Griffin Signs with Buckeyes Columbus (Ohio) DeSales running back/defensive back Adam Griffin has signed with the Buckeyes, becoming the 19th member of Jim Tressel's 2010 recruiting class. The 5-foot-9, 185-pounder can play multiple positions including running back, defensive back and return specialist. Scout.com's Player Evaluation: "Griffin has the initial quickness out of his stance you like to see and shows above average instincts and vision. While he’s not built to be a pound it up the middle back he’s willing to do so when called upon. What makes Griffin special is his outside ability to hit and turn the corner. The question that will always follow Griffin is his physical build and if he can hold up at the next level." Bill Kurelic's, of ESPN and Bucknuts, commented: "Tressel likes to bring players into the program who know what Ohio State football is all about and really want to play for the Buckeyes. Certainly Adam Griffin fits that description." Adam the son of the President and CEO of Ohio State University Alumni Association, Archie Griffin, the only two-time winner of the Heisman Trophy, had offers and interest from a number of schools including Air Force, Army, Eastern Illinois, Kent State and Navy . Welcome aboard, Adam!
Catching Up with Adam Griffin February 12, 2010 Source: Eleven Warriors - "...We caught up with the versatile athlete who played offense, defense, and special teams for the local school and discussed how the OSU situation unfolded, what position he will play in college, if he will don his father’s #45 jersey, and more..."
Buckeyes sign Archie's son February 11, 2010 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Ohio State somewhat unexpectedly added to its 2010 recruiting class today, signing Adam Griffin -- son of OSU legend Archie -- to a letter of intent. Adam Griffin is a 5-9, 185-pound running back and defensive back from Columbus DeSales High School. He was an all-district pick, but did not appear to be an OSU target before this announcement. Last week, Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel said he did not expect to add anyone else (besides possibly Seantrel Henderson) to this class. Archie's achievements don't need to be repeated for most OSU fans. He is the only two-time Heisman Trophy winner and the school's all-time leading rusher. “Adam Griffin has a passion to be an Ohio State Buckeye,” Tressel said in a release. “He will add a great deal to our football family on the field, in the locker room and on our campus. Adam clearly understands the privilege of being an Ohio State Buckeye.” Griffin is the 19th member of the 2010 class."
Christian Bryant pledges to the Buckeyes OSU got its 18th commitment for the 2010 recruiting class when Cleveland Glenville's Christian Bryant pledged to the Buckeyes today at his high school. Scout.com says this about him: " Bryant is a rarity for a Glenville prospect, in that he might be dramatically underrated. He could end up playing safety or corner at the next level, and is a player that should play as a true freshman. Bryant has great hips, quick feet, and good recovery speed with the football in the air. Bryant also played wide receiver, but his future at the college is at defensive back." He had 82 tackles and five interceptions (two returned for touchdowns); 17 catches for about 200 yards and 17 rushes for 300 yards; 13 total touchdowns. He was ranked among the nation's top 125 high school seniors by Rivals.com. Bryant, a four-star defensive back, had offers and interest from more than a dozen schools including Notre Dame, Tennessee, Michigan State, North Carolina, Iowa, Maryland, Pittsburgh, Illinois, Stanford, West Virginia, Vanderbilt and Virginia. Welcome aboard, Christian!
Glenville corner chooses Buckeyes January 27, 2010 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...Considered one of the top 10 cornerback prospects in the nation by several recruiting services, Bryant picked Ohio State over North Carolina...Bryant became the 16th Tarblooders player in nine years to pick the Buckeyes, with at least one signing all nine years. The streak started with eventual Heisman Trophy-winning quarterback Troy Smith in 2002. "It feels good to be the guy to keep that pipeline going, because I know how much of an impact Ohio State has had on this school, and I know how much Glenville has done for Ohio State," Bryant said. "It's great just to be acknowledged as one of those guys who could."..."
Scouting Report: Bryant is an aggressive corner with the knack for making big plays. He is comfortable playing on an island and has the feet, hips and instincts to succeed there. He has good anticipation and likes to jump routes, although he can be overaggressive at times. He also does not have great height, but does have excellent ball skills. - Allen Trieu (Source: Scout.com)
Rankings: He is rated as the No. 11 overall senior prospect in Ohio, according to Ohio High magazine/JJHuddle.com. Also rated as the No. 9 overall prospect in the state, according to The Ohio Football Recruiting News. ESPN Scouts Inc. rates Bryant as the nation’s 35th-best safety. SuperPrep considers Bryant as an All-American, ranking him as the 27th-best prospect in the Midwest and the nation’s No. 35 defensive back. (source: Bucknuts.com)
GA DB Bradley Roby is a Buckeye Suwanee (GA)
Peachtree Ridge's Bradley Roby became the 16th member of the 2010 recruiting class, which multiple sources confirmed Wednesday (1/13/10). "I've known for a while that Ohio State was the place for me, and I told both schools today of my decision." Roby, who made an official visit to Ohio State this past weekend, and Cameron Heyward are both from the same hometown and the two families are friends. Roby's mother actually went to the Rose Bowl with Heyward's mom. "They might as well be sisters and are always talking and going to sports events with each other." While a number of schools wanted him as a WR, he will be a DB for the Buckeyes. Roby, who is 6' 176lbs, has blazing speed and has been timed (hand held) at 4.29 in the 40. Roby was recruited as a wide receiver by many programs but will play cornerback at Ohio State and could make an immediate impact on special teams. He is the first defensive back commit in the class of 2010. Bradley had offers and interest from Auburn, Boston College, Georgia, Indiana, Maryland, Mississippi, Purdue, South Carolina, Vanderbilt, Wake Forest and West Virginia among others. Welcome aboard, Bradley!
Roby Makes The Switch January 13, 2010 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "...Formerly a Vanderbilt commitment, Roby (6-1, 171) received an Ohio State offer in December and spoke at the time about considering opening his recruitment. Roby attends Suwanee (Ga.) Peachtree Ridge, the same high school as OSU defensive lineman Cameron Heyward..."
Scouting Report: Athlete is the first word that comes to mind when thinking about Roby. He can run, he can catch, and he has a good amount of potential on the football. What can he be in four to five years? It is clear that he is fast, but it is not clear just how good of wideout he is due to the system he plays in. He does need to work on sharpening up his routes and he needs to work attacking the ball in the air instead of letting it come into his body. (Source: Scout.com)
Vital Statistics: As a senior, Roby recorded 40 tackles and six interceptions including two returned for touchdowns. He also caught 26 passes for 570 yards (21.9 average) and five touchdowns. As a junior in 2008, Roby caught 29 passes for 500 yards and five touchdowns. He projects as a cornerback with the Buckeyes. He comes from the same high school as current Buckeye defensive end Cameron Heyward. (Source: Bucknuts.com)
Mammoth defensive lineman Johnathon Hankins picks Bucks Detroit (MI) Southeastern HS defensive tackle Johnathon Hankins committed to play for Ohio StateTuesday (1/5/10) at halftime of his high school's basketball game "I talk to coach [Jim] Tressel a lot. Being with him, he'll lead me the right way. It feels great," he said of his decision, "Coach Tressel and the coaching staff and the players have a good relationship and I feel like I can be that. I can play for them for four years and after the four years, I can still depend on them." Hankins, who is 6 feet 3, 320 pounds but quick, was an All-City selection. During his senior season, he recorded 80 tackles and 18 sacks and as a junior he made 87 tackles (13 for loss) and had five sacks. He started at offensive tackle and defensive tackle. ESPN's Adam Rittenberg wrote: "Hankins is a big get for the Buckeyes, not only because of the position he plays, but because of the teams vying for his services." Hankins had offers from Alabama, Florida, Oklahoma, Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, Minnesota, Virginia and many others. Welcome aboard, Johnathon!
Defensive tackle picks OSU January 6, 2010 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Johnathan Hankins said all along he was leaning toward Ohio State. Yesterday the massive defensive tackle from Detroit (Southeastern) fell the Buckeyes' way, becoming the 16th commitment to the 2010 recruiting class. It might be considered a slight victory over Michigan and Florida, among the other schools that had offered him, but Hankins had been waiting for a while to commit to OSU. "I like the coaches, and the players down there, and the feel of the campus," Hankins said. "Another key thing is it is close to home."..."
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Scouting Report: For a big bodied kid, he gets off the ball well and is able to get good penetration. Does a solid job of staying low and has good strength. Does a solid job of recognizing plays and getting to the ball. Conditioning and stamina are areas he will have to improve in. (Source: Scout.com)
Rankings: Hankins is rated as the nation’s 49th-best defensive tackle by ESPN Scouts Inc. SuperPrep ranks him as the 33rd-best prospect in the Midwest and the ninth-best prospect in Michigan. The Detroit News ranks Hankins as the No. 5 prospect in Michigan. (Source: Bucknuts.com)
Columbus QB Reed Commits Columbus (OH) Marion Franklin QB Verlon Reed became the 15th member of the 2010 recruiting class when he committed to the Buckeyes Wednesday (12/16/09). Reed, who got the offer from OSU a couple of weeks ago and had an official visit to OSU last weekend, said: "This is a dream come true for me. I've wanted to do this my whole life," Reed said. "I'm a quarterback who can run very well. I've been mistaken as an athlete playing quarterback." The 6'2" dual-threat quarterback, who runs a 4.5 forty, passed for 1,548 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for 1,395 yards and 18 touchdowns during the 2009 season. He also started at safety and punted. Verlon had offers and interest from Syracuse, Kent State, Bowling Green, Toledo and others. Welcome aboard, Verlon!
Assured of shot at QB, Reed picks Buckeyes December 17, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...Verlon Reed always dreamed of playing for Ohio State, but he also was determined he would play quarterback in college. He would have none of this recruited as an athlete stuff. So once he got coach Jim Tressel's word that he would get a fair shot to play quarterback with the Buckeyes, Reed's future was determined. The Marion-Franklin standout committed to the 2010 recruiting class yesterday..."For him to play quarterback at Ohio State, he has to be a leader, he has to be a winner, and he has to be able to make all the throws," (Marion Franklin) Red Devils coach Brian Haffele said. "He can make any throw on the field. People who question that haven't seen him throw a football."..."
Scouting Report: A good high school quarterback who could remain at the position, but projects to the secondary as well. Is a good athlete with great upside because of his size and athleticism. He will have to learn the ins and outs of the safety position, but has the requisite physical tools to make the move. - Allen Trieu (Source: Scout.com)
Vital Statistics: As a senior, Reed led Marion-Franklin to an 11-3 record as the Red Devils made it to the Division II state semifinals. Reed passed for over 1,500 yards and 18 touchdowns and rushed for over 1,250 yards and 19 touchdowns. He was a first-team All-Ohio pick as a quarterback in D-II. As a junior, Reed passed for 1,200 yards and rushed for 700. He completed close to 70 percent of his passes and connected for 15 touchdowns with just four interceptions. He has been selected for the Ohio All-Star Classic April 23 at Ohio Stadium. Reed may rep some at quarterback, but he likely projects as a defensive back at Ohio State. (Source: Bucknuts.com)
Top PA Athlete Brown Committs Corey Brown, four star athlete and the #3 ranked player in PA and, committed to the Buckeyes' Class of 2010 during his visit this weekend. The Springfield (PA) Cardinal O'Hara standout, according to Rivals.com, is: "naturally fast and explosive. He can hit his highest gear very quickly and can really ride out. Brown is a versatile player that could play numerous positions" and rates his speed "as good as it gets." He runs a 4.44 forty. When asked what he liked the most, Brown said, "Just everything about the whole visit. The game was great. I had a great time." Brown has been a varsity starter since his freshman season when he rushed for 500 yards. He gained 1200 yards and scored 16 times his sophomore season and also had 200 receiving yards. Corey had offers and interest from Penn State, Florida, Alabama, Michigan State, West Virginia, Miami-FL, Pittsburgh, Colorado, Rutgers and others. Welcome aboard, Corey!
Brown Becomes Verbal No. 13 September 13, 2009 Source: Bucknuts - "...He is off to a great start to his senior year. In his team’s opener last week (a 35-14 win over Archbishio Wood), Brown had 16 carries for 164 yards and three touchdowns. On Friday, his team moved to 2-0 with a 41-6 rout of Philadelphia Germantown. He did a bit of everything with 22 carries for 109 yards and a touchdown, four catches for 42 yards and a score and an interception...."
ESPN Evaluation: Brown is a wonderful athlete blessed with speed and change-of-direction skills. He splits duties at running back and wide receiver, but his speed, build and ball skills will land him at wide receiver at the next level. Has adequate height and a lean frame. Displays explosive speed and quickness both...(Source: ESPN.com)
Scouting Report: Brown is a back whose skill set I liken to Reggie Bush. He is very dangerous outside the tackle box, has great speed and frankly, projects as a wide receiver as much as a running back to the next level. Can be very elusive in the open field and has excellent hands. Truly an “athlete” that can be used in many different ways to get production out of. Struggles running between the tackles and will have to put on weight. - Matt Alkire (Source: Scout.com)
Cleveland WR Tyrone Williams Will Be A Buckeye Tyrone Williams, the #1 rated WR in the State of Ohio, has committed to Ohio State's Class of 2010 and becomes the 12th member of that class and the second wide receiver. Williams, who attends East Cleveland Shaw HS and is 6'7" 217lbs, said: "Ohio State has it all; they have great coaches. I couldn't wait, I spoke to Coach Jim Tressel today and told him I wanted to be a Buckeye." His HS Head Coach Rodney Brown said: "He is dominating." The four star WR had scholarship offers from a number of schools including West Virginia, Kansas, Cincinnati, Michigan State, Illinois, Akron and others. Welcome aboard, Tyrone!
ESPN's Take On New OSU Commitment August 30, 2009 Source: Bucknuts - "Here is what Billy Tucker of ESPN.com had to say about the newest OSU commitment: The Buckeyes signed a great possession/red zone receiver last year in Duron Carter (Fort Lauderdale, Fla./St. Thomas Aquinas), and they just received a commitment from another sure-handed outside target for the future. Williams has awesome size; is built more like a power forward and an Ohio State hardwood recruit than a receiver. He could end up as a tight end or H-back in Columbus if his large frame continues to physically develop...has a very large wingspan to go along with his awesome height and he knows how to utilize both to create mismatches on the jump-ball versus smaller defensive backs...he has matching athleticism, body control and coordination. Williams is very athletic and consistently adjust his body naturally to come down with the difficult grab. He will surprise you with his top-end speed as well...Williams may need some refinement but he has very impressive physical tools for the Buckeye’s coaching staff to mold and develop...Williams is the sixth four star prospect for Ohio State's 2010 class which landed in the top-10 on our most recent class rankings..."
Shaw's Williams chooses OSU August 30, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Imagine 6-6 quarterback Terrelle Pryor throwing lob passes to 6-7 wideout Tyrone Williams in the back of the Ohio State end zone. Buckeyes fans can begin the fantasy now. "He's the best quarterback I've ever seen in college, and he's really fast, too," Williams said. "I looking forward to catching balls from him." Williams (6-7, 215), a wide receiver at Shaw High School in East Cleveland, made an oral commitment to Ohio State on Saturday. He has grown almost two inches and put on more than 15 pounds since the start of last season. He is taller than any wideout playing at or committed to OSU. Shaw coach Rodney Brown said Ohio State coaches promised not to make Williams a tight end..."
Scouting Report: Tall lanky receiver with the ability to cause match-up problems in the Red Zone. Shows above average body control and solid hands, must work on strength and show durability to be a big-time player at the college level. Midwest Recruiting Analyst Dave Berk (Source: Scout.com)
Rankings: He is rated as the No. 7 overall senior prospect in Ohio, according to Ohio High magazine/JJHuddle.com. Also rated as the No. 11 overall prospect in the state, according to The Ohio Football Recruiting News. ESPN Scouts Inc. is picked as the nation’s No. 34 wide receiver prospect. SuperPrep ranks him as the 35th-best prospect in the Midwest. (Source: Bucknuts.com)
Hagan Commits to the Buckeyes Canonsburg (PA) Canon-McMillan defensive back Chad Hagan is newest Buckeye commit, the 11th verbal in the Class of 2010. Hagan had been to OSU a number of times and today (Aug 6) he met with assistants Luke Fickell and Paul Haynes before meeting with Coach Tressel and giving him the good news. "I committed to coach Tressel and he was pretty excited," Chad said. He went on: "I love the school. It’s just awesome." Hagan, who is 6'1" 230lb, runs a 4.3 40. He played free safety and running back during his junior season and had scholarship offers from Wisconsin, Michigan, Illinois, North Carolina State, Syracuse, Buffalo and others. Welcome aboard, Chad!
Hagan Makes It 11 For Buckeyes August 6, 2009 Source: Bucknuts - "Chad Hagan visited Ohio State this afternoon and things could not have gone any better. 'I'm on my way home now,' Hagan told Bucknuts.com. 'I was there for about an hour and a half. Everything went well. I committed...I like their tradition, and I like how the coaches react with the players.' Hagan...met with Jim Tressel in Tressel’s office. 'That was the first time I’ve been in his office,' Hagan said. 'It's ridiculous. Coach Tressel was showing me their Big Ten and National Championship rings. He said he needed me to help get some more of those. I told him I was ready to do that. He was ecstatic. He was really excited.'...Kurelic’s Comment: In landing Hagan, the Buckeyes have a big, hard-hitting safety who can run. Hagan has the potential to be an impact safety for the Bucks. He could play either strong or free safety for the Buckeyes.
Vital Statistics: As a senior in 2009, Hagan rushed for 630 yards (7.5 yards per carry) and seven touchdowns, and added over 50 tackles defensively. That was despite missing two games at the beginning of the year while waiting for doctors to clear him because of his heart condition. He played safety and running back during his junior season. Hagan made 63 tackles and rushed for 800 yards and 12 touchdowns. He projects as a safety at OSU. (Source: Bucknuts.com)
FL WR Is A Buckeye James Louis a four star wide receiver from Delray Beach (FL) has pledged to join the Buckeyes. He is the first WR in the class of 2010 and is verbal commitment No. 10. The speedy wideout, who runs a 4.45 40, caught 56 passes for 1,128 yards as a junior while earning third-team all-state honors. He becomes the first wide receiver to join the '10 class. He is ranked the No. 26 wideout in the country by Scout and Rivals lists him as the 31st best. 'I know they run a good program because I have a couple relatives that have gone to Ohio State and I've got a couple coaches that actually played for Ohio State and they tell me good things about it,' Louis said. One of those coaches that has worked with Louis is former Ohio State wide receiver Cris Carter, who coaches at nearby St. Thomas Aquinas. Louis had over 40 scholarship offers including from Alabama, Florida, Georgia, LSU, Mississippi, Virginia Tech, Oregon, Pittsburgh, South Carolina, Tennessee, West Virginia, Florida State, Miami and North Carolina. Welcome aboard, Louis!
Under Armour All-American Louis Commits To Ohio State July 29, 2009 Source: Bucknuts - "...according to Atlantic coach Andre Thaddies. 'He said he committed,' Thaddies said. 'And I’ve talked to (Ohio State assistant) coach Taver Johnson.' The 5-foot-11 and 180-pound Louis was a varsity starter at running back his freshman season at Boca Raton Olympic Heights. He transferred to Atlantic prior to his sophomore season. Louis caught 32 passes his sophomore year for 420 yards and five touchdowns. He had a huge junior season catching 58 passes for 1,100 yards and 12 touchdowns. Louis had over 30 scholarship offers including Ohio State, Florida State, LSU, Georgia and Virginia Tech before picking the Buckeyes...Louis is one of the top prospects in the talent rich Sunshine State. His commitment marks the second year in a row the Bucks have landed a top wide receiver from the state of Florida. (Video) "
Scouting Report: Athlete is the perfect description for Louis. Louis has very good feet, he has great acceleration, and he is only going to get bigger and stronger in the coming years. He has a nice frame to add weight while maintaining his speed in college. He gets a lot of yards after the catch in high school and should do the same in college. Needs work on his hips getting in and out of his routes and really just his overall route running. (Source: Scout.com)
Rankings: Louis is rated as a national top-150 prospect by ESPN Scouts Inc. That site ranks him as the nation’s No. 80 prospect overall and also as the nation’s 12th-best wide receiver. SuperPrep considers Louis as an All-American, ranking him as the 23rd-best prospect in Florida and the nation’s No. 34 wide receiver. (Source: Bucknuts.com)
Baldwin Is A Buckeye Darryl Baldwin, a 6'6" 250lib defensive lineman, who also plays tight end, from Solon (OH) Solon issued his verbal commitment to join the Ohio State Class of 2010 today. One of the first players to land an offer from OSU, he was believed to have always had OSU as his top choice, although he was widely recruited. Baldwin although a defensive end could move to defensive tackle or even tight end. Baldwin had offers from Penn State, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Illinois, West Virginia and Cincinnati in addition to interest and offers from many other schools. Welcome aboard, Darryl!
Tressel Lands Another Top Ohioan July 19, 2009 Source: Bucknuts - "Dominating the state of Ohio is always Jim Tressel's first goal in recruiting. He did so last year and with another top in-state prospect saying yes to the Buckeyes today, Tressel has added another key piece to his 2010 recruiting puzzle...Baldwin had dozens of scholarship offers...'He called Coach Tressel and told him he is going to go to Ohio State,' said Solon coach Jim McQuaide. 'Everyone is excited. He also told the other coaches his decision. He's excited to be going to Ohio State.' Baldwin becomes verbal commitment No. 9 in an Ohio State recruiting class that will likely number at least 18 come national signing day...Baldwin is the No. 5 prospect in the state of Ohio in the Ohio Football Recruiting News Rankings. In addition to having outstanding size, Baldwin moves very well. He ran the 40-yard dash in 4.75 to 4.78 seconds at Ohio State's Advanced Camp on June 26..."
Scouting Report: Has ideal size. Great height and has a relatively nice build already. He can really move for a kid his size. He has good athleticism and feet. He does a good job of getting off the ball and gets around blockers, although he could do a better job of shedding. He also needs some development as a pass rusher, including adding more go-to moves to his repitoire. - Allen Trieu (Source: Scout.com)
Rankings: He is rated as the No. 5 overall senior prospect in Ohio, according to Ohio High magazine/JJHuddle.com. Also rated as the No. 5 overall prospect in the state, according to The Ohio Football Recruiting News. Baldwin is rated as a national top-150 prospect by ESPN Scouts Inc. That site ranks him as the nation’s No. 131 prospect overall and also as the nation’s 13th-best defensive end. SuperPrep considers Baldwin as an All-American, ranking him as the 19th-best prospect in the Midwest and the nation’s No. 46 defensive end. (Source: Bucknuts.com)
Drew Basil is a Buckeye Kicker/Punter Drew Basil, Chillicothe (OH) Chillicothe, committed to the Buckeyes yesterday, July 2, 2009, and becomes the 8th member of the Class of 2010. Basil said: "Out of all the visits that I had this one just surpassed them all. The other campuses all had good points, but Ohio State had everything. I have always dreamed about being a Buckeye. The offer meant a little more to me when I got it. I am still going to work with Tim Williams (former OSU kicker Tim Williams 1990-1993) and he was pretty excited for me." Former 2 time consensus All-American as both place-kicker and punter Chris Sailer, now one of the top kicking and punting coaches in the world said about Basil, "Drew is an outstanding kicker. He has a great leg and gets great lift on his ball. Has proven that he is one of the very best in his class. Perhaps the top combo player in the nation. Hard working young man with a great attitude." Basil had offers and interest from schools including Air Force, Purdue, Cincinnati, Kentucky, which would have multiplied significantly if not for his commitment. Welcome aboard, Drew!
Chillicothe punter commits to Ohio State July 3, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Drew Basil, a kicker-punter from Chillicothe, toured Ohio State yesterday, then became the eighth commitment to the 2010 recruiting class. 'I grew up as an Ohio State fan, and my parents and I had talked about (the possibility of committing) before today,' Basil said. 'But the tour I got, it just made us say 'wow' even more.' Basil, 6 feet 2 and 190 pounds, told coach Jim Tressel his decision in person..."
Scouting Report: Kicker and punter who shows a strong leg and accuracy. Will need to work on angle awareness at the college level but has all the tools to handle kicks and punts at the college level.(Source: Scout.com)
Vital Statistics: Basil earned second-team All-Ohio honors in Division III as a senior. He made 7 of 11 field goals during his senior season with a long of 47 yards. He connected on 13 of 13 extra points. Basil averaged 62.1 yards on his 22 kickoffs and had 15 touchbacks. He also had 56 punts and averaged 38 yards per boot. His long punt was 58 yards and eight of his punts were downed inside the 20-yard line. Basil made 8 of 14 field goals during his junior season with a long of 50 yards. He averaged 40.2 yards per punt. Basil had 23 of his kickoffs result in touchbacks. During his sophomore season Basil was 5 of 5 on field goals with a long of 38 yards. He made 24 of 26 extra points. Basil punted 47 times, averaging 33.6 yards per boot. (Source: Bucknuts.com)
RB Roderick Smith Commits to the Buckeyes Roderick Smith from Fort Wayne (IN) Harding committed to OSU on Wednesday July 1. "I love everything about Ohio State" Smith said. The four-star running back, ranked as the No. 6 running back in his class by Scout.com and the No. 5 running back by Rivals.com, combines speed, strength and elusiveness on the field. He finished his junior season with 1,685 yards rushing and 15 touchdowns and during his three-year career has rushed for 5,285 yards. The 6'2" 217lb Smith had offers and interest from many schools including Georgia, Iowa, Michigan, Michigan State, Oklahoma, Purdue, Notre Dame, Tennessee, Texas and Arkansas. Welcome aboard, Roderick!
Hawks RB commits to Ohio State July 3, 2009 Source: Fort Wayne Journal Gazette - "Harding running back Rod Smith knows when he's wanted. He also knows where he fits best. On Wednesday, (he) committed to play for Ohio State in 2010...The decision came during an unofficial visit to Columbus, where Smith watched a summer workout and met with head coach Jim Tressel and running backs coach Dick Tressel...Smith's father Roger Smith accompanied him during the visit. 'They're an established team,' Roger Smith said. 'He'll get a good workout not only on the field, but he'll have good academics as well, which is the most important thing."...Ohio State has been a favorite of his since the Buckeyes were impressed by Smith at a 7-on-7 camp as a freshman. 'It's a place where I can improve my skills,' Smith said. 'It's a place I'm going to work harder than I ever have before.'..."
Smith Is A Buckeye July 1, 2009 Source: Buckeye Sports - "The Ohio State Buckeyes got their man on Wednesday when four-star running back Roderick Smith issued a verbal commitment to join their class of 2010...'Just the coaches are great,' he said about OSU. 'Me and the coaches have a great chemistry together. They're easy to talk to. I got a chance to hang out with the players and that was all I needed. That about sealed it.' As for spending time with Pryor, Smith said, 'He's cool. It's cool knowing that he's a big-time college player. I'm glad I'll get a chance to play with him.' Smith's final choice came down to the Buckeyes and Michigan State..."
Scouting Report: Fantastically productive high school runner. Has outstanding size and has rare athleticism for a kid with his frame. Fluid kid who glides on the field and can make cuts while going full speed. He's a long strider who can break longer runs. He shows good blocking and receiving ability as well. He does run high and will need to add some weight, particularly in the lower body and that will help him as a between the tackles runner. - Allen Trieu (Source: Scout.com)
Rankings: Smith is rated as a national top-150 prospect by ESPN.com. That site ranks him as the nation’s No. 56 prospect overall and also as the nation’s seventh-best cornerback. SuperPrep considers Smith as an All-American, ranking him as the 11th-best prospect in the Midwest and the nation’s No. 11 running back. (Source: Bucknuts.com)
Taylor Graham Commits to the Buckeyes Wheaton, IL QB Taylor Graham, "one of the fastest rising stars in the Midwest" has committed to OSU and the Class of 2010. "I committed to Ohio State (on Monday)," Graham said. "I wanted to call the other coaches who were recruiting me and let them know beforehand and didn't want them reading it over the internet." The 6-foot-4, 211lb signal caller already had offers and interest from many schools including UCLA, Michigan State, Wisconsin, Arkansas, Colorado, Duke, Iowa and Indiana. Welcome aboard, Taylor!
Kent Graham's QB son commits to class of 2010 June 24, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "Taylor Graham figures becoming an Ohio State football player was meant to be. He was born in the Ohio State Medical Center on July 31, 1991, less than two months before his father, Kent Graham, would become starting quarterback for the Buckeyes. 'I was born overlooking the stadium,' Taylor Graham said yesterday. 'If that isn't a little sneak peek into my future, I don't know what is.' Not that he based his commitment to the OSU recruiting class of 2010 solely on that episode, or on family ties. But when OSU coach Jim Tressel called with a scholarship offer last week, Graham -- a senior-to-be from Wheaton (North), Ill., also the same high school as his father -- knew exactly where he wanted to be. 'I really felt like Ohio State was the right fit for me,' Taylor Graham said. 'I felt like it had some very good options, and the other schools that were offering me (Wisconsin, UCLA, Michigan State and Iowa, to name a few), they all could have been good fits, too. But it's always been a dream of mine to play at Ohio State.'..."
Scouting Report: Has prototypical size for the position. He stands tall in the pocket, has good mechanics and has solid arm strength, although adding velocity is something which could really help him in college. He is accurate and throws the ball on time, displaying the ability to hit receivers in stride. He makes quick decisions, showing good football acumen. He is not a running quarterback by any stretch, but does show the ability to throw on the move. (Source: Scout.com)
Rankings: Graham is rated as the nation’s 97th-best quarterback by ESPN Scouts Inc. SuperPrep ranks him as the 52nd-best prospect in the Midwest and the 12th-best prospect in Illinois. (Source: Bucknuts.com)
Cleveland Linebacker Says Yes to Ohio State Scott McVey, of Cleveland St. Ignatius, a 6-1, 217lb linebacker with 4.5 40 speed, who has been high on the Buckeyes since receiving an offer after leading the Wildcats to an Ohio Division I title, became the fifth verbal for the Class of 2010. He has been a starter since his sophomore season and had offers and interest from many schools including Notre Dame, Michigan, Michigan State, Boston College, Iowa, West Virginia and Stanford. Welcome aboard, Scott!
Scott McVey of St. Ignatius gives oral commitment to Ohio State April 24, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "Ohio State's spring game brought a fifth commitment for the Class of 2010 today. Linebacker Scott McVey of St. Ignatius said he told Jim Tressel around noon that he wanted to play for the Buckeyes. McVey is one of several future Buckeyes on hand in Ohio Stadioum for today's Scarlet and Gray game. McVey said he made his decision about a week ago. 'I was always an Ohio State fan," McVey said. "I always wanted to play here, but I wanted to have an open mind, too.'..."
Scouting Report: McVey made a name for himself his junior season helping his team win a state title. While he lacks the size many look for his toughness and instincts give him the ability to hit the hole and blowup plays making him a force to be reckoned with. Smart player and leader who should be a solid player in college. – Midwest Recruiting Analyst Dave Berk (Source: Scout.com)
Rankings: He is rated as the No. 12 overall senior prospect in Ohio, according to Ohio High magazine/JJHuddle.com. Also rated as the No. 7 overall prospect in the state, according to The Ohio Football Recruiting News. McVey is rated as the nation’s 18th-best inside linebacker by ESPN Scouts Inc. SuperPrep considers McVey as an All-American, ranking him as the 24th-best prospect in the Midwest and the nation’s No. 24 linebacker. (Source: Bucknuts.com)
Texas Linebacker Says Yes to Ohio State Outside linebacker David Durham of Austin (TX) Westlake became the fourth player to commit to OSU's Class of 2010. The 6'3" 228lb linebacker said: "I just fell in love with Ohio State when I went up there and decided that is where I wanted to be. They have great academics, great facilities, and the best coaching staff in the nation and the best environment for college football that you can find anywhere." He already had offers and interest from many schools including West Virginia, Virginia, Texas A & M, Wisconsin, Illinois and Vanderbilt. Welcome aboard, David!
Linebacker from Texas commits February 24, 2009 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "David Durham from Austin, Texas, committed to Ohio State. The 6-foot-3, 235-pound pass-rusher -- he had 11 sacks last season for a team that made it to Texas' big-school quarterfinals -- became the fourth member of the 2010 OSU class. He had no misgivings, either, even if his high school is a 20-minute drive from the University of Texas, which edged OSU in the Fiesta Bowl on Jan. 5. 'I see myself as being more of a Big Ten kind of player," said Durham, projected as a hybrid defensive end/linebacker such as Ohio State's Thaddeus Gibson.'..."
Michigan fan helps out Buckeyes February 24, 2009 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "How does a Michigan fan wind up dropping a football recruit into the hands of Ohio State? Pat O'Harra grew up in a Michigan family in Columbus, puffing out his chest during the Wolverines' domination of the Buckeyes through the John Cooper era. He actually graduated from Ohio State but never lost his love of the maize and blue...A former teacher and middle school wrestling coach in the Columbus suburb of Grandview Heights, O'Harra helped start a wrestling program at Westlake High School in Austin, Texas, and in late January the coach brought his team to a high school wrestling event near Columbus..."
Durham Is A Buckeye February 23, 2009 Source: BuckeyeSports.com - "Ohio State picked up its fourth verbal commitment for the class of 2010 when Texas linebacker David Durham landed a scholarship offer Feb. 23. Find out how he got the offer and what he thinks about becoming a Buckeye in this report..."
Rankings: Durham is rated as the nation’s 33rd-best defensive end by ESPN Scouts Inc. SuperPrep considers Durham as an All-American, ranking him as the seventh-best prospect in North Carolina and the nation’s No. 12 linebacker. (Source: Bucknuts.com)
Lineman Norwell Commits to the Buckeyes Cincinnati (OH) Anderson lineman Andrew Norwell became the third junior to join the Class of 2010. The five star 6'7", 273lb OT, ranked in the top five nationally by numerous scouting services, was a first-team All-Ohio Division II selection last season while leading Anderson to the state championship game. The year before, Anderson won the Division II crown. Scout's Dave Berk writes about him: "Great size with the tenacity and aggresiveness you see from players on the defensive side of the ball. Has great body control using great technique in both run blocking and pass blocking. Really hard to find a weakness in his overall game." He had interest and offers from dozens of schools including Stanford, Notre Dame, Illinois, Indiana, Duke and Cincinnati. Welcome aboard, Andrew!
Norwell Gives Bucks More Good News February 4, 2009 Source: Bucknuts - "Junior offensive lineman Andrew Norwell has given the Ohio State coaching staff more reason to celebrate today as the star tackle has committed to Ohio State. Anderson is the third Top 10 Ohio class of 2010 prospect to commit to the Buckeyes...Anderson, who runs the 40-yard dash in 5.3 seconds, is a devastating run blocker from his left tackle position. He is also outstanding in pass protection and has not allowed a sack in two varsity seasons..."
Scouting Report: Norwell is the type of player college football coaches dream of. While he still needs to work on pass protection he's advanced compared to many. Great size with the tenacity and aggresiveness you see from players on the defensive side of the ball. Has great body control using great technique in both run blocking and pass blocking. Really hard to find a weakness in his overall game. -- Midwest Analyst Dave Berk (Source: Scout.com)
Rankings: He is rated as the No. 2 overall senior prospect in Ohio, according to Ohio High magazine/JJHuddle.com. Also rated as the No. 2 overall prospect in the state, according to The Ohio Football Recruiting News. ESPN Scouts Inc. rates Norwell as the nation’s No. 13 offensive line prospect. SuperPrep considers Adams as an All-American, ranking him as the eighth-best prospect in the Midwest and the nation’s No. 10 offensive lineman. (Source: Bucknuts.com)
Jamel Turner Commits to OSU The Buckeyes have landed a huge prize, grabbing a commitment from the No. 1 junior in the state of Ohio, Youngstown (OH) Ursuline's sack machine Jamel Turner. Turner is a top five prospect in Ohio's class of 2010 talent. Had 23 sacks as a sophomore, winning first-team All-Ohio honors in Division V. Scout's writes: "Turner is a 'tweener defensive end / outside linebacker who would make an ideal OLB in a 3-4 defense. Is tall, well-built with a long body that hints of great physical upside. Utilizes his high-cut frame and good acceleration to cover a lot of ground as vertical attacker. Overall, shows coveted range as a perimeter defender and good backside chase speed. Utilizes his long wingspan effectively locking out and separating blockers at the point attack. Can be difficult to seal and reach as an edge player." The highly coveted recruit had interest and offers from dozens of schools including Michigan, Notre Dame, Nebraska, Illinois, Michigan State, Wisconsin and Stanford. Welcome aboard, Jamel!
Bucknuts TV and Photos: Top Ohio Junior Turner Picks OSU December 16, 2008 Source: Bucknuts - "'I have talked to coach (Jim) Tressel and let him know I will attend Ohio State University,' Turner said. 'I spoke to coach Tressel about a week ago. He was very excited. I plan to go down to their junior day this Saturday. I'm very excited.' The 6-foot-2 and 215-pound Turner led Ursuline to a 15-0 record this season which included a 21-0 victory over Findlay Liberty-Benton in the Division V state championship game. In that contest Turner had seven and a half tackles and one and a half sacks. In two seasons Turner has 40 plus sacks including 23 when he was a sophomore. It is no surprise he has drawn interest from schools all over the country. Turner had over a dozen scholarship offers...'It's my home school and I'll be playing in front of my family,' Turner said. 'Most likely I'll play outside linebacker and maybe drop into coverage some.' ..."
Recruit turns his life around away from home February 2, 2010 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...Saddled with a rough family background and struggling with inner-city life, Turner eventually was kicked off the Ursuline basketball team and declared academically ineligible to play sports. It took some caring coaches and a detour to a military academy to get him back on track. Two-and-a-half years after that 2007 scrimmage, Turner seems to have his life in order. He will sign a letter of intent with Ohio State on Wednesday and arrive in Columbus in June. "Sometimes in life, you have obstacles," Turner said. "We all make bad decisions and make mistakes, but it's what you do after that."..."
Scouting Report: Turner could be a defensive end or an outside linebacker. Gifted athletically, Turner has a high ceiling along with many questions. Great speed and change of direction ability help him make plays against lower level competition and some question how he’ll adjust to bigger and more talented players. Is Turner a track guy or will he show the willingness to do the work and become the player many feel he can be.-Midwest Recruiting Analyst Dave Berk (Source: Scout.com)
Vital Statistics: Turner was considered a top-five Ohio prospect at Youngstown Ursuline before transferring to Fork Union for his senior year due to academic concerns. As a senior, he helped Fork Union post a 7-4 record as he played at linebacker, defensive end and safety. He had 66 tackles with two sacks and two interceptions. In two previous years at Ursuline, he notched 40-plus sacks, including 23 as a sophomore. As a junior, he helped lead Ursuline to a 15-0 record and the Division V state title. He had 7-1/2 tackles and 1-1/2 sacks in the title game. He projects as a defensive end or outside linebacker at OSU. He also placed second at the state track meet in the hurdles as a sophomore. (Source: Bucknuts.com)
Moore Becomes Commitment No. 1 Youngstown (OH) Boardman's J.T. Moore, a 6'4" 221lb defensive end prospect, became OSU's 1st member of the Class of 2010. He plays defensive end and offensive lineman in high school, but will likely play a defensive end/linebacker spot in college, the end/linebacker hybrid spot that made Bobby Carpenter famous and that is now manned by Thaddeus Gibson. Moore said: “This past weekend I had a talk with my mom and my coaches. I wanted to be a Buckeye and my sister is pretty sure she’s going to be one too. I went down there a couple weekends ago and I saw the facilities. I liked the coaches and how people treat you down there. It was a great experience. It was no decision – I wanted to be an Ohio State Buckeye.” Although early in the recruiting process, he had interest and offers from many schools including Illinois, Michigan State and North Carolina. Welcome aboard, J.T.!
Moore Becomes Buckeyes' First 2010 Commitment September 11, 2008 Source: Bucknuts - "When Bucknuts.com learned on Friday that Youngstown (Ohio) Boardman defensive end J.T. Moore had received a written scholarship offer in the mail from Ohio State, we predicted Moore would become the Buckeyes' first 2010 commitment. Moore made it official today, giving Jim Tressel the good news. 'I just spoke to coach Tressel a little bit ago,' Moore said. 'He was happy to hear that I was committing and said he's getting ready for the (USC) game.' The 6-foot-3 and 230-pound Moore will join his teammate Corey Linsley at Ohio State. Linsley, a senior offensive lineman, committed to Ohio State at the end of April. 'I just like the people at Ohio State,' Moore said. 'I like the people, and the coaches are great. I like how everything is there. I always wanted to be a Buckeye. Everything is great there.'
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Scouting Report: Moore shows the ability to go down the line and make a play with his lateral quickness and body control. Does a good job in high school disengaging against smaller players with good explosion. While he shows quickness some question his straight line speed. (Source: Scout.com)
Rankings: He is rated as the No. 21 overall senior prospect in Ohio, according to Ohio High magazine/JJHuddle.com. Also rated as the No. 13 overall prospect in the state, according to The Ohio Football Recruiting News. SuperPrep ranks him as the 39th-best prospect in the Midwest. ESPN Scouts Inc. has Moore rated as the nation’s No. 56 defensive end prospect. (Source: Bucknuts.com)
Carlos Hyde is a Buckeye Naples' (FL) Carlos Hyde committed to the Buckeyes today (June 22) and became the 19th member of the Class of 2009. "I always liked Ohio State and I always wanted to be a Buckeye. When I went there for my visit, everything was perfect. I felt like it was the right place for me," Hyde stated. Although he lives with his grandmother and uncle in FL, Carlos grew up in Cincinnati, where his family still lives including his mother, father, grandfather, brother and sister. He rushed for 943 yards and scored 13 times during his junior season. Rated the # 2 FB in the nation by Rivals, he will be carrying the ball as a TB for the Buckeyes and is the big back the coaches were seeking. Hyde, who is 6'1" 236lb and runs the 40 in 4.5 seconds, has the ability to run through you or around you. The Naples HS star had offers and interest from more than twelve schools including Alabama, Auburn, Florida, Clemson, West Virginia, Miami-FL, Wisconsin, Florida State and South Florida. Welcome aboard, Carlos!
Buckeyes land running back from Florida June 22, 2008 Source: Columbus Dispatch - "...his mother Dermidra Hyde confirmed the news. 'He is very excited about this, and he's really looking forward to playing for Ohio State,' she said. 'All he could talk about was how nice and pretty the campus is and how he can't wait to be a Buckeye.' Hyde is a power back along the lines of current Buckeye Chris "Beanie" Wells, and recruiting analyst Bill Kurelic believes Hyde could slide into the void nicely should Wells opt to head for the NFL after his upcoming junior season..."
Vital Statistics: Hyde originally signed with OSU in 2009, but did not qualify academically and enrolled at FUMA. He played on the post-graduate team there this past fall, but missed several games with a deep thigh bruise. He enrolled at OSU for the start of winter quarter. As a senior at Naples, Fla., Hyde rushed for 1,656 yards and 16 touchdowns. He was first-team all-state and also won the Naples Daily News Broxson Award as the area player of the year. He is considered as either a tailback or fullback prospect. As a junior, Hyde rushed for 943 yards and 13 touchdowns as a junior. Has already enrolled at Ohio State.(Source: Bucknuts.com)
Analysis: Ohio State's recruiting haul is solid, if unspectacular February 3, 2010 Source: Cleveland Plain Dealer - "...THE FINAL GRADE
Ohio State’s 18-player recruiting class is smaller than most classes and suffers as a result in overall ratings. Overall, Ohio State was ranked No. 20 by Scout and No. 26 by Rivals. But going by the average rating of each player, Ohio State was ranked No. 7 by Scout and tied for 14th by Rivals. Two players, No. 59 Andrew Norwell and No. 65 Roderick Smith, were ranked among the top 100 players in the nation by Rivals.
...Generally acknowledged as the third-best class in the Big Ten behind Penn State...a class that features three receivers, three defensive backs and three defensive ends, among others, Cincinnati offensive tackle Andrew Norwell is the only offensive lineman..."I think whenever you decide to go after good guys, there's going to be great competition," Tressel said. "At the end of the day, the thing you don't want to happen is for someone to end up picking you and feeling as if they made a mistake and it wasn't the right place for them."...Not much buzz. But not so bad."
Ohio State 2010 Signing Day Analysis
Tressel talks about class of 2010 Source: BuckeyeGrove.com
The Staff Introducing the Class of 2010 February 5, 2010 Source: Eleven Warriors - The Ohio State coaching staff decided to shake things up a bit at this year’s Signing Day press conference. Instead of the traditional presser in which The Senator gets up and discusses the newest members of the Buckeye family, Tressel had nine of his assistant coaches each introduce two players of the class. We were on hand to capture the words of wisdom about each of the 18 members of the recruiting class of 2010, and without further ado, here are the videos..."
Meet the newest Buckeyes February 4, 2010 Source: Columbus Dispatch - Capsules on each member of the Buckeyes' 2010 Class...
Top 25 Capsules February 3, 2010 Source: Scout.com
#20 Ohio State Buckeyes
Avg. Stars: 3.61 - 1 Five Star; 9 Four Star; 8 Three Star
Headliner: #2 OT Andrew Norwell - Cincinnati, Ohio
Ohio State Signing Day Capsules Big Ten Rankings: 3 Ohio State
February 3, 2010 Source: OSU Official Site - "Eighteen of the nation’s top high school football players have signed to play at The Ohio State University, Coach Jim Tressel announced this afternoon."
