The Buckeyes' Top Prospects for 2010 - Summer Edition

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The Buckeyes' Top Prospects for the Class of 2010
Summer Edition
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Since the first edition of this blog, the Buckeyes have received verbal commitments from three more players: linebacker David Durham (Charlotte, North Carolina); linebacker Scott McVey (Cleveland St. Ignatius); and quarterback Taylor Graham (Wheaton, Illinois). Although it's still quite early in the recruiting process, the Ohio State staff is already narrowing their focus to a handful of top prospects, including linebacker Jordan Hicks (West Chester Lakota West); cornerback Christian Bryant (Cleveland Glenville); wide receiver Tyrone Williams (East Cleveland Shaw); offensive lineman Matt James (Cincinnati St. Xavier); defensive lineman Darryl Baldwin (Solon); cornerback Lamarcus Joyner (Miami, Florida); linebacker Jeff Luc (Port St. Lucie, Florida); defensive back Chad Hagan (Canonsburg, Pennsylvania); defensive back Joshua Shaw (Palmdale, California); fullback Zack Zwinak (Frederick, Maryland); offensive lineman Seantrel Henderson (St. Paul, Minnesota); defensive lineman Garrison Smith; and running back Roderick Smith (Fort Wayne, Indiana).

Speed

1. Lamarcus Joyner, Miami Southwest, transferred to Fort Lauderdale Saint Thomas Aquinas (5' 8", 166 lbs, 4.34 forty); Ohio State (offered) in top 2 (Florida State). Joyner is an all-everything cornerback prospect who possesses off-the-charts athleticism reminiscent of Percy Harvin, Ted Ginn, and Deion Sanders. Despite his diminutive size, LJ is a headhunter in the defensive backfield, and some people are already comparing him to former Buckeye great Antoine Winfield. Although Lamarcus was a Florida State fan growing up, he is currently high on Ohio State, largely because of the Buckeyes' success in producing NFL-caliber cornerbacks. However, every major program in the country will be recruiting Joyner, and the Big Three don't like to see kids of his talent leave the Sunshine State, so it is far too early to make any sort of predictions regarding his recruitment. Expect a Signing Day announcement. Update 06/26 - LJ's current leader is Florida State (childhood favorite), with Ohio State running in second place. Florida, Alabama, Tennessee, Georgia, and Southern Cal round out Joyner's list of favorites. After attending the Buckeyes' Spring Game in April, Lamarcus may make an official visit to Columbus for the Southern Cal contest on September 12th.

2. Nick Montana, Westlake Village (California) Oaks Christian (6' 3", 190 lbs, 4.6 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix. Last year, the Buckeyes tried to land the heir apparent to Terrelle Pryor, but they lost out on a couple of big name prospects and instead signed a project in the form of Kenneth Guiton. While Guiton has long-term potential, Nick Montana is already a polished signal caller who runs a sophisticated high school offense (2,500 yds, 33 TD's, 7 INT's, in leading his team to a 14-0 record and state title last season), but also possesses enough natural athleticism to operate in a "spread" scheme. Although Nick is the son of legendary Notre Dame quarterback Joe Montana, and the brother of current Notre Dame reserve quarterback Nate Montana, the youngest Montana is definitely not a lock to be a Domer. In fact, the Buckeyes are very high on Nick's list, and he is visiting Columbus today and tomorrow to check out Ohio State. Buckeye head coach Jim Tressel has already made a favorable impression on Joe Montana, and it should also be mentioned that the senior Montana was a college teammate of current Ohio State athletic director Gene Smith. Nick is Ohio State's number one target at quarterback for the class of 2010, and so far he is the only quarterback prospect to have received an offer. Expect an early decision, and don't be surprised in the least if that decision is Ohio State. Update 06/10 - Montana committed to Washington, a dark horse candidate that wasn't even on the radar until a month ago. Internal family politics cost both Ohio State and Notre Dame, the presumptive favorites this spring.

3. Tai-ler Jones, Gainesville (Georgia) Gainesville (6' 0", 174 lbs, 4.46 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix. As a junior last year, Jones made 81 receptions for 1,000 yards and 13 touchdowns. Tai-ler is smooth, quick, explosive, dangerous in the open field, and able to create space ... and he has great hands, all of which combine to make him one of the top wide receiver prospects in the entire country. Tai-ler's father, Andre, was a member of Notre Dame's 1988 national championship squad, and the Irish have offered ... but Notre Dame is far from a "lock", and Tai-ler will check out many of the top college programs before making a decision some time this summer. Ohio State has already received a Junior Day visit, and the Buckeyes should be considered a legitimate contender, but Georgia Tech, Miami, Alabama, Tennessee, and a host of other schools will be in hot pursuit. Update 04/16 - Another surprise choice, as Jones selected Stanford over powerhouses like Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Georgia.

4. Corey Brown, Springfield (Pennsylvania) Cardinal O'Hara (6' 0", 171 lbs, 4.47 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix. Last year, Ohio State signed one Corey Brown from the State of Pennsylvania, and this year the Bucks are after another. The 2010 version of Corey Brown is one of the top running back prospects in the country despite missing most of his junior season with a knee injury, and he already holds offers from major programs like Ohio State, Penn State, Florida, Alabama, and Miami. The Buckeyes have consistently been near the top of Corey's list of favorite schools, but this will be a tough battle. No early leaders; expect a late decision after official visits. Update 06/26 - Nothing new to report - Ohio State remains in Corey's top ten ... but don't expect Brown to sign with the Buckeyes next February.

5. Christian Bryant, Cleveland Glenville (5' 11", 180 lbs, 4.53 forty); Ohio State (not offered) leads Tennessee (offered). Bryant is yet another top athlete from the renowned Cleveland Glenville program. As a junior, Christian split time between safety and cornerback, and he could project to either position at the college level. Although Ohio State has not offered yet, we believe that the Buckeyes will eventually come through with a scholarship, and that Bryant will accept. If not, Tennessee (offered) is currently running a strong second, with Vanderbilt and Stanford (both offered) also in the mix. Update 06/26 - Bryant received an Ohio State offer in May, and the Buckeyes are now his solid leader. However, as is customary with Glenville recruits, Christian will likely take some official visits before announcing his selection ... which should be Ohio State.

6. James Louis, Delray Beach (Florida) Atlantic (5' 11", 180 lbs, 4.4 forty); committed to Ohio State! Once again, we were caught off-guard, as Louis issued a surprise commitment to Ohio State on July 29th, apparently without ever having visited the school. Although the Buckeyes had offered months ago, Florida was thought to be the strong leader for one of the Sunshine State's premier prospects. However, the Gators' recruiting class is filling up quickly, and James looked to be an odd man out, especially with Chris Dunkley apparently on the verge of committing to Florida. Louis established himself as one of the top wide receiver prospects in the nation after catching 56 passes for 1,128 yards and 12 touchdowns as a junior. James committed to Ohio State over offers from Florida State, Miami, South Florida, Georgia, Alabama, Tennessee, and several other top programs.

7. Chad Hagan, Canonsburg (Pennsylvania) Canon-McMillan (6' 1", 210 lbs, 4.29 forty); committed to Ohio State! Hagan is a two-way player in high school, and last season he rushed for 800 yards and 12 touchdowns, while totaling 63 tackles on defense. At the college level, Chad will likely end up on the defensive side of the ball, either as a safety or outside linebacker. At the present time, Hagan favors Ohio State over Michigan and Wisconsin. Chad is planning to make an unofficial visit to Ohio State in the near future, and he could commit shortly thereafter. Update 08/06 - Chad ended what little suspense remained and committed to Ohio State!

8. Joshua Shaw, Palmdale (California) Palmdale (6' 1", 180 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in the mix. Shaw is a multi-talented prospect who as a junior had 443 yards receiving (27 receptions), 133 yards rushing (5 carries), 10 total touchdowns, 40 tackles (6 TFL's), and 4 interceptions while playing a variety of positions. Experts have mixed opinions on where Joshua projects at the college level - some say wide receiver, others say defensive back (either corner or safety). Shaw is one of the Buckeyes' newest offerees, and he has stated that he wants to visit Ohio State. It's still early, but Shaw seems to have some legitimate interest in the Buckeyes.

9. Spencer Ware, Cincinnati Princeton (5' 11", 207 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in the mix. In high school, Ware is a prolific quarterback who has thrown for 4,160 yards and 31 touchdowns, and rushed for 1,752 yards and 35 touchdowns, over the past two seasons combined. Although a few schools like Cincinnati and Duke are recruiting him as a quarterback, it is likely that Spencer will switch positions in college, probably to running back, possibly to defensive back. The Buckeyes entered the fray with an early offer, but Ware might be heading south, as Georgia (favorite), Alabama, North Carolina, Clemson, Florida, Miami, and Tennessee are his primary schools of interest, along with Ohio State and Cincinnati. Spencer is also a top flight baseball player, and the opportnity to play both sports at the college level might influence his decision. Update 06/26 - Spencer has narrowed his choices to Louisiana State and North Carolina, two schools which have strong football and baseball programs. Despite dropping the Buckeyes (at least for the time being), Spencer did attend Ohio State's summer camp (second session). 07/29 - Committed to Louisiana State.

10. Kacy Rodgers, Southlake (Texas) Carroll (6' 2", 185 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in the mix (Florida, Oklahoma, Tennessee, Notre Dame, Georgia, Miami, all offered). Rodgers is one of the top cornerback prospects in the country (29 tackles, 10 passes broken up, 3 interceptions as a junior), and he has offers from several football powerhouses. Although Kacy has not declared a list of favorites, Florida seems to be the early front runner; however, he would like to make an unofficial visit to Ohio State this month before finalizing his decision in July. Rodgers's father (also named Kacy) played collegiately at Tennessee and professionally for the Pittsburgh Steelers, and he currently coaches defensive line for the Miami Dolphins. Update 07/20 - committed to Miami.

11. Tony Grimes, Hollywood (Florida) Hollywood Hills (6' 0", 166 lbs, 4.5 forty); Ohio State (offered) in top 4 (Miami, Michigan, Georgia, all offered). Grimes is a top cornerback prospect who recorded 41 tackles, 15 pass break-ups, and 5 interceptions as a junior. Although the offers came slowly for Tony, he is now being recruited by many of the nation's top programs. While Miami was the early leader, Georgia, Michigan, and Ohio State are all still very much in the mix. Grimes could not attend Ohio State's summer camp, but he is planning to make an official visit to Columbus for the Southern Cal game on September 12th.

12. Erick Howard, North Canton Hoover (5' 10", 210 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) leads. As a junior, Erick Howard was named Mr. Football in the State of Ohio after he rushed for 2,387 yards and scored 31 touchdowns in leading Hoover to the state semi-finals. Obviously, talent is not an issue for Mr. Howard ... and neither is love for Ohio State ... but academics and other off-the-field issues are a major concern at this stage of the recruiting process. If Erick can get his house in order, then look for a quick Buckeye offer, and an equally quick commitment. If not, then Cincinnati (offered) might be the team to beat. Update 06/26 - Grades are still an issue. Kansas and Illinois have offered, but Ohio State remains uninterested.

13. Gideon Ajagbe, Coconut Grove (Florida) Ransom Everglades (6' 2", 197 lbs, 4.72 forty, 4.19 shuttle); Ohio State (offered) in top 5 (Florida, North Carolina, Boston College, Central Florida, all offered). Ajagbe is a one-man team for Ransom Everglades, and he plays both running back (1,354 yards and 12 touchdowns in 2008) and linebacker (57 tackles, 9 TFL's, and 2 sacks last season) for his high school squad. At the next level, Gideon projects as a defender, either at linebacker or safety. Florida is the early favorite - and strong favorite - but Gideon claims that he wants to look around at some other schools before making a decsion. North Carolina (currently running in second place) will get a spring visit. If Ajagbe makes it up to Columbus for an unofficial visit some time this spring or summer (Junior Day, Spring Game, Summer Camp), then the Buckeyes at least have a shot to make a favorable impression ... if not, then this one might be over by August. Update 04/07 - Gideon committed to Florida, but he may still take his official visits this fall.

14. LaTwan Anderson, Lakewood St. Edward (5' 11", 190 lbs, 4.29 forty); Ohio State (not offered) leads Michigan State, Michigan, West Virginia, Iowa (all offered). Despite his size (sub-6') and speed (sub-4.3), Anderson actually projects as a safety rather than a cornerback. On the gridiron, LaTwan has a linebacker mentality and knows how to lay the wood, but he also possesses world class speed (10.4 in the 100 meters, 21.6 in the 200 meters). Anderson was a second team All Ohio selection as a junior after recording 50 tackles and 5 interceptions, two of which were "pick sixes". Michigan State, Michigan, and West Virginia are the early stated leaders, but an Ohio State offer would put the Buckeyes clearly out in front. Update 06/26 - Anderson attended Ohio State's summer camp (first session), but he did not earn an offer from the Buckeyes.

15. Darrion Hall, Naples Lely (6' 1", 200 lbs, 4.4 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix. Hall is the typical Florida speedster who will get some serious looks from around the country. As a junior, Darrion piled up 1,800 yards rushing, 200 yards receiving, and 21 touchdowns, and he was named 2nd team All State (Class 3A). Clemson, West Virginia, and Wisconsin have already offered, and Ohio State has enquired. The Buckeyes will probably take only one running back this year, and Hall might be on their short list if Erick Howard's academic situation doesn't improve. Update 06/10 - Committed to Miami.

16. Bobby Swigert, Louisville (Ohio) Louisville (6' 1", 175 lbs, 4.47 forty); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix (Michigan, Wisconsin, Indiana, Pittsburgh, Cincinnati, Syracuse, Boston College, Nebraska, Colorado, all offered). As a junior, Swigert caught 58 passes for 732 yards and 6 touchdowns, made 6 interceptions (returning 2 for touchdowns), and also scored twice on kick and punt returns. Bobby attended Ohio State's camp earlier this month, and although he apparently impressed the staff, he did not come away with an offer. With scholarships being tight this year, it remains to be seen if one will be extended to him; if not, then Swigert has several other top schools from which to choose (see above). Bobby also excels in the class room, where he carries a 3.9 grade point average.

17. Drew Basil, Chillicothe High School (6' 1", 175 lbs); committed to Ohio State! Just after we finished compiling this edition of our recruiting blog, of course the Ohio State staff issued an offer to a prospect who had previously been flying under the radar. Although Basil scored 59 points last season (8/14 FG, 35/37 PAT) and averaged over 40 yards per punt, he did not create much of a buzz until he hit the camp circuit this summer. First Kentucky, then Purdue, and finally Ohio State offered after seeing Drew perform in person ... and being a lifelong Buckeye fan, he accepted the Ohio State offer in less than a week. Basil will likely be a place kicker in college, but he may also get a look at punter. Drew is also an excellent student who carries a 3.9 GPA.

Big Speed

1. Jamel Turner, Youngstown Ursuline (6' 3", 208 lbs); committed to Ohio State! Turner, who projects as a defensive end or outside linebacker at the college level, is one of the top prospects in Ohio regardless of position. As a junior Jamel led his team to a 15-0 record and the Division V state title, while being named a member of the USAToday first team defense. Turner is a pass rushing specialist who has racked up over 40 sacks during the past two seasons combined. Despite being a probable "five star" prospect, Jamel ended his recruitment in December and selected Ohio State. Update 06/26 - Despite having experienced several publicized "off the field" issues in recent months, Turner still has an official offer from Ohio State, and he still remains committed to the Buckeyes. However, this situation is still in flux, and it remains to be seen whether Jamel will end up signing with Ohio State next February.

2. Jeff Luc, Port St. Lucie (Florida) Treasure Coast (6' 1", 240 lbs, 4.67 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix (Florida, Florida State, Miami, Southern Cal, many others, all offered). Luc is the number one middle linebacker prospect and one of the top overall players in the country. Jeff is very athletic for his size, and he possesses a killer instinct on the gridiron. As a junior, Luc racked up 125 tackles, 21 TFL's, 9 sacks, 4 pass break-ups, and 2 interceptions. Although Jeff has offers from just about everybody including the Sunshine State's Big Three, he did make a recent unofficial visit to Ohio State, where he impressed everyone with his off-the-charts physical skills.

3. Scott McVey, Cleveland St. Ignatius (6' 0", 215 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Ohio State! Although McVey had been on everyone's radar screen for quite a while, his breakout performance in the Division I state title game versus Cincinnati Elder (12 tackles, 5 sacks, a forced fumble, and an interception) quickly earned him an offer from Ohio State. McVey has the speed and athleticism to play safety, but with his ability to rush the passer and attack the line of scrimmage, we feel that he will be an outside linebacker in college. McVey is a huge Buckeye fan, and Ohio State is the clear leader for his services. Expect an early decision for Ohio State. Update 04/25 - McVey ended what little suspense remained and committed to Ohio State.

4. Jordan Hicks, Lakota West (6' 2", 210 lbs); Ohio State (offered) trails Texas (offered). Hicks is an excellent all-around athlete and one of the top overall prospects in Ohio. As a junior last season, Jordan racked up 88 tackles, 7 TFL's, and 2 sacks from his outside linebacker position. Although Jordan has lived in the Cincinnati area since the seventh grade, he is originally from down south, and most of his favorites are from below the Mason-Dixon line. Hicks has rooted for the Texas Longhorns (camp in 2008) since childhood, but Florida, LSU, Alabama, Georgia, and several other southern powerhouses might also get a look. Despite playing at a very Buckeye-friendly high school, Hicks might be destined to leave the state ... but not without a fight from JT & Company. Update 06/26 - Ohio State has been steadily gaining ground, but can the Buckeyes catch the Longhorns? Although Mack Brown likes to fill his recruiting classes early (the 'Horns already have nineteen commitments for the class of 2010), he is holding a spot open especially for Jordan Hicks. Ohio State and Texas should get official visits in what looks to be strictly a two-team race.

5. Khairi Fortt, Stamford (Connecticut) Stamford (6' 2", 211 lbs, 4.6 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix. Fortt is a top national outside linebacker prospect who has already earned offers from a veritable "Who's Who" of the college football world including Miami, Notre Dame, Penn State, Tennessee, North Carolina, and of course Ohio State. As a junior, Khairi amassed 118 tackles, forced four fumbles, and snagged a pair of interceptions. It's still too early to gauge Fortt's level of interest, and he will likely make all five of his official visits before deciding. Update 06/26 - Penn State is the probable leader, and Ohio State remains a long shot.

6. J.T. Moore, Boardman High School (6' 3", 225 lbs); committed to Ohio State! Moore is one of the top defensive end prospects in the Midwest, and he exhibits excellent lateral movement and change of direction, and has a solid burst for closing speed. JT just needs a little more weight and some improved technique to be a standout at the next level. Moore is a lifelong Buckeye fan, and last September he became the first commitment for Ohio State's class of 2010. Update 06/26 - Despite already being in the fold for the class of 2010, Moore attended Ohio State's summer camp (second session), where he demonstrated increased size and improved athleticism.

7. David Durham, Charlotte (NC) Christian (6' 3", 226 lbs, 4.7 forty); committed to Ohio State! This past winter, Durham made two unofficial visits to Ohio State, and after he received an offer during the second visit, he quickly accepted. Throughout this entire process, no one outside of the Ohio State staff even knew that David was on the Buckeyes' radar screen! In any event, Durham is a solid linebacker/defensive end prospect (the LEO position, at Ohio State) who racked up 80 tackles and 11 sacks as a junior last season. David and his family have moved to Charlotte, NC, where David will team up with two other D1 recruits to man one of the better LB corps in the country for The Charlotte Christian School.

8. Taylor Graham, Wheaton (Illinois) North (6' 4", 211 lbs, 4.9 forty); committed to Ohio State! Every year, a recruit seems to come out of nowhere to earn a surprising offer from the Buckeyes, and this year's entry in the sleeper sweepstakes is quarterback Taylor Graham. After a broken ankle prematurely ended his junior season in week five (950 yards passing, 6 touchdowns, 1 interception through that point), Graham dropped under the radar until this spring, when schools like Michigan State, Wisconsin, Iowa, and UCLA extended offers. Then on June 14th, Taylor attended Ohio State's summer camp, and just four days later, the Buckeyes offered him as well. Graham didn't wait long to respond, and on June 22nd he accepted the Ohio State offer. Why such a quick trigger? Well, Taylor is the son of former Ohio State signal caller Kent Graham, and he has been a lifelong Buckeye fan.

9. Roderick Smith, Fort Wayne Harding (6' 3", 215 lbs, 4.5 forty); Ohio State (offered) leads Michigan State (offered). In three years of high school ball, Smith has rushed for over 4,500 yards, so clearly he has talent to go along with his size and speed. While Roderick has taken care of business on the field, he has been rather lax in the classroom, and right now it appears that he will have difficulty qualifying. Ohio State is Smith's leader, but don't expect the Buckeye staff to become interested until he can make his grades. Update 06/26 - Smith has received an offer from Ohio State, so the Buckeye staff seems confident that Roderick can qualify. Ohio State is still the leader, but Michigan State is still hanging around, just in case things don't go well in the class room. Update 07/01 - The Buckeyes had been Smith's leader for a long time, and today he committed to Ohio State!

10. Zack Zwinak, Frederick (Maryland) Linganore (6' 2", 230 lbs, 4.5 forty); Ohio State (offered) in the mix. After amassing 1,447 yards rushing and 19 touchdowns last season, Zwinak was named one of the nation's top fullback prospects by both major recruiting services (#1 Rivals, #2 Scout). Zack also plays linebacker for his high school (53 tackles, 11 TFL's, 5 sacks, 3 interceptions), but his future appears to be on the offensive side of the ball. Ohio State seems to have a legitimate shot here, but Penn State is the probable leader. Zwinak is from the same hometown (but different high school) as 2009 Buckeye signee Dominic Clarke.

11. Luke Muncie, Klein (Texas) Oak (6' 3", 210 lbs, 4.49 forty, 4.12 shuttle); Ohio State (offered) in the mix. Muncie is one of the top defensive back prospects in the state of Texas for the class of 2010. Last season, Luke made 53 tackles and 2 interceptions (one of which was a pick-six). Muncie is the most recent Buckeye offeree, and he also holds an offer from Texas A+M, with Oklahoma, Nebraska, and Alabama being interested as well. It's still far too early to tell what level of interest Luke has in the Buckeyes, but the early offer can't hurt the good guys' cause. If Muncie should select Ohio State, then he would be a perfect candidate for the "Star" position (hybrid of safety and outside linebacker) currently manned by Jermale Hines and Tyler Moeller. Update 04/19 - Luke committed to Louisiana State.

12. Tyrone Williams, East Cleveland Shaw (6' 7", 215 lbs, 4.5 forty); committed to Ohio State! In watching his highlight film, it sometimes looks like a senior snuck onto the freshman football team, as Tyrone is clearly the best player on the field. Now, some of that discrepancy is undoubtedly due to the level of competition, but Williams is also a fine talent in his own right. As a junior, the rangy wide receiver had limited touches in just five games, but he still managed to collect 11 receptions for 372 yards (33.8 average) and 8 touchdowns. Ohio State has not yet offered, but Shaw has traditionally been a Buckeye-friendly program. Update 06/26 - Tyrone claims an offer from Ohio State, and that the Buckeyes are his clear leader. Update 08/29 - Williams committed to Ohio State! According to his high school coach, Tyrone still has some work to do in the classroom, but he has improved his academic standing dramatically during the past year.

13. Ken Wilkins, Washington (Pennsylvania) Trinity (6' 3", 222 lbs, 4.61 forty); Ohio State (not offered) and Penn State (not offered) lead. Wilkins is from the same high school as current Buckeyes Andy Miller and Andrew Sweat. As a junior, Ken was named an All State (Class AAA) defensive end in Pennsylvania after recording 84 tackles, 8 sacks, and 2 fumble recoveries (both of which he returned for touchdowns). There is mutual interest between Wilkins and Ohio State, but with two other defensive end prospects already in the fold, the Buckeye staff may look outside of the local region for prospects before offering. Update 06/09 - Wilkins did not receive offers from favorites Ohio State and Penn State, so he issued a verbal commitment to Michigan.

14. Antonio Kinard, Youngstown Liberty (6' 4", 200 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix. Quite frankly, we do not have a lot of information concerning Antonio Kinard, who hit the radar screen just recently. As a junior middle linebacker, Kinard had 86 tackles and 6 sacks. Antonio recently received an offer from Michigan, and we believe that Ohio State might follow suit in the near future. Update 03/14 - Kinard was not offered by Ohio State, and he committed to Michigan.

15. Alex Smith, West Chester Lakota West (6' 5", 225 lbs, 4.74 forty); Ohio State (not offered) trails Kentucky and Cincinnati (both offered). Smith is the top tight end prospect in Ohio for the class of 2010. As a junior, Alex caught 33 passes for 375 yards and 6 touchdowns. Although Lakota West is a pro-Buckeye school, Smith grew up a fan of Kentucky, and he has recently developed a strong interest in Cincinnati ... however, a Buckeye offer would still be tough to turn down. Alex has also received offers from Michigan, Illinois, Purdue, West Virginia, Tennessee, North Carolina State, and Duke, but the Wildcats, Bearcats, and Buckeyes appear to be the three frontrunners at this point. Update 06/26 - Alex originally committed to Cincinnati, but he has since re-opened his recruitment. Smith has not recently mentioned any interest in the Buckeyes, but he did show up for Ohio State's summer camp (second session), where he reportedly performed quite well.

Power

1. Andrew Norwell, Cincinnati Anderson (6' 7", 275 lbs); committed to Ohio State! Andrew Norwell may be the best offensive line prospect from the state of Ohio since Orlando Pace - he's strong and athletic; he's got a great frame, excellent footwork, and well-honed technique; and most important of all, he has a nasty streak that not enough linemen possess. Norwell is definitely an offensive tackle prospect, and he is probably the top player in Ohio regardless of position. Andrew committed to Ohio State on February 4, 2009. Update 06/26 - Norwell attended Ohio State's summer camp (first session), and he simply blew away the other o-linemen in attendance.

2. Seantrel Henderson, Saint Paul (Minnesota) Cretin-Derham Hall (6' 8", 301 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in the mix. Henderson, who already has a NFL body, is the top offensive line prospect in the country for the class of 2010, and he may in fact be the #1 recruit overall. But Seantrel is not just a big kid with a great frame - he also has excellent footwork and technique for a high school player. With a kid this talented, who will have offers from every major program in the nation, it is probably too early to come up with an accurate list of favorites, but Minnesota, Ohio State, Notre Dame, Wisconsin, Oklahoma, and Florida are some of the names that have been bandied about already. Don't expect an early decision here. Update 06/26 - Henderson is still looking at several schools, including (in no particular order) Ohio State, Notre Dame, Michigan, Iowa, Southern Cal, UCLA, Florida, Florida State, Louisiana State, and Oklahoma. Update 07/20 - Henderson has narrowed his finalists to Ohio State, Southern Cal, and Florida.

3. Matt James, Cincinnati St. Xavier (6' 8", 280 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in top 2 (Notre Dame, offered). In any normal year, Matt James would be the number one offensive line prospect in the state of Ohio, but in 2010 he has to play second fiddle to his outstanding crosstown rival, Andrew Norwell. While Ohio State has already locked up Norwell, James is still weighing offers from Ohio State, Notre Dame, Cincinnati, Tennessee, Florida, and Michigan, amongst others. At the present time, it appears that Ohio State and Notre Dame are his co-leaders, but Cincinnati (Matt's father played for the Bearcats) is a strong dark horse candidate. No timetable for a decision. Update 06/26 - Matt still favors Ohio State, Notre Dame, and Cincinnati, in no particular order.

4. Darryl Baldwin, Solon High School (6' 6", 245 lbs, 4.7 forty); Ohio State (offered?) leads. Baldwin plays defensive end in high school, but he will likely outgrow the position and play defensive tackle or offensive line in college. Although Darryl is an avowed Buckeye fan who received a very early offer from Ohio State, he has not yet committed to the home state school ... and he apparently does not have any plans to do so in the near future. Baldwin carries a 4.0+ GPA from one of the top public schools in the Cleveland area, and Stanford is on his short list of favorites. Update 06/26 - After a sketchy junior season on the field, Baldwin performed well at Ohio State's summer camp (first session). At the present time, Ohio State leads Penn State, Michigan State, and Notre Dame. Darryl plans to make his choice or before July 20th. Update 07/19 - As expected, Darryl committed to Ohio State!

5. Arie Kouandjio, Hyattsville (Maryland) DeMatha (6' 6", 314 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in the mix (several offers). Kouandjio is one of the top offensive line prospects in the country, and he boasts an offer list to prove it - Ohio State, Penn State, Maryland, Alabama, LSU, Miami, Notre Dame, Tennessee, and several other top football programs. Because he possesses both excellent size and good mobility, Arie most likely projects as an offensive tackle, although he also has the power and toughness to slide down to guard. Arie's "little" brother, Cyrus (6' 7", 322 lbs), is a 2011 OL prospect who already has six offers of his own (Ohio State is not one of them, at least not yet). Kouandjio is originally from the African nation Cameroon.

6. Garrison Smith, Atlanta Douglass (6' 4", 250 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in the mix (Georgia, Georgia Tech, Florida, Florida State, Alabama, Louisiana State, Tennessee, Southern Cal, all offered). After recording 108 tackles, 27 TFL's, and 14 sacks during his 2008 season, Smith quickly became one of the most highly recruited defensive line prospects in the entire country. Although just about every major program is after Garrison, he admits to being a fan of Ohio State, and he framed his Buckeye offer and hung it on a wall in his den. Of course, there is still a long way until Signing Day, and top prospects from the south rarely cross the Mason-Dixon line, but Ohio State should be a major player in this recruiting battle. Update 07/19 - Committed to Georgia.

7. Laken Tomlinson, Chicago Lane Tech (6' 4", 285 lbs); Ohio State (offered) trails Illinois (offered) and Northwestern (offered). Tomlinson is one of the top defensive tackle prospects in the midwest, and he also excels in track and field (50' shot, 141' discus). Although Laken currently favors home-state schools Illinois and Northwestern, he is attending Ohio State's summer campt this week, and the Buckeyes are still a legitimate contender for his services. Update 08/04 - Committed to Duke.

8. Jonathon Hankins, Detroit Southeastern (6' 3", 326 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in top 3 (Virginia, Wisconsin, both offered). Hankins is a massive defensive tackle prospect who racked up 87 tackles, 13 TFL's and 5 sacks as a junior last season. A week ago, it seemed that Jonathon was on the verge of committing to Ohio State, but in the most recent updates, he has stated that Virginia is his current leader.

9. Jimmy Gjere, Irondale (Minnesota) Irondale (6' 7", 275 lbs); Ohio State (offered) in the mix (Minnesota, Wisconsin, Iowa, all offered). Jimmy Gjere (pronounced "Jerry") is another mammoth offensive tackle prospect from the state of Minnesota in the class of 2010. Gjere is lean and athletic, and he also is a star on his high school's hockey team. It's still too early to gauge Jimmy's interest in Ohio State, or what kind of attention he will receive on a national level. No stated favorites, although Minnesota will pull out all of the stops to keep this kid at home. Update 03/05 - Committed to Minnesota.

10. Jay Guy, Houston Eisenhower (6' 2", 300 lbs); Texas (not offered) leads. Jay is another player who has just recently hit the Buckeyes' radar screen. Guy admits to being a lifelong fan of the Texas Longhorns, but his interest in Ohio State has been piqued since the Buckeyes signed his teammate earlier this month, quarterback Kenneth Guiton. Jay currently holds offers from Texas A+M, Southern Methodist, Baylor, Kansas State, Missouri, California, Stanford, UCLA, Army, and Michigan. Ohio State has made contact and requested film, but it's still a bit too early to tell whether the staff will pursue this gap-plugging defensive tackle prospect. Update 02/19 - Committed to California. Even though Jay considers himself to be a "soft verbal" to the Golden Bears, he is not currently looking at Ohio State.

11. Michael Dennis, Carey (Ohio) Carey (6' 7", 260 lbs); Ohio State (not offered) in the mix. In a year with plenty of highly regarded offensive line prospects in the state of Ohio, Michael Dennis is one of the up-and-coming sleepers. Michael attended Ohio State's first summer camp earlier this month, and the coaching staff was so impressed that they asked him to return for the second session. Dennis is a raw prospect who plays at a small school, but he has an impressive frame and plenty of upside potential. At the present time, Michael has offers from Michigan State, Indiana, Maryland, North Carolina State, and several MAC schools, but he is still trying to earn an offer from Ohio State. Update 07/10 - Michael did not receive an offer from Ohio State, so he committed to Michigan State.

12. Andrew Donnal, Whitehouse Anthony Wayne (6' 7", 250 lbs, 4.91 forty); Ohio State (not offered) leads. Donall is yet another excellent offensive tackle prospect from the State of Ohio. However, the Buckeyes already have a firm verbal commitment from the state's top OT prospect (Andrew Norwell), and they are in on some other top local and national recruits (Seantrel Henderson, Matt James, Jimmy Gjere), so this lifelong Ohio State fan might be left out of the equation. If Ohio State doesn't have room, then Illinois, Iowa, Indiana, Michigan State, Stanford, Maryland, West Virginia, and Toledo (all offered) are possible destinations. Update 06/26 - Donnal attended Ohio State's summer camp (first session), but he did not receive an offer from the Buckeyes. Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, and Maryland (all offered) are amongst Andrew's favorite at this point, with the Hawkeyes currently having the best shot. Update 07/13 - Committed to Iowa.