After a momentous day for Buckeye football, and after a few frosty beverages, here’s the staff’s reflections on the epic 2013 recruiting class!

Charles Brought Us A New Table!

Who’s the player on offense/defense who will make the biggest impact during his career at OSU?

Ken: Mike Mitchell. I think he has potential to have a Spielman/Katzenmoyer type career at OSU

WVa: Offense: I am going to go with one that has been in the fold for a good bit. Jalin Marshall is the guy I see coming in right away and contributing and will have a great career in Scarlet and Gray.

Defense: Tracy Sprinkle is my guy here. He looks to me to be the perfect fit to take over where Nathan Williams left off and really reminds me of my favorite Buckeye to come out of WV Darrion Scott. Good size and plays low and will show early what he has in that motor that never quits.

Tim: For me, the player who will make the biggest impact will be Cam Burrows. There is a question of whether he will play safety or corner at OSU, but wherever he finds himself playing, he will be an impact player on defense. His combination of size and speed could enable him to be a great one.

Jason: Jalin Marshall. All these kids have tremendous talent and endless possibilities, so I’ll put my eggs in the basket of the one who’s the best player in Ohio

Eric: The biggest impact defensively is likely going to be on the Defensive Line, where the Buckeyes are going to be making up the most ground.  A good freshman, like Joey Bosa, could step in and really make life easier for the defense.

Offensively, that’s a little trickier.  The answer is going to be whoever manages to fill the playmaker role for Urban Meyer the best.  It could be Ezekiel Elliott, James Clark, or Jalin Marshall.  It could also be any one of a dozen others who may prove to be extremely effective as a fast, shifty, playmaker.

Mali: I think that we’re going to see some amazing things from Dontre Wilson… I watch what DeAnthony Thomas does in Eugene, and what Harvin did with Meyer at Florida, and I can’t help but envision some fireworks from the moment he steps on campus.

I’m also excited to see what Chris Worley will bring to the table- a safety that hits like a linebacker, or a linebacker that can run with receivers… as the game gets faster, it’ll be great to have a counterpunch.

What new recruit will most likely see early playing time? Who redshirts? Read More

Tags: 2013 Recruiting, Cam Burrows, Chris Worley, Class of 2013, Corey Smith, Darrion Scott, Derrick Green, Dontre Wilson, Ezekiel Elliott, J.T. Barrett, Jalin Marshall, James Clark, Jaylon Smith, Joey Bosa, Michael Hill, Mike Heuerman, Mike Mitchell, Tim Gardner, Vonn Bell
Categories: Ohio State Football, Recruiting

The weekend was just another building block for Urban Meyer.  There were 50+ recruits in town that got to see a great environment, the coaches and players at an all time high in terms of excitement, and how close knit the team is.  In addition all the coaches and players showing respect for the seniors that will be leaving and the field littered with underclassmen making impacts all over the field.  So lets just say that all recruits were excited, they had a great time, enjoyed the game atmosphere, got to see Urban Meyer’s championship rings, and loved how everyone felt like it was a family atmosphere.

Now that we got that out of the way way we can talk about the information that really matters:

• The Glenville 3 (’13 Chris Worley, ’14 Marshon Lattimore and Marcelys Jones) were in town and will all be Bucks when the time is right
• WR and LB recruiting are clearly the two biggest positions that Urban Meyer and staff after after. At the WR position OH WR Shelton Gibson was in town and as we have said for the past couple months if all is in order in the classroom Shelton will be a Buckeye.  KY WR James Quick has said all the right things after his visit and I have penciled him in the class.  Urban Meyer is personally handling his recruitment and he doesn’t miss very often.  Juco WR Corey Smith was in town and the staff reaffirmed his OFFER, and encouraged him to revisit for an official in January and it sounds like Brown will take them up on that offer.  At this point I think that the staff would take all three and add to Jalin Marshall, Zeke Elliott, and Taivon Jacobs and be very happy with their offensive playmakers for the ’13 class. Read More

Tags: 2013 Recruiting, 2014 Recruiting, Cam Burrows, Chris Worley, Clifton Garrett, Corey Smith, Dante Booker, Darron Lee, DaShawn Hand, Jalen Hurd, Jamarco Jones, James Quick, Jayme Thompson, Kyle Berger, Marcelys Jones, Marshon Lattimore, Raekwon McMillen, Shelton Gibson, Skai Moore, Trey Johsnon
Categories: Recruiting

Thursday’s cup of Mulligatawny, carefully crafted for the best damn fans in the land… since you know how to ask. Fingers crossed for good weather on Saturday!

Mr. Romance, That's Me.

Buckeye 411

• We Talkin’ About Practice- Today’s event was open to the press, and was a bit less spirited than last week’s affair. Afterward, Coach Meyer said that this was pretty typical, given how hard the team had been working. Highlights included John Simon being John Simon, Jordan Hall making plays in space, Sabino doing a great job bringing pressure, and some standout opportunities from some of the younger Bucks, including a couple of great plays from new DL Chris Carter and Connor Crowell. We also are hearing solid things about Michael Bennett… Bennett, Hankins, Simon are going to be in a lot of offensive coordinators’ nightmares, methinks.
• Injury Update-  Lots of dings and nicks today: Shazier and C. Jones were out altogether with an illness, and Christian Bryant, Curtis Grant, CJ Barnett, and even Drew Basil were banged up. And that’s on top of the guys who have been rehabbing all spring: Storm Klein, Wood, Domicone, Nathan Williams, Reed, and Perry.
• Tie? Today’s practice ended in a “tie”, with no winners and no losers.  The coaching staff reminded each other that this is like kissing your sister… one more aspect of the SEC that Coach Meyer has brought to Columbus.
• Getting Drafty In Here- By the time you’re reading this, the football staff will have drafted teams for the Spring Game; Coach Hermann against Coach Fickell.  And the draft will not just include players, but athletic training staff, team secretaries, etc. We’ll have full coverage at tBBC once the lineups are announced.
• Format- Four 10 minute quarters. Clock will stop in 1st half. Running clock in 2nd half.
• Passing? Fancy!  Don’t expect the Spring Game to make Woody proud- the QB’s will be off limits for contact, and it will mostly be a passing scrimmage according to Coach Meyer.  He’s a bit worried, though, about the catching part of that exchange.
• N00bs- Coach Meyer said that Taylor Decker (who got time with the one’s today), Mike Thomas, and Brionte Dunn have really excelled during the Spring Workouts.
• Where I Disagree With Urban- The losing team on Saturday will get to do some Community Service, mostly likely in the Buckeye Grove dedicated to OSU greats. I love this idea, but don’t think that Community Service should ever be a punishment.  That being said, he’s Urban Meyer and I drive a Honda. FWIW.
• If Only I Were A Student- I could tell him myself in the open forum that’s coming up in May.  Wonder if anyone will try to take him up on his offer to kick a field goal in next year’s spring event
• That Awkward Moment- The Four Letter Network was in town today for interviews and practice footage… all while they are still involved in suing the University.
• Anyway- Some great quotes from their time with the Buckeyes, including Stoneburner saying that this team sees the season as twelve bowl games and The Game as the Superbowl.  Braxton compared the new offense to Oregon in tempo- the goal would be to run 80 plays a game and create mismatches in conditioning as well as talent and strategy.  Let’s just hope that’s the only “Oregon” aspect we see in Columbus (more later).
• Get Them Now- Between 45 and 60 K tickets have been distributed for the game; and Students get in free with ID.  Pack the ‘Shoe!!
• Oh, And By The Way- I love Cam Burrows. That is all. And no, I’m not going to tweet at him to tell him so.

Read More

Tags: Alabama, Arkansas, Bo Ryan, Buckeye Grove, Cam Burrows, John Simon, Kentucky, Michael Bennett, Oregon, Pat Summitt, SBP, spring football, Spring Football 2012, Spring Game 2012, Toledo, Urban Meyer
Categories: College Basketball, College Football, Conference Expansion, Humor, NCAA Investigations, Ohio State Basketball, Ohio State Football