The Buckeyes' Top Prospects for 2006
Mid-Season Edition
Entering the huge Texas weekend, Ohio state had seven verbal commitments - Georgia QB Antonio Henton; Akron Garfield RB Chris Wells; Lakota West WR/TE Josh Chichester; Springboro TE/OL Jake Ballard; Cincinnati Colerain OL Connor Smith; Coldwater LB Ross Homan; and Clayton Northmont DB Kurt Coleman. Three top prospects (Maryland DB A.J. Wallace, Florida DE Steven Wesley, and Cincinnati Princeton OT Aaron Brown made official visits to Columbus to see the premier inter-conference match-up of the 2005 season, and several other players made unofficial visits to see the hard-fought contest. A few days after the game, Cincinnati Colerain LB Tyler Moeller gave his verbal pledge to the Buckeye staff, selecting Ohio State over Iowa.
Several more prospects saw the Buckeyes blast the Iowa Hawkeyes by a score of 31 to 6, including Lakewood St. Ed's offensive lineman Joe Thomas, who is verbally committed to Pitt, but who is considering re-opening his recruitment. Florida linebacker Colin McCarthy and California wide receiver David Ausberry made official visits for the Bucks' Big Ten opener, and both players were impressed with the game, the stadium, and the overall atmosphere.
To counter all of the positive news, several "negative" events have occurred in the past few weeks. The most notable are the reports that Cincinnati Princeton OT Aaron Brown will commit to Virginia Tech, and that Glenville ATH Raymond Small is a "silent verbal" to Southern Cal. Furthermore, highly-rated California LB Mark Johnson has twice tried to make an official visit to Columbus, but has canceled (or been canceled) on both occasions. Some think that the staff has "cooled" on Johnson (who apparently favors Ohio State), possibly because his grades aren't in order. Finally, Mission Viejo TE Konrad Reuland made an unofficial visit to Columbus this summer to see his childhood favorite, but returned to California raving about Notre Dame and Stanford.
Quarterbacks
1. Antonio Henton, Fort Valley (Georgia) Peach County (6' 2", 210 lbs, 4.6 forty); committed to Ohio State!
2. Isiah "Juice" Williams, Chicago Vocational (6' 1", 210 lbs, 4.77 forty, 4.19 shuttle); "soft" verbal to Illinois; Although he is an athletic player, Williams is definitely a quarterback prospect who will be a "dual threat" signal caller in college. In ten games as a junior, Juice rushed for 843 yards and scored 14 touchdowns, while passing for an additional 982 yards and 17 touchdowns. Isiah is much more comfortable and patient in the pocket than fellow Chicagoan Demetrius Jones - he exhibits a quick and confident set up, excellent footwork, good vision, and an ultra-fluid delivery; in addition, Isiah is adept at play faking, and he runs play-action passes like a pro. To complete the package, the kid has an absolute rocket arm, with the ability to send the ball forty yards downfield with a mere flick of his wrist. During the Ann Arbor Nike camp, Williams displayed his tremendous arm strength, on one occasion throwing a pass 85 yards and hitting his receiver in stride. In the videos which we reviewed, most of Isiah's runs were planned, either as rollouts, options, or quarterback draws; although he has obvious natural skills as a rusher, Williams was able to set up his runs with deft play fakes and instinctive timing. Juice is close to a finished product already, and with a coat of polish he should be ready to take over the reins of a major college program. Even though he has issued a verbal commitment to Illinois, Isiah is currently reconsidering his options, and he may make an official visit to Ohio State, which is one of his top five schools.
Running Backs
1. Chris "Beanie" Wells, Akron Garfield (6' 1", 228 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Ohio State!
2. Carlos Brown, Heard County, Georgia (6' 0", 195 lbs, 4.57 forty); OSU (offered) in top 5 (Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami, all offered). Brown is a four-sport star (football, basketball, baseball, and track) for Heard County. On the gridiron, Carlos lines up all over the field (QB, RB, WB, WR, S, KR, and he even K on occasion), though his future is definitely at tailback. He shows great explosiveness at the line, and has some shiftiness once he gets into the open field. Although Brown does not possess either the pure power of Chris Wells or the elusiveness of Josh Adams, he provides a nice combination of both qualities. Carlos has average speed for a tailback, so he'll have to become more adept at running between the tackles, and rely less on bouncing to the outside (where equally fast OLB's will be waiting for him at the next level). Brown is an "Elite 11" prospect from the state of Georgia who should enjoy some success in the college ranks. Ohio State has been one of Carlos's favorites for quite some time, so the Bucks should be considered legitimate contenders in this recruiting battle. Update 07/05 - Carlos is still interested in Ohio State, but the Buckeyes remain one of many (and the only northern school) in the running. Update 09/28 - Carlos's current leader is Florida State; Ohio State is fading fast and should be considered a long shot at best.
3. Norman Whitley, Rockingham (North Carolina) Richmond County (5' 8", 176 lbs, 4.46 forty, 4.00 shuttle); OSU (not offered) in the mix (North Carolina, only offer; many others). In 2004, Whitley accumulated an incredible 3,540 all-purpose yards (2,666 rushing, 268 receiving, 606 returning), which set a single-season record in the state of North Carolina. As you might expect from a player who scored 39 times last season, Norman's videos are quite impressive. He can cut on a dime and has an amazing ability to weave through traffic, and once he gets into the open it's a footrace that Norman will win almost every time. Whitley has a decent amount of power for his size, and can break the occasional tackle; but speed and quickness are the essence of his game, and he can usually outrun the defense, or avoid contact with a well-timed juke or spin move. The big question concerning Norman is obviously his size, and that fact appears to be the sole reason that he has just one scholarship offer as we head into the summer camp season. Norman performed well at the recent Athens Nike combine, running 4.4 forties, 4.0 shuttles, and confirming the excellent cutting ability, agility, and lateral speed which he demonstrates on the football field. Ohio State is always a long shot to draw talent from the south, but an offer would certainly keep the Bucks in contention for one of the most exciting and prolific players in the class of 2006. Update 07/05 - According to Rivals, Norman is the #10 overall prospect in the state of North Carolina. There is not much new to report on the recruiting front; Norman remains interested in Ohio State, but the Bucks have not offered. Update 08/31 - In his first game of the season, Whitley rushed for 256 yards and 2 TD's on 26 carries (in only three quarters of play), and demonstrated surprising strength despite his size. Norman has offers from North Carolina and East Carolina, and is "hearing from" Ohio State. In fact, Norman believes that the Buckeyes are close to offering him a scholarship, and he states that he would commit to Ohio State if offered. Speculation is that recruiters are concerned about Norman's size (even though he is almost the exact height and weight as Maurice Wells), and that is the reason for his lack of offers; on-the-field production certainly isn't a problem. Norman will try to make an official visit to Ohio State for the Texas game. Update 09/28/05 - Whitley was unable to attend the Texas game, but he still remains interested in Ohio State; apparently, a member of the Buckeye staff will visit Norman's school and watch his game during OSU's current "bye" week.
4. Devven Sutton, Elizabeth City (North Carolina) Northeastern (6' 0", 239 lbs, 4.60 forty, 4.20 shuttle) OSU (not offered) co-leader with Virginia Tech (offered). Sutton has tremendous strength, having posted a 435-pound bench max, 35 bench reps at 185 pounds, and 27 bench reps at 225 pounds. Devven is a "sleeper" prospect who will likely generate some more attention during his senior season; although he also plays middle linebacker on defense, Sutton seems more comfortable as a lead blocker, and his future will probably be at fullback. Earlier this month, Devven almost pulled the trigger on his offer from Virginia Tech; however, he is waiting to hear from the Buckeye staff, who were impressed with his performance at the Ohio State summer camp. Devven has called Ohio State a dream school, and he would certainly fill a need as a big, bruising fullback prospect. Update 09/28 - Devven is close to accepting his offer from Virginia Tech, but he is waiting to hear from some other schools, including Ohio State. He has also picked up an offer from East Carolina.
Receivers
1. David Ausberry, Lemoore, California (6' 4", 200 lbs, 4.72 forty); OSU (childhood fave, offered) trails Southern Cal (strong leader, offered). Although Ausberry was born in Columbus and grew up rooting for the Buckeyes, he has never been to the Ohio State campus and does not know much about the football program. In the mean time, most of his family relocated to California, and David became a fan of Southern Cal, which is now his clear leader. However, David will travel back to Columbus this summer to attend Ohio State's camp, and a strong visit will be necessary in order to even the score with the Trojans. As a sophomore in 2003, Ausberry was one of the top wide outs in California (800 yards, 10 TD's), but a high-ankle sprain hindered him throughout his junior season, and limited his productivity. Nevertheless, he is regarded as one of the top talents in the state, and should draw interest from many major programs besides the Buckeyes and Trojans. Update 07/05 - Although he was scheduled to camp at Ohio State, David cancelled his visit; however, he did attend Southern Cal's camp, thus supporting the speculation that he is a Trojan "silent verbal" with no serious interest in Ohio State. Update 08/31 - Southern Cal still leads, with Ohio State remaining a distant second. David will probably make an official visit to Ohio State, possibly during the season. Update 09/28 - David made an official visit for the Iowa game, and seemed to have a good time; some speculate that Ohio State is gaining a little ground, while most others feel that David is still a "lock" for Southern Cal.
2. Konrad Reuland, Mission Viejo, California (6' 6", 235 lbs, 4.75 forty); OSU (not offered) in the mix (Southern Cal, UCLA, Notre Dame, others). Reuland was born in Springfield, Ohio, grew up rooting for Ohio State, and is still a fan of the Buckeyes. Konrad is a teammate of 2006 FB prospect Chane Moline (UCLA verbal), and attends the same school as incoming Buckeye freshman DE Ryan Williams. Although he is currently one of the top tight end prospects in the country, Konrad, like Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez (his idol), began his athletic career on the basketball court. With only two years of experience on the gridiron, Konrad should have tremendous upside despite the fact that he already made the Rivals Junior All-American Team after his performance last season (47 receptions, 800 yards, 7 TD's for the second-ranked team in the nation). Konrad has very good hands and enough speed to beat linebackers to the seams in the zone; he is also a very good blocker who seems to enjoy the task. Off the field, Konrad is an outstanding student who carries a 3.8 GPA. Reuland hasn't seen Ohio State yet, but he is excited to visit the school, probably this summer, possibly for camp. If Ohio State should offer, then the Bucks would likely be a serious contender for Konrad's signature on Signing Day. Update 07/05 - Konrad has received an offer from the Buckeyes, and he will visit Ohio State some time this summer. The Bucks are still very much in the picture. Update 08/31 - Konrad made an unofficial visit to Ohio State this summer; on the same trip, he also made stops at Notre Dame, Nebraska, and Miami. Those four schools, along with the four California schools (USC, UCLA, Cal, Stanford), are thought to be Reuland's finalists. Update 09/28 - Most of the chatter surrounding Konrad revolves around USC, UCLA, Stanford, and Notre Dame; despite plenty of early interest, the Buckeyes are now looking like a longshot here.
3. Raymond Small, Cleveland Glenville (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.4 forty); OSU (offered) leads (Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, all offered; Southern Cal). Small is the next in the long line of super-talented, multi-dimensional athletes who have been produced by the Glenville football program under the guidance of Ted Ginn, Sr. Fortunately, most of the previous Tarblooder stars (Teddy Ginn, Jamario O'Neal, Donte Whitner, Troy Smith, et al.) have emigrated down I-71 to Columbus, and Raymond will likely join them at Ohio State. Small plays running back, wide receiver, and cornerback for Coach Ginn, and he could play any of those positions in college. Raymond is an excellent cover corner (and cover corners are always in demand), but he is so electric with the ball in his hands that his college offensive coordinator will be lobbying hard to get him on that side of the ball. What a dilemma! Ohio State currently leads, but Raymond also likes USC, which is pursuing him hard. Update 07/05 - Raymond still favors Ohio State, but don't expect to a formal announcement until January. Update 08/31 - Nothing new to report - Ohio State still leads. Update 09/28 - Ray and teammate Rob Rose took an official visit to Southern Cal for the Trojans' blow out victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks. Small apparently enjoyed his visit very much, and some USC insiders claim that Ray verbally commited to the Trojans during his visit. Despite such reports, it is a long way to Signing Day, and it is still very possible that Small will re-think his commitment and sign with the Buckeyes come February.
4. Josh Chichester, West Chester (Ohio) Lakota West (6' 8", 210 lbs, 4.7 forty); committed to Ohio State!
5. Damon McDaniel, Virginia Beach Landstown (6' 0", 192 lbs, 4.51 forty); OSU (offered) in top 5 (LSU, Florida, Florida State, Miami, all offered). According to Rivals, McDaniel is a four-star prospect who is ranked as the #3 prospect in the state of Virginia, the #8 wide receiver in the country, and the #65 overall prospect in the nation. Despite the fact that he is a teammate of WR Percy Harvin, Rivals' top overall prospect in the country, Damon caught 68 passes for 1,106 yards and 15 TD's during his junior campaign; in addition, he rushed the ball 26 times for 238 yards and 5 TD's, and returned punts for a 21.0 yard average. Damon is one of the few "speed" receivers who is still considering the Buckeyes, and he would be a perfect compliment to "possession" receiver Josh Chichester. Damon has scheduled official visits to all of his favorites (Florida, 9/17, playing Tennessee; LSU 9/24, also playing Tennessee; other visit dates unannounced), and he will make his final determination after he has completed his five visits. Update 09/28 - Ohio State is now sixth on Damon's list, and the Bucks probably will not receive an official visit.
6. Wesley Lyons, Pittsburgh Woodland Hills (6' 6", 205 lbs, 4.65 forty); OSU (offered) co-leader (Miami, also offered). No one's stock is rising faster than Wesley Lyons's - two months ago, he was flying under the radar, but now he boasts offers from several top programs including Ohio State, Miami, Penn State, and West Virginia. Although Lyons had a fairly productive year as a junior (33 receptions for 600 yards and 7 TD's), his size and potential are what have begun to attract the college recruiters. Despite his height, Lyons is being recruited as a pure wide out and not as a tight end. Wesley is the younger brother of current Ohio State sophomore wide out Devon Lyons, and the smart money says that "little" Lyons will follow his brother to Columbus. However, Wesley also really likes Miami, and a few other schools may get a look as well. Update 07/05 - Wesley really likes Ohio State, but wonders whether he can earn playing time in the Buckeyes' offense, which is currently loaded with receivers (including his brother Devon). Miami's depth chart is more inviting, but we feel that Wesley will eventually follow Devon to Ohio State. Update 08/31 - In the past two months, Wesley has at various times named Miami, Oklahoma, and West Virginia as his leader; but regardless of who leads, Ohio State always seems to be in the #2 slot. However, Lyons remains a fan of Ohio State, and will attend several Buckeye games this season. Don't expect a quick decision, and don't count out the Bucks, despite "negative" reports. Update 09/28 - Wesley made an official visit to West Virginia this past weekend, and some speculate that the Mountaineers now lead for his services.
7. Andrey Baskin, Camden (New Jersey) Woodrow Wilson (6' 4", 192 lbs, 4.45 forty); OSU (offered) in top 4 (Tennessee, North Carolina State, Syracuse, all offered). Baskin is a big, physical receiver with a large frame who uses his body well and has excellent hands, but isn't blessed with great speed (take the 4.45 forty time with a grain of salt). Andrey reminds us a bit of Michael Irvin both in size and playing style. As a junior, Andrey caught 31 passes and scored 8 TDs. According to Rivals, Baskin is rated as the #6 prospect in New Jersey, and the #26 wide receiver prospect in the nation. Andrey attends the same school as highly-rated DB prospect Antwine Perez. Baskin is just one of many big, physical, possession receivers whom the Buckeyes are currently recruiting (Chichester, Ausberry, Slaughter, Lyons, Cumberland), and it is unknown where he falls in the pecking order. At the present time, Tennessee is Baskin's leader, probably by a substantial margin; Andrey will visit Knoxville on October 8th to watch the Vols take on the Georgia Bulldogs.
8. Chris Slaughter, Fort Valley (Georgia) Peach County (6' 3", 170 lbs, 4.55 forty); OSU (offered) in top 8 (Auburn, South Carolina, Clemson, Florida, Georgia, Michigan, all offered; Southern Cal). Chris is a teammate of, and the primary target for, Peach County QB Antonio Henton, who recently verballed to the Buckeyes. Last season, Chris had an outstanding year, racking up 42 catches for 1,016 yards and 14 TD's. Slaughter is a tall, athletic receiver who has enough speed to go deep, but isn't afraid to go over the middle. Although Auburn and South Carolina currently lead, Chris is apparently somewhat of a Buckeye fan, and he has expressed some interest in following Henton to Columbus. Update 08/31 - Ohio State remains solidly in Slaughter's top five, and he plans on making an official visit to Columbus, but there is some question as to the staff's interest. Reportedly, Chris posted a 780 on the SAT (old version), and that non-qualifying score would be an obvious concern for a coaching staff and administration which have been focusing more intently on academics in recent years. Update 09/12 - Chris committed to Auburn.
9. Jeff Cumberland, Columbus Brookhaven (6' 6", 220 lbs, 4.55 forty, 34" vertical); OSU (not offered) in top 3 (Miami, Minnesota, neither offered). Cumberland is the number one tight end prospect in the state of Ohio for the class of 2006. Last season was Jeff's first on offense, and he responded by leading the 'Haven in receiving (19 receptions, 372 yards, 8 TD's), helping his team to a state championship (Division II) along the way. Jeff has recently mentioned a desire to play wide receiver, but if he grows into his frame, he will be a fixture at tight end (and tip the scales at the 250-pound mark). Although he is also an excellent high school basketball player, Cumberland's athletic future is definitely on the gridiron. Jeff has always been a fan of Ohio State, and it is quite possible that he would accept an offer from the Buckeyes, should one come his way; however, Minnesota has been a haven for Brookhaven (Alex Daniels, Dominic Jones, Keith Massey all signed in 2005), and Jeff may also end up with the Golden Gophers. Update 07/05 - After an outstanding performance at the Akron combine (4.47 forty, 4.28 shuttle), Jeff may now have an offer from Ohio State; however, any Buckeye offer would be contingent upon grades. Miami (not offered) and Minnesota (offered) also remain as favorites. Update 08/31 - Jeff will attend the Ohio State-Texas game on an unofficial visit; he remains interested in Ohio State, Minnesota, and Miami. Talent and production are not issues, but grades remain a concern.
10. Crawford Kilpatrick, Suwanne (Georgia) North Gwinnett (6' 5", 197, 4.52 forty; 4.25 shuttle; 33" vertical); OSU (not offered) in top 4 (Georgia, Auburn, South Carolina, none offered). Kilpatrick is still somewhat of a sleeper prospect, but he has the requisite size (he is a legit 6' 5", and his frame is beginning to fill out) and has produced well at the high school level (60 receptions for 925 yards and 9 TD's in 2004), so it is only a matter of time before college recruiters start swarming. Crawford has excellent speed and quickness, but his primary attributes are his height, leaping ability, physical presence, and soft hands, which are an ideal combination for a possession receiver. In addition, Crawford's coach states that he is the consummate team player who will do whatever it takes to win, whether it be acting as a decoy on pass routes or blocking downfield for the ball carrier. Kilpatrick has only one offer to date (Duke), but he appears content to show his talents at the spring combines and summer camps and wait for more offers to roll in. Ohio State has consistently been a member of Crawford's top five list, and the Bucks would certainly be in contention if the staff would decide to send him an offer. Update 07/05 - According to Rivals, Kilpatrick is the #26 overall prospect in Georgia. Ohio State remains in Crawford's top four, but the Buckeyes have yet to offer. With Josh Chichester already in the fold, and Wesley Lyons still a very strong possibility, it is unlikely that Ohio State will pursue another "big" receiver in this class. Duke is in with a written offer, and the Blue Devils are probably the team to beat at this point. Update 09/28 - Ohio State is staying in touch, and Kilpatrick is still considering the Buckeyes. We really like him as a "sleeper" prospect, and we wouldn't be surprised to see a late flurry of activity in Crawford's recruitment.
Offensive Linemen
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. Aaron Brown, Cincinnati Princeton (6' 6", 270 lbs, 5.1 forty); OSU (offered) leads (Florida, Florida State, many other offers). Brown is the top offensive line prospect in the state of Ohio, and one of the best in the entire nation. Not only does Aaron have a great frame with plenty of room to grow, he also is a sound technician with excellent footwork. In college, Brown projects as a left tackle, which only increases his stock among recruiters. Aaron has been fairly reticent to discuss recruiting, but all indications seem to indicate that Ohio State will be the school to beat. Update 07/05 - Aaron has scheduled official visits to Ohio State and Florida, and he has developed an interest in Tennessee. Most local experts still feel that Aaron is signed, sealed, and delivered to Ohio State, but many national gurus feel that he is headed out of state. Update 08/31 - There has been lots of speculation but little new information concerning Aaron Brown; we do know that Aaron will make official visits to the following schools: Auburn (09/03, playing Georgia Tech); Ohio State (09/10, playing Texas); Louisville (09/17, playing Oregon State); Virginia Tech (09/24, playing Georgia Tech); Miami (10/01, playing South Florida). Some speculate that Virginia Tech leads, others continue to maintain that Ohio State is still out in front. Aaron plans to decide by October 6th, and to enroll early in the college of his choice. Update 09/15 - Aaron enjoyed his visit to Auburn, but wasn't very impressed with Ohio State. Aaron has dropped Louisville, and will instead visit Notre Dame on the weekend of September 17th for the Domers game against Michigan State. Update 09/28 - Aaron had a good visit to Notre Dame, but more reports have surfaced concerning his visit to Ohio State, which indicate that it was mediocre at best. Aaron canceled his visit to Miami and will instead make an official visit to Purdue this weekend for the Boilermakers' non-conference match-up against Notre Dame. Most observers feel that Aaron has dropped the Buckeyes from contention (or more likely that the Buckeyes quietly dropped Aaron from consideration), and that Brown will give his verbal commitment to Virginia Tech on October 6th. Update 10/06/05 - As expected, Aaron committed to Virginia Tech.
4. J.B. Walton, Indian Head (Maryland) Lackey (6' 3", 270 lbs, 5.1 forty); OSU (offered) in the mix (Maryland, offered, leader; many others, all offered). Walton is a Rivals 100 selection as an offensive lineman, and he will probably play guard in college. On offense, J.B. displays excellent footwork, speed, quickness, and athleticism, and he is the rare high school lineman who can pull with skill. On several plays, Walton took out a defender near the line, then proceeded 10 or 15 yards downfield to flatten another one - nice stuff! Walton also plays defensive tackle in high school, and he could get a look on that side of the ball as well; however, on defense, J.B. gets by more on talent than technique, and he just seems to be more comfortable paving the way for a running back than trying to track one down. On either side of the line, J.B. demonstrates real power along with the desire to punish his opponent, a superb combination for a guy who will be operating in trenches. With so many talented Ohioans this year, Walton is one of the few out-of-state offensive line prospects who has piqued the interest of the Ohio State staff. Maryland is the favorite in this race, but J.B. also likes Virginia and Penn State; the Buckeyes seem to be a long shot at this point. Update 07/05 - Ohio State remains in Walton's top eight, but there is no reason to believe that the Bucks are a serious contender here. Update 08/31 - Walton's current top seven are Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Florida, Florida State, Ohio State, and Nebraska; his only official visit so far will be to Nebraska (10/29), when he and fellow Marylander A.J. Wallace will see the Huskers battle the Oklahoma Sooners.
5. Joe Thomas, Lakewood (Ohio) St. Edwards (6' 5", 310 lbs, 5.1 forty); OSU (offered) chasing Pitt (verbal). Thomas attends the same high school as incoming Buckeye freshman OT Alex Boone. While Boone, a five-star recruit and one of the best line prospects in the entire country last year, received most of the attention and accolades, Thomas also managed to distinguish himself, earning second team all-district honors as a junior. Although Joe has decent height, he projects as a guard at the college level. Update 09/28 - Although Joe remains committed to Pitt, he recently received an offer from Ohio State. With Pitt have predictable results under the tutelage Dave Wannstedt, Thomas is reconsidering his verbal, which he made in early July. In fact, Joe made an unofficial visit to Ohio State for the Iowa game, and he plans to take an official visit to Columbus at a later date. Apparently, the Buckeye staff is very high on Thomas, who is having an excellent senior campaign (90% blocking efficiency, 46 pancake blocks).
6. Bill Nagy, Hudson, Ohio (6' 4", 285 lbs, 4.85 forty, 4.5 shuttle); OSU (not offered) in top 5 (Louisville, Nortwestern, both offered; Notre Dame, Michigan). Although we have Nagy grouped with the offensive linemen (78 pancake blocks last season), he is an equally good prospect for the defensive line (52 tackles, 8 TFL's in 2004), and he might very well end up on either side of the line in college. Bill has a great attitude on the field, and after watching him, it is obvious that he is a guy who simply never takes a play off. Nagy is from a high school that is not known as a football powerhouse, and for that reason he has been flying a bit under the radar. However, if Bill can showcase his talent during the upcoming summer camps, then he should start to see the offers rolling in. Update 07/05 - According to all reports, Nagy performed very well at Ohio State's summer camp, but he hasn't received a Buckeye offer yet. If Nagy can wait a while, then an OSU offer might materialize. In the mean time, Bill can contemplate offers from Indiana, Louisville, Northwestern, and Wisconsin. Update 08/31 - Ohio State still leads, but has yet to offer; if the Bucks don't some through, then Nagy has several very good schools to choose from, including Illinois, Louisville, Maryland, and Wisconsin. Update 09/28 - we feel that Nagy is very close to receiving a Buckeye offer, and that he will verbally commit to Ohio State soon thereafter.
7. Bob Gulley, Berea, Ohio (6' 4", 274 lbs, 5.2 forty); Ohio State (not offered) and Michigan State (not offered) lead. According to SuperPrep, Gulley is one of the top ten offensive linemen in the Midwest. In high school, Bob plays both offense and defense; however, we strongly feel that his future is as an interior lineman, probably at offensive guard. He is a solid run blocking lineman, and a bit more athletic than might be expected, although he plays way too tall. His pass blocking was decent, as he does a good job of keeping his arms and hands within the frame of his body. Gulley does a solid job of turning his man inside or outside when the play calls for it. Although Bob does not yet have an offer from Ohio State, he is one of the five in-state OL whom the Buckeye staff are currently considering. His favorites are Ohio State and Michigan State, neither of which has offered, but we feel that a Buckeye offer should be able to sway him to Columbus. Update 09/28/05 - Gulley attended the Ohio State - Texas game on an unofficial visit, and he got a chance to meet with various members of the coaching staff including Coach Tressel. Bob nows claims that Ohio State is his leader, and that he has been a Buckeye fan since childhood.
8. Bryant Browning, Cleveland Glenville (6' 3", 328 lbs, 5.4 forty); OSU (not offered) leads (Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern, all offered; Notre Dame). Browning is an absolutely huge kid, but maybe not quite the way that college recruiters would like to see - at 328 pounds, his weight is obviously a cause for concern. Bryant is also a bit on the short side, and his lack of height will limit him to guard in college. Despite the fact that his body doesn't fit the ideal computer profile for an offensive lineman, Browning is a decent athlete who performed very well at the recent Blacksburg Nike combine. Off the field, Bryant excels in the academic arena, as he currently carries a 4.2 GPA and is on track to become his school's valedictorian. Although Browning is from Glenville, it is unlikely that he will follow the pipeline to Columbus; at this point, the Buckeyes do not seem particularly interested in Bryant, and there are just too many good in-state prospects ahead of him. Update 07/05 - Bryant performed very well at Ohio State's senior camp, and is now "in the mix" for a Buckeye offer. Stay tuned.... Update 08/31 - Browning still favors Ohio State, but still hasn't received a Buckeye offer. However, Bryant has earned several major offers, including Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan State, and several other Big Ten programs; of the offering schools, Wisconsin probably leads. Update 09/28 - Bryant's name keeps coming up in recruiting circles, but he still does not have an Ohio State offer. However, we still question whether the Buckeye staff has a real interest in a lineman whose weight is approaching 350 pounds.
9. Jake Miller, Zoarville (Ohio) Tuscarawas Valley (6' 6", 321 lbs, 5.3 forty); OSU (not offered) in the mix (Akron, Bowling Green, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois; all offered). Miller is a classic "sleeper" prospect, a Division IV player who was a virtual unknown until the summer camp season. Jake has great size, strength, power, and toughness, but he hasn't had the chance to show his stuff against top-notch competition; in addition, while he is an excellent run blocker, his pass blocking skills need some work. Miller is a three-year starter at offensive tackle, and he should play the same position in college. Jake camped at Ohio State this summer, and attended the Buckeyes' contests against Texas and San Diego State. Ohio State has been in contact, but has not offered; Illinois, Akron, and Bowling Green (all offered) are Miller's top choices right now.
10. Ryan Palmer, Canton Glen Oak (6' 7", 280 lbs, 5.1 forty); OSU (not offered) in top 5 (Michigan, Notre Dame, Pitt, Purdue, none offered). Palmer is a raw prospect with a great frame and decent athleticism for a big man. If Ryan can add some weight and strength, and gain some experience and confidence, he could join Brown, Smith, and Boren as one of the elite linemen in this fabulous O-line class. Ryan is a teammate of 2006 QB prospect Michael Hartline, and attends the same school as Buckeyes Brian Hartline, T.J. Downing, and Dustin Fox. We feel that the Buckeyes would be the leader if they offered, but Palmer needs to impress at summer camp in order to get the attention of the Ohio State coaching staff. Update 07/05 - Ryan did impress at Ohio State's summer camp, but it remains to be seen whether he demonstrated enough to earn a Buckeye offer. We feel that an offer is a reasonable possibility down the road. Duke, Vanderbilt, Minnesota, and Marshall are Palmer's only offers to date, so he will likely wait and see what develops with the Buckeyes. Update 08/31 - Palmer is still waiting on Ohio State.... Update 09/28 - Although Palmer is a having a fine season, the Buckeye staff currently seems more interersted in other offensive linemen such as Joe Thomas, Bill Nagy, Bryant Browning, and possibly Jake Miller.
Defensive Linemen
1. Robert Rose, Cleveland Glenville (6' 5", 238 lbs, 4.6 forty, 4.6 shuttle); OSU (offered) leads (Michigan State, offered; Michigan, Iowa, Southern Cal). Of all the players on the Buckeyes' radar screen this year, Robert Rose may be the one who best personifies the "freak" athlete - he has the frame of a defensive lineman with the speed of a wide receiver and the agility of a running back. At Glenville, Robert has played tight end, defensive tackle, and defensive end, and we feel that he could ultimately end up at any of those positions in college, and maybe even at outside linebacker like former Tarblooder Pierre Woods, whom Robert resembles in both size and athletic ability. Rose is only one of the many Glenville players who will receive serious attention from Division I programs (Raymond Small, Ray Fisher, Arvell Nelson, Bryant Browning, Royce Adams, and Wisconsin verbal Daven Jones), but he might just be the best of the bunch. We suspect that Robert will eventually follow the Glenville pipeline to Columbus, but, as any top recruit should, he will likely visit several other schools before making his decision final. Update 07/05 - Ohio State still leads, but don't expect a decision until January. Update 08/31 - No news is good news - Ohio State still leads. Update 09/28 - Rob and teammate Raymond Small visited Southern Cal for the Trojans' game against Arkansas. Reportedly, Rob did not enjoy the trip nearly as much as Ray, and there is absolutely no talk of a Rose "silent verbal" to USC.
2. Steven Wesley, Bartow, Florida (6' 2", 235 lbs, 4.8 forty); OSU (offered) in top 5 (Florida, Alabama, Maryland, Ole Miss, all offered). Wesley is a player who did not receive much publicity until this summer, but now he is one of the hottest prospects around, having garnered interest from such traditional powerhouses as Ohio State, Florida, LSU, and Alabama. Last season, Steven had 60 tackles, 8 sacks, and one interception from his defensive end position, and caught 7 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown as a tight end. We think that Steven will end up on defense in college, where his quickness and relentless nature would serve him well as a pash-rushing defensive end; however, he is very athletic and possesses soft hands, so tight end could still be a possibility. Wesley will make an official visit Ohio State on September 10th for the Texas game, and will also take official visits to Ole Miss (October 15th, playing Alabama); Alabama (November 12th, playing LSU); Maryland (December 2nd, post-season); and Florida (January 28th). Update - Wesley loved his visit to Ohio State, and the Buckeyes are now his number one team; however, Steven did not issue a verbal commitment to the Bucks, and he plans on taking his remaining visits. Ohio State looks good for the present, but a lot can happen before Signing Day.
3. Dexter Larimore, Merrillville, Indiana (6' 3", 265 lbs, 4.8 forty); OSU (offered) in top 4 (Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, all offered). Even though Larimore is the top-ranked 275-pound high school wrestler in the nation and has several scholarship offers from top wrestling programs, he is planning to focus on football at the college level. With his wrestling background, Dexter's game revolves around technique, leverage, and power. As a junior, Larimore had 8 sacks from his defensive tackle position, and he is continuing to have success as a senior. Dexter's older brother, Riley, is a defensive end for Ball State, but Dex will end up playing in the Big Ten. Although Larimore was a Michigan fan growing up, he was noticeably underwhelmed with his unofficial visit to the Big House for the Notre Dame game; Dexter seemed to have a much better time during his unofficial to The 'Shoe for the Iowa blow out. Dexter is planning to make an official visit to Ohio State in December. We feel that Ohio State is the leader, but that Michigan will also be a major factor.
4. Walter Dublin, Sarasota, Florida (6' 3", 235 lbs, 4.58 forty); OSU and Nebraska lead (both offered). As a junior, Dublin racked up 84 tackles, 22 TFL's, and 14 sacks in 11 games, and his on-the-field production combined with his natural athleticism have begun to attract recruiters from around the country. Although Walter has lived in Florida for the past several years, he wants to leave the Sunshine State to attend college, and the midwest seems to be his currently favored destination, with Nebraska, Ohio State, Iowa, Iowa State, and Minnesota receiving plenty of attention lately. Although Walter's top five list changes frequently, the Huskers and Buckeyes are the two teams consistently at the top of the ledger. Update 08/31 - Ohio State has passed Nebraska, but both schools remain far ahead of the pack; Walter has no official visits scheduled. Update 09/28 - Walter has proclaimed Ohio State to be his "clear leader", and he is trying to schedule an official visit to Columbus.
5. Alex Dekle, Statesboro, Georgia (6' 2", 273 lbs, 4.82 forty); OSU (offered) in top 3 (Ole Miss, North Carolina, both offered). To be honest, we do not know very much about Alex Dekle, and we are not alone in that respect - Rivals does not have much more than his height, weight, and forty time, and Scout has no information whatsoever. About all we know is that Alex claims that Ohio State is one of his three favorites, and that each of his favorite schools has offered him a scholarship. Dekle apparently performed well at the recent Athens Nike combine, where he displayed good leg strength and drive. We will be on the lookout for more information concerning this intriguing prospect. Update 07/05 - Not surprisingly, we have nothing new to report on Mr. Dekle. Update 08/31 - Alex now has offers from Ohio State, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Central Florida, and claims that the Buckeyes are his clear leader. However, Alex admits to having some serious academic issues, and he may be forced to take the prep school route. Update 09/28 - With the recent offer to Dexter Larimore, and with Alex's uncertain academic future, the Buckeye staff seems to have cooled on Dekle.
6. Jason Adjepong, Carteret, New Jersey (6' 3", 248 lbs, 4.69 forty); OSU (offered) in the mix. Adjepong is a relatively new name in Buckeye recruiting circles. Jason is listed as either a fullback or defensive end, and the Bucks could use a player at either position. As a junior, Jason had 87 tackles, 22 TFL's, 12 sacks, and 4 fumble recoveries from his defensive end position, where he exhibited very good speed and strength, the ability to shed blockers, and very long arms. As a fullback, Adjepong is a crushing blocker and a decent straight-ahead runner who won't make anyone miss; however, he also has fine hands and could be a weapon in the receiving game. Overall, we like him better as a DE, where his 4.69 forty-time makes him "fast", as opposed to FB, where his speed would be only average; moreover, at 6' 3", he is also quite tall for a fullback. Currently, Ohio State is in Adjepong's top eight, and the Buckeyes seem to have as good a chance as anyone else; of course, when there are so many other schools invlolved, their chance isn't all that good.
7. Brian Whitmore, Chesapeake (Virginia) Oscar F. Smith (6' 3", 240 lbs, 4.65 forty); OSU (offered) in top 8 (Miami, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Maryland, and Penn State, all offered). As a junior, Whitmore recorded 75 tackles, 18 TFL's, and 10 sacks from his defensive end position. While Brian will probably begin his college career as a strongside end, he could eventually grow into a defensive tackle. On film, Brian displays excellent speed and solid instincts; his technique could use some work, but this should improve with the proper coaching at the next level. Although Brian claims serious interest in Ohio State, we see the Bucks as an extreme long shot; Virginia Tech, Maryland, and Miami are the most likely candidates for his services. Update 08/31 - Whitmore's current top five are Miami, Virginia Tech, Maryland, LSU, and Ohio State, with Miami leading; Brian has not scheduled any official visits yet. Update 09/28 - Brian recently took unoffical visits to North Carolina and Maryland; he has been impressed with the play of Virginia Tech and Ohio State so far this season, so the Buckeyes might still have an outside chance here.
8. McKenzie Matthews, Syracuse Christian Brothers (6' 3", 235 lbs, 4.8 forty); OSU (offered) in top 3 (Pitt, offered; Michigan). According to Rivals, Matthews is the #6 overall prospect in the state of New York. In 2004, McKenize racked up 60 tackles, 10 TFL's, and 13 sacks, and was a second team all-state selection. McKenzie was a teammate of Greg Paulus, who was one of the top quarterbacks for the the class of 2005, but elected to attend Duke on a basketball scholarship. This season, Matthews will be the star of the Christian Brothers' squad. Although his leaders change frequently, McKenzie seems to be high on Ohio State, and the Buckeyes should be in the running until the end. Update 08/31 - Matthews' current top four are Ohio State, Michigan, Pittsburgh, and North Carolina (all offered); he will visit Ohio State for the Michigan State game, and Michigan for the Ohio State game.
9. Jamil Paris, Vero Beach (Florida) Sebastian River (6' 5", 213 lbs, 4.54 forty, 4.50 shuttle); OSU (not offered) in top 5 (Florida, Miami, Auburn, Clemson; no offers). Despite the fact that Paris played only three games as a junior due to injury, he is still ranked as the #50 overall player in the state of Florida, and the #13 weakside defensive end prospect in the nation by Rivals. Jamil has an incredible frame, and boasts a wingspan of greater than 100 inches; in his build, he reminds us of former Florida high school star Willie Young, a DE prospect who signed with N.C. State during the 2004 recruiting season. Although he does not have much game experience, Paris is nevertheless an intriguing prospect for his frame and athleticism. Florida and Miami lead, but Jamil is scheduled to visit Ohio State for the Iowa game. Update 09/28 - Apparently, Jamil did not visit Ohio State for the Iowa game, and missed out on the opportunity to see the Buckeyes thump the Hawkeyes. Florida leads, with Miami in second, but Ohio State is still in the hunt.
Linebackers
1. Ross Homan, Coldwater, Ohio (6' 2", 220 lbs, 4.55 forty); committed to Ohio State!
2. Thaddeus Gibson, Euclid, Ohio (6' 3", 208 lbs, 4.4 forty); OSU (offered) leads Michigan (offered). Gibson is a classic outside linebacker with decent size (with plenty of room to grow) and outstanding speed (he recently ran the 100 meters in 11.1 seconds and the 200 meters in 23.7 seconds). In fact, Thaddeus has already earned the reputation as the best pure pass rusher in the greater Cleveland area (67 tackles, 17 sacks, two interceptions last season), which is high praise considering all of the talent in northeast Ohio. Despite the fact that he tips the scales at just over 200 pounds, Gibson is a lights out hitter who loves to search out and destroy opposing ball carriers. Gibson has visited Ohio State several times, and is friends with current Buckeye redshirt freshman LB Brandon Smith and his younger brother Darius, who is a 2006 DE prospect from Euclid High. At this early stage of the game, it appears that Thaddeus favors the Buckeyes, but Michigan and possibly a few other schools will also get a serious look. Update 07/05 - No official news, but most of the buzz indicates that Thaddeus will end up in Columbus eventually. Update 08/31 - In his first game of the season (a 33-0 loss to Mentor Lake Catholic), Gibson was ejected for punching an opposing player; he is suspended for Euclid's week two game against Strongsville. On the recruiting front, Thaddeus favors Ohio State and Iowa. Update 09/28 - Gibson still favors Ohio State, but grades appear to be an issue. If Thaddeus can get his academic house in order, then he should be a Buckeye come February.
3. Mark Johnson, Los Angeles Dorsey (6' 4", 230 lbs, 4.55 forty); OSU (offered) co-leader with LSU (offered). According to Rivals, Johnson is the #6 MLB prospect in the country, and the #16 prospect in the state of California. Mark is a teammate of 2006 prospects RB Stafon Johnson, DL Keith Browner (Cal verbal), and OL Jovon Hayes; former Buckeye All-American Na'il Diggs graduated from Dorsey High. As a junior, Mark recorded 138 tackles, 5 sacks, and an interception. Despite claiming strong interest in OSU and LSU, we feel that Southern Cal (not offered) would be the team to beat if the Trojans came through with an offer. If not, then the Bucks have a legitimate chance to land another West Coast prep star. Mark would like to make an official visit to Ohio State for the Texas game; he has no other officials scheduled at this point. Update 09/28 - Mark has twice attempted to make an official visit to Columbus, first for the Texas game, then for the Iowa game. For some reason, neither visit happened, which has led to much speculation, including some who say that the coaching staff has cooled on Johnson, despite initially proclaiming him to be their #1 linebacker recruit this year. The reason? It could be grades - Mark claims a 2.5 GPA and a score of 1350 on the new SAT (out of 2400 points), which might make him a qualifier, but which may not be enough to satisfy OSU's increasingly stringent admissions.
4. Navorro Bowman, Suitland (Maryland) Suitland (6' 0", 218 lbs, 4.7 forty); OSU (offered) in top 5 (North Carolina, Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, all offered). After amassing 165 tackles, 9 sacks, and an interception as a junior, Bowman was named the defensive player of the year for the state of Maryland. According to Rivals, Navorro is the #8 prospect in Maryland, and one of the top 250 players in the country. At six feet even, Bowman may be a bit short for MLB, but he has good instincts and attitude for the position; he definitely projects as a LB, and a move to safety is not in the offing. Navorro also plays running back for his high school squad, where he exhibits good toughness between the tackles. Navorro currently carries a 3.63 GPA and a 990 on the SAT (old scoring system), and he wants to graduate early from high school. Ohio State appears to be a solid contender, especially now that Bowman has cooled on the home town school (Maryland). Update 08/31 - Bowman has official visits set for Penn State (09/03, playing South Florida) and Virginia Tech (11/05, playing Miami). Ohio State is still very much in the running, and the Buckeyes will likely receive an official visit. Update 09/28 - Bowman currently favors Penn State and Virginia Tech, but he will also make official visits to Tennessee and Ohio State. While the Bucks are by no means out of the running, they do have some ground to make up, and his official visit to Columbus will be crucial if Ohio State is to remain in the chase.
5. Tyler Moeller, Cincinnati Colerain (6' 1", 205, 4.48 forty). Moeller is a fast-rising prospect who was a virtual unknown in recruiting circles until the beginning of summer. Since then, he has impressed coaches around the country with his camp performaces, which have confirmed the talent which he displayed during his stellar junior campaign (120 tackles, 11 sacks, and an interception for the undefeated Division I state championship team). Tyler is a teammate of two other highly-ranked prospects for the class of 2006 - OL Connor Smith, who apparently favors Ohio State, and LB Cobrani Mixon, who has already verballed to Michigan. Tyler had been favoring Iowa and Virginia Tech (both offered) prior to receiving his recent Buckeye offer; now, Ohio State could very well be the team to beat. We should know for sure by the beginning of the season. Update 08/31 - Moeller will visit Ohio State for the Texas game, and he should make his decision shortly thereafter. Many observers believe that Ohio State will receive Tyler's verbal commitment, but Iowa will continue to make a strong pitch. Update 09/15 -After visiting for the match up with Texas, Tyler committed to Ohio State!
6. Colin McCarthy, Clearwater (Florida) Central Catholic (6' 1", 210 lbs, 4.53 forty, 4.13 shuttle); OSU (offered) in top 5 (Penn State, offered, leads). As a junior, McCarthy was named a first team all state selection after he recorded 163 tackles, 13 TFL's, 4 sacks, and 5 interceptions; as a receiver on offense, he caught 32 passes for 595 yards and 8 scores. Colin is also a fine basketball player, as he averaged 15 points per game on the hardwood. In college, McCarthy projects as an outside linebacker, or possibly a strong safety. Although he now lives in Florida, Colin was born and raised in Pennsylvania, so it would not be surprising to see him head back north for college (he loves cold weather). Penn State is McCarthy's probable leader, and he will make an official visit to Happy Valley for the October 8th contest against our beloved Buckeyes; Colin has already seen the Bucks once this season, as he made an official visit to Columbus for the Iowa thrashing. The Florida schools will also get a look (Miami has offered), but we see this as an OSU-PSU battle.
7. Tommy Becker, Plymouth (Minnesota) Wayzata (6' 2", 230 lbs, 4.77 forty); OSU in top 6 (Minnesota, offered; Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan State, Oklahoma). Becker plays for the same high school as incoming Buckeye freshman LB James Laurinaitis, and the two formed quite a tandem in the middle of the Wayzata defense last season. While Laurinaitis racked up nearly 200 tackles on his way to being named Minnesota's Mr. Football, Becker added 139 of his own, together with 3 interceptions. This year, Tommy will have the spotlight to himself, and should post some more huge numbers. Becker plays middle linebacker in high school, and he should remain inside at the college level. Minnesota has offered, and they should be considered Tommy's probable leader; however, Ohio State and many other schools will be watching Tommy closely this season, and he may generate quite a bit of interest down the road. Update 07/05 - Becker attended Ohio State's camp, but did not receive an offer from the Buckeyes; however, Tommy still remains interested in Ohio State, and, like A.J. Edds, he may be able to play his way into an offer this fall. Update 09/28 - Becker took an official visit to Iowa State (offered) for their contest against Iowa (wherein the Cyclones laid waste to Drew Tate and the Hawkeyes, 23-3), and he thoroughly enjoyed himself in Ames. Tommy will not take any more official visits until after his season; he would still like to visit Ohio State (not offered).
Defensive Backs
1. Marcus Ball, Stone Mountain (Georgia) Stephenson (6' 0", 200 lbs, 4.49 forty, 4.13 shuttle, 19 bench reps, 33" vertical); OSU (offered) in the mix (Auburn, Florida, both offered; several others). Like Akeem Hebron, Marcus Ball is another small but tenacious linebacker who has power and pop well beyond his size. If Marcus should remain near the 200-pound mark, then a move to safety might be in order, but he has more than enough speed to make the switch. Ball recently made the "Elite 11", a group of the best prep players in the state of Georgia, and he is a member of the Rivals 100 list. As a junior, Marcus had 136 tackles, 14 TFL's, and 8 sacks; he also is an outstanding running back prospect, and Ohio State is apparently recruiting him at both positions. On defense, Ball roves the entire field and hits like ton of bricks; his great speed is evident both when blitzing and when pursuing plays to the corner. Ball may not have the technique or anticipation of Hebron, but he is every bit as athletic and quite possibly even more aggressive; it is almost a toss-up as to which is the better player, but we favor Akeem slightly for his instincts and football skills. While he has "plus" speed, exceptional acceleration, and a bevy of shifty moves, Marcus is first and foremost a power back who loves to run through and over defenders - the ones who don't get steamrolled usually get dragged five yards downfield. Although Marcus is the younger brother of Georgia Tech QB Reggie Ball, it appears that he wants to play his college ball out of state (another brother, Raeshon, plays CB for Central Michigan). It has been reported that Ball really likes Ohio State, but that Auburn and Florida will also be major players. Update 07/05 - Rivals has rated Marcus the #1 prospect in the state of Georgia, the #2 outside linebacker prospect in the nation, and the #11 overall prospect in the nation. No news on the recruiting scene, so until we hear otherwise, we have to assume that Ohio State is still in the running. Update 08/31 - No news to report; Ohio State is still in the mix, along with several other schools.
2. A.J. Wallace, Pomfret (Maryland) McDonough (6' 1", 195 lbs, 4.4 forty); OSU (offered) leads Nebraska (offered). According to Rivals, A.J. is the #63 overall prospect nationally, the #3 cornerback nationally, and the #3 overall prospect in the state of Maryland for the class of 2006. In high school, A.J. is definitely a two-way player, as he rushed for 2,467 and 30 TD's over the past two seasons, and made 140 tackles and 2 interceptions during that same time. Wallace visited Ohio State in June, and came away very impressed - he met several of the current players, and developed relationships with Nate Salley, Jamario O'Neal, and others. For the past several years, Ohio State has been close to landing a top player from Maryland (legacies like Stan White, Jr. and Shawn Springs don't count), and it looks like Wallace might be the guy who ends up finally signing with the Bucks. Update 08/31 - A.J. will make an official visit Ohio State for the Texas game. Many observers feel that that experience will put the Buckeyes over the top, and that Wallace will commit to OSU shortly thereafter. We'll see.... A.J. will also make an official visit to Nebraska on 10/29 for the Oklahoma game, and 10/01 to Florida State for the Syracuse game. Update 09/28 - Wallace did take an official visit to Ohio State for the Texas game, and by all accounts that trip made a lasting impression on A.J.; most observers feel that Ohio State solidified its position as the team to beat, but Nebraska and Florida State are still serious contenders.
3. Kurt Coleman, Clayton (Ohio) Northmont (5' 11", 190 lbs, 4.44 forty); committed to Ohio State!
4. Bryan Thomas, Zephyrhills, Florida (6' 0", 186 lbs, 4.39 forty, 4.06 shuttle); OSU (offered) in top 3 (Florida, Tennessee, both offered). Bryan is from the same high school as former Buckeye great DT Ryan Pickett, and this relationship has put Ohio State in a select group at the top of Bryan's list. As a junior, Bryan had a monster season on both sides of the ball, with 500 yards rushing, 793 yards receiving, and 14 TD's on offense; and 93 tackles and 3 interceptions on defense. Although he is generally considered to be a cornerback prospect, we actually like Thomas better on offense, where he seems more natural and self-assured; with proper coaching, he could also be a tremendous cornerback, but he is still rather raw as a DB prospect. Thomas is a lanky six-footer, with a long, graceful stride, excellent body control, and great vision (dare we say that he reminds us a little bit of Teddy Ginn when he runs?). Bryan might not have TGII's "extra gear" (then again, who does?), but he certainly has more than enough speed to go all the way any time he gets his hands on the ball. Florida has a definite edge in this race, but Ohio State still has a shot, especially if Bryan decides to make an official visit to Columbus. Update 08/31 - Bryan still likes Florida, Ohio State, and Tennessee, and he will likely make official visits to all three schools; he may also make officials to South Carolina and West Virginia. Although Bryan nearly committed to Florida this summer, it now appears that the Buckeyes are pulling closer to the Gators. Thomas likes the fact that Ohio State puts many players into the NFL, and that he could possibly play both ways for the Buckeyes (a la Chris Gamble and Ted Ginn). Update 09/28 - Florida still leads, but Ohio State is a close second; Tennessee has fallen back to the pack. Bryan (ranked the 49th best player in the state of Florida by Rivals, far too low in our humble opinions) could be the player that the Bucks "steal" from the Sunshine State schools this year. Although most programs are still recruiting Bryan as a cornerback, he is such a dynamic runner that we like him better as a wide receiver and kick returner.
5. Grant Schwartz, Dana Point (California) Dana Hills (6' 0", 201 lbs, 4.5 forty). Grant's father, Brian, played football for Ohio State from 1976-79; not surprisingly, Grant has been a Buckeye fan all of his life, and he has stated that he would love to play for the scarlet and gray. Last season, Grant played primarily quarterback for his high school team, and he displayed excellent athleticism at that position; this season, Grant will focus on defense, and saftey is where he will likely end up in college. Schwartz performed well at Ohio State's summer camp, but has yet to receive a Buckeye offer; a strong season might just net him that offer, and apparently, Brian is willing to wait. Update 09/28 - Ohio State recruiting coordinator John Peterson recently visited Grant in California - the meeting went very well, and it appears that an offer will soon be extended by the Buckeyes. On the season, Grant is doing an outstanding job at safety, and he continues to excel as a "dual threat" quarterback.
6. Chris Fox, Westwood (Massachusetts) Xaverian Brothers (5' 11", 191 lbs, 4.47 forty, 4.10 shuttle); OSU (not offered) in top 7 (Boston College, leader, offered; Colorado, Duke, Oregon, Wisconsin, all offered; Notre Dame). If his name sounds sort of familiar, that's because his father is former Buckeye All-American defensive back Tim Fox, and his cousins are former Buckeye defensive back Dustin Fox and former Penn State defensive back Derek Fox. While Chris is an all-around athlete for his high school team (he plays wide receiver, cornerback, safety, and punt returner), he most likely projects as a corner at the college level. Chris uses his excellent technique to get and maintain proper position on the receiver, and he doesn't rely on his superior speed and agility to "recover" and make plays. Although Chris shows some skills as a receiver, he seems more natural on the other side of the ball; besides, playing defensive back is obviously a Fox family tradition. Given his family ties to Ohio State, Chris naturally favors the Buckeyes; however, the staff (which likes Chris as a safety) has yet to offer, and Chris might be on the waiting list for a while. Notre Dame, which also has not offered, is a serious player as well. If the Bucks and Domers don't extend an offer, then look for Chris to stay close to home and sign with Boston College. Update 08/31 - Although he had originally planned to make an official visit to Ohio State some time this fall, Chris pulled the trigger on his Boston College offer. While Fox claims that he is solid to BC, a late Buckeye offer would probably still merit some consideration.
7. Royce Adams, Cleveland Glenville (5' 11", 165 lbs, 4.68 forty, 4.12 shuttle); OSU (not offered) leads (Michigan State, Iowa, Cincinnati, all offered). Last season, Royce played at St. Ed's, but he has since transferred to Glenville. Royce is a versatile athlete who could end up at WR, KR, or DB at the college level. Although he is a bit small and needs to improve his strength (only 8 bench reps), Adams is aggressive on the field and he plays bigger than his size. Royce recently attended Ohio State's camp, where he improved his stock somewhat. It remains to be seen whether Ohio State will eventually offer, but if they do, then Adams will likely become yet another Glenville Buckeye. Update 08/31 - Adams had an excellent initial game (a 32-0 road victory over Mentor), with a 64-yard punt return, a 39-yard kick return, and an interception; after that performance, Royce is now probably a bit closer to earning an offer from Ohio State. Update 09/28 - Royce is still waiting for an Ohio State offer; grades may be a stumbling block with him. Update 10/20 - Royce committed to Purdue.
8. Mister Alexander, Aldine (Texas) Eisenhower (6' 3", 200 lbs); Ohio State (claimed offer) in top 4 (Iowa, offered; Florida State, LSU, not offered). According to Rivals, Mister Alexander is the #43 prospect in the state of Texas for the class of 2006. Although he has played some offense in the past, Alexander will play only defense this year; he will see time at safety and outside linebacker. There is some discrepancy concerning Mister's speed, as his forty times vary from 4.4 (Rivals) to 4.65 (Scout) to 4.86 (Waco combine). From viewing his films, we feel that his true speed is somewhere in the 4.6 range, which a bit slow for a safety but adequate for an OLB. Regardless of his straight-ahead speed, Alexander reminded us a bit of Nate Salley, with that long frame roaming the secondary and his physical style of play. Despite playing "too high", he showed good skills in space, a very aggressive nature, and a grasp for the game. Alexander currently favors Florida State, and would commit to the Seminoles if offered; he knows little about Ohio State, but would like to make an official visit to Columbus, if he is invited by the coaching staff.
9. Elijah "Scoot" Fields, Duquesne, Pennsylvania (6' 1", 198 lbs, 4.55 forty); OSU (not offered) in top 5 (Pitt, West Virginia, UConn, all offered; Penn State, not offered). Fields is a two-way prospect who could play either wide receiver or safety at the next level; Scout.com has rated Elijah as a "four star" saftey prospect and the 12th best safety in the nation, and it seems that most school like him on the defensive side of the ball. As a junior, Scoot caught 26 passes for 591 yards (for an average of 22.7) and 14 touchdowns. Elijah will visit Happy Valley on October 8th for the Penn State - Ohio State game; although he has offers from several schools, it appears that Fields is still willing to wait on the Buckeyes and the Nittany Lions.
10. Chris Duvalt, Lakeland (Florida) Lake Gibson (5' 10", 159 lbs, 4.38 forty, 38" vertical); OSU in the mix (several schools). To state it simply, Chris Duvalt is an enigma - according to Rivals, he is the 24th best prospect in the talent-rich state of Florida and the 18th best cornerback prospect nationally, yet he has no major offers to date. Chris is most interested in Florida State (his childhood favorite), but he is also looking at Florida, South Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, Maryland, and Wake Forest; he has received offers from Indiana, Marshall, and Eastern Kentucky. It could be that the top programs are scared off by Duvalt's size (he was measured at 5' 10", 159 pounds at a Nike combine this summer). Despite his lack of size, Duvalt's talent is unquestioned - last season, he had 52 tackles, 7 interceptions, and 11 pass break-ups. Chris has excellent speed and leaping ability to go along with good coverage skills and sound instincts; after a pick (or returning punts), he has tremendous maneuverability and cutting ability, and once he gets his hands on the ball, he has the moves to take it to the house. Chris's academic status is unknown, as neither his GPA nor his test score has been published. Chris has mentioned making an official visit to Ohio State, but nothing has been scheduled to date.
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.
Tom McEowen, DL, Feasterville (Pennsylvania) Neshaminy (6' 4", 279 lbs, 5.1 forty); committed to Penn State.
Chris James, WR, Chicago Morgan Park (6' 0", 169 lbs, 4.55 forty); committed to Illinois.
Adam Weber, QB, Shoreview (Minnesota) Mounds View (6' 3", 205 lbs, 4.65 forty); committed to Minnesota.
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.
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.
Terron Sanders, DL, Bradenton (Florida) Southeast (6' 2", 298 lbs, 5.1 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, Damascus (Maryland) Good Counsel (6' 2", 193 lbs, 4.45 forty); committed to Georgia.
Asher Allen, Tucker, Georgia (5' 10", 187 lbs, 4.39 forty); committed to Georgia.
Bani Gbadyu, Gaithersburg (Maryland) Quince Orchard (6' 1", 205 lbs, 4.52 forty); committed to LSU.
Antwine Perez, Camden (New Jersey) Woodrow Wilson (6' 2", 197 lbs, 4.53 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.
Joe Torchia, North Arlington (New Jersey) Queen of Peace (6' 3", 231 lbs, 4.8 forty); committed to Virginia.
Clark Crum, OL, Dublin Scioto (6' 7", 255 lbs, 5.15 forty); committed to Virginia Tech.
Darius Smith, DL, Euclid, Ohio (6' 3", 195 lbs, 4.6 forty); committed to Bowling Green.
Peris Edwards, Toledo Rogers (6' 1", 175 lbs, 4.43 forty); committed to Miami of Ohio.
Jacob Ramsey, Columbus Independence (6' 0", 205, 4.5 forty); committed to Cincinnati.
Looking Elsewhere
Tim Tebow, QB, Jacksonville (Florida) Nease (6' 3", 225 lbs, 4.6 forty); Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, NC State, Southern Cal.
Arvell Nelson, QB, Cleveland Glenville (6' 5", 180 lbs, 4.75 forty); Iowa, Wisconsin, Syracuse, North Carolina.
Michael Hartline, QB, Canton Glen Oak (6' 5", 175 lbs, 4.8 forty); Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan State.
Nate Davis, QB, Bellaire (6' 3", 215 lbs, 4.85 forty); Indiana, Toledo, Kent State.
Josh Adams, Cary, North Carolina (5' 11", 171 lbs, 4.58 forty); North Carolina; NC State; Clemson; Tennessee; Georgia; LSU; Maryland; Virginia.
Keith Payne, RB, Vienna (Virginia) Oakton (6' 2", 220, 4.4 forty); Virginia Tech leads.
Xylon Purkiss, FB, Ravenna, Ohio (5' 10", 255 lbs, 4.85 forty); no offers.
Aram Olson, Columbia (South Carolina) Irmo (6' 1", 237 lbs, 4.9 forty, 4.25 shuttle); no offers.
Vidal Hazelton, WR, Staten Island (New York) Moore Catholic (6' 3", 192 lbs, 4.5 forty); Florida, Florida State, Miami, Maryland, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech.
Markeith Summers, WR, Olive Branch, Mississippi (6' 4", 190 lbs, 4.5 forty); Auburn, Florida, LSU, Ole Miss, Oklahoma.
Ray Fisher, WR, Cleveland Glenville (5' 10", 170 lbs, 4.4 forty); Iowa, LSU.
Lee Tilley, OL, Springfield (Ohio) South (6' 7", 300 lbs, 5.0 forty); Arizona State, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Washington.
Mark Jackson, OL, Columbus Brookhaven (6' 6", 300 lbs, 5.4 forty); Minnesota, Michigan.
Chris Hanna, Pittsburgh Gateway (6' 4", 292 lbs, 5.0 forty); Illinois; Eastern Michigan.
Phillip Taylor, DL, Clinton (Maryland) Gwynn Park (6' 3", 346 lbs, 5.1 forty); Maryland, Penn State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma.
Micah Johnson, DL, Ft. Campbell (Kentucky) West Potomac (6' 2", 267, 4.7 forty); Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Louisville, Auburn, Alabama, Virginia, Kentucky.
Drew Gloster, DL, Damascus (Maryland) Good Counsel (6' 4", 215 lbs, 4.57 forty); Miami, Florida, Virginia Tech.
Aaron Maybin, DL, Ellicott City (Maryland) Mt. Hebron (6' 3", 220 lbs, 4.64 forty); Maryland, Penn State, Florida, Virginia, Virginia Tech.
Lamar Mapp, DL, Springfield (Ohio) South (6' 3", 234 lbs, 4.65 forty); Akron, Eastern Kentucky.
Jeremiha Hunter, Manheim (Pennsylvania) Central (6' 2", 210 lbs, 4.5 forty); Michigan; UConn; Florida, Iowa, Tennessee.
A.J. Edds, Greenwood, Indiana (6' 4", 215 lbs, 4.7 forty); Iowa, Purdue.
Kevin Green, Jr., LB, North Chicago, Illinois (6' 2", 213 lbs, 4.55 forty); Iowa, Purdue.
Darrin Walls, Pittsburgh Woodland Hills (6' 1", 175 lbs, 4.4 forty). Michigan, Notre Dame, Florida, Pitt.
Jamar Hornsby, Jacksonville Sandalwood (6' 4", 195 lbs, 4.45 forty); Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Southern Cal.
Reshad Jones, DB, Atlanta Booker T. Washington (6' 2", 177 lbs, 4.5 forty); Miami leads several others.
Jovani Chappel, DB, Trotwood (Ohio) Madison (5' 8", 169 lbs, 4.53 forty); Wisconsin, West Virginia, Purdue.
Cody Blevins, DB, Miamisburg, Ohio (6' 2", 200 lbs, 4.6 forty); no offers.
Robert Williams, DB, Cincinnati Withrow (5' 11", 179 lbs, 4.5 forty); Illinois, Minnesota, West Virginia, Boston College.
Devin Parrish, ATH, Miramar (Florida) Parkway Academy (6' 0", 155 lbs, 4.46 forty, 4.12 shuttle); waiting for offers.
Taylor Price, ATH, Hilliard Darby (6' 2", 195 lbs,4.25 forty); MAC; waiting for Ohio State.
Mid-Season Edition
Entering the huge Texas weekend, Ohio state had seven verbal commitments - Georgia QB Antonio Henton; Akron Garfield RB Chris Wells; Lakota West WR/TE Josh Chichester; Springboro TE/OL Jake Ballard; Cincinnati Colerain OL Connor Smith; Coldwater LB Ross Homan; and Clayton Northmont DB Kurt Coleman. Three top prospects (Maryland DB A.J. Wallace, Florida DE Steven Wesley, and Cincinnati Princeton OT Aaron Brown made official visits to Columbus to see the premier inter-conference match-up of the 2005 season, and several other players made unofficial visits to see the hard-fought contest. A few days after the game, Cincinnati Colerain LB Tyler Moeller gave his verbal pledge to the Buckeye staff, selecting Ohio State over Iowa.
Several more prospects saw the Buckeyes blast the Iowa Hawkeyes by a score of 31 to 6, including Lakewood St. Ed's offensive lineman Joe Thomas, who is verbally committed to Pitt, but who is considering re-opening his recruitment. Florida linebacker Colin McCarthy and California wide receiver David Ausberry made official visits for the Bucks' Big Ten opener, and both players were impressed with the game, the stadium, and the overall atmosphere.
To counter all of the positive news, several "negative" events have occurred in the past few weeks. The most notable are the reports that Cincinnati Princeton OT Aaron Brown will commit to Virginia Tech, and that Glenville ATH Raymond Small is a "silent verbal" to Southern Cal. Furthermore, highly-rated California LB Mark Johnson has twice tried to make an official visit to Columbus, but has canceled (or been canceled) on both occasions. Some think that the staff has "cooled" on Johnson (who apparently favors Ohio State), possibly because his grades aren't in order. Finally, Mission Viejo TE Konrad Reuland made an unofficial visit to Columbus this summer to see his childhood favorite, but returned to California raving about Notre Dame and Stanford.
Quarterbacks
Running Backs
2. Carlos Brown, Heard County, Georgia (6' 0", 195 lbs, 4.57 forty); OSU (offered) in top 5 (Auburn, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Miami, all offered). Brown is a four-sport star (football, basketball, baseball, and track) for Heard County. On the gridiron, Carlos lines up all over the field (QB, RB, WB, WR, S, KR, and he even K on occasion), though his future is definitely at tailback. He shows great explosiveness at the line, and has some shiftiness once he gets into the open field. Although Brown does not possess either the pure power of Chris Wells or the elusiveness of Josh Adams, he provides a nice combination of both qualities. Carlos has average speed for a tailback, so he'll have to become more adept at running between the tackles, and rely less on bouncing to the outside (where equally fast OLB's will be waiting for him at the next level). Brown is an "Elite 11" prospect from the state of Georgia who should enjoy some success in the college ranks. Ohio State has been one of Carlos's favorites for quite some time, so the Bucks should be considered legitimate contenders in this recruiting battle. Update 07/05 - Carlos is still interested in Ohio State, but the Buckeyes remain one of many (and the only northern school) in the running. Update 09/28 - Carlos's current leader is Florida State; Ohio State is fading fast and should be considered a long shot at best.
3. Norman Whitley, Rockingham (North Carolina) Richmond County (5' 8", 176 lbs, 4.46 forty, 4.00 shuttle); OSU (not offered) in the mix (North Carolina, only offer; many others). In 2004, Whitley accumulated an incredible 3,540 all-purpose yards (2,666 rushing, 268 receiving, 606 returning), which set a single-season record in the state of North Carolina. As you might expect from a player who scored 39 times last season, Norman's videos are quite impressive. He can cut on a dime and has an amazing ability to weave through traffic, and once he gets into the open it's a footrace that Norman will win almost every time. Whitley has a decent amount of power for his size, and can break the occasional tackle; but speed and quickness are the essence of his game, and he can usually outrun the defense, or avoid contact with a well-timed juke or spin move. The big question concerning Norman is obviously his size, and that fact appears to be the sole reason that he has just one scholarship offer as we head into the summer camp season. Norman performed well at the recent Athens Nike combine, running 4.4 forties, 4.0 shuttles, and confirming the excellent cutting ability, agility, and lateral speed which he demonstrates on the football field. Ohio State is always a long shot to draw talent from the south, but an offer would certainly keep the Bucks in contention for one of the most exciting and prolific players in the class of 2006. Update 07/05 - According to Rivals, Norman is the #10 overall prospect in the state of North Carolina. There is not much new to report on the recruiting front; Norman remains interested in Ohio State, but the Bucks have not offered. Update 08/31 - In his first game of the season, Whitley rushed for 256 yards and 2 TD's on 26 carries (in only three quarters of play), and demonstrated surprising strength despite his size. Norman has offers from North Carolina and East Carolina, and is "hearing from" Ohio State. In fact, Norman believes that the Buckeyes are close to offering him a scholarship, and he states that he would commit to Ohio State if offered. Speculation is that recruiters are concerned about Norman's size (even though he is almost the exact height and weight as Maurice Wells), and that is the reason for his lack of offers; on-the-field production certainly isn't a problem. Norman will try to make an official visit to Ohio State for the Texas game. Update 09/28/05 - Whitley was unable to attend the Texas game, but he still remains interested in Ohio State; apparently, a member of the Buckeye staff will visit Norman's school and watch his game during OSU's current "bye" week.
4. Devven Sutton, Elizabeth City (North Carolina) Northeastern (6' 0", 239 lbs, 4.60 forty, 4.20 shuttle) OSU (not offered) co-leader with Virginia Tech (offered). Sutton has tremendous strength, having posted a 435-pound bench max, 35 bench reps at 185 pounds, and 27 bench reps at 225 pounds. Devven is a "sleeper" prospect who will likely generate some more attention during his senior season; although he also plays middle linebacker on defense, Sutton seems more comfortable as a lead blocker, and his future will probably be at fullback. Earlier this month, Devven almost pulled the trigger on his offer from Virginia Tech; however, he is waiting to hear from the Buckeye staff, who were impressed with his performance at the Ohio State summer camp. Devven has called Ohio State a dream school, and he would certainly fill a need as a big, bruising fullback prospect. Update 09/28 - Devven is close to accepting his offer from Virginia Tech, but he is waiting to hear from some other schools, including Ohio State. He has also picked up an offer from East Carolina.
Receivers
1. David Ausberry, Lemoore, California (6' 4", 200 lbs, 4.72 forty); OSU (childhood fave, offered) trails Southern Cal (strong leader, offered). Although Ausberry was born in Columbus and grew up rooting for the Buckeyes, he has never been to the Ohio State campus and does not know much about the football program. In the mean time, most of his family relocated to California, and David became a fan of Southern Cal, which is now his clear leader. However, David will travel back to Columbus this summer to attend Ohio State's camp, and a strong visit will be necessary in order to even the score with the Trojans. As a sophomore in 2003, Ausberry was one of the top wide outs in California (800 yards, 10 TD's), but a high-ankle sprain hindered him throughout his junior season, and limited his productivity. Nevertheless, he is regarded as one of the top talents in the state, and should draw interest from many major programs besides the Buckeyes and Trojans. Update 07/05 - Although he was scheduled to camp at Ohio State, David cancelled his visit; however, he did attend Southern Cal's camp, thus supporting the speculation that he is a Trojan "silent verbal" with no serious interest in Ohio State. Update 08/31 - Southern Cal still leads, with Ohio State remaining a distant second. David will probably make an official visit to Ohio State, possibly during the season. Update 09/28 - David made an official visit for the Iowa game, and seemed to have a good time; some speculate that Ohio State is gaining a little ground, while most others feel that David is still a "lock" for Southern Cal.
2. Konrad Reuland, Mission Viejo, California (6' 6", 235 lbs, 4.75 forty); OSU (not offered) in the mix (Southern Cal, UCLA, Notre Dame, others). Reuland was born in Springfield, Ohio, grew up rooting for Ohio State, and is still a fan of the Buckeyes. Konrad is a teammate of 2006 FB prospect Chane Moline (UCLA verbal), and attends the same school as incoming Buckeye freshman DE Ryan Williams. Although he is currently one of the top tight end prospects in the country, Konrad, like Antonio Gates and Tony Gonzalez (his idol), began his athletic career on the basketball court. With only two years of experience on the gridiron, Konrad should have tremendous upside despite the fact that he already made the Rivals Junior All-American Team after his performance last season (47 receptions, 800 yards, 7 TD's for the second-ranked team in the nation). Konrad has very good hands and enough speed to beat linebackers to the seams in the zone; he is also a very good blocker who seems to enjoy the task. Off the field, Konrad is an outstanding student who carries a 3.8 GPA. Reuland hasn't seen Ohio State yet, but he is excited to visit the school, probably this summer, possibly for camp. If Ohio State should offer, then the Bucks would likely be a serious contender for Konrad's signature on Signing Day. Update 07/05 - Konrad has received an offer from the Buckeyes, and he will visit Ohio State some time this summer. The Bucks are still very much in the picture. Update 08/31 - Konrad made an unofficial visit to Ohio State this summer; on the same trip, he also made stops at Notre Dame, Nebraska, and Miami. Those four schools, along with the four California schools (USC, UCLA, Cal, Stanford), are thought to be Reuland's finalists. Update 09/28 - Most of the chatter surrounding Konrad revolves around USC, UCLA, Stanford, and Notre Dame; despite plenty of early interest, the Buckeyes are now looking like a longshot here.
3. Raymond Small, Cleveland Glenville (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.4 forty); OSU (offered) leads (Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, all offered; Southern Cal). Small is the next in the long line of super-talented, multi-dimensional athletes who have been produced by the Glenville football program under the guidance of Ted Ginn, Sr. Fortunately, most of the previous Tarblooder stars (Teddy Ginn, Jamario O'Neal, Donte Whitner, Troy Smith, et al.) have emigrated down I-71 to Columbus, and Raymond will likely join them at Ohio State. Small plays running back, wide receiver, and cornerback for Coach Ginn, and he could play any of those positions in college. Raymond is an excellent cover corner (and cover corners are always in demand), but he is so electric with the ball in his hands that his college offensive coordinator will be lobbying hard to get him on that side of the ball. What a dilemma! Ohio State currently leads, but Raymond also likes USC, which is pursuing him hard. Update 07/05 - Raymond still favors Ohio State, but don't expect to a formal announcement until January. Update 08/31 - Nothing new to report - Ohio State still leads. Update 09/28 - Ray and teammate Rob Rose took an official visit to Southern Cal for the Trojans' blow out victory over the Arkansas Razorbacks. Small apparently enjoyed his visit very much, and some USC insiders claim that Ray verbally commited to the Trojans during his visit. Despite such reports, it is a long way to Signing Day, and it is still very possible that Small will re-think his commitment and sign with the Buckeyes come February.
5. Damon McDaniel, Virginia Beach Landstown (6' 0", 192 lbs, 4.51 forty); OSU (offered) in top 5 (LSU, Florida, Florida State, Miami, all offered). According to Rivals, McDaniel is a four-star prospect who is ranked as the #3 prospect in the state of Virginia, the #8 wide receiver in the country, and the #65 overall prospect in the nation. Despite the fact that he is a teammate of WR Percy Harvin, Rivals' top overall prospect in the country, Damon caught 68 passes for 1,106 yards and 15 TD's during his junior campaign; in addition, he rushed the ball 26 times for 238 yards and 5 TD's, and returned punts for a 21.0 yard average. Damon is one of the few "speed" receivers who is still considering the Buckeyes, and he would be a perfect compliment to "possession" receiver Josh Chichester. Damon has scheduled official visits to all of his favorites (Florida, 9/17, playing Tennessee; LSU 9/24, also playing Tennessee; other visit dates unannounced), and he will make his final determination after he has completed his five visits. Update 09/28 - Ohio State is now sixth on Damon's list, and the Bucks probably will not receive an official visit.
6. Wesley Lyons, Pittsburgh Woodland Hills (6' 6", 205 lbs, 4.65 forty); OSU (offered) co-leader (Miami, also offered). No one's stock is rising faster than Wesley Lyons's - two months ago, he was flying under the radar, but now he boasts offers from several top programs including Ohio State, Miami, Penn State, and West Virginia. Although Lyons had a fairly productive year as a junior (33 receptions for 600 yards and 7 TD's), his size and potential are what have begun to attract the college recruiters. Despite his height, Lyons is being recruited as a pure wide out and not as a tight end. Wesley is the younger brother of current Ohio State sophomore wide out Devon Lyons, and the smart money says that "little" Lyons will follow his brother to Columbus. However, Wesley also really likes Miami, and a few other schools may get a look as well. Update 07/05 - Wesley really likes Ohio State, but wonders whether he can earn playing time in the Buckeyes' offense, which is currently loaded with receivers (including his brother Devon). Miami's depth chart is more inviting, but we feel that Wesley will eventually follow Devon to Ohio State. Update 08/31 - In the past two months, Wesley has at various times named Miami, Oklahoma, and West Virginia as his leader; but regardless of who leads, Ohio State always seems to be in the #2 slot. However, Lyons remains a fan of Ohio State, and will attend several Buckeye games this season. Don't expect a quick decision, and don't count out the Bucks, despite "negative" reports. Update 09/28 - Wesley made an official visit to West Virginia this past weekend, and some speculate that the Mountaineers now lead for his services.
7. Andrey Baskin, Camden (New Jersey) Woodrow Wilson (6' 4", 192 lbs, 4.45 forty); OSU (offered) in top 4 (Tennessee, North Carolina State, Syracuse, all offered). Baskin is a big, physical receiver with a large frame who uses his body well and has excellent hands, but isn't blessed with great speed (take the 4.45 forty time with a grain of salt). Andrey reminds us a bit of Michael Irvin both in size and playing style. As a junior, Andrey caught 31 passes and scored 8 TDs. According to Rivals, Baskin is rated as the #6 prospect in New Jersey, and the #26 wide receiver prospect in the nation. Andrey attends the same school as highly-rated DB prospect Antwine Perez. Baskin is just one of many big, physical, possession receivers whom the Buckeyes are currently recruiting (Chichester, Ausberry, Slaughter, Lyons, Cumberland), and it is unknown where he falls in the pecking order. At the present time, Tennessee is Baskin's leader, probably by a substantial margin; Andrey will visit Knoxville on October 8th to watch the Vols take on the Georgia Bulldogs.
9. Jeff Cumberland, Columbus Brookhaven (6' 6", 220 lbs, 4.55 forty, 34" vertical); OSU (not offered) in top 3 (Miami, Minnesota, neither offered). Cumberland is the number one tight end prospect in the state of Ohio for the class of 2006. Last season was Jeff's first on offense, and he responded by leading the 'Haven in receiving (19 receptions, 372 yards, 8 TD's), helping his team to a state championship (Division II) along the way. Jeff has recently mentioned a desire to play wide receiver, but if he grows into his frame, he will be a fixture at tight end (and tip the scales at the 250-pound mark). Although he is also an excellent high school basketball player, Cumberland's athletic future is definitely on the gridiron. Jeff has always been a fan of Ohio State, and it is quite possible that he would accept an offer from the Buckeyes, should one come his way; however, Minnesota has been a haven for Brookhaven (Alex Daniels, Dominic Jones, Keith Massey all signed in 2005), and Jeff may also end up with the Golden Gophers. Update 07/05 - After an outstanding performance at the Akron combine (4.47 forty, 4.28 shuttle), Jeff may now have an offer from Ohio State; however, any Buckeye offer would be contingent upon grades. Miami (not offered) and Minnesota (offered) also remain as favorites. Update 08/31 - Jeff will attend the Ohio State-Texas game on an unofficial visit; he remains interested in Ohio State, Minnesota, and Miami. Talent and production are not issues, but grades remain a concern.
10. Crawford Kilpatrick, Suwanne (Georgia) North Gwinnett (6' 5", 197, 4.52 forty; 4.25 shuttle; 33" vertical); OSU (not offered) in top 4 (Georgia, Auburn, South Carolina, none offered). Kilpatrick is still somewhat of a sleeper prospect, but he has the requisite size (he is a legit 6' 5", and his frame is beginning to fill out) and has produced well at the high school level (60 receptions for 925 yards and 9 TD's in 2004), so it is only a matter of time before college recruiters start swarming. Crawford has excellent speed and quickness, but his primary attributes are his height, leaping ability, physical presence, and soft hands, which are an ideal combination for a possession receiver. In addition, Crawford's coach states that he is the consummate team player who will do whatever it takes to win, whether it be acting as a decoy on pass routes or blocking downfield for the ball carrier. Kilpatrick has only one offer to date (Duke), but he appears content to show his talents at the spring combines and summer camps and wait for more offers to roll in. Ohio State has consistently been a member of Crawford's top five list, and the Bucks would certainly be in contention if the staff would decide to send him an offer. Update 07/05 - According to Rivals, Kilpatrick is the #26 overall prospect in Georgia. Ohio State remains in Crawford's top four, but the Buckeyes have yet to offer. With Josh Chichester already in the fold, and Wesley Lyons still a very strong possibility, it is unlikely that Ohio State will pursue another "big" receiver in this class. Duke is in with a written offer, and the Blue Devils are probably the team to beat at this point. Update 09/28 - Ohio State is staying in touch, and Kilpatrick is still considering the Buckeyes. We really like him as a "sleeper" prospect, and we wouldn't be surprised to see a late flurry of activity in Crawford's recruitment.
Offensive Linemen
4. J.B. Walton, Indian Head (Maryland) Lackey (6' 3", 270 lbs, 5.1 forty); OSU (offered) in the mix (Maryland, offered, leader; many others, all offered). Walton is a Rivals 100 selection as an offensive lineman, and he will probably play guard in college. On offense, J.B. displays excellent footwork, speed, quickness, and athleticism, and he is the rare high school lineman who can pull with skill. On several plays, Walton took out a defender near the line, then proceeded 10 or 15 yards downfield to flatten another one - nice stuff! Walton also plays defensive tackle in high school, and he could get a look on that side of the ball as well; however, on defense, J.B. gets by more on talent than technique, and he just seems to be more comfortable paving the way for a running back than trying to track one down. On either side of the line, J.B. demonstrates real power along with the desire to punish his opponent, a superb combination for a guy who will be operating in trenches. With so many talented Ohioans this year, Walton is one of the few out-of-state offensive line prospects who has piqued the interest of the Ohio State staff. Maryland is the favorite in this race, but J.B. also likes Virginia and Penn State; the Buckeyes seem to be a long shot at this point. Update 07/05 - Ohio State remains in Walton's top eight, but there is no reason to believe that the Bucks are a serious contender here. Update 08/31 - Walton's current top seven are Oklahoma, Penn State, Tennessee, Florida, Florida State, Ohio State, and Nebraska; his only official visit so far will be to Nebraska (10/29), when he and fellow Marylander A.J. Wallace will see the Huskers battle the Oklahoma Sooners.
6. Bill Nagy, Hudson, Ohio (6' 4", 285 lbs, 4.85 forty, 4.5 shuttle); OSU (not offered) in top 5 (Louisville, Nortwestern, both offered; Notre Dame, Michigan). Although we have Nagy grouped with the offensive linemen (78 pancake blocks last season), he is an equally good prospect for the defensive line (52 tackles, 8 TFL's in 2004), and he might very well end up on either side of the line in college. Bill has a great attitude on the field, and after watching him, it is obvious that he is a guy who simply never takes a play off. Nagy is from a high school that is not known as a football powerhouse, and for that reason he has been flying a bit under the radar. However, if Bill can showcase his talent during the upcoming summer camps, then he should start to see the offers rolling in. Update 07/05 - According to all reports, Nagy performed very well at Ohio State's summer camp, but he hasn't received a Buckeye offer yet. If Nagy can wait a while, then an OSU offer might materialize. In the mean time, Bill can contemplate offers from Indiana, Louisville, Northwestern, and Wisconsin. Update 08/31 - Ohio State still leads, but has yet to offer; if the Bucks don't some through, then Nagy has several very good schools to choose from, including Illinois, Louisville, Maryland, and Wisconsin. Update 09/28 - we feel that Nagy is very close to receiving a Buckeye offer, and that he will verbally commit to Ohio State soon thereafter.
7. Bob Gulley, Berea, Ohio (6' 4", 274 lbs, 5.2 forty); Ohio State (not offered) and Michigan State (not offered) lead. According to SuperPrep, Gulley is one of the top ten offensive linemen in the Midwest. In high school, Bob plays both offense and defense; however, we strongly feel that his future is as an interior lineman, probably at offensive guard. He is a solid run blocking lineman, and a bit more athletic than might be expected, although he plays way too tall. His pass blocking was decent, as he does a good job of keeping his arms and hands within the frame of his body. Gulley does a solid job of turning his man inside or outside when the play calls for it. Although Bob does not yet have an offer from Ohio State, he is one of the five in-state OL whom the Buckeye staff are currently considering. His favorites are Ohio State and Michigan State, neither of which has offered, but we feel that a Buckeye offer should be able to sway him to Columbus. Update 09/28/05 - Gulley attended the Ohio State - Texas game on an unofficial visit, and he got a chance to meet with various members of the coaching staff including Coach Tressel. Bob nows claims that Ohio State is his leader, and that he has been a Buckeye fan since childhood.
8. Bryant Browning, Cleveland Glenville (6' 3", 328 lbs, 5.4 forty); OSU (not offered) leads (Iowa, Michigan State, Northwestern, all offered; Notre Dame). Browning is an absolutely huge kid, but maybe not quite the way that college recruiters would like to see - at 328 pounds, his weight is obviously a cause for concern. Bryant is also a bit on the short side, and his lack of height will limit him to guard in college. Despite the fact that his body doesn't fit the ideal computer profile for an offensive lineman, Browning is a decent athlete who performed very well at the recent Blacksburg Nike combine. Off the field, Bryant excels in the academic arena, as he currently carries a 4.2 GPA and is on track to become his school's valedictorian. Although Browning is from Glenville, it is unlikely that he will follow the pipeline to Columbus; at this point, the Buckeyes do not seem particularly interested in Bryant, and there are just too many good in-state prospects ahead of him. Update 07/05 - Bryant performed very well at Ohio State's senior camp, and is now "in the mix" for a Buckeye offer. Stay tuned.... Update 08/31 - Browning still favors Ohio State, but still hasn't received a Buckeye offer. However, Bryant has earned several major offers, including Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan State, and several other Big Ten programs; of the offering schools, Wisconsin probably leads. Update 09/28 - Bryant's name keeps coming up in recruiting circles, but he still does not have an Ohio State offer. However, we still question whether the Buckeye staff has a real interest in a lineman whose weight is approaching 350 pounds.
9. Jake Miller, Zoarville (Ohio) Tuscarawas Valley (6' 6", 321 lbs, 5.3 forty); OSU (not offered) in the mix (Akron, Bowling Green, Ohio, Indiana, Illinois; all offered). Miller is a classic "sleeper" prospect, a Division IV player who was a virtual unknown until the summer camp season. Jake has great size, strength, power, and toughness, but he hasn't had the chance to show his stuff against top-notch competition; in addition, while he is an excellent run blocker, his pass blocking skills need some work. Miller is a three-year starter at offensive tackle, and he should play the same position in college. Jake camped at Ohio State this summer, and attended the Buckeyes' contests against Texas and San Diego State. Ohio State has been in contact, but has not offered; Illinois, Akron, and Bowling Green (all offered) are Miller's top choices right now.
10. Ryan Palmer, Canton Glen Oak (6' 7", 280 lbs, 5.1 forty); OSU (not offered) in top 5 (Michigan, Notre Dame, Pitt, Purdue, none offered). Palmer is a raw prospect with a great frame and decent athleticism for a big man. If Ryan can add some weight and strength, and gain some experience and confidence, he could join Brown, Smith, and Boren as one of the elite linemen in this fabulous O-line class. Ryan is a teammate of 2006 QB prospect Michael Hartline, and attends the same school as Buckeyes Brian Hartline, T.J. Downing, and Dustin Fox. We feel that the Buckeyes would be the leader if they offered, but Palmer needs to impress at summer camp in order to get the attention of the Ohio State coaching staff. Update 07/05 - Ryan did impress at Ohio State's summer camp, but it remains to be seen whether he demonstrated enough to earn a Buckeye offer. We feel that an offer is a reasonable possibility down the road. Duke, Vanderbilt, Minnesota, and Marshall are Palmer's only offers to date, so he will likely wait and see what develops with the Buckeyes. Update 08/31 - Palmer is still waiting on Ohio State.... Update 09/28 - Although Palmer is a having a fine season, the Buckeye staff currently seems more interersted in other offensive linemen such as Joe Thomas, Bill Nagy, Bryant Browning, and possibly Jake Miller.
Defensive Linemen
1. Robert Rose, Cleveland Glenville (6' 5", 238 lbs, 4.6 forty, 4.6 shuttle); OSU (offered) leads (Michigan State, offered; Michigan, Iowa, Southern Cal). Of all the players on the Buckeyes' radar screen this year, Robert Rose may be the one who best personifies the "freak" athlete - he has the frame of a defensive lineman with the speed of a wide receiver and the agility of a running back. At Glenville, Robert has played tight end, defensive tackle, and defensive end, and we feel that he could ultimately end up at any of those positions in college, and maybe even at outside linebacker like former Tarblooder Pierre Woods, whom Robert resembles in both size and athletic ability. Rose is only one of the many Glenville players who will receive serious attention from Division I programs (Raymond Small, Ray Fisher, Arvell Nelson, Bryant Browning, Royce Adams, and Wisconsin verbal Daven Jones), but he might just be the best of the bunch. We suspect that Robert will eventually follow the Glenville pipeline to Columbus, but, as any top recruit should, he will likely visit several other schools before making his decision final. Update 07/05 - Ohio State still leads, but don't expect a decision until January. Update 08/31 - No news is good news - Ohio State still leads. Update 09/28 - Rob and teammate Raymond Small visited Southern Cal for the Trojans' game against Arkansas. Reportedly, Rob did not enjoy the trip nearly as much as Ray, and there is absolutely no talk of a Rose "silent verbal" to USC.
2. Steven Wesley, Bartow, Florida (6' 2", 235 lbs, 4.8 forty); OSU (offered) in top 5 (Florida, Alabama, Maryland, Ole Miss, all offered). Wesley is a player who did not receive much publicity until this summer, but now he is one of the hottest prospects around, having garnered interest from such traditional powerhouses as Ohio State, Florida, LSU, and Alabama. Last season, Steven had 60 tackles, 8 sacks, and one interception from his defensive end position, and caught 7 passes for 129 yards and one touchdown as a tight end. We think that Steven will end up on defense in college, where his quickness and relentless nature would serve him well as a pash-rushing defensive end; however, he is very athletic and possesses soft hands, so tight end could still be a possibility. Wesley will make an official visit Ohio State on September 10th for the Texas game, and will also take official visits to Ole Miss (October 15th, playing Alabama); Alabama (November 12th, playing LSU); Maryland (December 2nd, post-season); and Florida (January 28th). Update - Wesley loved his visit to Ohio State, and the Buckeyes are now his number one team; however, Steven did not issue a verbal commitment to the Bucks, and he plans on taking his remaining visits. Ohio State looks good for the present, but a lot can happen before Signing Day.
3. Dexter Larimore, Merrillville, Indiana (6' 3", 265 lbs, 4.8 forty); OSU (offered) in top 4 (Michigan, Indiana, Illinois, all offered). Even though Larimore is the top-ranked 275-pound high school wrestler in the nation and has several scholarship offers from top wrestling programs, he is planning to focus on football at the college level. With his wrestling background, Dexter's game revolves around technique, leverage, and power. As a junior, Larimore had 8 sacks from his defensive tackle position, and he is continuing to have success as a senior. Dexter's older brother, Riley, is a defensive end for Ball State, but Dex will end up playing in the Big Ten. Although Larimore was a Michigan fan growing up, he was noticeably underwhelmed with his unofficial visit to the Big House for the Notre Dame game; Dexter seemed to have a much better time during his unofficial to The 'Shoe for the Iowa blow out. Dexter is planning to make an official visit to Ohio State in December. We feel that Ohio State is the leader, but that Michigan will also be a major factor.
4. Walter Dublin, Sarasota, Florida (6' 3", 235 lbs, 4.58 forty); OSU and Nebraska lead (both offered). As a junior, Dublin racked up 84 tackles, 22 TFL's, and 14 sacks in 11 games, and his on-the-field production combined with his natural athleticism have begun to attract recruiters from around the country. Although Walter has lived in Florida for the past several years, he wants to leave the Sunshine State to attend college, and the midwest seems to be his currently favored destination, with Nebraska, Ohio State, Iowa, Iowa State, and Minnesota receiving plenty of attention lately. Although Walter's top five list changes frequently, the Huskers and Buckeyes are the two teams consistently at the top of the ledger. Update 08/31 - Ohio State has passed Nebraska, but both schools remain far ahead of the pack; Walter has no official visits scheduled. Update 09/28 - Walter has proclaimed Ohio State to be his "clear leader", and he is trying to schedule an official visit to Columbus.
5. Alex Dekle, Statesboro, Georgia (6' 2", 273 lbs, 4.82 forty); OSU (offered) in top 3 (Ole Miss, North Carolina, both offered). To be honest, we do not know very much about Alex Dekle, and we are not alone in that respect - Rivals does not have much more than his height, weight, and forty time, and Scout has no information whatsoever. About all we know is that Alex claims that Ohio State is one of his three favorites, and that each of his favorite schools has offered him a scholarship. Dekle apparently performed well at the recent Athens Nike combine, where he displayed good leg strength and drive. We will be on the lookout for more information concerning this intriguing prospect. Update 07/05 - Not surprisingly, we have nothing new to report on Mr. Dekle. Update 08/31 - Alex now has offers from Ohio State, Tennessee, Ole Miss, Mississippi State, and Central Florida, and claims that the Buckeyes are his clear leader. However, Alex admits to having some serious academic issues, and he may be forced to take the prep school route. Update 09/28 - With the recent offer to Dexter Larimore, and with Alex's uncertain academic future, the Buckeye staff seems to have cooled on Dekle.
6. Jason Adjepong, Carteret, New Jersey (6' 3", 248 lbs, 4.69 forty); OSU (offered) in the mix. Adjepong is a relatively new name in Buckeye recruiting circles. Jason is listed as either a fullback or defensive end, and the Bucks could use a player at either position. As a junior, Jason had 87 tackles, 22 TFL's, 12 sacks, and 4 fumble recoveries from his defensive end position, where he exhibited very good speed and strength, the ability to shed blockers, and very long arms. As a fullback, Adjepong is a crushing blocker and a decent straight-ahead runner who won't make anyone miss; however, he also has fine hands and could be a weapon in the receiving game. Overall, we like him better as a DE, where his 4.69 forty-time makes him "fast", as opposed to FB, where his speed would be only average; moreover, at 6' 3", he is also quite tall for a fullback. Currently, Ohio State is in Adjepong's top eight, and the Buckeyes seem to have as good a chance as anyone else; of course, when there are so many other schools invlolved, their chance isn't all that good.
7. Brian Whitmore, Chesapeake (Virginia) Oscar F. Smith (6' 3", 240 lbs, 4.65 forty); OSU (offered) in top 8 (Miami, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Maryland, and Penn State, all offered). As a junior, Whitmore recorded 75 tackles, 18 TFL's, and 10 sacks from his defensive end position. While Brian will probably begin his college career as a strongside end, he could eventually grow into a defensive tackle. On film, Brian displays excellent speed and solid instincts; his technique could use some work, but this should improve with the proper coaching at the next level. Although Brian claims serious interest in Ohio State, we see the Bucks as an extreme long shot; Virginia Tech, Maryland, and Miami are the most likely candidates for his services. Update 08/31 - Whitmore's current top five are Miami, Virginia Tech, Maryland, LSU, and Ohio State, with Miami leading; Brian has not scheduled any official visits yet. Update 09/28 - Brian recently took unoffical visits to North Carolina and Maryland; he has been impressed with the play of Virginia Tech and Ohio State so far this season, so the Buckeyes might still have an outside chance here.
8. McKenzie Matthews, Syracuse Christian Brothers (6' 3", 235 lbs, 4.8 forty); OSU (offered) in top 3 (Pitt, offered; Michigan). According to Rivals, Matthews is the #6 overall prospect in the state of New York. In 2004, McKenize racked up 60 tackles, 10 TFL's, and 13 sacks, and was a second team all-state selection. McKenzie was a teammate of Greg Paulus, who was one of the top quarterbacks for the the class of 2005, but elected to attend Duke on a basketball scholarship. This season, Matthews will be the star of the Christian Brothers' squad. Although his leaders change frequently, McKenzie seems to be high on Ohio State, and the Buckeyes should be in the running until the end. Update 08/31 - Matthews' current top four are Ohio State, Michigan, Pittsburgh, and North Carolina (all offered); he will visit Ohio State for the Michigan State game, and Michigan for the Ohio State game.
9. Jamil Paris, Vero Beach (Florida) Sebastian River (6' 5", 213 lbs, 4.54 forty, 4.50 shuttle); OSU (not offered) in top 5 (Florida, Miami, Auburn, Clemson; no offers). Despite the fact that Paris played only three games as a junior due to injury, he is still ranked as the #50 overall player in the state of Florida, and the #13 weakside defensive end prospect in the nation by Rivals. Jamil has an incredible frame, and boasts a wingspan of greater than 100 inches; in his build, he reminds us of former Florida high school star Willie Young, a DE prospect who signed with N.C. State during the 2004 recruiting season. Although he does not have much game experience, Paris is nevertheless an intriguing prospect for his frame and athleticism. Florida and Miami lead, but Jamil is scheduled to visit Ohio State for the Iowa game. Update 09/28 - Apparently, Jamil did not visit Ohio State for the Iowa game, and missed out on the opportunity to see the Buckeyes thump the Hawkeyes. Florida leads, with Miami in second, but Ohio State is still in the hunt.
Linebackers
2. Thaddeus Gibson, Euclid, Ohio (6' 3", 208 lbs, 4.4 forty); OSU (offered) leads Michigan (offered). Gibson is a classic outside linebacker with decent size (with plenty of room to grow) and outstanding speed (he recently ran the 100 meters in 11.1 seconds and the 200 meters in 23.7 seconds). In fact, Thaddeus has already earned the reputation as the best pure pass rusher in the greater Cleveland area (67 tackles, 17 sacks, two interceptions last season), which is high praise considering all of the talent in northeast Ohio. Despite the fact that he tips the scales at just over 200 pounds, Gibson is a lights out hitter who loves to search out and destroy opposing ball carriers. Gibson has visited Ohio State several times, and is friends with current Buckeye redshirt freshman LB Brandon Smith and his younger brother Darius, who is a 2006 DE prospect from Euclid High. At this early stage of the game, it appears that Thaddeus favors the Buckeyes, but Michigan and possibly a few other schools will also get a serious look. Update 07/05 - No official news, but most of the buzz indicates that Thaddeus will end up in Columbus eventually. Update 08/31 - In his first game of the season (a 33-0 loss to Mentor Lake Catholic), Gibson was ejected for punching an opposing player; he is suspended for Euclid's week two game against Strongsville. On the recruiting front, Thaddeus favors Ohio State and Iowa. Update 09/28 - Gibson still favors Ohio State, but grades appear to be an issue. If Thaddeus can get his academic house in order, then he should be a Buckeye come February.
3. Mark Johnson, Los Angeles Dorsey (6' 4", 230 lbs, 4.55 forty); OSU (offered) co-leader with LSU (offered). According to Rivals, Johnson is the #6 MLB prospect in the country, and the #16 prospect in the state of California. Mark is a teammate of 2006 prospects RB Stafon Johnson, DL Keith Browner (Cal verbal), and OL Jovon Hayes; former Buckeye All-American Na'il Diggs graduated from Dorsey High. As a junior, Mark recorded 138 tackles, 5 sacks, and an interception. Despite claiming strong interest in OSU and LSU, we feel that Southern Cal (not offered) would be the team to beat if the Trojans came through with an offer. If not, then the Bucks have a legitimate chance to land another West Coast prep star. Mark would like to make an official visit to Ohio State for the Texas game; he has no other officials scheduled at this point. Update 09/28 - Mark has twice attempted to make an official visit to Columbus, first for the Texas game, then for the Iowa game. For some reason, neither visit happened, which has led to much speculation, including some who say that the coaching staff has cooled on Johnson, despite initially proclaiming him to be their #1 linebacker recruit this year. The reason? It could be grades - Mark claims a 2.5 GPA and a score of 1350 on the new SAT (out of 2400 points), which might make him a qualifier, but which may not be enough to satisfy OSU's increasingly stringent admissions.
4. Navorro Bowman, Suitland (Maryland) Suitland (6' 0", 218 lbs, 4.7 forty); OSU (offered) in top 5 (North Carolina, Penn State, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, all offered). After amassing 165 tackles, 9 sacks, and an interception as a junior, Bowman was named the defensive player of the year for the state of Maryland. According to Rivals, Navorro is the #8 prospect in Maryland, and one of the top 250 players in the country. At six feet even, Bowman may be a bit short for MLB, but he has good instincts and attitude for the position; he definitely projects as a LB, and a move to safety is not in the offing. Navorro also plays running back for his high school squad, where he exhibits good toughness between the tackles. Navorro currently carries a 3.63 GPA and a 990 on the SAT (old scoring system), and he wants to graduate early from high school. Ohio State appears to be a solid contender, especially now that Bowman has cooled on the home town school (Maryland). Update 08/31 - Bowman has official visits set for Penn State (09/03, playing South Florida) and Virginia Tech (11/05, playing Miami). Ohio State is still very much in the running, and the Buckeyes will likely receive an official visit. Update 09/28 - Bowman currently favors Penn State and Virginia Tech, but he will also make official visits to Tennessee and Ohio State. While the Bucks are by no means out of the running, they do have some ground to make up, and his official visit to Columbus will be crucial if Ohio State is to remain in the chase.
6. Colin McCarthy, Clearwater (Florida) Central Catholic (6' 1", 210 lbs, 4.53 forty, 4.13 shuttle); OSU (offered) in top 5 (Penn State, offered, leads). As a junior, McCarthy was named a first team all state selection after he recorded 163 tackles, 13 TFL's, 4 sacks, and 5 interceptions; as a receiver on offense, he caught 32 passes for 595 yards and 8 scores. Colin is also a fine basketball player, as he averaged 15 points per game on the hardwood. In college, McCarthy projects as an outside linebacker, or possibly a strong safety. Although he now lives in Florida, Colin was born and raised in Pennsylvania, so it would not be surprising to see him head back north for college (he loves cold weather). Penn State is McCarthy's probable leader, and he will make an official visit to Happy Valley for the October 8th contest against our beloved Buckeyes; Colin has already seen the Bucks once this season, as he made an official visit to Columbus for the Iowa thrashing. The Florida schools will also get a look (Miami has offered), but we see this as an OSU-PSU battle.
7. Tommy Becker, Plymouth (Minnesota) Wayzata (6' 2", 230 lbs, 4.77 forty); OSU in top 6 (Minnesota, offered; Wisconsin, Iowa, Michigan State, Oklahoma). Becker plays for the same high school as incoming Buckeye freshman LB James Laurinaitis, and the two formed quite a tandem in the middle of the Wayzata defense last season. While Laurinaitis racked up nearly 200 tackles on his way to being named Minnesota's Mr. Football, Becker added 139 of his own, together with 3 interceptions. This year, Tommy will have the spotlight to himself, and should post some more huge numbers. Becker plays middle linebacker in high school, and he should remain inside at the college level. Minnesota has offered, and they should be considered Tommy's probable leader; however, Ohio State and many other schools will be watching Tommy closely this season, and he may generate quite a bit of interest down the road. Update 07/05 - Becker attended Ohio State's camp, but did not receive an offer from the Buckeyes; however, Tommy still remains interested in Ohio State, and, like A.J. Edds, he may be able to play his way into an offer this fall. Update 09/28 - Becker took an official visit to Iowa State (offered) for their contest against Iowa (wherein the Cyclones laid waste to Drew Tate and the Hawkeyes, 23-3), and he thoroughly enjoyed himself in Ames. Tommy will not take any more official visits until after his season; he would still like to visit Ohio State (not offered).
Defensive Backs
1. Marcus Ball, Stone Mountain (Georgia) Stephenson (6' 0", 200 lbs, 4.49 forty, 4.13 shuttle, 19 bench reps, 33" vertical); OSU (offered) in the mix (Auburn, Florida, both offered; several others). Like Akeem Hebron, Marcus Ball is another small but tenacious linebacker who has power and pop well beyond his size. If Marcus should remain near the 200-pound mark, then a move to safety might be in order, but he has more than enough speed to make the switch. Ball recently made the "Elite 11", a group of the best prep players in the state of Georgia, and he is a member of the Rivals 100 list. As a junior, Marcus had 136 tackles, 14 TFL's, and 8 sacks; he also is an outstanding running back prospect, and Ohio State is apparently recruiting him at both positions. On defense, Ball roves the entire field and hits like ton of bricks; his great speed is evident both when blitzing and when pursuing plays to the corner. Ball may not have the technique or anticipation of Hebron, but he is every bit as athletic and quite possibly even more aggressive; it is almost a toss-up as to which is the better player, but we favor Akeem slightly for his instincts and football skills. While he has "plus" speed, exceptional acceleration, and a bevy of shifty moves, Marcus is first and foremost a power back who loves to run through and over defenders - the ones who don't get steamrolled usually get dragged five yards downfield. Although Marcus is the younger brother of Georgia Tech QB Reggie Ball, it appears that he wants to play his college ball out of state (another brother, Raeshon, plays CB for Central Michigan). It has been reported that Ball really likes Ohio State, but that Auburn and Florida will also be major players. Update 07/05 - Rivals has rated Marcus the #1 prospect in the state of Georgia, the #2 outside linebacker prospect in the nation, and the #11 overall prospect in the nation. No news on the recruiting scene, so until we hear otherwise, we have to assume that Ohio State is still in the running. Update 08/31 - No news to report; Ohio State is still in the mix, along with several other schools.
2. A.J. Wallace, Pomfret (Maryland) McDonough (6' 1", 195 lbs, 4.4 forty); OSU (offered) leads Nebraska (offered). According to Rivals, A.J. is the #63 overall prospect nationally, the #3 cornerback nationally, and the #3 overall prospect in the state of Maryland for the class of 2006. In high school, A.J. is definitely a two-way player, as he rushed for 2,467 and 30 TD's over the past two seasons, and made 140 tackles and 2 interceptions during that same time. Wallace visited Ohio State in June, and came away very impressed - he met several of the current players, and developed relationships with Nate Salley, Jamario O'Neal, and others. For the past several years, Ohio State has been close to landing a top player from Maryland (legacies like Stan White, Jr. and Shawn Springs don't count), and it looks like Wallace might be the guy who ends up finally signing with the Bucks. Update 08/31 - A.J. will make an official visit Ohio State for the Texas game. Many observers feel that that experience will put the Buckeyes over the top, and that Wallace will commit to OSU shortly thereafter. We'll see.... A.J. will also make an official visit to Nebraska on 10/29 for the Oklahoma game, and 10/01 to Florida State for the Syracuse game. Update 09/28 - Wallace did take an official visit to Ohio State for the Texas game, and by all accounts that trip made a lasting impression on A.J.; most observers feel that Ohio State solidified its position as the team to beat, but Nebraska and Florida State are still serious contenders.
4. Bryan Thomas, Zephyrhills, Florida (6' 0", 186 lbs, 4.39 forty, 4.06 shuttle); OSU (offered) in top 3 (Florida, Tennessee, both offered). Bryan is from the same high school as former Buckeye great DT Ryan Pickett, and this relationship has put Ohio State in a select group at the top of Bryan's list. As a junior, Bryan had a monster season on both sides of the ball, with 500 yards rushing, 793 yards receiving, and 14 TD's on offense; and 93 tackles and 3 interceptions on defense. Although he is generally considered to be a cornerback prospect, we actually like Thomas better on offense, where he seems more natural and self-assured; with proper coaching, he could also be a tremendous cornerback, but he is still rather raw as a DB prospect. Thomas is a lanky six-footer, with a long, graceful stride, excellent body control, and great vision (dare we say that he reminds us a little bit of Teddy Ginn when he runs?). Bryan might not have TGII's "extra gear" (then again, who does?), but he certainly has more than enough speed to go all the way any time he gets his hands on the ball. Florida has a definite edge in this race, but Ohio State still has a shot, especially if Bryan decides to make an official visit to Columbus. Update 08/31 - Bryan still likes Florida, Ohio State, and Tennessee, and he will likely make official visits to all three schools; he may also make officials to South Carolina and West Virginia. Although Bryan nearly committed to Florida this summer, it now appears that the Buckeyes are pulling closer to the Gators. Thomas likes the fact that Ohio State puts many players into the NFL, and that he could possibly play both ways for the Buckeyes (a la Chris Gamble and Ted Ginn). Update 09/28 - Florida still leads, but Ohio State is a close second; Tennessee has fallen back to the pack. Bryan (ranked the 49th best player in the state of Florida by Rivals, far too low in our humble opinions) could be the player that the Bucks "steal" from the Sunshine State schools this year. Although most programs are still recruiting Bryan as a cornerback, he is such a dynamic runner that we like him better as a wide receiver and kick returner.
5. Grant Schwartz, Dana Point (California) Dana Hills (6' 0", 201 lbs, 4.5 forty). Grant's father, Brian, played football for Ohio State from 1976-79; not surprisingly, Grant has been a Buckeye fan all of his life, and he has stated that he would love to play for the scarlet and gray. Last season, Grant played primarily quarterback for his high school team, and he displayed excellent athleticism at that position; this season, Grant will focus on defense, and saftey is where he will likely end up in college. Schwartz performed well at Ohio State's summer camp, but has yet to receive a Buckeye offer; a strong season might just net him that offer, and apparently, Brian is willing to wait. Update 09/28 - Ohio State recruiting coordinator John Peterson recently visited Grant in California - the meeting went very well, and it appears that an offer will soon be extended by the Buckeyes. On the season, Grant is doing an outstanding job at safety, and he continues to excel as a "dual threat" quarterback.
8. Mister Alexander, Aldine (Texas) Eisenhower (6' 3", 200 lbs); Ohio State (claimed offer) in top 4 (Iowa, offered; Florida State, LSU, not offered). According to Rivals, Mister Alexander is the #43 prospect in the state of Texas for the class of 2006. Although he has played some offense in the past, Alexander will play only defense this year; he will see time at safety and outside linebacker. There is some discrepancy concerning Mister's speed, as his forty times vary from 4.4 (Rivals) to 4.65 (Scout) to 4.86 (Waco combine). From viewing his films, we feel that his true speed is somewhere in the 4.6 range, which a bit slow for a safety but adequate for an OLB. Regardless of his straight-ahead speed, Alexander reminded us a bit of Nate Salley, with that long frame roaming the secondary and his physical style of play. Despite playing "too high", he showed good skills in space, a very aggressive nature, and a grasp for the game. Alexander currently favors Florida State, and would commit to the Seminoles if offered; he knows little about Ohio State, but would like to make an official visit to Columbus, if he is invited by the coaching staff.
9. Elijah "Scoot" Fields, Duquesne, Pennsylvania (6' 1", 198 lbs, 4.55 forty); OSU (not offered) in top 5 (Pitt, West Virginia, UConn, all offered; Penn State, not offered). Fields is a two-way prospect who could play either wide receiver or safety at the next level; Scout.com has rated Elijah as a "four star" saftey prospect and the 12th best safety in the nation, and it seems that most school like him on the defensive side of the ball. As a junior, Scoot caught 26 passes for 591 yards (for an average of 22.7) and 14 touchdowns. Elijah will visit Happy Valley on October 8th for the Penn State - Ohio State game; although he has offers from several schools, it appears that Fields is still willing to wait on the Buckeyes and the Nittany Lions.
10. Chris Duvalt, Lakeland (Florida) Lake Gibson (5' 10", 159 lbs, 4.38 forty, 38" vertical); OSU in the mix (several schools). To state it simply, Chris Duvalt is an enigma - according to Rivals, he is the 24th best prospect in the talent-rich state of Florida and the 18th best cornerback prospect nationally, yet he has no major offers to date. Chris is most interested in Florida State (his childhood favorite), but he is also looking at Florida, South Florida, Georgia, Ohio State, Maryland, and Wake Forest; he has received offers from Indiana, Marshall, and Eastern Kentucky. It could be that the top programs are scared off by Duvalt's size (he was measured at 5' 10", 159 pounds at a Nike combine this summer). Despite his lack of size, Duvalt's talent is unquestioned - last season, he had 52 tackles, 7 interceptions, and 11 pass break-ups. Chris has excellent speed and leaping ability to go along with good coverage skills and sound instincts; after a pick (or returning punts), he has tremendous maneuverability and cutting ability, and once he gets his hands on the ball, he has the moves to take it to the house. Chris's academic status is unknown, as neither his GPA nor his test score has been published. Chris has mentioned making an official visit to Ohio State, but nothing has been scheduled to date.
Committed Elsewhere
Looking Elsewhere
Tim Tebow, QB, Jacksonville (Florida) Nease (6' 3", 225 lbs, 4.6 forty); Alabama, Clemson, Florida, Florida State, Miami, Michigan, NC State, Southern Cal.
Arvell Nelson, QB, Cleveland Glenville (6' 5", 180 lbs, 4.75 forty); Iowa, Wisconsin, Syracuse, North Carolina.
Michael Hartline, QB, Canton Glen Oak (6' 5", 175 lbs, 4.8 forty); Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan State.
Nate Davis, QB, Bellaire (6' 3", 215 lbs, 4.85 forty); Indiana, Toledo, Kent State.
Josh Adams, Cary, North Carolina (5' 11", 171 lbs, 4.58 forty); North Carolina; NC State; Clemson; Tennessee; Georgia; LSU; Maryland; Virginia.
Keith Payne, RB, Vienna (Virginia) Oakton (6' 2", 220, 4.4 forty); Virginia Tech leads.
Xylon Purkiss, FB, Ravenna, Ohio (5' 10", 255 lbs, 4.85 forty); no offers.
Aram Olson, Columbia (South Carolina) Irmo (6' 1", 237 lbs, 4.9 forty, 4.25 shuttle); no offers.
Vidal Hazelton, WR, Staten Island (New York) Moore Catholic (6' 3", 192 lbs, 4.5 forty); Florida, Florida State, Miami, Maryland, Michigan, Tennessee, Virginia, Virginia Tech.
Markeith Summers, WR, Olive Branch, Mississippi (6' 4", 190 lbs, 4.5 forty); Auburn, Florida, LSU, Ole Miss, Oklahoma.
Ray Fisher, WR, Cleveland Glenville (5' 10", 170 lbs, 4.4 forty); Iowa, LSU.
Lee Tilley, OL, Springfield (Ohio) South (6' 7", 300 lbs, 5.0 forty); Arizona State, Auburn, Florida, Georgia, Oklahoma, South Carolina, Virginia Tech, Washington.
Mark Jackson, OL, Columbus Brookhaven (6' 6", 300 lbs, 5.4 forty); Minnesota, Michigan.
Chris Hanna, Pittsburgh Gateway (6' 4", 292 lbs, 5.0 forty); Illinois; Eastern Michigan.
Phillip Taylor, DL, Clinton (Maryland) Gwynn Park (6' 3", 346 lbs, 5.1 forty); Maryland, Penn State, Virginia, Virginia Tech, Florida, Tennessee, Oklahoma.
Micah Johnson, DL, Ft. Campbell (Kentucky) West Potomac (6' 2", 267, 4.7 forty); Georgia, LSU, Michigan, Louisville, Auburn, Alabama, Virginia, Kentucky.
Drew Gloster, DL, Damascus (Maryland) Good Counsel (6' 4", 215 lbs, 4.57 forty); Miami, Florida, Virginia Tech.
Aaron Maybin, DL, Ellicott City (Maryland) Mt. Hebron (6' 3", 220 lbs, 4.64 forty); Maryland, Penn State, Florida, Virginia, Virginia Tech.
Lamar Mapp, DL, Springfield (Ohio) South (6' 3", 234 lbs, 4.65 forty); Akron, Eastern Kentucky.
Jeremiha Hunter, Manheim (Pennsylvania) Central (6' 2", 210 lbs, 4.5 forty); Michigan; UConn; Florida, Iowa, Tennessee.
A.J. Edds, Greenwood, Indiana (6' 4", 215 lbs, 4.7 forty); Iowa, Purdue.
Kevin Green, Jr., LB, North Chicago, Illinois (6' 2", 213 lbs, 4.55 forty); Iowa, Purdue.
Darrin Walls, Pittsburgh Woodland Hills (6' 1", 175 lbs, 4.4 forty). Michigan, Notre Dame, Florida, Pitt.
Jamar Hornsby, Jacksonville Sandalwood (6' 4", 195 lbs, 4.45 forty); Florida, Georgia, Georgia Tech, Michigan, Southern Cal.
Reshad Jones, DB, Atlanta Booker T. Washington (6' 2", 177 lbs, 4.5 forty); Miami leads several others.
Jovani Chappel, DB, Trotwood (Ohio) Madison (5' 8", 169 lbs, 4.53 forty); Wisconsin, West Virginia, Purdue.
Cody Blevins, DB, Miamisburg, Ohio (6' 2", 200 lbs, 4.6 forty); no offers.
Robert Williams, DB, Cincinnati Withrow (5' 11", 179 lbs, 4.5 forty); Illinois, Minnesota, West Virginia, Boston College.
Devin Parrish, ATH, Miramar (Florida) Parkway Academy (6' 0", 155 lbs, 4.46 forty, 4.12 shuttle); waiting for offers.
Taylor Price, ATH, Hilliard Darby (6' 2", 195 lbs,4.25 forty); MAC; waiting for Ohio State.
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