Alex Kozan has heard from the new staff.
Drew Thurman (3:17 pm)
We are less than a month away from signing day and the Buckeyes still have a lot of question marks surrounding their 2012 class. Despite having a top five class nationally at the moment, the two biggest needs (offensive tackle and linebacker) really haven't been filled yet. So January should provide plenty of fireworks on the recruiting trail and Urban Meyer and the staff look to close strong. Let's take a look at some of the latest news with Buckeye prospects.
Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl
Last night the Semper Fi Bowl debuted, coming alongside the Offense-Defense, Under Armour and U.S Army All-American games as one of the premiere showcases of high school talent in the country. It was a very competitive game featuring Buckeye targets DB Demetrious Cox, OL Jordan Diamond, and LB Camren Williams playing on the East Team, as well as DB Bam Bradley and OL Alex Kozan in the West. I was lucky enough to not only be at their practices this weekend, but also got a chance to take in the action last night at Chase Field. Here is a rundown of each guy and where things currently stand in the recruitment.
Demetrious Cox - Both in practice and in the game, Cox showcased that he is more of an athlete than a true safety at this point. As he told me last Friday, he is still adjusting to playing exclusively on defense and you can tell. While he definitely gets lost at times in coverage, he did show good recovery speed and the desire to be a presence in run support. He's down to Penn State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame, which will each gets visits in January. Cox was open in telling me that he is no hurry to make the decision, and isn't even sure he'll be close to making the decision around signing day.
Jordan Diamond - Diamond told me during practice that the coaches were giving him a chance to move around on the line, which was something he took them up on. Last night he took reps everywhere except for center. He looked really good, too, and had a nasty pancake in the second half of the game (something I got to see in practice as well). I was really impressed with his desire to play until the whistle blew and take on guys at the second level, though I have heard that hasn't always been the case in high school. Diamond is coming off visits to Ohio State and Auburn, which he called "even." He did tell me that he has more fans at OSU. He will be taking visits to Michigan (1/13), Arkansas (1/20) and Wisconsin (1/27) over the next month, and plans on announcing his decision around signing day on either February 1st or the 3rd.
We are less than a month away from signing day and the Buckeyes still have a lot of question marks surrounding their 2012 class. Despite having a top five class nationally at the moment, the two biggest needs (offensive tackle and linebacker) really haven't been filled yet. So January should provide plenty of fireworks on the recruiting trail and Urban Meyer and the staff look to close strong. Let's take a look at some of the latest news with Buckeye prospects.
Semper Fidelis All-American Bowl
Last night the Semper Fi Bowl debuted, coming alongside the Offense-Defense, Under Armour and U.S Army All-American games as one of the premiere showcases of high school talent in the country. It was a very competitive game featuring Buckeye targets DB Demetrious Cox, OL Jordan Diamond, and LB Camren Williams playing on the East Team, as well as DB Bam Bradley and OL Alex Kozan in the West. I was lucky enough to not only be at their practices this weekend, but also got a chance to take in the action last night at Chase Field. Here is a rundown of each guy and where things currently stand in the recruitment.
Demetrious Cox - Both in practice and in the game, Cox showcased that he is more of an athlete than a true safety at this point. As he told me last Friday, he is still adjusting to playing exclusively on defense and you can tell. While he definitely gets lost at times in coverage, he did show good recovery speed and the desire to be a presence in run support. He's down to Penn State, Ohio State, Wisconsin, Michigan State, Pittsburgh and Notre Dame, which will each gets visits in January. Cox was open in telling me that he is no hurry to make the decision, and isn't even sure he'll be close to making the decision around signing day.
Jordan Diamond - Diamond told me during practice that the coaches were giving him a chance to move around on the line, which was something he took them up on. Last night he took reps everywhere except for center. He looked really good, too, and had a nasty pancake in the second half of the game (something I got to see in practice as well). I was really impressed with his desire to play until the whistle blew and take on guys at the second level, though I have heard that hasn't always been the case in high school. Diamond is coming off visits to Ohio State and Auburn, which he called "even." He did tell me that he has more fans at OSU. He will be taking visits to Michigan (1/13), Arkansas (1/20) and Wisconsin (1/27) over the next month, and plans on announcing his decision around signing day on either February 1st or the 3rd.
Camren Williams - There was not a Buckeye target I was more impressed in than Williams. Not only was he a great kid to chat with, but I think intelligence-wise he's the most college ready of the bunch. He showcased that intelligence throughout the game last night, making some great reads in run and pass coverage. The latter is really what sets him apart though. Not only does he have great instincts, but has the speed to stick with quick backs and tight ends. Williams is down to Penn State and Ohio State, and will take one more visit to each place in January. He also will be getting in home visits from both coaching staffs. At this point I see him leaning towards the Buckeyes, though the Penn State coaching situation could change that.
Bam Bradley - Bradley looked solid in practice, though he didn't see any meaningful playing time in the first half of the Semper Fi Bowl. In the second half he made his presence felt, though, making a couple of huge hits. As I stated last Friday, Bam looks huge in person, and will definitely fit well in the Star position or possibly linebacker down the road. He was initially slotted to announce his decision during the game, but delayed the announcement due to mixed emotions. He will visit Michigan State on the 20th, and will choose between them, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, and Stanford.
Alex Kozan - Many Buckeye fans were convinced Kozan could play tackle at Ohio State, but the game was further proof he is a guard at the next level as he played exclusively there. He looked solid, showcasing good run blocking skills and hustle to get to the second level. He's not quite as strong in pass protection yet as he needs to be, but is a hard worker and a great kid. When talking to him after the game, he seemed to love being part of the team and someone that his teammates enjoyed being around. He was the only Buckeye prospect I didn't get to chat with during the practices, and this is what he had to say about his recruitment.
"I've got it narrowed down to five schools," Kozan said. "They are Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Auburn. Those five schools. I'm probably going to take a visit to Oklahoma and check that out. I'm going to take some time here and make a decision here in the next few weeks."
Has he heard from Urban Meyer or his staff since his announcement?
"I've talked to him and I've talked to Coach Herman, the new offensive coordinator, every week. They're supposed to announce the new offensive line coach real soon, so I'll take it from there, I want to see who it is."
What have they told him about his scholarship status?
"They said they just want the new O-line coach to evaluate and take it from there," he said. "They said they like me a lot, they just don't want to sign anyone their new O-line coach didn't want. So they're going to make that decision once their new O-line coach gets in. I have faith either way."
With two guards already in this class, it will be interesting what happens with Kozan over the next few weeks. Unless the Buckeyes completely strike out at offensive tackle, which isn't likely, or have some offensive lineman on the roster transfer, I'm not sure Kozan will get the offer he is really looking for. Once again, he's a great kid, and I hope we don't look back and regret the previous staff taking a guy like Pat Elflein ahead of him.
Davonte Neal, "The Ball Boy"
Jamie Newberg of ESPN has a great piece on Davonte Neal, who is playing in the Under Armour All-American Game tomorrow night. Neal is getting the opportunity to play both ways in the game, the first time that any player has done that in its five year history. Though he played at Chaparral High School in Phoenix, Arizona, Neal is originally from Akron, Ohio. He has a visit to Columbus coming on January 20th, and it is clear he really likes the Buckeyes.
"It is kind of special," Neal said. "I was a ball boy for Ohio State when they played Kansas State and when they played against Miami for the national championship, so it's special. Plus, I am from Ohio, so that adds more juice to it."
As Newberg highlights, though, Neal has a long list of suitors still at this point. Besides OSU, he is looking at Notre Dame, Arkansas, Hawaii, Auburn, USC, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, Arizona, and Arizona State. Originally the in-state schools were out, but the coaching changes have helped both schools, especially Arizona. In fact, Rich Rodriguez brought on Neal's high school head coach, Charlie Ragle, as the assistant director of football operations.
So it will be interesting to see how his recruitment plays out. He is no rush to make his decision, and likely won't have one made by signing day.
Warinner the connection to Decker?
It appears that former Notre Dame assistants Tim Hinton and Ed Warinner will join Meyer's staff to become the tight ends and the offensive line coaches. Hinton has been the topic of rumors for awhile now, but Warinner's name had just recently surfaced. It's a big deal, too, as he was he a big reason for offensive tackle Taylor Decker choosing the Irish.
Decker had received interest from Meyer right after his announcement as head coach, and though it made him stop and evaluate things, he ended up being loyal and sticking with his commitment. The departure of Warinner may have changed that though. He was shocked and surprised when he heard the news, and now says he has a lot to talk about with his parents. When Warinner is announced, one has to think Decker will be giving the Buckeyes a much harder look. His commitment could be huge, too, as there are lots of rumors that Kyle Dodson is leaning towards staying with his Wisconsin commitment.
Bam Bradley - Bradley looked solid in practice, though he didn't see any meaningful playing time in the first half of the Semper Fi Bowl. In the second half he made his presence felt, though, making a couple of huge hits. As I stated last Friday, Bam looks huge in person, and will definitely fit well in the Star position or possibly linebacker down the road. He was initially slotted to announce his decision during the game, but delayed the announcement due to mixed emotions. He will visit Michigan State on the 20th, and will choose between them, Ohio State, Pittsburgh, and Stanford.
Alex Kozan - Many Buckeye fans were convinced Kozan could play tackle at Ohio State, but the game was further proof he is a guard at the next level as he played exclusively there. He looked solid, showcasing good run blocking skills and hustle to get to the second level. He's not quite as strong in pass protection yet as he needs to be, but is a hard worker and a great kid. When talking to him after the game, he seemed to love being part of the team and someone that his teammates enjoyed being around. He was the only Buckeye prospect I didn't get to chat with during the practices, and this is what he had to say about his recruitment.
"I've got it narrowed down to five schools," Kozan said. "They are Ohio State, Michigan, Iowa, Oklahoma, and Auburn. Those five schools. I'm probably going to take a visit to Oklahoma and check that out. I'm going to take some time here and make a decision here in the next few weeks."
Has he heard from Urban Meyer or his staff since his announcement?
"I've talked to him and I've talked to Coach Herman, the new offensive coordinator, every week. They're supposed to announce the new offensive line coach real soon, so I'll take it from there, I want to see who it is."
What have they told him about his scholarship status?
"They said they just want the new O-line coach to evaluate and take it from there," he said. "They said they like me a lot, they just don't want to sign anyone their new O-line coach didn't want. So they're going to make that decision once their new O-line coach gets in. I have faith either way."
With two guards already in this class, it will be interesting what happens with Kozan over the next few weeks. Unless the Buckeyes completely strike out at offensive tackle, which isn't likely, or have some offensive lineman on the roster transfer, I'm not sure Kozan will get the offer he is really looking for. Once again, he's a great kid, and I hope we don't look back and regret the previous staff taking a guy like Pat Elflein ahead of him.
Davonte Neal, "The Ball Boy"
Jamie Newberg of ESPN has a great piece on Davonte Neal, who is playing in the Under Armour All-American Game tomorrow night. Neal is getting the opportunity to play both ways in the game, the first time that any player has done that in its five year history. Though he played at Chaparral High School in Phoenix, Arizona, Neal is originally from Akron, Ohio. He has a visit to Columbus coming on January 20th, and it is clear he really likes the Buckeyes.
"It is kind of special," Neal said. "I was a ball boy for Ohio State when they played Kansas State and when they played against Miami for the national championship, so it's special. Plus, I am from Ohio, so that adds more juice to it."
As Newberg highlights, though, Neal has a long list of suitors still at this point. Besides OSU, he is looking at Notre Dame, Arkansas, Hawaii, Auburn, USC, Florida State, Miami, North Carolina, Arizona, and Arizona State. Originally the in-state schools were out, but the coaching changes have helped both schools, especially Arizona. In fact, Rich Rodriguez brought on Neal's high school head coach, Charlie Ragle, as the assistant director of football operations.
So it will be interesting to see how his recruitment plays out. He is no rush to make his decision, and likely won't have one made by signing day.
Warinner the connection to Decker?
It appears that former Notre Dame assistants Tim Hinton and Ed Warinner will join Meyer's staff to become the tight ends and the offensive line coaches. Hinton has been the topic of rumors for awhile now, but Warinner's name had just recently surfaced. It's a big deal, too, as he was he a big reason for offensive tackle Taylor Decker choosing the Irish.
Decker had received interest from Meyer right after his announcement as head coach, and though it made him stop and evaluate things, he ended up being loyal and sticking with his commitment. The departure of Warinner may have changed that though. He was shocked and surprised when he heard the news, and now says he has a lot to talk about with his parents. When Warinner is announced, one has to think Decker will be giving the Buckeyes a much harder look. His commitment could be huge, too, as there are lots of rumors that Kyle Dodson is leaning towards staying with his Wisconsin commitment.
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