Recruiting thoughts from Junkie…….

[OSUBasketballJunkie]

Flashback to January 2011, Sugar Bowl win. The following months brought the resignation of Jim Tressel. Luke Fickell named interim head coach. Another NCAA investigation into the program that exposed numerous rules violations by more than 8 Ohio State football players. Consistent national media scrutiny. Struggles on the field which led to a 6-7 record and a loss to Florida in the Gator Bowl. The hiring of Urban Meyer as head coach of Ohio State and the recent NCAA decision which included a 2012 bowl ban on top of scholarship sanctions, at times following the program has been like riding an emotional roller coaster. Regardless, moving forward the program has one of or possibly the best head coach in college football in Urban Meyer and he has assembled a veteran staff that will bring energy and a new philosophy on both sides of the ball on the field.

Off the field, Urban Meyer has built a reputation for being able to recruit nationally and has shown the ability to land some of the nation’s best players. Coach Meyer has had an immediate impact in the area of recruiting at Ohio State since day one. Ohio State has risen up the recruiting rankings since his arrival and currently sits at 8th nationally according to Scout.com and 7th nationally by Rivals.com. Meyer and staff have been able to help move a solid class into a potential top-5 class nationally by NLOI day. It can be argued Ohio State is one of the hottest programs in recruiting. Meyer has landed several of the top players at their positions nationally and has numerous other top prospects visiting Ohio State on official visits in the near future or thinking about visiting. Let’s breakdown the remaining targets for the 2012 class:

TARGETS

QB Jameis Winston: Considered the top quarterback in the nation. Recently competed in the Under Armor game and was named MVP after going 8-9 passing for 178 yards and 2 touchdowns. Winston is indicating he will visit OSU on 1/20, but he is still verbally committed to Florida State and has additional visits planned to FSU and Stanford. Winston is projected to be a high pick in the upcoming MLB draft.

Outlook: Getting Winston on campus would be big, even with a visit the odds are long he ends up in Columbus.

WR Joel Caleb: Caleb took an official visit to Ohio State and reportedly is high on Ohio State. Looks like his decision will come down to Virginia Tech or Ohio State.

Outlook: I do not see him in Columbus.

WR Davonte Neal: Recently confirmed he will take an official visit to Ohio State on 1/13. Neal has showed interest in numerous programs and has taken just one official visit, to Notre Dame. Ohio State started to show serious interest after the hiring of Coach Meyer and getting a visit is a step in the right direction. Neal is from Ohio and self-proclaimed his high interest in Ohio State on numerous occasions.

Outlook: Neal has been saying different things every interview but his recent decision to take an official visit to Ohio State is a major step in the right direction towards landing this athlete from Arizona. Ohio State is trending up.

OL Kyle Dodson: Currently, committed to Wisconsin but recently took an official visit to Ohio State and has indicated he may take official visits to USC, Michigan and possibly Michigan State. Dodson is highly regarded and plays a position of need for Ohio State.

Outlook: I believe Ohio State lands Dodson on NLOI day.

DB Bam Bradley: “Bam†is a hard hitting safety prospect who seemed to be heading to Pittsburgh but with their recent staff change, Bradley took an official visit to Ohio State recently and has interest in Stanford.

Outlook: Jury is still out on Bradley.

OL Jordan Diamond: Highly regarded tackle prospect who has taken an official visit to Ohio State and Auburn.

Outlook: Will be a NLOI Day decision. Jury still out on Diamond.

OL Joey O’Connor: O’Connor was committed to Penn State but opened up his recruitment after the Penn State scandal. Has not been offered by Ohio State but is taking an official to Ohio State on 1/13.

Outlook: If offered, I find it hard to believe he will not commit on the spot.

LB Dalton Santos: Currently, committed to Tennessee but is opening up his recruitment after a staff change for the Vols. Plays a position of need for Ohio State and has an upcoming visit to Tennessee this weekend followed by visits to Arkansas and Ohio State.

Outlook: If Santos makes his official visit, I think he ends up as a Buckeye.

LB Camren Williams: Currently committed to Penn State but is looking around due to the coaching change at PSU. Has taken an official visit to Ohio State and was impressed. Currently scheduled to return with his mother on an unofficial visit in January.

Outlook: I have Williams in this class.

DB Armani Reeves: Currently committed to Penn State but is looking around due to the coaching change at PSU. Close with current OSU target LB Camren Williams.

Outlook: Recently cancelled visit to Penn State. Ohio State is in contact. I have him in this class at this point.

LB Jamal Marcus: Another linebacker prospect who has expressed interest in Ohio State but has not scheduled an official visit as of yet.

Outlook: I think he stays in the south. Longshot at this point.

LB David Perkins: A very athletic and versatile football player who may want to play tailback in college. Has an official visit to Ohio State scheduled for 1/13.

Outlook: I do not see Perkins in this class.

DB Demetrious Cox: A safety prospect from PA who has taken an official visit to Ohio State but has played his recruitment close to the vest.

Outlook: I do not see Cox in this class but anything could happen here.

LB Joseph Jackson: Currently verbaled to North Carolina but is taking visits. Ohio State has offered.

Outlook: Until he schedules an official visit, no need to get excited.

DB De'Vante Harris: Harris is new to the list and just recently decomitted from Oklahoma.

Outlook: See Joseph Jackson

With just over three weeks remaining until NLOI day, situations can change and additional names can surface. It would not surprise me to see additional offers late in the process to some new names as Coach Meyer and staff get a feel for which way their current targets may possibly be leaning. In my opinion, numbers will not be an issue. I expect to see transfers in the near future.