It’s always great to get perspectives from around Buckeye Nation, and we’re thankful that RB07OSU has been good enough to give us a high level summary of the 2013 recruiting efforts (yes, Coach Dantonio, OSU has already started). RB07OSU is one of the great contributors over at Buckeye Planet, and we are happy that he decided to share his work with us.
Just after Urban “Legend” Meyer signed and sealed a consensus national top five class, the rock star recruiter already has the best juniors in country flocking to Columbus to check out the Buckeyes.
The visit list is star studded enough to bring tears to the eyes of Brett Bielema at a peripheral glance alone. Headlining the list is explosive running back Ty Isaac, who hails from Joliet, Ill (highlights, a highly recommended click).
Isaac is a top 50 player nationally by all major publications and one of the most highly sought after prospects in the Midwest. Notre Dame and Michigan appear to be the main contenders for Isaac and though he has already visited Columbus numerous times, some one-on-one time with Coach Meyer could go a long way in getting his signature.
Likely towering over most in attendance this weekend is 6’6 300 lb. Colorado offensive tackle Chris Fox, who just recently received his offer from Ohio State. Fox checks in as the number 46 prospect overall according to Rivals.com, and should get full court press from Urban.
Another major Illinois prospect visiting this weekend is dual-threat quarterback Aaron Bailey. While Bailey does not yet have an offer, it would not be a surprise to see the four star leave Columbus with an offer in hand, as the Buckeyes are looking to add two quarterbacks to the 2013 class. Bailey rushed for nearly 2,000 yards his junior season and is a threat throwing the ball as well.
Two other big-time visitors that could very well receive offers this weekend are Indiana linebacker Tim Kimbrough and Kentucky defensive end Jason Hatcher. Both are consensus four stars and clearly on the Buckeye’s radar. Hatcher is a tad undersized but is a tremendous pass rusher, while Kimbrough is a human missile on the highlight reel. Neither are locks for offers but with Meyer’s track record of offering in person, an offer to Kimbrough and/or Hatcher would not be a surprise.
Of great interest to recruitniks will be three prospects who could pull the trigger at any moment for the Buckeyes. The first on that list is 6’1 cornerback Eli Woodard from New Jersey, who many expect to verbal this weekend. Woodard is a long athlete with fluid hips, and checks in as the #28 player nationally on Rivals.
Another defensive back that could pull the trigger soon is four star Caleb Day from Hilliard, OH. Day is another big defensive back at 6’0 185 lbs and can flat out fly. Day was an early offer from the Tressel staff and don’t be surprised if he verbals this weekend.
Yet another Ohio four star visitor that could verbal this weekend is Austintown Fitch defensive tackle Billy Price. The 6’4 305 stud claims he will wait until his senior season is over to decide, but many feel he will not wait that long. Regardless, Price is all scarlet and gray; it is just a matter of when, not if.
A final prospect to watch this weekend is Youngstown safety Marcus McWilson. Offers are starting to pour in for the 6 foot safety, including one from Nebraska this week. Marcus is a four star on Rivals and could very well receive an offer.
President’s Day weekend is another huge weekend for the Buckeyes, as they are set to host several elite prospects.
The tight end position will be well represented with the nations best tight end Adam Breneman making the short trip from Pennsylvania to visit. Breneman has offers from every school in the country and is a major pass catching threat. With the emphasis Meyer puts on tight ends, expect the Buckeyes to pursue Breneman with full-force.
The other tight end is Florida four star Mike Heuerman, brother of current Buckeye tight end Jeff Heuerman. Mike is a bit undersized for the tight end position and needs to put on some serious muscle mass, but is a dangerous receiver. Mike does not yet have an offer but it would be a surprise to see him leave without one.
Another tight end visiting Columbus is Ohio’s very own Jacob Matuska. Matuska is a big kid at 6’4 250 lbs. and already has offers from Oklahoma and Nebraska. While the Buckeyes have not extended an offer, he is high on the radar.
The Buckeyes will also host two of Indiana’s best prospects in defensive lineman Elijah Daniel and linebacker Jaylon Smith, who is the brother of current Buckeye running back Rod Smith. Both prospects are four stars.
Jaylon Smith has one of the best films in the country and may be a tad low rated as a four star (I see him as a five star all the way). Although blood usually runs thicker than water, Notre Dame is a serious contender here and Urban still has some work to do. Next weekend should go a long way in landing this star.
Elijah Daniels has had an Ohio State offer for quite some time now and could project at defensive end or defensive tackle. Daniels has offers from all over the country but the Buckeyes are in good shape here. Look for the Buckeyes to be right at the top of Daniels’ list after his visit.
Lucky for Buckeye fans, the conclusion signing day was just the beginning of what is shaping up to be another action-packed recruiting class. Hold on to your seats, the 2013 class will likely be another top five class.
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