The biggest recruiting news since our last update has been Ohio players lacking offers committing to other schools (see the “dropped” list below) . Michigan in particular has been cleaning up with players that Ohio State has not been pursuing heavily in Ohio.
As an Ohio State fan, you always hope that the in-state players will be patient and at least camp over the summer to try and earn an offer from the Buckeyes, but that has not been the case for many in the 2012 class.
Hoke and his staff are clearly playing up the “disrespect” angle when it comes to not holding an early offer from Ohio State. For example, Ohio LB Joe Bolden had some pretty immature things to say about the Buckeyes following his commitment to the Wolverines. To his credit, he (and many other players from Ohio) are clearly being fed their attitude by Hoke and I would hope they aren’t coming up with it on their own. Unfortunately some players are buying in to the negativity (Kaleb Ringer is another example) and are heading north.
It is certainly frustrating to see so many Ohio players going north, but at the same time, a majority of them weren’t being pursued and didn’t have offers from the good guys (which is why the “disrespect” angle is working so well). At the end of the day, there is a reason the players in question didn’t have offers. If Ohio State can land the players they are targeting, the 2012 class will still be outstanding.
Speaking of players that the Buckeyes are targeting, things are not looking great for MI DB Terry Richardson.
Once again, Michigan is looking like the favorite for Richardson due to his close relationship with already committed Michigan LB James Ross. He may even decide to commit within the next few weeks after initially wanting to decide at an all-star game.
In other marginally recruiting related news, LB Dorian Bell is reportedly transferring to Pitt after being suspended for the year after a third violation of the same team rule, which could open up another spot in the 2012 class. I’d much rather see him transfer to Pitt than a lot of other places if the news is true, but things are still uncertain concerning Bell’s future in Columbus (he isn’t totally out the door just yet).
Bell’s future could have an impact on some of Ohio State’s targets in the 2012 class. Namely, Deaysean Rippy, who was in Columbus yesterday. The Bell/Rippy situation will be something worth tracking as the exact situation seems to change hourly.
In brighter news, the Buckeyes are still in great shape with almost every in-state player they have offered. Like most years, a great in-state class plus a few national players (Jaquay Williams, Jordan Diggs, Jonah Pirsig ect.) would be exactly what to expect.
Here are the new Buckeye offers since our last update, as well as the players that have been dropped from the 2012 Big Board. (And if you haven’t already, be sure to check out Ohio State’s top targets and top long shot targets in the class.)
New Offers
Highlights: Video #1
5’10” 173 lbs.
Fairburn (GA) Creekside HS
A DB prospect from Georgia with over 20 offers, his current leader is Auburn. It seems unlikely that Ohio State will make much of an impact here, but you never know.
Highlights: Video #1
6’2″ 200 lbs.
Midlothian (VA) Clover Hill HS
A versatile athlete from Virginia that is not afraid of contact, Caleb plays QB and S for his HS. He has well over twenty offers at this point, so Ohio State will have a lot of work to do to make it to the top of his list.
Dropped
FL WR Angelo Jean-Louis committed to Miami (FL).
MI LB James Ross committed to Michigan.
OH LB Joe Bolden committed to Michigan (no Ohio State offer).
OH OL Benny McGowan committed to Michigan State (no Ohio State offer).
OH OL Zach Higgins committed to Michigan State (no Ohio State offer).
OH DL Pharaoh Brown committed to Michigan (no Ohio State offer).
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