2009 Recruiting?! What Happened to 2008?!
Right about now, I’m sure the recruiting services and Ohio State blogs are feeling like they are in the OSU Strength and Conditioning program. A flurry of 6 verbal commitments in 5 days is responsible for writers feeling like they’ve been doing two-a-days. There’s only so much you can say about a kid you’ve barely seen play football, but if I was a betting man, I’d bet Tressel and company did their homework.
Compared to last year’s class, this class is built not on big names but rather solid players. There are no Terrelle Pryors or Mike Brewsters or Etienne Sabinos (they are already on the team, in fact), even though Scout has Dorian Bell as the #5 player in the nation. The class is heavy on…everything. Secondary sticks out, but no one knows who will get a shot on offense. Any school would love to have a recruiting class as well rounded and as solid a base as this class, except maybe USC but they don’t have to leave the state of California to win recruiting rankings. Ohio State, on the other hand, adds in a mix of Ohio, Pennsylvania, Michigan, and Florida kids.
Who’s left? Well there’s a staff wish list and an actual list of who’s left? On both lists, Jamaal Berry is the rapidly rising RB from Florida who posted an electronic 4.31 forty yard dash at a Scout combine. Next is a big body from Glenville, Marcus Hall, who’s drawing interest from the country, but has OSU on top and could decide soon like his team, Jonathan Newsome. Corey Adams, an Arizona product and possible OSU lean, (his dad is a Buckeye fan and they are from Ohio) could fill a glaring need, but USC and other top programs think so as well. Vladimir Emilien, aka the Hit Man, is a hard hitting safety that has been high on the Buckeyes since the spring game, but has yet to pull the trigger. Brandon McGee looked like an OSU lock after the spring game, but as time passes, it seems the staff isn’t going to wait for his decision. #1 on the wish list is athlete Andre Debose, who said he will visit Columbus and is high on the Bucks, but is most likely going to stay where he came from in the state of Florida.
Here is a brief look at ESPN's updated Recruiting Scorecard:
Dorian Bell, LB – 2nd
ranked LB in the nation, per Scout.
Jordan Whiting, LB –
Kentucky LB was one of the first commits.
Storm Klein, LB – ATH but
really a hard nosed LB.
Johnny Simon, DT – A man
amongst boys, and maybe the best DT in the
Midwest.
Adam Bellamy, DT – Run
stuffer specialist is big and mean.
Melvin Fellows. DE – The
best player in Ohio?
Jamie Wood, S – Size and
skill makes Rivals giddy.
C.J. Barnett, CB – One of
the best CBs in the nation from Ohio.
Dominic Clarke, CB – Lose
a Marylander, gain another.
Jack Mewhort, OT/C – From
my alma mater, Toledo St. Johns, moving up
recruiting boards.
Corey Linsley, OG –
Another big body for the offensive line.
James Jackson, WR – You
want fast, little guys? We got fast little guys.
Reported 4.31.
Chris Fields, WR –
Standout OH WR runs under a 4.4 and Scout has no
idea who he is.
Reid Fragel, TE –
6’ 8”, 250lb player was being
recruited for the Wolverine O-line.
Jordan Hall, RB/WR –
Terrelle Pryor’s partner in touchdowns at
Jeanette.
Zach Boren, LB/FB – A 2
for 1 deal with his brother is making waves at LB
in camps.
Adam Homan, FB –
Ross’ little brother was told he was a FB
recruit, and he likes it.
Duron Carter, WR –
Carter? A WR for the Bucks? Haven’t I seen
this play out before?
Carlos Hyde, RB – 230lbs?
235lbs? 240lbs? He keeps growing with every
article. It may be a good thing.
Justin Green, CB –
Electric CB might pull a Ginn/Gonzo and go
offensive.
Corey Brown, CB - Electric CB
might pull a Ginn/Gonzo and go offensive (yea
it’s the same comment).
Bradley McDougald, S –
Hometown Dublin CB is yet another highly ranked
kid at safety
Jonathan Newsome, DE/LB –
The staff wanted him more than you know, and
Glenville continues their job.
