This post might be more accurately titled “Ohio’s Top Prospects Waiting on an Ohio State Offer”.
Either way, it is well documented how stacked the Buckeye state is with talent in the 2012 class, and unfortunately that creates a situation were some very talented players aren’t being considered by the home team… yet.
With summer camps currently in progress, many players will be looking to earn an offer not yet received. And some players not even on Ohio State’s early radar will likely emerge, meaning that the big board will likely need some heavy renovations over the next several weeks (which I, of course, will be more than happy to do).
Truth time, I started this list several weeks ago and I have literally had to cut it in half due to numerous players originally on the list verbally committing to other schools.
Those other schools (namely, Michigan and Michigan State) have really benefited from the talent in Ohio combined with the limited number of scholarships available to Ohio State.
While that was inevitable with this class, here’s hoping that patience pays off with some of the remaining players.
Highlights: Video #1
Offers: Harvard, Iowa State, Pittsburgh
Ross Martin is an outstanding Ohio kicker that will make any college team happy to have him.
No matter how much coach Tressel likes special teams, the Buckeyes aren’t exactly in need of another kicker at the moment with sophomore Drew Basil and redshirt junior Ben Buchanan already with the team.
In most other years when the scholarship numbers weren’t so tight, Martin would almost certainly receive an offer from the Buckeyes. Unfortunately, with the number crunch in 2012 and the lack of need at the position, its hard to see a spot opening for Martin in the class.
You never know how the class will shape up, however, and Martin may be patient to see if Ohio State can find a spot for him. If it doesn’t work out, Harvard isn’t a bad back up plan.
Highlights: Video #1
Offers: Michigan, Boston College, NC State, Louisville, Cincinnati, Indiana, Syracuse, Toledo, Bowling Green, Ohio
Sam Grant is one of the top TE prospects in Ohio for the 2012 class. However, with the recent offer to Blake Thomas, it seems highly unlikely that the Buckeyes will be extending an offer Grant’s way.
Grant is in no hurry to make a decision, but if Ohio State doesn’t come through with an offer, it seems likely that Michigan will get another great Buckeye player.
Highlights: Video #1
Offers: Pittsburgh, Illinois, Akron, Kent State
V’Angelo Bentley is another outstanding athlete from the Cleveland Glenville program. Most of his highlights are at running back, but Ohio State is most likely looking at him as a DB. He is undersized for running back, and possibly even for a DB, so he will how to put on quite a show over the summer to earn offers from some of the bigger programs.
Highlights: Video #1
Offers: Stanford, West Virginia, Boston College, Cincinnati, Ball State, Toledo
Allen Gant has heavy connections to Michigan (his father played there) but still grew up an Ohio State fan.
He has great size and is not afraid of contact, making him a prime candidate for safety, star, or possibly even linebacker at Ohio State. He is also electric on offense and in the return game, but his future at the next level will almost certainly be on the defensive side of the ball.
Gant will camp at Ohio State and Michigan this summer and will be looking to earn offers from both programs.
Highlights: Video #1
Offers: Michigan State, Pittsburgh, Northwestern, Stanford, Vanderbilt, Cincinnati
George “Bam” Bradley is right at the top of the list of players that many Ohio State fans are collectively scratching their heads about not having an offer.
Grades are certainly not the issue, as he holds a 4.0+ GPA.
Bam has a great frame and is very physical in run defense, frequently notching double digit tackles in games. He projects at anywhere from safety to linebacker in college.
One potential issue could be that he is a bit of a tweener between positions.
With so many early offers out to Florida defensive backs, and so many other offers out to outstanding linebackers, Bam may be in a bit of a limbo in terms of finding a spot in the class.
Highlights: Video #1
Offers: Michigan, Notre Dame, Penn State, Michigan State, Illinois, Indiana, Stanford, UCLA, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, UConn, Syracuse, Vanderbilt, Kent State, Toledo
Jarrod Wilson is yet another Ohio DB without an offer from the Buckeyes. Out of all the players, his offer sheet is currently the most impressive.
Like the rest of the DBs, it looks like he will either have to earn an offer at camp this summer or wait to see what happens with many of the out-of-state DBs.
Highlights: Video #1
Offers: Alabama, Auburn, Michigan, Michigan State, Notre Dame, Pittsburgh, West Virginia, Wisconsin, Cincinnati, Connecticut, Illinois, Iowa State, Louisville, NC State, Ohio, Pittsburgh, South Florida, Vanderbilt
Kyle Dodson is arguably the top player in Ohio without an offer. He also happens to play offensive tackle, making him the clear #1 player on this list.
He has visited Ohio State many times over the past few months, plans to camp in Columbus, talks frequently with the coaches, and is seriously interested in the Buckeyes despite not having an offer at the moment.
Fortunately, the staff has made it very clear that they will offer as soon as Dodson hits the score they are looking for on the ACT test (which should be in any day now). Once that happens, the Buckeyes will likely jump to the top of his impressive offer list.
I wouldn’t be surprised at all if Dodson ends up in Columbus, joining Kyle Kalis to form an outstanding in-state tackle duo.
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