Drew Thurman (7:25 pm)

Ratings...

Looking at the Scout 150 or Rivals 250 over the past few months has been nothing short of disappointing. Not only did the Buckeyes fall short of the top five classes they accumulated in '08 and '09, but the whole state of Ohio wasn't that impressive in the 2010 class.

The 2011 class looks like it will redeem both parties though. The state of Ohio is loaded with talent, and the national recruiting services are taking notice. In the recently released Scout 150, the Buckeye state has 13 guys (up from nine a year ago), and that talent is much higher up on the list. Braxton Miller (QB), Trey DePriest (OLB), and Ryan Kelly (C) all come in at No. 1 at their given positions, while Doran Grant is listed as the No. 2 corner. Believe or not, Glenville product Shane Wynn doesn't even make the list! The Rivals 250 also is a good showing for Ohio boys (and Wynn does get some love from them!)

More importantly for those of us in scarlet and gray, it appears as if the Buckeyes will do a better job of keeping the best players in the state this year. Braxton Miller, Trey DePriest, Doran Grant, Eilar Hardy, and the Glenville crew (Sturdivant, Walker, and Wynn) are all showing major interest. It doesn't hurt that the staff has already locked up defensive ends Ken Hayes and Steve Miller (both guys on Rivals and Scout's lists). One has to wonder if the Rose Bowl victory will leave a larger impression for the guys in '11.

Rankings...

Mark Schlabach of ESPN has got the Buckeyes at No. 2, in his recent Top 25 for 2010. Ohio State has found themselves on a lot of lists like this in recent years, but this seems to be the most realistic chance the Buckeyes have had since No. 10 was at the helm. Speaking of quarterbacks, this will be Pryor's team more than ever, and Schlabach understands that as well.

"Buckeyes coach Jim Tressel can only hope quarterback Terrelle Pryor turned the corner with his performance in a 26-17 victory over Oregon in the Rose Bowl. Entering his third season, Pryor is still trying to live up to the hype that made him the country's top high school QB prospect. The good news: Four starters will be back on the offensive line. The Buckeyes will have to replace left tackle Jim Cordle, and junior Mike Adams will be the top candidate to protect Pryor's blind side entering spring practice. Three tailbacks will compete for the starting job, including heralded freshman Jaamal Berry, who missed all of last season because of a hamstring injury."

Things Like That...

Speaking of Pryor, the news broke that Pryor had arthroscopic surgery on his right knee earlier this week. Thanks to our friends at New Mexico State, Pryor had a PCL tear that needed some fixing. It sounds like the left leg of the entire Ohio State Football franchise will be alright though, so we can all take a deep breath and prep for a title run.

"Team spokeswoman Shelly Poe confirmed to ESPN.com that Pryor had a routine arthroscopic procedure and should make a speedy recovery. The team said the surgery was successful and expects Pryor to be back to 100 percent before spring practice, which begins April 1."