Ohio State General Recruiting Discussion Thread

Bucknut502...……..it's over...…..

 

After the news about Bijan Robinson and Jaylan Knighton’s intentions, where does Ohio State go for running back talent in the 2020 class? There are a few options. https://t.co/3TlhXZscjZ

— taylor from bite-sized bison (@ByTaylorL) July 30, 2019

 

After rough weekend, where do Buckeyes turn now at running back? https://t.co/KfP0OenvPr

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) July 29, 2019

 

I love your optimistic attitude...…..

 

Multiple #OhioState commits were named to the Maxwell Football Clubs award watch list (FREE)https://t.co/99qOirQmS7 pic.twitter.com/zJgKVIKPpu

— Bucknuts (@Bucknuts247) August 1, 2019

 

A disappointing week in running back recruiting means the deck is about to get reshuffled, here's a first look at some options the #Buckeyes have in their suddenly wide open search: https://t.co/Rw3g8CQ1bK

— Marc Givler (@MarcGivler) August 2, 2019

 

Trying to make sense of running back recruiting

The running back position is going to be a hot topic for Ohio State all the way through signing day after the wild twists and turns of the last week that resulted in the Buckeyes going 0-for-2 on running backs that they had received dreaded “silent” commitments from just weeks before.

So, after speaking to sources around the program over the last few days, I think it’s a good time to shed some light on what to expect at the position moving forward, not necessarily who the Buckeyes will recruit but how.

First, don’t expect any sort of knee-jerk reaction from Ohio State that leads to any sort of quick addition to the class. The decisions by Jaylan Knighton and Bijan Robinson mean that the process for the Buckeyes is going to, basically, start over. Yes, there are players they’ve already gotten to know that they’ve been in contact with this past week and those players, guys like E.J. Smith, Mike Drennen, Deamonte Trayanum and others, will require less evaluation than new offers that come out (Tre Bradford, for example, who was offered Thursday) but there’s a reason the Buckeyes hadn’t gone all in on those guys to this point: they’re still being evaluated.

Second, expect a number of players to get a look from inside of Ohio and everywhere else. Iowa State commitment Miyan Williams has some real support inside of the Woody Hayes Athletic Center and the Buckeyes will watch him closely. They’ll do the same with Torrance Davis and Jutahn McClain, who are each committed to Kentucky. There will be all kinds of names coming into the fore.

Third, sources at Ohio State have indicated the desire remains to sign two running backs in 2020.

There are months ahead for the Buckeyes to find two players they covet and that can help the program moving forward. There will be no pity or desperation offers or takes. Ryan Day, Tony Alford, Mark Pantoni and others get paid good money to find and recruit the players that fit their program and the Ohio State offense and that’s what they’ll find.

Eventually.

 

USA Today Includes Buckeyes in Preseason All-USA Teams

USA Today released its 2019 ALL-USA Preseason high school selections on offense and defense this week, and several Buckeyes were included.

Headlining the group on offense were Paris Johnson Jr. and Julian Fleming, but Luke Wypler was also included from the 2020 class. Marvin Harrison Jr. was listed for the 2021 class as well. On defense, Ohio State commits Clark Phillips and Jack Sawyer were featured. Five-star cornerback Elias Ricks, No. 1 2021 cornerback Tony Grimes and five-star 2021 athlete Emeka Egbuka were included.

It’s difficult to name All-USA teams teams, so the task was a mighty one to take on for USA Today, but as far as how to look at these selections from an Ohio State standpoint, there are a few observations.

First, and most significant, is that Phillips was included on the list with Ricks and No. 1 cornerback Kelee Ringo. Phillips is sometimes left out of the conversation when it comes to top cornerbacks in the country, and he’s slid to No. 4 at the position within the 2020 class since committing to Ohio State. The upside for Phillips is just as high as the other two top cornerbacks on this list, though.

Luke Wypler is a very good offensive lineman. His versatility will work wonders at the college level. He’s often a forgotten piece of this 2020 class since he’s been committed since July 2018. But he is rated as the No. 69 player overall, providing a legitimate reason to keep him off a list like this, yet USA Today included him. Could it be because he’s the No. 1-rated center in the country? Perhaps. But his versatility will make him not only a great depth add early on in his career but also easy to find a position for once he arrives.

While it seems obvious, Julian Fleming and Paris Johnson Jr. are the cornerstones of this class, and it’s clearly being perceived that way on a national level too. These two commitments will be the ones that kickstart the Ryan Day Era in Columbus, and it’s important that they’re being recognized as such at this point in time.

 

Looking at recent recruiting classes, Urban Meyer brought in three-star prospects that shaped good Ohio State teams, including some on today’s roster. Ryan Day doing the same thing shouldn’t alarm anyone. https://t.co/eUwGn9zwfA

— taylor from bite-sized bison (@ByTaylorL) August 7, 2019

 

With the 2019 opener now less than three weeks away, we look at Ryan Day and Ohio State's key recruiting storylines for the coming months. https://t.co/XEzn7KIdHB

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) August 13, 2019

 

Ohio State flip odds not high for Elias Ricks, Bijan Robinson https://t.co/9LSJ7KvWwh

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) August 15, 2019

 

Reid Carrico and Lorenzo Styles Jr. are Ohio's top uncommitted 2021 prospects. Ryan Day and the Buckeyes are battling to keep the duo in-state. https://t.co/hfGotSGFoQ

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) August 28, 2019

 

Gameday+ | Recruiting watch: Ohio State needs a running back for its next class https://t.co/tIUQ6MGVnE

— BuckeyeXtra.com (@BuckeyeXtra) August 30, 2019

 

Of the top 21 running back recruits in the country, only five remain uncommitted. The Buckeyes are active with the best remaining guys, trying to find their 2020 back. https://t.co/bj71vVJ0fw

— Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) September 13, 2019

 

Buckeyes may need to speed up recruiting search for second QB https://t.co/Jn59Dexb7Z

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) September 17, 2019

 

O-H...#GoBucks fans cannot WAIT for these ballers to join campus. 🌰@julian_040 | @ParisJohnsonJr | @ClarkPhillips28 | @geescottjr | @Cody_Simon30 pic.twitter.com/L3mqi8Xlv5

— Hudl (@Hudl) October 11, 2019

 

With 24 commitments in the fold and two months until the early signing period, Ryan Day will look to put the finishing touches on his first recruiting class. https://t.co/GS9tkBQTNt pic.twitter.com/MO1sWPSWOp

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) October 16, 2019

 

On Ohio State's pursuit of two top quarterback recruits in the Class of 2020 https://t.co/NHal5vqzWX

— Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) October 18, 2019