OSU Recruiting Big Board - Never a Dull Moment

With less than month till signing day, the Buckeyes class currently numbers 16. As happens every year, new names start popping up, fans stress about keeping verbals in the fold, and there's a frenzy over the top uncommitted players. So how will OSU finish?

QB: At quarterback, the Terrelle Pryor saga has reached new heights. Buckeyes fans remain nervously optimistic, and there's no doubt that an ulcer-inducing visit to Ann Arbor will be raise the stakes even further. Pryor seems to get play in the Detroit papers on a daily basis, with some claiming that Michigan must get him, while others think OSU would be a better choice. The Buckeyes are still the favorites, but there's plenty of time left.

RB: Still no official word on Devoe Torrence, but there's plenty of speculation that he won't be part of the class. I have no idea what truth is, but OSU is expecting a visit from 4-star UCLA commit Aundre Dean from Texas. It now seems possible that this class will not have a running back, making it a priority for 2009.

Also look out for the name Jermil Martin. He's a 2-star DE/LB, but also lays fullback. Though he's a soft verbal to Iowa, he hails from Glenville. So if OSU decides it needs a fullback in this class, and offer might change his mind.

WR: The Buckeyes have apparently not given up here, and have a visit scheduled with Martin Bayless from Texas. He's being recruited as an athlete, with the ability to play safety or receiver. That's exactly the kind player Coach Tressel loves, so expect a big push on his official. He's inexplicably listed as a 2-star on Rivals, though his transfer in mid-high school could explain the lack of publicity. Bayless has offers from Florida, Cal, Washington and UCLA, and I think a Pac-10 school is the safest bet at this point.

OL: Josh Jenkins is visiting Florida State this weekend and Pitt the next. Though West Virginia now has a coach, it doesn't yet seem like Jenkins is planning to re-commit to the Mountaineers. He reportedly had a good time with the other Buckeye commits at the Army game, so OSU is feeling increasingly confident about their chances. I'm still somewhat skeptical just because of the way his recruitment has played out, but that's more of a gut feeling that based on evidence.

DL: There were reports that Illinois commit Corey Liuget was going to visit OSU this weekend, but that apparently fell through. His recruitment is still open, but OSU doesn't seem like a player anymore. This could mean good news on the Keith Wells front, or it could just mean Liuget isn't interested. Wells, who I continue to pimp on this blog at every opportunity, is looking around after the Florida State cheating scandal. No player left on the baord other than Pryor is more important in my estimation.

Dawawn Whiter, Donte's brother, still doesn't have an OSU offer and appears to be leaning toward Illinois. Academics may be the holdup, and the Buckeyes seem to have their defensive line class pretty full. Still, an offer from the Buckeyes would likely be accepted.

LB: The Buckeyes are done for 2008...right? Every year a player comes out of nowhere to join the Ohio State class, and this year's guy could be Zach Domicone. Rivals lists him as a 2-star athlete, though he looks like a safety that could grow into a linebacker. With 4.4 speed, Domicone had a Nebraska offer and just added offers from Oklahoma and Ohio State. He's on a official this weekend to Columbus and could commit at that time.

Though technically it falls under 2009 recruiting, Ohio State does have a greyshirt offer to Dublin linebacker Steve Gardiner. He's extremely fast but somewhat undersized. Sounds like a special teams demon, but would he rather play at Pitt or Northwestern without the depth chart logjam?

DB: Brandon Harris is also in for his official this weekend, and the Buckeyes will give him the royal treatment. Pulling him out of the south doesn't seem likely, but OSU is doing everything it can. Travis Howard is actually flying up to help show Harris a good time, and fellow Floridian Mike Brewster will certainly make his pitch. The odds are not high, but Harris would be a coup of epic proportions if the Buckeyes get this shutdown corner.

ATH: The Buckeyes continue to pursue 3-star athlete Orhian Johnson from Florida. Johnson played quarterback in high school but the Buckeyes are not recruiting him for that - or is this a disguised Pryor insurance plan? Not likely. Tressel just loves fast, rangy athletes with position flexibility. I'd be kind of surprised if Johnson was part of the class, but if OSU misses on guys like Harris or Bayless, they may want someone who can play both sides of the ball.