We’re back with another 2013 recruiting position overview.
We may be a little late with our review of the defensive backs considering the players that are already committed, but that is a good thing when you look at the talent already assembled.
Additionally, limited remaining spots in the class make it easier to predict who might fill the last few openings at the position.
2013 will probably see the Buckeyes grab at least 4 and possibly 5 players in the secondary.
We have already landed OH DB Cam Burrows, who was our first commitment of the year and a top 5 player in the state.
After watching Burrows on film it is easy to see why he is so highly rated. He has great size (6’2″ 195) for a DB, but the best thing about him is that he can play at any of the 4 positions in the defensive backfield.
He will be most valuable at the CB position in my opinion, where his size/hips combo will allow him to play against bigger receivers and punish smaller ones at the line while still excelling in coverage.
Cam is a kid that has been in the spotlight his entire high school career behind 2012 recruiting target Bam Bradley in the Trotwood Madison secondary, but he will have his chance to shine solo this upcoming season.
The second DB commitment came from NJ CB Eli Woodard, who has been on the scene since mid-summer of 2011 for those that follow recruiting.
Woodard attended Ohio State summer came for many years, so he has been on the staff’s radar since his early high school days. In part due to his long history at camp in Columbus, it was never really in question where he would go, and he ended the process very early.
On film Woodard also shows the size (6’1″ 185) to be a big physical CB at the line with good hip turn to run with receivers as well.
These two early commitments really compliment each other, and they should allow the defense to play press man on the outside when needed as well as zone- both can cover ground in a hurry out of the zone for big hits in the flats.
In surprise fashion, OH DB Jayme Thompson became DB commitment #3.
He was an early WVU commit but once Meyer came in with an offer he changed his tune quickly, foregoing the life of a Mountaineer for that of a Buckeye.
Watching Thompson on film, he plays the role of a big safety on the field, but he isn’t the scariest or surest of tacklers at the moment. I attribute this to playing the game a little too high right now.
Sure tackler or no, his athletic ability is there in bunches. Playing lower and improving his tackling is just something that will have to be coached into his game… and it is a coachable trait.
Thompson has only been playing football for 3 years, so the staff obviously saw lots of things that they really liked and feel he has a very high ceiling with the proper coaching and technique.
If you’re keeping track, that leaves one or two spots left. He are some of the prospects that could fill out the class.
In spirit of flipping safety prospects from another school to the Buckeyes, let’s start with OH DB Dymonte Thomas, who is currently committed to TSUN.
Thompson is ranked by many as a top 3 prospect in the state, so the early verbal to the school up North stings a bit.
It is clear that Dymonte felt a little rub with the previous staff (who basically ignored his recruitment), but there is a chance that Meyer and crew can woo him back into the fold with the Buckeyes. One good thing we have going for us is his cousin Bri’onte Dunn in our corner.
At this point, Thomas is more of a ‘want’ than an absolute ‘need’, but with the intangibles at play here, this recruitment might be the best one to follow the rest of the way.
Not only would the Buckeyes be landing a top 3 player in the state and a great safety prospect, but a flip here would really stick it to Michigan.
If this happens, prepare to watch the fans up north wine and cry a little bit.
Here are some other top players on the big board.
OH DB Caleb Day received a very early verbal offer from Ohio State’s previous staff, but at this point I am not sure where that offer stands.
There have been rumors about needing to take care of classroom work first, while others have questioned how he stacks up with the other DBs that we have on the board.
Leon McQuay III and Vernon Hargreaves III are two big time prospects out of the state of Florida. Hargreaves is a 5’10” CB prospect that is probably a Florida lean at this point.
McQuay attended the Wisky game last year, so he has been to Columbus which never hurts (unless he doesn’t like cold weather). He fits the big-time safety prospect that we really haven’t had for a while in Columbus.
GA S Von Bell is also on the short list in terms of big-time S prospects. He had 180 reported tackles last year and is always looking to come up with a big hit from his position in the secondary. He has offers from all over and will probably play his recruitment out for awhile.
CA S Su’a Cravens would probably be Meyer’s biggest surprise if he came to Columbus, but I am not putting anything past him after landing a recruit out of CA in TE Marcus Baugh. Cravens is probably the top S in the country this year and would really fill the elite safety spot in the class.
VA DB Kendall Fuller is yet another 5* prospect that we are after. He is from the same school as 2012 target Stefon Diggs. He has his pick of schools from across the county at this point as one of the top DBs nationwide – he could play any position in the backfield.
I don’t really see this happening for the Buckeyes (Virginia Tech will be hard to beat), but he is one to keep an eye on.
OH DB Chris Worley out of Cleveland Glenville is a guy that would probably have an offer under the old staff, but at this point is on the outside looking in.
Like I mentioned earlier, I see 5 DB recruits in this class on signing day.
Starting off with Burrows, Woodard and Thompson is a great opening to the class. Flipping Thomas is the next on my wish list, and then 1 of Fuller, McQuay, Bell, Cravens, or Hargeaves would really put the class over the top.
Pulling in one from that final group will be extremely difficult, but I just can’t put it out of the realm of possibilities with Meyer at the helm.
The defensive backs are a major position of need all the way across the backfield and this class will be just what the recruiting doctor ordered to replenish the talent.
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