[Men Of The Scarlet And Gray Podcast ~ Previewing The B1G East 2016]

Part two of #MotSaG's podcast for The B1G East.  #GoBucks!

http://menofthescarletandgray.libsyn.com/men-of-the-scarlet-and-gray-podcast-big-ten-east-discussion

[Men Of The Scarlet And Gray Podcast ~ Previewing The B1G West 2016]

My man Shannon Sommers and I have been recording podcasts the last couple of seasons.  With college football right around the corner, I thought you may be interested to listen to this, if you get an opportunity to do so.  You can even subscribe to the podcasts from the website link below.

This episode previews the upcoming 2016 B1G West outlook.   #GoBucks!

http://menofthescarletandgray.libsyn.com/men-of-the-scarlet-and-gray-podcast-previewing-the-big-ten-west

Looking Back At Ohio State's 2013 Recruiting Class (Part Three)

(This article originally appeared on athlonsports.com)

Upon his arrival at Ohio State, head coach Urban Meyer’s initial recruiting class in 2012 consisted of 25 players. While Meyer had high hopes for his initial crop of Buckeyes, he also was far from satisfied.

He described that 2012 class as “pretty strong, but I wouldn’t consider that a great recruiting effort.” It was clear that Meyer was intent on making a splash with his next class. He wanted to sign a 2013 class that could compete for and win national championships. What he got was just that, as well as one that would impact future NFL Drafts.

To continue reading, please click here…

Looking Back At Ohio State's 2013 Recruiting Class (Part Two)

(This article originally appeared on athlonsports.com)

Back in February 2013, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer and his coaching staff were able to sign 24 players in a recruiting class that was ranked second in the country by 247Sports. Of these 24 players, Ohio State only lost three to transfer or dismissal, meaning 21 players have either started for or contributed to Ohio State since 2013.

Part one dealt with the departed players. Part two will focus upon those players who have been contributors to Ohio State, with the caveat that some of these players may even emerge as starters by the conclusion of the 2016 season. Those players will be listed below, in the order that they committed to Ohio State.

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Looking Back At Ohio State's 2013 Recruiting Class (Part One)

(This article originally appeared on athlonsports.com)

On Feb. 6, 2013, Ohio State head coach Urban Meyer addressed the media to discuss the recruiting efforts of the Ohio State coaching staff. "Our first year together as a coaching staff last year did not count because that was not a coaching staff. That was a bunch of guys coming together like a bunch of gypsies trying to find players anywhere we could find them. We did pretty good...This year it was a full cycle of recruiting. And I’m very impressed with our coaching staff."

My personal history when it comes to analyzing Ohio State recruiting classes goes back to 2005, when the new Buckeyes included the likes of James Laurinaitis, Brian Hartline and Malcolm Jenkins. That class was relatively small with 18 players signed, and was not highly rated by the recruiting analysts, but the coaching staff only lost three from that class due to transfer or academic issues, resulting in 15 who either started or contributed to Ohio State during their careers. This 83 percent success rate ranks that group highly in the unofficial "Rule of Thirds" concept that is applied to recruiting classes.

“The Rule of Thirds” is pretty simple — within any class, there will be approximately a third who will develop into starters as the coaching staff hoped and recruited, a third will be contributors in some fashion, and a third will not work out, leaving due to transfer, injuries or possibly disciplinary reasons.

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No Need For OSU To Feel Defensive About Playing These True Freshmen

On August 7th, Ohio State began their fall camp.  While expectations are always high for Ohio State football, what type of expectations await the true freshmen who will be Buckeyes?  Considering how young Ohio State is across the board, are there any true freshmen who will possibly be able to make an impact?

On defense, Ohio State has several options.  Some of these players' names will not surprise you, as Buckeye fans have been hearing about some of these names since February, when the players signed their letters of intent with Ohio State.

Let us begin with the defensive freshman who has fairly, or unfairly, been the focal point of the 2016 recruiting class ever since he committed to Ohio State - Nick Bosa.  Bosa is coming off a knee injury that ended his high school career, and Ohio State has pledged to not rush Bosa into the lineup.  That being said, below are some points being made about Nick Bosa that should excite Ohio State fans as the 2016 season approaches...

@OhioStAthletics d-line coach Larry Johnson told me he never has had a true freshman like DE Nick Bosa. pic.twitter.com/oaRbkM3p7v

— Tom Dienhart (@BTNTomDienhart) August 9, 2016

Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer has never struck me as being a very patient man.  I believe it will be extremely difficult to remain patient with Nick Bosa, especially when the talent Bosa possesses is staring Coach Meyer and Coach Johnson in the face every day at practice.  Bosa may not start, but look for Bosa to be in the rotation along the defensive line a lot this season.

Linebacker is not a position of need for Ohio State this season.  With Raekwon McMillan returning, and players such as Chris Worley and Dante Booker ready to contribute at the outside linebacker positions, the idea of not playing some of the true freshmen at linebacker must have crossed Coach Meyer's mind, right?  Think again...

Urban Meyer tells 97.1 The Fan that he has no doubt that linebacker Keandre Jones will play his freshman year.

— Lori Schmidt (@LoriSchmidt) July 26, 2016

Lastly, I am going to name Jordan Fuller from the secondary as a probable true freshman who can make an impact this season for Ohio State.  Fuller was recruited as a cornerback, but has also been receiving practice time at safety.  Fuller is too good of a player, and the Ohio State secondary inexperienced at three positions, that it makes sense that Fuller will get some playing time at various points this coming season.

Officially Many Offensive Options At True Freshmen For OSU

August 7th marks the beginning of Ohio State’s fall camp.  While expectations are always high for Ohio State football, what type of expectations await the true freshmen who will be Buckeyes?  Considering how young Ohio State is across the board, are there any true freshmen who will possibly be able to make an impact?

On offense, Ohio State has several options.  Some of these players’ names will not surprise you, as Buckeye fans have been hearing about some of these names since February, when the players signed their letters of intent with Ohio State.

The most obvious name for playing time is at a position that gets little fanfare, but is crucial in the success of the overall offensive unit.  True freshman Michael Jordan enrolled early in February, and has been cited by Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer as “probably” going to be in the starting lineup at one of the offensive guard spots.  For historical perspective, this has not happened at Ohio State since 1994, when a young offensive lineman by the name of Orlando Pace lined up as a starter in the opener versus Fresno State.

 

Fr. Michael Jordan is likely a starter on the Ohio State offensive line, Urban Meyer says.https://t.co/SX9nFPeQa8 pic.twitter.com/bZhKhfLgJN

— Ozone Communications (@theOzonedotnet) July 26, 2016

Austin Mack gets my second vote as a true freshman who will make an impact on Ohio State’s offense in 2016.  Wide receiver is well-stocked with many talented players, but Mack was turning heads as a true freshman throughout the spring.  While Mack may not start, look for Mack to earn playing time this season.

My last selection should not come as a surprise to anyone who remembers the 2014 season and what played out at the quarterback position.  While I am not suggesting that true freshman quarterback Dwayne Haskins is going to play a lot, it will not surprise me if Haskins earns playing time, especially at the beginning of the season.  With J.T. Barrett as the starter, and Joe Burrow as the backup, Haskins may have opportunities at the end of games to come in and play.  Considering how the 2014 season involved at least three quarterbacks, one would hope the coaching staff would try to ensure Haskins is ready to go, in the event something happens to Barrett or Burrow.