2009: Names to Watch on Offense

With the dust settling on most of the 2008 recruiting class, our attention now turn to next year's class. The initial top 100 lists are out, though they must be taken with grain of salt. Rather, with a barrel full - the end of the year lists will look vastly different. At this early stage, there is plenty of evalution time for the current juniors, but there are some names already floating out there with offers.

Ohio State is expected to have a large class - they could likely take the maximum of 25 if they wanted. Or if they were an SEC school, they could probably get away with 40 or so, with about 18 qualifying. We kid because we love. Expect Coach Tressel to try and balance the numbers, shooting for a number in the low 20's, with a few spots left for exceptional players.

QB: With the Pryor situation still unresolved, it's difficult to project how this might play out. With Pryor, it may be difficult to get an elite 5-star, though that's never been OSU's m.o. However, Pryor might only be a three year player, and with Boeckman graduating, there will certainly be a spot open. Tyrik Rollison (TX) is an talented dual-threat player with interest in the Buckeyes, and Devontae Payne is currently the most notable in-state prospect.

RB: The Buckeyes will definitely be looking for 1-2 backs in this class. They'll take their crack at out-of-state studs like Bryce Brown (KS), who has an offer, and Larry Caper (MI) who currently does not. Right now, I don't expect either to be Buckeyes, but the possibility of early playing time will definitely be appealing. There are a handful of in-state possibilities, including Bud Golden, but none truly stand out at this point.

WR: With a three receiver "types" from the '08 class, the Buckeyes will be selective in this class. But Brian Robiskie is in his last year of eligibility and Brian Hartline will be a fourth year junior, so there should be some available spots. Chris Fields of Painsville Harvey is the big in-state name, though there are some differing opinions on his ceiling. Kraig Appelton (IL) is a talented player with a number of big early offers, though he may be a challenge to get away from Ron Zook. The Buckeyes may also try to steal Dion Sims away from Michigan "pipeline" Orchard Lake St. Mary's. He seems way to tall and talented to play WR in The Rod's system.

TE: The Buckeyes signed Nic DiLillo this year, but with Rory Nicol graduating and Jake Stoneburner destined for receiver, they will try to pick up another in '09. Two out-of-state prospects currently top the list: Ed Hazelett (IN) and Malcolm Bush (NJ). Hazelett attends Warren Central, the same school as Buckeye basketball commit Walter Offutt. Bush is drawing interest from a number of national powers, so OSU will see if he's interested in a visit to Columbus.

OL: What can the Buckeyes possibly do for an encore? After landing three truly elite linemen in '08, the Buckeyes will try continue to stockpile talent. Three senior starters on next year's team will graduate, and luckily the '09 class looks even deeper on the line. This is particluarly true in Ohio, where the Buckeyes are aggressively pursuing a number of juniors. Tackle Marcus Hall from Glenville is the top prize, and it will cause a riot if he ends up elsewhere. The Buckeyes are also looking at Chris Freeman, an extremely tall tackle from Trotwood. Freeman has a bizarre Zebrie Sanders-esque offer list already, so we'll see how this plays out.

On the interior, OSU already has a commitment from Jack Mewhort, a big guard from the Toledo area. They would like to add at least one more, possibly Chris Watt (IL), who already has an offer. Center Nate Klatt is getting some love from the coaching staff, and had a favorable one-on-one with Jim Bollman at the most recent junior day. Less promising are the prospects of Westerville South's Ricky Harris, who recently stated that OSU's lack of early involvement have dropped them down his list. This is a recurring theme in recruiting, as schools like Illinois shower early offers to players that increasing want to know where they stand early on. We'll have to see how the coaching staff adjusts...

(photo of Marcus Hall by Rivals.com)