It is a quiet time for football recruiting in general, but Ohio State has thrown out a few offers to some dynamite out-of-state prospects that Buckeye Nation can get excited about.
They are all long shots at best, but landing any of these new offers would be recruiting gold.
Additionally, an interesting new dynamic this recruiting season will be the impact of the off-field trouble currently revolving around Jim Tressel.
On one hand, the adversity allows Tressel to highlight some of the characteristics that really separate him from most college football coaches. Loyalty, sincerity, and humility being a few of those qualities.
MN OT Jonah Pirsig said he views the situation as a positive because it shows Tressel’s loyalty.
Unfortunately, other players may not feel the same way. Only time will tell what impact, if any, the saga will have on the 2012 class and beyond.
Finally, standout Ohio LB Kaleb Ringer says he will announce his college decision on April 15th. He does not hold an Ohio State offer and it looks like he will turn to the dark side by committing to tsun. The usual career long grudge against OSU will most likely follow. May he follow in the footsteps of Shawn Crable (from Massillon, Ohio and #2 on the left) and Prescott Burgess (from Warren, Ohio and #6 on the ground) if he does go down the path of darkness.
With that said, here are the newest offers that the Buckeyes have handed out.
New Offers
Jordan Watkins (DL)
6’4″ 255 lbs.
College Park (GA) Woodward Academy
With great size and explosiveness off the line of scrimmage, Watkins could play on the edge or he could grow into a DT. The best case scenario would be growing into a DT while maintaining the speed and quickness to play on the edge, which is Ohio State’s favorite type of lineman these days.
As usual, pulling kids from the south is difficult, particularly ones with over thirty offers, so don’t get your hopes too high on this one.
Kwon Alexander (LB)
6’2″ 212 lbs.
Oxford (AL) HS
A lightning quick tackling machine, Alexander is a national LB prospect with dozens of colleges seeking his signature. As usual, until we hear otherwise, he is a long shot at best.
Noor Davis (LB)
6’4″ 225 lbs.
The Villages (FL) HS
Davis is a big, rangy linebacker in the mold of current Buckeye and fellow Floridian Etienne Sabino. Noor would fit in nicely at Ohio State on the strong side or in the middle (a la Matt Wilhelm).
He holds a 4.3 GPA and would be an outstanding addition to any team both on and off the football field.
Jordan Simmons (OL)
6’5″ 325 lbs.
Encino (CA) Crespi Carmelite
Big, athletic, great feet, great motor. Check, check, check, and check. Simmons is an outstanding tackle prospect that would be a great addition for the Buckeyes in a 2012 class that absolutely needs a tackle prospect or three. It is too early to gauge if there is mutual interest here, so temper your expectations accordingly.
Frank Epitropoulos (P/WR)
6’3″ 195 lbs.
Upper Arlington (OH) HS
Tressel loves him some special teams. Epitropoulos is a Buckeye legacy who is a skilled receiver, but his future may be punting the ball for the scarlet and gray. Ohio State is in his top four and it is hard to imagine him going someplace else… but obviously nothing is a sure thing.
As always, make sure to check out our 2012 recruiting big board for the latest on Ohio State targets and offers.
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