Drew Thurman (12:32 pm) After the biggest recruiting weekend of the year, Urban Meyer nabbed commitments from defensive lineman Tommy Schutt and Se'Von Pittman. He also secured the commitment of Bri'onte Dunn. So in one weekend he was able to not only lock in three guys that changed the outlook of the 2012 class, but also massively impacted rival Big Ten schools. He's not done yet either. With some gaping holes still left in this class and a few big name recruits still on the board, the next couple months should be very interesting. Let's take a look... |
* One of those holes that has to be answered is offensive tackle. As I have talked about extensively, not only do the Buckeyes need playmakers there for the future, they need depth this next season at the position. The Buckeyes did host Kyle Dodson and Jordan Diamond this last weekend, and put themselves in solid standing with both young men. While the possibility of pulling in both guys is definitely not out of the question for Meyer, there is still a lot of work that needs to be done.
At the point it would appear Dodson, who committed to Wisconsin back in June, may be closer to choosing the Buckeyes. While he's still committed to the Badgers at this point, he made it clear to multiple news agencies that the Buckeyes gave him a lot to think about. His coach had this to say to the Plain Dealer:
"He felt he owed it to himself to see Coach Meyer," Cleveland Heights coach Jeff Rotsky told The Plain Dealer on Tuesday. "He's going to take his time and really reconfirm. Right now, nothing has changed. He got a chance to meet an incredible person in Coach Meyer. They are not hard-selling at all. They were great."
At the point it would appear Dodson, who committed to Wisconsin back in June, may be closer to choosing the Buckeyes. While he's still committed to the Badgers at this point, he made it clear to multiple news agencies that the Buckeyes gave him a lot to think about. His coach had this to say to the Plain Dealer:
"He felt he owed it to himself to see Coach Meyer," Cleveland Heights coach Jeff Rotsky told The Plain Dealer on Tuesday. "He's going to take his time and really reconfirm. Right now, nothing has changed. He got a chance to meet an incredible person in Coach Meyer. They are not hard-selling at all. They were great."
Anytime a committed player has to stop and weigh his options, it's been a positive visit. It can't hurt that Ohio State was widely considered his school of choice before all the mess earlier this year.
As for Diamond, he made his top five public this week on Twitter after his Ohio State visit. They are Arkansas, Auburn, Michigan, Ohio State and Wisconsin, in no particular order (though he did list the Buckeyes first). By all accounts his visit went incredibly well, and I would think the Buckeyes would be his choice if he had to choose today. He already has made it clear that he likes Meyer, and the Buckeyes easily have the best chance for early playing time out of the schools in his top five. That being said, there is a lot of time left until he announces on National Signing Day, and anything could happen in that time.
Meyer isn't content just to wait around for these two guys to decide, he's also been talking to offensive tackle Joey O'Connor (Windsor, Colorado). O'Connor was previously committed to Penn State before their scandal broke, and now is looking at Ohio State, Iowa, Boise State, TCU, and Cal. The Buckeyes haven't offered him a scholarship yet, and it will be interesting to see if or when Meyer will choose to do so. Also, Nick Davidson is a option for Meyer. While he hasn't made a hard push for him at this point, that may change in the coming weeks.
* The other spot Meyer and staff have been relentless in looking to fill is linebacker. Their pursuit is further evidence that Joshua Perry will end up as at defensive end. I've been hearing his height is closer to 6-5 now and not 6-3 like many of the recruiting sites list him as, and I've always felt his film pointed to him becoming a DE.
The two guys to keep an eye on are Camren Williams and David Perkins. Williams visited earlier this week, and seems to really like the Buckeyes. He is still committed to Penn State though, and wants to see who gets hired before making his final decision. The Nittany Lions are still in shambles, and I don't think they will be able to do enough to keep Williams from signing with Ohio State.
As for Perkins, the Buckeyes have a long battle on their hands. He was once committed to Notre Dame, and seems content to enjoy the recruiting process. He's already visited Missouri last weekend and is set to visit Michigan State this weekend. He has visits set with Ohio State (1/13), LSU (1/20) and Tennessee (1/27) in January as well. Michigan has renewed interest in Perkins now too, but as a running back since Bri'onte Dunn stuck with the Buckeyes. It will be interesting to see if the chance to play on the offensive side of the ball changes things for him any.
* It will also be interesting to watch what "playmakers" end up signing with Ohio State. From the moment Meyer was announced as head coach, he has been pursuing a handful of speedsters for a Percy Harvin type role. The list of guys he has been after includes Stefon Diggs, Cyrus Jones, Davonte Neal, and Joel Caleb. Jones is off the table now, though, as he announced that he is down to Alabama and Virginia Tech.
Of the other three, Diggs seems the least likely to end up in Columbus. If the Buckeyes get a visit that could change, but for now keep an eye on Caleb and Neal. Caleb already visited Ohio State last month, and had a lot of great things to say after he got back. Neal is supposedly visiting in January and is rumored to really love the Buckeyes. Look for Meyer to at least grab one of these guys when it is all said and done. If Ricuan Southward happens to head to Gainesville, possibly both of these guys could end up in scarlet and gray.
* One other note, get ready for Friday Night Lights. FNL was one of the biggest recruiting tools that Meyer had while at Florida. To fully understand, here is some background on what it is:
"Friday Night Lights (also known as FNL) is a one-night summer camp, or showcase, for high school football players from around the country. It was the brainchild of Urban Meyer and his inaugural staff at Florida in 2005, and it has grown into a monster.
"Within a few years of its inception, FNL became the best-known on-campus summer showcase in the nation. It benefits most from being among the last camps of the summer, so as to maximize the number of elite recruits who can attend. It also benefits from the atmosphere of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at night with music blaring and videos of Gator exploits on a massive TV screen."
Many fans and recruits have wondered if Meyer would bring FNL to Columbus, and the answer is yes. He confirmed this last night on WKNR ESPN Cleveland. If you happened to miss that interview, you can listen here. You have to believe the combination of Meyer and Ohio Stadium will put this event over the top. I already think the 2013 class will be a ridiculous one for the Buckeyes, and this event just confirms that.
As for Diamond, he made his top five public this week on Twitter after his Ohio State visit. They are Arkansas, Auburn, Michigan, Ohio State and Wisconsin, in no particular order (though he did list the Buckeyes first). By all accounts his visit went incredibly well, and I would think the Buckeyes would be his choice if he had to choose today. He already has made it clear that he likes Meyer, and the Buckeyes easily have the best chance for early playing time out of the schools in his top five. That being said, there is a lot of time left until he announces on National Signing Day, and anything could happen in that time.
Meyer isn't content just to wait around for these two guys to decide, he's also been talking to offensive tackle Joey O'Connor (Windsor, Colorado). O'Connor was previously committed to Penn State before their scandal broke, and now is looking at Ohio State, Iowa, Boise State, TCU, and Cal. The Buckeyes haven't offered him a scholarship yet, and it will be interesting to see if or when Meyer will choose to do so. Also, Nick Davidson is a option for Meyer. While he hasn't made a hard push for him at this point, that may change in the coming weeks.
* The other spot Meyer and staff have been relentless in looking to fill is linebacker. Their pursuit is further evidence that Joshua Perry will end up as at defensive end. I've been hearing his height is closer to 6-5 now and not 6-3 like many of the recruiting sites list him as, and I've always felt his film pointed to him becoming a DE.
The two guys to keep an eye on are Camren Williams and David Perkins. Williams visited earlier this week, and seems to really like the Buckeyes. He is still committed to Penn State though, and wants to see who gets hired before making his final decision. The Nittany Lions are still in shambles, and I don't think they will be able to do enough to keep Williams from signing with Ohio State.
As for Perkins, the Buckeyes have a long battle on their hands. He was once committed to Notre Dame, and seems content to enjoy the recruiting process. He's already visited Missouri last weekend and is set to visit Michigan State this weekend. He has visits set with Ohio State (1/13), LSU (1/20) and Tennessee (1/27) in January as well. Michigan has renewed interest in Perkins now too, but as a running back since Bri'onte Dunn stuck with the Buckeyes. It will be interesting to see if the chance to play on the offensive side of the ball changes things for him any.
* It will also be interesting to watch what "playmakers" end up signing with Ohio State. From the moment Meyer was announced as head coach, he has been pursuing a handful of speedsters for a Percy Harvin type role. The list of guys he has been after includes Stefon Diggs, Cyrus Jones, Davonte Neal, and Joel Caleb. Jones is off the table now, though, as he announced that he is down to Alabama and Virginia Tech.
Of the other three, Diggs seems the least likely to end up in Columbus. If the Buckeyes get a visit that could change, but for now keep an eye on Caleb and Neal. Caleb already visited Ohio State last month, and had a lot of great things to say after he got back. Neal is supposedly visiting in January and is rumored to really love the Buckeyes. Look for Meyer to at least grab one of these guys when it is all said and done. If Ricuan Southward happens to head to Gainesville, possibly both of these guys could end up in scarlet and gray.
* One other note, get ready for Friday Night Lights. FNL was one of the biggest recruiting tools that Meyer had while at Florida. To fully understand, here is some background on what it is:
"Friday Night Lights (also known as FNL) is a one-night summer camp, or showcase, for high school football players from around the country. It was the brainchild of Urban Meyer and his inaugural staff at Florida in 2005, and it has grown into a monster.
"Within a few years of its inception, FNL became the best-known on-campus summer showcase in the nation. It benefits most from being among the last camps of the summer, so as to maximize the number of elite recruits who can attend. It also benefits from the atmosphere of Ben Hill Griffin Stadium at night with music blaring and videos of Gator exploits on a massive TV screen."
Many fans and recruits have wondered if Meyer would bring FNL to Columbus, and the answer is yes. He confirmed this last night on WKNR ESPN Cleveland. If you happened to miss that interview, you can listen here. You have to believe the combination of Meyer and Ohio Stadium will put this event over the top. I already think the 2013 class will be a ridiculous one for the Buckeyes, and this event just confirms that.
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