Not A Lot Of "OH" In 2017 Ohio State Football Recruiting Class

The well-deserved accolades and superlatives continue to come in for the 2017 Ohio State football recruiting class.  Ranked as the second-best recruiting class in the country, Ohio State was able to land arguably some of the top players in the country at designated positions of need at defensive back, linebacker, offensive line, and wide receiver.  It would not be surprising to see many of these true freshmen playing considerably throughout the 2017 season, and possibly even starting.  Nine of these twenty-one recruits are already enrolled and on campus, meaning Ohio State fans will have an opportunity to see them playing in the upcoming Ohio State Spring Game on April 15th.

Meyer said that Josh Myers and Wyatt Davis will compete for starting OL spots as true freshmen.

— Bill Rabinowitz (@brdispatch) February 1, 2017

For all of the praise and heightened expectations, even Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer lamented one area that did not please him entirely about this recruiting class...

Meyer said he wants 50 percent of the class to be kids from Ohio.

— Andrew Lind (@AndrewMLind) February 1, 2017

Out of the twenty-one players signed, only seven were from the state of Ohio.  In essence, Ohio State fell a solid twenty percent below reaching Coach Meyer's desired goal of having half the class from Ohio.

When looking back at Coach Meyer's recruiting classes since his hiring in late November 2011, Ohio State's recruiting classes have usually been close to the mark, but never quite reaching it.  The notable exception was the 2012 recruiting class, which was more of a compilation of players who committed to former Ohio State Head Coach Jim Tressel, interim head coach Luke Fickell, and Coach Meyer.  Ever since the 2012 recruiting class, none of Coach Meyer's recruiting classes have met the designated 50% mark.  The 2017 recruiting class marks the lowest number of Ohioans in an Ohio State recruiting class since Coach Meyer became the head coach.

 If I could adjust a focus of the coaching staff, it would be to concentrate upon specific Ohio players first and foremost, before trying to reel in players from around the country.  In this year's class, Ohio State had a verbal commitment from Akron Archbishop Hoban RB Todd Sibley.  Sibley was told that he would need to grayshirt in order to gain a scholarship from Ohio State.  Sibley decommitted, and was able to sign with Pittsburgh.

I have to say that I have known Todd Sibley for longer than any of them though. I have never been more confident that a player will succeed.

— Ryan Donnelly (@RDonnellyBG) February 1, 2017

Was this a terrible thing?  No, as Sibley was able to gain a scholarship from Pittsburgh, and Ohio State was able to use Sibley's scholarship on another position.  I would simply argue that instead of pursing RB Cam Akers from Mississippi for most of the 2016 season, only to see Akers sign with Florida State, Ohio State should have been content with a player like Sibley who was in the backyard of the Buckeyes.

It is not as though this is a recent development with Ohio State.  Another example would be current Michigan State RB L.J. Scott.  In 2014, Ohio State actively recruited Damien Harris of Kentucky, while keeping Scott on the backburner.  Harris eventually signed with Alabama, and Scott signed with Michigan State.  Scott has had two straight years of strong games against the Buckeyes, in both 2015 and 2016.  It is to Ohio State's credit that the Buckeyes were able to sign Mike Weber at the critical RB spot.  My question is why didn't Ohio State focus more on L.J. Scott from the beginning, versus chasing after a player from further away?

The 2017 Ohio State football recruiting class is certainly one for the ages.  Like Coach Meyer, I would simply focus more on identifying players from Ohio who want to become part of the flagship program in 2018 and beyond.

Six Buckeyes Depart To The NFL With Gratitude Of OSU Fans

Despite coming off a tremendously disappointing conclusion to the 2016 season, six Ohio State players have decided to forego another year in Columbus, focusing on getting better for potential NFL careers.  In certain respects, some of the players who are leaving actually have two years of eligibility remaining.

CB Gareon Conley ~ Signed in 2013, Conley redshirted his first year.  After two years of starting in 2015 and 2016, Conley elected to give up his final year of eligibility.  Conley has been projected as a possible first round draft choice.



DB Malik Hooker ~ Signed in 2014, Hooker redshirted during the national championship year.  Hooker played primarily on special teams in 2015, but emerged as a playmaker in the role of former NFL great Ed Reed in 2016.  Even with two years of eligibility remaining, Hooker made the correct choice in declaring early for the 2017 NFL Draft.  Hooker will probably be selected within the first ten picks of the 2017 NFL Draft, based on plays like below...



H-Back Curtis Samuel ~ Samuel played a multitude of roles in his three years in Columbus.  Playing as a true freshman in 2014, Samuel was able to contribute running and receiving the ball.  Samuel became Ohio State's focal offensive weapon in 2016, leading the Buckeyes with 74 receptions while adding 845 yards on the ground, with a total of 15 touchdowns.  Samuel could sneak into the late first round of the 2017 NFL Draft, but will probably be a second or third round pick.  No matter what kind of NFL career Samuel has, this play will immortalize Samuel in the hearts of Buckeye fans everywhere...



WR Noah Brown ~ Of all the players on this list, Brown probably qualifies as a surprise early entrant into the 2017 NFL Draft.  Brown played sparingly as a true freshman in 2014, and suffered an injury that eliminated his 2015 season.  Brown started off strong in 2016 before tapering off down the stretch.  With a strong performance at the NFL Combine and at workouts, Brown will look to elevate his draft stock, but Brown is looking like a day three NFL draft choice.



MLB Raekwon McMillan ~ Arguably the crown jewel of the 2014 recruiting class, McMillan vied for playing time as a true freshman during the national championship season.  Taking over the middle linebacker spot in 2015, McMillan led the Buckeyes in tackles in both 2015 and 2016.  With NFL teams playing more and more nickel packages, McMillan will probably be a day two pick in the 2017 NFL Draft.

CB Marshon Lattimore ~ Lattimore was also highly-touted as a recruit in 2014, but battled hamstring injuries in both 2014 and 2015.  Lattimore emerged as one of the best defensive backs in the country in 2016.  Even with two years of eligibility, Lattimore made the right decision to declare for the 2017 NFL Draft, with his stock so high.  Lattimore should be a high selection in the 2017 NFL Draft.



Would I be happy if all six of these players were donning the scarlet and gray for Ohio State in 2017?  Absolutely.  Do I understand why all six of these players have decided to fulfill their respective dreams of a NFL career?  Absolutely.

Gentlemen, thank you for all of your contributions to Ohio State.  You will all be missed, but not forgotten.  #GoBucks!

Several Buckeyes Will Take "The Fifth" In 2017

"The Fifth...is an old friend and a good friend." ~ William O. Douglas

William O. Douglas was a former United State Supreme Court Justice, and was referring to the fifth amendment in the United States Constitution.  While Justice Douglas was discussing the importance of self-incrimination, Ohio State fans might take these words and think of them in a different context, as they apply to several Ohio State players who are going to use their fifth year of eligibility and compete for the 2017 Buckeyes.

From the vaunted 2013 Ohio State recruiting class, the following players have declared their intentions to use their final year of college eligibility and project as starters in 2017...

Billy Price - Recruited as a defensive lineman, Price was moved to the offensive line as a redshirt freshman in 2014.  With the departure of Pat Elflein at center, Price has elected to move from guard to center in 2017.

Marcus Baugh - Baugh had his share of off the field disciplinary issues earlier in his career.  With x receptions in 2016, Baugh's return at tight end solidifies another offensive position.

J.T. Barrett - Many Ohio State fans are conflicted with Barrett's return at quarterback, as Barrett had accuracy issues in 2016.  How much of that was on Barrett, and how much of that was on the previous offensive coaching staff?  I am willing to bet on the latter, and see a return to the form of 2014 that had Barrett finish fifth in the Heisman Trophy balloting.

Michael Hill - Ohio State has an abundance of defensive ends, but not a tremendous amount of depth along the interior defensive line.  Hill should be part of a rotation at defensive tackle in 2017.

Tyquan Lewis - The return of Lewis in 2017 was a minor surprise; most had Lewis heading to the NFL after a solid 2016.  Lewis will headline an impressive group of defensive ends in 2017.

Chris Worley - Worley played well in his first year as a starter at Will linebacker.  With the return of Jerome Baker at the Sam linebacker spot, Worley's return will help to solidify the linebacker position group.

Those six players have declared their intentions of returning.  What about the following players who also have another year of eligibility?

Tracy Sprinkle - Sprinkle was lost for the season in the opener against Bowling Green.  Will Sprinkle be suiting up for the Buckeyes in 2017?

James Clark - Clark sustained an injury as a true freshman in 2013, and has struggled to make an impact ever since.  Will Clark stick it out for another year with the Buckeyes in 2017?

Justice Douglas stated how "The Fifth...is an old friend and a good friend.".  Ohio State fans may be making a similar statement in 2017 about many, if not all, of these Buckeyes.

2017 Will Have Ohio State Fans Yelling Out For "Wilson!"

via GIPHY

Tom Hanks is one of my favorite actors.  I am old enough to remember him on TV on "Bosom Buddies", remember him from one of his first movies in "Splash", and certainly enjoyed Tom Hanks' stellar performances in "Forrest Gump", "Apollo 13", and "Saving Private Ryan".

One of Hanks' most underrated performances, in my opinion, is in the movie "Cast Away".  Hanks plays a shipwrecked man on a deserted tropical island, desperate to return home.  Among Hanks' most prized possessions is a Wilson volleyball, who serves as the only friend Hanks has to talk to on the island.

For those of you who have not seen the movie, I do not want to give too much of the plot away.  I will say that Tom Hanks, as shown in the clip above, yells out "Wilson!" during a particularly dramatic scene in the movie.

In 2017, with the hiring of Kevin Wilson as Ohio State's new offensive coordinator and tight ends coach, I am willing to bet that Ohio State fans will be yelling out "Wilson!" in a very positive and enthusiastic manner.  I am going to suggest that some people may have been doing this ever since the rumors began that Wilson was going to join the Ohio State staff...

Urban Meyer as head coach, with Greg Schiano and Kevin Wilson as his coordinators. Look out. If only he would start recruiting well too. :)

— Dave Biddle (@davebiddle) January 10, 2017

Scary to think what Kevin Wilson will be able to do with Ohio State-level talent. pic.twitter.com/diQ47amWzL

— Brent Yarina (@BTNBrentYarina) January 10, 2017

Last week, I wrote about Ohio State had hired Ryan Day as the new quarterback coach.  Even though Ohio State has officially hired Kevin Wilson, Wilson has not yet spoken to any of the Ohio State media or beat reporters.  The closest idea Ohio State has regarding how Ohio State will look offensively in 2017 came from Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer, who offered a few comments at a recent American Football Coaches Association dinner...

Spring football practice will probably begin in March.  Ohio State fans, eager to see a balanced offensive attack in 2017, will be anxious to yell out "Wilson!" at their first opportunity during the Ohio State Spring Game.  #GoBucks!

Buckeyes Look To A New 'Day' In 2017

“This new day is too dear, with its hopes and invitations, to waste a moment on the yesterdays.” ~ Ralph Waldo Emerson.

Legendary Ohio State head football coach Woody Hayes not only could diagram an off-tackle play better than most, but Coach Hayes was quite fond of quoting Ralph Waldo Emerson.  It makes me wonder if Coach Hayes would have used the same quote I selected to describe new Ohio State quarterback coach Ryan Day.

Ryan Day was announced as Ohio State’s new quarterback coach on January 3, 2017.  Day replaces Tim Beck on the coaching staff, as Beck departed Ohio State to become the quarterback coach and offensive coordinator for the University of Texas, under former Ohio State assistant/former Houston head coach Tom Herman.

How did Ohio State fans and media respond to the news of Beck’s departure? 

No personal grudge against Tim Beck as a person. He was a bad hire, did a bad job and made Ohio State worse for two years. In my opinion.

— Doug Lesmerises (@DougLesmerises) January 3, 2017

I'm bringing on Tim Beck as OC. You might know him from such things as:

1. Leading Ohio State to zero points against Clemson on Saturday.

— TomTheHerman (@TomTheHerman) January 3, 2017

In the spirit of Emerson, I am going to look forward to Day’s tutelage of quarterbacks such as J.T. Barrett, Joe Burrow, and Dwayne Haskins.  (Before Ohio State fans point out about the incoming QB recruits…I won’t count on them until they sign on the line that is dotted.  Then I am happy to refer to them as ‘Buckeyes’.)

Cleveland.com had a tremendous story that featured former Boston College quarterback Tyler Murphy, who played under Coach Day.  Considering Day played under Chip Kelly when Day was in college at New Hampshire, then coached for Kelly in Philadelphia and San Francisco in the NFL the past two seasons, give me the impression that Ohio State is going to concentrate on getting back to an up-tempo offense that Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer has long admired, but has gone without since Tom Herman left Columbus for Houston.  (Again, I realize that there is strong speculation about who the next offensive coordinator is going to be in 2017, but until that person is officially named, I will not refer to him…) 

As I wrote up above, Woody Hayes certainly knew a thing or two about football, and was not too shabby when it came to Emerson.  As Ohio State fans look forward to a new college football season in 2017, let us hope that Emerson knew a thing or two when it came to talking about a new ‘Day’.

Buckeyes Defeating The Tigers May Not Be Elementary, (Deshaun) Watson

The phrase, “Elementary, my dear Watson” has been attributed to the fictional character of Sherlock Holmes.  The meaning of the phrase, with Holmes stating it to his loyal assistant Dr. Watson, was to explain the deductions that Holmes had made in deducing the case.  The reality is that Sherlock Holmes never uttered that phrase in any of the novels written by Conan Doyle, the creator of Sherlock Holmes.  The phrase became part of Sherlock Holmes’ lore as a result of movies, where the phrase gained prominence.

Ohio State will be facing a Watson in The Fiesta Bowl, when Clemson’s Deshaun Watson will lead the 2nd-ranked Tigers against the 3rd-ranked Buckeyes in a designated College Football Playoff.  As Deshaun Watson is a dangerous dual-threat quarterback, capable of hurting the Buckeyes with both his legs and his arm, it would be foolish to say that defending against Watson will be “elementary”.

Ohio State is a 3 point favorite against Clemson.  To be fair, this game and match-up seems much more difficult to predict.  Which Ohio State team is going to show up?  The team that came out and bludgeoned ranked opponents such as Nebraska 62-3, or the team that seemed to completely go into a predictable and frustrating funk offensively, such as when the Buckeyes eeked out a one point win at East Lansing against Michigan State?

In order for the Buckeyes to take another step closer to the 2016 national championship, below are three critical areas I will be looking for when The Fiesta Bowl kicks off at 7pm EST on ESPN…

1. Ohio State must throw the ball deep ~ Even if Ohio State is incomplete, Urban Meyer has to stretch the field against a Clemson defense that will crowd the line of scrimmage.  By throwing deep, the Tigers will be unable to put eight or nine men in the box, thus giving the Ohio State running game a better chance of success.  Will K.J. Hill get a chance to be a deep threat?  Will Ohio State sometimes use Curtis Samuel as a deep threat?  As long as Ohio State makes this effort, that is all I care about.
2. Will Ohio State Bring Back “Tressel-ball”? ~ If you have not yet read this article by Pete Thamel of Sports Illustrated about what Ohio State needs to do to win The College Football Playoff, please do so.  I know that this seems like a contradiction after my first point, but once Ohio State gets Clemson to quit stacking the line of scrimmage, using Mike Weber, J.T. Barrett, and Curtis Samuel as ballcarriers to control the clock and tire out the Clemson defense would be advantageous.

 

The case for Ohio State to win the College Football Playoff (by @SIPeteThamel) https://t.co/I9loUyIArC pic.twitter.com/O5L5j7RQUt

— Campus Rush (@CampusRush) December 21, 2016

3.  Will Ohio State Continue Its Opportunistic Ways On Defense ~ Think back to how many times Malik Hooker came up with acrobatic interceptions this season.  While Deshaun Watson has tremendous weapons at his disposal, in players such as WR Mike Williams, TE Jordan Leggett, WR Artavis Scott, and RB Wayne Gallman, the Buckeyes need to capitalize upon any mistakes that Watson may make.  Better yet, if the Buckeyes can force Watson into a mistake, with blitzes or pass rush pressure, the opportunity to score points defensively are there.

Prediction:  As written up above, this is a tough game to call.  Clemson has a tremendous defensive line, full of players Ohio State recruited, going up against an offensive line that has struggled with pass protection.  Even with all of Clemson’s talent, I think Ohio State has just enough to get by the Tigers in a shoot-out.  I am going to say Ohio State 35, Clemson 31.  #GoBucks!

The 2016 Airing Of Grievances

Happy Festivus!  For those of you who are unaware or unfamiliar with Festivus, please click on this link, and you will get a better understanding.

Festivus is only two days away! Tune in to watch the Festivus episode every night this week for the #5DaysofFestivus! pic.twitter.com/nIJYfaTiJn

— Seinfeld (@SeinfeldTV) December 21, 2016

For those of you who are familiar with Festivus, I am going to take some time away from my preparation from The Feats Of Strength (if you clicked on the link, you already know what that means) to give my annual Airing Of Grievances (again, please click on the link) as they relate to the 2016 Ohio State Buckeyes.

I do not have too many grievances – after all, Ohio State is 11-1, only a blocked field goal from being undefeated, and will be playing in The College Football Playoff for the second time in three years with a roster that is largely comprised of freshmen or redshirt freshmen.  Not too shabby.

1.  The Lack Of A Downfield Passing Game ~ Even Ohio State Head Coach Urban Meyer recognizes that Ohio State needs to improve its passing game, saying, “In the offseason we’re going to become a good throwing team and spend some time on it…”.  Perhaps it is a measure of a young offensive line not giving quarterback J.T. Barrett enough time to throw, perhaps it is the roster lacking a receiver who can get deep separation (I would dispute that one), but Ohio State’s passing game has become all too predictable and easy to defend, especially during the latter portion of the season.
2. Ohio State Needed To Play More Freshmen ~ This one will sound like a contradiction, as the following true freshmen played in 2016, based on my records – Jonathon Cooper, Demario McCall, Tuf Borland, Michael Jordan, Austin Mack, Nick Bosa, Antonio Williams (but he will be redshirted due to a shoulder injury), Binjimen Victor, Keandre Jones, Rodjay Burns, Jordan Fuller, and Malik Harrison.  Here is where I would gripe – in so many blowout games, why not give those players even more time?  A case in point is redshirt freshman quarterback Joe Burrow.  Burrow was able to get some playing time, but when Ohio State was blowing out Bowling Green, Tulsa, Rutgers, Nebraska, and Maryland…could he have received even more time?
3. Quit Relying Upon J.T. Barrett’s Legs ~ This is tied somewhat to the first grievance.  Coach Meyer has a tendency to put the ball in Barrett’s hands in crucial situations, and Barrett has been very dependable.  This has also led to the predictability of the Ohio State offense.  Who is not expecting a quarterback draw on short yardage?  Be honest.  More play-action passes, even if incomplete, will actually help to spread out the defense.

Well, I have to get ready for The Feats Of Strength.  I am usually adept at keeping the kids from pinning me, but they are getting older, and so am I – one of these years, the kids will be able to pin me without my wife’s help.

Happy Festivus, and sincere wishes to all of you for a safe and happy holiday season.  Go Bucks!