Ohio State: Pre-Camp Recruiting Update

Ok, technically it's not pre-camp, since the first one day seniors camp started today. There have been some interesting development since our last Big Board recruiting update. For a time, it seemed like Ohio State's class was almost already written in stone. But as is always the case, some heavy leans head elsewhere, and new prospects emerge as key targets. Ohio State's class will likely only have 16-18 players, meaning only 7-9 more verbals are left for the next 8 months. Here are some quick hitting updates...

QB: Ohio State fans have long believed that only Terrelle Pryor would be extended a scholarship at quarterback.That still seems to be the case, and many consider OSU to be the current leader for the nation's #1 player. Location will be a huge factor, so only West Virginia, Pitt and Penn State seem like realistic threats at this point.

Two other names have popped up that could play factor at QB: MarQueis Gray of Indiana and Orhian Johnson of Florida. Gray impressed OSU coaches with strong performances at spring camps. He'll be attending OSU's camp in the hopes of earling an offer. Johnson is a fast rising prosects that reports a "verbal" offer from the Buckeyes as an athlete.

RB: Ohio State remains committed to Devoe Torrence as the only true RB in the '08 class. But two Ohio prospects that could get an offer are Isiah Pead (Eastmoor Academy) and Brandon Beachum (Cardinal Mooney). Both would technically be recruited as athletes or for the defensive side of the ball. Pead seems to have a leg up on D.J. Woods and Johnny Adams as a defensive back,and could get an offer rather soon. Beachum, who as recently named to the Rivals100, seems to be an athlete without a true position.

Lastly, Ohio State remains semi-involved with bruising Florida RB Richard Watson. He'll be at one of the OSU camps, but it seems less and less likely that he will join this class.

WR: This is an extremely deep year for wide receivers, and the Buckeyes are at the top of many elite layer's lists. Having already received verbals from top 100 players DeVier Posey and Jake Stoneburner, it was long thought that Glenville's Cordale Scott would finish off the receiver class for OSU. That still may be the case, but Scott is taking his time, which is standard practice for Glenville kids. In the meantime, a gaggle of four and five star recruits remain heavily interested in the Buckeyes. Could someone take Scott's place?

Michael Floyd (MN), Josh Jarboe (GA), Jeff Fuller (TX), Kenny Tate (MD) and Fred Smith (MI) are all members of the Rivals250. All but Smith holds an offer, and he will be at camp trying his best to earn one. My gut feeling is that Ohio State will end up in the top 2 or 3 for these players, but not actually land any of them. Floyd will go to Notre Dame, Jarbow will stay in SEC country, Tate will go to Maryland or Florida and Fuller will end up someplace like LSU or Wisconsin. Smith seems like a nice player, but I don't think he'll get out of the state of Michigan. That still leaves Scott as the logical choice. The coaching staff has a pretty specific MO on this...they stop texting recruits and don't bother to invite players for official visits once they've zeroed in on a few select players. Look for attrition on this list over the summer.

TE: Ohio State is actively recruiting Blake Ayles (CA), who has Ohio State in his top 5. With Stoneburner headed for WR or H-Back territory, OSU could still use a legitimate TE in this class. It may be tough to get Ayles away from the west coast, especially given OSU's poor use of the TE over the past few seasons. And don't forget about Kevin Koger, the Toledo prospect that is basically down to Ohio State and Michigan. he Wolverines may lead, but the gap has been steadily shrinking.

OL: With three pieces of Block O already on board, the Buckeyes are looking to add just one more offensive lineman to this stellar class. The only player holding an offer is Josh Jenkins, a soft verbal to his home state school, West Virginia. Jenkins is a true guard and would be a great complement to Brewster, Adams and Shugarts. However, it's unclear when Jenkins might announce his intentions - he's under heavy pressure to honor his commitment to the Mountaineers. Putting additional pressure on Jenkins is Greg Shaw, a top 100 tackle from Miami (FL). Shaw is scheduled to camp with OSU and badly wants an offer from the Buckeyes. His impressive offer list includes virtually all of the top SEC and ACC schools. Should Shaw get an offer, it could force Jenkins to show his cards earlier than he expected. Right now, Jenkins is the more likely of the two to join Block O, but that could quickly change. I've long thought that Jenkins was in a bind; he faces intense, daily pressure to honor his verbal and stay at home. But he also hears from Mike Brewster and co. on a consistent basis, and seems to love Columbus. This reeks of a situation where Jenkins, under unrelenting scrutiny, tells coaches, players and the media whatever they want to hear. Another Anthony Davis?

A handful of solid Ohio prospects will also be camping in Columbus, though none seem close to an offer at this point. However, there is usually at least one surprise offer, so we'll keep you posted. Missing on Jenkins and Shaw might be a disappointment for recruiting "fans", but getting an Ohio kid like Jake Current would be fine with me.

DL: The Buckeyes would like to add at least 2 more defensive linemen to this class, and three names that have separated themselves from the pack. Defensive tackle Garrett Goebel is the Buckeyes top DT target, and is in Columbus as we speak. Or as we type, if you want to be picky. His list was down to Notre Dame, Michigan and Ohio State, and OSU is giving him the full court press this weekend. I expect Goebel to visit Michigan this summer just to be sure and then verbal to OSU. Willie Mobley (MN) and Keith Wells (GA) are the other two top defensive line prospects. Mobley played lights out at the Colorado NIKE camp, and OSU is in his top three. Questions remain about his ability to shift inside, but he's extremely strong and explosive. There's no question about Wells' size - he's 6'5" and ha a huge wingspan. OSU and Florida are reportedly his two two, but he's still very interested in Georgia and Notre Dame as well.

Glenville OG/DT Shawntel "Shaq" Rowell is also being recruited by Ohio State, but it currently appears that weight problems will prevent him from getting an offer. Ohio State continues to recruit juior college transfer Justin Thompson, who has already verballed to Miami (FL). Thompson has left a crack open for other schools, and plans on visiting OSU this month.

LB: Ohio State received great news and disappointing news recently, with the commitment of Trinity LB Andrew Sweat to OSU and the announcement that Mike Zordich will be heading to Penn State. Both play in the middle, and Sweat was by far the higher rated of the two. In fact, the coaches had Sweat as their #1 rated middle linebacker in the country. The Buckeyes may take 1-2 more linebackers in this deep class, with the top prize being Gateway (PA) LB Shayne Hale. Hale, who some project as a rush end, says that FLorida, OSU, Michigan and Notre Dame currently top his list.

Three top players I don't expect to see in Scarlet & Grey are Steven Filer (IL), Brendan Beal (NJ) and Etienne Sabino. Sabino is the best of the bunch, but I expect him to stay in the south. Beal has USC and Florida at the top of his list, and OSU isn't really pushing to change that. Filer will be visiting Columbus this summer and of the three, is the only one that OSU has a chance to get. Michigan and Notre Dame will be tough to beat for his services. Christian Wilson, another top PA player, is not hearing from OSU as much and may no longer be a target.

OSU fans have been spoiled by the fast start and marquee names that have committed. But this wouldn't be a Jim Tressel class if there weren't a few curveballs. Linebacker could be the spot where that happens. A talented group of in-state players could impress the coaches and get an offer. A few names to watch: Taylor Hill of Cardinal Mooney, Doug Rippy from Linden-McKinley, and Steve Gardiner from Dublin Coffman are all making a case for an offer.

DB: At one point, OSU felt good about its chances with Mooney standout Dan McCarthy. While the Buckeyes are still in the game, it seems like McCarthy will in fact join his brother in South Bend. With such a big '07 DB class, the position is not a priority right now. In additional to Pead, Woods and Adams, OSU continues to pursue a few out-of-state stars. Soft UCLA verbal E.J. Woods (CA), Terence Parks (GA) and Brandon Harris (FL) all hear from the Buckeyes. However, I wouldn't consider any as OSU leans at this point. The most likely scenario is that Ohio State picks one or two in-state players, depending on the slots available.

Taking a crack a projecting the class is always good for laughs when you look back in February. I've given OSU 18 scholarship, which is pushing the limit of what we have. It's funny to write in Pryor at QB, but OSU has to be considered at least a 40% chance at this point, and no other school would be higher. As noted above, I think Scott and Jenkins are the best bets round out the offense.

On the defensive side, I think Goebel is nearing lock status for OSU. I would be extremely disappointed if he ended up at Michigan. Mobley could be our next great one from Minnesota, but his rising star could net offers that challenge OSU. Michigan fans will howl at the inclusion of Hale on this list, and I don't blame them. I've blogged before that Hale just seems like the type of kid who doesn't end up at OSU. But at thi point in time, I don't feel stronger that Michigan or Florida will end up with Hale, so there's no reason not stay optimistic. Check back once he's taken his visits.

Yes, there's a lot of hedging at the bottom here with the Ohio kids. Hill has the most impresive offer list of the linebackers, but all three will have their shot in camp. History says a guy like Gardiner, who plays tough and has great speed, might impress and end up with the golden offer. Woods has been a demon on the camp circuit, but I think Beachum and Pead have a slight lead at this point.

QB: Pryor

RB: Torrence

WR: Posey, Stoneburner, Scott

TE: Koger

OL: Shugarts, Adams, Brewster, Jenkins/(Current)

K: Buchanan

DL: Williams, Goebel, Mobley

LB: Sweat, Hale, (Gardiner)/(Hill)/(Rippy)

DB: Pead

ATH: Beachum/(Woods)

With a camp today and another on 6/22, we'll have lots of updates coming soon. I'll also periodically update my project list, just for fun. I'd be interested to see how Michigan projects their much larger class. Perhaps we can have dueling lists with Shayne Hale...

(photo by Pittsburgh Post-Gazette)