Recruiting Discussion #5 - The Final Countdown

With National Signing Day a few weeks away, the final commitments of high school seniors across the nation will be coming to a close. An Ohio State class that in November was on the outside of the Top 25 nationally has moved up with a chance to finish in the Top 5 by signing day.

The hiring of Urban Meyer after the Michigan game has stirred the pot nationally and given the Ohio State brand a much needed revitalization on the recruiting trail. Meyer has already landed commitments from top 100 national products such as Noah Spence, Tommy Schutt and Se'Von Pittman, luring the last two away from previous commitments to Penn State and Michigan State respectively.

Right now, the Buckeyes, with their imposed scholarship sanctions of 82, are currently full. I expect some attrition to take place as well as a few guys not making the grade, which means I think we can get 5-7 more guys in this class comfortably. With things turning in the right direction, let's take a look at where the Buckeyes stand with the potential recruits that remain uncommitted or may be swayed by Coach Meyer with a few weeks left to go in the recruiting season. I will also give you my projected final class after the jump.

Jameis Winston - QB - He is visiting in late January, which is a good sign. However, he still remains committed to the Florida State Seminoles. The Buckeyes are not in an immediate need for a QB, however, if Winston wants to come aboard, you make room for him and let him develop behind Braxton Miller for a few years. I see Winston maintaining his commitment to Florida State in the end, leaving the Buckeyes with no quarterbacks in the class of 2012 besides Cardale Jones.

Taylor Decker - OT - While still maintaining his commitment to the Fighting Irish, Decker is on campus this weekend and many around him seem to think that it is a done deal that he joins the Buckeyes with a flipping of his verbal. One key factor in this situation was the hiring of his position coach at Notre Dame, Ed Warinner, who joined Meyer's staff last month. Decker never seemed to be on the radar of the Tressel staff. I believe that in the end Decker pledges his commitment to Ohio State.

Camren Williams - LB - All signs are pointing toward Williams ending his relationship with Penn State and switching to the Buckeyes, which would make that the second time that has happened this recruiting season to PSU (Tommy Schutt). Williams is on campus for the second time in a month, and although he has an official scheduled for the last week of January to Penn State, I see this one ending up good for the Buckeyes. Count WIlliams in my final class.

Joey O'Connor - OT - O'Connor is another former Penn State commit who found himself opening up his recruitment due to the ongoing problems facing the program. O'Connor has not been offered by the Buckeyes, but is visiting this weekend and that could change if the meetings go well with the coaching staff. If he gets an offer, he would take it in a heartbeat, so this is one to watch as things unfold.

Kyle Dodson - OT - Dodson is still committed to the Badgers of Wisconsin, however all signs are pointing to him not signing there on Signing Day, but instead it will come down to Ohio State, Auburn and USC. He is in Southern California this weekend, but I believe the Buckeyes are the team to beat when it comes to landing Dodson. Since the offensive line is in need of a massive overhaul, landing any or all of these offensive lineman would be a huge score for Urban Meyer.

Jordan Diamond - OT - Diamond is one of those recruits that loves the recruiting game. He has given all the schools on his list reason to believe he will be joining them next season, but it will probably come down to signing day before he makes his decision. A lot of positives have come out of the Ohio State camp on his really enjoying Columbus, and again with the offensive line numbers like they are, Meyer would be hard pressed not to take a commitment from Diamond if he wants in.

Davonte Neal - WR/CB - Neal is supposedly visiting Ohio State this weekend, and has expressed a lot of interest in the program since Meyer's arrival back in November. He is a speed guy who could play on either side of the ball and would be an excellent fit into an Urban Meyer offense suited toward the spread.

Bam Bradley - DB - Bradley was originally thought to be close to pulling the trigger, but things have changed with the admissions at Stanford. If things change at Stanford and he is able to get in there, it appears he will be a Cardinal. If he is still not eligible to get in there, then I believe he becomes a Buckeye.

David Perkins - RB/LB - Perkins is also visiting this weekend and if the Buckeyes can convince him that he would be a better prospect on the defensive side of the ball then they might be able to help their line-backing numbers. He might want to play running back, and the Buckeyes are pretty full at that position and may lose him to a team that will give him that chance.

De'Van Bogard - CB - He is apparently on the left coast this weekend visiting USC. No one seems to know whether he had the blessing of the coaching staff to make this trip or not, and that could have an impact on if he will stay in this class or be headed out west. If he had the permission of the staff to take a mini-vacation to USC, then I think he stays a Buckeye. Bogard stuck with the Buckeyes through a tough time, and I do not see him leaving now.

Other names to watch:

Armani Reeves - CB

Dalton Santos - LB

Jamal Marcus - LB

With National Signing day less than three weeks away, I think we can now look at who we realistically think we can get into this class and who is on the outside looking in. The Buckeyes are shooting up the recruiting rankings and landing any of the above kids will only help cement their place in the Top 5 nationally. Here is my projected 2012 Buckeye Recruiting Class

QB - Cardale Jones (Greyshirt)

RB - Warren Ball - Brionte Dunn

FB - None

WR - Frank Epitropoulos - Roger Lewis - Mike Thomas - Davonte Neal

TE - Blake Thomas

OC/OG - Jacoby Boren - Patrick Elflein

OT - Taylor Decker - Kyle Dodson - Joey O'Connor

CB - Tyvis Powell - Najee Murray - De'Van Bogard

S - Bam Bradley

LB - Joshua Perry - Luke Roberts - Camren Williams

DE - Adolphus Washington - Se'Von Pittman - Noah Spence

DT - Tommy Schutt

As you can see, I think we land a pretty good class at the end, and I do not see Ricquan Southward ending up a Buckeye, but I could be wrong. I see the Buckeyes ending with Neal, Decker, Dodson, O'Connor, Bradley and Williams. I would not be shocked if Jordan Diamond chose the Buckeyes, but I have left him out because I feel like he will end up elsewhere. Let's see how these last few weeks play out and of course I will keep you updated on any breaking news as I hear it.