Ohio State: Breaking Down the Wide Receivers

Ohio State lost its two top WR’s this year to the draft, as both Ted Ginn Jr and Anthony Gonzalez declared early for the NFL draft. In addition, fifth year senior Roy Hall also exhausted his eligibility. Ginn is expected to be a first round pick, while Gonzo will likely be picked in the second round. Hall, who had an underwhelming career at Ohio State, had an amazing workout at Pro Day and could be a first day pick.

With the depth chart wide open, Coach Tressel will look for junior Brian Robiskie and redshirt sophomore Brian Hartline to fill the void. Robiskie was just a two-start recruit, but also had an offer from Miami, back when people actually cared who went to the U. Hartline was a solid three-star prospect who made great strides as a route runner and blocker last season. Sophomore Ray Small, a speedy player from Glenville, is expected to be the next great playmaker at WR. He will likely see time in the slot as the third option.

The depth chart is rounded out by two veterans and two newcomers. Albert Dukes and Devon Lyons were both highly sought after four star WR's. But neither has lived up to that billing, and the window of opportunity is rapidy closing. Dukes comes from the same high school as former Buckeye star Santonio Holmes, and has the size and speed to be a contributor. Lyons has bounced between safety and wide receiver, never quite finding a home.

The incoming freshman are Taurian Washington of Orchard Lake St. Mary's (MI) and Dane Sanzenbacher from Toledo's Central Catholic. Washington was a four-star prospect that chose Ohio State over Michigan and Penn State. Orchard Lake St. Mary's has long been considered a feeder school for Michigan, and Washington was part of the Wolverine's failure to land any of the top players in the state last season. Sanzenbacher was a star at both Ohio State and Iowa's camps, and is a future possession receiver.

With the departure of Ginn and Gonzalez, WR is a priority for the Buckeyes in 2008. As we blogged last week, OSU has already received a commitment from a highly rated in-state propsect, DeVier Posey. There are two other critical in-start targets that could wrap up this position for Ohio State. Cordale Scott, the next great player from Ted Ginn Sr's Glenville program, is a member of Rivals 100 to watch list. It has been many years since Ohio State missed on a Glenville kid they wanted, so Scott is considered an Ohio State lean.

Jim Tressel is also in hot pursuit of Dublin Coffman's Jake Stoneburner. A teammate of Buckeye verbal Mike Adams, Stoneburner has collected an impressive offer list that includes Michigan, USC and Florida. With a 6'5" frame, Stoneburner could grow into a fast TE or a tall WR. Either way, he presents serious matchup problems.

Should Ohio State sign all three in-state kids, the WR class would likely be finished. A few other name to keep in mind: Michael Floyd (MN), Josh Jarboe (GA), Brandon Green (IL), Marcus Sales (NY), Rotell Jenkins (VA), Kenny Tate (MD), Jonathan Baldwin (PA) and Fred Smith (MI). Of the group, Floyd will be the highest rated. Doc Tressel has had success in Minnesota, but Notre Dame looks tough to beat. Green has intriguing potential as a playermaker, but doesn't yet hold an OSU offer. The good money remains on OSU staying in-state for all of the 2008 wide receivers.