As always, recruiting marches on for the Buckeyes. In what is becoming an interesting trend, for the second update in a row there is a lot more news from the 2013 class than from the 2012 class.
It appears that Coach Fickell didn’t waste any time putting his stamp on the recruiting trail, and we may be witnessing a new and much more aggressive era of early scholarship offers from the Buckeyes.
There isn’t enough of a body of evidence to draw solid conclusions yet, but either way, there is no doubt that Fickell and company are turning their attention to 2013 and aren’t wasting any time targeting some of the top prospects in Ohio and around the country.
As time goes on, it becomes easier and easier to see Fickell as the next long-term head man at OSU, and his skills and focus when it comes to targeting players in recruiting improves his chances of signing a long term contract every day… at least in my opinion.
Despite some serious talent at the skill positions to get excited about (Derrick Green, Jalin Marshall) , offensive line recruiting remains a concern, particularly with the future of Kyle Kalis still up in the air.
There isn’t much in the way of positive buzz with the 2012 offensive line class at the moment (unless you count Kalis not committing to Michigan as positive news), and early offers to 2013 offensive linemen are currently non-existent.
With recruiting, there are always some pleasant surprises, and with offensive linemen, you can only hope that everything works out. Until the Buckeyes sign an offensive tackle or two in the 2012 and 2013 classes, however, it is an area for concern.
Read on for the latest offers from the 2012 and 2013 class, including an update on the next likely commitment for the Buckeyes, as well as players dropped from the big board.
And as always, check out the 2012 Big Board and the 2013 Big Board, and follow the links to all of the targeted and offered players for the latest in recruiting news from our friends at the Buckeye Planet Recruiting Team.
New Offers
2012
6’2″ 225 lbs.
Lancaster (OH) HS
Highlights: Video #1, Video #2 (sophomore season)
Offers: Ohio State, Purdue, Indiana, Cincinnati, Kent State, Bowling Green, Buffalo
After watching Luke Roberts’ highlights, it is hard to believe that he doesn’t have more offers from colleges. He is a tackling machine that gets downhill in a hurry with bad intentions.
Seriously, watch the highlights, they’re fun. Ohio State is the early and huge favorite here, and he will likely officially become a Buckeye sooner rather than later.
2013
6’5″ 225 lbs.
Seffner (FL) Armwood HS
Highlights: Video #1 (starts at 3:12)
Offers: Ohio State, Tennessee
A huge quarterback prospect with a cannon, Darryl Richardson looks like he has all the tools to be a great college quarterback with the right coaching. Whether or not he has serious interest in the Buckeyes will be the question.
6’4″ 200 lbs.
Ellenwood (GA) Cedar Grove HS
Highlights: Video #1
Offers: Ohio State, Alabama, Clemson, Florida State, Georgia, Kentucky, Mississippi State, North Carolina, Purdue, Tennessee
A dual threat QB that can hurt defenses with his feet or with his arm, Georgia is the team to beat in this recruitment.
5’10” 189 lbs.
McDonough (GA) Eagles Landing Christian Academy
Highlights: Video #1
Offers: Ohio State, Georgia, Tennessee, Virginia Tech, Boston College, Kentucky, Mississippi, South Carolina, Syracuse, Wake Forrest
Tennessee is the early favorite here, and the chances that Ohio State becomes a serious player in this recruitment seem slim.
6’4″ 200 lbs.
Tampa (FL) Jesuit
Highlights: Video #1
Offers: Ohio State, Florida, LSU, Miami (FL), Notre Dame, USC, Cincinnati, Clemson, Colorado State, Connecticut, Elon, Florida Atlantic, Georgia Tech, Indiana, Kentucky, Marshall, Michigan State, Mississippi, North Carolina, North Carolina State, Ohio, Oklahoma State, Pittsburgh, Purdue, Rutgers, South Florida, Tennessee, UAB, Wake Forrest, Western Kentucky
A huge WR with an even bigger offer sheet, pulling Travis Johnson out of the south will be quite the accomplishment.
6’1″ 177 lbs.
Seffner (FL) Armwood HS
Highlights: Video #1
Offers: Ohio State, Florida, Florida State, Notre Dame, South Florida, Vanderbilt
An elite DB prospect from Florida that will be the same old story for Florida recruits- unless he indicates he has serious interest in OSU at some point, the expectations here should remain low.
6’1″ 191 lbs.
Newnan (GA) HS
Highlights: Video #1
Offers: Ohio State, Alabama, Auburn, Georgia, Arkansas, Mississippi State, Virginia Tech, Michigan, Southern Miss
Another elite DB prospect, another recruit that will be extremely difficult to pull from the south.
6’0″ 181 lbs.
Olney (MD) Our Lady Good Counsel HS
Highlights: Video #1
Offers: Ohio State, Florida, Florida State, Miami (FL), Virginia Tech, Boston College, Maryland, North Carolina State, Virginia
Same story as above, only Kendall Fuller happens to be from Maryland instead of the south.
Dropped
IN LB Jordan Wallace committed to Indiana (no Ohio State offer).
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