Consolidated 2012 Recruiting Post

[danwismar]

After watching this junior film of Davonte Neal, he instantly became my top priority to finish out the 2012 class...over Dodson...over Diamond...over Reeves...

I must have said "holy shit" at least four times in this 11 minutes of video. Could his senior year film be better? I haven't looked for it, but if I might very soon, especially if they land him.

He has a combination of open field instincts...moves...and pure speed that I haven't seen in a high school kid in a while. Reminded me a little bit of Noel Devine's H.S. tape, only bigger and stronger. He could be the starting punt and kickoff returner for the Buckeyes right now, IMO.



They're saying it's probably down to ND and OSU, with the home state U of Arizona getting a look with Rich Rod there. I think his parents are OSU grads??

[e0y2e3]

Nationally it is down to OSU and ND, but his former coach is now on the Arizona AD staff and is the reason for that damned 2/10 visit.

Unless Urban makes sweet magic during his rescheduled in-home this could take awhile.

[furls]

Yeah, Neal is impressive. I like him a little better then Diggs even. Hopefully he ends up in this class because Meyer would absolutely know what to do about him.

[furls]

The run at 2:41 is stupid

[JCoz]

Yeah, Neal is impressive. I like him a little better then Diggs even. Hopefully he ends up in this class because Meyer would absolutely know what to do about him.

The bitch of it is....so would RR. Much of Meyers O is based on RR's schemes.

And there he is right near home for the folks to watch.

Now its the Folks buckeye loyalties vs the want to be near and watch their kid live.

Kid was in the bag I thought until recent events. Now I'd honestly call us the underdog to AZ. And I couldn't blame the kid, he'd thrive in that offense and be close to home.

[e0y2e3]

So Roger Lewis to go the Prep School route. He's the guy there has been rumbling about being in academic trouble for some time and now he's most likely not gonna make it this year but is being told OSU will hold a spot for him next year like with Jones this year.

[e0y2e3]

Also, Stefen Diggs is screwing with everyone again and "deciding" if he is going to visit OSU this weekend or not.

Still not likely he visits, but if he does the most explosive player in the country is at least on campus.

Reeves is deciding between OSU and scUM shortly and Cox will also be deciding on OSU or not.

Dodson is announcing Saturday and all the Scout guys still say he's a Buckeye on Saturday, so meh.

Diamond looking likely to end up scUM's sixth OT recruit locked up.

[e0y2e3]

Yeah, Neal is impressive. I like him a little better then Diggs even. Hopefully he ends up in this class because Meyer would absolutely know what to do about him.

The bitch of it is....so would RR. Much of Meyers O is based on RR's schemes.

And there he is right near home for the folks to watch.

Now its the Folks buckeye loyalties vs the want to be near and watch their kid live.

Kid was in the bag I thought until recent events. Now I'd honestly call us the underdog to AZ. And I couldn't blame the kid, he'd thrive in that offense and be close to home.

While I wouldn't compare Neal to Diggs directly you have to agree. It really seemed like his former coach getting that job in Arizona totally changed his recruiting to now 50/50 at best.

[furls]

I was comparing the two in the sense that I feel like we would probably only end up with one of them and if I could pick one it would probably be Neal. Both are excellent players, I just see Diggs as the second best WR in 2012, whereas I see Neal as the best playmaker in 2012.

If we were running Mike Gundy's Ok. State offense or Mike Leach's Texas Tech (now WSU) offense I would be pimping Diggs, but with Meyer I just feel like Neal is a better match for the syatem (but I would take Diggs in a heartbeat too).

[e0y2e3]

Per Greene, Diamond ship has more than sailed. Urban never even kept in touch after the official, deciding their just wasn't a match, yielding him jumping all-in on Decker and Dodson.

[danwismar]

Wanna feel old?

[e0y2e3]

Diggs is coming, only a 24 hour visit though (has to take the ACT on Saturday, coming afterward). Maryland the next weekend then announcing 2/11.

Per Greene

[furls]

Getting Diggs on campus is cool, but I am still not that excited. Would love to get him and/or Neal, but I just don't think that there is anyway we pull the Diggs rabbit out of Meyer's hat.

[e0y2e3]

Yeah, my hopes aren't up, but hey, it is something.

Unrealated notes: apparently Roger Lewis doesn't want to go the Prep School route and is going to OU or Bowling Green and Kiffin is trying to steal Dodson.

Gotta love the insane stupidity that recruiting now is!!!

[furls]

Lewis as a non qualifier is a complete non surprise. I guess he flashed some pretty good skills in the Offense/Defense game, so I guess that is a little disappointing, but I never really saw a game breaker in Lewis. Another name to watch for non-qualifier is Devan Bogard. He is still trying to get a test score, his last ACT score was a 15 (needs 17). For a frame of reference, my black lab puppy just scored a 19.

Ricquan Southward has qualified, so that is good news. FYI, his senior highlights are out and they are impressive.

Dodson's recruiting is one of the strangest I can remember, I would love to know 100% of the story.

[e0y2e3]

I'd love to know if Kiffin is recruiting Dodson just to fuck with Meyer considering the OT haul they are already pulling in.

[furls]

How long until that machine at USC is running again? Oregon is super Neat-O but USC is still the big dog on the porch (even with Lane Violation).

[e0y2e3]

And Reeves just chose OSU over scUM.

[danwismar]

Urban 1.....Hoke 0

The first real head-to-head recruiting battle between Urban and Hoke goes the Buckeyes' way.

Dodson was at the basketball game today with a group of OSU recruits after Urban had an in-home visit with him last night. If that ain't good news I don't know it when I see it.

[furls]

Yeah, I gotta believe that Dodson is all S&G despite recent rumors that he is USC bound. Reeves taking tOSU over scUM is nice, CB was definitely a position of need after Clarke and Gambrell got tossed off the team.

Heard Diggs visit went very well too. Good enough? We shall see, but I am still not optimistic. I will not allow myself to dream yet.

[pod2dawg]

How long until that machine at USC is running again? Oregon is super Neat-O but USC is still the big dog on the porch (even with Lane Violation).

One year. Then it's Alabama, USC, & tOSU to reign.

Texas has Texas. Florida, Florida State, LSU and even scUM will get theirs.

[e0y2e3]

Marcus officially in, Dodson supposedly in whenever the girls lax team at his high school gives up the podium at the presser.

Diggs and Neal the last two guys Meyer is in on that are undecided, finding out both of them 2/10.

Also, a ton of rumors kicking the Neal is a Buckeye once his dad stops elongating this recruiting process.

Marcus makes this LBing corp nasty, athletic as hell and scary. If he can really pull off MLB like Meyer thinks he can, christ. Probably the best defensive high-light tape in the class.

[e0y2e3]

Dodson ignores Lane Kiffin and his continued infactuation with Meyer recruits (he's already chasing 2013 targets) and is a Buckeye.

Needed two big time offensive tackles this year, got two offensive tackels.

Perfect class, addressing LB speed, pass-rushing and the O-line. Now wait a week and find out of two cherry on top offensive playmakers want to join.

[e0y2e3]

BTW: Urban got both of his signing day targets, something Buckeye fans haven't seen in a-long-while. And I'll be he goes at least 1/2 on these two post signing day guys.

[neoleo]

BTW: Urban got both of his signing day targets, something Buckeye fans haven't seen in a-long-while. And I'll be he goes at least 1/2 on these two post signing day guys.

Been a long time coming, and boy was it nice.

Scary how much talent we would have lost out on without Meyer, and how many of them would have been in conference.

[danwismar]

I'd be ecstatic with just Neal added to this class. Although after what we've seen the last two months, if he landed Diggs, it wouldn't surprise me.

I loved Ramzy's tweet this morning:

"Christ, Urban Meyer could lead 900 people to Guyana and make them drink."

[e0y2e3]

A video better surface on Youtube of Dodson's commitment thingy with his team. For as awesome as it sounds, it needs to be online.

[danwismar]

[e0y2e3]

From Ari of BSB "-- Dodson said the turning point in his recruiting process was when Urban Meyer looked him in the eye and said he geniuinely cared about him, even if he chose to go another school. Meyer conveyed to Dodson that he was a No. 1 priority throughout the process."

Heh, only posting this because man........... this is the exact thing OSU fans bitched about from Meyer for four years.

Heh.

[peeker643]

From Ari of BSB "-- Dodson said the turning point in his recruiting process was when Urban Meyer looked him in the eye and said he geniuinely cared about him, even if he chose to go another school. Meyer conveyed to Dodson that he was a No. 1 priority throughout the process."

Heh, only posting this because man........... this is the exact thing OSU fans bitched about from Meyer for four years.

Heh.

[jb]

Dodson ignores Lane Kiffin and his continued infactuation with Meyer recruits (he's already chasing 2013 targets) and is a Buckeye.

Needed two big time offensive tackles this year, got two offensive tackels.

Perfect class, addressing LB speed, pass-rushing and the O-line. Now wait a week and find out of two cherry on top offensive playmakers want to join.

D front 7 should be rejuvenated in a couple seasons. I also like the S's we got (thinking Najee will move there from seeing him hit at Big Red).

Hopeful the RB's improve us as well.

[danwismar]

Couldn't have done any better as far as addressing the deficit of speed at linebacker...Perkins, Marcus, Williams and Perry.

I hadn't taken the time to watch any video of Marcus till today. Everyone has been saying he's severely underrated as a 3-star (long before he signed with OSU)and that his film was really impressive. Check out the youtube of senior highlights...seems really quick off the ball and makes a ton of plays in the backfield.

I know, they're highlight vids, and the competition in SC isn't exactly St. Iggy, but you can get a feel for the speed and power of the guy at 6'3", 245. If he could eventually play at the MLB spot, and they could put Perkins, Williams, Shazier, and Perry outside...Jesus.

Perry may end up playing offense...possibly the best athlete in the whole class...kid long-jumped like 23'5" at his size. Can't wait to see him play.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=rZRN0BlbpYk

[e0y2e3]

Perry's gonna end up at TE and gonna be a freak, IMO.

[pup]

From Ari of BSB "-- Dodson said the turning point in his recruiting process was when Urban Meyer looked him in the eye and said he geniuinely cared about him, even if he chose to go another school. Meyer conveyed to Dodson that he was a No. 1 priority throughout the process."

Heh, only posting this because man........... this is the exact thing OSU fans bitched about from Meyer for four years.

Heh.

Sure. But now he means it.

[jb]

Perry's gonna end up at TE and gonna be a freak, IMO.

He's no Louis Irizarry

[e0y2e3]

I'm not sure whose story is more expected from Y-town, Turner or Louis......

[danwismar]

A video better surface on Youtube of Dodson's commitment thingy with his team. For as awesome as it sounds, it needs to be online.

Ask, and ye shall receive:

[e0y2e3]

Meyer just said on the radio "we don't redshirt"

HA, no way that holds.

[danwismar]

Here's the official OSU release on the class with pictures, bios, etc.

http://www.ohiostatebuckeyes.com/signingday/

[Cerebral_DownTime]

Nice job graphics department...... very original.

[e0y2e3]

Uhm... Mike Farrell @ rivalsmike
Big news, # OhioState not taking Davonte Neal now



In his preser Meyer made it clear they were recruiting for one more spot. If this is true, well, read between the lines......

[e0y2e3]

And Meyer is fairly openly ripping the speed of the WRer corp and numbers on the radio right now.

[jb]

A video better surface on Youtube of Dodson's commitment thingy with his team. For as awesome as it sounds, it needs to be online.

Ask, and ye shall receive:

It was all pops and buzzes from here.

[Ziner]

Not Ohio State related, but quite hilarious.

#Auburn signee Cassanova McKinzy says the lack of a @ChickfilA on campus played a factor in picking the Tigers over #Clemson.

[jb]

Uhm... Mike Farrell @ rivalsmike
Big news, # OhioState not taking Davonte Neal now



In his preser Meyer made it clear they were recruiting for one more spot. If this is true, well, read between the lines......

& for the illiterate this means.....?

[Triple-S]

Not Ohio State related, but quite hilarious.

#Auburn signee Cassanova McKinzy says the lack of a @ChickfilA on campus played a factor in picking the Tigers over #Clemson.

I've been to Clemson.

Unless things have changed, There's quite a few chick-fil-a's within driving distance from Death Valley.

Plus they have a damn good place to get Chili Dogs near by, plus Fatz Calabash Chicken. And Mrytle Beach is one of the better places to go spring breaking at.

What an idiot.

[furls]

Meyer just said on the radio "we don't redshirt"

HA, no way that holds.

God, I hope that does hold. Redshirting at a school like tOSU is just a bad idea for nearly every position except QB. Most HS QB are in no way ready to contribute the first year and they need the time.

Most of the guys that a school like tOSU gives a redshirt too are guys that should have probably been replaced by better versions of themselves. Generally, they don't find it during their 5th year and turn it on. I guess maybe on the OL as well, but our best OL generally find their way into the 2 deep or get some playing time as true freshman.

I guess Travis Howard and Sabino (because of our lousy depth) are the only 2 guys I can think of that I am glad we redshirted in the last couple of years.

[furls]

This year's class is just fucking stupidly good. You guys know that I have been all over Marcus since Meyer came on and offered him out of nowhere. My initial reaction was, "Why the fuck is he offering some 3* LB from NC." Then I saw that kid's highlight tape and I was blown away. Best LB highlight tape I have seen this year, no shit.

The kid has obviously had some very good coaching, he has excellent tackling form and sheds blocks better than any starter on tOSU's roster right now. I loved Dorian Bell's highlight tape, I thought it was amazing because he made so many plays all over the field, what is more amazing about Marcus' tape is how many plays he makes FROM HIS POSITION after completing his assignment. When you watch his tape again, watch and see how he sets the edge, maintains containment then pursues the ball. He is better at playing his position today that Etienne Sabino and Marcus already has the body for D1 football. The only thing that will keep him off the field next year is the problem most of these guys have in coming to the NCAA.... how long does it take him to pick up pass coverage? Not really a HS LB problem, definitely a NCAAF LB problem and even moreso in the NFL.

[e0y2e3]

http://chicago.cbslocal.com/2012/02/01/ ... ecruiting/

[furls]

To think that tOSU will add either (or both of) Neal or Diggs is stunning. This class is already freaking awesome, those two would make it other worldly.

Can you believe Meyer got this done in just 2 months? Just 2 months ago the 2012 class was going to basically be a throwaway with a couple of contributors, now it looks like it will eclipse last year's excellent class. Unbelievable.