National Signing Day - Buckeyes

[danwismar]

Today's the day, and there's good news and not so good news.

The fax isn't in yet, but the word is all but official that Aundrey Walker will sign with USC. But that's about the extent of the bad news for Tressel's Bucks.

Pennsylvania linebacker Ejuan Price had been rumored to be wavering on his commitment to OSU in favor of hometown Pitt, but word this morning is he'll stick with the Buckeyes.

And Curtis Grant, the #1 outside linebacker in the nation, by all reports, will be a Buckeye when the day is done.

Glenville QB Cardale Jones will also accept the Buckeyes' offer, and will probably attend prep school and enroll next January (technically a "grayshirt" like Boeckman did a few years ago). Glenville teammate WR/KR Shane Wynn reportedly will sign with Indiana.

[motherscratcher]

I'm naive. I don't understand how anyone would want to play at USC right now. Kiffin just seems like such a POS. Would you want your kid to play for him? I wouldn't, not when there are so many other options available.

[motherscratcher]

Fingers crossed for Grant.

I don't keep up with this stuff they way that a lot of others do, but it seems like it's been a long time since Tressel landed a big fish on signing day. It always seems like the big ones who we are waiting on end up putting on a different cap.

Am I way off on that Dan?

[Ziner]

I'm naive. I don't understand how anyone would want to play at USC right now. Kiffin just seems like such a POS. Would you want your kid to play for him? I wouldn't, not when there are so many other options available.

More concerned with the location and atmosphere of where you play rather than program and coach you are going to. LA is a much different atmosphere than Columbus....duh. I would venture to guess any college kid not from LA that is going to USC, is going for LA more than USC. JMHO.

[Ziner]

Fingers crossed for Grant.

I don't keep up with this stuff they way that a lot of others do, but it seems like it's been a long time since Tressel landed a big fish on signing day. It always seems like the big ones who we are waiting on end up putting on a different cap.

Am I way off on that Dan?

I take it you are not counting Pryor because it was after signing day? Pretty big fish landed there.

[motherscratcher]

I'm naive. I don't understand how anyone would want to play at USC right now. Kiffin just seems like such a POS. Would you want your kid to play for him? I wouldn't, not when there are so many other options available.

More concerned with the location and atmosphere of where you play rather than program and coach you are going to. LA is a much different atmosphere than Columbus....duh. I would venture to guess any college kid not from LA that is going to USC, is going for LA more than USC. JMHO.

I didn't mean just Columbus necessarily. I get why a kid would want to get somewhere else for weather/girls/beaches/adventure...whatever. I get that. But there are a lot of schools besides USC to choose from if you want to get out of Ohio to see what it's like.

[motherscratcher]

Fingers crossed for Grant.

I don't keep up with this stuff they way that a lot of others do, but it seems like it's been a long time since Tressel landed a big fish on signing day. It always seems like the big ones who we are waiting on end up putting on a different cap.

Am I way off on that Dan?

I take it you are not counting Pryor because it was after signing day? Pretty big fish landed there.

Yeah, I did think of that, and then I ignored it because it was contrary to my point

[Ziner]

Fingers crossed for Grant.

I don't keep up with this stuff they way that a lot of others do, but it seems like it's been a long time since Tressel landed a big fish on signing day. It always seems like the big ones who we are waiting on end up putting on a different cap.

Am I way off on that Dan?

I take it you are not counting Pryor because it was after signing day? Pretty big fish landed there.

Yeah, I did think of that, and then I ignored it because it was contrary to my point

Nice, you should post more in the political threads, that is really handy in those.

[jclvd_23]

Per Rivals Mike Farrell, Darius Jennings to Virginia.

[danwismar]

The running joke last night...

OSU will remain open for classes today despite the horrendous weather....

....yet more proof that Ohio State can't close when it's close to signing day.

---

Scratcher, you're right that JT has come in 2nd on a lot of the national recruits he's been in on in recent years.

My half-serious theory on this: Kids say the hardest part of recruiting is telling the coaches they're not coming to their school. JT is so calm and professional that he's easier to say "No" to than some others. Like I said...half-serious.

Curtis Grant is going to blow that reputation out of the water at about 2 p.m. this afternoon though.

By June, this class was almost full, and the Bucks had zero linebackers. When/if Grant signs later, they will have landed a kick-ass LB class, with Price, Grant, Crowell and Shazier. The DL class (Hayes, Miller, Farris, Bennett, Hale) might be even better, and the DB's are excellent too. Great defensive class all in all.

On O, there are lots of questions about the strength of the OL group, but they did very well at TE and WR, and of course, there's Braxton Miller.

[jb]

I'm naive. I don't understand how anyone would want to play at USC right now. Kiffin just seems like such a POS. Would you want your kid to play for him? I wouldn't, not when there are so many other options available.

http://sait.usc.edu/recsports/spirit/song/

Say what you want about Kiffin, he's a recruiting witch. How SC is a top 5 class this year is crazy-stunning.

[motherscratcher]

I'm naive. I don't understand how anyone would want to play at USC right now. Kiffin just seems like such a POS. Would you want your kid to play for him? I wouldn't, not when there are so many other options available.

http://sait.usc.edu/recsports/spirit/song/

Say what you want about Kiffin, he's a recruiting witch. How SC is a top 5 class this year is crazy-stunning.

I know. Even last year he somehow pulled a good class, despite Seantrel pulling out.



BTW - I swear I made this post before I read Peeker's take in the other scout thread. With Peek and Hiko's simultaneous post yesterday, things are getting creepy at TCF.

[danwismar]

Remember the kids going to USC will only have to deal with one year of probation, and none if they redshirt.

Word is Walker's whole family will be moving to California, so that may have had more than a little to do with the decision. It's not sour grapes to say the kid is not a game-changer. He was the 9th-rated guard in the country, but no guard is a game-changer.

That said, there is serious concern about OSU's offensive line recruiting over the past two years. 2011 looks fine with another year for the big 3 (Brewster Adams, Shugarts) and they'll have 3 more years of Andrew Norwell and 3 more years of Marcus Hall.

Bobek (2011) is the nation's #1 center and they have quantity at guard if not blue-chip quality. Two OL's in the fold already for 2012...younger Boren (C-G) and Kyle Kalis from Ed's is the real deal at tackle. The in-state situation for 2012 is looking very good, even after Boren and Kalis. Names like Kyle Dodson, Taylor Decker and Anthony Stanko are all good-looking tackles, and you can be sure the staff will have some quality guards lined up.

But after 2011, they'll be young and unproven even in the best of circumstances.

The big lesson from the Walker commitment is that "The Glenville Way" is no longer trustworthy. Ted Ginn Sr. no longer controls the process and can't be guaranteed to deliver the goods to OSU in the end. They can no longer afford to wait around till signing day for the Glenville kids assuming that they're in the bag if OSU wants them.

[motherscratcher]

Remember the kids going to USC will only have to deal with one year of probation, and none if they redshirt.

Word is Walker's whole family will be moving to California, so that may have had more than a little to do with the decision. It's not sour grapes to say the kid is not a game-changer. He was the 9th-rated guard in the country, but no guard is a game-changer.

That said, there is serious concern about OSU's offensive line recruiting over the past two years. 2011 looks fine with another year for the big 3 (Brewster Adams, Shugarts) and they'll have 3 more years of Andrew Norwell and 3 more years of Marcus Hall.

Bobek (2011) is the nation's #1 center and they have quantity at guard if not blue-chip quality. Two OL's in the fold already for 2012...younger Boren (C-G) and Kyle Kalis from Ed's is the real deal at tackle. The in-state situation for 2012 is looking very good, even after Boren and Kalis. Names like Kyle Dodson, Taylor Decker and Anthony Stanko are all good-looking tackles, and you can be sure the staff will have some quality guards lined up.

But after 2011, they'll be young and unproven even in the best of circumstances.

The big lesson from the Walker commitment is that "The Glenville Way" is no longer trustworthy. Ted Ginn Sr. no longer controls the process and can't be guaranteed to deliver the goods to OSU in the end. They can no longer afford to wait around till signing day for the Glenville kids assuming that they're in the bag if OSU wants them.

Do they have to stop in New Orleans to pick up the house keys from Reggie Bush's mom? Or did they just leave the keys on the counter?

[jb]

^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^^

I know, right?

Interesting to know whethr this is just the Newton Precident. So long as the kid didn't know...

[peeker643]

The big lesson from the Walker commitment is that "The Glenville Way" is no longer trustworthy. Ted Ginn Sr. no longer controls the process and can't be guaranteed to deliver the goods to OSU in the end. They can no longer afford to wait around till signing day for the Glenville kids assuming that they're in the bag if OSU wants them.

Why and when did Ted Sr. step away (from either controlling the process or strring his kids to Tressel)?

[jb]

Any fall out from Miller > Jones and the uncertainty of Jones being offfered for a while? Did Ginn react and send a message? Or is this just one kid with a family on the take from SC boosters.

Keep in mind SMU's boosters remained unabated after their 2nd probabtion before the death penalty

[danwismar]

Why and when did Ted Sr. step away (from either controlling the process or strring his kids to Tressel)?

He didn't step away from it at all, and there's every reason to believe he would have preferred to see Walker at OSU. The lesson is that none of that mattered. The kid's 18 years old, and he's got a mind of his own, and what Ted Ginn Sr. thinks didn't matter.

Maybe it's too soon to call it a trend, but OSU can't sit back and count on the Glenville kids signing. At least they can't be permitted to go all the way to signing day to give their commitments just because Ginn wants his second-tier kids to get the most exposure possible to college recruiters. Treat the Glenville kids like everyone else. Commit early or we're moving on to offer someone else.

Unless of course, you're Curtis Grant, in which case they'll wait till March if need be.

It's way too easy to throw around charges of pay-for-play on the part of USC...or Clemson or wherever. In the absence of evidence, I'm not gonna go there.

[JoJo White]

I guess the Buckeyes made the decision to actively recruit child molesters.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/i ... r-arrested

[jb]

Can we throw around "speculation" instead? ;-)

[jb]

I guess the Buckeyes made the decision to actively recruit child molesters.

http://espn.go.com/blog/bigten/post/_/i ... r-arrested

A HS perv with a lame / bad gig if the allegation if proven to be sure, but he's 17 and she's 15. If JT does the right thing, there will be a happy kid getting a late present somewhere...

Mt Union can rehabilitate him and TP can write him up as a redemption story in 4 years. ;-)

[danwismar]

Can we throw around "speculation" instead? ;-)

I'm all for that.

[peeker643]

How did I miss the ROTC uniform measurement angle back then?

Genius.

Ivy League offers for the kid too?

[motherscratcher]

How did I miss the ROTC uniform measurement angle back then?

Genius.

Ivy League offers for the kid too?

I don't know how he got caught with such a foolproof plan.

The kid is Otis to Cam Newton's Lex Luther.

[Mr. X]

Here for the crow on Walker. Wouldn't believe it till I saw it. Obviously surprising to lose a Glenville kid we want. Cordale Scott was the only one before and he's done jack in college.

At least we'll get Grant in 30 minutes or so.

[JoJo White]

If you're a HS athlete with major Division I-A (fuck the FBS name) offers and you need to put in that kind of effort to see HS girls' goodies, you really suck.

[peeker643]

If you're a HS athlete with major Division I-A (fuck the FBS name) offers and you need to put in that kind of effort to see HS girls' goodies, you really suck.

This is true. I'll go with 'allegations' at this time and all that, but that shit's funny.

And there's no doubt that if this was a Texas recruit someone would be all over JoJo at this very moment.

[JoJo White]

If you're a HS athlete with major Division I-A (fuck the FBS name) offers and you need to put in that kind of effort to see HS girls' goodies, you really suck.

This is true. I'll go with 'allegations' at this time and all that, but that shit's funny.

And there's no doubt that if this was a Texas recruit someone would be all over JoJo at this very moment.

Texas only recruits student-athletes with impeccable character. Like Cedric Benson and Sergio Kindle.

[peeker643]

If you're a HS athlete with major Division I-A (fuck the FBS name) offers and you need to put in that kind of effort to see HS girls' goodies, you really suck.

This is true. I'll go with 'allegations' at this time and all that, but that shit's funny.

And there's no doubt that if this was a Texas recruit someone would be all over JoJo at this very moment.

Texas only recruits student-athletes with impeccable character. Like Cedric Benson and Sergio Kindle.

No doubt. I just wish a Longhorn had been arrested for fondling chicks (allegedly), drunk driving, drunk jet skiing or drug-related issues TODAY so that we'd be on more even ground.

But hey, it's only noon there. Still time.

[Erie Warrior]

How did I miss the ROTC uniform measurement angle back then?

Plan B

[Cerebral_DownTime]

Auburn probably had to pay out the ass for those OLinemen. Probably 20k at least.

[JoJo White]

Georgia's got themselves an uber-talented class that they can underachieve with for the next 4 years.

[danwismar]

Curtis Grant is a Buckeye.

"Coach Tressel is a cool guy"

Says he wants to get a sweater vest.

[peeker643]

I think that's Randy Lerner to the far left of the photo.

How did I miss the ROTC uniform measurement angle back then?

Plan B

[danwismar]

OSU linebacker class of Curtis Grant, Ryan Shazier, Conner Crowell, and Ejuan Price looks like one of the best ever at OSU. Comparisons are already being made to the '02 (?) class with Hawk, Carpenter, D'Andrea, Kudla, and Stan White.

Of that group, recall that Kudla was immediately moved to DE, White moved to FB/H-back/TE, and of the rest, the 3-star guys, the lowest rated of the bunch, Hawk and Carpenter, were far and away the most productive in college.

D'Andrea was the #1-rated linebacker in the nation that year, and he barely played a down in his whole career due to injuries.

It's like Joachin Andujar said.....

[e0y2e3]

That reminds me, is Dorian Bell ever going to do anything?

[jclvd_23]

That reminds me, is Dorian Bell ever going to do anything?

Not if he doesn't get out of the doghouse. He's been suspended for the Sugar Bowl and for the 1st game next year.

http://www.elevenwarriors.com/2011/01/d ... -two-games

[motherscratcher]

I see that USC signed the #9 DT named Christian Heyward. Any relation?

If so, why is he not a Buckeye?

[JCoz]

OSU linebacker class of Curtis Grant, Ryan Shazier, Conner Crowell, and Ejuan Price looks like one of the best ever at OSU. Comparisons are already being made to the '02 (?) class with Hawk, Carpenter, D'Andrea, Kudla, and Stan White.

Of that group, recall that Kudla was immediately moved to DE, White moved to FB/H-back/TE, and of the rest, the 3-star guys, the lowest rated of the bunch, Hawk and Carpenter, were far and away the most productive in college.

D'Andrea was the #1-rated linebacker in the nation that year, and he barely played a down in his whole career due to injuries.

It's like Joachin Andujar said.....

To be fair, Hawk was only rated that low due to injuries in HS IIRC, and Carpenter was very highly regarded, def a 4 star guy.

[JCoz]

I see that USC signed the #9 DT named Christian Heyward. Any relation?

If so, why is he not a Buckeye?

Pretty sure that a no.

[e0y2e3]

OSU linebacker class of Curtis Grant, Ryan Shazier, Conner Crowell, and Ejuan Price looks like one of the best ever at OSU. Comparisons are already being made to the '02 (?) class with Hawk, Carpenter, D'Andrea, Kudla, and Stan White.

Of that group, recall that Kudla was immediately moved to DE, White moved to FB/H-back/TE, and of the rest, the 3-star guys, the lowest rated of the bunch, Hawk and Carpenter, were far and away the most productive in college.

D'Andrea was the #1-rated linebacker in the nation that year, and he barely played a down in his whole career due to injuries.

It's like Joachin Andujar said.....

To be fair, Hawk was only rated that low due to injuries in HS IIRC, and Carpenter was very highly regarded, def a 4 star guy.

Carpenter ranged between being a 4 and 5 star guy IIRC.

[jb]

Georgia's got themselves an uber-talented class that they can underachieve with for the next 4 years.

Who says tradition doesn't sell with kids these days?

[danwismar]

OSU linebacker class of Curtis Grant, Ryan Shazier, Conner Crowell, and Ejuan Price looks like one of the best ever at OSU. Comparisons are already being made to the '02 (?) class with Hawk, Carpenter, D'Andrea, Kudla, and Stan White.

Of that group, recall that Kudla was immediately moved to DE, White moved to FB/H-back/TE, and of the rest, the 3-star guys, the lowest rated of the bunch, Hawk and Carpenter, were far and away the most productive in college.

D'Andrea was the #1-rated linebacker in the nation that year, and he barely played a down in his whole career due to injuries.

It's like Joachin Andujar said.....

To be fair, Hawk was only rated that low due to injuries in HS IIRC, and Carpenter was very highly regarded, def a 4 star guy.

Carpenter ranged between being a 4 and 5 star guy IIRC.

Not to nitpick, but White was the 4-star guy and D'Andrea the 5-star. They were both rated above Carpenter and Hawk, whatever the star count was, if I recall. Carpenter had the famous dad, which helped raise his profile. But WRATGAS at this point.

[JoJo White]

Craziest story from signing day - mother of DB Floyd Raven forges son's signature on LOI and faxes to Ole Miss.

http://content.usatoday.com/communities ... f-intent/1

Just when you thought you had heard everything on signing day comes the news that the mother of recruit Floyd Raven forged his name on his letter of intent.

Raven, a defensive back from Reserve (East St. John, La.), was deciding between Mississippi and Texas A&M. Raven picked the Aggies. But it seems his mom wanted him to play for the Rebels and sent a letter there after signing for her son.

According to Kyle Veazey of the Clarion Ledger, Ole Miss received a letter that wasn't readable and asked Raven, considered the No. 151 overall prospect by rivals.com, to resend. He never did.

Rebels coach Houston Nutt clarified what happened.

"His mom. Mom really wanted him here, David," Nutt said to Associated Press reporter David Brandt. "Mom wanted him here in the worst way. And so, (Mississippi compliance director) David (Wells is) our expert on that, so the bottom line is when they told us that we said 'Hey, look, I want you to be here because you really want to be here.' And he was so torn. It's really hard, it's a hard hard decision, but when mom told me that, "Hey, look, I want you to do what's in your heart. And I think at the time he wanted to go elsewhere and look, I want them to want to be here."

As of 5 p.m. ET, Raven's name did not appear on the list of Texas A&M recruits that had signed a letter of intent.

[peeker643]

Craziest story from signing day - mother of DB Floyd Raven forges son's signature on LOI and faxes to Ole Miss.

She did send it to Ole Miss.

That might mean the kid really can't write.

[jb]

http://sports.yahoo.com/rivals/blog/footballrecruiting/post/Curtis-Grant-to-OSU?urn=college-315976

Story on C (not Cie) Grant


Curtis Grant to OSU
By Rivals.com
National Signing Day has not been kind to the Ohio State Buckeyes when it comes to out-of-state stars in the past. But times are changing for the Buckeyes, whose 2011 recruiting class received one of the biggest additions of the year on Wednesday when linebacker Curtis Grant offered his pledge to the Buckeyes.

Grant, ranked as the No. 2 prospect in the country, was National Signing Day's biggest prize. The top prospect, defensive end Jadeveon Clowney, plans to sign on Feb. 14.


"I prayed on it and it came down to where my heart was at," Grant said. "I really felt it was Ohio State from the moment I first visited. I love the players there, the other recruits and everyone that I met. Plus I'm really into tats. I really like the body art opportunity there."

The 6-foot-3, 222-pound linebacker picked Ohio State over Florida, Virginia and North Carolina and is ranked as a five-star prospect.

"All of the Ohio State coaches played a role in my recruitment but of course there was Jim Tressel," Grant added. "But Luke Fickell, Paul Haynes and (Taver Johnson) all played a big role too."

It appeared at one point that the Gators would be the team to beat for Grant but after Urban Meyer left the team, the Buckeyes upped the pressure. Tressel's steady approach to recruiting ended up landing the biggest of big prospects.

Rivals.com recruiting analyst Barry Every feels that Grant sizes up to a current Buckeye when it comes just to the looks test.

"(Grant is a) tall, wide-shouldered athlete with a very well-developed lower body," Every said in his review of Grant.

Grant's speed and agility are two things that he will need to work on when it comes to advancing his game. But he is still very well-suited to playing in the Big Ten, especially at Ohio State.

"He possesses magnificent size for a linebacker and really plays downhill versus the run," Every added. "Grant has the size and speed to also rush of the edge and wreak havoc in the backfield."

The last couple of days for Grant were particularly tough and there was a strong tug to stay close to home for the big time linebacker. But the distance was something that Grant was prepared to deal with.

"It is not hard to leave home and I always kind of wanted to go out and expand my roots," Grant said. "My family will get out and see me at games that I am close to home and they will also try and make it to as many home games as they can as well."

[danwismar]

Grant: "Plus I'm really into tats. I really like the body art opportunity there."

Um...do you want to tell him, or should I?

[jb]

Grant: "Plus I'm really into tats. I really like the body art opportunity there."

Um...do you want to tell him, or should I?

OK, so the rest of the piece was C & P'd unchanged. ;-)

(Wondered who'd find that)

BTW, what is WRATGAS?

[danwismar]

OK, so the rest of the piece was C & P'd unchanged. ;-)

(Wondered who'd find that)

BTW, what is WRATGAS?

Seriously...did you add that part? Because I was buying in.

WRATGAS = Who really and truly gives a shit?

[peeker643]

I thought it was legit too. Had there been a misspelling I would have figured it out.