The Buckeyes' Top Prospects for 2008
May Edition
Even though it's still only May, Ohio State already has eight verbal commitments: offensive lineman Mike Adams, Dublin Coffman; offensive lineman Mike Brewster, Orlando Edgewater; offensive lineman J.B. Shugarts, Klein, Texas; wide receiver Jake Stoneburner, Dublin Coffman; wide receiver DeVier Posey, Cincinnati Lasalle; running back Devoe Torrence, Canton South; defensive lineman Nathan Williams, Miami Trace; and punter/place kicker Ben Buchanan, Westerville Central. In addition, the Buckeyes are in excellent shape with the following prospects: offensive lineman Kyle Long, Charlottesville, Virginia; offensive lineman Josh Jenkins, Parkersburg, West Virginia; defensive back Dan McCarthy, Youngstown Cardinal Mooney; linebacker/fullback Michael Zordich, Youngstown Cardinal Mooney; wide receiver Cordale Scott, Cleveland Glenville; quarterback Terrelle Pryor, Jeannette, Pennsylvania; linebacker Shayne Hale, Pittsburgh Gateway; linebacker Andrew Sweat, Washington, Pennsylvania; defensive tackle Garrett Goebel, Lombard, Illinois; and defensive tackle Willie Mobley, Eden Prairie, Minnesota.
I hope that everyone who reads this article realizes just how well Ohio State is doing on the recruiting front this year. By May First, Ohio State had verbal commitments from three five-star recruits, and all were at the Buckeyes' primary position of need (offensive line). All of the remaining commitments are solid "four star" guys who could easily move up from there. And the Buckeyes are still "in" (make that "very in") on some of the top talent in the country. The 2008 recruiting class could be one of the best in the history of Ohio State, along with 2002 (Smith, Clarett, Hawk, Carpenter, Holmes), 1996 (Katzenmoyer, Boston, Germaine, Wiley, Berry), 1984 (Spielman, Carter, Uhlenhake), and 1967 (Tatum, Kern, and the rest of the Super Sophs).
Speed
1. Mike Floyd, St. Paul Cretin-Derham Hall (6' 3", 195 lbs, 4.55 forty); Ohio State (offered) and Notre Dame (offered) lead. Some people consider Floyd to be the best wide receiver prospect in the country for the class of 2008. As a junior, Mike caught 63 passes for 1,240 yards and 16 touchdowns en route to being named the AP Player of the Year for the state of Minnesota. Floyd was long considered to be a strong Notre Dame lean, but the Buckeyes have recently pulled into a tie with the Domers. Update 03/30 - Nothing new to report here - Floyd is still very interested in Notre Dame and Ohio State, but he will check out several other schools (Minnesota, Iowa, Michigan, and Florida to name a few) before deciding. Update 05/05 - This summer, Mike will make unofficial visits to Notre Dame, Ohio State, Michigan, Florida, Miami, and Wisconsin.
2. Kenny Tate, Hyattsville (Maryland) Dematha (6' 4", 210 lbs, 4.4 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix. While Tate hasn't posted outstanding statistics in high school (362 yards rushing, 365 yards receiving, 10 total TD's as a junior), he has the "off the charts" measurables that all college coaches are looking for. Ohio State is thought to be Kenny's early leader, but many other programs are in hot pursuit, including Florida (offered), Maryland (offered), Illinois (offered), Notre Dame, and Penn State. A reported 2.5 GPA may be some cause for concern. Update 03/30 - Kenny's offer list looks like a Who's Who of college football. Expect one of the "glamour" programs (USC, Florida, Texas, Notre Dame, etc.) to get a commitment from Tate, probably late in the process. Illinois has done well in the DC area in recent years, so the Illini might be a dark horse in this race.
4. Dan McCarthy, Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (6' 1", 190 lbs, 4.5 forty); Ohio State (offered) and Notre Dame (offered) lead. McCarthy is one of the many stars on a Cardinal Mooney team that won the Division 4 state championship last season, and is set to make another title run in 2007. Dan is a versatile athlete who plays quarterback on offense and safety on defense (his probable position in college). McCarthy's older brother, Kyle, plays football for Notre Dame, and if the Domers offer, look for him to follow his brother to South Bend; if not, then Ohio State would be his likely destination. Update 03/30 - Even though Notre Dame has now offered, Ohio State still seems to be the slight leader here. The fact that McCarthy's recruitment is still at issue says something about the respective states of affairs in Columbus and South Bend.
5. Cordale Scott, Cleveland Glenville (6' 5", 181 lbs, 4.46 forty); Ohio State (offered) leads. Scott is yet another in the long line of athletes who will matriculate to a Division I program from Glenville High. Cordale has excellent size for a wide receiver, and he should be a featured member of the Tarblooders' offense. Like most Glenville kids, Scott currently favors Ohio State; if the Buckeyes don't offer, then Cordale will have several other options, including Wisconsin, Bowling Green, and Akron (all offered). Update 03/30 - The Buckeyes have now offered, and everyone assumes (with reason) that Cordale will follow the Glenville pipeline to Columbus. That being said, don't expect an early commitment, as Coach Ginn requests that his players announce late in the process. Update 05/03 - Cordale was named the MVP of the NHSASC Combine.
7. Jeffrey Fuller, McKinley (Texas) Boyd (6' 4", 200 lbs, 4.55 forty); Ohio State (offered?) in the mix (Texas A+M, Oklahoma, LSU, all offered; Southern Cal). Jeffrey's father, also named Jeffrey, played defensive back at Texas A+M before becoming a stand-out on the great San Francisco Forty-Niner teams of the 1980's. On film, the younger Fuller looks like a man amongst boys. His frame is obvious (long arms, big hands, sleek build), and he utilizes those advantages well. He shows an adequate burst, good straight-line speed, excellent hands and body control, and decent open field ability after making the catch. Jeffrey is definitely a top-tier athlete whose stock is on the rise after a tremendous showing at the recent Rivals combine in Fort Worth, Texas. While his father's alma mater will be tough to beat, Jeffrey also has serious interest in major programs like Oklahoma, LSU, USC, and Ohio State.
8. Richard Watson, Tallahassee FAMU High (6' 1", 225 lbs, 4.5 forty); Ohio State (offered) in mix. As a junior, Watson rushed for over 2,100 yards and 34 touchdowns for a playoff team. Although Ohio State is Richard's current leader, the Buckeyes were the only major program to extend him an early offer, and things could change drastically as more teams become involved in his recruitment. Other schools of interest include several southern powers such Alabama (offered), Florida State, Florida, Miami, LSU, and Georgia. Watson could be the ideal "big back" to replace Chris Wells down the road. Update 03/30 - With Ohio State gaining a verbal commitment from Devoe Torrence, it is unlikely that Buckeyes will continue to pursue other running back prospects such as Watson. Look for Richard to stay somewhere in the South. Update 05/05 - Although the Buckeyes are set at running back, Watson still plans to camp at Ohio State this summer.
9. Lamaar Thomas, Fort Washington (Maryland) Friendly (5' 10", 166 lbs, 4.36 forty); Ohio State (offered) in top 4 (Illinois, Maryland, Boston College, all offered). Thomas is a versatile athlete who could play running back, wide receiver, or defensive back at the college level. As a junior, Lamaar accounted for 800 yards from scrimmage, scored 14 touchdowns (7 rushing, 5 receiving, 2 on kick-off returns), and made two interceptions. Thomas claims written offers from his four favorites, and he plans to make an unofficial visit Ohio State some time this summer. Update 05/05 - Lamaar has dropped Ohio State from his top five. The Buckeyes no longer need help at running back or receiver, and they are looking closer to home for a cornerback, so the parting of ways is probably mutual.
10. D.J. Woods, Strongsville, Ohio (6' 0", 169 lbs, 4.35 forty, 3.94 shuttle); Ohio State (not offered) leads. As a junior, D.J. caught 35 passes for 750 yards and 11 touchdowns; made 49 tackles and 3 interceptions; and returned 4 kicks for touchdowns. Woods began the year as a sleeper, but emerged as a legitimate Big Ten prospect at the recent NHSASC Combine, where he posted a 4.35 forty time and displayed outstanding skills at both wide receiver and cornerback. Shortly after the Combine, Woods received offers from Iowa, Indiana, Pitt, Kentucky, and a few MAC schools. At the present time, Ohio State has ranked D.J. as the number one cornerback prospect in Ohio, but the Buckeye coaching staff wants to see him perform at summer camp before extending an offer. If Ohio State should offer, then Woods would most like become a Buckeye.
11. Johnny Adams, Akron Buchtel (5' 11", 157 lbs, 4.37 forty); Ohio State (not offered) leads Akron (offered). As a sophomore, Adams racked up twelve touchdowns, a rather modest number until you learn that not a single one was on offense! Johnny scored nine times on punt returns, twice on kick-offs, and even took an interception to the house. Last season, Adams scored another 17 times (11 receiving, 2 interception returns, 2 punt returns, 1 kick-off return, 1 fumble recovery). Johnny is a tremendous athlete who is rapidly developing as a football player - he will attend Ohio State's camp this summer, and should be a serious candidate to earn a Buckeye offer, possibly as a cornerback. Update 03/30 - If Adams gets an Ohio State offer, it will be as a cornerback, as the wide receiver slots are already full. Johnny will have the opportunity to prove that he is a "lock down" corner during the Buckeyes' summer camp. At the recent Rivals combine, Johnny measured 5' 11" and only 157 pounds, which could be a concern, especially for a player who had injury/durability issues last season. Update 05/05 - With the emergence of D.J. Woods as a cornerback prospect, Adams' chances of receiving a Buckeye offer just decreased dramatically.
12. Isaiah Pead, Columbus Eastmoor (5' 11", 184 lbs, 4.41 forty, 38" vertical); Ohio State (not offered) leads Penn State (not offered) and Cincinnati (offered). Around Columbus, Pead is known as "Baby Bush" (as in Reggie, not George), which should tell you something about his athletic ability; as one of the top running backs to come out of Columbus in recent years, he has also been compared to Archie Griffin, who graduated from Eastmoor as part of the class of 1972. During his junior season, Isaiah had over 2,000 yards from scrimmage and scored 29 total touchdowns; despite all of that success on the offensive side of the ball, the Bucks are recruiting him as a cornerback. Pead loves Ohio State (he attended all of the Buckeyes' home games last year), but he is also very interested in Penn State. Update 03/30 - With the Torrence commitment, the Buckeyes have already filled their need at running back, but Pead could still get a look at cornerback. Update 05/05 - Like Johnny Adams, Pead will likely be squeezed out of the Buckeyes' class of 2008 by D.J. Woods.
13. DeAndre Preaster, Utica (New York) Proctor (6' 4", 205 lbs, 4.55 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in top 3 (Pitt, Syracuse, neither offered). Preaster is a playmaker who is a threat to score any time he touches the ball, whether receiving (33 receptions, 640 yards, 6 TD's), rushing (19 rushes, 206 yards), on defense (3 INT's, 96-yard fumble recovery for TD), or returning kicks (17 returns, 347 yards, 1 TD). In addition to his success on the gridiron, DeAndre is also an All-State performer in basketball. Preaster attends the same high school as Buckeye legend Will Smith (Proctor class of 2000), and Ohio State is in his early top three. Update 03/30 - Preaster calls Ohio State his "dream school", but with so many other wide receivers already in the fold, it is unlikely that the Buckeyes will jump into the mix. DeAndre has recently received an offer from Syracuse.
Big Speed
1. Terrelle Pryor, Jeannette, Pennsylvania (6' 6", 220 lbs, 4.4 forty); Ohio State (offered) in top 5 (Pitt, Penn State, Michigan, Notre Dame, all offered). Pryor is one of the top recruits in the country, regardless of position. As the quarterback for his high school squad, Terrelle completed 92 of 163 attempts (56.4%) for 1,732 yards and 15 touchdowns, and rushed 197 times for 1,676 yards (8.7 average) and 28 touchdowns; he also had a TD receiving. Although he is already being compared to Vince Young, Pryor is one of the nation's top basketball recruits (he originally committed to Pitt for basketball), and he is the rare athlete who might get a chance to play both sports in college. Location will definitely be a factor in Terrelle's recruitment, as he does not want to be more than a six-hour drive from home. Ohio State is currently in good shape here, but it is a long way till Signing Day. Update 03/30 - Not much new here - Ohio State is still near the top of Pryor's list, with Penn State, Pitt and others also in hot pursuit. Update 05/01 - Ohio State and Penn State still seem to be the favorites, but all of the powerhouse programs (Florida, Texas, Southern Cal, Notre Dame, Michigan, etc.) are still trying to get into the mix for one of the nation's top overall prospects. Don't expect an early decision here.
4. Andrew Sweat, Washington (Pennsylvania) Trinity (6' 2", 225 lbs, 4.55 forty); Ohio State (offered) in top 6 (Notre Dame, Michigan, Pitt, Penn State, Wisconsin, all offered). After posting 165 tackles, 13 TFL's, 4 sacks, and 2 interceptions as a junior, Sweat quickly gained notoriety on the recruiting scene. Although Andrew's father played football for Syracuse, the Orange currently trail Ohio State, Michigan, Penn State, and Pitt, each of whom is seriously pursuing this first team All State selection. Sweat attends the same high school as current Buckeye tight end Andy Miller, and that connection should help Ohio State's chances. Update 03/30 - Ohio State leads, although Florida has recently made a strong push. Update 04/23 - Andrew made an unofficial visit to Ohio State to watch the Spring Game, and he left Columbus with the Buckeyes as his leader; Penn State and Notre Dame are the other finalists for his services. Andrew plans to decide on May 14th, so Buckeye fans will have to "sweat" it out for another three weeks. (Hey, if Rivals and Scout can make bad puns on players' names, then so can we!)
6. Shayne Hale, Pittsburgh Gateway (6' 4", 218 lbs, 4.5 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix (Michigan, Penn State, Pitt, Tennessee, Virginia, West Virginia, all offered). Hale is on track to be one of the top linebacker prospects in the 2008 recruiting class; as a junior, he was named first team All State after recording 105 tackles, 13 TFL's, 5 sacks, and 4 forced fumbles while playing against premier competition. Shayne admits to being a fan of the Buckeyes, but Gateway's coach Terry Smith played at Penn State, and former Gateway star Justin King (who happens to be Coach Smith's step-son) is currently playing for Penn State, and those connections should keep the Nittany Lions near the forefront. Update 03/30 - Ohio State currently leads, but several other major programs (Penn State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Tennessee, etc.) are still in the hunt. This recruiting battle probably won't be decided for a while. Update 05/05 - Hale's top two programs are Ohio State and Florida (both offered), with Texas and Southern Cal (both not offered) also near the top of his list. In any event, Shayne currently plans to leave the state, so Pitt and Penn State appear to be out of the running.
7. Brendan Beal, Roxbury, New Jersey (6' 3", 228 lbs, 4.65 forty); Ohio State (offered) in top four (Southern Cal, Notre Dame, Florida, all offered). Beal is an active and athletic linebacker who racked up 151 tackles, 11 sacks, and 2 interceptions last season; he also excels in the classroom, where he carries a 4.3 GPA. Brendan has had an Ohio State offer for quite some time, but he didn't begin taking the Buckeyes seriously until he visited Columbus for the Spring Game. However, after that weekend, Beal claimed that he almost committed to Ohio State. As things stand currently, Ohio State should be considered a strong contender, but Southern Cal (probable leader), Notre Dame, and Florida will all be tough to beat.
8. Keith Wells, Gainesville, Georgia (6' 5", 225 lbs, 4.8 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix (Georgia Tech, Auburn, Alabama, Florida, Miami, North Carolina, South Carolina, all offered; Georgia, not offered). Wells is a new Buckeye offeree, but he already seems to have some serious interest in Ohio State as he plans on heading north to Columbus to attend Ohio State's summer camp. In high school, Wells plays defensive end, but he might be destined to play more of a DE/OLB combo at the college level. Although Ohio State is a school of interest, all of the southern powerhouses are in the mix, and it will be difficult for the Buckeye coaching staff to convince him to leave SEC country. Wells was a teammate of 2007 Georgia Tech signee Nic Claytor.
9. Michael Zordich, Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (6' 2", 220 lbs, 4.7 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix (Penn State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Iowa, Pitt). Michael's father (also named Michael) played safety for Penn State (graduated in 1986) and in the NFL (12 seasons). The younger Zordich currently plays linebacker and fullback for Cardinal Mooney, whose state championship also has top prospects Brandon Beachum and Dan McCarthy. Michael is a "throw back" player who always gives maximum effort, plays with the right attitude, and delivers lights out hits. Obviously, Michael has strong ties to Penn State (in addition, his mother was a cheerleader there), but Notre Dame, Ohio State, and a few other local schools should get a serious look. Update 03/30 - Despite the Penn State connections, many insiders feel that Ohio State is the team to beat. Update 05/05 - Michael's top four are Ohio State, Penn State, Michigan, and Oklahoma (all offered), with the Buckeyes being the probable leader.
10. Kevin Koger, Toledo Whitmer (6' 4", 235 lbs, 4.65 forty); Ohio State (offered) trails Michigan (offered). Koger is a two-way star who was an All-City selection at both tight end (22 receptions for 351 yards and 5 touchdowns) and defensive end (65 tackles and 3 sacks), and in college, Kevin could play either position. Koger is generally regarded as a "freak" athlete, as he has posted an 11.2 time in the 100 meter dash at 235 pounds. Unfortunately, Kevin grew up a Michigan fan, and the Wolverines are his current favorite, espeicially now that his close friend, Elliott Mealer, has made a verbal commitment to U of M. However, Koger is still keeping Ohio State in consideration, and his final choice should be between those two schools.
11. Christian Wilson, McKees Rock (Pennsylvania) Montour (6' 3", 235 lbs, 4.65 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix (Pitt, Michigan, Louisville, Virginia, Virginia Tech, offered; Notre Dame). Although Wilson plays running back for his high school team (920 yards, 15 TD's last season), he projects as a middle linebacker in college (73 tackles, 3 TFL's, 3 INT's). Ohio State has not yet offered, but the Buckeye staff is very interested, and an offer could materialize in the near future. Wilson is close friends with fellow Keystone linebacker Shayne Hale, and there has been some talk that the two players would like to attend the same college Update 03/30 - Ohio State has now apparently offered, and the Bucks are near the top of Wilson's (long) list of favorites. Still too early to call a leader, but we wouldn't put any vCash on Ohio State. Update 05/05 - Wilson plans to trim his list by the middle of this month, and he expects that Ohio State, Michigan, Florida, and Tennessee (all offered) will make the cut.
12. Brandon Beachum, Youngstown Cardinal Mooney (6' 1", 209 lbs, 4.65 forty); Ohio State (not offered) leads. Beachum is a versatile athlete who could play running back or linebacker at the next level. However, there are some questions about Brandon's speed (he posted a 4.87 forty time at a recent combine), as well as his ability to deliver the big hit on defense. Beachum favors Ohio State, and if the Buckeyes offer, then Brandon could be the first Youngstown signee since Louis Irizarry in the class of 2003; if not, then several other schools will be in the mix, including Pitt, Nebraska, and Oklahoma (all offered). Update 03/30 - Ohio State has still not offered. Update 05/05 - It is becoming more and more apparent that Beachum will end up being the victim of Ohio State's "numbers crunch" for the class of 2008.
Power
4. Josh Jenkins, Parkersburg (West Virginia) Vienna (6' 3", 282 lbs, 4.62 shuttle); Ohio State (offered) trails West Virginia (soft verbal). Jenkins, a two-way lineman, is clearly the top player in the state of West Virginia, and one of the most highly-ranked prospects nationally. Although Josh will likely play on the offensive line in college, he has posted some impressive numbers on defense: 82 tackles, 10 TFL's, and 4 sacks, which earned him All-State honors as a sophomore. Jenkins made an early commitment to the home state school, but due to some coaching changes, he has recently re-opened his recruitment; since then, many major programs (including Ohio State) have been quick to send offers. While West Virginia should still be considered the favorite, Ohio State cannot be counted out just yet. Update 03/30 - Not much new to report - Jenkins should be considered a "soft verbal" to West Virginia with legitimate interest in Ohio State. Despite the early verbal to WVU, don't count Josh out of the "Block O" just yet. Update 04/24 - Jenkins visited Ohio State for the Spring Game, and came away very impressed with the Buckeyes. At this point, we think that Josh will eventually de-commit from West Virginia and issue a verbal commitment to Ohio State. However, Jenkins will get a lot of pressure from the locals to stick with the home town school, so it may be quite some time (if ever) before he makes the switch. In the mean time, Adams, Brewster, and Shugarts will keep the heat on Jenkins to become a member of the "Block O".
5. Kyle Long, Charlottesville (Virginia) St. Anne's-Bellfield (6' 7", 280 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in the mix. Kyle Long is the son of former Raider great and NFL Hall-of-Famer Howie Long. Although Kyle lives in Charlottesville and his older brother plays for Al Groh at the University of Virginia, it has long been rumored that Ohio State is one of his favorite programs, and that his father (who knows a thing or two about football) shares that opinion. Kyle will be one of the most heavily-recruited prospects in the country regardless of position, but nevertheless the Buckeyes have a very good chance to sign this OOS blue chipper. Update 03/30 - Ohio State currently leads, and the Buckeyes' most serious competition might be major league baseball (Kyle is also a left-handed pitcher with a decent fastball). Update 05/05 - At the present time, Kyle is strongly considering an offer from Florida State to play baseball. If Long decides to play football in college, then Columbus is his likely destination; if baseball beckons, then it's probably Tallahassee.
6. Garrett Goebel, Lombard (Illinois) Montini Catholic (6' 5", 270 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in the mix (Illinois, Indiana, Iowa, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Purdue, all offered). Like 2006 Buckeye signee Dexter Larimore, Goebel is a both a top-notch defensive tackle and a state-champion wrestler. Although Garrett would be a college star in either sport, he plans to play football exclusively at the next level. Ohio State has shown a lot of early interest, which has been reciprocated by Goebel. Garrett will make an unofficial visit to Ohio State this weekend, and if all goes well, we have a feeling that he will leave Columbus with the Buckeyes as his clear leader. Update 05/05 - As we predicted, Garrett loved his visit to Columbus, and Ohio State is his clear leader, despite some rumblings that Notre Dame is a strong contender.
8. Lucas Nix, Pittsburgh Thomas Jefferson (6' 6", 285 lbs); Ohio State (offered) trails Pitt (offered). Nix is another "power" prospect who recently received an offer from Ohio State. In high school, Lucas plays on both sides of the line, and he is being recruited as both an offensive tackle and defensive tackle (last season, he was a first team All State selection as a DL). Nix's older brother, Nate, a linebacker, signed with Pitt as part of their 2006 recruiting class, and the home town Panthers will be tough to beat. Update 03/30 - Expect an early decision for the hometown Panthers.
9. Willie Mobley, Eden Prairie, Minnesota (6' 2", 264 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in top 4 (Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, all offered). Mobley, a defensive tackle prospect, is a relatively new offeree who is starting to generate a lot of interest amongst the top programs in the midwest. Last season, Willie led his team to a 14-0 record and a Class 5A state championship. The Golden Gophers will put on a full court press to keep Mobley at home, but the top prospects from Minnesota often end up leaving the state (there are many examples, including James Laurinaitis, who signed with Ohio State in 2005). Update 03/30 - The Buckeyes are still near the top of Mobley's list, and he is scheduled to visit Ohio State for the Spring Game. Update 05/05 - Willie now favors Minnesota slightly over Ohio State.
10. Gregory Shaw, Miami Pace (6' 6", 285 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix. Shaw is yet another top national offensive line prospect (Rivals All American, 91 "pancakes" as a junior) who is very interested in Ohio State. However, the Buckeyes have not yet offered Greg, and the staff may not consider doing so until they get the final word from "Block O" candidates Brewster, Long, Shugarts, and Jenkins. Shaw's favorites include Florida, Florida State, Tennessee, Georgia Tech, and Louisville (all offered), with Ohio State consistently being named as a school of interest despite the lack of an offer. Greg is scheduled to visit Ohio State for summer camp in June. Shaw is the half-brother of former high school sensation Willie Williams (a linebacker formerly of Miami, now with Lousiville), and the Cardinals may have an inside track based on that family connection.
11. Shawntel "Shaq" Rowell, Cleveland Glenville (6' 5", 340 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Illinois, Miami of Ohio, both offered; others). Rowell is a two-way lineman for the Tarblooders; however, with the wealth of top-flight o-linemen who are strongly considering Ohio State, Shawntel is being recruited by the Buckeyes strictly as a defensive tackle. While Rowell clearly has the size for the position, it remains to be seen whether he has enough athleticism and "motor" to satisfy the Buckeye staff. Rowell attended the recent Army All American combine in San Antonio, and he was described as "unblockable" in the one-on-one drills against some of the top offensive linemen in the country; although that performance didn't generate much immediate interest, Shaq will have the chance to showcase his abilities on the Ginn Bus Tour this summer. Shawntel's "big" brother, Chris (a 6-foot, 180-pound defensive back), currently plays for the Iowa Hawkeyes. Update 03/30 - There are still questions about Shaq's weight, conditioning, and motor, and academics might also be an issue. Rowell probably needs to get a lot of ducks in a row (summer camp, senior season, weight room, classroom, test scores) before the Buckeyes will offer. Update 05/05 - Shaq is apparently losing weight and working on his academics in the hopes of earning an offer from Ohio State.
12. Zebrie Sanders, Clayton Northmont (6' 5", 275 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix. In any normal year, Sanders would be one of Ohio State's top o-line targets, but 2008 isn't any normal year, and Zebrie is no better than sixth on the wish list behind Adams, Brewster, Long, Shugarts, Jenkins, and possibly Nix (who is primarily being recruited as a defensive tackle). Nevertheless, Zebrie is a quality player who could eventually earn an offer from the Buckeyes if some of the other OL prospects go elsewhere. Sanders attends the same high school as current Buckeye DB Kurt Coleman, and it is no secret that he would like to follow his former teammate to Columbus. But, with no offer at this early date, Zebrie is also looking mostly at Michigan, Northwestern, Duke, Georgia, Miami, and Clemson (all offered). Update 03/30 - No Buckeye offer yet - if Brewster, Long, Shugarts and/or Jenkins join Adams in the "Block O", then there probably won't be any room left for Sanders. Update 05/05 - Sanders is no longer considering Ohio State; look for hiim to end up down south.
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