Ohio State General Recruiting Discussion Thread

OSU landed the nation's No. 3 class not by delivering sales pitches like its recruits were business clients, but by building genuine relationships that held strong in the end. https://t.co/Wj9ZluxZjc

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) December 19, 2019

 

Ryan Day assembles No. 3-ranked recruiting class for Ohio State football https://t.co/d1L68rzqPr

— BuckeyeXtra.com (@BuckeyeXtra) December 19, 2019

 

After Clark Phillips loss, Buckeyes back to DB drawing board https://t.co/cW7nYn1Zxg

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) December 19, 2019

 

Ohio State has to find another defensive back — or two
The plan in the secondary has been for Ohio State to sign five defensive backs in 2020. And assuming the Buckeyes can maintain Cameron Martinez’s commitment, that means there’s still a need for one more in this cycle because Clark Phillips signed with Utah and is enrolling there next week.

If Shaun Wade leaves the Buckeyes program — a decision is coming Saturday — then all of a sudden there’s a need for two more defensive backs to be added to the 2020 roster. There are not a ton of guys out there unsigned, uncommitted and with Ohio State-level talent.

If Martinez were to leave the Buckeyes recruiting class, the needs expand even more. The evaluation of top defensive backs around the nation has already begun, and Ohio State will scour the country to find worthwhile talents to bring in at this major position of need.

It’d be easier to do with someone being hired to replace Jeff Hafley, though.

Will Ohio State pursue another running back?
It’s not unexpected at all, but on Monday night it became official: J.K. Dobbins is heading to the NFL.

Ohio State’s No. 2 all-time rusher leaves a major hole in the offense. And though Master Teague, Marcus Crowley and Steele Chambers appeared more than serviceable backing up Dobbins, it remains to be seen if that group has the chops to lead Ohio State from the tailback spot.

The Buckeyes have one 2020 commitment, but for months they had intended to take two in the class. Will there be a push for a second? Dalton (Ga.) running back Jahmyr Gibbs was expected to make an official visit to Ohio State over the weekend of Jan. 17, but he’s now slated to be at LSU that weekend. That speaks to what has long been the expectation with Gibbs: He is most likely to stay in the south for college.

Whether he visits the Buckeyes again or not — and I expect he will continue to say he wants to, but then never do it — Gibbs is and has been a long-shot option. Will another name or two pop up and serve as a complement to Miyan Williams or will Tony Alford and the Buckeyes stand pat with a one-man class? There’s not much time to answer this question, so if new names don’t emerge quickly, don’t expect them to emerge at all.

 

I think the depth is fine............you do not just replace JK...........

One of the young pups will need to step up..........

RB Master Teague
RB Marcus Crowley
RB Steele Chambers
RB DeMario McCall

 

#NorthCarolina defensive back Greg Ross is in the transfer portal as a graduate. He had 26 tackles and tied for the team lead with five pass breakups this season.

— Adam Rittenberg (@ESPNRittenberg) January 2, 2020

 

Ohio State continues recruiting push, remain long-shot for Jahmyr Gibbs https://t.co/Rdscyicxia

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) January 2, 2020

 

With the return of Wade — assuming the Buckeyes can hold on to Cam Martinez commitment — there’s still a need for one more DB in the 2020 class. Buckeyes will deep dive into options in next few days I imagine.

— Jeremy Birmingham (@Birm) January 4, 2020

 

Ohio State has clear recruiting needs in Class of 2021 https://t.co/sxM7WEyjof

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) January 7, 2020

 

The Hurry-Up: Donovan Jackson's Commitment Could Be First Domino to Fall As Buckeyes Pursue JC Latham, Tristan Leigh and Other Offensive Linemen https://t.co/QUYIBuuHFw via @11W

— OSUBasketballJunkie (@ScarletBuckeye2) January 9, 2020

 

Ohio State hoping it won’t need much at linebacker in 2021 https://t.co/1MPi5xriGh

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) January 14, 2020

 

The 2020 cycle was a rough one for Tony Alford and Ohio State's running back recruiting. With the focus now shifting to 2021, he has a chance to bounce back in a big way. https://t.co/iWG79kyPgX

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) January 18, 2020

 

Recruiting numbers give Ryan Day early challenge leading Buckeyes https://t.co/35IwU7VYQ7

— Lettermen Row (@LettermenRow) January 22, 2020

 

Four Ohio State prospects earn five-star ratings in the final 2020 class rankings with Jaxon Smith-Njigba and C.J. Stroud earning their fifth stars for the first time. https://t.co/M4XGnCy5H5

— Eleven Warriors (@11W) January 28, 2020