The Buckeyes' Top Prospects for 2008
September Edition
Since our last update, Ohio State has picked up verbal commitments from defensive tackle Garrett Goebel (Lombard, Illinois) and tight end Nic DiLillo (Madison, Ohio). In addition, the Buckeyes have scheduled official visits with the following uncommitted prospects: Maryland athlete Lamaar Thomas (September 22nd vs. Northwestern); Texas wide receiver Jeffrey Fuller (October 20th vs. Michigan State); JUCO defensive tackle Justin Thompson (October 25th, mid-week); Pennsylvania quarterback Terrelle Pryor (November 3rd vs. Wisconsin); Florida linebacker Etienne Sabino (November 3rd vs. Wisconsin); and West Virginia offensive lineman Josh Jenkins (December 1st, post-season).
Speed
1. Mike Floyd, St. Paul Cretin-Derham Hall (6' 3", 195 lbs, 4.55 forty); Ohio State (offered) in top 5 (Notre Dame, Florida, Michigan, Minnesota, all offered). 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. Update 09/01 - Mike still favors Notre Dame (official visit 10/20 vs. Southern Cal), but Ohio State is a close second, with Florida, Michigan, and Minnesota still in the running.
3. 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 favors Ohio State, and very few people doubt that he will eventually end up in Columbus.
6. Jeffrey Fuller, McKinley (Texas) Boyd (6' 4", 200 lbs, 4.55 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix (Texas A+M, Texas, Oklahoma, Florida, Alabama, LSU, Michigan, all offered). 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, Texas, and Ohio State. Update 09/01 - Jeff will make official visits to Oklahoma (09/08 vs Miami), Florida (09/15 vs. Tennessee), and Ohio State (10/20 vs Michigan State).
7. Martin Bayless, Chula Vista (California) Castle Park (6' 3", 190 lbs, 4.53 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix (Cal, Southern Cal, UCLA, Stanford, Texas, Texas A+M, Florida, Michigan, none offered). Martin's father (also named Martin) has been involved with the NFL for the past 23 years (14 seasons as a defensive back, 3 in the front office, 6 as a coach). So far, the younger Bayless is following in his father's footsteps, as he has had a successful high school career as a safety, wide receiver, and special teams performer. This summer, the Bayless family are moving from California to Texas, but Martin's father also has strong ties to Ohio (grew up in Dayton, attended Bowling Green). Right now, Martin's recruitment is just starting to take off, but expect Ohio State to be in the mix for a while.
8. D.J. Woods, Strongsville, Ohio (6' 0", 169 lbs, 4.35 forty); Nebraska soft verbal. 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 NHSASC Combine, where he posted a 4.35 forty time and displayed outstanding skills at both wide receiver and cornerback. Update 07/28 - Woods received a Buckeye offer, and promptly committed to Nebraska. Update 09/01 - Woods made an unofficial visit to Ohio State to see the Youngstown State game. Afterwards, DJ stated that he was no longer a firm commitment to Nebraska, and implied that the Buckeyes were back in the running.
9. Orhian Johnson, Gulfport (Florida) Boca Ciega (6' 4", 184 lbs, 4.57 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix (South Florida, Florida International, Indiana, Cincinnati, UConn, Kansas, all offered). Johnson plays quarterback in high school, but he will likely switch positions at the next level, with some posibilities being wide receiver or safety. Orhian is planning to make an unofficial visit to Ohio State on September 8th (Akron game), and may also take an official visit to Columbus later in the year.
Big Speed
1. Terrelle Pryor, Jeannette, Pennsylvania (6' 6", 220 lbs, 4.4 forty); Ohio State (offered) leads (West Virginia, Penn State, Michigan, Notre Dame, Texas, Florida, 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 also 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 07/19 - Terrelle attended Ohio State's senior camp, and came away impressed with the school, the coaches, and the Buckeye verbals who were also in attendance. It is safe to say that Ohio State currently leads, but that every major school in the country will continue to pursue Pryor to the bitter end (and maybe even after that). Update 09/01 - Not much new to report, but most sources continue to state that Ohio State leads. However, don't expect a decision any time soon.
5. Shayne Hale, Pittsburgh Gateway (6' 4", 218 lbs, 4.5 forty); Ohio State (offered) in top 4 (Michigan, 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 his teammate and cousin, Cameron Saddler, keeps insisting that the two of them will definitely be attending the same school, and Saddler doesn't have a Buckeye offer (although he does have offers from the other three of Hale's finalists). Where this puts Ohio State is anyone's guess at this point, but Hale has never fully endorsed the notion of a "package deal" with Saddler. Update 09/01 - Shayne has scheduled official visits to Michigan (09/15 vs. Notre Dame); Virginia (09/22 vs. Georgia Tech); and West Virginia (10/20 vs. Mississippi State); Shayne also wants to make an official visit to Ohio State (date unspecified).
8. Etienne Sabino, Miami Dr. Krop (6' 3", 228 lbs, 4.74 forty); Ohio State (offered) in top 8 (Miami, Florida, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, North Carolina, Southern Cal, LSU, all offered). After posting 130 tackles and 9 sacks from his linebacker position, Sabino was recognized as one of the top overall prospects in the country. After a midwest trip this summer, Etienne dropped Notre Dame (thought to be a leader), and raved about Ohio State (thought to be a long shot). Sabino will make a return (official) visit to Columbus on November 3rd for the Wisconsin game, and will also make official visits to Southern Cal, Florida, and possibly two other schools (with North Carolina, Georgia Tech, Tennessee, LSU, and Miami being the main contenders). Ohio State is still a dark horse, but at least one of Dr. Krop's coaches (Sonny Spielman, father of Buckeye legend Chris Spielman) will be in the Buckeyes' corner. Update 09/03 - Etienne made an official visit to Southern Cal to watch the Trojans game against the Idaho Vandals. He did not appear overly impressed with his visit.
9. Quinton Coples, Kinston, North Carolina (6' 7", 235 lbs, 4.8 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix (Clemson, North Carolina, North Carolina State, East Carolina, Florida, Florida State, Tennessee, all offered). At 6-foot-7 with good speed and agility, Coples makes an intriguing defensive end prospect, even if he is a bit un-polished. Last season, Quinton made only 63 tackles and 7 sacks in a "read-and-react" defense, but he has shown enough athleticism and big play ability to have attracted offers from major programs around the country. Currently, Ohio State leads, despite the fact that Coples has never been to Columbus. However, never count the southern schools out, especially on their home turf. In addition, academics will be an issue (2.3 core GPA, no test score) that might cause the Buckeyes to cool somewhat. Update 09/01 - Quinton has transferred to Hargrave Military Academy due to academic concerns (the aforementioned 2.3 core GPA). Although Coples still wants to take an official visit to Ohio State, it is unlikely that the Buckeyes will continue serious pursuit until Quinton can prove himself in the classroom.
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. Update 09/01 - Josh will make two unofficial visits to Ohio State during the season (09/22 vs. Northwestern and 11/03 vs. Wisconsin), and will take his official visit to Columbus during the first weekend in December. Jenkins also wants to take official visits to Florida, Florida State, West Virginia, and possibly a fifth school.
7. Willie Mobley, Eden Prairie, Minnesota (6' 2", 264 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in top 5 (Minnesota, Iowa, Wisconsin, UCLA, 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 09/01 - Many insiders think that Ohio State leads, but Willie has also expressed serious interest in Minnesota and UCLA.
8. Justin Thompson, El Camino Community College (6' 5", 290 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in top 3 (Miami, LSU, both offered). Justin originally made a verbal commitment to Miami back in April but he has since re-opened his recruitment. Although Thompson is still considered to be a Hurricane "soft verbal", he has already scheduled official visits to OSU and LSU for this October. Although Ohio State doesn't generally sign JUCO players, Justin is reportedly at the top of the Buckeye coaches' wish list. Update 09/01 - Justin has scheduled official visits to Ohio State (October 25th, mid-week), LSU (October 6th, vs Florida), and Nebraska (no date set).
9. Ben Jones, Miami Northwestern (6' 6", 280 lbs, 5.22 forty); Ohio State (offered) in top 3 (Miami, LSU, both offered). As a sophomore at Miami Springs, Jones racked up 60 tackles and 10 sacks. However, after transferring to Miami Northwestern at the end of the year, Ben suffered a knee injury and missed his entire junior season. Despite the forced lay off, Jones is still one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the country. The Miami Hurricanes will be tough to beat, but LSU and OSU will also get official visits.
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