Buckeye Recruit Hoot: Meyer's Staff Check Up on 2013 Prospects, Welcome in
by dbaybucks on Dec 30, 2011 4:22 PM EST
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Although Ohio State’s 2012 recruiting class is not complete yet, Urban Meyer and his staff have gotten a head start on the 2013 prospects. Arguably the top priority for Meyer’s first complete haul is Jalin Marshall, quarterback/athlete out of Middletown, Ohio.
It has been well-documented that Marshall would prefer to play quarterback at the next level, but his complete skill set suggests that a Percy Harvin-esque roll may be better.
That was one of the topics Marshall discussed with Ohio State’s next offensive coordinator, Tom Herman. The two had a good discussion, and for any Buckeye fans wanting to see how a Herman offense is run, he’s coaching his final game as Iowa State’s OC today in the New Era Pinstripe Bowl. His Cyclones are currently taking on the Rutgers Scarlet Knights. You can tune in to the action on ESPN.
A couple other 2013 prospects the Buckeye have been in contact with recently are Indiana linebackers Jaylon Smith and Tim Kimbrough.
Smith is the younger brother of redshirt freshman running back Rod Smith (more on him in a bit). Meyer wanted to let the younger Smith know his offer is still on the table, and he is a top priority of theirs as they want to bring in a couple backers in that class.
Kimbrough has offers from North Carolina, Cincinnati, Purdue, and Indiana. While he has yet to receive one from Ohio State, Meyer wanted to check in on rising star. It is rumored that Kimbrough is a Buckeye lean, and all it would take to gain his commitment would be a simple scholarship offer.
We mentioned Rod Smith earlier when discussing his brother’s recruitment. Unfortunately, the news on the elder Smith is not as good as Jaylon’s. Smith supposedly missed the team’s charter flight to Florida, and the onus is now on him to make it to the Buckeye’s Taxslayer.com Gator Bowl against the Florida Gators on Monday. Even if Smith does make it on time, the fact that he has missed practice time down south does not bode well for him.
More discouraging news concerning Buckeye running backs: redshirt sophomore Jaamal Berry has allegedly told some teammates that he will be transferring closer to home. Berry is from Palmetto, Florida, and while he would be well-suited in Meyer’s spread offense, he has apparently burned some bridges with the Buckeye’s returning staff members.
While Berry’s loss would affect the Buckeyes, that is countered by the strengthened commitment of tailback Bri’onte Dunn. What’s even better news is that Dunn plans to enroll early, and will be starting classes in January. Joining Dunn in January will be quarterback Cardale Jones, wide receiver Michael Thomas, offensive lineman Jacoby Boren, linebacker Joshua Perry, and defensive back Tyvis Powell. Linebacker Luke Roberts will also enroll early, but he plans to start in March.
NEWS FROM OUTSIDE BUCKEYE BOULEVARD:
Syracuse Orange star defensive lineman Chandler Jones has announced that he will forego his senior season and will enter the NFL draft. The NFL Draft Advisory gave Jones a third round grade, although some websites have him rated as a fourth or fifth-round pick. Jones had 4.5 sacks this year for the Orange, who will not play in a bowl game this year. His loss is a huge blow for head coach Doug Marrone, as his defensive line struggled when Jones was not on the field.
My sources tell me that Penn State’s next coach will shock many people. He is a current college coach, and is one of college football’s most notable coaches. Any public decision will be held and announced after bowl season, which could further my guess that the supposed coach is in a January bowl game.
Finally, some non-college football news: Terrell Owens has been in discussion with Drew Pearson, the general manager of the Indoor Football League’s Allen Wranglers. The team is located in Allen, Texas, and the deal would make T.O. co-owner, CEO, and, of course, wide receiver. Who knows if Owens’ ego will actually go through with the move, as this could be his way of retaliating against the San Francisco 49ers. Owens exchanged tweets with 49er Donte Whitner - who played with Owens in Buffalo - concerning a potential reunion. The 49ers have since released a statement that Owens will not be signed.
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I am not certain where he ends up at...
…but I doubt Jaamal Berry’s departure is optional at this point.
Hopefully he gets his act together wherever he lands.
Proud proponent of the 52 team Uber Conference
Well concerning Berry...
Rumors are that Urban’s staff has been giving everyone a second chance, and that any attrition is on the player. Most players want to stay around for Urban. Taylor Graham transferred due to playing time. Berry definitely rubbed the returning coaches the wrong way. He wasn’t even playing in the last couple games of the season because of his altercations. So when he says he’s transferring to a school closer to home, it’s not that it’s his choice altogether, but if he’s not going to play, all he’s choosing is where he transfers.
If there's food involved, I'm listening.
I doubt all attrition is on the players
If Urban signs 5 more, he still needs to cut 4 from the roster or get grey shirts.
I don’t see Urban cutting down on this number – these are shallow positions he needs to fill.
I doubt he gets a rash of voluntary departures.
It is doubtful any of the 5 he is chasing would grey shirt.
It is doubtful any already signed would volunteer to change to a grey shirt.
I have not heard of commitments that signed as grey shirts like Jones.
Saying it is up to the players makes for a nice cover – beats admitting they were cut – but most of the time this isn’t reality.
Saying Berry rubbed the coaches the wrong way is an understatement.
He got a 2nd chance after being arrested with an ounce of marijuana in 2009 he was picking up for friends (translation-dealing by most laws), wasn’t finished up with until 2010.
He got a 3rd chance after an assault complaint when charges weren’t filed when he grabbed a man on the oval in front of witnesses – seems he has an issue with randomly punching people, then bragging about it to friends.
The coaches don’t look to be giving him a 4th chance when just a month later he again punched a random guy, and again bragged about it to his buddies. This guy was treated at the hospital with injuries to his injuries to his head, face, neck, back and hand, and may have received a possible concussion and eye damage.
He is just a bad apple – I haven’t even heard claims the guys he hit were provoking him. Although he was dressed the last 2 games, he was suspended and I give it zero chance this was optional.
Proud proponent of the 52 team Uber Conference
Don’t forget shooting people on the Oval with a BB gun….
Hopefully, he issues don’t run deeper than youth and a sense of entitlement, but all evidence points to the contrary.
How I yearn for the good old days...
…when mischief involved stunts such as a high school classmate buzzing the oval in an ultralight and dropping red and gray marshmallows.
Proud proponent of the 52 team Uber Conference
Well, concerning attrition...
I think it was only on the players, but you’re right about the recruiting space and slowly but surely removing any players that have had trouble, like Berry. They’re just doing it slowly and under the table in a way. His fate was sealed when he stopped dressing for games. But back to recruiting, with the amount of players Meyer COULD sign, factored in with the spots left plus the scholly reduction, edging Berry out was necessary, but he didn’t want to be rash or blunt about it. The same goes for some of the horrible OL signed last year. They’ll be taken out during spring if we get players like Dodson, Diamond, O’Connor, etc.
Who do you think rounds out OSU’s class? I say it’s Diamond, Williams, Neal, Marcus, O’Connor.
If there's food involved, I'm listening.
I have no problem with this...
They’re just doing it slowly and under the table in a way.
It works to the player’s and the program’s benefit. The Vest would simply pull the players into his office and tell them they won’t be invited to spring practice.
The same goes for some of the horrible OL signed last year.
Possible, but I don’t think they can afford to cut them. If tOSU was to create a true 2-deep chart from the returning roster, it would have to contain walk-ons for lack of bodies.
DBs are an obvious area for cuts because of the large number. I suspect the rest are scattered around the roster.
Who do you think rounds out OSU’s class? I say it’s Diamond, Williams, Neal, Marcus, O’Connor.
OL (2) – Not as optimistic on Diamond – he hasn’t tipped his hat.
More optimistic on Dodson, but I don’t think he is the shoe in others feel.
O’Connor looks like a good chance to sign.
Much comes down to the sales pitch of the OL coach.
If Urban misses on at least 2 of these 3, he could have some real problems on the OL.
LB (2) – I definitely like our chances for Williams as PSU nears the 2nd month of their HC search.
I think Bam Bradley might be a silent commit to OSU, waiting to announce at all-star game.
I don’t know if there will be room for Marcus (option B?)
Playmaker (1) – Neal looks most willing to accept but not Urban’s 1st choice.
Diggs is Urban’s 1st choice but hasn’t tipped his hat.
Caleb is a Buckeye or VT – leaning OSU if he doesn’t announce VT at his all-star game.
It gets real interesting making roster room if Diamond and Diggs don’t announce until NLOI day – Urban probably signs 5 by then, will open roster space if he gets commitments from them.
Proud proponent of the 52 team Uber Conference
1 of your predictions look closer...
Diggs finally took OSU off his list, so Play maker down to Neal and Kaleb.
Marcus is a head scratcher sticking with Miami – tOSU just got hammered for the Charity Event and bogus Overpayment issues, Miami will get absolutely buried.
Proud proponent of the 52 team Uber Conference
Oopsie - Had Marcus confused with a different LB
Proud proponent of the 52 team Uber Conference
Found a discussion on possibly departing players
David Durham (FB) – rarely mentioned, but does Urban have use for 3 star 100th ranked FB?
Chad Hagan (DB) – injury? If not, not certain they keep 17 DBs
Whiting (LB) – injury? Would have to be career ending or 1 year grey shirt, not season ending (medical red shirts still count) – limited depth at LB
TY Williams (WR) – undetailed discipline, otherwise can Urban afford to cut back to 6 WRs & true FR?
Tommy Brown (OL) – weight problem?
Chris Carter (OL) – weight problem?
Side note – Fragel tweeted moving from TE to OG, talk of Baldwin moving from DL to OL – we are scrambling to fill the OL…
Needing at least 4, I think Urban goes off this board and cuts some DBs.
Proud proponent of the 52 team Uber Conference
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