdowns.
2. Kylan Robinson, Tampa Chamberlain (6' 1", 215 lbs, 4.5 forty); OSU (offered) in top 4 (Miami, Florida, South Carolina, all offered). Update 01/18 - Kylan enjoyed his visit to South Carolina, and moved the Gamecocks ahead of the Buckeyes. However, it's probably a moot point, as the Hurricanes will most likely pick up his verbal after he visits Coral Gables this weekend. Update 01/25 - Kylan verbaled to Miami over South Carolina; the Buckeyes never really had a chance here.
3. Aram Olson, Columbia (South Carolina) Irmo (6' 1", 237 lbs, 4.9 forty); committed to Ohio State!
Receivers
1. Damon McDaniel, WR, Virginia Beach Landstown (6' 0", 192 lbs, 4.51 forty). Rumors about this kid just won't die. Although Damon originally committed to Florida, it now appears that Florida State and maybe even Ohio State have a decent chance to sign him next Wednesday.
2. Raymond Small, Cleveland Glenville (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.4 forty); OSU (offered) leads Southern Cal (offered). Update 01/23 Raymond finally made it official and committed to Ohio State! Now, he has to make sure that his academics are in order....
3. Josh Chichester, West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West (6' 8", 210 lbs, 4.7 forty); Update 01/25 - Josh is visiting Louisville, due to the fact that his academics might not be strong enough to gain him entrance to Ohio State. Of course, his prior commitment to the Buckeyes is now up in the air.
4. Greg Mathews, Orlando Edgewater (6' 3", 190 lbs, 4.85 forty); Ohio State (offered) trails Michigan (soft verbal). Update 01/18 - Nothing new to report here - assume that it's still Michigan for Mathews, although some are still holding out hope for a late switch to the Buckeyes; Florida State has also jumped back into the mix. Update 01/25 Greg will announce on Signing Day amongst Michigan, Ohio State, and Florida State; expect the Wolverines to keep Mathews in the fold.
5. Wesley Lyons, Pittsburgh Woodland Hills (6' 6", 205 lbs, 4.65 forty); OSU (offered) in top 2 (West Virginia, offered). For the year, Wesley caught 22 passes for 450 yards and 6 touchdowns. Update 01/07 - Ohio State and West Virginia are tied atop the leader board. With Ausberry having committed to Southern Cal, the Buckeyes may now make a stronger push for Lyons. Update 01/25 - Lyons is planning to announce tomorrow; supposedly, Coach Tressel made his in-home visit today.
6. Derrell Johnson, Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (6' 2", 185 lbs, 4.49 forty, 4.08 shuttle); Ohio State is Johnson's clear leader, but his academics are such that he may not qualify. Although there is still some chance that he will pass admissions, it is quite possible that Derrell will take a year at prep school and try again in 2007.
7. Anthony Bowman, Orchard Lake (Michigan) St. Mary's (5' 11", 175 lbs, 4.4 forty); Update 01/25 Ohio State never came through with a solid offer, and Anthony reaffirmed his commitment to Iowa.
8. Elijah "Scoot" Fields, ATH, Duquesne, Pennsylvania (6' 1", 198 lbs, 4.55 forty); OSU (offered?) in the mix (Pitt, West Virginia, Penn State, all offered). Fields has been hanging around the periphery for months. Although Scoot is a great athlete with a nose for the endzone (this season, he scored 27 TD's in six different ways - run, reception, kick return, punt return, interception, fumble recovery), his academics are questionable, and he might not pass admissions at Ohio State. However, he is scheduled to visit Columbus this weekend.
Offensive Linemen / Tight Ends
1. Connor Smith, Cincinnati Colerain (6' 5", 280 lbs, 5.1 forty); committed to Ohio State!
2. Jacob Ballard, Springboro, Ohio (6' 7", 255 lbs, 4.8 forty); committed to Ohio State!
3. Bryant Browning, Cleveland Glenville (6' 3", 328 lbs, 5.4 forty); committed to Ohio State!
4. Andy Miller, Washington (Pennsylvania) Trinity (6' 6", 249 lbs, 4.9 forty); committed to Ohio State!
Defensive Linemen
1. Robert Rose, Cleveland Glenville (6' 5", 238 lbs, 4.6 forty, 4.6 shuttle); committed to Ohio State!
2. Dexter Larimore, Merrillville, Indiana (6' 3", 265 lbs, 4.8 forty); committed to Ohio State!
3. Walter Dublin, Sarasota, Florida (6' 3", 235 lbs, 4.58 forty); committed to Ohio State!
4. Johnnie Troutman, Browns Mills (New Jersey) Pemberton Twp (6' 4", 289, 4.9 forty); OSU (offered) trails Penn State, (offered). Update 01/23 - Johnnie committed to Penn State.
5. Corey Peters, Louisville Central (6' 3", 270 lbs, 4.9 forty); OSU (offered) in top 5 (Michigan, Auburn, Kentucky, Louisville). Update 01/18 - Peters claims that he has offers from the Buckeyes and the Wolverines, and that he will visit Ohio State on January 22nd and Michigan on January 27th; Auburn and Kentucky lead at this point. Corey's former teammate, DT James McKinney, signed with Michigan in 2005. Update 01/25 - Corey visited Ohio State last weekend; his enjoyed his trip, and has moved the Bucks into a tie with Auburn and Kentucky atop his list. Peters visits Michigan this weekend, and if all goes well, look for him to end up a Wolverine.
6. Daverin Geralds, Baton Rogue Scotlandville (6' 4", 285 lbs, 5.25 forty); Daverin has received some eleventh hour interest from Ohio State, and he might journey to Columbus this weekend; others in the running for his final official visit are Southern Cal and Georgia Tech. Duke (offered) leads currently, but an offer from either the Buckeyes or the Trojans would be hard to turn down. Daverin's father is the defensive line coach at Southern University, a "black college" in the famous SWAC conference. Geralds can play either side of the ball, but apparently prefers offense. Key number here: 4.6 GPA.
Linebackers
1. Ross Homan, Coldwater, Ohio (6' 2", 220 lbs, 4.55 forty); committed to Ohio State!
2. Mark Johnson, Los Angeles Dorsey (6' 4", 230 lbs, 4.55 forty); committed to Ohio State!
3. Tyler Moeller, Cincinnati Colerain (6' 1", 205, 4.48 forty); committed to Ohio State!
4. Colin McCarthy, Clearwater (Florida) Central Catholic (6' 1", 210 lbs, 4.53 forty); OSU (offered) in top 2 (Miami, offered). Update 01/23 - Colin committed to Miami.
5. Thaddeus Gibson, LB, Euclid, Ohio (6' 3", 208 lbs, 4.4 forty); OSU (offered) leads Michigan and Tennessee. Update 01/23 - As expected for months, Thaddeus committed to Ohio State!. Now, he must shore up his grades and test scores so that he can gain admission into tOSU....
6. Larry Grant, City College of San Francisco (6' 2", 220 lbs, 4.4 forty); OSU leads Texas A+M. Grant, one of the top JUCO players in the country, had originally committed to Florida, but a quirk in his transcript will prevent his admission to that university, or to any other SEC school. Grant's Plan B is Ohio State, and the Buckeye staff is currently checking to see whether Larry can pass admissions at tOSU. If so, expect Grant to make an official visit to Columbus in the near future (like this weekend, if possible), and to commit shortly thereafter; if not, he'll be an Aggie. Grant would be Ohio State's first JUCO signing since Chris Vance in the class of 2001. Update 01/25 - Grant had a good visit to Columbus last weekend, and he plans to trip to Oregon this weekend; he will announce on Signing Day.
Defensive Backs
1. Kurt Coleman, Clayton (Ohio) Northmont (5' 11", 190 lbs, 4.44 forty); committed to Ohio State!
2. Grant Schwartz, Dana Point (California) Dana Hills (6' 0", 201 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Ohio State!
3. Chimdi Chekwa, Clermont (Florida) East Ridge (6' 0", 165 lbs, 4.67 forty); committed to Ohio State!
4. Aaron Gant, Orchard Lake (Michigan) St. Mary's (6' 0", 200 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Ohio State!
Committed Elsewhere
Justin Boren, OL, Pickerington (Ohio) North (6' 3", 319 lbs, 5.2 forty); committed to Michigan.
Steve Brown, ATH, Columbus (Indiana) East (6' 1", 200 lbs, 4.39 forty); committed to Michigan.
Cobrani "Cobra" Mixon, LB, Cincinnati Colerain (6' 2", 220 lbs, 4.6 forty); committed to Michigan.
Carlos Brown, RB, Heard County, Georgia (6' 0", 195 lbs, 4.57 forty); committed to Michigan.
Tom McEowen, DL, Feasterville (Pennsylvania) Neshaminy (6' 4", 279 lbs, 5.1 forty); committed to Penn State.
Aaron Maybin, DL, Ellicott City (Maryland) Mt. Hebron (6' 3", 220 lbs, 4.64 forty); committed to Penn State.
Navorro Bowman, Suitland (Maryland) Suitland (6' 0", 218 lbs, 4.7 forty); committed to Penn State.
A.J. Wallace, Pomfret (Maryland) McDonough (6' 1", 195 lbs, 4.4 forty); committed to Penn State.
J.B. Walton, OL, Indian Head (Maryland) Lackey (6' 3", 270 lbs, 5.1 forty); committed to Penn State.
Bani Gbadyu, Gaithersburg (Maryland) Quince Orchard (6' 1", 205 lbs, 4.52 forty); committed to Penn State.
Phillip Taylor, DL, Clinton (Maryland) Gwynn Park (6' 3", 346 lbs, 5.1 forty); committed to Penn State.
Ashton Henderson, DB, Tallahassee Lincoln (6' 0", 180 lbs, 4.43 forty); committed to Michigan State.
Isiah "Juice" Williams, Chicago Vocational (6' 1", 210 lbs, 4.77 forty, 4.19 shuttle); committed to Illinois.
Chris James, WR, Chicago Morgan Park (6' 0", 169 lbs, 4.55 forty); committed to Illinois.
Ryan Palmer, Canton Glen Oak (6' 7", 280 lbs, 5.1 forty); committed to Illinois.
Joe Morgan, Canton McKinley (6' 2", 175 lbs, 4.4 forty); committed to Illinois.
A.J. Edds, Greenwood, Indiana (6' 4", 215 lbs, 4.7 forty); committed to Iowa.
Dominique Douglas, Detroit Murray-Wright (6' 0", 174 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Iowa.
Arvell Nelson, QB, Cleveland Glenville (6' 5", 180 lbs, 4.75 forty); committed to Iowa.
Jovani Chappel, DB, Trotwood (Ohio) Madison (5' 8", 169 lbs, 4.53 forty); committed to Purdue.
Kyle Sheehan, Fairmont, Minnesota (6' 5", 260 lbs, 4.8 forty); committed to Purdue.
Royce Adams, Cleveland Glenville (5' 11", 165 lbs, 4.68 forty); committed to Purdue.
Kevin Green, Jr., LB, North Chicago, Illinois (6' 2", 213 lbs, 4.55 forty); committed to Purdue.
Adam Weber, QB, Shoreview (Minnesota) Mounds View (6' 3", 205 lbs, 4.65 forty); committed to Minnesota.
Tommy Becker, Plymouth (Minnesota) Wayzata (6' 2", 230 lbs, 4.77 forty); committed to Minnesota.
Bill Nagy, Hudson, Ohio (6' 4", 285 lbs, 4.85 forty, 4.5 shuttle); committed to Wisconsin.
Culmer St.-Jean, LB, Naples (Florida) Lely (6' 1", 215 lbs, 10.9 100m); committed to Wisconsin.
Ray Fisher, WR, Cleveland Glenville (5' 10", 170 lbs, 4.4 forty); committed to Indiana.
Raeshon McNeil, DB, Mocksville (North Carolina) Davie County (6' 0", 175 lbs, 4.40 forty); committed to Notre Dame.
Demetrius Jones, Chicago Morgan Park (6' 3", 192 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Notre Dame.
Darrin Walls, Pittsburgh Woodland Hills (6' 1", 175 lbs, 4.4 forty); committed to Notre Dame.
Konrad Reuland, Mission Viejo, California (6' 6", 235 lbs, 4.75 forty); committed to Notre Dame.
Nate Byham, TE, Franklin, Pennsylvania (6' 4", 220 lbs, 4.65 forty); committed to Pitt.
Dorin Dickerson, ATH, Imperial (Pennsylvania) West Allegheny (6' 3", 205 lbs, 4.51 forty); committed to Pitt.
Jason Pinkston, DL, Pittsburgh Baldwin (6' 5", 273 lbs, 4.9 forty); committed to Pitt.
Greg Webster, LB, Pittsburgh Woodland Hills (6' 2", 225 lbs, 4.7 forty); committed to Pitt.
Joe Thomas, Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edwards (6' 5", 310 lbs, 5.1 forty); committed to Pitt.
Ricky Gary, Pahokee, Florida (5' 8", 165, 4.4 forty); committed to Pitt.
Chris Fox, Westwood (Massachusetts) Xaverian Brothers (5' 11", 191 lbs, 4.47 forty); committed to Boston College.
Steven Wesley, Bartow, Florida (6' 2", 235 lbs, 4.8 forty); committed to Miami.
Ryan Hill, Tallahassee Rickards (6' 0", 178 lbs, 4.53 forty); committed to Miami.
Terron Sanders, DL, Bradenton (Florida) Southeast (6' 2", 298 lbs, 5.1 forty); committed to Florida.
Jamar Hornsby, Jacksonville Sandalwood (6' 4", 195 lbs, 4.45 forty); committed to Florida.
Bryan Thomas, Zephyrhills, Florida (6' 0", 186 lbs, 4.39 forty); committed to Florida.
Tim Tebow, QB, Jacksonville (Florida) Nease (6' 3", 225 lbs, 4.6 forty); committed to Florida.
A.J. Jones, LB, Tampa Middleton (6' 1", 182 lbs, 4.64 forty); committed to Florida.
Brandon Warren, ATH, Alcoa, Tennessee (6' 3", 230 lbs, 4.6 forty); committed to Florida State.
D'Vontrey Richardson, ATH, Leesburg (Georgia) Lee County (6' 1", 205, 4.45); committed to Florida State.
Akeem Hebron, LB, Damascus (Maryland) Good Counsel (6' 2", 193 lbs, 4.45 forty); committed to Georgia.
Asher Allen, ATH, Tucker, Georgia (5' 10", 187 lbs, 4.39 forty); committed to Georgia.
Chris Slaughter, WR, Fort Valley (Georgia) Peach County (6' 3", 170 lbs, 4.55 forty); committed to Auburn.
Lee Tilley, OL, Springfield (Ohio) South (6' 7", 300 lbs, 5.0 forty); committed to Auburn.
Markeith Summers, WR, Olive Branch, Mississippi (6' 4", 190 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Ole Miss.
Alex Dekle, DL, Statesboro, Georgia (6' 2", 273 lbs, 4.82 forty); committed to Mississippi State.
Antwine Perez, DB, Camden (New Jersey) Woodrow Wilson (6' 2", 197 lbs, 4.53 forty); committed to Southern Cal.
Vidal Hazelton, WR, Staten Island (New York) Moore Catholic (6' 3", 192 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Southern Cal.
David Ausberry, WR, Lemoore, California (6' 4", 200 lbs, 4.72 forty); committed to Southern Cal.
Chane Moline, FB, Mission Viejo, California (6' 1", 235 lbs, 4.7 forty); committed to UCLA.
Troy Pascley, WR, Alliance (6' 2", 180 lbs, 4.39 forty); committed to Louisville.
Micah Johnson, DL, Ft. Campbell (Kentucky) West Potomac (6' 2", 267, 4.7 forty); committed to Kentucky.
Jamil Paris, DL, Vero Beach (Florida) Sebastian River (6' 5", 213 lbs, 4.54 forty); committed to Kentucky.
Michael Hartline, QB, Canton Glen Oak (6' 5", 175 lbs, 4.8 forty); committed to Kentucky.
Joe Torchia, TE, North Arlington (New Jersey) Queen of Peace (6' 3", 231 lbs, 4.8 forty); committed to Virginia.
Keith Payne, RB, Vienna (Virginia) Oakton (6' 2", 220, 4.4 forty); committed to Virginia.
Clark Crum, OL, Dublin Scioto (6' 7", 255 lbs, 5.15 forty); committed to VPI.
Aaron Brown, OL, Cincinnati Princeton (6' 6", 270 lbs, 5.1 forty); committed to VPI.
Jason Adjepong, DL, Carteret, New Jersey (6' 3", 248 lbs, 4.69 forty); committed to VPI.
Devven Sutton, FB, Elizabeth City (North Carolina) Northeastern (6' 0", 239 lbs, 4.60 forty); committed to VPI.
Robert Williams, DB, Cincinnati Withrow (5' 11", 179 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to West Virginia.
Jake Miller, Zoarville (Ohio) Tuscarawas Valley (6' 6", 321 lbs, 5.3 forty); committed to West Virginia.
Wondy Pierre-Louis, DB, Naples (Florida) Lely (6' 0", 176 lbs); committed to West Virginia.
Brian Whitmore, DL, Chesapeake (Virginia) Oscar F. Smith (6' 3", 240 lbs, 4.65 forty); committed to Maryland.
Drew Gloster, DL, Damascus (Maryland) Good Counsel (6' 4", 215 lbs, 4.57 forty); committed to Maryland.
Terence Jeffers, WR, Lilburn (Georgia) Berkmar (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.48 forty); committed to UConn.
Kris Luchsinger, ATH, Columbus Bishop Watterson (6' 4", 225 lbs, 4.6 forty); committed to Ohio.
Taylor Price, ATH, Hilliard Darby (6' 2", 195 lbs, 4.25 forty); committed to Ohio.
Darius Smith, DL, Euclid, Ohio (6' 3", 195 lbs, 4.6 forty); committed to Bowling Green.
Jahmal Brown, RB, Cleveland Benedictine (5' 10", 190 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Bowling Green.
Peris Edwards, DB, Toledo Rogers (6' 1", 175 lbs, 4.43 forty); committed to Miami of Ohio.
Bob Gulley, OL, Berea, Ohio (6' 4", 274 lbs, 5.2 forty); committed to Miami of Ohio.
Martin Channels, DL, Huber Heights Wayne (6' 1", 300 lbs, 5.15 forty); committed to Miami of Ohio.
Jacob Ramsey, RB, Columbus Independence (6' 0", 205, 4.5 forty); committed to Cincinnati.
Chris Meenan, OL, Wooster, Ohio (6' 8", 315 lbs); committed to Toledo.
Levi George, OL, Warren Harding (6' 1", 290 lbs, 5.0 forty); committed to Toledo.
Sean Hakes, QB, Fort Worth Nolan Catholic (6' 4", 195 lbs, 4.7 forty); committed to Akron.
Nate Davis, QB, Bellaire (6' 3", 215 lbs, 4.85 forty); committed to Ball State.
Crawford Kilpatrick, WR, Suwanee (Georgia) North Gwinnett (6' 5", 197, 4.52 forty); committed to SE Louisiana.
Chris Hanna, OL, Pittsburgh Gateway (6' 4", 292 lbs, 5.0 forty); Milford Academy.
Looking Elsewhere
Josh Adams, RB, Cary, North Carolina (5' 11", 171 lbs, 4.58 forty); NC State, Wake Forest, Maryland.
Norman Whitley, RB, Rockingham (North Carolina) Richmond County (5' 8", 176 lbs, 4.46 forty; East Carolina leads.
Xylon Purkiss, FB, Ravenna, Ohio (5' 10", 255 lbs, 4.85 forty); no offers.
Andrey Baskin, WR, Camden (New Jersey) Woodrow Wilson (6' 4", 192 lbs, 4.45 forty); Syracuse leads.
Jeff Cumberland, WR, Columbus Brookhaven (6' 6", 220 lbs, 4.55 forty); possible JUCO.
Mark Jackson, OL, Columbus Brookhaven (6' 6", 300 lbs, 5.4 forty); Minnesota, Michigan State.
McKenzie Mathews, DL, Syracuse Christian Brothers (6' 3", 235 lbs, 4.8 forty); Pitt, Michigan, Boston College.
Lamar Mapp, DL, Springfield (Ohio) South (6' 3", 234 lbs, 4.65 forty); Akron, Cincinnati, Ohio, Toledo.
Jeremiha Hunter, LB, Manheim (Pennsylvania) Central (6' 2", 210 lbs, 4.5 forty); UConn; Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Penn State, Iowa.
Marcus Ball, DB, Stone Mountain (Georgia) Stephenson (6' 0", 200 lbs, 4.49 forty); Florida, Florida State, Miami, VPI.
Reshad Jones, DB, Atlanta Booker T. Washington (6' 2", 177 lbs, 4.5 forty); Miami, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan.
Mister Alexander, DB, Aldine (Texas) Eisenhower (6' 3", 200 lbs); waiting on Florida State.
Cody Blevins, DB, Miamisburg, Ohio (6' 2", 200 lbs, 4.6 forty); no offers.
Chris Duvalt, DB, Lakeland (Florida) Lake Gibson (5' 10", 159 lbs, 4.38 forty); South Florida leads.
Aaron Berry, ATH, Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt (5' 11", 157 lbs, 4.49 forty, 4.18 shuttle); Pitt, Michigan State, Minnesota.
Devin Parrish, ATH, Miramar (Florida) Parkway Academy (6' 0", 155 lbs, 4.46 forty); waiting for offers.
Well, we are down to the nitty gritty, as there is only one week left until Signing Day. Since our last edition, the Buckeyes picked up two key commitments - Glenville WR Raymond Small and Euclid LB Thaddeus Gibson, each of whom had long been an Ohio State lean, but both of whom have some work to do in the class room before their respective eligibility can be assured. In the final days of the 2006 recruiting season, a few players are still "on the board" including Pennsylvania wide receiver Wesley Lyons, who likes both Ohio State and West Virginia; Louisville Central DL Corey Peters, who just finished up his official visit to Columbus; Youngstown Cardinal Mooney athlete Derrell Johnson, who has some academic issues to resolve before a Buckeye offer will be extended; Orlando Edgewater receiver Greg Mathews, who remains a Michigan "soft" verbal, but who will announce his final decision on Signing Day; Duquesne Pennsylvania athlete Elijah Fields, who visits Ohio State this weekend; JUCO LB Larry Grant, who enjoyed his Ohio State visit last weekend, but will nevertheless visit Oregon this weekend; and an eleventh hour candidate, Baton Rouge DL Daverin Geralds, who may journey to Columbus this weekend for an official visit.
Committing elsewhere in the past week were New Jersey defensive lineman Johnnie Troutman to Penn State; Florida LB Colin McCarthy to Miami; Florida running back Kylan Robinson, also to Miami; and Michigan wide out Anthony Bowman, who did not receive an offer from Ohio State and remained committed to Iowa.
Currently, Ohio State has twenty verbal commitments: QB Antonio Henton from Peach County Georgia; RB Chris Wells from Akron Garfield; FB Aram Olson from Columbia (South Carolina) Irmo; WR Josh Chichester from Lakota West; WR Raymond Small from Cleveland Glenville; OL/TE Andy Miller from Washington Pennsylvania; OT/TE Jake Ballard from Springboro; OL Connor Smith from Cincinnati Colerain; OL Bryant Browning from Cleveland Glenville; DE Walter Dublin from Sarasota Florida; DL Robert Rose from Cleveland Glenville, DT Dexter Larimore from Merrillville Indiana; LB Tyler Moeller from Cincinnati Colerain; LB Ross Homan from Coldwater; LB Mark Johnson from Los Angeles Dorsey; LB Thaddeus Gibson from Euclid; DB Kurt Coleman from Clayton Northmont; DB Grant Schwartz from Dana Hills California; DB Chimdi Chekwa from Clermont Florida; and DB Aaron Gant from Orchard Lake (Michigan) St. Mary's.
We will post a final addition of this article on Signing Day (February 1st), and soon after we shall bring you our list of forty top Buckeye prospects for the Class of 2007.
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
Receivers
1. Damon McDaniel, WR, Virginia Beach Landstown (6' 0", 192 lbs, 4.51 forty). Rumors about this kid just won't die. Although Damon originally committed to Florida, it now appears that Florida State and maybe even Ohio State have a decent chance to sign him next Wednesday.
3. Josh Chichester, West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West (6' 8", 210 lbs, 4.7 forty); Update 01/25 - Josh is visiting Louisville, due to the fact that his academics might not be strong enough to gain him entrance to Ohio State. Of course, his prior commitment to the Buckeyes is now up in the air.
5. Wesley Lyons, Pittsburgh Woodland Hills (6' 6", 205 lbs, 4.65 forty); OSU (offered) in top 2 (West Virginia, offered). For the year, Wesley caught 22 passes for 450 yards and 6 touchdowns. Update 01/07 - Ohio State and West Virginia are tied atop the leader board. With Ausberry having committed to Southern Cal, the Buckeyes may now make a stronger push for Lyons. Update 01/25 - Lyons is planning to announce tomorrow; supposedly, Coach Tressel made his in-home visit today.
6. Derrell Johnson, Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (6' 2", 185 lbs, 4.49 forty, 4.08 shuttle); Ohio State is Johnson's clear leader, but his academics are such that he may not qualify. Although there is still some chance that he will pass admissions, it is quite possible that Derrell will take a year at prep school and try again in 2007.
8. Elijah "Scoot" Fields, ATH, Duquesne, Pennsylvania (6' 1", 198 lbs, 4.55 forty); OSU (offered?) in the mix (Pitt, West Virginia, Penn State, all offered). Fields has been hanging around the periphery for months. Although Scoot is a great athlete with a nose for the endzone (this season, he scored 27 TD's in six different ways - run, reception, kick return, punt return, interception, fumble recovery), his academics are questionable, and he might not pass admissions at Ohio State. However, he is scheduled to visit Columbus this weekend.
Offensive Linemen / Tight Ends
Defensive Linemen
5. Corey Peters, Louisville Central (6' 3", 270 lbs, 4.9 forty); OSU (offered) in top 5 (Michigan, Auburn, Kentucky, Louisville). Update 01/18 - Peters claims that he has offers from the Buckeyes and the Wolverines, and that he will visit Ohio State on January 22nd and Michigan on January 27th; Auburn and Kentucky lead at this point. Corey's former teammate, DT James McKinney, signed with Michigan in 2005. Update 01/25 - Corey visited Ohio State last weekend; his enjoyed his trip, and has moved the Bucks into a tie with Auburn and Kentucky atop his list. Peters visits Michigan this weekend, and if all goes well, look for him to end up a Wolverine.
6. Daverin Geralds, Baton Rogue Scotlandville (6' 4", 285 lbs, 5.25 forty); Daverin has received some eleventh hour interest from Ohio State, and he might journey to Columbus this weekend; others in the running for his final official visit are Southern Cal and Georgia Tech. Duke (offered) leads currently, but an offer from either the Buckeyes or the Trojans would be hard to turn down. Daverin's father is the defensive line coach at Southern University, a "black college" in the famous SWAC conference. Geralds can play either side of the ball, but apparently prefers offense. Key number here: 4.6 GPA.
Linebackers
6. Larry Grant, City College of San Francisco (6' 2", 220 lbs, 4.4 forty); OSU leads Texas A+M. Grant, one of the top JUCO players in the country, had originally committed to Florida, but a quirk in his transcript will prevent his admission to that university, or to any other SEC school. Grant's Plan B is Ohio State, and the Buckeye staff is currently checking to see whether Larry can pass admissions at tOSU. If so, expect Grant to make an official visit to Columbus in the near future (like this weekend, if possible), and to commit shortly thereafter; if not, he'll be an Aggie. Grant would be Ohio State's first JUCO signing since Chris Vance in the class of 2001. Update 01/25 - Grant had a good visit to Columbus last weekend, and he plans to trip to Oregon this weekend; he will announce on Signing Day.
Defensive Backs
Committed Elsewhere
Chris Hanna, OL, Pittsburgh Gateway (6' 4", 292 lbs, 5.0 forty); Milford Academy.
Looking Elsewhere
Josh Adams, RB, Cary, North Carolina (5' 11", 171 lbs, 4.58 forty); NC State, Wake Forest, Maryland.
Norman Whitley, RB, Rockingham (North Carolina) Richmond County (5' 8", 176 lbs, 4.46 forty; East Carolina leads.
Xylon Purkiss, FB, Ravenna, Ohio (5' 10", 255 lbs, 4.85 forty); no offers.
Andrey Baskin, WR, Camden (New Jersey) Woodrow Wilson (6' 4", 192 lbs, 4.45 forty); Syracuse leads.
Jeff Cumberland, WR, Columbus Brookhaven (6' 6", 220 lbs, 4.55 forty); possible JUCO.
Mark Jackson, OL, Columbus Brookhaven (6' 6", 300 lbs, 5.4 forty); Minnesota, Michigan State.
McKenzie Mathews, DL, Syracuse Christian Brothers (6' 3", 235 lbs, 4.8 forty); Pitt, Michigan, Boston College.
Lamar Mapp, DL, Springfield (Ohio) South (6' 3", 234 lbs, 4.65 forty); Akron, Cincinnati, Ohio, Toledo.
Jeremiha Hunter, LB, Manheim (Pennsylvania) Central (6' 2", 210 lbs, 4.5 forty); UConn; Florida, Georgia, Tennessee, Penn State, Iowa.
Marcus Ball, DB, Stone Mountain (Georgia) Stephenson (6' 0", 200 lbs, 4.49 forty); Florida, Florida State, Miami, VPI.
Reshad Jones, DB, Atlanta Booker T. Washington (6' 2", 177 lbs, 4.5 forty); Miami, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Michigan.
Mister Alexander, DB, Aldine (Texas) Eisenhower (6' 3", 200 lbs); waiting on Florida State.
Cody Blevins, DB, Miamisburg, Ohio (6' 2", 200 lbs, 4.6 forty); no offers.
Chris Duvalt, DB, Lakeland (Florida) Lake Gibson (5' 10", 159 lbs, 4.38 forty); South Florida leads.
Aaron Berry, ATH, Harrisburg Bishop McDevitt (5' 11", 157 lbs, 4.49 forty, 4.18 shuttle); Pitt, Michigan State, Minnesota.
Devin Parrish, ATH, Miramar (Florida) Parkway Academy (6' 0", 155 lbs, 4.46 forty); waiting for offers.
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