2010 Offensive Big Board Starts to Take Shape

Each Ohio State recruiting season is a unique adventure, based on scholarships available, targets in play and talent interested in the Buckeyes. Last year the dust had barely settled on the Terrelle Pryor drama before a flurry of commitments got the OSU staff off to a fast start. They never hit the breaks, collecting an overwhelming majority of their verbals before the season started en route to a top 5 class nationally.

This year's class will likely be understated compared to the last two. The '08 class was small but featured unbelievable star power, with elite prospects like DeVier Posey, Mike Adams and Mike Brewster joining a all-world QB in Columbus. The recently minted '09 may lack a true superstar, but it is very deep and littered with top250 talent. The combined classes look like the best back-to-back effort in the Tressel era, and are the foundation for continued Buckeye prosperity.

So what to expect this year? The Buckeyes will probably have less scholarships open, as the class could be 17 on the low end but might balloon to 20. Ohio State will again focus on a core of top players from Ohio, looking to keep the best and brightest in-state. They'll also search their usual haunts - Florida, Pennsylvania, and to less extent Michigan and Georgia - to try and pick off a few top targets. We've already learned that Coach Tressel does not subscribe to the "mile wide" theory of recruiting; he likes to focus on top talent interested in the Buckeyes, and score a high percentage of those players. So who are the players garnering early interest, and what positions to the Buckeyes need to focus on?

QB (1): There was a bit of hand-wringing than I thought necessary over the Tajh Boyd situation, given that his recruitment only came about because Lane Kiffin basically told him to take a hike. The idea that a 5-star kid was going to follow Pryor seemed hard to swallow at the outset; that sort of thing really only happens at places like USC and Florida. (I'm so happy I never happen to mention this kid ever again.) Having an athletic prospect with upside like Kenny Guiton fall into our laps was a great, but the OSU will definitely want to add another signal caller in this class.

Most experts thought the Buckeyes would extend an offer to dual-threat QB Devin Gardner (MI), who fits the offense and has an extremely impressive offer list. But OSU has their eyes set on a different player with a name you might recognize - Nick Montana. Papa Joe apparently has a healthy respect for Jim Tressel, and Buckeyes have indicated to Montana they aren't recruiting anyone else until he makes a decision. It's a good thing, since Gardner was nonplussed by the situation and is no longer listing Ohio State on his list.

So does Nick have the goods? He hails from Oaks Christian, the same school that produced Jimmy Clausen a few years back. Despite the pro-style passing attack, he's also more of a runner than his Dad was. He claims offers from a host of big schools, including LSU, Florida State, Alabama and of course Notre Dame. Montana recently took and unofficial visit with his Mom, and the coaches hope he will come to the spring game.

Other names to file away include Robert Bolden (MI) and Jeffrey Godfrey (FL). And don't forget Braxton Miller, and '11 prospect that is already a message board favorite.

RB (1-2): Despite the bountiful haul of Berry, Hyde and Jordan in '09, the Buckeyes will be looking for at least one back this year. Even at this early stage, there are a diverse set of candidates. But no player may be more talented that Corey Brown (PA), who boasts offers from Florida, Penn State, Alabama and a host of other BCS powers. But OSU's toughest competition might be Rutgers, where Brown's high school quarterback Tom Savage recently enrolled.

Another out-of-state name to watch is Roderick Smith (IN), a somewhat bigger back gathering interest from around the Big Ten and Big 12. Within the confines of Ohio, two names currently stick out: Erick Howard and Spencer Ware. Howard is the reigning Mr. Football in Ohio, but appears to have some work to do off the field before getting an offer. Ware is a dynamite athlete whose best sport might be baseball. His versatility is something Jim Tressel craves, but the coaches face stiff competition from hometown Cincinnati.

WR (1-2): The Buckeyes are young and deep at receiver, so they'll only be looking to add a truly elite player at this position. Tai-ler Jones (GA) might be at the top of that list, but he has offers from everywhere, and pulling him from the south will certainly be a challenge. With the cupboard somewhat bare in Ohio, a number of other out-of-state targets may receive an offer. Terrence Casper (NJ) is a physical 6'6" receiver, Justin Hunter has great leaping ability, and Kadron Boone (FL) has blazing speed. Which players camp at Ohio State or visit during the spring game will be a good indicator who the staff will pursue.

TE (1): The Buckeyes are actually somewhat thin at TE. Jake Ballard is a senior, Jake Stoneburner is more of a receiving threat, and Reid Fragel might turn into a tackle. So Nic DiLillo will be the lone TE in the traditional Tressel mold - a hard-nosed blocker who can also catch passes. Look for the Buckeyes to add at least one tight end, with in-state prospect Alex Smith looking the best right now.

OL (2-3): After years of struggling with lineman recruiting, the Bucks have turned things around in a big way the last two years. And they're already on the board with a commitment from Andrew Norwell, a mauler from Cincinnati. The other top in-state prospect is Matt James, who also hails from the Queen city area. James has a mammoth frame and offers from all over. He'll reportedly take his official visits before making a decision.

The Buckeyes have already extended offers to out-of-state stars like Seantrel Henderson and Chaz Green, but face an uphill battle for those guys. If they can nab James, they'll be selective on one or two remaining players to join the class. An offer to an interior lineman might come if someone impresses at camp.

Next time we'll tackle the defensive side, where the Bucks already have two top in-state players in the fold.