The Buckeyes' Top Prospects for 2007
Opening Edition
Although Signing Day 2006 has just passed, the Buckeyes are now hotly pursuing the class of 2007, and the staff has already reeled in one big commitment - St. Ed's Nate Oliver. Several other players seem to be early Buckeye leans, including Donnie Evege (offered, Huber Heights Wayne); Devon Torrence (Canton South); Brian Gamble (Massillon Washington); Sidney Glover (Warren Harding); Morgan Williams (Canton McKinley); Joey D'Andrea (Upper Arlington); Mark Wetterer (Cincinnati Anderson); and Evan Blankenship (offered, Monaca Pennsylvania Center Area). Others who are high on the Buckeyes include Brandon Saine (offered, Piqua); Eugene Clifford (Cincinnati Colerain); Jer'Male Hines (Cleveland Glenville); Joseph Barksdale (Detroit Cass Tech); Ben Martin (offered, Cincinnati Lasalle); Andrew Dailey (Massillon Washington); Toney Clemons (New Kensington Pennsylvania Valley); and Nick Sukay (Greensburg Pennsylvania Central Catholic).
Of course, Tressel & Co. always seem to find "under the radar" prospects at camp and during the season, so the current list is certainly subject to change. However, we feel that many of the players profiled here will receive serious attention from the Ohio State staff, and that several will receive Buckeye offers.
Please note our new format. Instead of categorizing players by position, we have followed the Buckeye staff by dividing the prospects into three broad areas: "speed", "big speed", and "power". We feel that this method gives a more accurate indication of how the Ohio State coaches view recruiting, and shows the dilemmas that they face. For example, with several similar players in the speed category - Eugene Clifford, Devon Torrence, Sidney Glover, Jordan Mabin, David Arnold, Brian Gamble, etc. - who gets offered? Instead of trying to pigeonhole each player into a certain position (RB, WR, DB, LB, KR, etc.), the staff will likely pursue the best athletes who are the most versatile on the field. Thus, maybe the "better" prospect at a given position might get overlooked for a player who could play three or four spots equally well.
As always, we hope that you enjoy this blog, and please feel free to let us know what you think of our selections.
Speed
1. Nate Oliver, Lakewood St. Edward's (6' 0", 201 lbs, 4.55 forty); committed to Ohio State! Along with "big speed" receiver Kyle Hubbard, Nate Oliver is part of a loaded St. Ed's team that will vie for a big school state title this season. Although he has filled in at running back, Nate will likely end up as a DB, probably a safety (70 tackles, 12 TFL's, two interceptions as a junior). On February 1st, he became Ohio State's first commintment for the class of 2007.
2. Eric Berry, Fairburn (Georgia) Creekside (6' 0", 180 lbs, 4.37 forty, 38" vertical); Ohio State (offered, camp '05) in the mix (several early offers). Rivals has recently named Berry a junior All American, and the #2 prospect in the state of Georgia for the class of 2007. Last season, Eric played quarterback (1,200 yards rushing, 1,000 yards passing, 21 total TD's) and defensive back (13 career interceptions). Eric's father, James, played running back for the Tennessee Volunteers and the Dallas Cowboys, and the younger Berry would also like to play on the offensive side of the ball as a back or receiver; however, most observers feel that Eric will be a cornerback at the next level. Several major programs, including southern powers like Georgia, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, and Miami, have already offered, so the Buckeyes will have an uphill battle here. While he is a top national football prospect, Berry also excels in the class room: he carries a 3.7 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society.
3. Brandon Saine, Piqua, Ohio (6' 1", 190 lbs, 4.34 forty); Ohio State (offered) in top 4 (Northwestern, offered; Michigan, Notre Dame). Brandon is possibly the fastest prospect on film since Ted Ginn; Saine's forty time is totally legit, as he has posted a 10.86 time in the 100 meter dash, and a 6.37 in the 55 meter dash (7th best time in the nation this season). Despite his outstanding speed, decent size, and excellent production (1,300 yards, 21 TD's in 2005), we wonder whether Brandon is a true running back for the college level, or whether he would be better suited at another position, such as receiver or defensive back. We think that this very impressive prospect will see his first opportunities on offense and in the return game, as it is apparent that he is a difference maker with the ball in his hands. Apparently, Brandon was a Michigan fan growing up, but he is strongly considering Ohio State, along with Northwestern and Notre Dame. Brandon will be a top target for the Buckeye staff, and that extra attention could be enough to sway him to Columbus.
4. Donnie Evege, Huber Heights Wayne (5' 11", 185 lbs, 4.4 forty); favors Ohio State. Evege was one of the first Buckeye offerees for the class of 2007. Donnie is an unabashed Buckeye fan, and Ohio State is his clear leader. On the field, Evege plays running back (527 yards rushing), wide out (300 yards receiving), and defensive back (31 tackles), but he projects as a corner in college. Evege is also a top student, with a 3.5 GPA and a 21 score on the ACT.
5. Toney Clemons, New Kensington (Pennsylvania) Valley (6' 3", 190 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) in top 4 (Pitt, offered; Notre Dame, Michigan). Clemons is widely regarded as the top prospect in the state of Pennsylvania for this class. His high school coach (Troy Hill, a Pitt alum) has dubbed Toney "the next Larry Fitzgerald", which is high praise indeed. Although Clemons has excellent size for a receiver, he also has top end speed, so he is not simply a "possession" receiver (although he does have fine hands and positions himself well to shield defenders from the ball). Ohio State is an early favorite, along with Pitt, Michigan, and Notre Dame. This could end up being a classic recruiting war.
6. Junior Hemingway, Conway, South Carolina (6' 2", 201 lbs, 4.54 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in top 5 (Clemson, South Carolina, Michigan, all offered; Notre Dame). Hemingway shows incredible hands and a great burst which belies his rather pedestrian 40-time. In addition, Junior has excellent size and is a tough runner after the catch. We feel that he will be one of the top receiver recruits in the country. It is difficult to judge Junior's interest in the Buckeyes at this stage, but Ohio State is in his early top five, and his high school tends to send kids out of state, and even out of the region (DL Hivera Green, VPI in 2005; WR Eric Huggins, Oklahoma in 2005). Beware: Conway has a Michigan alum on its staff, and the Wolverines are already in the mix with an early offer.
7. Eugene Clifford, Cincinnati Colerain (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.49 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in top 2 (Michigan, offered). Clifford is a multi-threat player who excels as a rusher, receiver, returner, and defensive back at the high school level; with his talent, Gene could probably compete at any one of those positions in college as well. Clifford plays for one of the leading programs in the state, and his former teammates include Buckeyes OL Connor Smith and LB Tyler Moeller, and Wolverines LB Cobrani Mixon and RB Mister Simpson. It appears that this will be a classic Ohio State-Michigan recruiting battle, with both teams being fairly even at this point.
8. Dale Martin, Bolingbrook, Illinois (5' 11", 195 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Texas, Michigan, childhood faves, neither offered; several offers). Martin is an explosive running back with extraordinary acceleration and agility who employs the "stop-start" move to make defenders look silly. When Dale needs the jets, he has sufficient speed to leave the entire defense in his wake. As a sophomore in 2004, Dale rushed for 750 yards and 10 TD's, and he followed up that fine effort with 1,100 yards and 11 TD's as a junior. Although he grew up a fan of Michigan and Texas, he appears to be wide open as he waits for the major offers to roll in.
9. Deonte Thompson, Belle Glade, Florida (5' 11", 183 lbs, 4.28 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in top 4 (Miami, Florida, both offered; Notre Dame). Thompson is a true speed merchant who hails from the same high school as Buckeye receivers Santonio Holmes and Albert Dukes. Despite the Ohio State connection, the Buckeyes trail Miami by a substantial margin, with Florida always being a threat for local WR talent. Deonte possesses terrific straight-ahead speed, but a rather mundane 4.28 shuttle time makes one wonder whether he is really just a sprinter in shoulder pads. However, on the gridiron Deonte does show good hands and concentration, and surprising strength given that he weighs in at only 183 pounds. A player to watch, but he might be a bit overrated due to his "Florida speed" and Belle Glades heritage.
10. Nick Sukay, Greensburg (Pennsylvania) Central Catholic (6' 3", 193 lbs, 4.45 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Pitt, not offered, childhood fave). Sukay is a true two-way threat: as a junior, he had 29 receptions for 660 yards and 8 TD's; and on the defensive side of the ball, he recorded 58 tackles, forced 7 fumbles, and snagged 6 interceptions (to go along with 10 the year before). As a receiver, Nick is certainly not afraid to go over the middle and make the tough catches, plus he has the speed to work the deep routes and the moves to make defenders miss in the open field. As a defensive back, Sukay is a very instinctive football player with excellent football sense and solid technique (and speed when needed). Although Nick will be one of the top prospects in the state of Pennsylvania, and has ties to both Pitt (childhood fave) and Penn State (sister attends), Ohio State has made him a top priority and will make a huge push for his services.
11. Devon Torrence, Canton South (6' 0", 200 lbs, 4.4 forty); favors Ohio State (not offered, camp '05 & '06). Torrence is an outstanding athlete who should be one of the top overall prospects in the state of Ohio. Although he has had some success as a running back (over 1,000 yards rushing as a sophomore), most experts project him as a defensive back in college. Devon is a huge Buckeye fan, and only two things will keep him out of the scarlet and grey: (1) the lack of an offer (which is unlikely), or (2) being selected in the early rounds of the Major League Baseball draft (which is quite possible, as Torrence was named a 2006 pre-season All-American by Puma).
12. Brian Gamble, Massillon Washington (6' 0", 188 lbs, 4.4 forty); Ohio State (not offered) leads Miami (not offered, childhood fave). A true triple threat - rusher, receiver, defender - Brian Gamble led the Massillon Tigers to the state finals last season. As a running back, Gamble rushed for 1,571 yards and 22 touchdowns; as a wide out, he added another 600 yards and 6 scores; and as a safety, he accumulated over 100 tackles to go along with 4 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries. Despite displaying such versatility at the high school level, most observers feel that Brian will make his collegiate impact at yet another position - cornerback. With true 4.4 speed a good size, Gamble could be an ideal cover corner, and that is where we see him playing some day. Ohio State and Illinois are waiting on an ACT score before offering, and Miami (camp in 2005) has been in steady contact.
13. Sidney Glover, Warren Harding (5' 11", 202 lbs, 19 reps at 225 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) leads. Glover displays exceptional athleticism and a headhunter mentality on defense. As the quarterback of the Raiders option attack, Sidney compiled some solid numbers as a junior, completing 27 of 46 passes for 367 yards and 6 touchdowns, while adding 418 yards and 4 touchdowns on 80 rushes. However, Sidney most likely projects as a strong safety at the next level (he is very similar in build to former Buckeye great Michael Doss); last season, he racked up 58 tackles and an interception. Glover is an Ohio State fan, and would likely commit, if offered. But, with so many excellent safety prospects in the state this year, will the Buckeyes be interested? Sidney already has an offer from Indiana, and he is looking at other Big Ten schools such as Michigan.
14. Taurian Washington, Orchard Lake (Michigan) St. Mary's (6' 0", 200 lbs, 4.6 forty); Ohio State (not offered) childhood fave. Although OLSM is traditionally a pipeline to Ann Arbor, Washington grew up a fan of Ohio State, and the Buckeyes should be considered one of his leaders at this point. Taurian attends the same high school that produced 2006 Buckeye DB signee Aaron Gant, which should also help in his recruitment. Ohio State has not offered, but several Big Ten schools have, including Michigan and Michigan State. Washington plans to participate in the Nike combine in Columbus this May, and if he performs well, then a Buckeye offer might be forthcoming.
15. Morgan Williams, Canton McKinley (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.5 forty); Ohio State (not offered) clear leader. Coming off of a junior season in which he amassed 2,418 yards and 31 touchdowns rushing the football, Morgan Williams may be the best pure running back in the state of Ohio this year. However, with Pittman, Wells, Wells, and Haw in the fold, the Buckeyes can afford to be very selective at that position, and the staff has already decided that Piqua speedster Brandon Saine was worthy of an offer. Williams might be good enough to earn an Ohio State offer of his own, but he will have to show well at camp, work on his strength, and improve his academics (2.3 GPA; no test score reported) before he can become a serious prospect. Ohio State clearly leads at this early stage, but a school like Illinois might be a better fit, especially if Morgan cannot get his academic house in order.
16. Scotty Cooper, Lake City, South Carolina (6' 0", 200, 4.4 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in top 5 (South Carolina, offered; Clemson, Georgia, Florida State). Cooper is a fast-rising prospect whose speed, hitting ability, and nose for the football make him an ideal candidate for a "rover" back (hybrid of outside linebacker and safety). He reminds us a bit of former Glenville star Freddie Lenix, a Buckeye signee for the class of 2005 who now attends the University of Cincinnati. As a junior, Cooper racked up 96 tackles, 11 TFL's, and 4 sacks against top-notch competition. Scotty has legitimate interest in Ohio State, but it will be difficult to get him north of the Mason-Dixon line, especially if the likes of Georgia, Florida State, and the Carolina schools start calling.
17. David Arnold, Copley, Ohio (6' 0", 185 lbs, 4.47 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in top 3 (Notre Dame, Michigan, neither offered). Arnold is as impressive as any Ohio prospect this year. He is a an all-around football player who excels on both sides of the ball. As a back/receiver, David never turns down contact yet is extremely dangerous in the open field. As a safety, Arnold is a big hitter and a ballhawk with exceptional instincts in space. With several similar "speed" prospects in Ohio this year (including early commit Nate Oliver and Buckeye leans like Devon Torrence, Donnie Evege, Sidney Glover, and possibly Eugene Clifford and Brandon Saine), the problem might be finding room for a kid like David Arnold. If he shows well at the upcoming combines and camps, then he could garner a Buckeye offer. Ohio State will battle Michigan (father's alma mater) and Notre Dame. An early offer from the Buckeye staff would likely vault Ohio State into the lead.
18. Jordan Mabin, Macedonia Nordonia (5' 11", 185 lbs, 4.42 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Pitt, offered, leads). Jordan is an impressive high school running back (over 4,000 yards and 60 touchdowns since his freshman season), but he will likely end up at corner on the next level. As a DB, he shows a good break on the ball and solid technique, plus he will deliver a shot to the receiver after the catch. However, the Ohio State staff prefers tall corners, and Jordan is borderline in height (a shade under six feet), so a solid camp performance will be needed for a Buckeye offer to emerge. Pitt should be considered Mabin's early leader: he already has an offer from them, and his cousin, Dorin Dickerson, signed with the Panthers as a part of their class of 2006.
19. Charles Babb, Alliance, Ohio (5' 11", 192 lbs, 4.5 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix. Despite the fact that he stands under six feet tall and weighs less than 200 pounds, Babb has had a successful career as a high school quarterback. In only nine games last season, Charles threw for 1,418 yards and 14 touchdowns (but also 11 interception) and rushed for 605 yards and 4 touchdowns; as a sophomore, he threw for 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns (which broke the school record set by NFL Hall of Famer Len Dawson), and as a freshman he added another 1,200 yards. Charles would like to continue as a signal caller in college, but most schools will look at him at other positions, possibly receiver or defensive back. Babb carries a healthy 3.7 GPA, which will attract some attention from the college recruiters.
20. Terence White, Pickerington Central (6' 1", 180 lbs); favorites unknown. White is the son of former Ohio State defensive back Terry White (lettered in 1984-85). Terence missed his entire junior season with a knee injury, so he is somewhat of an unknown commodity heading into his final year of high school football. White was an excellent all-around athlete before his injury (he was a sprinter, long jumper, and high jumper for his track team), and if he can display that same level of athleticism at summer camps, then he could rapidly shed the "sleeper" tag.
21. Bradley Stephens, McAllen (Texas) Memorial (5' 10", 180 lbs, 4.45 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix. Stephens is a typical "small" back - excellent acceleration, quick feet, and good balance - but we wonder whether he has the size and strength to handle the workload of a Big Ten running back. Bradley posted some excellent numbers as a junior - 2,663 yards rushing, 200 yards receiving, 38 offensive touchdowns - but his high school's level of competition is questionable. Even though he lives in the southernmost corner of Texas, Stephens has ties to Ohio State, and he has already become a favorite of the Buckeye faithful. However, with all of the in-state "speed" talent, he will need to have an exceptional camp showing to earn an Ohio State offer. Oklahoma State and Texas A+M have offered, and should be considered early leaders. Bradley's 4.0 GPA is an obvious bonus, and will help to attract the attention of many major programs.
22. Darren Evans, Indianapolis Warren Central (6' 0", 208 lbs, 4.6 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Louisville, Indiana, both offered; Notre Dame, Michigan). Evans is one of the top players in Indiana, and he plays for one of the top programs in that state. Last season, in a run-oriented offense, Darren piled up 2,138 yards and 39 touchdowns; as a sophomore, he added 2,248 yards and 27 TD's. There is mutual interest with Ohio State (the Buckeye coaches maintain regular contact, Evans has made unofficial visits to Columbus), but there are also plenty of running back prospects in the Midwest, including several good ones in the state of Ohio.
Big Speed
1. Ben Martin, Cincinnati Lasalle (6' 5", 220 lbs, 4.5 forty); Ohio State (offered, camp '06) in top 2 (Notre Dame, offered). Dominant is the best way to describe this beast of a defensive end. Martin is aggressive, fast, strong, and shows exceptional lateral movement; in addition, his fundamentals are more polished than most high school recruits. Ben is a lean 220-pounder, and his frame can easily hold more weight. Although Martin has linebacker speed and quickness, he projects as a defensive end in college, and in the NFL, where he will be playing in the near future. Notre Dame (childhood fave) is the early narrow leader, but Ben has been a frequent visitor to Ohio State, and the Buckeye staff will certainly make him one of their prime targets for the class of 2007.
2. Andrew Dailey, Massillon Washington (6' 3", 212 lbs, 4.57 forty); Ohio State (not offered) tied with Notre Dame (not offered). Although Dailey does not have any offers at the present time, the consensus opinion is that he will be the top linebacker prospect in the state of Ohio, and possibly one of the best in the entire country. Right now, it is a two-team race, with Ohio State and Notre Dame being the only legitimate contenders. Andrew is a teammate of "speed" prospect Brian Gamble, and those two stars will once again lead Massillon Washington on a serious state title run.
3. Chris Colasanti, Birmingham (Michigan) Brother Rice (6' 3", 209 lbs, 4.63 forty); Ohio State (offered?) in top 7 (Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, Boston College, all offered; Notre Dame, Penn State). Colasanti is an aggressive player who can really deliver a hit from his linebacker position (153 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 interception in 2005). However, we were more impressed with him as a fullback, as he showed good versatility and ample athleticism for the position. Chris has already earned several major offers, and he should be one of the most highly-recruited players in the Midwest this year. In addition to being an outstanding football player, Colasanti also boasts a 3.7 GPA.
4. Jer'Male Hines, Cleveland Glenville (6' 2", 220 lbs, 4.5 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in top 3 (Florida, Florida State). Although Hines plays for the Tarblooders, he is originally from south Georgia (transferred before 2005 season), and there is a very real possibility that he will not follow the Glenville Pipeline to Columbus. Jer'Male began his junior season as a sub-200 pound running back, but he quickly added a couple of stone, and now projects as a rush end, speed 'backer, or even a "rover" safety in college. As a junior, Hines recorded 97 tackles, 8 sacks, and 4 interceptions.
5. Andrew Nowels, Clearwater (Florida) Catholic (6' 4", 211 lbs); Ohio State (not offered, camp '05) in the mix. Currently, there is not much buzz concerning Andrew Nowels, but we feel that the Buckeye staff might make him one of their few quarterback targets for the class of 2007. As a junior last season, Nowels completed 60% of his passes for 1,937 yards and 18 TD's. Andrew camped at Ohio State last year, and if he returns this summer and performs well, then an offer might be forthcoming.
6. Robert Hughes, Chicago Hubbard (6' 0", 220 lbs, 4.7 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Michigan, Purdue, Illinois, Virginia, all offered; Miami, Notre Dame). Hughes will be one of the top prospects in the state of Illinois for the class of 2007. As a junior, he rushed for 1,900 yards and 19 TD's from his tailback position. Robert has that "plant-burst" that you see in successful backs, and he works his pad level well and shows solid, active feet which allow him to turn cracks in the line into holes. However, his size and speed indicate that he might be better suited to play fullback in college. As a linebacker, Robert racked up 71 tackles and 5 sacks. Miami was Robert's childhood fave, but he seems to be genuinely open in his recruitment.
7. Kyle Hubbard, Lakewood St. Ed's (6' 4", 225 lbs, 4.6 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in top 4 (Michigan, Miami, Texas, none offered). As a wide out for one of the state's top program's Hubbard caught 40 passes for 530 yards and 5 touchdowns last season. However, with his excellent size and lack of top-end speed, Kyle projects as a tight end at the college level. Various rumors have Hubbard leaning to Ohio State, and others to Michigan, and some even say that Texas is really his dream school. This should be an interesting recruitment, to say the least.
8. Solomon Thomas, West Chester Lakota West (6' 4", 235 lbs); Ohio State in the mix (Illinois, offered; Notre Dame, North Carolina State, Louisville). Solomon is an intriguing prospect - a big, athletic kid from an OSU-friendly program who has achieved only modest production on the field (62 tackles, 9 sacks last season) and doesn't seem all that interested in the Buckeyes (Illinois and Louisville are his current leaders). It will be interesting to follow Solomon's recruitment, but it currently appears that Ohio State might not be a good fit for him.
9. Joey D'Andrea, Upper Arlington (6' 3", 235 lbs, 4.7 forty); Ohio State (not offered, camp '06) leads. Although he plays linebacker at Upper Arlington, D'Andrea projects as a defensive lineman in college, possibly a tackle. In that regard, he is somewhat reminiscent of 2005 Buckeye signee Todd Denlinger, who made a similar move from MLB to DT. As a junior, Joey had 13 TFL's and 12 sacks against top competition. D'Andrea (no relation to current Buckeye LB Mike D'Andrea) is considered a Buckeye lean, but is still looking for his first offer.
10. Henry Hynoski, Catawissa (Pennsylvania) Southern Columbia (6' 1", 240 lbs, 4.7 forty); Ohio State (not offered, camp '05) in the mix (Rutgers, offered; Penn State, Pitt). Henry Hynowski has the perfect name for a fullback, and it just so happens that fullback is where he plays (2,186 yards and 35 TD's in a Wing-T offense). Although he tips the scales at 240 pounds, Henry shows a decent burst of speed and active feet on contact. However, the level of competetion at Southern Columbia (Class A) is questionable, and players like Hynoski certainly benefit from having plenty of talent around them (one of Henry's teammates is highly-recruited offensive lineman Josh Marks, who is also considering the Buckeyes). Hynoski is probably leaning toward Penn State right now, but Ohio State, Pitt, and Rutgers will be keeping in touch; his 3.96 GPA will help to draw the attention of many other programs. Henry's father (also named Henry) played briefly for the Cleveland Browns (7 rushes for 38 yards, 4 receptions for 31 yards, in 1975).
11. Bryce McNaul, Eden Prairie, Minnesota (6' 3", 230 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) in top 5 (Notre Dame, Iowa, Minnesota, Boston College, none offered). In January, McNaul was named to the Army All-American All-Combine team as one of the top junior prospects in the country. Needless to say, Bryce should be one of the most highly-recruited linebacker prospects in the Midwest for the class of 2007, and he has already drawn early interest from powerhouse schools like Notre Dame (his "dream" school) and Ohio State. As a junior, McNaul amassed some tremendous numbers - 143 tackles, 27 TFL's, 7 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions. If Bryce repeats his San Antonio Combine results this summer, then the offers should start flying.
12. Chris Smith, South Point, Ohio (6' 3", 215 lbs, 4.7 forty); Ohio State (not offered) leads. Although we question his height (he looks to be about 6-feet even), Smith displays a decent arm and a fine understanding of the quarterback position. Over the past two seasons combined, Chris has thrown for 3,100 yards, and he likely ranks as the best signal caller in the state of Ohio for this class. However, this fan favorite probably ends up in the same boat as Mike Hartline, Arvell Nelson, and Miles Schlichter, and that boat won't dock in Columbus any time soon. With a Heisman candidate at the helm and some preseason national championship talk, Ohio State and its suddenly explosive offense will receive a ton of national media attention this season. Therefore, the Buckeye staff can afford to be very picky when it comes to selecting a quarterback prospect, and we wouldn't be surprised if Ohio State heads into the 2007 season with only the candidates already on campus (Boeckman, Schoenhoft, Henton). Smith already has offers from West Virginia, Ohio University, and Marshall, and we believe that a MAC school might be a nice fit for Chris.
13. Ben Graeff, Massillon Jackson (6' 3", 220 lbs, 4.65 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Pitt, Tennessee). Graeff is a solid football player from a solid football program (the "other" Massillon school), so he should get some serious looks from the college recruiters. As a junior, Ben posted 85 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception as a linebacker, and that is where he projects at the college level. Although Graeff's speed and overall athleticism are somewhat of a concern, his academics certainly are not: he boasts a 4.1 GPA, a score of 1870 on the SAT (new version), and a 30 on the ACT.
14. Adrien Robinson, Indianapolis Warren Central (6' 5", 222 lbs, 4.73 forty, 36" vertical); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix. At this stage, Robinson should be considered a "project" with great upside potential. Although his forty-time is unimpressive, Adrien posted an 11-flat in the 100 meter dash as a freshman. Robinson attends the same high school as running back recruit Darren Evans, who also lists the Buckeyes as an early favorite. Although it is too early to tell whether Adrien will develop into a legit prospect, Indiana and Louisville are already in the chase with offers, and Ohio State and Michigan are sending personalized letters.
Power
1. Josh Oglesby, St. Francis, Wisconsin (6' 7", 325 lbs); Ohio State (offered; camp '05) in top 4 (Notre Dame, Michigan, Wisconsin, all offered). Oglesby is a dominant player on both sides of the ball, who shows extraordinary agility and mobility for a player of his size. All of the talk about Josh being the best OL prospect in the Midwest is shortsighted - he is likely the best in the nation. As an added benefit, Oglesby is a left tackle, which is always a coveted position. Despite signing six OT's in the past two years, Notre Dame appears to be an early leader, and Wisconsin was his childhood fave; however, Josh camped at Ohio State last summer, and will likely return this summer, so the Buckeyes should also be considered a strong contender for his services. And by the way, one of his favorite players is Buckeye legend Orlando Pace.
2. Evan Blankenship, Monaca (Pennsylvania) Center Area (6' 3", 310 lbs); Ohio State (offered; camp '05-'06) even with Pitt (offered). By all accounts, Blankenship was one of the stars of Ohio State's camp last summer. Despite the fact the he will be one of the top prospects in the state of Pennsylvania, Evan appears to be genuinely interested in Ohio State, having attended three games in The 'Shoe last season (Texas, Iowa, Michigan State). Pitt will undoubtedly make a strong push for this local prospect, but the Buckeye staff has already made it clear that Blankenship is very high on their priority list.
3. Kris O'Dowd, Tucson Salpointe Catholic (6' 4", 275 lbs, 5.16 forty, 4.88 shuttle); Ohio State (offered; camp '05) in top 5 (Arizona, Arizona State, Michigan, Michigan State, all offered). Although he might be the top player in the state of Arizona, O'Dowd has legitimate interest in Ohio State - he camped in Columbus last summer, and he is a big fan of former Buckeye great Orlando Pace. Whatever Kris did at camp last year must have been pretty impressive, as he has already earned himself an offer from the Buckeye staff. O'Dowd is also a solid student who sports a 3.25 GPA.
4. Joseph Barksdale, Detroit Cass Tech (6' 4", 315 lbs, 4.9 forty); Ohio State (not offered; camp '06) in the mix (Michigan, Michigan State, both offered; Tennessee, Florida State). Coming off of a junior season in which he recorded 83 tackles, 20 TFL's, and 8 sacks, Barksdale was already regarded as one of the top defensive linemen in the Midwest. Then, Joseph lit up the Army All-American combine last month, and promptly moved himself into the upper echelon of DL recruits nationally. Despite the wealth of talent in-state, Barksdale will likely be one of the Buckeyes top recruiting targets this year. Last season, Barksdale made unofficial visits to Ohio State (two games), Michigan, and Michigan State, and those three schools should be considered his early leaders; however, every major program in the country will be after this kid, and it is premature to predict where he will end up. Joseph's 3.5 GPA and 21 ACT score make him an even more desirable student-athlete.
5. Eric Thomas, Cleveland Benedictine (6' 4", 250 lbs, 4.8 forty); Ohio State (not offered) leads Michigan and Miami. Although Eric comes from a leading Cleveland-area program and certainly passes the "look test", we were surprised that his films were not more impressive. On both offense (fullback) and defense (end), Eric is an adequate but not dominant player. If he can realize his natural potential and light up the camp circuit, then Thomas should be in line for some major offers, maybe even one from Ohio State. As things stand now, however, he should be classified as a "suspect" who could see his stock rise in the next twelve months, or could end up falling into the MAC.
6. Josh Marks, Catawissa (Pennsylvania) Southern Columbia (6' 5", 300 lbs, 25 reps at 225); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Pitt, WVU, Rutgers, all offered; Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan). Marks is a true two-way line prospect who excels on both sides of the ball; however, he prefers to play defense, and the opportunity to do so might affect his choice of college. Josh is a teammate of Buckeye "big speed" recruit Henry Hynowski, and that tandem has helped lead Couthern Columbia to three straight state titles (Class A). Penn State and Notre Dame are the early leaders, but Marks has already made an unofficial visit to Ohio State for the Northwestern game, and the Buckeyes could end up being a major player in this recruiting battle. Josh is also an exemplary student who carries as 92/100 GPA.
7. Charlie Carmichael, Sherman Oaks (California) Notre Dame (6' 5", 275 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix. Carmichael's high school coach describes him as "nasty", and that term suits him to a tee. Charlie is a tenacious offensive lineman who continues to block until his defender is pounded into the ground. Carmichael has decently polished footwork/steps and very active feet. He will need to work on his initial "punch", but that is a minor issue at the high school level. Charlie is an impressive prospect who could play either guard or tackle, and he should receive some national attention. This summer, Charlie is planning to camp at Ohio State and Notre Dame, and he would like to take an official visit to Ohio State. He claims that he is not a fan of any particular team, and that he has no favorites. Washington, Ole Miss, and San Diego State have offered.
8. Mark Wetterer, Cincinnati Anderson (6' 5", 300 lbs); Ohio State and Notre Dame lead (neither offered). In a down year for offensive linemen in the state of Ohio, Mark Wetterer might be the best of the bunch. Last season, the Buckeyes sent out the first three OL offers to in-state players (Connor Smith, Justin Boren, Aaron Brown), but this year those honors have all gone to OOS prospects (Josh Oglesby, Evan Blankenship, Kris O'Dowd), and Ohio kids like Wetterer will have to perform well at camp in order to earn scholarships to Ohio State. Mark has already received an offer from Cincinnati, but says that Ohio State and Notre Dame are his current faves.
9. Nick Schepis, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit (6' 4", 275 lbs, 5.1 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix. Like Mark Wetterer, Nick Schepis will attempt to boost his stock during the off season, particularly at Ohio State's summer camp. Schepis is a solid prospect with a strong academic background (3.6 GPA), but he needs to show something special in order to raise himself into the upper echelon of recruits. Nick is looking at several schools, but has no offers to date.
10. Antonio Jeremiah, Hilliard Darby (6' 7", 295); favorites unknown. Antonio Jeremiah is a project who has the size and athleticism to emerge as a legitimate Big Ten prospect during his senior season. Although Antonio plays defensive end in high school, he will likely outgrow that position, and could end up as an offensive tackle, where his size and quick feet would be ideal attributes. Jeremiah is a high school wrestler, and was ranked third in the state as a heavyweight this year.
11. Nick Claytor, Gainesville, Georgia (6' 7", 305 lbs, 5.6 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (several schools, no offers). Nick Claytor has what coaches can't teach - the size and frame to play left tackle on the offensive line. Otherwise, he is a fairly athletic project who is currently lacking in power, technique, and nastiness. Several major programs (including Ohio State) are already evaluating Nick, and if he can show well at camps and combines, then the offers will start rolling in. Even though Gainesville is "deep south", Claytor is originally from Ohio, so the Buckeyes should be considered a reasonable possibility.
12. Marcus O'Hara, Hubbard, Ohio (6' 6", 290 lbs); Ohio State (not offered, camp '06) in the mix (Michigan, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Pitt, Cincinnati, none offered). At this stage, O'Hara is a "sleeper" who has fine size and a good work ethic. Because offensive linemen are always in demand, and 6-foot-6, 290-pound athletes are hard to find, Marcus will definitely get some looks, especially if he shines on the summer camp circuit. However, a 2.5 GPA might scare some schools off.
Opening Edition
Although Signing Day 2006 has just passed, the Buckeyes are now hotly pursuing the class of 2007, and the staff has already reeled in one big commitment - St. Ed's Nate Oliver. Several other players seem to be early Buckeye leans, including Donnie Evege (offered, Huber Heights Wayne); Devon Torrence (Canton South); Brian Gamble (Massillon Washington); Sidney Glover (Warren Harding); Morgan Williams (Canton McKinley); Joey D'Andrea (Upper Arlington); Mark Wetterer (Cincinnati Anderson); and Evan Blankenship (offered, Monaca Pennsylvania Center Area). Others who are high on the Buckeyes include Brandon Saine (offered, Piqua); Eugene Clifford (Cincinnati Colerain); Jer'Male Hines (Cleveland Glenville); Joseph Barksdale (Detroit Cass Tech); Ben Martin (offered, Cincinnati Lasalle); Andrew Dailey (Massillon Washington); Toney Clemons (New Kensington Pennsylvania Valley); and Nick Sukay (Greensburg Pennsylvania Central Catholic).
Of course, Tressel & Co. always seem to find "under the radar" prospects at camp and during the season, so the current list is certainly subject to change. However, we feel that many of the players profiled here will receive serious attention from the Ohio State staff, and that several will receive Buckeye offers.
Please note our new format. Instead of categorizing players by position, we have followed the Buckeye staff by dividing the prospects into three broad areas: "speed", "big speed", and "power". We feel that this method gives a more accurate indication of how the Ohio State coaches view recruiting, and shows the dilemmas that they face. For example, with several similar players in the speed category - Eugene Clifford, Devon Torrence, Sidney Glover, Jordan Mabin, David Arnold, Brian Gamble, etc. - who gets offered? Instead of trying to pigeonhole each player into a certain position (RB, WR, DB, LB, KR, etc.), the staff will likely pursue the best athletes who are the most versatile on the field. Thus, maybe the "better" prospect at a given position might get overlooked for a player who could play three or four spots equally well.
As always, we hope that you enjoy this blog, and please feel free to let us know what you think of our selections.
Speed
2. Eric Berry, Fairburn (Georgia) Creekside (6' 0", 180 lbs, 4.37 forty, 38" vertical); Ohio State (offered, camp '05) in the mix (several early offers). Rivals has recently named Berry a junior All American, and the #2 prospect in the state of Georgia for the class of 2007. Last season, Eric played quarterback (1,200 yards rushing, 1,000 yards passing, 21 total TD's) and defensive back (13 career interceptions). Eric's father, James, played running back for the Tennessee Volunteers and the Dallas Cowboys, and the younger Berry would also like to play on the offensive side of the ball as a back or receiver; however, most observers feel that Eric will be a cornerback at the next level. Several major programs, including southern powers like Georgia, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, and Miami, have already offered, so the Buckeyes will have an uphill battle here. While he is a top national football prospect, Berry also excels in the class room: he carries a 3.7 GPA and is a member of the National Honor Society.
3. Brandon Saine, Piqua, Ohio (6' 1", 190 lbs, 4.34 forty); Ohio State (offered) in top 4 (Northwestern, offered; Michigan, Notre Dame). Brandon is possibly the fastest prospect on film since Ted Ginn; Saine's forty time is totally legit, as he has posted a 10.86 time in the 100 meter dash, and a 6.37 in the 55 meter dash (7th best time in the nation this season). Despite his outstanding speed, decent size, and excellent production (1,300 yards, 21 TD's in 2005), we wonder whether Brandon is a true running back for the college level, or whether he would be better suited at another position, such as receiver or defensive back. We think that this very impressive prospect will see his first opportunities on offense and in the return game, as it is apparent that he is a difference maker with the ball in his hands. Apparently, Brandon was a Michigan fan growing up, but he is strongly considering Ohio State, along with Northwestern and Notre Dame. Brandon will be a top target for the Buckeye staff, and that extra attention could be enough to sway him to Columbus.
4. Donnie Evege, Huber Heights Wayne (5' 11", 185 lbs, 4.4 forty); favors Ohio State. Evege was one of the first Buckeye offerees for the class of 2007. Donnie is an unabashed Buckeye fan, and Ohio State is his clear leader. On the field, Evege plays running back (527 yards rushing), wide out (300 yards receiving), and defensive back (31 tackles), but he projects as a corner in college. Evege is also a top student, with a 3.5 GPA and a 21 score on the ACT.
5. Toney Clemons, New Kensington (Pennsylvania) Valley (6' 3", 190 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) in top 4 (Pitt, offered; Notre Dame, Michigan). Clemons is widely regarded as the top prospect in the state of Pennsylvania for this class. His high school coach (Troy Hill, a Pitt alum) has dubbed Toney "the next Larry Fitzgerald", which is high praise indeed. Although Clemons has excellent size for a receiver, he also has top end speed, so he is not simply a "possession" receiver (although he does have fine hands and positions himself well to shield defenders from the ball). Ohio State is an early favorite, along with Pitt, Michigan, and Notre Dame. This could end up being a classic recruiting war.
6. Junior Hemingway, Conway, South Carolina (6' 2", 201 lbs, 4.54 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in top 5 (Clemson, South Carolina, Michigan, all offered; Notre Dame). Hemingway shows incredible hands and a great burst which belies his rather pedestrian 40-time. In addition, Junior has excellent size and is a tough runner after the catch. We feel that he will be one of the top receiver recruits in the country. It is difficult to judge Junior's interest in the Buckeyes at this stage, but Ohio State is in his early top five, and his high school tends to send kids out of state, and even out of the region (DL Hivera Green, VPI in 2005; WR Eric Huggins, Oklahoma in 2005). Beware: Conway has a Michigan alum on its staff, and the Wolverines are already in the mix with an early offer.
7. Eugene Clifford, Cincinnati Colerain (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.49 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in top 2 (Michigan, offered). Clifford is a multi-threat player who excels as a rusher, receiver, returner, and defensive back at the high school level; with his talent, Gene could probably compete at any one of those positions in college as well. Clifford plays for one of the leading programs in the state, and his former teammates include Buckeyes OL Connor Smith and LB Tyler Moeller, and Wolverines LB Cobrani Mixon and RB Mister Simpson. It appears that this will be a classic Ohio State-Michigan recruiting battle, with both teams being fairly even at this point.
8. Dale Martin, Bolingbrook, Illinois (5' 11", 195 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Texas, Michigan, childhood faves, neither offered; several offers). Martin is an explosive running back with extraordinary acceleration and agility who employs the "stop-start" move to make defenders look silly. When Dale needs the jets, he has sufficient speed to leave the entire defense in his wake. As a sophomore in 2004, Dale rushed for 750 yards and 10 TD's, and he followed up that fine effort with 1,100 yards and 11 TD's as a junior. Although he grew up a fan of Michigan and Texas, he appears to be wide open as he waits for the major offers to roll in.
9. Deonte Thompson, Belle Glade, Florida (5' 11", 183 lbs, 4.28 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in top 4 (Miami, Florida, both offered; Notre Dame). Thompson is a true speed merchant who hails from the same high school as Buckeye receivers Santonio Holmes and Albert Dukes. Despite the Ohio State connection, the Buckeyes trail Miami by a substantial margin, with Florida always being a threat for local WR talent. Deonte possesses terrific straight-ahead speed, but a rather mundane 4.28 shuttle time makes one wonder whether he is really just a sprinter in shoulder pads. However, on the gridiron Deonte does show good hands and concentration, and surprising strength given that he weighs in at only 183 pounds. A player to watch, but he might be a bit overrated due to his "Florida speed" and Belle Glades heritage.
10. Nick Sukay, Greensburg (Pennsylvania) Central Catholic (6' 3", 193 lbs, 4.45 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Pitt, not offered, childhood fave). Sukay is a true two-way threat: as a junior, he had 29 receptions for 660 yards and 8 TD's; and on the defensive side of the ball, he recorded 58 tackles, forced 7 fumbles, and snagged 6 interceptions (to go along with 10 the year before). As a receiver, Nick is certainly not afraid to go over the middle and make the tough catches, plus he has the speed to work the deep routes and the moves to make defenders miss in the open field. As a defensive back, Sukay is a very instinctive football player with excellent football sense and solid technique (and speed when needed). Although Nick will be one of the top prospects in the state of Pennsylvania, and has ties to both Pitt (childhood fave) and Penn State (sister attends), Ohio State has made him a top priority and will make a huge push for his services.
11. Devon Torrence, Canton South (6' 0", 200 lbs, 4.4 forty); favors Ohio State (not offered, camp '05 & '06). Torrence is an outstanding athlete who should be one of the top overall prospects in the state of Ohio. Although he has had some success as a running back (over 1,000 yards rushing as a sophomore), most experts project him as a defensive back in college. Devon is a huge Buckeye fan, and only two things will keep him out of the scarlet and grey: (1) the lack of an offer (which is unlikely), or (2) being selected in the early rounds of the Major League Baseball draft (which is quite possible, as Torrence was named a 2006 pre-season All-American by Puma).
12. Brian Gamble, Massillon Washington (6' 0", 188 lbs, 4.4 forty); Ohio State (not offered) leads Miami (not offered, childhood fave). A true triple threat - rusher, receiver, defender - Brian Gamble led the Massillon Tigers to the state finals last season. As a running back, Gamble rushed for 1,571 yards and 22 touchdowns; as a wide out, he added another 600 yards and 6 scores; and as a safety, he accumulated over 100 tackles to go along with 4 interceptions, 6 forced fumbles, and 4 fumble recoveries. Despite displaying such versatility at the high school level, most observers feel that Brian will make his collegiate impact at yet another position - cornerback. With true 4.4 speed a good size, Gamble could be an ideal cover corner, and that is where we see him playing some day. Ohio State and Illinois are waiting on an ACT score before offering, and Miami (camp in 2005) has been in steady contact.
13. Sidney Glover, Warren Harding (5' 11", 202 lbs, 19 reps at 225 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) leads. Glover displays exceptional athleticism and a headhunter mentality on defense. As the quarterback of the Raiders option attack, Sidney compiled some solid numbers as a junior, completing 27 of 46 passes for 367 yards and 6 touchdowns, while adding 418 yards and 4 touchdowns on 80 rushes. However, Sidney most likely projects as a strong safety at the next level (he is very similar in build to former Buckeye great Michael Doss); last season, he racked up 58 tackles and an interception. Glover is an Ohio State fan, and would likely commit, if offered. But, with so many excellent safety prospects in the state this year, will the Buckeyes be interested? Sidney already has an offer from Indiana, and he is looking at other Big Ten schools such as Michigan.
14. Taurian Washington, Orchard Lake (Michigan) St. Mary's (6' 0", 200 lbs, 4.6 forty); Ohio State (not offered) childhood fave. Although OLSM is traditionally a pipeline to Ann Arbor, Washington grew up a fan of Ohio State, and the Buckeyes should be considered one of his leaders at this point. Taurian attends the same high school that produced 2006 Buckeye DB signee Aaron Gant, which should also help in his recruitment. Ohio State has not offered, but several Big Ten schools have, including Michigan and Michigan State. Washington plans to participate in the Nike combine in Columbus this May, and if he performs well, then a Buckeye offer might be forthcoming.
15. Morgan Williams, Canton McKinley (6' 0", 190 lbs, 4.5 forty); Ohio State (not offered) clear leader. Coming off of a junior season in which he amassed 2,418 yards and 31 touchdowns rushing the football, Morgan Williams may be the best pure running back in the state of Ohio this year. However, with Pittman, Wells, Wells, and Haw in the fold, the Buckeyes can afford to be very selective at that position, and the staff has already decided that Piqua speedster Brandon Saine was worthy of an offer. Williams might be good enough to earn an Ohio State offer of his own, but he will have to show well at camp, work on his strength, and improve his academics (2.3 GPA; no test score reported) before he can become a serious prospect. Ohio State clearly leads at this early stage, but a school like Illinois might be a better fit, especially if Morgan cannot get his academic house in order.
16. Scotty Cooper, Lake City, South Carolina (6' 0", 200, 4.4 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in top 5 (South Carolina, offered; Clemson, Georgia, Florida State). Cooper is a fast-rising prospect whose speed, hitting ability, and nose for the football make him an ideal candidate for a "rover" back (hybrid of outside linebacker and safety). He reminds us a bit of former Glenville star Freddie Lenix, a Buckeye signee for the class of 2005 who now attends the University of Cincinnati. As a junior, Cooper racked up 96 tackles, 11 TFL's, and 4 sacks against top-notch competition. Scotty has legitimate interest in Ohio State, but it will be difficult to get him north of the Mason-Dixon line, especially if the likes of Georgia, Florida State, and the Carolina schools start calling.
17. David Arnold, Copley, Ohio (6' 0", 185 lbs, 4.47 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in top 3 (Notre Dame, Michigan, neither offered). Arnold is as impressive as any Ohio prospect this year. He is a an all-around football player who excels on both sides of the ball. As a back/receiver, David never turns down contact yet is extremely dangerous in the open field. As a safety, Arnold is a big hitter and a ballhawk with exceptional instincts in space. With several similar "speed" prospects in Ohio this year (including early commit Nate Oliver and Buckeye leans like Devon Torrence, Donnie Evege, Sidney Glover, and possibly Eugene Clifford and Brandon Saine), the problem might be finding room for a kid like David Arnold. If he shows well at the upcoming combines and camps, then he could garner a Buckeye offer. Ohio State will battle Michigan (father's alma mater) and Notre Dame. An early offer from the Buckeye staff would likely vault Ohio State into the lead.
18. Jordan Mabin, Macedonia Nordonia (5' 11", 185 lbs, 4.42 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Pitt, offered, leads). Jordan is an impressive high school running back (over 4,000 yards and 60 touchdowns since his freshman season), but he will likely end up at corner on the next level. As a DB, he shows a good break on the ball and solid technique, plus he will deliver a shot to the receiver after the catch. However, the Ohio State staff prefers tall corners, and Jordan is borderline in height (a shade under six feet), so a solid camp performance will be needed for a Buckeye offer to emerge. Pitt should be considered Mabin's early leader: he already has an offer from them, and his cousin, Dorin Dickerson, signed with the Panthers as a part of their class of 2006.
19. Charles Babb, Alliance, Ohio (5' 11", 192 lbs, 4.5 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix. Despite the fact that he stands under six feet tall and weighs less than 200 pounds, Babb has had a successful career as a high school quarterback. In only nine games last season, Charles threw for 1,418 yards and 14 touchdowns (but also 11 interception) and rushed for 605 yards and 4 touchdowns; as a sophomore, he threw for 1,500 yards and 19 touchdowns (which broke the school record set by NFL Hall of Famer Len Dawson), and as a freshman he added another 1,200 yards. Charles would like to continue as a signal caller in college, but most schools will look at him at other positions, possibly receiver or defensive back. Babb carries a healthy 3.7 GPA, which will attract some attention from the college recruiters.
20. Terence White, Pickerington Central (6' 1", 180 lbs); favorites unknown. White is the son of former Ohio State defensive back Terry White (lettered in 1984-85). Terence missed his entire junior season with a knee injury, so he is somewhat of an unknown commodity heading into his final year of high school football. White was an excellent all-around athlete before his injury (he was a sprinter, long jumper, and high jumper for his track team), and if he can display that same level of athleticism at summer camps, then he could rapidly shed the "sleeper" tag.
21. Bradley Stephens, McAllen (Texas) Memorial (5' 10", 180 lbs, 4.45 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix. Stephens is a typical "small" back - excellent acceleration, quick feet, and good balance - but we wonder whether he has the size and strength to handle the workload of a Big Ten running back. Bradley posted some excellent numbers as a junior - 2,663 yards rushing, 200 yards receiving, 38 offensive touchdowns - but his high school's level of competition is questionable. Even though he lives in the southernmost corner of Texas, Stephens has ties to Ohio State, and he has already become a favorite of the Buckeye faithful. However, with all of the in-state "speed" talent, he will need to have an exceptional camp showing to earn an Ohio State offer. Oklahoma State and Texas A+M have offered, and should be considered early leaders. Bradley's 4.0 GPA is an obvious bonus, and will help to attract the attention of many major programs.
22. Darren Evans, Indianapolis Warren Central (6' 0", 208 lbs, 4.6 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Louisville, Indiana, both offered; Notre Dame, Michigan). Evans is one of the top players in Indiana, and he plays for one of the top programs in that state. Last season, in a run-oriented offense, Darren piled up 2,138 yards and 39 touchdowns; as a sophomore, he added 2,248 yards and 27 TD's. There is mutual interest with Ohio State (the Buckeye coaches maintain regular contact, Evans has made unofficial visits to Columbus), but there are also plenty of running back prospects in the Midwest, including several good ones in the state of Ohio.
Big Speed
1. Ben Martin, Cincinnati Lasalle (6' 5", 220 lbs, 4.5 forty); Ohio State (offered, camp '06) in top 2 (Notre Dame, offered). Dominant is the best way to describe this beast of a defensive end. Martin is aggressive, fast, strong, and shows exceptional lateral movement; in addition, his fundamentals are more polished than most high school recruits. Ben is a lean 220-pounder, and his frame can easily hold more weight. Although Martin has linebacker speed and quickness, he projects as a defensive end in college, and in the NFL, where he will be playing in the near future. Notre Dame (childhood fave) is the early narrow leader, but Ben has been a frequent visitor to Ohio State, and the Buckeye staff will certainly make him one of their prime targets for the class of 2007.
2. Andrew Dailey, Massillon Washington (6' 3", 212 lbs, 4.57 forty); Ohio State (not offered) tied with Notre Dame (not offered). Although Dailey does not have any offers at the present time, the consensus opinion is that he will be the top linebacker prospect in the state of Ohio, and possibly one of the best in the entire country. Right now, it is a two-team race, with Ohio State and Notre Dame being the only legitimate contenders. Andrew is a teammate of "speed" prospect Brian Gamble, and those two stars will once again lead Massillon Washington on a serious state title run.
3. Chris Colasanti, Birmingham (Michigan) Brother Rice (6' 3", 209 lbs, 4.63 forty); Ohio State (offered?) in top 7 (Michigan, Michigan State, Stanford, Boston College, all offered; Notre Dame, Penn State). Colasanti is an aggressive player who can really deliver a hit from his linebacker position (153 tackles, 4 sacks, 1 interception in 2005). However, we were more impressed with him as a fullback, as he showed good versatility and ample athleticism for the position. Chris has already earned several major offers, and he should be one of the most highly-recruited players in the Midwest this year. In addition to being an outstanding football player, Colasanti also boasts a 3.7 GPA.
4. Jer'Male Hines, Cleveland Glenville (6' 2", 220 lbs, 4.5 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in top 3 (Florida, Florida State). Although Hines plays for the Tarblooders, he is originally from south Georgia (transferred before 2005 season), and there is a very real possibility that he will not follow the Glenville Pipeline to Columbus. Jer'Male began his junior season as a sub-200 pound running back, but he quickly added a couple of stone, and now projects as a rush end, speed 'backer, or even a "rover" safety in college. As a junior, Hines recorded 97 tackles, 8 sacks, and 4 interceptions.
5. Andrew Nowels, Clearwater (Florida) Catholic (6' 4", 211 lbs); Ohio State (not offered, camp '05) in the mix. Currently, there is not much buzz concerning Andrew Nowels, but we feel that the Buckeye staff might make him one of their few quarterback targets for the class of 2007. As a junior last season, Nowels completed 60% of his passes for 1,937 yards and 18 TD's. Andrew camped at Ohio State last year, and if he returns this summer and performs well, then an offer might be forthcoming.
6. Robert Hughes, Chicago Hubbard (6' 0", 220 lbs, 4.7 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Michigan, Purdue, Illinois, Virginia, all offered; Miami, Notre Dame). Hughes will be one of the top prospects in the state of Illinois for the class of 2007. As a junior, he rushed for 1,900 yards and 19 TD's from his tailback position. Robert has that "plant-burst" that you see in successful backs, and he works his pad level well and shows solid, active feet which allow him to turn cracks in the line into holes. However, his size and speed indicate that he might be better suited to play fullback in college. As a linebacker, Robert racked up 71 tackles and 5 sacks. Miami was Robert's childhood fave, but he seems to be genuinely open in his recruitment.
7. Kyle Hubbard, Lakewood St. Ed's (6' 4", 225 lbs, 4.6 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in top 4 (Michigan, Miami, Texas, none offered). As a wide out for one of the state's top program's Hubbard caught 40 passes for 530 yards and 5 touchdowns last season. However, with his excellent size and lack of top-end speed, Kyle projects as a tight end at the college level. Various rumors have Hubbard leaning to Ohio State, and others to Michigan, and some even say that Texas is really his dream school. This should be an interesting recruitment, to say the least.
8. Solomon Thomas, West Chester Lakota West (6' 4", 235 lbs); Ohio State in the mix (Illinois, offered; Notre Dame, North Carolina State, Louisville). Solomon is an intriguing prospect - a big, athletic kid from an OSU-friendly program who has achieved only modest production on the field (62 tackles, 9 sacks last season) and doesn't seem all that interested in the Buckeyes (Illinois and Louisville are his current leaders). It will be interesting to follow Solomon's recruitment, but it currently appears that Ohio State might not be a good fit for him.
9. Joey D'Andrea, Upper Arlington (6' 3", 235 lbs, 4.7 forty); Ohio State (not offered, camp '06) leads. Although he plays linebacker at Upper Arlington, D'Andrea projects as a defensive lineman in college, possibly a tackle. In that regard, he is somewhat reminiscent of 2005 Buckeye signee Todd Denlinger, who made a similar move from MLB to DT. As a junior, Joey had 13 TFL's and 12 sacks against top competition. D'Andrea (no relation to current Buckeye LB Mike D'Andrea) is considered a Buckeye lean, but is still looking for his first offer.
10. Henry Hynoski, Catawissa (Pennsylvania) Southern Columbia (6' 1", 240 lbs, 4.7 forty); Ohio State (not offered, camp '05) in the mix (Rutgers, offered; Penn State, Pitt). Henry Hynowski has the perfect name for a fullback, and it just so happens that fullback is where he plays (2,186 yards and 35 TD's in a Wing-T offense). Although he tips the scales at 240 pounds, Henry shows a decent burst of speed and active feet on contact. However, the level of competetion at Southern Columbia (Class A) is questionable, and players like Hynoski certainly benefit from having plenty of talent around them (one of Henry's teammates is highly-recruited offensive lineman Josh Marks, who is also considering the Buckeyes). Hynoski is probably leaning toward Penn State right now, but Ohio State, Pitt, and Rutgers will be keeping in touch; his 3.96 GPA will help to draw the attention of many other programs. Henry's father (also named Henry) played briefly for the Cleveland Browns (7 rushes for 38 yards, 4 receptions for 31 yards, in 1975).
11. Bryce McNaul, Eden Prairie, Minnesota (6' 3", 230 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) in top 5 (Notre Dame, Iowa, Minnesota, Boston College, none offered). In January, McNaul was named to the Army All-American All-Combine team as one of the top junior prospects in the country. Needless to say, Bryce should be one of the most highly-recruited linebacker prospects in the Midwest for the class of 2007, and he has already drawn early interest from powerhouse schools like Notre Dame (his "dream" school) and Ohio State. As a junior, McNaul amassed some tremendous numbers - 143 tackles, 27 TFL's, 7 sacks, 4 forced fumbles, and 3 interceptions. If Bryce repeats his San Antonio Combine results this summer, then the offers should start flying.
12. Chris Smith, South Point, Ohio (6' 3", 215 lbs, 4.7 forty); Ohio State (not offered) leads. Although we question his height (he looks to be about 6-feet even), Smith displays a decent arm and a fine understanding of the quarterback position. Over the past two seasons combined, Chris has thrown for 3,100 yards, and he likely ranks as the best signal caller in the state of Ohio for this class. However, this fan favorite probably ends up in the same boat as Mike Hartline, Arvell Nelson, and Miles Schlichter, and that boat won't dock in Columbus any time soon. With a Heisman candidate at the helm and some preseason national championship talk, Ohio State and its suddenly explosive offense will receive a ton of national media attention this season. Therefore, the Buckeye staff can afford to be very picky when it comes to selecting a quarterback prospect, and we wouldn't be surprised if Ohio State heads into the 2007 season with only the candidates already on campus (Boeckman, Schoenhoft, Henton). Smith already has offers from West Virginia, Ohio University, and Marshall, and we believe that a MAC school might be a nice fit for Chris.
13. Ben Graeff, Massillon Jackson (6' 3", 220 lbs, 4.65 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Notre Dame, Vanderbilt, Pitt, Tennessee). Graeff is a solid football player from a solid football program (the "other" Massillon school), so he should get some serious looks from the college recruiters. As a junior, Ben posted 85 tackles, 2 sacks, 1 interception as a linebacker, and that is where he projects at the college level. Although Graeff's speed and overall athleticism are somewhat of a concern, his academics certainly are not: he boasts a 4.1 GPA, a score of 1870 on the SAT (new version), and a 30 on the ACT.
14. Adrien Robinson, Indianapolis Warren Central (6' 5", 222 lbs, 4.73 forty, 36" vertical); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix. At this stage, Robinson should be considered a "project" with great upside potential. Although his forty-time is unimpressive, Adrien posted an 11-flat in the 100 meter dash as a freshman. Robinson attends the same high school as running back recruit Darren Evans, who also lists the Buckeyes as an early favorite. Although it is too early to tell whether Adrien will develop into a legit prospect, Indiana and Louisville are already in the chase with offers, and Ohio State and Michigan are sending personalized letters.
Power
1. Josh Oglesby, St. Francis, Wisconsin (6' 7", 325 lbs); Ohio State (offered; camp '05) in top 4 (Notre Dame, Michigan, Wisconsin, all offered). Oglesby is a dominant player on both sides of the ball, who shows extraordinary agility and mobility for a player of his size. All of the talk about Josh being the best OL prospect in the Midwest is shortsighted - he is likely the best in the nation. As an added benefit, Oglesby is a left tackle, which is always a coveted position. Despite signing six OT's in the past two years, Notre Dame appears to be an early leader, and Wisconsin was his childhood fave; however, Josh camped at Ohio State last summer, and will likely return this summer, so the Buckeyes should also be considered a strong contender for his services. And by the way, one of his favorite players is Buckeye legend Orlando Pace.
2. Evan Blankenship, Monaca (Pennsylvania) Center Area (6' 3", 310 lbs); Ohio State (offered; camp '05-'06) even with Pitt (offered). By all accounts, Blankenship was one of the stars of Ohio State's camp last summer. Despite the fact the he will be one of the top prospects in the state of Pennsylvania, Evan appears to be genuinely interested in Ohio State, having attended three games in The 'Shoe last season (Texas, Iowa, Michigan State). Pitt will undoubtedly make a strong push for this local prospect, but the Buckeye staff has already made it clear that Blankenship is very high on their priority list.
3. Kris O'Dowd, Tucson Salpointe Catholic (6' 4", 275 lbs, 5.16 forty, 4.88 shuttle); Ohio State (offered; camp '05) in top 5 (Arizona, Arizona State, Michigan, Michigan State, all offered). Although he might be the top player in the state of Arizona, O'Dowd has legitimate interest in Ohio State - he camped in Columbus last summer, and he is a big fan of former Buckeye great Orlando Pace. Whatever Kris did at camp last year must have been pretty impressive, as he has already earned himself an offer from the Buckeye staff. O'Dowd is also a solid student who sports a 3.25 GPA.
4. Joseph Barksdale, Detroit Cass Tech (6' 4", 315 lbs, 4.9 forty); Ohio State (not offered; camp '06) in the mix (Michigan, Michigan State, both offered; Tennessee, Florida State). Coming off of a junior season in which he recorded 83 tackles, 20 TFL's, and 8 sacks, Barksdale was already regarded as one of the top defensive linemen in the Midwest. Then, Joseph lit up the Army All-American combine last month, and promptly moved himself into the upper echelon of DL recruits nationally. Despite the wealth of talent in-state, Barksdale will likely be one of the Buckeyes top recruiting targets this year. Last season, Barksdale made unofficial visits to Ohio State (two games), Michigan, and Michigan State, and those three schools should be considered his early leaders; however, every major program in the country will be after this kid, and it is premature to predict where he will end up. Joseph's 3.5 GPA and 21 ACT score make him an even more desirable student-athlete.
5. Eric Thomas, Cleveland Benedictine (6' 4", 250 lbs, 4.8 forty); Ohio State (not offered) leads Michigan and Miami. Although Eric comes from a leading Cleveland-area program and certainly passes the "look test", we were surprised that his films were not more impressive. On both offense (fullback) and defense (end), Eric is an adequate but not dominant player. If he can realize his natural potential and light up the camp circuit, then Thomas should be in line for some major offers, maybe even one from Ohio State. As things stand now, however, he should be classified as a "suspect" who could see his stock rise in the next twelve months, or could end up falling into the MAC.
6. Josh Marks, Catawissa (Pennsylvania) Southern Columbia (6' 5", 300 lbs, 25 reps at 225); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Pitt, WVU, Rutgers, all offered; Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan). Marks is a true two-way line prospect who excels on both sides of the ball; however, he prefers to play defense, and the opportunity to do so might affect his choice of college. Josh is a teammate of Buckeye "big speed" recruit Henry Hynowski, and that tandem has helped lead Couthern Columbia to three straight state titles (Class A). Penn State and Notre Dame are the early leaders, but Marks has already made an unofficial visit to Ohio State for the Northwestern game, and the Buckeyes could end up being a major player in this recruiting battle. Josh is also an exemplary student who carries as 92/100 GPA.
7. Charlie Carmichael, Sherman Oaks (California) Notre Dame (6' 5", 275 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix. Carmichael's high school coach describes him as "nasty", and that term suits him to a tee. Charlie is a tenacious offensive lineman who continues to block until his defender is pounded into the ground. Carmichael has decently polished footwork/steps and very active feet. He will need to work on his initial "punch", but that is a minor issue at the high school level. Charlie is an impressive prospect who could play either guard or tackle, and he should receive some national attention. This summer, Charlie is planning to camp at Ohio State and Notre Dame, and he would like to take an official visit to Ohio State. He claims that he is not a fan of any particular team, and that he has no favorites. Washington, Ole Miss, and San Diego State have offered.
8. Mark Wetterer, Cincinnati Anderson (6' 5", 300 lbs); Ohio State and Notre Dame lead (neither offered). In a down year for offensive linemen in the state of Ohio, Mark Wetterer might be the best of the bunch. Last season, the Buckeyes sent out the first three OL offers to in-state players (Connor Smith, Justin Boren, Aaron Brown), but this year those honors have all gone to OOS prospects (Josh Oglesby, Evan Blankenship, Kris O'Dowd), and Ohio kids like Wetterer will have to perform well at camp in order to earn scholarships to Ohio State. Mark has already received an offer from Cincinnati, but says that Ohio State and Notre Dame are his current faves.
9. Nick Schepis, Cuyahoga Falls Walsh Jesuit (6' 4", 275 lbs, 5.1 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix. Like Mark Wetterer, Nick Schepis will attempt to boost his stock during the off season, particularly at Ohio State's summer camp. Schepis is a solid prospect with a strong academic background (3.6 GPA), but he needs to show something special in order to raise himself into the upper echelon of recruits. Nick is looking at several schools, but has no offers to date.
10. Antonio Jeremiah, Hilliard Darby (6' 7", 295); favorites unknown. Antonio Jeremiah is a project who has the size and athleticism to emerge as a legitimate Big Ten prospect during his senior season. Although Antonio plays defensive end in high school, he will likely outgrow that position, and could end up as an offensive tackle, where his size and quick feet would be ideal attributes. Jeremiah is a high school wrestler, and was ranked third in the state as a heavyweight this year.
11. Nick Claytor, Gainesville, Georgia (6' 7", 305 lbs, 5.6 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (several schools, no offers). Nick Claytor has what coaches can't teach - the size and frame to play left tackle on the offensive line. Otherwise, he is a fairly athletic project who is currently lacking in power, technique, and nastiness. Several major programs (including Ohio State) are already evaluating Nick, and if he can show well at camps and combines, then the offers will start rolling in. Even though Gainesville is "deep south", Claytor is originally from Ohio, so the Buckeyes should be considered a reasonable possibility.
12. Marcus O'Hara, Hubbard, Ohio (6' 6", 290 lbs); Ohio State (not offered, camp '06) in the mix (Michigan, Notre Dame, West Virginia, Pitt, Cincinnati, none offered). At this stage, O'Hara is a "sleeper" who has fine size and a good work ethic. Because offensive linemen are always in demand, and 6-foot-6, 290-pound athletes are hard to find, Marcus will definitely get some looks, especially if he shines on the summer camp circuit. However, a 2.5 GPA might scare some schools off.
