What a boring time in sports...cruising toward the baseball All-Star break, post-spring practice for college football, and still weeks away from NFL training camp. It kind of makes you wish for one of the dreadful Broncos at Raiders Monday night games. At least there's something to fall doze off to. Anyway, a few newsworthy items for Buckeye fans:*Incoming freshman cornerback Devon Torrence signed with the Astros after being drafted in the 16th round. But Torrence plans to try and play pro baseball and college football, though his efforts may cause him to fail in both. Apparently he's worked out a deal with the Astros to play baseball in the summer, football in the fall, and there's some complicated deal which allows him to participate in both next spring.
On face, this doesn't much impact the Buckeyes. Torrence still has a chance to play on special teams this season, and I highly doubt the staff will worry about burning his redshirt. Though he comes in as a highly touted athlete, Torrence is likely behind both James Scott and Donnie Evege in terms of '07 cornerbacks. And as long as Torrence remains a part of the team, there can be no unintended consequences with his brother Devoe. Still, it seems like it will be hard for Torrence to become elite at either without focusing on one. But Torrence apparently got a good deal, as most 16th rounders don't typically rake in the cash. That's the funny thing about the baseball draft - your slot sometimes has virtually no bearing on your contract. Torrence was quoted as saying he might buy an Escalade with his bonus.
*Defensive End Walter Dublin is apparently leaving the team and will likely transfer to another Division I school. Dublin, from Sarasota, Florida, was a raw 3-star from the 2006 class. He redshirted last year but would not have made the regular line rotation this fall. Coaches believe he has tremendous upside because of his speed, and we wish him well at his next school. Perhaps Dublin's career as a Buckeye was never meant to be, as his favorite Big Ten team growing up was Michigan. He reportedly leaves the program in good academic standing. There have been reports than two other players may transfer in the coming weeks, opening up some additional scholarships for the '08 class.
On face, this doesn't much impact the Buckeyes. Torrence still has a chance to play on special teams this season, and I highly doubt the staff will worry about burning his redshirt. Though he comes in as a highly touted athlete, Torrence is likely behind both James Scott and Donnie Evege in terms of '07 cornerbacks. And as long as Torrence remains a part of the team, there can be no unintended consequences with his brother Devoe. Still, it seems like it will be hard for Torrence to become elite at either without focusing on one. But Torrence apparently got a good deal, as most 16th rounders don't typically rake in the cash. That's the funny thing about the baseball draft - your slot sometimes has virtually no bearing on your contract. Torrence was quoted as saying he might buy an Escalade with his bonus.
*Defensive End Walter Dublin is apparently leaving the team and will likely transfer to another Division I school. Dublin, from Sarasota, Florida, was a raw 3-star from the 2006 class. He redshirted last year but would not have made the regular line rotation this fall. Coaches believe he has tremendous upside because of his speed, and we wish him well at his next school. Perhaps Dublin's career as a Buckeye was never meant to be, as his favorite Big Ten team growing up was Michigan. He reportedly leaves the program in good academic standing. There have been reports than two other players may transfer in the coming weeks, opening up some additional scholarships for the '08 class.
*A few future Buckeyes finished their high school careers at last weekend North-South All-Star game. One that made plenty of noise was DE Soloman Thomas, who was virtually unblockable all week in practice. Buckeye fans are buzzing about his potential once he adds some weight to his frame. Thomas reportedly played a role in the defection of Ben Martin to Tennessee, as the two play the same position. OSU hopes that once again the coaching staff got it right with the less heralded player. Two other players that left there mark were safeties Nate Oliver and Rocco Pentello. Oliver is constantly knocked for his lack of speed at combines. But he's a tremendous leader and can flat-out bring the lumber - he looks the part of a young Mike Doss. Pentello's commitment was panned by many Buckeyes fans, including this blogger. But now fully recovered from his broken leg, Rocco is hoping the coaches have found another Anderson Russell. He displayed good cover instincts and laid a vicious hit on Oliver during a punt return. It wouldn't be the first time Jim Tressel made the peanut gallery eat crow.
*One name that has always interested Buckeye fans is E.J. Woods. Woods is a safety from California and is a "soft" verbal to UCLA. He has always expressed interest in getting an OSU offer, as he spent time as a kid in Cleveland and rooted for the Buckeyes. Woods flew himself out to Columbus for the first camp and did impress the coaching staff. But it sounds as if the staff prefers some of the in-state defensive backs like Isaiah Pead. This is always a tough spot for recruiting "fans". It's always exciting to get out-of-state players. It's doubly exciting if they have an offer from big time programs like UCLA, Michigan and Penn State. And it's bets case scenario when the players are highly rated - Woods is a member of the Rivals100. So how to reconcile offer lists and rating's versus your coaching staff's judgement? A column on this subject is coming soon.
*A bit of bad news for once: four-star power forward Luke Babbitt recently de-committed from the '08 class. Babbitt immediately committed to Nevada and claims his recruitment is over. He was weened on stories from his grandparents, who live in Ohio and a re lifelong Buckeye fans. But apparently the distance was too great, and Babbitt wanted to play near his parents in his current state of Nevada. It's an unfortunate blow to the class, as Babbitt is a sweet shooting forward that would have fit in perfectly with Matta's system. But spoiled Buckeye fans can hardly complain with all of the top 100 players committed. A bitter fan might say Babbitt would rather be a big fish in a little pond; but I prefer to think that he just wants to stay close to Vegas...who could blame him then?
*A bit of bad news for once: four-star power forward Luke Babbitt recently de-committed from the '08 class. Babbitt immediately committed to Nevada and claims his recruitment is over. He was weened on stories from his grandparents, who live in Ohio and a re lifelong Buckeye fans. But apparently the distance was too great, and Babbitt wanted to play near his parents in his current state of Nevada. It's an unfortunate blow to the class, as Babbitt is a sweet shooting forward that would have fit in perfectly with Matta's system. But spoiled Buckeye fans can hardly complain with all of the top 100 players committed. A bitter fan might say Babbitt would rather be a big fish in a little pond; but I prefer to think that he just wants to stay close to Vegas...who could blame him then?
*Lastly, the NBA draft is fast approaching. Greg Oden was always going to be the #1 or #2 pick, but increasingly sounds like a lock for Portand. PG Michael Conley could go as high as #3 to the Hawks, but may fall to the middle of the top 10. I'll be pulling for the Bucks to take him so he can team with former OSU baller Michael Redd. As for Daequan Cook, he had an up-and-down time in Orlando. The best case scenario is that a team see him as a first round value that can be had in the mid-to-late 20's. The Knicks are the team most often mentioned. Worst case scenario: he falls well into the second round and out of any sort of guaranteed contract. We'll be cheering for all next Thursday, and getting ready for another round of jersey purchases.
No comments:
Post a Comment