Buckeyes Cruise Into Season with Great Start to '08 Class

I know I've inflicted another prolonged absence on our loyal readers. But it's been a rather dry week on the recruiting front. And I just got such a kick out of seeing "One Million" Cox atop the blog, I couldn't bear to see it go. Seriously, a two-star running back from Connecticut? Do they even play football there? I know Michigan is still sporting wood over the McGuffie commitment, but surely they could find a better backup than this. Our Michigan blogger would rake me over the coals if we stabbed at a two-star like this.

On to more important matters...Ohio State fans spent the better part of the last week learning about some of the top '09 recruits because we're in such a dead period. All of the prospects that wanted to get their announcements out of the way early have done so, and the Buckeyes certainly closed out the period strong by nabbing top DT Garrett Goebel and and surprise TE Nic DiLillo. Now it's time for the waiting game, as most of the high profile targets want to take their official visits. Here's a quick recap of the players Ohio State will be monitoring during the fall.

QB: Terrelle Pryor - Rather than call the Buckeyes the "leaders", it's more appropriate to say that OSY is in the best position at this point. Stiffest competition will come from West Virginia and Tennessee.

WR: Jeff Fuller, and Lamaar Thomas and Cordale Scott - This is an interesting group, as only Fuller (pictured above) can be considered a pure WR. He's also the longest-shot, but an official visit to WR U will at least give OSU a chance. Thomas plays RB/slot as a prep, and Jim Tressel and co. envision him as speedy weapon they can move all over the field. Scott, like most Glenville kids, continues to play it close to the vest. As I've noted before, he might eventually move to the defensive side of the ball. With newly-anointed 5-star DeVier Posey and hybrid TE Jake Stoneburner already in the fold, this is going to be an outstanding receiver class.

OL: Josh Jenkins - The Jenkins drama has somewhat cooled, and I expect him to lay low for awhile. He'll probably take official visits to at least OSU and Florida State. The fireworks won't come until he either de-commits or stops answering the other coaches calls.

DL: Willie Mobley and Justin Thompson - Mobley remains an enigma, with a strangely large list of schools from all over the map. OSU is probably the leader at this point, but no commitment is coming soon. With no evidence at all, this feels like the type of situation where a silent verbal might happen, and then suddenly be yanked back. Fingers crossed that his friendship with Goebel can seal the deal, as the athletic Mobley can play both end and inside. Thompson remains high on the wish list, and with Miami (FL) adding more DT commits, there's still a shot. Especially if Mobley is playing outside.

LB: Shayne Hale and Etienne Sabino - Hale will provide more entertainment than any recruit other than Pryor. He's got an outspoken cousin that may or may not have convinced Hale to go to school as a package. He a linebacker than probably will turn into a rush end, but nobody really knows where he'll play or how good he'll be. And of course, he's got Michigan in his final four, offering the type of "drama" than our resident UM blogger prefers. Check back in January on this one. As for Sabino, I had almost written him off pending a visit to Columbus. The rather quiet linebacker apparently had a fantastic time, so OSU remains in the mix. I still think the Florida schools are overwhelming favorites, but stranger things have happened.

DB: Brandon Harris and Darrell Simmons - Not a lot of action here after the huge group in '07. Harris is a Hurricane lean with Rutgers making a push, so only a game-changing time on his official visit would give the Buckeyes any hope. Simmons is flying under the radar but has a great offer list. Again, let's see if he actually makes it up to Columbus.

History says OSU will not land a high percentage of these players. Right now only Scott seems like a heavy lean, with Pryor, Thomas and possibly Mobley also looking good. With 6-8 scholarship left to give out, the OSU coaches will be evaluating Ohio seniors like Jerel Worthy and Steve Gardiner, while watching for fast-rising out of state players. We'll continue to update the Big Board as the season progresses.

(photo by Rivals.com)