2012 Ohio State Recruiting: Wide Receiver Big Board

Ohio State's roster has a sizable hole at wide receiver after graduations and transfers, and the coaches will look to sign three or four recruits at the position in the 2012 class. Two spots have been filled by Frank Epitropoulos and Roger Lewis.

Committed

Frank Epitropoulos; Upper Arlington High School; 6''3, 195 lbs.

The son of former Buckeye offensive lineman John Epitropoulos (1977-1980), Frank Epitropolous was always going to follow his father and be a Buckeye. Although he visited for the spring game and did not commit, it took little extra time for the Buckeye legacy to make it official, verbaling on April 26th.

From a pure athleticism standpoint, it's clear to see why the coaching staff offered Epitropoulos. He isn't quite a burner or a size-freak, but he does have above average size and speed, displays excellent body control, and simply makes plays. Epitropoulos could ultimately play safety once he arrives on campus, but I think he fits best at flanker.

Change by Tressel? Epitropoulos committed while Tressel was still head coach, but Tressel's exit shouldn't change his decision. Scarlet-and-grey blood runs through his veins.

Roger Lewis; Pickering Central High School; 6''1, 195 lbs.

Following an offer earned at Ohio State's recruiting camp, Roger Lewis committed to the Buckeyes on August 9th, joining a handful of mid-BCS recruits offered by new head coach Luke Fickell. Lewis held offers from Arizona, Michigan State, and Cincinnati before receiving the opportunity to become a Buckeye, an opportunity he says he coveted since childhood.

While Lewis lacks impressive offers from national programs, he is not quite a darkhorse surprising all recruitniks with his Ohio State offer. Even before Tressel retired on May 30th, Lewis was considered a candidate for a Buckeye scholarship with an impressive showing at camp.

Change by Tressel? Lewis may not have been offered if Tressel remained head coach. It's impossible to be certain, but Lewis' fate could have changed due to tepid interest from other, high-profile receiver recruits following Tressel's retirement.

Offered

Dwayne Stanford: 6'4" 200 lbs; Cincinnati Taft High School

Stanford is a teammate of fellow Buckeye target Adolphus Washington, and together they form one of the most coveted pairs in the country. Stanford holds offers from national programs like Alabama, Auburn, and Notre Dame, but his recruitment has largely centered on Ohio State. Conflicting reports had Stanford as both an inevitable Buckeye and a player without a commitable offer, but it now seems clear that Stanford does indeed possess a legitimate offer from the Buckeyes.

The team that lands Stanford will have a prototypical split-end. Tall, deceptively quick, and a burden to bring down, Stanford possesses all the physical tools a big-time receiver should have. He will need to gain weight and muscle mass, but that will happen in any college training program.

Change by Tressel? Maybe, but Adolphus Washington's impending commitment to Ohio State should also be good news with Stanford. The two teammates have openly professed a desire to play together in college, and they've spent more time visiting Columbus than anywhere else.

Amari Cooper; Miami Northwestern High School: 6''1, 175 lbs.

Ohio State is heading south-- far south-- for Amari Cooper. Miami Northwestern High School is located in Dade County, Florida, and is famous for producing top talent on an annual basis. Jacory Harris, Sean Spence, and Vernon Carey are famous alumni, but the university counts many more who have played major college football. Northwestern High School does hold a special relationship with the University of Miami, and the Hurricanes appeared to lead for Cooper over the summer, but impending NCAA sanctions may change that course.

Cooper hit Ohio State's radar after he impressed at a 7-on-7 tryout competition in March, and he was offered in April following an academic evaluation.

Cooper's ability makes him a good fit at flanker, and he reminds me of former Buckeye Roy Hall. He isn't as tall as Stanford or Williams, and he isn't as fast as someone like Ted Ginn, but he offers similar abilities as Frank Epitroupolos. A well-rounded prospect who could develop into a thick, quality college receiver.

Change by Tressel? Unclear. Cooper never formed a relationship with Tressel, but Ohio State has unquestionably suffered a credibility loss with out-of-state recruits following Tressel's retirement.

Longshots

Nelson Agholor; Tampa, Florida; 6''2, 180 lbs.

Agholor is elite and probably not coming to Ohio State. The Buckeyes have offered, but it's likely a token offer to gauge interest. Agholor has some connection to USC, and they lead for him, but he will be heavily pursued by all Southern powers. The team that signs him will have an interesting decision to make, because he may be a better safety than receiver.

Dorial Green-Beckham: 6'6" 215 lbs; Hillcrest HS, Springfield, Missouri (06/12/2010)

The best receiver, and maybe the best player, in the 2012 class. He's not coming to Columbus, but whoever lands him will land a future first-round pick. He's what A.J. Green and Julio Jones looked like four years ago.

Three Names to Watch

Corey Smith; Akron Buchtel; 6''0, 170 lbs.

Originally a Tennessee commit, Smith decommitted from the Volunteers over the summer and appears headed to Ohio State. He's on this list, however, because of academic trouble and a hazy path to Columbus. Smith began the year as a 2012 recruit, but it's since been discovered that he belongs in the 2011 class after exhausting his high school eligibility in 2010. He now attends Grand Rapids Community College in Michigan, and will have four years to play four if he ever makes it back to Division I football.

Demitrious and Chris Davis; Austintown Finch; 5''9, 175 lbs.

The Davis' twins are a package deal. If you just offer one, you will lose both., as a few schools discovered when they both committed to Pittsburgh in July. Arkansas, UCLA, and a few more national programs also offered the two, but they did openly covet an Ohio State offer after visiting Columbus for the spring game. I

Monty Madaris; Cincinnati Moeller; 6''2, 190 lbs.

Madaris exploded on the camp circuit this summer and earned offers from Florida State, Nebraska, and Michigan. It's assumed that Roger Lewis edged Madaris out for a spot in Ohio State's class, but Madaris is simply too good to stop recruiting entirely. Ohio State should maintain contact with the Moeller star and re-evalutate his prospects after receiving senior film.