Recruiting Update: The Meyer Impact Part II

Trying to keep track of where Urban Meyer and his staff are currently at on the recruiting trail and who the recruits are that might fill out the 2012 and 2013 class keeps one from getting any work done these days.

Let’s just put it this way…Jim Tressel was a good to great recruiter. Under his watch, the Buckeyes signed a ton of playmakers. At the same time, there were things that left a lot to be desired.  Obviously the results on the field speak for themselves, but any recruitnik out there knows exactly what I am talking about.

The days of Tressel recruiting are over, and as much as we will miss him as Ohio State’s head coach, these are truly exciting times. Urban Meyer loves this stuff, and that makes it a lot of fun for the fans as well.

With Thad Matta and Urban Meyer at the helm of our Basketball and Football programs, look for exciting recruiting stories and surprises to just keep coming out.
Down the stretch things are going to change a lot with the 2012 class until signing day. Getting Meyer in November is the most important thing in terms of finishing out the 2012 class with a bang.

Just look what he has done to the recruiting board in only a week.

I have seen final numbers predicting anywhere from 4-8 spots left.  Lets play with the assumption that we have 8 to give because that is more fun…even though it means we will see some attrition through medical hardships and transfers.

Wishlist/Best Guess

Brionte Dunn – I know Michigan feels strongly about their chances, but he scheduled his official visit to Ohio State this weekend instead of heading north. It sounds like Meyer has talked him out of his fear of running in a spread offense.  Michigan still provides a better looking depth chart, but our first Meyer/Hoke battle looks to be trending towards the good guys.

[Jim’s thought: The importance of Dunn visiting Columbus this weekend can’t be overstated as it was reported to be an either/or situation with the school up north. Dunn may still visit the bad guys in the future, but hopefully Meyer can convince him that that won’t be necessary in person on his official.]

Kyle Dodson – Now for our first Meyer / Bielema battle… although I’m not sure Bret ever actually had a chance in this one.  This one is trending towards the good guys.

[Jim’s thought: He will be making an official visit to Columbus this weekend. In Meyer we trust.

Let me apologize now- I am about to get a bit redundant with my thoughts from this point forward.]

Jordan Diamond – Meyer comes in…the kid immediately sets up a visit, plus we have a huge need for OTs.  Seems like a very good fit.

[Jim’s thought: He will be making an official visit to Columbus this weekend. In Meyer we trust.]

Cyrus Jones – The ‘next percy Harvin’ was the quote that Meyer used for Jones.  He will be in for a visit.  This is the type of speed athlete we have missed since Teddy graduated…

[Jim’s thought: He may be visiting the weekend of the 17th- if not that weekend then likely sometime in the future. In Meyer we trust.]

SeVon Pittman – How about the first Meyer / Dantonio  battle? We received some help from his girlfriend who verballed to the Lady Basketball Buckeyes (switching her commitment from MSU). The Spartans won’t go away with out a fight…but once again this one seems to be trending in the right direction…

[Jim’s thought: He will be making an official visit to Columbus this weekend. In Meyer we trust.]

Noah Spence – The #1 DE in the country.  Are you kidding me…PSU in trouble, Meyer comes in and all of a sudden he would like to visit and moves Ohio State to the top of his list…unfreakinbelievable…

[Jim’s thought: He will be making an official visit to Columbus the weekend of the 17th. In Meyer we trust.]

Jameis Winston – The number 2 QB in the country who is currently committed to FSU decided to schedule a visit to Columbus on the 17th…when asked why he likes OSU his words were “Urban Meyer Baby”.    I’m not sure what our chances are but this is another one to watch for sure…

[Jim’s thought: His coach says he will be making an official visit to Columbus sometime in the future. He was very interested in the Buckeyes before Tressel resigned. Game on.]

Jamal Marcus – One might ask why we are recruiting 3*’s right now, but watch the kids film.  He is not a 3 star and would look great on the opposite side of Shazier as a very fast LB that destroys ball carriers and QB’s.

[Jim’s thought: I agree 100% that you should watch his film- he is not a 3* prospect. He doesn’t have an official visit set up yet, so I would wait on that before I got too excited here.

I would take Winston and Marcus off the best guess list at this time pending official visits.

I know I pounded that into the ground plenty, but get them on campus and anything could happen. That goes for the players on the radar below as well.]

On the Radar

Davonte Neal – He would like to visit and  was a name on Ohio State’s radar early in the process. He is originally from Akron.  Another Percry Harvin type athlete.

[Jim’s thought: His name dropped off the radar for months but like many of these players Meyer brought him back into the fold rather quickly. Like most, an official visit will tell the tale.]

Stefon Diggs – His senior film just looks nasty (junior film is pretty good too).  If not for Dorial Green-Beckham (#1 receiver) Diggs is the no brainer #1 in the class  but Green-Beckham is a once-every-10-year type talent.  Diggs should be in for a visit in the next couple weeks.

[Jim’s thought: He will be visiting in January. You know the story by now.]

Tommy Schutt – Another soft Penn State verbal who will be making an official visit to Columbus this weekend. Keep your eyes open.

Darius Hamilton – Elite east coast DE who has been officially offered but doesn’t have a trip to Columbus set up (yet).

David Perkins – Indiana linebacker who just received an offer from Meyer.

Other names to not forget about are Dante Fowler, Keith Brown and Joel Caleb.

Buckle up it is going to be fun.

And just for grins… two offers went out to 5 stars in the 2013 class this week:  Robert Foster (PA WR) and Ty Issac (IL RB).

There are only ten 5 stars listed right now, and those two along with Jalin Marshall are 3 of the 10 that have offers from the Buckeyes.

Follow all of the latest recruiting news on our 2012 Recruiting Board (2013 Recruiting Board and 2014 Recruiting Board also available) with all of Ohio State’s top targets, latest offers, and links to in-depth discussion and the latest news on all of the players (via BuckeyePlanet).